Alfred A Cunningham (DD 752) - Naval Cruise Book

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fl' v A , Y' ' . , ' N N 4 . M - M W. . ' ai wa. - ' f' X, 'w,,,w-NCQ-qfv 1 , ,ty V1 '-A N ,gil ,-t,-M'-iz,,,t,. -' 1 M We , -swift' .Q 5, is . f . M, ,,,,,, .M - - , , 'V-Y --rpm tcqiikxl VW.-.152 wi, ML U I jx K K 1. ynmtmvw , i.. 1,,.,.N- ,I .--I A 1 --ww'-N sw -' fi ,qppw-, M Mfr we p , 'X H M--WMM DD 529s lllustrious History When the Destroyer 752 slid down the ways at Sta- ten Island, New York after being christened by Mrs. Alfred A. Cunningham, not one of the 2,500 assem- bled to watch the ceremony would know that the same destroyer would still be going strong today. For that day long ago was August 3, 1944. The Uni- ted States was engaged in a struggle against the Axis forces, fighting the NWar to End All Warsf' CUNNINGHAM was to survive that war, serving il- lustriously in the island-hopping campaign from Wake westward through Guam, Ulithi, the Philippine Islands, and Qkinawa. Near the closing of the war the white planes of peace carrying the Japanese emissaries to General Douglas MacArthur were first detected and report- ed by the radar picket ship ALFRED A. CUNNING- HAM. After peace was declared, CUNNINGHAM made numerous trips of peace and good will through the Yellow Sea, aiding in the occupation of China. In 1949, along with a large number of the powerful Pa- cific Fleet, CUNNINGHAM became a part of the new reserve fleet. But in 1950, with the sounds of a new war rising in Korea, she shed her peacetime cocoon and hurriedly was reactivated into her former fight- ing condition. Since then, CUNNINGHAM has seen continuous ac- tion, writing page after page to history in her de- ployments to the Far East. This publication is just another page of history in her illustrious 23-year lifespan. This is the story of CUNNINGHANFS four- teenth Far Eastern deployment ......

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J' .? Q V 4-'fre'g'f?Pg3,, ,f-.-A li' 1 'J V1 .Y g f Alfred Austell Cunningham pioneered in aviation when aviation was recognized by only a few men of broad vision like himself. He risked life and health when few appreciated the hazards, the discourage- ments, and the frustrations the early aviators faced. Born in Atlanta, Ga. 8 March 1882, young Cunning- ham was deeply interested in the balloon flights of that era and before his twenty-first birthday, he made two known ascensions. On 25 January 1909, the young man accepted an ap- pointment as Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He served in the battleship NEW JERSEY in 1909, the battleship NORTH DAKOTA in 1910, and the cruiser LANCASTER in 1911. But his interest in flying was foremost and continu- ally grew with the years. In 1912, Cunningham's ambition was fulfilled when he became the Marine Corps, first pilot, soloing after a total instruction time of but two hours and 40 minutes. He then in turn instructed other pilots, and was in charge of Marine Corps aviation during the first World War I. He remained active in the promotion of military av- iation, and after 26 years in the Marines he retired from active duty with the rank of Major. While in retirement he was promoted to the rank of Lieuten- ant Colonel and died 27 May 1939. In recognition of Lt. Col. Cunninghamls immeasur- able contribution to Marine Corps aviation, the Uni- ted States Navy honored his name by launching the USS ALFRED A. CUNNINGHAM CDD 7525, christen- ed by his widow August 3, 1944. Q-,ME

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