William M Wood (DDR 715) - Naval Cruise Book

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1-1117! y, A 'H O f' 'M 1 - B CDR J W PQI'kin When LCDR. J MW Perkins stepped aboard the USS WOOD on 31 January 1959, he assumed his third'command responsi- bility. Immediately after World War ll, he commanded an amphibious ship, the USS LSM 455, and from July 1957 to December 1958, he commanded the USS PARLE YDE 7081. Command seemed a long way away in March 1936, when Captain Perkins enlisted at Houston, Texas, as an apprentice Seaman. The twenty-three years following saw him rise through enlisted rates, Warrant status, and officer ranks until his selection for Commander, USN, last October. He saw duty in World War II and the Korean conflict, receiving two combat deco- rations and fifteen campaign medals. Prior to the Korean conflict, he attended the Uni- versity of New Mexico, and in 1957 he graduated from the Naval War College. Since coming aboard the YVOOD, Cap- tain Perkins, relying on thorough under- standing of his job, experience, and usea- manis eye , has steered her to the runner-up position in competition for the Squadron Combat Efficiency Pennant.

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HISTORY i Though built during wartime by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company Of KSHIHYQ New Jersey, the U.S.S. WILLIAM M. WOOD actually took no active part inWorldWar H. Her keel was laid November 2, 1944, and she was launched July 29, 1945, about a week before the atomic bomb's thunder echoed from Hiroshima., Operating out of Tsingtao, China, after a Caribbean shakedown cruise, she patrolled Chi- nese and Korean waters until February 1947. After a yard period, she joined Task Force 38 for a Pacific cruise which resulted in her win- ning the Navy E for battle efficiency. Upon her return to California, the WOOD was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet, was used as a DESLANT School ship, and took part in Fleet exercises. Shortly after the outbreak of the Korean con- flict, the WOOD set out on the first of eight Mediterrane ' ' an cruises., She returned in 1952, and then entered the Boston Naval Shipyard for conversion to DDR classification., On June 6, 1953, the eighth anniversary of D-Day, she was recornmissioned as a radar picket destroyer. And in November she swung her bow east for another trip to the Mediterranean. The Med was again her destination in 1954, on a special Mid- Shipman training cruise, and also in early 1955. The 1955 cruise found the WOOD at Volos, Greece, when a severe earthquake caused wide- spread damageg postponing departure, the ship hurriedly set up relief facilities and aideciglr Greeks to the extent of her capablhtyo Aftergter- haul, the WOOD again Set Off fo? me Me 1 She ranean in February: 19560 Refu1'n1ng?n.JuneQier, prepared for several months of thrainilzieesuez cises in the Atlantic, but the erupt1on0 duel.- crisis forced a quick return to the Me 26 in ranean, where She joined Task Force October 1956. In M,arch of 1957 the woon was Sifflitfgsfe accompany the U.S.S. CANBERRA' W1 and She dent Eisenhower abO3-Fd' to Bermuda, ondents carried a group of White House COITQSP as uests., . 'h iune of 1958 saw Gibraltar agaln Iockninhtie on the horizon, and the WOOD was bail the Mediterranean. Commencing pleasansebanon cruise was harshly interrupted by the crisis., - Back in the States, the WOOD Once majlfeedpfogr ticipated in Fleet exercises and Pregx Febru- still more duty in the Mediterranean, WILLIAM ary, 1959, this dufY Came, and me e to the M. wo OD embarked on its eighth JOUFH Zanean, iridescent blue waters of the Med1terT0u1ona Liberty call found her in Palma,Qannes' tagena, Palermo, Athens, NapleS, Messmfl' Cid with Palma, Naples, and Civifavecchlffo diStHI1Ce Civitavecchia and Gibraltar fading into eward, and time, in August the wo0DtufHed hom

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U.S.S. Wm. M. Wood - DDR - 715 at -- D62-S Piers, Norva. Time Zone +5R Friday - 13 - Feb - 1959 TIME 0929 0931 1 001 1 005 1006 1007 1216 1218 EVENTS Set the Special Sea, QQ Anchor Detail, Captain, Navigator, QQ OOD on the bridge. Made tests of engines, steering, lights. All operable. Commenced singling up. All lines singled up. All lines clear. Underway in accordance with Com CarDiv 2 Op-Order 53-59. Maneuvering various courses, Ki at various speeds to conform to Hampton Roads Channel. Cape Henry Light abeam to port. Entered International Waters. Secured the Special Sea Detail. On Deck Section 641. Enroute to Mediterranean to join US 6th Fleet.