, , . . I I
hands.) hands.) all all for for it it ~re.rtiQlishing ~re.rtiQlishing seen,and seen,and have have we we approxim.ation approxim.ation
accur~te accur~te most most the the is is This This
delivery. delivery. of of time time the the at at ma.de ma.de was was speech speech
I I
~ ~ I I
' ' President's President's the the of of ' ' transcription transcription fXD.Ct fXD.Ct
no no knowledge, knowledge, our our To To Note: Note: itor itor
(&i
' ' I I
t t
}· }· . .
D. D. Roosevelt Roosevelt Frru1klin Frru1klin
~ ~ · -·~ -·~
bye. bye. } } • • good good luck, luck, good good
11 11
now, now, .. .. say say I I life. life. long long and and . . happin~is, health, health, d d o g::> all all you you wish wish I I
you. you. of of roU:i roU:i p wns wns he he said said the the Uni{Ei!.'States Uni{Ei!.'States of of President President the the that that say say
can can you you mnilieo, mnilieo, f f your your to to reJurn reJurn you you and and over over is is it it when when and and wars wars
tll tll of of
greatest greatest the the - :to. :to. war war ~e ~e
win win .. .. togeth~r togeth~r joined joined are are We We
11
• tine tine
on on back back
be be • • w\lf' w\lf' you you trust trust I I deserve. deserve. justly justly you you 11 11
which which leave leave for for back back going going Yo~are Yo~are plny. plny. to to
back back going going are are gather, gather,
I I what what from from
you, you, and and
work, work, . . · · Washington-_. back back to to going going am am I I 11 11
.. .. rt rt
made. made. bQen bQen II II ·ii:l1move.nenta1.:hn.ve ·ii:l1move.nenta1.:hn.ve of of J.¢ J.¢ a.. a.. . . I : : ' ' and ~sa,.)r . . . can cruiser_ ec'.lty ec'.lty -tr post
a a on on trip trip first first my my iS iS This This ' 'Ser. 'Ser. : er-'. er-'. type type ton ton 10,000 10,000 the the on on trips trips my my
ma.de ma.de have have I I past past the the In In new. new. µrig µrig " som som learn learn always always I I at at th th is is trips, trips,
these these mking mking enjoy enjoy I I reasons reasons .. .. the the One One ·· r · so. so. do do I I , , Washington from from away away
get get to to have have I I . . opportunity . . and trips trips ma.king ma.king still still I'm I'm "Yes "Yes
......
. .
· · - ,··. ,··.
·.,.. ·.,.. ~ ~ -~ ~ -·
·~
~" ~" ·~· ·~· eneray. eneray. the the · · rr against against
combat combat for for
ip ip . s~
had had tn~t tn~t · · hD.s hD.s
~~~ . ~~ . ~ - this this ~P. .
a a
had had
have have that that fleet fleet the the of of ships ships
few few very very · · oe oe ar~ . . . There There . . of proud proud · · NavtJ NavtJ U.S. U.S.
the the that that record record a a have have
and and
disciplined, disciplined, !Jat:lpy !Jat:lpy well well crew, crew, a a . . . a a You You Baltimore. Baltimore. the the of of record record the the
followed followed had had I I board, board, on on ca.Ile ca.Ile I I fore fore together. together. had had have have we we that that cruise cruise
wonderful wonderful the the for for you you thank thank to to w w I I that, that, do do I I before before but but you, you, to to
goodby goodby say say to to afternoon afternoon this this ,here ,here u u cor.1e cor.1e to to wanted wanted I I rs; rs; "Shipnate "Shipnate
- BALTD.!ORE: BALTD.!ORE: U.S.S. U.S.S. ru.en ru.en and and Officers Officers Calhoun, Calhoun, Captain Captain
· · . . · · - Baltimore. Baltimore. U.S.S. U.S.S. the the of of Crew Crew
~d ~d · ·
Offi.ce~s . . the the ta ta Address
United_3tate~ United_3tate~ t.he· t.he· Eresident.of Eresident.of . . The
. . . .
. . . .
·' ·' ~ ~ ·. ·. ?-J/~· ~· ~· . · · . . .. . 9- _, _, · · .
