Stewart (DD 224) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 24 of the 1945 volume:

MJ APR 1 0 N978 QLXBRARY +V.,-3 ms, - a ,f i ii. L xj, " X, i, Q el , K. 3 , . L 4 ,, 6, I i .4k ,. +-.-, 0-If 'V fi: '-., ww' gf if? il? 1 ,Q-ff. -cf e X. 4 .. 1 if' fxw -, 5 K 5 Msn' 'F ," 5 -ffm... N-Z ff? Q1 i.' 6' lint , A M 1 . 's E V. sz ,,,A,4'1-A 'il Cin.-., -ax rf? .X up . ...-v 4 .,..I 531 ,'?y' "Nil'...4 x. -... 3 u. ,Eiga-.ar ':,-J' 1 f,.!1.,- , fl 'WS j 1 X xiii i. 1 W4 s A ms 'Tl' 2 Y N v - K W Q 'W'- Fir- " . ,Q-yr ,. ..,-,ge H .fy , N- W E 1,5 af' F' .-,. 5. uf' C S' I HHN 4- The U.S.S. STEWART QDD224j, commissioned in by the japanese in February 1942, recovered by the U. S. Navy in Octgber 1945. Pictured below in Hiro W H - . COMPTON fDD70 SJ. the NHVY in 1920, captured an' Onshuv Japan. alongside the U.S.S. ' fx ' M' W---Q" - fe 1, 4 M ' A H ' X ' h I --f R A NL' ,e.QY,.f' . .:- 'A -:+ve . , I A 1 ,W 2' ..,.,.Cf r, 'ff' M. . 'Ka Q- ' " , W ff 4, A f"'5f , , ....., f. 4, ii Q 2-M. .N :ew awe" 'n,,5gg2i,'f"q1.5g.: ffm ri, ',..43i,,3g'S'f.,.,'+ Q-wx-A-A I After the japanese captured the STEWART she was stricken from the Navy on 25 March 1942. The name STEWART was later given to the DE 238, a ship whose war record has earned herself an enviable reputation with the name STEWART. In order to avoid confusion the Chief of Naval Operations has directed that the ex-STEWART shall be known as the "DD224". ll I5 . Q 5' llllllli "1 1 ' With their gift for phonetic abreviations, Americans have chosen "RAMPS fRecovered Allied Military Personnelj as an affectionate term for those heroes and heroines who have been rescued from the japanese. Unique in the annals of the war and perhaps alone in U.S. Naval Historyf the YSCOV' ery of the U.S.S. STEWART from the Japanese adds a famous name and story of a gallant ship to the records. As a RAMP with an enviable war record the DD224 rates a salute and tribute from the men and women of the United States Navy. This booklet is dedicated to the American Naval officers and men who have manned her and who justly deserve the 'reput8ti0n that is woven in her log. -1- .f .:. .ur . issioned in April 1920, the STEWART 'B' one uf th' f"""' m - n j iltck type of destroyers known as "four-plpers - In 1921 she s assigned to the Asiatic Fleet and made the trip to the far wa . t through the Suez Canal. Having never returned from duty jrisfar eastern waters, the last leg Uf her first .H'ound'the' 1d,, trip will soon be completed as the DD224 returns to the wor States to receive the plaudits of a grateful nation. on 27 November 1941, by orders of the Commander Asiatic Fleet, C Hart the STEWART, commanded by Lieut. Comdr. H. P. Smith, ' IT. Admlra her with other units of the Asiatic U.S.N., departed from Manila toget ers to take refuge. The STEWART was a unit of Destroyer Fleet wi th ord , Division 58, commanded by Comdr. Binford, U.S.N. For some time she op- o, and was in that area when warbroke out. erated in the vi cini ty Of Borne Together with American, Dutch, and Australian naval vessels, she operated out of Balikpapen on reconnaisance sorties, andon anti'SUl-Tmafine Patfols- Later she moved to Surabayo, java, and from there mlide flight Patfol-5 with the HOUSTON, MARBLEHEAD, and other destr0Yef5 Of Division 59- when the MARBLE!-IEAD was severely damaged itwas the STEWART that CSC0l'tCd he! back to '1'ji1atj ap cffhilachapj, java, where Dr. Wassell was staging his wounded. On 20 February 1942, the STEWART and other available combat ships made an attack on a large japanese convoy headed for Bali to make a landing there. Of the groups that attacked this convoy, the STEWART was in the second, and where the first group got off fairly lightly be- cause of the surprise element of their attack, this second group found itself in ahornets' nest of japanese fi re. The STEWART sustained four 8 inch hits: one clearingher decks ofher boats, another hittingher torpedo racks, a third in the galley, and a crippling shot that hit her aft, bel'OW the water line, opening her seams and flooding the steering engine room- However, by carefully nursing her fuel, and with 'the steering engine two feet under water, she made her way back to Surabayo. In this action only one man was lost and three injured. ' A At Surabayov 22 February, she was put in a floating dl'Yd9ck for repairs, but this drydock was not equipped for this type vessel and the keel blocks Slipped, laying the STEWART over on her ,-.ide in twelve .feet of water and further damaging her hull. She was then abandoned and demolition charges set off aboard her. Ajapanese bomb lgnded gmidships, further damaging her' While She WHS lying on her side in the drydock- Pl'iOl' to the departure of allied forces from Surabayo, this drydock 'ls sunk' but apparently refloated by the Japanese who then salvaged the STEWART and put her back into commission Patrol Vessel 102' 9 crew of the STEWART were assigned to other ships f the U S NIV! it 93' b a ayo after staying there a few days under intense japanese aerial herb Ing and strafing ome were transferred t the ill fated LANCIHEY th. was lost Shortly thereafter north of Darwin Aust,-511, 'V ' 8 S on D' U ' 0 . . A ' ' R an . S y 0 . . y I A o I ' U ' :,,,L,wg 5 ' 2' When American Naval forces entered the Kure Naval Base, the largest in Japan: they found the STEWART at anchor. She