Left Guam at 1500. In sliding out of the harbor it was necessary to run down the beam of H.M.S. King George I. The first time I had seen a Royal Navy ship close at hand. She needed a paint job!

This run, I shall have the 4 to 8 watch. I prefer this, as it is easier to skip the noon meal when it occurs during my sleeping hours. I only need to eat twice a day.

Of course, there is much scuttlebutt running rampant through the boat in reference to where we are going, what we shall try to accomplish etc. The officers are reluctant to say anything about it, which action stems probably from one of two possible reasons. The danger to morale if serious implications of the run were known, or, and this seems to me more logical, the possibility of capture before mission is accomplished and tortuous grilling that might very well result in disclosure of ComSubPac strategy.

We are in company with two other boats, Flying Fish and Bowfin, comprising a wolfpack of at least three boats. Rumor has it that there will be eight or twelve boats in the thing when on station for patrol, though this is unfounded.

Incidentally, the unofficial dope is that our area or station is to be the Sea of Japan! To a layman, this might not sound startling, but to us, as to any submariner, it is. We know where the boats are operating, have been operating, and we know that in the main, the Sea of Japan was not an area. There have been several boats sent in, but nothing was ever heard from them. They were among those listed as, "overdue and must be presumed lost," with never a mention made of where they were when lost. Just another example of the Navy's sometimes understandable, sometimes peculiar reticence in regard to sub's activities. Certainly the Japs knew when they got these U.S. Subs. They also knew where they got them. Would it be revealing military secrets then to glorify the 80 or 90 men and officers who left port, knowing there was little chance of a return, but knew they would sink Jap ships and kill Jap personnel

The stoic courage of these men should be made known to the American public now, when to wage war, to be in combat, is the charge of every physically fit American male, and war stories are accepted and included in the daily diet of the 118,000,000 Americans still fortunate enough to be able to read their daily papers as soon as they are off the presses.

If we wait until the war is over, and the civilian populace along with the ex-military, returns to normalcy, then try to cram stories of submarine exploits down their throats, it will be, I'm afraid, rather futile, for everyone will be trying to put war stories from their minds. I shall too.

It isn't fair to us to be nonentities forever. We had a part in this war too and though we don't claim a larger role than the next guy, we certainly think that a little more detailed credit can be released.

May 30, Memorial Day and here I am 450 miles north of Guam heading for the Empire of Japan. My God, sometimes it all seems like a dream - unbelievable. I never will get used to being on these, the strangest of all war machines, submarines. In '39 if anyone told me I'd be a submariner in '43, I'd have laughed in his face, yet here I am, a qualified submariner.

We are a comparatively small group comprising a mere one percent of the Navy's personnel so there is a greater esprit de corps here than can be found in most military groups. We know each other. That is to say, when a boat goes down, we have lost a good many friends, fellows we knew in Australia, Midway, Pearl Harbor, Johnston Island, Saipan, Majuro, Guam. I've made many friends, and I've lost a lot of them. Men on the Cisco, Robalo, Dace, Flier, Trigger, Scamp, Snook, Narwahl, Swordfish, Runner, Tang, Tulibee. All of them happy-go-lucky guys who'd give you the shirt off their backs.

The Skipper gave us a message tonight in the press news. He certainly can sense just what we are feeling and covered it nicely. There are too many of the crew who have never heard a depth charge and they think these runs are a Sunday school picnic. We'll have to watch them like a hawk during an attack.

From the information I can get, I believe we will enter the Sea of Japan from the western approach, that is the entrance between Kyushu and Korean Peninsula, The channels are of course mined, so it will be pretty risky entering and departing, not to mention the time spent inside. We will be pretty close to Russia, of course, so the stock gag now is, "Well, it won't be like this in Vladavostock," and "When Uncle Joe gets to see us, we'll all make Ensign."

Sighted several dozen B-29's returning from a large scale raid on Yokohama. Did not communicate with them In any way.

