Diary of Wayne O. Eisenhower Jr.

Carpenters Mate Second Class, USN
Route #2, Greeneville, Tenn.

The Government presented a diary to the GIs as a token of appreciation for their service to our country and reminding them to keep written records. Historians and writers have found more information of real human interest in the diaries of enlisted men than in the studied accounts of generals and admirals.

On Sept, 10, 1943, I got on the train along with other selectees which took us to Chattanooga, TN. From there, Army trucks took us out to Fort Oglethorpe, GA. The next day we had an examination. They ask me what I wanted Army, Navy or Marines? I said the Navy. That was on Saturday so we had to stay over the weekend there to be sworn in the Navy on Monday morning. There were lots of W.A.C.s down there at the camp. We started home after we were sworn in at Chattanooga which was late in the afternoon. Took us five hours to make it home. We were given seven days leave until we had to report back to go to boot camp. After the seven days were up, we were chosen to go to Great Lakes, IL for our seven weeks of boot camp. Some of the Greene County boys that I knew were Joe Bob Easterly, Dee Smith, Jack Gammons, Walter Westmoreland, Clarence Dean, Billy Frazier and lots more.

When we got to Great Lakes, all the old boots were hollering, "You'll be sorry," which at the time really was. We were given another examination then they made us send our old clothes home. Then they started issuing us our Navy clothes. I thought they never would stop giving me clothes. We all went back to our barracks and tried on our white hats and looking in the mirror to see how we looked. Next day a C.P.O. came over and took us to the train station. We were assigned bunks and I was lucky for Joe Bob Easterly was my bunk mate all during the entire boot camp. In boot camp we had swimming lessons, rifle drills, marching, rope tieing and climbing and a lot of "Double Timing." I really did enjoy boot camp. My C.P.O. was from Colo. his name was K.M. McKintosh. He really was a swell guy. I remember I got a "Happy Hour" one evening for having a wet towel on the end of my bunk for inspection which I had to run around the drill field for one hour.

The company in our barracks with us 1437 as we were Co. 1436, had to get out of bed about two O'Clock in the morn to tie square knots in their sea bag lashing as the most of them had granny knots. Me and Joe Bob were buddies then and we would always go to the canteen in the afternoon and get us a great big old chocolate sundae which was our favorite dish. Then come back and write our girls and friends back home. Mail call was the best thing in boot camp. I remember Joe Bob and I got some cakes and candies and sometimes we would get a bit as the other guys had to have some of it too. Every Saturday was barracks and personal inspection and we really had to look good to. When chow time came, nearly everybody would rush to get ahead of the chow line.

One day we had to stand guard of honor for some big shots which visited our Reg. Lots of them were military men from South America. We went out on Lake Michigan twice while we were there for boat drilling. About three days after we were there, they gave us a G.I. haircut, which nearly scalped our heads. It looked awful to see the barber cut some of the boys big long pretty hair. We had so many vacc. shots, I couldn't count them. Some would faint when they stuck the needle in their arms. I washed some of my clothes just about every day as I always had lots to wash, especially hats. We had lots of guard duty. I was always on Batt. Fire guard. Boy those guard duties from 12 until 4 in the morning were killer-dillers.

Then pretty soon, we went to the indoor rifle range and fired twenty five shots with a 22 rifle at a target. Then pretty soon it was about time for us to go home for a 9 day leave. Before we could go we had to pass in review to show the officers what we had learned during our stay there.

Then on November 10th, we were getting out clothes all packed to go home. That night we went to bed and nobody got any sleep that night for everybody was so happy because we were going home early the next morn. Then we got on the train and went into Chicago to catch another the train. From there we went to Cincinnati and layed over there for a few hours. It took us twenty four hours to make the trip home. When I got there, there were several people there to meet all us boys as there were about 17 of us went on leave at the same time. Joyce and Margaret were there to pick me up in their car. I went to Pet Milk Co. to take them to work and then went on home. That was November 12, 1943. Then that night I went to see Betty Jane Harrison, which we went with Joe Bob and his girl to the show. Then went to town the next night and Mary Alice White went to the show that night. On the following Sunday eve, I went up to Betty's home and we made some pictures and that was the last time I was with her. Soon time was getting shorter and only had one day left. That night I went to see Miss Virginia Roberson.

