LST (491) - Naval Cruise Book

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' Q OKINAWA ' A The war was now over as far as actual combat was concerned, but probably our most important task was yet to come-the occupation of the Japanese homeland by which We hoped to lay the foundation for a lasting peace. We again loaded pontoons on each side of the ship and departed on a new assignment to Leyte, Philip- pine Islands, arriving on September 9, 1945. On com- pletion of needed repairs and assignment to the Fifth Fleet we sailed for Batangas, on the Southern end of the Island of Luzon, arriving on September 19, 1945. It was at this port that we were able to arrange trans- portation to the United States for the first group of our men, who were eligible for discharge to inactive duty under the new point system. Dr. Walker and Lt. Herb March received orders to return to the States. We were happy to know they were going home to their families, but we knew we were losing two grand guys, who had played a big part in making our ship a happy ship. We received aboard a new medical officer, Dr. Thomas Stjemholm, who replaced Dr. Walker, and the following day, Dr. Albert Kattus reported aboard for duty with Group Staff 107. 47 ------uni

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THE OL' DOUBLE TROUBLE y crew would be at battle stations most of the night as the japs would manage to get some of their bombers through our coastal defense. We would make smoke aboard with the use of smoke generators and have our boats circle the ship with smoke pots. This was done by all ships on signal from the Task Force Commander in order to protect all ships in the anchorage. We returned to Okinawa on july 1 with another load of equipment and men. This group, the 7th Serv- ice Corps, U. S. Marines, was our first detachment of Marines, came from the Island of Saipan. They were neat and tidy and kept their spaces in excellent shape. We arrived at Okinawa on July 28, this time beaching at Nagga Wan Bay on the North Western section of the island. On our return trip to Saipan on August ll, an epi- demic of acute dysentery broke out aboard ship. By noon all aboard except three officers and twelve en- listed men were affected to some degree. The ship was thus disabled and moored to a pier. Dr. Walker and the Pharmacists' Mates really had their hands full, so about half of the patients were sent to hospitals ashore. The same day rumors were flying around that the war would be over in a few days. And when the good news was made oflicial most of us were on our backs, sick aS dogs. We all had a happy feeling though, to know that the war was over and an invasion of the Japanese home- land was not necessary. The question each man IIOW was asking - was When am I going home? 1 46 l

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- 10 The Imperial Empire . We loaded aboard an Army port battalion for trans- fer to Yokohama, japan, and departed in convoy on Sep- tember 29, 1945. As we proceeded north along the western coast of Luzon we were ordered to return to Ceubic Bay as a typhoon was approaching the northern coast of Luzon. We departed Ceubic Bay for a second try on October 2, but were ordered to return again from northern Luzon on October 4. We departed forthe third time on October 5, but on October 7, turned and sailed Southward for two days. Finally, on October 9, we were able to proceed North, arriving at Yokohama, Japan, on October 21, 1945. Our stay in Yokohama was short, but We encoun- tered considerable difficulty in getting rid of our port company and the tank deck load of Bailey Bridge. Again we were able to arrange transportation for several en- listed men who were now eligible for return to the United States. The Skipper, Lt. Cmdr. Wylie M. Hemp- hill received transfer orders as did Lt. Dick Loring, the Group 107 Staff Engineering Officer. On October 21, Lt. James W. Knox relieved Lt. Comdr. Wylie M. Hemp- hill of command of the LST 491. Lt. W. T. Baker was appointed the Executive Officer and Lt. R., A- 48