Shakedown and Off To War

The old slogan "join the Navy and see the world" or "a girl in every port", well that all sounded great ... but they forgot to mention a little thing, called "BOOT CAMP". What an adventure that turned out to be ... they taught us many things, like how to march, go through an obstacle course, shoot a rifle, more marching, how to make up a bunk ... more marching, we learned a bathroom was a "head" ... we did K.P., and we found out Mom wasn't such a bad cook. But we made it through and then we went to WAR. What a way to grow up ... real fast!
... Ben Albanese, MM2c, July 28, 1989

I begged my Father to sign for me since I was 17 at the time and you had to be 18 to enlist. He finally signed and I was on my way to serve my country. Little did I know then what I would experience before I came home.
... Gordon Burke, MM1c, February 18, 1999

The crew for the Bush was being housed at the Naval Air Station, Oakland Ca. The ship was at the Bethlehem Steel Co. in S.F. and was not ready for people to report aboard. So we had a few weeks of easy duty, getting to know others in the crew, and having lots of liberty. I learned that if you went down to the flight line and talked to the pilots some of them would let you go with them. So I asked 3 or 4 if I could go for a ride. That's how I found myself in the rear seat of a trainer, north of Marin County while the pilot practiced fighting with another plane from the air station. It was a great ride, and I think that the pilots liked to see if they could get their passengers upset.
... Ray Mayhugh, CTM, September 26, 1993

I was assigned to the U.S. Bush DD 529 along with Norman Kreis and Red Lawrence. We arrived in San Francisco and were put up in a hotel and stood radar watches on the ship before she was even finished. Radar was fairly new then and workers without the right badge were kept out of that part of the ship.
... Joe McManus, GM2c, February 19, 1987

I and the Shipfitter were on the ship every day weeks before the crew came aboard getting the damage control and fire fighting equipment on line.
... Jack Day, CM2c, May 2, 2006

I left for Bethlehem ship yards, San Francisco, to put the BUSH in commission. Vince Combs, the Exec, was there. Also present was the Communications Officer, Glenn Darst, from Superior, Wisc. Before we left for our San Diego shakedown cruise I had my appendicts removed by a Navy Captain in Treasure Island Hosp. It was a botched job, post-op puss almost put me out.
... William Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), Communications Officer, February 28, 1999

Finally the day arrived when we were taken to our ship still being worked on in the shipyard. One day amidst all the confusion of the shipyard workers coming and going, I was piped up to the quarterdeck. Lo and behold there was my mother who was working; doing her part for the war effort driving a fork lift; and had driven over in the fork lift during her lunch hour to visit me. Needless to say I was one proud sailor.
... Dan (Andy) Anderson, S1c, July 3, 1993

First baby was due any day, back in Idaho. I worried about that - wanted leave to be there. Captain said, "You may have had to be there at the start, but that baby will be born whether you're there or not. Request denied. She was born May 22, 1943 in Boise.
... Richard "Robbie" Robertson, WT3c, July 29, 2001

Being the only sailor on board from Oklahoma, I was promptly nicknamed "OKIE" and was never known by any other name .... I was just a country boy when I was drafted into the Navy. Everything was quite a change for me. I received an education that lasted a lifetime.
... James "Okie" Reeder, RdM3c, January 21, 1999

Food aboard was the best ever, even as good as home. The supply officer, Lt. Doble Doyle, did a great job.
... William Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), Communications Officer, February 28, 1999

As a Seaman 2nd Class .... straight out of boot camp .... I was about 25 years old .... I'd had experience before my Navy days working on steam engines with the railroad. It wasn't too long before they learned of my background and I was put in the forward boiler room as a Fireman 2nd Class. I was not too keen on being below deck. When the ship was underway, we'd get rocked all around and never knew what was going on.
... Richard "Robbie" Robertson, WT3c, July 29, 2001

BUSH was a good ship with good spirit. You know we initially sailed from San Francisco with about 80% green crew who had never been to sea. And we had rough weather on the way to San Diego and I believe most of that 80%, and perhaps a good number of the 20%, were seasick. It was a shambles. But it pulled us together.
... P. A. (Tony) Lilly, Jr., Lieutenant & Executive Officer, January 13, 1997

