Dec 5, 1944 - Got mail this morning. One from [sister] Melba. I hope I get one from Mom and Dad - I need it! Yes indeed, later I got three from Mom and Dad. Dec 14, 1944 - Early this morning (0400) we had an air attack which lasted for four hours. One of our destroyers was hit badly, it was stopped dead still. The Japanese left us alone at 0800 but came back at 0845. Several of the Japanese planes have dived at our aircraft carriers. The sky was black with planes. Finally secured. Ate Spam sandwiches and rolls. Dec 1 7, 1944 - Boy if I don't get a cool spot soon I think I'll die down here. On my watch, it was 118 degrees at the forward board. We have come very close to some of these islands, and I find them extremely beautiful. The foliage on them is really thick and beautiful. Some of the mountains are as big as Mt. Ben Lomond back home. Dec 18, 1944 - Under way for Palau. Dec 21, 1944 - Crossed the equator. Got all my hair shaved off. Little initiation. Dec 31, 1944 - Last day of '44.' Got permission to go over to the USS Columbia to visit a cousin. Really seemed good to visit someone you know. Jan 8, 1945 - Today we opened fire - and I really mean opened! The Louisville was hit again - also the Australian cruiser. Had a couple of air attacks. I'm so darn hungry; all I've eaten is K rations and buns. We took on survivors from a D.M.S. Their sweeper was hit last night and sank within 13 minutes. From a crew of 152, 110 got off. Tonight quite a few boys went out of their heads. It's really an awful feeling to know that these crazy Japanese will go to any extreme to kill us. Jan 9, 1945 - At about 1400 our AA battery opened up before we had a chance to get to GQ. Bad luck for the Colorado again. She was hit by two of our own 5" shells on the bridge, killing 18 men and wounding 35 men. This is truly hell. Jan 10, 1945 - At 2000 hours we had burial at sea. I'll never forget this. Feb 11,1945 - Still more mail to be handed out. Heard that E.R. is married - don't care. I just want to go home. [E.R. was Erma Robison, who had been Ken's girlfriend in Ogden. As it turned out, the rumor of her marriage was untrue. Ken and Erma later married.] Feb 13, 1945 - Arrived in Leyte Gulf. Lots of changes since we were here last. Filipinos come out into little dinghies. First girl I've seen in some time! Every kind of plane imaginable is here. Even saw a helicopter. We anchored very close to the island. At 1630 we got under way for Ulithi. Feb 19, 1945 - Received three packages today. One from Grandma, one from Mrs. J.K. Dominique, and one from dear Mom. Feb 21, 1945 - Made liberty on Mog-Mog Island. Went swimming, really nice water. Pretty beach. Getting good tan. Fierce fighting on Iwo Jima Island. Glad we are here instead of up there. Slept under a palm tree. Feb 22, 1945 - The New York pulled in today. She is as bad off as we are. Back to Mog-Mog again with Hopkins. My lips got sunburned. Had lots of fun!! March 21,1945 - Got under way for another campaign. We are going to an island near Formosa. It is colder there. We have been issued jungle jackets. March 25, 1945 - We can really feel the chill. It feels so good. We have now arrived at Okinawa. Subs are plentiful here. All night you can hear the destroyers dropping their charges. March 28, 1945 - Bombarded Okinawa all day. March 29, 1945 - Went to GQ at 0430, secured at 0600. Japanese bomber came over but was downed by our 20's. Score one more for the mighty Colorado. March 30, 1945 - Left Okinawa for a small group of islands about 10 to 15 miles from Okinawa, to take on ammunition. When we pulled in I was surprised to see the fleet we had there. The islands are different. They are rugged with lots of undergrowth. The island has mountains that could easily be compared with the mountains we have at home. This is nice weather we have here. It stays mild night and day. We can sleep in our bunks without sweating, which is real relaxing. Saw volcano on one of the islands. April 1, 1945 - This is L Day. We are going to land our troops at 0830. We ate breakfast and commenced bombarding immediately after. This is the biggest amphibious landing that has ever been made in the history of the U.S. Troops landed on the southern end of Okinawa. The Colorado was the only wagon to cover the Army and Marines. Today was