It will be quite cold, I expect, when we get on station, Joe Knox told me that they (Bowfin) were off the NE coast of Honshu, last run and the injection was 32 F. Our area will be about the same latitude.

Made trim dive on my watch. For some obscure reason the torpedo loading hatch decided to give me a bad time. When we ducked under about 30 feet, I heard water spurting from somewhere. Quickly, I checked all possible sources and discovered the leak. By this time, we were at 120 feet, going to 340. The water was coming in under a 50 pound pressure which was increasing as we went deeper.

The grease (Zurk) fitting on the hand wheel, which is used to lock or open the hatch, was dry of grease and water rushed through the restricted opening. Red Stanford's bunk Is hung from the overhead about a foot and a half below this hatch, and it was receiving most of the water.

I was in his bunk looking for the leak and getting very wet. When I discovered what it was, I scurried back down and looked for our small grease gun in the tool box. Someone evidently borrowed it and did not bring it back. The only thing I had was a hand gun with another type of fitting. I picked it up and clambered back to Red's sack and pushed the gun onto the fittings.

It was enough to keep out the water, but I, none the less, had lost my temper by that time, and cursed the day I ever put in for duty on "one of these pig-iron b------ s." I dried up the water as best I could when we surfaced, and put in a new grease fitting. I then sat down to collect my thoughts and to regain control of my temper.

We probably shall change course to west (270 degrees) when we reach latitude north of Okinawa. This would take us through the Ryukyu group, close by Amami Oshimag which Island is most commonly used for designating that passage to the China Sea.

We had a radio message telling of a plane in distress and forced down 80 miles from our position. We are proceeding there on four main engines.

We spent all night searching for the crew of that plane reported down. Thought they might have rowed to Safu Gan (Lot's wife), a small uninhabited island, so we ran up to it and fired Very pistols flares, star shells etc.and even blew our whistle (fog horn.) This was done. In an effort to get them to signal us, if they were on it. An hour later, assumed they were elsewhere and began racing about the area last given as their position. Handicapped as we were by heavy fog, our chances of finding them looked mighty slim. Visibility was less than 500 yards.

At this time we were contacted by a Navy search plane, via radio, and told they were circling over the survivors. Another plane began running back and forth over the sea hoping we would hear their engines and radio them when they passed close by. About two hours later we heard him and told him so. We took off in the direction of the plane and soon after, spotted the boat in which were the survivors.

Ten in all from a B-29. They had raided Osaka and were on their way back to Guam when a prop windmilled, eventually tore off Its hub and ripped through the fuselage. Besides, cutting a wide swathe through the ship, it severed control cables of the ailerons and tail section. With no control, they had to ditch the plane.

They had only been down 22 hours when we picked them up. I have outfitted one S/S Ralph Gervais of Chicago with skivvies, dungarees, socks, and sandals. He also has access to my bunk while aboard. I had extra toilet gear so he's all set in that department.

One man was lost when his chute failed to open. They were at 2,000 feet.

Made a trim dive at dawn. The soldier back here was rather disappointed he did not wake up to experience the sensation. He told me more of the raid on Osaka. The targets were a poison gas factory and a grenade plant. On the way out they flew through a huge column of dense, black smoke reaching into the sky for more than 22,000 feet. Even at this altitude the unmistakable smell of burning wood was noticeable. The plane itself (Skyscraper I) was covered with soot when they emerged from the smoke.

At 0030, on the surface, a plane came in on us and it being very dark, was heard rather than seen. We dove. No bomb was dropped. 20 minutes later we surfaced and continued on. Are approaching the Nansei group. Must run through narrow straits to enter East China Sea. Land-based radar has picked us up, so they know we are coming. In the East China Sea we are cruising on the surface. Forced down by Jap medium bomber at 0545. Will stay submerged.

