THE N AT I D N AL M U S E U M DF PACIFIC I**
Fredericksburg, Texas Center for Pacific War Studies
Presents An Interview with: Robert D. Graff USS-Atlanta Battle of Salvo Island
from educational
It
of
model
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My
York
Mr.
parents
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Robert
Texas
Center
Robert
was
Cork
the
parents
there,
GrafT:
Morris:
my
Hospital,
place.
a
village
beautiful Morris:
Historical
of
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for
D.
D.
parents
me times,
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Graff.
Pacific
GrafT: continued to
I
The
in
was
I
Let’s
in
Texas
went
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moved place; This living
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New
good
Commission.
which
born
This
War
HISTORY
I
start
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thank
on
is
there
York
people Library
in
like
sense,
to
interview
to
to
Cork
Studies,
funerals a
I
right
Greenwich Max
visit
Harvard
attended
a
the
to
for
suburb
ROBERT
City,
Morris.
in
get
there.
cared museum
which was
and
three
I
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archives
and
INTERVIEW
appreciate
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on
for
Ann until
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taking
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years December
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people
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land.
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in
GRAFF
the
in
involve
in Dallas.
to who
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2,
they
National until
in
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taking
It
Deerfield
apartment 1919.
Fredericksburg, OF
get had War
Lying-In
moved
dragged
a
where
my
16,
funeral.
USNR
a
Scarsdale.
then,
LT.
a
headquarters,
I
degree,
sister
2007,
Museum
little
am
there
Academy.
you
on
COMMANDER and
Hospital, me
a
time
mysteriously
and
genuine
I’ve
Twelfth
were magna
cared out
still
of
Scarsdale
Texas
I’m
and
been
of
the
does,
born,
things
about
I
now
the
interviewing
cum
talking New
Street
graduated
Pacific
in
in
cold
a
where
part
support
Texas
arrived.
laude, was
the
first-rate
like
Yorker.
6/29/2009
off
with
East
War,
of
history
a that.
Fifth your
a
New
in
of
us.
Mr.
and the
State railroad
three
great said,
do
Harvard
office
program
Mr.
Mr.
us
Navy
as
in
top,
I
for
Economics.
that.” showed
taking
the a
was
was
a
Graff: or
gray
Morris:
moored
stating
flight was
I Navy’s
freight four All
graduated
and at
moored a
That’s
barn
notes,
up
Spanish-American
all
the
of
hundred
to
graduate.
I
you
permanently
at
about. passed I Mmm
station
V-7 this
replaced
Prairie New
got
the
what
I
at,
would
guess
the
in
had
Program.
my
Prairie
York,
135 th
midshipmen
hinm.
June
and
Officers
I
of
regular State,
The
been diploma
did.
it of
the greatly
was
as
Street
went
errantly
1941,
individual
State,
policy
New
prearranged
the
But
In
Navy
warship
told
aboard
at
to
appreciate
drill the
and
went
the
a
York
in
of the
that
my
to
converted
petty
course
the
the
the
officer hall.
the responsiveness
the
graduation
down
whose
family’s
I Central
converted
Hudson
would
Program
the
shore
ancient
officers
Below
having
of 2
to
said,
summer
superstructure
Spanish-American
that the
Railroad,
be of
house
River.
battleship
ceremony,
“I
put
decks
the
is
accepted
summer’s
nine
ship. Prairie
noticed
to
to
before
us Hudson
in
allow
months
the
there
to
Scarsdale
Classrooms
right
State.
work
New
“course”.
immediately
you had
took when
preliminary
prospective
were
River
next
leave
been have battleship
The York, learning
a
I for
accommodations to
cab
had
at
were
to
Prairie
removed
left
where
the
about
to
circulated
go
originally
in
thirty-day
midshipmen
what a
night.
Logan
located
back
with
the
note
the
State
135 th
6/29/2009
V-7
and life a
to Prairie
in
Next
Airfield
among barn
as in
enlisted
Street.
the in
a
cruise
a
for
I
the
to
day on
Primitive
communication
of
They
code
could
would
around
coding
box
type.”
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shushhhh. with
there
for
finished,
whose
seamanship;
Engineering.
alphabetically.
them
Destroyers,
with
for
also
the
equal
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were
spin
them,
machine
“Good,”
had
names
The
. We
latest
stuff
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next
got
the
typewriter
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The
the
We
fancy
several
School
midshipmen
a
which
we
90-day
us
and
week.
were
intelligence The
random
system
letter
learned
first
but
had
they
to
I
learned
paper—what
ended
latest
learn
two
rows
was
was
Gruff
spun
four
question
crash
said,
keyboard
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way
today
and
divisions
a
technology. assigned
to
up
the
of
wheels
the were
on
former,
and
“come
course,
paraphernalia,
use
with
desks,
and
practiced
an
principles
Navy.
but,
was:
Grump
split
simpler
do
axis
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you’d
a
about
had,
to
in.”
since
religious
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into
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a
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Communications
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at
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call
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codes
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so
it
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code
School
for
given
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coded
know
groups,
when
a forth,
among
twenty
desk
room
and
a
told
when
codes
changed
ribbon
or
of
a
equivalent.
how
or
you
because
about
there
further
acquaintances
the
us
like
which
companies
how
Institution,
you
and
ourselves
a
to
School
can’t
exercise
of
little
this
was
that
daily,
disciplines
type?”
pressed
to
paper
coding
training
were
we
handle
see
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a
thick,
bit
Five
in
were
coding
tomorrow
was
with
each,
to
the
which
pencil
about
we’re
Connecticut.
I
machines,
a
and
assignment.
go said,
with
letters
letter,
a
ink?
all
to
called
all
ship.
through.
created
more
machine,
the
make
now
and
sitting G’
“Yes,
the
wires
Invisible
it
before
s.
and
status
Seamanship
paper.
When
might
procedures.
strangers
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6/29/2009
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Some
opted
the
the or
Mr.
cruisers,
couple the
it
aborted
ships—two
moving
essentially
twin of
said:
charge
we
code.
room
effective who
point ship
Morris:
also
five-inch
“not formed
of Is
handling That
of
heavy She being
from Then the
this ship learned
big
enough
our
to
really,”
were
capital
was we
No,
carriers
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of
the
shoot
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cruiser
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class
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Combat the
all
the
named
wig-wag
Battleship
ATLANTA
this
question
caliber
so
you
across knew. ships
so
down
coded
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circular
that
plus
is
hull.
we
I want?
said
the
fine.
Air
surrounded
guns.
you could
planes.
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flags, messages
was: We
ATLANTA,
She era
goodbye
screen. Patrol
class.
Hudson
could
Is
had
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express
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And
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become
In
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semaphore
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go
in anti-aircraft
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Kearny,
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ring a
ship.
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ships
sense,
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a
a detail,
carrier
era.
maybe
of Communications
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You
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life,
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here
New
went
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In
ship,
years
as
or...
knots
was
task
positions.
were
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my
to
in
going Jersey.
battleship
to
6,000
it
what
the
also
before
the
forces.
service
a
was
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not
fast,
middle
to
Navy
symbolic
tons,
we
expected
had
the go?
Watch-Stander in
small
in
The
plus
would
first the
thirty-three sent
supported the
of
I
asked
ATLANTA
Boy
some carrier
this
Pacific—on of
ship
me
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like
the
receive
diagram
to Scouts
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designed
heavy
to
built
Navy’s
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fighters
6/29/2009
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new
turrets in
Morse
was
the
when on
are
three
He
class
an
radio of
on in a
a I
looking
think,
has
of
general
he
and
jobs
around
pointed
gang
felt
said, that
very you,”
I’ll
and
the
Mr.
a
said
got
new find
honored
get
ways
will
strike
an
good
and
“I
of
Graff:
and
At .“
a
right to
it
there,
to Atlanta
to
think
Captain
signalmen.
Class
out
lot
would
be
this
us
lunch
at
that
a
he
you?”
list
riding to
few
who
behind
to
the
to
just
I
said,
I’d
ship
of
of communicate in
make
met have
resident,
be he
Kearny
Jenkins department
ships, you just
like
Annapolis
go
I
on
represents
“I lunchtime. said,
Captain
said,
the
About
been and
it
the
think
are, to
a
work. armored
second. and
“We’ve
make
shipyard
said,
“I
christened introduce
success
but
selected twenty
you
guess..
by
Jenkins,
officers
heads,
visually seven
trhe you
“Graff,
you
being
You
would
pilothouse
got
of
in
have
the .1
of
as
yourself.
older
years secret
and the
New this k the
for a
take the
by
you
I
Captain
certain
ship’s
make
read
a
ship.
