San Jacinto (CVL 30) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHAPTER X ' 1,5 AUGUST-v1CToRv DAY at OTHIN G having developed in regard tothe peace rumors of the previous day it was decided to keep on carrying the war to the enemy with everything we had. And so it was that on the day which would go down in history as Victory Day, the SAN JACINTO launched two early morning strikes within a short interval of time against the TOKYO area. Our first strike reached the coast where it met up with a group of about 20 Jap lighters. Our pilots shot down 7 and damaged 2, the other Jap planes being accounted for by planes from another carrier. This air battle had hardly been completed and our sec- ond strike wasestill on the way when the order to cease offensive action was given, the second strike jettisoned their bombs and returned to the ship. Our actions on 15 August were such that we will never be accused of quitting the war early. We were lighting up to the very last minute and we shot down seven enemy planes prac- tically at the last minute. It was a Fitting climax to a long and illustrious combat career-we had never pulled our punches It is hard to describe just how the SAN JACINTO to the news, announced by the Captain, that the war was There was a momentary feeling of elation and a very feeling of relief and, then, there was a sense of numbness' of emptiness. Total war is so horrible that the people in it became unable, after a time, to think except in terms total war. When it is over they have a diflicult time in themselves to a new order of things And in was with a real 8 - . sense of thanksgiving and devotion that-all heads were bowedi as the Chaplain led us in prayer. p f ' 1 We did not have long to analyze ourvfeelings because enemy aircraft, either not knowing or caring that the war was over, began to come in close and we manned battle stations as we had daily for all the preceding days of the war. The Force patrols quickly took care of the intruders and we were troubled no more. , The war was over. And now the skill and energies of ollicers and crew, which for sixteen long months had been directed, day and night toward the defeat of the enemy, could be turned' and we didn't pull them on Victory Day. to the less exciting but more profitable pursuits of peace. W U.S.S. San Iacinto, bow starboard view showing camouflage. u 0

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