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| Back to The Beginning |
| Back to June 1942 |
JOURNAL of DONALD ANDERSON, USN
July, 1942
| Below is the journal my father kept during the years of 1941/42. I found it in his effects after his death in April of 1998, along with a series of photos that he took during that time period. I am publishing this account on the Web because it is a wonderful way to get to know the man who was my father, and the hundreds of men like him who manned the ships known as Four Stackers. Words in black type are transcribed directly from the journal. Where I deem it useful and appropriate I will include background data in other colors, and photos from his collection. |  |
July 1, 1942 Wednesday
In Christobal at Pier 6A. Went ashore tonight.
July 2, 1942 Thursday
In Christobal. Duty today.
July 3, 1942 Friday
In Christobal. Went ashore tonight.
July 4, 1942 Saturday
In Christobal - had duty today.
July 5, 1942 Sunday
Got underway this afternoon with convoy - heading north.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Japanese naval vessel sunk:
- Destroyer ARARE, by submarine GROWLER (SS-215), off Kiska, Aleutian Islands.
July 6, Mon1942 day
At sea with convoy of 11 ships.
July 7, Tues1942 day
At sea with convoy. Rough as hell.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:United States Naval Air Facility, Reykjavik, Iceland, is established.
German submarine sunk:
- U-701, by Army aircraft, off North Carolina, 34 d. 50' N., 74 d. 55' W.
July 8, 1942 Wednesday
At sea with convoy.
July 9, 1942 Thursday
At sea with Convoy. Heading toward Haiti. Distillers broke down, no water.
July 10, 1942 Friday
At sea with convoy.
July 11, 1942 Saturday
Arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba this morning. Fueled, took on stores and anchored. Liberty to Marine Base.
July 12, 1942 Sunday
Anchored in Gtmo. Bay. Have duty today. Went swimming this P.M. off of the fantail.
July 13, 1942 Monday
Got underway at 0400 to escort convoy to position of North Bound convoy and then returned to Gtmo. Bay.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:United States Naval Air Facility, Grand Cayman, British West Indies, was established today.
German submarine sunk:
- U-153, damaged by submarine chaser PC-458 and Army aircraft, off coast of Panama, and sunk by destroyer LANDSDOWNE (DD-486), 09 d. 56' N., 81 d. 29' W.
July 14, 1942 Tuesday
Underway early AM to take more ships out for another convoy. Returned to G.B. and then went out again to look for sub.
July 15, 1942 Wednesday
Headed back to Gtmo. Met convoy we have been waiting here for. Relieved escort and headed for Christobal.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:The United States Navy established a submarine base at Midway Island today.
The Naval Air Transport Service Squadron (VR-3) was established at Kansas City, Kans., for operations in the United States.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
- Submarine chasers Nos. 25 and 27, by submarine GRUNION (SS-216), off Kiska, Aleutian Islands.
German submarine sunk:
- U-576, by naval land-based aircraft (VS-9) and United States merchant vessel UNICOI, off North Carolina, 34 d. 51' N., 75 d. 22' W.
July 16, 1942 Thursday
Enroute to Christobal with convoy. Passed Jamaica this morning and left 4 ships from the convoy at Kingston.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Advanced Group, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet, under Rear Admiral Bennett, was established today to conduct amphibious training in Great Britain.
July 17, 1942 Friday
Took exam for S.F. 2c (Shipfitter, Second Class) today. Enroute to Christobal with convoy.
July 18, 1942 Saturday
Enroute to Christobal. Took P.O.2/c (Petty Officer, Second Class) exam today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:The US established the Amphibious Force, South Pacific Area today under Rear Admiral R. K. Turner.
July 19, 1942 Sunday
Arrived in Christobal this A.M. Received a lot of mail today and heard that Morris had enlisted in the Army. Went on liberty.
July 20, 1942 Monday
Underway at 0230 to look for sub.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Naval Operating Base and Naval Air Facility, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, were established today.
Admiral W. D. Leahy reported today as Chief of Staff to the President.
July 21, 1942 Tuesday
Arrived in Christobal this A.M. COLE is here for duty now and also BRECKINRIDGE. May be relieved by them. Had duty today. Payday.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Today the Japanese landed and occupied Buna, New Guinea.
July 22, 1942 Wednesday
Drew small stores today at N.A.S. Went on liberty this evening.
July 23, 1942 Thursday
Enroute to Gtmo. with convoy of 16 ships from Christobal.
July 24, 1942 Friday
Enroute to Gtmo. Bay.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:A German submarine laid mines off the Mississippi River Passes today.
July 25, 1942 Saturday
Enroute to Gtmo. with convoy.
July 26, 1942 Sunday
Enroute to Gtmo. Bay with Convoy. Mr. Robinson to leave ship in Gtmo. Mr. Weller is new Exec.
July 27, 1942 Monday
Arrived in Gtmo. Bay with convoy. Fueled and got underway in late afternoon to convoy 1 ship to Cienfuegoes, Cuba.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Army-Navy Petroleum Board was established today.
July 28, 1942 Tuesday
Convoying ship to Cienfuegoes, Cuba.
July 29, 1942 Wednesday
Arrived off of Cienfuegoes and turned around, headed back to Gtmo Bay.
July 30, 1942 Thursday
Arrived in Gtmo. Bay this morning. Fueled, provisioned and got underway with COLE and GOFF and PY??? on convoy of 9 ships.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Women's Naval Reserve (WAVES) was established today.
July 31, 1942 Friday
Enroute to Christobal with Convoy.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:German submarine today laid mines off Charleston, S. C.
This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 2000 by Kenn Anderson,Sr., Scranton, PA. (USA)