We rendezvoused with the Scabbardfish. Piled the zoomies into rubber boat, and pulled boat back and forth between us; three trips before job was done. Before he left, Gervais gave me his flying suit in swap for my dungarees and white hat and submariner's sandals. When this B-29 crew gets a replacement for Skyscrapper I, they are going to call it "Tinosa Jr." It looks as though the Japs will get hell. on all sides from the "T."

We went to battle stations. We are standing by the tubes now. Target is thought to be a submarine due to certain characteristics of pip on the SJ. Another false alarm! Decided finally target must be a rock. It's a little early In the run to fire fish anyway. I think we'll find bigger and better targets inside the Japan Sea. I'll wait.

At 0530 we dove, probably for daylight hours. Too many planes up above. We'd be running elevator service same as yesterday when we were forced down seven times.

Just heard an amusing tale. Last night (or early morning) it was decided by Mr. - X'-, who is an ex-shoe clerk lately turned Naval officer, to have Red Stanford grease various operating units on deck. For some obscure reasons Mr. X desired to go up with Red, probably to direct the job. Being a very ineffectual, blundering individual, he is not the type one likes to have around when there is work to be done. Red didn't like the idea at all. When they were rigged to start, and turned on the air to the gun, the air hose parted at a coupling. Red, who is always quick to seize an opportunity jammed the two lengths of hose together, and with his most gracious smile bestowed only on those few souls whose object in life is to do good unto others, placed the coupling into the hands of the slightly dumb-founded Mr. X, who was forced to stand in one spot for an hour or so holding the hose together. If he had let go, the air running through the hose would have whipped and lashed the end all over topside, and by the time it could be shut off , Mr.X would have been a beaten man. He (seen his duty and he dun it.) He held the hose together - but good!

After being down fourteen and a half hours, fresh air feels good..

Have some more dope on the SJ contact. It was a good sized pip at 28,000 yards indicating a large ship. One small pip showed at 20,000. This was probably an escort vessel. At the time, we had only two main engines in commission. The other two we were unable to start on surfacing, due to salt water being in the fuel. We had to throw a long charge in the batteries so used one engine for that. Our top speed then would be 11-12 knots. We were to rendezvous with the Bowfin and Flying Fish at 0230. At the time of the SJ contact, we were quite a few miles from rendezvous. The Captain figured we could not get into position for an approach and still get back to the other boats. Our mission is still the important thing. Sooo! Torn between two desires, he made the hard but wiser choice.

Got together with the two boats on schedule at the entrance of the straits leading into the Sea of Japan and the skippers yelled "Good Luck" to one another. We then spread out a bit and waited for dawn to break.

Dived at dawn and started into the straits. We are the third in line which is not an enviable position. It is similar to a wingman's spot in flying formation. Since 0700 we have been getting mine indications on the FM. The straits are choked with them planted in the conventional way.

At 0830 and again later this afternoon we heard a mine cable scrape along the side of the hull. An eerie sound to say the least. I recalled the movie "Crash Dive" which I saw while in New London. In one scene Ty Power's sub was passing through a mine field and a mine gently bumped and scraped its way aft. I laughed at that. I knowing that mines don't bump and remain intact, but today's experience convinced me that I had lived through a scene so similar that it wasn't funny.

We have CO2 Absorbent, which I spread on deck this morning, purifying the air. We are to be down about 20 hours today. It's the first time we've used this stuff.

Upon surfacing, we had a plane contact at 12 miles and two ships at four miles. Plane drew away and we left the ships alone. Dope now is that we have to wait a few days till all nine subs are in position before any of us makes an attack.

We are out of the minefield and in the Sea of Japan proper. It is a very rough sea. Some of the fellows who became quite seasick after we surfaced, are glad that we dove at 0430 for an all day dive. It is much nicer for sleeping.

I laid in my sack from 10 p.m. until 3:30 am without going to sleep. Sharp rolls we took damn near threw me out on deck continuously, so that it was impossible to even relax.

