Ensign N T Shows Jr
P C E (R) 852
World War II Journal of Ensign N. T. Shows, Jr.
Placed here with permission of N. T. Shows III
October 4, 1944
Will go back for a little Review--Last July 6, about 1800 (6 PM) I
reported aboard for duty in Miami, Florida. Underway at 8 o’clock
next morning for Bermuda. (Worked nearly all night on evaps before
sailing so missed being with Jean the last night. She left the same
date for Melville.) The ship was stationed to Marginal Warf [sic]
for Shakedown & training period. Underway for this purpose most of
the time.
On July 29 at 2 A.M. I rece’d a message from Red Cross saying Jean
seriously ill. Got 8 days leave, 4 days travel time. Caught plane
that evening for Miami, arrived about 11:30 that night. Slept at
B.O.Q. & hitch hiked via air next day--arriving about 8:30 that
night. Got a 10 day extension of leave. Jean got better & came home.
Left Melville 3 A.M. of 16 Aug., hitch hiked back to Miami by air.
Had to wait a couple of days for plane to Bermuda. Finally arrived
there--to find my ship detached and gone. Arrived here the 23rd Aug.
The ship came in the 25th. Fueled, etc. & headed directly for Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii. Had rough trip for a week. Pearl Harbor so changed I
couldn’t tell that I’d actually been there for 3 months before the
war. Big & and overcrowded. There so short a time, & lots of work to
do, there was little time for anything for work. Got around only one
day while after spare parts & filters.
On the 22nd of Sept. We sailed out. Broke steering cable, had to
return for repairs. Left the 23rd for Fungafuti Island--one of the
Ellice group. Had good trip down. Crossed Equator on Sept 26--Got my
revenge on the Polywogs--after waiting six years!--Crossed the date
line--clocks went ahead 24 hrs at midnight 28th--Skipped the
29th--Gee—
Arrived Oct 1, pulled along side tanker and fueled--stayed here for
the nite. Underway at 7 next morning. No mail, going or coming, no
stores. Nothing on the island but natives & fruit trees. No liberty
either.
It’s been a smooth trip from there. Clocks went back an hour again
nite before last. Still going West. Will pass through Soloman [sic]
Islands tomorrow.
Bearing burned out today on my fire & flushing pump motor. Cleaning
oil cooler on 60 K.W. Cummins Diesel Generator.
To-nite three years ago I was eleven hundred miles north of Iceland.
Had 8--12 watch on #1 throttle on Tuscaloosa. Remember so well
because the doctor had told Jean N.T. III would be born on that
date. (But nature delayed him to the 10th.) The 851 & 853 are with
us. Hope they stay.
Gee, but its a long way home. Right now it is fifteen minutes until
eleven A.M. October 3, Tuesday. We’ve crossed the Date line. Still
going west.
3 P.M. Same date. Salvo Island is in plain sight. The Cruisers San
Juan and Juneau went down here, with the five Sullivan Brothers;
also Barney Oldread & Clyde Jones, Newtie’s husband, Chief Mechanist
Mate. Japs had all this under control. Hundreds of their planes were
shot down here. Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal in plain sight.
Oct. 5, 9 A.M. Just read over my last letter from Jean, written
Sept. 5, exactly one month ago! Clocks went back another hour last
night. The whole night & trip has passed without a single enemy
contact. Am holding school for “E” Div. every day, teaching them
what to do in battle & damage control. They’re interested & learning
lots. Drills every day. Routine work & watches otherwise. Spent
couple of hours on bridge learning more about navigation &
instruments. It’s very hard for me.
Heard part of the first game of the World Series today. St. Louis
Browns & Cardinals. Browns won 2-1. Started 4:30 P.M. Here. Guess
its 1:30 P.M. yesterday back home. Am in bed now, tired & sleepy!
Oct. 6--Regular Sea Routine, drills & school today. Nothing unusual,
patrol planes sighted. Expect to arrive at New Guinea tomorrow. Oct.
7--arrived Fitch-Haven 8 A. M. Pulling in about nine, but couldn’t
anchor because we couldn’t find any bottom. Let out 90 fathoms of
chain, (540 ft.) So just layed to until orders to proceed came. Four
P.M. we left. Going to Manus, about 300 miles north. A big tanker
just caught up with us. 7 P.M. The weather has cleared, but been
raining hard off & on all day. Understand it rains most of the time
here anyway. C.B.’ees had a big camp there. I’d hate to live in a
place like that. Swamp & jungle extends to the beach in places.
Wrote my boy last night. Will write Jean now. Mail goes off at
Manus. Come to think of it, I couldn’t get much farther from
home--be headed back on the other side. 7,000 miles from Frisco I
heard.
Manus Bay, Admirality [sic] Islands, Oct. 8 1944. Arrived 5 P.M.
Such a concentration of Sea power I’ve never seen. Must be more than
three hundred ships in, Battleships on down. The West Virginia,
Tenn., Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado & others. Counted seventeen
aircraft carriers, there is more. Countless cruisers, destroyers,
DE’s, LST”s Sub. craft, etc. Many Merchantmen & tankers. We fueled &
anchored--10:30 now. We all hope & pray for mail. Large marine camp,
army & C. Bees on Beach. Must be a million men in this bay now--&
womanless!!
Had a good church service this morning. Mr. McConnal, the 1st Lieut.
led. Talked on John 3:16 & general discussion.
Found half a pair of dungarees in my evaps. No wonder trouble since
Panama!--We’re just south of the Philipine [sic] Islands.
October 9, 1944--Carrying out Ships work--Have the officer of the
Deck duty today. # 1 Motor Whale boat engine passed out. Won’t run.
Supplies coming aboard by the tons. Mail came. Thank goodness for
all the news.
Oct. 10--Same routine. Got a pair of C Bee’s green clothes & shoes.
Much cooler than greys. Gee, this sun has no mercy on man or Beast.
No wonder natives are black & brown. Working hard to get our evaps
in operation. Will be ready to get underway early tomorrow morning.
Oct. 11, Got Underway about seven. Was up most of the night with
Motor Boat Evaps, Stores and other routine work. All set now. For
Breakfast we had a fresh apple, & dinner--lettuce. Fresh things that
taste so very good after cans. They won’t last long. Can’t carry
much. Today is actually my boy’s Birthday (Its the 10th back home).
Its the day we are starting on our big drive on the Philipine [sic]
Islands. We’re in front rank with two Destroyers. Around the landing
force is a screen of Destroyers, P.C. etc. Its a very big force, and
will hit the Island of Leyte--Southern Central of Philipines [sic].
The convoy is making 4 knots. We slowly circle, so are up to six.
Just think--4 knots. A good walk, and we have a lot of water to
cover. Think we’ll start hitting on my birthday, the 16th. But it’ll
be a couple days later before we reach ours. This coming week will
be a long one. In some ways, all too short. This is the last week of
life for many of these fellows.
Oct 12, 8 P.M.--Columbus Day. Last night 8 years ago I saw L.S.U. &
Ga. Tech play football. Went with Ed, Vi, Willow [sic] & Lottie
Kramer. Next day rode to Alex from Meeker with Tillie & Helen
Merrifield. Passed exam, rode train to New Orleans. Saw Vi at Meeker
Station, Mother & Dad at Melville. Then on with my “Naval Career”.
Next day I said “I do” in New Orleans! Eight years--Gee!!
A P.C. craft pulled along side to deliver guarded instructions & our
exhaust line ripped her side open where she got too close. We didn’t
stop; guess they’re still afloat, didn’t look back too hard.
Everything calm & peaceful. Took sun bath for 4 minutes & almost
burned. Pink as can be.
Friday--Oct. 13
Good luck day. We had General Quarters for drill. All hands ordered
to rest much as possible, get as much sleep as we can. No telling
how long we’ll be up when the fire works start. The Big boys passed
us this morning. Battleships & plane carriers. Don’t know how many,
but plenty it seems. There is more than a hundred ships in sight
now. Plenty more over the horizon, both forward and behind us.
Sat, Oct 14--Well, the good luck day passed without mishap. Had a
good general quarters drill this morning. Getting close to the Palu
Islands, where much fighting has been going on lately. Passed lots
of drift wood, telephone poles etc. Guess it came from there. Have
practiced our plan of attack lots, and the boys know what to do. Was
given lots of morphine shots to give in case any of my men get
wounded. Pray I won’t have to use a single one. My pistol is checked
& oiled, knife sharpened, life jacket tested. Rafts checked, guns in
shape. Nearly full of fresh water. Machinery O.K. In short, we’re as
ready as we’ll ever be. Still creeping along. A day seems like a
week!
Oct. 15, 1944--Sunday night. After quarters for Muster this morning
had General Quarters. Also last night. Submarine contact. Went to
full speed for an hour. Dropped no charges. Had church at 10. I led
the singing--not because I can sing, but because I remembered the
songs. Read Scriptures & Prayers. Then a day of holiday routine.
Everyone is asleep now--9 P. M. Just took a walk through the ship.
I’m so lonely that I like to scream just to hear the echo. This
drive started on my Boy’s Birthday. The fire works begin on
mine--tomorrow, the 16th. (It’s the 15th at home then) We hit ours
about Wednesday, but won’t hit the beach until Friday.
Will write Jean, then turn in, but not sleepy. Just read ‘Border
Breed’ a bloodthirsty western novel by William MacLeod Raine. Hear
the captain stirring, don’t guess he can sleep either. Only a thin
partion [sic] between our rooms. Will go in & talk a while.
Oct. 16, My Birthday, & what a day! Got orders to fuel this morning.
Dropped back with convoy, pulled alongside LST 1024. So many ships
made the sea very chopy [sic]. They furnished hose & line, thank
goodness. Came dangerously close to them several times, then would
sheer way out. My heart in my throat often. Then the expected
happened. We bumped them. Just dented our side in a bit, didn’t rip
through, but the bridge lost steering control & we sheered out
beyond hose length. It was stretching when we got her loose & she
(the hose) just flew through the bit. It would have snapped anyone’s
leg off if it had hit. Dare not make over 240 turns on Port screw.
Have to go in the yard if we get back. 12 ½ knots our full speed
now! If not one thing its another!!
