Life Aboard The Indiana - A Diary
02 March 2 1942 Joined the Navy and trained at the Newport, R.I. Navy Base.

29 April 1942 Finished training and came aboard the U.S.S. Indiana and commissioned the ship on April 3Oth,1942.

June 1942 Stayed aboard ship a few weeks and then went into Newport News, VA. receiving station.

July 1942 Went on leave first part of July.

21 July 1942 Came back aboard ship and toured around Chesapeake Bay as a shakedown cruise.

October 1942 Went to Portland, Maine; then, back to Norfolk, the middle of October.

29 October 1942 Had a leave.

November 2- Returned to the ship.

November 9- We left the United States.

November 13- We went through the Panama Canal.

November 17- We crossed the Equator. Our first port was Tanga Tabu. Our next stop was Nouma, New Caladonia.

December- We were in and out of port.

January 1943- Still in and out of port.

February & March- As ever, in and out of port.

April & May- In and out of port looking for action or covering landings.

July 25- Came in the biggest landing in the So. West Pacific.

July 25- Came in port and got alot of mail for the past month.

July 31- Left Nouma for Pearl Harbor.

August- Crossed the Equator a 20:25 PM. It's really hot! Our 6th day at sea to Pearl Harbor.

August 9- We are now entering Pearl Harbor. I'm really looking for liberty. Want to send my wife some souveniers.

August 10,11,12,13,14 and 15 Still in Pearl Harbor. Great liberty, but I still want to go home to my darling wife. We also got a new Captain.

August 19- Left Pearl Harbor for an attack on Marcus Island 800 miles from Japan.

August 20,21,22- Captain told us what we were going to do. An air attack on the Marcus Island.

August 23,24,25- Everything o.k., but we are much further in Japanese waters.

August 26- Crossed the International date line today. (177-32) Longitude and Latitude. We are leaving today. We are now using Mundie's Air Base.

August 27,28- Refueled all ships. We are the last to be re-fueled.

August 29- Topped off all the cans with fuel. One destroyer along side of us had her Y gun tripped by a line and it discharged a depth charge. It went over Turrent #3 from starboard to port and in between us and the Destroyer on our port.

August 30- We are now. on our way into Marcus Island to attack. So far we have not been spotted. Tomorrow is the 0 Day.

August 31- We attacked all day. This morning I watched the planes take off at 4:00AM. It was a beautiful sight. The water was like a window pane with the ships wake made a path through the blue, black water. We sent 8 waves of planes over Marcus Island. The first one attacked one half hour before sunrise and the last one went over at 12:10PM We stayed at General Quarters for 14 hours. It is about 8 PM and we have been secured. As yet, we have nothad any interception. We lost 2 planes. I don't think the Japs have much of anything. We've been doing 27 knots.

September 1- The Captain gave us the dope today. We lost 3 planes instead of 2. Wiped out 80% of the Island sank a small tanker We're on our way back to Pearl Harbor now. The Indiana is the first battleship to be the closest to Japan, 800 miles from Tokyo.

September 2- Nothing new----still sailing toward Pearl Harbor.

September 3&4- Same as above.

September 5,6- Got paid.

September 7- Came into port, Honolulu.

September 8- Worked all day on loading powder for 16" guns.

September 7 to October 10- We stayed in port. We got 20 mm and 40mm anununition, and many other things.

October 10- We pulled out for a firing run.

October 11- We fired 5" and 16" machine guns.

October 12,13,14- Same as above firing and testing.

October 15 Fired at a plane, very poor.

October 17,l8,19~ 20-Came in Pearl Harbor and stayed in port.

October 21- Got underway and are headed toward Fig! Island. 29 ships are in the Task Force.

October 22- We will cross the Equator Tuesday. We have already started initiations.

October 26- We crossed the Equator. We gave those polliwogs hell This makes my second time going across the Equator. One plane (T.B.F.) crashed and exploded. All were killed.

October 27- One of the planes on the Tennessee crashed. Lost a pilot.

October 28- We seem to be losing our planes. Lost one of our planes (OS~U) As we were recovering it, a big wave hit the water and stalled it. Broke one pontoon, then it turned over. Both:xnen were saved. One of the tin-cans fired on the plane and sank it.

October 29- Today, I am awfully blue for it's my wedding anniversary. Thought of my wife all day and night. Remembered everything a year ago. I love my wife as much as I did when I met her and alot more now. Always~

October 30- Just came off watch. We are refueling from the tanker (024) It doesn't seem like Halloween in the Pacific.

