Biography of Steve Johnson

T4, Coxswain, Lucky Lady (I & II), Co. C, 543rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, 3rd Engineer Special Brigade, US Army, WWII

Log Book of the Lucky Lady, kept by Steve Johnson

1944

Sunday, April 9th. Picked up the following passengers from Fourth Brigade - 563rd Regt:Davis Stacy A. L. Douglas Eugene Rocereta Loaded 12 Tons of cargo late last night at boat plant just after taking over boat. Left Milne Bay (Base and Camp Site) at 7:00 A.M. in Lt. Daley convoy of 12 boats. Sea - calm. Weather - cloudy & rainey. Tested port and starboard machine guns at 10:45 A.M. Added 2 quarts of oil to starboard engine and one to port. Had a gasket leak. Arrived Cape Ferguson by 9:20 A.M. just off Goodenough Island. Anchored there. Running time - 14 Hrs 20 min.

Monday, April 10th. Anchors wouldn't hold - left Cape Ferguson 12:30 A.M. Weather - fair by occasional showers. Arrived Oral Bay 4:30 P.M. - Added 2 drums fuel. Running time - 16 hrs. (Author's Note, I find no Oral Bay on the maps. There is an Oro Bay, about 220 miles by sea up the Northeast Coast of New Guinea from Milne Bay, near the town or Eroro. As Oro Bay was a staging area for troops to be transported from Milne Bay, I would presume this was what was meant by Oral Bay here and hereafter).

Tuesday, April 11th. Left Oral Bay 10:15 A.M. Went back & picked up Minker at 10:30 A.M. - had been left ashore by T4 Haruska. Weather - fair. Ran all night - Running time - 13 hrs. 45 min.

Wednesday, April 12th. Arrived Finschafen 10: A.M. Unloaded cargo. 2 passenger disembarked - Stacy stayed aboard. Changed oil in both engines- added 12 gals of # 30 oil. Put in 250 gal. fuel. Running time - 10 Hrs.

Thursday, April 13th. Laid Over.

Friday, April 14th. No cargo - Passenger Davis Stacy. Left Finschafen 5:00 P.M. - ran all night, same convoy. Running time 7 - Hrs.

Saturday, April 15tth. Arrived Oral Bay 5:45 A.M. Used 150 Gals from Finschafen to here. Running time - 17 Hrs. 45 Min.

Sunday, April 16th. Starboard battery dead - Shorted across to start engine. Too much oil on generator - repaired. Left Oral Bay 7:45 P.M. - ran all night. Running time - 15 Hrs. 45 min.

Monday, April 17th. Arrived Milne Bay 12:40 A.M. - Fuel used from Oral Bay to here - 185 Gals. Stacey Disembarked. Moving time - 12 Hrs. 40 Min.

Tuesday, April 18th. Laid over for repairs - started painting boat. Howard Sharp and Steve Johnson added to crew list as seaman.Have two large canvasses over cargo well to keep rain out. Sleeping on cots - very crowded with seven men. Extra equipment stowed in the stern lazarette. Have only a shelter half over the pilot house. Deck crowded with water cans, ammunition cases, and lines.

Wednesday, April 19th. More repair work and camouflaging of boat. Changed oil in engines. For lighting at night have a 12 volt bulb hooked up to a battery.

Thursday, April 20th. Finished camouflaging boat. Put on new starboard shaft and wheel. Filled water cans. A hard long day - had to haul garbage on wet paint at night. Mathis left boat to go to Finschafen in convoy on C 17. Running time - 1 Hr.

Friday, April 21st. Loaded 2 1/2 ton truck with full water tank at boat cove. 12 passengers with equipment and supplies came on at night. Slept anywhere we could find room. Dew our rations - do our own cooking while running.

Saturday, April 22nd. Left Milne Bay 7:30 A.M. - weather fair. Sea - rough. 8:30 A.M. - added 6 Qts. oil to starboard engine and 3 Qts. of oil to port engine. 6:30 P.M. Hit submerged log. Bent port wheel. 9:30 P.M. Attempted anchorage off Cape Ferguson, crew knew it would be impossible. Sure very bad - lead boat brought us right up to coral reef before turning back to sea. Passengers all seasick - lost one ammunition case overboard. Ran all night. Running time - 16 Hrs. 30 Min.

Sunday, April 23rd. Weather - Fair. Sea - Calm. Ran all day. Anchored 9:00 P.M. in cover halfway between Oral Bay and Finschafen. Added one 55 gal. drum to each fuel tank. Running time - 21 Hrs.

Monday, April 24th. Left Cove 5:30 A.M. Weather - Fair. Sea - Calm. Lopez and Sharp had birthday today. Arrived Finschafen 5:30 A.M. 8:30 P.M. - Unloaded cargo, passengers disembark. Running time - 12 Hrs.

Tuesday, April 25th. Cleaned Well. Changed oil in engines. Fuel now in tanks - 120 Gals. Filled both tanks. 440 Gals. fuel used from Milne Bay to here. Drew jungle rations.

Wednesday, April 26th. Left Finschafen 3:30 P.M. in Lt. Daley's same convoy. Weather - Fair. Sea - Rough. Ran all night. Running time - 8 Hrs. 30 Min.

Thursday, April 27th. Engine trouble - would only turn up 1500 R.P.M. 5:30 P.M. landed in small bay about 173 miles from Finschafen. Natives came alongside to trade. Added one drum fuel to each tank. Used 340 Gals. fuel from Finschafen to here. Running time - 17 Hrs. 30 Min.

Friday, April 28th. 8:20 A.M. - Left small bay. Engines working better. Weather - cloudy. Sea - choppy. 6:00 P.M.- Sea getting rough. Added 50 Gals. Fuel. 9:00 P.M.- Hurricane came up. Waves 20 feet high. Made several attempts to tie down canvasses but finally had to take them all down to keep them from blowing away. Steady driving rain. Everything got wet. Pilot house canvas blew away. Running lights, three ammunition cases, and one water can lost overboard. Engines died out one at a time - Got one going, other one quit. Ran about 600 R.P.M.s - Just weathering storm. Not getting anywhere. Could hardly see range light of boat ahead. Ran all night. Running time 15 Hrs. 40 Min.

Saturday, April 29th. Storm unabated in early morning with continuous rain. Calmed down about 11:00 A.M. Arrived Milne Bay 2:30 P.M. All hands happy to be there - Put Canvasses back on and tried to dry blankets with gasoline fires. T4 Scott and his crew slept on our boat tonight - Used one of his canvasses. Both of ours leak badly. Anchored in cove. Running Time - 14 Hrs. 30 Min.

--- No Pages Missing here, assume the boat was idle in Milne Bay, April 30th through May 3rd.

Thursday, May 4th. Left Milne Bay 4:30 A.M. in Lt. Daley's convoy of 15 boats. Weather - fair. Sea - calm. Anchored 4:30 P.M. in small river on Cape Vogle near native village. Now have a chow boat which serves two meals each running day. Running Time - 12 Hrs.

Friday. May 5th. Left river 4:30 A.M. - Arrived small bay 4:30 P.M. - anchored. Running time - 12 Hrs.

Saturday, May 6th. Left bay 4:30 AM - Johnson's birthday. Arrived Douglas Harbor 4:30 P.M. - Anchored. Made one stop at Tufi. Running time - 12 Hrs.

Sunday, May 7th, Left Douglas Harbor 6:00 A.M. Weather - fair. Sea - Choppy. Ran out of fuel 7:30 A.M in sight of Finschaffen Harbor. Towed in by T4 Robinson. Raining hard. Tied up at 8:30 P,M. Fuel used frm Milne Bay - 610 Gals. Oil - 9 Qts. Running time - 14 Hrs. 30 Min.

Monday, May 8th. Unloaded cargo at 563rd beach. Passengers Disembarked. Drained fuel tanks. Bled engines.

Tuesday, May 9th. Cleaned engine room. Built cupboard against port side of pilot house for water and ammunition cans. Ate chow at new company area. Cleaned well.

Wednesday, May 10th. Filled fuel tanks and both extra drums on stern deck.

Thursday, May 11th. Received jungle rations for return trip to Milne Bay. No cargo or passengers.

Friday, May 12th. Left Finschafen 5:00 A.M. in same convoy. Light showers and choppy water first hour out of harbor - very calm thereafter. Arrived Oral Bay 4:00 P.M. built cupboard for rations in well. Running time - 11 Hrs.

Saturday, May 13th. Left Oral Bay 4:30 A.M. Weather - Fair Sea - Calm. Pulled in to small harbor for night 5:00 P.M. Put two extra drums fuel in tanks from stern. Running time - 12 Hrs. 30 Min.

Sunday, May 14th. Left harbor 5:00 A.M. Weather - Fair. Sea - Calm. Ate chow from lead boat on open sea off Goodenough Island. Ran all night. Running time - 19 Hrs.

Monday, May 15th. Arrived Milne Bay 9:30 A.M. Changed oil. Running time - 9 Hrs. 30 Min.

Tuesday, May 16th. Anchored at cove.

Wednesday, May 17th. Put canvas covering from deck to edge to keep rain from well. Built stairway from well to deck.

Thursday, May 18th. Stared painting boat. Tightened shoes. (Author's note, not sure what shoe means here. Nautically speaking a shoe would be a wooden fitting against which an anchor would rest when raised, or wood boards under a keel or at the bottom of a rudder to protect it if going aground. While a landing craft had no keel, any of these definitions seem like possibilities).

Friday, May 19th. Continued painting boat. T/Sgt Fehl of maintenance adjusted racks and put new injector on port engine.

Saturday, May 20th. Finished painting boat. Also water and machine gun cans.

Sunday, May 21st. Lost bolt on stbd machine gun overboard.

Monday, May 22nd. Built new top over pilot house. Solid wood with canvas covering and side flaps. Painted it.

Tuesday, May 23rd. Laid at anchor.

Wednesday, May 24th. Laid at anchor.

Thursday, May 25th. Loaded 18 ton shop truck at 563rd. Had to take off entire solid top because of its height. Couldn't see ramp from pilot house. Not much sleeping space. One passenger - truck driver, Hendricks. Truck wobbled bad going from 563rd to our cove. Almost capsized.

Friday, May 26th. Welded ring on forward inspection plate on floor deck to hold truck down - also put four cables - one on each corner of truck, after driving it off and then on again for better balance.

Saturday, May 27th. Laid at anchor.

Sunday, May 28th. Filled tanks, 2 extra drums on stern deck, and 15 five gallon cans with fuel. Filled water cans. Issued one case of 10 in 1 rations. Lopez transferred to T4 Scott's boat.

Monday, May 29th. Left Milne Bay for Finschafen 6:00 A.M. in Lt. Skidmore's convoy of 13 boats. Weather - cloudy. Sea - choppy. The forward turnbuckle holding truck down came loose at East Cape. Slowed down and fastened it again. Arrived Cape Vogle 5: P.M. Running time - 11 Hrs.

Tuesday, May 30th. Laid over today because of rough weather. Lt. Skidmore and T4 Cunningham (Tail boat) proceeded to Oral Bay to bring J. M. Johnson to hospital - had appendicitis. Operated on and doing well.

Wednesday, May 31st. Lt. Reis's convoy pulled in. Joined his convoy - left Cape Vogle 7:30 A.M. Weather - cloudy with light rains. Arrived Tufi 4:00 P.M. Added 100 gals fuel to tanks from 2 extra drums. Got aluminum & made 2 frying pans. Running time - 8 Hrs. 30 min.

Thursday, June 1st. Left Tufi 7:00 A.M. Weather - fair. Sea - Calm. Arrived Oral Bay 3:30 A.M. Filled fuel tanks. Running time 8 Hrs. 30 Min.

Friday, June 2nd. Left Oral Bay 7:00 A.M. Weather - fair. Sea - calm. Fired and cleaned port machine gun. Arrived Douglas Harbor - 5:30 A.M. Running time - 10 Hrs. 30 min.

Saturday, June 3rd. Left Douglas Harbor 8:00 A.M. Weather - Cloudy - Sea - Calm. Port bow line broken while tied up to chow boat on open sea. Arrived Finschafen 10:30 P.M. Tied up to shore. Running time - 14 Hrs. 30 Min.

Sunday, June 4th. Unloaded cargo at 563rd. Hendrichs disembarked. Replaced top. Cleaned well. Built extra ration cupboard in well. 1st Lt. Bernie new C.O. - company meeting at new area. Bernie gave talk on plans in future.

Monday, June 5th. Hauled on beach by cat. Stern lifting ring broke bending skeg & strut - welded new one on. Put on new stbd wheel. Removed port shaft & wheel.

Tuesday, June 6th. Scraped hull and put yellow primer paint on.

Wednesday, June 7th. Put on new port shaft and wheel. Straightened skeg and struts. Painted cargo well, hull, and top.

Thursday, June 8th. Tried 22-28 wheels on test run - more power backing off beach but cut down engines 1000 R.P.M.s - replaced 24-18's repaired broken fuel line. Continued painting boat - put combat insignia on pilot house top & well top and boat numbers on bow & stern.

Friday, June 9th. Changed oil. Put in new filters. FInished painting boat.

Saturday, June 10th. Fueled up. Filled water, gas and oil cans. Received case of 10 in 1 rations and bread. Loaded 15 ton cargo of boxes. Received charts of New Guinea and New Britain Island.

Sunday, June 11th. Left Finschafen 5:00 A.M. in Lt. Skidmore's convoy of 10 boats. Weather - Fair. Sea - Calm. Arrived Borgan Bay (Cape Gloucester, New Guinea) 6:00 P.M. Unloaded cargo. Loaded howitzer & trailer and took on eight passengers. Anchored out. Fuel used 140 gals. Running time 13 Hrs.

Monday, June 12th. Left Borgan Bay 4:15 A.M. Weather - Cloudy with light rains. Sea - Calm. Arrived Arawe (New Britain) 6:00 P.M. Unloaded cargo. Passengers disembarked. Loaded 157 empty fuel drums. Added 100 gal. fuel to tanks. Tied up to dock. Fuel used - 150 gals. Running time - 13 Hrs. 45 min.

Tuesday, June 13th. Left Arawe 5:15 A.M. Weather - Fair. Sea - Calm. Choppy with light rains in sight of harbor. Arrived Finschafen 3:00 P.M. Unloaded cargo. Fuel used last 3 days - 420 gals. 130 today. Running time - 9 Hrs. 45 Min.

Wednesday, June 14th. Cleaned Well. Filled water cans. Fueled up. Got lumber and began work on cabin for boat - put floor in even with top of combine. Loaded truck and took on three passengers. - Driver, Nome, and Rosenthal. Rafted up.

Thursday, June 15th. Nome missing. Left Finschafen 5:00 A.M. in Lt. Skidmore's convoy of 11 boats. Weather - Cloudy with rain. Sea - rough. Arrived Arawe Island 3:45 P.M. Unloaded cargo. Passengers disembarked. Running time - 10 Hrs. 45 Min.

Friday, June 16th. Second Boat Platoon assigned here for indefinite period with Arawe Island as base to carry patrols, natives, and supplies for infantry outfits stationed here to Crocodile Point, Moene Harbor, and Remgaini. Rest of C. Co. still at Finschafen or Bobia, New Guinea. All members of Second Boat Platoon went ashore to set up new area. Finished building cabin. Big improvement over sleeping in well. Rafted ashore.

Saturday, June 17th. Put up bunk racks in cabin. Issued machetes, ammunition, mosquito bombs, and batteries.

Sunday, June 18th. Cleaned Well and decks. Got new mooring lines. Cleaned stbd machine gun. Changed oil. Issued two cases 10 in 1 rations. Fueled up. Loaded light cargo of rations. Took on one passenger. Two extra fuel drums aboard.

Monday, June 19th. Left Arawe 4:30 A.M. in Lt. Murphy's convoy of four boats, one stopping at Point Crocodile, the other two proceeding to Remgaini. Arrived Moewe Harbor 9:30 A.M. Added two passengers. Fuel used to here 70 gals. Left Moewe Harbor 10:30 A.M. alone for Crocodile Point (Pulie River). Couldn't locate mouth of river so went back to Arawe. Arrived 3:00 P.M. First Passenger disembarked. Left Arawe 3:15 P.M. finally found Crocodile Point 4:45 P.M.after signalling to men ashore asking its location. Passengers picked up mail and other equipment. Left Crocodile Point 5:30 P.M. Arrived Moewe Harbor 9:00 P.M. guided thru channel by lights. Passengers disembarked with equipment. Running time - 14 Hrs. 35 min.

