World War II Soldiers from Pearl River County

During WW II a large number of young men from Pearl River County, Mississippi enlisted in the military.  Many of them served in Europe and Africa and others served with the Army, Marines, and Navy in the Pacific Theater.  One of the sailors serving on the USS California during the attack on Pearl Harbor was Seaman1c Charles H. Byrd.

Charles H. Byrd

S1c, later Boatswain Mate 2c

   In the course of the attack at Pearl Harbor on the U. S. S. California, 98 men were killed and 61 wounded. One of the sailors wounded was Seaman 1c Charles H. Byrd of Pearl River County Mississippi. He was first reported as killed but was later found alive and hospitalized at the U. S. Naval Hospital – Pearl Harbor. Released from the hospital on 28 February 1942, Charles returned to duty with the California. On 30 March 1944, Charles Byrd transferred to the newly commissioned Patrol Craft Escort USS PCE (R) 848 with the rank of BM2c.

   PCE ships were converted to communications centers and USS PCE (R) 848 sailed to Hollandia, New Guinea, in late September 1944. The ship was damaged by a horizonal bomber (kamikaze) on 27 October 1944. The ship was present in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony in September 1945.

Eva Greenwood Diary -- Part IV

A visit by Eva across Bayou Lafourche to visit her friends the Smiths.

June 13^th 1897 – Sun.

  Yesterday Leo said he wouldn’t be using his horse in the evening, and I could have it to go to Smiths. He sent a boy with me, and I left here at 4-o’clock, expecting to come back before dark. But before I got there I met La. Coming to get me to spend the night. So I sent the boy back, and went with her. It was so good to be there again, and they made so much of me. When it got late enough we went for a walk. As we were going out we met Dodd coming in. He did not know I was there, and his eyes flashed with surprise and he seemed glad to see me.

   After our walk we all sat on the gallery, and I told them of my trip. Dodd asked lots of questions, and seemed much amused at some of my tales. We sat there talking ’till  11 o’clock and then La. drove us all to bed; but it was after 1 when Pard & I went to sleep, we had so much to talk about. We had planned to go black berrying the next morning, so got up at 5 o’clock, and started as soon as we got ready. La. loaned me some of her clothes, as I had only my good ones. Anais, Lillie, Dodd, Guy, Allan & myself were the party, and we drove in the spring wagon back to the woods. We found plenty berries and filled all our baskets, and left when the sun began to scorch us, getting to the house at 9 o’clock. We had a nice time and enjoyed the ride very much. We spent the rest of the day in trying to keep cool and in the evening went to see Clerence (?). I had to wait ‘till Mr. Smith came from town with the buggy for them to bring me home so it was after sundown when I left there. It was too late for the girls to come with me, so Mr. Coous (?) brought me back. They expected Dodd to bring me, but he went walking with the Ayrauds and didn’t get back in time. I was a little put out with him at first, but after thinking it over, concluded that he expected me to stay later. For as we were coming, we met them on the levee, and he stared at me in utmost surprise, and almost forgot to bow. It was supper time when I got here, and tonight I am played out.

Eva Greenwood Diary -- Part III

There is a break in the diary at this point because of lost pages. Pages 5 – 10 are missing. Page eleven begins with comments about arriving in Amite, LA in the pouring rain. The first dated entry is on page fourteen and is noted as June 11, 1897, Friday. We will pick up the transcription on page 11, but we can only guess as to the date. This entry is rather long.

   . . .Amite, and got here in a pouring rain.

   I have been three months writing this, for it was an opening of old wounds, and now I cannot go back and enumerate all the objects of this visit. But it has been a pleasant and happy one. It had been months since I had been so contended as I’ve been here. Were it not for longing for the folks, I could be content to stay much longer. Every one has been so good & kind, and made me feel as if I was somebody. All the family gave us clothes and things – especially Uncle Henry and we’ve been serving steadily every day. I found B. B. quite grown up, and we are regular chums. She is very lively, and a favorite with everyone. She has more beaux than she can manage. She and I get out on “a lark” about once a week, and have lots of fun. Corinne Gervin, an old friend of ours, spent a month here, and she kept things lively. She is as full of live as a cricket and had us in an uproar all the time. Every night she gave us some special performance. We were sorry when she left. Since we’ve been here we have not had one Sunday without company. The Hendry boys were regular visitors, and Phillip McMichael has been here a number of times. Then several times we had visitors from the city and Independence.  The day Corinne left her sister, brother & a friend – Mr. Rene Lavillboevre spent the day here. We were all charmed with Gus Gerine, he was so handsome, so refined, and had such perfect manners.

