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Liberty from the war

Liberty between the war patrols gave the only luxury hours that separated these young men from their next mission.
Most men sought out whatever mischief could be found. Time was precious and the youthful enthusiasm was heightened by the prospect of possibly not having another day on this earth. Time was precious.

A good group shot of the young sailors and their girls.
first row on the floor, (l - r) Lt. Drew - ? - Joe Nowak - Lt. Ison.
Second row on floor: McEwen (with bare leg showing) - ? - Kirkwood - Marquis - Lt. Welch - Cmdr. Hyde - ?.
Third row on floor: - ? - Faselt (head between Kirkwood and Marquis. G. Han is just behind the gal with Lt. Welch. Mort Soiette is behind the gal in the third row holding that guy down.
Whitey Todd is in the row behind Soiette and third person to the left (just in front of the gal in white). Derderian is the top one of three chiefs standing back on the right side.   At the extreme rear-center Lt. jg. John Connor stands to the left of the horizontal lamp.
A fine lot of sailors.
A fun shot of some of the Bergall crew with some of their girls. George Marquis is sitting on the far right and just behind him is Todd. Sitting at the far left is Han and second from the left standing is McEwen.

Liberty meant you could change out of uniform, some even tried to make a fashion statement.

M. J. Karhan (on the left) wanted to try the famous Aussie surf. This is what they mean when they talk about a 'Long Board'. Foam wasn't around... these beauties were ALL wood and HEAVY.


Sometimes the fashion that attracted the desired attention was a nice set of dress.
Front row = Regan, Robert Duddy and George Marquis...Back row = Robert Faselt, Ted Drought and Joe Parenteau
 
Then again, all in white, they struck a handsome pose.  But, sailors will be sailors!  Here's the cheesecake shot!

The local Aussie newspapers often reflected the admiration and gratitude for the American sailors but more than one of the Aussie men repeated the sentiments of the English in Great Britain,
"They are rich. They are horney. They are OVER HERE!"

Liberties in Perth, Subic Bay and Pearl Harbor presented these young men with plenty of opportunities for excitement and diversion. Their unspoken rule was 'No one will be left behind!'. This often left the 'most capable' sailor the duty to get his friends back to the boat. Many a Shore Patrol heard the tales of heroism of a sailor trying to get his buddies back. Most of these tales are lost to the passing years, but it can't be forgot that these men paid well for their liberty time. Many paid in full. Let us never forget the debt we owe to these young men!

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