Summer 1943

Note: For this month, in Joe's "Data" section -- my words will be in black, his in blue.
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The Mobile participated in a month of training exercises in and around the Hawaiian islands, until the last week of August. Then, as part of a carrier task force, they sailed west, toward Marcus Island, to participate in their first air strike.

Air strikes were made in advance of landing assaults for the purpose of feeling out enemy defenses and for taking aerial reconnaissance photos of enemy installations and island topography. In these early strikes, the Mobile mainly provided defense against air attack with her smaller guns.

The task force returned to Pearl to regroup. Less than a week later, they headed for Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, crossing the equator for the first time on September 18. In hazing ceremonies as old as seafaring, the new sailors (called Pollywogs, and this included Joe) were turned into "Shellbacks." Photo at right shows part of the ceremony.

That same day at Tarawa, they supported another air strike, followed by more regrouping and enlarging of the task force, before they were sent off to raid Wake Island.
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From the "Data" section of Joe's Journal:

1 - Marcus Is. _____________ Aug. 31, 1943

Air Strike Bombed & Strafed. 66 planes destroyed


2 - Gilberts Is. ___________ Sept. 18, 1943
Tarawa air strike
50% of the island was destroyed. We also crossed the equator for the first time.