Log of the USS BLESSMAN 23 April 1945

LOG:

The BLESSMAN arrived at Mare Island on 23 April 1945. While the ship was being repaired, her crew took a well-deserved leave. During this period on 21 July 1945, Lieut. LeBoutillier, USNR, was relieved as commanding officer by Lieut. Cmdr. Clement O. Davidson, USNR.

MY COMMENTS:

Because the BLESSMAN was due for a long period of repair work at Mare Island, I applied for housing for Ronnie and I . We were granted a housing which consisted of a quanset hut divided into two units. I met Ronnie at the train station and we set up housekeeping. This was the honeymoon we didn't have time for at our wedding. It was nice ,because we could take public transportation to San Fransisco and go to a movie in Valayo. Our neighbors were all young sailors so we had much in common. We would get together to play cards or have a barbeque. When the BLESSMAN was ready to depart for the war zone, Ronnie took the train back to Cleveland and I returned to my duties aboard ship.

LOG:

the repair work was being completed. It was decided that the BLESSMAN was to be the flagship for Underwater Demolition Squadron One of the Pacific Fleet. As such, she departed San Francisco on 11 August 1945 for Oceanside, California, where she was to take aboard the Squadron Commander, Capt. Roy, D. Williams, USN. Here again the handwriting was on the wall. The men of the BLESSMAN knew that soon she would be steaming for Japan and the final invasion of the war. She arrived at Oceanside on 14 August 1945, at which time Underwater Demolition Team Number 17 was embarked. The following day, Capt. Williams hoisted his command pennant aboard the new flagship. This was on 15 August 1945, the day hostilities ceased in the Pacific. To the BLESSMAN it was a day of preparation for the cruise to Japan. Despite the wars' end, landing still had to be made on the Japanese islands. The next day, she departed the United States for a fast run to Japan. Stops were made in row at Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Ulithi, Manila, Subic Bay, Lingayen, Okinawa, and then Japan-- the end of the long road to victory for all ships of the US Navy.