USS ARD9 commissioned at Alemeda, CA on sept 25, 1943. Towed to San Francisco bay and anchored near Floating Drydock Training Center at Tiburon. Had 5 dockings before leaving the United States. Left on Dec. 12, 1943 in a convoy of 5 ships: An AK ship, A Navy tug towing the ARD10, and the Metamora, Merchant Marine tug towing the ARD9. At sea we headed SSW and crossed the equator at 151 degrees and 50 minutes. It was 56 days at sea without seeing land. As it entered the Coral sea it was given an escort by an Australian Korvette. The ARD 10 had left and went to Perth. It anchored in Milne Bay, New Guinea on Feb. 6, 1943