Aaron Ward (DM 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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' ! iff auf, if ik ,fy is Sir if gtg ,gf it '12 ir ir 1 it 'ik' ir 'ze I ik' ik if ,gf l if if A l , W. H. SANDERS, JR. Commander, U. S. Navy COMMANDING OFFICER l find it very difficult to express adequately how l feel towards this gallant ship, her officers, and men. Thruout the period, from the day of commissioning to the present, you have made my job compara- tively 'easy thru your fine cooperation, industry, and brave conduct under fire. Our country has always been proud of the American boy's ability to come thru in any emergency, and you, a s-hip's company, hand-picked by fate, knowing and believing in that for which you were fighting, have by y-our magnificent fighting spirit confirmed that belief in the minds of your countrymen. F or those of you who will remain in the Naval Service, l say l am happy in the thought that we may again be shipmates. To the potential civilians among us, l wish health and happiness, and in your chosen career may you each meet with that full measure of success so characteristic of your short tour on the Gallant Ward . To the relatives of those boys who gave their lives that we may henceforth live in peace, l say in behalf of all officers and men that we offer you, humlbly, our sympathy for the heartaches you have suffered. May l repeat what l have said elsewhere, That the ship was saved to fight again, after such punish- ment in the face of overwhelming odds, bears witness to the wonderful work and the high calibre of fighting officers and men l have had the good fortune of having assigned my command. l cannot say enough to express my complete admiration of you. - W. H. SANDERS, Ir., Commander, U. S. Navy, Commanding Officer. -l3l- I . 1'

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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-

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-QUII ,zz 5 ,.,,.-f.,.,..,---. mv., --car. 1- .... .. .--Q-f-nv-.w,v1:..f:..ggg-'-'e' 'f' ' A WW' -'--' f A ' ,arf M- - ' - l -DAVID M. RUBEL Lieutenant Commander, U. S. Navy EXECUTIVE OFFICER Between the covers of this book is Written the story of our proud ship and her heroic crew. As Gunnery Officer and Executive Officer I have had the pleasure of Working with you from the day of the ship's commissioning. Since that day, it has been a long, hard trip. Your splendid attitude and coopera- tive spirit durin-g our training period paid tremendous dividends in loattle. By your actions the mighty Aaron has taken her place in the heroic annals of our Navy. l feel honored to have served with you. Wor'ds cannot express my ad-miration for you and your shipmates who made the supreme sacrifice. Your deeds speak for themselves. y r DAVID M. RUBEL, Lieutenant Commander, U. S. Navy, Executive Officer. , f--l 4 l-