John McCain (DDG 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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ADMIRAL JOHN SIDNEY MCCAIN, USN John Sidney McCain was born in Teoc, Mississippi, on August 9, 1884, son of John S. and Elizabeth Young McCain. He attended the University of Mississippi (one year), and entered the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, on September 25, 1902, graduating in February, 1906. He was commissioned Ensign in February, 1908 (after the two years then required by law before commissioning), and subsequently advanced to the rank of Vice Admiral. In 1944, he became Commander of the SECOND Carrier Task Force, Pacific Fleet, which was in almost continuous action during the remainder of the war, operating with Admiral Halsey ' s THIRD Fleet as the famous Task Force THIRTY- EIGHT. This force spearheaded the drive into the Philippines, supported the capture of Okinawa and rode rampant through the Western Pacific from the Indo-China Coast to the Japanese home islands. The Cease Fire order came as its Navy airmen were over Tokyo for the third time in five days For heroism and great achievement in the Pacific during the latter period of World War II, Admiral McCain was awarded the Navy Cross, and Gold Stars in lieu of the second and third Distinguished Service Medals. After witnessing the Japanese surrender ceremonies on board the battleship MISSOURI, Vice Admiral McCain was ordered to report to the Secretary of the Navy in Washington for further assignment. He flew to his home in Coronado, California, on September 6, 1945. A few hours after his arrival the gallant fighter suffered a stroke and died. His death was attributed to war exhaustion. After being posthumously promoted to Admiral in the United States Navy by joint resolution of Congress, he was buried with full military honors i n Arlington National Cemetary. His son. Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., and his grandson, John S. McCain, III, continue the family tradition of superb naval leadership. Both hold decorations for valor and distinguished service to their country. VICE ADMIRAL McCAIN WITH ADMIRAL HALSEY DURING SIGNING OF THE JAPANESE SURRENDER ON USS MIS- SOURI AT JAPAN. 109

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USS JOHN SIDNEY MC CAIN THE STORY OF A SHIP [i qji ij l]R p;r?Ji W. j jk ' S G;o R;P.o Ri Mii ' i,Q. ' f i, SHIPBUILDERS. AND ENGINEERS July 9, 1952 NEW TYPE DESTROYER TO BE LAUNCHED AT BATH IRON WORKS The destroyer leader, U. S. S. JOHN S. McCAIN, designed to operate in a carrier task force screen and to combat enemy submarines, will be launched at the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, at 6:30 P, M. , July 12, 1952. Principal speaker at- the launching ceremonies will be Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey, USN, famed commander of the U. S. Navy ' s Third Fleet in the Pacific during World War II. Also attending will be Secretary of the Navy Dan Kimball and former Secretary of the Navy John L Sullivan. The new vessel will honor the late Admiral John S McCain, USN, Commander of Carrier Task Force 38 during the war. Spon- sor will be Mrs- John £. McCain, Jr., of Arlington, Va - , wife of Admiral McCain ' ' s son, a navy Captain. MRS. JOHN S. MC CAIN JR. CHRISTENS DL-3 MAINE, 12 JULY 1952. 108

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USS JOHN S. MC CAIN (DL-3) OFF THE COAST OF OAHU, HAWAII A BRIEF HISTORY United States Ship USS JOHN S. McCAIN was constructed as Destroyer Leader 3 and, in her original configuration, was one of the five largest gunned destroyer-type ships ever built. During her service as DL-3, McCAIN made seven Western Pacific deployments, establishing a tradition of tough opposition to enemies of the United States as well as mercy and goodwill to peoples in distress. JO HN S. McCAIN ' S original armament consisted of two 5 54 gun mounts as a primary battery and one 3 70 gun mount forward. These guns combined could deliver 260 rounds per minute. The undersea threat was countered with Weapon Alpha , various torpedoes, and conventional depth charges. During the Formosa Crisis in the summer of 1958, McCAIN was part of a fleet task group which aided the victims of the fire-ravaged town of Komija on the island of Amiami Shima. In October 1959, she carried antibiotics and donated food for flood victims in the Bengal-Crissa lowlands outlying Calcutta, India. Later, in the rough waters of the East China Sea, the crew of McCAIN rescued the entire 41 man crew of the sinking Japanese Freighter SHINWA MARU. In April 1962, McCAIN joined Joint Task Force EIGHT and for the next six months participated in OPERATION DOMONIC conducted by the Atomic Energy Commission at Johnson Island. She was subsequently deployed for a six and one-half month tour in the Far East.