A Big Boat
I think reporting aboard the USS Indiana was very impressive to me, because it was the first war ship, I had ever seen. Being 17 years old at the time, "She" looked mighty big! and beautiful, standing along side of that dock.
I felt very proud to be one of the plank owners on that day, April 30, 1942. I will never forget it
Jerome Peter Deiso, Gunners Mate 2c, 4th Division

My Diary
Captain Francis P. Old transferred from a destroyer at sea to assume command and releive Captain Thomas Keliher on April the 26th, 1945.
Celebrated the third birthday of the ship today upon entering Ulithi.
In a news release this morning, May 9th at 0900, it was announced that Germany had surrendered. General Quarters and Condition Two have been set for the last two weeks but nothing has happened. It was announced this morning by the Task Force Commander that he expected heavy air attacks. We are now only fifty miles from Okinawa. We can see the smoke rising from the northern end of the island. Our Army has been firing flares all night. Air Defense sounded this afternoon but they turned out to only be bogeys.
June 5th we ran into a typhoon which lasted about eleven hours. Our damage was one plane knocked off the catapult and a few shields on 20mm and 40mm were bent. Some carriers with us had decking ripped up and the Cruiser Pittsburgh had her bow ripped off, and later rammed by a destroyer but it did not sink but was towed back to dry dock for repairs. Some of the waves were at least 40 to 50 feet high during the height of the storm and for awhile it was just touch and go.
Today, August 11th, I volunteered for the Tokyo landing party. I was one of the 200 Marines and Sailors from the Indiana. I heard over Radio Tokyo that they would surrender uncoditionally if their Emperor was left alone to head the Jap Empire. Landed with the fourth wave of Marines and took over the Naval Base at Tokasika. All of the Japs here are for peace now and even had a few photographers taking pictures of us on the beach. Received no opposition. We were assigned to guard caves and buildings. Could see how beat up their battlewagon Nagota was from the numerous raids and bombings. Left the beach this morning, September 5th, for the Indiana, which pulled into port this morning.
We are all aboard now and the good news is that we are to be in the States in the near future. Left Tokyo Bay on the 15th for Pearl Harbor and then the States cruising with the destroyer USS Mansfield.
Raleigh Green Brannon, Jr., Coxswain, 1st Division

I Remember
Boarded the ship prior to commissioning and served as a mess cook for two months. First trip to sea was the shake down cruise to Casco Bay up in Maine. We left the US on November 9th for the Pacific by way of the Panama Canal, crossed the equater on the way to Noumea where we joined the Pacific Fleet. Served in the 5th division assigned to the 5" guns in Mount #1 during the capture and defense of Guadalcanal, the Rennell Islands, New Georgia campaign, the raids on Marcus Island and the Gilbert Islands , and the Marshall Island Operations. Also served on Truk, Satawan and Ponape raids - the Marianas operations and the capture and occupation of Southern Palau Islands. Transferred to Ship's Service where I served on the presses in the laundry. Served at Damage Control Station at General Quarters for all other campaigns and battles - Iwo Jima, Okinawa and strikes on Tokyo. The biggest shake-up was when the USS Indiana and USS Washington collided and I remember how we were tossed around during the typhoon on June 5th, 1945. Yes, I did help scrape barnacles while the ship was in dry dock at Pearl Harbor. Served aboard until the ship returned to the states after the surrender of the Japanese in September 1945. We will not be attending the reunion this year at Southern Pines. We hope you have a very successful reunion. Really enjoyed ourselves in Orlando last year and look forward to seeing all our friends and shipmates in 1986.
Samuel John Daughenbaugh, Seaman 1c, S Division

Battle Engagements
Kamaishi Steel Plant Bombardment. I had special interest in this engagement because I had previously worked for Bethlehem Steel Company in the shop where the 16" shells used in the bombardment were made and treated. As a radioman I listened in to the conversation between our spotter plane and our gunnery officer. I could just imagine the place being blown up and the resulting fires. After the war I went back to work in the same department that made the shells.
Anthony Michael Sersen, Radioman 3c, CR Division

