50171b
Manufactured by
US Government Printing Office

First Aid Bag

Instrument Case (1)
Box Morphine Syrettes (1)
Adhesive Plaster (1)
Small Battle Dressing (6)
Wire Splint (1)
Protective Ointment (1)
Bal Ointment (1)
3 inch Gauge Bandage (4)
2 inch Gauge Bandage (4)
Tourniquet Web (2)
First Aid Packets (3)
Boric Acid Ointment (1)
Milt Tinct Iodine Packet (1)
Large Battle Dressings (2)
Sulfanilamide Power Packet (1)
Sulfa Diazine Packet (1)
Trianbulap Bandage (1)
Head Dressing (1)

Typical WWII USN Medical Kit and the G.I. Joe WWII Navy Corpsman

NAVY

Nov 9, 1944 - Left Sampson, New York for West Coast.
Nov 14, Arrived at Shoemaker Calif.
Nov 22, Left Shoemaker for San Pedro.
Nov 23, Arrived at San Pedro.
Nov 26, Left for Treasure Island aboard U.S.S. Dickens A.P.A. (161).

U.S.S. Dickens

Nov 29, Arrived at receiving barracks Treasure Island.
Click here to see the Treasure Island Souvenir Booklet from WWII
Dec 8, Left Treasure Island for Pearl Harbor on Merchant Ship "Dashing Wave".
DEC 15, Arrived at receiving bks "Aila" on island of Oahu.
DEC 23, Aboarded USS Lowndes APA (154) for duty.
DEC 27, Left Pearl and went to Maui to pick up Marine Troops. 3 APA's with us.
DEC 29, Arrived at Maui and loaded troops.
Jan 1, Left Maui for Pearl.
Jan 3, Arrived at Pearl.
Jan 6, Left Pearl for maneuvers (convoy of thirty ships).
Jan 9, Arrived back at Pearl.
Jan 12, Left Pearl for maneuvers.
Jan 19, Arrived back at Pearl.
Jan 27, Left Pearl for Eniwetok (20 ships).
Jan 31, Crossed International Date Line and were considered "golden Dragons".
Feb 5, Arrived at the Marshalls.
Feb 7, Left Eniwetok
Feb 11, Arrived at saipan.
Feb 12, Maneuvers off Tinian.

Tinian & Saipan (National Geographic April 1945)

Feb 13, Back at saipan.
Feb 16, Left saipan for Iwo Jima.
Feb 19, D-Day on Iwo Jima. Saw one of our planes crash in the ocean. Also seventeen
casualties brought aboard.
Feb 20, We had a total of 38 casualties.
Feb 21, Carrier "Bismark Sea" sunk. Our task force downed a Jap zero and Bette.
Feb 23, We had 130 casualties aboard. Old Glory hoisted on highest peak of
Mt. Suribachi. I also took six stretcher cases to hospital ship, USS Solace.

USS Solice

Feb 24, American Avenger crashed. Just missed a PA in front of us. Saw it through glasses.
Feb 25, Saw Jap blow up when shell hit pillbox.
Feb 26, 3 suicide planes hit Saratoga and sent her back to port. Received mail. Cargo
planes dropped it on Iwo Jima. First Planes landed on airfield (1) Motoyama.
Feb 28, Left for saipan with 338 casualties. Six PA's and KA's and four destroyers.
During this D-day I scrubbed on about 80 operations. Included were 4 amputations,
one lap, and several bone cases. At on stretch, we worked 49 straight hours.
Sure do miss home.
March 3, Arrived at saipan 0920 in morning.
March 3, 1720 left for Guam. On way to Okinawa, we refueled Destroyer which was later
sunk at Okinawa (Calhoun). 6 PA's and escorts.
March 4, Arrived at Guam with Casualties.
March 5, Unloaded casualties at Guam.
March 6, Left Guam for saipan.
March 7, Arrived at saipan.
March 8, Loaded troops and took a walk on saipan Island.
March 10, Went swimming and played baseball on saipan. Saw Jap guns and tanks, B-29
airfields on saipan, Guam, and Tinian (secret).

Lowndes crewmen Steve Vlasak and Ben Bailey on a baseball field on Saipan

March 18, Maneuvers off Tinian.
March 19, Engine trouble (Trialsum).
March 21, Swam on saipan (baseball, swimming).
March 27, Left for Okinawa.
April 1, Love Day at Okinawa.

L-Day orders from another APA ship.

April 1, L.S.T. Sunk and A.P.A 120 which was in our convoy coming
from saipan was hit by suicide plane, which landed in engine room - 30 casualties.
10th army and Marines went 15 miles inland and captured two airfields.

