SF Homecoming

  I have a unique story about the return of a warship to San Francisco Bay in November of 1945.

     In 1943 my boyfriend, Robert McGihon, enlisted in the Navy and after attending schools in Minnesota and Washington State, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Achilles as an Electricians Mate.  In January of 1944 at Treasure Island his family and I said our goodbyes.  That trip took him to the Pacific for about two years.

     During the war, the U.S.S. Achilles participated in the reconquest of the Philippines, anchoring off Samar, in San Pedro Bay, where all Service Force ships were placed. In November of 1944, three “zero” fighters (Mitsubishi A6M5 planes) were pinpointed heading for the Achilles’ bow. Despite the firing of the forward guns, one plane turned tightly and crashed into the ship, tearing through the main deck. Flames swept across the weather deck. The kamikaze crash, the ensuing explosion, and the gasoline-fed fire killed 19 men, wounded 28, and 14 went unaccounted for.

     In early 1945, the Achilles tended ships in Leyte, Subic Bay, and Mindoro. In April, she moved down to Morotai to assist with the impending invasion of Borneo. After the surrender of Japan, the Achilles returned to the Philippines and repaired landing craft into the fall of 1945. She then returned to the mainland USA via Hawaii.

     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 San Francisco Bay.  My father was able to track the path of the Achilles, so we knew exactly when it would return home under the Golden Gate Bridge.

     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 San Leandro, California.

 

 

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