October 19th, 1943

​

Left Port Huenenne, California at 3:30 P.M.on the "Dashing Wave" Hull # 221 built in Moore Dry Dock, Oakland California, 1943.

Marched to the docks and played for the headquarters company and marched half way back and met each commanding officer and paraded down with them until everyone was on board. Then, we formed in the bow of the ship and the last time we saw the good Ol' USA we were still playing. Went to bed early as I was starting to get seasick. Water awfully rough. 

​

October 20th, 1943

Not much news today, nearly everyone is sick, so am I. Can't even eat. Boy what a mess this boat is, even the sentries and guard and laying down puking. 

​

October 21st, 1943

Birthday

Still pretty sick and weak. Pappy got me a little food. Jed brought me a sandwich. Chief Moses gave me a cigar for a birthday present, nice though, but in poor condition to be smoking cigars. 

Played band on four hatch aft in the rain, water real led soaked drum heads, but kept right on playing and tried to cheer the gang up. The Captain says we'll have calm water tomorrow and our sea sickness should be over. 

​

October 22nd, 1943

Got up and ate, feel just fine today. Band concert on poop deck for'ard. This old Pacific sure is a lot of water. Getting tired of it already. Went to the Galley and ate all three meals today.

​

October 23rd, 1943

Kyle came for'ard and had chow with me and we visited and told stories until after dark and showed the Tarwund Kid the phosphorus on the side of the boat. Sure a pretty nite, stars and everything very beautiful. See Tarwund Kid everyday.

​

October 24th, 1943

Band practice this morning at 10 A.M and two concerts today one for'ard and one aft went over very nice. Saw another boat on the skyline, also an airplane, and some flying fish. 

​

October 25th, 1943

Sighted land at daybreak. Saw destroyers and LST convoy sitting across ahead of us. Saw lots of planes. The islands are very mountainous and beautiful, sure seems good to see land. 

Band played concert coming into Pearl Harbor. Tied up to the President Polk and tore off half of the life rafts doing it. Tied up at twelve noon. Sure lots of battlewagons must have the whole fleet in. Swiped some raw spuds (potatoes) and laid in bed. Read and ate raw spuds first nite in Hawaii.

Sure feels swell to know we are this close to land. 

​

October 26th, 1943 

Got two letters from Avis and Mother. Visited with Kyle till after 11 and watched the floodlites play on the planes. Nites are very pretty. Wish I knew when and what we were going to do. 

​

October 27th, 1943

Navy Day

Disembarked at 4 P.M. and loaded on trucks and drove 18 miles up into the mountains to Pearl City. Rained hard and lost bag so no bedding the first nite. Kyle and Ted gave me a blanket a piece so got along fine. Everyone wants to stay here, but I'd like to go on and get it over with. Hope we can atleast see the City of Honolulu.

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 28th, 1943

Put me on truck and drove it until noon and then went down and drew out a gas truck.

​

October 29th, 1943

Serviced gas truck in Pearl Harbor, filled up and drove all over the base. Sure some site here. 

​

October 30th, 1943

Still driving gas truck, no excitement, just doing nothing but dishing out the gas. Kyle and I went over and had some Cokes and a Bull Session before going to bed. 

​

October 31st, 1943

Came in and got new shoes and went over to see picture show stayed for one reel and then came back and wrote letters.

​

November 1st, 1943

Still driving gas truck. Read "Rubber Band" a new Nero Wolfe story and bought my first 5 1/2 cigarettes looks like pay day tomorrow and may be liberty this week I hope. Sit around and had a bull session with Kyle and Ted. 

​

November 2nd, 1943

Got pay day today and also got a new job again. Went over to Barber's Point and helped Lieutenant McPherson on the loading list and figuring out what was going on each different wave. Found out about the island and conditions we are going to work under. Don't like office work and hope it doesn't last too long. 

​

November 3rd, 1943

Back to Barber's Point and still doing office work. Worked until 9:30 tonight and had an awful headache from too much eye strain. Hope this over pretty soon and get back to working outside. 

