Naval Experiences of Wallace F. Gray: Part I
(Letters 1-23, August 23, 1945, to October 6, 1945.)
NOTE: These are letters sent by Wallace F. Gray while he was in the U.S. Navy to his parents, Firman and Helen Gray. The letters run from August 23, 1945 until April 1, 1946. The letters were preserved by Firman and Helen Gray in a three-ring loose leaf binder.
Wallace entered the service on August 9, 1943, and was honorably discharged on April 20, 1946.
These letters start just before getting underway aboard the U.S.S. Greenwich Bay. (Some navy experiences found in Upon These Plates, by Wallace F. Gray, Family History Library Microfilm #1033698). There are 124 letters in all starting with August 23, 1945, and ending with April 1, 1946.
For the complete naval itinerary of Wallace F. Gray go here.
History: August 6, 1945: A single atomic
bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. Almost 68,000 Japanese were killed, with
as many injured. On August 9, 1945, a few hours after Russia had declared war on Japan, a
second atomic bomb was exploded over Nagasaki; 38,000 were killed. On August 14, 1945, V-J
Day took place. On September 2, 1945, the surrender document was
signed by the Japanese in Tokyo Bay on board the U.S.S. Missouri.(The European war ended
May 8, 1945.) World War II dead estimated at 35 million plus 10 million in Nazi
concentration camps.
NOTE: My tour of Hiroshima is recorded in Letter 96 (February 3, 1946.) (As yet unposted.)
Commissioning Photo: May 20, 1945
Official Navy Photograph. Lake Washington Shipyard, Houghton,
Washington. E. W. Kenyon, Yard photographer. Fantail has a temporary
canopy.
Letter 1: August 23, 1945
Dear Mom & Dad,
We are now at North Island [San Diego], where we have been loading ammunition. We are taking on more than we had before. Tomorrow we will probably finish that job.
It looks like maybe "this is it" at last after all this time. We have taken on board some men who we are to transport to P.H. [Pearl Harbor] so it looks like the place we’re going to is selected. According to the information I can get, we’ll probably be sailing (halfway there I mean) a week from today and thus I won’t be able to get home again. But I don’t know how long we’ll be gone. Perhaps not too long. It will be an interesting trip anyway and I think I will enjoy it.
The way they censor mail on ship now is, they just grab a few out of the pile and read them. One boy wrote in his letter that there "would be no more censoring so he would mail his letters on board ship again." The letter happened to be one of those that was censored. It of course was rejected with the penciled remark "There is enough evidence to court-martial you."
An officer’s letter was also censored and it was discovered that he had been using stationary [stet] that had a map of the world on each one. He would mark on the map where the ship was. The censor made him burn up all his stationary.
The last I heard on the deal about the chaplains yesterday was that they went to a commodore, who in turn went to an admiral.
Can’t think of anything else to write now. Received a letter from you today.
Love,
Wally
P.S./We should leave Saturday or Sunday.
Letter 2 August 25, 1945
Dear Mom & Dad,Wanted to write you this letter tonight to let you know that this will be the last letter you will be getting for awhile. I am sitting on the fantail now waiting to see the movie. Some of the men have brought their wives here tonight. Big night!
There really isn't much to say now. Just wanted you to know that there would be a delay in the coming of my next letter.
Tomorrow's my birthday and it looks like it will be quite a day.
This is all I will write for now so write soon. Next time you send a box, I could use some more soup and jelly. Also please enclose a pair of underwear of mine.
All my Love, Wally. Wallace F. Gray PR 2/c
Letter 3 August 28, 1945
Dear Mom and Dad,
Well, we are underway. By now we are probably half way between there and you know where. [Hawaii.]
As yet I haven’t gotten seasick and I am quite used to the ocean by now - feeling very good. This ship does a lot of rolling and tossing, especially, of course, in the bow.
We set our watches back a half an hour last night and a half hour tonight. That makes my watch [security patrol watch] a half hour longer tonight.
I now stand security patrol which isn’t so bad. We have from 10 to 12 hours off between watches now.
Certainly enjoy your fruit cake. I traded my ripe pear from Topanga for a green pear for chow. I ate the ripe one and will wait until the green one ripens.
The ship sails pretty good and we’ve been clipping right along.
How are all the animals getting along
I will write you again when we reach our destination.
All my love,
Wally
[Japanese Surrender Documents Signed, We Arrive at Pearl Harbor]
Letter 4 September 1, 1945
2000 o’clock
Dear Mom and Dad,
At last! Received eight letters today, including two from you. Today is a very memorable day because the Japs signed the peace treaty and being a doubly day for me as a destination was reached. I was glad to get those letters and it’s quite remarkable that one of your letters mailed the 29th was here and we left on my birthday. Things are working out to remarkable coincidence in more ways than one,.
It is rather hot, but the trip was most enjoyable. The sea was not too rough, and I felt quite well all the way over. The skies were beautiful and the water very blue and wet.
As yet, I haven’t gotten liberty but just the officers did tonight and one section but just to the local territory. Liberty expires early and I believe is in the day time with a third of the ship off at a time.
I want to look around all I can when I get the chance. I especially would like to look up the temple.
I will always use airmail when possible and you do the same. Your two airmail letters really made it in record time.
