Aaron Ward (DM 34) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 44 text:

' 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. - --

Page 43 text:

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-

Page 45 text:

,-4.--0 -n -'--s-5,-,X 7' af Qi? f vzfogfaplzs S