Appendicitis on board ship 10/19/2011
Willie's battleship's next assignment was to help with the invasion of Okinawa. They set out for their destination on March 21st and arrived by the 25th. They wasted no time in lending fire support readying Okinawa for the American landings that was supposed to take place on April 1st. The lookouts spotted a gun flash from the shore and then a splash in the water about 5000 yards away. In reply to this the West Virginia fired 28 rounds of 16 inch gunfire against the Japanese batteries. The next day they fought against air opposition and took down a Japanese Frances Bomber. It crashed off of the Wee Vee's port quarter because of the Wee Vee antiaircraft guns. Over the next few days Japanese suicide planes continued their attack. They also had to be aware of mines...one of the Japanese mines was responsible for the sinking of the minesweeper, Skylark just 3000 yards away from the West Virginia. After the Wee Vee restocked their ammunition at Kerama Retto, they set sail to go back to Okinawa to give gunfire support to those on land. On the way they had to back down their engines to avoid a collision with an unidentified destroyer. Then before they could start lending their support, they spotted a Japanese plane, they released there antiaircraft batteries and downed the plane. Another 4 planes flew by the West Virginia and she took down one of those. Finally the West Virginia was able to do what they had been assigned...open fire on the island so the United States soldiers on land could do their part. Some of the sailors on the Wee Vee spotted the landing craft going ashore... there were so many crafts...as far as the eye could see they dotted the shore of Okinawa. The battle was underway to take the island. While all of this was going on Willie had gotten really sick and was taken to the sick bay where the doctors on board did an emergency appendectomy on him. He could hear all the commotion that was taking place, but was spending his Easter day, April 1, 1945, with an incision on his right side, right below the belly button. He would write Helen as soon as he was able to hold a pencil and the airmail stationary. If she was hearing about Okinawa on her little radio, he knew that she was probably worried out of her mind. He would assure her that he was okay. He would try to say only things that would pass the ship's inspection of the letter. Those in charge didn't let any letters or packages leave the ship without thorough inspection, there were certain things that if gotten into the wrong hands could be disastrous for their mission. Helen had told him one of the letters he sent to her had a portion of it actually cut out (with scissors) So he was careful what he said. He heard them cut back on their engines...kind of made him a little nervous... Comments Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Leave a Reply |  Author
Paula Tollison Andrews Maupin I am married to Bobby and live in the Nashville, TN area, working as Executive Assistant to both the Director of Sales and General Manager of FOX17, MyTV30 & CW58 television I have 3 wonderful sons and daughters in
love (Brad & Holly Andrews, Bryan & Stacy Andrews and Brandon
& Ashley Andrews) from Tulsa, St. Louis & Springfield
respectively. They have given me 9 precious grandbabies. (Joseph,
Cooper, Margo, Sloan, Jonas, Nora, Everett, Lawson and Blythe & Gma
loves them so much) I also have 2 great stepsons and daughter in love
(Jonathan & Kathryn Maupin and William Maupin) from Lexington,
Kentucky.
As a lady who's lived through both good & bad circumstances in my life, I've learned and continue to learn a lot of "life lessons". Along the way I have been inspired to be a better me. God is faithful in ALL circumstances and His love covers all. My hope is that you will be inspired to be who you were meant to be. I have been writing this blog about my mom and dad since September of 2011. You can find their story from the beginning by going to the Stories link. Happy Reading!!!   ArchivesMarch 2012 |
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