tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62764534138580681352024-03-13T23:14:36.604-04:00The 1945 Journal of Joe ChiccoIn 1945, from February 28 through December 1, Seaman 1st Class Joseph B. Chicco kept a secret journal. The entries detail life on board the U.S.S. Mobile in the South Pacific, most notably during the Battle of Okinawa. Between Feb 28 and Dec 1, 2010, I'll post his journal entries here.ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.comBlogger300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-31347652440075157772010-12-05T07:29:00.004-05:002013-10-07T15:07:23.178-04:00Reading this Blog<span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">ince I can't reverse the order of the entries themselves, I suggest to anyone wanting to read the story from the beginning to use the Blog Archive in the column to the right, which lists the blogs in the correct order. Then read them scrolling from the bottom up.</span><br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting,<br />
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E.A. SantangeloELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-41628007490579466942010-12-01T07:41:00.002-05:002010-12-01T07:46:01.180-05:00December 1, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TPZDUHFWp4I/AAAAAAAAA98/xEkjQ3wLYo4/s1600/1201%2BWelcome%2BHome.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TPZDUHFWp4I/AAAAAAAAA98/xEkjQ3wLYo4/s320/1201%2BWelcome%2BHome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545694003931293570" border="0" /></a>Dec<br />1 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> The gang being transferred from the ship are all packing <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> well get in tomorrow afternoon at 1600 so tonight well be my last night at sea. Its been a long cruise but its been a lot of fun <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> If every thing goes alright I alto be heading home in 14 days.<br />_________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows part of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span>'s Welcome Home festivities.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">This is Joe's final entry. In the phrase "its been a lot of fun" above, a word is crossed out after "been."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> I've always wondered exactly what he started to write instead. I honestly don't think this was said in sarcasm. I think by "fun" he meant the friendships he made on board and the exotic places he'd seen. Still, an odd thing to write at the end of a war.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-77524223028525288882010-11-30T07:28:00.002-05:002010-11-30T07:30:59.600-05:00November 30, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TPTuTQoE8DI/AAAAAAAAA90/xb84ORlPOlY/s1600/1130%2BMoe%2Barrives%2Bhome1.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TPTuTQoE8DI/AAAAAAAAA90/xb84ORlPOlY/s320/1130%2BMoe%2Barrives%2Bhome1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545319055847911474" border="0" /></a>30 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> time went ahead another hour at 1900 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> we now only have one day & a half left <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> this alto be my last trip <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> Ill be off by the 15 of Dec.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> At 0830 this morning they passed out souvanirs <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> All the crew got Jap rifles & about 200 got knife also. Not much work being done on the ship <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> weather is getting very nice <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> we must be pertty far south.<br />______<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">alto = ought to</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">souvanirs = souvenirs. Joe didn't bring home rifle, but he did bring home 2 Japanese swords, so possibly he swapped his rifle for them. His family disposed of the swords when his Post-Traumatic Stress became acute, because they were afraid he'd hurt himself or someone else.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">pertty = pretty</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo is of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span> docking in San Diego.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-13092322327485621712010-11-29T06:57:00.002-05:002010-11-29T07:00:20.523-05:00November 29, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TPOVtFYbjTI/AAAAAAAAA9s/6PAttR_pHVQ/s1600/1129%2BLong%2BBeach%2Btug.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TPOVtFYbjTI/AAAAAAAAA9s/6PAttR_pHVQ/s320/1129%2BLong%2BBeach%2Btug.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544940167994510642" border="0" /></a>29 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> We found out today the ship is really going to San Diago & well get into port on the second of Dec. at 1600 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> the passengers will be transferred as soon as we get in. Not much else doing today <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> weather getting a little warmer <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> We seem to be heading south east.<br />________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo is of a tug guiding the <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span> into port in Long Beach, CA.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-36653795332580666902010-11-28T07:26:00.002-05:002010-11-28T07:28:07.743-05:00November 28, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TPJKu-hN4qI/AAAAAAAAA9k/lV7i4ZJ8EPg/s1600/1128%2BCrewmen.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TPJKu-hN4qI/AAAAAAAAA9k/lV7i4ZJ8EPg/s320/1128%2BCrewmen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544576262163260066" border="0" /></a>28 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> time went ahead at 1900 we haven't done much work because of bade weather <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_ </span>Movies in after messing space at 1300 & again at 1900.<br />_______<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows a portion of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span>'s final crew.