I
us.
kind
skipper
flag
first
right
officers
Jersey, will
that of
will to
which
5
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design
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making
hoist
Signal
Each
We
of
of
responsibility She
have and
as
be good
to
warship.
a
of
a
ask stuff
stationed took
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Margaret
new
came
the
is
and compliment
one
the
lunch
and
Officer, communications
where
it them
Bureau
and
on
ship, design
flashing
work
of
preparation.
back
at
and
seventeen
them We’re
what
who
desks.
on
the
Mitchell,
laid
after
and
is
later
we’ll
of for
both
to
ship
if
will
light.”
they
people
on
Personnel
your
not
you
the
the
have
“Why
for
wings
us talk
is
want ensigns,
are.
as
Navy.
The Gone ship
officer.
put
job
the
conned
by
a
Captain
had
dumb
about
splendid
don’t
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public And commissioning.
will had
of
had
With
that
told
talk
The
an mostly
as How from.
things slid
be
after
you
6/29/2009
prepared
Jenkins
open
the
way.” me
to people
is
the
Navy
to
crew.
down
just
you
does
first that
about
run
Wind,
Your
in
He
go a
they
Chief enlisted
with
with?”
and
Brooklyn,
over
whole
charged flag
radio
Communications
training
divisions, by
how the
graduates,
look
from
school
an
played
Naval
said,
that. hoists,
us.
to
Petty
at
shop,
the
Annapolis
separate
ATLANTA
And
men
in
get
you
with
task.
We
over
Prairie
The
New
the
the
Academy
war:
Officer
have
and
around
a
since
enviously
now
officers
modern
Signal
V-7
damage
here
way
In
division.
York
blinking
“What made
the
State,
lieutenant.
aboard
Lieutenant
none
training
and
them.”
I
you
was
Officer
to
dealt
Communications
went
early
electronic
control Ensign
because
Signalmen
but
of
do
need
would
towed
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us
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the
and
program.ou
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And
also
responsible
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There
in
December,
had
division. in
same
you
shelf inspected
from
they
it
charge.
from
that
positioning
three
ever
was
already
First
think
were
fl
thing.
will
which
the
was
Northwestern
to
four
been
Division months
Class:
shipyard Not
Under
for
ask
discover
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you true.
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been ff&I”
may
or
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to
visual
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old
spaces
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war,
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aboard
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war,
systems.
communications
ship.
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in
for the
Kearny
need
Ensign
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for
Supply
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Chicago,
bit
you
do
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Annapolis-trained
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finished.
Fire
the
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introduced
to
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it
like
fellows,
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Radio
to
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took
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was
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Workmen
Navy
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Officer
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there
myself
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blinking
university
was
four
isn’t the
you
you
a
yard
Annapolis
be
how
especially
to
slant
gunnery
was
who
ensigns
Radar
radar the
have
responsible
long
will
here?”
to
a
swarmed
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to
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a
lights
those
other
ran
and
6/29/2009
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years
to
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Officer
will
the
a
do
Well,
the
and
stop
a
at
it
run out
piping USS
none
Then
District
came
for
scrambling
appreciate
people
mister,
starboard than
head
introduced Mr.
and walk
by
on
on
the
you,
day.
which
I
GrafT,
ATLANTA
of
I
the
workman
up
around
took
the
have,
with
other
The
I
but
us
spoke.
delivered
from
You
Captain said,
signal
call,
you
Ensigns
it
careful
we
what’s
myself
and
Commissioning
experience
because
if
bridge
the
keep
“There’s
Atlanta
can
don’t
you
“Set
up
Then
fixing
bridges,
two
in
said,
off
the notes
here? put
and
were
would
it
commission.
you
the
need
we
up
somebody
open
the
again
problem?”
and
the
“Set
I
a
watch!
tell
to
do
just
and
involved
said,
we
number
“The
base.”
much
find
signal
trying
bridges
date.
the
me
the
passed
and
then
need
got
“I’m
me
head
First
same.
are
watch.”
important but
spoke
aboard
log,
He
The
and
I
of
Hoist
in
some
a
absolutely and
the
said,
by
we
way
watch workman?
little
that,
said”
which
so
architects
I
very
mayor
very
tell
got
do
the
help.”
this
forth.
Then
“You’ve
to
pieces
yet.
from
need
“we
me
or
the
pennant.”
quickly bootleg
briefly.
is
7 morning
whatever,
essential
the
of
the
The
what
hint
He
can
didn’t
Washington
some
That
which
these
been
Chief
orders
said,
Annapolis
and
do
them,
in
we
The
fellow
after
things,”
the think
two
It
that,”
on
to
don’t
need.”
Boatswain’s
said,
first
“I
was
of
Admiral
our
Navy
the
and
haven’t
commissioning.
villages
the
of
over
spoke
section,” which
show “Walk
a
operation.
people,
ship
we’ll
and
that.
long
day
And
Yard.
there?”
of
I
he
got
on
up
and
and
led
try
fluttering think
around
The
And
the
Mate
went
they
the
I
here,
time
Margaret
to
to
said,
what
guess
Third
Chief
I
then
plans
maybe
I
a
get
would
were
said,
through
went
lot
for
the
the Who’s
“I
happens
thing.
some
he
over
Naval
of
said,
you,
place
port
which space,
6/29/2009
after
all
Mitchell
said, over
more
the
watch there
beer it
and
“Well
the
all
and
day
but my
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Meanwhile,
else depth
at
more the
or theoretically
that
on
six
reported
Commanders,
standers.
Edgecomb,
experiment
day
weeks
designed
Morris:
Graff:
Morris: for
from
than
charges
test
Everyone
stores
to
December
a
They
in
runs
the
everybody
This
few
the
there
distance?
So,
What’s
New
and
in
with
four
Captain,
were
in
hours.
Brooklyn,
Navy
is
Pearl
started
torpedoes
was
the
all
Jersey,
something.
or
24 th
the
Lieutenants
January
five
New
Yard,
Harbor
is
less
And
We
and
to
date until
working
whom
which
to
work
organize
would York
so
we
for
and
here,
a
mid-February.
has
and,
forth.
pier,
Does
our
had
we
going
is
were
outer
and
night
occurred?
go
at
I’m
at
eight
a
were
not
their
the
this
Doctor
Towards
across
above.
the
all
Harbor
on
sorry,
and
in
rudder
tubes,
top
divisions;
point?
as department
on
the
8
day
New
well
and
of the
Next
Six
December
Navy
sometimes,
the
two
really
to
Sandy
ship,
fixed
weeks
a
York
end,
get
rank
dentist.
everybody
quads,
yard,
heads,
give
the
to
Hook,
as
we
Harbor
higher
spent
‘41
test
we
all
ship
usually,
went
you
or
an
and
of
something
could
to
they
in
ready
were
had
to
a
Executive
this
load
out
the
January
360
the
sent
on
lots
be.
kind
of
Lieutenant
shipyard
to
up
Ammunition
degree
the
the
us
fight.
of
They
or
shells,
of
of
weekend
Officer
work.
somewhere
Navy
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thing.
‘42.
turn
sent
and
something
6/29/2009
powder,
yard
We
within
then
who
us
Depot
when
out
did for
Mr.
or
Pacific
Mr. where
Harbor
wrong.
trials
Machinery
went
before
there’s
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I
Philharmonic
“Graff.
know
I
Mr.
Sunday.
was
can
Germans
Yard
Graff:
Morris:
GrafT:
up
again.
tell
just
what
Mutiny
everyday
waters, A
by nothing
. We
. to
.“
tomorrow?”
you
I
week
about
way
was
the
and
I
it
but
went
A
We
said,
That
was,
Really?
about
at
on
couple
Gulf
we
of
reading
electronic
or
else
found
to
thereafter my
did
the
right
the
“Yes...”
happened
ten
were
I
get
of
that
you
parents’
guess
performance
Bounty
Panama
days
of
none.
Maine, He
up
back
the
to
was
have
descendents
and
systems
said,
a
pass
at
later,
Sunday
He
watch December
to
For we
house.
took
the
to
call
Canal.
Casco
the
“Yes,
by
said,
were
do
we
Yard.
a
trials.
you
place.
Navy
and
an
Headquarters
few
papers
for
finally
The
“You
Bay,
are
uninhabited
we
told
En
and
so
days
now.
