Quincy (CA 71) - Naval Cruise Book

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back to Ulithi for a welcomed rest. At noon of April 30 the Quincy maneuvered into the entrance of the lagoon of Ulithi Atoll. ' Ulithi is not the garden spot that many Pacific islands are reputed to be. Life Magazine, at one time, dedicated a secf tion to Ulithi and the pleasures available there for weary sailors. The pleasures actually found there, however, were not nearly so colorful. They consisted of a chance to put one's foot on the ground, to drink a couple of cans of tepid beer, to throw baseballs or beer cans f provided they could be kept on the islandj, and to smooth out taut and kinked nerves. This last was perhaps the greatest boon of all. The sun was always hot, the humidity quite stifling, yet all Mog Mog visitors were ever eager to return again to its meager facilities. May 9 was set as departure date for the task group. Operations against Kyuf shu, the southernmost island of the Jap' anese mainland group, were being planf ned. Furthermore, there still remained a stubborn enemy on Okinawa to be blast' ed out by the bombers and fighters of the Fifth Fleet. - Quincy Gets First Kill While on this mission operating off Southern Kyushu on May 14, the Quincy shot down her first Japanese Kamakazi. At 0130 of that memorable day planes appeared in the area. The terrible tocsin, warning of impending night attack, roused the AA gunners from sleep. As they struggled to their stations, the situaf tion became more critical, No sooner had the complete battery been manned than the crack of five inch guns informed everyone that the enemy was closing in. Finally word came that a conf certed air attack was expected momentarily. The general alarm then rang and all hands doubleftimed to their battle stations. Zebra was set as the men stood tensely by their guns, awaiting the word to commence firing. By 0414 nerves were stretched taut as the guns, blasting into the night, began to search out the raiders. Soon word spread throughout the ship with magical speed that the attacker had been shot down. It had been definitely seen burning and falling into the black sea. Thus the Quincy was credited The U. S. S. Nevada in formation. Iowa class battleship steams with Essex class carrier 49 fl 1

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