Easter. Our 152 meal consisted of ham sandwiches. It was better than K rations. April 7, 1945 - We got the word that we are headed out for the Japanese fleet, which is not very far. April 12, 2945 - The past five days were spent in almost peace. However, today was another day of hell. At 1400 we went to GQ. The Japanese had another all-out attempt. At one time we opened fire on three different bombers that were flying low looking for us or the Maryland. We opened up with every machine gun, every gun on board. We fired continuously for three minutes, which is a lifetime it seems. We got one of the three. I saw one plane hit high up and saw the pilot bail out. April 13, 1945 - We got word today about the death of President Roosevelt. His death is a blow but will not hamper the war. We will fly our flag at half-mast for three days. April 21,1945 - We had an explosion in T-2 while loading powder. I was standing by the hatch when it blew. All I could see was flames and smoke, from six decks down it gushed up. One man killed and three injured. May 8, 1945 - Received word this morning that Germany has unconditionally surrendered. We fired every broadside battery at 1200 today, as did every other ship . . . celebrating VE Day!! May 14, 1945 - Spent my birthday in nice quiet peace. May 22, 1945 - Got under way for Leyte in the Philippines for a little rest. May 26, 1945 - Saturday. John Carlson was electrocuted today while working on a pump. It's kind of hard explaining in words how bad I really feel. He was really a swell buddy. Why oh why can't we all go home!! May 29, 1945 - Made liberty today on Leyte. Bought bunches of bananas from natives. Traded my shirt for a bolo knife. Saw my first white woman in nearly seven months, a Red Cross worker. Took a hike into the hills, saw native huts, water buffalo, sugar cane, banana trees. Talked to one little Filipino by the name of Pedro who had been with the guerilla fighters. He had killed 30 Japanese. Heard one little boy singing 'Pistol Packin' Mama.' The natives make sake and sell it for $4 per Pint. Some of the boys really get plastered on it. June 1, 1945 - Talked to a cute Filipino girl July 2, 1945 - [Had left Leyte on June 25, bound for Okinawa]. Typical day. Reveille at 0600. Start work at 0800. Knock off for dinner at 1130. Watch from 1145 to 1545. Supper, then a bull session in power shop. Movie at 945 on quarterdeck. Bull session at forward bridge after movie. Crap out for about 1-1/2 hours; get up for 12 to 4. Crap out from 0400 to reveille. Day after day after day. I'm going nuts. Everybody aboard is afraid to sneeze - the diarrhea is pretty bad! The new password aboard is "friend or enema!" August 6, 1945 - Arrived in Okinawa. August 7, 1945 - Heard of the great atomic bomb. It's really powerful. August 10, 1945 - Heard the wonderful news that Japan had accepted our peace terms. August 15, 1945 -The war is over. I'm so thankful I have been protected through all this. The war is over!!! August 22, 1945 - Made liberty in Okinawa. Really beautiful over there. Resembles country back home. August 26, 1945 - Expect to sail into Tokyo Bay either Tuesday or Wednesday. Treaty will be signed on the Missouri. August 27, 1945 - At 0830 I got my first glimpse of Japan. We went into Yokohama Bay making about five knots. A Japanese destroyer came within 50 yards, with the unpleasant task of escorting us to anchorage about five miles from the entrance to Tokyo Bay. The Japanese were sitting around on the destroyer with long faces. Their guns were all wrapped up. At night, everything was blacked out - including our ships. We heard the Colorado's name announced on the radio. I wonder where Tokyo Rose is now. Sept 2, 1945 This morning the peace treaty was signed on the Missouri. We could see some of the celebrations from our ship. Celebrated by crapping out. Sept 10, 1945 - Today 180 prisoners of war came aboard. Most of these men were Marines captured on Bataan. They are really a beat-up bunch of boys. They all average about 110 pounds, some look like human skeletons. I met one boy from Hooper by the name of Manning. He was a Marine captured at Corregidor in 1942. He told me he had lived on rice, rats, cats, and dogs for the past three years. The Japanese had most of the boys working in shipyards and mines. 153