The USS Pickens had completed a long trek, from Hawaii to Eniwetok, and on to Saipan. From there, loaded with Fourth Division Marines and accompanied by other transports and escort vessels, the Pickens reached its destination, the small island of Iwo Jima. The navy had shelled and bombed the island for three days, believing the Japanese defending would be decidedly weakened.
We had trained for several weeks and were proficient in putting our boats in the water quickly, loading the Marines and landing them ashore. Now this early morning would be the real test. I, although a radarman, manned the phones on the starboard side of a deck near the stern, where Marines would descend, using cargo nets to climb down to the boats. Everyone had his job to do, mine being communication over the phone. During training the phone worked perfectly but this morning it was dead. What to do? No one could help me. I had to abandon my post and find someone with more authority to listen to me and finally get a phone that worked. For several days I manned that post, day and night, as Marines and materiel left in our boats for the island. Some boats returned with wounded (we were an auxiliary hospital ship) and I watched as the wounded were put on stretchers and hauled aboard.
We had trained for several weeks and were proficient in putting our boats in the water quickly, loading the Marines and landing them ashore. Now this early morning would be the real test. I, although a radarman, manned the phones on the starboard side of a deck near the stern, where Marines would descend, using cargo nets to climb down to the boats. Everyone had his job to do, mine being communication over the phone. During training the phone worked perfectly but this morning it was dead. What to do? No one could help me. I had to abandon my post and find someone with more authority to listen to me and finally get a phone that worked. For several days I manned that post, day and night, as Marines and materiel left in our boats for the island. Some boats returned with wounded (we were an auxiliary hospital ship) and I watched as the wounded were put on stretchers and hauled aboard.
Mr. Lowe,
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed reading your blog... specifically your postings about your time spent aboard the USS Pickens. My grandfather, James (Jim) Ross Moon also served aboard the same ship during the war. I'm not sure if you knew each other, but from what I understand, he operated landing crafts. I am interested in learning more about his time in the service and I have found it to be somewhat difficult to find much substantial information about the Pickens... so I very much appreciate your postings and the insight that they provide. Thank you for your recollections!
-J. Kurk
kurkja@gmail.com
DeleteMr. Kurk
I was very happy to hear from you and that you enjoy my feeble efforts at keeping a blog going. I do post a lot about the Pickens and have located a few former shipmates and family members of former shipmates. I do not recall your grandfather but then I can remember very few. I have been hoping to hear from a former boat operator or crew member. The boats did the work; the ship just got them to the target. If you send me your mailing address I will send you a picture of the ship and its history. Again, I appreciate hearing from you.
Roy Lowe