Step back in time through the eyes of Cornelius Dixon Jr., a WWII Sailor aboard the USS Missouri. Defying strict military regulations against keeping personal diaries, Dixon documented his daily life at sea, capturing the challenges, camaraderie, and historic moments he witnessed firsthand. From the ship’s early shakedown cruise to the formal surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945, his accounts provide a rare and intimate glimpse into the experiences of those who served on the “Mighty Mo” during one of history’s most pivotal eras.
A Rhode Island native, Dixon joined the U.S. Navy in November 1943 and became a commissioning Plank Owner of the USS Missouri, serving as a Motor Machinist’s Mate. His daughter, Gail—born just before he reported aboard—generously donated his diaries to the Battleship Missouri Memorial in 2022, ensuring that his story, and those of his fellow Sailors, would be preserved for future generations.
Nov. 23, 1944 (Ship is enroute to San Francisco) –
“Up at 0330 on watch at 0400-0800. Called G.Q. at 0930. We fired our main batteries at a man made target and did not do so bad. The five inch mounts are not too bad now. You know the “can”* that is with us has got more subs than any other in the world. Yes and here is how they did it. When they spotted a sub they spread green paint on the water when the periscope comes up it is covered with paint and the sub commander cant see – so – thinking he is not far enough out of the water he keeps on going. When he gets high enough they shoot the sub down with anti aircraft. Goodnight, pleasant dreams, a cheerio and all that sh*t. Today we also celebrated Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful chow. Other than the chow it was just like any other day. We had a sportsman’s stern** for supper. You had to be a sport to even try it. Hit the sack about 2100.” *Destroyer – the USS Terry DD-513 ** Likely turkey
Dec. 25, 1944 (Ship is moored at berth F-2, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor) –
“Christmas Day. Up at 0600 had chow went top side. Had a job on the whale boats and worked till noon. Was going to open my Christmas presents when I got a call to fix one of our plane personal boats at 1500 I opened my Christmas presents. From Bess + Gail* got a nice cribbage board one that folds up it is swell. Doesn’t take much room and serves the purpose. I also got a deck of cards. Two cans of powder Boy! Am I going to stink pretty. It looks like good stuff too. Got some plug chewing tobacco and guess what else – some “Ginnie Stinkers**” ½ lb. of tobacco and a new pipe but that came from Gail I think. I got a small bottle of perfume, some cigars, and a box of dip from the farm, plenty of candy. From Dad + Bee I got some pair of socks, four handkerchiefs a pipe that is a pip. Boy it is a dandy plenty of candy, fruit cake and some nuts. Bess thinks I opened her package before but I didn’t, I promised her I wouldn’t and I didn’t.
Sat top side after the chow we had and it was good too. We had turkey mashed potatoes, carrots, dressing, peas, gravy, cranberry sauce, celery, nuts, candy, cigars, cigarettes. The days are hot and they keep getting hotter. Sleeping is a problem on this ship Boy, it is hot in my compartment. Went to a movie, tonight saw The White Cliffs of Dover. Hit the sack at 2100. No Christmas could ever be as bad as this one.” *Wife and daughter **Guinea Stinker, a type of large cigar
Jan. 1, 1945 (Ship is moored at berth F-2, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor) –
“Happy New Year” (From Pearl Harbor). Up at 0600. It seemed funny sleeping through that 0330 for I did not have a watch. Ate chow and found out I had liberty today. I think I will go out to see the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Waikiki beach. Got off the bus in Honolulu. I am surprised no ration points needed and no shortage of anything. Wait a minute I have been in this town for fully five minute and I haven’t smelt a beer. Something is fishy if you should ask me. This place is full of souvenir shops and every one of them have the same thing a few shells grass skirts that you can buy in the states a lot cheaper.
This town is about the size of Pawtucket no department store is over two stories high. There is no thatched huts or homes every building is modern. There are no girls running around in grass skirts however according to the prices they charge here I couldn’t afford the bung in a barrel if I stayed here any length of time. I took a trip out to Waikiki Beach and on the way I passed the Dole Pineapple plant. It is a big place about three times the size of the brewery. (speaking of beer the last place I was at had a line about two blocks long). You can only cross at corners and all you can see is army and navy men hardly ever a civilian. They all work during the day. We have to get back to the ship by 1800 every day that is why our liberty starts so early.
I approached this beautifully decorated Royal Hawaiian building that in many cases has a history all its own admiring the skillful architecture of the well known hotel that is talked of all over the world the Royal Hawaiian Hotel I entered this hotel and to my surprise instead of having these multi-millionaires sitting around the navy has taken over for a large sub-command. I left this hotel with questionable eyes of how this place could be so well kept in time of war.
I continued on to the well known Waikiki Beach and went swimming had use of the surf boards that all travel posters advertise about the beautiful tropical sun shine the sea brings the warm virgin like sand that matched peach colored flesh, the hulula hulula girls and hawaiian music that were in the gardens that studded the board walk around the beach. I could not spend much time there for I had to get back and I did not know how the bus system was running. I got back to the island (Ford Island by the way) and had a few beers before going back aboard ship. We intend to pull out tomorrow so I think I will get some sleep for I might start the steaming watch at 0330 in the morning and besides it is too dam hot right now. Hit the sack at 2000.”
February 16, 1945 (Ship is underway as a part of Task Group 58.2) –
“Up at 0330 on watch at 0400-0800. Down alert at 0500. Everyone is on edge. Some of the guys see planes that are not there. Well at least they are on the lookout. At 0545 our first wave was to leave for Tokyo but was delayed on the weather til about 0645. At 0915 we launched fighter protection for the returning planes at 0930, at 0730 second wave went over, these planes are mounted with eight fifty caliber machine guns and three, five inch rockets. All they were to do was strafe and hit airplane factories and airfields.
1045 Third wave took off we have moved within eighty miles from Tokyo but all we have heard of was a few enemy planes out of range looking over our fleet.
1100 Second wave returned
1400 Third wave returned
One of the planes landed in the water out of control but we picked up the pilot. At 1330 the first wave of carrier base bombers took off to set the “rising sun” They carried 2500 pound bombs. We are waiting for news it is like listening to a story on the radio but just can’t wait to the end to find out the results.”
February 17, 1945 (Ship is underway as a part of Task Group 58.2) –
“(Second Day of Tokyo Raid) Up at 0330 on watch at 0400-0800 – Down alert at 0500. Our first wave of bombers took off today at 0645, the second at 0730, the third at 0915, the fourth at 1100. They all carried 500 # and 1000 pound bombs some of them were incendiary bombs. With each group returning we sent up an escort of fighters to protect the fleet from any enemy planes falling in with our bombers and coming back with them. At 1630 we changed our course and headed southeast and from the news we have been getting, we know where we are heading. We were on our way for Iwo Jima. We got word that the enemy fleet was heading in our direction too so we were all the more on the alert.”
Through Dixon’s candid diary entries, we gain a rare glimpse into the life of a WWII Sailor—his observations, humor, and unfiltered perspective on history in the making. His words remind us that even in the midst of war, there were moments of curiosity, camaraderie, and reflection. As we honor the legacy of those who served, stories like his continue to bridge the past and present, ensuring that history is not just remembered, but felt.
These diary entries, along with others from Mr. Dixon’s collection, will be featured in the Battleship Missouri Memorial’s new exhibit, Pathway to Peace: USS Missouri’s World War II Experience, opening on September 2—the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Learn more on our website.