Braine (DD 630) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 40 of the 1957 volume:

yoko xMCA .  t PH lUPFfNC- n. K7 Q ftnmonnRfiiivnmis ilUtB.iirJt «-jr IaDOSSu FT ■ DEDICATION p M I i To those who ha e manned this ship before us . . . To our shipmates who helped us with our work and made the long days aw ay from home more pleasant for us . . . To our families, wives, and sweethearts who were always in our hearts . . . To all these and to the crew who will serve in this fine ship in the future, we proudly dedicate this book, the story of our cruise. 1957 WESTPAC CRUISE USS BRAINE DD-630 SHIP ' S HISTORY Advisor, Ens. Tuttle Chiei Photographer, Price Business Mgr., Bowers 1 .7 . r IRRO-GRAPHIC produced by THE JACK DAVIDSON PUBUSHING CO. Box 989 SonDiago 12, Calif. The keel for the U.S.S. BRAINE (DD-630) was laid on October 25, 1942, at the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, and she was formally launched on March 7, 1943. The ship was named in honor of a Civil War Hero, Rear Admiral Daniel L. Braine, and was christ- ened by the wife of his grandson, Mrs. D. L. Braine of Brooklyn, New York. She was put into commission in Boston on May 11, 1943. The BRAINE first saw combat action in the carrier raid against Wake Island on October 5 and 6, 1943. In November 1943 she participated in the initial land- ing operation at Bouganville and was the object of a direct attack by enemy torpedo planes, at one time having two torpedoes pass underneath her keel. The BRAINE later conducted shore bombardment Ra- baul, Tinian Island, Guam and participated in the first battle of the Philippine Sea. In 1945 the BRAINE supported landings at Bataan and Corregidor, and Lingayen in the Philippines. In May of that year while working as a radar picket ship off Okinawa, the BRAINE was hit by two sui- cide planes in No. Two 5 handling room and near No. Two stack. The disastrous explosions that fol- lowed resulted in 150 casualties, and marked the end of a long and successful combat career for the ship. The ship was decommissioned in 1947 remaining in the reserve fleet until the start of the Korean War when she returned to active service with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in April 1951. The BRAINE made two tours of duty with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. She then became a part of CruDesPac in 1954 as flagship for DesRon 21. The BRAINE had made two cruises to WestPac prior to this 1957 cruise, on one of which she participated in the evacuation of the Tachen Islands. On 16 April 1957 the BRAINE left San Diego, Cali- fornia for her third tour of duty with the mighty Sev- enth Fleet. This cruise book depicts the story of that 40,000 mile voyage. lHIHn«A9I nfri-n4M ' M nf7f The present Commanding Officer, Commander Mervin Otis Slater, U.S. Navy, assumed command in July 1955. Commander Slater hails from Pana, Illinois. He was commissioned an En- sign from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis on December 19, 1941. Commander Slater has also served aboard the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CVIO), U.S.S. ESSEX (CV 9), U.S.S. ALBERT W. GRANT (DD 649) and U.S.S. ST. PAUL (CA 73). In these ships he participated in the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Mar- cus Island, Palaau, Tarawa, Rabaul, Marshall Islands, the Phil- ippines, and Borneo. He also served with the forces operating against Japan. He participated in the Korean campaigns. Among his decorations are the Bronze Star, Navy Commenda- tion Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Cam- paign medal with ten stars, and the Korean Service Medal with five stars. i if ' . M M M. Jf k J. ky h I OFFICER PERSONNEL FRONT ROW LTJG Roland H. Rigdon, Engineering Officer LT Thomas D. Hamrick, CIC Officer LCDR Reuben G. Rogerson, Operations Officer CDR Mervin O. Slater, Commanding Officer CDR John A. Gray, Executive Officer LT Meredith A. Smith, Gunnery Officer LTJG John P. Larson, Assistant CIC Officer BACK ROW ENS Charles J. Murrell, First Lieutenant ENS Nicholas M. Stephens, First Division Officer ENS Urban R. Lamay, Assistant Navigator ENS Thomas D. Turtle, Communications Officer ENS Theodore