'Dived at 0500 and ran submerged until 2230. The sea was quite calm when we surfaced. I don't believe I mentioned it before, but we are to refrain from making an attack until after sunset on the 9th. At that time, all hell should let loose as nine boats fire fish at targets in nine different harbors.

We are going into Bokuku, Korea and will look it over all day. Then when it's I dark, fire at selected targets and get out of there. The fish will be routined today, so that they'll be all set to go. At 1400 went to battle stations. A lone ship up there. The old man has decided to jump the gun and take this one. At 1500 tubes fw'd fired three fish and sunk the thing, It split in two and went down in less than 50 seconds. 2300 tons and it was loaded. There were no depth charges, and I doubt if there were survivors.

Before noon, when we got a look at the harbor, there were no ships there and the skipper was so disappointed he'd take a chance and disobey orders - which he did by firing four hours before sunset.

When we fired, the target was only 2300 yards off shore. It was so shallow there that we had to fire from 3800 yards away and then only had 95 feet of water or 30 feet under us.

At 1215 had a contact at 61,000 yards and it was not land! Picking up a ship at that range indicates it is big. Tracked him until at 7:30 PM we were in position for an attack. We (in the after torpedo room) hoped the Captain would give us a chance to add to our tonnage and he did.

At a range of 1300 yards, target on a steady course we fired tubes #7, #/8, #9, and hoped. A minute and a half later, with no explosions we knew we'd missed. We learned later that the ship turned and began to run down our torpedo tracks, We hastily made #10 ready and fired it in the hopes that it would make the target swerve from his course, it did. About that time, high speed screws were heard approaching us and the Captain calmly told the chief on the manifold to flood negative. Chief Welch, without answering did, and we started down. In the meantime Mr, ------- , whose wife had a son recently and he, as a result, has come to value his life more, got excited and screeched, "Flood Negative!" Confusion reigned! It was suddenly clarified for us shortly as we heard the unmistakable whirr and whine of one of our own torpedoes pass right over us and fade away in the distance on its erratic run. We very nearly were destroyed by our own torpedo.

Anyone who felt chipper after that was not normal. We all very weakly sat down after rigging for depth charge attack. The smoking lamp was out, so we didn't even have the comforting relaxation that is supposed to accompany a smoke. All we had was the comfort of each other's presence. We were all, ironically enough, in the same boat. Believe me, that old cliche' has taken on new meaning.

As if the foregoing chain of events were not enough, the guy topside dropped a mere half dozen s-cans. Just enough to make you wonder if he was going to drop any more. However, he left us then to our own miseries and brother we had them!

The torpedomen were marked men. "What the hell was the matter with your fish?" was the eternal cry from the rest of the crew. Submariners are a severely critical group of personalities and though a man may not be familiar with the idiosyncrasies of torpedoes he sets himself up as an authority simply because he has known others at another time were fired and ran hot, straight, and normal!

It seems that two others were hits but failed to blow up. This can be attributed to faulty exploder mechanisms. These two fish actually bounced off the hull of the target! It is possible that the fish that boomeranged was one of these. I myself witnessed the Installation of exploders in two of the fish fired, and I know that there were detonators and boosters in them and that the cavity withstood the leakage test. It was a harrowing-experience, though not uncommon among the boats. Some of them have had a dozen or more faulty fish In one load.

One thing is known among Dixon, Wag, and I. The fault lies, not with us but with the tender, The fish are given to us in a "fully ready" condition, which' means they are ready to fire. Our job is to give them a routine periodically that will keep them in that state, We do not alter anything,

1245 - Foggy and misty now. Sighted 1500 ton coastal freighter. Battle Surfaced. At 4900 yards opened fire, and when we had expended first three or four rounds, they put a lifeboat over the side and rowed vigorously away from their ship. Though it was armed, with at least, a 37 mm they had no intention of manning it, so we ran right In to 600 yards firing all the time. When within range, the 40 mms 20 mm, and one 50 cal- opened fire also.

