- Contact John at john17PIM@aol.com
My father and his Seabee unit received a commendation for unloading ammunition from the Mazama after it was struck Jan. 12, 1945 at Ulithi atoll. It reads;
“COMMENDED FOR AMMUNITION HANDLING”
THE BATTALION POINTS PROUDLY TO ITS TOUGHEST STEVEDORE JOB: DISCHARGING AMMUNITION FROM A TORPEDOED AMMUNITION SHIP. WITHIN A FEW HOURS THE MEN WERE ABOARD AND AT WORK, IGNORING THE DANGERS OF THE NEARBY AMMUNITION. FLOODED HOLDS FORCED TO WORK WAIST DEEP IN FUEL OIL AND SALT WATER WITH FUMES FROM ETHER AND OIL SO STRONG HOURLY RELIEFS WERE NECESSARY. SKIN-PRICKING SPUN-GLASS FIBER FROM TORN BULKHEAD INSULATION ADDED TO THE DISCOMFORTS OF THE WATER. THE EVER PRESENT DANGER OF EXPLOSION AND FIRE RULED AGAINST THE USE OF LIGHTS. REPLACING OIL SATUATED CLOTHING WITH NEW ISSUE DAILY, THE SEABEES UNLOADED OVER 2,900 TONS OF HIGH EXPLOSIVE AT A SPEED IN EXCESS OF A TON PER MAN-HOUR.
Enjoyed the site..A wonderful tribute to all those who served on the Mazama!
Leave a Reply