Alaska Alaska , , Juneau, Juneau, : Ba Ba Auke Auke
u.s.s. u.s.s. · BALTIMORE BALTIMORE th€ th€ Aboard Aboard
\ \
I I \. \. \ \
a a if if uncertain uncertain was was I I speed. speed. of of rate rate high high a a at at east east g g min stea
was was Baltimore Baltimore the the rise, rise, to to began began sun sun the the When When in. in. heading heading
were were we we tion tion c dire what what determine determine to to long long take take didn't didn't It It
disappeared. disappeared. had had 58 58 Force Force Task Task alone. alone.
all all ming ming stea was was Baltimore Baltimore U.S.S. U.S.S. the the realized realized I I water, water,
the the across across out out glance glance first first in--my in--my reporting reporting and and station station gun gun
y y m at at arrival arrival On On sun-rise. sun-rise. before before hour hour one-half one-half sounded sounded was was
Stations) Stations) (Battle (Battle Quarters Quarters General General routine, routine, war war the the was was As As
area. area. mbat mbat co
the the in in practice practice usual usual he he t was was which which station, station, gun gun my my by by deck deck
on on sleep sleep than than rather rather bunk bunk y y m into into mb mb cli and and deck deck armor armor the the
on on compartment compartment y y m to to below below go go to to decided decided I I Stations), Stations), (Battle (Battle
Quarters Quarters General General from from securing securing after after and and rest rest mfortable mfortable co
some some needed needed I I felt felt I I , , ght ni particular particular one one on on And And attacks. attacks.
plane plane torpedo torpedo and and surveillance surveillance night night attacks, attacks, air air numerous numerous
to to subjected subjected been been had had Force Force Task Task the the time, time, some some For For
. . targets
assigned assigned other other any any and and Jima Jima Iwo Iwo against against s s strike air air doing doing was was
58, 58, (T.F.) (T.F.) Force Force Task Task to to assigned assigned then then was was which which Baltimore, Baltimore,
records), records), some some by by assisted assisted (and (and ll ll reca best best an an c I I As As
MacArthur. MacArthur. Douglas Douglas General General
and and Nimitz Nimitz Chester Chester Admiral Admiral with with meeting meeting
his his for for Harbor Harbor Pearl Pearl to to him him take take to to Roosevelt Roosevelt President President by by
selection selection its its was was 68) 68) . A . (C Baltimore Baltimore U.S.S. U.S.S. of of service service mbat mbat co
impressive impressive and and extensive extensive very very the the topped topped that that event event one one The The
Macvane Macvane E. E. Douglas Douglas
By By
ROOSEVELT ROOSEVELT DELANO DELANO FRANKLIN FRANKLIN
TES, TES, STA UNITED UNITED THE THE OF OF PRESIDENT PRESIDENT WITH WITH VOYAGE VOYAGE HISTORIC HISTORIC AN AN
board. board. on on allowed allowed were were personnel personnel shipyard shipyard no no and and off, off,
permitted permitted were were crew crew No No Harbor. Harbor. Pearl Pearl in in were were we we here here , , So
Nimitz. Nimitz. r r Cheste Admiral, Admiral, Fleet Fleet the the
visit visit to to required required is is procedure, procedure, and and courtesy courtesy m, m, custo Naval Naval
of of part part as as Captain, Captain, ship's ship's e e h T . . ship the the eave eave l to to permitted permitted
was was any any mp co ship's ship's the the of of none none Yard Yard Navy Navy Harbor Harbor Pearl Pearl At At
. . lifted was was secrecy secrecy of of
cloak cloak the the of of section section a a when when Harbor Harbor Pearl Pearl to to entrance entrance the the off off
were were we we and and view view into into e e m ca Head Head ond ond m Dia until until wasn't wasn't It It
. . talking weren't weren't they they and and -- circuits communications communications
and and , , Captain the the to to close close those those in, in, Capta the the except except happening happening
was was what what idea idea any any had had Nobody Nobody guess. guess. a a was was Island Island yra yra m Pal and and
east east heading heading was was Baltimore Baltimore e e h t that that was was knew knew w w cre the the thing thing
cl~k cl~k only only The The secrecy. secrecy. of of strictest strictest the the under under travelling travelling
was was Baltimore Baltimore U.S.S. U.S.S. the the that that remembered remembered be be st st mu It It
. . operation
Jima Jima Iwo Iwo the the of of north north up up patrol patrol picket picket doing doing while while planes planes
kamikaze kamikaze (3) (3) three three by by hit hit been been had had she she that that was was told told story story
The The . . structures deck deck mangled mangled stacks, stacks, no no bridge, bridge, no no mast, mast, no no
away-- blown blown completely completely almost almost been been had had superstructure superstructure whose whose
destroyer destroyer a a was was her her alongside alongside moored moored and and anchored anchored was was er er nk ta
vintage) vintage) (1920's (1920's ancient ancient an an Here, Here, ) ) on. Lago Island Island Palmyra Palmyra
entered entered had had we we that that was was board board on on (A (A rumor rumor lagoon. lagoon. island island
ated ated l iso , , small a a at at arrived arrived ore ore m Balti eventually eventually Well, Well,
us. us. with with station station keep keep to to one one for for fast fast too too travelling travelling were were
we we felt felt I I but but cover cover anti-submarine anti-submarine us us giving giving was was destroyer destroyer FRD-2 FRD-2 FDR-3
If my memory serves correctly, Baltimore was underway out of Pearl Harbor the evening of the same day we'd arrived.
