McGowan (DD 678) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 72 of the 1960 volume:

SAIPAN-1944 GUAM SURIGAO STRAIT MINDORO LINGAYEN OKINAWA The TIGERS Last Roar The story of a veteran tin can ' s last cruise . . . the finest crew in the fleet— the McGowan Tigers . . . and the unbeatable McGowan Spirit which was second to none D_£ v: fcedicaticn Seldom do men have the opportunity to do something really significant for their country as did we during McGowan ' s last cruise. In these days of relative peace, national goals are too often forgotten, the sense of urgency gone. What must not be forgotten is that the Free World is engaged in a relentless struggle for men ' s minds. Communism is strong and quick to take advantage of our every weakness in its drive to enslave the world. Survival itself is at stake. Our task, then, it to show the world — to be — the greatness that is America. Navy men are placed in a unique position to further this aim. They are the ambassadors, the men whose conduct and actions are important factors influencing the beliefs of people as yet uncommitted to democratic principles. The men of the McGowan were charged with the demanding job of readying an operating Atlantic Fleet destroyer for transfer to Spain. Their invincible spirit, their countless hour s of effort and hard earned pride of accomplishment struck a responsive chord in the hearts of our Spanish allies and earned commendations from the U.S. Ambassador to Spain and the Chief of Naval Operations. These men are scattered now, but their spirit is not dead. A great ship still sails the sea flying the Spanish ensign. The McGowan spirit still lives in other ships of the U.S. Navy. This brief volume is a partial record of the final cruise of a veteran tin can and how she met her greatest challenge. This log is dedicated to the McGowan Tigers, the last and greatest crew the ship ever knew . . . respectfully . . . gratefully . . . affectionately. Editor £fV SQUADRON COMMANDER Captain D. E WlLLMAN USN Commander Destroyer Squadron 1 uss DECATUR DD 936 1 ss WADLEIGH DD 689 USS ROOKS DD 804 202 DIVISION COMMANDER ( mm i W. G. Barton, USN Commander Destroyer Division 202 I ss McC.OWAN i ss mi sri i i ws USS ABBOI DD 678 1)1) 537 DD 629 fckMni He was a man . Harvey O ' Neill Webster, Jr. Commander, United States Navy Commanding A perfectionist — his was a taut ship — a ship handler par excellence and a dedicated C. O. who inspired his crew to achieve an ' •impossible task. In his words and actions. Captain Web- ster personified the can-do spirit of a destroyer man. who knew his stuff and took care of his men. • , v This is the Captain Speaking: 1 December 1960 marked the end of our ship and of a way of life for us in ships company. I know that many of you felt as I did when the stars and stripes were hauled down on McGowan ' s fantail for the last time. In a very real sense we shared one of the toughest challenges ever faced by a ship in peace time, and thanks to you, nothing became McGowan ' s com- missioned life so much as the manner in which she departed it. I want to take this last opportunity to once more commend the finest crew any Captain ever commanded and a spirit which couldn ' t be beaten. You never once let the old man down, and we played in a tough league. Keep this invincible McGowan Spirit alive wherever you serve in the future and look back with pride to our last cruise together and a task that many thought impossible. Hold on always to that greatest of McGowan traditions: Victory. You, the U. S. Navy and our nation will be the better for it. Well done Tigers and Godspeed. Lieutenant Commander Donald V. Kjley, I s Executive Officer Capable, exacting and inspiring. Lieutenant Com- mander kiley brought out the best in us all. Assigned the responsibility of readying the ship for transfer, his thorough planning and never-failing example forged the vital force in our drive for perfection. A man of many talents — be it exotic officer. chief bos n, or reveille P. O. — Mr. Kiley will be remem- bered by every man on board as an outstanding leader and shipmate. As navigator, operations officer, or