The Wyandotte news-herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1943-1963, 1945-03-08

TO me. My training consisted of
mostly physical exercises, which in
Guided plenty of swimming, base
ball and hikes.
finally got pass. and the rest
of the fellows and I who got passes,
were herded like cattle in an army
truck and we're headed for Honolulu.
1t was on this trip that I fully real
lied where pineapple really came
from. There were rows upon rows,
acres upon acres of this delicious
fruit growing.
Upon arriving in Honolulu, three
Of my buddies, Ralph zieSk, Marvin
and Trevillian, and I began taking in
the town. After walking the streets
for three hours, noticing mostly
the Hawaiian people and their en-
vironment, We boarded a bus and
headed for the famous Waikiki
Beach. We got off in front of the
Royal Hawaiian Hotel. and just stood
there noting its beauty and the pic
uresque surroundings. We strolled
down streets. which were shaded
by coconut trees, to see the beautiful
hotel. 1t was wonderful sight, and
We walked onto the beach. 1t was
just like the pictures I had seen back
in the States. Then there was the
white sandy beach, contrasted by the
blue Pacific Ocean beyond. There
were quite a few people riding surf
boards and out-riggers, while the re-
mainder swan or lay on the sandy
beach, allowing the hot sun to give
their skin deep brown tint.
From the beach we walked few
blocks to the Tropics" where we
acquired the old drink. After spend
ing few more hours In the Waikiki
area. we returned to Honolulu for a
steak supper. Following this, we went
to the USO where q dance was
scheduled for 8 pm. It was here
that I had my first dance with q
Hawaiian grill really enjoyed my
self there, and might add she was
very pleasing to my taste. From the
dance we went back to camp.
CHOSEN FOR DRY RUN"
Our company was chosen out Of
the battalion to go on q "dry run,
and Capt. Spessard called our COM
pany together and gave us all the
details. We were to be on board
ship the 18th Of May. ready to sail
for the dry run. We left Camp
May the 18th, by truck, and went
directly to the Sheffield Barracks.
There we boarded those damn rough
riding cars again, and 1t took me
to the boat. This ship was very
large and again I thought of being
seasick. The ship was the USS -
a peacetime luxury liner. We board
ed the ship the afternoon of the
18th, and the following morning
we set out for Mayi, another island
in the Hawaiian group.
The object Of the dry run was to
invade the island, secure a beach,
head, and from there move inland.
This We did, first by going over the
side Of the ship into a LSVP Gand-
ing Ship. Vehicles and Personner
and thence into shore. 1t was very
interesting, even though it was just
for fun. We stayed on Mavi all that
day and that night, and I sure was
one beat up soldier. The following
morning We boarded the ship again
and remained there until afternoon
chow After chow we again went
over the side into a LCVP and rode
around while the planes bombed the
ships Smelling the island. Frankie
Mastrine got seasick again and lost
his dinner plus. After the sea and
air show was over. we climbed the
ropes to the ships deck, and the next
morning we left for Pearl Harbor
arriving there the 25th of May. There
wasn't schedule when we got back
to Camp Malakole, but our COM
handing officer told us to get every
thing we owned into shape as we
were going to play for keeps very
soon. This we all did.
Orders came through for us to be
on the same boat on May 30th, al
ZOO p. M. We again boarded the
trucks and went thru the same pro-
cess Of travelling as we did for the
dry run, trucks and those damn
rough box cars. Upon our arrival a,
the piers. I grabbed all my personal
property. put my pack on my back
threw my carbine around my
shoulder and also my heavy barrack,
bag on my shoulder. and climbing
the gang plank
SET OUT FOR BATTLE
The next morning, June I, we Sc
out for battle, but to where we didnI
as yet know. had my ideas as II
where we were going. but this time
was wrong. This boat as very large
and heavily laden with troops, about
1900, jeeps, trucks, tanks, food. watel
and ammunition think 1t was thi!
heavy cargo that kept the ship from
rocking, and also kept me from be,
coming seasick.
Ny bed was In the bottom hold
and the heat, together with ths
humidity down there was terrific
Sleeping down three flights Of stair,
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