SF Homecoming
I have a uniquestory about the return of a warship to San Francisco Bayin November of 1945. In 1943 myboyfriend, Robert McGihon, enlisted in the Navy and after attendin
I have a unique
story about the return of a warship to
In 1943 my
boyfriend, Robert McGihon, enlisted in the Navy and after attending schools in
During the war,
the U.S.S. Achilles participated in the reconquest of the
In early 1945,
the Achilles tended ships in Leyte, Subic Bay, and
Meanwhile, my
father, Samuel Miller, who was a WW I veteran (having served on the U.S.S. Lehigh) was called back into
service from the reserves. He was given the rank of Lt. Commander in the U. S.
Coast Guard and became one of the inspectors for all ships in
Due to his position, my father was able to do an unusual thing. He obtained a Coast Guard boat with a pilot! Robert’s best friend on the ship also had a girlfriend in the Bay Area. So, we hopped on board the Coast Guard boat and motored out to greet the Achilles in the bay. When we came alongside the ship, all the crew aboard were leaning over the sides yelling at us. Several sailors went below to tell Robert and his buddy that their girlfriends were alongside the ship. They both just kept shaving, since they were sure the crew was giving them a bad time, because everyone knew they were from the Bay Area. Finally, they believed them and came up topside. Needless to say, they were quite shocked and thrilled to see us! The Captain came up to see what the commotion was about and he gave them permission to board our boat! The stairs were lowered and down they came! We greeted them with big kisses and long hugs to the cheers of the whole crew.
What a great memory I have of that day!
Six months later
we were married in

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