Palmyra Island

Arrived here this afternoon from Barbers Point, Oahu, in route to Esperitu Santo via, Canton and Nandi. Palmyra is a very beautiful atoll with an excellent deep blue lagoon ringed by a chain of green, palm crested islands. Carmichael (ex VP-51) is the executive officer. After we’d settled down at the Officers Club, Stafford, my plane captain, came by to report a broken starter on the #2 engine. Decided that I’d have to start that engine by bungee. Everyone said it couldn’t be done, but I did it, with the aid of a Marine sergeant.

Weather around Palmyra seems to be consistently lousy, despite Carmichael’s “ballyhooing.” Came through a thick front on the way in. Altitude 200 ft., visibility 20 ft.

Beautiful moonlight night. Marine band lulled us to sleep.