We fired 44 rounds of 5", about 20 of which were hits. The ship was of the steel-hull type and took quite a few hits before she started to sink. Finally, 24 minutes after we fired the first round, she went under by the stern Two men jumped off the fantail just then and probably were taken under by the suction of the sinking ship. The lifeboat was left unharmed.

Wicker and I are both pretty tired, and our arms and backs ache. We lifted and carried 3,960 pounds apiece in the 24 minutes of actions so I guess we should. By the way, this ship one of 80 in the same class, was fully loaded.

The danger of being sighted by a patrol plane was a thing to be reckoned with, but none showed up.

Dived at dawn for a submerged patrol. We moved down nearer the strait through which we entered the Sea of Japan since the action yesterday. Went to Battle Stations at 1800. Closed in to 600 yards unobserved, made tubes ready, outer doors open - then secured because target was a little too small to bother with.

"Stations for Battle Submerged!" SJ radar has a target at 5,000 yards We chased him for an hour, but when the Captain thought it over, he decided target, must be very small, else SJ would have picked him up at 10,000 yards. We are outside the harbor of Pusan, largest port in Korea. An average 22 ships a day enter or leave, totaling (average) 134,000 tons. This information comes from intelligence, so we will establish it as facts or - !

Mr. Siegfried was trying to bet $50 we'd get two ships today. No takers. I expect we'll make out, It's supposed to be a "hot" area.

I saw "Dave" Clutterham today for the first time since we had that "erratic" run back here. He is one of the junior officers. He asked me if I had been in Australia, and I replied yes. "Wel-Il I guess that's where you learned to fire boomerangs." How about that? He was only kidding so I laughed, too. The Guys have all forgotten about that incident and even those ignoramuses who seemed to hold us personally responsible for the near-calamity, have forgiven. Tubes forward have found three of theirs with H. R.T. in the Gyro pot, so it's just a generally bum load of fish.

At 1630 went up to 62 feet to take a look around. When the O.D. put his eye to the periscope, he saw dead ahead, 30 yards away, a small fishing boat, so down we went to 200 feet. This was to prevent their nets from fouling our screws.

I recall one incident in the Surigao Straits (Phillipines) when we came alongside a fishing boat to investigate and finding everything in order, took our leave. We had only moved off a few yards when we noticed the Phillipinos gesticulating wildly and yelling at us. Captain Weiss knew what was wrong immediately so he ordered "All Stop" and they drew along our stern and freed their fishing lines,. I was on lookout at the time, so remember well the looks and expressions of gratitude on the native's faces, for to them those lines meant a great deal. There were no others when they lost them, as the Japs only furnished those fishermen who fished for the Japs.

To show their appreciation they gave Captain Weiss a chicken, a live one which was kept in the after torpedo room until our arrival in port where it was presented to Admiral Lockwood with due ceremony. We had no report of it after that. While we had it aboard, the steering rams were its roost and when we tied up she was perched on the deck gun suitable outfitted with "tailor made" blues and a tres chic white hat, which an ingenious quartermaster had whipped up. I believe he spent as much time on his creation as Mainbocher did in designing the Waves uniform.

Linkage on negative tank flood valve broke. It is closed. Inconvenient, if not dangerous. This was first day we did not go to battle stations since arrival.

It Is very foggy and so we shall take advantage of its protection and stay on the surface all day. Routine fish today. Hope we fire them soon.

Being on surface will enable us to get press news. Maybe the war is over. Have been out of contact for five days or so.

Plane contact at 1230 drove us down for half an hour. Surfaced and continued on. At about 2300 rendezvoused with Flying Fish. Bowfin was supposed to be there too, but did not show up. We exchanged movie films and also found that F.F. didn't have any more tonnage than us. She had run out of salt, so we gave her 15 pounds. Did not use rubber boat. Water was calm, so we moved bows together and handed the stuff over.

