John Thomason (DD 760) - Naval Cruise Book

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T M a n I I I I USS JOHN W. THOMASON is named for the late Colonel John W. Thomason, United States Marine Corps. Born in Texas in 1893, Colonel Thomason served in both World War I and II. Between these wars, Col. Thomason served in the Far East. His heroism earned him the Navy Cross in the first World War. He was also awarded the Air Medal in World War II. Colonel Thomason died of natural causes in 1944. Colonel Thomason was much more than a military hero, however. He was an author and artist of the first rank. He sketched many scenes of Navy and Marine Corps life, some of which USS THOMASON is fortunate to have and display. An enthusiast of the Old West, Col. Thomason penned Col' John W' Thomason' USMC several books about this era of American history and wrote poetry for his own amuse- . ment. Also an eager sportsman and horse- cttttt J ittcc iiis 5 man, one of his favorite recreational past- y ty, i ff times was polo. no p pppp X J His life was biographed by Colonel Roger Willock, USMC, in LONE STAR MARINE-. g Thus, Col. Thomason led a most interest- mg' Chauengmg and rewardmg hfe'.H1S ,aia -A C .. , meritorious performance of duty, his re- W A A f markable talents in many fields, and his f 3 ,-gi ff J y loveof his country all provide a great -Q g A yj gg- n tradition for the USS JOHN W. THOMASON W A J .... fft J f ft l A - .e T' ' A 2 c -Y 4 ' X. I 7 I ' L ! . 12, 1,:',' y' 1 , v ' 4 ' x Q4 1 f r? '6 ' f f I . ,. if . .1 iff' ,f ff! -,j 1 f,.j '. ng' f f I 51 PI Llgjf-' . CV' a 4-1 X ,N XM Qt Q .in . . A a fxj. x .X. I LN1. X :Q X. xx-A . X . at B NNSX 'ta X ixgiiqhw Nw N. WX,

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Cmusg QE W kylie RWM? WESTPAC 1959 USS JOHN W. THOIWASGN D -760 She ain't much on liberty, but she's sure enough a home and a feeder. --THE SAND PEBBLES, Richard McKenna

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yhlgw ix' bi ,,.:i:t.f'i 6 'Q yu. ! gi 'JI 'a N M . 'fgigkr -. ..N n. 3. Q, N - ar-. NW? 5 22se,,, 2' iw U41 if P25-2.1 .331-2 Re, M35 H5131 lv 5 'fclffrgs V Q Filter .7 i'1i2r .1 1. ' ' -03-2 . - A f . UB -:- v' ,ls-...4 N -.gmt Q -sn vw- t., . W-veg, III? . :S P1 4 Y fu-NLS pw f,.,.. . ,Sire--. A' - .nga F3 I 3 idmfzgr JE CLE llllmg' mr W nr We M avwiia :LES is 341' S fl ....I-Ind The hip The THOMASON has had as long, versatile, and proud life as her namesake, Colonel John W, Thomason, USMC, Built on the ways of Bethlehem Steel Company in San Francisco, California, she was commissioned on October 11, 1945, A 22:00 ton,Sumner class destroyer, she is 376 feet long with a beam of 41 feet, Her crew is about 260 enlisted and 18 o icers. On December 6, 1948, USS JOHN W, THOMASON commenced her maiden cruise in the Orient. Her principle mission, providing .liaison with the American Consulate in thebeleagured city of Shanghai while patrolling the Yangtze River, was indicative of the critical and unusual roles the THOMASON was to later have. USS JOHN W, THOMASON deployed nine times to the Pacific durin the Korean Conflict and participated in many diverse missions. Several peacetime cruises followed and the THOIXFASON visited ports from Hakodate in northern Japan, to Christchurch, New Zealand, In March 1959, USS JOHN W, THOMASON entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul as the prototype ship in the FRAM II program, After nearly a year of effort, the THOMASON took on the look she has today, March 1961 saw the THOMASON once again set sail for the Far East as flagship for Hunter -Killer Group One cruise later, the THOMASON found herself in the position of recovery vessel for the Mercury MA-9 manned space shot, The year 1965 marked the beginning of the Navy's role in the Vietnam conflict, and the THOMASON was there as one of the first ships to participate in Operation Mar et Time, In 1966, the THOMASON returned to Vietnam to fire her guns as a member of the Naval gun ire support team. Since that time, THOMASON has expended more than 10, OOO rounds on enemy positions in Vietnam, The THOMASON deployed to the Western Pacific as part of Anti -Submarine Warfare Group FIVE in late 1967. THOMASON's 1969 deployment was preceeded by a most strenuous overhaul, refresher training, and a multitude of inspections. Immediately prior to the ship's deployment, Mrs, John W. Thomason, wife of the late Colonel Thomason, paid the ship a visit. No sooner had the THOMASON and her task group come under the control of COMSEVENTHFLEET than the first of more than fifteen schedule chansges was received, The ship was diverted to Subic Bay before sailing to the Tonkin Gulf for planeguard duties with US ORISKANY, The first major inport period was in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, after which USS THOMASON returned to Yankee Station. Three weeks of uneventful planeguarding were followed by a week in Bangkok. Subic Bay followed and another upkeep period, This one was cut short by a call for gunfire support in IV Corps near Vung Tau, After several days along the coast, the THOMASON navigated the Nga Be River to participate in gunfire support in the Rung Sat Special Zone, Completing a week's duty as part of the Naval gunfire support team, USS THOMASON returned to her plane uard duties in the Tonkin Gulf, this time for USS BON HOMME RICHARD, The months of training in this duty paid off one Sunday afternoon when the rescue helo from USS BON HOMME RICHARD plungted into the water off the THOMASON's starboard bow, Alertness and quick action brought all fotu' helo crew mem ers aboard in twelve minutes, Six days of R and R in Hong Kong and an upkeep period in Sasebo, Japan, followed, THOMASON then returned to Yankee,Station and provided planeguard services or USS HANCOCK, The THOMASON escorted USS HANCOCK to Subic Bay and back to Yankee Station before rejoining USS BON HOMME RICHARD in this last line period, On the return home, stops were made in Subic Bay and Yokosuka, The weather demonstrated its capabilities at this in- opportune time and delayed THOMASON's return to San Diego until 29 October 1969.