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Viet Nam and although the stop in Hawaii had been a nice surprise we were convinced that this would be the final leg of the journey —-we were wrong! several days out from Hawaii the ship changed course and we were told that we were now headed for Okinawa?! Rumors started to fly—it seemed everybody had a theory about what was happening —from—‘we’re going back home—to we’re going to remain in Okinawa in reserve’. No official explanation was given to us as we steamed towards the shores of the battle torn Island of WWII.
We arrived in Okinawa on June 18 amid a great deal of confusion regarding the change of plan. When we learned that our ship-the USS Pickaway was to be completely unloaded of the BLT and all it’s gear —we were astounded. The troops were taken to Camp Schwab —the Marine base on Okinawa.
We had no idea how long we or two or a year! We turned getting them outside—they got it.
would be there—a day to with our troops needed PT and they
those comfortable
Most of all they needed
bunks in the barracks and the long hot showers that came with being on land. As I recall, liberty was granted but on a restricted basis so that the troops could be recalled ASAP. Word soon came down that we would, indeed be continuing our journey to Viet Nam—but on another ship! We would be boarding the USS Okinagan as soon as the entire BLT’s gear could be reloaded. The Battalion
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