While in the Yard at Norfolk, the Teak Wood decking on the Dickman was removed. Those beautiful decks were part of her, when she was a Luxury Liner but all were ripped up, leaving exposed steel decks. It was feared if the ship took a hit, the splintering of the Teak, would result in more casualties than the steel.

After leaving Norfolk we proceeded to the Chesapeake, where we participated in Drills and maneuvers. We would just about fall asleep, when the General Quarters would sound. and needed to find our way to our assigned stations, in the dark. Had to report to the Starboard side davits, get in our LCVP and prepare to be lowered into the water. After were in the water, would run to our assigned area, all in the dark. Needed to learn to identify the ships in our fleet. by their silhouette. Spent a lot of time in the boats, most of the time loaded with troops. We learned to handle our boats in all situations, running up onto a beach, then backing off and to maneuver while loading or unloading cargo. Found that operating a flat bottomed boat,  was a bit different than one with a keel. On one occasion we were retuning to our ship, while the Carrier Intrepid was out on a shakedown cruise and her four engines were running Full-Bore. We got in her wake and felt like our boat was going to hit the bottom of the Chesapeake.

On May 10, 1943, we left and headed to Europe, via the North Atlantic, where we ran into stormy weather. We were loaded with troops and  running in convoy.  Seas were breaking over the bow and as I watched the Destroyers, that were our escort , looked like they were under water more than on top. One night I had the midnight watch and had to report to the No.1, 40 MM gun, which was in the bow.of the ship. Seas were breaking over the bow and crashing over the Gun Shield, which we were holding on to.  Could not see two feet in any direction and all we did was hold on. I called Fire Control and asked to secure No, 1 Gun because was afraid we were going to get washed over the side. In a bit, was called and had permission to secure the gun, so we went below. In the morning, I went topside to check and saw the Gun Shield, which was made of 3/8 inch steel, was flat to the deck.

We debarked the troops at Mers El Kebir in N.Africa, then returned to England to prepare for my First Landing. We took on troops and I found they were the famous Ranger Battalion under Col. William O. Darby. They were quite a group, up every morning before breakfast doing Callisthenics. We hauled them on maneuvers and during one exercise, noted something I had never seen. After we hit the beach and dropped the ramp, the group of Rangers charged out on to the beach. In front of them was barbed wire, so the first Ranger ran and laid on the wire, making a bridge while the others ran over his back. I was impressed!!

The maneuvers and training continued into July . I then learned the landing was to be made at Gela in Sicily. The Intelligence people came aboard and briefed us on the operation. We learned we would land on the beach at Gela . There was a long pier in the center of the beach and we would land the Rangers on the left,  while a group of British Commando’s would be landed on the right. There was a gun emplacement on the end of the pier and one of our barges was assigned to haul a group,  to  take care of that. We were also told that there was a sand bar close to the beach front and to be sure and not drop the ramp, till we crossed that bar. At 0045 on July 10, we began lowering boats and completed at 0125. Twenty four boats were preloaded at the davits, while all others received troops via the debarkation nets. All boats ran in circles at assigned areas, till all boats were in the water, then we headed towards the beach, led by a Patrol Boat. Had 10 miles to run. At 0500 we were 1000 yards off the beach and when we got the signal from the patrol boat, it was full bore to the beach. As we passed the end of the pier,  was no fire coming from it, so the guys did their job but there was lots of fire coming from those buildings along the beach ,along with search lights playing up and down. As I proceeded in towards the beach, I felt the boat slow down , then lumber over the bar into deep water. We hit the beach and dropped the ramp, then the Rangers charged on to the beach. As soon as the last one was out, I signaled to Lynch to wind the ramp and at the same time backed down. Being a bit shaken, I forgot about that sand bar and jammed the rudder, so could not steer. There were two of my crew,  in the Gun Wells, so I called for them to Open Up the Emergency Tiller Cap and for the Motor Mac to get the tiller. Those in the Gun Wells thought I said, Open Up on those guns firing from the buildings and began firing the 30 Cal Guns. Took a few minutes to stop the firing and get the tiller installed and we finally got off the beach.  Had a few bullet holes in the boat but no one was hit. .

When got back to the ship was taken aboard and got the steering repaired , then went back in the water. I took on a load of bombs and headed back to the beach, then waited to get unloaded. While waiting I looked up and saw several boats coming in and sitting on the bow of one, was none other than General George Patton, had three stars on his helmet and a pearl handled revolver at his side. Several cameramen jumped into the water and headed to the beach to set up cameras, then cranked away as the General walked to the beach. As he stood with a pair of very large binoculars, looking out over the sea, a German Stuka Dive Bomber arrived, bombing the beach. I dove to the bottom of the boat , not thinking of the load of bombs we had , till the Stuka passed. I then looked  to see where the General went and don’t think he had moved more than two feet from where I last saw him. Guess he must have been quite a guy.

While on our way back to the ship, heard an awful explosion and saw flames and smoke heading skyward. It was the SS Robert  Rowan, a munitions ship that was anchored  near the Dickman. that took a hit from a bomber. The Dickman weighed anchor to clear the Rowan, that  was 1000 yards off the stern when she blew. Boats from our ship had removed it’s crew.

After a successful operation, we returned to England