Brown (DD 546) - Naval Cruise Book

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. -HN tfrtafg-flssfvtif-Q' - - ' -.ri6----.::.:z1-arf.:-aw.:J 'Tw 41, P' l Q B , I? 'P ,, ' eq ,,L a f O 1 fu.. me . 5 ' - .W .- ,,- - , ,-:,,,,:- 5, f2,-gf: Wijpgj i f V ' ---,- 1-' ' 2--1 ar, ,la -f x ,Mgt fr ' if.t 5?-'fff-2E51- f -'-- fi?-7'V' f - F.. - ' ' 5 AA ttt ff ' 'A' ' 1.---j g 'T Q.,-3--off ' img. If ' ,Mr nj , .1 . 'L f-s 'S 7 1' ' I in 1' ' f',f, My Y,,,,,fh ,4 fff, 'QW fz f -:H W . V1-ber 9- -r- - - A ,,.., .af 1 'N' ff X - A .gf-'.L.l'-it-.,-- I A 3 , I AAAA gl M- , a , 4, - ' ,, ,, ,,f--fff- 'wa .... it ,wggff,W, fa fsfzpifi f In the maddening battle of competition that followed, some 60 Chinese merchants were authorized to come aboard to display and sell wares. Thus commenced operation sellout in which nearly everything except the ship itself was bought and sold. The merchants sold every- thing from Cocacola to tailor made suits, needless to say the Brown crew will be the best dressed sailors on the beach upon arrival stateside. The crew shortly took to bargaining after the merchants were found to have a very pliable prices. Many enjoyed dealing with the chinese if not purely for the pleasure of gyping that last ten cents by argument, pleading and threatening if necessary. Thus our three day spending orgy began, and many thousands of dollars changed hands in purchases of suits, shoes, yardage material , Qsilks, cashmere, gabardine, etc.J, uniforms, rugs, knick knacks, jewelry, and much more than space will permit. The low competitive price of these goods were very attractive it seems. Of interest also, is the guided tour of Hong Kong Island offered by one of the local companies. Many spent a day on the sightseeing tour around the colony. The trip ended with a seven course dinner at the Leda Hotel, on Repulse Bay. This alone was worth the venture. The principal city, Victoria offered the most interest. There are many fine restaurants, hotels, X directly behind the city provides a breathtaking view, and is mountable by a special tram cable car. Once at the top, the city of Victoria spreads below along with the harbor and city of Kowloon across the harbor on the chinese mainland. Here l a so, was the ideal place for photographers to record for themselves an ideal scene. Since all good things come to an end eventually, we once again set sail on Saturday November 15th, and left behind a memory of many experiences. Our destination, Buckner Bay, Okinawa, was reached on Monday two weeks later. After fueling, we settled down for the evening and liberty was granted. The next morning we hoisted anchor for a week of submarine war games, Shortly after, a typhoon warning was received involving us. For nearly a week the typhoon chased the small task force we were part of, around the ocean until once again we arrived at Okinawa on the 22.I1d of November. Our ,schedule upset by the typhoon, the carrier Bataan and eight destroyers including the Brown left the next day, to cram the remaining schedule into five days. banks, shops, and department stores. A peak 16

