Eldorado (AGC 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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SOFTBALL TEAM ' PEARL HARBOR' VIRGIL SMITH 'VS' QUENTIN REAM TRQIILLO 'VS' ROSS Twenty-two RICHARDSON FIELD ' P.H. L The forming of the crew which was to sail the ELDORADO took place at the Pre-Commissioning base at Newport, R. I. As the men finished their processing activities, and began settling into regu- lar ELDORADO routine, it became evi- dent that considerable athletic talent ' comprised the organization. Happy hour revealed some of the more pro- ficient athletes, and it didn't take long to organize a top-notch soft ball team. While still at Newport, boxing bouts l were arranged between different pre- 5 commissioning ships and our boys gave a good accoimt of themselves. Although many of the crew took part in varied sports activities, it was the softball team which made an impressive name for the ship. During our stateside ten- ure the team played and defeated four- teen different outfits, and were crowned the champions of that base. After being moved to Brooklyn and aboard ship, the sports curriculum was 5 curtailed because of space, but the soft- , ball coaches Ens. Bostrom and Lt. Pm- 1 nell continued: to plan for days when shore would beckon out in the Pacific I area. Upon arriving in Pearl Harbor games were sought for this sharp outfit, and an additional five scalps were hung beside the fourteen previous Ones. In addition, each division organized a team and a regular schedule was conducted on the grounds near our berth. While at Pearl Harbor, several boxing cards were held between the ELDORADO and the . AUBURN, and great pleasure was enjoyed by all hands, as each contestant tried to connect with every blow known to the ring. In addition to these activities all the men had ample opportunityto visit Waikiki Beach and swim in the warm waters there. Our stay in Hawaii was ' splendid for the athletically inclined, and all of the fellows took advantage of the facilities at their disposal, and prepare themselves for a long bout with the ene- f my. l d r Guam produced the first defeat for X the softball team, as the USS HUDSON 1 pinned back their ears. However a re- cord of 21 wins and 1 loss wasn't any- l thing to take lightly, but tougher oppo- , sition was to be encountered in the Philippines. At the present writing the team has amassed 28 wins against five losses and a well done should be given to the members of this invincible aggregation. Brinn, Leoty, Ujobai, '1H1rnbull, Mermilloid, Sopko, Merritt, Wilson, Wirmer, Pessetto, Thornton, Schretzman, Taylor, Silverstein, Smeeth, Cavendar, Westerdahl, Mitsch, Glenn, and Larkin are regular members, but additional support was supplied by A many more of the crew, and they too de- serve a lot of credit. These boys had a wealth of defensive strength, wonderful pitching and more than adequate hitting ability. '

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i .f, .fa .7 f .M g 1 I '59Nf 1 ' I-1-fs' X, f Kiwi, ,,Wf U gwgawmm 4 Vkjg ,,.-1, 451 , f I , ,fun ' X 4, f Q I K 5 , Q, 'W ., , , A c if Y A f 3' X FM 'Wwm, AW X f X S get gi, Rf' ,. . N - , X Q5 N p Q. f 5 M VJ SERVICES - l2,AUG.1Q S Chaplain C.W.V. Iunker The Church Pemiant moves to the top of the halyard where for an hour it will fly above the national colors as men and officers pause to proclaim their supreme allegiance to their Creator and Prince of Peace. The bugle sounds 'Church Call', the boatswain pipes attenu- tion and announces over the loudespeakersi 'Divine Service is now being held. Knock off all card games. Keep silence about the deck during services. The smoking lamp is out'. Thus, Sunday after Sunday, in port or under way, men gathe- ered on the boat or superstructure deck aft or, in bad weather, below decks in the crew's messing compartment. Shortly be- fore, the Church Rigging Party transformed the spot into a very Churchly scene with the strikingly beautiful walnut altar framed from behind by deep red and blue dossal curtains. The organ or chimes helped set the background and the ser-2 vice began as the Chaplain vested and took his place. At first it was Chaplain Harvey C. Porter who guided us through pre-:commissioning detail and served as ship's chaplain. Later as we prepared and moved out for Iwo Jima it was Chap: lain Curt lunker who was to serve as our padre. From that time on, each service was to end with the singing of the tra-I ditional Navy hymn, 'Eternal Father Strong To Save', sung in a new version to include those on land, sea and in the air .... a Prayer Hymn for Our Amphibious Forces. Then, with the 'Blessing of God Almighty' the assembled worshippers depart to their duties or pastimes. 5Divine services are over. The smoking lamp is lighted' eeee traditional Navy phrase. The Church pemiant comes down and the national ensign takes its place at the top until the next service. .i.1.,.qgp.41-- The visiting Roman Catholic Chaplains, from, our sister ship, the Auburn, from the Hospital Ships off Iwo jima and at Okinawa, Fr.. Paul Redmond, the famous Marine Raider Chap- lain, all had a close bond with our ship and men. While at sea there were always at least rosary or other devotional services led by men of the ship's comapny. Notable was the Pontifical Mass and service of Benediction on August 12th in Manila Bay. The celebrant was the Apostolic Delegate, the most Reverend Archbishop Piani. The superstructure deck was jammed with men from all the ships in the harbor. When the great Jewish holidays came, the men had special services. The Passover Seder service was held in the Chief's Mess and for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur the men joined with many others in services at Manilays Rizal Stadium. Approaching Iwo Jima, our first real invasion, our regular Communion service had even more meaning than ordinarily. The sermon wasz 'Courage is Fear which has said its Pray- erss. Present were Secretary of Navy Forrestal and several Navy dignitaries from Washington. That night before the forthcoming attack as we all waited at our battle stations, the Chaplain came around and pressed into our hands a small blue card which included the three hundred year old prayer, 6Lord, I shall be verie busie this day: I may forget Thee, but doe Thou not forget me ls It helped! The only Sunday without a service was LeDay at Okinawa but we had had our big Easter Communion service-the even- ing before below decks. As the Commanding General of the 10th Army and his staff worshipped with us, even as they had done at the good Friday services the day before, we off - ered many an earnest prayer. All Associated Press papers carried accounts of this service and the Mutual network carried the Chap1ain's Easter Message from Okinawa. When President Roosevelt died it was our Memorial Service Cwe had been at Battle Stations until eight minutes beforel which was broadcast around the world and rebroadcast to the Fleet. The film The Fleet That Came To Stay' includes that service. Later on VQE Day a portion of our Mothers' Day service was broadcast by NBC. While in Manila Bay a service of Confirmation was held the Sunday next to july 4th when the Rt. Rev. Norman Binsted, Episcopal Bishop of the Phillipines was aboard. And then:-M long to be rememberede:-sthe Service of Thanks, 'Vision after Victory', August 12th when it became apparent the laps anese were ready to quit. And then at last, our Val Day Sera vice. Twenty-three