Something Amusing
You asked for something amusing that happened to me aboard ship. Well, we were off Mindanao, screening for the carriers to bomb. I was on the fo'castle sunbathing, before going on watch at 1100 in the galley. A Jap plane came and dropped a bomb, trying for a carrier. Well, you know how we were always hearing depth charges, so I ignored the sound. Then the anti-aircraft cruiser opened up about half a mile ahead. Looked to me as though they were shooting at us, so I crawled between the first and second coats of deck paint and got behind the 20mm shield! Suddenly off to the port, I saw anti-aircraft bursts just above the water. Then I spotted the Jap plane. Knowing that we would go to G Q and having to go all the way aft to my battle station in the galley, I took off running, making about 40 MPH, and looking over my right shoulder at the same time to see if the plane was shot down. When I hit the wooden deck, which was slick with spray, I heard a thud. Another cook, going to the same station slid past me on his back. Having been one of the speediest persons in my area, I suppose it was really more embarassing than funny that any man could pass me sliding, while I was running full out!!!
Carles Franklin "Buster" Buffkin, Ships Cook 1c, S Division

Reporting Aboard For Duty
Completed Boot Training at Newport, RI and placed in a special draft for the USS Indiana and shipped to Norfolk, VA in March of 1942. Before reaching Norfolk the ship had left port. After two or three days we were put aboard another train and sent to Maine and guess what? The ship had left Maine to return to Norfolk. We were again put aboard the train to return to Norfolk. Arrived at Norfolk and the ship had again left port. We were then put up in various barracks. Stayed in barracks in Norfolk for two weeks until the ship was located or expected in Casco, Maine. We were then put aboard a train for Maine once again. We finally arrived at Casco Bay, Maine and were taken aboard ship around midnight. We received hell from everyone we woke up. We then became members of the crew of the "Mighty I", and I have always been proud of it. But at the begining I thought we would become railroaders instead of sailors.
Walter Joseph Stocker, Seaman 1c, 1 year in the 6th Division, then transferred to CR Division, (Radio 2)

To The Men Of The Indiana -- Third Anniversary (Verse)
They say we fight a "nice, clean war" - No dirt no dust, no rain;
No diggin' foxholes in the mud, No hearin' cries of pain.
I guess I don't begrudge them guys that's fightin' on the land -
To live in lice an' mud an' cold, An' fear beside your hand.

An' me? I got myself a sack, I got a cup o' Joe,
I got a meal (it' s food, at least) an now an' then a show.
Them guys ashore is heroes, jest like all them writers say;
Nobody tells about us guys -- it's prob'ly right that way.

My ship, she ain't no hero; She ain't fought no famous fights;
Jest done her job, an' that was all, a thousand days an' nights.
It was others seen the battles, get the glory an' the fame;
They don't pay ya off in medals just for bein' in the game.

We come out here in forty-two, an' this is forty-five;
Be fightin' here in forty-eight, I guess, if we're alive.
Seen Nounea, Funafuti, Makin Island, Kawajalein,
Iwo Jima, Okinawa -- that ain't half o' what we seen!

Yeah, we seen 'em (in the distance) Lookin' dim an blue an' low;
We kept sailin' sailin' sailin' (We don't ever stop, you know.)
Have an' air raid Sunday mornin', have another Monday night;
Stand one-easy through the darkness, fuel cans when first it's light.

Swab the decks, an chip the bulkheads, wrestle stores, an' man your gun;
Sleep in sweat .. you just start sleepin' -- Air Defense!, You gotta run.
Been through ten Pacific campaigns -- couple major battles, too,
Air attacks? Why we quit countin' when the forty-third was through.

Out here now for forty months, we'11 be here thirty more --
Sailin' sailin', back and forth; don't ever get ashore.
Twice to Pearl, an' three weeks home ("Thank God for that!" I say)
But months an' months an' dreary months of bein' under way.
Authored by Harold of the Hoosier Herald

Webmaster's Note: The above verse appeared in 1945 in the third anniversary issue of the Hoosier Herald, The USS Indiana shipboard newspaper.

