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San Diego

Based at San Diego, CA for training exercises. Practiced departing boats from ship and exercised disembarking troops at Aliso Canyon, CA and San Clemente Island, CA. Simulated dive bombing and torpedo attacks by planes and practiced evasive maneuvers. Conducted landing exercises with the 2nd Brigade, 24th Regiment, 4th Marine Division.

1-12 January 1944
Underway for Hawaii

Elmore underway from San Diego, CA enroute to Lahaina Roads, Hawaii, in company with TransDiv24 (Task Unit 55.3.1), USS DuPage (APA-41) and various units of Transport Group 53.2. OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command] Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly in USS Appalachian (AGC-1).

13-20 January 1944
Lahaina Roads, Hawaii

Anchored in Berth C-19, Lahaina Roads, Hawaiian Islands. [The surrounding islands of Maui, and Lanai make it a sheltered anchorage. Through the 1940s, Lahaina Roads was an alternative anchorage to Pearl Harbor for the US Navy. ]

21-22 January 1944
Enroute to Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands

Enroute to Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, in company with TransDiv 24 (Task Unit 55.3.1). USS Elmore with 82 officers and 1443 enlisted men of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment, 4 Marine Division aboard and as part of Task Force 53, under command of Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly, Commander Northern Attack Force.

21-22 January 1944
Marshall Islands Campaign

Capture and occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls. On 31 January, approximately 300 troops were transferred to LST's for the attack on islands at the entrance to the lagoon and on 1 February the Elmore entered the transport area and commenced debarking troops and cargo for the initial assault of Namur Island. During the assault, the ship lost two men, one from multiple wounds received on the beach while serving as a member of the beach platoon, Coxswain Franklin Burgess, the other from a fall at #1 hatch, Carpenter's Mate John McHugh. Both were buried at sea that night. Twenty-three casualties were received from the beach for treatment, of whom one died and was buried at sea. The others were transferred to U.S.S. Solace on 4 February 1944. Lieutenant Donald E. Kidston, USNR, file 169417 and Boatswain John C. Woodbury, USN, file 326821 received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement while serving as Beachmaster and Assistant Beachmaster respectively during this operation.

31 January - 3 February 1944
Enroute to Funafuti, Ellice Islands

Elmore left Kwajalein in company with Task Unit 15.13.1 and proceeded to Funafuti, Ellice Islands, crossing the equator on 7 February, for the first of many times. On 10 February, she was assigned duty with the 3rd Fleet by Command-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and proceeded to Havannah Harbor, Efate, New Hebrides in company with Task Unit 34.6.4.

[The U.S. Navy has well-established equator line-crossing rituals. Sailors who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks, or Sons of Neptune. Those who have not crossed are nicknamed Pollywogs, or Slimy Pollywogs. The ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. When a ship crosses the equator, King Neptune comes aboard to exercise authority over his domain and to judge charges brought against Pollywogs that they are only posing as sailors and haven't paid proper homage to the god of the sea. High ranking members of the crew and those who have been Shellbacks the longest dress up in elaborate costume and each play the part of King Neptune's court. For instance, the ship's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew.]

4-8 February 1944
Funafuti, Ellice Islands

Anchored in Funafuti Atoll, Anchorage B-6.

9-12 February 1944
Enroute to Havannah Harbor, Efate

In company with USS DuPage (APA-41), Task Force 34.6.4. On 15 February, USS DuPage (APA-41) USS Aquarius (AKA-16) and USS Almaack (AKA-10) left formation. CTG [Commander Task Group] in USS Callaway (APA-35).

13-17 February 1944
Havannah Harbor, Efate

Moored to buoy #4 in berth #5, Havannah Harbor, Efate, New Hebrides [now Vanuatu].

17-24 February 1944
Enroute to Guadalcanal

Enroute to Guadalcanal in company with USS Wayne (APA-54).

25-27 February 1944
Guadalcanal

Elmore anchored at various locations around Guadalcanal: Kukum Beach, Tambunimane Bay, Tenaru Beach, Tulagi Harbor. Throughout this period, Elmore trained in amphibious warfare with the 3rd Battalion, 160 Regiment of the 40th Infantry Division, U.S. Army.

28 February - 18 March 1944
New Caledonia

Anchored Dumbea Bay, Noumea, New Caledonia. Shifted anchorage to Great Roads in order to paint the ship in camouflage.

22 March - 3 April 1944
Guadalcanal

Arrived Guadalcanal from Noumea, New Caledonia in company with Task Unit 32.4.5, CTU [Commander Task Unit] in USS DuPage (APA-41). Anchored off Lunga Point with 35 officers and 391 enlisted men of the 147th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army.

