Additional information
by Gene Pratt (Author), Robert MacKenzie (Author), Ed Franklin (Author)
The GHOST SHIP was launched in 1940, prior to World War II, she helped supply the Pacific Islands with men and material, one of those was the "Alamo of the Pacific" Wake Island. She was anchored northwest of Ford Island on December 7, 1941, shot down several Japanese planes, and helped sink a mini sub. She had a storied record during the Second World War, earning seven battle stars from Guadalcanal Canal to Okinawa. She was one of the last ships to be hit by a Kamikaze off Okinawa. It hit the cabin of Air Officer Lt. Henry Fonda. In 1943 Bob Hope and his USO group performed on the Curtiss. Readers will learn about the "secrecy" that went on in the Atomic Energy Commission and other agencies that occurred during the post war years.
Author Biography
I joined the navy reserve so I would not be drafted into the army, as Korea was getting started. For some reason I got one of the best jobs on base. I was a parachute rigger at Oakland Naval Air Station. Every fifth man got a BAR. The marines had nine BAR's per platoon and the army had three. That was one reason the marines had more fire power than the army. I fired expert with the 45 pistol. An M-1 weighs 9.5 pounds. I carried a BAR in Combat Training and it weighed 20 pounds. Everyone wanted to help with firing it, but no one wanted to help carry it.