Our time has been fully occupied with work and pleasure, and my thought will often turn back to these three months at “Hillsdale Farm.” When we first came, we girls hired ourselves to a neighbor to tie radishes, for shipping. Emma & Corrine did right well at it, but it made me sick, and I had to stop, after making $8.10. We had to stand by a table from 7 o’clock in the morning until 6 in the evening, and used to get soaking wet. It made our hands sore, too. We were paid .10¢ a crate for tying. Oh, me! I can’t write anything. Last Sunday Seaton came over and I was the only one of the girls here, so he asked me to take a ride with him. We drove about twelve miles altogether, and saw a good deal of the country. I love the scenery here, -- the pine woods, the wild flowers, the smooth roads winding up and down hill – oh! It thrills me through with a feeling I haven’t words to express. It was 8 o’clock when we got back from our ride, and the girls have been teasing me ever since – that is they’ve tried to, but I enjoyed it more than they knew. While riding we proposed getting up a surprise party for Emma Wednesday night, her birthday. Seaton proposed it, and I would not be disagreeable about it, just because I was in no mood for such things, so helped him get it up. I told no one and all here were surprised indeed when the crowd came in. I remained in the room till dancing began, and then I went to our room.

Now our visit is drawing to a close, and we leave Sunday, May 30^th for the City. Emma will go with us, and spend a couple of weeks at Corrine’s. Mama will go right on home, but I will stay a few days at Aunt Jennie’s, to have some teeth fixed. I long to go on home when I start, and as the time draws near I get more & more homesick.

   Since we’ve been here, the Smith’s have lost their grandmother. I felt there would be some changes. The whole country has been in danger from high water, and it has been a hard fight – to keep the frail banks of dirt, which alone were between it and destruction. Leo worked so hard that he came near dying, but God in His goodness preserved him to us.

Anais writes that everyone misses me very much, and says the strengths of seeing me soon is the one bright spot in the clouded sky.

   All the boys have sent me messages, and Dodd has sent several. I thought being here so long, would drive the memory of those times I shared with him, but I was mistaken. I think of him constantly, and long to see him once more. His image is too deeply rooted, for time or distance to efface it.

   Well our trunks go to the depot tomorrow, so this is the last I’ll write from here. God grant that the rest of my life be as peaceful and quiet as these three months have been.

June 11^th 1897 – Friday

   Back on the Bayou again! We left Amite Sun., the 30^th.  Mama came on up Tuesday morning, but I stayed in the City until Monday, the 7^th.

   The last day we were at Hillsdale Seaton spent the day there, and went with us to the train. Aunt Jennie met us at the depot in the City, and Corinne and Gus were there for Emma. Monday Mama & I went down town, and when we got back to Aunt Jennie’s found Emma and Corrine there. Mama left the next morning. The two nights she was here we rented a room across the street, but after she left I bunked with Aunt J. There wasn’t room there for both of us.

   I was going to the dentist the whole week, and hadn’t much time to go anywhere else. I went to Dr. J. G. Mcbullock, (?) who lived right close to Aunt Jennie’s and I liked him so much – he was so kind and gentle. He filled my three front teeth for $12.00, and I hadn’t the money to have anything done to my jaw teeth. Two of the cavities he filled were small, but the third tooth he had to make half gold. He extracted the nerve in it, and put in a little bar of platinum to hold the gold. I did not mind the work at all, and everyone was surprised because I did not feel any distaste about going.

It hurt at times, but I just shut my eyes and stood it. I am so glad the work I done, for I’ve been worried about those teeth for a long time.

   I spent Fri. night with Barbara, and Saturday at the Genius’. Had a nice time both places. Mr. Kracke came to see us Wed. night, and was to return Sat. night, but had a meeting to attend Thurs. evening. I went to the Malorey’s, (?)and saw Dora, Hattie, & Paul.

   I learned to go about a good deal by myself, and love to ride in the electric cars. Emma and Estelle Geniro (?) came up Sun. to tell me goodbye, and I left the next morning. I was glad to get out of the City, but I hated to leave the folks, for there’s no telling when I will see them again. Emma is to go to Uncle Henry’s, when her visit to Corinne is over. Leo met me at the train in D’ville (Donalsonville), and it did me good to see him, though he is looking bad. He has those attacks of his heart whenever he exerts himself much. Mama has been suffering with her stomach ever since she returned. The others are well. The new house is so beautiful and large. It is cool and comfortable, and is fixed up nicely. We have a room upstairs, and a nice set of furniture in it. But all looks strange, and I miss the old familiar objects.

Leo’s friends gave him lots of things and Mr. Kock fitted out the dining room and kitchen completely.

   Already I’ve settled down into the old dull, monotonous, routine, and it seems strange after the stirring times I’ve had. I’ve had no way to get to Smiths’ & they’re in the same fix, so I haven’t seen them yet.

Note: When I began reading and transcribing Eva's diary I was expecting an insight into plantation life in the late 1890s. It is true that a good bit of the story is about the life of a young woman living in a house with servants to do most, if not all of the work. But the main theme was mentioned a few paragraphs earlier and will carry through until the last entry on September 30, 1899.