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| Back to The Beginning |
| Back to August 1942 |
JOURNAL of DONALD ANDERSON, USN
September, 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. |  |
September 1, 1942 Tuesday
Left Mt. Hope, went to Christobal, fueled and went to Coco Solo to take on 'fish'. Went to dentist's today
September 2, 1942 Wednesday
In Coco Solo all day today.
September 3, 1942 Thursday
Underway this AM, On patrol off bay.
September 4, 1942 Friday
Anti-sub patrol off Panama bay. Took convoy out tonight.
September 5, 1942 Saturday
On patrol off Pan. Bay. Took another convoy out tonight. Calibrating compasses today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:United States naval vessels sunk:
- High speed transports GREGORY (APD-3) and LITTLE (APD-4), by surface ship gunfire, Solomon Islands area, 09 d. 20' S., 160 d. 01' E.
September 6, 1942 Sunday
Came into Christobal this morning - tied up to 6A and fueled ship. Duty today - 408 watch.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:United States naval vessel damaged:
- Battleship SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57), by hitting coral reef, Lahai Passage, Tonga Islands.
September 7, 1942 Monday
Underway at 1300 with convoy. Most likely going to Gtmo.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:The United States and Cuba today concluded an agreement for naval and military cooperation.
September 8, 1942 Tuesday
Enroute to Gtmo Bay with convoy.
September 9, 1942 Wednesday
At sea - Enroute to Gtmo Bay with convoy of 15 ships.
September 10, 1942 Thursday
Enroute to Gtmo.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:A German submarine laid mines at mouth of Chesapeake Bay today.
September 11, 1942 Friday
Arrived in Gtmo this morn. Havent lost a ship yet in our convoys. Fueled ship.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Japanese naval vessel sunk:
- Destroyer YAYOI, by United States Army and British aircraft off Normanby Island, D'Entrecasteaux Islands off New Guinea.
September 12, 1942 Saturday
Moved out to anchorage this A.M. Went on liberty to Marine Base.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Brazil today placed its navy under the operational control of the United State Navy.
German aircraft and submarines launched a sustained 10-day attack against a large Allied convoy to northern Russia.
September 13, 1942 Sunday
Underway this afternoon at 1400 with convoy to Panama.
September 14, 1942 Monday
Enroute to Panama with convoy.
September 15, 1942 Tuesday
Enroute to Panama with convoy. Short-Range Battle Practice today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:US Carrier task force, under direction of Rear Admiral L. Noyes, covering transport of reinforcements from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, to Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, was attacked by 2 Japanese submarines which sank 1 aircraft carrier and damaged a battleship and a destroyer. Japanese battleships bombarded Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
United States naval vessel sunk:
- Carrier WASP (CV-7), severely damaged by submarine torpedo, near Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 12 d. 25' S., 164 d. 08' E.; sunk by United States forces.
United States naval vessels damaged:
- Battleship NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55), by submarine torpedoes, near Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.
- Destroyer O'BRIEN (DD-415), by submarine torpedoes, near Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.
September 16, 1942 Wednesday
Arrived in Christobal at 1800 - tied up to pier 6A.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Vice Admiral J. H. Ingram's command, formerly Task Force 23, is designated South Atlantic Force, Atlantic Fleet.
Patrol Wing 12 is commissioned at Key West, Fla., for operations in Gulf Sea Frontier.
Japanese forces today evacuated Attu, Aleutian Islands.
September 17, 1942 Thursday
In Christobal, New Captain came aboard today but has not yet taken command.
September 18, 1942 Friday
Went to Naval Air Station for physical exam for Enlisted Pilot Training. Eyes were not good enough.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, was reinforced by 7th Marine Regiment.
A German submarine laid mines off Charleston, S. C. today.
September 19, 1942 Saturday
Went to Colon to get examined for glasses after C.O. Inspection. Capt. Reynolds relieved by Lt. Cmdr. Flynn.
September 20, 1942 Sunday
In Christobal today. Stayed aboard all day.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:United States Naval Operating Base, Auckland, New Zealand, was established today.
September 21, 1942 Monday
Underway this morning at 0600. Convoy to Gtmo Bay.
September 22, 1942 Tuesday
Enroute to Gtmo.
September 23, 1942 Wednesday
Enroute to Gtmo with convoy.
September 24, 1942 Thursday
Enroute to Gtmo with convoy.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Today Japanese troops landed on Maiana, Gilbert Islands.
September 25, 1942 Friday
Arrived in Gtmo Bay with convoy. Fueled ship. Stayed in all night.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Japanese troops landed on Beru, Gilbert Islands today.
September 26, 1942 Saturday
Underway to fire S.R.B.P. Contact just outside of harbor. Dropped charges, then went on to fire. Anchored at about 1900.
September 27, 1942 Sunday
Underway for Christobal with convoy of 18 ships.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Today Japanese troops landed on Kuria, Gilbert Islands.
German raider sunk:
- Schiff No. 23 (STIER), after being damaged by United States merchant vessel STEPHEN HOPKINS, before she sinks, South Atlantic area.
September 28, 1942 Monday
Enroute to Christobal with convoy from Gtmo.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Japanese submarine sunk:
- RO-65, by US Army aircraft, Kiska, Aleutian Islands.
September 29, 1942 Tuesday
Arrived in Christobal this afternoon. Went ashore tonight.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:United States naval vessel damaged:
- Cargo ship ALBENA (AK-26), by submarine torpedo, Solomon Islands area, 10 d. 47' S., 161 d. 16' E.
September 30, 1942 Wednesday
In Christobal all day today. Had liberty today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:United States naval vessels damaged:
- Heavy cruiser SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) and destroyer BREESE (DD-122), by collision, New Hebrides area, 15 d. 39' S., 167 d. 39' E.
This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 2000 by Kenn Anderson,Sr., Scranton, PA. (USA)