Tuesday, June 20th. Put 85 gals. fuel in tanks - loaded 14 man patrol 2 native scouts, and their equipment. Left Moewe Harbor 8:30 A.M. Weather - Cloudy with light rain. Sea - rough. Arrived Ablingi Island 1:15 P.M. took on four native carriers. Left at once. Arrived Awob Pt. 1:20 P.M. 5 passengers, 4 native carriers and one native scout disembarked. Left Awob Pt. 1:30 P.M. Arrived Gasmata Island 3:00 P.M. 5 passengers and one native scout disembarked. Left Gasmata Island 3:35 P.M. arrived Gasmata Mainland 4:15 P.M. Last 4 passengers disembarked. Crew went ashore to see former Jap airdrome now mined & unservicible. Many wrecked Jap planes, trucks, motorcycles, & houses. Anchored out for night. Running time - 6 Hrs. 50 min.

Wednesday, June 21st. No cargo or passengers. Left Gasmata 7:45 A.M. Weather - cloudy with light rains. Sea - rolling swells. Had some engine trouble - repaired it. Arrived Moewe Harbor 1:45 P.M. Fuel used last 3 days - 430 gals. Running time - 6 Hrs.

Thursday, June 22nd. Added 95 gals fuel to tanks. Picked up load of natives from Angau (Australian) station here with one Aussie officer in charge. Also took on four passengers. Left Moewe Harbor 8:40 A.M. Weather cloudy. Sea - calm. Arrived Arawe 12:50 A.M. Natives & Aussie officer disembarked at Angua Station here. Four passengers got off at Orange Beach, treated by medics, came on again. Put 110 gals. fuel in tanks and loaded 4 extra drums. Malcolm left boat for hospital. Ward Johnson replaced him. Picked up a patrol lost for 10 days in jungle. Left Arawe 4:45 P.M. Bent stbd prop. Arrived Crocodile Pt. 6:45 P.M. Lost patrol disembarked. Left Crocodile Pt. 6:15 A.M. Ran by compass. Arrived Moewe Harbor 10:15 A.M. 4 passengers disembarked. Running time - 9 Hrs. 30 min.

Friday June 23rd. Took on four man patrol. Left Moewe Harbor 9:15 A.M. Weather - cloudy. Sea - Choppy. Baffle plate dropped out of muffler on port engine. 2:20 A.M. Ran on starboard engine only which also was on blink - had to bleed fuel lines regularly. Arrived Gasmata Island 4:00 A.M. Picked up patrol left here June 20th. Left Gasmata Island 4:30 P.M. Arrived Gasmata Mainland 5:00 P.M. Tied up to shore. Both patrols disembarked. Repaired port engine. Running time - 7 Hrs. 15 min.

Saturday, June 24th. Visited Jap supply dump at mouth of Bertha Channel. Natives dove into 25 feet of water for rifles. Found Jap helmets, boxes, a bugle, ammunition, and motorcycle. Laid over at Gasmata. Running time - 1 Hr. 30 min.

Sunday, June 25th. Added 75 gals. fuel to tanks from drums. Picked up three patrols left here previously. Left Gasmata 9:00 A.M. Sea - calm. Weather - Fair. Steady rain later. Arrived Moewe Harbor 3:30 P.M. All passengers disembarked. Running time - 6 Hrs. 30 Min.

Monday, June 26th. Picked up two native police at Angau, load of natives at village. Went on into East end of harbor where natives loaded long tree poles. Unloaded at their village. Cleaned well. Running time - 1 Hr.

Tuesday, June 27th. Picked up load of natives at Angau and brought them to small island near Gasmata. Returned to Moewe Harbor. Running time - 6 Hrs.

Wednesday, June 28th. Added 2 drums of fuel to tanks - 155 gals. now in tanks. Picked up 2 patrols. Left Moewe Harbor 7:45 A.M. Arrived Angau 8:00 A.M. Picked up 2 native guides. Left Angau 8:05 A.M. Weather - cloudy with rain. Sea - rough. Arrived small river east of Moewe Harbor 8:45 A.M. 1 patrol got off (5 men, 2 native guides). Left river 8:50 A.M. arrived Angau 9:30 A.M. Picked up 2 more fuel drums. Left Angau 9:45 A.M. Arrived Ring-Ring (at mouth of west entrance to Gasmata near Bertha Channel) 5:00 P.M. Patrol stayed aboard for night. Natives at village here put on sing-sing. Running time - 8 Hrs. 50 min.

Thursday, June 29th. Picked up 2 native guides. Left Ring-Ring 8:00 A.M. Went up Bertha Channel stopping at each little island (Siwot, Walanguo, etc.) Patrols got off looking for Jap equipment, documents, etc. Went back to Ring-Ring arriving there 3:00 P.M. Running time - 3 Hrs. 15 min.

Friday, June 30th. Laid over. Patrols explored Gasmata airdrome & other places in this area. T4 Lovejoy's boat pulled in 2:00 P.M. to relieve us but with our 1 bum engine, we couldn't make Moewe Harbor before dark. So Lovejoy picked up 1 patrol and returned there.

Saturday, July 1st. Picked up 2 native guides. Added 100 gals. fuel to tanks from drums on board. Left Ring-Ring 8:00 A.M. Weather - fair. Sea - calm. Arrived small island 12:00 A.M. Took on natives and sak-sak (tree leaves). Left island 12:45 A.M. Arrived Angau station 4:30 P.M. Sak-sak unloaded. Natives disembarked. Left Angau 5:00 P.M. Arrived Moewe Harbor 5:15 P.M. Patrol disembarked. Running time - 8 hrs.

Sunday, July 2nd. Added 30 gals. fuel to tanks. Left Moewe Harbor 8:30 A.M. Weather - fair. Sea - calm. Arrived Arawe Island 2:30 P.M. Running time - 6 Hrs.

Monday, July 3rd. Cleaned well. Unloaded 6 empty fuel drums. Hauled up on beach by cat. Put on new port wheel & shaft and Stbd wheel. Got new ramp belt and 2 new batteries.

Tuesday, July 4th. Cleaned fuel system on Stbd engine and put in 2 new fuel filters. Mounted spotlight on pilot house top. Got new ramp safety hook. Filled both fuel tanks plus 18 5-gal. cans. Had red air alert.

Wednesday, July 5th. Went to Orange Beach, Beach Control Office (Arawe Island) picked up garbage, ran out to sea and dumped it. Cleaned well. Returned to Arawe Island. Repaired ramp hook. Running time - 1 hr. 30 min.

Thursday, July 6th. Left Arawe Island 7:30 A.M. - Picked up load of native workers at Angau Station here and let them off at Orange Beach. Picked up load of garbage here, hauled it out to bay & dumped. Picked up 2 targets at Orange Beach for an artillery outfit to shoot at - Went out into bay, put them overboard & both sunk. Went into breach with heavy surf pounding over stern to pick up roll of wire for hauling a matress-cover tareget (cover is just cov, may be covered?). Bent 2 stbd skeg struts on coral - stern mooring line washed over & tangled in wheel. No targets were shot at. Arrived Arawe I. 12:00 noon. Hauled on beach by cat. Straightened skeg struts & took line out of wheel. Steady rain all day. Running time - 4 hrs. 30 min.

Friday, July 7th. Brought load of natives from Angau Station to Orange Beach. Carried another load of natives from here to Pilelo Island (next to Arawe Island). Brought Aussie jeep from here back to Orange Beach. Picked up garbage here, hauled out to sea & dumped. Returned to Orange Beach, picked up same jeep & brought it back to Pilelo I. Returned to Arawe I. Running time - 4 hrs.

Saturday, July 8th. Went to Crocodile Pt. to relieve Lt. Bartley who had engine trouble. Running time - 1 hr 30 min.

Sunday, July 9th. Laid at anchor.

Monday, July 10th. Brought patrols up Pulie River letting them off at different points. Shot at big crocodile. Hauled garbage out to sea & dumped. Returned to camp site at mouth of river. Running time - 3 hrs.

Tuesday, July 11th. Ramp cable slipped off drum in engine room. Got twisted up. Spent all morning putting in new cable. Loaded water tank. Went up Pulie River, stopping at little fresh water stream to fill tank. Picked up patrols left here yesterday. Returned to camp site. Tank unloaded, patrols disembarked. Hauled garbage to sea & dumped. Running time - 5 hrs.

Wednesday, July 12th. Brought patrols up Anno River (three miles east Pulie River). Returned to Crocodile Pt. Patrols disembarked. Relieved here by T4 Shaw. Returned to Arawe I. Had new port starter put in. Running time - 7 hrs.

Thursday, July 13th. Went to Orange Beach - picked up load of natives and rations. Brought them to Angau Station. Returned to Arawe I. Changed oil in stbd engine. Whalen name drawn for furlough to Sydney, Australia. Running time - 1 hr. 30 min.

Friday, July 14th. Whalen left boat to go on furlough. Venn replaced him. Added 100 gals fuel - now have 100 gals in each tank. Left Arawe I. for Remgaini. Ramp slipped 3 feet so stopped in at Moewe Harbor to fix it. 1st Lt. in charge of infantry platoon stationed here said we were to relieve t4 Lamatina so we did. Picked up a patrol at native village east of Moewe Harbor and then returned. Patrol disembarked. Running time - 9 hrs.

Saturday, July 15th. Added 50 gals. Fuel to tanks. Picked up patrol near small river west of Moewe Harbor & then returned. Patrol disembarked. Salvaged sunken cabin boat for Aussie officer in charge of Angau Station here. Tied up to shore - T4 Borden pulled in. Running time - 6 hrs.

Sunday, July 16th. Added 50 gals. Fuel to tanks. Loaded four extra drums. Lt. Skidmore radiod for us to go on to Remgaini. Left Moewe Harbor but returned at once - seas too rough - will have to leave tomorrow. Got fresh water in stream at end of harbor and made one trip to Angau. Running time - 1 hr.

Monday, July 17th. Started for Remgaini but came back again - sea still too rough. Waited 2 hrs., then left again. Weather - cloudy with steady downpour. Waves very high. Ran 5 hrs. making little headway and decided to put in for night. Tried small river but sandbar blocked its mouth - got stuck on it. Finally pulled into another river further east. Running time - 5 hrs.

Tuesday, July 18th. Started for Remgaini again - are 3 days overdue. Weather - worse, rough sea, heavy rain. Lost sight of land temporarily. Pulled in on leeward side of small island west of Gasmata. Running time - 4 hrs.

Wednesday, July 19th. Picked up 2 natives from village here and let them off at Gasmata. Weather - cloudy with continuing ranin. Sea - rough. Proceeded to Remgaini. No harbor here - open to sea except for coral reef shelter from surf. Room for only 2 boats on beach. T4 Bartley already here. Anchored off shore. Running time - 7 hrs.

Thursday, July 20th. Laid at anchor all day. Port starter locked. Can't get engine started, tried to crank it - No go. Put in all fuel from drums except 30 gals. which was dirty. Tied up to shore at night.

Friday, July 21st. Tide went out during night - leaving us high & dry on coral.

Saturday, July 22nd. Got off coral at high tide (4:00 A.M.). Anchored offshore. T4 Bartley nor us have enough fuel to carry patrols. 2 relief boats with rations overdue. Weather still bad.

Sunday, July 23rd. Water rough on beach at camp site here. Went up into end of bay behind coral reef and anchored. Ran on 1 engine to chow. Still can't get port engine started - cleaned blower of water, finally got starter unlocked.

Monday, July 24th. T4 Lachewitz & T4 Scott pulled in to relieve us. Picked up 4 men going back to Arawe. T4 Bartley & us left Remgaini. Both engines running good. Weather - fair. Sea - rolling swells. Pulled in to Gasmata for night. Running time - 3 hrs.

Tuesday, July 25th. Picked up 16 man patrol from Moewe Harbor. Should have been picked up 4 days ago by boat stationed there - were out of rations & smokes (es is a guess, off paper). Also picked up several natives, making 3 stops around Gasmata. Had trouble getting port starter unlocked again but both engines stready 1500 r.p.m.'s after that. Weather fair. Sea - calm. Arrived Moewe Harbor with T4 Bartley. Natives off at Angau - all rest passengers disembarcked at their camp site. Laid over. Running time - 6 hrs. 30 min.

Wednesday, July 26th. Added 50 gals. Fuel to tanks from 10 5 gal. cans in stern. Picked up load of natives & one Aussie officer at Angau station. Left Moewe Harbor. Baffle (missing letters after Ba but seems right) plate dropped out of muffler on stbd. Engine mile out. Ran on port engine only. Arrived Arawe I. (missing letters after Ara). Left natives & officer off at Angau station. We tied up on Arawe I. Maintenance men started work on engines. Running time - 4 hrs.

Thursday, July 27th. Fixed stbd. Engine. Started painting boat. Venn left boat. Whalen returned after refusing furlough.

Friday, July 28th. Continued painting boat. Fixed port engine Had porthole put in port side of engine room combing to give more light & air in enginee room.

Saturday, July 29th. Finished painting boat. Put up mast on ramp side of cabin for flag. Hauled on beach by cat. Maintenance work done, pulled out again.

Sunday, July 30th. Carried load of natives from Angau to Orange Beach. Hauled garbage out to bay and dumped. Returned to Arawe I. Running time - 2 hrs.

Monday, July 31st. Carried load of natives from Angau to Orange Beach. Filled fuel tanks plus 20 - 5 gal. cans at fuel dock. Brought load of natives from Orange Beach to Pilelo Island. Carried Aussie jeep from Pilelo back to Orange Beach. Hauled load of native rations from here to Angau. Returned to Arawe I. 10 P.M. - Demeelio came down with fever, brought him over to Orange Beach where ambulance was waiting. Ran up o reef in dark - bent both wheels. Returned to Arawe I. Running time - 4 hrs 30 min.

Tuesday, Aug. 1st. Hauled on beach by cat. Changed port wheel & stbd. Wheel. Pushed out again. Painted 20 fuel cans. Hooked up spotlight batteries.

Wednesday, Aug. 2nd. Carried natives from Angau to Orange Beach. Started out of bay towards Sak-Sak to pick up Sak-Sak (tree leaves) & Lum(ber?) but sea too rough so came back. Carried load of natives from Pelelo I. & Orange Beach back to Angau. Returned to Arawe I. (missing, rank probably) Johnson left boat for hospital with (fever?). Carried his equipment to supply room. (missing) have 3 man crew - Whalen acting En(missing). Running time - 2 hrs.

Thursday, Aug. 3rd. Carried load of natives from Angau to O(range) Beach. Proceeded to Sak-Sak River (?? west of Pulie River). Narrow channel to (missing) mouth, rolling surf pounding against (stern?). Steady rain falling. Natives put on load(?) Sak-Sak. Tried to go further up river (?) sticks but water too shallow. Returned (?) Orange Beach - natives unloaded. Sak-Sak. Brought natives back to Angau. Running time - 6 hrs.

Friday, Aug. 4th. Boat deadlined. Took ramp wench out (presumably meant winch). Cleaned it & put on new bushing. Changed oil. Cleaned fuel system. Hooked up new 6 volt light for cabin.

Saturday, Aug. 5th. Still deadlined. Put ramp wench back in. Works well now.

Sunday, Aug. 6th. Picked up load of garbage at Orange Beach. Hauled it out into bay & dumped. Returned to Arawe I. Running time - 2 hrs.

Monday, Aug. 7th. Carried load of natives from Angau to Orange Beach, load of poles back to Angau, load of rations back to Orange Beach. Picked up 15 infantrymen & their equipment at B.C.O. - Also large rubber life raft with 6 man crew. Went to Sak-Sak River, all passengers disembarked. Picked up 2 Aussies & brought them to Crocodile Point. Picked up load of tree poles up Pulie River. Sea very rough. Driving rains. Decided to stay here overnight. 2 Aussies with native guide walked back to Sak-Sak River, 2 miles. Finally decided to go back after all. T4 Shaw with us. Steady rain & heavy sea. Arrived Arawe I. Tied up to shore. 9:00 A.M. - Went out to pull what we thought was a boat off reef. Too dark, windy, & stormy. Came back in. Running time - 10 hrs.

[Talk by Lt. Skidmore today - "Unfriendly attitude toward Aussies must stop. Coxswain has full power on his boat - doesn't have to make trips ordered by CO's of outpost units if he thinks sea is too rough"]

Tuesday, Aug. 8th. Went to Angau & unloaded poles picked up yesterday at Crocodile Pt. Carried load of natives to Orange Beach. Filled fuel tanks & took on 7 extra drums. Loaded rations & of infantrymen going to Remgaini tomorrow. Carried natives back to Angau. Returned to Arawe I. Running time - 2 hrs.

Wednesday, Aug. 9th. Drew rations for trip. Took on load of infantrymen at Orange Beach. Left Are 8:30 A.M. Weather - cloudy with light rains. Sea - long, high rolling swells. T4 Maloney with us. Passed thru Moewe Harbor, shut off engines, checked oil. Added 2 quarts. Darkness came just before reaching Gasmata - Missed west entrance passage. Ran along coast and finally hut Gasmata Island. Tied up to dick. Passengers slept ashore. Here 9:30 P.M. Running time - 13 hrs.

