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Vaughn describes an ideal procedure and it would work if discharges could be spread out to only a few per day. But usually it's a case of battalion or shipload at a time.
When WW II ended, a good portion of the Naval Base at Long Beach, California was converted over to separation facities that took over quite a number of buildings for processing each individual. If all went well, a serviceman up for discharge could be processed out in less than 4 days with 2 days being the shortest and 6 days being the longest.
Hundreds of servicemen were going through the facility every day and wanted out in the fastest possible time. So adding a few more days to research for service awards and medals was not acceptable to most people. They just wanted out now or sooner.
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