Pawcatuck (AO 108) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 40 text:

Isa We remember the night well, fueling in pitch darkness, with only the little red flash lights and luminous helmets visible. The most pleasant part of this operation came after the word Secure from fueling at sea detail was passed and we could hit our sacks with heavy eyelids,.perhaps not fully realizing the significance of our achievements of that day. Admiral Carney enlightened us however by issuing the order of the day quoted ...U wish to express to all hands there in my awareness of and appreciation for the loyal support that they have unfailingly ten? dered to me, and I extend to each and every oiiicer and man in the command my sincere good wishes for the future. Since the end of World War II the U. S. Navy has been a powerful force aiding the preserva- tion of, peace and fostering good Will in Europe. It's oiiicers and men serving here have' given a Warm and human verficationof our nation's expressions of good will, and our ships and planes have eloquently illustrated our avowed intentions to give 'encouragement and support to those peoples whoare determined to preserve their hard won freedom. Your conduct and your demonstration of technical competence have' earned, deservedly, the liking and respect for the people of our allies in Europe. You have thereby rendered a valuable service to your country and to the cause of free men every- where. To my earliest expressions of appreciation, gratitude, and best wishes for your future, I wish to add the Navy's highest accolade WELL, DONE. ADMIRAL CARNEY I

Page 39 text:

As the Pawcatuck left Old Pint Comfort abeam to port on our way to the Mediterranean a quick census of the Quartermaster Gang would have revealed the following composition: five wheels and five strikers. The five wheels wereg Ralph Penney QM1, who had just recently had the duties of division P. O. thrust upon him after Chief Jamison departed for California and shore duty. Then there was Howard Norris QM1, a new comer to the Paw who was adjusting himself to the vigorous duties involved in being assistant to the Navigator, Lt. Guertin. Joe Sorrentino and Harlan Quamme both QM2's were pilot and copilot respectively of the flying bridge receiving messages from all sides and running the legs off their strikers James McCronan and Don Dinneen. Compton QM3, with his two assistants Richard Booker and John Huchla were the real Flags of the gang. At flag hoist exercises Compton was the ace bender oner and Booker and Hutch were the ace up and down haulers . Last but not forgotten was Dewy Rakes who justly deserved the honorary rate of Machinist Mate since most of his time was spent in after steering. This Q.M. gang began to click like well oiled machinery as soon as we joined up with the convoy and is still clicking. In order to say the crossing of the Atlantic was un- eventful we would have to overlook the tragic occurrences involving the Hobson. However for the most part routine fueling operations during the day, followed by short nights when we pushed the clocks 1 hour ahead, were the general rule. Then one morning we sighted land and further along the coast-Gibraltar. After passing through the straits we began refueling the fleet, under the inquisitive but friendly eyes of the British Air Force. Our Mediterranean duty had begun. We had good liberty in the various ports visited. But, we also remember the times we worked hard and long on operations especially the long drawn out G.Q. during the joint man- uevers with our European Allies in Operation Beehive II . E351

Page 41 text:

VVe thrilled when our gun mount did well at gunnery practice and jeered the gunners mates without let up when the Grand Canyon or the Shenandoh's gun crew got the target sleeve instead. Then there was the time when the Pawcatuck was SOPA and we quartermasters, drunk with authority, would an- nounce over the Primary Tactical Circuit Scissors, this Tahiti . Watchstanding for those few days while we were waiting the arrival of the Shenandoh was made especially pleasant with the knowledge -that no tactical signals would come over the T.B.S. unexpectedly for we as the O.T.C. would have to be the originator of such signals. Before our tour of duty was completed we had made five trips into Naples and the PuntaACarena light on the Isle of Capri was, with Mt. Vesuvius, our most familiar navi- gational aid. As we passed Capri abeam the special sea and anchor detail would be set. From a QM's viewpoint, in port watches at Naples were preferable to Golfe Juan, Augusta or Piraieus, simply because of the lesser traffic on the signal bridge. The Adirondack was always an easy SOPA. In the other ports the presence of the bulk of the Sixth Fleet complicated matters, the messages to A.S.P. were without end and required many times the efforts of four or more men to handle the load. St. Peter and St. Paul happen to be the patron Saints of Naples and the Neapolitans observe their holiday. So it was that on the 27th of June the ship was full dressed, which involved the combined efforts of all the QM and Radar gang personnel which could be spared for the job of rigging the special haul downs?' and lashing every flag in the bag on the five spans which were required to dress the Paw from fantail to forcastle. Executing colors on the holiday required the additional help of the deck force for a smooth performance. The novelty of dressing ship soon wore oif however because on the 4th of July, ship was dressed again and on Bastille Bay on the Riviera, the height of exasperation was reached. f37l