7 th
Let’s
Yard
We
want
still
phone
route,
forth.
when
and
by in
find
know
got
the
9
did
case
We
there.
the
get
to
we
you
underway
out
once
rang.
Canal
We
ATLANTA
what
of
fix
about
just
fire
on
of
island
did
in
what
some
those
We
with
discovered
emergency
we
and
the
continued
serious
I
I
Navy
Pearl
would
went
went
got
called
I
Yard
sort.
it.”
listening
with
things.
should
Base through
was
Harbor,
to
sea
Late
over
call
orders at
I
Tipperton
get
lots
to
to
was
the
still
trials.
do.
sent
work
extreme
to
call
to
in
it
of
the
regular at
right?”
the
January,
and
look
in
to
Do
out
things
a
home
We
the
go
harder
Canal
number,
New
you
Island a
planes
for
voice
to
system
shipyard.
did
time
I
were
on
want
Pearl
Japanese
York
I
and
said,
than
6/29/2009
think
speed
which
that
out
said:
I
and
tests.
still
don’t
into
me
“Yes,
we
All
in is
Mr. fact
bladed
were
in
Then
ship serious
very
Oklahoma. thing
sunken when
when
work
seems from
ship’s
surface
as
it
Morris:
was
narrow
best
gone,
they
someplace
we
with
we
we
went
officer, that
monsters.
work,
We
battleships
target
said,
saw
reached
got
we
decided
us
going
planes
forty-five got
And
passage
could
up
was and
including
You
in
shooting.
banged
to
to
towing
the
here
through
Pearl
Pearl
A for
a
all
to
sunk
had
speed
as
stranded,
ride
official
channel
change burnt
us.
miles
was
we
the
to
Harbor
without
putting
targets
at
Trying
out
above
That
were
the
keep
stem
this
their
up.
per
literature,
to
all
which
Panama
two-man
and
continued
up.
taken
sea
we of
us
and
hour.
It
mooring
fifteen
any
to
four.
was
the
in
get
here
had
to
we
opens
submarine
dry-dock
over
test
ship
Canal
Oh
Three the
the
to
knots,
to
Japanese
had
was
berths.
uneventfully
go
them
boy,
go
whole
to
scariest
up into
live
10
thirty-five
that,
lock,
bladed
into
a
the
and
re-fitting
for
it
a
attacks
was
ammunition
submarine,
was gang
corner
There
a
here
ship
there’s
going
thing
a
repair
positive.
day
monsters
fast.
to
started
was
out
or
knots,
was
post
you
berth.
of
through
be
Pearl
birth
any
to
Hickam
tinkering
the a
and
can
of
shooting.
Pearl
to
team
were
The air
which
immediately.
Harbor.
They
a
Arizona.
vibrate
imagine.
then
the
activity
lock
screws
Harbor.
and
exchanged
Field
locks,
with
is
did
you
gate.
We
1.2
make
very
There
some
and
and
Here
were
one
go
We
times
the
also
Except,
We
badly,
through
the
the
its
propeller.
for took
were
pilot,
more
was
solid.
had
6/29/2009
noticed
hangars
35.
first
ship
four
the
so
it
it
the
not
In
a
all
The a
same
decoded
thought,
Tongatabu,
which
to
was
We
were,
Danes
water
which
three
and
many
you
the
beautiful
was
when,
greatly,
Mr.
deliver
steamed
time.
about
her
wish,
group
coming
Graff:
or
we
one
pass
are
was
in
Okay,
long
it
friends
‘what’s
four
but
were
1917
a
Danish
coming,
and to
it
I
bring
into
I
tanker located
of
would
was, after
down
the
take
don’t
down
invitations
Yes.
so
ships
handed
when
assigned
the
met,
next?’
only
the
now
might the
place.
house
attached
remember,
at religiously
and
right
Caribbean.
for We
minus
Boardroom
lots
we
flank
war,
other
we
it
a
here’s
also
We
have
to
on
to
to
went
in
war-game
We
of
go
I
the
the
the
speed
go
a
time
to
the
went
ship’s
barely
had
back
deep-water
didn’t
been
the
the
but
go
into
LEXINGTON,
fight
Third
Captain.
shore
The
to
I
over
to
over
aboard--I
Task telephone
became
and
it
officers.
joined
war
Fiji,
maneuver
off
the
get
the
held
reason
Fleet,
close
for
we’re
and
of
was
Group
there
war
might
Southwestern
He
pass
us
drinks
the
St.
conscious
leave
to
which
why
was
to
11
up
on
looked
number.”
And,
in
in
Croix,
the
formation
ahead
off
have
to
a
control
a
a Pearl
time.
invited
big
at
we
a
most
little
one
the
Navy
we
in
message
6:00
at been
carrier
bought
Virgin of
a
of
Harbor
west
of
had
it
that
bit
Pacific,
We
sense,
elaborate
the
And
pier.
the
tonight.
aboard--an
the
and
when
Ulithi,
and
a
were
end
task
entrance
which
Islands.
speed
change
the
refueling
for
that
said:
getting
was
Subs
we
there
where
of
the
Virgin
formation.
a
test-fighting
it
way
Just
were
St.
simply
day
of
had
might
“We’re
would
Captain
of
attack
to
comes
fixed
ships Our
Croix,
the
I
islands. let
late
conversation
been
the
Islands
met,
a
us
day
have
Coral
a
family
come
submarine
because
Caribbean.
up.
in
assigned
Task
a
I
know
sunk
saying:
my
a
the
digress
message.
late.
system
main
been
I
from
Once
Sea
wife
forget
in
6/29/2009
Force. had
Navy
in
how
all
we
So,
deep-
the
and
battle
to
the
“If
a
we
and
that
of
the had
we
was
I I
“I’d
me. “Chocolate “Miss,
“I’d
second
it
back
got
things
a
Mr.
Service
Mr.
Australia. try intelligence
We
agog:
fighting
strength
brief
with
and
there.
turned
like
like
That
Grail:
Morris:
from
that
satisfaction what
I’d
moment
one
seize
which
to
a
to
all
one
few
like
I
the
didn’t
right
have
was
have
malted
around
went
had
could
So,
Midway
took
Mmm
Coral
was
days
another
of
finished,
a
broken
we
around
a
over
work,
third
chocolate
free possibly
and
milk?”
a nearby
the
before
had
Sea,
little
hmm.
Island
to
time
Pacific
chocolate promptly
chocolate
loading
a
and
a
the
I
I
Japanese
longer
hectic
and
was
conceived
we
“Yes,”
cause
most
raced
malted
sub
as
arrived.
before
shoot
not
one
ammunition
three
base.
drank
to
malted
of
this?
malted
back
so
quite
code
get
of
milk,
us
pool
she
they
a
days
their
would
There
it
craving
down
We’re
Well, to
milk.”
satisfied
and
took
milk.”
down.
please,”
or
Pearl
went
in
major
12
to
have
discovered
while
was
little
go
Pearl
to
my
the
for
Harbor.
back
She
I
This
go
over
so
a
glass handed
a
diversions
and
by
malted
gills
I
Harbor.
Philippine
soda
back
I
looked
thought
to
time
little
said
to
was
and
their
and
that
the
fountain
Of
to
the
milk,
to
she
promptly
it
Pearl
filled
at
food course
submarine
Refueling, the
the to
basic
leaked
nice
glass
me
girl
looked
establish
I
Japanese
young
and
Harbor
can’t
it
drink.
thoughts.
curiously
behind
plan
back
the
again
out
served.
fuel.
at
whole
tell
base
woman,
to
tinkering
that
to
me
points
On
at
and were
the
invade
you
her
When
flank
and
like
Ship’s
our
When
the
I
ship
counter.
gave
looked
said,
why.
going
6/29/2009 of
I
said,
way
I
with
speed.”
said,
we
was
was
that
it
to
bad
We
to at
Harbor,
two,
repaired, from Forces
away, near along, Japanese, King
later. They Dutch going
In “Hey, brought
deranged
stayed a
decoded
craving
ten
to
yeah,
surface
weren’t
were
We up
but minutes,
we’re
Harbor
and
up
up
Wake
We
The
and
it
by
that’s
to
and
for
there
radio
they
lost northeast
back
the
the
coming
all
Japanese,
Midway.
our
limped
watching
ships
malted
put
and
said,
in
the
YORKTOWN Japanese got
were
thank
what
to
until
silence
ships
the
off
then,
YORKTOWN
me
aboard
or
our “Ain’t
up
to
Aleutians
hopelessly
we
milk
it
by
God, to
sub
and
By
coming
you.”
Wake,
was,
to
way.
and
as
clearly
that.
got
spell
this
fight
spies. ATLANTA
and
was
you
they
we’d
so
it
very
We
The
out
and
off
time,
They
had I
from
forth.
got
greatly
and
for
got
had
won’t
crippled,
They’re
sunk
Midway
close.
came
and
what
idea
the
been
no
Midway.
ready
shot
just
the
Japanese
not
We
bottom?”
LEXINGTON.
maybe
get
four
relieved
and
was
lay
right
northwest,
decoded
hit
up
held
They
up
burning, to
read
another
Island,
left
ahead.
the
Japanese
down
to
launch
here,
13
back
to
This
we
messages,
draw
invaded
the
with
place
when
their
No,
lost
our
at
so
time
the
Japanese
one
at
listing
had
their
our
the
one
them,
they’re
I
carriers.
codes
and
plan.
the
I
Japanese
said,
That’s
for
drank
two
attacked.
it
Navy
Coral
though
of
bombers,
LEXINGTON
then
went
and
I
the
a
nor They
or
I’m
don’t
traffic
up
big
it
the
up
they
just
Sea,
three
They
two
down
and
had
are
here,
perfectly
heavily
contact,
there,
ordered
reason
They
know
withdrew,
that’s
as
did
repaired
Task
coming
they
left
little
didn’t
for
they unknown
go
but
sent
the
when.
coded,
which
the
had
Forces
good.
when
islands
a
okay,
our
down
were
go
conflagration.
Nimitz
counter.
down
in
a
Symposium
any
two
as
carrier
down
Pearl
had
we
were
to
So
I
that
So
coming
if
sooner
that
just
6/29/2009
alarm
here,
Task
the
to
she
moved.
and
we
been
right
were
being
up
say:
were
have
lost
we
or
to is about Midway and Guadalcanal: the Turning Points. Midway was the first time that we made any dent in Japan’s fleet. We crippled their naval air force. From that time forth, they were never able to muster the aircraft strength that they had before, the day before
Midway. It was a very important achievement.
Some of the officers on ATLANTA, one especially, a fellow named Lloyd
Mustin, who was an Annapolis man and who was the Assistant Gunnery Officer, was
very critical of our Task Force Admiral at Midway for taking our ships away after we had
sunk four Japanese carriers. He said there were lots of other ships we could have gotten
before they could get away. Why didn’t we go and shoot them up? You know. Launch
the planes and all the rest of it. He asked the Captain. The Captain said, “I really don’t
know”, he said, “my orders are to stay in the Task Force and that’s what I’m doing. I
think there must be something else that’s going to happen, and CINCPAC doesn’t want
to risk the ships.”
So back to Pearl we went, refueled, provisioned, armed, again in two or three
days, and out to the South Pacific again. This trip we in ATLANTA started and never
returned. We went down first to Tongatabu, which is one of the island atolls which the
Navy had, with the help of the New Zealanders and the Australians figured out and
equipped to be a major supply depot. Here in this glorious tropical island, with its coral-
ringed harbor, you had fifty big warships. It was a most perverse sight. There was time
to visit with friends on other ships, a rare event. Then, from that time forth (about July
4th) the ATLANTA worked with various Task Groups, in the southwest Pacific until the
middle of November, 1942.
14 6/29/2009
we
thing
were
us
all supply
Division
Expresses invaded learning
keep
the carrier
skills.
one
reinforcements. supplies Shuttling
They
construction
strategic
going
in
were
air
day.
working
to
all to
had
as
bases
Task
Midway
Finally,
become
forward
Guadalcanal
of
to
all
doing
to
considerations.
and
well back
We
maybe
from
this
feed
and
this
Force,
battalion,
were
brought
got
all
on
and
errands
time;
it
from
time
northern
was
them
the
bases
They
ten
night
all
was
land
being
forth
two
base
the
the
thousand
to
the
we
on
ashore
and
time
and
had
(Efate)
building
in
and
be
of
fighting
fifth
the
to
built,
had
supply
South
islands.
You
the
fight
them
better
decided
sea,
the to
forward
seventh
as
one
of
south
invade
in
can
being
people
next
had
Pacific.
before
much
Henderson
June,
in
headquarters
the
men
fighters.
submarine
They
find
fact,
that
Pacific,
other
supply
day.
Hebrides,
of
stocked
Guadalcanal.
so
on on
supplies
darkness
that
August
they
had
and
So,
now
Guadalcanal
shore,
ideas.
The
We
islands
Air-field.
elsewhere,
escorting
bases
a
it
contact.
were
15
also
we’re
for
third
Japanese,
was
thanked
Noumea
as
1942,
but
came.
They
the
we
by
in
not
we
comparatively
supply
we
We
maybe
Rabaul,
Australia
push
could,
convoys
and Japanese
going
I
already. sent
hadn’t
but
We
couldn’t
God
won’t
were
on
highly
put
north
Task
essentially
down
New
had
the
but
for
to
or
part
seen
ashore
bore
with
and
give
first
trained
search
expected
They
the
we
even
Force,
get
to
Caledonia,
the
peaceful
of
any
New
Guadalcanal.
you
couldn’t
this
chance
of
the
up
the
the
first
Trnk,
had
Henderson
planes
July.
Japanese
in
that
Guadalcanal.
with necessary
that
attack Zealand.
First
to
of night
a
and
to
with
combat
went
stay
great
their
or
do
For
all
never
improve
Marine
the
force--big
we
fighting
it
of
there
planes
further
6/29/2009
a
up
Field
Tokyo
all
big
future
month
They
the
were other
found
and
in
and
our
at in
Midway was
Washington,
Later long-range up
invention
on transports after
merchant come or offshore, and
them or damage.
destroyers
Guadalcanal--they
and showed
the
fifty
targets
we
they
helped
going
Pearl
up,
on,
down
machine-gun
went
Once
miles
his
and,
would
and
We
had
when
ships,
in
on
close
to
Harbor,
and
bombers
the
face
to
to
modern
the be
had
the
then
got two
back,
different
Guadalcanal.
bomb
light unloading.
we
send
to
the
always
on
Japanese
island.
to
decided
months
put
the
sent
met from
and
Guadalcanal
Japanese
or
Guadalcanal
cruisers,
to
warfare,
the
down
maybe
beach,
whatever
areas
harass
every
down
we
got
being
field,
that
later,
found
It
were
a
sunk
of
This
thousand,
was
always heavy
started
one
amphibious
single
large
us.
we
to
down
surveillance
we
it
near
out
us, just
and
shoot
just
weren’t
hundred
time
Many
was
had
convoys
bomber
convoy,
and
there,
unloading,
at
on
with
before
Henderson
like
from
the
them
night.
readied
or
our
of
figured
invasion. going
two
them ants,
or
Japanese
with
them
knees,
and
support
dawn,
the
16 of
down.
they
two
In
thousand,
troops,
and
building
went
them,
unloading,
to
sea,
were
out
were
this
Field,
hundred
couldn’t
let
we
August
deployed
found
our Our base
So
or
sort
all
them
constantly
launching
shot
had
at
as
the
we
purpose—to
the an
carriers
or
first
for
of
Japanese
infantry
us.
crippled afford
7 th
would
down.
first
unloading.
three anthill.
have
troops.
lunar
their
the
in
as
They
weeks
big
and
in
were planned.
it,
thousand
first
to
try
invasion
landscape
We
men
motion.
their
airplanes
and
Our
do merchant
So
started
loading
knock
and
United
thirty
of
suffered
Marines
that
the
only
on
warships,
carrier
August
take
We
people
each
of
Japanese
because
to
them
If
miles
there
six
air
started
States
Australia.
ships.
out
send
any
put
no
forces
came
6/29/2009
destroyer months
strikes
1942,
off
on
were
the
further
back. the
enemy
down
the
to
split
out
gun
at a
battles,
battle;
wanted
We’ve him
fighting They series
Mr. night.
