Ernest L. Secrest

“ All the islands that we had been on were not far from the equator and the weather was hot and very humid in the day, but it did cool off at night, particularly on the islands that were mountainous. The island of Asor was only about ten feet above sea level and it was the hottest one yet. We wore wide brim safari type hats to protect our faces from the sun. When working on the beach (unloading barges) the thermometer would reach up to 120 degrees F. At this temperature the reflection of the sun from the beach sand and the water would blistered our faces. ”

“ He and his natives were moved to Fassarai, a near-by island, as we needed this group of islands, along with the well protected harbor for a Naval Supply Base. The Chief, paralyzed from his waist down, was carried around in a wheelbarrow by the natives.
These islands and the coral reef connecting them formed a circle of about 15 miles in diameter. There were only two places deep enough for ship passage into the harbor. Those were kept closed by nets (under water) when not being used. At low tide one could almost walk from one island to another. ”

“ There was no place to go and nothing to do there, so life became rather monotonous. I kept myself busy by carving out a checkerboard with my pocket knife and making a footlocker, both of which I brought home. ”