A Full Life
Entered service March 1942 and discharged January 1948. I am a plank owner having been aboard for the Commissioning in April 1942. Was transferred from the Indiana in October 1944, to attend Fire Control School in San Diego. I served in China and Korea from 1945 to 1948 aboard the USS Tolman, Carmick, and Dividson. Returned to San Diego in January 1948 aboard the USS Moale and was discharged from there. Was recalled for Korean duty in October 1950. After orientation at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, was assigned to the USS Coan at Newport News, Virginia. Was again discharged in 1951. Joined the police department in New Milford in 1951 and retired in December 1982. Was a member of the Volunteer Ambulance Corps for fifteen years and also active in local American Legion affairs. Pat and I have two married daughters and four wonderful grandchildren, two boys and two girls.
John Elbert Greenip, Fire Controlman 2c, FA Division

Diesel Repair
When BB-58 was commissioned in Newport News in April 1942, I was assigned to the diesel engine room as Fireman Third Class. I took all of the exams that came up and passed to the rate of MoMM 2c (Motor Machinist Mate Second Class). In November 1943 I applied for a transfer to a diesel school, which was granted and I ended up at one in Fairbanks-Morse in Beloit, Wisconsin and then went on to Woodward Governor School in Rockford, Illinois. I successfully passed exams to MoMM 1c, and then was transferred to the diesel repair ship USS Oahu (ARG-5) until November, 1945.
Ralph B. Nichols, Motor Machinist Mate 1c, A Division

Boxers
You all remember me as one of the heavy weight boxers on the USS Indiana boxing team. My one big fight was against a Marine and everyone won money when I beat him. Was sorry to be transferred to the USS Callaghan (DD-792), as I had made so many friends on board. I'll never forget the day we took a Kamakazi Baka Bomb at Okinawa, July 28, 1945. We were the last warship to be sunk in the Pacific where we lost 49 men. I went for a swim and am here to tell about it.
Leonard Konabroski, Baker 1c, S Division

Collision Off Kwajelein
The following is my recollection of events prior to the collision, It was a warm evening below decks and as usual some would find places top side to sleep. I was asleep on some ammunition cans inside my 40mm gun mount on the starboard fantail, however, about 30 minutes prior to the collision I felt uncomfortably cold and awoke to go below decks to my bunk. Paul Robert McClanahan had chosen to sleep beneath the starboard catapult. This was where I saw him last as I went below. He was apparently sleeping comfortable and evidently remained there through the collision. The catapult and 40mm gun mount were both destoryed in this event and Paul was never seen again.
Jack Wesley Deaton, Gunners Mate 3c, 04 Division

