Anton Frank Seme

Anton Frank Seme enlisted in the Naval Reserve on March 9, 1942. Home at entry: Ely, Minnesota.

He served as a Gunner's Mate First Class (T) aboard the USS San Francisco (CA 38) and USS Salt Lake City (CA 25) in the Pacific Theater.

Mr. Seme shared the following: " I had 17 naval engagements on the cruiser USS San Francisco. I kept a diary all the way...April '42 to August '45 aboard ship. I have the flag that flew over the Arizona and I watched the torpedoes that hit the USS Juneau with the five Sullivan brothers lost."

Edited, selected excerpts from his war diary:

"June 3, 1942. Got my medicine today. Boy did my rear end hurt. Took an hour to walk the pain off. Alaska was bombed."

"June 29. Arrived in Pearl Harbor. Saw Arizona and Oklahoma on its side."

"August 6. Solomon Islands is our target. Prayed that we would come out alive."

"August 9. Kept circling island all the time. No loss yet. Shot down 17 planes."

"August 10. Shot down 24 planes. Lost two cruisers and one trans. On alert for subs and planes. Troops landed safely."

"Aug 20. Marines held Tulagi. Got word at five p.m. that Japs landed on Tulagi and we started for them at dusk."

"Aug 22. News came that the Marines got all the Japs. 650 and 700 landed. 26 Marines killed..."

"Sept.15. The Wasp was hit and North Carolina....I watched it burn and sink. Two fish (torpedoes) were sent to sink her. We were right along side her and were missed by two fish. I was going to get a hair cut and waiting just when the alarm goes off. I took off for my GQ station and got there in time to see the explosions on the Wasp, North Carolina and another cruiser...She started to burn and abandon ship. The destroyers picked up the survivors while we scouted for subs..."

"Sept.17. Left port to meet the Hornet. Had to drop depth charges for subs."

"Sept.18. Said a few prayers. The Hornet is with us...Starting to have GQ (general quarters) at night. We had to speed for subs."

"Oct.11. My birthday. Attacked eight Jap ships and credited to six of them. A hell of a night. Boise got hit and Duncan sunk...we had ice cream and cake and leftover chicken. I brought all this up to (gun) Mount 4 and the gun crews had a good time...fire works, guns blazing and star shells. Happy birthday!"

"Nov.12-13. Air attacked. 21 Betty's (Japanese torpedo bombers). Martin and I report planes coming in from islands. Had a hard time to alert ship's captain...One hit aft structure and 2 dead. Martin wants binoculars to see. Couldn't see, radar won't pick it up. Watch dog fight. Marines from Henderson Field.

"1300 hours out to sea, word came 1700 go back for Jap ships small task force...We have 11 of us, cruisers and destroyers. 1240 we met up with them. Pitch dark, surface lookout aft...Fires all over. Got hose out and turn valve on, no pressure aft. Checked hose, shrapnel leak, got cloth from line and wrap hose. Got all wet...help wounded morphine...bury and clean up. Too dumb to know what goes on...Martin found me in CPO galley. What a mess. Too scared to eat of sleep, even to talk. Martin plucked my back and I his from powder burns. I told Martin: 'See how good He is up there to take care of us...'"

"Dec 6. My mother died."

"Dec 7. United States declared war on Japan 20 minutes to 12 a year ago."

"May 7, 1943. General Quarters and on the alert for Jap convoy. Attu and Kiska have been bombarded and commandos landed. Had to secure ammunition and got all wet by a big spray that almost wiped me overboard. Guns all ready for action. Just waiting for the yellow rats to come."

"May 19. Boy the night watches are really getting me down...We sure have a tough crew on the gun watches...Word going around that we will be relieved soon by two battle wagons. Another day gone by and how many more. God, I hope this is over with soon."

"May 21. Had the ...watch and I sure am sleepy. Then had the 8 to 12. Read the press news and the people started another strike! God! We wish they were in our place for a while...Wondering what Lillian is doing."

"June 26. Slept after reveille and sure was sleepy. Worked on gun and had a sub alert. The PC boats dropped ash cans (depth charges) in harbor...right aft of the ship. They finally got it...Been nine days in port and didn't receive a letter from Lill. It takes only four to six days air mail to come..."

"July 1. Bad weather and the ship pitches to a 30 degree pitch. Have to laugh at men who try to walk with joe cup in hand..."

