Aaron Ward (DM 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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Our proud ship Was launched 5 May l945 and commissioned 28 October l945 in the Bethlehem Steel Shipyards, San Pedro, California. One of the latest 2200 ton destroyers, converted into a light minelayer, she bears the name of the late Bear Admiral Aaron Ward, USN, who commanded the USS Wasp during the Spanish-American War, a ship that distinguished herself and her captain. Two other ships have also borne this celebrated name: DD l32, a l2UU ton ship transferred to the British early in the War, and the DD483, a valiant l6'5O tonner that participated in the Battle of Savo lsland and invasion of Guadalcanal before she was sunk on 7 April l943. The Aaron Ward, lll, helped blaze the way for the invasion of Okinawa, and later served as Radar Picket Vessel in that campaign during The Kamikaze Blitz . With her performance on 3 May, our ship joined the ranks of Navy irnmortals, and Won for herself undying fame as the ship that can't be licked. -IH-

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,E ,-i .,,,-,.s,-. - - ,TV -.,.,.,.. - -...Q --,-- . qfvg-7 ' '- -41'-' - - ' 'W-Pll' W' 'r - .Humbly do we dedicate these sheets of paper to our beloved shipmates who gave their lives in the performance of their duty. Theirs was a sacrifice that will rank high in the annals of naval history. Only we, and other sea-farers like us, who fought the Kamikaze scourge at Okinawa can know the true story behind their gallant devotion to the end. We shall never forget them, even long after this war's finis. We shall always remember them as shipmates who joined us in the battle against the Iapanese-courageous defiant, -and steadfast in their noble purpose. To these men goes our eternal gratitude. JL Long, Luther James GM3fc Maculcas, Anthony Peter Flfc Lt. Robert Neil McKay Anderson, Jack Beecher Flfc Armand, Medric Joseph MNIX Beattie, Vernon Edward S2fc Bruna, Franlcfnl SC2fc Cain, John Richard SZXC Carpenter, Charles Lloyd Sflc Carrick, Junior Roby S2fc Coltra, Paul MM2fc Connell, Charles Monard S2fc Couie, Robert Louis, Cox. Dalton, John Shields Slfc . C Dart, George Leonard SSML3fc Dial, Billy Rae SoM3fc Dulin, Frank l-lenson Slfc Fletcher, Farrell Ronald l-lA2fc Follett, Robert Raymond MN2fc Good, Rae Gervis FC3fclTl Harris, Richard Joseph Slfc l-lendriclcson, Jerald Melvin Slfc Lepon, Russell Allen Flfc Mann, Stuart Benjamin CMMlTl Marshall, J. J. Slfc McCoy, Billielnl S2fc McLaughlin, Marvin Joseph Slfc Morgan, JohniJoseph Flfc Niwinslci, l-lenry Walter Slfc iOlmeda, Augustinelnl Slfc 'Pepoon, Rudolt Stanley Flfc Rawlins, John Brantley MN3fc Schroeder, Laverne l-larry S2fc Schroeter, Carl, Jr. WT2fc Smith, Jerry Edwin, Jr., EM3fc Spradling, Paul Clitford S2fc Steinhilber, Clyde William S2fc Stole, Gerald James Flfc Symes, Robert Stenvad Slfc Turner, Jack Stokes GM3fc Wagner, Edward Lawrence S2fc Zaloga, Joseph Edward MN2fc Picture: Where our fallen shipmates rest in the U. S. Military cemetery at Zamami Shima in Kerama Retto Ryukyu Islands Japan .421- - -X, ..,. 4-