Here is the final installment of Homer Bast's Captain's Diary. It is hard for me to believe that it was eleven years ago that my father, Homer, and I digitized the work. All I did was proof read, fact check dates, lend a little tech support, and listen to stories that are not in the book.
My father stayed with the Yolo and navigated it back to Pearl Harbor using a sextant and math. He got his papers to come home while the ship was in Hawaii. He returned to the University of Texas and competed his degree. He remained in the Naval Reserves until he returned an annual health questionnaire in which he stated that he had gone deaf in his left ear. He received a letter in the mail stating that the Naval Department had accepted his resignation as a commissioned officer. He gets around pretty good these days and the entire family cherishes him more than words can tell.
As my father said to me the other day when I showed him the Tribute to Homer that Roanoke College has on You Tube... "Homer was a great man."
Now Back to C. Homer Bast, a great man...
November 4, 1945
The LCT from the reefer arrived at the bow of Yolo and placed her ramp on ours. The conveyor belt handled everything - a far cry of what we formerly did. This procedure was recom¬mended many times but no one would listen. We were doing the job and that was the important thing. Loading from the LCT is much easier than the back breaking grind of Okinawa. A 25 man Japanese working party helped in this effort.
Mr. Bolks and I went to church this morning. We enjoyed the sermon as well as the entire service. Turkey was served again for lunch and the usual cold cuts for dinner. Had a movie tonight and then it was every man for himself. Most went below for letters, cards and reading. With everything that's going on and the constant change of personnel, there is a lull, a let down from war to peace, and probably it is having an effect on Yolo. Within 12 hours four officers have received their orders.
November 5, 1945
Orders for me to return home arrived this afternoon from ComThirdPhibsFor. I shall board the naval transport USS CALVERT (APA 32), 401 feet long, 14,247 tons loaded, commissioned in 1941, and with a top speed of 16 knots. At present the ship is tied up at the dock across the quay.
The long awaited day has come at last. The war is over for me! I have been in the service since September 1941 - over four years! I have always tried to do the best job possible. It has been tough in different ways on the two ships to which I was assigned, the PC 571 and the USS Yolo (APB43). With the helping hand of the engineering officer, the two of us took over and operated the PC 571, as the others were too sick to stand their watches. Sometimes I was on the bridge for 12 hours fighting the Alaskan weather. The ice was so thick on the rigging at times that all off duty personnel would be ordered on deck for two hour chipping sessions. It was a quick learning experience!
Yolo has been a joy. We have a great ship, not just a good one. It took the efforts of all, both officers and men, to get her to such a position. From Camp Bradford, when we were just a training unit, to the present, we have received nothing but praise for the work we have done. From admirals to pigeon handlers, all have praised our outstanding efforts. I am so excited tonight I cannot believe that I am going home. Neither can I put down in any sort of thoughtful or meaningful way my feelings of how I have lived, worked and been through tough times with this great group of boys who have become men. The only thing I can say now is that I love them all and wish them nothing but success in the years ahead.
November 6, 1945
This has been a most eventful day! The watch called me at 0700 and after breakfast Mr. Belmont and his carpenters brought me the sea chest they made. Following muster and quarters at 0800, the officers and crew ran through all the drills. What a dif¬ference between those first drills in July 1944 and those held today. I am so proud of the officers and men! For the last time I inspected the ship, which was in excellent shape.
I packed the sea chest, showered, shaved, put on clean khakis. The laundry boys washed my dirty clothes; by that time lunch was served. What a sad occasion. Mr. Belmont made a speech of farewell, and included in his remarks was an aside that an appropriate gift would be forthcoming when I was a civilian. Following chow, the crew assembled at quarters and Mr. Kinley and I appeared before them. After reading my orders, I said a few words of farewell. Captain Kinley, who has done an outstanding job as Exec, read his orders and the change of command was complete.
With my days as captain over, the officers sat about the wardroom talking about our months together. The officers hated to see me go, I think, but at 1400 I gathered my gear, the boys placed it in one of the boats and the two crewmen ran me across the quay to the Calvert. I climbed aboard and reported to the OOD, who sent me to the first lieutenant. Quarters were assigned and I was on my own. It was a lonely feeling. After being waited on for months, and a law unto myself, here I was - one of the boys.
I spent most of the afternoon settling in the staff officers bunk room with 11 others, mostly COs and LCT staff officers, several known to me but all familiar with Yolo. Following dinner, a dreadful meal, I strolled on deck, leaned against the rail and looked at the Yolo's lights blazing, and the memories of the last 22 months swelled up within me. Going below I read, as 10 compartment mates settled down. With strange surround¬ings, no springs, one blanket and unaccustomed noises during the night, sleep was difficult to come by.
November 7, 1945
The lousy breakfast was served at 0630, as this was departure day. With each pass¬ing minute I see what a smart ship Yolo was. It was not until 1100 that all lines were let go, and with a tug alongside, Calvert moved into the stream. Across the quay all hands lined the rail of Yolo to wave good-bye to their former captain. I remained on deck until the bucket faded into the shoreline. We were not only at sea but another experience and a great responsibility in my life was over.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwCZGDHI56c[/ame]