Next morning we went back to Great lakes. We were at O.G.U. for a few days then they sent us to San Diego, California for amphibious training. There Jack G. separated from the rest of the bunch. We got lots of liberty at Diego. Liberty every night in the week, but one always seen some good movies. One night me, C.K. Dean, Dee Dobbler Smith, Walter Westmorland, T.R. Ward and couple more boys went to town and really had the time I won't forget. Walter and Clarance really got sky high and we went to a show and Walter heaved all over me and another sailor which made me pretty mad. Dean got stuck in the brig for he came out of the show and a M.P. picked him up. He got out in a few days and I haven't seen him take a drink since. We really had some good times down there.

I seen Reuben Hawk while I was down there and he really looked good. We would go out in some LEVP's to the surf and we got the boat hung up on the beach and we got out in the water and pulled it back. We had extra good chow down there. Every Tuesday we went to the National City to a U.S.O. play grounds to play games every night that we didn't go on liberty, Dee, Walter "Chilly" Cannon, Lewis Buckles and I would go to the shower room and write letters and talk. Then we all got split up. I was called out on draft to go to Shoemaker, California. There I was on Seaman Guard for fifteen days. Dean and I would always go to the dump yard and we would build us up a fire and get a paste board box and lie down in it and go take a nap.

In a few days Dee and Lewis came up there and there we went into Oakland on liberty. One thing I didn't like about Shoemaker was the whites and blacks didn't get along so good.

Then on January 28th we left Shoemaker and went to Treasure Island. From there, we could see Alcatraz out there in the water. It really is a pretty place from San Francisco. I think Walter Westmorland is there now, which today is March 12, 1944. The next day was the big day we were going on a transport to go to South Pacific.

We went to San Franscisco about eight o'clock in the morn and stayed in the pier until about 4 o'clock in the evening. We went on board the S.S. Mornachawk on Jan. 29, 44. We ate chow there pulled out at 7:30. It was raining and it sure was a sad day just to think when we will be back to the good old U.S.A. Boy the town was really lit up as we passed under the big Golden Gate Bridge.

I was beginning to get a little sea sick now, but I went to bed and was alright until the next morning. As I started to chow, my mouth begin to taste salty and "over the side". I ate chow and came back to bunk, began to feel sick again and first thing I knew the fish done had my scrambled eggs I had for breakfast. But the next day I was feeling good. Sea was still a little rough, but in a couple of days, it was good sailing. There were fifteen hundred troops on board with a thousand of them being Negroes. We didn't have chow fit for a dog to eat, just two meals a day and we had Irish potatoes and scrambled eggs every day. In a few days we crossed the equator and when you cross the equator you are called a shell back and before you cross you are called a pallywall. That day the uniform of the day was just underwear shorts. We really had a time that day. I would hate to say what all they did to us. The fourteenth day out we seen land (Tonga Island) off in distance and it really did look good.



We seen lots of flying fish as we came along. Only passed two ships on our way across. Then on the eighteenth day I got up and just had come up out of the hole on top deck when an airplane came passing over and I was glad to see the star on the wing. We had a destroyer escort about three days before we pulled in to New Caledonia. Then we went over to a receiving station. There we waited on a ship.

While I was there, the middle of Feb., we drilled two days with rifles down there for a parade in a town named Neumea. We had to wear our whites and boots in the parade. There were only about seventy-five sailors in the parade. There was really a big crowd of people to see us there. The French had their Army, Navy and natives or colored Army, our Army, Navy and Marines took part. The U.S. Navy band was there and French bugle corp. The W.A.C.s women took part in the parade also and the American women really looked good. The French admiral was there and other big officers and French nurses. We marched around a block and then up the main street with out rifles on our shoulders.