October 31- U.S.S. Indiana-lost our last plane. (OS2U). It was coming in for a landing and it shot over the place it was supposed to land, then the pilot tried to take off again and the left pontoon broke off and it hit the side of the ship. Both. Een were saved. About half an hour later aT.B.F. was taking off (Bunkerhill) and it crashed. Both men were saved.

November 2- Five years ago today I've been with my wife. One year of marriage.

November 3&4- Moving around.

November 5- Pay day. Nithing new.

November 6- Started for port -- Fiji Islands.

November 7- Came in port. Got 5 bags of mail aboard--just what I wanted.

November 10- Have been in port 3 days. The Admiral came aboard today, Admiral Davis-Combat Div. 8. Now we are loading in the South West Pacific.

November 11- Got underway at 10 AM and just pulling out of the Harbor.

November 12- Third day our to sea and crossed the International Date Line.

November 13- Did a little firing-4th day at sea.

November 14- We operated Eastward of the Marshell and Gilbert Islands.

November 15- A Task Force joined us, 6 Carriers, 1 Battleship and 6 Tin-Cans. Also, two tankers.

November 16- We refueled the whole Task Force , then, we split Up and we are going to make the raid on the Islands.

November 17- Same as above.

November 18- Still going over to the Islands.

November 19- This morning, the Enterprise sent the first wave of planes in(4:AM) (Zero 6:00). We are still bombing the Marshell and Gilbert Islands.

November 20- Nine attacks were made over Makin and Tarawa Islands.Also, The Army landed on Makin; the Marines on Tarawa. Our Task Force is Enterprise, Bellevue Woods, Monteray, Mass., No. Carolina and 6 Tin Cans. There are 2 other Task Force operating with us.

November 21- We are still sailing around the Islands just in case the Japs want to try something. Had the Mid Watch and was relieved at 2:45 AM. At 3:00 AM Air Raid Alert sounded. Enemy planes were pretty close--G.Q. followed. Our Radar picked up Em. Scout plane. So far we downed 2 Jap planes and another observation plane. There were 70 tpns pf bpmbs dropped.. We lost four planes by landing and launching. About 6:03 AM a four motor Jap bomber was shot down by one of our Cans off our Starboard Bow, abpit 15.000 yards. We remained at Air Defense all daywhile we refueled 3 cans. What a day! At 19:25 we secured from Air Defense.

November 22&23- We went out of range of enemu planes and all ships refueled.

November 24- Back around the Islands. At20:55 PM Air Defense sounded again. I only had my shorts on at the time. We manned our Stations, then, G.Q. went off. There were many planes flying around. It was very rainy and foggy out. Division 3 reported the plane was coming in I started to listen for the motor. It came across our fan tail and up the Starboard side. It went directly over my head and I could see the insigne of the planô. We did not fire on it because it would of given our position away. Secured at 22:00 PM. .Makin Island was taken out without much trouble, but Tarawa more trouble. Announcement today said that the Can Fraiser rammed a Jap sub and sank it.

November 25- Announcement said today that the ___________ air craft carrier was torpedoed and sank it.

November 26- Planes were reported coming~in. There were Subs on the horizon giving our formation away. Some of our ships started firing. The planes came in and dropped flares around the North Carolina. With luck there were no hits. We did not fire.

November 27- This is the day all the boys have been waiting for. In the morning we sailed South. We sailed right over the grave of that carrier that was sunk. There were boxes, cork and lots of floating objects. At about 18:00 Air Defense sounded. Our planes shot down a 4 motor Jap plane(Betty). At 7:03, we opened fire with a 5" and then with the 40 mm.. This is the first time we fired on the enemy. We credited with one plane. The Task Force is credited with 7. The carrier Bellawoods was missed by a torpedoes by about 6 feet. There were 12 to 20 planes in the attack.

November 28- Everything was pretty quiet. We are going to refuel tomorrow.

November 29- Refueled and are heading couth.

November30- Nothing doing.

December 1- Same old routine and it won't be long before Christmas.

December 2- Still and the stars are so heavenly. I wish I could be home with my wife.

December 3- North Carolina refueled our destroyers. All's well. I love my wife more than ever. God Bless her!

December 4- Just sailing along. We have traveled 95,000 miles since I left Norfolk, VA.

December 5&6- Nothing new. We got paid.