Mr. Mr. of drown managed It
every
10
was
beach
day
up
Morris: Morris:
Graff:
were
night
of
just
we
maybe
In
just
and
The
I’m
in
ATLANTA
us
them
big
north
to
that
the
were
to
doing
always
landed
night
being
the
second
put
night
Yep.
shoot
air.
back.
period,
twenty
Let
Tape
of
Japanese
not
sixteen
lots
battles
Henderson
synoptic
We
me
battles,
after
our
them
battle
attacked.
drew
1,
We
of
thousand
in
interrupt
saw
side
troops
thousand
the
good
August,
for
ruled
up.
coming
was
blood
ATLANTA
a
and
B.
carriers.
possession
lot
Field
And
in
work. We
a
the
you
I
troops
of
little
shooting
early
don’t
September,
down
troops
were
so
skies
action
because
for
we... And
bit
August.
and
was
know
just
trying
of
not
and
on
later
down
and
only
the
destroy
there
big
a
there
shore
the
17
October,
if
minute.
were
and
palm
to
it’s once
One enough
a
water
land
in
were
plane
and
so
a
confusing.
combatant
plantation
every
day
big
did
the
reinforcements
lots
up
in
big
to
or
we
pile
a
first
the
to
one.
be
fellow
two.
of
supply
got
mid-November
daylight
of
first
supplies,
battle
area
but
Now
ammunition
In
orders
We
dive
game
dumps
the
it
of
turned
did
wasn’t
let’s
and
and
first
Guadalcanal,
on
but
to
for
well
bombard
us
go
there
they
every
we
into
of
the
warfare
and
1942, and
back
most
the
managed
ruled
Japanese.
and
8
night
we
supplies.
6/29/2009
big
or
to
they
every
a
they
with
9
for blew
us.
it
strip
night
or
we
at
to us.
fueled
the
way,
come
was
in
cases were
coast
ammunition.
more
would
the
whenever
determine beach.
say
Mr.
Guadalcanal
spotting
half
first
destroyer
“food”
like
Graff:
because
red
back
right two
than
out
an
fire.
Then,
On
You
half
a
plane.
hot.
hour
miles.
turkey
at
there
that,
by
in
back
board
or
The
of
sea
could
So,
with
the
there
it’s
and
its
And
“supplies”
The
that
November,
we
was
We
up.
and
destruction
location
early
magazines
We
too
shoot.
ship
the
an
we
number
see
were
destroyed
we
had
a
It
came
long
Army
steamed
ATLANTA,
the
just
target
in
everything.
was
had
one
two
It
the
or
and
damage
to
kept
right
was
we
of
to
rigorous.
spotter
“ammunition”
was
so
below
destroyer
morning,
tell
or
their
other
copper
stop
up
were
we
successful
inching
three
back.
the
terrible.
and
control
with
fighting
life
could
and
The
on
knowledge
active
whole
powder
night
we
You
the
before
who
We
by
a
up
all
plane,
walk
steamed
Marine
burning
people
We
ground.
and
that
were
would
the
guns
and
while
history.
battles.
came
18
cases
dawn,
must
ATLANTA
the
coast,
on
then
way. what
at trained
spotter.
working had
with
go the
all
the
spotting
General
on Two
We
have
In calibrate
landing
it
down
firing.
the
We
deck.
hoses
food
the
us
probably
August,
were
out
spotters
way
killed
never
and
They
ship,
parties
plane,
about did
Quarters
and
at
sloshing
It
Orders craft
the
not
we
down,
really
was
good
an
September,
blowing
on
left
had
was.
on
range
hurt,
were
150
would
put
came
awful
the
tremendous
Guadalcanal.
told
a
the
half point-blank
work firing,
down
the
miles
plane
The
deck,
let’s
a
on
out
ship
up
us
make
mile
lot
the
empty
the
again.
spotters
the
to
just
October,
all
from
the
up
and
of
got
would
time,
off
go
spot.
the
guns
a
people,
above,
affair.
put
then
6/29/2009
shell
so
little
range,
up
the
We
time.
at
would
great
it
that
the
Both
and
that
dip
a
It but
three completely
Force were GQ, least.
was, Navy force.
themselves
battle
with had
Unit naval Commander material
Tassafaronga Scott
12 th,
only
so
the
that
an
in
not
days.
was
regs)
fights
at
into
General
We
Let’s
A The
the
the
infinitesimally
which
night
and
going
search
was
month
the
night
found
point
opinion
because
is
professional,
story
The
at
and
enough
now
worth
we
Task
sent
of
Quarters
a
we
to
lights
first
battle.
place
before,
November
is,
how
tried
out
of
go
let
to
were
Unit
of
people
you
how
mentioning.
ships
to
beat
night’s
us
by
he
professional
called
and
bluntly
small
November
push
is
busting
sunk.
Commander still
in
came
acutely
Admiral
up
nothing
to
star
October got
12 th
battle
have
Tassafaronga.
the
force, them
be
to
to
shells
very
there
the
was
Japanese,
unqualified
stop
be
That
Callaghan your
serious
was
off
Navy
1,
he
codes
little
1942,
in
to
going
who
them.
for
big
“the
stopped
ship,
the
the
routine,
illuminate
people,
sleep.
three
there’d
radio
that if
did
biggest
but
start
Canal”.
to
the
It’s
you’re
19
The
was
as
be
the
it,
a
the
days,
watch-standing
a
just
of
SAN traffic
Rear
the
ATLANTA and
the
fighting selected
been
deed.
the
ship the
Japanese
not
They
a
start
so
attack,
other
FRANCISCO
Admiral
little
battlefield.
second
from
a
(which
hard
the
He
smaller
of
were
to
commander
people
tiny
battle
knew the
was
battleship,
it,
at
be
was
battle
by
work
he
but
coming
and
the
village
Japanese
going
size,
was
the
was
how. not
Admiral
who
they
Task
so
of
had
but
name
in hand-to-hand
going
to
required
forth
Savo
to
cruiser,
thought
on
down
had
Low
no
the
it
Force
take
indicated
be
the
tires
Callaghan
radar.
of
enough
tiny
on
to
Island,
November
and
again
our
coast.
Norman
rage
top
and
to
you
6/29/2009
Task
behold,
Task
be
She
of
they
in
the
out
night
for
by
At big destroyer formation, with all their convoy of troop transports behind them. He sunk a cruiser and a destroyer; we lost only one destroyer. The Japanese transports turned around. It was a great victory for the Americans and it showed that Scott was a fighter.
When he was ordered aboard the ATLANTA, he was given no fighting responsibility.
He was just nothing, a Rear Admiral on the bridge. I guess Headquarters didn’t have a command spot for him, but they wanted him up there. He was the man who should have been the Commander of our Task Group.
November 12, 1942. We were a column of ships which consisted of four destroyers, four cruisers—the SANFRANCISCO,the ATLANTA,the HELENA and I think JUNEAU was the last cruiser, followed by four destroyers. ATLANTAhad fire control radar which could see far and accurately. The SANFRANCISCO did not. We made radar contact with enemy ships as did the ship behind us, the HELENA. She had taller masts and could see farther, and she said they’re out there at twelve miles or something like that. We were now in the heart of Iron Bottom Bay with Guadalcanal three to five miles on our portside, with Florida Island, Tulagi, five or six miles on our starboard side and five miles ahead, a little island called Savo, S-a-v-o. That piece of water in there had no name but by the time we had occupied Guadalcanal in February
1943 there were 59 Japanese and American ships lying on the bottom there gave it a name: Iron Bottom Bay.
We went forward. At twelve miles HELENA got radar contact and very shortly thereafter, we made contact. Admiral Callaghan didn’t do anything about it. We just kept seeing them come closer.
20 6/29/2009
positions Japanese
something said, gave were
dangerous the
bothered
cruisers
in torpedoes
somehow down then
then
single in we
at Mr.
Mr.
the
the
6,000
Task
gonna
“I’m the
not
started
the
Graff:
Morris:
course
and
Esperance
column
of
command.
Force
ships allowed
SAN
yards
all
with
going
we
to
like
doing
and
shoot??
ours
your
to
arm,
The
of
were
them;
FRANCISCO
crossing
that, Let
God
of
work,
and
to
the
and
to
terrible
to
fight.
ships
American
turn
Japanese
which
me
get
not.
our
fighting
knows
and
fire
maybe
Now
So, it
odd
left.
close
was
our
to
fire
our
The
then
until
We
suddenly
damage.
is
guns
fire
we
boys
why
left
fascinating,
kept
twenty
control
T.
I’m
this
ships
around
must Japanese
straightened
decided
either
could
at
to
The
and
the
sorry
in
the
steaming
door.
the
the
right
have
Of
here,”
destroyers.
people
even
traditional
people
the
see
Guadalcanal
first
cruisers.
to
destroyers
course
Callaghan
came
Go
been
because up
the
enemy
do
guns,
ships
so
towards
out
the up
ahead.
in
ships,
what
21
down
he
too
we
the
in
in
alley
of Naval
just
fired
turned
There
So,
they
the
might
our
decided
start
close
Japanese
Scott
the
SAN
ghosts,
in
us,
Admiral
shooting
between
director
at
column.
two
were
enemy
maneuver
to
weren’t
we
left
to
us
had
FRANCISCO
have
turn
this
them,
but
columns
or
towards
for
lethal,
torpedoes
done
Callaghan
the
been
column at
were
them
left
we
was
Here
maybe
many
everybody
apparently,
Crossing
Task
effectively
could
and
terribly
just
now
going
them.
and
and
came
battle
coming
Captain
must
ninety
Force
didn’t
obliterated
turned
Scott
getting
gave
see
crazy.