Then we came back to the station and gave us a free beer. I then started working in the laundry. Red Evans and I ran one washing machine together. We really did have a good chow down there. Ice cream and two bottles beer a week with our chow.

We were there for only ten days and they called us out on a draft to get ready and leave there by six o'clock while at the time, was five o'clock. We got our clothes all lashed up and ready to go out when it started raining and wind blowing really hard, when they cancelled the draft until the next morning. We got our combat gear issued us when we left there.

As we came to get on the ship, I looked up on board and seen Dee Dobber Smith for the first one and there Lewis Buckles and T.R. Ward, all Greeneville boys. The ship was a Dutch ship and had Dutch crew on it. Name of it was M.S. Japara. It was Heaven on it, besides the ship we came across on. Had lots of room to sit down and walk around, good cold water, good chow. We were headed for the Soloman Islands. We passed the Fiji Islands and several other ones on the way up. One day we had an airplane for an escort. In about three days, we reached Guadalcanal and anchored in the bay.

There several of the boys got off. That was March the second and we stayed there all night. Next morning, we pulled out about four o'clock and by eleven o'clock we got off at Tulagi and a S.C.M. brought us to Florida Island. They assigned us to tents and my mates in the tent are R.P. Evans, R.F. Glos, E.C. George, C.B. Dunlop and C.L. Gilland from Sevierville. All these boys went through boot camp with me. Here the lizzards and big old land crabs were really thick. Red Evans would go to bed with his clothes and shoes on for he was afraid the land crabs would get ahold of his toes. Then we built us a deck to our tent and there we wasn't bothered never with the pests.

We worked over at another Island about a mile away called Gavutu. There is an American grave yard there about fifty Marines and sailors are buried there. The work we do is supply the boats with the things they need during an invasion, such as fresh water, oil rations, ropes, life jackets, etc... And we make anchor lines and fill up oil cans and other odd jobs. I have went over to a repair ship about five or six miles away to take some fire extingushers to have them filled and yesterday we went to another ship to take some flags. I got me a coke and ice cream on board, which was March 22nd 1944.

It rains every day here. The first night here, it rained and while I was asleep the rain seeped through the seams in the tent and spat, spat rain in my face which woke me up. Now I have my hammock on four sticks stretched over my bed to keep it dry. The lamp we have is made out of a Pepsi Cola bottle and it makes a good light.

I guess "Hell, sweet hell" will break loose pretty soon as the Coral Sea is jammed full of transports loaded with landing barges. They will probably have an invasion some time in April. Dee Dobber was drafted out and went on a transport called the Crescent City, I think. The number of his ship is PA 21. Lewis J. Buckles left here about two weeks ago as today is April 16-1944 and he is down at Guadalcanal in ships company. A guy here was down there and came up here and told me he was there. There are American grave yards down there by the acres. I seen Dee Dobber's ship pull in here yesterday evening and it pulled out again this morning. We went down to the "Whitney" this morning to take some empty fire extingushers to have them filled. It sure is a big repair ship. I also seen seven aircraft carriers down there too. After we came back, we took a guy over to Tulagi who had missed his ship the PA 21.

We would have have went out on draft April the eighth, but an ensign wanted us to stay here and continue working with the boats so he got us off the draft. The last of April, Reuben E. Hawk who is in Unit 32 came here as this is Sunday May 14, 1944. Dee's ship pulled out last week and it went up the line. Buckles is down at Guadalcanal in boat repair unit. I went down there two weeks ago, it is a two and a half hours ride in a boat down there. I like this place better than down there for it is muddier down there. We could see the airplanes coming in to land on Henderson Field. The place here is really crowded now for there are two units here.

