The battle in Okinawa would continue until June 21 when the Japs surrendered, but the USS Pickens had left the battle area weeks before and was at Saipan when we got orders to leave June 3, 1945, for the Solomon Islands. If T knew the purpose then, I have forgotten it.
We would cross the equator on our way, and that inspired the Shellbacks on board (sailors who had crossed the equator before) to plan initiation for the Pollywogs (us that would be crossing for the first time).
Pollywog flags began to appear throughout the ship, one even flying from a topmast. The admiral raised hell about this and ordered the flag taken down.
As we crossed the equator initiation began. John White has supplied pictures taken by his father Mike White, who was a Shellback and ship photographer. Copies of those pictures are on my blog dated June 11, 2014.
We would cross the equator on our way, and that inspired the Shellbacks on board (sailors who had crossed the equator before) to plan initiation for the Pollywogs (us that would be crossing for the first time).
Pollywog flags began to appear throughout the ship, one even flying from a topmast. The admiral raised hell about this and ordered the flag taken down.
As we crossed the equator initiation began. John White has supplied pictures taken by his father Mike White, who was a Shellback and ship photographer. Copies of those pictures are on my blog dated June 11, 2014.
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