Consternation on first departure of a majority of those aboard BUSH. The swells out of the Gate moved the whole ship and our well stored gear was all over the ship below decks! The new addition RADAR! I think the only ones on the bridge that knew what it could do were the Capt (Peterson ) and Exec(Combs).
... George N. Spring, Jr., Lieutenant, January 23, 1999

Most of our crew had some sea duty, but not on destroyers. Quite a few were from the USS NEVADA, an old Battleship, and several from the USS RALEIGH, a light cruiser. The sea duty on larger ships did not get their bodies ready for life on a "Tin Can".
... Ray Mayhugh, CTM, September 26, 1993

My bunk was amid the ship's top bunks. Being an old battleship sailor, I didn't get one night's sleep until they moved me to the fantail compartment, and then that wasn't much better.
... Richard Burge, SM2c, June 25, 1999

I was told by the original cooks that when they went to sea the first time a cook put a pan of roast in the oven for the officer's meal. The pan went side to side until he put a can of pumpkin along side. That was fine for awhile until the pumpkin blew the oven door open and colored the galley yellow. I wish I could have tasted that roast leg of lamb to see if pumpkin could help the taste.
... Mac McKinney, Bkr2c, January 21, 1999

The course to San Diego put the ship in the trough of a heavy sea with much rolling and pitching. We landlubbers who hadn't yet acquired sea-legs learned the hard way the necessity to batten down hatches and secure all gear to prepare the ship for sea. There was lots of loose gear rolling about the ship and most of the crew were seasick. There were lots of fluids mixed with vomit swishing about the decks in various compartments below decks. The ship was a mess that first night at sea.
... Earl Sechrist, Lt.(jg), October 1, 1991

I remember after we took off, I was seasick for two days. They told me to eat crackers and raw potatoes, and it helped a little bit. But at times I was so sick I wished I could have died! But I COULDN'T! I wasn't lonesome though, because at least half the guys I came across felt the same way.
... Russell Youngren, TM3c, May 1991

I recall our first time going out through the Golden Gate on our shake-down cruise and the seas started kicking up. Boy, were there a lot of sick sailors aboard. I finally became ill the next morning when I went to the head to wash and brush my teeth and with all the guys vomiting all over, it finally got to me. After that I no longer had any trouble at all no matter how rough the seas became.
... Dan (Andy) Anderson, S1c, 7-3-93

When we started on our shake down cruise we had to go out the Golden Gate and past the Farralon Islands, where it is always rough. My first watch was at midnight and we were outside the Golden Gate. As I arrived on the bridge, a signalman was cleaning up after the man I was relieving who had been sick, and he wasn't the only one with a problem. The Officer of the Deck, Lt. Lanier (torpedo officer) said,
"Mayhugh, are you sick?"
"No Sir", I replied.
"Are you going to be?" he asked.
"I never have been, Sir".
"Thank God, you and I", he replied.
... Ray Mayhugh, CTM, September 26, 1993

On her shakedown cruise, we hit some heavy weather out of San Fran. Most of the crew was sick, except for Sechrist and I. We were securing stores. He left and came back and said "Can you steer?" "Just small boats, but sure I can". We went to the bridge and I relieved Ray Mayhugh who had been on the wheel for 4-5 hours. This became my watch station for almost a year.
... Jack Day, CM2c, May 2, 2006

The one thing I do very well remember is pork chops. Most of the crew was new, therefore the cooks would serve fried pork chops. Needless to say, we older sailors had more than our share to eat for awhile.
... Richard Burge, SM2c, June 25, 1999

San Diego Harbor: Probably on first arrival at Destroyer base and BUSH assigned to an anchor buoy. Capt Smith ordered the whale boat and buoy crew to make a smart launch ship at slow speed, and hook into to the anchor buoy. Instead this is what happened. When boat loaded, and crew in place, the launch was begun by paying out on fore and after falls. The after falls somehow were thrown off the bitts on the after davit and the whale boat assumed a vertical position over the water, at about 3 knotts, bow pointing to sky. All gear in the drink and crew fortunate to swing to the life lines until it could be leveled. Extremely embarrassing to the First Lieut. Capt restrained in his adverse comment. What a (terrible) sight for a smart ship like the BUSH.
... George N. Spring, Jr., Lieutenant, January 23, 1999