Oct. 17--Had General Quarters at five this morning. In Semi G.Q.
now. Expect enemy at any time. Caught the tankers this morning about
10. All Destroyers are fueling. Plane carriers are on the horizon
shielding us. Several planes in the sky at all times. Saw several
birds this morning too. Palu very close. We’re cutting north around
them.
Giving Formosa a terrible bombing drawing the enemy away if
possible. Don’t know if the fleets will meet.
At 3 P.M. A Jap plane came in. Only one. I was on the bridge. The
last we saw of him three of our F4 F fighters were fast after him.
Had General Quarters at sunset for an hour. Secured port engine to
save it. Screw vibrates pretty bad. Can’t make over 12 ½ knots under
any circumstances.
Oct. 18--G.Q. this morning at 04:45. Boy that's early to start the
day off. Lasted until sunrise, about 06:00. Have seen several shark
today. These waters are full of them. They really look nasty. Would
hate to abandon ship along here. The sea is also very deep in this
area. Up to six miles!
The day has passed without mishap. Probably won’t get to write
tomorrow night. Expect to be at G.Q. for several days. Go through
the Straits at Midnight.
Oct. 20, 1944--It’s now 9 P.M. Haven't had time to write anything,
so will go back to midnight of the 18, only night before last, but
it really seems a month ago! General Quarters sounded before we
started through the Straits. We stayed on our stations all the way
through, expecting shore batteries to open up or plane raid any
minute. Only planes bothered us a little. The Battleships did a good
job on them (shore batteries) that day. Mine sweepers had swept the
bay clear of all mines. At 04:00 we arrived at Leyte. Opened
fire--Battle ships, cruisers, destroyers. That pounding is
impossible to convey to any reader. Our planes bombed & lots of dog
fights. We, with our one three inch and 20 mm guns hung back with
the LST’s & landing craft. But could see the whole show very plainly
as daylight came on. The whole ship steadily quivered from the
concussions. Our nearest bomb fell about 300 yards off our Port Bow.
At 10 A.M. the first landing wave went in. Then one after another.
By noon things seemed to be pretty much under control. We pulled in
close. The palm trees that are snapped in half. Buildings wrecked,
including a church the Japs were using for supply base. The cross &
steeple still stand, but the rest is a mass of wreckage.
Our troops met mortar fire & the whole operation stopped until
planes could spot them. Ships fired again. Bombers and Dive Bombers
did their job. We’ve now landed thousands, and not many killed.
Early last night a Jap torpedo plane got the U.S.S. Honolulu, a
cruiser. Hit her engine room & exploded a magazine. 41 are missing,
18 killed. Don’t know how many wounded. Ran her up on the beach. Her
guns continued firing all night. Early this morning we pulled up to
her. Took off part of her wounded. This crew had never seen it
before. But now they know what war is. We kept them on until 3 P.M.
Then transferred all to a large transport hospital ship--way out.
Came back in. Opened up on several planes today. Lots were shot
down, but don’t think we got any.
They’ve been shelling & bombing what is called “Peter Hill” all day.
How anything living can still be there is beyond me. Reminds me of
Cassino Hill in Italy. A smoke screen is layed at night. Until 8 we
had G.Q. More enemy planes, but have been driven off. With loses
[sic] to them only. Several LST’s have been hit & various landing
craft, during the operations. During this last G.Q. we rec’d more
wounded from the Beach. Soldiers. Believe it or not they were
wounded by our own fire while sneaking up on pill boxes. Lots were
killed. It’s an awful sight. Legs or arms off, gapping holes in body
or hips, head concussions. Ray (Dr. Mallot) is really busy right
now. Thinks he can save about all of them.
I had a nap in engine room this afternoon. 1st in 2 days. Just had a
bath, so feel pretty fresh.
The Honolulu is off the Beach. Two tugs had her in tow last I saw of
her. A Jap plane was hit while making a try for a destroyer about
5:30. She fell within about a hundred yards of us, flaming stem to
stem. They’re still shelling. Bomb Bomb, right after another, but it
won’t keep me awake!
News broadcast says General McAuthor (sic) has returned to
Philipines(sic)! Admiral Nimitz is personally directing the invasion
(but bet a nickel he is directing from Honolulu where he was when we
left there). Admiral Kincaid is here. So is Wilson.
Wish I was home with Jean!! It’s midnight now. Another plane attack.
Yes we fired. Bombs fell but they couldn’t hardly see, neither could
we. No report on any damage. I had just layed down at 10:30. That
seems to be how it is, in waves & you just wait for the next with a
pounding heart. Be so glad when it’s over.
Oct. 21--9:30 P.M. There has been a lull in the firing today, from
the ships. Only two cruisers have been pounding. Our troops have
gone 6 or 7 miles inland. Had General Quarters only four times
today. No planes downed in sight.
General Mc Author [sic] is on the Beach. Broadcasting to the
people.”I have Returned.” But from the wounded we hear it isn’t
“Hail Mac Author [sic].” Its “Hail Yanks” from the natives who have
now returned from the hills to which they ran to miss the firing.
Their homes are all wrecked.
General Mc Author [sic] doesn’t seem to be thought well of out here
by the Army or Navy. They remember how he left (was pulled) from the
Philippines--arranged to save even his household goods & left what
few American nurses there were to be raped by the Japs when he could
have saved them. Such stories went through the Navy circles long
ago. Now I hear the same from the “G.I. Joe,” so there must be
something to them, but will never reach our people, because they
have built him into such a hero. Our boat crew saw him today. His
quarters are about a quarter of a mile away, right on the edge of
the Beach. We’ve had more wounded today. But in all, very light. 400
last count, about 200 killed. They threw the dead Japs in their own
trenches & a bull dozer covered ‘em up--that was that. Made a Grave
Yard for ours, & we can see the white crosses from here. Guess many
of them wore wedding rings. Each one some mother’s son, and will be
missed. All one can say is “Too Bad.” We have found several bodies
from the cruiser Honolulu. Sent them in on our Whaleboat, buried
‘em.
Hope it stays quiet tonight for once. I’m sleepy & rather tired, but
not too much. I don’t ache. Too thankful to feel any other way.
Oct. 22--General Quarters at four-thirty, but nothing came within
range. So peaceful we even had quarters for muster at 8 o’clock.
Usual routine, cleaned up the engine rooms a bit. Hope to rest the
rest of the afternoon. --It’s 12:45. Slept very good. Gee, a lot of
ships are leaving. From the big ones on down. Wish we were pulling
out too! It’s okay with all that power around. But it’s fading
slowly. All transports & supply ships have unloaded to the beach.
Evap trouble. Just dirty. Boys cleaning them now. 10 P.M. I’m going
to bed now. Been up a long time if you overlook my evening’s sleep,
but am still sleepy. News looks good. Jap news certainly does lie.
They have sunk about everything we have here, including Battleships.
Actually, no ship has gone down, few hit.
Oct. 23--What a day! It’s 10 P.M. now and I’m so worn out. But
better put the day down (& last night) before it all gets too
confusing & runs together. I didn’t get that hoped for sleep last
night; just started it. At 12 (midnight) they brought more
casualties out. I (my division) was asked to help handle them. 18 in
all, and about 10 of them on their feet. Just shell shocked &
nervous wrecks. How they cry, scream, and glare at you with such
vacant eyes! We could just pet & and humor them, already had several
shots of morphine, so couldn’t give them more. This went on until
about five, slowly one wore himself out, then another. Ray was
operating on others at the same time. I held pints of blood plasma
up until I ached. Giving as many a four at once in one man, each arm
& leg. One was shot through the lungs, & his heart would build up
air & blood pressure in his chest. Ray just drove a hollow needle
through his chest. Expected him to die any minute, but he got better
& was fully conscious when we transferred him to a transport this
evening, headed back. One boy’s right arm was just hanging by a
half-inch of skin, part of his shoulder blown off. At 5:30 we had
General Quarters, all manned our battle stations. No serious attack,
just pestered us until 8:30 then left. Few dog fights, but our
planes were off on another mission mostly. At 10:30 they came back,
more in number. Our cruisers, battleships & most all destroyers had
pulled out about 4 A.M. The Japs had sent the reenforcements (sic)
they’d said were on the way. One big plane carrier & heavy screen of
cruisers & destroyers. They haven’t returned yet so we know nothing
about it, except their planes came here. General Quarters secured at
3:30 P.M., ate sandwiches at 4:15. We fired almost constantly. Bombs
gave us several bad shakes, but no hit. A couple of ships were
though. They bombed the beach too. We pulled in close. Right now
about a 100 yrds. from it.
The Captain & I started to go ashore at 5:10 about & just as we
started to get in the boat General Quarters sounded. All hell broke
loose again. We got at least two--probable damage to others. They
blew the place used for a boat dock to hell, right where we would
have landed if we had left five minutes earlier. The ship is no
virgin anymore, we've been hit by machine gun fire!
What was left, left here at 8. Just finished supper, Salmons & a can
of beer? We got 10 cans per man in Manus (Admirality [sic] Islands)
for a beer party, if we ever get the chance for one! The captain
said every man rated one tonite, and was it good! The first
intoxicating beverage I’ve ever seen served openly on a U.S. Man O’
War, but the boys really rated the privalege [sic].
Those poor shell shocked guys. It’s too pitiful to talk about. Only,
they just went wild. Ray Mallot gave them plenty and they just
quieted down. Took the whole repair party & men I spared from the
engine room to hold them in.
I intended writing Jean after I finished this, but just can’t. The
page blurrs [sic] even now.
