Still sick or rather sea sick. “What a salt”, hanger deck watch 00-0400.
February 21st, 1943
Went to church services aboard ship. Sea sickness condition a lot better. Slept on top flight deck – Terrific tropical
storm during the night.
February 22nd, 1943
Crossed the Equator 1430.
Became a shellback. All my hair
cut off. Turkey dinner, oh man.
 |
| Shellback Certificate Aboard USS Altamaha |
February 24th, 1943
Our Destroyer escort came along side for refueling. Sighted two islands on the horizon.
February 25th, 1943
Sighted more islands.
Three fighters and eight scout bombers took off flight deck for the Fiji
Islands. Three planes damaged. Hanger deck watch. International date line – Skip a day.
March 1st, 1943
Fiji Islands. Rest of
planes took off. Dropped anchor in bay –
no harbors or piers – unloaded all gear into landing barges. Landed on island 1500. Many natives.
Traveled fifteen miles to our camp, Army style – cots, mess kits, and
pitched camp. Islands are very
beautiful, natives still wear primitive clothing, but speak English very
well. All cars and trucks drive on the
opposite side of the road. No blackout
rules.
March 3rd, 1943
Secured flying in the morning. Went down to the river for some swimming, but
it was too dirty. Attended Army show.
March 4th, 1943
Flight 1300. Searched
for Subs – no results. Pilots and
flight crew flew in from Canton Island.
Lost one T.B.F. in takeoff – Crew OK.
March 6th, 1943
Morning flight for Subs – no results. U.S.S.
Long Island arrived with Fighting Eleven.
F4F crashed into S.B.D. on ground – no one hurt.
March 7th, 1943
Light duties. Sent
mother and Dottie uncensored letters by a fellow returning to the States.
March 9th, 1943
Two T.B.F.’s wrecked in air!
Both planes returned safely – no one hurt. Went up on a test hop in my plane and flew
all around the island. VG5-16 flew in
from Guadalcanal with battered up planes.
March 16th, 1943
Collected $500.00 from the entire Air Group Eleven for a Trust fund for Mike O’Malley’s baby girl – Diane Shannon. VG5-11 flew in with a few boys from 9/24 class. Lost an F4F in the Sea – Pilot was killed. Went night flying.
March 17th, 1943
T-8 crashed on take-off when pilot pulled up landing gears before he was off the ground. Plane a complete wreck – no one hurt.
March 18th, 1943
Group Commander ordered all beards shaved off and to wear
hats and shirts. I wonder if he thinks
we’re in Hollywood.
March 20th, 1943
Dress white inspection – What a joke. I was recommended for examination as Aviation
Machinist Mate Second Class.
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