Secrecy, secrecy, Top Secret, Ultra Secret ... Why had we been separated from the rest of the Task Force? Where were we bound? No one was talking.
As I hung around the division gear locker havin' a cup of
W.W.II chickory coffee, it was theorized that if we held our present course and speed, we'd run aground on the coast of the United States--somewhere around San Francisco.
For a couple of days (maybe it was three?), Baltimore continued steaming East at a higher t~~t usual speed . And soon, the radar picked up a large land mass, which became larger and larger as time passed.
The "scuttle- butt" {Rumors) at the Division gear lockers had been correct. The good ol' United States of America lay before us. The coast of California was straight ahead. This was a . sight to behold--the U.S.S. Baltimore and her crew had been away for a long time.
But, why were we here? Why had we returned state- side when there was a war to fight?
It wasn't long before the large ground swells, which were usually present on approaching San Francisco Bay, made their presence known. Some of these very seasoned sailors (old salts) fell victim to minor cases of unaccustomed "mal de mer" (sea sickness).
Bridge.) Bridge.) Navigation Navigation the the to to elevator elevator President's President's
the the was was structure structure square square curious, curious, the the out, out, turned turned it it (As (As
. . night the the during during aboard aboard set set and and flatbed flatbed train train a a on on arrived arrived
had had structure structure curious curious the the , , Apparently . . together puzzle puzzle
ging ging len chal and and erious erious myst the the putting putting began began ersation, ersation, nv co
quiet quiet in in sailors, sailors, e e m so that that Bridge Bridge n n Navigatio the the
to to up up way way the the all all extended extended and and e e r superstructu forward forward the the of of
side side starboard starboard the the on on appeared appeared structure structure unusual unusual an an when when day day
that that until until n't n't was t t I . . doors watertight watertight certain certain of of side side either either
on on appear appear to to began began structures structures ramp-like ramp-like when when me me ca day day the the
And And ) ) . refurbished tely tely mple co but but , , altered only only not not was was cabin cabin
his his that that learned learned later later (We (We cabin. cabin. Admiral's Admiral's the the in in laboring laboring
were were reason reason e e m so for for who who workers workers female female were were There There
. . cruise this this during during crew crew its its
and and Baltimore Baltimore the the for for firsts firsts of of beginning beginning the the but but be be to to prove prove
would would this this But But it. it. like like anything anything witnessed witnessed never never had had sailors sailors
ced ced n experie Many Many yard. yard. Navy Navy a a in in stays stays during during done done normally normally
was was what what m m fro work work of of line line different different and and strange strange a a commenced commenced
and and aboard aboard coming coming began began workers workers shipyard shipyard time, time, In In
. . there were were we we why why to to as as clue clue one one not not had had still still we we And, And,
Yard. Yard. Navy Navy the the outside outside communications communications no no ls, ls, cal e e n telepho
or or telephones telephones no no shipyard- the the of of area area immediate immediate the the to to
restricted restricted crew crew ship's ship's leave, leave, no no liberty, liberty, No No Availability": Availability":
"Limited "Limited as as described described was was what what for for Yard Yard Navy Navy Island Island
Mare Mare the the in in ed ed moor was was she she hours, hours, few few a a of of matter matter a a Within Within
Bridge. Bridge. Gate Gate Golden Golden the the under under in in cruised cruised Baltimore Baltimore Soon, Soon, FDR-4 FDR-4 FDR-5
No time was wasted in the Navy Yard--Baltimore did not linger. Just as soon as additions, modifications and minor repairs were completed, Baltimore departed. She left quietly, without fanfare, and, if my memory is correct, at night.
But why all thi s? The speculation and rumors continued.
Underway again and heading out of San Francisco Bay to sea.
Where next?
By the next morning, it was easy to determine that
Baltimore was heading south. I don't now recall how long it took, but I believe that by the following morning Point Loma came into view. San Diego was to be Baltimore's next port of call. What were we doing in San Diego?
Rumors and more rumors--nothing confirmed.
So Baltimore steams into San Diego Bay and is moored at the State Pier, which is located at the foot of Broad Street.
Once again orders are issued : no liberty, no telephones, and nobody- - nobody--is or will be permitted to leave the ship.
The visit is secret--top secret.
And so we wait and go about the business of completing ship's work, waiting, working ... The day gets late--and later still. Finally, there is some activity and we note vehicles coming and going to the office building structure on the pier. And then we see people on roof tops--it appears the surrounding a r eas and buildings have come alive with activity and most of the people belong to the Secret Service!
