We were now part of the task force bombarding Kawajaliene. On January 30th, 1944 During one of the close runs near the beach we spotted a Japanese patrol boat and a mine layer. They were placing free floating mines in the sea. This created much excitement when we began shooting them from the deck of our ship with twenty millimeter guns. We got many good hits but the Japanese ran up on the beach before we could sink them. All of a sudden this thing called war was getting fun. It was now three AM, and we were patrolling off shore. My duty station was look out on the starboard side of the flying bridge. This was the highest point on the ship. The sea was as smooth as glass. My blood turned ice cold when I heard a scream for help coming from the water. The ship was moving about twenty knots and the sound echoed behind us in seconds. I could not imagine what was going on since no one had been reported overboard. I soon found out from the bridge. The new battleship Washington had collided with the Cruiser Indiana.

     The water was slick with oil from the damaged ship. We located the man and picked him up. He was naked and covered with oil. He told us that he had been taking a shower when the ships hit. Within seconds he was in the water and trying to locate something to hang on to. He was lucky that he grabbed a floating mattress, it saved his life.

     The sight of these damaged ships made us sick. We needed everything that could float and fight to win this war. Two of the very best were put out of action because someone screwed up.

     After the Marshals, we made many strikes on Truk and the Marianes. This brought out concentrated attacks on our task force by swarms of Japanese torpedo planes. We were in heavy combat off Saipan on the night of February 21st and 22nd. We were given credit for shooting down three enemy planes, many others were only damaged. The ones we got credit for were confirmed kills.

     Our Captain, and all of us, received a letter of commendation from none other the Admiral Bull Haseley.