Comet (AP 166) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 40 text:

at 2126 enroute to Pearl Harbor, Oahu, T.H., with SC 1320 acting as escort. Arrived at Pearl Harbor the following morning where Navy passengers debarked. - Q A V As-we pulled into Pearl Harbor we saw the half-sunken wrecks of some of the ships that had been hit on fateful Def cember 17th. But around those charred hulles, and almost as ' far as the eye could see, w-as a vast armada of ships of all types . and classes. We were just a small cog in a mighty machine proudly known as the United States Navy. Some of the men aboard who knew the numbers of the larger ships pointed them out by name. The sight'of so many jighting ladies told, us that something was in the air. In a very short time the faps' on Saipan saw plenty in the air and on' the sea and land as well.... ' A ' SAIPAN OPERATION . ' The COMET was underway again on 7 May proceeding to Hilo, Hawaii, T.H. with vessels of Transport Division 28 under Captain H. C. Flanagan, USN, on the USS BOLIVAR CAPAD. .Combat cargo and Marine troops of the V Second Marine Division were taken aboard 8-10 May while moored to, Pier 2, Hilo, Hawaii. The ship moved to Honolulu Harbor, Oahu, on 11 May andireceived additional Marine troops. On 14 May the COMET left Honolulu at 0740 enroute to Lahaina Roads, Maui, for amphibious training exercises in company with Transport Divisions 10, 18 and 28. The ship thus began operating as an Attack Transport in Task Group 52.16 under Commodore H. B. Knowles, USN, OTC on the MON- ROVIA. Training operations were completed 19 May, and the ships ofthe above Transport Division returned to Pearl Harbor the following day. k A - ' Final preparations for the Saipan invasion were made during 38

Page 39 text:

Pacific twilight -3 Guarding the Fox Afmywxkl. , ,W WM A In 05 Landing Craft going into Saipan 23

Page 41 text:

X Charon Kanoa Dock--Saipan .-J' Center : Back f wr another load Bottom : V-Charlie-Oboe Mike-Easy-Tare ef