4-2-16
Frank Studenski: March 25, 1945 Early this morning, I got my first look at the California coast line. We pulled into Terminal Island Navy Yard flying our Homeward Bound pennant. While the N.O.B. Band played, Ginny Simms sang, “Oh What a Beautiful Morning,” with a lot of brass and civilians on the pier. Just about all of the crew were on the port side. The first leave party left the ship this afternoon. We also got paid this morning and I got $630.00. I will buy my ticket tomorrow.
After more than a year and a half of active combat duty, the crew of CA-69 is back in the States. Their ship is about to have a major overhaul, and will be retrofitted with brand-new advanced radar equipment. When she returns to the action a few months later, the Boston will take forward position in task group maneuvers – leading with the best radar. She will come to be called (call name) The Lone Ranger in the final operations of the war.
On March 1, the Boston participated in the first actions against Okinawa, but was ordered home a few days later. Ships launched carrier strikes against the island and all around Tokyo in preparation for the upcoming “last battle before invading Japan itself” – Okinawa. On April 1st, the first waves of army and marine invaders hit the beaches. While the crew of CA-69 began enjoying their well-deserved 21 day leaves, the fiercest and deadliest battle of the Central Pacific War was unleashed. The losses on both sides were staggering. Over the next couple of months, we’ll look at Okinawa. We’ll focus mostly on the incredible loss of life and hardware endured by the US ships off the shores of Okinawa at the hands of the Kikusui – 10 organized, massive kamikaze attacks.
The following shots, from the National Archives (and included in the CA-69 folders [thanks, Bill and Rivka]) are dated April 3, and were taken by one of the planes from CVE-72, USS Tulagi:
credits (for all 3): CVE-72#407 3 April 1945 photog: E.W. Pack, CPhoN USS Tulagi. Ampibious operations on Okinawa, Ryuku Islands. Camera K-20, F.L. 6 3/8″ Alt. 800′ LST’s on beach.