Thursday, March 1

Came back out to anchor today, early in the morning. At 9:00 A.M. they gave a certain amount of the ships crew liberty. It was just a recreational party. We went into the beach in an LCVP (Landing Craft-Vehicle Personnel). They have a fleet recreation center here, but all it consists of is a few baseball diamonds, a Quonset hut where they sell beer and soft drinks. It didn't amount to much. We played baseball all morning, also had two cans of beer a piece. They brought chow out from the ship, but it was hardly fit to eat. Raw wieners and bread. Then at 1400 they had an army dance band that played, they were really good. Went swimming in the ocean but the water is awfully sandy. Saw a couple of old Jap pill boxes and guns on the beach. Came back to the ship around 1700 and went on watch. Got a beautiful sun burn!

Friday, March 2

Still at anchor off Siapan. No word yet as to where or when we are going. Word is that we are to pick up soldiers, but that could be here, Guam or perhaps down south a little further. Seems as if the next operation is not far off. Most of the ships that were at Iwo Jima are back here now, except the destroyers and battlewagons. Saw the show we had out on deck. It was “Random Harvest”. We have been having shows every night since we got here, but this is the first one I’ve had a chance to see.

Saturday, March 3

We are still at anchor off Siapan. Very little mail is coming aboard. They are still sending the recreation parties ashore. My turn to go tomorrow but I don’t believe it is worth it. Seems as if we are going to Florida Island near Guadacanal, from the way the Commodore and Commander Hackett were looking at the charts today. The chaplin has told a kid we are going to New Hebrides. So it is the old story of rumor, rumor, who’s got the right answer. We tied up along side a tanker around 1700 to fuel up. Saw a movie out on the boat deck. Some Kenny Aldrich picture that wasn’t very good. We left the tanker about 2200 and I and Nave had the watch from 0000–0730.

Sunday, March 4

We were scheduled to pull out at 1400 today but got word around 1100 that we would not leave until around 6:30 tomorrow morning. We were supposed to have church at 1000, but there was so many last minute things to be done that it had to wait till 1900.

Monday, March 5

Left Siapan around 0700 headed for Florida Island in the Solomons. We plan on it taking us about 7 days. By 1700 we had passed Guam. It is by far the biggest island we have seen. Another group of ships joined us there and we now have about 20 ships with us. My buddy in high school, Harry Kendall is on Guam, stationed there with the Army but could not get to see him, so it will have to wait till another date. Around 1400 in the afternoon we passed Rota island which still belongs to the Japs. That is only one of many out here, as they seem to leave a lot of them go, they can offer no trouble from them, the air fields have all been bombed and no ships can get to them. We pass over the equator in a few days and will be initiated under King Neptune’s Court as Royal Shellhorns. About 80 men on board who have been over the line. It is supposed to be quite an event.

Tuesday, March 6

At sea. Looks as if our crossing Equator ceremony is all off. Around 1400 a bunch of the Shell Backs (fellows who have been over the line) came up on the bridge and said the pollywogs (fellows who have never been over), were forming up on the fantail. So a bunch of them decided to wet em down with the fire hose. They all got going good, and it looked as if the whole ship might be in on it. Then the Executive Officer and the Captain heard about it and went back to put a stop to it. Someone turned the hose on the Exec and he got completely soaked. They got most of the fellows and held Captain’s Mast right away. Five or six got broken and a few more were given Summary Court Martials. The Captain announced that because of this there would be no ceremony, but guess we get our certificates anyway.

Wednesday/Thursday, March 7/8

At Sea.

Friday, March 9

Crossed the Equator at 12:30 A.M. this morning, but there was no ceremony connected with it as the captain would not allow it. All the other ships went ahead with their scheduled programs and the fellows on board are really worked up over not being able to have anything. Seems funny that the whole ship has to suffer for what about 10 men did, but that is the way it is in the Navy. We are also being punished by having GQ at night now, and again, we are the only ship in our convoy observing this. It is not very hot, as we are having continual rain squalls, this is the Monsoon or rainy season down here.

Saturday/Sunday, March 10/11

At sea.

Monday, March 12

Arrived Indespensable straits around 1000 and proceeded to Tulalgi, arriving there around noon. The water is very calm here, about like glass, and the islands are the most beautiful I’ve seen yet, very bright green, tropical trees and the islands themselves rise almost straight out of the water, that is, there is very little beach to them. The water here is known as Iron Bottom because of the number of ships we have lost here. We can see Guadacanal off to our right, it is about the size of Oahu in Hawaii. There are many islands here, all belonging to the Solomon group. We are supposed to get our boats here and then proceed to New Hebrides, which is about 400 miles, to pick up soldiers. A lot of scuttlebutt as to where our next invasion will be, but it seems like it’ll be somewhere up near Japan again.

Tuesday, March 13

Pulled out of Tulagi at 0600. Don’t know what we accomplished here, for we weren’t there long enough to even get any mail. This is the hottest place we have been to yet, even the night was very warm. This morning was a beauty as the sun came up over the islands. The water is as calm as a mirror and not a swell on it. It was really beautiful, but of course we had to pull right out. The ship was blacked out here, even though it is very far from the actual war zone. We did obtain permission to show a movie, but the captain said no. Seems as if he really has it in for the crew after that little episode with the fire hose.

