Pawcatuck (AO 108) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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

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Repairs were being made by the Shenandoah on our station ,tf4 boom which had been damaged by the Destroyer Braine in a routine at anchor fueling operation. Schedules called for our picking up the repaired boom from the Shenandoah in Cannes on Bastille Bay. Since a ship underway is never Dressed the QM gang called upon its resourcefulness and commandeered the Supply Division personnel to execute colors and stand the sea and anchor detail watches which were involved six times. A sigh of relief was breathed when it was learned that the Greeks didn't have any holiday.on their calendar during our brief visit to Phaleron Bay. While in Greece, nightly displays of searchlights broke the monotony of a QM in-port-watch with the entire Sixth Fleet joining in the criss-crossing shafts of light sweeping the skies over the bay. Notice was served to those who could see and to those farther to the N. E. who would hear about it, that the U. S. Navy was present in Phaleron Bay. Possibly the jets being warmed up on the flight deck of the Wasp with the roar that could be heard all the eight miles to Athens may have been a more impressive show of power, but the Searchlight exercises were our contribution to the display of strength, and we did this as conscientiously as we could. E381