1945 Gordon's Letter Home

7/30/2019 1945 Gordon's Letter Home

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Transcription of Gordon Keith Andersons letters home at close of World War II

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U.S.S. L.S.T.1 #1087Enroute to U.S.A.Dec. 5, 1945

Dear Folks,

It is no use to ask how much longer until Ill be home because no oneknows! Rumors are that we are to spend four days in Pearl Harborgetting orders, supplies, water, etc. Then proceed on to the states. Theplace well land there isnt known yet but speculation is that itll be SanDiego or San Pedro because the boys going to Fort MacArthur, Calif. areaboard here. We are due into Pearl Harbor tomorrow. If we spend the7th, 8th, 9th & 10th there and leave on the 11th we should clock the 21st on thecoast because it is 10 days sailing time to there. Then there is a backlog

of quite a few thousand men at each port so it may be three or four daysbefore well leave there and then about four days to Camp McCoy, Wisc.And then about 3 or 4 days to lay around getting demobilized, so Ishould be a civilian about between the first to fifth of January. Maybe afew days before and maybe a few days later. At any rate Im figuringon only one month more of Army life.

There are a few things Id like Dad or Alvin to get me. Ill pay for them.Id like about three white dress shirts size 15 collar and 34 inch sleeves.

If you would get a couple white figures on white it would be o.k. Get mysuit out of moth balls and if it needs cleaning or pressing have it done.Id like to have you get me a few abt 3 pairs of loud [sic] dress sockswool preferred. I dont know just when Ill get home, and I may want todress up before I get to town. Also check on my overcoat.

Dec. 9th

Well, we are here on Oahu but not aboard any boat anymore. I dontknow what happened, but it seems the Navy says that those old LSTsarent safe for transporting troops anymore, so we are now hereawaiting shipment some other way again. Rumors are that it wont bevery long before well leave though.

1LST Landing Ship, Tank was the military designation for naval vessels created during World War II to support amphibious

operations by carrying significant quantities of vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto an unimproved shore.


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Some of the boys were in Honolulu last night and came back tellingabout prices. It seems that things here are about three times or more thecost in the states. Meals range from $3.50 to $7.00 and up.

We are 30 miles from Honolulu here, and the lines (bus lines) are prettylong to sweat out. I havent any uniforms to wear. Mine are all almostworn out or soiled with grease and oil. Heck, I dont care much aboutgoing in anyhow. Im spending most of my time eating here at the P.X.2when the mess hall isnt open. Prices in the P.X. are also pretty high. Allsoft drinks are a dime. Ice cream 15 and boy Ive really been eatingthat. Pies (regular 10 stateside) are 25, Fig Newton cookies (5 statesidebox) are 20. I havent missed more than one meal at the mess hall(yesterday morning I overslept), and Ive eaten about $5.00 worth of PX

stuff already and am still hungry. Better lay in a big supply when I getnear home!!!!!

We are now attached to the 120th Battalion, 13th Replacement Depot(Infantry), and it is certainly a lot rougher than the Air Corps ininspections, uniform regulations, marching, military courtesy, etc. I amin the 90th Air Service Group which is attached to the 330th Bomb Groupwhich is attached to the 13th Repl Depot for quarters and rations whilehere.

Nolan Beale and I are in the same barracks again. Weve been togethera long time, and it looks like well go from here to the coast togetheragain. By the way, it seems to be rumored San Francisco where welldock now.

Im sending you sorta a diary I kept from Tinian to here. Save that forme. Be seeing you soon. Before Christmas I hope.

As ever Gordon

2Post Exchange


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Nov. 17 SaturdayAll men with 54 points (thats me) received word over bitch box to pickup clearance papers at orderly room and clear (process) before 1800 Special Service, Red Cross, Tech Supply, Post Exchange Service Club,

Dispensary, Group Supply, Personal Affairs, Squadron Orderly Roomand Group Adjutant were on cleaning list. Received flu shot atdispensary.