"July 5. Had three sub alerts and spotted one 300 yards ahead of us. We could easily got it...Have to keep a sharp lookout for subs and torpedo boats..."

"July 6. Headed for Kiska to bombard the beach. Sure was nice to see the shells burst and destroy property. We had a lot of planes patrolling the area. Our gun crew sat on the fantail and watched the eight-inch....Santa Fe, Louisville, Wichita, and us. Four cans (destroyers). Heard the Helena was sunk. It hurt me because we all liked her and have two buddies aboard."

"July 26. At 1:15 a.m. we got word that the Mississippi had contact with four targets. Got up before GQ. Was up the rest of the night. All the ships fired but we didn't fire one round because we couldn't find any target to shoot at. We laughed at the other ships because they shot for no reason...They picked up an ionized cloud and the splash of the first salvo which they thought was an enemy force."

"Aug. 15. Went to Mass and prayed for all. Two new men on watch with me and we played cards. Landed troops on Kiska."

"Aug. 28. Fasted all day and the crew had to eat on the deck. Weather is bad and do ever roll and pitch. I was up forward and watched the ships. God! It sure is fun to watch how the ships take water on the bow. Real seamanship...."

"Aug 29. Poor chow and don't eat much. Weather still bad. Had all night in and couldn't sleep because of rolling so much. We hit a wave and the whole ship moves. We expect to be up here two months."

"Sept. 8. The Italians gave up and we were all happy. Went back to catch up with another convoy. Heading down south."

"Sept. 10. Did we ever have a big storm. The plane is all smashed up. Water in the compartments. Eat sandwiches, many sick, whaleboat broke and lost, all our empty ammunition went over the side. Can't sleep...Had to have guide lines in compartments to hang onto."

"Sept. 29. Left Pearl (Harbor) at 8:00...waiting for the rest of the task force to come out."

"Oct. 4. At four p.m. we picked up speed for Wake. Minneapolis, New Orleans and us are the heavy cruisers going in at the south. The captain gave speech about what we intend to do. Two aircraft carriers are going in with us. The others are going to patrol the north. Here's hoping a lot of luck to all of us..."

"Oct. 5. Planes got off at 4:30 and we stayed for an hour by the carriers. Left for Wake and saw it at 11:10...Saw everything. We watched them fire back at us and the projectiles came close to the ship. Big fires were started on the beach. We also had to be on the lookout for Jap planes. We saw two Zeroes on our port side...while coming down the Zeroes attacked the men in the water. We opened fire on them but out of range. A plane came toward the ship and we opened fire. Just luck we missed it. It was ours. The island was 85% destroyed."

"Oct. 6. Stayed about 100 miles from Wake. Planes left this morning to attack again. Thinking of Lill all the time."

"Nov. 10. Got underway at 8:00 and with us is five heavy cruisers, five carriers, two tankers, six troop ships. Heading for Makin Island in the Gilbert's."

"Nov. 11. Out to sea...crossed the Equator at 15th...Got our orders...to attack the place. 17 carriers, 13 battle wagons, 15 cruisers..."

"Nov. 20. At eight we attacked Makin and did we give them hell."

"Nov. 23. The same routine. Word came that one of our carriers was sunk at dawn. At noon we had contact that planes were coming. They flew over."

"Nov. 24. Had many alerts of planes. The Saratoga was attacked last night."

"Nov. 29. Still going north....Wish to get some mail from home."

"Dec. 4. Planes took off at 6:30 and we were on lookout at 11:45. Lex (USS Lexington) shot down three Kates...We are in AA defense all day. Then at 1400 we had an air attack. Four Kates came in for our ship and we opened fire and got two of them. They used is for a blind. The Yorktown fired at these planes which strafed our ship...15 casualties, one dead Marine. The second wave of planes came back from their raid and we pulled out of there. We were at least 100 miles from the island. Got contact that bogies are following us. At 1430 we were again under attack by Bettys. This kept us up all night. The planes dropped flares and the moon was high. We were traveling at 25 knots. At this speed we would get a lot of spray...The whole gun crew was wet like rats, but we had to keep a sharp lookout for planes. The Lex took a fish in the rudder. About 2:35 we secured from AA. We had a hell of a night. We fired and other ships fired. It resembled the 4th of July. Got two planes. The damage done by the planes on the island was great...Many planes have been destroyed."