On the way over, we ran low on water and yesterday they had to establish water hours. Everything was off in the way of fresh water but the drinking, captains and probably cooking faucets. However, it was extraordinary conditions that brought this about. I hope this won’t be necessary again.
I was able to hear part of the broadcast on the surrender. VJ Day is to be the 2nd as I understand it, but I was here the moment it ended. [Actually VJ Day was August 14, 1945, but the documents were signed on Septebmer 2, 1945.]
Thanks for reminding me of Grandma and Grandpa’s anniversary. Although I’ll probably be unable to get a card, I will try to send something and I’ll write a letter to them tonight.
Got a letter from Bill Hagerty who was in the states and is back out again. Donald Gregory is still at Guam.
I’ll try to send some souvenir-thing from here when possible.
I’m in good health. Am looking forward to your box. We’ve just about finished off the birthday box. Broke out the cheese today and used it on crackers. Sort of a celebration.
Tell Tony [Tony Von Arswaldt, my parents’ Topanga real estate agent who had lived in Hawaii] he would probably feel at home here.
With love,
Wally
History: Japan officially surrendered in Tokyo Bayon board the U.S.S. Missouri on September 2, 1945.
My Journal: We arrived at the place where the war started on the day it officially ended.
Letter 5 September 3, 1945
Yesterday, Sunday, I went on liberty at this place. We went to church here and it is quite a beautiful ward. Quite large and very modern. A servicemen’s home is right next to it. In the near future, we are looking forward to a visit to the temple.
Liberty starts at 0900 in the morning and is up at 6:30 at night. We get liberty every third day. I had special liberty yesterday. The town is just like it’s been described to me, but on a whole, the land is beautiful, and a visit to the temple which is miles away, will reveal much scenery.
I am sending you some pillow covers and I have some perfume for Jerry and a charm bracelet thing for Mary E., but don’t mention that, because I don’t know when I will send it yet.
Just before writing this letter I went to the disbursing office and canceled my war bonds. I have converted them into a $25 allotment home. When it goes through, you will be receiving a $10 and $25 check monthly. This will start my bank account soaring.
It is hot here and I don’t use any covers when I sleep at night, but I like the weather and the breezes.
Should get more mail today when it comes in.
Today, Monday, is a holiday routine because of VJ day, so I’m going to study my shorthand and slide rule.
Can’t seem to dig up any more news for now. Don’t know what we will do, but couldn’t say if I did.
Mail just came in, but I didn’t get any today. I am expecting quite a lot though, soon.
Love,
Wally
Letter 6 September 4, 1945
7:15 p.m.
Ford Island (Pearl Harbor)
Oahu, T.H.
(Use ship address)
Dear Mom and Dad,
Today, I got no mail again, but I am expecting some soon. As soon as possible I’m going to send you a few packages, souvenirs from Honolulu. I am enclosing some money. Would you please bank it?
Liberty now starts at 1:00 every afternoon and expires at 6:30 the same night; that gives us 5½ hours every 3 days for liberty.
Went into Honolulu again today. Just did some shopping. I bought an anniversary card for Grandma and Grandpa and will send it tomorrow.
Honolulu, of course, as I expected, is rather a dump, but it is interesting and I enjoy it. I hope to make some extended tours if time allows. I don’t know how long we’ll be here, but I think we’ll be going out a few days and then coming back in. I don’t know how long we’ll be here
There is no more censoring of mail, they say, which is obvious.
It is certainly warm here, but of course we are in the tropics. We are just south of the tropic of Cancer.
I bought a fresh pineapple today and we are going to open it tonight. Also bought canned pineapple juice and pineapple.
Everything is going all right with me. I’ll write again soon. May be home soon, and then again, maybe not--but according to Naval Secretary, we’ll all be out within a year.
Love,
Wally XXX
Letter 7 September 7, 1945
Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, T.H.
7:00 p.m.
Dear Mom & Dad,
Received one more letter from you since the first time we hit the Hawaiian Islands, but of course, we’ve been out to sea two days, so I expect some mail tomorrow.
Yesterday morning we got underway from Ford Island (Pearl Harbor), Oahu, and went to sea for gunnery. We fired at 1:00 yesterday afternoon, and replenished our clipping rooms till 4:00, then fired at 8:00 last night and replenished till 10:30 p.m. Then this morning we fired again, and replenished until 1:20. Ate lunch at 1:45 p.m. 38,000 shots were fired yesterday and 28,000 today (approx) that includes the 5" at $10 a shot and 40 mm at $2 a shot. In this firing run, we fired more than ever before. In fact this is the first time our clipping room was emptied of ammunition.
At 4:00 this afternoon (add 2½ hours for Pacific Wartime) we moored at Kaneohe Bay which is across from the place we were before. It is nice here. There is an air station here, which we are tied up to. Have just finished a swim off the dock. Quite refreshing and salty.
I have sent one money order home, three pillow covers, and one other package, plus an envelope of pictures and a folder of pictures. Included with one of the pillow covers are some more pictures. Please acknowledge when you receive these.
Two days since we left San Diego, we have been having powered milk. They don’t even get fresh milk here although I managed to buy ½ a pint when I was last in Honolulu. Today we had powdered lemonade. We get ice cream twice a week which consists of powdered milk and eggs (powdered)
They are putting bunks in the mess halls now. I’m wondering what they are for.