Did not dive this morning. No plane contacts until twilight when a radar equipped Jap plane came in on us to six miles. Dived and stayed down one hour and eight minutes. Surfaced at 8:45 a m, and an hour later, began running through a fleet of 20 or 30 fishing boats. They were 3-400 yards away, but we did not molest them.

We had stations for battle submerged. An indication on the SJ was picked up - range 9500 yards. We moved in to attack and just as it was getting daylight, fired tubes #4, #5, #6 on the surface. Visibility was very poor (50-75 yards due to a dense fog that hung about us hugging the ocean like a blanket. At no time then, could we see the target. We missed with all three fish, so moved in again, and after changing the depth setting from six to four feet, fired #1 and #2. These were misses too, whereupon we secured and let him go. He must have been very small if the fish passed beneath him. We were only 4000 yards from the Korean coast and land-based radar had picked up on us by then. We headed out to sea. We still have eleven fish left. The torpedo run was only 500 yards each time. Submerged at 0830 and surfaced after dark, 12 hours later.

Sighted drifting mine shortly after dawn. Have seen several this run. Stayed up until 1404, then down for submerged patrol. I had the 13-1400 sun lookout so went topside for breath of air and some sunlight. The effect was good! It's been a couple of weeks since I had any. Saw a shark's fin knifing through the water alongside of us. At 2100 we surfaced At 2230 SJ had flashes of Jap surface craft radar. We moved in and picked up three very small targets, dead in the water. Something is fishy here! Might well be bait. We left and they did not know we'd been. Another, false alarm. Battle stations secured. June 20 At 0315 SJ had an indication, 22,000 yards; tracked him and finally at 0600 went to Stations for Battle Submerged! It was daylight when we made the approach so the target was plainly seen- 5,000 ton freighter. Made tubes #1,2,3,4 ready, but fired only #1#2,3. Result? Three hits! One right after the other only seven seconds apart. The ship was only 600 yards away so the explosions sounded like real sharp cracks. The photographer sent out with us by ComSubPac was un able to get pictures, due to the fact that the ship just flew apart into the air and by the time the guy got his camera on the scope, there was no target. We could hear the sections cracking and snapping as it broke up under pressure as she sank deeper and deeper

Actually two fish would have done the job with ease, but the "Old Man" has had such rotten luck that he was taking no chances. There were no depth charges, a fact I still can't get used to. Whenever we sunk a ship, before this we came in for a good drubbing. It was expected and accepted by us as the price paid for the exultant feeling of sinking a Jap. The half dozen or so dropped on us so far this run, brings to over 400 the total dropped since I've been aboard.

At 1700 Mr. Siegfried saw smoke on the horizon, so we headed over to it and went to battle stations. By 1900 we were in position to make an approach. The ship was similar to the one sunk this morning, slightly smaller, grossing 4500 tons. Made tubes #2,3,4,5 ready while the range was 1700 yards. Fired much closer than that and got two hits. She went down! While the Captain was watching her sink, a plane came in on us and dropped one aerial bomb. While it did no material damages it certainly served to scare hell out of us as it was within 100 yards of the after torpedo room when it exploded.

We went down to 350 feet and rigged for depth charges but no more were dropped. We were very lucky as the guy had us cold. We were at 60 feet and the scope was leaving a feather and the hull outline would be plainly visible in the daylight. He was probably too excited and in too much of a hurry to calculate accurately.

Preparing to leave the Sea of Japan. On the surface, heading north. Temperature of the water here is 40 degrees, but it is 15 degrees or 20 degrees colder on the bridge. Below decks we are wearing lined jackets. Really cold! We are only 40 miles off the coast of Siberia now. Probably we (9 boats) are the only warships to be this close during the entire war. We expect to sight Russian planes or even ships before long. I doubt if we let them see us.