Oct. 25 10:30 P.M.--Dog tired & ache. Got to bed about this time
last night & just passed out 4 ½ hours. At 3 A.M. General Quarters
sounded. We had rece’d a blunt message--quote: “Stand by for
Bombardment from the Japanese Fleet.” You talk about spine tickle
etc.; waiting for 14 & 16 inch shells to start falling; dared not go
out. Just waited. For two hours this went on & not a man even yawned
I bet. Five o’clock word came our fleet present & engaging the enemy
and presently we could hear the booms & see the shells streak the
sky. Then their air force hit us. Strike then leave for nearly an
hour, strike again. We got six of them. A tug & LST hit. Secured
G.Q. At 9:40. All Clear. 40 minutes later they were back. 18 in one
group, 12 another, & several groups up to 12. We got 2 certain. But
everybody was firing; help came & one of our own was shot down by
us. They left about 11 o’clock. We got underway for ‘Red Beach’ at
11:30, 5 mi. up the coast line to another landing. Boys had a tough
time here. Many wounded & killed. On the way we passed a dead jap
floating. All puffed up, been dead several days. A floating body
isn’t a pretty sight, but a dead jap is a good one. Just as we
anchored, God, what a raid! They raked us from stem to stern. Poor
old Dempsey got a 50 ca. bullet through the left hip in front & it
came out through the right cheek of his rear (yeoman 1/c). Several
rece’d minor wounds, none killed. Nearest Bomb about 100 yards. Mine
Sweeper hit. L.S.T. & another tug. We brought down four, several
damaged & and limped off. Up til 9:30 tonite; they’ve come about
every 30 min. Seem more interested in raking us instead of bombing.
Guess they figure we’re too small to waste them on. News from our
fleet, 2 Jap battleships blown up, a cruiser, 3 destroyers down.
Plane carrier afire. Don’t know our damage, except they got one
torpedo boat.
We pulled alongside an L.S.T. this evening for wounded during the
lull in battle. Threw my clothes over the side, soaked in blood. An
officer on it said “Come take a look.” Think he was about ready for
the madhouse himself. Anyway, we walked over to 4 bodies covered
with canvas. He threw the corner back. The head was blown off, one
shoulder and arm. I know I froze to the spot a minute, turned away.
Tisdale froze to the guns too, stark mad. Forsha can’t be trusted
anymore, shakes like a leaf. Valentino fell on his knees crying,
saying, “Relieve me! Relieve me!” I spoke in a gruff voice, “What’s
the matter with you, Tough Nut??” Just because I didn’t know what
else to say. I knew what was the matter, but he snapped right out of
it. All this time he was holding my pants leg. Didn’t have to hit
him. There are about ten in the sick bay in bad nervous shape. I’ve
had enough too, and just pray to God I don’t crack also. I don’t
think will last much longer.
If I get through this war, someone will play hell getting me into
another one.
Oct. 27th--Have just been too tired & sleepy to write. Same thing
been going on. Put our real bad cases on Naval Hospital ‘Mercy’
yesterday. Took some from an LST 552; 18 killed, 40 wounded, some
soldiers. A million dollars burned. Money they were going to use
here.
Part of our fleet has returned. One destroyer just is afloat &
that's all. Lost the Grant, 2 carriers, 6 PT boats. Blasted hell out
of Jap fleet. Jackson shot down a jap plane yesterday morn. 7 bombs
just missed us last night, from high altitude. 69 planes shot down
by the force afloat in last 2 days. By the way, we are attached to
“Task Force 79” in case they leave McAuthor out of the news long
enough to print it. The Navy has done everything but dig his fox
hole for him. Haven’t seen one single army plane since the works
began.
The PCE (R) 850 was hit in her 3 in. ammunition ready box. Killed 2,
wounded 8. Dempsey was transferred to ‘Mercy.’ Doc says he won’t
live much longer. Getting little sleep & even less time to cook &
eat. I stay half drunk on coffee. Cheese & bacon sandwiches. More
fleet in today. Some cripple. That’s the high points, too tired for
details. Don’t ever be so silly as to ask me, “Didn’t you get
scared?”
Oct. 28--I’ve lost a date somewhere. This is Sat. Started this a
week ago yesterday! Yesterday was navy Day Also Bub’s Birthday.
Wonder where he is. Some P38 planes came in yesterday. First time
the army has been in the air. Boy did we feel good. They did stunts
& cut didoes for a while. But at 4:30 P.M. When the enemy came
again, not one was in the air! The Japs scored a lucky hit on an
ammunition dump on the beach. God, what an explosion. Killed 250
men, countless wounded. Bet our ship jumped a foot out of the water,
& a mile away nearly. Thought sure we were hit hard. Our ship set 2
more planes afire this morning. One fell on the beach, other
crippled off. We were at General Quarters all night. The stench from
the dead is terrific--for passed [sic] two days. Getting kinda used
to it now & ate a little supper. But my guts can stand anything now.
We have a fresh load of wounded aboard now, but no big hospital ship
to take them to. Hear one comes tomorrow. By the way--Admiral
Kinkaid personally sent the U.S.S. PCE (R) 852 a message yesterday.
Quote; “Congratulations, Well Done.” Boy they really held field day
on the Jap fleet. Oh yes, that ‘can’ (destroyer) I spoke of earlier
as being low in the water lost half her crew. Tonight’s news says
14,000 Japs killed here. Little over 1000 for us. Seems like I’ve
seen more dead that that the passed week, but nearly all were
sailors--so don’t guess we count much.
Such stories that come from the wounded, also from the natives that
paddle out to beg clothes & food. Up to about 12 years old they run
around naked. Even the kids had to work the fields--one peso a
day--(1 cent) Then just script, not real money. The tales on the
women are awful. Kept several chained right in camp--& when a Jap
wanted a little bit, go out & get it, but that has been typical of
them for years. Look how they raped the women of China. Even to the
six & seven year olds. Here too there are stories of it.
Things are getting pretty well under control. It is raining now,
hope it lasts all night for us on account of planes. But God have
Mercy on the boys right over in the fox holes, they are taking a
beating. Besides, the Japs counter attack every night. Snipers
awful.
Sun. Oct 28--We had trouble last nite till 2 A.M. But none came very
close to us. Over the transport ships area mostly. The PCE 848 took
3 near misses by bombs, lost ¼ of her crew. Their Eng. Officer has
cracked up. We transferred all wounded to the big hospital ship
“Comfort” this afternoon. Been a quiet but busy day. It’s 7:30 P.M.
now, cloudy & little rain. Going to bed now & still hope for a
nite’s rest & sleep.
Monday nite--29, Tues. 30, & Wed. 31st
Halloween! Of all things. 4 Jap planes kept us on our battle
Stations from 4 to 8:30 P.M. They blew up our oil tanks ashore. Big
fire..P38’s shot down 2--& 2 escaped. They didn’t come near us. By
the way, we have two Jap flags (small) painted on side of our
bridge. Have caught up quite a lot on sleep & rest. Gee, it feels
good not to feel in a half daze. Early this afternoon another Jap
body floated by our ship. He was a flyer. Still had his flying belt
on. We still have G.Q. early in the morning & a couple of times a
day, but haven’t opened fire ourselves since last mentioned. Right
now everything is O.K. & if I could just look up and see Jean, I
wouldn’t even know a war was going on!
Nov.1--Boy, last nite turned out to be a busy one! They came in at
midnite & we were on our G.Q. Stations until 3 A.M. Then again from
4 to 6. But got rest today. At 4 P.M. they came again. Got 2 of our
destroyers at the entrance of the bay, about 5 miles away. What
explosions! Seems black smoke went into the sky far up as you can
see. Their bombs fell near us, but they are after the air field.
Those P-38’s finally went to giving them hell. The island is under
our control, but plenty fighting & killing still going on. We took
on & put off more wounded today.
It’s 10:30--Been censoring mail for 3 hours. Must be over a thousand
letters to go off, when it does go. We can hardly wait. Wish Jean
could hear from me for her birthday tomorrow, but impossible.
Nov.2--Went to G.Q. At 11:30 last night. Was looking at the clock
when it hit 12. Starting the 2nd of Nov.--Jean’s birthday. Have
spend several hours since at same. Japs started a few fires on beach
but no ships were attacked. Sent our mail in this A.M. too. Managed
a last minute note to Jean.
Changed lube oil & filters in 100 K.W. Generator Diesel & Main
Engine--12 cyl. General Motors 567. The same engine used in Diesel
Stream liner trains. We took on no casualties today. Seems our
business is slacking up now. Don’t know what we’ll do, but look for
more landings.
Nov.3--6:30 P.M. They just don’t leave us alone at night. Did pretty
well for themselves too. Got 2 of our planes on the ground. Set fire
to a supply ship. Hit the PCE (R) 851 & missed us. How they can keep
missing us I don’t know. A bomb really rattled our teeth. Sides are
dented from shrapnel, but none through. Shot down five. One crashed
into an L.S.T. We have the wounded aboard. One fellow’s face is a
sight. Skin peeled off, appears dead white, hands & feet also burned
bad. He’ll live, but what a scar I’m sure it’ll have. It’s cloudy &
rainy--they like that--expect to be up all nite again. They just
strafed the air field an hour ago, drop out of the clouds & away
they go, 4 of them. Don’t know the damage of that one. It’s been a
hectic two weeks, but everything will be all right I’m sure. Just
darkened ship, been eating supper.
Sun. Nite--Nov. 5, Wonder if Jean & our family got to church today.
There hasn’t been mail, my last from her was Sept. 27, little after
her operation. If everything has gone fine she should be up. Have
been half sick last couple of days. Throat so sore, feels raw, bones
ache, & had a little fever this morning, but feel better now. I felt
silly getting treatment for just that when so many are really in a
bad way.
As for the war, the Japs unloaded four transports full of soldiers &
supplies--reinforcements--on “our” Leyte. How they kept the Jap
fleet out & let transports sneak in is beyond us. They’ve set our
troops back 3 miles today. But McAuthor [sic] says things are under
control. He sent a major to “Dixie Bell,” our command for 100 lbs of
rabbit, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.--some joke! Press news radio said a
bullet narrowly missed him the 1st day. Well, thousands it didn’t
miss, but our people “eat up” such as that.
They’ve bombed hell out of our airfield--hide the planes at nite in
the woods. We have a Lt. (flyer) aboard. On patrol he shot down 4
Jap planes, came in at dusk only to be shot down by our artilliary
[sic] fire--that happens real often though. He is burned from head
to toe very bad. Ray says he might die. Several others have already.
The Japs have done lots more damage than has been admitted by our
side, but such is war. Convoy came in this morning--might say
crippled in--they’ve been under heavy Jap air attack. Those Jap
fliers don’t seem to give a damn if they’re shot down or not, they
come right on in.
The captain just called me in his room for a stiff drink from the
medical stores. Enjoyed it, but it didn’t do my throat any good.
