While there was wild celebrating in the United States, the Pickens and other ships with troops waited for orders. After all, while Japan had announced it was surrendering, who knew how the Japanese military and general population would act when we landed occupying troops?
It began to appear that our country had forgotten us. All of the ships gave out of food and shared the rations the troops had. Next we bought sweet potatoes and rice from the natives; the potatoes were frost bit and the rice was hollow. Finally, a ship with supplies was met and the food was confiscated.
We eventually were ordered to Nagoya where took on a Japanese pilot to navigate us through the minefields. I will always remember the captain and pilot enjoying a breakfast of bacon and eggs. Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945. We had no part in that ceremony and on August 31 we headed for Guam to board troops and take them home, beginning the "Magic Carpet."
It began to appear that our country had forgotten us. All of the ships gave out of food and shared the rations the troops had. Next we bought sweet potatoes and rice from the natives; the potatoes were frost bit and the rice was hollow. Finally, a ship with supplies was met and the food was confiscated.
We eventually were ordered to Nagoya where took on a Japanese pilot to navigate us through the minefields. I will always remember the captain and pilot enjoying a breakfast of bacon and eggs. Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945. We had no part in that ceremony and on August 31 we headed for Guam to board troops and take them home, beginning the "Magic Carpet."
No comments:
Post a Comment