Se
PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED
The second increment of Company "D" consisting mostly of 2d Pio~
neer Platoon arrived on 1 January 1948 and began construction of camp
and housekeeping installations.
This group joined the first aboard
the LST 45 for quarters which was not nearing capacity for comfort.
The clearing of coconut trees on Aoman was rapidly progressing
and on 1 January 1948, grading on the airstrip running approximately
east and west across the island was begun.
This necessitated the
removal of 12 to 16 inches of powdery black topsoil which became a
nuisance due to the large amount of dust.
The subsoil was fairly
stable but not satisfactory until soaked with water.
To further
stabilize the strip a layer of crushed coral helped considerably. —
On 2 January 1948, the balance of Company D were preparing most
of the organizational equipment on Eniwetok for shipment to Aoman and
commenced shuttling the earth moving vehicles and supplies in
preparation for a full swing operation ina matter of days.
As more
equipment and supplies were shuttled, the population on LST 45 grew
. with the complaints about being crowded, however this inconvenience
encouraged the men to work all the harder to complete their camp on
shore.
On 9 January the company headquarters and the remainder of the
main body of D Company moved to Aoman an# the'tcamp was officially
established.
The men living aboard the LST 45 also moved ashore but ,
left with some regret for many strong friendships were born between
men of the services.
General qi arrived this day to inspect the
newly opened camp and enjoyed the noon meal, when he expressed compli-~
7h
be)
SECTION VIb
a
PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED