Saturday, October 16, 1943 (?)

I think today is Saturday, October 16, 1943. We left Stoneman in an advance detail Thursday morning and traveled in a truck conway down through Oakland to our transport. The main body of troops got the boat down from Stoneman in a big river boat that came from Pittsburg, California down the San Francisco River into the bay - under the Oakland Bay Bridge into the harbor where our ship was docked finishing loading. We arrived about ten in the morning and since there was nothing to do (that's the army) we were up on deck all day watching them load ammunition and other supplies in the hold. This was quite an experience standing on the deck there. The bay bridge was off to the west (I think) and treasure island in the middle. The buildings of San Francisco are plainly visible. Richmond is off the our right and Oakland to the right of Richmond and Buckley on to the right of Oakland. The one thing I definitely want to mention was the beautiful church which the mormons have in Oakland. It was the most beautiful building I saw and that is a lot to say if you have ever seen Oakland. The troops arrived in the large boats about 8:00 or 9:00 at night. Half of our boat is taken with Aussies or New Zealanders. There are also a contingent of Japanese officers on board and a few colored troops. We are in ships company 74 and my bunch is right down in the back of the boat up against the wall.
Had K.P. on board ship at 11 o'clock that night but there wasn't anything to do so I talked to some Aussies for a while and then hit the sack for some sleep. I was pretty tired.

Early Friday morning we set off. After fooling around in the harbor for a couple of hours we took off under the Oakland Bay Bridge. San Francisco on our left and Treasure Island on our right. Large ships were anchored in the docks all the way around San Francisco and a sub, two freighters, and any number of small ships were right in the bay with us. Everyone on board is required to wear a life belt all the time. We have 18 or 20 or 23 (rumors) guns on board. The fifties are to protect the gunners below. They asked for 25 unlisted men to help move the guns but I wasn't lucky enough to be chosen. Don't forget we have three weeks to go on this baby and after traveling for a day I begin to think it is going to be a long time. My Ray Bans sure come in handy here.

I left Stoneman without even receiving any mail. I only hope that write once in a while so when I arrive I will have some word from home.