Ron J
Active member
I have been studying Buds, 5 pages of Diary, stating dates/facts and thoughts of what was happening to him. I am sure his training and perhaps a classmate or two were traveling with him,kept him sane. Bud states Sept. 19 1944, left for Europe aboard a converted refrigerated cargo ship, as part of a large convoy bound for N.Y. first, then Europe. Eleven or 12 days later, Oct.1 44, he sailed passed "the Pillars of Hercules" Must be the Med. Sea? Two days later, Oct 3rd arrived in Oran Africa, off the scow, on to trucks and brought to Arzue.(Africa). Oct. 6 44, he states "shipped out again this time on the famed 40-8.That is 40 men or 8 horses" I am guessing that he is referring to a train? Oct. 11 44, he goes on to say "Reached our destination today,just outside of Bizerte".(Tunisia). After doing some searching tonight, i found out that Bizerte was the main P.T. boat Base,in the Mediterranean. Base #12 officially. Bud states....First thing they do is give a shot for the Bubonic Plaque. A week later, Tunis and Bizerte have been placed out of bounds...it seems the plaque is spreading. Oct. 29 1944,"Left this morning on an L.C.I. It rolled like a ball. Next day Oct 30, arrived in Maddalena at noon. Boy what a trip. Sick as hell. I need to mention, i did not know what L.C.I. stood for.It stands for Landing Craft Infantry.so you can see the comforts were few! I found out in an unusual way, but more on that later. It is now November. On the 19th he states "One of the boats (P.T.) hit a mine today.They say it was the "311". (All P.T.s were numbered, and everyone is accounted for,even today,in 200
One of the men tried to dig through the hull with his fingers because one of his buddy was trapped inside the hull." Imagine Bud hearing this? Hasn;t even got a boat assigned to him yet. November 23 1944, Thanksgiving day dinner in Maddalena. Nov.24, 44, took test and passed to radioman 3rd class. Dec.7 1944, "Made the trip to Leghorn Italy. Still no boat of my own. A sailor without a ship" Little did he know about the next day! Dec 8, 1944, " Assigned to the 304 boat today. Our First duty was to standby. It seems our 307 boat was badly beaten up by the Sea. News is they lost an officer and a crewman. From what i have made out viewing his album, they named the 304, U.S.S. Cherry ! Use your own imagination on that one! Here she is, with the rest of the squadron...
One of the men tried to dig through the hull with his fingers because one of his buddy was trapped inside the hull." Imagine Bud hearing this? Hasn;t even got a boat assigned to him yet. November 23 1944, Thanksgiving day dinner in Maddalena. Nov.24, 44, took test and passed to radioman 3rd class. Dec.7 1944, "Made the trip to Leghorn Italy. Still no boat of my own. A sailor without a ship" Little did he know about the next day! Dec 8, 1944, " Assigned to the 304 boat today. Our First duty was to standby. It seems our 307 boat was badly beaten up by the Sea. News is they lost an officer and a crewman. From what i have made out viewing his album, they named the 304, U.S.S. Cherry ! Use your own imagination on that one! Here she is, with the rest of the squadron...
