PFC Day

Welcome to the first installment of In the Land of the Morning Calm.  Hope you enjoy!

This is the front cover of a photo album that
Dad bought in Japan while he was on R and R.  I used
a picture of it for the cover of his book.

Dad shipped out as a PFC on the USNS General W.T. Hase out of Camp Pendleton, CA in December of 1951.  He spent 10 days on board, including Christmas and New Year's Day arriving in Yokohama, Japan in January of 1952.  The ship averaged 500 miles per day with good weather.  Before they embarked, the vets coming home were streaming off of the Hase.  One of these guys took Dad aside and said, "Listen, make sure that you get a top bunk."

PFC Carl E. Day

Good advice, because on the 550' troop ships the men slept in stacked hammocks 4 or 5 tall.  Nobody really wanted to be on top because you had to climb up every night.  However, when you are on the top hammock in a room full of Army men who are not used to sailing, you are gold.  Think about it.  You will at least stay clean.  Dad took the top.

While he was telling me about the sailing he started laughing about how they spent most of their time trying to hide from the Duty Officers or lining up for food.  Apparently, it would take 2-3 hours to get served their meals.  After they ate, they would only have an hour or so before it was time to line up again.  And, of course, no one wanted to be tapped to clean the decks or any other part of the ship, hence the 'hide and seek'.

The Hase.  Not only did Dad arrive in Japan on this ship,
he also left on the same ship.  This was highly unusual.  More on that later