Finally
the
destructive
The
on
ships
have
them.
for
the
Commander
degrees
the
fire,
took
at
file
the
Jenkins
around
Tee
too
their
you,
When
last
6/29/2009 orders
sunk
that
we
way
but
of
but
his
And
time
sink
were
or
we
and
ten
and
are for
touch
Mr.
bridge,
Mr.
us
SAN forward
which,
second
19
celebrations.)
Gruccis
ATLANTA’s
coursing lights, you
them
Japanese
like Task
so
eight
Graff:
Morris:
a
couldn’t
FRANCISCO,
it
the
Group
and
plate
floodlights,
put
torpedo,
etc.
In
sent
engine
are
inch
the
Captain.
crossed
continue
the
two
of
a
a
Very
concentrated
waters,
shell-holes
imagine
Really?
process,
family
huge
superstructure.
spaghetti.
They’re
torpedoes
room
maybe
our
really!
It
illuminations,
to
plume
bless
high
in
killed
at
Tee!
sink
it.
either
all
New
it
the
through
There
I’ve
Friendly had
explosive
in
on
of
it,
over
them
everybody
The
bulkhead
us,
water York
a
somehow
one
an
got
It
Japanese
the
were
one,
fire-fight
right
was
influence
our
or
star-shells,
a
City
fire.
up world
piece
shells,
two
in
like just
superstructure—pilot
and
on
but
else
figured
the
who
destroyer
That
enemy
down.
the
of
ships
doing
blew
broke
it
fuse
ATLANTA,
friendly
in
22
didn’t
paper
do
illuminations,
greatest
killed
the
out
it
and
or
extravagant
ships
them
into
You’ve
and
pilot
or
something,
here,
do
that
fire people
Norman
a
a
the
in
Grucci
and
any
million
cruiser,
house,
we
by
somewhere
from
fact.
got
adjacent
they
damage
were
San now
house,
explosions,
Fourth
all
Scott,
firework
the
killed
but
pieces
I
don’t
Francisco
of
shooting
don’t
an
port
it
the
boiler
radio
to
the
of
enemy
blew
to
all
last
the
which
firepower
July
side
know,
display
Admiral,
show
but
torpedoes
shack,
room
ship.
long.
every
up
raking
right
ship
firework
two
is
before
you.
exactly
ever.
so
up,
And
signal
The
side,
and
of
6/29/2009
into
of
it
the
fantastic
my
It
didn’t
and
one
it
put
the
(The
the
looks
hit the
having
“Bob,” woke
following there,
down
house,
done.
half
‘there’s
door was
see.
make then,
into
this
shell
above.
everywhere
pieces
signal
deck
to
dead
me.
Everybody
of
fragments
up
to
obviously
I
a
I
that
over
guys.
After me,
he
of
think
the
long
found
nothing
The
the
groggily
A
below
the
flying
in
said,
visual
and
pilot
all
fragment
Quarterdeck.
the
in
partition
story
a
there
I
route
I
while,
the
between.
survived.
“Are
knocked
couldn’t
I
water.
started
I
and
was
steel.
house
couldn’t
and
in
can
bodies
short,
was
that
my
on
you
dead,
I
would
was
do,’
I
I’m
guess,
his was
looked coming
There
the
then
head.
down
I
move
all
And,
I
and
I
like
didn’t
and
feel
arm
the
can’t
standing
Captain
blown
passed
right?”
land
to
I
were
noticed
paper
Ed
Captain
so
knocked
again
anything,
up
very
with
the
don’t
down
tell
do
on
I
and
said,
open,
out. main
said,
flames
had
anything.
well
here
you
a
I
me,
so
and
know
like
that
said,
Navy
there
had
“Yeah,
I
down.
taken,
‘I
deck.
and how,
just
and
still
but
so
with
fireworks
there
think
almost
“1
how
gone
23
was
forth.
ring
I
I
I
burning
got
don’t
a but
could
could
guess
There
I
I
I
I
was
chest-high
long,
didn’t I
a
see.”
looked
on
and
got
peppered
better
fellow
everywhere.
not
Finally
think
one
and
not crawl,
up
see
I
was
dropped
phosphorous,
someone
unscathed.
began
He
know,
and
around
leave.’
hand.
much
in I
Ensign,
nothing
so.
remember
I
said,
from
there.
steel
so
couldn’t
tried
to
Bad
and
into
I
of
Down
get
“I’m
started
crawled The
and
Well,
partition,
head
to
Admiral
a
I
I
There
fell,
burns,”
a
friend,
a
could
started
and
thought
see
armored
machine
get
watching
gonna
little
through
to
sooner
from
to
who
I
into
was
toe
up.
was
do.
shake
the
crazy.
is Ed
Scott,
to
get
the
and
to
what
was
the
nothing
Then
port
get
gun
said
great
Corboy,
The
the
so
them
myself,
you
6/29/2009
me
last
pilot
but
numb
hit
doing
To
bay
rear
hold
I
than
ship
star-
and
sky
said,
deck
eat by
to
a 1
the
the
quickly
to
give
were
So,
protecting
taken
the
They biggest
Lunga
and rudder
Guadalcanal
The
know
get
help.”
save
edge
wounded
main
100
me
drag
or
ATLANTA
actively
didn’t
ashore,
if
Point,
take the
was
Shortly
All
went
He
down
It
Naval
well
of
the
deck
us
wasn’t
the
ship.
Henderson
the did
shot
some,
slightly
know doctor
people
people
to
area.
the
fighting
still
to
ship
battle
and
Marines
and
after
work
the
and
We
had
Higgins
long
a
what
and
put
and
they
It did
float.
were
after
were
nearer
dawn,
since
was
lost
been
fighting had
the
before
Field.
in
there
anything.
maybe
and
to
arrived,
the
going
mess
also
171
Boats
put, to
fires
Jutland,
make
towed
to
people
Army
were concern
Higgins
dawn.
I
people
Guadalcanal
there.
taken
as
some
room
and
don’t
around
transferred
but
of
I
during
I
maybe
was,
people
in
or
was
engaged
it,
off
I
corpses.
Higgins
which
itself
The
killed
remember
the
Boats
so
had
the
in
in
unconscious.
later
they
the
sickbay
dead
100
enormous
who
circles,
passed
foxholes,
with
shore.
and
was
to
24
and
in
night
and
Boats
said
people
I
shore
the
were
were
don’t
a
58
anything
taken
one
like
put
out
larger
but
when
by
So
other
people
started
which
sea
able
on-shore
stacked of
to
involved
the
by
know.
the
me,
we
to
the
work
cruiser,
battle
we
the
damage
shore.
only
bodied
tug
ended
about
were
badly
held wounded
coming
would
time.
somewhere,
Those
did
right
had
seagoing
in
fighting
taken
that,
twelve
up
PORTLAND,
After
wounded,
people
their
control
come
bleacher
What
see
three
away
out
in
I
stations.
in
we
back
don’t
ATLANTA
them
from
over
shipboard
stretchers,
tug
not
stretchers
they
continued
miles
on
i
wounded
suppose,
so
seats
yard!
in
involved
remember
shore.
for
afterwards.
Guadalcanal.
did
225
the
I
whose
from
a
don’t
6/29/2009
for
was
little
fires.
just
people,
up
that
to
They
were
and
the
with
on
try
to
off bit
turns
out
on where just
They had
absolutely
battleship.
established
functioning the
land
thank
was, you
came
whom
perforated
guy
landing.
me.
third
and
a
an
doing?”
leaning
close
a
told
coming
lot
down
you,”
I
brand I
endless
After
I
cut
After
was
had
day was
of
I
me
and
immobile.
remember
cap
out We’d
on
officers
in
and
but
over
put
reprimanded
when
a new
and
in
He
about
later
our
Guadalcanal.
they
while
and
explosion.
pieces
the
I
in bombed
said,
me,
passed
peering
sunk
antibiotic,
Navy,
that
a
Admiral
he’s
won’t
foxhole
a killed
field
I
week
waking
a
I
of
“I’m
was
one
they
medical
couldn’t
sprinkling
flesh,
out
and
delivered
at hospital
once
need
and
(makes
taken
earlier
of
saving
for
thought
Willis
me
again.
and
strafed
up
this,
wounded.
