August 31, 1945

31 _____ We went out again this morning the same ships as before only the C.V.E. 109 was with us instead of the other carrier _ we fired both this morning & afternoon. We pulled back into port about 1700 & drop anchor. Movies on main deck aft.
181 days
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Photo is of an anti-aircraft (AA) crew.

August 30, 1945

30- _____ We stood in port today _ I had recreation _ its really a small place the island where we went for recreation _ its one of the islands we pass in coming in here, we often use to strafe it when we use to go back to Point Bowlow. The island still hasnt been cleared of all mines _ two fellows were killed over there a few days ago. The BB New Jersey & two large Carriers came in today also one heavy C. Portland
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Joe may have meant Keise Island, which is between Point Bowlow and the Kerama anchorage. Photo shows the guns on Keise after the American took it in April 1945.

Editor Note: Odd place to send sailors for recreation. Unless they were trying to cull the stupid ones out of the herd.

August 29, 1945

29- _____ We left the harbor about 0730 _ with us were Cruisers div 12 & 13 altogether 8 CL & 1 C.V.E Carrier & about seven DDs _ we fired this morning but this afternoon the carrier planes made a sim____ acttack on us _ we pulled back into harbor at 1700 & drope anchor (Movies on main deck aft.)
_________

CL = light cruisers
CVE = aircraft carrier escorts
DD = destroyers

sim__ acttack = simulated attack

Photo: Cruiser Division 13. One of the ships is the Mobile.

August 28, 1945

28 _____ This morning we had inspection in white _ after inspection all div went back to the main deck aft where Captain Miller read the order & gave over the command of the ship to Captain _____ who we held in from (Mobile Alabama). It rained during the turning over of command. We were told were going out tomorrow for test firing.
__________

New skipper was Captain Thomas Lawrence Lewis, USN, Class of '21. Photo shows Capt Miller (left) shaking hands with Capt Lewis (right) after ceremony. They're wet because of the rain.

August 27, 1945

27. _____ Today we had inspection of the whole ship by the New & old captain. tomorrow were going to have personal inspection right after inspection the new captain will take over. Recreation day _ Movies in after Messing space.
__________

Photo shows inspection in dress whites by the old and new captain (Captain Miller in front, Captain Lewis next).

August 26, 1945

26- _____ Not much going on today except our new captain came on board this morning. Captain CC Miller will probably leave in a few days. Today was field day because of inspection tomorrow & tuesday. Movies was held in Messing space. Recreation today.
________________

Photo: Captain Miller

August 25, 1945

25- _____ We had inspection at 900 this morning. Dope going around is that were going to stay here for three more weeks. I sure hope we go to Japan soon.
175 days
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Photo: A Mobile crewman working with a microscope. Not sure if he's testing drinking water, doing medical tests, or what.