During the shakedown trials, I can recall practicing some high speed maneuvers. We were at flank speed and the Captain ordered everyone off the fantail. Then he ordered "full speed astern". The ship shook and rumbled, and soon the ocean was coming up over the fantail about as far the #5 5-inch gun. We did this a couple of times without problems.
... Telio Borroz, TM1c, May 31, 1999

I remember very little about the shakedown, as there was nothing worth remembering. I do remember it being rough and guys getting sick and throwing up all over the place. If there was someone you didn't like, you'd stand him at the line on the side of the ship. Then you'd get another sick sailor to stand next to him and throw up on the fella you didn't like. It was just orneriness.
... Bob Shirey, EM3c, April 17, 2000

I really wanted to get transferred off the ship. Early on, I'd see others getting transfers. So I asked one of the Chiefs why I couldn't get such a transfer. The Chief replied, "We only transfer the ones we want to get rid of." .
... Richard "Robbie" Robertson, WT3c, July 29, 2001

The ship encountered much rough water whenever it went to sea. The ship would even drag anchor in port forcing the ship to go to sea when "williwaw" winds blew at hurricane force off the snow-capped mountains.
... Earl Sechrist, Lt.(jg), October 1, 1991

During a williwaw the wind sometimes exceeded 100 knots with seas measuring from 50 to 70 feet from trough to crest. We ate a lot of beans during a williwaw. By the time a few guys had gone through the chow line, a couple of trays of beans had usually been spilled on the deck. For the men coming behind it was almost like walking on an ice rink that wouldn't stand still.
... Paul Pedersen, QM2c, February 20, 1999

While we were at Dutch Harbor .... general quarters was sounded at 0400 hours .... A major storm had come up and a nearby empty freighter had dragged its anchor until its fantail was threatening collision with the forecastle of the BUSH. Barely able to stand up in the tremendous winds, we staggered around placing fenders on the forecastle while the engine room was generating enough power to back away to safety.
... Robert Aguilar, SKD2c, Summer 1999

Adak Harbor: BUSH anchored peacefully in calm, clear weather as liberty party ashore .... the Williwaw came over the hill in a hurry and winds up to 30-40 knots with ships dragging anchor all around us. One sister DD, apparently dragging down on nearby danger got underway with the hook still down and steamed into safer water with the anchor still out. It was recovered on deck as soon as deep water reached. A smart bit of seamanship.
... George N. Spring, Jr., Lieutenant, January 23, 1999

I recall looking up once in awe at the height of the tremendous, gigantic swells or waves that towered over our whole ship as we were down in a trough. But then thank goodness, somehow we would smash into it with water and spray entirely engulfing us and rise again to the crest, and then down into the trough again. I recall remarking to some of the fellas that we should be getting submarine pay as we were under the water as much as on it.
... Dan (Andy) Anderson, S1c, 7-3-93

I remember the waves in Alaska were sometimes bigger than the ship. We would go over one wave, and through the next one. That water was cold.
... Art Woolfolk, TM3c, January 8, 1999

When we left for the Aleutians we loaded extra depth charges and tied them on deck near the stern. One of the 600 pounders got loose in the middle of the night when it was very rough. We were lucky to get it tied again, without injury to those of us who took care of the problem, and its a good thing we didn't lose it over the side.
... Ray Mayhugh, CTM, September 26, 1993

The shuddering and shaking when we rammed into those waves was something else especially when you consider that on a tin can we were only protected by 1/4 inch steel plating. In fact, the plating on the port side was smashed in and flooding occurred in the Chief's quarters.
... Dan (Andy) Anderson, S1c, July 3, 1993

The bridge was more than 30 feet above the waterline. We never closed doors to the pilot house, except during a williwaw. That was the only way to keep water out, and it wasn't from rain.
... Paul Pedersen, QM2c, February 20, 1999

