LST (491) - Naval Cruise Book

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I y ON OUR WAY AGAIN Storekeeper Mudd and others. The engineers saw to it that our ice cream production was increased by tap- ping the brine from the refrigerator to the ice cream machine and rigging up a small motor to do the work. Our voyage was uneventful, but we were shocked when we received the radio message on April 12, 1945, stating that our President and Commander-in-Chief, Franklin D. Roosevelt, had passed away. It was hard to believe that this great champion of Democracy and friend of all Navy men was gone. The ensign was lowered io half-mast by order of the Secretary of Navy, for a period of thirty days. On Sunday, April 15, a memorial serv- ice was held on the main deck with all hands attending. Before our arrival at Eniewtok, the first edition of our ship's newspaper was issued. jack 'Frethewey Storekeeper lfc, won 55.00 in the newspaper name con- test, the name being Now Hear This. The news- paper staff was as follows: Chief of Staff, R. Towner, C.Ph.M.3 Editor, R. Criep. Yflciz Reporters--Engiw eering, F. Chancellor, CMOMMQ Supply, R. Wasielew- ski, CCS, Deck, C. Wilson, BM2!cg Gunnery, VV. Brad- ley, GMl!cg Ship's Control, P. Hadley, SMl!c: LCVP's, R. Capstick, MOMMIXCQ Religious, F. Sweeney, Y2fcg Statistical, W. Runnalls, SKD2!cg Recreation and Sports, L. Anastasi, Slfcg Library, Cunningham, Flfc QMOMMjg Personalities, W. Smith, SMl!cg Make-up Editor, D. Hayes, Ylfcg Copyist, NV. Foley, Y2!cg Fea- ture Writers, W. YV eller, SK3! c and Martin Rogoff, QMSXCQ and Cartoonist, H. Lewis, Phm2! c. 43

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8 i On Gur Way Again We departed Norfolk on March 8, 1945, in convoy for the Canal Zone, stopping for one day fMarch 145 at our beautiful Naval Base at Guantamano Bay, Cuba, ar- riving on March 19. We were granted a four-day avail- ability at Panama for minor repairs and the checking of cargo. To most of us the Canal was a thrilling sight as it was our first time to pass through. Lou Anastasi and his committee had organized a softball league and We played a few games While at Panama. We regret- fully took leave of Panama on March 23, 1945 3 destina- tion Island of Eniewtokz estimated time of arrival- April 23. We departed in company with another LST and Without escort. It was a long and tiresome trip. The weather was blistering hot, but the sea was beauti- ful and calm. We used our time wisely, conducting training classes and tending our ship's work. The eve- nings were quiet and calm, and many enjoyed the sing- songs which were held on deck. Doctor Don Walker and Lt. Herb March furnished the music, playing the guitar and accordian respectively. They could play just about any request that was made and some of the sing-songs were really good. Our Coca-Cola machine was working nicely and the 'cool cokes' were enjoyed by all, thanks to Mr. Boston, Chief Chancellor, and 42

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THE OL' DOUBLE TROUBLE Our radar picked up the island of Eniewtok long before we could see it, as the island was very small and quite flat. We stayed overnight long enough to pick up our signals and move on to Guam. Not long after our departure, Lt. Herb March became ill and had to be transferred to one of the escorts for return to Eniew- tok for an appendectomy. fHe recovered nicely and was back aboard in a few weeks.j We arrived at Guam on April 28 and found Apra Harbor quite crowded with ships and a bee-hive of port activity. Our Hrst evening in Guam was an enjoyable one, the weather was beauti- ful and the sing-song and show was a corker. Some ships suspected us of having women aboard, but what they saw was Pharmacist's Mate, Harold Lewis, as the Hula-Hula dancer, and Motor Machinist's Mate, Paul Callahan, the mysterious Glamour Girl. Part of our cargo was off loaded here at Guam including our pon- toons, and the remainder on the Island of Tininian. On May 12 we sailed to Saipan where we received aboard several survivors from ships which had been damaged and sunk off Okinawa. On May 16 we were back in Guam and were immediately loaded with 1096 tons of ammunition-destination-Okinawa. 44