THE STORY OF THE U.S.S. NICHOLAS (page 4 of 4)

towards Sagami Wan to rendezvous with the Japanese ship. A two-stacked Jap destroyer was soon sighted. The Jap sailors were dressed in olive green uniforms resembling our marine fatigues. Officers dressed much the same but wore black boots. We lay to about 75 yards from the enemy ship and lowered a whaleboat which picked up 2 naval officers, 13 pilots and 6 interpreters. When the emissaries and party came aboard the Nicholas they saluted at the quarter deck and were taken into the wardroom where they were relieved of their swords and thoroughly searched for other arms.
   We then went alongside the Missouri and Admiral Halsey appeared on deck while the Japs were transferred to the battleship in a very bright red boatswain’s chair. Cameramen and newsmen were everywhere at once.
   Pilots were sent to other ships, and we began to enter Sagami Wan, south of Tokyo Bay. The “Nick” steamed close by the Missouri, and as we entered the bay we could see the coastline dotted with buildings. In the distance we saw famous Mount Fujiyama. We anchored in Sagami Bay during the afternoon and when night fell secured from general quarters for the first time since early morning.
   The following day was spent transferring more Japanese pilots to other ships of the force, and upon anchoring we prepared for our first movie topside in over 56 days. That night all ships were fully lighted and searchlights swept the sky over a peaceful Japan.
   On August twenty-ninth the Nicholas with the Taylor and O’Bannon escorted the Missouri into Tokyo Bay. We anchored off the Yokosuka naval base which was occupied the following day. Landings were very orderly and soon the American flag flew over Japan.
   On Sunday, September second, the Nicholas left the dock at the customs house pier in Yokohama to take allied representatives to the Missouri for the signing of the formal surrender documents. It was a proud day for the “Nick.” Aboard were such notables as “Vinegar” Joe Stillwell, General Jonathan Wainwright, Jimmy Doolittle, General Spaatz, General Merrill of “Merrill’s Marauders,” General LeMay of the 21st Bomber Command, and a host of other outstanding American, French, Chinese, Australian, Dutch, and Russian top ranking military men. As we went alongside the Missouri, Admiral Halsey appeared with Admiral Nimitz to greet our party. At the termination of the ceremonies, we took our guests back to Yokohama and proceeded to our anchorage in Tokyo Bay.
   A destroyer’s work is never finished, and the Nicholas was soon assigned to a group of ships evacuating prisoners of war along the coast of Japan. This was interesting work and provided us with the opportunity to hear first hand some of the stories of the heroes of Bataan, Corregidor, and Wake Island. The evacuees were transferred to other ships where they were cared for until such time as transportation home could be arranged.
   The next few weeks were days of leisure and the Nicholas rocked at anchor in Tokyo Bay waiting patiently for orders which might possibly send us home. Liberty parties were sent ashore at Yokohama, the Yokosuka naval base, and finally into Tokyo. The trip to the heart of the Japanese empire was interesting, although the city was wrecked by fire bombing of the B-29s and thousands of carrier aircraft. Tokyo itself, with its winding streets, canals, low buildings, and shuffling hordes of queer costumed Asiatics seemed in most other respects like a large American city. Streetcars, subways, and busses were all running. Subway and streetcar rushes were as much of an ordeal as in New York and Chicago, although here at least an average American had the advantage of having his head in the “fresher” air above the mob. The people were friendly and had high regard for American cigarettes and chewing gum. Good souvenirs were scarce but most of us managed to pick up a few trinkets to serve as mementos. Probably the nicest part of Tokyo was the park surrounding the imperial palace. A silent muddy moat and high brick walls some 300 years old wound around the grounds. Except for this feudal carry-over, its appearance was remarkably similar to many large American city parks.
   At the end of September those long awaited orders finally arrived. Early in October, the Nicholas hoisted her homeward bound pennant and steamed out of Tokyo Bay with a group of carriers, cruisers, and destroyers. After picking up passengers at Okinawa, our group headed for Seattle via the northern route. October 19 was a great day. We had finally arrived in the United States.