Lot 272A
U.S. NAVY PACIFIC WAR ARCHIVE OF NAVY CHIEF ENGINEER NORMAN R. JOHNSON
Excellent, extensive grouping related to the far-reaching World War II service of U.S. Navy sailor Norman R. Johnson, who served throughout the war in the Pacific aboard the USS DETROIT, PLUNGER, PIGEON, POMPANO, WHITLEY, BROOKS, ALCHIBA, WANDANK, HENDERSON, OTUS, SNAPPER, HOLLAND, and DAVIS. Career sailor Johnson, a chief engineer, took part in the desperate defense of Bataan during the collapse of the Philippines, and was an active participant at Iwo Jima, landing and evacuating Marines during the invasion. Included in this historic grouping is Johnson''s hand-written two-year diary in a 12mo. notebook detailing Johnson''s service, 1940-42. The diary is mostly a daily log of the ship''s position and any notable events. The first historic event to be recorded comes on Dec. 7, 1941, with Johnson''s ship, the minesweeper USS PIGEON, anchored at the Cavite Naval Yard in the Philippines. That date bears the entry: "war declared by the Nippers", with the American declaration of war duly noted the day after. On the 10th, Johnson notes that the naval yard is "bombed out", with the ship relocating to Manila Bay. On December 21, the ship relocates again, this time to the vicinity of Corregidor. All the while, Johnson records daily air raids, with as many as eight taking place each day. On Jan. 15, Johnson makes the following tongue-in-cheek entry: "Contemplated Cable to States - Dear Uncle [Sam], Please send us another plane, the one we have is almost worn out". From January to March of 1942, the PIGEON was heavily involved in the defense of Bataan, as one of the few ships available to the forces stationed there. She salvaged fuel from sunken ships, stole Japanese mines and ammunition, refueled submarines and gunboats operating covertly in the area and shot down at least four Japanese aircraft. On April 1, Johnson notes: "...Night and day bombing of Corregador & Marevelis [sic]". The entry for the 5th reads: "We are supposed to give up or else tonite", while the ninth reads: "The Army on Batan [sic] is cracking - Situation is in doubt - shelled from Cab", reflecting the increasingly desperate situation faced by the defenders. On the 10th, Johnson is evacuated to Australia aboard the submarine USS SNAPPER; Bataan had fallen to the Japanese the day before, leaving only the defenders of Corregidor to hold out until May 6. The PIGEON would be sunk two days prior, on the 4th. WITH: another diary, executed in an 8vo. notebook, detailing Johnson''s service aboard the attack cargo ship USS WHITLEY from September 1944 to the end of the war in August, 1945. The diary opens with the commissioning of the WHITLEY at Oakland on Sep. 21, 1944, and mostly consists of records of the ship''s daily location. Certain important events, however, are treated with much greater narrative detail. Most notably, Johnson notes the arrival of his ship at Saipan on Feb. 12, 1945, where he and his crewmates are occupied with "rehearsal" and waiting. The entry for the 16th reveals what they are rehearsing for: "Underway for Iwo Jima". On the page opposite, Johnson executes a sketch of the island as viewed from the east, labeling the air strip, the landing beach, and Mt. Suribachi as "Hot Rock". On the 19th, the invasion of the island is launched: "0900 Troops landed on beach at Iwo Jima - Tough - Mortar fire". During the invasion, the WHITLEY landed elements of the 5th Marine Division, remaining in the vicinity of the island for eight days. On the 21st, Johnson notes that the ship embarks battle casualties; air raids are noted from that date to the 24th. On the 23rd, Johnson notes: "Flag raised on Hot Rock", marking the iconic raising of the flag by Marines over Mt. Suribachi. Following the battle, the ship continues to travel around the theater, making calls at Guadalcanal, Tulagi, San Francisco, Saipan, and Pearl Harbor, among others. Johnson notes that he marries his wife, Billie, at Aberdeen, Washington on May 26. The next major event is recorded beginning Aug. 12, with the brief entry: "V-J?" The 13th and the 14th bear the entries: "Japan Will Surrender" and "Japan Surrenders", while the 15th bears a longer note: "The war is over - submitted request for discharge as per AlNav. #196 - 59 points". The last entries are made for the4 16th and 17th: "Packed Up" and "Transferred". At the bottom of the page, Johnson writes, no doubt very happily: "The End". While brief, the entries made in these diaries provide an evocative and personal view of some of the most historic and celebrated moments of the war. WITH: Johnson''s photo album, recording his service aboard the CLEMSON-class destroyer USS BROOKS, containing approx. 165 photos mostly dated 1938 through 1939, with some slightly earlier images included. The album is bound in brown leather, and bears the name and image of the ship, Johnson''s name, and a large variety of ports visited during the ship''s cruise, including Tsingtao, New York, Bremerton, Seattle, Hong Kong, Long Beach, Juneau, and Honolulu. The album feature many image of the BROOKS, including many views of her being repainted and overhauled, likely at Pearl Harbor, as well as several views of other Navy ships, including aircraft carriers and submarines. The album also includes many images of Johnson''s fellow sailors, in dress and undress whites, with Hawaiian girls during shore leave, and participating in festivities celebrating the ship''s crossing of the equator. Bound into the album is a blank "shellback" certificate, to be completed at the owner''s aforementioned first equatorial crossing, as well as two certificates attesting to Johnson''s completion of training necessary to become a Seaman First Class and a Fireman First Class, respectively dated 1937 and 1939. Also tucked into the album is a typed document, 1p. 4to., Galveston, Jan. 3, 1940, announcing that Johnson is to be court-martialed for being absent from duty aboard the destroyer USS DAVIS for two hours and twenty minutes. The BROOKS was heavily damaged by a kamikaze at Luzon on Jan. 6, 1945, resulting in her scrapping. Also included in the lot are: a silk 15'' x 12'' escape map showing the Solomons on both sides; Johnson''s dog tag, two ribbon bars, and American Defense medal; 1939 diary with very brief entries but mention of convoy duty; 1943 diary aboard USS HOLLAND and USS ALCHIBA, content nil; scrapbook containing three pieces 1938 Hawaii military ephemera; two menus from the USS BROOKS (nearly sunk by a kamikaze); four passes to leave his various vessels; three training certificates; honorable discharge from the USS DAVIS; hat tally from the USS WANDANK; official copies of the two Presidential unit citations given to the USS PIGEON; his marriage certificate; and his final Navy honorable discharge, listing some, but not all of the many ships he served aboard. An excellent grouping detailing a long and varied service at the heart of some of the most momentous engagements of the pacific theater.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 14 - 21 days for shipments to arrive after receipt of payment due to the high volume of package being shipped.
Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $99 | $10 |
| $100 | $499 | $20 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 + | $10,000 |