Seventy years ago -- August 14, 1945-- I went on liberty in San Francisco, the first liberty I had enjoyed in weeks as I was standing double watches. Rumors were flying on the USS Pickens that Hirohito was considering surrendering. That meant so much for us as we were preparing to invade Japan.
I left the ship and went downtown to find a restaurant. I heard yells and shouts -- President Truman had spoken on the radio and said Hirohito had agreed to terms of surrender. How his military would take this was still unknown.
I entered a restaurant and found a waiter was hanging a closed sign on the door. I was seated at the only open place with a family group. I ate and went outside to find people going wild. A girl grabbed my hat and ran. I chased her down to get my cap back; I did not want to go to the brig for being out of uniform.
All the celebration left me cold; I thought if the president was right we would avoid more fighting, for which I felt a more serious and dignified celebration was called for.
I went back to the ship to celebrate with my shipmates.
I left the ship and went downtown to find a restaurant. I heard yells and shouts -- President Truman had spoken on the radio and said Hirohito had agreed to terms of surrender. How his military would take this was still unknown.
I entered a restaurant and found a waiter was hanging a closed sign on the door. I was seated at the only open place with a family group. I ate and went outside to find people going wild. A girl grabbed my hat and ran. I chased her down to get my cap back; I did not want to go to the brig for being out of uniform.
All the celebration left me cold; I thought if the president was right we would avoid more fighting, for which I felt a more serious and dignified celebration was called for.
I went back to the ship to celebrate with my shipmates.
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