From the 79th
Seabee cruise book, "Battalion History", p. 46: "We arrived at our port of
embarkation and proceeded directly to the pier. Then followed endless periods of checking
gear, mustering, and just waiting. Finally we boarded the ship. The voyage was
uneventful--the usual sea seasickness was common but some of the more fortunate came
through unscathed. We still trained and worked. K. P. duty, abandon ship drill, guard
duty, clerical records to be maintained and the inevitable waiting in chow line. Sleeping
four deep in the hold will be remembered always. We made it, however, and the morning of
our fifth day out we spied the snow-capped peaks of our Island "X" looming in
the distance. None of us knew what to expect, and what a surprise it was to discover that
our assignment meant to be stationed at a modern advance base equipped with many
conveniences It didn't take long for the news to spread that a small town was just a
stone's throw from the base The village is crudely constructed, with mud ankle deep, but
it is picturesque, combining the modern with the sourdough effect. The village is a
typical example of the profound influence military personnel has on sparsely settled
areas. Many civilians are drawn from the States to the village and many of them are
becoming wealthy. Almost any article desired could be purchased and it was a treat to see
the very charming girls behind the counters dispensing pillow covers, moccasins, AND
STEAKS." The following letter was written by my father, Frederick Karl Johann Taake,
after arriving at Island "X" on May 10, 1943 and while stationed there - the
Aleutian Islands:
Thanksgiving Day 1943
Dear Kids,
Have just finished a turkey dinner on Mr. Roosevelt. It was a
good dinner; free cigars and everything. Needless to say, we had turkey and all the
fixings. We have so much to eat up here that a turkey dinner more or less doesn't mean
much of anything. However, the cooks gave a little attention to this dinner and it turned
out right smart. Since we are secured (Nautical term for laid-off) for the day, most of
the boys are now taking their repose in their bunks.
It is a nice day here today. The weather has been mild but wet.
The days are getting shorter and shorter. On my particular job we get to work about 0830
and secure along about 1630 (see if you can figure that out). Never thought I would become
accustomed to this Navy time but it comes more natural every day. They have a few clocks
up here with a regular Navy twenty-four hour dial. Since taking over my last assignment, I
have plenty of work to keep me busy. However, no one works very hard up here so you just
naturally get into the habit of lazing along with all the rest of them. My job is
procurement of construction materials It calls for a wide knowledge of these materials;
something which I sadly lack. As a last resort, I always have to turn to catalogs and it
is surprising how much miscellaneous information can be found in them. I even use the old
reliables; Sears Roebuck and Monkey Ward. At any rate, it makes the work a little
interesting.
Have been wearing my long handled underwear for a couple of weeks
now, since I am out in a cold warehouse a good deal of the time. Our longies are wool
shirts and drawers and quite scratchy. So I put them on over my skivy and shorts when I
get up in the morning and take them off again as soon as I get back to the barracks after
work. We have more clothing here than you can shake a stick at. Since my last assignment,
I have discarded my undress blues and have taken to dungaree trousers and blue shirt
together with the traditional watch cap or small stocking cap as you would call it. We
have been having a few social functions in the Battalion lately. Headquarters Company had
a smoker last week. Free beer and everything. Some of boys gave some dances; others sang.
A pleasant evening was had to by all. Also had a Halloween party and a Thanksgiving party.
There is a ski slide close by but not knowing anything about skiing, I am not interested.
There are plenty of movies but my best pastime is reading; to which I am devoting a great
deal of my spare time lately. We have built up quite a library with gifts from families
and friends and a good share of the books are best sellers and latest editions.
I got a Christmas present from Pat [Note: Pat is my mother] the
other day that I must tell you about. Guess she thought I spent the whole day knifing
Japs, so she had a hunting knife made for me. It was made by an old German knife maker out
of a piece of old German steel dating back to 1846. It is about the most vicious looking
weapon of its kind that I have ever seen. Guess I will throw my rifle away and just use
the knife for protection. Looks like it would cut down a young tree with one swipe. It is
a beautiful piece of workmanship, however, and I prize it highly although I have no
immediate use for it. [Note: Dad carried that German knife with him for the rest of the
war through the Aleutians, Saipan and Okinawa. After the war was over, he used it for
cutting up rhudabeggas because it was to tough. I often look back now and wonder how I
kept from getting cut by that knife because it was in the old cedar chest that I used for
my toybox when I was a little girl and I used to play with it. Dad turned this knife over
to me two months before he died - the last time I saw him alive].
Well, that's all the news I can think of at this time so I guess
I will have to sign off.
Love
Fred
P.S. Hope you don't mind the carbon as I just haven't got enough inspiration to write
three letters and keep them all original. Especially with the limited material available.
Many thanks for the Christmas presents. The cigarettes are half gone already. I and my
bunk mates have quite a little time figuring out some of the puzzles in that pocket
entertainer. Again, many thanks.
Fred J. Taake, SK3/c