Buck (DD 761) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

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.

Page 7 text:

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

Page 9 text:

EXECUTIVE OFFICER LCDR G. W. STUBBLEFIELD J. R. USN Executive Officer OFFICERS LTJG E. S. SHANNON USN Gunnery Officer LTJG G. S. WITUCKI USN Engineering Officer LTJG R. J. COCKING SC USN Supply Officer