August 10-21, 1944

August 10 left Kilmer [Edison, NJ] at 8:30pm, boarded ship at midnite SS JOHN ERRICSON in Staten Island. Left port following noon [August] 11th.


Left Kilmer evening of the 10th at 8:30 P.M. and boarded train that took us to a ferry. This was one heck of a lousy ride as it was hot and we had a heavy load to carry. The ferry took us to the pier in Staten Island where we unloaded on a pier. Had a band there plaing the Air Corps song. We felt like ramming it down their throats as we were plenty tired and disgusted with carrying those heavy bags. Loaded on the John Erickson and was put below decks. It was crowded and hot. Boat left pier the following morning at 11 A.M. Coney Island was the last we saw of the U.S.A.  


Passed Ambrose Light going out. B-24s circled the convoy twice in mid ocean. [Ambrose Light was located at the entrance to New York Harbor about 12 miles southeast of Staten Island.]


The trip was fairly nice no rough weather until we got near the shore of Ireland.