Log of the USS BLESSMAN 12 May 1944

The 5th Atlantic cruise of the BLESSMAN was her longest and most eventful. She departed New York, 12 May 1944, on what appeared to be another routine escort assignment and arrived at the other end of the "milk run", Londonderry, on May 23, 1944. On 27, May she arrived in Belfast Harbor with her sister ships, RICH, BATES and AMESBURY. Here, at anchor, was the major part of the United Nations naval power available in the Atlantic. Ships of all types from the United States, Great Britain, France, Norway and the Netherlands were present. When the BLESSMAN joined this armada, all hands knew that they were to take part in the invasion of Western






We were used to looking out and seeing open water and maybe a ship or twoThe Harbor was full of ships all manned and ready to sail. We were in the mddle of the largest navel operation in the history of warfare at sea. It was an exciting occasion.