To bake for over three hundred people on a destroyer under those conditions was a tough job to do. We didn't have a uniform sheet cake because the ship never rolled the right way at the right time. They were one inch on one side and three inches on the other. No excuse we told the guys, its a cake like their Mothers used to try to make.
... Mac McKinney, Bkr2c, January 21, 1999

The BUSH was sent to the Alaskan waters as an escort vessel in July 1943. 1 was injured July 18, 1943 on a 40MM gun. The USS BUSH returned to California and I was taken to the Naval Hospital at Treasure Island. After spending some time there, I was transferred to a hospital at Glenwood Springs, Colorado and later sent to a Naval hospital in Memphis, Tenn. After spending several months in the hospital, I was sent to New Orleans, La. in March of 1944 where I boarded the Y.M.S. 366 Yard Mine Sweeper and served on it until Oct. 13, 1944 and was then issued a medical discharge.
... Charles Atwood, S2c, date unknown

When we were up in the area of the Bering Sea, it was so cold the salt water froze on deck.
... Russell Youngren, TM3c, May 1991

The BUSH with her sister ships, USS ABNER READ (DD526), USS AMMEN (DD527) and USS MULLANY (DD528) participated in the landing at Kiska Island on which the Japanese had already evacuated much to our surprise. While patrolling close to shore the ABNER READ hit a mine and blew off her fantail. The ABNER READ lost many of her crew and had to be towed to safety and repair. The ABNER READ did not return to our Destroyer Division for further duty. She joined us all later in the Philippines and was sunk in Leyte Gulf.
... Earl Sechrist, Lt.(jg), October 1, 1991

EDITOR's NOTE: The Kiska bombardment and landing occurred August 15, 1943 and the ABNER READ struck the mine just before 2AM on August 18, 1943. Seventy-four of her crew perished. On November 1, 1944, the ABNER READ became the first American destroyer sunk by Japanese suicide aircraft.

It was a dark and stormy night without any moonlight and it was pitch black. The BUSH encountered a surface bogey by radar that it tracked for some time as it closed range on the unknown vessel. The crew was at general quarters as we steamed toward the target with all guns and torpedo tubes trained on the unidentified vessel. The target ship made no response to the BUSH challenges. Orders came from the bridge to illuminate the target by searchlight as the BUSH approached within a few hundred yards of the vessel. Many of us expected that as soon as we did this we would be blown out of the water by a Japanese cruiser. To our astonishment and surprise, when the target was illuminated and challenged it was found to be a merchant ship probably enroute from San Francisco to Vladivostok. The merchant crew held a sign over the side of the ship in big block letters that read "USSR".
... Earl Sechrist, Lt.(jg), October 1, 1991

As you know the torpedo gang stand wheel watches while at sea. I was on the wheel on mid-watch and Ray Mayhugh was on the depth charge release on the wing of the bridge. We were on patrol between the islands for subs. Our speed was around 4 to 5 knots. We got a contact on sonar and prepared to drop charges. A shallow pattern was set and the charges were dropped. The next thing that happened was the engine room called and reported that we had lost one of our screws. The next order that was given on the bridge was all stop on the engines. All engines 1/3 astern and stand by for depth charge attack. By this time Ray Mayhugh had figured out what was going on and held on to the release gear so it could not be used. About this time the Capt. arrived on the bridge from his sea cabin and took over.
... Paul Axelson, TM2c, 1991

The USS RALEIGH, a cruiser, operated with the Aleutian Task Force. They launched a seaplane that crashed into the sea. The BUSH put a whaleboat in the water to rescue the pilot. After the rescue, the whaleboat returned to the BUSH to be hoisted aboard. The hands of the whaleboat crew were so cold that they were unable to hook on for hoisting the boat by davits aboard the ship. It was necessary to put two fresh seamen with warm gloved hands into the whaleboat.
... Earl Sechrist, Lt.(jg), October 1, 1991