Thursday, Aug. 10th. Left Gasmata I. 7:30 A.M. Weather - fair. Sea - long, low rolling swells. Arrived Remgaini 11:30 A.M. Unloaded cargo. Passengers disembarked. T4 Cunningham pulled in & left after. Unloading T4 Maloney & T4 Loudermilk will stay here for 1 month because of monsoon season carrying patrols on alternate days. S/Sgt zbranch will be on our boat during that time. Running time - 4 hrs.

Friday, Aug. 11th. Cleaned decks & cabin. Fastened down canvas in rear of cabin. Added 1 drum fuel to each tank.

Saturday, Aug. 12th. Brought patrol to Lindenhaven. Waited 2 hrs. Brought them back to Remgaini. Running time - 7 hrs.

Sunday, Aug. 13th. Took pleasure trip with Capt. Fleming (medics). Fishing - Caught one. Picked up 4 big logs to build pier by camp. Returned to Remgaini. Cleaned filters. Running time - 3 hrs. 30 min.

Monday, Aug. 14th. Loaded patrol & supplies for trip to Awul but tide had gone out during night leaving us high & dry on coral so T4 Maloney went instead. Bent stbd. wheel trying to get off. Later wound anchor line (put out to keep us from broaching) around same wheel & lost anchor. Backed stern into shore to wait for lie tide to change wheel.

Tuesday, Aug. 15th. Branch got water glasses, dive in water under boat & cut loose all anchor line wrapped around wheel. Got anchor back. Prop got bent bad. Put in 2 1/2 drums fuel.

Wednesday, Aug. 16th. Took on 11 man patrol. Went to Lindenhaven. Picked them up later. Sea very rough with heavy rains so decided to lay over. Went up Bertha Channel & laid over at village. Running time - 5 hrs.

Thursday, Aug 17th. Left native village. Weather - cloudy with light, steady rains. N.W. wind. Sea - fairly calm. Arrived Remgaini. Passengers disembarked. Whalen's 27th birthday. Running time - 3 hrs. 30 min.

Friday, Aug. 18th. Cleaned well. Built writing table for cabin. Put up new side curtains on pilot house. Went around point to little river & picked up old engine to anchor budy* down. *Not sure if meant buddy it misreading the b?

Saturday, Aug. 19th. Took out primer pumps. Cleaned & replaced.

Sunday, Aug. 20th. Took off bent stbd. wheel underwater & put on new one. C.H. Hall pulled in with mail & oil.

Monday, Aug. 21st. Had natives fill water cans. Worked all day on primer pumps - still don't work right.

Tuesday, Aug. 22nd. Cleaned both machineguns. Put in 4 drums of fuel.

Wednesday, Aug. 23rd. C.H. Hall pulled out. Took on patrol & carried them to Lindenhaven. Patrol disembarked. Went on down Bertha Channel & tried to salvage small dinghy but it was no good. Tried to get another porthole on old jap tug on reef at West Entrance of Bertha Channel but none left. Picked up patrol. Went to Ring-Ring village & laid over for night. Running time - 6 hrs.

Thursday, Aug. 24th. Left Ring-Ring 10:00 A.M. went thru Bertha Channel stopping at Kiwok Island & picked up old Jap truck with help of natives & passengers. Made another stop at Lindenhaven to pick up some abandoned Jap auto parts. Sea - calm. Weather - fair. Arrived Remgaini 3:00 P.M. Passengers disembarked. T4 Lachewitz pulled in with mail, cigars & cigarettes, extra props. Running time - 5 hrs.

Friday, Aug. 25th. Worked all day on engine of Jap truck. T4 Lachewitz pulled out.

Saturday, Aug. 26th. Using stbd. battery for Jap truck so shorted across to start engines. Took on patrol & went to Gasmata stopping at Lindenhaven & Kiwok. Sea - calm. Weather - fair. Passengers disembarked. Anchored out with Lachewitz who we met here. Running time - 4 hrs.

Sunday, Aug. 27th. Picked up patrol again & went to Kiwok Island. Transferred Jap truck to Lackewitz's boat with help of natives here. He will bring it back to Arawe I. & try to get it in running condition. Sea - dead calm. Weather - fair. Returned to Remgaini. Passengers disembarked. Running time - 4 hrs.

Monday, Aug. 28th. Cleaned well. Changed oil in engines, added 12 gals. Repaired cellinoid switch.

Tuesday, Aug. 29th. Laid at anchor. Steady rain all day. Pumped water out at intervals.

Wednesday, Aug. 30th. Scheduled to go to Gasmata today. Sea too rough, rain continues. Laid at anchor.

Thursday, Aug. 31st. Fixed primer pumps. Laid at anchor. Bad weather continues. Rations of camp running low - only 2 meals a day now.

Friday, Sep. 1st. 3:00 A.M. - Woke up to find both our boats (Maloney & Loudermilk) adrift. Ramps still down, wells filling with water. Breakers of coral reef pounding over boats - nearly capsized. 5 water cans & all rations washed overboard. Equipment in well all wet. Surf pushed us high on beach. Still didn't know where we were. Decided not to try to get off till daylight. 8:30 A.M. - dawn came. Both boats high and dry on coral reef. Wells full of water. Current had cut 2 anchor lines & 1 mooring line tied to tree on shore & carried us 1/4 mile down beach near native village. Both skegs & all struts bent from bouncing on coral. Pumped water out of well. 11 P.M. burned up both salt water pumps trying to get off reef before high tide.

Saturday, Sep. 2nd. 2:00 A.M. - High tide. Finally got off reef on one engine. Went back to camp site & tied up securely to big tree. Later radiod back to Arawe for relief boats, salt water pumps, & 1" cable to pull Maloney off reef. 2:00 P.M. - T4 Sage & T4 Bartley pulled in with rations, mail, beer, & cigarettes. Filled water cans. Cleaned well. Dried clothes.

Sunday, Sep. 3rd. [2:00 A.M. - High tide, Sage tried to pull Maloney off reef with 1/2" cable but it broke.] Took out both salt water pumps and fixed port one. Can't run boat yet.

Monday, Sep. 4th. Sage returned to Arawe. When Maloney gets off reef, he'll return also. Bartley & Loudermilk will then remain here. Branch & Loudermilk went with Bartley to carry patrol to Lindhaven.

Tuesday, Sep. 5th. 8:00 P.M. Bartley overdue, had rations for only 1 meal. Will go to look for them in morning. Added 4 drums fuel to tanks. Got two cable, Maloney's anchor, & rations for Bartley's passengers. Took salt water pump from Maloney's boat & put in our stbd. engines. Water in port transmission so changed oil. Added 2 qts. Oil to port engine. All set to go.

Wednesday, Sep. 6th. 2:00 A.M. - High on coral again. Tried to back off but no go. Tried again at 5:00 A.M., 5:30 A.M. & 6:00 A.M. but still no go. Tried again at 6:30 A.M. with whole infantry platoon pushing against ramp but failed again. Tide went out entirely - will try again tonight 10:30 A.M. - Bartley finally pulled in ; had laid over at Lindenhaven because of bad weather & bent prop. 5:30 A.M. - Bartley pulled our boat off coral with cable. Anchored offshore.

Thursday, Sep 7th. Took on 6 man patrol. Left Remgaini 8:00 P.M. Weather - cloudy. Sea - rough. Arrived Lindenhaven 11 A.M. Patrol got off. Came back 3 hrs. Later. Met T4 Cunningham passing through Bertha Channel on way to Remgaini with cable to pull Maloney off reef - Branch returned with him. Stopped at native village for night 4:00 P.M. Running time - 4 hrs.

Friday, Sep. 8th. Left Bertha Channel 8:00 A.M. Stopped at Lindenhaven to take on load of tin & lumber. Weather - cloudy. Sea - rolling swells. Arrived Remgaini 11:00 A.M. Cargo removed. Passengers disembarked. Cunningham here with rations, mail & cigarettes besides cable. Picked up garbage, brought it out to bay & dumped. Loudermilk 23rd birthday. Running time - 3 hrs.

Saturday, Sep. 9th. Cunningham tied 1" cable to Maloney's stern; Loudermilk tied cable from our stern to Cunningham's bow. Both put engines at high speed but our cable broke. Cunningham almost broched but finally pulled Maloney off reef. 7:00 P.M. by tieing cable to his bow & swinging him around all 3 boats tied up to shore by camp site. Running time - 1 hr.

Sunday, Sept. 10th. Relieved here by 2 boats from 4th Brigade. Cunningham, Bartley & Maloney pulled out. Added 2 drums fuel to tanks. Picked up 1 passenger from 4th Brigade (Plt. Sgt.) Left Remgaini 2:00 P.M.. Weather - cloudy. Sea - rough. Passed T4 Albertson out at sea on way to Remgaini with rations. Arrived Kiwot Island. 5:00 P.M. tied up to shore. Running time - 3 hrs.

Monday, Sept. 11th. Tide went out last night leaving us high & dry on beach. Albertson, passing by on way back to Arawe, spotted us & pulled us off. Made 1 stop at Gasmata Island - added 80 gals. fuel to tanks. Added 16 - 5 gal. cans in stern. Weather - cloudy with rain. Sea - rough. Stopped for night near Ajut Island west of Moewe Harbor.with Albertson & Cunningham. Running time - 5 hrs.

Tuesday, Sept. 12th. Left Ajut Island. Made one stop at Moewe Harbor. Weather - cloudy. Sea - choppy. Arrived Arawe Island. Passenger disembarked. Hauled out on beach by cat. 2 new wheels put on, all skegs & struts straightened. Whalen made T5 - S. Johnson made P.F.C. 4th Brigade now here to relieve 2nd Boat Platoon. Will return to Finschafen to rejoin Co. C soon. Running time - 4 hrs.

Wednesday, Sept. 13th. Repaired bilge pump & generator. Filled fuel tanks. Loaded 1 large generator. Took on 2 passengers - Griego & Tschikitis.

Thursday, Sept. 14th. Took on more plt. Equipment, filled water cans. Left Arawe for good in Lt. Skidmore's convoy of 8 boats (6 LCM's & 2 LCVP's). Weather - cloudy with rain. Sea - very rough & choppy. Left 7:00 A.M. Arrived Finschafen 6:00 P.M. Running time - 11 hrs.

Friday, Sept. 15th. Laid at anchor. Branch left boat to resume duties as squad leader.

Saturday, Sept. 16th. D.H.W. Turner came aboard as new seaman - will stay aboard Lucky Lady as boat guard while rest of crew goes to Milne Bay's other boat crews on T4 Albertsons boat plant to pick up new boats for the company. We will keep our boat as the engines are still in good running condition.

Sept. 17th. To Nov 1st. - platoon made trips to Milne Bay to pick up new boats. S. Johnson took sick on the way to Milne Bay Sept 19th & went to hospital at Oro Bay - returned to crew Oct. 30th. Following repairs & changes made on Lucky Lady at Finschafen during this period:

Number changed from MuC19 to MuC13,

Complete paint job.

New injectors in both engines.

Cleaned grease out of stbd. Transmission.

New wheels & shafts.

2 new technometer cables.

Mounted Magnesyn compass.

Put on 2 ramp-gasket protection plates.

General inspection of engines.

Repaired ramp release catch.

Took on lifting & towing cables.

Miscellaneous equipment - running lights, wheels & shafts, anchor line & chain, first aid kit, rations, cooking equipment, fire extinguisher, water cans, etc. Equipment from other boats stores on ours temporarily - removed Oct. 30th.

Total running time - Sept 19th to Nov 1st - 15 hrs.

Wednesday, Nov. 1st. Took on a cargo of 46 full fuel drums for trip to Biak next week. Filled fuel tanks & also 8 5 gal. cans with #30 oil, & 1 with #50. Lucky Lady now prepared & ready to go.

Thursday, Nov. 2nd. Added 4 drums oil to cargo. Put 2 extra fuel drums on stern. Changed both batteries.

Friday, Nov. 3rd. Drew rations & charts of Dutch New Guinea for trip. Took on 2 passengers - S/Sgt. Robinson & T4 Wimmett.

Saturday, Nov. 4th. Policed & burned remnants of old Co. area. Left Finschafen 1:30 A.M. in Lt. Skidmore's convoy of 21 boats headed for Biak. Weather - fair. Sea - high, rolling swells. Added 2 qts. oil 6:00 P.M. Steering pin fell out 7:00 A.M. Replaced it immediately. Ran all night. Running time - 10 hrs. 30 min.

Sunday, Nov 5th. Arrived Bogia Harbor 1:30 P.M. Fuel down to 5 gals in each tank. Filled both from fuel on board. Laid over for night. Running time - 13 hrs. 30 min.

Monday, Nov. 6th. Took on 15 cases if .50 cal. Ammunition. Left Bogia 10:15 A.M. Sea - calm. Weather - fair. Tested both machine guns. At night traveled far out to sea around Jap base of Wewak. Running time - 13 hrs. 45 min.

Tuesday, Nov. 7th. Arrived Aitape 10:00 A.M. Filled fuel tanks. Changed oil. Laid over for night. Running time - 10 hrs.

Wednesday, Nov. 8th. Filled water cans. Left Aitape 3:30 P.M. Sea - choppy. Weather - cloudy with rain. Rain squall. 8:00 P.M. Ran all night. Running time - 8 hrs. 30 min.

Thursday, Nov. 9th. Arrived Hollandia 7:30 A.M. Filled fuel tanks. Left Hollandia 4:15 P.M. Weather fair. Sea - calm. Ran all night. Running time - 14 hrs. 45 min.

Friday, Nov. 10th. Arrived Wakde Island 6:30 A.M. Filled water cans. Filled fuel tanks. Picked up 2 tin chairs for cabin & pilot house chair on shore. Laid over for night. Running time - 6 hrs. 30 min.

Saturday, Nov. 11th. Left Wakde Island 6:00 A.M. Weather - fair. Sea - calm. 9:00 P.M. Heavy rain squall & strong wind whipping up big waves; later subsided. Ran all night. Running time - 10 hrs.

Sunday, Nov. 12th. Weather - cloudy with more rain. Sea - choppy. Arrived Biak (Schouten Islands, Netherlands East Indies) Tied up to buoy. Running time - 8 hrs. 30 min.

Monday, Nov. 13th. All men except coxswain & engineer on all boats moved ashore temporarily & indefinitely.

Tuesday, Nov. 14th. Laid at anchor.

Wednesday, Nov. 15th. Filled fuel tanks (added 330 gals.)

Thursday, Nov. 16th. Ran boat around to other LCM's to refuel them from drums on board. Unloaded all empty drums on beach. Running time - 3 hrs.

Friday, Nov. 17th. Acted as taxi boat from 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. picked up boatmen for chow & movies & later returned them to their respective boats. Running time - 6 hrs.

Saturday, Nov. 18th. Changed oil. Cleaned oil & fuel filters.

Sunday, Nov. 19th. Laid at anchor.

Monday, Nov. 20th. Pulled up on beach by cat for maintenance.

Tuesday, Nov. 21st. Put no 2 new wheels & 2 new shafts. Got pushed back in water. Tied up to buoy.

Nov. 22nd. To Nov.; 26th - laid at anchor.

Nov. 26th - Loudermilk & Whalen sent to Sansapor along with several other boat crews on T4 Albertson's boat to run B Co's boats & unload liberty ships. S. Johnson also scheduled to go but took sick - Jonns replaced him. Turner also stayed behind as boat guard from Nov. 26th to Dec. 20th then left crew for good because of illness. S. Johnson replaced him as boat guard from Dec. 20th till Loudermilk & Whalen returned Jan. 2nd. Took over new 56 ft. LCM Dec. 3rd. Named "Lucky Lady II" All boat's personal equipment transferred to new boat, new cabin put up, & boat given complete paint job. Lucky Lady I lasted approximately 8 months or 240 days and ran approximately 820 hrs.

*1945, not noted in log, but it is.

Jan. 2nd to Jan. 5th - crew got settled down on new boat.

"Log Book of Lucky Lady II"

Friday, Jan. 5th. Left Biak 7:30 A.M. in Lt. Daley's convoy of 15 boats. No cargo or passengers. Weather - cloud with rain. Sea - rolling swells, later rough. Arrived Noemfoor Island 6:10 P.M. Anchored offshore. Now have radio in cabin hooked up to batteries - purchased at Sansapor by Loudermilk & Whalen. Big morale booster. Running time - 10 hrs. 40 min.

Saturday, Jan. 6th. Took on 1 1/2 ton truck as cargo. Left Noemnfoor 10:30 A.M. Weather - cloudy. Sea - rolling swells. Arrived Biak 6:30 P.M. Cargo unloaded. Tied up to buoy. Running time - 8 hrs.

