The 224th Coast Artillery Searchlight Battalion was activated on January 20, 1943, at Fort
Bliss, Texas. The original component of the officers and enlisted men came from the 3rd
Battalion of the 509th Coast Artillery (AA). Roughly a week later, Lt. Col. Carlton J. Powers
arrived and took command of the 224th. The 224th underwent an intensive training program,
including night training in the New Mexico desert.
In May of 1943, the 224th was alerted for future overseas
deployment. These orders were later rescinded and the 224th
continued their intensive training. On July 18th, the 224th
received orders and moved to the Army Air Forces School of
Applied Tactics (AAFSAT) in Orlando, Florida. After a four
day train ride, the 224th finally arrived in Florida.
Over the following months, the 224th continued training in
all aspects of the intended duties. On September 24th, 1943, the
224th (made up of A, B and C Batteries) was placed on A-2
priority status. Training continued for the destined deployment,
with the men of the 224th enjoying time away from training in
nearby Daytona Beach. Late in the month, a Battalion Dance was
held at the Clermont Yacht Club. In October of 1943, many of the enlisted men of the 224th
were awarded Good Conduct medals for "faithful performance of their duty, efficiency and
conduct worthy of emulation."
On November 24th, the battalion had a final inspection and parade, as the unit passed in
review before Lt. Col. Myrah, Commander of the 103rd AAA Group. On December 27, 1943,
the entire unit traveled to California via train, arriving at their new home, Camp Stoneman.
On January 11, 1944, the 224th boarded the transport ship, U.S.S. Mount Vernon AP-22, for
transport overseas. On the morning of January 13th, 1944, the U.S.S. Mount Vernon passed
under the Golden Gate bridge and began its journey to the war zone in the Pacific. The ship
crossed the equator on January 19, 1944 at 0130 hours. The traditional King Neptune
ceremony was held, celebrating the crossing of the equator.
The U.S.S. Mount Vernon arrived in Milne Bay, New Guinea on January 29, 1944. Following
a long hike through the jungle in sweltering heat, the 224th began clearing the jungle and
forming their new home. As it had in the past, time went by with continued training. The
men of the 224th kept themselves entertained with swimming, outdoor movie theaters and
baseball and basketball leagues established on the island. On July 24th, 1944, Lt. Col. Carlton
J. Powers relinquished command of the 22th for health reasons, with Maj. Clarence R. Downs
taking command, and Capt. Maurice H. Mattews being promoted to Executive Office and
later to the rank of Major.
The training continued throughout 1944 and into 1945 with the 224th making numerous
location/base changes. Specialized training of the 224th concluded on January 27th, 1945.
V-E day came on May 12th, 1945. During that same month, the 224th camp newspaper, "The
224th Illuminator" was established winning favorable comments. On June 29th, 1944, the
224th boarded the U.S.S. Manifee and departed Milne Bay on July 1st, destined for the
Philippines. The U.S.S. Manifee and the 224th arrived in Manila on July 11th. The 224th
traveled by train to northern Luzon, to the AAA Training and Rehabilitation Center where
units were prepared for future combat operations. The 224th began training for the invasion
of Japan.
As the 224th prepared to participate in the invasion of Japan, news of the first Atomic bomb
having been dropped reached the men. On September 2, 1945, V-J Day and news of the
surrender of Japan reached the men of the 224th. While waiting to return to the states, the
224th took up guard duty, guarding Japanese soldiers who were being held as prisoners of
war. This would be the last action of the 224th before the battalion was broken up and
returned to the United States. The 224th received numerous letters of commendation from
various Base Commanders and Commanding Generals, as well as a Bronze Star for the New
Guinea Campaign. The men of the 224th served with devotion and dedication and
undoubtedly contributed to the war effort in many ways.
Bliss, Texas. The original component of the officers and enlisted men came from the 3rd
Battalion of the 509th Coast Artillery (AA). Roughly a week later, Lt. Col. Carlton J. Powers
arrived and took command of the 224th. The 224th underwent an intensive training program,
including night training in the New Mexico desert.
In May of 1943, the 224th was alerted for future overseas
deployment. These orders were later rescinded and the 224th
continued their intensive training. On July 18th, the 224th
received orders and moved to the Army Air Forces School of
Applied Tactics (AAFSAT) in Orlando, Florida. After a four
day train ride, the 224th finally arrived in Florida.
Over the following months, the 224th continued training in
all aspects of the intended duties. On September 24th, 1943, the
224th (made up of A, B and C Batteries) was placed on A-2
priority status. Training continued for the destined deployment,
with the men of the 224th enjoying time away from training in
nearby Daytona Beach. Late in the month, a Battalion Dance was
held at the Clermont Yacht Club. In October of 1943, many of the enlisted men of the 224th
were awarded Good Conduct medals for "faithful performance of their duty, efficiency and
conduct worthy of emulation."
