Aaron Ward (DM 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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ACTION TO U.S.S. AARON WARD, FROM: Fleet Admiral CHESTER W. NIMITZ. U. S. Navy, Commander-im Chietf, U. S. Pacific Fleet: 'lCon'gratulations on your magnificent performance. We all admire a ship that can't be licked. The combat record of the U.S.S. AARON WARD, and her return from bat-tle in a seriously damaged condition reflect an unusual measure of courage and skill in her officers and men. i' ir 'A' Admiral RICHMOND K. TURNER, U. S. Navy, Commander Amphibious Forces, U. S. Pacific Fleet: While on picket station duty throughout the night of 27-'28 April 1945 you and your supporting ships were under practically constant air attacks splashing two. The performance of your team was superb. Pass alonvg to your lap elim- inating gang. The sav-ing of the U.S.S. AARON WARD by her officers and ship's company is an example of conduct in action for the entire naval service. ' 'k if ir General SIMON B. BUCKNER, U. S. Army, Commander Tenth Army: With full concurrence and congratulations. on behalf of the Tenth Army I am delighted to express my appreciation of the splendid services given by the personnel of the picket vessels in contributing to the antiaircraft protection of our forces at Okinawa. The bulk of ene-my air attacks Were directed at them which have resulted in their suffering serious casualties. Without their skill in Warning and guiding our aircraft our forces would have suffered heavily in. life and equip- ment. For their performance of their hazardous duties with cheerful efficiency and display of heroic courage they are deserv- ing of the highest commendationsf' ' 'lr ir ir Vice Admiral IOHN H. TOWERS, U. S. Navy, Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet: To the officers and me-n of the U.S.S. AARON W'A'RD, congratulations for your courage and skill in fighting your ship and in bringing her back to fight again. -k 'lr 'k Rear Admiral ALEX SHARP, U. S. Navy, Commander Minecraft, U. S. Pacific Fleet: 'Commander Minecraft, U. S. Pacific Fleet, and Commander Mine Squad-ron Three, U. S. Pacific Fleet, join' in congrat- ulating the splendid officers and crew of the U.S.S. A'A'RON WARD for a magnificent performance. A high standard has been set for all under my command. The Commander Minecraft notes With pride the excellent performance of the officers and crew of the U.S.S. AARON WARD. The outstanding efficiency and spirit displayed by both the gunnery and damage con-trol departments will long be remembered by all Naval fighting men. ir 'Ir 'k Commodore FREDERICK MOOSBRUGGER, U. S. Navy, a Task Group Commander, U. S. Pacific Fleet: The ability of the U.S.S. AARON WARD to give and take punishment is an in-spiration to our naval forces, and proof of the combat efficiency an-d fighting spirit of that ship. i' ir ir Captain ARTHUR M. TOWNSEND, U. S. Navy, Commander Mine Squadron Three, U. S. Pacific Fleet: The Squadron Commander was deePlY impressed with the CUTlOUHf'l Of dCUf1C1Qe SUS'fCIi1'1eCl bY The U-S-S A-AREN WAR? and still survive. Her re-turn to port was solely due to the magnificent performance in damage control by her o icers an- crew. The U.S.S. AARON WARD and her damage con-trol organization may well be an example to Others -I 3Q 1-

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l AFTERTHOUGHTS Less than a year ago we were at the point of wondering . . . wondering how the fate of tihe Aaron Ward would fit into the destinies of the war. From the start' she established herself a happy ship and gradually she became an efficient one. But this degree of efficiency came after long and strenuous drill sessions . . . day after day, perfecting our jobs a little better so that we could be ready when we were called upon. Our story has been told a hundred times. To this l only want to add that l'm proud and grateful to have served with such a fine group of officers and men of the Aaron Ward. 1 RAYMOND BEISMEYER, First Lieutenant. . l want to join all officers in expressing my feelings to the ship and her crew. The road we have traveled together as shipmates has been a rough but pleasant one. From the early days of Point Montara, the U.'S.S. Foote, and Tl to this very day, my work has been relatively simple. Thru your eagerness to learn and do w-ell in your various gunnery duties, our ship was blessed with gun crews that the Navy can well be proud of. Victory is ours today, and you have contributed largely to that cherished goal. But let us not f-orget the 'heritage that our dead have bequeath-ed us, and thru the years strive to make ourselves worthy of their sacrifice. LEFTAERTS LAVRAKAS, Gunnery Officer. The Medical Department extends a hearty thank-you to the crew of the Aaron Ward for the courtesies, flavors, and cooperation you have given us. We assure you that we derived sincere pleasure and ecstacy in administering your typhoid and tetanusshots, and wish we might have more opportunities to repeat the same in the future. Seriously-the first aid rendered by the cre-w on the evening of May 3 was most admirable. As you know, our medical department was swamped witth work during the first few' hours, and your help aided tremendously. The wounded were a patient and understanding group of men, and endured their suffering without complaint. On several occasions, injured men ref-used immediate treatment on the grounds that other men were more seriously wounded. ln short, it was a grand job, done by a grand cre-w. lt has been a pleasure working with you. IOHN BARBTERI, Ship's Doctor. On board the AW, the communication department. holds one claim to fame. Namely, the hirsute facial adornments