We were anchored at Adak, when a big storm whipped up. One of the cruisers we were with had previously launched a scout plane, which had crashed in the water. Tony Wysocki, John Spears, Dr. Johnson, myself, and others left the BUSH in the motor whale boat to help retrieve the pilot and his radioman. When we got to the plane, the radioman was unconcious and the pilot okay. We took them back to the cruiser, and the sea was so high, as we bobbed up the side of the cruiser the men on ship just grabbed the stretchers. The cruiser's Captain came out and ordered us to abandon the whale boat. John Spears said he was going to take the boat back regardless. Some of the men in the whale boat got off, while myself, Dr. Johnson, Wysocki, and one or two others stayed. When we got back to the BUSH, Dr. Johnson could not get out unassisted as he was too cold. They took me in and gave me a cold shower, but I was so frozen it felt like hot water. I was in a bunk for 5 days riding out that storm.
... John Northcutt, S1c, April 8, 1999

The BUSH joined a huge convoy from Adak to Pearl Harbor that included U.S. ships of all kinds. The convoy encountered stormy weather and heavy mountainous seas. Life lines were rigged on the main deck of the BUSH so the crew could go forward or aft on the main deck without being washed overboard. At times meals were limited to K Rations and sandwiches. One ship in the convoy lost a man overboard. It was impossible to stop or search for him, or anyone else lost overboard.
... Earl Sechrist, Lt.(jg), October 1, 1991

We lost one of the small ships and a couple of destroyers went back looking for it, without success. Later in the day we caught up with the lost sheep! Somehow, in the darkness he had gotten considerably ahead of the convoy.
... Robert Aguilar, SKD2c, Summer 1999

As we prepared to leave the Aleutians, the seas were very rough and stormy. We were dragging anchor. The convoy included some smaller destroyer tenders, but because of the high seas, these smaller ships were only visible about 30% of the time. The bow of the BUSH would come so far out of the water, that others could see the sonar gear on the hull, which is about 110 feet from the bow. On the bridge exists a device that indicates the pitch of the ship. During this trip, we rolled as far as 59 degrees. The ship is only designed to tolerate a 60 degree roll. With each roll, the officers on the bridge would give a sigh of relief as we rolled back.
... Telio Borroz, TM1c, May 31, 1999

During another storm in the Aleutians, I can recall watching our Chief Quarter Master, Frank Hubbard, as the ship encountered a heavy swell that rolled the ship at least 58 degrees. That is close to the point where the ship won't roll back, and the motor whale boat is dipping into the ocean. As the ship rolled, Chief Hubbard walked up a couple steps on the overhead and then walked back as the ship righted itself. After that, we never cleaned up the foot prints Chief Hubbard left, so we could show people how far we had rolled that day.
... John Northcutt, S1c, April 8, 1999

Because of the miserable weather we were on station 15 minutes, then in the mess hall for 15 minutes to try to thaw out, an unlikely accomplishment because in such weather the bow would dip and bring up tons of water which spread all over the bridge, thoroughly soaking all the clothing and foul weather gear the look-out was wearing. I, of course, was deathly seasick and not really rational. When I was relieved at 2330 hours, instead of going to the mess hall, I went to the aft compartment, got into someone's empty bunk, and virtually expired. When the owner of the bunk awakened me some time after 2400 I had missed relieving the man on my watch at 2345, and I knew I was in trouble. When the Officer of the Deck challenged me, I told him I had been at the lifeline vomiting. Apparently I looked the part because he advised me that I should hang a bucket around my neck and return to my station on schedule the next time. There were no further repercussions.
... Robert Aguilar, SKD2c, Summer 1999

Everyone on the BUSH was glad to leave the Aleutians for warmer waters. It took about a half hour to dress in all the foul weather gear required for standing watch when the ship was at sea. The increased maintenance and repair work caused by the weather and stormy seas was also an extra burden. All hands knew that one could only survive a few minutes in the cold Arctic waters. According to the clinometer on the bridge, the BUSH rolled as far as 72 degrees from vertical due to mountainous waves and sleet and ice on the rigging and topside guns. The guns and torpedo tubes had to be steam heated to be operable during such conditions.
... Earl Sechrist, Lt.(jg), October 1, 1991