8 April 1944
Emirau Island, Bismarck Archipelago Campaign

Arrived Emirau, St. Marrhis Island. [Emirau is also called Emira, is an island in the Bismarck Archipelago located at 1°38.5′S 149°58.5′E. It is currently part of the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea.] Disembarked troops and cargo of the 147th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army for beach landing. Loaded troops and equipment of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines Regiment, consisting of 37 officers and 774 enlisted men. Departed in formation for Guadalcanal. Radar contact with enemy plane, ship went to General Quarters. Secured from General Quarters after losing contact with plane.

11 April 1944
Enroute to Guadalcanal

Enroute to Guadalcanal in company with Task Group 32.4.5. CTU [Commander Task Unit] in USS DuPage (APA-41). Transporting troops and equipment of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. Unidentified aircraft approached, proceeded on zigzag course until clear.

12-13 April 1944
Guadalcanal

Arrived Guadalcanal in company with Task Group 32.4.5. CTU [Commander Task Unit] in USS DuPage (APA-41). Disembarked troops and equipment of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. Loaded troops and cargo of units of the 40th Division U.S. Army consisting of 34 officers and 434 enlisted men.

14-20 April 1944
Cape Gloucester, New Britain

Anchored at Borgen Bay, Cape Gloucester, New Britain in company with Task Group 34.9.5. CTU [Commander Task Force] in USS President Jackson (APA-18). Disembarked troops and equipment of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. Discharged troops and cargo of units of the 40th Division U.S. Army and immediately commenced loading troops and cargo of units of the 1st Marine Division.

23-24 April 1944
Russell Islands

Anchored at Marcopiutti Bay, Russell Islands in company with Task Group 34.9.5. CTU [Commander Task Force] in USS President Jackson (APA-18). Disembarked troops and cargo of units of the 1st Marine Division, 1,431 enlisted men and 67 officers.

28 April 1944
Guadalcanal

Arrived at Guadalcanal in company with one escort. Anchored off Tenerau Beach. Commenced loading troops and cargo of units of the 40th Division U.S. Army.

29-30 April 1944
Cape Gloucester, New Britain

Anchored at Borgen Bay, Cape Gloucester, New Britain in company with Task Group 34.9.5. CTU [Commander Task Force] in USS President Jackson (APA-18). Disembarked troops and cargo of the 40th Division U.S. Army. Commenced loading troops and cargo of the 1st Marine Division comprised of 1,341 enlisted men and 61 officers.

4-5 May 1944
Russell Islands

Anchored at Marcopiutti Bay, Russell Islands in company with Task Group 34.9.5. CTU [Commander Task Force] in USS President Jackson (APA-18). Disembarked troops and cargo of units of the 1st Marine Division.

7 May 1944
Guadalcanal

Arrived at Guadalcanal in company with one escort. Anchored off Tenerau Beach in Berth #94. Participated in landing exercises with troops of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Marines. Later anchored off Kucum Beach, Talagi Harbor at Florida Island, and Cape Esperance.

8 May - 4 June 1944
Kwajalein

Arrived at Kwajalein Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands in company with Task Group 53.3. CTG [Commander Task Group] in USS DuPage (APA-41); OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command] in USS Appalachian (AGC-1). Took on fuel and exercised gunnery practice at towed sleeve in preparation for the invasion of Guam with 3rd Marine Division aboard.

9-12 June 1944
Steamed Enroute to Mariana Islands

Steaming enroute to Mariana Islands in company with Task Group 53.3, CTG [Commander Task Group] in USS DuPage (APA-41); OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command] in USS Appalachian (AGC-1). Enemy aircraft in area, went to General Quarters. "W" day [invasion of Guam] delayed.

13-25 June 1944
Steamed Enroute to Enewitok

Steaming enroute to Mariana Islands in company with Task Group 53.3, CTG [Commander Task Group] in USS DuPage (APA-41); OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command] in USS Appalachian (AGC-1). "W" day (invasion of Guam) delayed.

26-27 June 1944
Enewitok Atoll

Anchored at Enewitok Atoll, Marshall Islands, Northern Anchorage, Berth #649. "W" day (invasion of Guam) delayed.

28 June - 17 July 1944
Guam Campaign, Mariana Islands

Capture and occupation of Guam, Mariana Islands. Elmore in company with Task Group 53.3 with CTG [Commander Task Group] in USS DuPage (APA-41), in Transport Area off Agana Bay, Guam. Debarked troops and cargo of the 2nd Battalion, 21st Marines and attached units. Received casualties throughout the day.

21-25 July 1944
Enewitok Atoll

Anchored at Enewitok Atoll, Marshall Islands, Berth #221.

29-30 July 1944
Espiritu Santo

Anchored at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, at Pier #3. Immediately began repairs and installation of new radio gear. Transferred 65 Marine casualties to Base Hospital #6. Ship Repair constructed CIC [Combat Information Center] room.

5-20 August 1944
Russell Islands

Arrived at Banika Roads, Russell Islands, and loaded combat gear. Moved to Macquette Bay, Baker 8 (then to Baker 2) steel pier and embarked Marines troops.

