USS BUSH (DD 529)

"Refueling At Sea - October 18, 1944"

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Pictured below, the USS BUSH (left) is refueled at sea by the USS SALAMONIE (right) on October 18, 1944 in preparation for the landings at Leyte 2 days later. In this instance, the BUSH is topped off with a mere 28,050 gallons of fuel oil. Only eight days later, the BUSH would receive 93,466 gallons of fuel oil. A review of the BUSH deck logs reveals it was not out of the ordinary for the BUSH to receive more than 100,000 gallons of fuel oil in some instances. The ability of the allies to supply the hundreds of ships with the necessary fuel (and other materials) to conduct operations is truly an amazing feat, and a significant reason for their eventual victory.

During the refueling operation pictured above, a set of brothers, one on each ship, were able to talk with one another via a temporary communication line established between the two ships. Ensign Bob Carney, USS BUSH Supply Officer, visited for several minutes with his older brother Tom, a Boilermaker on the USS SALAMONIE.

Bob recalled that during this particular refueling, the fuel oil was leaking onto the decks of the BUSH. Men from the BUSH Deck Division were enjoying this particular error. While ordinarily the Deck Division would be responsible for maintenance and cleaning of the deck, that was not true for oil spills during refueling. Such spills were the responsibility of the Engineering Division (the men below deck in the engine and fire rooms). The men of the Deck Division apparently had a good howl at the work the men from E Division were about to enjoy!

EDITOR'S NOTE: The sailor in the foreground, leaning on the railing and looking out towards the SALAMONIE, is believed to be Robert "Bob" Wise-S1c.

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