USS Columbia - Naval Cruise Book

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(1) BOMBARDMENT. 6 HC 5 AAC 40mm Jan. 6 92 17 Jan. 7 300 569 1200 Jan. 8 420 442 Jan. 9 623 10 1435 1038 1200 (2) Anti-Aircraft. 6 HC 5 AAC 5 Spccial 40mm 20mm Jan. 5 6 117 42 500 300 Jan. 6 303 111 4200 2300 Jan. 7 46 400 Jan. 8 40 60 160 Jan. 9 39 500 500 545 153 5660 3260 (3) Total 6 HC 1441 5 AAG 1736 40mm 6860 20mm 3260 Emergency repairs to the underwater hull damage were effected at Leyte Gulf, P.I., and Manus, Admiralty Island. The ship arrived in Pearl Harbor, T.H., on January 29, 1945, and sufficient progress was made on the underwater damage to permit the removal of the bodies of 17 men (missing since January 6) for burial ashore. The ship arrived at the Navy Yard, Terminal Island, San Pedro, California, on February 11, 1945. The Gem had finished her second battle cruise — a cruise which brought her home licking her wounds. She had learned much in the Philip- pines — learned that death can come from the sky; that the fanatical little men of the Rising Sun empire would fight viciously when cor- nered; but she had also learned that in a given opportunity she could slug it out with the best (at times better than the best) and make a record worthy of the valiant men who served her. Her head was high now; and indeed it had a right to be high. Australian B-25 ' s strike landing beaches at Balikapapan. • «»aiP ' tr= -,

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COLUMBIA, as a combat unit, is well demon- strated by the smooth and precise manner in which all duties were carried out to the final fulfillment of her mission, in the face of the continuous air attacks, and in spite of the casu- alties and damage suffered from three successive hits by suicide dive bombers; two on January 6, 1945, and one on January 9, 1943. When hit January 6, casualties and damage were heavy. But with turrets 3 and 4 out of commission, magazines of turrets 3 and 4 flooded by fuel oil and sea water, progressive electrical casual- ties, the COLUMBIA carried out the bom- bardment schedule January 7th and 8th, 1945, with undiminished efficiency and successfully stood off several air attacks. When again hit and damaged on January 9, 1945, just prior to the scheduled time for laying down the bom- bardment in preparation for the landing of the troops, just at the critical time when transports were unloading, the Gunnery Officer and Air Defense Officer were wounded, forward fire control stations were demolished, the COLUM- BIA, while fighting fire, clearing wreckage, treating and evacuating wounded, and remov- ing the dead, continued the bombardment, covering the landing craft and advancing troops, until her schedule was completed. The ship then remained on station ready for call fire missions until darkness when ordered by the Task Group Commander to retire to Leyte Gulf. The efficiency of the COLUMBIA, as a combat unit, was due to the excellent performance and gallantry of the officers and crew who fought and repaired damage with veteran skill and discipline, and inspiring fighting spirit unsur- passed in aggressiveness and determination, endurance that knew no end, the homogeneous cooperation of clockwork, unswerving loyalty and a courage conspicuous in a courageous serv- ice. AH of which are proved only in bitter and sustained combat. The Gem ' s Commanding Officer, Captain M. E. Curts, USN, commented as follows: The performance of officers and men of the COLUMBIA was all a Commanding Officer could ask for or expect in dire extremity. It was perfect. The following is quoted from Commander Battleship Squadron ONE (CTG 77.2) Vice Admiral J. B. Oldendorf ' s endorse- ment to the Commanding Officer USS COLUMBIA ' S recommendation for awards: Mast and stack damage by third Kamikaze. The conduct of the Officers and men of the COLUMBIA was so remarkable during the Lingayen operation, as to make her ' shine ' among many heroic ships. The recommendation that the COLUMBIA be awarded a Presidential Citation is concurred in. Certainly few ships have ever been forced to undergo the devastating attacks which the COLUMBIA so nobly faced and few ships have ever deserved more than she, the right to recognition by the Commander-in- Chief himself. It was b y heroic performances such as this that the Battle of Lingayen Gulf was won! It is believed that in these actions the COLUMBIA truly distinguished herself by extraordinary heroism in action with the enemy and exhibited gallantry and determination in overcoming such difficult and hazardous condi- tions as to render her outstanding compared to similar units participating in the same or similar engagements. In this action the COLUMBIA has been officially credited with the destruction of 9 enemy aircraft. The following ammunition was expended in this operation: 31

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2 2 2 HIRD BATTLE CRUISE IT required 875 workmen per day for a period of 77 days to repair the COLUMBIA after her return from the Philippines. More than 30 percent of her damage was to electrical equip- ment and more than 50 miles of electrical cable was required to replace her blasted and burned out wiring systems. Five tons of welding rods were used in repairing the exten sive damage to the COLUMBIA ' S hull. Repairs to battle damage and alterations of military necessity were completed on April 29, 1945. Upon completion of post overhaul train- ing at San Clcmente Island, California, and Pearl Harbor, T.H., the COLUMBIA returned to the Pacific for her third battle cruise, arriving in the Philippines area on June 16. On June 19, she proceeded via Morotai Island to Balika- papan, Borneo, arriving on June 23, to partici- pate in the assault and occupation of that area. The COLUMBIA operated with TG 74.2 which conducted bombardment of landing and adjacent areas, counter battery fire in support of the minesweepers, and firing at targets of oppor- tunity until the landing date on July 1. During this period at least three active enemy anti- aircraft or shore batteries were hit causing explosions and fires, and destruction of the batteries. One 3 gun (DP) emplacement set in concrete was well covered with 6 HC and AP and explosions and fires were observed. A large fire and what appeared to be an ammuni- tion magazine explosion resulted from a direct hit with a three gun 6 salvo on tunnel entrances to Signal Hill. Four days prior to the landing on Balikapapan a 6 salvo started a large fire, apparently in a storage area, which was still burning the day of the landing. At about 2025 on June 25, seven enemy planes in three groups made a night torpedo run on the task group. No damage was sustained. One enemy plane was destroyed. On June 26, YMS 365 struck a mine and sank. The COLUMBIA received four officers and 31 enlisted survivors from the YMS. At 1550 YMS 39 struck a mine and sank. The Gem received five officers and 38 enlisted survivors from this ship. Three enlisted men (deceased) from YMS 39 were buried at sea. On June 27, the Gem ' s spotting plane was hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. Slight damage was sustained and the pilot was wound- ed. On June 28, YMS 47 struck a mine and the Balikapapan Refineries go up in smoke.