These pictures are particularly special because they were taken by the ship's photographer, Alfred J. Sedivi. He was also lost at sea. He was prolific. You can see The Alfred Sedivi Collection in the U.S. Naval Institue Photo Archives.

He mentions in the letter dated March 16, 1945 that the guys had set up this birthday party for him and had gotten the ship's photographer. The cake was also baked by one of the bakers aboard ship that made a lot of those for the guys.