Jean, I hope I’m forgiven for having a drink while not with you!
Nov. 7--The war must be about over far as the ships are concerned in
this area. We’ve not had a General Quarters last couple of days.
We’re getting back in the old routine. Ships work and cleaning. Had
13 extra duty men cleaning my bildges [sic] for two hours last
night. They “slept in” after hours.
If these peaceful days continue may even get ashore yet. Been so
long ago though I’m used to it. Bet I couldn’t walk half a mile
without being out of breath. No mail yet, every day we all hold our
breaths until the boat goes and comes, hoping. So far it’s always
empty handed, but it can’t go on forever. We expect it now. Ships
coming and going from Manus-Admirality [sic] Islands & Palu every
day. One has to bring some sometimes. I’ve read my old letters from
Jean so much now that I know them all by heart. No sign of us being
ordered away from here yet. Wish we would move though. Either North
or South. It’s too quiet after so much excitement. Would love to see
the fall leaves back home. Guess it’s cool too. God it’s hot here.
Prickley [sic] heat all over our backs & tummies. Sweat rolls off
you until about 10 at night, then it’s bearable. No sooner than the
sun is in sight in the morning, you can feel the burning of it.
Nov. 9-Yesterday evening & all last night we had a bad storm. The
ship drug anchor quite a distance before we could get underway. Came
very near drifting into a Tanker & was headed right for the beach.
The ship rolled & rocked all night. It’s 9:30 A.M. Now, breeze still
stiff. Both anchors down, engines secured, but its mostly passed we
think. Everything is still quiet. No mail yet. We’re just waiting
and don’t know what to expect. F.D.R. won election again. I’m glad.
News continues good. Following old routine.
Had a little target practice with a 30 ca. carbine army rifle this
afternoon. Enjoyed it. Tonite the officers played poker--6 of
us--Won one nickel. 15 cent limit. 9:30 P.M. now, & going to bed
11/11/44--Think yesterday was Mother’s & Dad’s Wedding Anniversary,
but not too sure. Mother & Alyce have a Birthday this mo. 17 & 27 I
think.
Went out 50 miles to a net tender yesterday for 1 wounded man.
Fractured pelvis--fell through a hatch. Planes have left us alone.
They still come over the beach once in awhile. Fighting still goes
on for the troops tho. No mail as yet, boat isn’t back for this date
yet tho. Everyone is “touchy” and mail would help a lot. We’re very
lucky just the same, but its hard for these guys to realize that.
11/12/44--The PT Boat (Torpedo) 495 usually ties up to our stern.
Their skipper & ours were old friends before the war. About 6 P.M.
We got a message to proceed to Red Beach for wounded. I rode on the
Torpedo Boat just for the ride on one. While enroute the Japs came
over--2 were shot down, a P-38 got another. All three came down in
flames. It was cloudy, so think the 4th got away. Left our Starboard
propeller to be straightened on a repair ship. Operate with one
Engine. Played checkers tonite.
11/13/44--More planes over today. One dove right into the Bridge of
a liberty ship about 1000 yards from us. Killed all on the Bridge
and wounded others. An LST was bombed. It was full of soldiers.
Goodness knows how many killed. She is still burning. But the smoke
is thinning out. Tugs went alongside to give her a hand. We were
alongside an ammunition ship at this time. Boy, you talk about
hurrying. We really got away from that thing fast. If they ever set
her afire--God!
11/14/44--Up nearly all nite last nite. Little firing though. Of
course we’re full of wounded yet. Had just gone to bed at 4:30 A.M.
& at 6:10 they came again. Four were shot down. P-38’s were busy
too. They got several. I saw a 38 get one; gee, how pretty & fast
they are. As the Jap fell, smoke rolling out of his engine. We could
see the pilot. Saw him push back the overhead enclosure. He tried to
stay up long enough to dive into a supply ship, but didn’t make it.
His right wing hit first. Threw him clear; looked like he was shot
out of a cannon. Guess we’ll have another one floating around in a
few days. Their planes are just no match for ours, and they are
using their famous sucide [sic] tactics.
11/17/44--It has been quiet the last few days. They (Jap planes)
came over the beach yesterday but didn’t try for any ships. Our air
power is getting stronger & stronger while theirs is weakening.
No mail as yet, it’s to the point we don’t expect it anymore, so
when it does get here it’ll surprise everyone. Morale of the crew
continues to be high though. Pay day yesterday. I didn’t draw mine,
couldn’t get rid of it. No money orders for sale & to send cash from
here is too dangerous. Took on water. Put our screw on an L.S.T.
repair ship; hope they can do something for it. Meantime we operate
with only one engine. Bawled my division out this morning. Bless
their hearts!
Sat. Nov. 18--Our ships & P-38s got 6 Jap planes this morning. One
came over us, we poured lead into him, but he succeeded in diving
into a Liberty Ship anchored about 500 yards off our port bow. We
fired at another which dove into an L.S.T. Another just missed a
Destroyer. It’s mast tore his wing off, but he hit the water. More
dead & wounded. We took on all we could. Some are so terribly
burned. There were fifteen in all. P38s got 3 in sights & they
disappeared over the mountains. At the rate they shoot them down,
guess we got several more. Had some Army wounded aboard yesterday.
Put them on a large Hospital Ship--PH3--guess they’ve gone back now.
It was part of what was left of a company of 200 that tried for a
Jap held hill over there, only 40 returned. MCAuthor’s [sic] daily
report is true, we do continue forward, but God! At what a price! It
isn’t nearly so easy as they’re making the civilians back home
believe. They let us tell a few things now, but our own losses must
be left out. These Sucide (sic) tactics can’t be told yet. No
mention of any numbers of dead or wounded.
Bet you couldn’t tell by reading any news back there that we’ve
“handled” ship load after ship load of dead and wounded. Just us,
much less many other ships doing the same. It’ll be a month day
after tomorrow since the first landing, & we haven’t completely
taken just Leyte yet. That should tell the people at least
something.
Sun. Nov. 19th--This morning’s news from McAuthor [sic] says 3 Jap
planes came down in the shipping area. 2 of them dove into ships.
Guess we’ll read the same tomorrow because they dove into 3 more
ships this morning. 2 Liberties & 1 tug. We went alongside a Liberty
right after, gave help again. The Jap was burned to a crisp. Killed
about six, burned 4 bad. Hit the stack & glanced off. When we pulled
off we ran aground! What a jar it was & I thought we were hit again.
Tug pulled us off. Sound gear (for locating Subs underwater) is
ruined. Propeller only nicked. Bottom dented several places but not
ripped open--heck! We won’t go to a Navy yard soon. The 851 took our
wounded. We’re alongside tug yet, 11P.M. Being fixed up & they’re
putting on our Port screw. Hear some ships brought mail today; hope
it isn’t all for the Army as usual. This tug got mail a few days
ago, their first since July! God, I hope we don’t have to wait four
months!
Mon. 20--It’s been raining all day & night. Peace from the Japs.
Trouble putting our screw nut on. Gave out of water; first chance
I’ve had to test the evaps good with that steam line added. They’re
putting out over full capacity. Hope the peace continues. No wounded
aboard, things seem normal as old days, yet seem wrong. None of the
700 bags of mail today was for us! Feel good. Today one month ago we
hit this place. I looked it up. To date we have survived 178 air
attacks. Seems unbelievable.
Thurs. Nov. 23rd--F.D.R.’s Thanksgiving. At Sea. Left Leyte
yesterday about 5:30 P.M. None of us got much sleep last night.
Expecting attack any time. Ships been catching hell in this area
coming & going. Our screw still giving us trouble. Going back to
Manus—Admirality (sic) Islands to try & get it fixed up. Divers
couldn’t. A floating dry dock there. Passed large convoy going to
Leyte. Bet our mail is with it. Boy that would be a crime. Sea
pretty choppy. We roll heavily. 8 P.M. now. All is well.
Oh yes, yesterday we got a message from PT 495 Quote: “Hit hard.
Frank & Badger O.K. Going back for deserved rest.” This is the same
P.T. I took the ride on & ‘Frank’ is the Captain’s friend from old
days. Don’t know how many of the crew was lost. Those P.T.s have
taken a beating out here. Don’t know where they’re going “back” to
either.
DEC 20, 1944--Back at Leyte! Pulled in to the day two months ago
today, too! Nearly the same hour. Didn’t write while going down to
Manus. Nice trip, no enemy trouble & our nerves settled right away.
Got a new Port Propeller put on. Painted the bottom, overhauled the
Sea Suctions in a floating dry dock. The cruiser Honolulu was there.
They got 43 more dead out of her. Two days before we arrived an
ammunition ship blew up (& told) when the smoke cleared, there was
nothing left to show there ever was a ship there. Bodies & parts
floated around regular. They cleaned ‘em out. Then back up. Stopped
at Palu for 24 hrs. Picked up a ship full of high test aviation
gasoline & convoyed her up. Boy, they are dangerous. Arrived early
this morning. Quite a few ships in. Mail (by the way, I got mail in
Manus) was waiting. Got 10 letters. Guess this was our Christmas, no
telling when more will come. Been reading mail all day. 5 from Jean,
2 from Rheba, one from Alyce, Dad & Rene. Read them over & over &
the snap of N.T. holding Beverly is next to heaven.
Then, at dusk, the Japs came. Surprised us. Ran out to see if the
guns were manned, if not to man one myself. We were not at General
Quarters. Every gun opened up & just poured steel into him. He had
started a sucide (sic) dive on our water ship. (My evaporators are
torn down for cleaning, so I’m damn glad they got the darn thing.)
He just exploded & parts flew all directions. I was right in the
middle of a long letter to Jean. Finished now, and back at war. The
rest we had did lots of good.
The PCE (R) 851 took a hit in her bow the other day. 3 inch shell.
They’ve been up at Manados. Their crew is about cracked. Their
Doctor has a nervous breakdown now. I didn’t go over. Our Skipper
says they’re all in bad shape. They’re going to Manus for rest.
More news of the PT 495 too. Frank & Badger are O.K. but both
wounded. Frank has gone back to the States. Crippled in ankle, very
bad, maybe for life. Badger got it in the arm, he is on a big
hospital ship. Expects to go back. Two of the crew are dead. All
wounded. Some slight, some bad--Scrapnel [sic].
