Randolph (CV 15) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 134 text:

lhe doggies were and when would fhey relieve us? The evening of Seplember 5 broughl lhe good news +ha+ we were lo leave early 'lhe nexi morning, and lhe bad news fha? all souvenirs musl' be lefi behind, wi1'h 'lhe ex- cepfion of a Jap rifle and bayonel' for each man. ll was indeed a sickening 'feeling 'lo dump lhose precious ariicles in a heap and leave lhem behind. The morning of Seplember 6 'Found us beginning our homeward journey af lasl-and if proved +o be a much longer iourney 'khan we anlicipaled, for we were noi' io see +he Randolph again unlil we reached Pearl Har- bor. Affer boarding LCT's, and fhen Transferring 'ro lhe USS Mon+erey , we discovered fha? fhe Randy had lefl 'Phe area lhe day before. On 'ihe Mon+erey we l'urned io , along wi+h lhe ship's crew, and in due 'rime arrived al Okinawa, where live hundred SeaBees ioined us on +he passenger lisl. During lhe +rip io Pearl, ihe Delachmenl' celebrafed il's firsf anniversary. Provided wilh a huge cake, ice cream, and plenly of boislerous singing, a good lime was had by all. H' was a grand and glorious feeling on 'lhe morning of Oclober 20, when we hove in'l'o view of 'lhe Randolpl'1 . moored +o +he pier a+ Ford lsland, Pearl Harbor. l'r musi' have been a mufual feeling for 'lhe ship's band was play- ing +he beloved Marine Hymn and everyone was a'l' 'Phe rail 'fo give us a hear'l'y greeiing. ln spife of some hardships, +he members of 'lhe land- ing par-ly fell' +ha'r il was a job well done and a 'rrip lonq fo be remembered.

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-Y builf affairs and ihe people appeared somewhaf ema- ciafed. The Air Base was surrounded by hills, all honey- combed wilh caves and l'unnels, which we explored, pick- ing up various souvenirs. Among olher poin+s of in+eres+ were hangars in which fhe suicide Balxa bombs were sforecl. Some of fhem were fully loaded wilh explosives. All l'his lime no word from lhe Randy or no sign of lhe familiar L on 'l'he rail or wing 'rip of planes passing overhead. Bul' much 'lo our surprise and joy, a plane landed one day loaded wi+h mail, chow and lbelieve I+ Or nofll beer. Some of fhe old Jap fire exfinguishers Came lo good advanlage as we used fhem +o cool 'Phe brew. Noi many days had gone by un+il we had +he area well Secured, and as fhe novelly was beginning 'io wear off, we Were ready fo go home. Everyone was wondering where fi

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