Sunday, Jan. 7th. Filled fuel tanks. Filled water cans. Greased engines. Checked oil. Got rations.

Monday, Jan. 8th. Left Biak 7:00 A.M. in Lt. Daley's convoy of 15 boats. No cargo or passengers. Sea - calm. Weather - fair. Arrived Noemfoor 3:45 P.M. Running time - 8 hrs. 45 min.

Tuesday, Jan. 9th. Took on small laternal* & tractor as cargo. Left Noemfoor 10:20 A.M. Sea - very rough. Weather - cloudy with rain. Since all boats had heavy loads, turned back to Noemfoor 11:00 A.M. Laid over for night. Running time - 40 min.

*This spelling is as in the log. I have no idea what this refers to. Its hand printed, so it's not likely a typo for lateral? Though he does misspell some words here and there.

Wednesday, Jan. 10th. Left Noemfoor 9:30 A.M. Weather - fair. Sea - calm. Rain squall 2:30 P.M. Arrived Biak 3:30 A.M. Cargo unloaded. Tied up to buoy. Running time - 2 hrs.

Thursday, Jan. 11th. Laid at anchor.

Friday, Jan. 12th. Changed oil. Greased engines.

Saturday, Jan. 13th. Hauled out on beach by cat. Changed port wheeel. Pushed in again. Cleaned both machine guns. Tied up to buoy.

Sunday, Jan. 14th. Filled fuel tanks. Filled water cans. Repaired port machine gun mount - put on missing a(rmor)* shield. *off the edge of the copied page, armor seems to fit.

Monday, Jan. 15th. Had ramp safety hook welded on. Put in new technometer & new bolt on port fuel tank ha(?). Greased ramp cable. Repaired ramp catch. B(uilt) 2 new ammunition crates for machine guns.

Tuesday, Jan. 16th. Cleaned well & decks. Threw overboard (all?) rusty ammunition, extra rations, & miscellaneous equipment.

Wednesday, Jan. 17th. Picked up load of garbage on beach - carried out to bay & dumped - made 2 trips. Filled water cans. Picked up water tank on beach. Brought it out to brigade tug boat, filled tanks, & unloaded it again on beach. Tied up t(o buoy?). Running time - 1 hr.

Thursday, Jan. 18th. Took on cargo of 2 1/2 ton truck with tw(o) Allison engines for trip to Noemfoor tom(orrow). Drew rations for trip.

Friday, Jan 19th. Left Biak 7:00 A.M. in Lt. Rostenbergs convoy of 13 boats. Weather - cloudy, ominous. Sea - dead calm later choppy. Arrived Noemfoor 3:00 P.M. Unloaded truck on beach. Took on cargo of shop truck & jeep. Chained them down. Anchored out. Added 2 qts. oil. Fuel used - 100 gals. Running time - 8 hrs.

Saturday, Jan. 20th. Took on 20 Aussie passengers. Left Noemfoor Island 7:00 A.M. Weather - cloudy. Sea - rolling swells. Arrived Biak 3:30 P.M. Unloaded cargo on beach. Tied up to buoy. Running time - 8 hrs. 30 min.

Sunday, Jan. 21st. Laid at anchor.

Monday, Jan. 22nd. Satlawa came aboard as new seaman. Took off cabin & stored lumber in stern lazarrette. Threw overboard all extra rations, lumber, ammunition, & miscellaneous equipment. Put all boats equipment & personal gear in wing tanks. Cleaned decks. Cleaned well except for 50 cal. ammunition & lifting cable. Filled fuel tanks. All co. boats loaded troops of 41st Division aboard Liberty & PA ships - Lucky Lady II made 2 trips shore to ship. Moved crew's personal gear aboard Personnel Attack Ship William P. Biddle. Four LCM's assigned to this ship - T4's Loudermilk, Cunningham, Haruska & Borden. Tied up alongside Biddle & slept aboard ship. Running time - 4 hrs.

Tuesday, Jan. 23rd. Split up into 2 shifts (Loudermilk - Satlawa & Whalen - Johnson) with 2 hrs. on & 6 hrs. off & continued loading rations, ammunition, & other equipment from shore to Biddle where it was hoisted aboard in cargo nets. Worked all night. Running time - 18 hrs.

Wednesday, Jan. 24th. 1:00 A.M - Sea got rough, also heavy rains. Made only 1 trip shore to Biddle. Heavy surf on brigade beach - bounced on coral & bent port skeg into wheel. Returned to Co. C beach for repairs 6:00 A.M. Running time - 6 hrs.

Thursday, Jan. 25th. Picked up all short equipment at Co.area. Received 50 life preservers - Hung them along combing*. Tied up to Biddle at night. Running time - 2 hrs.

Friday, Jan. 26th. Filled fuel tanks. Changed oil - put in new filters. New manifold gaskets on stbd. Engine. Received more 50 cal. Ammunition. Filled water cans & stored them in stern. Swung compass. Tied up to Biddle. Running time - 3 hrs.

* Presumably meant coaming.

Saturday, Jan. 27th. Hauled load of duffel bags from brigade beach to Biddle. Went to C. Co. beach & picked up Co. equipment, tents, etc. Ward Johnson came aboard as guard of Co. cargo until we reach our destination. Running time - 4 hrs.

Sunday, Jan. 28th. Carried sailor recreation party to shore. Cleaned well & decks. Picked up sailors & returned them to ship. Tied up alongside. Running time - 5 hrs.

Monday, Jan. 29th. Carried sailor recreation party to shore & picked them up later. Tied up to Biddle. Running time - 3 hrs.

Tuesday, Jan. 30th. Carried sailor recreation party to shore. Lt. Rostenberg gave talk to 4 boat crews assigned to this ship - scheduled to be in on invasion somewhere in Philippines. Picked up sailors & returned them to Biddle. Tied up alongside. Running time - 2 hrs.

Wednesday, Jan. 31st. Carried sailor recreation party to shore & returned them to Biddle later. Tied up alongside. Running time - 2 hrs.

Thursday, Feb. 1st. Carried sailor recreation party to shore. Baffle plate dropped out of stbd. Muffler. Jammed steel bar in exhaust to hold it up temporarily. Picked up sailors & returned them to Biddle. Tied up alongside T4's Borden & Haruska. Hauled aboard Biddles stern. Running time - 2 hrs.

Friday, Feb. 2nd. Filled fuel tanks. Got loaded aboard Biddle's bow. Lashed boat to ship's deck with cables. Had 2 nets full of co. cargo hoisted into our well from T4 Cunningham's boat. His board loaded aboardship by ours. Removed both our props & port shaft. Tried to paint ramp using bosun's chair but gave it up. Put up canvas over well - will live on boat during trip. Left Biak 10:00 P.M. in convoy of PA's, Liberties, destroyers, & smaller craft. Blackout in effect.

Saturday, Feb. 3rd. Somewhere at sea headed for Philippines. Put on 2 straightened props & new port shaft. Started scraping paint off boat's hull. Removed pilothouse top as safety measure against wood splinters in case of enemy fire. Had various boat drills - general quarters, abandon ship, etc.

Sunday, Feb. 4th. Second day at sea. Wiped down engines. Cleaned port Purolater. Put in new port filter. Continued scraping & started painting boat.

Monday, Feb. 5th. Third day at sea. Cleaned stbd. Purolator. Put in new stbd. filter & 2 new secondary filters. Tightened stbd. water pump. Repacked salt water pumps. Greased engines. Continued scraping and painting boat.

Tuesday, Feb. 6th. Fourth day. Had both baffle plates burned out. Tried to straighten skegs, struts & rudders. Finished painting boat. Arrived Leyte, P.I. 1:00 P.M. Total time Biak to Leyte - 87 hrs. First look at native Filipinos who came alongside in canoes.

Wednesday, Feb. 7th. Invasion plans cancelled - will go instead to Mindoro, P.I. for reinforcement operation. Left Leyte in convoy. 12:00 Noon.

Thursday, Feb. 8th. Somewhere at sea. Stored away some platoon equipment in wing tanks.

Friday, Feb. 9th. Arrived Mindoro Island 9:00 A.M. Total time Leyte to Mindoro - 43 hrs. Removed cables & shackles. Got unloaded from ship & placed in water. Have full crew, 4 man infantry working party, & 1 navy signalman. Spent all day unloading cargo, ammunition, rations, & troops from Biddle to shore. Sandy beach without surf. Co. equipment unloaded. Worked all nig(ht) 7:00 P.M. - Sea rough & choppy. Running time - 19 hrs.

Saturday, Feb. 10th. Finished unloading Biddle - signalman returned to ship. Helped unload liberty ship. Working party went as(hore). Carried tractor from Red Beach (near San Jose) to our Co. area. located in small cove near St. There(sa?). Have leaky ramp gasket - takes in water. Anchored offshore - put canvas over well. Running time - 15 hrs.

Sunday, Feb. 11th. Put up cabin again. Cleaned well & decks. Laid at anchor. Will remain at Mindoro about 2 weeks - t(o) go on D-Day operation with 41st Division.

Monday, Feb. 12th. Carried truck from Co. area to mainland to pick up rations. Returned it later. Johnson made T5 as assistant engineer. Running time - 2 hrs.

Tuesday, Feb. 13th. Received permission to visit village of St. Theres(a). Traded Filipinos rations for chickens, eggs & bananas. Returned to co. area & anchored out. Cargoman Ward Johnson left boat to resume maintenance duties. Running time - 1 hr.

Wednesday, Feb. 14th. 9:00 A.M. - carried jeep to mainland, waited 1 hr., returned it to Co. area. Cleaned well & decks. Repaired ramp gasket. Stowed life jackets & extra gear in wing tanks. Boat no. changed from MuC13 to MuC15. 8:00 P.M. - carried jeep to mainland. Returned it to co. area later. Running time - 2 hrs.

Thursday, Feb. 15th. Picked up 10 sailors on mainland near Pt. Base* Carried them to wrecked, abandoned, liberty ship torpedoed during invasion here resting on coral reef 15 miles from our area. Weather - fair. Sea - choppy. Sailors went aboard to pick up various articles for salvage, loaded it on our boat. Returned to mainland. Sailors disembarked with equipment. Returned to Co. area. Anchored offshore. Running time - 3 hrs.

*Might be point Gase, first letter not clear. Suspect its a base set up on the point by San Jose but there are numerous points in the area and cannot find a chart or map that names them all.

Friday, Feb. 16th. Got hauled out on maintenance beach by cat. Straightened out skeg struts. Had cutlas bearings welded to prevent vibration.

Saturday, Feb. 17th. Put on 2 new props. Got pushed back in water. Anchored offshore. 8:00 P.M. - Started lighterage duties (unloaded cargo ships anchored in bay). Unloaded air stripping, jeeps, & explosives from F boat & liberty ship. Carried it to beach where it was removed by our shore Bn. & infantry men. 10:00 P.M. - boat sprang leak, can't find it. Bilge pumps going full blast. Worked all night. Running time - 4 hrs.

Sunday, Feb. 18th. Continued lighterage till 7:00 A.M. returned to Co. area. Made pleasure trip to St. Theresa village. Returned to area & anchored offshore. Running time - 9 hrs.

Monday, Feb. 19th. Taxi boat today from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Carried men from beach to boats anchored offshore. Filled water cans. Got stuck on sandbar 6:30 P.M. Trying to get to beach at low tide to pick up men returning from movie. Tossed out anchor & stayed all night. Running time - 15 hrs.

Tuesday, Feb. 20th. Got off sandbar at high tide this morning. Anchored offshore. Cleaned sand traps.

Wednesday, Feb. 21st. Got pulled out on maintenance beach by cat. Checked for boat leak but couldn't find it. Welded hole in skeg. Changed oil. Greased engines.

Thursday, Feb. 22nd. Painted hull. Got pushed into water again by cat. Filled fuel tanks. Got 20 gls. #30 oil for reserve. Hired Filipino boy, Elina Mendoza, to do odd jobs on boat at 30 pesos a month - will sleep on cot in well & remain with us till we leave Mindoro. 8:00 P.M. - Lighterage duty. Made only 1 trip, ship to shore due to length of time required to load & unload bulky equipment. Running time - 8 hrs.

Friday, Feb. 23rd. Finished lighterage duties 6:30 A.M. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. 8:00 P.M. Lighterage duty again. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Worked all night. Running time - 8 hrs.

Saturday,. Feb. 24th. Made 2 more trips ship to shore. Finished lighterage duty 6:30 A.M. Returned to Co. area. Got pulled out on maintenance beach by cat. Had stbd. skeg leak welded. Running time - 2 hrs.

Sunday, Feb 25th. Had port skeg leak welded. Repacked port salt water pump. Had 6 metal eyes welded on catwalk for tire bumpers. Got pushed in water again. Anchored offshore. Put rope bumpers on ramp ears for use when tied alongside ship. Painted water cans. 7:00 P.M. - Night lighter age duty. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Running time 3 hrs.

Monday, Feb. 26th. Finished lighterage duty 7:00 A.M. Returned to camp and tied up to buoy. Filled water cans. 7:00 P M. - Night lighterage duty. Running time - 2 hrs.

Tuesday, Feb. 27th. Finished lighterage duty 7:00 A.M. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Received permission to visit St. Theresa 2:00 P.M. to attend dance. Remained on beach there till 11:00 P.M. then hauled 3 boats with Filipinos just in from Pansy Island to our Co. area. Lines gave way 3 times. Tied up to buoy 12:00 midnight. Running time - 3 hrs.

Wednesday, Feb. 28th. Crew called in to C.O.'s office for questioning. MuC15 should have returned to Co. area yesterday at 6:00 P.M. Towing Filipino boats not considered in line of duty not valid excuse for delay. Loudermilk reduced to private but was ordered to remain on boat as coxswain. Satlawa to receive 3 week if company punishment for remaining at St. Theresa all night. Johnson & Whalen absolved since they did not leave boat. Towed same Filipino boats to Red Beach. Cut them loose & returned to Co. area. Anchored offshore. Running time - 2 hrs.

Thursday, Mar. 1st. Filled water cans. Pulled in on maintenance beach to get complete checkup in preparation for coming operation. Got hauled from water by cat.

Friday, Mar. 2nd. Removed both props. Repacked shaft packing. Repacked port salt water pump.

Saturday, Mar. 3rd. Took off cabin & stored lumber, canvas, & extra equipment in wing tanks. Cleaned well & decks. Sandbagged pilot house. Straightened port rudder. Put on 2 new props. Got pushed in water again by cat. Laid on beach all night.

Sunday, Mar. 4th. Satlawa left boat to carry out Co. punishment. Sage came aboard as 4th crew member. Elino Mendoza also left boat. Filled water cans. Got 10 gls. #30 oil. Left Co. area in convoy with other Co. boats & went to LSD 14* (landing ship, dock). Drive into ship's well ("garage") along with 14 other M's. Stayed aboard ship all night. Water was drained out. Running time - 3 hrs.

* USS Rushmore (LSD-14)

Monday, Mar. 5th. Cleared boat's well (except for 50 cal. ammunition) & stowed away all extra gear in wing tanks & lazarette. Sealed all wing tanks. Ramp on stern of KSD lowered & ship's well filled again with water. Left LSD 14 & took part in dry-run invasion in practice for coming operation. Rendezvoused, went up to line of departure, gen hit beach at a flag signal from command boat. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Running time - 2 hrs.

Tuesday, Mar. 6th. Filled water cans. Filled fuel tanks. Received 1 case of 10 in 1 emergency rations. Rafted up offshore. Dipped clothes in solution since typhus is prevalent at our next destination. First eschelon of C Co. loaded aboard LCI today. Running time - 1 hr.

Wednesday, Mar. 7th. T4 Sorge came aboard as radioman - will have contact with command boat J-Day. 8:00 A.M. took on 32 ton Sherman medium tank plus 5 man tank crew. Drove aboard LDS 14 along with 14 other M boats. Water drained from ship's well, ramp raised. M crew & tank crew will sleep on boat during trip. Running time - 1 hr.

Thursday, Mar. 8th. Left Mindoro Island 8:00 A.M. in convoy of LST's, LCI's, LSM's, PA's, destroyers, & cruisers. Destination - city of Zamboanga, Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands. Weather - cloudy. Sea - very rough. Cleaned both 50 cal. machine guns & stacked extra ammunition under gun mounts.

Friday, Mar. 9th. Second day at sea. Got small arms cleaned, loaded, & ready. Carbines, both 50's, 1 Thompson submachine gun, 1 45 automatic, trench knives, & other miscellaneous equipment.

