Anthony (DD 515) - Naval Cruise Book

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i11 flyers long before they approached within striking distance of our force. Those few who did manage to break through were quickly disposed of, and by 1400, even the few remaining sporadic at- tacks had stopped. The final score, 369 planes 'shot down meant that the Jap force now had little or no air cover available for protection from our own attack. As our planes searched for the Jap fleet, accompanied by the BRAINE, We made a short trip toward Guam to rescue the personnel of two cruiser planes who were reported down on the Water, We found the planes afloat just north of Guam and after futile attempts to assist them in get- ting into the air, we took on board both the crewmen of the seaplanes as well as the carrier crew- men whom they had landed to assist. After destroying the planes by gunfire, we headed back to the task force at high speed. Bogies were reported in the area, but we were unmolested and, just after dark, once again took our places in the formation. The next day found us still searching for the Jap fleet, and when the word came in as to their whereabouts, about 250 miles away, our own planes took to the air for the kill. Meanwhile, we waited impatiently, praying that they would have the best of luck, and that all could return and make safe landings. Our prayers must have been answered as they found their quarry and made the most of the opportunity. Then came the long trip back, and when they finally did reach tlhe force, it was well after dark. With the arrival of the first planes, the mighty armada put aside all fears of submarines in favor of the safety of the flyers, and all ships turned on their truck lights. At times as directed, we turned our 36 inch searchlights on and their brilliant beams shot up into the clouds to guide the planes to us. We hadn't been able to help them strike the Japs, but we could assist them to return safely. As all were extremely low on gas by this time, many failed to make it to their carriers, and were forced to land in the water. Their rescue was assigned to our division, and as the force sped onward toward the Jap Fleet so as to be ready to strike again in the morning, we remained behind scouring the waters on a mission of mercy. By morning, we had covered the area thoroughly, and with our rescued airmen aboard, we headed for a rendezvous with the tankers. Then, since the Jap Fleet had fled, we were to return to our bombardment group to continue our work as a covering force. Our part in the First Battle of the Philippines had been one of mercy, but we felt that we had done our bit. CHANGE OF COMMAND Hardly had the excitement of our latest activity worn off, when on the 30th of June Captain Fondeville L. TEDDER Cthen Commanderp of Berkeley, California, came aboard, via a boatswain's chair , from the escort carrier which had brought him out to our operating area. He assumed the duties of Commander Destroyer Division NINETY and we were once again a flagship. Meanwhile, we were getting ready for the ceremonies to be held Uhe next day. , On the lst of July, after general drills had been completed, the crew and officers assembled on the fantail in much the same manner as they had done sixteen months previously. This time it was to be good-bye, and after a short speech, Captain Van Mater read his orders. He was followed by Lieutenant Commander Van Arsdall, Jr., who read his orders and who then relieved him as Com- manding Officer. The new skipper made a brief but impressive talk, and we were certain that we would have at least as much confidence in our new skipper as in our old one who had found us an inexperienced and untried group of individuals and had welded us into the trained fighting team that we now are. A few days later the old skipper left in the same manner as Captain Tedder had arrived. LIBERATION .hings had just begun to get monotonous when we got orders to proceed to Guam and com- mence the processing which was to make it ready for the Marines. Our little group of cruisers and destroyers arrived at Guam on the morning of the Sth of July and the cruisers began their bom- bardment, That night. the group retired, and the ANTI-I-ONY remained to bombard during the night and harass the Japs with star shells. One of the other destroyers of our squadron was per- forming the same mission on the other side of the island, and between us, we made life very inter- esting for the Japs on the island. ' ' ..11...

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ting our blues cleaned up and our plans made for one riotous stayin that most famous metropolis. We had planned for this moment during our entire stay in the South Pacific, now We were there. I The first liberty party left the ship about noon, and from then until we staggered up the gang- way at midnight six days later all hands cooperated to banish all thoughts of the War and to have one grand vacation. It wasn't the states, but ,some thought it was even better. VVe didn't have our families there, but no one can say that the friendly people from down under didn't do their utmost to -make us feel at home. In turn, we invited a good number of their fair sex to help us celebrate at the two ship's parties which were held at one of the halls in the heart of the city. Both parties were smashing successes. ' ' ' . The following Saturday was a sorry one indeed, for we had grown very fond of this beautiful city and its inhabitants, but the war couldn't wait, and we' turned our bow once more toward Ha- vannah Harbor. At least, we had our memories of a Week! of heaven, and that would help until We could finally head toward home. I ' WE HEAD NORTH AGAIN I After a short period of training and rehearsals, in company with the rest of our squadron and eescorting the battleships and joining cruisers and carriers enroute, we headed for the Central Pa- cific. When we got underway on the morning, of June 2nd, We did so for the first time Without our first Division Commander, Commander Edmund B. Taylor, USN. He had gone ahead to take over the duties of Squadron Commander, and Commander Frank J. Walsh of the USS WADSWORTH Wasacting Division Commander. It was truly a period of change, enroute we got orders for a new skipper as Well. ' , ' The group arrived at Roi Anchorage, Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshalls on the 8th, fueled, pro- visioned and on the 10th headed westward toward the Mariannas. We had a new member in our ship's company, Commander Clyde J. Van Arsdall, Jr., USN Cthen Lieutenant Commandery who was to be our new skipper. 'We had done our job in the Solomons, where the enemy had been checked and then turned backg now we were heading for his own territory, Saipan, Island in the Mariannas, Arriving at Saipan with the bombardment force, We lost no time in getting into action. The heavies bombarded until the middle of the morning, when they headed 'out' to se, and in company with the WADSWORTH, we closed the coastline. Steaming along just off shore, we poured 5 inch shells into the various machine gun emplacements and other targets of opportunity. We had been given the privilege of being the first destroyers in the group to bombard the island. The morning of the 15th found us once more screening the heavy units as they covered the initial landing on Saipan Island. Thus we added one more major bombardment to our record as we cov- ered our fourth invasion. The day passed swiftly and nightfall found us ready for more action. We headed south and the first light of the 16th found us off Guam. Here again, the heavy units began the softening-up process that made it possible for the Marines to land. ' FAMOUS FIFTY-EIGHT Our bombardment was broken off by orders to head north to await further orders. The Jap Fleet was going to accept our challenge, and We were going to be privileged to be there. Our Orders came in later in the day, and that night we left our group to join Admiral Mitcher's already famous Task Force FIFTY-EIGHT. This was indeed a far cry from playing guardian angel to LST's, but both jobs were necessary and we went where duty called, There could have been no one on the ship who didn't thrill to the first sight of this mighty task force as we first sighted them in the distance. They covered the entire ocean, and no matter where one looked, there were more carriers, battleships and cruisers, and of course, out in front of all were the sleek grey destroyers. The Mighty A was proud indeed to be a part of this mighty striking force. - The reports of the Jap Fleet were proved correct when on the morning of the 19-th, the reports of Many Bogies began coming in from all directions. It was the all out attack of the air arm of the Jap fleet. Needless-to-say, We were ready for them, and the raids were broken up by our gallant -1o- I

