Barbers Point NAS

Got a very much needed haircut from one of the towns many new Chinese-girl-barbers. It was a surprisingly good job.

Sent some flowers home to Mom for her birthday, after going to the usual complicated rigamarole demanded by the censors.

Returned to the Halekulani to find Patu Hedemann, Beeza MacIntosh, and Wally Jones preparing for a trip to Makapuu Beach to swim in the surf. Decided to go with them, as I had heard of the excellent body surfing to be enjoyed over there. A long ride around Diamond and Koko Heads was, however, quite worthwhile. The surf was not at its best, but it was still good. The waves were a bit too heavy for the best riding, although I did get in a few excellent rides.

Got a little careless as the afternoon progressed and dove haphazardly under a boiling comber sweeping down upon me. Both legs were slammed flat against the sand bottom and the upper part of my body was caught by the wave and twisted back until I was positive my spine had snapped. Was literally bent back double by that wave. A terrific pain shot through my back as I struggled up to the churning foam to the surface. Couldn’t seem to stand or get my wind. Gasped out a plea for help to Wally who was standing nearby and he dragged me out. Recovered in a few minutes on the beach and returned for a few short swims to loosen up my now very sore back.

Returned to the hotel later in the afternoon with a very guilty feeling about being away from my squadron so long illegally. The squadron duty officer called and told me that I had nothing on the schedule for the next day so I decided to stay over one more night. (Sacre bleu!)

Took Beeza to a cocktail party which was rather a fizzle. Left early with Wally and went up to Patu’s for the rest of the evening.