​

November 4th, 1943 

Back to Barber's Point and decided I'd take it kind of easy. Spent an hour and a half buying new work clothes then they got so balled up in the office. I strolled off and went to the Mantinee, when I got back no one had even missed me. So then I strolled off at 4:30 and found a beer line and had 6 Schlitz, first since I have been here. Gee was it good. Guess I'll get a special liberty tomorrow. 

​

November 5th, 1943

Got Liberty Card at 10:15 and had to be back before 5:30 P.M, didn't get into town until 12 noon, went back to Elks at Waikiki Beach, Had some Sunny Brook and Seltzer, and a swell Shrimp Salad, then took a bus ride and headed back to base. Would like another Liberty pass so I could see more of the town and buy some souvenirs. Elk 616 very beautiful. 

​

November 6th, 1943

Sent down to the docks to check and O.K two Cleaver Brooks 250 GPH Evaporators before loading them. Went over with gas truck and Ted and I bought Avis a purse. Tried to buy some milk, haven't had a glass of milk since left the states. Gray gave me a can of sardines and crackers for supper and had two cokes. Hope I can wash tomorrow. Bought myself a spare fountain pen. 

​

November 7th, 1943

Went down to docks to help to find some purifiers for the 2nd Echelon, but got tired looking so went over and sat in the truck with Ted and then drove over for dinner. Found a place to get Malted Milks. Caught a ride to the bottom of the hill and went back to camp. No buckets to wash in, so laid down and went to sleep. 260 of our boys are already loaded on the SS. Dashing Wave. I wonder if I'll get on the first bunch? Hope I get to go over first if there is going to be any action. 

​

November 8th, 1943 

Went back to stills to stay with them until they were loaded. Bought some peanut butter and crackers and made peanut butter sandwiches. Strolled off and found another store on the outskirts of Pearl City where Prouly and I had Malted Milk then went back to the base. Nothing exciting. Got orders tonight to pack and get ready to go aboard ship. Packed everything and secured barracks. 

​

November 9th, 1943

Lieutenant McCrea changed orders and told me I could stay in barracks and I decided I would have another look at Honolulu. Went in to "Royal Hawaiian" then the "Aquarium" and then to "Breakers" and then out to Elk's Club and tried to buy Christmas Presents, but things are too high. Even just trinkets are out of sight. Natives are sure taking the servicemen. 

​

November 10th, 1943

Went down to docks to check loading of Cleaver Brooks, but they are not going to load it until last, so sit down by our equipment and read some more of Ellery Queeing "Spanish Cloak." Went back to base at noon and found a bucket, so decided to wash and repack bags again. Went down to canteen and had a can of peanuts and coke. 

Sit around and shot the bull with Kyle. Got the two other packages from the folks and my little testament made me bawl a little. Wish I could get over this choking up business when I get letters from Avis and Mother. Ted came in with a buzz on and cussed everybody and went to sleep.

​

November 11th, 1943

Armistice Day

Went down to the docks and sit around waiting for them to load still, but everyone seems more worried about who will be going on the 1st wave then anything else, so went over the fence and got some coffee and ice cream.

Stayed in camp after dinner and repacked my bags again. 

Went in and shot the bull with the O.P so I could sneak a look at the list and sure enough I'm on the first wave. Oh boy does that make me feel good, gee i'd sure have been sick if I hadn't been on that list.

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 12th, 1943 

Suppose to have Liberty today, but as usual I get beat out of My liberties. They secured everybody to their bunks, but in walks the Chief and tells us we have to put up all our tents for the fellows who are going to stay, but I figured if I wasn't important enough to get my liberty, I wasn't good enough to put up tents so took off over the hill and through the cane breaks and went down to buy something to eat for our trip. Going aboard the Dashing Wave at 5 O' Clock, but as usual we didn't get on until 10 P.M. Only 5 hours late. The Famous 98th! I wish just once we'd be on time. 