Cbeards, to you guysl that blossomed during the cruise into tthe Pacific. All in all, within this de-partment were represented the ugliest, the best looking, the blackest, the reddest, and the curliest beards on the ship. We regret, however, that the claim to the beard par excellence goes to Kennedy, a pharm'acist's mate. Too bad we lost out there. But beards or no beards, we've had a dog-gone good bunch of Communicators. T Not many heroes are made as communicators, but they've all done a top-notch job. T f 1 ei h T T f ' ee pm fo we been that boss LEoN woonsriDE,cemmue1eeueee Officer. As chief engineer it has been my pleasure to chase all the deck apes out of the engineering spaces. We have beennice enough to provide hot and cold water to the rest of the ship, and in our generous manner, keep you cool in the hot climes, and warm in cold weatfher. These were our secondary functions. 'Our primary job was serving the ship and driving her thru the water. lfeel the gang has done its job in an excellent manner. To all the men, who will soon scatter far and wide, I wish you smooth sailing ld ' . f rf . an Success m Your mme le DoNALD YOUNG, Chief Engineer. One of the least known and ye-t most important departments aboard ship is the Commissary Department. The ship's cooks and bakers are men who work hard to provide for the comfort and nourish- ment of the crew. ln all our travels, we of the Commissary Gang have tried our utmost to keep up the spirit. lt makes us very 'happy to know that we have accomplished our purpose. ROBERT RAGAN, Chief Commissary Steward. 4381- ,,,,, mn ,Wm .mi...,-.-.,n . nm. ,..,... , .. . ., ,... - ..F.A-.W-e L-. .... .- e..e V W-l .-,.- ,. .-..-.. ..,,,,., YW, W ,. .ni -... .....-....-. ...... ' '- in e 4 - , f --er' fee-f -1a m.,.-4n?-irffeee

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' TABLE 'OF CONTENTS Original Picture of U.'S.S. Aaron Ward ..................A....................... .L .....................A...................... .,.......... N ctvy' Ph-Otcgrflph In Memgfiqm ,,,4A,Aq,,.,.,,,,,4,,.,,,,,,.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.,..,.,.,,,,.,.....,.,.,..,... .............,..,.,........,............................................ Q .................A......A...A. E ditorial CQqjtQi1'1'5 Message .,,,,,A4,.,,,,,,,.,, ...............,..... C ommander W. H. Sanders, U. S. Navy Executive Qfficefs Message ,.,,,,,,,. .....A...,.... L ieutenant Commander D. M. Ru'bel, U.S.N. Biggrqphyvgf a Lady ,,,,A,,,,,,,,,...,,,,4,,,.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.A.....,..,...,,.... ............................ L ieutenant L. Lavrakas, U. S, N-avy Headline Page .....,............,.,.......................................,.................... .............. Y eoman 3fc W. G. Powers, U.S.N.R. Officers and 'Men Alooard Night of Action .,............ .............f...............................................................,....................................... S taff T-he Aiaron Ward Epic ...................,........................................... ............ L ieutenant Commander E. P. Doyle, U.S.N.R. Excerpts From Our War Diary ...,....,...... ...................... L ieutenant I. K. Barbieri, M.C., U.S.N. Pictures of Damaged DM34 .................... ...,....... ........................................................................, L ....,,.......... N a vy Photographs Aaron Wards Cruise CMapD .......................... .....................................................................................,..................,. ' Navy Photographs Pictures -of Officers and Men Cited .............. ........... Q Mlfc R. T. Holte, U.'S.N.g SoMlfc C. E. Storey, U.S.N.R. Department Stories .................... : ....,..................... ....................................................................,............................................,,...... C onftributions Division Pictures .....................................,....... .............. L ieutenant Cjgl S. Dillon, Ir., U.S.N.R. Random Thoughts of a Reserve .................................... ..........,........ S oundman lfc C. E. Storey, U.S.N.R, Plan of the Day CCartoonl ...........................,............................... ............. L ieutenant Cjtgl H. C. I-lalsted, U.S.N.R. Officers and Chief Petty Officers Statements ............. ...........................................v... H eads of Departments Messages Received ..................,,...... Q ..........,....,.............,.........,.,..... .......,.........,.....,.. 1 Ships Personnel Autographs ............ ............... P lag Officers L S T A F F Editor --------t--------------- A----t--A--------.---A--------------- ..................... L i eutenant L. Lavrakas, U. S. Navy Assistant Editor ........ ............ L ieutenant tjgj L, A, Wggdgidel U,S,N. Managing Editor .......... ......................................................,....,,.,....,............,.................................................... L teutenetrrt qjgp 1. P. Tiwaldl U.S.N- Al'ffSf ...................................... .........................................................................................................................,,..,.,.... S oundman lfc C, E, Stgfey, US-NR' Contributors ............................................. Soundman 3fc W. R. McKann'a, U.S.N.R., Quartermaster 1 fc R, T, Hgltel U,f5.,N,5 Radarman 3fc L. R. Hosking, U.S.'N.R.g Crunner's Mate 3fc E. G. Hall, U.S.N.'R.g Radio Technician lfc W. l. Phillips, U.S.N.R., BoatsWain's Mate lfc D. P. Iones, U.S.N.g Radioman Zfc H. W. McCurry, Ir., U.S.N.R., Mineman Zfc N. A. Gross, U.S.N.R., Gunners M-ate Sfc E. A. Hammock, U.S.N.R. -I 40 1- ---U ' ' A4 V ' ' ' -?a-LT. - --