We transferred Chief Boats Underwood as “not dependable in more
battle.” We are on Harbor rescue duty now. Let time fill any
expectations.
Dec. 24--There has been no serious trouble since we arrived. The
only wounded we’ve had aboard came from the beach. They had already
been fixed up.
It’s Christmas Eve. Doing nothing much. Holiday Routine, besides,
it’s Sunday.
11:30 P.M. We’ve had our Christmas. Served grape juice & cake
tonight. The wardroom table was stacked with presents. We lighted
candles to give the atmosphere. Presents consisted of candy, cake,
gum, socks, handkerchiefs, gum drops, even cigarettes & Marshmellows
[sic] (1 box) canned stuff--coco [sic]--juices, etc. Books too. Only
the Skipper, Mr. Gus, Eby, Otis, Loeltz & McConnel had any gifts.
The rest of ours haven’t come. I have a fruit cake Mo Mo. (bet it’s
ruined), a box of pecans from Gene & Vesta and my Jean’s present
somewhere in the mail. Japs bothered us for two hours tonight.
Dec. 25--Turkey & all ‘trimmins.’ Boy, what a feast! Slept this P.M.
With a full tummy. Handled wounded all morn. About 50 of them.
Burned by sucide (sic) dive Jap planes into the ships. Some of them
were really horrible. I don’t think I could ever go back home with a
face like some of these fellows are going to be left with. Some
completely blind too. Maybe it’s a good thing they are. I don’t
know.
Dec. 26, 44--Transferred wounded to hospital ship “Refuge,” getting
back in old routine. Japs bombed our air strip tonite, about ½ mile
from us. Every night at dusk they come. Dove on no ships. One of our
planes couldn’t land today after returning from a “mission.: Twin
motor bomber. The pilot & crew jumped out & she crashed into the
bay. Landing gear & part of tail shot away. Lucky to get back!
Jan.9, 1945--Had a big feed for New Year’s --every day it was the
same far as the war goes. On Jan. 3rd we left Leyte early in the
morning. Sailed out to sea with 4 L.S.T.s & joined a big convoy.
Sailed back in, through the Straits into the Sulu Sea. Came between
Negras & Mindino, on up coast of of Negras to the left of Mindoro
into the China Sea. The night of the 6th as we passed Manila Bay a
Jap Destroyer attacked us. Our cans made short order of it. Three
big explosions & no more to it. Jap planes have come over too, but
no ship was hit until the 7th. One dove into the side of one of our
CVE’s (Plane Carriers). We started the invasion of Luzon yesterday.
Much the same as Leyte. Terrific firing into the beach. No
opposition, which really surprised us. What a relief too, as we
didn’t know what to expect & felt this might be our last day on
earth. Were we fooled! Have landed troops & established a beachhead.
Sucide (sic) planes tried. They dove into the Battleship California,
Cruiser Columbia and an Auzzie cruiser yesterday. Last nite Jap
Torpedo boats & 2 man subs tried. Sunk lots of barges. From where
they came I don’t know. We fired on & hit a 2 engine Bomber about 2
hours ago. He just missed us with two bombs. They didn’t explode but
splashed water on the ship. Firing & fighting going on, on the beach
at the moment. Up all night nearly. Will sleep now. It’s 10 A.M.
It’s 9:30 P.M. Now. We went alongside the Battleship Calif. & took
her wounded. 48 were killed--60 odd wounded & burned. Got some from
the Kobie & Long--Mine sweepers that went down. Over 100 aboard now.
No bunk space for lots. They look pitiful huddled in corners looking
and watching for something they know not what. We had trouble
getting them below. So afraid, but you can’t blame them.
Just as I thought. The big boys & many transports & LSTs have gone,
left at dusk. We little guys left here now. We just hope they don’t
dive on us. The Mississippi & New Mexico have also taken hits. Hear
the Army is moving on in--ten miles now. Casualties light.
We just had General Quarters. They got through but dove on no ships.
Will make stab at some rest now, but don’t expect it to last long.
Jan. 11--We have been at General Quarters most of the time. Planes
over often--dropping bombs. Scrapnel [sic] has fallen on our decks.
It’s nasty looking steel; one piece about 8 inches long, 2 inches
wide, edges sharp as a razor. No wonder wounds from it are so
horrid. Tonight (about 10 o’clock) a Jap Torpedo boat got one of our
transports. Too they are putting mines & explosives in boxes &
floating them out. Several smaller craft have been hit so far. The
soldiers are still making headway. But fighting is heavier now it
seems.
“I have returned” (McAuthor [sic]) came today we hear. Hope he
doesn’t order the Navy out & fluff up the details like Leyte & cause
heavier casualties. Very tired. There are bodies floating around,
either our sailors or Japs, I don’t know. Have headache from heavy
smoke screen. We all do--breathe it several hours--so thick you
can’t see a foot sometime. Heat rash under arms & between legs.
War is Hell I heard somewhere.
Jan. 15--A Jap plane dove into the Liberty Ship Otis Skinner. She
was burning pretty bad when we went alongside for dead & wounded.
Fire under control it seemed. The BB Colorado came back in. Sucide
[sic] Dive crippled her. They got another four stacker Destroyer
too. They’ll scrap her. We took the entire crew that was left. We’re
empty now. Transferred all to the PH-3.
Jan. 27--Sat: Been patrolling the mouth of the Gulf. No planes
dangerously close lately. Saw a captured Jap sub towed by yesterday.
Pulled in floating dead American soldier--identified as Eugene
Hazzard, several days ago. Clark air field has been taken. Troops 20
miles from Manila Bay. News continues good. No mail--Coming in--hope
it brought some. Been Dec. 12 since Jean’s latest letter. Cooler at
night here. My “rash” has nearly gone. Many of our planes now in the
air constantly. All kinds. Our screw was hit yesterday by some
floating object, probably log or timber. No damage tho.
Feb. & March:
Think on the 28th of Jan. We left Lingayen Gulf, sailed with small
convoy back to Leyte. Took 6 days. Very slow traveling, same route
that we went up. Had no trouble at all. Stopped at Leyte only a few
hours, just long enough to send a mail boat over. It brought me my
Christmas present from Jean. A wedding ring, and I love it. Got very
few letters though. Never did receive any Christmas present from
anyone else. Had candy, pecans, cake, etc. Sent, but it didn’t make
it.
We pulled on down to Ulithi, West Caroline Island for rest and
overhaul. Arrived Feb. 10th. Recreation on a small island, and it is
wonderful.
Baldasarre walked out of the engine room, left auxiliary machinery
running--got a Summary court Martial. Fahik was sentenced to 12 days
confinement for refusing to help bring stores aboard, & back talking
to McCoy, my 1/c electrician.
Several days ago the Nestor lost 9 men when her launch while
bringing back liberty party sunk in choppy water. PC lost her
Executive Officer & a Seaman, found all but 1 body
We were alongside the Nestor for repairs lately, & a guy named,
rather called, Chicko gave us lots of main Engine filters & helped
on our Evaps. He drowned.
Dobson threw two urinals over the side. (Things the crew takes a
piss in.) Got a deck court martial. Our Handy Billy pump is
missing--probably over the side. (It’s used for fighting fire.) The
crew is restricted until we find out what became of it. Somebody
knows.
Thirl has been transferred for walking in his sleep--always did--&
he was getting worse. Sugg over having appendix removed. I had a
tooth pulled.
Fleet is pulling in all the time from Toyko [sic] raid. See 10
carriers--Battle Ships & Cruisers everywhere. Cans, DE’s, etc.
Plenty.
Our Captain’s trial for running around in Leyte Gulf ended today. I
had to testify yesterday about everything I did on Nov. 19--from the
time I got up until 24 hours after going aground. We won’t know his
verdict for a while yet--hope they don’t take the command away from
him.
McDowell & Beonconi--2 Seaman--were caught in the whaleboat the
other night having sexual relations. Will probably get D.D. Or
Undesirable discharges. Boy--What has come over this crew is beyond
me. My gang hasn’t caused any trouble so far. Guess I work them so
hard during this overhaul to keep them crapped out. Have movies
topside when it doesn’t rain.
By the way--It is March 7. Tomorrow 5 years ago Jean & I married.
Wish I was with her! We’ll be here until March 21, at least.
13 March; Two Jap planes sneaked in last nite while we were having a
movie. They both sucide [sic] dived, one into the place carrier
“Randolf”: the other into a CB mess hall on the beach. The carrier
is damaged bad. Very few men killed or wounded. The whole sky
lighted up in a flash, & she burned pretty badly for about two
hours. No more movies top side!
21 March: Well, our overhaul period is over now. Guess we will hang
around for another week or so. Usual routine & work.
Marines invaded Iwo Jima, North of here. Lost 4,150 dead. Boy it
must have been a bloody battle! The Tuscaloosa helped Bombard it.
26 March: Everything is all set for the big job. Many ships in.
We’re full of fuel, water & supplies, will leave sometime tomorrow.
We will hit the Island of Okinawah [sic], or spelled something like
that. It’s located between Luzon & Japan.
More directly, between Formosa & Japan--360 miles South West of
Japan Proper, 370 from Tokyo, about 450 from here. Will attack
Easter Sunday morning, April 1st.
Monday night: April 2nd, 1945: Boy it was a rough sea coming up. Had
to hold on all the time--nearly throw you out of your bunk at night.
Rained almost constantly, high winds. Made speed of about 12 knots.
We were with the transport ship group, & I bet those soldiers &
marines thought they would die of sea sickness! Many of our own crew
heaved everywhere. Even felt woozy myself the first couple of days,
but didn’t miss a meal. Ate alone once. No one felt really good. We
had been laying in port so long, had to get used to it again.
All day March 31st it was choppy. We all went to bed early as
possible. At two A.M. all manned our Battle Stations, easing around
the Southern tip of the Island. Nothing happened. At daybreak—very,
very beautiful--clear sky and smooth sea. Perfect weather, the great
Bombardment & pounding started. Battleships, Cruisers, Cans, shelled
the Beach. Bombers from Philippines, Formosa & Carriers came over in
droves. Seemed the world constantly trembled all morning. We hung
back with the transports. About 9 I came up & saw two of our planes
come down in flames. Our troops went in then, everything as per
schedule. Very little few Jap planes came over. We were secured from
General Quarters at noon!
