Biography presentation by James Buffone:
I was drafted into the US Navy and left home on my birthday, July 23, 1943. I was happy the Navy wanted me, for I'm sure the Army would have classified me 4F, unable to endure long marches. I had experienced severe leg injuries from being hit by an automobile which delayed my high school graduation. I left my parents and one sister in Yonkers, NY where I was born and raised.
My basic training was at Great Lakes with advanced training at Navy Pier, Chicago, becoming Motor Machinist 3/c. I had further training at Fire Fighting School in Philadelphia where I was told "A fire in the ship's engine room means you won't get out!" A very serious thought to welcome me.
I was assigned to the hospital ship "REFUGE" which was commissioned at Norfolk, VA. This ship had a long history dating back to WWI, was a troop ship in the early days of the Pacific Theater, 1942, was renovated and refurbished to be a hospital ship, and was renamed "REFUGE". The REFUGE sailed with one skipper, 3 captains, doctors, nurses and crew. She had facilities for 500 wounded, with nine operating rooms, one being of major size and eight small operating rooms. The nurses were officers to be saluted continuously. This requirement was soon lifted for efficiency purposes. The ship was laid out to have two large wards fore and aft, with a smaller ward each side. The engine room, my duty, was mid-ship and HOT! One of our doctors would play his trumpet on deck evenings, which we all enjoyed. We also had a "big band" sailor drummer, and also a sailor magician to entertain us. Another treat aboard was having an ice cream maker. The ice cream was stored in the morgue!
A hospital ship, by Geneva Convention decree, could not have any guns. We did have what was called a Flare gun that could be used for sending up distress signals.
I took great pleasure in spending my pay check to buy candy and other treats for our patients when I could get ashore at neutral ports.
My journey aboard REFUGE began with the ship's commissioning in Norfolk, VA. Before heading across the Atlantic, we had liberty in Charleston, SC. We found ourselves to be very unwelcomed.
We were a crew of black and white sailors. Signs were posted around town that read "Sailors and dogs keep off the grass". We were ordered to be out of Charleston in three days. I had not experienced the segregated South before!
Our ship then headed for Oran, Africa August 17, 1943. We were stopped by German subs but were never boarded, however, we learned a British hospital ship was sunk by the Germans. At Oran, we took on German and Italian prisoners and our wounded and delivered them to Naples, Italy where the wounded were hospitalized. Our second trip to Oran was a repeat of the first trip, but the third trip to Oran with wounded brought aboard, we sailed to south France, St. Tropez. Another Geneva Convention regulation required a hospital ship to stay one mile off the beach. So during the night we would sail in circles to be back near the beach in the morning for more wounded.
From south France, we took wounded to Bangor, Ireland and proceeded to Milford Haven, Wales to await D Day. On D Day + 7 our wounded were brought aboard by LST's and LSI's. With 500 wounded we headed for Portsmouth, VA. A big parade welcomed our ship. Again, we returned to Oran, Africa, a neutral port with pier and from Naples, Italy and St. Maxim, France, we took D Day wounded to Brooklyn Navy Yard. Hundreds of ambulances were at the pier to transport the wounded. It was an awesome sight, all those white vehicles with big red crosses!
Our next tour of duty took us through the Panama Canal to serve in the Pacific. We were in Cristobal on November 9, 1944. We took on wounded at each of the island conflicts, and brought the wounded to hospital stations throughout the Pacific. These were nightmare days and nights. My log lists these places and dates of our arrivals. Leyte, Mar. 12, Hollandia, Mar. 22, Leyte again, Mar. 28, Manus, April 16, Leyte, Apr. 26, Biak Wingate, June 27, Manus, July 30, Manila, Aug. 10, Jinsen, Korea, Sept. 8, Shanghai, China, Sept. 20, Okinawa, Oct. 2, Tsingtao, China, Oct. 10, Okinawa, Oct. 20, Saipan, Oct. 28, San Francisco, Nov. 18. The hospital stations were at Leyte, Manus and San Francisco.
In the early days of our ship's handling the wounded, blood was taken from the crew for transfusions. Later in the war, when blood technologies were greatly improved, blood supplies came to the ship by air. Other supplies were brought to us by supply ships that had guns. At one point we had a USO cast from Oklahoma aboard to entertain our patients en route to their next show.
Little is known of the first invasion of Korea. It was September, 1945, and in three days our forces overwhelmed the island. Our ship found itself to be in a "minefield" and had to call for rescue to get us out safely. We could see the mines off the side of the ship. We were very lucky!
Our ship returned to the States with a 200' flag flying, being held aloft by gas filled balloons. The REFUGE had the distinction of having the longest duration of service in the Pacific Theater. We returned as Shellbacks which in Navy lingo means you were initiated crossing the equator. Even the nurses became Shellbacks and were awarded handsome certificates.
On our return to the States at San Francisco, we took trains cross country. In Chicago, from my early training days, I named her "the best liberty city". In Chicago you were treated to all kinds of benefits because you were in uniform. I always had my roller skates with me all around the world. It was great relaxation when I could use them while on leave. The trains then took us to Lido Beach, Long Island for discharge, March 7, 1946. I was of slight build when I became a sailor, but I returned weighing just 82 lbs. Home cooking and being out of the hot engine room heat would change that! Mary (Mae) and I were married four months later and began our family life.
This picture is a living flag! The red and white stripes, blue field, white stars are all Navy personnel and I proudly sent this post card home to my family. On the following page is a framed picture of my hospital ship, my early sailor picture and my medals. Also, a newspaper picture of D Day wounded being taken by ambulances to hospitals in the Boston area. Below is Newsweek's military edition of the War's end.
I was drafted into the US Navy and left home on my birthday, July 23, 1943. I was happy the Navy wanted me, for I'm sure the Army would have classified me 4F, unable to endure long marches. I had experienced severe leg injuries from being hit by an automobile which delayed my high school graduation. I left my parents and one sister in Yonkers, NY where I was born and raised.
My basic training was at Great Lakes with advanced training at Navy Pier, Chicago, becoming Motor Machinist 3/c. I had further training at Fire Fighting School in Philadelphia where I was told "A fire in the ship's engine room means you won't get out!" A very serious thought to welcome me.
I was assigned to the hospital ship "REFUGE" which was commissioned at Norfolk, VA. This ship had a long history dating back to WWI, was a troop ship in the early days of the Pacific Theater, 1942, was renovated and refurbished to be a hospital ship, and was renamed "REFUGE". The REFUGE sailed with one skipper, 3 captains, doctors, nurses and crew. She had facilities for 500 wounded, with nine operating rooms, one being of major size and eight small operating rooms. The nurses were officers to be saluted continuously. This requirement was soon lifted for efficiency purposes. The ship was laid out to have two large wards fore and aft, with a smaller ward each side. The engine room, my duty, was mid-ship and HOT! One of our doctors would play his trumpet on deck evenings, which we all enjoyed. We also had a "big band" sailor drummer, and also a sailor magician to entertain us. Another treat aboard was having an ice cream maker. The ice cream was stored in the morgue!
A hospital ship, by Geneva Convention decree, could not have any guns. We did have what was called a Flare gun that could be used for sending up distress signals.
I took great pleasure in spending my pay check to buy candy and other treats for our patients when I could get ashore at neutral ports.
My journey aboard REFUGE began with the ship's commissioning in Norfolk, VA. Before heading across the Atlantic, we had liberty in Charleston, SC. We found ourselves to be very unwelcomed.
We were a crew of black and white sailors. Signs were posted around town that read "Sailors and dogs keep off the grass". We were ordered to be out of Charleston in three days. I had not experienced the segregated South before!
Our ship then headed for Oran, Africa August 17, 1943. We were stopped by German subs but were never boarded, however, we learned a British hospital ship was sunk by the Germans. At Oran, we took on German and Italian prisoners and our wounded and delivered them to Naples, Italy where the wounded were hospitalized. Our second trip to Oran was a repeat of the first trip, but the third trip to Oran with wounded brought aboard, we sailed to south France, St. Tropez. Another Geneva Convention regulation required a hospital ship to stay one mile off the beach. So during the night we would sail in circles to be back near the beach in the morning for more wounded.
From south France, we took wounded to Bangor, Ireland and proceeded to Milford Haven, Wales to await D Day. On D Day + 7 our wounded were brought aboard by LST's and LSI's. With 500 wounded we headed for Portsmouth, VA. A big parade welcomed our ship. Again, we returned to Oran, Africa, a neutral port with pier and from Naples, Italy and St. Maxim, France, we took D Day wounded to Brooklyn Navy Yard. Hundreds of ambulances were at the pier to transport the wounded. It was an awesome sight, all those white vehicles with big red crosses!
Our next tour of duty took us through the Panama Canal to serve in the Pacific. We were in Cristobal on November 9, 1944. We took on wounded at each of the island conflicts, and brought the wounded to hospital stations throughout the Pacific. These were nightmare days and nights. My log lists these places and dates of our arrivals. Leyte, Mar. 12, Hollandia, Mar. 22, Leyte again, Mar. 28, Manus, April 16, Leyte, Apr. 26, Biak Wingate, June 27, Manus, July 30, Manila, Aug. 10, Jinsen, Korea, Sept. 8, Shanghai, China, Sept. 20, Okinawa, Oct. 2, Tsingtao, China, Oct. 10, Okinawa, Oct. 20, Saipan, Oct. 28, San Francisco, Nov. 18. The hospital stations were at Leyte, Manus and San Francisco.
In the early days of our ship's handling the wounded, blood was taken from the crew for transfusions. Later in the war, when blood technologies were greatly improved, blood supplies came to the ship by air. Other supplies were brought to us by supply ships that had guns. At one point we had a USO cast from Oklahoma aboard to entertain our patients en route to their next show.
Little is known of the first invasion of Korea. It was September, 1945, and in three days our forces overwhelmed the island. Our ship found itself to be in a "minefield" and had to call for rescue to get us out safely. We could see the mines off the side of the ship. We were very lucky!
Our ship returned to the States with a 200' flag flying, being held aloft by gas filled balloons. The REFUGE had the distinction of having the longest duration of service in the Pacific Theater. We returned as Shellbacks which in Navy lingo means you were initiated crossing the equator. Even the nurses became Shellbacks and were awarded handsome certificates.
On our return to the States at San Francisco, we took trains cross country. In Chicago, from my early training days, I named her "the best liberty city". In Chicago you were treated to all kinds of benefits because you were in uniform. I always had my roller skates with me all around the world. It was great relaxation when I could use them while on leave. The trains then took us to Lido Beach, Long Island for discharge, March 7, 1946. I was of slight build when I became a sailor, but I returned weighing just 82 lbs. Home cooking and being out of the hot engine room heat would change that! Mary (Mae) and I were married four months later and began our family life.
This picture is a living flag! The red and white stripes, blue field, white stars are all Navy personnel and I proudly sent this post card home to my family. On the following page is a framed picture of my hospital ship, my early sailor picture and my medals. Also, a newspaper picture of D Day wounded being taken by ambulances to hospitals in the Boston area. Below is Newsweek's military edition of the War's end.
Biography presentation by James Buffone:
I was drafted into the US Navy and left home on my birthday, July 23, 1943. I was happy the Navy wanted me, for I'm sure the Army would have classified me 4F, unable to endure long marches. I had experienced severe leg injuries from being hit by an automobile which delayed my high school graduation. I left my parents and one sister in Yonkers, NY where I was born and raised.
My basic training was at Great Lakes with advanced training at Navy Pier, Chicago, becoming Motor Machinist 3/c. I had further training at Fire Fighting School in Philadelphia where I was told "A fire in the ship's engine room means you won't get out!" A very serious thought to welcome me.
I was assigned to the hospital ship "REFUGE" which was commissioned at Norfolk, VA. This ship had a long history dating back to WWI, was a troop ship in the early days of the Pacific Theater, 1942, was renovated and refurbished to be a hospital ship, and was renamed "REFUGE". The REFUGE sailed with one skipper, 3 captains, doctors, nurses and crew. She had facilities for 500 wounded, with nine operating rooms, one being of major size and eight small operating rooms. The nurses were officers to be saluted continuously. This requirement was soon lifted for efficiency purposes. The ship was laid out to have two large wards fore and aft, with a smaller ward each side. The engine room, my duty, was mid-ship and HOT! One of our doctors would play his trumpet on deck evenings, which we all enjoyed. We also had a "big band" sailor drummer, and also a sailor magician to entertain us. Another treat aboard was having an ice cream maker. The ice cream was stored in the morgue!
A hospital ship, by Geneva Convention decree, could not have any guns. We did have what was called a Flare gun that could be used for sending up distress signals.
I took great pleasure in spending my pay check to buy candy and other treats for our patients when I could get ashore at neutral ports.
My journey aboard REFUGE began with the ship's commissioning in Norfolk, VA. Before heading across the Atlantic, we had liberty in Charleston, SC. We found ourselves to be very unwelcomed.
We were a crew of black and white sailors. Signs were posted around town that read "Sailors and dogs keep off the grass". We were ordered to be out of Charleston in three days. I had not experienced the segregated South before!
Our ship then headed for Oran, Africa August 17, 1943. We were stopped by German subs but were never boarded, however, we learned a British hospital ship was sunk by the Germans. At Oran, we took on German and Italian prisoners and our wounded and delivered them to Naples, Italy where the wounded were hospitalized. Our second trip to Oran was a repeat of the first trip, but the third trip to Oran with wounded brought aboard, we sailed to south France, St. Tropez. Another Geneva Convention regulation required a hospital ship to stay one mile off the beach. So during the night we would sail in circles to be back near the beach in the morning for more wounded.
From south France, we took wounded to Bangor, Ireland and proceeded to Milford Haven, Wales to await D Day. On D Day + 7 our wounded were brought aboard by LST's and LSI's. With 500 wounded we headed for Portsmouth, VA. A big parade welcomed our ship. Again, we returned to Oran, Africa, a neutral port with pier and from Naples, Italy and St. Maxim, France, we took D Day wounded to Brooklyn Navy Yard. Hundreds of ambulances were at the pier to transport the wounded. It was an awesome sight, all those white vehicles with big red crosses!
Our next tour of duty took us through the Panama Canal to serve in the Pacific. We were in Cristobal on November 9, 1944. We took on wounded at each of the island conflicts, and brought the wounded to hospital stations throughout the Pacific. These were nightmare days and nights. My log lists these places and dates of our arrivals. Leyte, Mar. 12, Hollandia, Mar. 22, Leyte again, Mar. 28, Manus, April 16, Leyte, Apr. 26, Biak Wingate, June 27, Manus, July 30, Manila, Aug. 10, Jinsen, Korea, Sept. 8, Shanghai, China, Sept. 20, Okinawa, Oct. 2, Tsingtao, China, Oct. 10, Okinawa, Oct. 20, Saipan, Oct. 28, San Francisco, Nov. 18. The hospital stations were at Leyte, Manus and San Francisco.
In the early days of our ship's handling the wounded, blood was taken from the crew for transfusions. Later in the war, when blood technologies were greatly improved, blood supplies came to the ship by air. Other supplies were brought to us by supply ships that had guns. At one point we had a USO cast from Oklahoma aboard to entertain our patients en route to their next show.
Little is known of the first invasion of Korea. It was September, 1945, and in three days our forces overwhelmed the island. Our ship found itself to be in a "minefield" and had to call for rescue to get us out safely. We could see the mines off the side of the ship. We were very lucky!
Our ship returned to the States with a 200' flag flying, being held aloft by gas filled balloons. The REFUGE had the distinction of having the longest duration of service in the Pacific Theater. We returned as Shellbacks which in Navy lingo means you were initiated crossing the equator. Even the nurses became Shellbacks and were awarded handsome certificates.
On our return to the States at San Francisco, we took trains cross country. In Chicago, from my early training days, I named her "the best liberty city". In Chicago you were treated to all kinds of benefits because you were in uniform. I always had my roller skates with me all around the world. It was great relaxation when I could use them while on leave. The trains then took us to Lido Beach, Long Island for discharge, March 7, 1946. I was of slight build when I became a sailor, but I returned weighing just 82 lbs. Home cooking and being out of the hot engine room heat would change that! Mary (Mae) and I were married four months later and began our family life.
This picture is a living flag! The red and white stripes, blue field, white stars are all Navy personnel and I proudly sent this post card home to my family. On the following page is a framed picture of my hospital ship, my early sailor picture and my medals. Also, a newspaper picture of D Day wounded being taken by ambulances to hospitals in the Boston area. Below is Newsweek's military edition of the War's end.
I was drafted into the US Navy and left home on my birthday, July 23, 1943. I was happy the Navy wanted me, for I'm sure the Army would have classified me 4F, unable to endure long marches. I had experienced severe leg injuries from being hit by an automobile which delayed my high school graduation. I left my parents and one sister in Yonkers, NY where I was born and raised.
My basic training was at Great Lakes with advanced training at Navy Pier, Chicago, becoming Motor Machinist 3/c. I had further training at Fire Fighting School in Philadelphia where I was told "A fire in the ship's engine room means you won't get out!" A very serious thought to welcome me.
I was assigned to the hospital ship "REFUGE" which was commissioned at Norfolk, VA. This ship had a long history dating back to WWI, was a troop ship in the early days of the Pacific Theater, 1942, was renovated and refurbished to be a hospital ship, and was renamed "REFUGE". The REFUGE sailed with one skipper, 3 captains, doctors, nurses and crew. She had facilities for 500 wounded, with nine operating rooms, one being of major size and eight small operating rooms. The nurses were officers to be saluted continuously. This requirement was soon lifted for efficiency purposes. The ship was laid out to have two large wards fore and aft, with a smaller ward each side. The engine room, my duty, was mid-ship and HOT! One of our doctors would play his trumpet on deck evenings, which we all enjoyed. We also had a "big band" sailor drummer, and also a sailor magician to entertain us. Another treat aboard was having an ice cream maker. The ice cream was stored in the morgue!
A hospital ship, by Geneva Convention decree, could not have any guns. We did have what was called a Flare gun that could be used for sending up distress signals.
I took great pleasure in spending my pay check to buy candy and other treats for our patients when I could get ashore at neutral ports.
My journey aboard REFUGE began with the ship's commissioning in Norfolk, VA. Before heading across the Atlantic, we had liberty in Charleston, SC. We found ourselves to be very unwelcomed.
We were a crew of black and white sailors. Signs were posted around town that read "Sailors and dogs keep off the grass". We were ordered to be out of Charleston in three days. I had not experienced the segregated South before!
Our ship then headed for Oran, Africa August 17, 1943. We were stopped by German subs but were never boarded, however, we learned a British hospital ship was sunk by the Germans. At Oran, we took on German and Italian prisoners and our wounded and delivered them to Naples, Italy where the wounded were hospitalized. Our second trip to Oran was a repeat of the first trip, but the third trip to Oran with wounded brought aboard, we sailed to south France, St. Tropez. Another Geneva Convention regulation required a hospital ship to stay one mile off the beach. So during the night we would sail in circles to be back near the beach in the morning for more wounded.
From south France, we took wounded to Bangor, Ireland and proceeded to Milford Haven, Wales to await D Day. On D Day + 7 our wounded were brought aboard by LST's and LSI's. With 500 wounded we headed for Portsmouth, VA. A big parade welcomed our ship. Again, we returned to Oran, Africa, a neutral port with pier and from Naples, Italy and St. Maxim, France, we took D Day wounded to Brooklyn Navy Yard. Hundreds of ambulances were at the pier to transport the wounded. It was an awesome sight, all those white vehicles with big red crosses!
Our next tour of duty took us through the Panama Canal to serve in the Pacific. We were in Cristobal on November 9, 1944. We took on wounded at each of the island conflicts, and brought the wounded to hospital stations throughout the Pacific. These were nightmare days and nights. My log lists these places and dates of our arrivals. Leyte, Mar. 12, Hollandia, Mar. 22, Leyte again, Mar. 28, Manus, April 16, Leyte, Apr. 26, Biak Wingate, June 27, Manus, July 30, Manila, Aug. 10, Jinsen, Korea, Sept. 8, Shanghai, China, Sept. 20, Okinawa, Oct. 2, Tsingtao, China, Oct. 10, Okinawa, Oct. 20, Saipan, Oct. 28, San Francisco, Nov. 18. The hospital stations were at Leyte, Manus and San Francisco.
In the early days of our ship's handling the wounded, blood was taken from the crew for transfusions. Later in the war, when blood technologies were greatly improved, blood supplies came to the ship by air. Other supplies were brought to us by supply ships that had guns. At one point we had a USO cast from Oklahoma aboard to entertain our patients en route to their next show.
Little is known of the first invasion of Korea. It was September, 1945, and in three days our forces overwhelmed the island. Our ship found itself to be in a "minefield" and had to call for rescue to get us out safely. We could see the mines off the side of the ship. We were very lucky!
Our ship returned to the States with a 200' flag flying, being held aloft by gas filled balloons. The REFUGE had the distinction of having the longest duration of service in the Pacific Theater. We returned as Shellbacks which in Navy lingo means you were initiated crossing the equator. Even the nurses became Shellbacks and were awarded handsome certificates.
On our return to the States at San Francisco, we took trains cross country. In Chicago, from my early training days, I named her "the best liberty city". In Chicago you were treated to all kinds of benefits because you were in uniform. I always had my roller skates with me all around the world. It was great relaxation when I could use them while on leave. The trains then took us to Lido Beach, Long Island for discharge, March 7, 1946. I was of slight build when I became a sailor, but I returned weighing just 82 lbs. Home cooking and being out of the hot engine room heat would change that! Mary (Mae) and I were married four months later and began our family life.
This picture is a living flag! The red and white stripes, blue field, white stars are all Navy personnel and I proudly sent this post card home to my family. On the following page is a framed picture of my hospital ship, my early sailor picture and my medals. Also, a newspaper picture of D Day wounded being taken by ambulances to hospitals in the Boston area. Below is Newsweek's military edition of the War's end.
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