We are not near Honolulu now, being some 30 miles around the island of Oahu, but tell Tony that I think we’ll be back again and if so, I will look up his relatives then. Mr. Lindens son was on Ford Island,* but I didn’t know that till today. If we return I shall look him up. We are close to the temple now. Hope I’ll be able to see it. You can’t do much in 5 1/2 hours every three days however. It’s funny the captain won’t let the liberty start at 9:00 instead of 1:00. The other ships do.
The ship is going to start an educational course soon. I’ll try to take something.
There’s a nice cool breeze coming in the Carpenter Shop [where I worked] now. It’s quite a relief, because it has been very hot.
My quarters have been changed. I now sleep (and live) up forward in the bow, where the CPOs [chief petty officers] used to be. It is rather rough of course, but I like it a lot better. There is no heavy traffic like before. Only about 30 of us are up here.
Coming over from the states, we had some passengers to haul. They worked all the way over, scraping paint, etc. Captains orders. They were glad to get off.
Big inspection tomorrow. Where have I heard that before? Anyway, we have to have clean dungarees and undress whites.
Will write again soon. On the back of this page is my location. [Map is below. It has been recopied for better viewing.]
Love, Wally XXX
* Phil Linden, ART2c. Son of E.T. Linden,
circulation manager at Santa Monica Evening Outlook where I had been a newspaper
carrier.
[Visit to the Temple]
Letter 8 September 9, 1945
Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, TH
Dear Mom & Dad,
Well, today we did it! Wayne Lambert and I went to the Temple. We got liberty at 1:00 p.m. and it expired at 6:30 p.m. (every third day.) So we were quite rushed. We were only able to remain at the temple ten minutes. Then we came back.*
On the way back, we bought some bananas. (16 for 20¢). Very good and fresh. Also bought some jelly and bread. You have to have something to make up for some of this food. We had ham today. This morning, being Saturday, it was beans as usual (every Saturday.)
While traveling from Kaneohe Bay to Laie and back I noted the fact that cows ranged on some of the hills. I would like to bring back one. We could keep three in the captain’s cabin and have enough room for a dairy besides.
We passed wild growing cotton. I picked two cotton blooms. We passed rice fields, coconut trees, palm trees and banana trees. Even saw natives fishing with those nets like in that picture I sent you.
They have a wonderful beach here on the base. It is 2 miles from the ship and has a snack bar, life rafts, etc. The water around the islands varies from blue to green to light blue to white.
No mail today or yesterday has come for the whole ship. It got misplaced somewhere. Expect quite a lot tomorrow.
Our "big inspection" was today, but consisted of practically nothing.
I’ll close now.
Love,
Wally XXX
*My note in 1999: I am sure we hitchhiked
to and from the temple. The temple grounds were closed due to renovation, so we could only
peer in from the outside. It was certainly an impressive building. The Laie Hawaii Temple
was dedicated November 27, 1919, by Heber J. Grant. It was rededicated after remodeling
June 13, 1978, by Spencer W. Kimball.
Letter 9 September 10, 1945
Dear Mom & Dad,
Got two letters from you yesterday. We are now back in Pearl Harbor at Ford island again. Left our former place this morning., It took us four hours to get around the island to here. When we moored here, I took a couple C02 bottles to the air station to be refilled. On the way back I looked up Mr. Linden’s son. I found him in his barracks just about a block from the ship. Had quite a talk. He was last home in April.
Tomorrow we are going to load ammunition. We will have to load quite a lot to make up for that which was shot. Then the next day we are going to load provisions. Then we’re supposed to shove off for points west.
These all were original plans. However, an alnav came in today allowing points for overseas service. This new allowance effects dozens of men. We will lose our executive officer, gunnery off., first Lt., etc. plus several men. The order is that this ship does not leave until all eligible men are off and replaced. This will be a blow to the captain because he’s been keeping such men on. One has 57 points and Captain hasn’t let him off yet. Plus all this, I heard a rumor that the complement of the ship would be lowered and 100 men removed from it. This may effect me. So you see - you never know just what is going to happen until it happens. We’ll see.
I dropped my wrist watch on the steel deck and now it won’t run. So I’m sending it home. Please have it fixed. Please return the box right away, leaving the packing in it, because I’ve borrowed it from somebody.
It is terribly hot here. The sea was quite rough today while underway, too.
Will close and if you don’t ever hear from me for awhile, you’ll know I’m sailing.
Love, Wally XXX
Letter 10 Tuesday, September 11, 1945
Dear Mom and Dad:
If all goes as planned, you probably will not hear from me for about a week again, because tomorrow we’re sailing for points west. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Midway Island briefly, although nothing is sure. (Don’t expect mail from me for a week or more.)
After you told me about Tony’s relatives here, I wasn’t able to get to Honolulu. I was planning to do so today, being my regular liberty day, but we loaded ammunition instead. Perhaps a chance will come again soon.
I guess, despite all, we are leaving tomorrow. For awhile it looked different, but I understand all those officers are not leaving as planned, yet.
I am enclosing two "Plan of the Days" [not extant] for your interest. I wish you would keep them. Put them in the book. One is dated August 26—my birthday. That is the day we sailed, and is of importance to me. The other was today’s plan.
