SaltShaker Tidbits "Four"
USS Salt Lake City CA25 Memorabilia
Sunday Supplement of the "Saltshaker"

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"Boogie Pilot"
He's a boogie woogie pilot
of the Jap Air Corps,
He comes in the night from
his base on the shore.
He keeps us alert so we
cannot sleep,
And this goes on throughout the week.

Yea, he comes in fast from
out of the skies,
As he tries to take us by
surprise.
But we're not fools, our guns
cut loose,
We've got him in the water
and we cooked his goose.

You've gotta admit that
he's on the beam,
But he ain't as tough
as he'd like to seem.
The way he flies he makes
a good show,
But he comes too close and
so he ain't no mo'.

He's a boogie woogie pilot of
the Jap Air Force,
he's a fast little number but
he's on the wrong course.
He's a mean tough fellow but
what are we? - Yeow!
WE'RE THE HARD-HITTING FIGHTERS
OF THE S.L.C.!


Nov. 28th, 1943
Written during the attack by
W. D. "Woody" Woodruff, Pfc, USMC and T. Terek, Pfc, USMC
to be sung on occasion
Index of Articles

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"HUSH HUSH"

Nov. 28th, 1943

1. In your letters you cannot say you have been in or near Sicily, in the Mediterranean, in Africa, in the Atlantic or Pacific, or simply "roaming" around.
2. You cannot say you were in action. In other words you cannot write home to say you took Sicily or Kiska single-handed or even in good company.
3. You cannot mention the weather, any naval or military operations, ship movements or the movements of troops or air forces.
4. You cannot send any foreign picture postcards, filthy or clean, indicating by picture of caption where you have been - and so it goes far into the night.

But....there are things a sailor can say - Oh this ray of hope in the thickening darkness!!

1. You can say who you are. You can say you were born, if you don't say where or why. You can list the people present at the time, like your mother, etc., if you can remember.
2. You can say that you are well.
3. You can ask if your mother and father are well and still married to each other. You can ask if your children have cut their teeth on each other's throats or whether they are smearing wet, soggy zwieback all over the house; are they off their formula.
4. You can mention John L. Lewis, Wendell Willkie and Mrs. Roosevelt.
5. You can tell your wife, mother, and sweetheart - one or all - that you have been here and there.
6. You can say you are growing fat or thin.
7. You can ask if the old gray cat has had kittens.
8. You can mention the fact that you would not mind seeing a girl.
9. You can write your bank and find out how much you are overdrawn.
10. You can write the Treasury Department for Income Tax forms.
11. You can send kisses if you know how to spell the word and don't use XXXX.
12. You can say hail and farewell without fear of court-martial.

In fact, wasn't it foolish, wasting all that time learning to write?

(The Brooklyn Baron-Foreign Correspondent)

Index of Articles

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Executive Officer

All our recent transferring of men and detaching of officers finally worked itself to a climax. During the past week our Executive Officer, ball-red-02 Deceased Worthington S. Bitler left us to report to the Twelfth naval District for further orders. Commander Bitler served the early part of the war aboard the USS PENSACOLA and came to the SLC thirteen months ago. An untiring and efficient officer, Commander Bitler devoted himself to the endless tasks and details of his office. The welfare of his men and the reputation of his ship were his scrupulous concern and pride. It was to our honor and benefit to have had an officer of his integrity and stature aboard. And it was with a heavy heart that he lowered himself over the side of the SLC. And it was with him there go our respect and appreciation for his services aboard and our confidence that his abilities will soon grace a higher position.

The choice of a successor was a natural. That the Bureau should see eye to eye with every officer and man and should raise ball-red-02 Deceased Commander James T. Brewer, our Gunnery Officer, to the executive position, met with universal acclaim. Commander Brewer has been aboard this ship thirty four months and certainly has an understanding of her life, her moods and problems. He wouldn't want us to say more - nor is there need to. Yet no man has assumed this office amid the satisfaction that his appointment has created.

Commander Bitler sent this message back: To Captain, Officers and crew: Good luck; au revoir and God bless you.

Index of Articles

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"Another Star"
U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY
December 12th, 1943
Captain's Memorandum No. 3


Subject: Acknowledgement of Receipt of National War Fund Donation publication of.

1. The following letter acknowledging receipt of the national War Fund Donation of this vessel is hereby quoted for the information of all hands:

From: The Commandant, Fourteenth naval District.
To: The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY

Subject: National War Fund Donation, Acknowledgement of:

Reference: (a) Your ltr. CA25/L22-2 Serial 621, dated 3 Nov. 1943

Enclosure: (A) Receipt for donation.
1. Enclosed herewith is a receipt for the generous donation made to the National War Fund by the officers and men of the U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY.

2. This contribution of three thousand one hundred eighty-one dollars ($3,181.00) is the LARGEST THAT HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM ANY SHIP, and the Commandant desires to extend his sincere congratulations and appreciation.

M. C. Robertson, Chief of Staff

ball-red-02 Deceased L. W. Busbey, Jr., Captain, U.S. Navy, Commanding

Index of Articles

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Dec. 19th, 1943 Issue

Once more we record the detaching of another officer. ball-red-02 Deceased Major Robert D. Taplett, commanding officer of the Marine Detachment aboard, left us this week to report to the Fleet Amphibious Force, San Diego. The Major had served the Salt lake City well and faithfully for twenty nine and a half months and our good wishes go with him.

By the same token we welcome aboard two new officers. Second Lieut., Roger West, USNCR, and Ensign John F. Doyle caught up with us the past week and we trust they find a pleasant and interesting home aboard the SALT LAKE CITY.

Life has become just a jaunt from one scuttle to the next. No harm done for everyone had a free opportunity to perspire freely. The work detail bringing stores aboard were at it all day Sunday and up till 0430 Monday morning. And not long afterwards hands turned to the ammunition. No rest or recreation there.

There was encouragement Monday morning in the form of steaks and eggs for breakfast. And from then on the chow has been really tops, in both quality and quantity. Of course as some one says "the padre comes through the chow line only when we have chicken, turkey, steak, caviar and pate de foies gras." Yet he did see frankfurters as big as inflated life belts. Just the old story: if we can get it, it's yours. And we try to get it for it is worthwhile to hear such comments as "Boy, with meals like this, I'd be willing to stay out here for the duration." This is merely a prediction: - but wait until you eat the Christmas Dinner!!

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cartoon-06
Artist Unknown

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