Leonard Mason (DD 852) - Naval Cruise Book

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FROM THE CAPTAIN At the end of August, 1957, the USS LEONARD F. MASON completed her shipyard overhaul immediately followed by a refresher training period under the Fleet Training Group, Son Diego. Living up to her reputation, the MASON came through that rigorous period with a record well above the overage de- stroyer, and was then ready for any duties assigned. Commander Destroyer Flotilla Three gave the GO signal in November, and the ship then deployed to join the SEVENTH FLEET in the Western Pacific. The first few months of the cruise saw the MASON in as tight an operating schedule as one could imagine. There were few weekend rest periods — Thanks- giving, Christmas, and New Year ' s were spent underway — most Sundays found us in the middle of Task Force operations. We experimented with new tactics and performed all the old ones. A cheerful, CAN DO attitude allowed us to meet each and every operational commitment within the span of human endeavor, and were praised by our Flotilla Commander, our operating carrier Task Force commander and our ship- mates in the Service Force for an outstanding performance. Now the cruise is over. You may well congratulate yourselves and I con- gratulate you on a job WELL DONE. We now look ahead to the future — Smooth sailing with a following sea. LESTER E. G. SETSER COMMANDER, US NAVY COMMANDING

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for her next cruise. In September, MASON headed westward on her seventh WESTPAC cruise, in company with DESDIV 32. During October, she operated with Submarine Hunter Killer Task Group 70.4, and then with TF 77 in November. In December MASON participated in an amphibious training operation at Okinawa, ad then she rejoined TF 77. January 1956 found the MASON on the Formosa Straits Patrol, and then in February she headed homeward arriving in Long Beach in Early March. The month of March was devoted to a period of much deserved leave and liberty. MASON spent April and May conducting training exercises in local operating areas and providing services for various fleet training schools and the Naval Reserve. In June she participated with TF 11 in the annual Pacific Training Exercise, during which a very memorable visit to San Francisco was made. During July and August MASON was occupied with a rigorous De- stroyer Qualification Underway Training Program. Then in September and October MASON settled down to a reduced schedule of local operations. As a direct result of the Middle East Crisis, MASON deployed unexpectedly on 1 1 November 1956 from Long Beach with Fast Carrier Task Force 11. The Task Force arrived in Hawaiian waters 19 November after a week of extensive underway train- ing. MASON used Pearl Harbor as a base of opera- tions for nearly two weeks, while the remainder of Task Force 1 1 redeployed to the United States. This period was high lighted by Carrier Operations and by the MASON ' s first Search and Rescue Mission of the Cruise. For one day MASON searched intensive- ly in the reported area of a recent Marine air crash. Her only success was the recovery of the downed pilot ' s headgear. On 1 December the ship left Hawaii in company with DESDIV 32 bound for Japan. Enroute, a short stop was made at Midway Island on 4 December to refuel and deliver mail. The Division reached Yoko- suka, Japan on 1 1 December. During the following two weeks, MASON men maintained the ship, cele- brated the Christmas holidays and held a Christmas party for fifty under-privileged children from the local area. Upon completion of voyage repairs MASON departed Yokosuka 28 December to participate in Hunter-Killer operations. MASON arrived at Sasebo, Japan on 3 January 1957 for recreation, upkeep and logistics, and de- parted on the 7th in company with DESDIV 32 to conduct more anti-submarine training. After another weekend in Sasebo 11-13 January and a one day visit to Yokosuka on the 17th, MASON headed for Buckner Bay, Okinawa and a rendezvous with Fast Carrier Task Force 77. Operating with TF77 until 26 January, MASON then proceeded to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands for a destroyer tender availability through 10 February. Underway from Subic Bay 1 1 February, MASON set her course to the North towards Kaohsiung, Tai- wan, with DESDIV 32. Upon arrival in Kaohsiung on the 13th, the ship assumed the duties of a unit of the Taiwan Defense Patrol Force. During the early hours of the morning one day on patrol. Mason was called out on her second Search and Rescue Mission of the cruise. Racing at high speed through the grey dawn light towards the reported position of a grounded British freighter. The Hydralock, MASON ' s crew readied for any eventuality. On arrival at the scene, no vessel was in sight. When an error in the report of the Hydralock ' s position had been established, MASON was released to resume her patrol. It was later determined that Hydralock had grounded on Communist held territory about 60 miles from her re- ported position. After being relieved on 8 March of her Patrol duties, MASON proceeded to Hong Kong, B.C.C., where she moored in a Man-of-War anchor- age on 19 March. The following five days were de- voted to liberty, recreation and upkeep. 16 March found MASON underway for Yokosuka, Japan, where she arrived on the 21st for a final repair and logistics period in preparation for her Eastward Trans-Pacific Crossing. On 25 March MASON assist- ed in a very intensive air and sea search for a downed USAF transport. On the 26th she was re- leased along with DESDIV 32 to head Eastward on schedule. Having made brief stops at Midway and Pearl Harbor, MASON moored to the Net Pier, Naval Base, Long Beach, on 10 April 1957. CHANGE OF COMMAND After a successful tour of duty as Com- manding Officer of the MASON, Com- mander lOHN S. WEILER was relieved by Commander LESTER E. G. SETSER. The change of command ceremony was held on January 13, 1958, at Subic Bay, Philippine Islands.

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THE CAPTAIN Commander Lester E. G. Setser United States Navy Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Leonard F, Mason (DD 852) Commander LESTER E. G. SETSER was born in Gra- vett, Arkansas. He attended Northeastern State Col- lege, Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Following this he enlisted in the Navy serving at the U. S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, California, and on the USS Nevada (BB 36). In December 1942, he enrolled in the USNR Midshipman ' s School, New York, N.Y., and was com- missioned Ensign on 31 March, 1943. His first duty sta- tion was the USS CONY (DD 508) as assistant Gunnery Officer, Gunnery Officer and finally Executive Officer. In August 1946 he was assigned to the University of Oklahoma as a student of the Holloway Plan, followed by another period of instruction commencing in July 1947 in the General Line School, Newport, R.I. After termination of this duty in June 1948 he was attached as Executive Officer on the USS MALOY (EDE 791), thence in January 1950 to COMDESLANT Staff as Assistant Personnel Officer. He next served as Executive Officer on board the USS NICHOLAS (DDE 449). From there he was assigned as Enlisted Shore Detail Officer at BU- PERS, and then as Commanding Officer of the USS J. C. BUTLER (DE 339). In January 1958 Commander Setser assumed command of the USS LEONARD F. MASON (DD 852). THE EXEC Lieutenant Commander James E. Alsover, USN, was commissioned Ensign in April, 1945. His first duty was with the Atlantic Fleet Destroyer Force, then in the Pa- cific aboard the USS BENNER (DD 807) at the end of Worid War II. He remained aboard the BENNER until 1948, when he joined the USS RABY (DE 698) at Pearl Harbor and remained aboard until after the RABY was converted to the Navy ' s first DEC in 1950. The Korean conflict saw him aboard the USS WHITEHURST (DE 634) on the line during 1950-51. A year of instruction at General Line School followed, then he was assigned to Commander Operational Development Force for project work in CIC Systems during 1953-54. From 1955 to 1957, Commander Alsover was assigned to Staff, Commander in Chief, Far East and Commander Naval Forces Far East as ECM Warfare Officer, then reported aboard the MASON in June, 1957. Lieutenant Commander James E. Alsover