Phillip (DD 498) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

Commander Jack L. Wohler, USN TH E KIP P ER Commander Jack L. Wohler, USN was born is Portsmouth, Ohio on December 31, 1921. He graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., receiving a commission as Ensign in June 1943. In previous duty Captain Wohler served in the light cruiser U.S.S. OMAHA ICL-41 and the U.S.S. TARAWA ICV-401. During the Korean War he served on the staff of VADM. C.T. Joy, USN Commander Naval Forces, Far East, including assisting at the truce talks Panumjom in July 1951. For his part in planning the Inchon Invasion Captain Wohler received the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant. Before taking command of U.S.S. PHILIP, Captain Wohler served as Executive Officer of the destroyer U.S.S. VESOLE IDDR-8781, and as Commanding Officer of the destroyer escort picket U.S.S. HISSEM IDER-4001. Captain Wohler is married to the former Mariorie Waltus. They have two children. The family is now living at McGrew Point, Aiea, Hawaii.

Page 7 text:

HISTORY The USS PHILIP CDDE-498D is named for Rear Admiral John W. Philip, from New York State. Admiral Philip served with the Navy from T856 until his death in I900. His career saw him serving with the Union Blockade Forces in South Carolina during the Civil War, protecting American civilians in China around T867 and commanding the USS TEXAS at the battle of Santiago during the Spanish-American War. He is buried at the Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland. This is the second USS PHILIP, the first was a four-stack destroyer, built during the World War I period. Just prior to World War ll, she was traded to Great Britain, along with several of her classmates, in exchange for Naval bases in the Atlantic. Her name was changed to the HMS LANCASTER, and she served with the Atlantic Patrol. The present USS PHILIP was commissioned on November 2I, T942 as the Destroyer 498. She is a Fletcher class destroyer, built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearney, New Jersey. This class of destroyer saw the brunt of World War Il action, and so it was with PHILIP. She was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and saw her baptism under fine in June I9-43. She participated in all the campaigns from the Solomons to the Philippines and Borneo. She shot down 6 planes, damaged 5 more, and destroyed a suicide boat. During this time she received no damage from the enemy action. At the end of the war she was dispatched to China for patrol and mine destruction duties. In January, I947, she was finally put to rest in the Atlantic moth-ball fleet. The Korean War found her being outfitted as an Escort Destroyer, one specifically armed for fast escort work. She was assigned Pearl Harbor as home port. In June, l95I, she commenced her first tour to Korean waters where she assisted in screening famed Carrier Task Force 77, trained at advanced anti-submarine warfare, conducted shore bombardment, patrolled the Straits of Formosa, enforced the United Nations blockade on Korea, and dodged many typhoons. She returned to Pearl Harbor in November, I95I. Korean or West Pac tours have followed in rapid succession. At present we have just completed our eight tour. N

Page 9 text:

THE EXEC LCDR Gordon R. Nagler, USN The Executive Officer was born at Baltimore, Maryland, June 24, l925. He is married to the former Nannette Holland and has two children. Mr. NAGLER attended Duke University and Northwestern Midshipman's school where he was commissioned an Ensign in July l945. Some of LCDR NAGLER'S previous duties have been Staff, CINCPACFLT, Commanding Officer U.S.S. PEREGRINE KMSF-373l, Staff, COMINLANT, U.S. Naval Post Graduate School, Com- manding Officer, U.S.S. PC-58l, U.S.S. MCCAFFEY iDDE-86Ol, and the Byrd Antarcitica Expe- dition of l946 on board U.S.S. MERRICK iAKA-97l.