Shore Leave, Liberty, Brig
Maybe I'll start a new category, of course you'll have to excuse me on times and exact places; after 42 years the events are getting a little hazy upstairs.
The USS Indiana was docked at Norfolk, VA at the time. I am not sure if it was after our run up to Casco Bay, Maine to fire the big ones, or during the time we were replenshing prior to our departure elsewhere. Up to this point in time, we had been out making runs on testing the machinery of the boilers and fire rooms and the engines. Coming back to port we were getting our starboard and port liberty and some short shore leaves. Some of the crew were sent to different schools by divisions and others for specialty rates.
A month earlier a group of us - 4 from the FA Division and 8 from the 4th Division (the gunners mates) were sent to school up to York, PA to the York Safe & Lock Co. to learn about the 40 mm gun. I think it was for two weeks. After Norfolk, York was like paradise. We had the royal treatment up there. Three of the men from the FA Division were Pearl Harbor survivors and that went over big. While at school we were treated like heros since they hadn't seen too many service men so York did have plenty of "wine, women, and song".
After our return to Norfolk, the ship had to go back to Newport News for some navy yard work on the turrets and some of the liberty was cancelled such as "overnight", just for married men only, etc. The weather was miserably hot and sticky. In the meantime, different deck divisions were sending groups out to Dam Neck for all gun firing experience and training on the 20's, 40's, and 5" 38's. Meanwhile, the ship had returned to Norfolk pier and we were loading up supplies from boxcars. Everything seemed to be in a frenzy, People were moving in all direction at once. Then liberty was stopped! Special permission had to be granted for liberty. As usual, rumors were flying fast and furious as to where we were assigned and when we would receive it. Rumor had it we were going to Europe for support of landings in North Africa as they needed big guns at the time, (Not having tea or discussing this with President Roosevelt or Admiral King, being that I was only a Seaman 1c at the time). I heard thru the grapevine sometime thereafter that the Indiana was originally picked for the Casablanca affair to land troops at Fehala, which was a fishing village about 15 miles away. But because of the turret trouble on the Indiana the USS Massachusetts was sent instead, and ended up doing battle with the Vichy French battlewagon "Jean Bart" and others. You can believe it or not but I heard that more than once.
Anyway, with all the rumors flying and all the confusion, my shipmates from the FA Division, Charlie Mann and I got together and he started to ask about York, PA and all the good times.To make a long story short, the weather being miserable, and not having too much liberty to boot, we decided we would go up to York on our next liberty. With rumors what they were, we figured "what the hell" we may get killed in a battle in the near futuer and York was not just around the corner but about 200 miles north and that was another problem as we were under a 50 mile limit to travel. So, when we decided to go, we knew we could never be back to the ship without being AWOL. We could not go by ferry to Baltimore because we would stick out like sore thumbs and we would be picked up by the shore patrol for sure. So we scraped all the money together we could hustle and took off on the next limited liberty. We arrived at York, PA, met the girls as anticipated and enjoyed ourselves. We dodged the high spots in case of the SP's got to curious and asked about our base of operations and the fifty mile limit. About six days later, running short of money and increasing dirty laundry, we finally decided to leave the good times, regretfully, and head back to Norfolk.
Arriving back to Norfolk without a mishap, we made the pier where the ship was docked. This was about 1800 or so and sailors were coming and going from the ship, to and from liberty. It took sometime before we were brave enough to go aboard. I do not remember who the OOD was, but we finally went up the after gangway and quarter deck and saluted the flag and the OOD. After requesting permission to come aboard, I finally blurted out that I was AWOL. The OOD had the messenger write us up and we were told, after turming in our ID cards, that we were on report and were restricted to the ship. (came to find out later, it was unnecessary to report ourselves AWOL because it was assumed that we were out at the firing range at Dam Neck and conditions being what they were - training of groups of men and other confusion - no one really knew we were AWOL).
We finally headed out to Noumea, New Caledonia for service via the Panama Canal and Pearl Harbor. Our case, which was a Summary Court Martial, came up before Captain Merrill after our second patrol around Guadacanal. Final disposition was to come later by the Admiral on the USS Washington. Admiral Willis "Ching" Lee of the Flag aboard the USS Washington finally sent back the sentence which was; loss of one half pay for three months and three days in the brig on bread and water.
Now comes the funny part; I had visions of being hungry and starving to death or being caught in the brig locked up during general quarters and starving to death or being caught in the brig locked up during general quarters and getting killed while not being able to do anything about it. Charlie and I discussed this. The loss of pay did not bother us too much because we didn't have too many places to spend it, it was wartime and the "here today gone tomorrow" feeling prevailed somewhat, but not with me. I never felt safer or surer of anything in life then or since, as the time I was on the USS Indiana. I felt secure that even today I never dream about those times in fear or in a nightmare.
As it turned out, when I went into the brig, one of the night sentries was a marine from Hartford, CT who in the course of a conversation turned out to have played high school football against the same high school team which I was a member of from Norwich, CT. He was pleased to know that he could converse with someone from his own area that far from home. Thanks to this friendly chap, when some of my friends came to visit me in the brig, they smuggled sandwiches to me through the bars while our friendly marine walked his post down at the other end of the passageway. At one time I even had eight sandwiches over the door, on the beam inside of the brig cell. Now, mind you, I had so much to eat I was passing sandwiches to my cell mates next to me. When I finally was released three days later I think I was 5 pounds heavier then when I went in. Now you have to remember that I was supposed to be on a bread and water diet and still I was gaining weight.
Like I said in the begining, I don't know what category in the listing this story should be under. I fit in about number 6, Shore Leave snd Liberty; 19, R & R; or maybe even under 16, Accident. The whole thing seemed like an accident to me, Good Luck, Good Sailing, Happy Ending, Regards to all my shipmates
Angelo A. De Scisciolo, Fire Controlman 3c, FA Division

Last Updated 08 May 2003

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