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-10618235957110719962010-11-27T07:11:00.003-05:002010-11-27T07:16:59.262-05:00November 27, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TPD2s5dFpMI/AAAAAAAAA9c/w_Y0Tr2ONEg/s1600/1127%2BMoe%2527s%2Bflags.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TPD2s5dFpMI/AAAAAAAAA9c/w_Y0Tr2ONEg/s320/1127%2BMoe%2527s%2Bflags.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544202392490583234" border="0" /></a><br />27 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> We got back into our compartment today only a few cases of disinterry left on ship<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"> _</span> weather very nice but ship is rolling a lot because of heavy seas.<br />_________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows signal flags blowing in the breeze above the <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span>. This particular configuration meant an admiral was visiting. The admiral's staff carries the flags with them and runs them aloft so the rest of the fleet will know which ship the admiral is on.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-3144163660465289892010-11-26T07:22:00.002-05:002010-11-26T07:25:01.121-05:00November 26, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TO-m-Jw1etI/AAAAAAAAA9M/g7JJ6XI1iFc/s1600/1126%2BPublic%2Brelations.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TO-m-Jw1etI/AAAAAAAAA9M/g7JJ6XI1iFc/s320/1126%2BPublic%2Brelations.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543833253019220690" border="0" /></a>26 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> today we had movie in after messing space at 1300 & again at 1830 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> we changed time ahead another hour so its now <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">___</span> hours dif then west coast. Orders were changed <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> were not going to San Francisco <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> well most likely go to San Diego & we alto get there the 2nd which is Sun. Not much going work going on <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> its pertty hard sleeping at night because we sleep most of the day. Ship was soupose to be 2000 miles from San Francisco at 800 but were behind time because of storm & heavy wind. Ship rolling a lot because of heavy seas. Ship 47°N at 173 M at 800<br />_________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">alto = ought to</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">pertty = pretty</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows the crew's public relations staff. These were the men who sent press releases about the ship's campaigns to hometown papers. For a crew of 1300 men (and no such thing as "group email"), that was a big job.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-73789171562567803692010-11-25T07:20:00.001-05:002010-11-25T07:22:52.123-05:00November 25, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TO5U_eNNH1I/AAAAAAAAA9E/bfj_D8pXB48/s1600/1125%2BSignals.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TO5U_eNNH1I/AAAAAAAAA9E/bfj_D8pXB48/s320/1125%2BSignals.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543461640756600658" border="0" /></a>25 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> This morning we had Mass in after messing space <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> also again this afternoon <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> not much doing <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> we cross date line between 2100 & 2400 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> day went back to 24th of Nov. Which makes it Sat. Night.<br /><br />25 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Since today is Sun again we had Mass in after messing space at 900 & again at 1400. Not much doing. Weather still very cold & windy.<br />_________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Joe made two entries for the 25th because of crossing the date line. Interesting that it happened on a Sunday and therefore they had religious services/mass two days in a row.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows one of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span>'s signalmen.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-26835467132223408312010-11-24T06:59:00.001-05:002010-11-24T07:01:34.880-05:00November 24, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOz-hZ3bdNI/AAAAAAAAA88/S0kjjotSRoE/s1600/1124%2BMo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOz-hZ3bdNI/AAAAAAAAA88/S0kjjotSRoE/s320/1124%2BMo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543085091218748626" border="0" /></a>24 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> time went back another hour today at 1900 which makes us <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">___</span> hours dif than west coast time _ will cross date line tomorrow. Still very cold.<br />_______<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows the <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span>'s final "scorecard." The flag symbols on the left are airplanes. The diagonal stripes probably represent battles, since the <span style="font-style: italic;">Mo</span> received eleven battle stars.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-74791153730793062022010-11-23T07:17:00.002-05:002010-11-23T07:20:53.643-05:00November 23, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOuxcB-_H0I/AAAAAAAAA80/vqsdDywRnYU/s1600/1122%2BMobileatsea.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 176px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOuxcB-_H0I/AAAAAAAAA80/vqsdDywRnYU/s320/1122%2BMobileatsea.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542718861536599874" border="0" /></a>23 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Not much today except movie in messing space at 1300 & again at 1830. Not much work on ship because of sick bay sick. over 100 fellows have disenterry<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"> _</span> I have a slite case.