Kamikazi impact on APA-120

April 2, Troops again went over for fake landings. Battle wagons were shelling southern tip.
Had a GQ. Jap plane flew over and dropped bombs..missed. Our gunner fired.
Missed also. Had 6 GQs. 345 AM was the first. In China Sea.
April 3, At sea.
April 4, At sea. Last night APA's 45, 210 were hit with suicide planes, also battle ship
West Virginia.
April 5, At sea. Exploded several mines around us (100 yds).
April 6, At sea.
April 7, Jap Fleet reported leaving from Tokyo, due in Okinawa tomorrow morning. Fleet
encountered by 300 US planes from Task Force 58. One Battlewagon, 2 cruisers,
9 destroyers sunk. Seven US planes lost.
April 11, Left convoy with two destroyers and headed for Okinawa to unload about 140 men.
Left convoy at 0945. In afternoon, meet up with large unit of Task Force 58.
3 large battlewagons, large carriers, cruiser, destroyers and tankers.
April 12, GQ at 0500. Many enemy planes around. Dest. at Okinawa at 0900. Arrived at
Okinawa at 1000. A large fleet surrounds the island. G.Q. At about one thirty until
five thirty. Many dog fights overhead. Jap suicide plane hit one of our D.E.s'. In area
of 50 mile radius we shot down 80 Jap planes. GQ at 5:30 until 10:30. Jap plane
went over our fantail. Went to bed until 3:15 AM and had another G.Q.
April 13, Heard of President Roosevelt's death and shaved beard off.
April 15, Left for saipan with 15 PA's and KA's at 0735. Had battleships, Nevada and Maryland
and cruiser Pensacola and some destroyers and escorts, three GQs' thus far. Heard
rumors that war in Europe was over.
April 18, Arrived at saipan. Received 68 letters.
April 21, Went swimming on saipan.
May 7, 1945 V-E Day in Europe.
May 8, 1945 Did circumcision in O.R. Assisted Dr Hughes.
May 9, Was made in charge of OR Scrub Room and Sterilizing room. Also recommended
from Phm2/c.
May 13, 1945 - Had a Flash Red on saipan. Darkened ship and went into GQ. Nothing
happened.
May 14, Saw a good movie. "Make Your Own Bed".

Outdoor Theater on Saipan (National Geographic April 1945)

Lowndes Man in the Electric Chair

June 12, Arrived in Soloman's saw Tulagi, Florida Savo and Guadocanal. All islands look pretty
rugid. Went into some cave and refueled saw beautiful scenery and natives in three
boats. Saw two movies. Tarzan and Music in the Mountains with Roy Rogers.
June 13, We don't know where or what we are going to do yet. Only two mail planes a week
leave Tulagi. Remember about Tokyo Rose and PH2 being hit.
June 15, Left Tulagi Harbor for Espirito Santo which is in the New Hebrides. We have 8 PA's
and no escorts. While we were in the Solomons there were many natives and small
boats. Purvis Bay and Iron Bottom Bay.
June 17, Due in at 1600. Arrived at New Hebrides today. New Hebrides is a pretty island Coconut
trees all over the island. Tennis courts, baseball and basketball fields. Navy personal
sleep in tents. Climate is very cool at night (one or two blankets) warm in the day.
French, Dutch and English settlements on the island. Harbor reminds me of Green
Pond.
June 18, Went on Liberty in Espirito Santo, played baseball and basketball.
June 22, Went on liberty again. Had a swell ride in jeep with officer, really enjoyed driving over
island. Bought 2 bracelets for a dollar and coaster set from 1.70. I also bought a nail file
clipper. I tried to get pennants but could not locate them. The natives live in small old
shacks all grouped together. They have chickens and pigs in their back yards. The
island still has about 1500 soldiers and 1500 sailors. They are cleaning them out rapidly.
We will be going into the docks real soon and load cargo which we will take to Guam. All
in a swell liberty day.
June 23, Moved into docks to load cargo.
June 26, Underway for Guam. Merchant ship reported sunk between saipan and Eniewok. They
are escorting ships anymore until they get to saipan. We left alone for Guam.
June 29, 1945 Crossed Equator at 3:45 AM. We are now hard Shellbacks. The first time we
crossed at 163' 30 minutes.
July 1, Passed Eniewok. Say they are on prowl for subs.

July 4, Arrived at Guam at 1000. Anchored and are awaiting orders to go to docks and unload.
July 5, Received orders to leave for good old USA after unloading.
July 8, Starting to unload cargo. Will be finished by July 13.
July 10, Sub heard around entrance of Guam Harbor.
July 11, 1945 Left for the good old USA at 1800 Ya, Ya.
July 18, Crossed International Date line for second time. Received cards the first time.
July 27, Arrived in the USA San Francisco, went under the golden gate 0825. Went on liberty in
the afternoon. Made phone call home. Sure was glad to hear Pops voice. Had a nice
dinner and inquired about air transportation home. Also had pictures taken. Got some
good milk. It was delicious. Very good liberty.