After going to the South Pacific, it only took a short time until the white bread was dark inside. But I guess that extra protein never hurt anyone.
... Mac McKinney, Bkr2c, January 21, 1999

The USS BUSH (DD-529) participated in this invasion. During the landings, the doctor (John Hundley) of the USS AMMEN (DD-527) developed acute abdominal pain and requested my services. I was transported by motor whale boat to the AMMEN where a spinal anaesthetic was administered and an appendectomy was performed. The maneuvers of the ship were coordinated with the operation, the details being transmitted to the Captain by a talker. This situation had been rehearsed and resulted in a very smooth operation indeed. I stayed on the AMMEN for 24 hours. The doctor made a good recovery.
... George Johnson, Lieutenant & Medical Officer, 1994

The first Chief Torpedoman's Mate, a guy named White, was sitting on forward torpedo tubes during one of our initial engagements. He had some string that he had rigged up to be dangling into a barrel of water on the deck. He looked to be fishing. That was really humorous. I asked him about it later, and he said he needed to do something "to relax the boys".
... Telio Borroz, TM1c, May 31, 1999

It seemed in New Guinea that if there was a special assignment for a single ship, the BUSH would often be selected to perform the task. We made so many such trips that I started referring to the ship as "The Galloping Ghost of the New Guinea Coast".
... Telio Borroz, TM1c, May 31, 1999

I was a loader on the #5 gun. In New Guinea, early 1944, we'd gone on a raid one night with a couple of other tin cans. We'd done a lot of rapid shelling of the target area, so fast that afterwards our 5-inch gun barrel was glowing red for several feet. The glow was giving the Japs the ability to get our range and shoot back at us. Our gun captain, McCall, cooled down the barrel with some sea water and they never got our range.
... John Northcutt, S1c, August 16, 2001

The Admiralty Islands invasion was on a shoestring. My memory is that MacArthur proposed the invasion but the Joint Chiefs turned it down. So he mounted what he called a Reconnaissance in Force - 1,000 troops embarked in several APD's and DD's. (We had, as did the other DD's, 100 troops aboard.) Army intelligence held that the islands were lightly held; but in truth there were 10,000 enemy there, but fortunately on Manus, whereas we landed on Los Negros. Scuttlebutt had it that MacArthur sold it as "land, look & re-embark", but his intent was always to stay. We were out on a limb as Rabaul was off to the east within Japanese air range. It was scary.
... P. A. (Tony) Lilly, Jr., Lieutenant & Executive Officer, January 13, 1997

The landing in the Admiralty Islands is one of my brightest memories. The task force was unusual, it consisted of two old 4 stack destroyers which had been remodeled to convert them to high speed troop transports, 4 or 5 regular destroyers and at least one cruiser. All ships were carrying some troops for the landing, which was made on Los Negros island after a short bombardment. The air strip was taken in a short time and by late afternoon every one left, except for the BUSH and one other DD. We were to provide fire support for the troops on the beach. Additional men and equipment were to arrive 48 hours after the landing. During the night when the tide was out, lots of Jap troops waded across to Los Negros from Manus island. The next morning it was a real surprise, as the Japs attacked, and the air strip became no mans land. All day long they would gather their men on one side and prepare to attack. Each time the BUSH would be almost on the beach, with every gun we could bring to bear firing (5-inch, 40MM, 20MM) until the Japs pulled back. That happened time after time from daylight to dark. The next morning the LST's arrived with troops and equipment, and they were welcome.
... Ray Mayhugh, CTM, September 26, 1993

I was the bowhook on one of the boats from the USS Humphreys taking the 1st Cavalry Division ashore at Los Negros. My station was manning a 30MM machine gun, which is housed in a turret, on our boat .... As we headed toward the beach .... a Japanese sniper fired from the trees and struck me in the chest. I was losing blood, but managed to get the ramp lowered so the 1st Cavalry could hit the beach, then passed out.... I was transferred to the Bush for care, and "came to" about the time I was placed in a bunk aboard ship. I was concious and aware of all that was happening to me after that. There I was treated by an excellent doctor named Johnson .... There were several wounded soldiers that were also brought aboard while I was aboard the the USS Bush, a couple of whom died from their wounds.
... Joe Chartrand, S1c, USS HUMPHREYS (APD12) - Boat #2, August 3, 2001