​

November 13th, 1943

Well here it is Saturday and everything screwed up as usual. Kyle and I went over board and through the fence to a grocery store, bought shrimp, sardines, cheese to take aboard. Bought Avis and Mother a shirt to send home, sure wish I could mail these home, but maybe they'll take packages at the island. Hell ,today was the pay off bone head for all times. Everybody and all gear was unloaded. When we had all unloaded, here comes the Navy and takes all the good bunks, then they loaded us back on. We are working for the Navy instead of with them. What a mess, got to bunk at 11 P.M. 2nd nite to sleep with clothes on. What a day. 

​

November 14th, 1943

Listened to church services over the P.A system then wrote last letter to Avis and Mother after they took up the last mail and got old Smitty to come over tot he gang plank and take them into camp for me. Wish I knew when we were going to shove off. Bet Kyle we'd leave tomorrow. 

Decided we had our own bunks, so we unpacked my fort sack and decided to stay a while and get to bed right. Sure hope we leave tomorrow. 

​

November 15th, 1943

Red Letter Day

Pulled anchor at 10:30 AM and let off Harbor Pilot at 11. Boy we're going in a big cargo 11 of us and 6 destroyers. Had target practice today. Received 2 letters from Avis and Mother, sure glad I got these before we left. Well, we're finally on our way. I wonder when we'll get there. Put on lookout watch from 6 to 8 up on officer's starboard side. Commander Jones shot the bull with me about the band for a while and the other officer were arguing about our ship being in the wrong place in formation. Spotted two airplanes and officers asked me why I didn't report them and told them radar probably pick it up long ago. 

​

November 16th, 1943

Not much excitement today. they decided to give us a cup of coffee and sandwich at noon instead of just two meals a day. Went on watch at 4 P.M and stood on the flight deck and listened to one of the Merchant Marine officers tell me all about the South Pacific. 

Commander Jones gave a talk today telling us of all the hardships we were to endure on Island X. Ate a can of sardines, lemon, cheese crackers, and 1/2 an onion. Bunk mates really beefed. Went to bed at 8 P.M. No seasickness yet? 

​

November 17th, 1943

Got up, washed, and dressed and made up bunk before reville this morning and then found out to set the time back again and I had to wait for breakfast. Had an airline raid drill today. 

The weather looks bad and the old ocean is getting pretty rough. The ship's rocking so bad its hard to write. 

Suppose we're getting in pretty rough weather tonight as we had to lash everything down tighter. Hope I don't get seasick. It started to rain just I cam below. The flying fish are sure thick around here. 

​

November 18th, 1943

Well, we'll cross the equator sometime tomorrow so they gave the privilege of writing one letter home so I had to send a joint letter. Rained like everything all day long and I was on lookout watch in my foul weather gear and it rained so hard I couldn't have seen a plane or sub if they were right in front of me. We nearly rammed one of the tankers with our convoy last night and they turned the "Dashing Wave" so short and so fast, to knocked the guards on their post. 

Sure is hot tonight, the sweat is just pouring off me, but I supple from now on I will get to sweat plenty. 

​

November 19th, 1943

What a Day! 

Well we really some time today us "Polywoggs" were made "Shellbacks" and what I mean we took any initiation too, I'll never forget this. I believe the officer suffered worse than we did. Jones really looked the part standing on the bow with a firehose nozzle for a field glass trying to locate the Equator in just his shorts and did they smear the eggs and paddle those officers. They really raised a couple of good welts on my fanny too. They've really have been having the alerts and what I mean the destroyers are certainly busy trying to protect this cargo. 

​

November 20th, 1943

Well, sure didn't get any sleep last night one sub was sighted at 10 P.M, but got away and another at 4 P.M., so put us all out on deck and made us stand by to leave the ship. 24,000 lbs of Dynamite, caps, and 100 Octane Gas all stored in the same hold, boy if they ever hit us we won't have to worry about getting off, there won't be anything to get off of. 

Hope we can get some sleep tonight, but have my doubts, so just rolled up my fort sack and packed everything as they won't let us undress or even take our shoes off. Should cross the date line tomorrow. 

