Stoddard (DD 566) - Naval Cruise Book

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23935 i Our operations needed lots of ammunition. Here several handlers work to clear bullets from the forward station.

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We shot our bullets and competed with each other. Mount 53, with SN RAUH and SN BEARSHIELD loading, threatened to walk away with the honors for fast loading and faster shooting. They were matched by the end of the period by Mount 51, which sounded like...a 40 mm mounted on our bow instead of a 5 f38 . SN DANICICH and SN DIAZ, working as first and second loaders, pumped out a round every three and a half to four seconds.

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When we left I Corps, the Captain wrote in the Plan of the Day, Our Marine spotter...was reluctant to part with STODDARD...He called us a 'straight-shooting and hard-hitting ship. Rounds always on target for most damage. ' The teamwork among CIC, Plot, Bridge, and gun mounts made the ship one that was used heavily and well.