23-27 August 1944
Guadalcanal

Anchored off Tetere Beach, Anchorage #83, Guadalcanal in company of Task Group 32.1. Rehearsed maneuvers for coming operations off Cape Esperence. Usual preparations for coming operation and ordinary port routine.

27 August - 5 September 1944
Tulagi Harbor, Florida Islands

Arrived Tulagi Harbor, Florida Islands, for the purpose of taking on fuel and provisions. Standard Landing Craft Unit #32 aboard for transportation to Peleliu, 88 enlisted men and 7 officers.

6 September 1944
Peleliu Campaign

Arrived in Transport Area off Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, Western Carolines. Commenced debarking troops and cargo of the 1st Marine Division for beach assault. Received casualties later in the day. A number of Marine casualties died onboard Elmore from their wounds and were buried at sea during this operation: three on 15 September, two on 16 September, two more on 17 September, another two on 18 September and one on 19 September. Transferred 30 casualties to HH-10 on 18 September. On 19 September, transferred 25 Marines, former casualties, to beach. One Marine died this date and was buried at sea. On 20 September, a seaman from USS Wayne (APA-54) died of wounds aboard and was buried at sea. On 21 September, 122 Casualties were transferred to the hospital ship USS Bountiful (AH-9). One additional Marine died this date and was buried at sea. On 22 September another Marine died and was buried at sea. In sum, 14 men were buried at sea from the deck of Elmore.

15-22 September 1944
Humboldt Bay, Hollandia

Arrived at Humboldt Bay, Hollandia, New Guinea. Anchored in Berth M-13. Recreation parties held along with ordinary port routines. Loaded combat troops of 3rd Battalion, 24th Division of U.S. Army for training exercises in preparation for the invasion of the Philippines at Leyte Gulf.

25 September - 12 October 1944
Leyte Gulf Campaign

Arrived at Transport Area of Leyte Island in San Pedro Gulf (Philippines) in company of Task Force 58 and disembarked troops. Air Flash "RED"; ship went to General Quarters. Elmore suffered one seaman killed and five injured this date resulting from mortar fire on the beach.

20 October 1944
Palau

Arrived at Palau through Kossal Passage. Anchored in Berth #59.

23 October 1944
Guam

Arrived at Apra Harbor, Guam, moored to mooring buoys T-4 and T-5 in company with various vessels of Task Unit 78.13. Received troops and cargo of the 77th Division, U.S. Army.

31 October - 2 November 1944
Enroute to Noumea, New Caledonia

Underway from Apra Harbor, Guam to Noumea, New Caledonia, in company with Task Group 78.13; CTG [Commander Task Group] in USS Leonard Wood (APA-12), Commodore Donald Wood Loomis. On 9 November, destroyer escort had underwater contact; ship maneuvered radically in emergency turns. Another underwater contact on 11 November. Depth charges were dropped off Elmore's port quarter by destroyer escort. Ship changed course this date as per CINCPAC secret orders which directed CTG 78.13 to proceed to Manus, Admiralty Islands. On 14 November, executed emergency turn due to underwater contact reported by destroyer escort.

3-15 November 1944
Manus, Admirality Islands

Arrived at Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admirality Islands; anchored in Berth #19. Smoke bombs stowed in cases forward of the bridge accidentally ignited during movies on deck. Five enlisted men were admitted to Sick Bay for treatment, and seven men were treated and released. The injuries were due to panic and smoke inhalation.

16-17 November 1944
Leyte Gulf

Returned to Leyte Gulf, Philippines; anchored in area "Easy." At 1108, General Quarters sounded, air attack imminent. At 1114, a Japanese single-engine aircraft, set on fire by Army P-38 Lightnings, crashed-dived on the USS James O'Hare (APA-90) which was anchored 800 yards from Elmore. Lowered boat, and picked up two men who had jumped off the USS James O'Hare to avoid plane, and returned them to their ship. Another enemy plane crossed ahead of Elmore (distance 2000 yards, elevation 1000 feet). Another enemy plane, about 8,000 yards to North, crashed into the sea after being downed by Army P-38's.

24 November 1944
Enroute to Hollandia, New Guinea

Enroute to Humboldt Bay, Hollandia, New Guinea with various units of Task Unit 78.13, USS Leonard Wood (APA-12) O.T.C. and Fleet Guide, at standard speed of 13 knots. Executed emergency turn due to underwater contact on 25 November 1944. Commenced and ceased zig-zagging maneuvers several times throughout transit.

25 November - 28 November 1944
Hollandia, New Guinea

Anchored in Humboldt Bay, Hollandia, New Guinea in Berth N-64. A number of drills were conducted: collision, fire, rescue, boarding, salvage and steering. On 24 December, shifted anchorage to Pier #9 to load troops and gear for upcoming operation then returned to assigned anchorage in Hollandia Bay.

29 November - 26 December 1944
Aitape, New Guinea

Arrived at Aitape, New Guinea and anchored at Aitape Roads. Received fuel and supplies. Departed for Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines this same date with various units of Task Force 78.

28 December 1944

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