All afternoon they shelled the beach. More troops moved in, sky full
of planes, but Newsom T., Jr. slept through it all.
After sunset, just before dark, a few Jap planes came over, one dove
into the port side of the Battleship West Virginia, our planes got
the others.
At midnight we had a fairly heavy raid. An AM was straffed badly
about ½ mile from us & at about two we went alongside. Only a few
wounded, one dead. They bothered this area the rest of the night.
About 8 this morning we joined the inner screen Submarine patrol.
It’s 9 P.M. Now, we are laying to--just secured from General
Quarters. News from the beach--casualties light, troops moving
ahead, 2 air fields under our control.
So far, the only time our ship has opened fire was on a floating
pontoon, sunk it, so no ship would get it in her screws! But believe
me, that’s OK with us. Oh yes, 3 bombs fell about one hundred yards
from us this morning about 6 o’clock. From very high altitude
bombing. Plunk, Plunk, Plunk, but no damage to anyone. We can’t
anchor. Water is over 300 fathoms deep (about 1000 feet). When
stopped, our engines idle.
Well, Well--Easter has gone. Guess Jean wore her new “yellow
outfit.” Last Easter I was home. N.T. Had a grand Easter Egg
hunt!--The one before, Jean & I were in Miami. Remember the flowers,
Jean? Remember the “Niso” Boat trip, & the ‘Big Shot’s’ homes?
--Even Scarface Al Capone’s? Gee, this one was more like a Fourth of
July & a Parish fair.
We have no night air fighters here yet & we expect most of our
trouble at night, so will go to bed now, for how long, I don’t know.
But we all feel good, had plenty rest, & hope it keeps up. Oh yes, I
must add the news I heard via radio from tokyo [sic]. They played a
couple of fast American swing records, I don’t remember the names.
But the announcer says “We must conclude our program now. Hope you
Americans have enjoyed it because it’s the last you’ll ever hear.
We’ll be back on the air tomorrow at this same time, but you’ll all
be dead, so So Long”!
We can cut the radio most any time & hear such as that. Boy you
should hear “Tokyo Rose” sometime--she sinks our fleet about every
week. Been hearing it over six months now, so kinda used to it.
Tuesday nite: 9:P.M. April 3, 1945. General Quarters from one to
nine o’clock this morning. Had a big raid at the ‘Northern Point,’
we steamed full speed to lend assistance to the wounded. The extent
of all damage I do not know, but we had all we could possibly handle
in a short while. Ships strafed, bombed & suicide dived.
We took all the Survivors from the APD 21, and pulled off a couple
of hundred yards. A twin motored Jap Betty dove into her bridge & 3
in. gun. Killed the Skipper, a Lt. Commander, her executive officers
& 2 Lt. J.G.’s, the whole gun crew, signalmen, radiomen, etc. This
afternoon I got permission to go aboard her for salvage of as many
tools, etc. I could get before she sunk or was salvaged. She had a
very heavy list to port & slowly settling down. Had the boat make
two trips--got all the wrenches we can use for a year, a chock for
the lathe, ice cream machine, phone headsets, electric drills,
bearings, electrical testing instruments, cots, wire, coils, welding
hose & material, rods, stack, etc. etc.--the best supply ship I’d
ever been on, just pick up what all I needed. Got 150 lbs. freon for
ice machines, valves, sockets. The only bad thing about it was the
store rooms were all forward & I had to pass through a compartment
several times that had about ten dead men--just cooked. All the top
side was littered with human parts. That gun crew was stacked on
each other, clothes all burned off, naked and swollen as could be.
It was a ticklish job to find that machine shop--three decks
down--all dark, ship leaning over so far, had to hold on to walk.
Water nearly to my knees. Got back aboard about four P.M. tired, &
glad I was back. Bathed, ate supper, got underway for our “area
zebra,” put casualties on a hospital ship--General Quarters twice
since, and now I shall hit my bunk. Been up twenty hours.
Before I go, must say a word about the scenic beauty of the various
islands. Sheer steep cliffs to the waters edge. On the mountain
sides is rice fields hedged out, like you’ve seen in pictures.
Caves, natural, dug by water, clear blue sea, breakers rolling in
constantly pounding her. In the valleys, pretty & green where our
rockets & bombardment didn’t hit.--Two hours later, 11:10--another
General Quarters--guess they’ll keep us up all nite. Several hundred
civilians have committed suicide!
The doctor has me secure my evaporators when we pull in close at
various points. Water is bad. A city of a half million Japs & only 3
½ miles of sewage system. They don’t use toilets. Crap in the back
yard & when they get a pretty good size pile they sell it to the
farmers for fertilize [sic]. Of course I haven’t investigated this,
only heresay [sic], but true. They do it in China too.
Well, Good Night!
Wednesday nite: April 4, 45. General Quarters at three this morning.
We stayed in readiness condition. Had to get underway at 12 o'clock
& go about 30 miles out & escort the U.S.S. Wake Island in. She is a
plane carrier & took a hit last night. The reason they sent us is
because we have such good sound equipment, & are good against
submarine attack. Ran at full & flank speed all the time. Got back
safely with her at seven this morning. We spent three hours looking
for an AOG tanker. Finally found her, & took on 15,000 gallons of
diesel fuel oil, 500 gals. lube oil. We anchored close to the beach
about 2 P.M. I watched the war go on through powerful glasses nearly
all afternoon. Our Troops are all the way across the Island now &
are driving South. I watched the Tuscaloosa lay off & belch her
eight inch shells into pill boxes for an hour. Saw some very large
tanks make a drive for over a mile. Boy, they really layed down the
lead & steel! Troops followed in their wake. Winding dirt roads over
the hills are heavy with traffic--our trucks carrying supplies in.
Boy! I’m glad I’m a Sailor!
The wind is high tonite, rainy & stormy--we roll back & forth. Hope,
in a way, it lasts all nite. Might keep their (Jap) planes grounded
& give us a nite’s rest. We are all getting rather tired, but I feel
very good.
Sat. Nite: April 7, 1945
One month to date since hearing from Jean. Wonder when mail will
come or go!
The war is really on in good progress now. Nearly all day Thurs. &
Thurs. nite we were at general quarters. About 3 A.M. Fri. Morn we
got word to stand by for mass plane attack sometime Friday
(Interrupted by G. Q. It’s 10 P.M. now).
In sight of the ship yesterday 11 planes came down. One our own,
four suicide dives. We have been busy as a flying ant running around
giving assistance where ever possible. We got word at 6 P.M. Last
night to rush to the Northern end of the inner screen to lend
assistance to damaged ships. It was really a very dangerous mission,
many reefs, and we had to pass through a mine field that we didn’t
know too much about. Just as we made it through, about 9 P.M., dark
as pitch, breathing a sigh of relief--Three of our own destroyers
closed in on us before we could identify ourselves. Our Skipper was
just screaming for them to hold their fire--over the S.C.R. (radio
speaker system.) Six--AM Mine sweepers had been crash dived. Four
were able to go in on their own power, 2 had been abandoned & sunk
by the “cans” to prevent menace to navigation. We didn’t dare put a
light on to save any that might be in the water as a Jap air field
was only three miles away. The “cans” were to pick them up at
daybreak. Boy, I’d hate to spend the nite floating with a life
jacket! Up all nite. At daylight this morning fog was so thick you
couldn’t see fifty yards. We were still out & could hear the Jap
planes drone overhead just waiting for something to dive into. Eight
destroyers & a PC caught it. Our casualties (Navy) are much heavier
than the army since the operation began Easter Morning. We still act
as a taxi for dead & wounded. Japan is only 345 miles from here.
Tokyo--375. We have no news. In fact, those of you back home really
know more about how this operation on the whole is coming than we
do. Strange, huh?
Sunday, April 8th (yesterday) We got orders to proceed to the
Eastern side of the Island for casualties. It is about a 50 mile
trip around. Went at full speed & arrived about 3 P.M. Took about
seventy-five wounded & two dead from an AGC. They (the ships) were
shelling the beach with five inch shells. Pill boxes, caves, etc.
Nice to watch. One thing that strikes me is how cheap a human life
has become to us! Like last nite & Evening, we put the two dead on
the fantail--out there alone--& it kinda rained for awhile--just
left ‘em in the rain. Had fun with our Negro steward mates. They
really don’t like this kind of duty & we have no trouble keeping
them out of the way. Such remarks to them as “Go out there & put
blankets around ‘em and keep them warm;” just for the laugh over the
answer you’re sure to get from them. That’s about the only fun or
laughs we get, & guess you are thinking that's a hell of a way to
have fun. All Marines. They were part of the first raiders here.
They gave us such tales as--the natives (some of them) killed their
wives & children at first. The Japs had told them we would rape all
women & eat their children & they believed it. Now they are finding
out different and are surrendering by the thousands, leading our
troops to the Japs, even begging for arms to fight them. They are
becoming a big help, as a result our casualties remain very light.
Day before yesterday Task force 58 sunk a 45,000 ton Jap
Battlewagon, Three cruisers, 3 cans & damaged at least 6 others
along the China Coast. Comes to find out from ½ to ¾ of the Jap Army
is in China. Japan is frantic trying to get them back, & our ships
are inflicting heavy damage to them.
We came back to the West side last nite, but had to anchor out.
Can't come through the Submarine nets after dark. We’re in now.
Nearly the same anchorage as that APD-21 was--(the one hit that I
went aboard). She isn’t here anymore. Don’t know if she finally
sank, or not. We are preparing to unload our wounded. Oh yes, One
Marine officer is shot in the rear with scrapnel [sic]--has 16 holes
in him and none very serious as a result even he makes a joke out of
it. He sure won’t sit down for a long time.
9 P.M. Monday 9th--Wrote the above this morning. It’s been a quiet
day & I took advantage of it, slept all afternoon. At 5:45 this
evening we got underway again (got rid of all our casualties & dead
about noon)--This time we will invade the island on the East
Side--exactly where we came from yesterday & cans shelling. Just
secured from General Quarters. “Condition Red,” but no enemy near
us. Steaming along peacefully now. Expect to attack at dawn.
