Thursday, January 25, 1945 Honolulu, T.H.

Got up at 0300 to go on watch. Noticed a pain in my right side. Went to sick bay at 0800 and doctor took an X-Ray. Found out I had a cracked rib. Taped it up tight and said it would heal ok. Went on liberty at 0900 with Kesselring and Nave. Bought this diary, also a picture album. They went to a bar and proceeded to get stiff, but my stomach isn't what it should be, so I went to the USO and saw a movie and stage show. They have a fine USO here. No mail today. Word is we leave day after tomorrow for the far East. Don't exactly relish the thought, for it means GQ morning and night and probably during the day for awhile, then it will be the real thing. But the sooner we get over there and make the invasion or invasions, the quicker the chance for getting home.

Friday, Jan. 26

Had the watch in radio central from 0600 - 1200. Spent the afternoon getting my locker and clothes straightened around for sea. We pull out tomorrow at 1015, and the next destination is Guam, so we hear. I had a buddy tell me today that we will invade Nimajima (it was Iwo Jima, but sounded like Nimajima at that time), about 600 miles from Japan. News in the papers says that the B-29 bombers of the U.S. Air Force are bombing it steadily, so it may be true. Also had the watch from 1700 till 2130. I got off then. Start standing my watches up on the signal bridge in the flag plot tomorrow. We are figuring on taking 2 weeks to get to Guam. This is getting closer to it each day.

Saturday, Jan. 27

We left Honolulu today at 10:30 A.M. Went out of the harbor and then joined up with our task force off the island. Had firing practice this afternoon and also simulated air attacks. Am standing watches up in the flag plot now. The flag navigator told us today that we are going to Eniwetok, be there a week from today, then on to Siapan which will take another week. Very calm sea out, but plenty hot.

Sunday, Jan. 28

Still at sea, not much doing. We are only having GQ in the mornings now, not at night. Am standing one watch on and two off.

Monday, Jan. 29

Slept most of the day. Same routine at sea. Had a submarine scare but evidently it passed by for they said no more about it. Am sure now of where we are going. It is Nimajima (Iwo Jima), they have a map of it in the mess hall. It is about 8 mile sq. and said to be one of the heaviest fortified islands the Japs have. We should get there in about 3 weeks.

Tuesday, Jan. 30

Had another sub scare about 10:00 last night. But nothing more was heard of it. They think they intercepted enemy sub radar transmissions. Also a destroyer in our screen picked up a life raft but no signs of life or identification. A little cloudy today.

Wednesday, Jan. 31 to Saturday, Feb. 3

At sea.

Sunday, Feb. 4

Had a submarine scare again, as we have had several during the past few days. A Destroyer Escort was detached from our screen and sent out to investigate sonar hearings. Made ten runs on sub, then had terrific explosion, but unable to tell whether it sunk it or not. We also received warnings of midget submarines in vicinity and to be on a special alert for them. Had a PBM flying boat out to patrol us in. Have found out that we are now about 1440 miles from Iwo Jima, island of invasion. It is supposed to come off Feb. 19, at 9:00 A.M. We are due in Saipan on the 11th, maneuvers till the 13th or so. It is 600 miles from Saipan to "it".