Old Sailors' Memories

"Once Upon A Time - Long Long Ago"
Wakayama, Japan - September 25, 1945

This photo of LSM 117 was taken from the LSM 114 on the beach at Wakayama, Japan. We brought some of the first occupation Troops to Japan. We were high on the beach and later it became dry enough to walk around the ships. We unloaded the Troops.

Later with low and high tide we would bring supplies in from larger ships. One load of supplies were 55 gallon gasoline drums. We got as close to the beach as we could and then the Japanese came aboard and rolled the drums off the ramp into the water and then on to the beach.

Lee Gibson & Joe Tepley - LSM 114

A Ship To Ship Transfere At Sea
LSM 114 & APA 206 - Off Northern Luzon PI - 1945

LSM 114 had taken this man aboard because it happened to have the only Doctor in our Convoy. He had Appendicitis and the ship's Doctor did not have Surgery facilities. He was transfered to the APA 206. The transfere took place at night.

As the line from the LSM to the APA was being readied and as they hooked the stretcher on ..... the ships begin to roll and parted. As the ships rolled he was almost lost into the sea. The Crew on the APA did a good job in their response to this situation and he was transfered safely. It was touch and go for awhile.

Lee Gibson & Joe Tepley - LSM 114

Hi Lee,

The newspaper's clipping was sent to me by Jenson, the Radio man. This was a couple of years ago and I haven't heard from him since. I think it appeared in a Buffalo, New York newspaper.

My health is fine except for puting on a few pounds. Hope to see you this coming summer, If I can talk my wife into taking a trip.

Joe Tepley

The Year Of The Mine Incident was 1945


Joe and Lee Today In Omaha

Trip Two
USS LSM 114 - The Dragon Lady
On The Way To Wakayama, Japan - October, 1945

The photo is the LSM 114 and it's sister ships on the way to Wakayama, Japan. We are taking Occupation Troops to Japan; the 33rd _____ from Baguio, Luzon in Northern Philippines. We picked them up at Lingayen Gulf.

Later in the trip we encountered Typhoon "Louise". One of the ammo trailers broke loose and the GIs aboard manhandled it and tied it down. They probably saved the ship. It could have cause havoc with the other vehicles.

The Typhoon "Louise" was unforgetable.

Ahoy Mate .. 2 Bells For Old Shanghai

World War II Medley - Midi