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Please take the time to look at the following pages. These men all fought in World War II, and were truly heroes. We should never forget them and why they were fighting.

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My father
Letters from the front 		Preston Rhines
Steve's grandfather
Waiting for Steve 		Charles Philip Woodson
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Very short biography Credits Selected log entries from the Whiteside Japan surrenders
Final entry for the Whiteside Ranks held Vessles on which he served



Charles Philip Woodson

Charles Woodson, my step-father, was born April 24, 1898. He was orphaned at two years old and placed in the Palmer Orphanage, where he stayed until his brothers were able to take him, in 1905. He always worked hard at school and odd jobs. His brother Bill was determined that if Charles wanted an education, he was going to get it. Charles was grateful to his dying day. As a result of Bill's encouragement, he was admitted to the Naval Academy as a Midshipman on July 17, 1917. and graduated in 1920 with at B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering .

He, was there at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, serving on the USS Whitney, as Repair Officer, Aft. Control. on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pear Harbor in a sneak attack. The next day, December 8, 1941, President Roosevelt gave a speach. The first line of the speach was, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." He ended his speach saying "I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."
The Whitney came through unscathed Our men were slow to respond because The Ready To Go Lockers (containers that held the armament necessary for battle) had been moved below decks because they were afraid of sabotage, and had to be retrived. This took time and cost lives and ships. However by the time Japan made it's second raid we were better prepared.

He was there On June 7, 1944, D-day, the Allies launched a very successful attack at Normandy, code named "Overlord" and Dad's ship was stationed there. I don't know what ship he was on but as far as I know, There were no casualities . So it seems that both my dads were involved in D-day.

In behalf of the Ship's Company the Commanding Officer thanks the following for their voluntary and unstinted efforts in producing this historical record of the U.S.S. WHITSIDE, for the pleasure and entertainment of their shipmates:
Ensign Mark O. HATFIELD
Ensign Kenneth E. LIKES
George BERMAN RTlc
Sam D. RUSSELL,, Y2c
James M. WEBSTER, Y3c
Signed by C.P. Woodson
Commander, USN
Commanding

Selected Log Entries for the Whitside
There are just too many for me to include them all. MWL

