James R. Sorensen

(September 1, 1896 — June 18, 1983), served in Battery D, 147th Field Artillery Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division; Philippines Civil Affairs Unit, Army Corps of Engineers; 6th Army.

Wed. Oct. 18, 1944

October 18, 1944

5:00 AM Lv Hollandia.

Tue. Oct. 24, 1944

October 24, 1944

Arr Leyte, Philippine Islands. LST grounded too far away from beach for landing. Lost stern anchor. Spent day getting afloat and recovering anchor. Bombed by

Wed. Oct. 25, 1944

October 25, 1944

Constant air bombing by Japs. Just before beaching the ship was hit forward. 41 men killed, many hurt. Ship was set afire and some vehicles

Thur. Oct. 26, 1944

October 26, 1944

Moved to Tacloban. Quarters in “Eureka” sawmill.

Fri. Oct. 27, 1944

October 27, 1944

P-38 fighters arrived.

Thurs. Nov. 23, 1944

November 23, 1944

Thanksgiving Day. Went to hospital for rest & physical checkup.

Mon. Nov. 27, 1944

November 27, 1944

Rec’d news Father died on Nov. 1. Released from hospital.

December 25, 1944

Christmas — guest of Villasin & Diaz families.

Fri. Dec. 29, 1944

December 29, 1944

Assigned command PCAU #1.

Sat. Dec. 30, 1944

December 30, 1944

Lv. Eureka Sawmill, Tacloban, 9:00 AM, by truck convoy, arr. Catman Hill Beach, San Roque, 12:00 noon, loaded on L.S.T. #1018.

Sun. Dec. 31, 1944

December 31, 1944

Lv. beach 6:00 P.M., anchored in San Pedro Bay (Tacloban).

Thurs. Jan. 4, 1945

January 4, 1945

Lv. San Pedro Bay 6:00 A.M.

Tues. Jan. 9, 1945

January 9, 1945

“A-Day”. Entered Lingayen Gulf last night. Heavy bombardment began at dawn. Zero hour — 0930.

Mon. Jan. 15, 1945

January 15, 1945

Beached east of Lingayen, 11:00 A.M. (Yellow Beach) Debarked 2:00 P.M. Reported C.P. 37th Div. Proceeded to Malasiqui (Province of Pangasinan), bivouaced Public Market 5:30