I
for
three
to
and
corpsman,
guess,
see
for
it
in
sprinkle
and
with
bomber
white
Lee, a
your
did
I
the
a
In
seeing
I
a
and
guess,
naughty
and
days
transport
was
moment
some
any
save
coup
out
seven
in
life.
I
bombarded
powder
Seven
couldn’t
going
or
charge
any
noise)
case,
of
and
if
they
my
25
cruisers
de
maybe
act
I
This
my
other
was
and
plane
more
he’s
grace
life.
had
were
in
to
and
over
bottom
of
I
is
the
hear.
seeing
die.
breathing.
wounded
thought,
got
taken
four.
one
sulfanilamide.”
Henderson
and
sulfanilamide
I
south
shooting
in
me,
started
fox-hole
a
According
the
of
drove
1
(because
big
a
Every
the head
really
to
our
guy
same
one
ATLANTA
can
Efate
to
biggest
up
Doctors
the
few
to
I
Field
I
say
day
was
next
woke
in
ward knew,
a
foot.
I
Japs
on
to
second
(in
battleships
have
his
to
a
I
a
them,
and
night
pieces
me.
bomb’s knew
the
him,
began
mess.
up,
with
hand
out.
I
a
quite
survivors.
said,
the
seaman
Hebrides)
Japanese
We
and
the
“thank
I
me
what
of
with
was
We
operating
earth
They
going
a
“What
left
were
there’s
Japanese
shrapnel
6/29/2009
at
few
were
that I
Efate.
you,
was
took
knew,
on
We
to
are a
the
which
next. to
and look
round was
good
the
Auckland presentable, remember
be for
get
was
Christmas
asking
scars)
Brooklyn
deaf.
closest
more
amount
me,
was
put
taken
around.
fortune
of
was
and
myself,
In
Next
In
I
on
starting
operations
operations.
had
San
who
due
to
filled
dinner
Christmas
hospital
temporarily
a
of
Naval
I
thing
Dutch
a
to
Too
a
became
Francisco,
time,
food
base
“Would
would
fair
have
the
to
menu
good
happened;
Hospital,
be
to
chance
they
trans-pacific
hospital
and
I
holes.
that
dinner
Now
was
their
invite
a
a
replaced
I
human to
from
candidate
various
were
rather
I
experience,
able
be
was
I
home
of
They
wounded
there
at
could
because
the
true?
I
life.
offering
to
all.
was
transferred
being
be
treatments,
and
merchantman
hospital
patched
before
walk
for
for
deaf
see
I
When
I
put
just
other
was
the
again.
December
an
soldiers
it
shadows
the
around
in
or
the
was
lay
invitation
Navy’s
taken
among
me
I
a
would
patients.
stuff.
to
finally
hospital
I
Navy
26
there.
Finally
very
together,
the
had
the
and
and
out
but
and
program
One
I
my
Oakland
a
Oakland
decided
civilized.
got
rather
sailors
from
broken
a
sent
I
I
ship
I
I
ATLANTA
still
couple
don’t
day
was
guess
ambulatory,
and
to
a
that
be
couldn’t
was I
New
Naval for
what
well
San
tooth
doctors
Hospital
took
think
blind?”
of
January,
Then
took
a
to
Francisco.
times
meal
Zealand
enough
would
a
Hospital
in
take
I
papers.
bus
sometime
hear.
us
ate
so
said
the
a
with
I
by
to
sometime
that
wounded
little
to decided
any
happen
front
to
if
New
family
family
I
San
the
them.
It’s
for
remember
be
I
of
bit.
was
of
in
given
Francisco
it.
Zealand.
the
bugs
incredible,
I’d
to
January
my
in
friends
people
like
I
6/29/2009
I
I
next
them
have
don’t
rather
had
didn’t
mouth
orders
that,
the
a
to
I
to I
free VIP.
available they train brook
orange you
platter “Any
“Just
going marvelous
nice doing
Oakland Oakland
somehow said, sat service
down
trout.”
sit
refill
for
stops
“My
when
I
coffee?”
to
trout.
a
with
told juice
down.”
So I
men,
great
you
have went
Hospital?”
at
for
and
the
or
son’s
I
at
experience.
about
you
my
a
came
because
and
I other
VIPs
there
a
job
cover
the
tanks.
breakfast
said:
across
water
friend
“No.”
And
do,
out
then
under
older
5:30
down
on
I
was
just
and
there.
survived
“Wow!
he
Before
“Yes.”
you’re
stop
country
board.”
he
who
I
and
gentleman
a
said,
To
said, awful
tomorrow?”
ask
a
at
disappeared.
dining
large
because
9:00
about
runs
He’s
give
for
helping
the
How’cl “that’ll
“Do He
and
on
conditions.”
The
plate.
me,
and
the
you
car
war,
an
said,
the
8:00
I
you
who
the
waiter
trust
aviator.
tank,
make
and
he
Union
us
an
you
come
Union
I
“You
He want
diesel,
I
In
said,
had
was
in
example
went
I
he
do
I’ve
went
about
took
sure all
said:
later.”
will
a
Pacific
I
some serving
were
that?”
Pacific
27
“Yes,
He’s
table
that
said,
I
in
got
you
guess
the
in
ten
also.” the
“There
of
fighting
fighting
to
orange on
a
“My
I’ll
and
cover
streamliner
get
“Oh,”
how
minutes
returning
dining
always
asked
get
Guadalcanal.”
they
come
I
He
one
are
ship
dinner.
sat
civilians
off,
juice
were
he
out
and
me,
said:
car
of
no
kept
down.
he
late
was
said,
and
wounded
my
there?”
and
VIPS dying
“Are
first?”
from
came
diesels,
The
“I’d
a
at
sunk
there
reacted
tables,
small “during
found
9:00.”
He
you
“Well”,
now.
San
train
out
back
like
I
off
I
gave
were
guy
need
said,
said,
pond
just
there.
I’ll Francisco,
an
to to
of
had
with Well,
the
You’re
who
wounded
open
me do
three
see
Guadalcanal,
I
out
water
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
with
night said,
left
something
a
Are
my
you
6/29/2009
he
of
deserves
silver
table.
fried
the
trout
and
“He’s
said,
you a
the
when
He I
they
to
Navy you
and
were little good
has going medical
the looked It’s
case.
combat
side
my
Philadelphia
up
experienced
different
don’t
of
were
bit
heavy
idea,
after
Come to
parents’
to
“When
through
it
He
I “Well,”
The
I
experience
weak,
men
was
survey
did
and
them.”
do
going
talked
and
all.”
next
cruiser
back
and
that.”
doctors
quizzed
assigned
it’s
house
and
I
I’m
Commander your
you
to
got
night
In
Navy
week
they
very
with
in
I
survey
going
and
another
hulls
“Well,”
to
out
two
think
service
in
examined
me.
said
warfare tough.
to
his I
Yard.
Brooklyn,
you
Scarsdale.
came
of
whose
weeks
a
to
colleagues
maybe
the
me
Then
Fast the
two
can’t
tell
one
record
or
MONTEREY
We
back
out
blessed
at Navy.
Captain,
me.
Light
and
weeks
superstructure
you
they
doctor
first-hand.
I
with
afford
of
think
was
Every
and
and
we’ll
why.
They
the
said:
and
Carrier,
words:
I a
examined
went
said,
you’ve
it’s
was
Navy.
to
whatever
little
they
see
day
came
I’m
lose
“Lieutenant,
very
28 was
We
out
“It’s
before
what’s
more
the
for
“We’re
said:
had
one
served
the
I
to
of
first
don’t
strong.
said
the
MONTEREY,
not and
he
the
been
of
the
ones
rest,
the
“You’ve
what
was,
first
again
to
the
my
made
not
your
conclusion
have
hospital.