November 18, 1944 Left Sanfrancisco enroute to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
    All hands lined the rail for the proverbial last look at the Golden Gate Bridge which, through the courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce, towered above us in all its glory. A day of two later with our first touch of rough water all hands again line the rail---this time to deposit their fist offering to "Father Neptune
November 24, 1944, arrived Pearl Harbor, Hawaiian Island, at 1540, and disscharged our cargo.
    The Jap sneak attack on Peaarl Harbir too place December 7, 1941 and most of the damage had been repaired when this second attack by the WHITESIDE crew, almost three years later, ccut the wide swathe through shore patrol, bars, Waikiki Beach. Activity on all sides: ships being repaired, refitted, unloaded, reloaded, docked and anchored.
December 6, 1944, to January 18, 1945, engaged in training operations of Maui Island and surrounding waters.
    The weather here during training operations proved worse than any actual invasions later and made them seem easy by comparison. Boats bounced and bumped as they were jerked out of the swells on swinging hooks and were dangled high over head on the ship's booms. Crews put in long hours in ship-to-shore movements ---and in general found the training rough. Not much left of our boats at the finish.
December 13, 1944, during training period at Maui the WHITESIDE was rammed by the U.S.S. BAYFIEELD (APA-33)
    This was the first time we realized that going to sea had it's dangerous side. It was Friday the 13th and dusk had fallen when the two ships got their zigs and zags mixed with a resulting collision. After the first shock, it was seen that damage was not extensive and, with the aid of temporary patching, we limped back to Pearl Harbor where we entered dry dock for repairs.
December 25, 1944, Christmas Day.
    Holiday routine observed aboard the WHITSIDE, with the Chiefs providing a Santa Claus and treats for the crew. Both this holiday and New Years Day were spent in dridock.
January 27. 1045, departed Honolulu with Transport Squadren 16, combat loaded with cargo aand troops enroute to Eniweetck, Marshall Islands.
    At last we were sailing out on the broad reaaches of the Pacific, and as Pearl Harbor, our last link with the United States, slipped into the sea behind us, we realized for the first time what lay ahead
January 31, 1945, ccrossed International Date Line.
    We became members of the Order of the Golden Dragon. Beat the Navy out of a day's pay but there will be a reckoning when we head East again.
February 19, 1945, arrived Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, Nanpo Shoto, at 0600.
    All through the early morning as we steamed toward Iwo we could see the flashes of gun fine, and coming in nearer, hear the rumble of the big guns from another Fifth Fleet task force which ringed the island. As dawn broke, Mt. Suribachi came into vieew and then the detail of the terrain could be made out---a jumble of volcanic ash, rocks, and stunted bushes.. No sign of life was visible although there was answering fire from concealed guns. It didn't seem possible that anything could be left alive in the face of the terrific bombardment. Our boat crews, with words of good luck, left the shiip to hit in the assault waves.. H-hour waas 0900, and the leathernecks were put ashore in force. At night we retired with the rest of the transports to an outer area protected by a circle of warships, and on one of these occasions, saw a Jap plane find it's mark on our aircraft carrier, the BISMARK SEA. It took us two weeks to unload our cargo. We departed March 5th en-route to Guam, Marianas, carrying 188 ccasualties and leaving some of our best crew behind.
March 13, 1945, Crossed Eequator at 0936, Longitude 148 degrees 52' East.
    The festivities started a day or two ahead when the Pollywogs, who greaatly outnumbered the Shellbacks,staaged a series of raids which resulted in a clipping and shellacking of the old hands. Father Neptune came aboard on March 12th to welcome us into his domain with due and proper cerreemonies. The Lowly Pollywags had their traditional trial and were then put through the mill---completewith haircut, war paint, water taank, and garbage tube. Good clean fun with the greatest damage being to some people's dignity. No casualties.
April 26, 1945, arrived at Ulithi, Caroline Islands.
    Our most vivid memory of Ulithi will be Mog Mog beach, the "Sailor's Parqdise of the South Seas." Here amidst the beautiful setting of sand, babed wire, broken down cocoanut trees and 10,000 other sailors, we could sit and relax with our three cans of beer. Beer, the recognized medium of exchange in the Pacific, were the stakes when our squadron went out for anti-airdraft practice. We shot dwn more than our share of sleeves but due to the factthat the rules of the game were changed hallf way through, we still ended up with a loss of about a dozen casees of the precious stuff. Departed Ulithi May 7th independentlly.
May 14, 1945, arrived Guadacanal, Solomon Islands.
    Guadacanal had gone USA, and if a Marine from the original force that captured it from the Japs could see it again, he would hardly have recognized it. Paved roads, electric lights, and even white women (first we had seen since leaving Pearll Harbor) were only a few of the improvements to the jungle landscape. Our first sight of the peroxide-blondde natives was a gruesom spectacle, but they didn't look so bad after we saw some of the Red Cross women. We picked up our first "milk run" load and headed on M20th independently for Finschhhafen, Neew Guinea via Munda, Neew Georgia Island (anchored on night, May 21, at Sasvelle Anchorage.)
June 27, 1945, arrived at Cebu City, Cebu Island, P.I.
    Started our first month of training with the Army for future amphib operations against Japan proper. No sooner had we dropped anchor in the harbor than we ourselves were subjected to an amphibious attack by a fleet of native BUM boats. The lowly skivvy shirt suddenly became a most valuable article of trade. Here to, "Pom Pom" was added to the American vocabulary. Liberty in Cebu City will long be remembered for the bombed buildings; hordes of naked kids shouting "Hi Joe" to us and begging for cigarettes; Silver Star Whisky (?); and Mother of Pearl jewelry. Ended our training and departed Cobu with the U.S.S. LUBBOCK en route to GUIUAN, SAMAR Island, P.I. July 22nd.
August 7, 1945, arrived LUCENA, LUZON Island, P.I.. Rejoined Transport Division 48.
    It was during this week of training that the atomic bomb, Russia's entry into the war, and Japan's first indication that she had had enough were climaxed by her acceptance of surrender terms at 0800 on"AUGUST 15, 1945." Departed LUCENA August 16th independently enroute to Subic Bay.
August 20, 1945, arrived at Batangas, Luzon Island, P.I.
    Troops of the famous First Cavalry Division who were the first to enter Manila Bay making a total of 31 transports escorted by a half dozen "cans" and the escort carrier, U.S.S. ANZIO. We were back 150 miles miles north of Manila that night when we rcceived word that the entire occupation had been to the presence of a severe typhoon in our path that the entire occupaatioon had been set back 48 hours we again headed for Japan with our Squadron. We had perfect weather all the way and, except few floating mines and a man overboard who was rescued, the trip was without incident.
September 2, 1945, arrived Tokyo Bay, and caught our first glimpse of the strangely peaceful coast of Japan.
    We formed single file to enter Tokyo Bay, and it was an impressive sight to see the 31 ships of our column, which stretched for more than 12 miles.. Snaking it's way through the safe channel. At 0910 we steamed past the battleshiip U.S.S. MISSOURI, Aboard which the surrender document was signed aat 0919.
September 2, 1945, came alongside dock 10, yokohama, at 1318.
    The 1st Cavalry landed amidst the strains of "The Old Gray Mare" played by a band on the dock. Just before we headed through the breakwater guarding the entrance to Yokohama harbor, we were boarded by a Jap pilot, Myahara Yahara, who took us along side the dock. We were also assisted by a Jap tug, and it seemed strange receiving all this help from our recent enemies who seemed only too eager to cooperate. A great big sign high on a burned out building read, "THREE CHEERS U,S, NAVY AND ARMY" and another one "COUEE AUSSIES." The entire waterfront which had been a highly industrialized section was now a deserted mass of blasted buildings, twisted girders, unfinished and sunken ships. Alongside one dock, a partially submerged aircraft carrier's flight dec k tilted at a crazy angle toward the sky. American hospital ships were busy evacuating allied prisoners of war while boat loads of troops could be seen landing, forming squads, and swinging off in various directioons. Unloading proceeeded in good time, and by 1000 the next morning we were finished. Despite the fact no Navy personnel were allowed ashore, some souvenirs managed to find their way aboard ship. Our holds empty, we left the pier and proceeded out to anchor in the outer harbor to await the rest of our squadron's unloading. We lay in the harbor overnight and had the unique experience of showing movies topside in the heart of Tokyo Bay. We departed at 1400 on September 4th with our squadron and as we sailed out of the harbor Mt. Fujiyama came out from behind the clouds where she had beeen hiding and gave us a memorable farewell from the Land of the Mikado.
September 11, 1945, arrived Leyte just one year from the day we were commissioned. Total mileage to date: approximately 335,000.



He held the following ranks:
  • Midshipman
  • Ensign,
  • Lieutenant J.G
  • Lieutenant
  • Lt. Commander
  • Commander
  • Captain.

He served on the following vessels:
  • USS Idaho
  • USS Minneapolis
  • USS Roper
  • USS Hart
  • USS Finch
  • USS William Jones
  • USS Pennsylvania
  • USS Whitney
  • USS Whiteside

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