Porterfield (DD 682) - Naval Cruise Book

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WE HUME HUME TIFFANY PUBLISHING' COMPANY printed in Norfolk, Virginia Tokyo, Japan San Diego, California

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The Men Awards HM1 David L. Crabbe MM2 David E. Lesh MM3 James D. Devin FN Frankie M. Paxton RD3 Mark R. McMaster SN Robert W. Hampton FN Arthur D. Pacheco And A Miraculous Save ff .W 1 , ff-,Jr f .a,az'g,j.,Wj,S , Navy and Marine Corps Medal ZW Hz' H Navy and Marine Corps Medal ' 5 0' A Navy and Marine Corps Medal Navy and Marine Corps Medal Navy Achievement Medal COMSEVENTHFLT Commendation COMSEVENTHFLT Commendation With a mere two weeks remaining in a six month cruise, PORTERFIELD came desperately close to tragedy. On the fifth day of April, only 60 miles from Yokosuka, Japan, our last stop before turning toward San Diego, we encountered a storm with winds well in excess of 45 knots, pro- ducing walls of green water from 20 to 30 feet high. It was this spectacular scene that promoted brawny, red haired machinist mate James Devin to attempt some photography one level above the main deck. Surveying the fury of the storm, Devin watched one particularly large wave crush down over the starboard quarter. In its aftermath lay BT1 James Detlefsen, apparently injured after having been washed against a nearby stanchion. Proceeding to assist him Devin met hospital corpsman David Crabbe. As the two attempted to reach Detlefsen, another large wave swept over the starboard side of the ship. Devin's next realization was swimming in the cold, thrashing water of the Pacific. Four very long minutes passed before FN Arthur Pacheco was able to relay word to the bridge that a man had been lost. Rolling from side to side as much as 45 degrees, PORT- ERFIELD and USS JOHN PAUL JONES IDDG-321 combed the churning seas. A combination of deep swells and heavy spray effectively limited visibility to a scant 100 yards and twice JONES passed within 150 yards of Devin without detecting him. Unable to make headway against the waves, Devin, with remarkable presence of mind, recalled some basic training and made a life preserver from his trousers by tying knots in the legs and inflating them. For an hour and a half he remained afloat as we continued what seemed to be an utterly hopeless search. Meanwhile MM2 David Lesh and FN Frank Paxton, at considerable risk of being washed overboard themselves, managed to haul Detlefsen and Crabbe, who had been injured by the same wave which swept Devin overboard, to safety. SN Robert Hampton and RD3 Mark McMaster administered first aid to the injured men. Reluctant to abandon the search for Devin but sorely pressed by the need to obtain medical treatment for Crabbe and Detlefsen, the Captain made the agonizing decision to turn away to Yokosuka. Moments later, JONES, retracing her track once again, sighted Devin and reported that he appeared well and was waving his arms. In an instant grief and fatigue were transformed into elation as James Donald Devin was safely pulled aboard JONES. K A The Seas

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