Stationed at Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides in July 1943, my dad's ship, USS Vestal, observed a busy repair schedule. The Saint Louis, HMAS Hobart, and HMNZS Leander all received repairs for battle damage. In addition, Vestal tackled numerous "routine not alongside repairs" to: YP-515, YFD-21, Montpelier, Columbia, SC-640, YFD-21, YMS-97, Saint Louis, Honolulu, Boreas, APC-34, Taurus, Denver, Cleveland, Pyro, Saugatuck, Balsam, and SC-701. During the same period, Vestal also managed to construct a landing craft ramp and complete various other ship and base facility jobs.
During the month of July, the Vestal's crew worked under a constant threat of enemy air attacks, going to general quarters at least 4 times.
Source: USS Vestal War Diary, July 1943
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