Buck (DD 761) - Naval Cruise Book

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Following her return from the fourth tour, CDR G. W. RAHILL, USN, became the BUCK ' s skipper. Tak- ing part in PAC-TRAEX 54 and type training, she remained in the U. S. waters until 20 April 1954. Then with her usual on station and ready , she left with DesDiv 71 for her fifth WestPac cruise which ended 17 October 1954, in San Diego. The BUCK spent three months overhaul at Mare Island Naval Ship- yard and returned to San Diego in February 1955. She continued training exercises until deploying with Destroyer Squadron 7 and USS HORNET (CVA 12) for her sixth WestPac tour. The BUCK arrived in WestPac on 13 June 1955. She operated with Task Forces 70, 72, and 77 and participated in two SAR missions. In late October enroute for San Diego the BUCK got a new skipper, CDR C. N. G. HENDRIX, USN. Under his command the BUCK spent six (6) months in underway training exercises and on 19 June 1956 in company with three other ships of DesDiv 71, departed CONUS for her seventh tour of duty in the Far East area. During this time she operated with Task Force 77, played a major role in two SAR mis- sions and the rescue of the burning Norwegian mer- chantman ALA The BUCK suffered severe dam- age and casulaties from an explosion in a gun mount, but because of the Can Do spirit of the crew and tender assistance she reported ready for sea in three days. The BUCK continued to operate with DesDiv 71 for the rest of the cruise and on 17 December 1956 returned to the States for three months of overhaul in San Francisco Naval Ship- yard. 3

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SHIP ' S HISTORY The 2200 ton, short hull, Sumner Class destroyer USS BUCK (DD 761) was launched by the Bethlehem Steel Company, San Francisco, California on 1 1 March 1945. The daughter of Admiral C. W. NIM- ITZ, USN, Mary, sponsored the christening. The BUCK was commissioned and turned over to her first Commanding Officer, CDR H. H. NIELSEN, USN on 28 June 1946. After completion of her shakedown cruise, in September 1946, CDR F. M. CHRISTIANSEN, USN, relieved CDR NIELSEN as Commanding Officer. The turn of the new year found the BUCK operating along the West Coast of the United States from Acapulco, Mexico to Ketchikan, Alaska. During April the BUCK carried reserve midshipmen on a training cruise. CDR R. J. OVROM, USN relieved CDR CHRISTIANSEN in Feb. 1947. In December 1948, BUCK in company with USS JOHN W. THOMASON (DD 760) operated in the Orient. While on this tour of duty Admiral E. E. Herrman, USN, Commander Task Force 71, declared the BUCK the Smartest Destroyer in Task Force 71. In the middle of 1949 the BUCK returned to San Diego as part of DesDiv 71 then engaged in reserve cruises. She also took part in Operation Miki , in the Hawaiian Islands area. Shortly thereafter, she returned to San Diego tind was selected to star in the motion picture The Skipper Surprised His Wife . Along with USS THOMASON and USS BOXER (CV21), the BUCK toured the Far East for the second time. Returning to the states in late April 1950, she entered the San Francisco Naval Shipyard for her regular overhaul period. Late in 1950, as a unit of DesDiv 71, the BUCK left the states for duty with U. S. Forces in Korea. While there, the BUCK and THOMASON suffered considerable damage in a collision, the BUCK event- ually being ordered back to the West Coast after a temporary bow was put on at Sasebo, Japan. From January until March 1951 was spent in Brem- erton, Washington undergoing repairs. The last day of April, and for 47 consecutive days, the BUCK was once again in operation with our U. S. Forces in Korean waters. In July 1951, the BUCK arrived in San Diego and underwent minor repairs, then participated in un- derway training exercises . Under command of CDR R. E. ODENING, USN, in I m OJiir-T! January 1952, the BUCK along with the three other destroyers of DesDiv 71, set out for her third tour of duty in WestPac. The BUCK operated with the shore bombardment task force and with the fast carrier task force. The 4th of July 1952 was spent at Pearl Harbor and on the morning of July 11th the BUCK steamed into the harbor of San Diego, completing her third tour of duty in WestPac. The latter part of July found the BUCK on her way to Mare Island Naval Ship- yard for a three month overhaul period. In early No- vember, the BUCK proceeded to her home port, San Diego. On 21 February, 1953, the BUCK steamed out of San Diego to begin her fourth tour of duty in West- Pac. The BUCK operated with Task Force 72, 77, 95, 96, and 97.

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COMMAKDING OFFICER CDR C. N. G. HENDRIX, USN 3. Born April 8, 1916 in Port Deposit, Maryland Attended Tome preparatory school for boys, following which entered U.S. Naval Acad- emy Annapolis, Maryland in 1935. Gradu- ated as an Ensign, US Nervy from U.S. Naval Academy in June 1939. Duties in the Fleet: USS MARYLAND (Battleship) 1939-1940 USS JOUETT (Destroyer) 1940 Submarine Service — 13 years (1940-1953) Amphibious Force — 2 years (1953-1955) Destroyer Force — 2 years (1955-Present) Assumed Command of USS BUCK (DD 761) November 1955 A WORD FROM THE CAPTAIN Buckaneers, this cruise recently completed marks the BUCK ' s seventh con- secutive cruise to the far East and has been an interesting and trying one. We have had to work some long and hard hours on occasions but this was partially off-set by pleasant visits to some ' of the best liberty ports in WESTPAC such as Hong Kong, Yokosuka and Sasebo. Our tours have been highlighted by six typhoons, extensive Hunter Killer operations in task force 11 off Formosa, two important search and rescue incidents in the China Sea and Sea of Japan, and the special alert occurring in the latter part of November which delayed return of BUCK to United States. The cruise was not without its sorrow. On 27 September, 1956, while en- gaged in routine Gunnery Exercises off Sasebo, Japan, BUCK suffered a major casualty when the gun or mount fifty-one exploded due to a premature ex- plosion of a projectile. One BUCK crewman, HOWARD, A. D. SN was killed and ten others received minor injuries. Primarily due to the courageous, early and correct action of BUCK repair parties and other ship ' s personnel, effective action was taken to prevent any further serious damage from flooding or fires. The courageous and spontaneous action exemplified by our crew during the WESTPAC gun explosion typifies the fine Buckaneer spirit and CAN-DO attitude which has helped to make BUCK the top -notch fighting ship she is. We have always believed in and worked towards having a happy ship, a clean ship, and a good operating ship. Our spirit and morale have always been high and by keeping it that way our crew is a better crew and our ship a better fighting ship. As your Commanding Officer, I am mighty proud of the Buckaneers and the BUCK and consider myself fortunate for having the privilege of serving with all of you. You have worked hard and deserve a good long rest with your families and loved ones back in the United States. May you enjoy the best of everything.