We are to rendezvous with the other boats tonight and probably go through the straits tomorrow night, possibly tonight. These straits adjoining the home island of Hokkaido to the north are very shallow, so it is likely we'll go through on the surface. One reason for this Is the condition of negative tanks, another the fact that the degradient in this latitude is very great. This variance in temperature of layers of water tends to very definitely impair the efficiency of the FM gear. We might not see a mine because of this. As a result, we'll have the gun crews stand by all the time we're in the channel so that we can make approaching enemy craft keep their distance - we hope! We cannot make more than six or seven knots coming through due to the danger of running upon a mine, so we have no advantage of speed this time. Normally we can outrun a PC or SC in heavy seas, even certain types of destroyers.

Actually we are entering the most dangerous phase of this operation.

When we came in, the Japs didn't know we were coming. Since then however; we have sunk four of their ships and no doubt others met success too. They know we've yet to get out and there are so few exits that it's a simple matter to cover them well. They'll be waiting for us!

Made rendezvous at midnight with the eight other boats. Conversation between boats via the VHF radio. Outcome - among other things, procedure in making departure. The lead boat will start through strait early morning. Six precede us, two follow. All to keep three miles apart. We are to be well inside the straits upon surfacing at dark tomorrow night.

We surfaced and blew sanitary which had flooded from sea. 1000 submerged again. Had a movie in the afternoon in the crew's mess to ease the tension. I went to bed! Surfaced at 2000, and entered the straits at 2300.

The 5 inch and 40 mm gun crews remained, dark adapted, and standing by in crew's mess, but we did not go topside at anytime during the night.

Making flank speed on four main engines. At 0100 still In the straits, had an SJ contact at 16,000 yards. We did not change course and when the range closed to 14,000 yards it was noted the ship was all lit up. As the Russians use this pass, we assumed this to be one of theirs and when, at 1400 yards she directed her own search light on the flag. We knew the Skipper was right. I didn't know it, but one like it was sighted last night also.

The Captain secured the gunnery party, so we knew we were in the Sea of Okhotsk - or whatever that Russian sea is. We had no contacts with either patrol craft or shore batteries and are very much surprised at that. All the boats, save the Bonefish, are accounted for. She is still in the minefield. The Tunny has stayed behind to see if she can establish contact with the "B".

>From the scant information on hand, it would appear we had better luck than any of the others. Know more later. Message today from Crevalle. She lost one of her screw guard cables and it fouled on a screw. Coming in on one screw. Rorry's on her and we're looking forward to three weeks at the Royal together but maybe this will change our plans.

Went through the Kuriles at about 0100 this morning. Nothing happened. It is still very cold and damp. In two or three days it should warm up though; temperature of the sea water is still 40-44 degrees. A man wouldn't last long in it. It is quite rough also and I find it very annoying to reel around with a cup of coffee in my hand. We.are heading for the barn. Should be In Pearl by the 9th of July. Have quite a few friends I'd like to see when we arrive.

It is getting warmer as we head south for Midway Island. We'll only be there long enough to top off fuel and get a couple of beers. Leave for Pearl Harbor the same day. Arrive in Pearl the 4th.

Everyone is in fine spirits of course, being so close to home port. There has been a noticeable lack of the usual snarling and barking at one another this patrol. Probably due to the fact that there was enough excitement to keep us from becoming bored. In the eleven days on station, we had Battle Stations at least a dozen times. Missed a lot of sleep. Actually we are all pretty well fatigued. Since we left Pearl on March 1, four months ago, we've had only 16 days rest. We didn't notice it before, but whatever rest we do get in Pearl will be welcomed. I never thought I'd see the day when Honolulu would look good to me, but this is it!

I found out today that the Skate is with us and has been from the start. I hope she goes in to Pearl too, and I might see Frankie Hermance if he is still aboard her. I haven't seen him since a year ago in March. That was in Pearl too.

The news, unofficial, is that only one other boat did better that the "T" on this jaunt. Out of nine boats this is fine. We beat the Skate and Crevalles, so I can give Frankie and Rorry the old business when I see them. The Captain has already sent a message in to Pearl requesting the best rooms available at the Royal for his crew.

