LST (471) - Naval Cruise Book

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served througho-ut the entire trip, but several other ships on the nearby beach were damaged by mortar fire. There followed a period of comparative inactivity in the forward areas as the ship had many of its worn out parts repaired and participated in the freight movements of re-supply and the rolling up of bases in the rear areas. This included a trip to the quiet little town of Cairns, Australia, for a load of Aussie men and gear. Returning from there to Morotai N. E. l., preparations were made for the in- vasion of Balikpapan on Borneos' southeast coast. This concluded the combat operations of the 471 and never again was it to sail in convoy through troubled waters. ALL CLEAR Following many months of tiring voyages came the announced surrender of Japan which was met with great joy by all members of the ship. At this time Donald Allyn Field, Lieut., QDJUSNR, relieved J. K. Haman of command after the latter had spent two years in the Southwest Pacific theater. Forthcoming were more short runs in the Philippines carrying whatever was in need of being transported, including Japanese Prisoners of War. Embarking a few Army guards and officers, the ship set forth from Aparri, Luzon, to the Batan Islands some distance north to effect surrender of the Islands. On Batan, 2358 POWs were loaded aboard along with lnuch equipment, enabling all hands to obtain some treasured enemy souvenirs. More Sons of Heaven came aboard at another island for the trip to Manila. After unloading at Manila, the co-mmand was transferred for the fourth time to .lulius Marvin Bentley, Lieut., CDJUSNR. By Uctober, scuttlebutt, which in the past had been rather indefinite began to take feet and walk around the ship, proclaiming that her job was over and all would soon be headed for the West Coast.

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age was done until one night a submarine hit a nearby LST with a torpedo. A merry Christmas and happy New Year day were celebrated by well nigh continuous air raid alerts with general quarters stations being manned throughout most of the nights. The following log excerpts were written on the mid watch and the morning watch of New Years day. Still anchored as before With ships in the bay galore And bogies in the sky somewhere, The whistles blew and the signals flew, All hands at G. Zero one zero one of forty five All is clear and we're all alive. Flash red same as before With all hands groaning as they mount once more, Bogies here and bogies there, But we don't see any any wheres. The alarm has rung thru out The ship but now Itis finished, no shots fired Except the two which spelled jinis. Leaving Leyte, again with Task Force 78, the ship rolled along through the Philippine archipelago to join in the post D-day landings at Lingayan. During the approach, for the first time, the men experienced the desperation of the Japanese as they time and again were attacked by Kamakaze pilots. While on watch at Lingayan, the men became trigger happy with their rifles as Japanese suicide boats and swimmers were thought to be approaching the ship. On March tenth, 1945, the ship saw its first D-day beaching when it participated in the landing at Zamboanga, Mindanao, P. I. Japanese opposition was light and no planes were ob-

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However, as is forever true in the Navy, one never knows when anything will occur un- til it has happened. Then on the twentieth day of November, 1945, the signal gang broke out and two-blocked the homeward bound pennant that they had made some months before to fly from the truck as the ship proudly sailed out of Manila Bay for Pearl Harbor and the United States. A After roaming the bounding main for three weeks, she arrived at Pearl Harbor. All hands eagerly went ashore when time permitted to visit the Pearl of the Pacific. Captain Bentley, after computing his discharge points, turned the command over to the executive officer and went on his way to become a civilian again. Lt. Qjgj Harold W. Lloyd, USNR, commanded the ship from then until' she finally was decommissioned. From Pearl, she sailed to San Diego, California, with an LCIQLJ in tow astern. Come Christmas eve and all hands were bitterly regretting that they were still two days out of port, when the towing cable parted. The sun had come up on Christmas day before the LCI was again in tow, leaving many with memories of a night not soon to be forgotten. Arriving at San Diego, the men aboard eligible for separation from the service were pleasantly surprised to discover that they would debarked within a matter of minutes. Re- maining only long enough to take on provisions, the ship pulled out on the last journey she was to make. Accompanying her was a small AGC. The latter was having engine trouble so both ships put in to the pleasant sleepy little port of Manzanillo on the west coast of Mexico for twelve hours. As soon as everyone had a quick taste of liberty and the engines were re- paired, the ships steamed on to Balboa and the Panama Canal. Receiving no chance to rest, she transited the Canal to the Atlantic side, where she remained for the night. Going through the Canal, many of the crew had the opportunity to see for the first time the beauty and scientific wonders involved in the construction of this