LST (491) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE IMPERIAL EMPIRE Cannon, First Lieutenant. We departed Yokohama shortly thereafter for Ceubic Bay, arriving on November 2, 1945. Our stay this time in Ceubic Bay was a short but pleasant one. On the evening of November 3rd, an original entertainment production was presented on the tank deck. Martin Rogoff and Warren Weller wrote the script, lyrics, and music score. The production was called Headin' Stateside, something we all had hopes of doing in the very near future. The show lasted about three hours, and we had many visitors aboard from LST's and DE's, which were anchored in the vicinity. The cast worked hard, held many practices, and had many details to iron out. According to the October 13th issue of Now Hear This, the cast included the following men: The Hero, Ray Harney, lNise Guy, Martin Rogoffg the home town girls, joe Ries, john Coffing, Cal Hos- tettler, Charlie Vail, Ted Lainas, Brant Welge, Ben Harvey and Lou Anastasig Specialty numbers and male parts: Warren Weller, Harold Lewis, Weldon Smith. Paul Hadley, Clarence Moiris, Dick Myczek, A, Anderson, Dick Warner, and Bob Lee. The electrical work and stage settings were managed by Harlie Cooley and HJ. C. Norris. The show was a good one and en- joyed by all. During the intermission, Chief Wasie- lewski and his boys served refreshments-delicious mixed fruit ice cream, cokes, and joe Clark, our baker, pro- vided a huge batch of tasty cookies. We were all proud of the fact that we had men aboard with initiative and with a cooperative spirit. The men in the cast had a 49

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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

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THE OL DOUBLE TROUBLE good time working on the show. They presented a full evening of good clean entertainment of joy and laughter and their efforts were conducive to good morale and a happy Ship. On November 4 several men were transferred to the States for discharge. A number of them had been aboard from the time of commissioning and their serv. ices aboard had contributed materially to the successful performance of the mission of the command. We de- parted Ceubic Bay on November 4, arriving at San Fabian, Philippine Islands, on November 6, to load U. S. Army equipment for transfer to japan. While at San Fabian the crew enjoyed several picnics and ball games ashore. The weather at this port was exception- ally good and the recreation program was in full swing. We moved to San Fernando and anchored to await the arrival of another convoy which was sailing from Manila. Lt. W. T. Baker received orders, while at this port, to return to the States. He was transferred to Manila for further transfer to the United States. Lt. W. M. Boston was ordered to assume the office of Executive Officer. On November 11, 1945, we departed for Tokyo Bay, Japan. We had quite a large convoy and the DE Kates as our escort. The voyage was very rougn most of the way and we had our usual number of sea-sick patients. We arrived off the Tokyo Bay area on Novem- ber 18, 1945, but our section of the convoy continued OH to the PON Of Otaru, located on the Sea of japan, OH 50