Made a couple Troop Transport runs, then returned to Mers El Kabir and liberty was granted, The nearest town was Oran, in Algiers and there were many Army trucks on the road , so was easy to hitch a ride. Our Ships Doctors suggested those going on liberty, take along a water canteen, since Dysentery was a concern. While in Oran I visited a USO and checked out the Guest Register and found Ed Howell had signed in . I asked Army guys about his unit and was told they left the day before. Would have been nice to meet up with someone from Salem. Walked by some stores and saw one named Athens Deli, so I walked in. French was the language of the area, which I could not speak but thought I might make out with Greeks. Talked to the owner and his wife that were from Greece and we got along well, I even got an invitation to their apartment for a nice Greek meal. They even  gave me a bag of Baklava, to take back to the ship.

We  had a briefing and was told our next landing would be at Salerno Bay, which was on the Italian West coast, North of Naples. The troops that came aboard were the U.S. 36th division and we held practice landings. On Sept. 8, we were heading up the coast of Italy and and it was announced that Italy had surrendered, so we figured this landing would be a Piece of Cake. At 3:00 AM on Sept 9, all boats went in the water and were loaded with troops. Seas were calm and we ran to our assigned areas and waited for the signal to head for the beach. The Sgt. in charge of the group came over and we chatted. There was no bombardment of the beach, guess those in charge thought it was not needed. We arrived at 1000 yds., we were in the first wave. The Sgt. and I wished each each other luck and he took his position at the bow. We got the signal and headed in, was no fire from the beach. All was quiet till we dropped the ramp, then all hell broke loose. I landed right in front of a gun emplacement and they began firing. Saw the Sgt. and others go down on the beach and there were three down in the boat. Could see the next wave coming, so had to back down off the beach and headed back. The crew checked the wounded and had no response from two but the third took a hit to his knee and was in great pain. We had First Aid Kits on the boats, so we wrapped the leg. Also had Syretttes of Morphine, so he we gave him  a shot. but he was still screaming. We gave him a second shot and this time he lay quiet. Whenever the ship was assigned a landing, we would take on extra doctors to help in the Sick Bay. On shore the Medics would bring the wounded to our boats and we would haul them to the Dickman. We were a Mini-Hospital Ship.

Were out in the boats for 12 hours, so a relief crew took over while we came aboard to wash up and get something to eat. I was on my way to the Mess Deck and took a short cut by the Sick Bay. The Medics had forgot to pull the curtains at the Operating Area and it was the first time I had seen a leg amputated. I lost my appetite, so did not report to the Mess Deck.

After completing our assignments, all boats returned to the ship. We had work to do to get our boat back ship shape, were a lot of bullet holes that had to be filled, even at the area  that I stood. The Good Lord looked after us that day.

We returned to New York and went into the Yard for some repairs.It was New Years Day 1944 and I was granted leave, so went home where I enjoyed my mothers great cooking.