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Ship today <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">____</span> N. on <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">___</span> M. at <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">____</span> heading for Frisco.<br />_________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows the </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Mobile</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> at sea.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-79670017001296512462010-11-21T23:43:00.005-05:002010-11-22T19:46:58.599-05:00November 22, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOn3ZnBIdWI/AAAAAAAAA8s/ryu3PZUNaWw/s1600/MachineShop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOn3ZnBIdWI/AAAAAAAAA8s/ryu3PZUNaWw/s320/MachineShop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542232835798627682" border="0" /></a>22 <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">_____</span> Weather still getting very cold <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">_</span> time went back another hour so its now <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">___</span> dif. then west Coast. Expect to be there by 1st of Dec. Had new point system out <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">_</span> will let me out by Dec. 15. So this is really my last trip. 34 men from 1st Div. getting out & 2 getting New Constriction. first Div will have 18 left.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">____</span> ship today <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">____</span> N. at <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">___</span> M. at <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">___</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">_____</span> Still getting very cold _ time change at 1900<br /><br />_________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span>'s machine shop. </span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-36301865195678734412010-11-20T23:57:00.003-05:002010-11-22T19:46:23.394-05:00November 21, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOioBiar9yI/AAAAAAAAA8k/oMdGDei02XE/s1600/1121%2BHomewardbound45.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOioBiar9yI/AAAAAAAAA8k/oMdGDei02XE/s320/1121%2BHomewardbound45.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541864085851469602" border="0" /></a>21 <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">_____</span> Weather wasn't to[o] bade today <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">_</span> getting very windy heard were going to keep two guns manned during the trip. Movies this afternoon at 1300 & again at 1830 in Messing space. First div. was force to give up compartment for sick Bay because of wide spread of Disenterry about 50 cases.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">_____</span> Ship today <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">_____</span> N.<br /><br />_________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Joe may still have been leaving these blank for security reasons, but likely he just meant to fill the information in later and forgot. I suspect with the end of his service in sight, he wasn't as motivated to fill in details.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /><br />Photo is of the homebound pennant catching the breeze. Each end was attached to the bow and stern so that it flew out sideways from the ship.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-57620724368483400842010-11-20T07:20:00.003-05:002010-11-20T07:25:22.123-05:00November 20, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOe98zaonrI/AAAAAAAAA8c/vEZ1si6OhvM/s1600/1120%2Btoshima1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOe98zaonrI/AAAAAAAAA8c/vEZ1si6OhvM/s320/1120%2Btoshima1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541606718794407602" border="0" /></a>20 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Today was pertly nice day, the weather was really nice sun out most of the day.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> At 1400 this afternoon the ship was about 100 miles from the entrance to T<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">_____</span> Bay, we pass between four islands called (<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">_____</span> Shima). we are now traveling North east & this alto be the last bit of land we see for about ten days.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> At 1600 we sighted a ship & it pass in front of our bow just a few hundred yards.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> At 1700 time well be setting a head one hour which will still make <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">______</span>_</span> different then our west coast time.<br />_________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The letter T actually looks like an L or a C, but following the coordinates given the previous day, the islands mentioned are those strung out south of Tokyo, so likely the letter is an uncrossed T and Joe meant Tokyo Bay.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The islands were likely Oshima and Toshima (pictured), which are right outside Tokyo Bay. The other islands in the vicinty are Niijima and Shikine.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">alto = ought to</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Joe probably meant to go back and fill in how many hours each time the time changed, but he never did.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-21838283929191101162010-11-19T06:52:00.002-05:002010-11-19T06:56:19.077-05:00November 19, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOZlrrJRsnI/AAAAAAAAA8U/HWUiw7hvEXM/s1600/1119%2BHachijo-jima.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOZlrrJRsnI/AAAAAAAAA8U/HWUiw7hvEXM/s320/1119%2BHachijo-jima.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541228192516387442" border="0" /></a>19 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> I started the day off with a 2400 to 400 watch. Only four forty Mil. guns are being mand for a few days till we get clear of the area where we might run into a mine field.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> This morning we saw the last of the Jap islands <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> one was a high volcano with smoke coming out of it. At 900 we turned out & we haven't seen land all day <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> heard were pulling into San Franscisco or San Diego eather the 1st or 2nd of Dec.