​

November 21st, 1943

Listening to Church services this morning and read the Catholic services with Kyle. Had five alerts, three subs and two planes. Planes were our own. Scouts from Baker Island. Today was the payoff when they promised us Turkey and I never even got a taste.  I was really hurt and hope they don't pull another fast one like that. Was awfully moody and homesick today. Restless all evening, wish we'd get into action soon instead of taking this South Seas Cruise. Wish we would hurry up and get to our island to get to work I get to thinking too much about home just sitting around. 

​

November 22nd, 1943

4 more alerts all airplanes and they were ours. Got two letters today on what to expect and how to act taking our island. Spent the rest of the day getting our packs and equipment in shape, then repack and pack.

Looks like we're really going to have some action. They've been bombing our island from the air for three days. Would be funny if there weren't any Japs there. Well everyone is is good spirits and we finally met our escort today, 2 aircraft carriers and three heavy cruisers. One Carrier is the Saratoga I think. Boy this looks like history in the making. 

​

November 23rd, 1943

Sure is something to watch the planes take off and land on these carriers. We are really getting ready for something. Instructions all day long. They've put me in a 60 MM Trench Mortar Squad. I'd rather have my own squad, but there are only two of us in the 1st wave, so will have to be content with the Mortar Squad. Well the convoy split and went north to our island, I guess they're going to use the carrier planes in the invasion. Sure feels kind of lonesome with those big babes leaving the rest of us and I suppose we'll have alerts all tonight without their protection. 

​

November 24th, 1943

Had alerts all night and were told to be ready to go over the side at dawn this morning, but as usual we stayed on the boat and had to watch the battle from about 2 miles out in the Lagoon. The Marines are having a tough time, but they won't let any of the other transports or us unloaded to help. Its a good thing they're guarding the boys or we'd all try to swim ashore or hitch a ride on some of the little barges. I've never saw a bunch of men so anxious to get ashore. Have been bringing Marines onboard all day, as some of their boats pulled out loading casualties and left them here. Boy this battle makes Guadalcanal a curtain raiser.

 

November 25th, 1943

May God bless the folks who lost their boys on this Thanksgiving Day

Up at 3 A.M for 4 A.M lookout and after breakfast and had to stand guard until noon. Besides the other troubles, we are having this damn bunch of Navy kids stealing us blind. It's an awful sight seeing guts floating around and every once in a while a Jap body floats out to our ship. Gee, that island must be a mess. If I can just remember what the Marines have been telling us. Women snipers and the Japs on this island are a mixture and all are big husky men probably Mongolian from the North they think. Jones made them unload half of the boat to get his Jeep and went ashore and the Marines ran him off HA-HA

​

November 26th, 1943

Just finished guard duty in ship's hospital and had another air raid and me without a life jacket and helmet. They've started unloading some heavy equipment to get ready for our stills. One of the Northwestern Draglines got away and dropped on hatch 3 went down into the mess hall. They are still shooting on the island and we moved in a little closer today, so we could see the mess from the boat. Lots of bodies still on the beach. Some more Marines were shot up today. These dirty yellow bastards don't know when their licked. They sure are fortified on the island, but we'll get the sometime. They've brought natives from somewhere else and enslaved them into working. The natives are sure glad we've come they say. 

​

November 27th, 1943

Guard duty in hospital again, brought in some more Marines and those yellow bastards were using soft nose bullets one of those Marines had a hole you could stick your fist in. Some of the Japs crawled onto the President Polk next to our ship and cut two guard's throats before they got them. We are supposed to go ashore tonight at 8:36 with the still, so will pack our bags and get ready. 

​

November 28th, 1943

Left for shore this morning at 5 A.M. got the pontoon stuck on a reef about 1/2 mile from our island so waited for the tide to go out and too jour bags ashore. These poor natives sure look hungry. Are they ever glad to see us and they are wondering what our still is for. I gave one a drink of fresh water and he pointed to the ocean and I said yes and he tasted it again and then made himself the guide and instructor I spent all day bringing up natives telling them all about it. Our boys caught three Japs today and one fellow caught on and he didn't even have his gun with him.

​

​

​

​