August 1, Was rate PhM2/c and heard we will probably be transferred. Forgot to mention carrier
Ticonderoga was in Guam also cruiser Pittsburgh with bow blown off from Typhoon.
Didn't see it.

USS Pittsburgh 5 days after bow damage

August 3, Went into dry dock for scraping and painting of the bottom. We went into Moose
Drydock.
August 7, Left dry docks for San Francisco Bay.
August 8, Went into Pier 36 in San Francisco. Three Blocks from Market Street.
August 11, 1945 Called home talked to Bob, Jessie Bill, Mom, Pop and Marge. Sure was good to
hear their voices. Sent night letter to Laurel. Had chicken dinner. Went to see "Xmas
in Connecticut" Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan. Very good. Went back to ship.
Very good liberty.
August 12, 1945 630 PM False announcement of the war's end. Sure was disappointed. Lets
hope it is tomorrow.
August 14, THE WAR IS OVER. JAPS SURRENDER UNCONDITIONAL. Hot dogs.
August 15, Ship went on trail run in San Francisco Bay.
August 16, Trial run out to sea and around bay area pier 45.
August 17, Called home, sent turtles to Mom, Pop and Bill. Saw "Wonder Man" Danny Kaye.
August 18, Called home talked to Townie Marge and Bill plus Mom and Pop.
August 20, Left Pier 45 and went to Pier 15 and loaded troops. 1500 of Patton's third army. Left at
1630 for the Philippines will stop at Eniewok.
August 31, Had about 50 cases of ptomaine poisoning.
Sept 1, Arrived at Eniewok in the Marshall's.
Sept 3, Left Eniewok with convoy for Ulithi. Seven ships including ours. President Hayes Two
escorts PC's.

Convoy at Ulithi (National Geographic May 1946)

This typhoon as seen from another APA between Okinawa and Philippines.

Sept 9, We were just about to Leyte when we received orders to go to Batangas. Three PAs left. We were the Flagship. Saw many Porpoises. Traveled along Luzon and Samas. Went though straights.
Sept 11, 1945 Arrived at Batangas. Saw natives diving for coins.
Sept 11, Went on liberty. Rode in Rickshaw. Made coffee. Bought ice cream and beer 150 (3 pesos). Had fun. Ground coffee in market..
Sept 13, Left Batangas at 1700 for Leyte. Left with one PA (213). Unloaded troops.
Sept 15, Arrived at Leyte.
Sept 16, Started to load troops and cargo, (Talkabian).
Sept 17, Finished loading troops and cargo.
Sept 18, Left for Aomori, Japan (Honshir) with 21 Pas and KAs plus GCI and two DD's. They say Mrs Macauthor and boy are on PA 230. I doubt it.
Sept 24, Went through large mine fields.
Sept 25, Arrived at Aomori Honshir Japan. No resistance. Large fleet surrounded the area. Many planes overhead. Jap tug pulled in one of our ships. People were very friendly (carried officer's bags). We were first group of ships to occupy northern Honshir. More will follow. Scuttle butt has it we will go to Manila and then to USA.
Sept 28, 1945 Went ashore on Aomori Honshri. Saw many Jap people. They bowed to all of us. They looked like a very much defeated people. I got a souvenir of a Parking ticket. Aomori was just bombed once by US planes (carrier based, it was just leveled off.) The temple was very beautiful. Very good liberty. Saw railroad trains, rice fields, Jap cops and such.
Sept 29, Left Aomori with 10 Pas and Escorts for Saipan. Have paraveins out as there are many mines out in H2O. Please excuse English as I just woke up.

Oct 4, Arrived at Saipan 12 clock noon. Went into docks immediately to load high point men. Will leave tomorrow.
Oct 5, Departure heldup due to typhoon.
Oct 6, Left for good old U.S.A. via the great northern route. Are due in Frisco.
Oct 9, 1945 HotDogs.
Oct 11, Crossed Dateline.
Oct 12, 13, Hit tail end of 150 mile an hour typhoon. Ship rocked 30 degrees.
Oct 13, Received orders to change course for Seattle.
Oct 14, Heard that we will be in Seattle 15 days.
Oct 18, Arrived in Seattle Washington at 1300. A ferryboat full of girls pulled up alongside and played different songs. We docked at pier 91 across from the battlewagons Iowa, Maryland and Arkansas.

Oct 19. Left Pier 91 to go to lake Washington for repairs. Heard that I would be transferred in about a week. Went on liberty and made a phone call home to Mom and Dad. Had a steak dinner and saw "A Thousand and One Nights".

 

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