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Today we holly stoned the deck <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> the weather is pretty good so far <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> we was out most of the day but the wind was a little cold. The ship is going as far as 47° north.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Right now we seem to be traveling south east.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">(260 days out of states)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">[written in bottom margin across 2 pages:]</span> at 1200 ship was 5000 miles from Frisco—31°North on 132 M. at 2200 ship was 31°N 135 M.<br />_______<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The Japanese islands are dotted with volcanos, so it's hard to know which one Joe meant. Pictured are two such volcanoes on the island Hachijo-Jima.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Holly stoned = holystoned. As said before, this was a soft sandstone used to scrub and whiten the decks.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span> followed the Japan current, which moves clockwise around the Pacific. They went southeast first to clear the Japanese islands and get out into the Pacific.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-58160125618347810472010-11-18T07:32:00.004-05:002010-11-19T06:57:17.939-05:00November 18, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOUdZL5SWDI/AAAAAAAAA78/rCtQEoP0lZo/s1600/1118%2BHomewardbound1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOUdZL5SWDI/AAAAAAAAA78/rCtQEoP0lZo/s320/1118%2BHomewardbound1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540867235076266034" border="0" /></a>18 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Today is the day we've been all waiting for. We took on 800 passengers this morning & this afternoon <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> 2 LCT came along side this morning at 900 & each had about 200 men <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> two more came along side this afternoon about 1300 with 400 more passengers. The side was souposed to get underway at 1700 but we didn't clear the harbor till 1800. We flew our homeward bound pennant which was 1000 ft long. It sure is going to be some sight when we pull into the states.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">(Sacabo is located 33°N. on 130 M.)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">[written in bottom margin:]</span> change course on 18 at 32°N. on 129 M<br />__________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">LCT = Tank landing craft</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The homeward bound pennant was a narrow strip, 1300 feet long, one foot for every man in the crew, constructed of pieces of flags. Photo shows the crew constructing it.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-1678866375659417972010-11-17T07:33:00.002-05:002010-11-17T07:35:22.991-05:00November 17, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOPL9lv25UI/AAAAAAAAA70/oy7MuVTAA3E/s1600/1117%2BSasebo%2BUSSLuzon.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 116px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOPL9lv25UI/AAAAAAAAA70/oy7MuVTAA3E/s320/1117%2BSasebo%2BUSSLuzon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540496225561142594" border="0" /></a>17- <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> today we had inspection of personall & living spaces. tonight we heard we are taking on passengers tomorrow morning & were getting underway tomorrow afternoon for the good old USA.<br />_________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">USS Luzon</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">, which was in Sasebo harbor at the time. She was an internal combustion class repair ship.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-80639049727651202252010-11-16T07:19:00.002-05:002010-11-16T07:21:22.930-05:00November 16, 194516- <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Lower deck inspection this afternoon. field day all day. Not much else doing<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOJ2_Oqw6gI/AAAAAAAAA7s/S2xNLXKuVac/s1600/1116%2BSasebo%2Bchildren.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOJ2_Oqw6gI/AAAAAAAAA7s/S2xNLXKuVac/s320/1116%2BSasebo%2Bchildren.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540121320260430338" border="0" /></a>________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows some of the children of Sasebo.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-54699233997321229102010-11-15T06:39:00.000-05:002010-11-15T06:41:19.176-05:00November 15, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOEcRZjSZlI/AAAAAAAAA7k/WUIDVpD3ycc/s1600/1115%2BSasebo%2Bhouse.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TOEcRZjSZlI/AAAAAAAAA7k/WUIDVpD3ycc/s320/1115%2BSasebo%2Bhouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539740101884667474" border="0" /></a>15 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Not much doing today. We fueled from tanker 115 this morning. Expect to be leaving soon.<br />_______<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Tanker 115 was the <span style="font-style: italic;">USS Elk.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows a Sasebo house.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-71263165183496761612010-11-14T07:28:00.001-05:002010-11-14T07:30:42.988-05:00November 14, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TN_WTOFwoaI/AAAAAAAAA7c/Hsq5SpAfqPw/s1600/1114%2BSasebo%2Bresidents.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TN_WTOFwoaI/AAAAAAAAA7c/Hsq5SpAfqPw/s320/1114%2BSasebo%2Bresidents.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539381692377112994" border="0" /></a>14 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> No passengers. today <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> dont know when were leaving.<br />___________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows some residents of Sasebo.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-2010214038107093652010-11-13T07:03:00.002-05:002010-11-13T07:07:20.901-05:00November 13, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TN5_J1gc4uI/AAAAAAAAA7U/4K_u4G9Bln0/s1600/1113%2Bca_uss_boston.