Guam (CB 2) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 93 text:

Freedom Sweeps the Yellow Sea ABOARD THE USS GUAM-SEPTEMBER 9, 1945. On September 8th, as a result of the Jap surrender and as a Flagship of an even more powerful force, the USS GUAM, now Admiral Low's Flagship of the North China Force under the overall command of Admiral T. C. 1 5 ' fl 4 5 v W., Q . . . Steamed into Jinsen Harbor. Kinkaid, Commander Seventh Fleet and Western Control Forces, steamed into Jinsen harbor, her guns and the guns of the mighty force insuring the quiet occupation of lib- erated Korea. For today was Liberty Day for the long exploited natives of historic Korea. U. S. doughboys in full battle equipment by the thousands streamed ashore to oc- cupy the ,linsen-Keijo Area, the initial step in casting off the Jap yoke of oppression which since the Russo-J ap War of 1904, has been pressing ever harder on the shoulders of a proud race of once independent people. ' For two weeks preceding this occupation, Admiral Low's North China Force has circled the Yellow Sea, parading the Stars and Stripes and American naval might before .the major ports of Tsingtao, Port Arthur, Darien. Bluejackets from farms, towns and cities of America glimpsed the Great Wall of China where it meets the Yellow Sea near Shan- ' if, P4 i . GQ' H. . . Naval Might Paraded in Major Ports. fa ,Q

Page 92 text:

GUING IIUME PIIINTS THE FIRST GRUUP 0F UFFICERS and MEN T0 BE RELEASED

Page 94 text:

Q L 3 l if 3 i i Iyar .,.,... ,-.-.-R. -Y H. . . Capital City of Keijof' haiknan and where the message, Welcome American was fiashed from shore to ship as sleek cruisers and destroyers passed in review. Numerous other cities and ports in China, Manchuria and Korea were passed in friendly review. Old Glory was a welcome sight to the war-weary eyes of these people of distant lands-people who remember America's Asiatic Fleet, once familiar and friendly to these waters. The re-appearance of U. S. ships in force was their confirma- tion that peace had really come-and those ships were cheered. As Vice Admiral D. E. Barbey's Seventh Amphibious Forces nosed into the harbor at Jinsen, Admiral Low's cruisers stood by, potent insurance against any so sorry incidents. Further out, circling in the Yellow Sea, Rear Admiral A. C. Davis, commanding a carrier task force composed of some of the U. S. Navy's veteran flattops,'7 filled the skies over the .linsen-Keijo Area with hundreds of white-starred planes. But incidents did not develop. Accepting their declaration . . . The Surrender Ceremonies Were Brief. . . . High-Ranking Qfficers Leave Jinsen for Signing. made during the battle of Okinawa, that the destiny of the Empire was sealed, the laps, a beaten people, bowed and scraped to the pattern of cooperative capitulation set by Tokyo and the occupation forces of Lieutenant General John R. Hodge, U. S. Army, Commanding General, United States Army Forces in Korea, were speedily and efiiciently set ashore by Vice Admiral D. E. Barbey's Seventh Am- phibious Forces. Approximately 15,000 American doughboys, together with official naval personnel moved from the beaches and docks at Jinsen on September 8 and 9 to occupy the capital city of Keijo, 23 miles distant. And it was soon evident to these men that their presence in Korea was most welcome to Koreans. Throughout the entire 23 miles between ,linsen and Keijo, large gatherings lined the highway displaying welcome signs and ubilantly waving American and Korean fiags. The only J ap flags visible were those flying above police stations, government buildings and army posts. On September 9 the jeep convoy bearing Admiral Kinkaid and General Hodge and other high-ranking Army and Navy officers left .linsen U. . . Lt. Gen. Kazuki, General Abe and Japanese Governor Sign.