End of the War 10/25/2011
The first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and 3 days later a second bomb obliterated a big part of the city of Nagasaki. These 2 events helped to speed up the collapse of Japan. Then on August 10th the West Virginia received a garbled message that the Japanese had surrendered. The war was over or so they thought... On August 12th Willie and the other sailors felt an underwater explosion and the battleship intercepted a radio dispatch from the USS Pennsylvania reporting she had been torpedoed. So the West Virginia sent a whaleboat with pumps to help them out. The war actually ended on August 15th and the Wee Vee began preparing for the occupation of the enemy's homeland. They reached Tokyo Bay on the last day of August and were there for the formal surrender on September 2, 1945. For the special occasion, five musicians from the West Virgina Band were temporarily transferred to the USS Missouri to play for the ceremony. The USS West Virginia did her part in the occupation staying in Tokyo Bay well into September. They even weathered a horrible storm with winds clocking at 65 knots. They took on 270 passengers for transportation to the west coast of the United States. They arrived in California where the crew painted the ship and on Navy Day October 27th over 25,000 visitors came on board the ship. Then they headed back to Hawaii to bring more home. Soon the reports were spreading all over the news that the war was over. Willie was so thankful for having had the opportunity to serve, but was even more thankful to know that soon he would be back home with his family. He wondered if Helen had heard the news yet. Hang in there sweetheart, he thought...hang in there! Meanwhile in Kewanee....Helen went to her mom and dads to listen to their radio. She wanted to hear what was happening since Okinawa. She was praying that this meant that the war would soon be over... 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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