assistant executive officer. Lieutenant Darnell gave added depth and stability to the executive branch of the ship. His wide experience and devotion to the Viw way of life have been prime factors in the building of the unbeatable McGowan spirit. Lieutenani Donald P. Darnell, 1 s Assistant Executive I Navigator M i i oc 7.v thai pigeon Ii( j.g. ) Vincent A. Coghlan, Jr.. USN Operations Offit er Legal Officer ? t .i Kneeling, left to right: Durand. R. A.. Wolff. W. E.. Stuart. D. H.. McCardell. P. D. Stand- ing: Robbins. J. D.. Fletcher. T. W.. Dohms. H. L.. Yates. D. M.. Boeheneck. W. C. Kneeling, left i right: Maternowski, R. s . Do- herty, K.I. Roy, ( K Standing Porter, w B . Williams. E. I . Skultety, I I DIVISION cleared for confidential: ® Left to right: Kirbv. R., Ridenour. T. E.. Zelin- sky, L. W.. Magoutas, G. K.. Jr. It. ( j.g. ) Peter J. Schmidt, USNR Communications lln er OC Division Officer Kneeling, left to right: Blatt, A.. Kachurka, R. J. Standing: Foote, H. A.. Rozman, E.. Schweig- hardt, P. E.. Studer, R. L. I t- I j.g. I Bruno C. Katsch, Jr., USNR Electronh s Offii er 01 Division Officer Dip Bow Combat holds us lost in oar sea retain. Sir. Ol DIVISION Ens William T. Cain. USN CIC Officer Welfare and Recreation Officer Kneeling, left to right: Frohmiller, R. L.. Sou cis. I). A.. Ramsay, W. J.. Jr.. White, B.. Kirko, D. M.. Ford. E. J. Standing: Mallett, C. A.. Galm. K. ( .. Dickinson. H.. Kingsley, L. K.. Parmemter, N. M.. Darbee, J. S. «pWWWP5 -v mis , Kneeling, left to right: Akrap, R . McDon- nell, J. R. Standing: Moore, c I . Hewitt, R. W.. Callinan, i I i: r W; i: 4 Ens. William G. Schwartz. USN Gunnery Officer 2nd Division Officer 2ND DIVISION Tell the bridge to duck. r, r. ■ Kneeling, left to right: Crowley. C. F.. Barg. R. F.. Browning. W. B.. Parks, I M. Mc ance, J. V.. Jr. Standing: Kent. P. P.. Holder. R. E.. McGee, D. J.. Phinne . k. A Cobh. D. 16 Kneeling, left to right. Allison, VV. L.. Sexton. R. F.. Golden. R. W.. Pair. W. C. Standing: Lund. D. 1... Conerly, J. C, Jr.. Sharpies. P. M.. Anderson. J. R. Kneeling, left i right: Goodwin. K. L.. Ripsky. J. A.. Picard, R. P.. Jr., LaCroix, E. C Standing: Shine. F. J.. ORourke. V., Kress, R. J., Dooley. J. S. i: 1ST DIVISION ' You name it, we ' ve already painted it. Ens. Alan P. Miller. USNK First Lieutenant I i Division Officer Public Information Officer Kneeling, lilt in right: Smart, J. I • ' .. McDonald, 1). IV. Bates, H. I .. Dortenzio, I R Standing Jackson. D. P., Sell lege I. ¥.. K.. Shock. H. 1 ., Gibson. R. 1 ... Sweeney, k. IS Kneeling, left right: Sinatra, J. R . Diaper. R. G., Hover. R. I... Bouthet. J. L. G. Alford. J. R. Standing: Libby, J. W., Kane. R. M . Balonh. L., Thompson. R. C. Salvers, B. C. Bent. J. E. Kneeling, left to right: Decelles, R. P., LaFleur. A. J.. Jr., Richards. G. H., King, H. L. Standing: Clements. T. D.. Jr.. Drescher. W. G.. Gonska, L. M., Cross, J. R. 19 F DIVISION Mostly we just HUK around. ' left to right: Fallon. W. I., Lovallo, B. D. Sta: Ray. E. F., Pabst. R. J.. Gasperetti, R. Ens. Walter E. Herrs. USN ASW Officer F Division Otfu er Kneeling, left in right: Grieve, R. V. Gamble. (, l Sampieri, E. I . uksinic, I- R. Standing: Moonej I I.. Blount. L. D.. Orth. M. J.. Schreckengaust, R. 1 .. Duree, G. C. 2( Ll. (j.g. ) Michael E. Fleming. USNR Engineering Officer E Division Offii er Machinists Mules. Forward Engine Room. Kneeling, left to right: Milano, (l V.. Jr., Lauzon, R. A.. Judy, R. A.. Morgan. B. R . Patterson, R. Standing: Rupprecht. G. C. Repinski. J. R.. Emig, R. N., Frady, C. B.. Luebkert, R. F. E DIVISION ' We ' re already pedaling as fast as we can. • ■; .; hinists 4att s, After Engine Renin. Kneeling, left to right: aliatis, J. V.. Jr.. Andrasko, J. R.. Musty, R. I.. Jr., saw yers, N. C, Kotchka, C. Standing: Musnick) . . Broadway, A R . Haiz- lip, J. I ., Boucha, I , Andrasko, P. I . Hamm, D. J. 24 jif,t, i i I M 4 j m Forw, Steel, Sr.. B H. D ird lire Room. Kneeling, left to right: Griffis. M. L.. Bunnanich. G., Kempf, P.. R. B.. Sims. R. F.. Freidhoff, D. E. Standing: Gibbs. H. A.. Jr., Newman. C. M.. aidv. P. W.. Durbin. A. M.. Babik. R. M.. Miller. R. L., Roloff. R. L.. Strelow, l ' % 25 After Fire Room. Kneeling-, left to right: Madore. L. C, Rezar. F. A.. Robinson. R. T„ Rose, J. A.. Kikuyama, H. H.. Price, P. W., Grazyk, H.. Jr. Standing: Bollman, I I Goodman. J. W.. Jr.. Rogers. C. E.. Jr.. Adamski. R. A.. Jasienski, W. R.. White. A. E.. Boley, B. G. R DIVISION ' Get a hose, the gyro ' s smoking. S3 Ens. John Dachos, USN Damage Control Assistant K Division i I fU km eling, left n right. Rebuck, J., kuhn. k I . Karbo, J. k . onroj . I I., ( rawford, J. L. Stand ing: Chapman, J H . Burns. J. M.. Burke, J. P., Jr.. Norton. ( l.nlor. J. B. Kneeling, left to right: Hermann, N. H.. Jett, C. H.. Lloyd, D. G.. Vainer. J. E. Standing: Chapman. J. B.. Dilks, H. k . Burnett, k. J.. I iss, G. 1 . Waters. (,. J.. Merenda. k k 26 V f - .- H 1 1 v ' :j fc ll A MfeV v . HfBSii r Ens. Robert E. Piecewicz, I SNR Supply Officer S Division i Kneeling, left to right: Francis, W. C, Greenleal. ( W., Buquing, S. . Stand- in : Lonu. C. J.. Arthur. I 1.. Reillv. I. J.. Chamberlin, F. J.. Jr.. Hadley, W. H S DIVISION ' You don ' t need a cast iron stomach, but it helps. Kneeling, • n right: Pelrine, I I Smith, R. J.. Kraemer, R G., An- tonio. M C. Standing: Clark. G. 1... Lebel, R. B., O ' Brien, B. 1 . Miller. R. E. 30 Kneeling, left to right Bariso, C . R . Palisoc, E. D. Standing: Quary, B. I., Ivor; J. W.. Clark, E. M. T., Phillips. I. Kneeling, left to right: Lockwood. D. B., Jr.. White. D. C. Shope. T. L. Standing Butler. W. A.. Brown. W. E.. Reid. W. K.. Moore. W. C. 31 07 5.- 7urn 7o .J? 4. ■ 43 66° 33 N i £v 0530: Commence Replenishment v y MUSTACHE INSPECTION 47 LIBERTY CALL Pwtc Stoppa da machine. Adopted Chow Hounds Unofficial Greeters Official Calls 4?V m ? ) Chow Line at the Vice Consul ' s BLOOD AND BEERS SWEAT 51 II : irrrrj r- ' ■-{Ir ' Utmmnimii £W e % ll ■ ™ V_ ' T ! 1 ' ?? m — — HAIL THE CHAMPS 54 TIGERS TRIUMPH Growling with all the ferociousness of a Bengal original, McGowan ' s soft- ball Tigers swept the DesRon 20 championship in amassing an impres- sive 1 3-2 record. Led by star pitcher, Paddy O ' Rourke, the Tigers crushed the proud Essex, 15-2, and Arcadia, 9-3. On foreign soi the McGowan nine gave Cascade a double lesson, also came out victorious in a clash with the Porto All-Stars. Much of the club s success is due to team play and sparkling benchman- ship from Chunky Holmes and assorted athletic officers. 55 Before . . . nters Oporto after FaIlex-60. ' The Challenge .... The Zeplij Hr The Challenge: To completely renew a seventeen year old operations weary de- stroyer; to ready McGowan for transfer to the Spanish Navy. This was a task that normally requires at least five months in a naval shipyard — McGowan was assigned five weeks along side U.S.S. Cascade in Naples. The Reply to this challenge from the McGowan Tigers: We ' ll have her ready on time, Captain. Only we, in ships company, believed we could do it. There were some who flatly stated that the task could not be completed in the time allotted. There were many others who entertained serious, if unexpressed. doubts. It wasn ' t easy because the Captain and Exec, had decided to turn over a ship that would be an unqualified credit to our nation and our navy. We worked twenty hours out of twenty-four all day every day. There was no liberty for the last two weeks, but there was little griping either. The wardroom had a butTet lunch on Thanksgiving so as not to rob valuable time from one of the few re- maining days before inspection by COM- MANDER SIXTH FLEET Representative. No one will ever forget the last two days. The interior of the entire ship was masked in wrapping paper to preserve the new paint work. All that remained was the final paint- ing out topside, but the winter rains had al- ready set in. Painting began when the rain stopped, regardless of the hour. The Quarterdeck was finished at 0230 on the last night with even the snipes topside helping to steer other returning liberty parties clear of the wet deck gray. The last dis- crepancy tag was removed at 0700 on the morning of the final inspection. On inspection day the dour faced proces- sion of experts