Lanier (APA 125) - Naval Cruise Book

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e Norman Soong, Central News Agency, China: Max Desfor, TFOOPS' view, FUllYUmU A.P. photographer whose pictures of LANIER landing troops appeared in newspapers throughout the United States Sagami Bay Mt. Fuii at sunset Sagami Wan I-'Bay-1 Transports nestled in Sagami Bay

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Transferring mail SAN DIEGO, IOWA, GRIMES Desfroyer off Japan U IOWA Transferring personnel af sea via Hbreeches buoy'

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Flrst wave of Marines to land amphibiously are put Marines present arms as Old Glory is hoisted ashore by LANIER crews Marmes more intent on gutted Jap battleship, NAGATO, A than on beach directly ahead Red Beach, Yokosuka Naval Base Mm 000 have ORD was received by radio on 15 August that Japan had given up the fight officially. Ships in the harbor from the USS NEW JERSEY to ocean-going tugs sounded whistles, clanged bells and whooped it up in general. lt was a day that will be long remembered in Guam. - On the same afternoon the APA's GRIMES lO.T.C.l, LANIER, MERI- WETHER, MELETTE and BRAXTON and the AKA WAUKESHA, together with the destroyers BRONSON, COTTON and GATLING, left Guam to make history. These were the few ships whose honor it was to put ashore the first load of occupation troops on Japan. These were the few ships which would bear the brunt of any possible enemy foul play. General MacArthur himself later admitted it was a risk, but one well worth while. Presence of the entire Third Fleet, however, would have made any aggressive attempt on Japan's partpure self-destruction. After passing Saipan on i6 August, 1945, the TransDiv 60 unit proceded to Point Drink , Lat. 32.00 N-43.30 E. From l9 August to 27 August the unit sailed in circles with the Third Fleet, awaiting orders to continue on to Japan. This point was about 275 miles off the main U. S. flag flies