Survey
removed the
I’d
you
(I
We’ve
few
call.
going
week
“I
then.”
was
of
country
be
many
doctors
an
have.
don’t
people
made
a
ready
There’s
out-patient.
a
Board
new
I
examined
to
which
JO
went
and
after
officers
think
survey
I
a
who
and
by
class
feel
to
in
pretty
the
and
back
the
a
that
was
go
our
therefore
that’s
told
Survey
fit,
hull
of
you
with
the
the
back.”
first
Navy
time)
I
convincing
building
to
though
ship.
went
me:
covered
five
medical
out
such
Brooklyn
that
week
6/29/2009
Board.
who
we’ve
we’re
of
“I
These
back
a
a
hope
the
in
that by
string releasing
roared the
to
and,
commander
peeled
had
bridge
circle Commander’s
whose
also Pacific.
were
were
big
were
were
a
the
flight-deck
swing
the
fleet,
then
looked
of
assigned
again
very
commissioned
deck.
above
overhead
off as
real
One
conn,
We
epithets
Our
its
seeing
Assistant
the
left
the
effective,
name
in
went
torpedo.
ordered
night,
down
I
the
big
fighters
to
you
at
remained
attacking
the
Headquarters
to.
the
and
handle
a
Task
at
task
was
out
front
Betty
know,
on
zigzagging
All
me
Navigator,
given
a
crashed
and
and
during
their
About
provided
Force
forces,
Smiley,
sharp
the
for
a
lines.
standing
Japanese
almost
useful.
controlling shaken
squadron
pilots
course,
standing
big
left
he a
that
on
in
just
We
storm
to
if
carrier
serving
the
radioed
the
upon
the
turn
had
I
down.
time avoid
up.
formation as
remember
I
fought
combat
water
of
gave
up
biggest
the
for
a
the
for
us,
When
brethren.
33
the
feisty
as
all
an
down:
ATLANTA
a
Then
ship,
all
the
our
fighters
astern Junior
in
test
Captain
the
attack
air
29
carrier
ships
the
the
and
outlook
command
rapid right,
while
when
we run
patrol
“Which
Marshalls
order
of
One
made Officer
by
as
in
went
after
got
fire
us
of
was
Japanese
and their
the
a
had
time for
whatever
all.
and
single
came
up
a
weapons
to
out we
runway
summoned
formation.
conning
run
of
whichever
been
mission.
on
the
the
burst
As
and
got
and
the
over
on
torpedo-carrying
his
helmsman. Betty Smiley
Squadron
in
Gilberts
out
Deck
they
joined
us.
into
do
Corrected
feet
blazing
the
the
the
of
you
These
to
Bombers,
The
The
large
were
flame
big
spewing
voice
ship
to
got the
the
the
want
the
in
Commander,
Task
Captain
at
leagues.
shipyard
in
task
doing.
Task
in
The light
the
fighting
Text
without
radio
it,
Captain
the
his
me
a
he
Central
Force
1
Betty force
Betty
Force carriers
landing
was
8/1312009
to dropped
to
complied
They
We
and
with
use?”
check
who
we
on
the the place. I didn’t know the meaning of some of the curses. The Captain finally said: “You silly son-of-a-bitch standing up like that! You might have been killed!” I replied quietly that the helm was hard over in a turn. Somebody had to stop the turn when that was ordered and straighten up on the new course or we might have collided with one of our own ships. I simply did what had to be done. The Captain quieted down.
To his credit he didn’t keep a grudge. Six months later I wanted to go to a Naval
War College. I filled out an application. The Captain had to sign it, which he did, and appended to it a very strong letter of recommendation. I didn’t get accepted. I was however, ordered to return to San Francisco to join the commissioning crew of another
ATLANTA class ship, the FLINT, that was being built there. It was my third and last ship.
Mr. Morris: Since they were called cruisers, they were...
Mr. Graff: So I went to San Francisco, my favorite city and had a glorious six or eight weeks there, met two or three most attractive girls, met a man who was one of the civic leaders who introduced me to his family. By the way, I got separated from Navy service in San Francisco after the war ended because I wanted to see if! could get ajob and stay there. I loved the city.
But first I fitted out the FLINT, same business as before, a plank-holder for the third time; I was a member of the pre-commissioning crews of the ATLANTA, the
MONTEREY, and the FLINT. The FLINT was built in the Bethlehem Yard in South
San Francisco. When we went to sea and joined the fleet in Pearl Harbor it was getting to
30 6/29/2009
flames. was Harbor
Mr. Luzon the
started officers (Laughter Mr. believed HOSTILITIES. we were Japan
be
Okinawa,
shot attacks,
the
were
battle
over
Graff:
Morris:
a
just
to
lot end
before
to
One
duplicated
and
five
Seeing
prepare
it. doing
but
weep. fighting
of of
and
from
of
shot
enlisted
Leyte
other
At or
not
the
that,
I
from
all
six
was
the
first
onlookers.)
To CEASE
out a
for
war.
planes continuously.
this,
it
landing
in
after
and
whole
Okinawa
be
going
nobody
in
some
men of
the
We
killed
next
many
one
the
us
Philippines.
in
FiRE.
had
event
to
of
on
this
got
sun
day
different
stop,
believed
the
say,
ways
when
we
been
Kyushu
there
time.
and
there
and
THE
kamikazes.
The went
we
who
killed so
crashed
peace
in
having
battles
fought
came
guns
We
the
that
We
JAPANESE
which
would
up
time
cease
after
shot
with
had
fought
its
were
an
on
failed
to
31
and
at
was
authenticity believe
returned
encoded
join
every
Iwo
cease a
a
fire
hot
in-between
Task
neighboring
at
to
to
the
SURRENDER!
Jima,
message.
Leyte
take
again.
one
fire
prevent
that?
Force
main
overwhelmed
message
of
had
place
and
became
Gulf,
them
There
battles,
and Task
it,
been
destroyer
the
Navy
a
guessing
and
in
bombarded
month
next
down.
Force
were
unquestioned.
announced,
the
Headquarters
Of and
we
us.
fight
clear:
course
in
several
or
had
suddenly
of
Thank
that
a
two
the
was
cloud
fought
the
some
STOP
nobody
many
fleet
later.
kamikaze
God!
at
6/29/2009
coast
The
while
of
in
at
for
ALL
Pearl
of
We
war
of
We us FLINT was assigned a position with two destroyers as a Task Unit, I was the navigator of the FLINT by this time and thus navigator for the little Task Unit. We were given station off a rock named Nii Shima. We were there as a signal station for our planes that were going to Hiroshima. It was a place for the planes to circle to set their final run, to calibrate their course. If they flew over us in a certain direction, they were right on target. We just cruised a big circle and looked for submarines and finally the war was over.
The Task Force, including our Task Unit, steamed into Yokosuka Harbor and anchored. I wasted no time, I went around to see the Executive Officer. “Sir, as you know, I have many more separation points than are needed. I’d like to request leave for separation.” The Exec didn’t want me to do that. He and, later the Captain, both sat me down and said, “We want you to stay in the Navy.” I replied: “That’s an honorable request, I would be just as honorable in replying to you that I have never been in civilian life. The day I graduated from college I came right into the Navy. I’ve been here for five and a half years. I want to see some civilian life, if you don’t mind, before I make any decision as important as the one you’re asking me to make, and which I regretfiully decline. If the day comes in civilian life when I think I really do want to rejoin the Navy because I don’t like civilian life, I’ll get in touch with you.” They said, “You’d make a good Naval officer.” I said: “I hope I have made a good Naval Officer.”
I was put on a freighter bound for San Francisco.
I met a splendid Marine Colonel en route to separation, he too. We hit it off
Arriving at the Golden Gate, my new friend turned and said: “I’m going to provide you continuing help for situations in civilian life that put you face to face with an impossible
32 Corrected Text 8/13/2009 person. Instead of getting frustrated or angry, just pull out this calling card which has helped me so many times. Read its words to yourself. He handed me the card. On it was engraved: “Why are there so many more horses’ asses than there are horses?” My laughter brightened my homecoming.
I was separated from the service in San Francisco. I couldn’t find a job that was right. I was offered a post to start a group hospital plan, like the Kaiser Permanente
Foundation in San Francisco. A group of San Francisco leaders asked me if I would take this on. I said: “I’m not afraid of the administrative challenge, but I think I’m so ignorant about medicine that I wouldn’t be effective. Thank you for the honor of being asked.” I tried to get my job back on THE CHRONICLE where I had served in uniform in the office as a re-write man while I was fitting out the FLINT, but the paper had to give the job back to the fellow who went to war first. Job hunting was difficult because there were so many jobs in escrow, so to speak. I couldn’t find anything. Reluctantly I gave up on San Francisco and returned to the East Coast and began civilian life.
Is that enough?
Mr. Morris: It works for me. That was very detailed. Just the kind of thing I want. I didn’t have to ask any questions. I didn’t have to do anything. It was all there.
33 Corrected Text 8/13/2009