On November 24th, the battalion had a final inspection and parade, as the unit passed in
review before Lt. Col. Myrah, Commander of the 103rd AAA Group. On December 27, 1943,
the entire unit traveled to California via train, arriving at their new home, Camp Stoneman.
On January 11, 1944, the 224th boarded the transport ship, U.S.S. Mount Vernon AP-22, for
transport overseas. On the morning of January 13th, 1944, the U.S.S. Mount Vernon passed
under the Golden Gate bridge and began its journey to the war zone in the Pacific. The ship
crossed the equator on January 19, 1944 at 0130 hours. The traditional King Neptune
ceremony was held, celebrating the crossing of the equator.
The U.S.S. Mount Vernon arrived in Milne Bay, New Guinea on January 29, 1944. Following
a long hike through the jungle in sweltering heat, the 224th began clearing the jungle and
forming their new home. As it had in the past, time went by with continued training. The
men of the 224th kept themselves entertained with swimming, outdoor movie theaters and
baseball and basketball leagues established on the island. On July 24th, 1944, Lt. Col. Carlton
J. Powers relinquished command of the 22th for health reasons, with Maj. Clarence R. Downs
taking command, and Capt. Maurice H. Mattews being promoted to Executive Office and
later to the rank of Major.
The training continued throughout 1944 and into 1945 with the 224th making numerous
location/base changes. Specialized training of the 224th concluded on January 27th, 1945.
V-E day came on May 12th, 1945. During that same month, the 224th camp newspaper, "The
224th Illuminator" was established winning favorable comments. On June 29th, 1944, the
224th boarded the U.S.S. Manifee and departed Milne Bay on July 1st, destined for the
Philippines. The U.S.S. Manifee and the 224th arrived in Manila on July 11th. The 224th
traveled by train to northern Luzon, to the AAA Training and Rehabilitation Center where
units were prepared for future combat operations. The 224th began training for the invasion
of Japan.
As the 224th prepared to participate in the invasion of Japan, news of the first Atomic bomb
having been dropped reached the men. On September 2, 1945, V-J Day and news of the
surrender of Japan reached the men of the 224th. While waiting to return to the states, the
224th took up guard duty, guarding Japanese soldiers who were being held as prisoners of
war. This would be the last action of the 224th before the battalion was broken up and
returned to the United States. The 224th received numerous letters of commendation from
various Base Commanders and Commanding Generals, as well as a Bronze Star for the New
Guinea Campaign. The men of the 224th served with devotion and dedication and
undoubtedly contributed to the war effort in many ways.
Above (left): A wartime photograph of the USS Mount Vernon AP-22 (formerly the
cruise ship S.S. Washington of the United States Lines) Above (right): A sailor raises the
flag aboard the USS Mount Vernon.
cruise ship S.S. Washington of the United States Lines) Above (right): A sailor raises the
flag aboard the USS Mount Vernon.
Above: The front and back of Stark's mess hall pass while aboard the USS Mount Vernon.
The U.S.S. Mount Vernon AP-22: Cruise ship to Transport
The story of the 'Washington' had been a happy, carefree one during the days of peace,
when she sailed as the pride of America's expanding merchant marine. Tired business men,
tourists, and starry-eyed honeymooners had enjoyed the comforts and luxury of the ship.
Many a cocktail party and moonlight romance had flourished as the liner plied across the
sea. The 'Washington' had been a great ship and a wonderful traveling companion during
those days when mention of war was an idle topic of conversation.
As world conflict became more and more apparent however the ship that was later to join
the Navy as the 'Mount Vernon', found her task a very different one. Americans in all parts
of the world were anxiously seeking passage home. Loaded beyond capacity, and sobered
by the outbreak of war, she brought her people safely to the States. While hostilities were
raging in Europe, the ship, still brilliantly white, was protected from attack of warring
factions, by the United States flag.
By June 1941, the ship had exchanged her glistening white for a uniform of gray. Light
openings were sealed to insure her disguise. Guns were mounted on her decks. The cabins
were stripped of their lushness. Bare steel lined her spaces.
The days of serenity were past, The days of doing a peace time task were over. The
'Washington' had gone to war.
when she sailed as the pride of America's expanding merchant marine. Tired business men,
tourists, and starry-eyed honeymooners had enjoyed the comforts and luxury of the ship.
Many a cocktail party and moonlight romance had flourished as the liner plied across the
sea. The 'Washington' had been a great ship and a wonderful traveling companion during
those days when mention of war was an idle topic of conversation.