A short time later off in the distance, sounds can be
ication ication mun com interior interior p's p's hi s e h t over over ed ed pass is is persons) persons) {or {or
person person that that of of title title the the board, board, on on arrives arrives , , etc. , , etc. , , state
of of head head civilian, civilian, prominent prominent or or officer officer ranking ranking a a whenever whenever
, , ct respe and and recognition recognition remony, remony, ce ary ary milit of of matter matter a a As As
this. this. just just did did we we course course of of
pier--and pier--and the the onto onto out out peek peek and and door door hatch hatch the the open open could could we we
Room, Room, Handling Handling the the in in location location our our From From . . unt mo quad quad gun gun 40MM 40MM
closest closest the the of of Room Room Handling Handling ition ition mun Am Lower Lower the the into into and and
hatch hatch the the through through scurried scurried We We thing. thing. dangerous dangerous potentially potentially
and and careless careless a a did did mates mates crew crew fellow fellow y y m of of e e l coup a a and and
I I decks", decks", below below y y la hands hands "All "All words, words, the the hearing hearing On On
appearance. appearance.
an an aking aking m was was who who elf elf hims Roosevelt Roosevelt . . D Franklin Franklin President President
was was it it aware aware well well then then by by was was crew crew the the Pier, Pier, State State the the
on on arrived arrived noise noise and and disturbance disturbance the the when when that that know know do do I I But But
Pacific. Pacific. the the in in out out cruise cruise a a for for board board on on g g min co was was States States
United United e e h t of of President President the the that that notified notified was was Baltimore Baltimore
on on crew crew the the when when moment moment the the of of recollection recollection no no have have I I
below." below."
lay lay hands hands All All decks. decks. below below lay lay hands hands ''All ''All for: for: M.C., M.C., 7 7 and and 1 1
systems, systems, address address public public ship's ship's the the over over passed passed was was Word Word
arrived. arrived. had had noise noise the the and and sounds sounds the the
for for responsible responsible was was which which That That headlights. headlights. bright bright are are there there
pier pier the the of of head head the the at at suddenly, suddenly, Then Then longer. longer. maybe maybe eight, eight,
or or seven seven minutes, minutes, several several lasts lasts event event The The louder. louder. and and loser loser c
and and people--closer people--closer excited excited and and motors motors of of sounds sounds heard--the heard--the
6 6 - FDR
) ) ...... scene scene forbidden forbidden the the at at look look a a sneak sneak to to us us for for
order order in in slightly slightly so so ever ever opening opening door door hatch hatch that that observed observed
had had men men Service Service Secret Secret the the if if us us to to happened happened have have might might
what what wonder wonder I I when when times times are are there there youth, youth, y y m of of act act impulsive impulsive
this this on on back back looking looking (But (But duties. duties. our our about about went went and and position position
off-limits off-limits our our left left unobtrusively unobtrusively I I and and co-conspirators co-conspirators My My
Detail". Detail". Sea Sea Special Special the the "Station "Station
and, and, underway," underway," get get to to preparations preparations "Make "Make to, to, passed passed was was
word word more, more, aybe aybe m or or hour hour an an than than less less maybe maybe lly, lly, Eventua
pier. pier.
the the on on standing standing group group the the within within activity activity and and ship ship to to pier pier
from from back-and-forth back-and-forth hustling hustling hurrying, hurrying, of of lot lot a a was was There There
itself. itself.
present present dog dog a a of of sound sound or or sight sight did did time time no no at at But But rest. rest.
the the all all to to contrast contrast in in and and vehicle vehicle open open the the beside beside stood stood
She She attention. attention. my my caught caught particular particular in in woman woman One One attendance. attendance.
in in others others various various and and imaginable, imaginable, rank rank every every of of officers officers
military military politicians, politicians, were were There There Roosevelt. Roosevelt. President President
attended attended which which that that as as entourage entourage an an such such of of activities activities
the the witnessed witnessed or or seen seen ever ever I I had had life life young young my my in in Never Never
ained. ained. m re secrecy secrecy of of degree degree whatever whatever maintain maintain
to to attempt attempt an an intentional, intentional, was was "oversight" "oversight" this this Possibly Possibly
system. system.