December 7- The Es. told us that we were going to bombard.Nauru. Our 2nd year in the War.

December 8- This morning we moved in on the Island Nauru. Our planes from the bunkerhill bombed the island. Our Battleships took part. 6 Battleships--The Washington, No. Carolina, Indiana, Massachusetts, So. Dakota, and the Alabama at one time. After they hit, we could hardly see the island. We shot 145-16" and 400-5" guns. We could have taken over if we wanted too.

December 9&10- Heading for port. We are expecting to get in port tomorrow. Boy! I'll get some mail from my wife. I love her very much.

December 12 1943- We moved into port. New Hebrides. 1944

January 16 1944 - We got underway for a firing run. It was raining so bad that we couldn't fire and came back in port.

January 17- Got underway again and we did our firing. We also got a new Captain. Captain Steele. We came back in port today at 16:45. It has rained alot lately. Three weeks. Rainy season season here.

January 18- Got underway with the Task Force. 5 Battleships and 7 Destroyers.

January 19- We picked up 2 carriers--Bunkerhill, Monteray, and their Escorts.

January 20- We got paid, and a firing run on a "sleave)and test fired all guns.

January 21- Came in port, Ellice Island. The Iowa, New Jersey waited for us. We are going on another raid.

January 22- The Iowa and the New Jersey came in port too. Boy~ They are great looking ships.

January 23- All 8 Battleships, 2 Carriers, 2 Cruisers, plus our Destroyers got underway. The Captain made a news announcement this morning, telling us where we are going and what we are going to do. We are going to take over the Marshell Islands. We~re to bombard the the main and storage Islands to weaken them for our Forces. The Marines are taking over the North, the Army the South. We will take place to fight any Jap Fleet that tries to interfere. This is the strongest Task Force ever assembled in the Pacific.

January 24- The second day of the raid on the Marshe].l Islands. We're supposed to bombard theIsland Porsalineon

January 24 & 25- Heading, for the Islands.

January 26 & 27- Refueled Detroyers.

January 28- The 6th day of sailing to take over the Marshell Is..

January 29- We sent our Carrier planes over the Islands to bombard them tomorrow.

January 30- The Mass., Washington, and Indiana bombed the three main Islands in the Marshell group. We started 10:00AM and didn't stop untill 3:00 PM What a day'.'

January 31-We screened for the battleships while they bombarded j the Islands. At the end of the day(sunset) nine of our B-25 came flying across our course. I was on watch at the time. We identified them as B-25 and did not fire on them but the Mass. opened fire and missed. Our Scout fighters saw the firing and came sown in a line and attacked the planes, made 2 runs on them before recognizing them. All o.k..

February 1- Today is a day , I'll never forget. This morning I had the 3AM to 7:30 watch. The raids were all over and they were landing on the Marshell Islands. I was looking out the mist. At 4:28 AM, the foreward look-out reported that the Washington was heading our way. The Officer went forward to look and he told us to report it to the Bridge again. By then I ran from the port designator to the Starboard and the Washington was about 500 yards or maybe 200 yards. The Officers yelled " Hold on we're going to get hit." — I watched as the Washington came closer and bigger. She was turning to port and backing down full speed, but she couldn't miss us. The bow of the Washington swept us 2 quad 40 mm, S2Ometer and a half of a million dollar range finder in two. The bow hit us just aft of mount 9 on our starboard quarter One catapult and plane cut a long pole in our side and we lost 90,000 gallons of fuel. 3 killed and 8 wounded. We buried 2 at sea and 1 on one of the Marshall Islands.

February 2- We could only go 10 knots-Washington lost 92 feet of her bow. There were 3 killed and 20 lost overboard on the Washington.

February 3- 6AM We pulled in Marjor Islands--2 days after we took it away from the Japs~

February 4- Everything seems o.k.. They are pulling bodies out of the wreakage of the Washington. Lots of scuddlebut going around thinking we're going to the States. I hope so.

February 5- Got paid. Saving money if we come home. Nothing new. Feb. 6-Under 2 hours sailing orders-taking off all ammunitions.

February 7- We were supposed to get underway.

February 8- We got underway at 7AM for Pearl Harbor.

February 9&l0- We have 4 Jap prisoners aboard. Expect to enter port Sunday.

February 11- Everything went smoothly. W& had a Sub, contact once. Adestroyer dropped a depth charges. (12-14).