They just passed the word for all men with 42 points to lay up to the office (42 points or more). I guess they’ll maybe get them off before leaving tomorrow. (If we leave, and it’s pretty definite we will).
I will write a letter while we’re underway, but of course it won’t go till we reach a port. I mailed my wrist watch this morning. Tell me when you receive it and send the box back right away, unless the watch will be fixed soon. If so—please send it back with the watch in it.
Add to Navy book:
(After San Diego entry)
Aug. 26, 1945. Underway
Sep. 1, 1945. Arrive NAS Pearl Harbor, Ford Island
Sep. 6, 1945. Underway (firing run)
Sep. 7. Arrived Kaneoke Bay, NAS
Sep 10, 1945. Underway. Arrived NAS Pearl Harbor (Ford Is.)
(All these places are in Oahu, T.H.)
Received letter from you today. It was sent 2:30 p.m. Saturday and I got it 1100 this morning, the 11th. Less than two days.
Next letter will probably be delayed. Keep writing however. You’ll hear from me as soon as possible.
Love, Wally XXX
[Underway to Midway Island]
Letter 11 September 13, 1945
Underway
Dear Mom and Dad,
We’ve left the Hawaiian Islands and are underway to Midway. I think I’ll have to see what our compass course is to find out.
Something different has happened in this cruise. They cut out darken ship so we don’t have to crawl around in inky blackness above deck any more. Also they are showing movies underway which is quite different. We saw one last night.
Left the islands yesterday and did some more firing. Before we left I showed Mr. Linden’s son around the ship.
Our carpenters mate had to make a plywood board (sawed) so it would fit between the captain’s mattress and springs as it was too soft for him. He has two mattresses.
One thing I can’t understand. The only fruit juices we ever get is powdered lemonade occasionally, but the officers get canned fruit juices all the time. But then that’s the way it is. When I return I’m going to have to drink a lot of milk to make up for all these days. I’ve had a half pint since August 28. Of course we get powdered milk with cereal and I pour a little canned milk in it but you know how that tastes!
I guess by now we’re out of the tropics. It seems cooler than before. Still slept with no blankets last night.
Latest dope has it that from Midway we go to Okinawa which will be quite a trip. It’s just south of Japan.
Will close now.
Love, Wally XXX
P.S./ Have enclosed "plan of day" for yesterday, when we got underway for M.I. Please keep it. [Not extant.]
Letter 12 September 14, 1945
Underway to Midway
Dear Mom & Dad,
Tomorrow morning we should reach Midway Islands so this letter will go out soon.
Effective tomorrow, water hours will be instituted as follows:
6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
11:30 to 12:30 a.m. (noon)
4:30 to 5:00 p.m.
These are the only times the water will be on. No more brushing teeth before going to bed. Drinking water will stay on I think.
I don’t know how long we’ll remain in Midway, but then we’re supposed to be off on an eight or nine day trip of 2900 miles to Okinawa. From San Diego to Pearl, it is 2300 miles and from Pearl to Midway, 1100.
Had quite a 12 to 4 watch last night. The stars are numerous at night and very beautiful. I can use a flashlight above decks now at night and movies underway are quite the novelty.
I am out on the fantail where it is very windy, leaning against the after lifelines. It is dusk, about 6:10 p.m. They are playing records out here and the movie screen is being rigged. Our clocks have been set back two hours on this trip, making our time 4 ½ hours behind yours. In a short time, we’ll be crossing the international date line which is on the other side of Midway.
Today I weighed CO2 bottles and stood a four hour (roving patrol + security watch).
Am still studying shorthand and slide rule.
Will close now. Probably another great space of time will pass before you hear from me again. May be two weeks.
Love, Wally XXX
I’ll keep writing but mail won’t go out till we hit port again. WG
[Midway Island]
Letter 13 September 15, 1945
Midway Island
Dear Mom and Dad,
I believe this letter will get out tomorrow morning.
We arrived at Midway today to fuel. We'll be leaving tomorrow (Sunday) for Okinawa. It will be at least an 8 day trip. That is really going to be some journey.
Last night and this morning, it really began to get rough. It was hard to stand up in the quarters. I sleep in the bow.
Got paid today. I'll send some money home when I get to Okinawa.
Tonight we went ashore on Midway. We did some bowling and then went to the movie. All it is is a Naval Station. Just a bunch of sand out in the middle of the ocean.
Water hours are in effect now and I suppose will be all the way over.
You won't receive any more mail from me until we get to Okinawa. It'll probably be 2 weeks before you get another letter. We've received no mail since we left Pearl and won't until we get to Okinawa. Neither one of your packages has been received yet. Am looking forward to them!!
This is all for now.
Love, Wally XXX
History: Midway Island, 1,300 miles northwest of Honolulu (its size is 2 square miles) was annexed to the United States in 1867. The Battle of Midway took place from June 4 to June 6, 1942. The U.S. sank four Japanese aircraft carriers and one heavy cruiser. The U.S. lost a destroyer and an aircraft carrier. Of 41 U.S. torpedo planes, only six returned to their carriers. The battle was the first decisive U.S. naval victory over the Japanese in World War II. It was considered the turning point in the Pacific campaign.
