Don Vieweg’s U.S.S Collett Journal – 1944 (Part 1)

As transcribed by Don’s son Don Jr. in 2010

My father was present as part of the crew at the commissioning of the Collett at the Boston Navy Yard on May 16th, 1944.  He was a Radioman 3rd Class.  The commissioning event is not covered in this journal.

This journal picks up starting December 9, 1944, while the ship was in the Pacific.

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Dec 9, 1944

In Port Ulithi, in the Caroline Islands.  We received 27 bags of mail.  Received letters from Dottie (at that time his girlfriend, then his wife of 63 years) and family members.

Received a box consisting of a jar of jam, a checkers game, a package of dehydrated chicken soup and an attractive card.  Must thank them.  Had no watch.

Dec 10, 1944

In Luzon area, put out to sea early.  Assigned to new and largest task force, TF 382.  The water was rough and we were pounded with occasional squalls.  We are going to bomb Luzon in the Philippine Islands.  I had morning watch.  Not much Morse code business due to radio interference.  Wrote to Dottie and mom.  I believe we are to be out for some weeks.

Dec 11, 1944

Had little sleep.  Read book, “Stories of Sake” and magazines.  Choppy waves.  GQ at 1000 for strafing runs and another at 1300 for aircraft target practice.  Had late watch.

Dec 12, 1944

Out for two days already.  Getting bored.  Ship started a library in sick bay.  Good idea.  Weather calm except for rain occasionally.  I hope mom or Dottie sends me some good books.  Reading material is very scarce here.

Had usual morning GQ at 0520 and morning watch.  Not much Morse code business.  Did twelve chin-ups for a bet.  Won a dollar.  Also won $5.00 from Garrison for a call bet.

Dec 13, 1944

Refueled at sea from BB Wisconsin at 0800.  Received movie also.  Saw “The Thief of Bagdad” movie in mess hall at 1430 and enjoyed it very much.

Dec 14, 1944

Morning GQ at 0530.  Had early watch.  Weather fair with intermittent squalls.  Crapped out at 1100 and was aroused by PA system.  Plane crashed.  No survivors, 1400.  Plane and pilot lost.  We searched for half hour.  Evening GQ at 1800.  Planes are bombarding Guam? and Tamara all day.  Expect action tonight and tomorrow.  Picket Duty Tonight.  Picket duty is a ship (usually a can) designated to go ahead of a task force usually from five to twenty miles to keep alert for any enemy patrols.  We sent out many planes from our carriers against Japanese occupied Luzon.  We expect action soon unless the Japs are caught unawares.

Dec 15, 1944

Weather fair.  Ship rolling due to low fuel.  Had early watch.  Crapped out at 0945 only to be aroused by “Plane Crash” over the P.A. System.  Later I learned that two planes had crashed and we rescued three of our boys.  The planes were returning from their raids on Luzon P.I.

More planes were sent out to bomb Luzon.

1000 – Two more of our planes crashed near us.  Our boys were killed, all but one that we picked up.  His raft was afloat but he did not have the strength to climb into it so he floated in the water.  The water around him was colored pea green from a chemical designed to make him to be seen from the sky.  He was a young man, 24 or so, and his first words after being rescued were “I had a hell of a place for a swim.”  I quite agree with him.  His head was damaged, required 8 stitches.

The aircraft carrier Hancock gave us a hearty congratulations for picking up her lost birds.  She rewarded us with 40 gallons of ice cream for picking up four men.  Old Collett is right on the ball.  Two Japanese Bettys and four rescued boys to her credit.

Dec 15, 1944  

Morning watch – nothing much.  Still bombing Luzon.  Planes going and returning from their missions over Luzon.  Our newscasts reported that carrier-based aircraft had hit and destroyed Japanese harbor installations, shipping and aircraft on (Ciabo??) and Luzon.  The weather was fair with the ocean capped with ripples.

1930 – We learned that the Japanese island of Mindanao had been invaded by American amphibian forces and terrific aerial bombardments by our planes.  We received a B.B.S Congratulations from Admiral Halsey; “Well done on your brilliant plans and your part of the present invasion.”

Dec 17, 1944

Today is a day of terrible weather.  The sea is furious and the wind sharp.  It is a day of rolling, tossing, and sea sickness.  We refueled today from the Wisconsin.  Our men were drenched and one suffered a broken arm from the operation.  Another wrenched his knee and many were bruised when the refueling line broke from the tension put upon it.  We will have to refuel again as we did not complete fueling.  We received some movies but I doubt whether they will be shown in the mess hall.  It’s too rough.  Have the late watch.  I am thinking of writing a guest editorial for the Cranston Herald.

Dec 18, 1944

Today is a day that shall live forever in some of our minds.  The storm developed into a full hurricane and released her full fury all morning and afternoon.  We were low on fuel but all the other ships in the task force were lower.  A U.S. ship is not supposed to allow her fuel to go below 50%.  We were 65% full and we were the fullest.  Other fuel ratings are 10%, 6%, 15%, 30%, 20%.  The Collett with 65% is the best suited for towing in case of necessity.

The storm grew all day – rain, wind up to 65 and 70 miles per hour raging.  The Collett had her gun casing on the port side smashed in from the weight of the swells.  Our deck split a gash of three feet starboard side by the forward stack and port side by the aft stack.  It was a terrible day with trouble and seasickness.  Storm hit us at 1530.

TBS [Talk Between Ships] reports some of our carriers are dead without fuel or power of locomotion.  Men and planes were lost from the Lexington and the Houston.  Many things smashed.  We roll 30 to 40 degrees list and all compartments drew water from the vent fans.  It’s still hot as hell down here below decks.