Wednesday, March 14

At sea. We are due to arrive in Espirito Santo, New Hebrides around 0800 tomorrow. We take on troops right away, also provisions. Will finally get some mail. Also pay day coming up tomorrow, I should have around $350 on the books. No one has any idea where the next invasion will be, but from all you can gather it will probably be up near Japan somewhere, although a few seem to think it will be Borneo. About 1400 today a flying boat came out and patrolled us, it had a Canadian flying emblem on it.

Thursday, March 15

Arrived at Espirtu Santo, New Hebrides at 1000. Part of the task group is up farther, we are anchored at Pallikula Bay, very small and not much here, one little dock, a few soldiers came on board to help load supplies. Guess we’ll be here a week, maybe longer. It is raining, typical of the monsoon season down here. The shore base reported a tropical storm north of here, headed this way, with winds reported up to 60 mph. But it never arrived, so guess it had altered its course from here. We got a lot of mail aboard, but mine was all old. One was from Dawe in Italy saying Dewey ought to win the election. P.S., Dewey lost! Note: Bottom of my diary has a line “Federal Income Tax Report must be filed today”. I wrote next to it, “Ha! Ha!

Friday, March 16

Continued loading today, a few soldiers are in the compartment below us, we expect to get only 500 or so this time, in comparison with the 1000 Marines we had on board for Iwo Jima. Seems as if this next operation will be up very near Japan, for everyone seems to think it will be cold. We are scheduled for maneuvers down here. Still raining, therefore we can’t have any movies. Besides, the ship is too busy loading for that.

Saturday, March 17 through Sunday, March 18

In port.

Monday, March 19

Got liberty today, from 0900 till 1700. Went ashore in a LCVP and then hitched hiked over the island. This is mostly Army here, and it is very easy to get a ride along the highways. A number of airports here, but this island is to be turned over to New Zealand on April 1st. You see a lot of the natives, which are coal black and quite comical to see all dressed up in the clothes the Army and Navy give them. It rains almost continually during this rainy season. We went to the Army PX where we got ice cream, cake and some of the state-side magazines.

Tuesday, March 20 through Wednesday, March 21

In port

Thursday, March 22

Went ashore today to get my glasses fixed. I went over to the Naval Base Hospital and was told to pick them up the next day. Quite a few Navy nurses here, the first white women we have seen since we left the states (To be correct, “Since we left Hawaii”)..

Friday, March 23

Went back and got my glasses, which cost nothing.

Saturday, March 24

In port.

Sunday, March 25

Pulled out of Espiritu Santo around 0715, headed for Ulithi in the Caroline Islands. We have about 15 APA’s and AKA’s with us, and 5 or 10 LSM’s trailing behind. Because of their slow speed we are only cruising at 12 kts. Had firing practice all morning with two B-26’s towing the sleeves. Having GQ twice a day now. And plenty hot.

Monday, March 26

Found out that we are part of a huge task force that is to invade the Ryukus just south of Japan about 250 miles, between Formosa and Japan. There are quite a few islands there, and our troops aboard are reserves, we only have around 500. We are suppose to hit Okinawa Jima, the largest of the group, but when we can’t as yet tell. One Army division is supposed to land near Okinawa today, and use it as an artillery base to shell the island. At the rate we are traveling, we can’t possibly get there for at least another 8 or 10 days. This is supposed to be the biggest operation yet, and part of the British Fleet will be in with us.

Tuesday, March 27 through Thursday, March 29

At sea.

Friday, March 30

At sea. Went to Church (Good Friday).

Saturday, March 31

Today is my 21st birthday (it was yesterday!), and am celebrating it by passing the Equator again. We crossed the line at 1540, and it was a little hotter this time. We still are having occasional showers, not continued hot weather. News brings us word that Okinawa is to be invaded tomorrow, several of the islands near by have already been secured. There doesn’t seem to be much opposition, so far.

Sunday, April 1 D-Day on Okinawa.

The marines faked a landing on the southern shores while the Army went ashore on the East coast. Went to church today.

Monday, April 2

The invasion of Okinawa is progressing very good, with light opposition and casualties. Most of the captives say the Japs have taken to the hills, which means trouble later on. Our job seems to go in as a relief ship and we may be there for quite some time. A lot of rumors about us going back to the states soon, perhaps after this operation and change this to an AKA--cargo ship. Everyone seems to think it will be around September.

Tuesday, April 3

Arrived at Ulithi, Caroline Islands. It is nothing more than a coral reef, similar to Eniwetok. Quite a few ships here, but no large battle craft except the Enterprise, aircraft carrier. We are scheduled to be here only one day, get a few provisions and supplies, then head for Okinawa, which is 1500 miles from here, a week by sea. We did get a little mail here, but not much. Left Ulithi tonight around 2000, headed for Okinawa.

Wednesday, April 4 through Friday, April 6

At sea.