My journal: The movie we saw was "Rhapsody in Blue."
[Underway to Okinawa]
Letter 14 September 19, 1945
September 19, 1945
Wednesday 6:15 p.m.
EnRoute Okinawa
Dear Mom and Dad,
This is our third day underway from Midway. We passed the international dateline Sunday, but they didn't change the date until midnight last night, so there was no Tuesday, Sept. 18th for us.
All we've seen on the way is one ship which passed us (the other way) today.
I am enclosing a $10 money order. Please acknowledge when you receive it.
It has certainly been rough out here - at least the ship does a alot of rolling. It doesn't make me sick at all, but it is hard to walk. You get used to the rolling after a while.
The way I have it figured, we are about on the 160° E. long. meridian now just about north of Wake Island. It's quite a big ocean!
Of course you know, I've had no mail since we left Pearl Harbor so I can't answer any of your mail until we get it at Okinawa. I am looking foreward to those boxes.
Tonight I'm going to open a can of pineapple juice.
Our stop at Midway was quite successful because we got some chicken and fresh lemons to take with us. (No fresh milk yet).
Water hours are still on.,
I am enjoying the trip all right and it is an excellent chance to see parts of the world. Naturally, when I get home, I will appreciate things much more than I ever have before. But I'm in good health and everything is O.K.
I hope you are well and everything is going all right. Am looking foreward to all that mail I'll get.
This will probably be posted in Okinawa in about five days.
All my Love,
Wally
XXX
[Church Services, Water Hours and the Overboard Medicine Ball]
Letter 15 September 24, 1945
September 24, 1945
Monday eve. 7:00 o'clock
Dear Mom and Dad,
Upon receipt of this letter, you will know we have hit port, reaching our destination. We arrive into port tomorrow morning and I expect a lot of mail. We haven't had any since we left Pearl Harbor some 12 days ago, so everyone will be very engaged in reading tomorrow.
We left Midway Island Sunday (last) morning and lost Tuesday, so we've been underway seven days - tomorrow will be the eighth.
A group of us got together recently and decided it wouldn't be a bad idea to start a non-denominational church service here on board ship. So we decided that we would have some different person give a talk each week; and have two different people give the opening and closing prayers. Besides this we found the ship's all six hymn books and had words mimeographed.We only expect a few the first time, which was yesterday. After proper permission, the church was announced in the plan of the day and over the loud speakers. instead of a few - about two-thirds of the ship was there (the rest mostly being on watch). They said "knock off all games and smoking and keep silence about the deck."
Anyway - I gave the opening prayer and Wayne Lambert gave a talk this time. Music for our hymns was furnished by records. The service was held around sun down and was quite impressive. The captain seemed very pleased. It was held on the fantail. [Church services continued.]
It was decided that water hours would be forced stricter because:
(1) We must not use over 18 gallons a day per man
(Counting ships laundry, dish
washing, galley, and all water consumption)
(2) All hands were using too much water
One day they announced that we used 18.6 gal. that day and if we kept up the good work - hours would let up. THEN: The next day "We used 32.8 gals. per man - Strict hours will be inforced at once!" (It is said they found out later that it went into another tank but that was hushed.)
So here have been our water hours for the past three or four days:
Drinking water always on
Captains water always on
Officers water always on, but they are on their "honor"
Crews:-
Basins only: 6:00-7:00 a.m.
11:25-12:15 noon
4:30-5:15 p.m.
7:00-7:50 p.m.
(one salt water basin always
on)
Showers only: 7:00-7:50 p.m. (50 min.
daily)
(4 showers, 220 men) = What a
line!
But tomorrow all this should cease, since we'll be in port. Yesterday we used 17.5 gals. water per man (counting everything). Most of it goes to the laundry and scullery (dishes)
The trip across the Pacific has been very pleasant. It has been hot - always perspiring, but I've enjoyed it. We had one rough day through some rain. For awhile it was hard to walk, but it is calm tonight.
We had Saturday afternoon off and all day Sunday, which helped. I went around in a bathing suit.
Our clocks have been set back ½ hour every night - I don't know what the time difference is now.
Some of these regular Navy officers have been trying to get us to sign over to USN (four years). Just because they're stuck in the Navy doesnn't mean all of us should. I was up in the bridge today and a Lt. (jg) & I were talking. Then he asked about my points and laughed when I said I expected to be out in a year. So I humored him along by saying, "Yeah a civilian would pay good money for a trip like this." (That's a worn out phrase they always use.) He said "They'd pay $500 to $1000 and besides think of the places you'll see (the sea). But I couldn't see it. I'm enjoying while in and appreciate the trip, but never would they get me to sign away four years!
Now I'm studying Shorthand, Basic Mathematics and Slide Rule (morning, noon and night during non-working hours.) They've got us on a 44 hours week (plus watches) which is very good. My watches are not numerous.
Am looking forward to lots of mail tomorrow and will tell you of the result tomorrow night.
On the way over (yesterday) they dropped a medicine-ball over board while throwing it around. The captain had the ship stopped, turned round and finally after a half hours delay - somebody jumped in and got it. The peacetime Navy is a lot different than wartime!