Saturday, Mar. 10th. J-Day! 4:00 A.M. - Ate breakfast, cleaned well. Got carbines ready. Uncovered 50's, put on helmets & cartridge belts. Since our boat is wave leader Lt. Skidmore, 1 naval officer, & Brigade photographer will ride with us. 7:30 A.M. - left LSD 14 - first look at hostile shores. Japs here estimated anywhere from 4 to 8,000. Landing preceded by heavy naval & air bombardment plus rocket barrage. Shoreline mass of smoke & flame. First 2 assault waves buffaloes, next 2 LCVP's. Rendezvoused till 9:00 A.M. - came up to line of departure - headed for beach at flag signal from CP boat - hit beach with 5th wave 9:15 A.M. - bounced over n*****head* but tank drove ashore sinking about 3 feet in water first. Backed off beach with 2 Jap mortar shells landing 50 ft. from our stern. Laid adrift about 2 miles offshore. Naval officer & photographer transferred to another boat. Naval spot shelling & dive bombing continues. Japs shelling LCI's & LST's unloading on beach with hidden artillery piece. Moderate fighting ashore reported over radio. No Jap planes or ships sighted as yet. Received night recognition signals. All large craft pulled several miles offshore for night. Each M boat anchored separately with complete blackout & 2 man watch at all times. Current very swift - lost anchor 12:00 midnight. Running time - 5 hrs.

*This lamentable word meant a coral outcropping, or similar hazard, in this case apparently underwater or semi-submerged. No racist intent should be inferred, it's just what they were called at the time. I am sorely tempted to edit it out, but history is about what was, not what we would like it to have been.

Sunday, Mar. 11th. Idled all morning. Made 1 trip to Red Beach 11:00 A.M. 2 artillery shells landed 100 ft. from our stern. Idled & drifted offshore all day awaiting further orders. Naval shelling by destroyers & cruisers plus dive bombing continues. Large ships again pulled out for night. Borrowed anchor from maintenance boat & anchored 1 mile offshore. Black out & 2 man watch. Running time - 4 hrs.

Monday, Mar. 12th. Put up cabin again. Filled fuel tanks from an LST. Threw sandbags overboard. Idled & drifted offshore all day. Anchored 200 yds. Offshore. Black out & 2 man watch. Running time - 3 hrs.

Tuesday, Mar. 13th. Troops of 41st Div. take town of Zamboanga. Japs retreat in disorder to hills. Carried infantry platoon to Caldera Point to relieve another. Carried relieved patrol back to Red Beach. Tied up to long cement pier in front of town proper - shore crews now working day & night to repair this pier, which was hit by 2 direct bombs, for use by our ships. Got first look at ruins of once beautiful Zamboanga - Filipinos begin tough task of reconstruction. All boats dispersed when first Jap fighter plane flew over. Anchored offshore. Black out & 1 man watch. Running time - 4 hrs.

Wednesday, Mar. 14th. All men except Coxswain went ashore to set up Co. area in ruins of Filipino building on outskirt of Zamboanga. Boat spent day docking flat barges. 6:00 P.M. Entire Co. called out (leaving only man per boat) to defend town of Zamboanga against expected Jap counter-attack. Groups of men posted at intervals behind infantry perimeter. No attack came. Running time - 7 hrs.

Thursday, Mar. 15th. 7:00 A.M. crew returned to boat. Lt. Skidmore & T4 Sorge left boat to resume shore duties. Tomorrow will invade Basilan Island, across 15 mile channel from Zamboanga, northernmost island if Sulu Archipelago. Removed cabin & set it intact on shore. Cleaned well & decks & stowed away extra gear. D'Antonio came aboard as first aid man. Got new anchor to replace lost one & anchored offshore. Black out & 1 man watch.

Friday, Mar. 16th. Picked up platoon of infantrymen at Yellow Beach. Carried them across channel in convoy of LCM's to Basilan Island. LCI rocket ship laid heavy barrage. 2 cruisers standing by. Hit beach 10:30 A.M. in 2nd wave. Only 2 LCM's in each wave. Infantry went ashore. No opposition. Japs here number only about 300 - went to hills after Zamboanga landing. Got stuck on n*****head. Boat couldn't pull us off. 3:00 P.M. - LCS pulled us off coral. Bent rudders. Anchored offshore. Black out & 2 man watch. Running time - 4 hrs.

Saturday, Mar. 17th. Left Basilan Island 9:30 A.M. Arrived Zamboanga 11:00 A.M. D'Antonio left boat. Replaced cabin again. Went to Honou River maintenance beach. & got hauled from water by cat. Put in new port salt water pump. Running time - 2 hrs.

Sunday, Mar. 18th. Repaired steering gear. Straightened shafts. Put on 2 new props. Cleaned fuel filters & blowers. Cleaned both machine guns.

Monday, Mar. 19th. Had both rudders cut off and straightened. Turned in T4 Sorge's equipment - Was killed Mar. 15th along with Lt. Holland, T4 Heydrich, T5 Saggerty, & PFC Cumming when their LCM hit a floating mine.

Tuesday, Mar. 20th. Welded rudders back on. Spliced 4 mooring lines. Put on 4 rope bumpers. Repaired ramp pulleys. Got pushed into water again. Filled fuel tanks. Returned to Zamboanga pier. Sage left boat to take over his own. Anchored offshore. Blackout lifted. Running time - 1 hr.

Wednesday, Mar. 21st. Picked up truck & 5 men at Red Beach. Left Red Beach 8:30 A.M. Arrived Lamitan, Basilan Island, 10:30 A.M. Truck & men went ashore. Returned 5 hrs. Later with load of lumber from sawmill. Left Lamitan 3:30 P.M. Arrived Red Beach 5:30 P.M. Lumber unloaded by Filipinos. Returned to Zamboanga. Tied up to pier. Running time - 4 hrs. 30 min.

Thursday, Mar. 22nd. Went to Honou River maintenance beach. Got pulled out of water by cat. Put on new stbd. Wheel. Got pushed back in water. Put new floor in cabin. Changed oil. Filled water cans. Returned to Zamboanga pier. Tied up. Running time - 1 hr.

Friday, Mar. 23rd. Picked up truck & 3 men at Red Beach. Left Red Beach 8:00 A.M. Arrived Lamitan, Basilan Island 10:00 A.M. Truck & men went ashore. Returned 6 hrs. Later with load of lumber from sawmill. Left Lamitan 4:00 P.M. Arrived Red Beach 6:00 P.M. Truck and men left boat. Returned to Zamboanga. Tied up to pier. Running time - 4 hrs. 30 min.

Saturday, Mar. 24th. Taxi boat today. Made 5 trips to Liberty ships carrying officers & Filipino working crews. Running time - 3 hrs.

Sunday, Mar. 25th. Fuel - 200 gls. Made 1 trip to Liberty ship carrying chow for Filipino working crews. Returned to pier & tied up. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 30 min.

Monday, Mar. 26th. Fuel - 180 gls. Picked up truck, 2 men, & 5 Filipinos at Honou River maintenance beach. Left Honou River 10:00 A.M. Wind - moderate breezes. Sea - moderate. Weather -blue sky. Arrived Lamitan, Basilan Island 12:00 noon. Truck & men went ashore, returned 4 hrs. Later. Left Lamitan 4:00 P.M. Arrived Honou River 6:00 P.M. Truck & men went ashore. Returned to Zamboanga. Tied up to pier. Used 80 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Tuesday, Mar. 27th. Fuel - 100 gls. Filled water cans. Filled fuel tanks from barge anchored offshore. Returned to pier & tied up. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 30 min

Wednesday, Mar. 28th. Fuel - 425 - gls. Carried load of 100 octane gas drums from Liberty ships to Zamboanga Pier. Half of them unloaded by crane. Fuel used - 70 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Thursday, Mar. 29th. Remainder of gas drums unloaded. Remained tied up to pier. Put up bunk wrack in cabin. Cleaned cabin & decks.

Friday, Mar. 30th. Remained tied up to pier.

Saturday, Mar. 31st. Fuel - 365 gls. Picked up 2 jeeps & 8 men at Honou River maintenance beach. Left Honou River 8:00 A.M. Wind - moderate breeze. Sea - slight. Weather - overcast grey sky. Arrived Lamitan 10:00 A.M. Carried 2 Brigadier Generals from FS boat to shore. 2 jeeps & men went ashore - returned 6 hrs. Later. Left Lamitan 4:00 P.M. Arrived Honou River 6:00 P.M. 2 jeeps & 8 men left boat. Returned to Zamboanga pier. Tied up. Fuel used - 90 gls. Running time - 4 hrs. 30 min.

Sunday, Apr. 1st. Fuel - 275 gls. Picked up jeep & 4 men at Honou River Beach. Left Honou River 8:00 A.M. Wind - light breeze. Sea - calm. Weather - blue sky, detached clouds. Arrived Isabella, Basilan Island 9:30 A.M. Jeep & men went ashore. Picked up weapon's carrier & 3 men. Left Isabella 3:30 P.M. Arrived Honou River beach 5:30 P.M. Weapon's carrier & men went ashore. Returned to Zamboanga pier 6:00 P.M. Tied up. Fuel used - 50 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Monday, Apr. 2nd. Remained rafted up to Zamboanga pier. Had 2 air raid alerts.

Tuesday, Apr. 3rd. Filled fuel tanks - took on 225 gls. Tied up to Zamboanga pier. Had 32 more red air alerts.

Wednesday, Apr. 4th. Fuel - 450 gls. Left. Zamboanga 6:30 A.M. in Lt. Skidmore's convoy of 11 boats from 2nd Boat Platoon. Wind - calm. Sea - calm. Weather - blue sky, detached clouds. Arrived Isabella 8:00 A.M. Will remain here indefinitely to unload liberty ships, working with seabees. Made 2 trips to ship carrying load of C.B.'s. Returned to beach & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 50 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Thursday, Apr. 5th. Fuel 400 gls. Lighterage - 7:30 A.M. to 12:00 noon. Made only 1 trip to shore - cargo unloaded by crane. Then worked from 1:00 P.M. to 12:00 midnight on shuttle run from Isabella beach across mouth of river to opposite shore carrying loaded truck over, empty one back. Tied up to piling offshore. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Friday, Apr. 6th. Fuel - 360 gls. Lighterage - 12:00 noon to 5:00 P.M. 1 trip ship to shore rafted up to pier. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Saturday, Apr. 7th. Fuel - 340 gls. Wind - light airs. Sea - smooth. Weather - Blue sky, detached clouds. Escorted navy LCM to Zamboanga & returned (at least 2 bts. on every long run*). Rafted up to pier. Fuel used - 50 gls.

* = 2 boats

Sunday, Apr. 8th. Fuel - 290 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Cargo - rations & miscellaneous equipment. Rafted up offshore. Radio report - battle for Zamboanga peninsula closed. Japs killed - 2,900. Americans - 130. Fuel used 20 gls. Running time - 1 hr. 30 min.

Monday, Apr. 9th. Fuel - 270 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Cargo - Miscellaneous boxes. Tied up to pier. Loudermilk engaged brawl tonight. Disciplinary action expected. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Tuesday, Apr. 10th. Fuel 260 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made only 1 trip to shore. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Wednesday, Apr. 11th. Fuel - 250 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Tied up to piling. Whalen made new coxswain of Lucky Lady II. Loudermilk washed out for fight of April 9th - demoted to seaman. S. Johnson new engineer. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Thursday, Apr. 12th. Fuel - 240 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Made 1 extra trip carrying personnel. Rafted up. Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 1 hr. 30 min.

Friday, Apr. 13th. Fuel - 210 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Cleaned well. Rafted up to pier. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Saturday, Apr. 14th. Fuel - 205 gls. Shuttle run - 7:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Lighterage - 12:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Rafted up to pier. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 6 hr. 30 min.

Sunday, Apr. 15th. Took on load of C.B. supplies. Remained rafted up to pier. Cleaned well. Built ration shelf in cabin.

Monday, Apr. 16th. Fuel - 185 gls. Left Isabella 8:00 A.M. Wind - Gentle breezes. Sea - Smooth. Weather - Overcast, grey sky. Arrived Zamboanga 10:00 A.M. Tied up to pier. Greased engines. Got 10 gls. #30 oil. Fuel used - 45 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Tuesday, Apr. 17th. Cargo unloaded by crane at pier. Filled fuel tanks. (Took on 310 gls.) Went to Honou River beach for maintenance. Repaired salt water pump. Repaired frozen port clutch. Changed oil - put in 2 new filters. Got 15 gls. #30 oil. Laid on beach.

Wednesday, Apr. 18th. Fuel - 450 gls. Stbd batter down - shorted across to start engine. Went to Zamboanga pier. Tied up. Loudermilk court martialed today in Regimental building - found guilty of being drunk & fined but not guilty of being disorderly. Wind - Light airs. Sea - Smooth. Weather - Blue sky, detached clouds. Left pier 3:30 P.M. Arrived Isabella 5:30 A.M. Tied up to pier. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Thursday, Apr. 19th. Fuel - 410 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Tied up to pier. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr. 30 min.

Friday, Apr. 20th. Fuel - 400 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 1 trip ship to shore. Rafted up. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Saturday, Apr. 21st. Fuel - 390 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 1 trip ship to shore. Cargo - Mortar shells. Laid on shore. Fuel used - 15 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Sunday, Apr. 22nd. Fuel - 375 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Tied up to piling. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Monday, Apr. 23rd. Fuel - 365 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 1 trip ship to shore. Rafted up to pier. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Tuesday, Apr. 24th. Fuel - 355 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 1 trip ship to shore. Rafted up to pier. Put in 2 new batteries for stbd. engine. Fuel used - 15 gls. Running time - 1 hr. 30 min.

Wednesday, Apr. 25th. Fuel - 340 gls. Shuttle run - 7:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Lighterage - 12:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 1 trip ship to shore. Rafted up to pier. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 3 hrs.

Thursday, Apr. 26th. Fuel - 320 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 2 trips ship to shore. Rafted up to pier. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Friday, Apr. 27th. Fuel - 310 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 1 trip ship to shore. Tied up to piling. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Saturday, Apr. 28th. Fuel - 305 gls. Lighterage - 7:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Made 1 trip ship to shore. Work here at Isabella ceases at noon today. Filled water cans. Took on 41st. Div. personal gear. Laid on beach all night. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Sunday, Apr. 29th. Fuel - 300 gls. Picked up 4 passengers. Wind - light airs. Sea - calm. Weather - blue sky. Left Isabella 8:00 A.M. Arrived Yellow Beach 10:00 A.M. Cargo removed. Passengers disembarked. Went to Honou River maintenance beach. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time 2 hrs. 30 min.

Monday, Apr. 30th. Got hauled out on beach stern-first by cat. Put on 2 new shafts, 2 new cutlas bearings, & new stbd. Wheel. Repacked shaft & rudder stuffing boxes. Greased engines. Put in 2 new batteries for stbd. Engine. Got pushed in water. Laid on beach.

Tuesday, May 1st. Had new head & injectors put on port engine. Wiped down engines. Got new tarpaulin, anchor, & mooring line. Filled water cans. Filled gas can. Took on 3 passengers for trip tomorrow. Connelly, Thompson, & Satlawa.

Wednesday, May 2nd. Fuel - 260 gls. Put in new batteries for stbd. engine. Left Honou River. Went to Zamboanga pier. Tied up. Drew rations for trip. Filled fuel tanks - took on 190 gls. Left Zamboanga in convoy of 26 LCM's headed for Parang, Mindanao. C. Co. Hdqs. still maintained here at Zamboanga. Rendezvoused for 4 hrs. Then returned to pier; plans changed; will leave tomorrow instead. Went to Honou River maintenance beach - have cracked head on stbd. engine but will make trip regardless. Returned to Zamboanga pier & tied up. Pete Connelly left boat for hospital. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 5 hrs.

Thursday, May. 3rd. Fuel - 410 gls. Again left Zamboanga 1:30 P.M. in convoy of 26 LCM's, 6 LST's, & Tug - boats. Wind - light breezes. Sea - calm. Weather - blue sky, detached clouds. Ran all night with complete blackout. Very dark, cloudy night - hard to follow boat ahead. Fuel used - 125 gls. Running time - 10 hrs. 30 min.

Friday, May. 4th. Fuel - 285 gls. 1:00 A.M. - Wind - gentle breezes. Sea - smooth. Weather - squalls. Arrived Parang, Mindanao 8:30 A.M. Rafted offshore. All but coxswain went ashore to set up new Co. area located on flat ground near harbor shore with high mountains surrounding. Put new convertible top on pilot house. Filled fuel tanks from barge - took on 240 gls. Thompson left boat. Rafted up. Fuel used - 75 gls. Running time - 7 hrs. 30 min.

