The above picture was taken in Hawaii about 1944. See complete picture Here

I went to Boot Camp in San Diego, CA. and about Sept. 1943 I went aboard the USS Salt Lake City for transportation to Hawaii.

My buddy & shipmate, John E. Holm and I boarded the ship at the same time. We looked up to the bridge and saw the record showing the Japanese flags of downed ships and planes....and of course, at that time we decided that this is the ship we wish to spend the rest of the war on. We volunteered for and received duty on the SLC. A duty that we have been proud of all of our lives.

I was in the 9th Division [#21]. John Holm was assigned to an 8" Gun Turret on the aft of the ship. I was assigned to mounts 5 and 6, 40mm mounts, on the fantail. John liked nothing better than to train those 8" guns over the fantail and blast away. Of course, the 9th Division had to seek cover to avoid the blast. H. C. Tullos and
Elmer Breeze were the two 1st Class Gunners Mates in the 9th Division at that time.

We had a lot of fun aboard the Salt Lake. I'll never forget those days.

Thank you for the wonderful job of taking care of the communications between shipmates and the SLC Association.

John R. Goins

Information from SLC Microfilm Records
John R. Goins S2c 846 78 79 USNR
Enlisted into the Navy at Shreveport, LA 7/19/43
Boarded the SLC from receiving station Pleasonton, CA 10/14/43
Promoted to S1c 2/1/44
Promoted to GM2c 10/1/44

Note from Sandy
If you wish to write to John, please send for his new [as of 9-21-02] mailing address.