Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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UNNERY DEP RT At the first menion of gunnery, thoughts usually turn to flashing muzzles, dazzling tracers and the deafening roar of the anti-aircraft batteries. The gun crewmen in full battle dress handling heavy projectiles or hot brass cases, working beside men who are making delicate adjustments and correc- tion in their sighting mechanisms, form the spec- tacular side of the modern Navy's Gunnery Depqft- ment. It is true that during encounters with the enemy these men hold in their hands the difference between success and failure. Actually, however, only a fraction of the time at sea during the war was spent in encounters with the enemy, it is in the long days and hours between these actions that the other side of the Gunnery Departments life is best seen. The men who man the guns in action are also the men responsible for most of the heavy work around the ship when normal routine is in force. The first five gunnery divisions are classed as Deck divisions and as such have numerous jobs to perform in the maintenance and operation of the ship. For all special operations each deck divi- sion has a station to man: during fueling they handle lines and fuel hoses which need constant tending, they handle mooring cables, anchors and all other equipment involved in bringing the ship to a dock or mooring, when ship to ship transfers are necessary at sea these men get the job. Each of these operations requires the ultimate in effi- ciency and timing. These men share the pride of their leaders in jobs done during this war which were never equalled nor even thought possible before. Besides the deck divisions there are the Ma- rines or 6th Division, the lookouts and boat crews in the 7th and the fire controlmen and magazine men in the 8th. Each of these groups has special responsibilities and although they may be called upon to help out in other jobs their primary function is their own specialty. The traditional function of the Marine Corps as a unit of the United States Naval Services is to form an ever-ready body of men to attack, secure, and defend advanced bases from which the ships of the Navy can operate. To do this job more effi- ciently in a war as large as this one has been, the Marine Corps has formed divisions known as the Fleet Marine Force, but the detachments on ships at sea are still qualified to do a Marines job should the need arise, as was amply demonstrated when the detachment of the Lexington went ashore as a part of the Third Fleet Marine Landing Force at Yokosuka Naval Air Base and occupied it as a part of the initial occupation forces of lapan. Cn board the ship, the Marines count among their more normal duties the standing of orderly watches, providing a bodyguard and helper for the Captain and the Executive Officer, and, when there is a flag aboard, for the Admiral and the Chief of Staff. ln addition to that, the detachment provides a brig sentry, prisoner chasers, and a brig warden, plus a lifebuoy watch on the fantail. They provide for the security of the ship and, of course, man the guns, for guns of all shapes, sizes and functions form an integral part of every Marine's life from the time he enters the Corps until he leaves it. The Lexington detachment is at home among the after 20-mm. guns of the anti-aircraft battery. The lookouts are specialists in recognition and in measures of preparedness. Twenty-four hours a day the lookout stations must be manned. The detection of enemy aircraft, mines, submarines or other enemy forces is the first essential of defense. Lexington lookouts have repeatedly been the first to sight approaching attackers and alert the ships guns. The 8th Division has the large and often tedious task of maintaining the fire control equipment. Keeping this maze of delicate machinery adjusted to perfection and operating through all types of foul weather requires months of training and long hours of work. The other half of the 8th Division spends much time below decks in the magazines that hold the millions of rounds of ammunition for the guns of the ship as well as the variety of fireworks car- ried for our aircraft to hurl at the enemy. lt is at the moment of battle that these various groups band together to form an operating unit for the defense of the ship. While under attack each man has a responsibility and by a good perform- ance can make the team a success in knocking the enemy planes from the sky. The ship has been hit only twice in over two years of the most daring types of operations. Our guns have been the first to open fire and keep attacks away from this ship and others of the group. Ship's guns have ac- counted for fifteen planes independently and for nearly an equal number of assists. Long hours at General Quarters in cold winds or hot suns did not wear away the sharpness of eye or the keenness of mind which was necessary to stop the attack.

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