Melbourne, Australia
Greetings from the Captain
So many interesting things have happened to Boyd since our last Familygram that I thought you might like to hear of some of them before our return to the United States. First, thought, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the many wonderful letters I have recently received from the parents of the Boyd men. I am sure that you realize that I am unable to acknowledge your letter at this time, although I will do so as our schedule and time permit.
During the last month the men of Boyd have retraced many of the miles traveled by their predecessors on Boyd during World War II. Leaving Subic Bay on October the ninth, we steamed down through the Phillipine Archepelago, transiting the Verde Island Passage and the San Bernardine Straits, and set our course for Manus Island, one of the Admiralty Islands in the Bismark Archipelago. Boyd crossed the Equator on 14 October and stopped in Manus on the 15th for fuel.
Manus Island is part of the Trust Territory of the New Guinea, held in trusteeship by Australia in accordance de with the United Nations Charter. The island is covered with coconut palms, and other products such as taro, bananas, yams, and breadfruit are grown. The natives are loosely described as Papuans and or Melanesians but represent an extraordinary mixture of racial types and languages. Pidgin English is the only language widely understood.
Our stay in Manus Island lasted only a few hours but still was long enough for Boyd men to go ashore, barter with the natives (U.S. dollars could not be used), take photographs, and briefly tour the island. The natives approached the ship in fascinating dugouts filled with fresh tropical fruits and woodcarvings. The most popular carvings were in the form of alligators, sharks, and the turtles and the process of bartering items of clothing, cigarette lighters, and the cigarettes for these carving had its amusing moments. Don’t be mislead, that natives were sharp indeed and drove a hard bargain.
After refueling Boyd continued south through the Vitiaz Straits between New Guinea and New Britain and rendezvoused with HJ.M.A.S Vampire, an Australian destroyer, off the coast of New Guinea the following day. On 16 October a long planned joint maritime exercise began as Boyd joined with ships of British, Australian and New Zealand navies and proceeded south through the famous Solomon and Coral Seas. Escort ships protected a large convoy from heavy air and submarine attacks as they steamed past Bougainville and Guadacanal Islands long since made famous by World War II.
Submarine and air opposition continued throughout the exercise with Boyd participating ably. On 24 October an amphibious landing was conducted on the Northeast Australian coast and Boyd was in the lead as she and an Australian destroyer were the first ships called in to conduct shore bombardment on the "enemy" beach.
Upon completion of the amphibious phase of the exercise the combined task force again proceeded South against both air and sub-surface opposition. The exercise was completed on 27 October and all ships headed for port for a well deserved rest. Boyd, in company with USS Taussig and one Australian and one British destroyer proceeded to Melbourne while the rest of the combined fleet took shore leave in Sydney. As a result of our participation in the exercise Boyd has developed considerable admiration and respect for the professionalism demonstrated, by our allies.
The Australians rolled out the carpet when Boyd steamed up the Yarra River into Melbourne on the morning of 29 October. A city of over two million, Melbourne was celebrating Cup Week, a holiday which includes a horse race equivalent to our Kentucky Derby.
Australians have not forgotten that the United States came to their assistance during World War II when the threat of invasion was paramount. Consequently, the people of Melbourne, from the highest to the lowest, made every effort to demonstrate their appreciation by making us welcome here. Boyd personnel were admitted free to various sporting events and were granted free passage on buses and streetcars. In some cases taxi drivers refused to accept money from Boyd sailors for passage. Many Boyd personnel were invited into homes, taken on tours and attended dances sponsored by the Australian people. Not to be outdone, Boyd opened the ship to visitors and in the first five days alone over 5,000 people toured the ship. Special tours were scheduled and Boyd sailors hosted 50 boys from Saint Vincent de Paul Orphanage plus several groups of Sea Scouts, and entertained 200 children at the Salvation Army Orphanage, among many other groups. Boyd athletes participated against local teams in bowling, basketball and marksmanship. The United States Consul General to Australia, Mr. W. A. Wieland, visited Boyd during our stay here.
While in Melbourne we received word that many of our personnel will soon be promoted. Special congratulations are in order for the following men:
D.L. Abbott, D. Davenport, G.B. Dennis, J.G. Erskine, L.L.Goeken, M.E. Hammond, R.A. Holcomb, T.G. Larive, S. McWilliams, R.J. Monse, W.C. Nelson, C.C. Sorensen, J.L. Stutzman, R. Weatherly, E. Ellis, D. Keams, J. Kurpieski, R. Langlois, P.R. Meisland, T.E. Seats, R.A. Cannon, H.P. Deshaies, D.M. Farrelly, C.S. Nagamoto, J. Steelman, A.L. Hannum, R.E. Mercier, W. Punch Jr., D.A. Anderson, D.E. Morley.
This will be our final familygram before our arrival in San Diego late in November. As you know, this will be the big event of the year for Boyd men! We are eagerly looking forward to our arrival in San Diego and reunion with our loved ones.
Sincerely,
G. G. Roberts
Commander, U. S. Navy
Commanding Officer