These rather humorous scenes show the more pleasant side of combat in the Pacific. These two pictures were taken on the flight deck of the USS Hoggatt Bay during the ceremonies celebrating the crossing of the equator in 1944. The King of the Deep with his white hair (Neptune) and his royal family (queen, royal baby and royal scribe) are shown preparing for the ceremonies of induction for the new recruits wishing (there is no choice, you gota' do it) to become Shellbacks.

Some of the ceremonies were not really appreciated by those shown here. After some beating, head shaving, and head coloring, the victims were flipped over backwards into the huge tank in the background. No one was drowned here but a few came close.