Today is May 27, 1944 and I went out to Dee Smith's ship, the U.S.S. Crescent City and seen him. I ate chow aboard and it was really good chow from what we get here at Turner City. I slipped away from work to go see him today. Reuben Hawk pulled out about the 23rd of May with some L.C.M. crews. Dee is going to be in on this big push that is coming up pretty soon. I think the island is going to be Guam that they are going to strike at, The U.S.S. New Mexico, Idaho and Penna are here in Pervis Bay and they are taking part in this battle coming up. It is really going to be something big for all the ships are getting set.

We took our Seaman first test this week and our pay starts June, I think. Got three letters today, one from Virginia, Aunt Maggie and Marilyn. Reuben is back here, he went out on temp. duty. Today is June 18 and I went to chuch today. One of our boot camp boys that just left the states, M.F. Green is here and they put him in Unit 32.

July 13, 1944 - I changed jobs yesterday, am working now in the office at Gavutu answering the telephone and keeping files of boats and other numerous things. I think I am going to do this for about a month or so until I can strike for something else. Name of the show tonight "Big Street". Reuben is still here. The ships are beginning to pull back in here from up the line as Siapan has been secured.

August 6, 1944 - Today is Sunday and am not doing any thing.

There were three LSD ships came in here yesterday. Jack Benny and Bob Hope are to be here at Tulagi this month for some U.S.O. shows. There was an airplane crashed down at the canal week before last, one Sunday afternoon and crashed in some guys tents. Cut one boy in two pieces, didn't even hurt the co-pilot or pilot.

Sept 6, 1944 - There are 9 aircraft carriers here in the area and the bay is full of other ships. I seen two of our boats carry boys here yesterday they are on an A.P.D. Reuben Hawk has left now and I think he was to go up the line on Dee Smith's ship, the Crescent City. Not many guys here now, except Ship Co. Am still working in the office. (We have a stalk of bananas hanging up in our tent now) Red Evans has got out of the Tulagi Hospital now and is back with the gang.

Today was payday, Sept 19, 1944.

Got my camera Sunday (Sept 17) and Red, Pap and I went to Halova at a seaplane base and made some pictures. Another boot camp boy has arrived here, his name is Staske from Pa. Didn't get any mail today, but wrote Reuben a letter tonight. Didn't go to the movie for it was raining (pay Day) to bed at 19:30.

September 1, 1944 - Today is Sunday and didn't do anything all day. Two days ago there was a big fire here on the water where there was gas on the water and a boat came through it and the exhaust set it on fire. A big tanker was sitting right in the middle of it. It soon burned all up, only the guys were burnt when they jumped over board from the boat. To bed at 21:30.

Sept 8, 1944 - Sunday - Red and Pap has been on watch over at Gavutu today. Just got back from seeing the movie "Pin Up Girl". Just now heard on the radio that Wendell Wilkie had died. Started working in the C&R shop now. to bed at 21:00

October 20, 1944 - today they made their first landings in the Philippine Islands. Several of the guys went back to the states last night. (to bed at 20:30)

Nov 19, 1944 - Today is Sunday and we have been taking some pictures. Last night the guys from aboard the LSM's came ashore here and seen the movies. Tonight there is going to be a U.S.O. show here with a couple of girls. Stasko, a guy on our boot camp is here and he is going up to the Russell Islands for training. One year ago today I was going back to Great Lakes off of leave.

Sunday Nov 26, 1944 - Today eight guys and I went on a recreation party to Flattop Islands about fifteen miles from Tulagi. We took our lunch, beer and also made a surf board which we rode over there. There was a coconut plantation over there and also a farm house in which a man lived before the war broke out. Sure was a pretty place over there. As we came back we stopped ar a native village. There I seen the first mature women since I have been here. They only had a piece of wrapping below their waist. They also had a church there name of it was St. James. Seen a movie just now "China Girl"- to bed at 21:20.