As world conflict became more and more apparent however the ship that was later to join
the Navy as the 'Mount Vernon', found her task a very different one. Americans in all parts
of the world were anxiously seeking passage home. Loaded beyond capacity, and sobered
by the outbreak of war, she brought her people safely to the States. While hostilities were
raging in Europe, the ship, still brilliantly white, was protected from attack of warring
factions, by the United States flag.
By June 1941, the ship had exchanged her glistening white for a uniform of gray. Light
openings were sealed to insure her disguise. Guns were mounted on her decks. The cabins
were stripped of their lushness. Bare steel lined her spaces.
The days of serenity were past, The days of doing a peace time task were over. The
'Washington' had gone to war.
| Cruise Ships and Search Lights Louis M. Stark and the 224th Anti Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion |
A postcard showing the S.S. Washington in her brilliant, pre-war colors.
Patch: U.S. Forces in the Western Pacific
Worn from: 25 August 1945 - 14 August 1947.
The design of the patch is the same as that of the Army Service
Forces, with the addition of a yellow lightning bolt and five
small, blue starts that suggest the Southern Cross
constellation, which may be observed in the heavens above the
western Pacific Ocean, the area where the unit was operational.
This patch was worn by Stark toward the end of his military
career.
Worn from: 25 August 1945 - 14 August 1947.
The design of the patch is the same as that of the Army Service
Forces, with the addition of a yellow lightning bolt and five
small, blue starts that suggest the Southern Cross
constellation, which may be observed in the heavens above the
western Pacific Ocean, the area where the unit was operational.
This patch was worn by Stark toward the end of his military
career.
Left: WWII T/5 Louis M. Stark in uniform,
showing him with the Army T/5 Technical Fifth
Grade rank and the Army Anti-Aircraft
Command insignia on his left shoulder.
showing him with the Army T/5 Technical Fifth
Grade rank and the Army Anti-Aircraft
Command insignia on his left shoulder.
Above: The front and back cover of Stark's
military motor vehicle operator's license,
showing heavy wear, use and staining.
Left: The inside page of the military
driver's license shows that Stark had been
trained on and was qualified to drive the
military 1/4 to 3/4 ton cargo truck and the
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 ton cargo truck.
military motor vehicle operator's license,
showing heavy wear, use and staining.
Left: The inside page of the military
driver's license shows that Stark had been
trained on and was qualified to drive the
military 1/4 to 3/4 ton cargo truck and the
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 ton cargo truck.
Above: Stark's mid-war "Soldier's Individual Pay Record", dated 5-22-43 and showing his
rank of T/5, used during his first year in military service.
rank of T/5, used during his first year in military service.
Above: Stark's Separation Qualification Record, issued in January of 1946. The
separation record provides details showing Stark's training, rank, dates of
military service and duties while in the military.
separation record provides details showing Stark's training, rank, dates of
military service and duties while in the military.
HISTORY NOT RECORDED IS LOST FOREVER
Pvt. Louis M. Stark
I have been very honored to have been entrusted with numerous paperwork items
related to Stark's wartime experiences. These paperwork items serve as terrific reference
material for seldom seen paperwork items, commonly given to the average soldier.
related to Stark's wartime experiences. These paperwork items serve as terrific reference
material for seldom seen paperwork items, commonly given to the average soldier.
T/5 Louis M. Stark
Prior to WWII, Louis M. Stark was employed by the W.P. Fuller Paint Company, San
Francisco, California, performing various clerical duties. At the same time, Stark attended
the University of San Francisco with a pre-legal major course of study. Stark faithfully
served his country during WWII, serving from January 12, 1943 to January 16, 1946. As
indicated on the form above, his job title was Control Station Operator for an anti-aircraft
search light, having served honorably in the Pacific Theater on a crew operating a search
light combating enemy aircraft.
Francisco, California, performing various clerical duties. At the same time, Stark attended
the University of San Francisco with a pre-legal major course of study. Stark faithfully
served his country during WWII, serving from January 12, 1943 to January 16, 1946. As
indicated on the form above, his job title was Control Station Operator for an anti-aircraft
search light, having served honorably in the Pacific Theater on a crew operating a search
light combating enemy aircraft.
If anyone has any additional information regarding the 224th Anti
Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion or the service time of Louis M.
Stark, please feel free to contact me.
I am interested in adding additional items related to the 224th to my
permanent collection.
Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion or the service time of Louis M.
Stark, please feel free to contact me.
I am interested in adding additional items related to the 224th to my
permanent collection.
The C.E. Daniel Collection
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