armed with Hash lights and chipping hammers arrived and McGowan was probed from peak tank to Steering Aft — from Lower Sound Room to Main Truck. Ilie crew, da ed from exhaustion, stumbled about on the main deck or dozed in previouslj inspected compartments. Finally the inspection was over. As we shuffled into the wardroom for the Critique, we of ships company knew in our hearts that no matter what the inspectors might say that we had done as much as quicklj as an) tin can crew could do. Even so. it was good to hear from each inspector. All previous dis- crepancies corrected; none present!) existing which can not be completed prior to Sailing. I rom Commander Destroyer Squadron 26: Outstanding job, and from Materiel Officer SIXTH FLEET. I still don ' t see how you did it. I his was the finest hour of the finest crew in DesLant. f kV x v ' VVVXMiSS 3 , - xxv VXVttO! o mf . . . and After •A I Barcelona . . . 1 DE CEMBER. 1960 Requiem for the Tiger Commander Sixth Fleet and others CNCUS X «£«L.NBSANo ' u ' ' I ' ' ' ' HAL «W«N DU .I« THE P, «„, EVEDBy OPEMTINGSCHET-.P ° f ™ C CJ U UTSTAMOiNG UADEBSHIP, „ ARD „ C00PEHATION OF ALI um, „. ! ' ' FINESH.Pxl , m ' B ' NEDTOraOV,OETH1  « ■ . ,TH onic X WELL DONE VADM ANDERSON w s z Jorge Juan after arrival at ( artagena, Spain. Cpibf tie A falling glass and a drizzling rain marked the arrival of Jorge Juan at Cartagena. Only the Captain and seventeen of the Tigers remained on board as members of the Mobile Training Team. The passage from Barcelona to Cartagena was a strange one as passengers in our former ship. It was an odd excursion into a foreign world. It had its points, however, what with Carlos Primera brandy in the wardroom after dinner and wine by the bottle on sale to the crew in the ships store. Nevertheless, we moved oil the ship and into our hotel as soon as we tied up. The final conclave of the ex Tigers was held at the bar on the second deck of the Residencio Mediterraneo where most of us were staying. We had stuck together until the end and this was just about it. I remember Libby grinning in the corner while Guns rubbed his chin in quiet meditation. Pierce and Crowley were try- ing to converse against the blaring background of Flamenco music and the hiss of the Expresso Machine. Just before sinning oil for Madrid the Cap- tain dropped by wrestling with 2 valpacks, a bulging briefcase and his sword. Chairs scraped against the alien tile as he shook hands again with us all and said good-bye. We knew this was the last muster — somebod) (Orth, 1 believe ) ordered another round. There was nothing much else to say. 64 STAFF Few words have been written in this book, and we do not intend to break precedent on this page. Our job has been to provide you with a pictorial coverage of a short but proud chapter in the history of the U.S.S. McGowan. By and large we felt you would rather provide your own captions. You were there and memory is essen- tially a very personal phenomenon. Wherever you are presently stationed, we hope that these pages will help to awaken your memories and allow you to relive a few moments with former shipmates. EDITOR Lieutenant (Junior Grade ) Alan P. Miller, U. S. Naval Reserve ASSISTANT EDITORS Lieutenant (Junior Grade ) Walter E. Herrs, U. S. Navy Lieutenant (Junior Grade ) William G. Schwartz. U. S. Navy Lieutenant (Junior Grade ) Bruno C. Katsch, U. S. Naval Reserve PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Lieutenant ( Junior Grade ) Peter J. Schmidt, U. S. Naval Reserve PHOTOGRAPHY Lieutenant Commander Donald Darnell, U. S. Navy Ken Youngstrom, Midshipman 1 c, U. S. Naval Reserve D. C. White, CSSN R. L. Musty, Jr., FA EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT R. A. Grieve. SOG3 ILLUSTRATIONS C. M. Newman, BT2 Picture on page 39 and wardroom picture on page 38 by LIFE photographer I ed Russell, copyright by L.I Ft magazine. I lll li( i! iK PI HI IMIl I) AT NO EXPENSE TO SI I 1 |i MATES GOVERNMENT ■RINTED IN llll UNITED STATES Ol MIKI( I 111 IIOKS-sll | | K ( I I . llll I IMliKI . Mil. SAIPAN-1944 GUAM SURIGAO STRAIT MINDORO UNGAYEN OKINAWA 3K ■ ' •■ • ■ ' V - ■ ■ ' ' i I ■.f.i:- ' ,,.--