Tuesday Nite April 10th 1945
As per schedule the bombardment started this morning at 0630. About
eight we figured the Island was softened up, so our army troops
started in for the beach in small boats. About half way in, Jap
mortar fire opened up on them, also hit an LST. Casualties were very
light however, only have about a dozen aboard now. A funny thing how
those Japs just dig in. Our tanks went on ashore, roamed all over
the island. Suddenly from some small hole out of thousands in the
side of a hill, they will open up. These have been silenced now,
troops ashore, raining to beat h---, high wind and pretty cold
outside. I don’t envy any of them!
The nearest we came of being hit today was about 20 yards off the
bow, dead ahead. Had a couple of subs try to sneak in also, but
destroyers took care of them; depth charges fairly rained. Several
mine were exploded also, with gunfire. They really make a big
explosion.
Much shelling of neighboring islands has been going on today also.
Three battle wagons on the horizon been laying them down all day.
Well, as usual, our “fresh” provisions have all gone now. No eggs,
cabbage, etc. Still a few crates of spuds though. Mr. Eby, the
supply officer, says they’re due in about the 25th or 30th--half a
month yet!
Wish I could hear from Jean, or most important, get a letter off
letting her know everything is O.K. No use to write yet tho, it
would get stale right here. Besides, I have so very little to say at
times like this. Can’t tell her anything except and I miss and love
her so, but she knows that by heart.
Bet I sleep all nite! So long.
Friday 13th of April 1945.
Another good luck day! To go back to Wednesday--The Island is secure
now. Left one Co. of troops ashore. Had a heavy air attack about 1
A.M. Up nearly all nite. Ships layed a heavy smoke screen which
covered us as well. One crash dived on LST.
We came back to this side Wed., Ray Malott busy operating all day &
giving blood plasma. Got some rest in the afternoon. Put the
casualties off about 5 P.M. Around eight the alert sounded, we
manned battle stations until after midnight, then went to semi
G.Q.--the northern area had a pretty heavy raid.
Thursday the 12 th started out to be a fine day. I got to bed about
3 A.M. Until 5 A.M.--2 hrs. Then went to G.Q. Again. Back to bed
about eight until noon. We came to the main anchorage about 2
P.M.--& when we arrived at five, General Quarters sounded again
until seven. We got orders then to proceed 50 miles North & give
assistance to at least three LCS gunboats (they are converted L.C.
I.’s). Of course we didn’t like that because that’s such a graveyard
area. Same place and above where we were several nites ago & nearly
got shot by our own cans. Anyway, we met two of our destroyers
crippling in--#793 & I forget the other, but both new, modern
destroyers. They had been sucide (sic) dived. Jap twin Engine Betty
type plane. Heavy damage to both of them. They signaled us their
casualties were numerous, but for us to proceed on to the other
ships, they could make it on in. Of course we did, and ran smack
into a hornet’s nest at 10:30 last night. Four had been crashed
dived, 3 of them could still make full speed so they headed in fast
as they could go. We stayed with the worst one to help her get back.
She had shot down four, and three had crash dived her. We could hear
the Japs flying all around--no moon--dark as it could be. Suddenly
one dropped a cluster of flares. Lighted up the ocean like a
Christmas tree & there we sat like a duck in the middle of it. We
couldn’t see above the flare. (I was on the top side on the boat
deck.) We all heard him (the Jap) when he started his dive, getting
louder & louder. I don't know my thoughts during the next few
seconds, except “This is it.” The captain ordered a hard left rudder
and swung ship a little (we were making full speed), he was coming
down too fast to swing with us. Of course all guns opened up on him
the few seconds he was in the light, but if it had any affect we
couldn’t tell. He missed us by about twenty feet. A few seconds
later we heard another. He was just in his dive good when the flare
went out. Of course he lost sight of us & pulled out of the dive and
his motors were like thunder in my ears as he passed over us. They
dropped no more flares. Why, or why he didn’t come back I don’t
know. Anyway, at five A.M. we safely pulled in with the Gunboat.
Some dead, & missing. Doc is working now with the wounded. How that
ship stayed afloat I don’t know. I just fell on my bunk at six this
morning & wasn’t called ‘til noon.
It was then we heard President Roosevelt died yesterday afternoon of
a brain hemorrhage.
2 P.M. now and I feel pretty good. We’re all still “serious faced”
over our “Good Luck” last nite, & sad news today.
It’s nearly 11 P.M. Now, I’ve manned my battle station twice since I
started writing this. We did not open fire. Smoke screen in heavy,
been so for hours. Throat dry, head aches & tired.
Ten days later: 24 April, 1945.
We have been so busy day and night that every possible minute we
could spare went for rest & sleep. Our forces are still deadlocked
here. We (the Navy) have been taking an awful beating from the Jap
Sucide [sic] Plane dives. Seventy two ships have been hit to date,
fifteen have gone down! Our casualties have been heavy. Another new
Destroyer #724 took two dives into her. One plane dropped a torpedo
at us several nights ago--missed by only a few feet. We were making
only 1/3 speed, & he figured us for faster. Twenty-one Jap planes
shot down day before yesterday in our area. We have lots of fighter
planes in the air now that we captured several air fields. Ernie
Pyle the news correspondent was killed about a mile from us on the
beach of I E Shima. Boy, we’ve really been knocking at Tojo’s back
door.
It is no need to go into detail as our duties already are clear.
Every ship that we could possibly reach that was hit, we went
alongside for dead & wounded It is like a human butcher shop.
We hear the Russians are in Berlin. Bitterest fighting in the
history of the world gong on. What a slaughter of women & children
must be taking place there! Don’t guess anyone is sorry but the
Germans though.
Even now (8 P.M.) I can hear the booming of guns, & our ships are
also firing. Our “all out” push of the 19th gained only 800 yards. I
do not know the results of Army casualties, but ours are near four
thousand.
We came in today for fuel & lub oil & work on Gyro Compass. Probably
take on supplies tomorrow. We are on “K rations.” Mostly stew--and
of course we all hate it, but when hungry you’ll eat it. Expect to
get all nite in tonite, and I’m not going to waste it, so Good-Nite.
Thurs. Nite, April 26th--
Things have quieted down for us. Saw my first B-29 in flight
yesterday. Lots of them came in, also P-38 fighters. From 2:30 to
4:30 this A.M. we were on battle stations but 12 miles is the
nearest any enemy plane came to us. We’re patrolling off I E Shima.
Now, hope to pull in tomorrow for supplies. Too, we expect mail. My
last news from home is still March 7th.
Our forces have finally broken through in the Southern Sector &
advancing slowly. No ships hit in last few days. Hope it continues
quiet. Getting plenty of sleep & rest. Guess we’ll be around here
awhile.
May 3, 1945
April 27 we got mail. Received four letters from Jean & one from
L.S.U. Took on supplies all day & 2,000 gals. of water. Spoke too
soon about sleep & rest though because at 4 P. M. We were ordered
back out on patrol, & to stand by for torpedo planes & Sucide (sic)
dives that night, & several nights after. Its been one roaring hell
since, just about. Especially at night. Full moon & we have very few
night fighters here as yet. (April 27th, Daddy’s Birthday--) At
about ten P.M. the Destroyer Talbot, # 390 ((Sister ship to 399,
Lang, that escorted us on Presidential cruise with Roosevelt in 1940
& I rode her into Pensacola, Fla., came home & got married. She, the
U.S.S. Lang, is here too.)) Took two crash dives. We ran over
alongside. One clipped her bridge, its wing clipped five men’s legs
off & wounded 3 others. She went on over into the water. The other
hit her Starboard Quarter, hurt no one, but damaged the ship. She
was losing fuel fast. Dr. Malott & crew of corpsmen went aboard. One
man had died, another dying, and he lost two more because he didn't
have necessary equipment. Saved the other four. Of course, as soon
as they got aboard, we pulled away from her, escorted her in, went
back out. Gave assistance to an A.M. about three in the morning.
Seven ships hit that night. We came in the 28th & picked up the Doc;
29th & 30th nights were much the same. The weather turned in our
favor then, rainy & cloudy. Its been rather peaceful since until
tonite. Clear as a bell, but the wind is high. Had General Quarters
twice already, but have not sighted the enemy.
President Truman officially announced Hitler is dead. Germans on
Italian Front gave up. Guess Clarence will be home for good soon. He
sure rates a break.
We came in this morning to I E Shima for Radar repair--until
tomorrow. We’ve anchored real close to beach. Right at Beachhead.
Can see where soldiers, plus Ernie Pyle is buried. Landscape very
pretty. Even horses and cattle grazing in green fields. Snipers
still awful here we hear. The huge cave mouths where the Japs had
gun emplacements is a sight to see. Blown to heck. Saw civilians
come to the beach for mass wash day. They even bathe together in
hugh (sic) bunches.
Got Mail off the ship today. Jean won’t hear from me for Mother’s
Day. Neither will Mother.
May 5th Sat: 12:30 P.M.
We went to General Quarters about 3 o'clock yesterday (May 4)
morning. About five we rece’d word a Destroyer was hit, about 23
miles north of us. Of course, we lifted the hook & started out. At
the crack of dawn more Japs came, but so did our planes. At one time
I counted seventeen Jap planes. Our Corsairs engaged them & dog
fight lasted about thirty minutes. Not one single American plane
went down to my knowledge. Saw ten Japs hit the water. The others
crash dived our patrol ships. One hit the Destroyer U.S.S. Lucy,
#522 in her torpedo tubes. She sunk in from seven to ten minutes.
Two others went down, an A.M. And a four stacker. A D.M.S. hit hard.
The sea looked full of men floating in life jackets. We picked up
all of course. Ships loaded--all decks crowded.
Peterson, Coxswain, from New Orleans, sighted someone else, way out,
floating & waving (through powerful glasses). We put all passengers
below, sick bay, mess halls, compartments, all full. Couldn’t leave
them on top side as Japs were still around and a good strafing would
have been like mass murder. One Jap Betty came close, & our three
inch gun crew got him.