Saturday, May. 5th. Fuel - 450 gls. Drew rations. Added 4 quts. oil to each engine. Left Parang 7:00 A.M. in Lt. Daley's convoy of 10 boats. Wind - light breezes. Sea - calm. Weather - variable. Returned to Green Beach (about 5 miles from Co. area). 8:30 A.M. & picked up truck & trailer. Left again 10:30 A.M. in convoy. Arrived Malabang, Mindinao 2:00 P.M. Unloaded truck & trailer. Worked lighterage duty from Liberty ship anchored here till 6:00 P.M. Anchored offshore. Fuel used - 75 gls. Running time - 8 hrs.

Sunday, May 6th. Fuel - 395 gls. Worked lighterage duty all day. Helped push fuel barge sitting on sand bar closer to shore. Anchored offshore. Steve Johnson's 20th birthday. Fuel used - 25 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Monday, May 7th. Laid at anchor.

Tuesday, May 8th. Fuel - 350 gls. Received rations. Brought truck from Malabang to small island 1 mile from mainland. Then returned it to mainland with load. Took a DUKW aboard & left Malabang 1:00 P.M. in Lt. Daley's convoy of 10 boats. Wind - gentle breezes. Sea - calm. Weather - cloudy sky. Arrived Parang 4;30 P.M. DUKW drove off at Green Beach. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 60 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Wednesday, May 9th. Cleaned well. Closed 1 wing tank. Stored rations & extra gear in 2 others. Laid at anchor.

Thursday, May, 10th. Fuel - 290 gls. Put up new cabin giving more living space for crew. Threw overboard all extra lumber. Worked lighterage duty from 2:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. off Liberty ships near Green Beach. Retuend to Co. area & anchored offshore.Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Friday, May 11th. Fuel - 260 gls. Lighterage - 1:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Made 13 trips ship to shore. Very low tide here - can get in to beach only during hours of high tide. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Fuel used 20 gls. Running time - 3 hrs.

Saturday, May 12th. Fuel - 240 gls. Painted canvas on cabin to prevent leaking. Put on new door - a wooden one which opens instead of a canvas one that rolls. Filled water cans - took on 60 gls. Repaired oil leak. Lighterage - 3:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. Made 7 trips ship to shore. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 3 hrs.

Sunday, May 13th. Fuel - 210 gls. Repaired ramp winch. Lighterage - 4:00 P.M. to 12:00 midnight. Made 9 trips ship to shore. Winch fouled up again. Returned to Co. area and anchored offshore. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Monday, May 14th. Went to maintenance beach. Got hauled out stern-first by cat. Repaired ramp winch. Put new head on stbd. Engine. Took rope & wire from around stbd. Prop - tightened nuts on same prop. Cleaned well.

Tuesday, May 15th. Fuel - 190 gls. Put new wrack and injectors on stbd. engine. Got pushed in water by cat. Lighterage - 5:00 P.M. to 12:00 midnight. Made 11 trips ship to shore. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Wednesday, May 16th. Fuel 150 gls. Changed oil. Cracked oil filter plate on stbd. engine. - put in new one. Lighterage - 5:00 P.M. to 12:00 midnight. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Thursday, May 17th. Fuel - 120 gls. Chow boat for noon today. Went around to other boats rafted offshore & brought crews to beach for chow - returned them later. Laid on beach; tide went out leaving us high & dry on sand bar. Cleaned fuel system on both engines. Cleaned both machine guns. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 30 min.

Friday, May 18th. Fuel - 115 gls. Got off sand bar at high tide early this morning. Went around to other boats rafted offshore & picked up empty water cans. Brought them to shore, waited while they were filled at small fresh water stream, & returned them. Got 20 gls. #30 oil & 5 gls. gas. Filled fuel tanks - took on 335 gls. at fuel barge. Lighterage - 6:00 P.M. to 12:00 midnight. Made 11 trips ship to shore. Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Saturday, May 19th. Fuel - 420 gls. Continued lighterage duty until 3:30 A.M. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Have ejector line leak; diesel fuel runs into crank case; tightened ejectors; drained oil (stbd. engine) & put new oil in. Repacked salt water pump on stbd. engine. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time 1 hr.

Sunday, May 20th. Fuel - 400 gls. Carried C Co. personnel across bay to church. Then appointed standby boat for Green Beach. Carried Filipino guerrilla sergeant to A CO's beach. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore 9:00 P.M. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time 2 hrs.

Monday, May 21st. Fuel - 380 gls. Went to Green Beach for lighterage duty but our boat not needed so tied up to pier & stayed overnight. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time 30 min.

Tuesday, May 22nd. Fuel 375 gls. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore, 8:00 P.M. Greased engines. Laid at anchor. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Wednesday, May 23rd. Pulled in on maintenance beach - got pulled out of water stern-first by cat. Had both shafts straightened. Got pushed in water again. Laid on beach. Tide went out leaving us high & dry on sand bar - stayed overnight.

Thursday, May 24th. Fuel 365 gls. Chipped boat. Painted port hull. Put in 2 new salt water pumps. Put in 12 new fuel lines on stbd. engine - old ones leaked fuel oil into crankcase. Put in new oil temperature gauge for stbd. engine. Repaired ramp gasket. Ordered to Green Beach as standby boat from 6:00 to 12:00 midnight. Took 4 passengers from beach to anchored LSM. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Friday, May 25th. Fuel 355 gls. Continued duties as standby boat. Made 1 trip carrying relief hatch crews to anchored Liberty ships & 1 towing flat barge to another Liberty. Returned to Co. area 7:00 A.M. & pulled in on beach. Continued painting boat. Anchored offshore for night. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr. 30 min

Saturday, May 26th. Changed oil again in stbd. engine - fuel oil still leaks into crankcase. Painted ramp, decks, & pilot house. Laid at anchor.

Sunday, May 27th. Fuel - 345 gls. Ordered to Green Beach as standby boat from 7:00 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. Made 2 trips to anchored Liberty ships carrying relief hatch crews. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Made 2 rope bumpers to out between boats when rafted up or tied to pier. Fuel used - 15 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Monday, May 28th. Fuel - 330 gls. Assigned to destroyer escort today from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Carried sailor recreation parties from 3 ships to shore (recreation here consists of cold beer & baseball) returned them to ships 4:30 P.M. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 2 hrs. 30 min.

Tuesday, May 29th. Fuel - 310 gls. Went to Green Beach. Took on cargo of rations & 5 passengers. Left Green Beach 8:30 A.M. Wind - light breezes. Sea - smooth. Weather - cloudy sky. Arrived Mslabang 11:00 A.M. Cargo unloaded. Passengers disembarked. Took on jeep, miscellaneous equipment, & 15 passengers. Left Mslabang 3:00 P.M. Arrived Parang 5:30 P.M. Cargo unloaded. Passengers disembarked. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 80 gls. Running time - 6 hrs.

Wednesday, May 30th. Fuel - 230 gls. Assigned as standby boat at Green Beach from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Shifted 3 pontoon barges to different positions & made 1 trip to anchored LSM. Returned to Co. area 7:00 P.M. & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Thursday, May 31st. Fuel oil still leaking into crankcase - Tightened joints. Greased ramp cable. Laid at anchor.

Friday, June 1st. Fuel - 190 gls. Assigned as standby boat at Green Beach from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Made 1 trip to anchored Liberty ship, 1 to LSM, & shifted 2 flat barges. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 2 hrs. 30 min.

Saturday, June 2nd. Fuel - 170 gls. Picked up weapons carrier & 3 men on beach. Left Co. area 9:00 A.M. Arrived Green Beach 9:30 A.M. Weapons carrier & men went ashore, returned later with mail & supplies. Left Green Beach 11:00 A.M. Arrived Co. area 11:30 A.M. Weapons carrier & men went ashore. Filled water cans. Got 15 gls. #30 oil. Drained oil from stbd. engine again & put new in. Filled fuel tanks from barge - took on 270 gls. Picked up same weapons carrier plus 2 men on beach & left Co. area 2:00 P.M. Arrived Green Beach 2:30 P.M. Weapons carrier & men went ashore, returned later with movie projector for show tonight. Left Green Beach 4:30 P.M. Arrived Co. area 5:00 P.M. Weapons carrier & men went ashore. Anchored offshore. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Sunday, June 3rd. Fuel - 440 gls. Assigned as standby boat at Green Beach from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Left Co. area 6:30 A.M. Arrived Green Beach 7:00 A.M. Carried naval officer to anchored LSM: Towed 1 flat barge from pier to 100 yards offshore & anchored it; made 7 trips from beach to F(lat) Boat loading it with assorted boxes of cargo. Greased engines. Left Green Beach 6:00 P.M. Arrived Co. area 6:30 P.M. & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 3 hrs.

Monday, June 4th. Fuel 410 gls. Drew rations including fresh meat, a rare item. Drained 1 gallon oil from stbd. engine - fuel oil still leaks into crankcase but can't find leak. Left Co. area 8:30 A.M. Arrived Green Beach 9:00 A.M. Took on well-load of gasoline drums. Left Green Beach 2:00 P.M. in S/Sgt Simon's convoy of 7 boats. Wind - light aura. Sea - calm. Weather - cloudy sky. Arrived Cotabato at mouth of Mindanao River 4:00 P.M. Rafted up to pier & laid over for night. Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 2 hrs. 30 min

Tuesday, June 5th. Fuel - 380 gls. Left Catabato in convoy 7:00 A.M. & traveled up swift Mindanao River. Running against very strong current - river is very shallow & narrow. Three rations at Filipinos on shore. Wind - light breezes. Weather - rain. Arrived Fort Pocket 4:30 P.M. Pulled into shore, dropped ramp, and had gas drums unloaded by Filipino collaborators under guard. Rafted up to shore for night. Fuel used - 160 gls. Running time - 9 hrs. 30 min.

Wednesday, June 6th. Fuel 220 gls. Left Fort Pocket 6:00 A.M. in convoy. Wind - light breezes. Weather - cloudy sky. Strong current helping us along, making very good time. Went surf board riding behind boat; made 1 stop to pick up Whalen & Johnson. Arrived Cotabato 12:00 noon. Rafted up & waited for straggler boats. Left Cotabato 1:00 P.M. in convoy. Arrived Co. area 3:00 P.M. Anchored offshore. Fuel used - 120 gls. Running time 7 hrs.

Thursday, June 9th. Pulled in on maintenance beach. Had new stbd. Bilge pump put in. Tightened head seals for injector leads on stbd. engine. Once again drained oil from stbd. engine & put new oil in. Tightened pulley on master bilge pump. Filled fuel tanks at barge - took on 350 gls. Took on truck at beach for tomorrow trip to Green Beach for rations. Anchored offshore.

Sunday, June 10th. Pulled in on maintenance beach. Had new injectors & manifold line put in on stbd. engine. Changed oil in both engines; put in new port oil filter. Greased engines. Cleaned well. Drew rations for return trip to Zamboanga. Anchored offshore.

Monday, June 11th. Fuel - 415 gls. Pulled in on beach. Took on reefer (mobile refrigerator) as cargo plus three passengers. S/Sgt. Robinson, S/Sgt Pugh, & T4 Burkes. Left Parang 4:20 P.M. in convoy of 30 C Co. LCM’s with J Boat navigating. Wind - Gentle breezes. Sea - smooth. Weather - overcast, gray sky. Tightened rudder post packing. Drove boat in shifts. Ran all night. Fuel used - 115 gls. Running time - 7 hrs. 40 min.

Tuesday, June 12th. Fuel - 300 gls. Wind - moderate breezes. Sea - moderate. Weather - heavy rains. Arrived Zamboanga 9:00 A.M. Tied up to pier. At 1:00 P.M. went to Honou River maintenance beach. Got cargo unloaded. Passengers disembarked. Returned to Zamboanga pier & tied up for night at 3:00 P.M. Fuel used - 120 gls. Running time - 10 hrs.

Wednesday, June 13th. Boat remained tied up to pier all day. Got orders to prepare jungle packs with necessities for approximately 2 weeks for quick move to Morotai (near Jap-held Halmahera, Molucca Island Group). Crews will travel by plane [C-47] to work with A Co. of 643rd E.B. & S.R. to help load Australian outfit on ships for impending invasion of Borneo. Stored all boat's & personal equipment in wing tanks & sealed them up. Rode truck to Co. area with packs & awaited departure to airport. 7:00 P.M.; planes not in yet; returned to boats; will stand by awaiting call.

Thursday, June 14th. Fuel - 180 gls. Planes still not in - crews standing by their boats. 10:00 A.M. - Sea fetting very rough; big waves rolling in banging boats up against cement pier. Big gash opened in rear port wing tank; taking on water. All boats left pier & went to Honou River where they will remain in calm water until crews return from Morotai. Still no planes, spent night on board. Fuel used - gls. Running time - 30 min.

Friday, June 15th. Whalen left in first C47 transport plane for Morotai 5:00 A.M. Loudermilk & Johnson left 3:00 P.M. in 2nd C47 in group of 20 men. Cold atmosphere a big change after many months of heat. Arrived Morotai 6:00 P.M. Rode truck from airport to beach - then took LCM to small island offshore which will be our base while here. Arrived new Co. area where A Co. of 543 E.B. & S.R is also based & got set up in tents, 11:00 P.M. Will sleep on shore & not on A Co.'s boats.

Saturday, June 16th. Set up more tents (6 men in each) and got settled down in new area. Will eat & draw rations from A Co. No electric lights in our area - use candles at night.

Sunday, June 17th. Boat crews assigned to A Co's. LCM's today for lighterage duty which starts soon. Our boat a 56 footer already equipped with cabin in case of foul weather. Much equipment lacking although engines are in good shape. Put in new port bilge pump. Fuel now in tanks - 360 gls. No. of boat - X1. All boats which are manned by C Co. personnel rafted up in 2 big rafts close to shore. A taxi boat will be assigned each day to carry crews back & forth from chow. Our boat, X-1, assigned as taxi today - made 2 trips raft to shore. Will work lighterage duty in 2 shifts - 6 hrs. On & 6 hrs off - Whalen & Johnson will work 1st shift, Loudermilk & enton (temporary crew member will work 2nd shift. Rafted up. Each raft has 2 guards on it at night - rest asleep on shore. Fuel used 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Monday, June 18th. Remained rafted up close to shore.

Tuesday, June 19th. Fuel - 350 gls. Helhowski replaced Loudermilk on 2nd shift, latter going to Cunningham’s boat in shuffle of crews. Began lighterage today at 6:00 A.M. Carried Australian supplies to cargo ships waiting in harbor - made 3 trips. Returned to island base & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 50 gls. Running time - 5 hrs.

Wednesday, June 20th. Fuel - 300 gls. Went to maintenance beach - got pulled out of water stern-first by cat. Changed both props. Obtained 3 new mooring lines & 5 gls. #30 oil. Got pushed in water again. Lighterage duty at 6:00 P.M. - Made 1 trip from ship to shore; then found forward well deck wing tanks filling rapidly with water & rear tunnels above water so returned to island base & tied up. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Thursday, June 21st. Pulled in on maintenance beach - pumped water from forward well deck tanks by hand. Changed oil - put in 2 new oil filters. Greased engines. Returned to raft. Tied up.

Friday, June 22nd. Pulled in on maintenance beach. Removed ramp gasket. Laid on beach all night.

Saturday, June 23rd. Had new ramp gasket mae, from a mooring line and put on boat. Laid on beach all night.

Sunday, June 24th. Got pulled out of water stern-first by cat. Changed port shaft. Straightened port prop. Got pushed in water again. Laid on beach all night. Changed boat no from X-1 to C13 & painted it on boat.

Monday, June 25th. Forward well deck wing tank full of water again - pumped it out with hand bilge pump. Got pulled out of water bow-first & had ramp removed by cat. Had 4 big holes near ramp hinges welded up. Had ramp replaced by cat & got pushed in water again. Laid on beach all night.

Tuesday, June 26th. Fuel - 280 gls. Took boat out for trial run in harbor today - everything fine with exception of leaky rudder posts. Adjusted stbd. Cutout. Returned to island base & laid on beach. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Wednesday, June 27th. Had hull tested for wear, welder probed its thickness & found it O.K. Cleaned well. New policy starting today - 2 man crews will work 1 boat either day or night shift & then get 24 hrs. off - May get a different boat each day depending on which ones are ready to go. 1st shift worked lighterage duty today from 6:00 P.M. to 12:00 midnight (Johnson & Whalen). Used boat no. X3. Made only 1 trip ship to shore hauling cargo of empty shell cases. Remained on duty all night. B-24's constantly taking off from nearby airport to bomb Jap-held islands in vicinity. Running time - 1hr

Thursday, June 28th. Relieved from lighterage duty this morning at 6:00 A.M. by T5 Schiller & PFC Johns. Shore parties working very slowly so made no trips but simply stood by. Running time - hrs.

Friday, June 29th. 3:00 A.M. - Jap plane flew over dropping several bombs on mainland in attempt to destroy airport. Second ship worked lighterage today.

