Leyte (CV 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE SIXTH DIVISION-SHIPS COMPANY MARINES 1 - f r ?. 1 f • ' 1? J T ffJ?2 » : 1 It ' ' a $ - j L fl I k. ,» •• - -T- 1 V - : v ' ir 4 • y 1 ? i }i tti ' % i i l l 111 W I I f ! , v i ' l i T f . 1 , ;: ! i i v [1 I THE LEYTE, like all of the larger ships in the U. S. Navy, carries a detachment of U. S. Ma- rines. This detachment constitutes a small striking force, to be utilized as trouble shooters, gun crews and guards. Captain Ray B. Wall, the Commanding Officer Marine Detachment, and Sergeant Major Henry M. Walters were faced with the problem of getting all persons to coordinate their activities so that a cracker-jack detachment would be a realization rather than a dream. Events materialized fast; we were whipped into shape and were designated as a platoon in Dog Company (a provisional company composed of ship ' s detachments from the ships of the 6th Task Fleet). As this platoon we participated in the land- ings on Malta and Crete. To hit Malta we transferred from the LEYTE to the Grand Canyon. Living here was most amus- ing as we bunked in the forward torpedo storage compartment. We made the landing in Malta, made, a tactical march across the island, came back to the beach and withdrew back to the LEYTE. Our next landing was on Crete. We transferred to the U.S.S. JOHNSTON, DD 821, at Argostoli, Greece. Ah! the 821. What a ship! Everyone took us in like a bunch of orphans. In fact, we were treated in such a grand manner that the detachment officers were afraid that we would ship over in the Navy for duty aboard the 821. There will always be a warm spot in our hearts and an extra beer for the lads on that can. Our duties aboard here are routine. We man sector 3 of the secondary AA gun batteries. That is the 40 ' s and the 20 ' s. In addition to the gunnery commitments we function as the ship ' s guard. Our cruise in the Med has taken us to many ports. We have seen many interesting, historical and cultural sights. It is said that one of our senior NCO ' s plans to write a book on his experiences in the various night spots of southern Europe. With a view to our happy homecoming in the U. S., we close our account, rich in the knowledge we have gained and chock-full of sea stories and reveries for the future. I ' M mwm § . Hard at work on Invasion Plans Back to The LEYTE

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V-2 DIVISION Thin di ision ' s responsibility is to have available the necessary shops, tools, parts and equipment for the complete maintenance of aircraft operating from the ship. Tins division is also responsible for the air department administration. JTj 1J TR V-3 DIVISION Tin: V-3 division is composed of two units, the Ord- nance Unit and the Gasoline Unit. It is the function of the V-3 Division to service the aircraft with ma- chine gun ammunition, bombs, rockets, torpedoes, pyrotechnics, gasoline and oil. The famed Rock of Gibraltar forms the background for this picture.

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NOW THE GUNNERY OFFtctK ViRL 2 2 2 '