communications communications the the ia ia v communicated communicated being being States", States", United United
the the of of President President States. States. United United the the of of "President "President words, words, the the
recall recall don't don't I I but but certain, certain, not not is is y y mor e m my my , , Again system. system. FDR-7 FDR-7
Oahu Oahu approached approached we we once once And And about. about. dream dream only only could could sailors sailors
most most that that cruise cruise a a on on west west steaming steaming was was Baltimore Baltimore . . S . U.S
orarily. orarily. mp te just just but but , , Baltimore
for for had had it it fact fact in in And, And, ceased. ceased. had had war war the the believe believe
ost ost m al could could scene scene this this observing observing Anyone Anyone pick. pick. to to which which
m m fro fruit fruit fresh fresh of of variety variety a a and and kettle kettle steam steam brewing brewing - coffee
a a from from served served milk milk cold cold fresh, fresh, the the to to anticipation anticipation great great
with with forward forward looked looked I I menu. menu. the the on on be be not not would would eggs eggs powdered powdered
and and k k mil powdered powdered usual usual the the that that pleasure pleasure with with considered considered
and and thought thought I I watch, watch, the the relieve relieve and and eat eat to to line, line, chow chow
the the in in get get to to approached approached me me ti as as and and west, west, sailed sailed we we As As
President. President. the the to to cern cern n co
so~ so~ cause cause or or disturb disturb to to not not details details work work and and activities activities
work work daily daily the the n n o back back cut cut did did Department Department of of Heads Heads his his
and and (X.O.) (X.O.) Officer Officer Executive Executive the the that that crew crew the the by by agreed agreed be be
generally generally would would it it think think I I concerned. concerned. was was work work and and evolutions evolutions
ship ship as as far far as as conducted conducted be be may may cruise cruise the the how how of of hint hint
a a crew crew the the gave gave 23rd 23rd July July for for D.) D.) . (P.O Day Day of of Plan Plan The The
1944. 1944. 22, 22, July July on on evening) evening)
late late (very (very mid-night mid-night near near was was That That Harbor. Harbor. Pearl Pearl be be to to was was
destination destination our our learned learned we we when when that that after after long long very very wasn't wasn't
it it and and Bay Bay Diego Diego San San from from sea sea to to out out stood stood Baltimore Baltimore
board. board. on on
safely safely Roosevelt, Roosevelt, D. D. Franklin Franklin , , States United United the the of of President President
the the with with underway underway got got 68) 68) . . (C.A Baltimore Baltimore U.S.S. U.S.S. the the as as pier pier
the the from from off off cast cast then then "singled-up" "singled-up" were were lines lines Mooring Mooring FDR-8 FDR-8 FDR-9 (REV. 1/97) and made our way toward the channel e ntra nce to Pearl Harbor, the crew would be assured to witness activities and scenes t hat would make up part of the whole historical event.
The weather cruising west was very cooperative, ideal actually. And on arrival in the islands area, it was typically Hawaiian.
"God, what a pretty scene!"
I wonder what it mu st have looked like when Captain James
Cook of the H.M.S. Resolution discovered this place .. ,", I can imagine, but will just have to leave that description to the poets and skilled writers.
Enroute to the islands to the west, while working beneath one of the seaplane catapults, a noise caught my attention. I looked over to the port side and there was an officer walking a little black dog on a leash. It had to be none other than
"Fala", the President's famous pet!
As Baltimore approached the entrance channel to Pearl
Harbor, airplanes were evident in the distance. It was obvious they were heading for Baltimore: the start of an aircraft salute to President Roosevelt.
The fly-over lasted for quite some time. I believe that every aircraft stationed in the Hawaiian Military Command that could fly, flew over Baltimore that day. It was a n impressive sight--aircraft of every size, shape, description paying respects to "FDR".
I recall that the uniform of the day for arrival at Pearl
m m cal the the like like subdued, subdued, was was atmosphere atmosphere the the Today, Today, bases. bases.
Navy Navy most most at at generated generated noise noise of of lot lot a a is is there there activities activities
day's day's normal normal a a During During Base. Base. Naval Naval the the around around and and in in ceased ceased
business business usual usual the the of of amount amount significant significant a a But But . . President
the the of of arrival arrival the the with with over over not not were were activities activities day's day's The The
it. it. forget forget never never will will
I I sure sure am am I I and and day day this this to to mind mind my my in in lingers lingers sight sight is is h T
. . pier the the on on formation formation in in standing standing was was War War of of Theater Theater Pacific Pacific
entire entire the the in in General General and and ral ral mi Ad every every though though as as ed ed m see
It It . . war the the running running was was who who wonder wonder but but help help couldn't couldn't One One
visit. visit. Roosevelt's Roosevelt's President President since since or or before before
sailor sailor any any by by unseen unseen was was say, say, to to venture venture I I that, that, spectacle spectacle
a a was was pier pier the the on on Out Out . . catapult e e h t of of forward forward just just , , aft side side
starboard starboard rail" rail" the the anning anning m " was was I I time, time, this this At At . . Landing
Fleet Fleet the the called called sailor sailor knowledgeable knowledgeable one one which which pier, pier, main main
the the into into breasts breasts ore ore m Balti when when moment moment big big the the es es m co Now Now
me. me. through through shivers shivers sent sent display display
elaborate elaborate The The out. out. calling calling waving, waving, looking, looking, workers workers Yard Yard Navy Navy
of of groups groups large large rail", rail", the the "manning "manning another, another, one one of of abreast abreast
standing standing personnel personnel military military the the to to tugboats tugboats working working smallest smallest
the the to to down down ships ships big big buildings, buildings, high high buildings, buildings, low low the the
From From remarkable. remarkable. was was sight sight the the looked, looked, one one Everywhere Everywhere
inspiring. inspiring. utterly utterly were were 20 20 or or 19 19 of of man man young young a a
to to and and unforgettable unforgettable were were (quay) (quay) pier pier mooring mooring the the and and Island Island
Ford Ford past past channel channel the the in in eyes eyes our our before before unfold unfold to to were were
that that events events scenes, scenes, and and sights sights The The whites. whites. undress undress was was Harbor Harbor FDR-10 FDR-10 FDR-11
before a - storm or the stillness in the air before a typhoon .