was brought the 20 miles through the Inland Sea by a japanese crew under supervision of United States Navy officers to HIRO WAN, and there taken into American custody. RECOMMISSIONING CEREMONY of the D D 2 2 4 Hiro Wan, Honshu, japan 29 Oct 1945 tVice Admiral j. B. Oldendorf, USN, Commander Battleship Squadron One and Commander Southwestern 121990 Force, leaves the deck of the USS COMPTON to board the DD 224, for the recommiss1on1n g. -3- "In acco rdance wi RECOMMISSIONING Senior Officer Present, reads letter placing the DD 224 in commission. To the Admira1's left Lt.Comdr. Harold H.E11ison, USN, the new C.O. and Lt. Cjgj Burns, USN, the new executive officer. In i th the authority conferred in Art. 637, U S Nav l 0 y Regulations, this vessel ishereby placed in commission in the Uni ted States Navy. . . " X,.v PRAYER Lf. Robert T. Wilson. Owvplain. U S 5, MONWFLIER, leads allhands in the opening PFBYCI' of the commissioning- ng., f 1' UGOOD LUCK .... H UThese orders represent a signal honor...it shall be your privilege and responsibility to fulfill them in the spirit and tradition of your Navy and mine. to restore this ship to U18 place she rightfully deserves and to write the closing chapters to a log full of rich and honorable stories of participation in her country's naval l1istory.n HHAND SALUTE .... " The moment that embodies all deeply-rooted and proud Naval traditions brings athrill to all who witness the ascending beauty of their country's flagas itonce again waves over the DD 224. -.bf -, v 1 ,,, , """"' " 'T' iUirA f fx UP WITH THE COLCRS.. Minus onecmfher original stacks, the "224" is once again in the service of l1er country and the colors speak her allegiance. WWIIHEF ....D' J- , ,.4.4A..-,, -- - P "IT'S ouR JOB... " f , W. , f , mi , 5151. M., " , gb' I F you ' M., 'gm , 75'1'f'i - CWLK! A-'Q ' ' V Wi" 2 For days the crews ofnear- by units of Destroyer Squad- ron 63 have vied for the honor andprivilege of serv- ing on the "224". The men selected were those who had served on " four pipers", on ships in the same division and excellent records in this war. There cre as the old was plenty of hard work .h'.d w could handle any job... t STEWART and those who had hllh Point ' ASSUMING COMMAND.. pg-rhgpas U16 first of his NBVBI Academy class 419421 to assume command of a WHfSl1lPo Lt' Cmndf- Harold H. Ellison, USN, reads his orders. Fully cognizant of the honor, Lt. Comdr. Ellison hopes to bringhis first command buck to the United States as C1059 gg possible to his home in Santa Ana, California. he 224 was "manned and ready l" -6 5 E. , 1 uCONGRATULATIONS...U Vice Admiral Oldendorf congrat- ulates the new Skipper of the U224u and wishes him a happy and successful voyage home. Probably no one received greater pleasure from Uwerecommissioning ceremony than does her Executive Officer, Lt.fjgj G.T. Burns, USN, QPicture Below, who wasarnachin- ist's mate first class attached to the STEWART when she was lost at Surabayo. At home he has the battle flag that was last flown on the STEWART prior Maher capt- ure by the japanese. USET THE WATCH...H S Start the ship's time..Commence the Log .... Man all stations for port routine...Set the Watch.... as the boatswain pipes the calls shipboard routine begins and the DD224 is on duty in the service of the United States Navy. Soon, the trip home will begin, across the Pacific umthe States...there to be welcomed home by the Navy and by the men who have made the Navy what it is today. HWe1come aboard, men of the 224 ...... good luck and happy sailing!H 5 RECOMMISSIONING PRAYERi r by Lt. Robert T. Wilson, Chaplain, U.S.S. MONTPELIER Prayers for Recommissioning of U.S.ggmQ3EHARIwlDD 2247 Our help is in the name of the Lord. Who hath made heaven and earth. The Lord be with you. A Let us pray. O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this ship, the U.S.S. Stewart and grant thatvwhosoever shall use it, shall use it with thanksgiving that she was delivered from the hands of the enemy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. O Eternal Lord God, Who alone spreadest' out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea: vouchsafe to take into Thy almighty and most gracious protection this ship and all who serve herein. Preserve her from the dangers of the sea, and from further violence of any enemy: that she may be a safeguard -unto the United States and America,.and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasion: to the glory of 'Thy Nameg through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send down upon this ship Thy richest benefits, that we who serve herein may be harmed by no adversity either physical or spiritualg endow its officers wi th wisdom, zeal, and patience: inspireits men with the spi ritof truth, courage, and loyal ty enable all to maintain the honor of the Navy unsullied, and to acquit ourselves as men in all our duties. Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, so that we may hate that which is evil and love that which is good. Guard us against irreverence in the sacred things of life. Fill our hearts wi th the spirit of comradeship, so that we may know sym- pathy for those who suffered and died herein. ..3- Q-4' ill .En Ii, . v 1 3 4, 1 Va z we 5 A E 1 Eg ' 25 F M E f r E E 5 x 5 S 1 x 9 Q Q ' , F x , Q J x v x 5 'F 1? Z. 45 Q Ei E L. K, Q, sf ? f L 4-, .1 1 fa