10-22-16
Readers of my book will recognize the Commanding Officer of the USS Boston Marine Detachment, Norm Bayley. Norm joined the ship late in the War. For a refresher on Norm’s story, check out Vol 3 of Baked Beans.
Norm was a student at Santa Clara University, when his pal, Will McDonough talked him into signing up for the Marine Corps Reserves. Norm was asked several times where he wanted to serve, always answering “Air Corps.” After his training in Camp Pendleton, he found himself aboard a cruiser, bound for the invasion of Guadalcanal. He endured all the horrors that unfolded on that island. Once there, he learned that his pal McDonough (who was actually in the Air Corps), was one of the pilots on Guadalcanal. Japanese ships bombarded the island every night, and one night the saw the distant airfield go up in a massive fireball. He lost his best friend in that attack.
Norm contracted malaria. His condition was so bad they shipped him off to New Zealand, from whence his body would be shipped back to the States. Miraculously, he did not die in New Zealand, and eventually found himself in an experimental malaria treatment facility in Klamath Falls, Oregon. All the while the Boston was engaged in the many battles of the War in the Central Pacific, Norm fought off bout after debilitating bout of deadly malaria.
Finally deemed “fit for duty,” Norm was assigned to the Boston, replacing the CO of the Marine Detachment. In July of 1945, Norm flew to Pearl Harbor, then to Kawajalein where he boarded one of the Service Ships of TF 30, steaming east to join up with Task Force 58 in their final push against the Home Islands of Japan. (For Norm’s remarkable stories, take a few minutes to re-read about Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the Surrender of the Kamikaze Training Base at Katsuura in Baked Beans Vol 3). Norm played significant roles in the Occupation of Japan, including setting up a major Marine Base Camp at Kure. {Someday, I hope to add a Vol. 4 to Baked Beans — focusing just on Occupation Duty.}
Norm Bayley turned 99 last week.
steve