M. Davenport, Fire Control Officer ENS Gerry B. Fefierman, Second Division Officer ENS James C. Woodard, Supply Officer dUNNtKY UtKAKIMLNI , f I ' -imW- BACK ROW (Left to Right): Jones, Higginbotham, W. A. Smith, Gatz, Coleman, Cline, Roden, Wil- liams. FRONT ROW: Lashbrook, Wallen, Kirby, Ens. Stephens, Gill. Davis. Edeniield J. Kneeling: Robledo. Shiyou. MISSING FROM PICTURE: Poche. Beal. Hendrix. James. B. D.. James, R. G., Tay- lor. Higginbotham. R. C. Henderson. Bradley. Brewer, Faulkenberry. FIRST DIVISION X M M. M % ■ ' If if I W «if K. BACK ROW (Left to Right): Hooper, Vonderahe. Vaughan, Bateman, D., Bateman, P., Odom, Tisdial, Faxon, Foster. MIDDLE ROW: Roe, Slrudgeon, McEwen, Ens. Feiferman, Palmgren, Chase, Anclam. FRONT FOW: Matthews, McCoUum, CulUmore, Jacobson. MISSING FROM PICTURE: Garnett, Bol- lard, Ziefi, Guyton, Blum, Moore, Elliot, McCoy, Cole. SECOND DIVISION X BACK ROW (Left to Right): Thorne. Conn, Sutlon, Lucky. Derick, Wedgeworth. FRONT ROW: Den- ard. Shook, Darling, Ens. Davenport, Klark, Carter, Gribble. MISSING FROM PICTURE: Boyd. Cochran, Villapondo. Collins. Isaacs, Krause. Glynn, Hibbert, Durigg, Howell, Buse, Hatch. FOXTROT DIVISION Q ilO C V SONAC CONTACT.... ■ ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT BACK ROW (Lell to Right): Lebouef. Works, Crowder. Burchlield, Perez. Wenrich. Hood. Hardie. MIDDLE ROW: Allied. Duhon. Gonzales, Mullord. LTJG, Rigdon. Baker. Christiana. Hendrickson. FRONT ROW: Audley. Monroe, Halsey. Ryan. Hunlon. Flores. MISSING FROM PICTURE: Barkman. Belts. Boldis. Browniield. Byrd. Caddell. Cole. Conyers. Eldridqe, Green. Grigonis. Haskins. Har- wood, Kennon. Kuehn. Layne. Losey, Marques, Martin, McDonald. Meshkofi. Powell. Rap. Satterlee, Smith. Thompson. C. M.. Thompson, W. A.. Tyndall. White. Williams, Waller, Volz, Yoakum, Soper. M DIVISION rir -O- -I I H — ' 1 ' Li . ' r jsa BACK ROW (Leil to Right): Bolm, Calderon, Pettis, Wilson. Dillon. DrosI, Birchiield, Swanson, Kim- linger. MIDDLE ROW: Shook, Lindsay. Turnipseed, Davis, Ens. Clauson, Burnam. Bast. FRONT ROW: Ashworth, Burleson, Hill, Smith, Carleton, Chiasson. R DIVISION CJfJftT D D TUE 5WPF TTtlK_ A TUIMK OF VOUa A SO tST on, SIR.? mmm WSSSBB X 10 ' } r T f ' } OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT M f)f- f J bj lAJl BACK ROW (Leit to Right): Sullivan, Kubik, Graham, Wimpy, Kroke, Roberts. FRONT ROW: Palo- mino, Wilhelm, Elslon, Lt. Hamrick, Honeycutt, Bill, Chapman. MISSING FROM PICTURE: Burk, Randolph, Thompson, Allison. 01 DIVISION e. 11 ' ' — -♦ ¥ ' fHk . -I . A BACK ROW (Left to Right): Dayton, Bowers. Arrington, Brillon, Gajo, Riehman, Raela, Turnbaugh. FRONT ROW: Bathan. Russell. McCullough. Ens. Tultle. Anderson. Kingston. Adamowicz. KNEEL- ING: Frevold. Bergland. MISSING FROM PICTURE: Forrester. Callahan. Pearson, Hartley, Rice. Justeson. OC DIVISION y 12 i ky M M M.. Jf hi It k k b k h tf t SUPPLY DEPARTMENT BACK ROW (Left to Right): Grundmeyer. Deirales. Stevenson. Saunders. Jacobs. Cummings. Chill, Carroll, Teletzke, Matthews. FRONT ROW: Francis, Bolsinger, Elwell, Ens; Woodard, Price, Belton, Blass, KNEELING: Powers, Baca. MISSING FROM PICTURE: Ballew. Cole ' Guhil. Hagerer. Mabry, McPherson. Schell. I S DIVISION C OF BEea ' 7V 13 j.«,, ! ,,„;v CROSSING THE LINE After a fast five d ay run to Pearl Harbor during which all hands once again got their sea legs, and a six hour stop at Pearl for fuel, the Braine turned south bound for the Fiji Islands. X marks the spot and 25 April 1957 was the day when we crossed the equator, most of us for the first time. Neptunus Rex, Ruler of the Raging Main and all his court appeared aboard our ship that day to preside over the initiation of some 60% of the crew who were Pollywogs. The Shellbacks, remembering the stunts pulled on them the day before, gave an initiation not likely to be forgotten by those of us who suffered through it. The shillelaghs, grease, salt water and garbage baths left lasting impressions. Pollywog Smith A few oi the more distinguished pollywogs. Neptunus Rex, Davey Jones, and all the rest of the Royal Court 14 - . ,; t I. i.. b t k i I The long line of Shellbacks and Shillelaghs . . and then the court with Queen Larson, Miss