February 13 - Morning - Moored about 25 yards off the beach. We couldn’t beach because of coral reefs. I met a boy who went to radio school with me on the ship tied up to us. This is a pretty beach. There is a native village just down the beach with a river coming out behind it. In front of us is a hill covered in coconut palms. A whole swarm of natives were out all day in their dugout canoes talking and trying to sell souvenirs. Noon - Started raising small boat (LCVP) when cable snapped, leaving small boat hanging by its bow from the Davits. The stern was in the water up to the motor. The coxswain and seamen in the boat hung on to their lifelines, but the motormac (Brummer) was thrown into the water. They had to bring him aboard in a stretcher, but he is ok now. They fastened a line to the stern of the boat to keep it from going on down and lowered the bow slowly. The boat is pretty banged up, but they got it down ok.

Sept 24, 1944 - Morning. Loading up with Australians and heavy road machines. Went ashore to get walkie talkie fixed. Went about 5 miles up beach. The place is running over with jeeps, trucks, ducks, tanks, and other equipment. They really have this place fortified. There are all kinds of tropical trees down here but mostly coconut palms. The place is really muddy. There is an LCI broached on the beach. I think the surf caused it to broach. There was also an LCVP broached but the boys got it off. Afternoon- man fell overboard from stern anchor and got banged up really bad. They sent him to the hospital. Retracted from beach. Anchored in harbor for the night.