Weather is very mild. Rigged the searchlight today. Always an indication we are in a "safe" area.

Oleson came back aft this afternoon and assured me if I wanted off (and I do) he was positive Mr. Smith would grant my wish. It looks as though I'll drop the hook in P.H. for a while. My chances of going back for a new boat are enhanced by getting off here. The prospects are bright. I shall ask Mr. Smith for a letter recommending me for new construction. If he does, that will go far toward getting me stateside.

Still "full on four." Made a short trim dive at 0415. Field day from 0830 to 1130, then routined our three fish this afternoon. May take one off in Midway tomorrow morning. Will get in to port about 0730. Mr. Salisbury told me this morning the Skipper expects there will be some mail there for us. Sal thought we might get a couple of beers, too.

The Captain had a message in last night's press. It would be hard for anyone not a member of the crew to catch the spirit of the thing, but the facts might be interesting,

Sighted our escort to Midway. There is a Jap sub around there again, so the escort will come in handy. Every time we enter or leave Gooney Bird Island we see a periscope, so we expected this report today.

0715 "Station the Maneuvering Watch" We went topside and got a look at Midway again, Held sound tests in channel, tied up at dock by 0820. Band playing "Roll Out the Barrel" and a few marches. Real shipping over music. At 0930 I was up to Gooneyville for three cans of beer. They have a juke box now. Took my mail up there with me. Had quite a session with all the letters. Underway for Pearl again at 1330. Field day every day until P.H.

Forgot to mention we are taking two Jap prisoners in too. Came aboard at Midway. The Ray captured them. One is shackled in tubes aft and he is at present time busily engaged doing my laundry. Somewhere he had acquired the idea that prisoners taken to Hawaii are beheaded. He has asked me if we're going there, and though technically I am not supposed to tell him where we are going, I couldn't pass this up, so he is now sweating it out. His name is (phonetically) Chi-dah-heet comes from home island of Hokkaido. Is a civilian fisherman. It seems as though he could find fishing grounds handier than the Yellow Sea.

I came very close to kicking out his "honorable teeth" yesterday. I had just relieved Wag and the Nip made it clear he would like a smoke. I said "No." He has his own but no matches, so is dependent upon us for a light. The Captain's orders are that he may have one a day and that after his one ration. He put one in his mouth and begged again. I shook my head no and scowled at him thinking that would end it, However, as I went bark to reading my Esquire I saw from the corner of my eye a sudden movement from "Bosco." Looking up I noted the cigarette roll to a stop on deck. He had become angry with me and in a mild temper, threw the butt away.

Well, I saw red! I hopped out of my chair, mouthing all sorts of comments at him and none of it good. With my key I unlocked one cuff and took it off his wrist. Not very gently I shoved his head in the direction of the cigarette and pointed. He understood and with many bows and much scraping, picked it up. I snatched it from his fingers and threw it in the waste basket. When I got through with him, he damn well knew who was the prisoner, which of us was to do the bowing My God! The colossal insolent arrogance of even the peasant class of this people is astonishing. It is human nature for the humbled to be humble. Yet here is a thing at a very definite psychological disadvantage (a prisoner of war, in shackles ill-fitting clothes - an altogether ludicrous and at the same time pitiful wretch) who becomes displeased with his captors because they don't attend, his desires. No wonder the people are hard to fathom.

I know now, I am to be transferred in Pearl. Mr. Smith has told me he would give me his highest recommendation for advanced torpedo school, Newport, R.I., and new construction, on the East Coast! I am most happy.

We get in at 0900 in the morning. The crew goes to the Royal in the afternoon. The transferees remain aboard until the crew comes back, then we go for a three week rest. Payday just after we tie up and that will go well with me. I won't mind making the refit before the rest period. Mr. Smith told me he thinks my chances of getting back to school and new construction are 100 to 1 in my favor.