Baca. Neptunus Warhead Rex to pass judgment . . . ¥ r- vhich was invariably guilty . . . the saltwater dunking . . . a kiss for the Royal Duriqg Baby ' s stomach . . . H ' • ' u FUt tS. SUVA ■IK MJI I LANU The beautiful Fiji Islands were only a fuel stop, but we made the most of the one day. A number of parties were given in our honor. Some made trips into the hills and proceeded to go native with jungle juice and grass huts. Others preferred the regular brew while sitting on a hotel terrace overlooking the blue lagoon. Coral, spears, and Fiji boats were big sellers. t o Want to buy a boat, mister? MELBOURNE Melbourne, Australia was the big rest and recreation port of the cruise. And what liberty! The land of down under opened its doors to us, and the Australian people ' s hospitality was boundless as most will testify. More parties and dances were given us than there were men to attend. In return thousands came down to the Yarra River to visit the BRAINE. Our visit was planned so as to permit our participation in the Coral Sea Celebration Week, an annual affair celebrating the victory of the Battle of the Coral Sea during World War II which saved Australia from invasion. A lew hardy souls tried hunting kangaroos in the bush country, but were not too successful. The 1800 closing of bars and pubs was an inconvenience, but nothing insurmountable. The degree of friendliness of the Aus- tralian people can be measured by the number of letters ex- changed throughout the rest of the cruise, and by the number of requests for a swap to any ship going to Australia. 16 -V: k t k i i k i i - 1 V i I J f I I 1 I r I I f h 1 1 . 1 Pit J ill 1 if? j The BRAINBUSTERS. Hatch. Cochran, and Carter were extremely popular in Melbourne as they were everywhere else on the cruise. Baker marched with the veterans of the Coral Sea Battle in the parade. The marching platoon from the destroyers in the Coral Sea Parade. Mt. Fuji-san YOKOSUKA Yokosuka, Japan was the BRAINE ' s homeport in the Far East. On three different occasions we spent from one to two weeks here. These periods were for upkeep and repair of the ship in between heavy- operating periods, and to provide a bit of relaxation for the crew. The large naval base there offered many kinds of recreational facilities and a ship ' s store where bargains in chinaware, stemware, pearls, and silk were tremendous. A 3 magazine was needed to stow the many articles bought by the crew, a total of $13,000 worth. The town of Yokosuka also offered many types of recreation. A successful ship ' s party was held there in June. Black market alley was always interesting and a challenge to one ' s bargaining ability. Many journeyed to nearby Kamakura to see the great Buddha, or even farther to Tokyo or Mt. Fuji. The qreat Buddha, Daibutzu, at Kamakura Yokosuka Harbor 18 fiuse enjoying the recreational facilities of Yokosuka I 1 I . IT. MiT k. A party at the Fuji Club Kennon and Eddings went native Ty P . Hfipgi Engineers in the EM Club: Carlelon. Garrison, ludd, Powell, Smith, Paul. Burnam. 19 itri Finm ' i t Jun ' n. ' AivJ!npm HOWSHU KOBE The Fourth of July hohday was spent in the large industrial port of Kobe. World famous Kobe beef provided some wonder- ful steak dinners. Souvenir shopping on Motomachi Street and side trips to Kyoto, ancient capital of Japan, and modern Osaka took up most of the four days there. Despite heavy rains and high wind, Kobe was a welcome rest from heavy operations with the Seventh Fleet. Geisha qirl dancers Kobe street Religious procession «- 20 OPERATIONS We worked with carriers , In her operations with the Seventh Fleet, the BRAINE performed in many different capacities. We plane guarded the carriers Lexington, Kearsarge, and Philip- pine Sea. We observed the firing of a Regulus missile on a small island off Okinawa. The BRAINE was re- sponsible in part for the successful 2 ' 2 day holddown of a submarine, the first time it had been done in his- tory. We refueled and replenished more times than the deck force cares to remember. Our gunnery exercises, in particular the torpedo shoot, were outstanding and several gunnery E ' s resulted. We put in many long hours at sea and the work was hard, but our ship