Will write again soon -
Love, Wally
Wally's comments in 1999: Two of the prized possessions of the captain were his boxing bag and his medicine ball. Almost daily he would hit his boxing bag in plain site of the crew on an upper deck. He frequently exercised with the medicine ball and often let the crew use it. On this particular day it was Holiday Routine and we were relaxing on the deck when suddenly the ship made an abrupt U-turn.We ran to the rail to see what was happening. The ship came alongside the ball which was bobbing in the ocean. Our brave bosuns mate jumped overboard and retrieved the ball. As the man was slowly floating toward the engine screw which was still turning, the captain shouted, "Get the ball, get the ball!" Someone threw a life preservoir out and bosuns mate and ball made it safely aboard.
[Okinawa]
Letter 16 September 26, 1945
September 26, 1945
Okinawa
Dear Mom and Dad,
The mail was delivered yesterday - after a 12 day pause, and I received one from you dated 17th and about four others. Today I got another from you dated 11th. Still have received no magazines or packages since we left one month ago today. But I'm expecting them anytime.
Water hours are still in effect even though we're in port because we still have to make our own. Something is funny, because they've started rinsing all laundry with salt water, saving 60 gals. in one wash (several washes daily) and "we are still using 17.5 gal. per man." As an added attraction, salt water showers are now available at all times, but I don't want any of them in port. Underway, they may be O.K. Sure took a hasty shower tonight. Big line and a lot of yelling to hurry of course. All you can do is set, soap, rinse and get out. Two mins. is quite a long shower.
The ship that Lawrence Taylor is on was by us today and they sent one of our boats over, so I went over to see him. They have a nice parachute loft there and good facilities. No water hours there.
They seem to want this trip shrouded in secrecy so I'll wait awhile before I send you any more Navy Book information. We aren't staying here. I fact, I strongly anticipate a tour to the Orient.
They had quite the storm here - before we arrived. Lost a lot of planes - they were washed up. We've had a no liberty, but the mailman says the island is just mud. It's about 52 miles long and bigger than you'd think. Sure a lot of ships on the other side. On the side we're on, there's several of our sister ships.
It rains here quite often which is a relief. I wouldn't like to be here long. I bet I know hundreds of guys that are on various ships here, but it would be impossible to see them. Anyway [they] are all on the other side.
I like to be underway rather than in dock, if I'm going to be in the Navy at all. You're more independent.
Got a letter from Richard Cronin [former shipmate.] He's now in Memphis. Was home on leave. Awaiting D.F.C. and a discharge. He's excited. Donald Gregory [high school classmate], who would have been home by Dec., writes from Guam that it will be 8 or 9 months now, due to points. Miss Lister [Althea Lister, friend of aviator Laura Ingalls] just got back on work from a month vacation.
I'll close now - Will write again in a day or so -
All my Love, Wally XXX
History: Okinawa became a prefecture of Japan in 1879. One of the bloodiest campaigns of World War II was fought on Okinawa between American and Japanese troops. The Americans landed on the island on April 1, 1945, (the day I was baptized) and conquered it in late June. During the fighting, more than 90 percent of the island's buildings were destroyed. The United States returned the island to Japan in 1972. U.S. military bases remain on Okinawa.
Letter 17 September 28, 1945
7:30 a.m.
Dear Mom and Dad,
No mail came for the ship yesterday. Whenever the mailman went ashore to pick up mail, it took hours. Last time he went over, he had to hitchhike about 50 miles. But now we're on the "list." In other words, a big seaplane tender acts as fleet post office for us. They pick up and deliver our mail. This letter will go to the tender - and then by boat to the beach. It will then fly to another part of the island. From there it will fly across the Pacific - probably through Guam and Pearl Harbor.
They say it is really muddy here on the island. Sailors live in tents and mud over there.
Water hours have been increased so now we can shower between 6:30 p.m. and 7:50 p.m.
They had a good movie last night, but it rained during part of it. But we saw it anyway. I was in a bathing suit so it didn't matter.
We are actually tending seaplanes now. Just filling in the gap until we sail once more to our destination. I am now in the "V" division (aviation) which has just been formed. No parachutes yet, but we're sewing some 10' by 13' canvass catch-alls and then we have to test our rubber life rafts. This will be the first PR [parachute rigger] work I have done.
The sun is shining brightly this morning. I'm out on the fantail. There are coral snakes in these waters, so I'm not going swimming here.
If you don't hear from me for a few days - remember, we're probably sailing and while underway - letters neither come nor go. I think we'll be leaving this area soon - but it won't be such a long trip as before.
I figure I'm about 6,600 miles from home right now. Time this letter. Check the post mark and see how long it takes.
All my love, Wally.
[We Sail Back and Forth All Night to Dodge a Predicted Typhoon]
Letter 18 September 29, 1945
Noon - Underway
Dear Mom and Dad,
Mail goes out at 12 noon today so I will get this out.
Since last night at 6:30 we have been underway and have gone nowhere. We've just been sailing back & forth all night. We return to anchor this noon - then I hope for an Oriental journey.
Nothing really has happened. No mail has come in yet but perhaps we will get some today.
Helped load supplies yesterday. Prominent in the bunch was powdered eggs and powdered milk.