Another important visitor was due to arrive and that
person was none other than General Douglas MacArthur.
Apparently the General was running late.
As I continued with ship's work, I could pick up the sounds and sirens occurring in the distance--Honolulu-- or more likely, Hickam Field.
The sirens became louder and louder. The motorcade was approaching, with a crescendo of people noises--shouting, yelling and cheering. The mood was infectious and Naval Base workers and military personnel hurried and ran toward
Baltimore in order to witness the arrival of the legendary
General MacArthur.
Shortly, the motorcade, which was escorted by motorc ycles, pulled up alongside Baltimore. And there was General
MacArthur waving to the very loud, excited crowd. When he stood up and acknowledged them, there was an explosive roar which exceeded that given to President Roosevelt.
The General had on what appeared to be an aviator's flight jacket and his well-worn t rademark hat--the "I shall return"
General's cap covered with braid. On alighting from his open vehicle , he strode around to the ship's gangway (brow). His posture was erect, his stride confident. I remember thinking his whole manne r was one of arrogance . It was as if the entire affair was a play and this man an actor taking to the stage to play his part.
n n Aleutia the the destination: destination: our our learned learned grapevine grapevine ship's ship's
The The . . y htl slig ed ed lift was was secrecy secrecy of of loak loak c the the for for information information
some some leak leak to to ssion ssion mi per given given have have must must authority authority High High
. . blues undress undress was was day day the the of of uniform uniform The The north. north. heading heading were were
we we deduce deduce to to easy easy was was it it sunrise, sunrise, orning orning m the the in in But But w. w. cre
the the to to unknown unknown was was destination destination The The . . or Harb l l ar Pe from from sea sea
to to out out stood stood and and underway underway got got Baltimore Baltimore night, night, that that Late Late
. . Baltimore he he t re-boarded re-boarded
Roosevelt Roosevelt President President officers, officers, these these of of departure departure the the Upon Upon
officers. officers. senior senior very very some some with with visited visited he he as as vehicle vehicle his his in in
President President the the notice notice did did I I later, later, sometime sometime However, However, . . ship
the the ve ve lea MacArthur MacArthur General General and and President President the the notice notice to to not not
distracted distracted sufficiently sufficiently was was I I mmotion, mmotion, co of of buzz buzz the the In In
Deck. Deck. Quarter Quarter the the of of clear clear stay stay
to to directed directed was was crew crew The The sea. sea. to to return return our our for for preparation preparation
in in increased increased now now pace pace he he t and and work work hip's hip's s assorted assorted as as well well as as
work, work, division division and and details details work work with with day day busy busy a a was was This This
General. General.
the the greet greet to to there there been been have have must must Roosevelt Roosevelt President President
that that believe believe I I But, But, mounts. mounts. gun gun by by obstructed obstructed was was view view
My My worked. worked. I I where where from from deck deck quarter quarter the the see see couldn't couldn't I I
wild. wild. went went d d crow awestruck awestruck
The The deck. deck. quarter quarter the the to to brow brow the the up up ntinuing ntinuing co before before
uted uted sal and and head head his his to to cap cap the the returned returned he he Then, Then, wd. wd. cro
berant berant exu the the to to it it waved waved , , cap his his off off took took turned, turned, paused, paused,
He He stop. stop. dramatic dramatic a a made made General General the the brow, brow, the the up up Halfway Halfway FDR-11.6 FDR-11.6 FDR-12
Islands. And with that, the word, "Kodiak", was heard frequently.
In those days between 22 and 29 July, 1944, the Baltimore and its crew were witness to activities of historical import: the planning of and for the conduct and conclusion of war in the Pacific--and the final end to World War II.
As I looked out across the water, there was Baltimore's escorting destroyer--out ahead 3 -4 miles, like a well - trained greyhound. The destroyer had resumed its usual job, whic h was searching for any stray and unwelcome submarines.