This lone guy turned out to be a Jap pilot! It not being so
necessary for me to be on my battle station (Engine Room) at this
time, I took over the job of getting him aboard. Threw a life ring
out, pulled him alongside and made him undress completely while
still in the water. Tying his clothes to another line & hoisting
them aboard for check of any hand grenade or weapons. Then put a
ladder over for him to climb up. Of course all this time I had my
forty-five pistol pointed, cocked, right at his head. When he pulled
himself aboard naked, my gun was right in his gut. Boy, he was
shaking! Cold & scared, but he had reason to be. I spun him around,
(even looked between his legs--they love to kill themselves if they
can kill you with them.). Marched him up on the forecastle & sat
right in front of him--five feet away--all the way back into port.
He begged for water and when I handed it to him or give him a
cigarette, he bowed to me like I was the Emperor of Japan!
After we secured from G.Q. & was pulling into port (Okinawa) the
passengers (some of them) came up & just begged & pleaded for me to
shoot the bastard. Turned him over to Naval Intelligence for
questioning.
Transferred all our passengers & wounded [two had died].
Sent for our mail. Seven bags of it! I got 23 letters, dated back to
Nov. 29, 1944 to April 14th. Eleven from Jean dated back from Jan.
3rd from Natchitoches while visiting Gene & Vesta.
Then out again: 55 miles North to a ship (can) that got a near miss
with a 500 lb. personnel bomb. About five seriously wounded. Finally
just fell on my bunk at 4:40 this morning & slept until 11:15. Have
had dinner & feel pretty good now. Have read my mail fast, but for
the next several days I’ll read & read it & absorb every word.
Everything is fine back home as of April 14th. Jean & N.T. Visiting
Buddy & Cille. Water high around Melville. It really worries me.
P.S. Mail man just came again. Brought me four from Jean, one from
Vi & Rheba. My Jean has to wear glasses now. Bet she is cute.
P.S. We lost five ships sunk today.
Tues. Morn. May 8, 1945
Germany has unconditionally surrendered. Today it will be officially
announced. Gee the millions of happy people this date.
The war continues as usual out here. We’ve been at Sea on patrol
since the nite of the 4th. No unusual excitement lately, but they
have been buzzing around pretty close at nite, especially. Last nite
it began to rain (still is) and it was the first “all night in”
since I can remember. Gee but I feel good this morning. The
quietness of the world leaves me with a “nothing to do” feeling, and
I am so very blue. Have just read & read my mail. Gee, but it was
wonderful. Have answered most of it now, and hoping to go in soon to
get it off--& pick up more! Don’t know when that will be, but our
fuel is at 70%, so won’t be very long.
Tuesday 16 May, 1945
Have used every spare moment I could find to write home and letters
of application, so have missed over a week. The so called feeling of
"nothing to do” didn’t last long. As expected, we went in and
fueled, picked up mail. I’ve received mail at every mail call we’ve
had. My latest news from home is May 5th. It is coming through very
well.
About five thirty or six P.M. About five nites ago, I was on the
bridge, watching the Sun Set--a beautiful red ball. Suddenly
antiaircraft fire broke loose from ships about half mile from us.
Looked up & there for four Jap planes coming in. The Battleship New
Mexico was anchored about 500 yards from us. They went for her. One
Jap, in his sucide [sic] dive, was hit & burst into flames before he
could come down, so fell in the water. The second succeeded in
getting through all that firing, & dived into her, midship & stack.
Terrific explosion, & flames seemed to cover her. Report, fifty
dead, seventy-five missing. Don’t know about the wounded, as a big
white hospital ship took over. Think it was the “Mercy.” The other
two were shot down before they could do any damage.
Day before yesterday, as we were hoisting our #1 Whaleboat aboard,
the cable broke & she fell pack onto the water, hitting the side of
the ship & turned bottom side up. The crew had just stepped out. We
caught it, & an LST took it over, as we had orders to get underway.
Those orders were canceled, tho, & it was too late to get our boat
back--besides, a storm coming up.
We rode out the storm during the nite O.K., but next morn we found
out our boat had broken loose from the L.S T. Found her about 4
P.M., an LSD had her. They hoisted it aboard for us when we went
alongside. Worked all night stripping the engine down to the last
part & soaking them in oil before rust could do much damage. Of
course, there is parts that had to be renewed. Batteries, starter
motor, generator, gaskets, exhaust manifold that bursted, etc. Also
the boom to hoist them up with. So, the Captain got permission to
come to the Northern Anchorage, Now commonly known as the
“Graveyard” because all ships that get hit pull in here for repairs.
Got here about 9 A.M. Believe me, the place is a “Graveyard” now.
(It’s the same anchorage as the APD I went aboard that was slowly
sinking.) Lots of Destroyers, DE’s, LST’s, AM’s look as if they are
just floating & that’s all. Of course, this is only temporary
repairs, & most of them will go back to the States soon as they can
travel.
The Skipper of one happened to be an ex-roomate of McConnel’s, so
had no trouble getting the parts they could furnish.
This “can” was #445. She had taken six sucide [sic] dives & shot
down eleven Japs several days ago. Hundred & fifty killed. She took
two in her Engine room. Bursted (sic) steam lines cooked ten men in
there alone. Brought out two while we were there--flesh peeling
right off. Of course the smell was awful everywhere. Not that I wish
any bad luck, but I hope the next one to “catch it” is a diesel
ship--& we’re the first ones to her!! Spare parts are hard to get!
An LST Skipper was aboard us a few days ago. He brought out
ninety-six tons of ammunition. Had been in Europe for the last
couple of years. Waving his hands around saying--”This is a crazy
war out here. Why it isn’t war at all, just plain sucide [sic]!” He
is plenty ready to go back already. Says “In Europe, when the flack
gets heavy, why the Germans hi-tail it out, but here the damn fools
keep coming.” Of course we rather smiled because the guy hadn’t
really seen anything. About an hour & a half ago we lifted the
“hook” and are on Patrol Station, Standing by for Emergency orders.
Had General Quarters for about an hour, three raids, but our
fighters got them.
Monday 21 May, 1945!
Early the morning of the 18th we got orders to proceed to port.
Before we could anchor, Emergency orders to proceed to Southern End
of Island to Harbor of the city of Naha & give assistance to a
Destroyer #559 on a reef! That is where the fierce ground fighting
is taking place. Our Army & Marines are fighting the Japs in the
streets. Here is the way the “can” happened to be on the rocks. She
had been shelling the beach all morning with other cans, cruisers &
Battle Ships, & pulled in close for better range. Got too close &
the Japs fired a few rounds at her but missed. She turned around to
run out but struck the rocks hard, and stuck. The Japs rolled about
every movable gun closer, & opened up on her. Hit her forward five
inch magazine, exploding it. It cut the Destroyer half in two. She
was burning fiercely when we arrived. It was a terrible sight, and
awful job, but we made a 75% rescue of her crew. I’ll mention only a
few of the cases, one boy, still living, had part of his brains out
a hole in his head (died soon after I helped pass him aboard.)
Another, both legs gone from knees down. An Ensign died of morphine
poison, One burned so bad you couldn’t tell his eyes, nose, or mouth
by looking. Several had to have arms or legs cut off. Some had been
blown clear of the ship, whaleboats picked them up & brought them
alongside. Our decks were slippery with blood until we could wash
down. The big ships were covering us with heavy fire to the
beach--including my old Ship Tuscaloosa. Also Salt Lake City &
several Cans.
The Can burned until flames reached her after magazine, then blew to
pieces. We were well clear by this time. Seems it shook the earth!
The city itself is shot to heck. Doesn’t look as if there is a
single solid building left. We lost nine dead after getting them
aboard. Got back to anchorage about 10 P.M. And transferred them to
an A.P. Finished about 2 A.M. & slept for several hours.
Had a big air raid yesterday. Four Ships Sucide (sic) dived. A
Destroyer DE, AM, & APD. We saved 168 from the A.P.D. Other ships
rescued from the others. Took us until four this morn. Put them on
another P.A. in Wise Man’s Cove, and came right back out.
At present, we are patrolling & standing by, looking for any that
might still be in the water. Sea is quite rough, cloudy and raining.
Maybe we’ll get some sleep now. We are all worn out just about. This
makes well over a thousand men we have saved!!
Today a year ago--I met Jean at R.R. station, Cleveland, Ohio.
21 June 1945
Odd that a whole month to the date has gone by since I have written
any news, but the truth is I got tired of writing about it so much.
It has been a rather hectic month--very much like all the rest. I
could not begin to remember all that has happened, and not sure that
I want to. Over and Over again I could write: to-nite (sic) the So &
So ship took a Sucide (sic) dive, we went alongside, helped her
fight her fire, take her dead & wounded, or whole crew if she was
sinking. It is passed mid-night now. Four ships caught a dive each.
Two Sea plane tenders, APD-29 and an LSM. The same old story over
again. I have no idea now of the damage that has been inflicted to
our Navy--But it is the heaviest in its history. In history, no such
fantastic warfare has been carried on to such an extent. On the
Beach, Eighty odd thousand Japs have been killed, and only 1,600
surrendered. They really fight close to the last man. Only a hand
full left now, all big guns have ceased firing for fear of hitting
our Army. Its being finished with rifles, machine guns & flame
throwers.
The U.S.S. PCE (R) 852 (Our Ship) has been recommended for the
“Naval Unit Citation” for Heroic Deeds and Dangerious [sic] Missions
Preformed (sic) At Okinawa. By the Commandore [sic] of the destroyer
Flotilla.” The endorsement I read compliments us very, very highly
and says our Ship has been an inspiration to the Naval Forces at
Okinawa. The “Naval Unit Citation” is equal to the “Silver Star” and
next to the “Presidential Citation.” It will make eight ribbons I
can wear, and I hope the Ninth will be the “Final Victory Medal”!
Our Skipper, Lt. Irwin, & Communication Officer Lieut. Laeltz have
recieved (sic) orders back to the States when their relief arrives.
Expect them any day.
We all hate to lose them, but at the same time are very glad for
them. It is truly a loss of two personal friends to me, and I never
expect I’ll see either again.
This seems to be a very fitting place to bring this little green
book to an end. I am tired keeping such a diary, and hope you
understand.
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