My uncle was on the USS Carina when he reenlisted in 1942.
The Carina was a supply ship that operated in the South Pacific carrying supplies from the base at Vanuatu to the war zones.
So if your relative was at Vanuatu loading supplies at the same time, they could have met there as well.
Strangely enough the sister of chuck, in the interview, was married to my grandfather. Anyway..HE was in the South Pacific as part of the 871 (831st? Can’t remember). AAEB or army airforce engineer battalion. They did a LOT of work, some of which the sea-bees got credit for in the eyes of the public at least. They would go to a rugged island, literally a jungle. And in a few months have graveled roads roads, a quarry, saw mills, hospitals, barracks, power station and lines, dugouts, sewers, water treatments and yes of course an airbase. AAEBs would do all of that…even sometimes build wharfs for the navy!
The Japanese were absolutely dismayed at our ability to build stuff and work.
He was on several Islands…I’ll try and get his papers out and look it up (that one does sound familiar).
He was in the 821st AAEB.
First base was Sam Fran spring of ‘42 and Oregon for a month
Sailed on the USS Klip to Fiji Isalnds. July ‘42 to Jan ‘44.
Sailed on the Meteor to the Russel Isalnds from Jan to April ‘44
Sailed on the Mintaka to Los Negros/Admirality Isles Apr-Oct ‘44
Sailed on 4 LSTs to Leyte Philippines Oct ‘44 to Feb ‘45 (saw combat)
Sailed on 2 LSTs (multiple trips) to Samar P.I. Feb-may ‘45
Saliled on 4 LSTs to Manila P.I. May-wars end ‘45
I have many historical and personal notes in this magazine (issued to all troops at the end) but Postimages is down so I can’t share more now.