They just set the special sea detail, meaning we are pulling into port again, after our 15 hours of sailing back and forth. Last night, during the 12 to 4 watch - in one of those hours, the speed of the G. B. (Greenwich Bay) was changed 27 times.
This is all I can think of now. I'll probably have more to write when the mail comes in.
Love, Wally [Sent a card for my father's birthday.]
Letter 19 October 1, 1945
Morning
Dear Mom and Dad,
We are still here in Okinawa. We've been traveling from Buckner's Bay to Chimu Bay and back. Yesterday we left Chimu and hauled a ship load of passengers here to Buckner. We are going to go back to Chimu this morning.
I got a cot now, so I slept topside last night. It was really nice. The compartments are so hot.
We [are] p[lanning on a two day trip soon, but when, I don't know. I'm certainly looking forward to that trip. Captain is delighted because he spent "three years" there.
Now I think I'll get the Navy Book up to date for you. You'll find the information on the next page.
This is all for now. I'll write again soon.
All my Love, Wally
P.S./Still no mail for us yet.
Last entrance: Sept. 10 - NAS, P.H.
--------------
Sept. 12 - Underway for Midway Is.
Sept. 15 - Arrived Midway Is.
Sept. 16 - Underway for Okinawa
Crossed international date-line
Sept. 25 - Arrived Okinawa
Anchored Buckner Bay
Sept. 26. - Anchored Chimu Bay
Sept. 30 - Anchored Buckener Bay
----------------
The reason we sailed back and forth all one night was because they were expecting a
typhoon but it has passed now. Never came here at all. It's up in northern Luzon, about
400 miles from here.
It is 2300 miles from San Diego to Pearl Harbor; 1100 to Midway; 3200 to Okinawa.
WG
Letter 20 October 1, 1945
Noon - Okinawa
U.S.S. GREENWICH BAY (AVP 41)
C/O FLEET POST OFFICE
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Dear Mom & Dad,
Outgoing mail will be collected in about a half an hour, so I thought I would get this off to you. Some mail has just come in and we are waiting for it now. A lot of our mail has been held in Guam due to the storm. I don't think we'll get that until we get to China.
Yes - China is our next stop. This afternoon we leave for Shanghai. We'll only be there a little while and then we go to Tsingtao (Sing-tow) I'll tell you more about that later.
Well - after about a week the mail has arrived and I have nothing. Oh well - it's not anyone's fault I guess, but it would help. Not even a package has arrived. I TAKE IT ALL BACK. My mail has just come. It was with another division. I got seven letters (no packages - two are on the way). One of the letters is from you. It was mailed Sept. 20 so there must be a lot in Guam.
This place in China is supposed to be pretty nice. I hope we get liberty. Since we leave today, it'll be a few days until I write any more -
Keep writing. All my Love, Wally XXX
[Underway to the Orient]
Letter 21 October 2, 1945
East China Sea - Underway
U.S.S. GREENWICH BAY (AVP 41)
C/O FLEET POST OFFICE
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Dear Mom & Dad,
Payday was today, so I am enclosing $10.00 for banking. Would you please tell me how much money I have in the banks now, and when you get around to it - see how many bonds I have.
You can save the letterhead of this letter for the scrapbook if you wish.
We just passed under a heavy black cloud and you should see it rain. I've never seen anything like it! The sea is really getting wet. [Interesting statement!]
I slept outside last night - on the boat deck topside. The ship did a lot of rolling and it rained awhile, but I was under my fire-proof mattress cover which keeps out water. Where we're going now - it's supposed to be very cold. It will be a relief from these hot compartments.
We are escorting a big seaplane tender now. When we get to our next port, it will remain there and a Destroyer escort will escort us on to our place of assignment - near the place I mentioned in the last letter.
This letter will be posted either in Shanghai or at next port. We might not even drop anchor in Shanghai. I'll tell you later.
All my Love, Wally
My journal: Storm registered 25 degree rolls. On October 2, missed mine
by 100 yards. Ran into storm. Fifty knot wind. Bow dipped into barrel of five-inch gun.
Letter 22 October 2, 1945
Friday October 5, 1945
Morning
U.S.S. GREENWICH BAY (AVP 41)
C/O FLEET POST OFFICE
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Dear Mom and Dad,
We are due to reach our destination this morning which is TAKU. It may be located on a map by finding the Yellow Sea. Follow the sea north and then west. Taku is in the Gulf of Pohai. Tientsin is the nearest large town. This gulf is between China and Korea (Chosen). Taku is (approx.) 117 10/2 long. and 39° lat. See it? That is where we'll be. I don't know how long we'll be there, but I hear it is chilly and freezes over in winter. Maybe that'll be a good excuse for us to leave soon.
We left Okinawa, escorting a big tender which had an admiral on it. About the second day out, it began to get rough and then they sighted a mine. But it was too rough to shoot. The water really started getting rough, then the temperature dropped 10°. We really went through a storm. It was no typhoon but the wind was 50 knots and our bow ploughed right into the water, clear to the barrel of the 5" gun. The ship shimmied and shook. Our anchor windlass room took 4 feet of water. It was quite a shock to the guy that opened the door to that room, when water started pouring out. The anchor motors were all shot. The life lines on our bow were torn off and water was everywhere. It was quite the storm and experience, but the pride of the fleet: the mighty G.B. came through. Even warned the other ship of the mine.
