GEARINGER-ALBERT

Navy Log - Service Memories

Albert Henry “Al” Gearinger, Jr. USNR 02/1944 – 05/1946

The overall arching plan for these Service Memories was to cover Al Gearinger’s journey in the U.S. Navy from the time he departed his home in Easton, PA on February 23, 1944 and his release from active duty on May 19, 1946 at the U.S. Naval Personnel Separation, Bainbridge, MD.

A summary of the timeline including his physical locations and events during his military career follows:     

• February 23, 1944 departed his hometown, Easton, PA, and was inducted (enlisted) in the U.S. Navy at the Armed Forces Induction Center, Allentown, PA, one day before his 18^th birthday.
• February 24, 1944 started his Recruit Training (Boot Camp) at the United States Naval Training Station (USNTS) in Sampson, NY.
• March 29, 1944 completed Recruit Training, took his post-Recruit Training leave.
• April 7, 1944 reported to the Naval Training Station at Newport, RI
• May 24, 1944 reported aboard the USS Olympus (AGC-8) in Boston, MA as part of the ship’s original crew (Plank Owner).  The USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8) was commissioned this date.
• July 1944, USS Olympus (AGC-8) departed the east coast bound for the Pacific Theatre of War.
• July 23, 1944, USS Olympus (AGC-8) arrived in Hawaii via the Panama Canal.
• August 29, 1944, USS Olympus (AGC-8) underway from Hawaii to the South Pacific.
• August 1, 1944, Al's rating changed from Seaman 2^nd Class (S2c) to Seaman 1^st Class (S1c).
• September 20, 1944, USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8) crossed the International Date Line this date at 0800.
• September 30, 1944, USS Olympus (AGC-8) crosses the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, Shellback initiation takes place.  Initiated into the Mysteries of the Deep and qualified as a Shellback upon crossing the Equator at Latitude 000°00’00”, Longitude 152-53 East.
• October 20, 1944, USS Olympus (AGC-8) arrived in the Leyte Gulf (Philippine Islands) serving as the afloat headquarters for the invasion force.  The landing force was subjected to constant air attacks.
• October 26, 1944, USS Olympus (AGC-8) flagship departed Leyte Gulf for Hollandia, New Guinea, via Peleliu, in preparation for the next assault.
• October-December 1944, USS Olympus (AGC-8) part of the invasion rehearsals in Huon Gulf, New Guinea.
• December 16, 1944, rating change from Seaman 1^st Class (S1c) to Shipfitter 3^rd Class (SF3c).
• December 31, 1944, USS Olympus (AGC-8) departed Manus Island, Admiralties, for the assault on Lingayen Gulf.
• January 9, 1945, USS Olympus (AGC-8) participated in the assault at Lingayen Gulf.
• January 13, 1945, the USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8) was steaming in a convoy off San Fabian Luzon in the Philippine Islands.  A single Japanese kamikaze aircraft attacked the convoy missing the amphibious command ship USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8) and striking the USS Zeilin (APA-3) while withdrawing from the invasion area. 
• January 18 1945, the USS Olympus (AGC-8) entered Leyte Gulf with the USS Kyne (DE-744), USS Appalachian (AGC-1), USS Charles J. Badger (DD-657) and USS Wickes (DD-578).  At 0940 the ships joined formation and were assigned stations.  The unit steamed various courses and speeds in Leyte Gulf awaiting permission of operational control authority to proceed in accordance with orders.
• February 11, 1945, USS Olympus (AGC-8) arrived in San Francisco for overhaul.
• April 22, 1945, USS Olympus (AGC-8) departed San Francisco after overhaul and headed for Hawaii and Guam.
• July 6, 1945, USS Olympus (AGC-8) arrived at Guam from Hawaii.
• USS Olympus (AGC-8) sailed on from Guam for Manila, colliding en route with oiler USS Millicoma (AO-73).  The ship was escorted to San Pedro Bay, Leyte, for repairs by the USS Ajax (AR-6), and then continued to Manila. 
• August 3, 1945, USS Olympus (AGC-8) arrived at Manila.
• September 2, 1945, USS Olympus (AGC-8) arrived in Tokyo Bay with the 1^st Calvary Division on board for Yokohama. 
• On this day, representatives of Japan signed the terms of surrender aboard the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay.  General of the Army Douglas MacArthur signs for the Allied Powers, and Fleet Adm. C. W. Nimitz signs for the United States. 
• USS Olympus (AGC-8) spent the next 8 months moving occupation troops from the Philippines and other bases to ports in Japan and China.
• January 14, 1946, USS Olympus (AGC-8) is anchored in the Wongpoo River, Shanghai, China.
• April 3, 1946, USS Tomich (DE-242) is located in Shanghai, China and gets word that they will depart and the ship will stop in San Pedro, then go through the Panama Canal to the East Coast.
• April 9, 1946 Al reports aboard the USS Tomich (DE-242) as a passenger bound for the United States of America and  discharge from the U.S. Navy.
• USS Tomich (DE-242) arrived at Pearl Harbor.  She then proceeded via the west coast to the Panama Canal.
• May 15, 1946, Al arrives in Charleston, SC on board the USS Tomich (DE-242).
• May 19, 1946, Al Gearinger is released from active duty with the U.S. Naval Reserve at the USN Personnel Separation Center, Bainbridge, MD and returned to civilian life in Easton, PA.