Nov. 18 SundayFelt pretty sick from the flu shot. Dragged myself over to the mess hallfor breakfast. Came back and packed my clothes. Wanted to go tochurch but felt too miserable. Had to work this afternoon from 1200 to1600. Was relieved of duties of Provost Sgt by Provost Marshall Lt.Herman Gershowitz. Service club gave us beer without rations (men

who had processed). I drank three cans and hit sack early. Rumors arethat we are to leave tomorrow morning. Everybody is restricted toarea.

Nov. 19 MondayBeen sitting around all day doing nothing. Rumors are now that we areleaving tomorrow on LSTs. Sure hope not on LSTs.

Nov. 20 Tuesday

We are definitely leaving tomorrow morning. We had a meeting of allmen going home at 1600. We are going on LSTs, split up according toseparation center. I am to leave on USS LST 1087. Am to leave area at0800 and board boat at 0900 tomorrow morning. Gave away my rubbersock mattress and pillow for $2.00, $10.00 loss but guess I had that muchgood out of it. Was worth well over 10 per night. Wrote folks, told themI am leaving tomorrow.

Nov. 21 WednesdayFeel a bit dizzy tonight, on board boat. Didnt come aboard until a fewminutes after 1400. Left the pier almost immediately for Saipan. We arenow setting out in Saipan Harbor. Shall shove off tomorrow.

Nov. 22 ThursdayWe left Saipan at 1500 today. Am dizzier than yesterday. The captaintried to scare us by telling us we were going back to Tinian and unload


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and then telling us we were going by way of Okinawa, etc. He seems tobe a joker. Believe hell be o.k. There are 502 soldiers aboard, and overto a hundred sailors. Men are sleeping everywhere on the deck and allover. The sea isnt smooth and not rough just right for getting good

and seasick

but wasn

t. Could still see the lights on Saipan at 2100tonight.

Nov. 23Feel kind of dizzy today too but havent been seasick yet. The sea isabout like yesterday.

Nov. 24 SaturdayA beautiful day out today, and I feel fine. The sea is pretty smooth andthis old tub isnt on the sides very much.

Nov. 25 SundayAnother nice day with the sea like glass. Played cards practically allday with Herbert Dunstan and Stanley Bowers (pinochle). HadProtestant services at 1630 and I attended. They were held on top deck.We set our watches ahead an hour today.

Nov. 26 MondayNice smooth day today with just a few swells.

Nov. 27 TuesdayDuring the night last night it rained and this morning it was rough.Tonight it is still rough. White caps all over.

Nov. 28 WednesdayToday was just like yesterday. Rough as heck. Cant hardly walk fromone place to another and it feels just like we are running into a stonewall every half minute. A lot of sick boys today. So far Im okay. I wason detail today cleaning up the holds, etc. A Swabbie!!!

Nov. 29 ThursdayThe old ocean was the roughest yet today. Our escort has broken downand another ship in the convoy is towing it, so now were losing time.


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Nov. 30 FridayA little better day today about same maybe because Im used to it more.

Dec. 1

Thought we had crossed date line last night, but I guess not. It is the 1

st

ofDec today. Nice weather.

Dec 1st again We crossed the Int. Date Line last night and also set ourwatches back another hour again. This month will have 32 days in it.

Dec. 2ndRoughened up a bit last night and today.

Dec. 3rd

Pretty rough again today. High swells.

Dec. 4thThe roughest day yet. High swells and waves with wind. Some sailorssaid the worst swells they had seen.

Dec. 5thSmoother today a week bit. Are due into Pearl Harbor sometimetomorrow.

Dec. 6thRainy and nasty day today. Sighted Hawaiian Islands about 9 oclock.Arrived Pearl Harbor at 1300. Tied up to another ship for overnight.Time ahead hour. Are now 3 1/2 hours ahead of Tinian minus oneday.

Dec. 7thUnloaded ship at 1030 this morning. Are now quartered in barracks in13th Repl Depot. 4 years anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

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