The commander at Toyon Bay found Raymond in the mess hall at breakfast. He said, “Lieutenant Hatcher, there’s a boat here to take you to the mainland.” Raymond was startled. The commander did not ordinarily allow boats to depart for the mainland during daylight hours.
“This is a joke,” Raymond said. “But you’re two days late for April Fool’s.”
“No joke, Lieutenant. Get your a*s down to the dock,” the commander said as he handed Raymond his orders.
Raymond read the orders while the launch sped across the channel. He would hitch a ride on a navy transport plane from the marine airfield at Pendleton to San Francisco. In San Francisco he was to report to the Mark Hopkins Hotel and ask for Ned Putzell. Further orders would be given to him there. But he didn’t arrive at the Mark Hopkins until