The BUSH carried many army troops for this landing. Following the initial landing the BUSH received many wounded soldiers for the ship's doctor, Lt. George Johnson, and his medical crew to provide emergency medical treatment..... Since the army doctors ashore couldn't operate on the wounded without proper lights during the first few nights of the invasion, they joined Dr. Johnson aboard the BUSH to provide badly needed medical treatment. Those who died before they could be taken to a hospital ship were later buried at sea with full military honors aboard the BUSH.
... Earl Sechrist, Lt.(jg), October 1, 1991

Around noon we evacuated some wounded GIs to the destroyer BUSH which was patrolling off shore. It was chow time and the crew invited us to lunch. They took us to the head of the line and treated us like heroes. I gave them some battlefield souvenirs, Jap ammo and such. We grabbed a quick lunch because the ship couldn't stay in one position too long, Jap subs or land based guns a threat. We had brought the real heroes, I discovered, as I looked down on the deck of our boat. It was red with blood and not from our crew. I washed the decks with pails of seawater and the bilge pump dumped the gore overboard. We repeated the process twice.
... Thaddeus "Ted" Majusick, F1c, USS HUMPHREYS (APD12) - Boat #4, May 23, 2000

The 40MM shells used were just whatever we normally had. They exploded as they got close to something, with proximity fuses. I remember our skipper pulled in just about as close as he dared without running aground. There was another destroyer there with us. On each ship all five 5-inch guns, three of the five 40MM's, and four or five of the 20MM's would open up on the Japs (who outnumbered our guys). It was a real emergency, and we really knocked 'em out.
... Bob Shirey, EM3c, April 17, 2000

The following appeared in the Stockton Record, I believe Petroni sent it to me: "Though surprised, the Japanese were quick to react to the invasion and soon US troops were besieged by a numerically superior force. With the main body of the Navy task force already far away, the STOCKTON and BUSH moved to within 1,000 yards of the shore to provide accurate gun support for the desperate soldiers on the beach, repelling wave upon wave of Japanese onslaughts until the main attack force could be recalled to provide more firepower."
... Robert Aguilar, SKD2c, Summer 1999

We were performing some anti-aircraft drills with a group of ships that included several Aussie ships. As we dispersed, taking evasive action at flank speed, an Aussie cruiser was crossing right in front of us. Captain Smith ordered full speed astern on the port engine. We missed the cruiser but blew-out the turbine on our port engine.
... Telio Borroz, TM1c, May 31, 1999

Off New Guinea we blew a turbine, limped on one screw to Cairns, Australia for repairs. We were in dry dock, out of water, sat there for a day before they got the screw off. The Captain said, "We're headed for San Francisco!" That ship just erupted! The guys went crazy!
... Bob Thompson, SC3c, June, 1993

The cranes in use at the Cairns dry-dock were very small. As soon as the propeller was clear, the crane operator immediately dropped the propeller into the harbor or it would have pulled the crane right in! We left our nice, shiny, 18 foot brass propeller resting under water as we left for Mare Island.
... Telio Borroz, TM1c, May 31, 1999

One night, while there, some of the crew went on liberty and returned in the wee hours. They created a considerable disturbance with the Duty Officer and the Master at Arms, then went to the crew quarters around the #5 handling room and trashed the compartment, scattering the occupants, their bedding and their belongings all over the deck. Later that day Captain Smith conducted an investigation on the main deck and provided some pithy observations pertaining to the conduct and character of the four revelers. He also announced that BUSH could not be repaired at Cairns and we would have to return to Mare Island; the miscreants, however, would not return with us, but would be left on an island and be picked up upon our return.
... Robert Aguilar, SKD2c, Summer 1999

May 19, 1944, the day .... I signed on to the Bush .... we lived in Barracks on Mare Island for a couple weeks after that. They were repairing the ship and didn't want us underfoot. We had some good liberty there and never had an inkling of what lay ahead.
... Bob Wise, S1c, May 15, 2001