On today's date in 1943, my dad, Frank Dolan, returned to the states after more than 2 years of service in the Pacific aboard the USS Vestal. Arriving in San Francisco on the troop ship, Matsonia, he reported to the Navy base, then enjoyed a few days' leave in the city. On the 29th, he will be reassigned temporarily to his hometown of San Diego. There he will be trained for duty on the newly commissioned USS Hector.
In San Francisco, Dad enjoyed a welcome change to his tropical diet of the past couple of years: “While on liberty in San Francisco in December ’43 and craving fresh fruit, a friend and I bought a sack of oranges and pears. As we walked down the street eating them, a shore patrol stopped us and ordered us not to eat on the street. We complied, but as soon as he was out of sight, we resumed our treat. Boy, were they good!”
Sources: Frank L. Dolan's Service Records and his personal narrative
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