Category: Uncategorized

1944: On May 5, the ships pull into Majuro, the southernmost deep lagoon anchorage in the Marshall Islands.   The fleet is regrouping and preparing for the upcoming campaign to capture the Mariana Islands.   On May 19, the Boston regroups outside of the lagoon into a new Task Group, 58.6, with the heavy carriers Wasp, Hornet, Essex and Franklin and the light carrier San Jacinto.   The Boston is joined by two sister cruisers of the Baltimore class; Baltimore and Canberra, as well as light cruisers Reno and San Diego. This formidable Task Group, screened by 14 destroyers, steams north for Operation Persecution — a quick and deadly raid on the Japanese stronghold islands of Wake and Marcus. By midday on May 24, the raiders are back in Majuro.   The men on the Boston stay in the lagoon until June 6 – the beginning of Operation Forager –   the opening act of the heaviest 6 months of naval combat action of the Pacific War.

1945: The Boston is moored in San Pedro still; undergoing upgrades and repairs in preparation for the final push against Japan and the planned massive invasions of the Home Islands.   The second half of crewmembers have returned from leave and are onboard by May 7. May 8 is V.E. Day   –   great news for the soldiers and sailors fighting in the Atlantic Theatre, but a grim reminder for the men on the Boston who are preparing to re-embark and sail to Japanese waters.   The news from Okinawa is gut-wrenching; wave after wave of massive kamikaze attacks are reducing American ships to melting fireballs and twisted wreckage.   The sailors know this: the folks back home do not.   Military censors kept a very tight wrap on this horrific story.

The Boston remains in San Pedro until June 1, when she heads west and sails to Pearl Harbor.

In an earlier post, I mentioned that a few copies of the ship’s weekly newsletter, the Bean Pot, were sent to me by family members of seaman Augustus Harris.   I waxed on about how words can touch us – even when they float across a period of 65 years . . .     Well, here are a couple of cartoons that appeared in the March 3, 1945 edition :

Little slices of life aboard a combat ship in the height of the Pacific War.

Steve

Based on my work at the National Archives, I’m excited to announce and have implemented a new crew list for the Sailors of the USS Boston.  If you click on the ‘Crew List’ in the navigation menu, you’ll see a current listing of the database of the Sailors of the Boston.  I included a crew list from a source outside the the archives and that gave me about 1,500 names.  I am now systematically adding names and information starting with the commissioning on June 30, 1943.  I am working my way alphabetically and I’ve entered all the names up to the last name starting with “F”.

It looks like we will have about 2,500 to 3,00o names.  If you click on the name, and I’ve enterted the information for that sailor, you’ll see individual sailor record which currently includes name, rank, enlistment date and place and when the sailor left the boston.  I will be adding records and filling in missing information as I go.

I’m hoping to add pictures to this database.  Also, I will be including subsequent promotions (and demotions), discipline issues, and sick bay issues.

that’s all for now….

Bill

1944: On the 18^th and 19^th, the ships of Task Force 58 steam west towards New Guinea. The dawn fighter launches from the carriers on April 20 marks the beginning of Operation Reckless — the support of General MacArthur’s invasion of Hollandia.   On the 29^th, the ships left the area and began heading north and east toward the anchorage at Majuro.   On the way, however, they would attack enemy bases in the Carolines, especially Truk. During this action, the ship came under attack several times by enemy dive-bombers, and the Boston’s gunners splashed more than one “Jill.”

The action continued into early May. On May 1, Boston formed up with several other cruisers into a bombardment group and they pounded enemy targets on the Caroline Islands of Satawan, Ponape and Truk.

Courtesy of: the family of Robert O. Heidl, EM2C, CA-69

Born: April 14, 1923

Died: January 27, 1994

Robert attended boot camp at the USN Training Station, Great Lakes, IL.

He was a plank owner, serving on the USS Boston from pre-commission until he was transferred for discharge December 20, 1945.