December 22, 1944 - We heard this week that we had to have 500 boats ready by Feb. 15. It will probably be the China Coast the next invasion. The Seaman here took their tests for rates today.



Jan 24, 1945 - I have just finished up all the boats that needed repairing up in the cove. I have had me a boat to use going back and forth to work up to the bays. Have been up there a week. Got two letters from Reuben today- He is up at Paleau. The guys that went up to the Russells to train the Marines have come back to the base here this week.

Feb 10, 1945 - The fleet is coming in here this next week also some of the British fleet. We have caught up on our boats that needed repairing and are taking it pretty easy at present time. Today we knock off from work at 3 o'clock, this evening and will do same until furthur notice. Whereas we did work until 5 pm. (Got one letter today fron Reuben) (Stasko is going aboard ship next week) (Decker is at Lyons Point on detch. duty for about a mo.) (wrote one letter tonight to B.J.H.)to bed at 2100.

March 18, 1945 - Have been working pretty hard for the past couple weeks on account of the ships are in for boats again. Today is first Sunday we have been off from work in a long time. Rainy season has set in now.

April 4, 1945 - The first of this month the base has started breaking up. The seabees and us are tearing down everything. Still don't know where we are going, but will probably be pretty close to the Philipines. Dean left today for new Caledonia at the base hospital there for duty. We worked at Palm Island today.

April 15, 1945 - went to Memorial Services for pres.

April 24,, 1945 - Today we finished tearing down the base at Gavutu. The 505 Seabees has been helping with the work there.

May 23, 1945 - Today was my birthday and makes second one I have spent on this rock. Also got word that we are leaving for Samar in the P.I. tomorrow.

May 24, 1945 - Today we went out on draft had a chicken dinner and went to Tulogi at 11:30 to catch APC 34 for Guadalcanal. We left Tulogi and arrived at canal at 15:30. Came to receiving station for further transfer. Also went to Army PX about three miles away, crossed Lunga River on the way. It is pretty nice place over there. Also seen Lewis Buckles from Afton over there and lot more guys that came out with me. Will be glad to get out of here soon. There are twelve guys in the same tent with me. Hope it don't rain until we leave, for there are plenty holes in tent.

May 25, 1945 - went to work at Lunga today at a junk yard. Went back to the PX again tonight. Just now got the word to stand by for transfer tomorrow morning.

May 26, 1945 - Went out on draft today left Rec. station about 1200 and went over to beach and catch ship. Went aboard ship about 15:30. Name of ship is U.S.S. Jerauld. Stayed in bay here for tonight.

May 27, 1945 - went over to Tulogi this morning to take on some boats was there all day taking on supplies. Stayed in bay that night.

May 28, 1945 - Got underway at 0730 this morning. Sure is hot down in these compartments. Am working with ships co. men in Co. 2 room

May 30, 1945 - Today we crossed the equator at 0720. Slept on top deck tonight under some boats. It rained real hard and ran under me while sleeping.

May 31, 1945 - Same routine as days before-sea was rather rough today.

June 1, 1945 - Came in sight of Marshall Islands this morning and was there around noon. The name of the place here is Enivetok. The islands here are rather small and don't look to be no more than eight to ten feet above sea level. Not any kind of vegetation here except a very few coconut trees on some island. Just a big sand bar is what they look like. Several air bases on them. There are the most ships here I have ever seen at one time. You can hardly see from one end to the other. They say there are close to five hundred ships here with including small craft. Most of them are transports.

June 2, 1945 - Stayed in port here last night and got under way at 1400 today for Guam.

June 3, 1945 - still under way-have passed several ships today. Guys are making fun of my beard for I haven't shaved since I left Tulogi.

June 5, 1945 - Came in sight of Guam today at 0900 and we moved out at 12:30. stayed on board tonight.

June 6, 1945 - left the ship today at 1600 and rode to shore on an LCT came to Rec. station and slept in tents last night.