"Jan. 31, 1944. Hit...north islands of Kwajalein (Marshalls) and also shot the 40's at the beach. We all laughed at how good they hit. Yesterday evening we made a chase for three trans (sic) Japs and today we got them in the lagoon...The islands north of us is being hit by planes..."

"Feb. 1. Battle wagons, cruisers all hit at one time last night, the artillery landed and bombarded the islands all night...Planes hit the north islands... ammunition dumps. The smoke went up high. Lost two planes by its force of shock."

"Feb. 2. Bombarded and strafed Beverly and Berlin Islands..."

"Feb. 3. Hit Beverly and Berlin again..Three men got hurt on my gun by gun explosions. Not bad."

"Feb. 5. Landed troops and bombarded."

"Feb. 16. (Truk) Launched planes at 5:30 and were at GQ all day. Reports came in bad...many ships in lagoon. Battle wagons Iowa and New Jersey went to attack crippled ships. Nightfall we had planes...I don't like those nights we were not allowed to shoot."

"Mar. 28. Heading up northwest. We will be on the northeast of Palau Island."

"Mar. 30. Planes took off at 5:30 and were off in formation at 6:30. Word came AK has been hit. Last night we had four Bettys attack us and we got three of them..."

"Mar. 31. ...many ships went to the bottom. Didn't sleep last night."

"Apr. 7. I had to draw cards to find out which one of us will get to go on the Salt Lake City...I could just cry to leave all my good shipmates. Waited on board but didn't leave."

"Apr. 8. Had dinner aboard the Frisco, aslo went to mass. Left for S.L.C. at 4 o'clock; it hurt me."

"June 30. Got into Frisco at 4:30 and no one allowed liberty. Was so disgusted with life that I wanted to go over the side. Wrote to Lillian...so near and yet so far."

"July 31. Underway for Japanese island at 12."

"Aug. 2. Ready to hit the island. Got contact with a Betty and were spotted. Turned back for safety...Supposed to bombard Tuesday morning."

"Sept. 4. Hit Wake and bet the boys we wouldn't get any returns. We got three 7.7 returns, lost 75 cents. I laughed at the officers, the way they said it was fortified...On our way to Eniwetok, one of the Marshall Islands."

"Oct. 11. My birthday. Entered Saipan and refueled from tanker. Received mail...we all wonder what island will be hit by the task force.."

"Oct. 25. Planes took off and went to hit the Jap battleship and CA (heavy cruiser). Word came four BBs (battleships) and 20 CLs (light cruisers). This sure is going to be a big haul. Two of our carriers have been hit at Leyte...Going to attack and close up Jap from escape."

"Oct. 26. ...Jap fleet got by us. We just couldn't cover the distance in time. 40 miles from Leyte. Planes taking off and the Jap fleet are in the narrows of islands. Planes caught up with them in time and are doing some dirty work. Most of the aircraft have a hard time to get into the target. Three BBs have been hit...one BB reported sunk, one dead in the water. CAs sunk and damaged. Many carriers have been hit. Many cans (destroyers) have been hit. Don't know how many we got...The northern force, Halsey's, came out fine. Got all except two BBs which were damaged. This all occurred from the morning of the 25th to the afternoon of the 26th. We had to keep up high speed. On our way to refuel. We are all tired and restless. But the Jap fleet came out and got a good licking. We all waited for this for 2-1/2 years...We are low on supplies. Most of our food is beans, and dehydrated food. Food is sickening. Beans, beans, and beans. Wish I was home. No mail."

"Oct. 26. Met up with tankers and refueled 18 ships at one time. Orders are to go to Palelu and supply ships...At sea and east of the Philippines."

"Oct 29. Ulithi..."

"Nov. 10. Left Saipan for one of the Volcano Islands: Iwo Jima, and air base, and we are going to bombard it at midnight. The fleet will bomb Yokohama and Tokyo the following morning. Didn't get a count on the election. Wish Roosevelt makes it."

"Nov. 11. Had a few Army bombers patrol for us. There is only three CA and four cans. At 2400 we started to fire on Iwo Jima and lasted 95 minutes. Didn't get any return fire. Started fires and the new men saw something and learned fast on how we bombard at night."

"Nov. 27. ...six Jap planes hit the air base and all were shot down...Jap planes sure blow up in mid air..."

"Dec. 24. Bombard Iwo Jima and used forties also. Destroyer sent out to sink can and LCI."