was commended for a job well done many times, and the state of training and combat readiness of the BRAINE were at their peak. The BRAINE coining alongside for another highline transfer. Refueling was almost a daily operation 21 Hot, straight and normal , to a hit on the Ammen . . which resulted in an E for the tube mount. The Captain, Mr. Murrell and Chief Klark proudly paint on the E. , T ' • ' SiiK i i iM Ata k -( - J p5 Jl M I- ' ; PP - ► ' mNCTI ■L F «bb M H s J W ' E B H E t. Ml 32 trying ior a sleeve ' • h Man overboard drill Gill and Mt 52 were a sharp pair 22 CWIWA KAOHSIUMG- KAOHSIUNG From 6 August to 2 September the BRAINE spent a blistering three weeks on Taiwan Patrol. Half of this time we patrolled a few miles off the coast of Red China observing the shipping through the straits. The rest of the period was spent in Kaohsiung, a dirty, dismal and smelly port in the southwest coast of the Chinese Na- tionalist island stronghold of Taiwan. The heat was stifling, and the liberty poor. We suffered through an administrative inspection with a high good score. Some went swimming, all the divisions played intramural softball, and the bars and slots attracted many customers. Everyone was glad to leave when our relief showed up . . . two days late! A native Dowrntown! Primitive methods are still used 23 Intradivisional softball games were enlivened with generous quantities of beer. Here are the stag- gering but victorious OC division and the equally shot down OI division teams. No one. including Baker, shined their own shoes here 24 The Commodore had a small party on the forecastle The Captain and Mr. Davenport entertained the guests. The Commodore ' s personnel inspection 25 ;..i,|v[; ; i; Slt?Sl{t«« t{«!t(«t||! TiT ' ' ' ' v V Wv3v ;i v;i. HONG KONG On 3 September the BRAINE at last joined the rest of the division in the beautiful harbor of Hong Kong, so called Pearl of the Orient. This teeming trade center in China is a mixture of tin shacks and large modern buildings climbing up the steep sides of the green mountainous island of Hong Kong. Its myri- ads of small shops kept the crew busy with purchases of ivory, leather goods, jade and the inevitable tailor made clothes. The intriguing Tiger Balm Gardens, the floating res- taurants, the tram to the top of the island, and forbidden Kow- loon were standard excursions. Few escaped from this shop - ping paradise with even a Hong Kong dollar left. It was a ter- rific R R port which the Brainemen enjoyed to the fullest. The Peak Tram Sampans — home ol many Chinese The famous Hong Kong Peak 26 Part of Supply division observing the Monkey Pit at Tiger Balm Mr. Tutlle, Davenport, and Lamay play- ing tourist with the Tiger Balm Tiger. Aw Boon Haw Mansion Tiger Balm Pagoda Tiger Balm figures Chapman, Wilhelm and companion at the iloating restau- rant — ah so! Duhon and Allred giving the water taxi boy a rough time 27 r Mary Soo and her side cleaners. Scenes around Hong Konq 28 SHIPBOARD LIFE After evading several typhoons we finally headed home by way of the Philippines, Guam, Yokosuka, Midway, and Pearl. San Diego sure looked good after six months and 40,000 miles of steaming. We saw some wonderful places, but most of our time was spent on that 376 feet of grey painted steel we called home — and here is life on the Dirty Thirty. The Commodore liked clean sides! Why did you ever go to sea with your sides like that? Mail was always welcome Signals! 29 Well somebody decide something! About that part you ordered two months ago mmik ) A few of the 1st division discussing the world ' s problems No we don ' 1 carry any pastel pink We ' re going to be shifted to the Atlantic soon you know 30 The bridge wants to know which way to turn Not liver again A new chief in CPO quarters Swim call oH Japan We think its a bad tube, not sure yet Only live tons more to go, boys Ploy it again, like at the Fuji club Your guess is as good as mine 1 Chase receiving commendation for out- standing work in gunnery school . W -m How do you want your steak, son? Now where did I put that other SIOOO? Say . . . now . . . about that head S Chow time Doc Murrell giving tlu shots The usual taut quarterdeck watch , yot tMCA V Q L