When we sailed through the mouth of the Yangtze River (muddy), we requested four days in Shanghai, but were turned down by the admiral who blinked that we were urgently needed in Taku and "good luck on your trip north!" So they left us there and we met our escort, a DE, which is with us now. Yesterday we sighted a mine and exploded same by gun fire. Another feather in Peter's cap. He now offers $1.00 (personal) to whoever spots a mine.
The electricians have been working on the windlass motors. If they aren't fixed, and we drop anchor, we'll never "anchor away."
I hope we get some liberty in China. We never got to set foot on Okinawa. There should be some mail for us too. I'm still expecting those packages. I've used up everything except a can of pineapples. We get eggs from the galley and have egg sandwiches in the V division shack.
The night of the storm, all they served was sandwiches, because everything was falling over. Tables couldn't even be set up. It was corned beef and very good. I haven't gotten sick yet.
The sudden change in temperature from heat to cold has given me a cold.
At the mouth of the Yangtze, the water is very muddy. Occasionally we can see Chinese Junks bobbing up and down.
We still have movies underway and no darken ship. Things are a lot different.,
The daily sheet seems to have no news this morning. I'm anxiously awaiting the announcement about points again. I just have 23 points. Perhaps they'll release all men with two years of service soon. I hope so.
Mail should go out this morning. I don 't know how often we'll get deliveries now. We'll be settled here for awhile so we should get them regularly.
This is about all I can think of now. I'll write again soon, telling you of China.
All my love, Wally.
[Crashing into Port]
Letter 23 October 6, 1945
Saturday afternoon
"Somewhere" near Taku
Dear Mom and Dad,
I can see right now that mail deliveries will be very slow here, so don't mind it if I never seem to answer your letters. We've had three mail calls since we left Pearl Harbor, so that will give you an idea. Our mailman says that the only way we will get mail is by seaplane. It seems that our "urgently needed" mission up here is nothing more or less than serving as fleet post office for the innumerable ships in these waters. As we understand, the only planes we tend will be the seaplane, and it comes in very seldom. But, we're leaving here soon and will go to Tsingtao where I hope liberty will be granted. I don't know when or how my packages will get here. I'm still looking for them. No mail calls yet.
We are tied to another (big) seaplane tender, because our anchor motors are shot and they are fixing them. If we dropped anchor, we'd be really sitting pretty. Anyway - here we are - on that Gulf anywhere from 15 to 25 miles from China, and all we see is sea! (And ships)
I always like to watch our captain pull into port or next to a ship. The usual damages to both ships were done when we pulled in yesterday. I get on the deck above him and watched him go into action. First it is "starboard engine back two-thirds," the "hard right rudder" (2 feet from the other ship on its left) then: Crash-boom - rip, then "Stop all engines!" Then shipfitters of both ships turn to on damages (broken life nets, scraped sides, broken life line posts, busted davids and sundry others) while Peter steps over to the other ship with a big smile, greeting its officers. Everytime but once, we've damaged something. Last time it was our port lights.*
It is considerably cooler here. Instead of none, I use two blankets at nights.
Last night I went over on the other ship and ate dinner there. Also bought an ice-cream sundae. They have everything: cobblers ship - tailors - all free. (Sundaes 10¢). They (the ice cream) like our chow ice cream, are made of ice-cream mix.
Liberty is out of the question here - but when we move, I'm sure we'll get some.
Today, the other rigger and I went over to the other ship's parachute loft, which is just like Lawrence Taylor's loft. Very big. One packing table, and plenty of room to stow things in.
The mighty G.B. has hauled passengers, held mail, and escorted - now she will be a fleet post office. "The queen of the fleet." But after that storm - I have confidence in her.
This is all for now. Holiday routine this afternoon. Tomorrow is Sunday. If the tender stays - we can go to church on her (probably L.D.S. services) otherwise, we'll have our own G.B. service.
Some of our boys will be going back to the states on the tender (AV) because of points, or shipping over (4 more years!) leaves.
Until next time - so long.
All my Love, Wally XXX
 |
*Excerpt from my book Upon These
Plates, page 29: "Those days bring back vivid memories. We had our pet slang expressions; and I wish I had had a tape recording of some of them. I can't remember them now, but we could jabber on for hours using a language that the ordinary persons could never follow. Our captain, Peter Boyle, was known to us as "the Claw," "Clean, White Fingernails," and other expressions. Our favorite activity during the special sea detail (coming into port) was standing above the bridge and watching the captain bring her in. The pattern was 'Stop starboard engine. Stop port engine. REVERSE ALL ENGINES! . . . ' Crash! It was always entertaining watching the men shoot line after line from shore to us trying to bring our bow back in toward the dock. The next procedure was for the repair detail to go to work. We pictured Peter as the captain in the book Mutiny on the Bounty. (In 1999: As I look back on the captain now, I realize he was a very good captain and watched out for our interests. His "Question Hour" and allowing us to visit Hiroshima - coming up letters - is partial proof of that.)
< Commander Peter F. Boyle, U.S.N., our captain. Photo taken by E. W. Kenyon, Jr., yard photographer, at Lake Washington Shipyards on the day the U.S.S. Greenwich Bay was commissioned, May 20, 1945. |
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