Saturday, June 30th. Changed policy again today. Crews will now work only on boat to which they were first assigned - C13 in our case. All 4 men will work together. Got pulled out if water stern-first by cat. Melted barrels of tar to a liquid over hit fire, scooped in paint cans, and painted tar over boat's hull & ramp - this should last longer & save many paint jobs. Had ramp hook welded on. Laid on beach.

Sunday, July 1st. Finished tarring hull. Painted combing, decks, & catwalks with brown paint. Painted no. of boat on each side of combing & also on stern. Laid on beach.

Monday, July 2nd. Repacked stbd. shaft stuffing box. Laid on beach.

Tuesday, July 3rd. Got pushed in water by cat. Pulled in bow-first on beach. Completed tarring & painting boat. Repacked both rudder posts. C-13 now in perfect shape ready to go. 1:00 P.M. - Orders came thru by radio for C Co. to return to Zamboanga. Packed up all equipment: took down tents & turned them over to A Co.: Policed area: Burned rubbish: all this in 2 hrs. Rode in truck to beach, ferried by LCM to Liberty ship on which we will return. Ship crowded with Australian troops going to reinforce Borneo where initial landings will be made by 2 other Aussie divisions tomorrow. C Co. bunked on top of hatch normally used for cargo.

Wednesday, July 4th. Ship left Morotai today. 6:00 A.M. Travelled all night. News of Borneo invasion came over radio today.

Thursday, July 5th. Second day at sea. Travelled all night.

Friday, July 6th. Arrived Zamboanga 10:00 A M. Total running time Morotai to here 52 hrs. Crews were taken ashore in LCM's & returned to their respective boats tied up in Honour River. Got settled down again on boats. Crew of Lucky Lady remains same: Whalen, Loudermilk, S. Johnson. Following repairs made on Lucky Lady II from June 16th to July 5th:

Head taken off stbd. engine; all lines checked & tightened.

Oil changed in stbd. engine.

Fuel used - 200 gls. Running time - 20 hrs.

Saturday, July 7th. Fuel - 300 gls. Went to Zamboanga pier & took on cargo of miscellaneous company equipment for coming trip to Leyte. Took on 1 passenger from Hq. & Hw. Co. Returned to Honour River maintenance beach & got pulled out of water stern- first by cat. Changed both wheels. Put on be stbd. shaft & cutlass bearing. Git pushed back in water agsin. Rafted up. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Sunday, July 8th. Had hole in rear port wing tank welded up - (opened in storm of June 14th). Greased engines. Greased ramp cable. Cleaned sand traps. Tightened water & bilge pumps, shaft-packing, & rudder-posy packing. Cleaned both machine guns.

Monday, July 9th. Fuel - 280 gls. Went to Zamboanga pier & filled fuel tanks at barge; took on 160 gls. Returned to Honour River. Rafted up. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Tuesday, July 10th. Fuel - 435 gls. Went to Zamboanga pier. Filled 2 55 go. drums obtained at maintenance beach with fuel & set them on stern deck. Lashed them down. Filled 22 water cans (60 gls.) Returned to Honou River & rafted up. Had new stbd. cutout put in & wracks adjusted. Got 29 gls. #30 oil. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Wednesday, July 11th. Changed oil in both engines - put in new port filter. Got 20 more gls. #30 oil. Demeglio came aboard as passenger for coming trip to Leyte. Remained rafted up.

Thursday, July 12th. All boat crews called ashore to help tear down Co. area & police up debris. All Co. equipment put on trucks & distributed among our LCM's for use at Leyte.

Friday, July 13th. Fuel - 425 gls. Completed policing up of Co. area. Left Zamboanga 1:30 P.M. in Capt. Vought's convoy of 40 LCM's, 4 gunboats, 2 J boats, & 1 crash boat, headed for Leyte in the Visayan Island Group of the Central Philippines. Wind - strong breezes. Sea - rough. Weather - overcast, gray sky. 6:00 P.M. - Added 2 qts. oil to port engine. Stbd. crankcase still taking fuel oil. 7:00 P.M. - hit submerged log & bent stbd. wheel. Ran all night. Running time - 10 hrs. 30 min.

Saturday, July 14th. Wind & sea unchanged. Weather - rain, usually heavy. Arrived small harbor N.W. Mindanao 4:00 P.M. Water very calm here. Anchored offshore. Added 55 gls. fuel to each tank from drums on board. Drained 2 gls. oil from stbd. engine & added 2 qts. oil to port engine. All boats low on fuel; all fuel drums collected & put aboard 2 LCM's which proceeded to next base on northern tip Mindanao for fuel - rest of boats will remain here till they return. Fuel used yesterday & today - 305 gls. Running time - 16 hrs.

Sunday, July 15th. Laid at anchor all day. Filipinos came out to trade in canoes. Bought a canoe & loaded it on top of our cargo for pleasure riding. Fuel boats returned late this evening. Heavy rains and strong winds all day.

Monday, July 16th. Fuel - 230 gls. Due to large no. of boats, convoy was split up into 2 sections, first section leaving 7:00 P.M. We left in 2nd convoy at 8:00 P.M. Wind - gentle breezes. Sea - slight. Weather - cloudy. Ran all night. Running time - 4 hrs.

Tuesday, July 17th. Wind & sea unchanged. Weather - blue sky, detached clouds. Arrived small harbor on tip of Northern Mindanao 9:30 A.M. Filled fuel tanks plus 2 55 gl. Drums at fuel barge. Fuel used yesterday & today - 200 gls. Running time - 9 hrs. 30 min.

Wednesday, July 18th. Remained rafted up all day. Put on new stbd. bilge pump. Greased engines. Drained 2 qts. oil from stbd. engine. Received rations of fresh meat, eggs, and bread.

Thursday, July 19th. Fuel - 450 gls. plus 2 55 gl. Drums = 560 gls. Left harbor in convoy 4:00 A.M. Wind - light airs. Sea - calm. Weather - blue sky from 8:00 P.M. thru the night - Wind - gentle breezes. Sea - slight. Weather - scattered rain squalls. Ran all night - Running time - 20 hrs.

Friday, July 20th. Wind, sea, and weather unchanged. 2:00 P.M. - Approaching Leyte; many Filipino fishermen out in small canoes fishing by torchlight; almost rammed into large sail boat running without lights. Arrived Abuyog, Leyte 3:30 A.M. Anchored offshore. 8:00 A.M. - Pulled in on beach and had cargo unloaded. Passenger disembarked. Went to new Co. area where C Co.'s advanced detail has area partially set up, picked up back mail, had hot chow & returned to boat. Anchored offshore. Fuel used yesterday & today - 220 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Saturday, July 21st. Demeglio left boat today to return to kitchen as cook. Many rumors going around as to where we go from here but nothing definite. Laid at anchor. Cleaned cabin.

Sunday, July 22nd. Fuel - 230 gls. plus drums. Appointed taxi boat today from 4:30 P.M. to 12:00 midnight. Carried boat crews back and forth from shore to boats. Surf high on beach in windy weather. Anchored offshore. Fuel used - 10 gals. Running time - 2 Hrs.

Monday, July 23rd. Fuel - 220 gls. Plus drums. Lighterage duty today from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Liberty ship anchored near Tacloban. Made 1 trip ship to pier. Cargo - 50 boxes of auto tires. Weight - 20 tons. Changed oil in stbd. Engine - crank case full of fuel oil again. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 50 gls. Running time - 3 hrs.

Tuesday, July 24th. Pulled in on maintenance beach, in front of Co. area. Got pulled out of water stern first by cat. Remained on beach all night.

Wednesday, July 25th. Put on 2 new props. Cleaned & greased both machine guns, then turned them in to ordnance section for storage until new twin - 50 mount is welded on deck. Added 55 gls. fuel to each tank from drums - then disposed of empty drums. Filled 10 5 gl. water cans (50 gls)

Thursday, July 26th. Fuel - 280 gls. Got pushed in water by cat. Made trial run at high speed & found boat in good condition with little vibration. Returned to beach and anchored offshore. Repaired steering gear. Put on new stbd. Cutout. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 30 min.

Friday, July 27th. Fuel - 275 gls. Changed oil in stbd. Engine. Put in new oil filter. Had six new injectors put in stbd. engine. Made trial run out into harbor & found that no more fuel leaks into crankcase. Took long time to discover source of this leak. Anchored offshore. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 30 min.

Saturday, July 28th. Lucky Lady II laid at anchor all day today. All boat crews (except coxswains) called ashore to set up tents in revision of Co. area. All men may soon have to move ashore for an indefinite period to begin basic training in preparation for coming invasion of Japanese Homeland.

Sunday, July 29th. Fuel - 290 gls. Assigned to sawmill run today. Sawmill is operated by a platoon of men from E. Co. of the shore battalion. Located at isolated point 1 hours run from Co. area. Went to E. Co. beach (1 mile from C Co. area), picked up cat and carried it to sawmill. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Greased engines. Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 3 hrs.

Monday, July 30th. Cleaned well. Remained at anchor.

Tuesday, July 31st. Fuel - 240 gls. Assigned to saw mill run. Made 2 trips E Co. beach to sawmill carrying cat. Cat is used to haul large lumber trailer from sawmill located inland down to loading beach. Returned to Co. area & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 3 hrs.

Wednesday, August 1st. All boat crews moved ashore today with all their personal equipment into tents. Light program of basic training scheduled for next few weeks - this will include reveille, calisthenics, classes in gas, signaling, etc. Things we haven't done for 19 long months. All this is in preparation for coming landing at Japan (possibly Honshu). Each crewmember will take a turn as boat guard. Alternating every 24 hrs. Full crew will be on hand when boat is dispatched for duty or in maintenance. Got set up in tents.

Thursday, Aug. 2nd. Pulled in on maintenance beach. Had new ramp cable & and new ramp catch cable put on - old ones were frayed. Anchored offshore.

Friday, Aug. 3rd. Got pulled out on maintenance beach stern first by cat. Started scraping rust off hull in preparation for new paint job. Greased ramp cable. Cleaned sand traps. Remained on beach all night.

Saturday, Aug. 4th. Continued scraping hull. Put on base red paint.

Sunday, Aug. 5th. Remained on maintenance beach.

Monday, Aug. 6th. Began spraying hull with brown paint. Finished scraping boat. Boat number changed from Mu C15 to Mu C22. Remained on beach.

Tuesday, Aug. 7th. Completed painting boat except for well. Cleaned fuel system on both engines - put in 2 new secondary filters. Obtained new fire extinguisher. Remained on beach.

Wednesday, Aug. 8th. Got pushed off maintenance beach by cat. Returned to beach bow-first & had new plate welded in center of ramp on inside. This spot had several punctures & holes caused by heavy cats & trucks running over it. Scrapped well deck. Anchored offshore.

Thursday, Aug. 9th. Pulled in on maintenance beach. Had new ramp gasket put on. Painted well. Laid on beach all night.

Friday, Aug. 10th. Fuel - 210 gls. Filled fuel tanks at fuel barge operated by ex-coxswain Quinn.Took on 240 gls. Appointed taxi boat today from 12:00 noon to 5:00 P.M. Anchored offshore. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

[Footnote* to night of August 10th] (??)P.M. - News flash came tonight that Japan has (surren)dered & peace negotiations are underway. (best?) news we've had since VE Day. GI's run wild (?)wn of Abuyos. All whiskey bought up. 6 cans (be?)er issued to each man. All rifles & small arms collected to prevent (firi?)ng. Ships in harbor cut loose with rockets & flares.

*This footnote is in the original logbook, parentheticals are missing letters off the page of the copy I have

Saturday, Aug. 11th. Fuel - 430 gls. Assigned to saw mill run. Made 3 trips sawmill to E Co. beach. Cargo - lumber trailer plus 20 passengers. Returned to Co. area. Anchored offshore. Fuel used - 50 gls. Running time - 5 hrs.

Sunday, Aug. 12th. Fuel - 380 gls. Took on 15 gls. Water, 5 gls. gasoline, and rations. Assigned to sawmill as standby boat for 3 days. Made 3 trips sawmill to E Co. beach. Cargo - truck plus 30 passengers. Laid on beach all night. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Monday, Aug. 13th. Fuel - 340 gls. Made 4 trips sawmill to E. Co. beach & return. Cargo - truck, trailer, plus 20 passengers. Tied up to small pier. Changed oil in port engine - put in new oil filter. Fuel used - 80 gls. Running time - 6 hrs.

Tuesday, Aug. 14th. Fuel - 390 gls. Made only 1 trip to E Co. beach. Cargo - lumber trailer & truck. Returned to sawmill & tied up to pier. Received orders to remain here 3 more days since no relief boat is available. Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Wednesday, Aug. 15th. Fuel - 230 gls. Made 3 trips to E. Co. beach. After first trip went to fuel barge & took on 235 gls. diesel fuel. Cargo - 2 trucks plus 40 passengers. Returned to sawmill & tied up to pier. Fuel used - 75 gls. Running time - 5 hrs.

Thursday, Aug. 16th. Fuel - 390 gls. Made 4 trips to E. Co. beach. Cargo - 2 trucks, empty trailer, plus lumber trailer. Returned to sawmill & tied up to pier. Fuel used - 90 gls. Running time - 7 hrs.

Friday, Aug. 17th. Fuel - 300 gls. Made 1 trip to E. Co. beach. Cargo - truck plus 5 passengers. Returned to sawmill & found a C Co. relief boat awaiting us. Returned to Co. area for repairs. Went to maintenance beach & got pulled out of water stern first by cat. Had new shaft and cutlass bearing put on stbd. Engine. Had 2 new salt water pumps installed. Put on new port ammeter. Had both machine gun mounts cut off and removed - will get one twin 50 mount soon. Saves much deck space. Repainted boat's hull. Robert Tailor came aboard as fourth crew member temporarily. Remained on beach all night. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 3 hrs.

Saturday, Aug. 18th. Painted ramp with spray gun. Greased engines. Cleaned bilges. Got pushed in water again by cat and anchored offshore.

Sunday, Aug. 19th. Went to maintenance beach and got pulled out of water stern-first by cat. Had a twin 50 machine gun mount welded on forward deck. Remained on beach.

Monday, Aug. 20th. Painted entire engine room white (except engines) using spray gun - much easier than doing it by hand.

Tuesday, Aug. 21st. Cleaned all rusty tools, arranged them in order in tool box. Painted new twin-50 gun mount. Painted engine room catwalk. Got pushed in water again by cat. Anchored offshore.

Wednesday, Aug. 22nd. Fuel - 260 gls. Wind - gentle breezes. Sea - slight. Weather - blue sky. Took on ten passengers & went to graveyard of landing craft in harbor of Tacloban. Salvaged an LCVP from scrap heap and towed it back to Co. area. - Will be used for an officer's pleasure craft. Anchored offshore. Fuel used - 200 gls. Running time - 11 hrs.

Thursday, Aug. 23rd. Filled water cans. Filled fuel tanks at barge (took on 390 gls.) Repaired steering gear. Remained at anchor.

Friday, Aug. 24th. Pulled in on beach & lowered ramp. Removed cabin - threw old lumber away & kept good wood which is hard to get. Stored old cabin canvas in well. Had new prefabricated, winterized, cabin placed over cargo well by cat. These cabins are standard (same for each LCM, unlike old ones) & were built by attached maintenance Co. Half of cabin rests on deck almost to pilot house & other half extends over cargo well about 4 feet. Built entirely of plywood with sliding door at each end. Cabins are very hot in this weather, but should be more comfortable in temperate climate of Japan. Had downpour of rain this afternoon & found that roof leaks - plugged holes with matches, tissue paper, & then paint. Anchored offshore.

Saturday, Aug. 25th. Painted brown entire cabin on outside. Put up folding bunk wrack on port side of cabin - must be folding wracks or there won't be room for 4-man crew to move around. Remained at anchor.

Sunday, Aug. 26th. Laid at anchor.

Monday, Aug. 27th. Fuel - 450 gls. Went to maintenance beach & got pulled out of water stern-first by cat. Had port lifting ring straightened. Painted inside of cabin white; gave it 2 coats. Got pushed into water again & anchored offshore. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Tuesday, Aug. 28th. Went to maintenance beach & got pulled out of water stern-first by cat. Put on new port shaft. Got pushed in again & anchored offshore. Put up folding bunk wrack on stbd. side - cabin will now accommodate 4 man crew. Cleaned up cabin. Whalen, who has been sick for several days, went to hospital today with pneumonia. In meantime, S. Johnson will be acting coxswain. & Loudermilk acting engineman. Remained at anchor.