It is during this part of the cruise that my recollections become hazy.
I recall Kodiak and being 20 years old . I was not old enough to drink in bars but I did manage to pick up a souvenir or two. I still have an ivory letter opener which has a gold nugget implanted in its handle.
I also recall Dutch Harbor out on Unalaska Island. But I can't be positive that I was serving on Baltimore when I put in there . I don't remember Adak at all, but do have me mory of being moored to a well-constructed steel and concrete pier- and possibly there was a s mall ship's store nearby ....
Some of my confusion is very likely intertwined with visits made by the submarine (U.S.S. Rasher, S .S. R.269) I served on during the peace time/cold war era in the mi d and late 1950's. The Rasher v isited these ports I just me~ tio ned.
I have little or no recollection of what may have been
took took I I glacier, glacier, the the off off anchored anchored lay lay Baltimore Baltimore While While
. . GlaciP.r Mendenhall Mendenhall
been been have have could could glacier glacier The The . . Bay Auke Auke was was Juneau Juneau near near
place place s s i Th crew. crew. the the by by viewed viewed clearly clearly be be could could which which glacier glacier
a a of of face face the the near near place place a a at at arrived arrived Baltimore Baltimore Strait), Strait),
Chatham Chatham (possibly (possibly Waterway Waterway the the on on day day the the of of most most Steaming Steaming
poets. poets. and and writers writers to to left left best best is is description description
at at attempt attempt any any that that primitive, primitive, and and wild wild one one this this place, place,
Another Another Waterway. Waterway. Inland Inland s s ' Alaska entered entered just just had had we we that that
line line how how c the the sailor sailor i~ i~ knowledgeable knowledgeable a a by by informed informed was was I I
ca! ca! meri A North North in in places places scenic scenic
beautiful beautiful and and majestic majestic most most the the of of one one into into sailed sailed we we port, port,
leaving leaving after after day's day's 3 3 maybe maybe 2, 2, possibly possibly but but certain, certain, for for
remember remember can't can't I I part, part, my my on on inattention inattention simply simply or or schedules schedules
work work division division standing, standing, watch watch to to Due Due voyage. voyage. the the of of part part this this
during during passed passed days days many many how how to to mes mes co it it when when fails fails memory memory
again, again, ere ere H ears. ears. my my reach reach not not did did crew, crew, the the to to known known were were
it it if if destination, destination, Our Our board. board. n o President President the the with with ports, ports,
the the of of one one from from sea, sea, to to out out stood stood Baltimore Baltimore rate, rate, any any At At
now. now. attention attention the the all all getting getting and and stir stir the the ng ng causi was was who who
he he was was It It Fala. Fala. dog, dog, 's 's President the the sighting sighting occasionally occasionally
was was me me ti this this during during distraction distraction ly ly n o My My ship. ship. aboard aboard
routine routine daily daily uninteresting uninteresting and and dull dull a a to to way way gave gave days days
few few past past the the of of excitement excitement and and secrecy secrecy the the and and off off slacked slacked
had had activity activity because because is is this this Maybe Maybe Kodiak. Kodiak. and and Adak Adak visiting visiting
was was Baltimore Baltimore time time the the during during levels levels higher higher at at place place taking taking FDR-13 FDR-13 FDR-14 numerous opportunities to marvel at the magnificent wild scenery-- not much interested in what might happen next. This was the President's cruise, after all.
It wasn't long before the ship's grapevine was active once more. Word got around that President Roosevelt was going on a fishing trip. The next morning, activity around the port-side whale boat area began to pick up considerably.
It must be remembered that my memories have been dormant, slumbering contentedly in the recesses of my mind for the past 51 years. Now that I summon these dormant seeds, life and its events during this time are often vague and confused .
I require lengthy periods of time to think and try and reconstruct the events as they occurred.
I was assigned to the 8 t h Division during this cruise. We were responsi b le for catapul ting and retrieving Baltimore's two OSTU- Kingfisher scout seaplanes.
One day, I ventured forward on the starboard side toward the Quarter Deck and, to my surprise, observed the 4th
Division had rigged-out and lowered the port-side whale boat level to the main deck . I remember wondering just how they expected FDR to enjoy a comfortable fishing trip in that whale boat.
