Recalled to Duty

Lee Harrison Stewart, a Seaman Apprentice, was stationed at a backwater naval station in Astoria Oregon. There was nothing for a teenager to do in this salmon canning community and he wanted out. He requested a transfer to sea duty anywhere on any kind of ship. Shortly thereafter, the North Koreans invaded South Korea. A month later, Lee received orders to report to Naval Shipyard Yokosuka for further transfer to the 'PF Detail.' Upon arrival, Lee was assigned to something named PF-5 and he was to help restore this bedraggled, beat up, LendLeased Soviet Navy sabotaged hulk to active duty. He was instantly assigned to the Radio Shack where he discovered the other five Radiomen were pissed off USNR-R sailors that did not attend Reserve meeting, wear uniforms, or draw pay who were not supposed to be recalled until all USNR sailors who did attend monthly training meetings, wear uniforms, and draw attendance pay were recalled. President Truman, a WW1 combat veteran in France, decided its was better to recall WW2 combat veterans rather than wet-behind-the-ears USNR sailors. Lee was one of seven USN sailors assigned to PF-5 to rehabilitate the ship. Eventually, after nearly two months of corrective work, the USS Hoquiam PF-5 lights off one of two boilers and steams to a pier where she will be recommissioned.