Log of the USS BLESSMAN 23 September 1945

On 23 September 1945, the BLESSMAN entered the harbor at Walanoura Wan, Honshu, and the port for the steel city of Wakayama. Her team charted the landing beaches for the Army, which was to occupy the Kobe-Osaka area. Her job done, the BLESSMAN lay at anchor on 25 September 1945 and watched the occupation troops go ashore. For the man aboard heard that fateful night at Iwo Jima, there was no small portion of satisfaction in this impressive sight.

Several days later, orders were received for the BLESSMAN to return to the United States and be placed on reserve commission. On 30 September 1945, she steamed sea word, heading for home.

An unnamed admiral, commenting on the heavy losses to the light units during the incessant, Kamikaze attacks at Okinawa said, “It is always the little ships, who deserve a heartiest “Well done.” The BLESSMAN, like hundreds of other light units, was such a “little ship.”