Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-08-08
History of the 484th Aero Squadron,
A. E. F.

iron columns and meals were Scrv-
ed "standing' TO the few who cared
to eat. For three days the gale
continued. The main deck was
constantly wave swept and even
parts of the "top-sidc" were so
drcnched with waves and spray
that it was unpleasant if not danger
GUS, to remain in their vicinity.
AT the close of the first week, the
weather subsidized, the moon came
out to make the evenings beautiful.
Sunny, warm afternoons the ships
band gave concerts on the Quarter
deck and the ships crew treated"
the soldiers to cigars and cigarettes.
In the evenings the Quarterback
was given over to use as a Movie
Theatre and was a sight to behold.
the ships band playing popular
airs-thc men, roosting on matches.
turretS, guns, life boats, clinging to
the basket masts and some even in
the "Crow's Nest, the light of the
Rhode Island following in the wake
of the Virginia, the easy roll of the
ship to the ground swcll-what an
excursion! What contrast TO the
crampcd life aboard the tranSpor:
with the ever lurking fear of sub
marines ard raiders, or TO the fever.
ish work OF helping prepare for Il
big drive!
Here the Navy, having done its
job in the War and done it we'll,
was playing host to the Army! And
what Il host ii was! From the
"Skippcr' to the lowest rating
Seaman how courteous, how more
'han willing and anxious they were
to make the trip one ncver-to-bc-for-
gotten holiday! In the manner of
your true host, the military guests
were given "cartc blanche" From
Rcvcille TO Taps, soldiers could be
seen pcrchcd at points Of vantage.
They were given the run of the
ship"
The kindness shown to the Off
GERS and men Of the Army, and the
freedom they were given to rarnble
at will over the ship, the efforts to
make the entire trip as enjoyable as
possible was directly due to Cap
tain Liescmcicr and Executive Off
Ger, Commander Frucht, but the
Squadron's vote Of thanks cannot
be extended to these Officers alone
for there was not an officer or man
in the uniform of The Navy who did
not do his utmost for the Army per-
sonnet.
When within two days of land,
the sea, regardless of its previous
reputation of kicking up trouble off
CapcS HattcraS and Henry, seemed
to catch the spirit of the Navy, The
weather was magnificent and Ma
turc gave her welcome to the Vclcr-
ans Of The 4. +. +.
Men and Officers were given an
opportunity to send wireless mes
SagcS to their loved ones at home
announcing their expected arrival
at Newport News on January 10th.
Anxious for the first sight Of land
everyone was aStir long before sun
Use on the morning of the sixteen
IN. l!ic sea was as calm as an in
land lake. Morning was made slor-
louS by The full moon in the West
and the roScatc huc> Of early dawn
in the East. Astcrn, the massive
Rhode Island with her signal lights
Il twinkle, was Silhoucttcd against
The breaking dawn. When. at last.
The crimson sun pcckcd over the
horizon a dim ribbon Of gray could
be disccrncd off the Port bow.
Home at last!
Then followed in kalcidoscopic
rotation a series of remarkable
scenes: the passing thru the mar
row opening in the submarine net,
the passing. in the bcfoggcd dis
lance Of sailing craft, the dipping
of flags in salute between an Italian
liner and the BattlcShipS, Fortress
Monroe, and finally the harDor with
its galaxy Of wildly camounagcd
dcstroyerS, cruisers, and battle
ships. then the busily putting pilot
tug.
AT icn-thirty A. NJ, blast of the
bugIc announced the first line
ashore. There was not khaki
clad heart which was not filed with
The pure JOY Of homecoming; moi
an eye that was not bcdimmcd with
tears of JOY. And when ashore at
last, the cry was heard "thrcc
cheers for the Virginia. the roof Of
the pier was fairly lifted with ear
splitting wells. For be il known
that those three cheers had in them
not only The compliment intended
for the hosts at sea but the Joy and
happiness Of having arrived in
Gods Country.
The march through Newport
News 10 Camp Hill, The arrival in
the most DalatiaI quarters ihc