steve

Early October 1944

10-8-16 In late September, task force planes were bombing Leyte in preparation for the upcoming invasion.   The Boston spent the last five days of the month anchored in Eniwetok.   On Oct 1, the ships headed west toward Okinawa to begin a systematic reduction of Japanese aircraft in bases that could

Octobers on the Boston

Oct 3, 2016 During October, 1943, the ship was in the midst of a month-long shakedown cruise along the Atlantic coast.   One year later, the Boston, a unit of Task Force 38, was in the midst of Operation King, a complex series of landings and strikes against targets in the

More Eniwetok

8-8-16 The following are a couple more snippets from the one-month-anchorage (August 1944): While at anchorage, I had to pull duty on one of the Higgins boats.   I was the bow man, and we had to make a trip to the battleship Indiana to pick up a passenger.   The lagoon

August 1944

7-31-16 July 31, 1944:     We are continuing course back to Eniwetok, all our fresh meat and vegetables are almost gone.   We are eating Spam almost two or three times a week, powdered eggs and dehydrated vegetables.   It will be good to eat fresh fruit again. August 1, 1944:   Today we

Operation Forager

7-10-16 The Task Force (TF58) left the anchorage at Majuro (Marshall Islands) on 6/6/44, beginning operations to take the Mariana Islands from Japan.   They focused on Guam, Tinian and Saipan, bombarding strategic targets and supporting the landings.   By mid June, the activities of the American ships triggered a

The Temple Bell revisited

6-24-16 Vol. 3 of Baked Beans has a section near the back about the Japanese Temple Bell.   I’ve seen it in the Emerald Necklace string of parks in Boston   –   it is in the Back Bay Fens, right across the street from the back of the Museum of Fine Arts.

Random stuff

6-4-16 Too young to retire . . . to old to . . . whatever.   So the writing of books about the Boston, and my participation in this blog, and the other Kellys (Bill and Lisa   –   who put a lot of behind-the-scenes energy into the websites)   –   for us, this is all a labor of love.   For

Remembering ALL folks who served

5-29-16 This National Archives aerial shot, taken Aug 28, 1945, by Lt. G.D. Rodgers, carrier pilot from the USS Shangri-LA, is captioned: American Prisoner of War camp in Japan.   Note: “News?” and “Drop Food” signs painted on roofs. We salute everyone who has served our country, in war and

Late May, Early June

5-21-16 May 27-31, 1945:   Today we are tied to the navy yard pier.   We are taking on ammo and provisions.   Liberty is up to 0800 hours, and I am taking advantage of it, returning just before time runs out.   I was A.O.L. on my last liberty and I

Meanwhile, back in the States . . .

5-14-16 A couple of bits from Frank Studenski: May 8-19, 1945:       Today is VE Day with the war over in Europe.   This does not mean very much to us, because we still have to go back to a war in the Pacific.   I don’t know how long this war

Floating Chrysanthemums

4-30-16 On April 6, 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched the first of ten massive air attacks   –   featuring kamikaze planes   –   against Allied ships (yes, the British Navy did have a small task group of their ships as part of Task Force 58 and 38 at the very end of the

San Pedro

2-28-16 Our friend Bob Knight also talked about San Pedro: I had a twenty-one day leave and I came home.   At that time, they had the DC3’s.   I spent most of the time on the flight home sitting on the coffee urn talking to the stewardesses.   We stopped in

While Okinawa raged on . . .

4-23-16 While Okinawa raged on, the men of the Boston were stateside, enjoying their hard-earned and well-deserved 21 day leaves.   While they were away, the ship was being worked on around the clock as she lie at anchor in San Pedro. As you probably know, I had the rare and

Joseph Pulaski

4-6-16

Joseph S. Pulaski, S1c

4-3-16 I received an email from Diane Balsam this morning.   She told me that her father, Joe Pulaski, aged 91, died earlier in the day. I live on the “other coast’ from Diane, and, as such, I haven’t met her face to face.   Nor did I get the chance

March - April 1945

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

Goin' Home

3-12-16 Frank Studenski:       March 6, 1945       After 16 months of continuous duty we weighed anchor and headed out of the lagoon streaming a 700 foot homeward bound pennant.   The pennant is so long it is held up by balloons.   Our first stop will be Pearl Harbor. George Pitts:     March 6,

A watershed moment

3-8-16 Just before Christmas of 2005, nine months or so after my father died, I went with my Mom, Bill, and his family to Hawaii for a couple weeks.   On a day when Bill and his crew were off doing something, my mother and I flew to Oahu from Maui.

Good news on March 2, 1945

3-3-16 Frank Studenski:     March 2, 1945:   This morning we fueled from tankers, we are heading back to Ulithi. Tonight we finally got the word we are going back to the states.   We have been waiting and dreaming for a long time. George Pitts:       March 3, 1945: (ignore the discrepancies in

Last words on Iwo Jima

2-27-16 From Feb. 23 through the 27th, the ships focused on launching carrier plane bombing strikes on Tokyo and the surrounding areas, where much of Japan’s airplane industries were centered.   The goal was to continue to lessen Japan’s abilities to move planes and launch airstrikes against what was

More Iwo

2-24-16 From George Pitt’s diary: Is this not amazing? We’re not quite done with Iwo Jima yet . . .

Feb 23, 1945

2-23-16 There, I caught up with the calendar! Frank Studenski:   February 23, 1945       This afternoon we fueled from tankers.   Tonight we are heading back to the Tokyo area. The water is getting rough and we are about 500 miles from Tokyo.   This time of year the weather is always rough.

Feb 22, 1945

2-23-16 From George Pitts Diary:

Feb 21 part c

2-22-16 I guess I’m “all in” on this: Let’s hear from Frank Studenski:   February 21, 1945: This morning we are with the rest of the cruiser bombardment force, we are nearing the island.   Destroyers can be seen in close, firing star shells at the island.   We teamed up

Feb 21 part b

2-22-16 sorry, i couldn’t fit all 4 pages into one post.   Here continues the rest of Feb 21 . . . From George Pitt Diary steve