Wednesday, Aug. 29th. Fuel - 445 gls. Pulled in on beach & dropped ramp. Obtained old engine transmission & several feet of steel cable. Rigged up a buoy with transmission at one end & empty fuel drum at other. Painted boat no. (C22) on fuel drum. Carried this out several yards from shore & threw it overboard. Now have a personal buoy which is big improvement over throwing out anchor everyday. Tied up to buoy. Cleaned out stern lazarette - Threw old canvas, lumber, & ammunition overboard. Painted cabin floor. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Thursday, Aug. 30th. Fuel - 440 gls. Put 2 shelves up inside cabin for miscellaneous items (books, magazines, radio, etc.) Hooked up old engine room fan to batteries so as to cool off cabin which gets very hot in daytime. Put up large cabinet in cargo well against stern bulkhead for rations & cooking equipment. Cleaned cabin. Greased ramp cable. Pulled in on beach. Jad stern lifting ring repaired. Tied up to buoy. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Friday, Aug. 31st. Fuel - 435 gls. Cleaned off decks. Swept well. Threw more old lumber overboard. Assigned duty as taxi boat today from 5:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. Made 4 trips from boats to shore carrying 15 passengers. Tied up to buoy. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Saturday, Sept. 1st. Fuel - 425 gls. Appointed taxi boat again today from 6:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Made 8 trips from LCM's to shore carrying 25 passengers. Also carried 2 garbage trucks far out in bay to dump load. Bent port prop & shaft. Tied up to buoy. Fuel used - 35 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Sunday, Sept. 2nd. V-J Day today. Everyone given day off. Big job of occupying Japan still remains. Our company will leave in a few more weeks.

Monday, Sept. 3rd. Fuel - 390 gls. Went to maintenance beach & got pulled out of water stern first by cat. Had new port prop & shaft put on. Had stern lifting ring welded together again. Put in 2 new stbd. batteries . Got pushed into water again & tied up to buoy. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Tuesday, Sept. 4th. Fuel - 380 gls. Dispatched for duty as garbage boat today. Carried 7 truckloads out into bay & dumped them. Also carried 30 passengers (garbage detail) Tied up to buoy. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Wednesday, Sept. 5th. Fuel - 340 gls. Drew winter clothing this morning - receiving 2 sets O.D.'s, 1 Eisenhower jacket, 1 Mackinaw, Heavy woolen underclothing & sox, gloves, shoe pacs & other like items. Stored this in tents with rest of gear. Went to Sawmill 8:00 A.M. & relieved T4 Cain as standby boat for 3 days. Made 2 trips to Abuyos. Cargo - 1 truck plus 50 passengers. Returned to sawmill & tied up to pier. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

Thursday, Sept. 6th. Fuel - 300 gls. Made 1 trip to Abuyos - Cargo - truck plus 35 passengers. Returned to sawmill & tied up to pier. Greased engines. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 1 hr. 30 min.

Friday, Sept. 7th. Fuel - 280 gls. Made 4 trips to Abuyos. Cargo - 2 full lumber trailers, 1 empty lumber trailer, 2 trucks, & 2 cargo trailers plus 20 passengers. Returned to sawmill & tied up to pier. Fuel used - 50 gls. Running time - 5 hrs.

Saturday, Sept. 8th. Fuel - 230 gls. Sawmill folds up its operations today & returns to mainland in preparation for trip to Japan. Made 3 trips to Abuyos. Cargo - 3 trucks plus 10 passengers. Returned to Co. area & tied up to buoy. Robert Tailor transferred to T4 Sage's boat. First contingent of 7 LCM's from C Co. left today for Japan aboard an AKA. Fuel used - 50 gls. Running time - 5 hrs.

Sunday, Sept. 9th. Went to Co. beach - took on 15 cases of 50 cal. Ammunition. Tied up to buoy again.

Monday, Sept. 10th. Loudermilk & S. Johnson moved from tents on shore back to Lucky Lady II - have only 2 man crew now but should get 2 more soon. Swept & scrubbed cargo well. Remained tied up to buoy.

Tuesday, Sept. 11th. Went to maintenance beach & got pulled out of water stern-first by cat. Checked all props & shafts - found them O.K. & got pushed in water again. Tied up to pier in front of Co. area. Changed oil in both engines. Got 25 gls. #30 oil from drum on pier. Put in 2 new batteries again on stbd. side. Received new stove with cooking equipment - stored it in well. Also drew new life preservers. Machine guns taken up on July 25th were re-issued plus 2 new ammunition chests & new canvas sun cover - put all of these in twin 50 gun mount. Filled fuel tanks at barge. Tied up to pier.

Wednesday, Sept. 12th. Remained tied up to pier all day. Company area begins to get torn down & cleaned up today. Coxswain Whalen still in hospital with pneumonia - will probably not recuperate in time to make trip on Lucky Lady II but should join us later in Japan via rear echelon. Meanwhile Johnson will be acting coxswain & Loudermilk acting engineman. Seaman for trip will be T5 Carl Ricker & Pvt. Edward Satlawa.

Thursday, Sept. 13th. Fuel - 450 gls. Loaded detachment of E Co. aboard AKA anchored in harbor. Returned to Co. area & tied up to pier. Fuel used - 20 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Friday, day, Sept. 14th. Fuel - 430 gls. T5 Ricker & Pvt. Satlawa came aboard as seaman - now have full 4 man crew. Drew rations for trip. Filled water cans. Rigged up lifting cable with which we will be hauled aboard ship to lifting rings. Reported to AKA 66 (U.S.S. Southhampton) which is anchored in harbor & rafted up with other LCM's assigned to this ship off her stern. Will begin loading tomorrow. Fuel used - 5 gls. Running time - 1 hr.

Saturday, Sept. 15th. Fuel - 425 gls. Began loading AKA 66 today. Worked from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 midnight. Made 4 trips shore to ship. Cargo - pontoons, diesel engines, miscellaneous crates & equipment. Surf on beach very high - lost 2 buckets overboard; got mooring line tangled in port prop; sand traps all glogged up. Had tough time to keep from broaching. Tied up to buoy. Fuel used - 65 gls. Running time - 8 hrs.

Sunday, Sept. 16th. Fuel - 360 gls. Cleaned sand traps. Continued loading ship. Made 5 trips shore to ship. Cargo - Miscellaneous boat maintenance supplies. Worked all night. Fuel used - 70 gls. Running time - 10 hrs.

Monday, Sept. 17th. Fuel - 290 gls. Finished loading ship today. Made 10 trips shore to ship. Cargo Mobile equipment (cats, trucks, trailers, etc.) Cleaned & scrubbed cargo well. 8:00 P.M. - got hoisted aboard ship with 30 ton crane & placed on wrack on ship's bow. Then, due to lack of space, had DUKW hoisted into our cargo as well, a tight fit. Other LCM's making trip on this ship include T4's Scott, Lachewitz, Pizzutelli, Venne, & Palmer. All LCM boat crews will live on their own boats during the trip, not in the troop compartment. Fastened our boat down with cables. Fuel used - 90 gls. Running time - 11 hrs.

Tuesday, Sept. 18th. Left Abuyos, Leyte 9:00 A.M. in convoy of APA's & AKA's. Weather - cloudy with heavy rains. Sea - rough. Destination - port city of Aomori on northern tip of Honshu island, Japan. Cables on our LCM began straining in rough sea - reinforced them with more cables. Cargo well filled water due to heavy rains - took out shaft packing & sea cock plug to drain water on ship's deck. Greased engines. No blackout on this trip.

Wednesday, Sept. 19th. Second day at sea. Had all batteries charged. Other convoy of APA's & AKA's which left Abuyos, Leyte on Sept. 8th joined us today - they had been to Manilla taking on occupation troops & equipment.

Thursday, Sept. 20th. Third day at sea. Filled fuel tanks from ship's reserve tank (took on 250 gls.)

Friday, Sept. 21st. Fourth day at sea. Removed port starter & turned it in to ship's maintenance shop for repairs. Replaced shaft packing. Had briefing for coming occupation operation by naval lieutenant - will be conducted same as an assault landing (rendezvous, line of departure, etc.) see pamphlet in log book cover.

Saturday, Sept. 22nd. Fifth day at sea. Replaced port starter. Weather getting cool - first time we've hit cool weather for 21 months.

Sunday, Sept. 23rd. Sixth day at sea.

Monday, Sept. 24th. Seventh day at sea. Greased ramp cable. Painted boat numbers on bow and stern (M4 C22). Replaced sea cock plug. Drew rations - fresh apples, oranges & canned goods. Weather - getting cold - light rains - strong winds - high seas.

Tuesday, Sept. 25th. Arrived Aomori 6:00 A.M. Large harbor here. Took cables & gripes off our LCM. Got unloaded from ship & placed in water by crane. Took on 1 sailor as signalman. Started unloading ship. Made 6 trips to Green Beach. Cargo - cat, weapons carrier, jeep, water tanks, & other mobile equipment. Beach - sand with slight surf. Sea - very rough & choppy. Strong winds. Temperature - about 60 degrees. Big change from Philippines. Japs working as stevedores - no trouble at all & all goes smoothly. Japs very polite. Frightened of GI's, willing to work, & dressed very poorly. Continued unloading ship until 11:00 A.M. Tied up to seawall for night. Fuel used - 75 gls. Running time - 8 hrs.

Wednesday, Sept. 26th. Fuel - 375 gls. Continued lighterage work from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Made 5 trips to Green Beach. Cargo - mobile equipment & miscellaneous crates. Completed unloading of AKA 66 today. Signalman returned to his own ship. Tied up to seawall. Fuel used - 60 gls. Running time - 7 hrs.

Thursday, Sept. 27th. Fuel - 315 gls. Pulled in on 1462nd maintenance beach. Had new cellinoid* switch installed on port starter. Continued lighterage work on AKA 176** from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Made 4 trips ship to shore. Cargo - miscellaneous boxes & crates. Tied up to Red Beach seawall for night. Looting of Jap warehouses begins. MP's & guards not organized yet. Japs still frightened of U.S. troops - don't know what to expect - women & children hide when Americans explore city. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 5 hrs.

* I think he means Solenoid?

**I cannot find a name for AKA 176 and there were only 108 of this type built it seems but one may be named APA 176 I do not know. It's possible he meant the USS Kershaw APA-176, a Haskell-class attack transport. The Kershaw sailed from Tacloban to Honshu in this exact timeframe on this same mission.

Friday, Sept. 28th. Fuel - 275 gls. Went to 1462nd maintenance beach & got pulled out of water stern-first by cat. Had new cutlass bearing put on port engine. Got pushed in water again by cat. Reported to APA 63* for lighterage duty. Made only 1 trip ship to shore. Cargo - rations. Got unloaded & tied up for night at seawall 12:00 midnight. Fuel used - 30 gls. Running time - 4 hrs.

*USS Bladen (APA-63), a Haskell-class attack transport.

Saturday, Sept. 29th. Fuel - 245 gls. Reported back to APA 63 again. Got released from lighterage duty & reported to our new Co. area which is located up a small river in center of a railroad & coal yard. Rafted up to pier. Mess hall is in process of construction as are wood floors over which squad tents will be placed for barracks. In short time, all boat crews will move ashore, LCM's will be turned in, & brigade will be broken up. Went to AKA anchored in harbor & filled fuel tanks. Returned to Co. area & tied up. Fuel used - 40 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Sunday, Sep. 30th. Fuel 450 gls*. Reported to APA 226**. Stood by all day & finally returned to Co. area 3:00 P.M. Rafted up. Cleaned sand traps. Lighterage duty ends today - All ships unloaded. Fuel used - 15 gals. Running time - 3 Hrs. *Gls = gals = gallons. Guess he became tired of the extra a. **USS Rawlins (APA-226), a Haskell-class attack transport.

Monday, Oct. 1st. Fuel - 435 gls. Took on load of garbage at seawall. Hauled it out into harbor & dumped it. Returned to co. area & rafted up. Satlawa left crew today to resume K.P. duties in mess hall. Fuel used - 10 wgls. Running time - 1 hr.

Tuesday, Oct. 2nd. Ricker left crew today to resume duties as welder, leaving only Johnson & Loudermilk aboard. Repaired stbd. Heater. Burnt up port cellinoid switch again trying to start engine. Cold weather makes engines hard to start. Remained rafted up to pier.

Wednesday, Oct. 3rd. Fuel - 425 gls. Put new cellinoid switch on port engine & repaired heater. Went to 1462nd maintenance beach for repairs but quick squall came up making it impossible to remain on beach without broaching - big waves rolling in. Started back for Co. area - ramp started slipping - ramp belt fell off - took on water - finally got belt on & ramp fastened. Had tough time getting boat maneuvered back into river due to very strong winds. Finally made it & tied up. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Thursday, Oct. 4th. Fuel - 415 gls. Went to 1462nd maintenance beach. Had new bilge pump installed on port engine. Had busted fuel tank bracket welded back on. Had ramp framework repaired. Returned to Co. area & tied up. Cleaned well. Fuel used - 10 gls. Running time - 2 hrs.

Friday, Oct. 5th. Remained rafted upon pier.

Saturday, Oct. 6th. Johnson & Loudermilk left Lucky Lady II today & moved ashore to “barracks”. All boat crews have now moved ashore with exception of 1 or 2 needed for local runs. 16 men live in each barracks (8 double bunks, upper & lower). Each barracks has 2 small stoves for heating - coal is obtained directly from Jap trains which pass through our area.

Sunday, Oct. 7th. Remained rafted up to pier. Each morning one member of each boat crew starts engines & lets them run in neutral about 1000 rpm's to keep batteries charged.

Monday, Oct. 8th. Lucky Lady II remained rafted up to pier. Shore details begin - each of the 4 platoons in C Co. catch details every 4th day alternating in this manner. Details include carpentry work (making crates to ship Co. equipment back to States., making special boxes to ship home Jap souvenir rifles [every man in Co. given one], repairing & expanding of mess hall & barracks, construction of laundry shed where Jap women wash GI clothes for small fee), police call (cleaning up area), digging drainage ditches, etc. Regimental guard, company guard, reveille, & retreat also start today.

Tuesday, Oct. 9th. Lucky Lady II remained rafted up to pier. Shore details continue.

Wednesday, Oct. 10th. Lucky Lady II remained rafted up to pier. Shore details continue.

Thursday, Oct. 11th. Reinforced our LCM tie lines with heavy anchor line & cables to hold boat to pier. Harbor getting very rough with result that big waves wash into our river causing LCM’s to bounce together & tie lines to strain. 8:00 P.M. - extra men called out to help re-tie raft of 4 boats which broke loose in rough water. Finally got this accomplished. One other LCM washed out to sea & piled up on coral reef near shore - can do nothing about it until water calms down. All boats reinforced with any more lines & cables available. Boats finally secured. News of terrific typhoon striking Okinawa comes over radio - we probably caught part of it here at Aomori.

Friday, Oct. 12th. Lucky Lady II remained rafted up to pier. Yesterday's storm abated. LCM which washed on coral reef yesterday was salvaged today by crew from C Co.

Saturday Oct. 13th. Cleared Lucky Lady II today of all loose gear; turned in life preservers, ammunition, buckets, cots, & all other equipment to supply room; turned all rations in to mess hall.

Sunday, Oct. 14th. Ran Lucky Lady II to its final resting place in graveyard of LCM's far up river on this side of small bridge & made her secure to seawall. All C Co. LCM's handled in same manner. Removed batteries & stored them in supply room. All boats will probably soon be turned over to Navy or port battalion.

Lucky Lady II lasted approximately 10 months or 307 days from Dec. 3, 1944 to Oct. 6, 1945 & ran approximately 674 hrs.

Epilogue

The job of C Co. of the 543rd Engineering Boat & Shore Regiment & for that matter, of the entire 3rd Engineers Special Brigade overseas is now completed & only shipment back to the states is now awaited. Concerning the crew of the Lucky Lady, Steve Johnson, its last coxswain, made T4 on Oct. 20th, 1945; Hollis P. Loudermilk, its first coxswain, made T5 on the same date, & John M. Whalen, who had been left behind at Leyte with the rear echelon because of illness, failed to make an advancement in rank only because he was not in Japan when the ratings were recommended.

On or about Oct. 20th, 1945, an emergency call for LCM's came in, to help unload ships which had pulled in to the harbor. Several of our boats were put into use for this purpose & lighterage duty lasted about 5 days after which the boats were again tied up for good. Shortly after this, the rear echelon from Leyte joined C Co.

On or about Oct. 20th members of C Co. began redeployment to the States - first went those having 100 pts. Or better, then those aging 38 yrs or more, next those having 90 pts. or more, then those having 70 pts. or more. All men who came overseas with C Co. have at least 60 pts. or better. When the 60 pointers left, the Co. area was torn down & cleaned up & men traveled by rail to Yokohama where they boarded ships to the States. A tough job well done.

Page under construction, more log book entries to come

----- by Steve Johnson

Supplied by Oliver Smith

See also the Photographs and Biography of Oliver R. Smith, Coxswain, Co. C, 543rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, 3rd Engineer Special Brigade, USA

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