June 7, 1945 - Moved from tents into Quonset huts today. It is much hotter in these huts.

June 9, 1945 - Today fifteen of our group went on draft to fly by plane to Samar. P.I. Evans, R.P. was one of the fellows to go. I am in the next group to go but there isn't any transportation avaible as yet. Don't know when we will leave this place.

June 15, 1945 - We went to air station this evening but did not get to go out tonight.

June 16, 1945 - There wasn't enough planes leaving today as so thirteen of us had to lay over until the next day.

June 17, 1945 - we left Guam today on a C-16 at 0615 and landed at Palace at 11:45. Had to repair the brakes on plane so we didn't go out today. I went up and looked up Reuben and slept in his bed tonight.

June 18, 1945 - We left Palar at 0800 this morning got up in the air and had to come back down on account of the speed instrumemt was not working. Stayed here all day and also stayed with Reuben again tonight.

June 19, 1945 - Left Polar at 0800 this morning and got to Samar at 1200. We came to the lreat/boat? pool here and are now in S.L.C.U 28. We did same kind of work here as we did in Tulage.

July 8, 1945 - Today six of us guys went on a recreation trip, Leebig, Raleigh, Govire, Besteckie, Smith and I all went with two Phillippino guys for a canal ride. Just as we got in the water, it started raining real hard and then a landing boat came, passed us and the waves it made came and sunk our boat. Luckily we were close to shore when it happened. Had quite a time today.

July 14, 1945 - We left the SLCU today and came to another base. This place does not join the last island we were on. I believe the name of it this one is Manicana. We also are not connected with the amphibious forces anymore. We haven't been assigned to work as yet. We have to hitch-hike to chow which is a couple of miles from this place. The USS Mississippi is in here being repaired now. Also the Idaho.

Aug 29, 1945 - We moved our C&R shop today to another section of this island. "Bo Bo" went home this week. Has been a little celebrating here in the past month. Really been doing some shooting here in harbor.

Sept 2, 1945 - Have the barracks cleaning detail this week, so I guess I will get plenty of sack duty this week.

Oct 13, 1945 - This week one of our cooks got shot and was buried on Samar two days ago. Today we stood personal inspection first time we have did that since we have been over here. Am going to Samar tomorrow.

Nov 7, 1945 - Glies left for the states today for his discharge. Brought in over a thousand boats this week and didn't have room for all of them.

Nov 16, 1945 - Names and rates were posted and seen I made second class.

Nov 21, 1945 - I was on a state side draft tonight with 119 other men.

Nov 23 Left Manicani today at 1500 and came to some little island neurally Leinniry? Samar in the rec. sta. don't know when we will get underway.

Nov 25 Left Rec. sta this morning at 10 O'Clock and went out to catch our ship at about 1500. Name of ship is USS Monitor (LSV 5) Got underway for the states 1800.

Nov 28, 1945 - Had calm water up until today and is really getting plenty rough now. (passed a D.E. today) was too rough to came topside.

Dec 3, 1945 - Today we had pretty good sailing but previous to today it was really rough, cold and windy. Breakers were so large that they came over top and gun mounts were stripped from deck. Didn't feel so good up until today on account of being so rough, also couldn't sleep. We got out of the tropics two days after left the P.I. and taking a northern route home.

Dec 9, 1945 - hit states today at 0600 and went to Treasure Island waiting on leave.



Dec 18, 1945 - Got leave papers today, but can't get train out of here until the 20th.

Dec 23, 1945 - Got into Chicago today and went out to Luiggi's home for an authentic Italian spaghetti dinner.

Dec 24, 1945 - Got home today about 5:30pm.

Jan 21, 1945 - Left for Norfolk and am in the Rec. Sta. waiting on furthur assignments,

Feb 12, 1945 - Came to New Orleans today and was processed for discharge, but have to stay here until the 15th of March.

Feb 22, 1945 - Went home today and stayed about 24 hours.