FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS

OKINAWA

   A large Japanese Island in the Northern Pacific Ocean where important 
WWII invasion and battle occurred shortly before the surrender of Japan.
Today the US has a military base here and Grandson JR is on his way to 
China from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York 
spending a short time here for special training. While at Cooper’s hard ball 
game in Kerens JR called on his cell phone from there. We all got to visit 
with him on the phone; it brought to my memory the summer of l945 and 
amazed me how much things have changed with US mail the only way to 
communicate then but a lot more dependable than today. 
  Aboard the USS LST 666 (the devil ship) we were transporting our second 
batch of  US Military Personnel and equipment to Japan as part of the 
Occupation Forces We stopped in Buckner Bay at Okinawa (which I think 
named for a US leader who lost his life here in the invasion), some of us 
went ashore. I remember seeing my first Kudzu here and thought it sweet 
potatoes, was also offered ride in a Navy dive bomber which I have always 
regretted not accepting. While in this area I also visited Iwo Jima and tiny Ie 
Shima where famous WWII correspondent Ernie Pyle lost his life to a 
Japanese sniper and buried (this been moved to the Punch Bowl in Hawaii 
which we visited 40 plus years later). 
  While at Okinawa word received of a large storm, “Typhoon Louise” 
developing and possibly coming our way, many ships decided to ride it out 
in the harbor but we went out to sea, an LST had no keel and could roll 
enough to nearly dip water, sometimes we would be completely out of the 
water and then drop maybe 20’ or so. You could not safely move anywhere 
especially on the outside decks without firmly holding on. Sometimes the 
ships propellers would be completely out of the water and there little control 
of the ships direction or steering. The ships log shows we were in this from 
Oct. 5th till the 10th. I watched other ships in the convoy roll and turn, some 
of the smaller would disappear and I never saw them again. The winds were 
clocked at 150 knots or 173 mph. I don’t remember if any of the LST crew 
get seasick but the troops we were carrying sue did, I thought some might 
die from it, the smell of those throwing up so bad in some areas you couldn’t 
stay. Cooking was impossible in the storm; I guess sandwiches were the 
main meals.
  When the storm subsided we returned to Okinawa to find the many ships of 
all sized, I think even a Cruiser were beached. This storm “Typhoon Louise” 
was a major disaster. Twelve ships show to have been sunk and 222 
grounded and Port facilities ruined. This was reported as the worst storm 
damage in naval history and the last act of World War ll.
  As an ignorant 18 year old country boy I really didn’t think of the many 
dangers here at the time just another experience. In later years if frightens 
me to even think about it. I hope JR has nothing like this to remember 
Okinawa for.
                                       ***
                  From the Original Sheriffs Report 1971
  Old saying dying like you lived held true here when man well known by us
 walked into moving car on US 84. Man reported his pickup missing after 
visit to girlfriend here, narrow minded wife suspected.
  Pine Top area late Saturday night and part of Sunday on disturbance report 
that more of a shoot out with Anderson Co. man in hospital with several 
pistol wounds. Old Streetman store burglarized and fire truck messed with 
by three bearded hippy’s, citizen witnessed and slow in reporting due to tied 
up party line.
  Lucked out on youth in Oakwood hit with plank and hospitalized-happened 
in Leon Co. Learned Suel Hill cleaned out deer hunter camps with chicken 
snake he sewed rattle snake rattlers on and dumped out of sack in their 
midst, speed record reported set by THP Kellum.
  Coolidge Constable Maurice Walker had run in with two youths suspected  
of store burglary, lost some skin off hand he stuck under hammer of pistol to 
keep it from shooting him, this could have been a disaster. Deputy out early 
hours on Slim’s Blue Monday Night Party, one jailed.
                                ***
Regretted to learn the historic Boyd Lodge that now belonged to the Boyd 
Unit burned, was among the fortunate who visited here over the years not 
only with Will and Gertie but their son W.R. Boyd III and grandson W.R. 
Boyd IV. This old house was put together in the early 1930’s from old log 
houses on the Adams Plantation. Many big shots visited here.
  Recent annual Woodland Cemetery Memorial well attended with good 
program on the Davis families presented by descendents Larry and Varita 
Davis who have recently moved back to our area. Usual great picnic type 
dinner after.
  Annual Freestone Co. Fair big success as always, sure come a long ways 
from what it was in my youth and started back after several years when Joe 
Richards our County Agent. Daniel and Jacob showed hogs, Anna showed a 
lamb, Kenzie and Devin both had goats. All made the sale except one and 
did well.