"Dec. 25. Christmas. Out at sea and had meat loaf for dinner and cold cuts for supper. Breakfast was beans..."

"Jan. 5, 1945. Bombarded Chichi Jima, then Haha Jima. (Bonin Island group). Got a transport at Chi Chi...Then at 1330 hit Iwo Jima. Fired five-inch until 1800..Four Bettys came and we fired at them. Didn't get any. We saw how they operated with bombers to bomb Saipan...One of our destroyers has been hit by a mine and another by shell from our own can while firing at a transport. On our way back to Saipan."

"Feb.16. Started on Iwo Jima and giving all we got. We practiced landing on Tinian two days ago. Most of the officers and men think it will be a pushover. I think that it is going to be hard on the landing force...bombarment is continuous and planes attacked, also B-24s."

"Feb. 19. Landed troops. We got plenty of return. Pennsy (Battleship USS Pennsylvania) got hit. Chester hit another ship and went back..."

"Feb. 20. The fleet is here and Frisco is here, also bombarding. Watches are tough and always on Condition One. Attacks are mostly at night. Watching the Marines move up with glasses. Tanks and plenty of mortar fire at troops."

"Feb. 25. Still hitting Iwo and in very close...The Marines have half of the island. No mail."

"Mar. 15. Came to Ulithi at 8:30...Made First Class,,,"

"Mar. 25. Saw Okinawa in the morning and San Fran is also with us."

"Mar. 27. Had plane attack at dawn and got four of them...Started to bombard the island at 1330...many fires. Writing this while watching the projectiles land on the beach. Planes just dive down for strafing runs...smoke coming up high where the barracks were."

"Apr. 7. Morning air attack but did not fire because of low clouds and smoke screen. One DD (Destroyer) got a 250 pound hit but did not explode. Total of planes shot down in four days were 361 planes..."

"Apr. 8. Wrote four letters to Lillian this month. Always in Cond. II watch...have plenty of time to write up on the the searchlight platform alongside the director. We have alert almost every six hours. We have nine BBs seven CAs and 20 or so cans. Many transports, LCI, LST, LSM. Island is beautifuI, many radio towers...I fired a few times at dive bombers and they just come in. I haven't much time to take showers but take them nightly, wash clothes on top side...cold at night. I even get chills now and then...Army artillery is on an island SW about 12,000 yards from main island. They go steady day and night, star shells at night illuminate the island. Report that B-29 recon plane spotted many Jap ships in Yokohama harbor..."

"Apr. 13. This is unlucky day for some people. Word was received that our Commander in Chief died yesterday at 1555. It was a shock to many of us. He was a good president...Had alerts all day but no planes came in. Our fighters from the airfield intercepted them. LCI came alongside and brought mail..."

"Apr. 14. ...Roosevelt will be buried tomorrow. We started to bombard again. Troops are not moving up fast. Heard Tokyo Rose and what a line. Word came that Germany surrendered and Russia declares war on Japan..."

"May 8. Germany surrendered to Allies. We fired one-gun salvo at 1200 sharp. Had a headache for three days but it went away with the good news."

"May 10 to 17. At 1030 one of our destroyers got hit by a shore battery on the SE of Okinawa. We...steamed up to it with our five-inch and eight-inch going steady at the shore battery. The fire on the can kept up and half of it blew off. It was stuck on a reef at night and was trying to pull off...while under fire. All ships sent out...to pick up survivors. We received many casualties aboard for medical aid. Many in bad shape. At noon, we had to sink the can. Censorship is let up now and can write more in letters...Pulled in Kerma Retto for stores and ammunition. Have fired many rounds on this campaign...Food is getting bad and supplies are low. 47,000 Japs have been killed so far..."

"May 28. Left Okinawa for Leyte and are we ever glad to get some rest."

"Aug. 13. At 2000 we got word that Japan accepted the Potsdam treaty and tomorrow Truman will give speech on it. We are all happy..."

"Aug. 14. It's all over at 1305. Arrived in Adak at 1300 and mail came aboard."

"Sept. 1. I'm sitting in the compartment on Salt Lake City listening to the radio broadcast from the USS Missouri. Japan surrendered...MacArthur will accept the surrender...So now we have peace throughout the world."

"Nov. 9. Discharged at 1000 hours and left for Oklahoma City for the train...my last train trip."

Source:  Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 288.

 

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