February 12- Nothing new . Test fired.

February 13 to April 7- Went into Pearl Harbor.Then, we got underway to test the ship. Fired a 9 gun salvo. Came back into port to the digussing Station.

April 14 to 19- Left Fearl Harbor. We were underway for 5 days, then came mt Manaro Islands.

April 20- Got underway at 16:00.

April 21- The Captain told us where we were going-the Admirality Islands, the port is Manjaro.

April 22- We hit Truk with our carrier planes. 200 tons of bombs. Bombarded the Panape Islands; then, came in Manjaro again.

April 26- We anchored in the Admirality Islands. The Massachusetts came in port and took on the flag Admiral Davis. Underway at 18:00.

April 29- We met the Task force and the Captain told us we were going to hit Truk again tomorrow for three days straight.

May 1- We hit Truk with our carrier planes. 200 tons of bombs.

May 2- We came back in port.

June 1- A big Task Force left Manjaro and the Mariana Islands. We're to take over Saipan, Timen and also, today is the 6th day, month and hour --that they invaded France, the second front in Europe.

June 7,8,9- Every thing is fine.

June 10- Shot down a Jap Betty (medium bomber)

June 11- Shot down 3 more bombers. Made a shuffling attack on Saipan.

June 12— 3:45 AM -shot down 3 bombers. At 4 AM, we ~.aunched carriers planes to bomb the Island. We lost 4 planes but got the pilots back except 2.

June 13- Bombarded Saipan and really did a good job. Other ships got Taipan and Roto.

June 14&15- Stood by while our Troops landed--well done~

June 17- We had an air attack. We knocked down 3 planes and made it.

June 19- There was a bigger air attack. 300 planes hit our Task Force.that was standing by our fighters. Got most of their planes. 9 hit our force and we got 5 of them. Torpedo missed us.

June 20- We sent a big air raid again and hit the Japs again.

August 11- Came into port. Eniwetok

September 20- Entered Seadler Harbor, Manus in the Admiralty Islands.

October 4- Underway for Pearl Harbor.

October 14- Entered Pearl Harbor and left for the United States. On the 16th day of October. We are getting a 21 day leave. They are giving goods things away!

October 17- Left port for the U.S..

22 October 1944- Arrived in Bremmerton, Wash., half the ship went on leave. We took over the train. It took 5 days and 4 nights to get home. Every time the train stopped to a station, some sailors got off for a drink, but never made it back. Finally, I got home. 21 days was not long enough.

12 November 1944 Went back to the ship with my wife. We got a Navy apartment at Bremmerton. We had to get a ferry to get over there, it took 5 minutes.

04 December 1944 After a few days, I got transferred which I never expected. They took us to a receiving station for a few days:then, shipped us out. I was put aboard a new APA Troopship for San Diego, CA for shore duty at a Supply Depot. I missed alot of friends aboard the Indiana and I wondered what had become of them.

January 1945 It took about 10 days to get to San Diego and I worried about my wife. She was pregnant. Also, I was trying to find a place to live-- like looking for a needle in a haystack! Besides I didn't have much money.. The Navy only paid once a month. One day I got a call from my wife that she was on her way down to San Diego. While waiting for me to send for her, some one tried to break into her apartment. Somehow, she ran across the Street and stayed with a girl there. The next day, she got a bus for San Diego. A few days later, she arrived with no place to stay. We tried everything. Finally, I went to the Red Cross to borrow $15.00 to rent a half a sun porch for $7.00 per week. After a few weeks or so, we got Navy housing in National City. That was very nice-- all new!

August 1945 My wife was getting bigger and the War was almost over. I had plenty of points for discharge; they were discharging with 42 points. But I did not want to travel across country 4 days by train with my wife in that condition. I went to the Commander of the Port and asked him if I could put off discharge for a few months. The best he could do for me was extend discharge for 6 months. That was very discourging but all in all it was the best for every one. I was discharged with 65 points in 1946. The receiving station asked me where I had been. Finally, we got home and I got a job in a paper mill.

1950 After 3 years, I was recalled for the Korean War. I ended up on the U.S.S. Macon (CA-132), heavy cruiser with 14" guns. My station was spot #3. There were other fellows from the U.S.S. Indiana that were aboard ship. One was Roger Holmes, Radar man. After 8-12 months I was discharged for the last time. April 20, 1951.
Allyn Fred Hanchett FC3c FM Division

Last Updated 24 December 2001

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