Brown (DD 546) - Naval Cruise Book

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o o ,- i S . , i- m 4?» Barkelew T. D. LT, Beiser C. E. ENS, Bentley D. D. ENS, Bevier R. L. LT, Carmon R. L. LTJG, Collender E. H. LT, Cook J. K. LTJG, Foulds D. D. LTJG, Gallont W. J. LTJG, OFFICERS Gombash W. ENS, Guthe D. B. LTJG, Koye R. E. LT, Roberts F. E. LT, Smclo.r E. H. LT, Skolaot P. L. ENS, Sorensen C. J. LTJG, Urban F. M. ENS, Watt S. E. LT. 4 ' , m ij. ' ) t II II 10

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horizon. When we were just about to join up, the Engineering Department had opportunity to demonstrate their ability and competence when one of the feed lines broke down. After an hour of feverish work, it was back in commission and normal operations were resumed. Day after day Jets and Corsairs from the carriers made vicious strikes against the enemy in support of United Nations troops, while the BROWN and the other destroyers were constantly alert for air, surface or sub-surface attacks that might threaten the task force. Shortly, however, we returned to port - Sasebo this time, for a brief stay. While we were in port the entire area was alerted by typhoon warnings. The possible necessity for getting underway on very short notice hindered the normal repair and maintenance to the ship. Only half of the engineering plant could be disabled at a time and before all the repairs could be made the ship was ordered back to the forward area. Early in July, the BROWN was assigned to Task Force 95 off the West Coast of Korea. This time, we operated with ships of several nations, included were a British aircraft carrier and destroyer, and destroyers from Australia, the Nether- lands, and Canada. During this time the carrier USS SICILY was part of our task force. From it our Marine Air Wing launched Corsairs to harass the enemy with bombs and rockets. While we were operating with this task force the cease-fire talks were started at Kaesong. Before returning to port again, the BROWN was assigned to the siege of Won- san and each day there was evidence of the manner in which we profited by those endless drills. The bombardment of rail centers and shore battery targets about Wonsan filled our days until the BROWN was detailed to move down the coast to lend the support of our five-inch battery to the United Nations troops. During those days of bombarding the enemy we could see skirmishes on the beach and hear their small-arms fire. Constant firing and long periods of lying-to caused steam leaks throughout the engineering spaces. In a short time these leaks depleted our fresh water supply and we were on very strict water hours. For one brief period there was not even a drop of fresh water aboard. Late one afternoon, as we checked our firing while a squadron of Marine worked over the enemy positions, one of the planes was hit by AA fire. Only a few thousand yards from the BROWN, the Marine ditched his plane just off the beach. Almost as soon as his plane hit the water, we were making flank speed towards the crash to rescue the pilot. As we drew close enough to spot the yellow life raft, he was drifting toward the enemy-held beach. Our boat was lowered and the rescue party was on its way in a matter of a few moments. Then, as they were fishing the pilot out of the water someone shouted, Fire! From the beach! As the boat headed back, with shell splashes spouting all around it, the fire control director crew spotted and zeroed in on the shore gun. When the boat was clear, the BROWN blanketed the area with a dozen rounds from the main battery. After the smoke cleared, the hillside was bare . . . another enemy battery knocked out. We then returned to Yokosuka. By then, our return to the States was in sight - and a very welcome sight it was. We had proven that history can repeat itself, for the BROWN came through with flying colors again. From the graveyard of silent ships, she had taken her place in the fleet among the other great fighting ships of Uncle Sam ' s Navy . . She had become a ship to be proud of and every man who took a part in her second Operation Pacific could be proud to say he had served on the USS BROWN.

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f - ■ ' ■ ' V!a. ' -4 ' Aringdale J. W. YNC, Brady L. S. BMC, Breland M. H. BTC, Crawford D. L. CSC, Komorowski C. V. HMC, d) L.- ' - Lj-i CHIEFS C: . l£ ' . l Pacifico S. L. EMPC, Parkins E. J. GMC, Pastor J. M. MMC, Petzhold R. L. TMC, Reid W. A. MMC, Roverano L. MMC, NOT PICTURED: Galimore E. QMC, Nugent H. T. BTC.