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TN5_J1gc4uI/AAAAAAAAA7U/4K_u4G9Bln0/s320/1113%2Bca_uss_boston.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539004398671028962" border="0" /></a>13 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Not much doing except passengers are souposed to come on tomorrow <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> not much going on. USS Boston left here this morning <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> most likely she going down to Nagasaki<br />________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows the <span style="font-style: italic;">USS Boston</span>.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> She was a Baltimore class heavy cruiser.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-59645990353099937752010-11-12T06:58:00.002-05:002010-11-12T07:01:23.669-05:00November 12, 194512 <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Monday <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> still in inner harbor but got underway at 1[3]00 & we drop anchor in the other harbor near the passage coming into Sacabo. Boston & Springfield & a hospital is anchored near us _ a lot of other ships are anchored around here. Theres a lot of sea planes anchored not far from us.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TN0sV5w53QI/AAAAAAAAA7M/kwMrXT6GTso/s1600/1112%2BMobileplane.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TN0sV5w53QI/AAAAAAAAA7M/kwMrXT6GTso/s320/1112%2BMobileplane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538631871530392834" border="0" /></a>___________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">World War II had all sorts of seaplanes and Joe isn't specific what kind. The photo shows one of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span>'s Kingfisher planes ready for take-off.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-4829486000917895302010-11-11T06:56:00.001-05:002010-11-11T06:58:19.505-05:00November 11, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TNvaPNAUzcI/AAAAAAAAA68/Lzl6H6_UsKk/s1600/1111%2BMobileair.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TNvaPNAUzcI/AAAAAAAAA68/Lzl6H6_UsKk/s320/1111%2BMobileair.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538260121506074050" border="0" /></a>11- <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Sun. Mass on main deck forward. No liberty.<br /><br />_______<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo is of the </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Mobile</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> in port in California.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-12777449017683476252010-11-10T07:15:00.003-05:002010-11-10T07:19:40.449-05:00November 10,1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TNqNmAG4L2I/AAAAAAAAA6s/VkSXGjimnp0/s1600/1110%2BDressblues.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TNqNmAG4L2I/AAAAAAAAA6s/VkSXGjimnp0/s320/1110%2BDressblues.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537894375808839522" border="0" /></a>10- <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> today we had personal inspection by captain all all living spaces & passageways. We had off this afternoon<br /><br />_______<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">all all = of all</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo is of an inspection on the </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Mobile</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> with crew in dress blue uniforms.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-16701363022787171782010-11-08T23:07:00.004-05:002010-11-08T23:16:11.919-05:00November 9, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TNjKw4eQG5I/AAAAAAAAA6k/w6JL5di8OTw/s1600/1109%2BSasebo%2Bgeishas1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TNjKw4eQG5I/AAAAAAAAA6k/w6JL5di8OTw/s320/1109%2BSasebo%2Bgeishas1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537398682993826706" border="0" /></a>9- <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> left outter harbor & went into inner harbor & moored to bouie No 16.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> Dope going around is that something is wrong with the trail & that we wont pull out till next week. today was field day & this afternoon was lower deck inspection<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">(250 days out of states)</span><br />________<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">bouie = buoy</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">trail = probably means "trial." Since their captain was on the court martial board, he may have had to return to Sasebo for another trial. In the meantime, the crew of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Mobile</span> was given more field days (days spent cleaning the ship) and inspections, probably to keep them occupied and out of mischief.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Joe doesn't mention being granted liberty on this stay, but a photographer, at least, must have gone ashore to capture some of the photos, notably this one of Sasebo geishas.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276453413858068135.post-26435354958102959982010-11-08T06:53:00.002-05:002010-11-08T06:56:38.117-05:00November 8, 1945<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TNflV_E5JjI/AAAAAAAAA6c/vJPVnl5h46s/s1600/1108+TerrorSasebo1945.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LuLScUBqI_0/TNflV_E5JjI/AAAAAAAAA6c/vJPVnl5h46s/s320/1108+TerrorSasebo1945.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537146432747284018" border="0" /></a>8- <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_____</span> " <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> " <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">_</span> "<br />______<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Meaning "In outer harbor" -- they were still in Sasebo.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Photo shows the <span style="font-style: italic;">USS Terror</span>, a minesweeper. She was in Sasebo Harbor at the same time.</span>ELENA SANTANGELOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257788794914218924noreply@blogger.com0