USS Columbia - Naval Cruise Book

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Gem received eleven more survivors. At 0700 on July 1, the prelanding bombardment firing commenced. At 0855 the first wave of Austral- ian assault troops hit the Balikapapan beach. The beachhead was rapidly secured and the COLUMBIA provided call fire throughout the day. So perfect was the fire laid down by the six cruisers, nine destroyers, six minesweepers, and rocket ships during this attack that not a living thing could move within 5,000 yards of the barrage. The Aussies reported at the end of the first day of landing, NONE KILLED— NONE WOUNDED. This proved that at this stage of the war, the Navy coupled with frequent daily a ir attacks could devastate one given sector. On July 2, the COLUMBIA proceeded with units of TG 74.2 and arrived in Leyte Gulf on July 5. On July 7, the COLUMBIA was detached from duty in the Seventh Fleet and reported to Task Force 95 for duty. The mission of this force was to conduct repeated sweeps in the East China Sea, to destroy enemy shipping in order to exercise control of the China Coast and to mislead the enemy as to the next assault objective. This task force sortied from Leyte on July 1 3, and fueled at Buckner Bay, Okinawa, on July 16. From Buckner Bay it proceeded to the East China Sea for the initial sweep of the China Coast. Many floating mines were encountered and were destroyed by gunfire. At sunset on July 21, the COLUMBIA took station eight miles ahead of the formation to back up a destroyer screen and to assist in making land- fall on Tangang Tao Island off the China Coast. One bogie was detected and taken under fire. Landfall was made on the island and a naviga- tional position was sent to CTF 95 at 0350 on July 22. The COLUMBIA then joined the formation at high speed and the course was changed to parallel the China Coast. This was the first sweep of the Chinese Coast by American surface vessels in the war. Many small sailing (fishing) vessels were sighted and taken under fire. Later it was determined that these vessels were manned by Chinese and orders were received not to open fire without investigation. No ships of any size were encountered on a sweep which extended about 150 miles up the coast. Captain Dupree assuming command. TF 95 retired to Buckner Bay and proceeded via the East China Sea to run a barrier night patrol between the approaches of Shanghai, China, and the Japanese mainlaind. At 1800 on July 27, one division of destroyers was detached and made a high speed shipping sweep off Shanghai. At 2200 on July 27, the Task Force entered the Yellow Sea. This was the first American surface force to enter the Yellow Sea since the beginning of the war. The results of this sweep were also negative, indicating that the Japanese (even at night) were unable to run shipping out of Shanghai. On July 31, Captain M. M. Dupre, Jr., USN, relieved Captain M. E. Curts, USN., as com- manding Officer of the Gem. On August 1, the task force sortied from Buckner Bay and proceeded via the East China Sea to a position in the Yellow Sea north and east of Shanghai. Shipping sweeps were con- ducted in this area on the nights of August 3, 4, and 5. Except for one fishing boat identified as Chinese, all sweeps were negative. In the morning, retirement was made to a position about 120 miles east of Shanghai. In this area the Combat Air Patrol spla.shed three bogies while the Task Group engaged in anti-aircraft target practice firing at towed sleeves. This task group then returned to Buckner Bay on August 7, 1945. 34

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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.

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2 XI 2 2 2 2 2 t 7 ICTORY! THE advent of the atomic bomb followed by the entrance of Russia into the war with Japan was greeted with enthusiasm. The initial Japanese peace offer was hailed by extensive fireworks on the shores of Okinawa. This enthusiasm was somewhat dampened by the torpedoing of the USS PENNSYLVANIA a thousand yards from the Gem ' s berth off to right on the 12th day of August. The suspense occasioned by Japan ' s dickering continued until the final unconditional surrender on 15 August (Tokyo date). The attitude of the Gem ' s crew upon hearing the news of the surrender can perhaps be best reflected in the statements of her Captain and her Chaplain on that day. Here follows the message of Captain M. M. Dupre, Jr., USN, recorded in the Victory Edition of the COLUMBIA News: This is the hour of Victory. The end towards which we have all worked and fought has at last been crowned with success. Each of you has contributed his efforts and many have made great sacrifices to achieve this great moment of triumph. When this ship was commissioned three years ago, its crew, many of whom are still with us, could scarcely foretell the glowing history of this great ship. The COLUMBIA has set a record in this conflict of which you may all be justly proud. Your war history will be an inspiration to the future crews of the Gem. In this hour of triumph let us not forget the bravery, sacrifice and devotion to duty of those men who are no longer with us. First there are those who have made the supreme sacrifice, secondly, there are many wounded men who may be incapacitated for the rest of their lives. Finally, there are many unsung heroes on this ship whose deeds have not been officially record- ed. To all of these the COLUMBIA will always owe a deep debt of gratitude. I am sincerely pleased with my assignment as Commanding Officer of a really great fighting ship. I count upon you men to continue your fine spirit of cooperation, and to work as a winning crew on this most splendid ship of the U. S. Navy. I in turn shall endeavor to the best of my ability to uphold and maintain the high standard of performance that has been passed on to me. Okinawa — First Japanese Peace Offer.