Stevenson (DD 645) - Naval Cruise Book

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flfem armed c6C414ZLVLM3CZl Several of the fellows made trips into the jungle around there and by means known only to those concerned, the Stevenson acquired quite a few 50 caliber machine guns andalso the First Lieut's gig-which Corbitt used in his pilgrimages to the beach. The next operation started the last of lune and it was the assault of Noem- foor Island. The Stevenson conducted shore bombardment and harassing fire for several days and nights. Back to Hollandia for a few days, a short trip to Madang for tender availability, and the Stevenson was set for the next opera- tion. The latter part of luly found the laps pretty much on the run in New Guinea. Sansapor was taken without much trouble and when it had been se- cured, the Steve was ordered to Purvis Bay to report to the Third Fleet. On the way down we stopped long enough at Wewak to train some shore gun fire groups. It was fun shooting at those laps planes on the airfield even though they were in pretty bad! shape before we arrived. The laps had saved a few mortar shells for us and they certainly made an eirie whistling sound while passing over the ship. The Steve arrived at Purvis Bay in a couple of days, and conducted preliminary landing rehearsals with Marine and Army Units. New movies were shown on the fantail and fresh chow was taken aboard. this time Lt. Comdr. I-leydon Wells relieved Comdr. Francis Wilson as Cap- tain. As we looked out over the convoy on the way to Palau we knew that we were now in the big time . On arrival off Peleliu lsland on Sept. 15, the Stevenson took her place in the screen around the .transport area. Remember the star shells at night, the 'constant chatter over the voice circuits when the laps tried to sneak in reinforcements, rounding up the ships for retirement dur- ing the night, the nightly visit of the lap Seaplane which was nicknamed Washing Machine Charlie , the rough weather and how the pilot house was always filled with smoke when the Batteries of one of the voice radios would catch fire and the days and weeks of constant patrolling off the island. There were endless 'days without mail. When someone suggested that it might be coming by pony express, how- depressed we felt when someone piped up that they had just eaten the pony for lunch. The fourteenth of October was a happy day for allhands. Orders back to the States for overhaul: first to Manus, then refueling at Majuro Island. Remember how quickly those boys on the tanker got some cash together when they found we would sell them a few cases of beer? On to Pearl the land of Leis-Cthat is the correct spelling, Mister Editorll those chocolate milk shakes really tasted good at Pearl City and how we all did go for those fresh tomato and lettuce sandwiches. The men bought enough grass skirts to make Hula Girls out of about one quarter of the Uncle Sugar female population. Orders 'were received to proceed to the 'Todd Shipyard in Seattle for the overhaul. Hustle and bustle getting records straight, a new in-port watch bill, deciding who has to go on first leave and then on the fourth of November entering the Straits of luan De Fuca with Canada on the port bow and Uncle Sugar on our starboard. Felt mighty good to be back home again. ' 27

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