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On September 28th, our task force assig- ment finished, we again returned to Sasebo. Three days later the Commodore received a special dispatch ordering us back to 77 . A round the clock work schedule was set up to complete repair work essential for battle effi- ciency. The Bryce Canyon's efforts were again helpful and the deadline found us fully pre- pared to do battle. Our October trip to 77 involved a most interesting mission. We were selected to par- ticipate in a mass amphibious demonstration at Kojo, Korea. I Arriving on the scene several days prior to D-Day, we shelled predetermined targets in a softening up operation. Counter-battery fire was experienced again with nil effects to the Brown. The USS Perkins and a minesweep were not as fortunate however, as they both took hits which caused loss of life. , Dawn on D-Day saw a large assemblage of naval vessels ranging in size from amphibs and minesweepers to such heavies as the U. S. S. Iowa, the Toledo, and the Helena, arrayed along the coast. Air- craft carriers much further out from shore launched their strikes which pounded the beaches and hills with tons of high explosive bombs and rockets. Due to rough weather, landing craft were delayed five hours. Finally, at 1400, the operation got underway. Under the 'cover of heavy supporting fire the landing craft maneuvered to within a few hundred yards of the beach, then they reversed course and headed back to their mother ships. Undoubtedly the Reds were surprised by this reversal, since the preliminaries were completely realistic in in- dicating a major landing was taking place. After the smoke had cleared and our units had retired, Admiral Clark, commander of the Seventh Fleet, gave a well done to all participating. Worthy of mention also, was the appearance of four Russian built Mig aircraft which surveyed us from the healthy altitude of nearly forty thousand feet. They did not attempt to come within range of our eagerly waiting five inch anti-aircraft battery. Several weeks later on October 26th, the division left the Korean area to take up previously assigned patrol duty in the Formosa Straits. We assumed patrol after an un eventful trip to the Straits. The two weeks we spent on patrol were characterized by the consistently rough seas we had to put up with. We were rocking and rollin con- stantly except for the few hours we spent in the Formosan port of Kaoh- siung ton two occasions. We were relieved from patrol on November 10th, and on the Ilth with refueling completed at Kaohsiung, we proceeded to Hong Kong The morning of the 12th found us entering the famous British Crown Colony on China's south coast. Victoria, a city of foreign intrigue and oriental splendor, was one of the higher points of interest on the island. The entire colony was very impressing with its blending of modern Western culture and ancient Chinese custom. Upon arrival, the harbor became a beehive of small bum- boats carrying merchants and their wares. They all ,converged on our ship, it seemed, and there was a mad scrambling among the merchants to try to be the first one aboard. We eventually resorted to the use of firehoses and clubs to control the surging, shouting mob. .15

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E On the 27th, the division arrived at Yokosuka to complete a rigorous repair schedule prior to departure for Task Force 77 again. This portside venture was spotlighted by a ship's party in a Japanese cabaret restaurant where all hands made merry dancing and dining. Rest camp tours were sent to interest- ing resort spots in the Mount Fuji recrea- tion area. Sea stories flowed like wine as the vactioners returned with their many interesting tales. After a week of preparation, the division departed Yokosuka for northern Korean waters to rendezvous with Task Force 77 for the last time this year. Our two week stay with 77 sped by uneventfully. Fortunate timing brought our return to Yokosuka on December 24th, Christmas Eve. We were to spend three days in port. The holiday season in Japan proved far from CT in satisfying to most of the crew, but a well decorated Christmas tree and a wonderful holiday dinner helpeditremend- ously in keeping the Christmas spirit high in all our hearts. Joy was expressed by everyone on December 27th, when, with majestic Mount' Fuji in the back- ground, we waved good-by to Japan. Proceeding to Midway Island, we arrived New Year's Day, 1953. Here on this remote coral atoll in mid-Pacific waters we saw the famed Cfosoney Bird. We all experienced quite a laugh at the strange antics of these seemingly tame birds. It was observed that they had much difficulty in taking off and landing., though once airborne they were as capable fliers as their sea gull friends. Our short stop at Midway was followed by a full power run with all the ships of DesDiv 132 participating. Top speed was sustained for several hours. As was expected, the Brown outdistanced the rest of the division, though the U.S.S. Harry E. Hubbard gave very good chase. After comparing notes and summing up of readings however, we realized that our victory would have to be cataloged as a moral one. Statistics showed that we had exceeded our allowable limits of fuel and feed water in order to make our maximum power. j And finally, with all minds full of thoughts of Home and the States, we bring our story to a close. The wake of the Brown proceeded on to Pearl Harbor for a two day stay and thence on to San Diego. California, U. S. A. Q With Point Loma hoving into view,7'the second successful , ' V Korean cruise of the U.S.S. Brown has terminated. ' 2' A A new chapter is begun as the men go off to schools and 'i well de stervefdl-'sle.avesg ,happy to be home, but proud of the job H they have done. I .x . 1 7