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We continued the bombardment for several days, and at night two destroyers would remain to harass the enemy. This continued until we were relieved by one of the other divisions. We then escorted two baby flattops to Eniwetok in the Marshalls where we refueled, provisioned, took on board more ammunition, an-d on the morning of July 17th, we left for Guam. Having safely delivered our transports to their destination, we took our place in the transport screen and from a good vantage point watched the initial landing on the Island of Guam, that first U. S. possession to be recaptured from the enemy. Our somewhat dull but nevertheless necessary duty continued for what seemed to be countless days, broken only by our spending one night par- ticipating in a. cruiser battleship bombardment of Rota Island, but on the 10th of August, we got the very welcome orders that sent us back to Hawaii. They were doubly welcome, as we escorted a. fast transport instead of having to creep along with a slow landing craft convoy, and on the 20th of August we moored in Pearl Harbor. We were back after almost 13 months and it was a happy homecoming. A WE TAKE A BREATHER A i , 'Our arrival at Pearl Harbor signalled the beginning of our first real liberty since we left Syd- ney, Australia, and everyone made the most of it. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel had its share of vis- itors from our crew, and while ,the ship was getting a needed going over in the Navy Yard, the crew was getting a well deserved vacation from the rig rs of war. We also managed to get our first pack- age and magazine mail in 4 months, and the excellent air mailservice made thisftruly a pleasant time. A. 5 I - 1 if THE WESTERN CAROLINES W p,,. f I . The stay in Hawaii was broken by participation in rehearsals for ouglpegt operation-the Cap- ture of the Western Carolinesg and it ended by our departure in company with an Escort Carrier Task Group. This new and interesting duty ended rather abruptly when we were detached. at :Eni- wetok, on the Road to Tokyo'f and assigned to' escort a somewhat varied service group to Ulithi Atoll. This . change caused speculation, and rumors sped through the ship. The scuttlebutt that we were going back to the states proved to be good dope when we received our orders while enroute to our destination in the Garolines. Although the fighting in the Carolines was still in progress, we were able to enter Ulithi safely, and after fueling began what was to be practically a non-stop trip to the states. This was to be our sixth invasion, but under the circumstances, we were willing to forego anyiclaim to it. Besides, going home was the topic of the day ..... A A ' UNDER: THE GOLDEN GATE. ' f After an uneventful trip of over 6,000 miles, during which dress blues were embellished withi the extra, stripes and crows that had been acquired since they had been last worn, and during which we, speculated and planned for this long awaited moment, we steamed under the Golden Gate Bridge at 0612 on the morning ofthe 25th of October 1944. After ITM, months, we were once more in the good old U. S. A. Even the men from Boston, were glad to be in California and only one who has been out of the country for so long can hope to know the thrill. of once again setting foot on American soil. ' , A As the yard workers swarmed over the ship and department heads held conferences with the yard officials, the first leave party got underway. We had the very latest in equipment when we left the states in '43g now by the process which made it impossible for the Japs to have any possibility .of keeping up with: us, were once again to be re-equipped with the most mo-dern of weapons and ac- -cessories, and when the time to return to the battlefront would come, we would once again be as modern as the very newest destroyers. During our stay in the yard, some of our officers and crew were detached, and new faces took 'their places. Among the new officers to come aboard were Lieut. Herbert P. Carrow, Jr., USNR, of Evanston, Illinois, Lieut. Cjgp Eldon G. Elder, QMCJ, USNR, of Vandergrift, Pa., Lieut. Cjgy John 'W. Govanus, USNR, of Chicago, Illinois, Lt. Cjgj John E! Johnson, USNR, of Quincy, Mass., and Lt. fjgp Donald W. Thornton, USNR, of Georgetown, Kentucky. By the time we were ready to sail, these new shipmates knew the ship almost as well as the old timers. ...121 T