Bausell (DD 845) - Naval Cruise Book

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The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to CORPORAL LEWIS K. BAUSELL UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, 15 September 1944. Valiantly placing himself at the head of his squad, Corporal Bausell led the charge forward against a hostile pillbox which was covering a vital sector of the beach and, as the first to reach the emplacement, immediately started firing his automatic into the aperture while the remainder of his men closed in on the enemy. Swift to act as a Japanese grenade was hurled into their midst, Corporal Bausell threw himself on the deadly weapon, taking the full blast of the explosion and sacrificing his own life to save his men. His unwavering loyalty and inspiring courage reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Bausell and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. S FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

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SHIP ' S HISTORY OF USS BAUSELL DD-845 The USS BAUSELL (DD-845), was launched on November 19, 1945. at Bath, Maine. The ship was named for Corporal Lewis K. BAUSELL USMC, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life. Corporal Bausell led the charge forward against a hostile pillbox, and swift to act as an enemy grenade was hurled into their midst, Corporal Bausell threw himself on the deadly weapon taking the full blast of the explosion and sacrificing his own life to save his men. BAUSELL was commissioned on February 7, 1946, at the U.S. Naval shipyard, Boston, Massachusetts, and thus began officially her career in the Naval service. In mid-July, 1946, she passed through the Panama Canal and Navy Day found her lying in San Pedro Harbor, a proven member of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Her first full-fledged exercise came in February 1947 and by the time the Korean Conflict began BAUSELL had already completed two Far East cruises. Between February 1951 and April 1954 BAUSELL completed three Far East cruises, operating almost continuously while there with United Nations forces in Korea. She operated as a member of fast carrier task forces, blockaded the East Coast of Korea patrolled the Formosa Straits, provided illumination and gunfire support for United Nations troops, aided in various sea air rescue missions and participated in anti-submarine warfare exercises. After the Korean War, BAUSELL made numerous cruises to the Western Pacific, participating in various operations with Seventh Fleet, the Japanese Navy and the Chinese Nationalist Navy. In July 1960, BAUSELL commenced a 12 month rehabilitation and modernization period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. This program, known as FRAM MK 1, was designed to equip destroyers with the latest in modern technology. As a result of this modernization, the ship was equiped with the most modern armament, including ASROC. In 1962 BAUSELL was ready to resume her cruises to the Far East and from that date began her participation in the waters off Viet Nam. BAUSELL took part in Sea Dragon Operations as well as gunfire support and patrol craft surveillance. In October 1971 BAUSELL was forward deployed to the Western Pacific and has been an integral merpber of the Seventh Fleet ever since. BAUSELL participated in the Viet Nam action right up until the signing of the peace treaty in January 1973. In Spring of 1975 BAUSELL was actively involved in Operation Frequent Wind and in the rescue of the S.S. MAYAQUEZ while operating in a task group with the U.S.S. CORAL SEA.

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LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ARTHUR E. ROWE Jr. Lieutenant Commander ROWE is a native of Bradenton, Florida. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Maryland where he graduated with the Class of 1961 . His first tour of duty as a commissioned officer was in USS RICHARD S. EDWARDS (DD 950). He served in various billets in EDWARDS which included the positions of operations officer and weapons officer. Leaving the EDWARDS in 1965, LCDR ROWE then attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California until 1967 where he studied Naval Communications. Upon graduation, he was assigned as the staff communications officer for Commander Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla Twelve until September, 1969. On completion of staff duty LCDR ROWE was next assigned as Commanding Officer of the ocean minesweeper USS CONQUEST (MSO-488) which was homeported at Long Beach, California. After commanding CONQUEST for one year the ship was decommissioned for conversion and modernization. LCDR ROWE was next assigned as Commanding Officer of the tank landing ship USS WINDHAM COUNTRY (EST 1170) which was homeported at Yokosuka, Japan as part of the Navy ' s Overseas Residency Piogram. He retained command for two and one half years during which time the ship operated throughout th- Western Pacific and the Vietnam war zone. LCDR ROWE was the last U.S. Navy Commanding Oi ' icer. On 1 June 1973 the ship was transferred to the Turkish Navy. During his tenure as Commanding Officer the WINDHAM COUNTY won the last Battle Efficiency E presented by Landing Ship Squadron Nine. LCDR ROWE was then assigned as the Commanding Officer of the destroyer USS BAUSELL (DD 845) and assumed command on 3 August 1973.