RECOLLECTIONS

Isaac L. Dennis 1989

“Turn the ________ light out !”

This I remember about my tour of duty on the USS Swanson…..In September 1943 I was transferred from the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, Florida to the USS Alcoa at Norfolk, Virginia. I found out that this ship never left the docks. It also served as a transient place . One morning in early November 1943 I was out on the deck of the USS Alcoa, and saw the USS Swanson Dd443 tied up across the slip. I asked the Boatswain if he had the authority to transfer me aboard this ship. It looked like a fighting machine: Guns were located all around the deck. The Boatswain told me he had the power to do almost anything. Right then, he began my transfer aboard the Swanson along with 5 or 6 of my shipmates. I was issued a hammock to sleep in. My hammock hung in the mess hall for ever so long.

In about 3 or 4 days, we pulled out, and went to sea and anchored. The city lights were visible. Gee ! I was one happy boy, I thought. The next morning the ocean was full of ships, and we were underway for North Africa. After a while the sea caught up with me. Boy! did I get seasick. I never had anything to compare with this sickness. The seasoned shipmates told me I would not die just yet. I was seasick for about a week.

My General Quarters station was on a 20mm Gun located on the portside aft, as a Trunion Operator. My duty assignment was to turn the gunsight on for the gunner. We were out at sea approximately 2 weeks, and General Quarters one night sounded . I did exactly as I had been told…I got to the gun, turned the light on which looked like a spotlight. The Gunner switched it of immediately . Some one from the Bridge screamed out to me, “Turn the__________light out”. I never did that again as long as I was on the Swanson.

The saddest thing I remember about my duty aboard the USS Swanson , when I was transferred to the Hospital on Saipan. I was sent there for treatment of a medical condition. A day or so would have been all right, but on the third day, I saw my ship the USS Swanson DD443 pull out of the harbor , and I was not on it. I was treated and subsequently transferred to the States. I received my separation from the service and became a civilian again.