Well, anyway, I got on with my work and never gave it another thought. The fact is I don't recall when the
President left to go fishing and I don't remember when he returned.
offer offer outright outright an an or or conversation conversation coffee, coffee, locker locker gear gear of of
cup cup a a of of offer offer the the extending extending as as such such tactics, tactics, diversion diversion using using
done done was was likely likely most most This This officer. officer. walking walking its its from from separated separated
became became Terrier, Terrier, Scots Scots the the Fala, Fala, panion, panion, m co and and pet pet faithful faithful
's 's President the the time, time, in in point point e e m so at at But But information. information.
detailed detailed more more relate relate to to e e l ab be be ld ld shou Divisions Divisions 5th 5th or or
4th 4th the the of of members members crew crew Any Any remembrance. remembrance. e e mor one one is is There There
. . (state) Washington Washington Yard, Yard, Navy Navy Bremerton Bremerton learned, learned, later later
we we as as into, into, And And . . cruise s s hi of of leg leg last last the the for for destroyer destroyer
the the to to over over transferred transferred Roosevelt Roosevelt dent dent Presi and and quickly, quickly,
done done was was it it but but preparation, preparation, ch ch mu was was There There . . Baltimore
alongside alongside me me ca destroyer destroyer rting rting esco the the awhile awhile After After
. . stopped we we day) day) next next the the think think
(I (I until until in in were were we we water water of of body body whatever whatever down down off off steamed steamed
we we underway, underway, got got and and anchor anchor weighed weighed Baltimore Baltimore after after Soon Soon
it. it. treasure treasure I I tattered, tattered, and and worn worn
old, old, is is paper paper the the although although and and mine mine ave ave h still still I I crew. crew. the the to to
distributed distributed and and made made was was exact) exact) (not (not speech speech the the of of copy copy A A
clear. clear. quite quite I'm I'm
point, point, that that On On Alaska. Alaska. Juneau, Juneau, Bay, Bay, Auke Auke at at 1944, 1944, 9, 9, August August
on on us us to to spoke spoke President President The The crew? crew? the the to to say say to to want want States States
United United the the of of President President the the could could What What . . surprise by by crew crew
the the of of rest rest the the and and me me take take indeed indeed did did events events of of turn turn This This
. . crew Baltimore's Baltimore's address address to to wanted wanted Roosevelt Roosevelt President President that that
system system address address public public ship's ship's the the over over passed passed was was word word when when
that that after after day day the the or or day day following following the the on on either either was was It It
15 15 - FDR
END**** END**** ****THE ****THE
. . leave crew crew and and s s ir repa for for 1944 1944 14, 14, August August
on on Yard Yard nd nd la s I Mare Mare the the entered entered Baltimore Baltimore ~avy ~avy U.S.S. U.S.S.
word. word. his his of of man man a a
was was he he mishap, mishap, Fala's Fala's of of spite spite In In " " . deserve justly justly you you which which
ve ve lea for for back back going going are are You You play. play. to to back back going going are are 'You 'You
address, address, his his in in said said himself himself Roosevelt Roosevelt President President as as And, And,
hed. hed. s puni
were were bers bers mem rew rew c no no and and found found never never were were culprits culprits The The
locks! locks! black black hiny hiny s
his his of of y y man off off ed ed r shea ey ey th e e r e h w place place a a to to Fala Fala abducted abducted
had had s s r e r-tak veni Sou e. e. c undan ab an an had had fortunately fortunately he he h h c whi
of of ringlets, ringlets, fur fur curly curly numerous, numerous, was was e e H kers. kers. c lo missi~d missi~d
gear gear division's division's ck ck de e e th of of one one at at located located was was Fala Fala hat, hat, t
after after soon soon bsence. bsence. a his his to to as as curious curious ry ry V~ became became officer officer
walking walking e e th when when time time of of period period some some for for missing missing was was He He
"dognapped". "dognapped". been been
have have to to appeared appeared Fala Fala done, done, was was it it r r oweve H . . dog the the walk walk to to FDR-16 FDR-16 ADDENDUM NO.l
V.J. DAY END OF THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC U.S.S. BALTIMORE (C.A. 68) Heavy Cruiser
1. Participated in nine ( 9 ) major Naval engagements: ENGAGEMENTS BATTLE STARS Gilbert and Marshall Islands 1 (photo and reconnaissance) Gilbert and Marshall Islands 1 Makin-Tarawa Islands (bombardment, invas ion, occupation) Marianas, Truk, Yap, etc. 1 (raids) Hollandia, New Guinea 1 (occupation-invasion) Mariana- Siapan-Tinian 1 (operation-raids) "The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot June 18 & 19, 1944 Luzon 1 (raids) Luzon 1 (operations) Iwo Jima 1 (operations) Okinawa 1 (operations) NOTE: After the battle of the Phillipine Sea (aka "The Great Turkey Shoot"), and at war's end, Baltimore was officially credited with shooting down twelve (12) enemy planes.
2. Survived two ( 2 ) typhoons (Halsey's Typhoons): Dec. 17/22, 1944 Ident. Code: COBRA June 4/6, 1945 Ident. Code: VIPER Halsey's Task Force 38
3. Was President Franklin Roosevelt's choice of ship to take him on his cruise in the Pacific when he met with Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur.