USS Estes Association

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Noah Joyner, SM3c, USNR - C Div - 1944-1946 - - Submitted 7/15/05

8-12 watch, signal bridge, 2/17/45, Iwo Jima. Starboard duty station. First hostile fire received by the Estes since her arrival into the Pacific.

0850 hrs Fire from Iwo Jima falling short 400 yds broad on port bow.

0916 hrs drew fire from shore close under bow and stern.

0918 hrs Traylor, Robert R S1c (337-79-27) USN and Clampitt, Howard H, S2c (581-08-96) USN sustained shrapnel wounds.

0924 hrs. commenced firing main battery at enemy "pillbox" fortification, southeast side of Iwo.

0930 hrs ceased firing having expended (9) rounds 5"38 cal AAC,

1050 hrs drew fire from beach, receiving shrapnel hits on starboard quarter.

1056 hrs. observed underwater demo teams approach the shore to carry out assigned mission.

1100 hrs USS Pensacola observed afire from shore bombardment off east end of Iwo.

During the above action I was covered by steel helmet and hunkered down behind bridge protective plating (all 1/2").