Bradford (DD 545) - Naval Cruise Book

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P. C. Johnson, Lf.J.G., USNR R. R. Meehan, Ens., USNR M. Skolich, Ens., USNR D. M. Hopperstad, Ens., USNR Q L. R. Kundlz, Ens., USNR 7 c. Mafhewg, Ens., USNR Haw Bong Kyu, Ens., ROKN NOT PICTURED R. D. Young, Li., USN H. R. McMillan, Lt.J.G., USNR R. A. Harris, Ens., USN

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W J Falrgneve Lf USNR N F V Becklean LiJ G USNR S S Flne LfJG USN R. Stein, Lt.J.G., USNR R. B. Hefferon, Li.J.G., USN D. W. Wolgust, Lf.J.G., USN D. J. Price, Ens., USN C. H. Bubbin, Ens., USNR

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HISTORY OF U.S.S. BRADFORD DD 545 This is the story of a fine ship, the U.S.S. BRADFORD lDD545l. All of the men who have served on her agree that she is one of the first in the fleet. They don't make the claim of being the number one ship in the fleet. After all, who is to iudge iust which is the best and which the next best? There are many, fine ships in the U.S. Navy. The BRADFORD is one of them. we believe she deserves to be called One of the first. This article will try to explain why we think so. The BRADFORD was commissioned on June 12, 1943, at San Pedro, California. Commander Robert L. Morris, USN, offi- cially accepted the ship for the Navy from the Bethlehem Ship- building Company. Mrs. Sally Bradford Ross sponsored the ship. She christened the slim hull BRADFORD in honor of Captain Gamiel Bradford, one of America's most skilled and courageous privateersmen during the war of 1812. After commissioning, the BRADFORD had less than three weeks of shakedown before she carried out her first assignment. She rendezvoused with the U.S.S. Enterprise off the west coast and escorted her to the Navy Yard at Puget Sound in Bremerton, Washington. Then, after a short stay in the yard for engineering repairs, BRADFORD set sail for Pearl Harbor on August 18, 1943. Upon arrival she received orders for operations against the enemy, and was underway in less than 24 hours on her first war cruise. It was during this cruise that the BRADFORD crossed the equator for the first time and many new shellbacks were initi- ated into the realm of Neptune Rex. On November twenty-fifth approximately twelve Jap tor- pedo'bombers carried out a raid on our Task Group losing several planes and causing much damage. BRADFORD fired the first shots in defense of the carriers and expended considerable ammunition of all calibers in the ensuing battle. No planes were claimed since results were obscured by darkness and by the anti-aircraft bursts which filled the sky. The North Carolina, how- ever, credited BRADFORD with one plane destroyed. On Thanksgiving Day, BRADFORD received its biggest thrill of the operation. Together with the Brown, she escorted the Monterey, a light carrier, from one Task Force Group to another. Safe delivery was accomplished by dusk, when enemy bombers were sighted trailing our fighters back to the Task Group which was by this time hull-down astern. A warning was flashed to all ships and BRADFORD immediately opened fire. This began a 45 minute duel between the two destroyers and about eighteen tor- pedo planes. The entire Jap attacking Group was devoting itself to the Brown and BRADFORD. The enemy waited until dark before pressing home a coordinated attack in which well timed ap- proaches were made from all directions. Excellent work by all hands allowed the ship to come through the attack undamaged. Close coordination between Com- bat lnformation Center and the bridge enabled the ship to turn directly into the most threatening attack. The first torpedo dropped about 800 yards dead ahead. After running straight for the ship, the torpedo turned slightly to the right and passed down the port side within ten feet of the hull. The plane dropping this torpedo was solidly hit by the forward starboard 40mm and the starboard and after 20mm's as it passed within 30 yards of the ship. The crew of the Brown saw the plane crash astern. Accurate 40mm fire diverted a second plane coming in on the port bow. His fish passed a safe distance astern. Following these, came several attacks on the port beam in which torpedos were launched from aircraft 1,000 to 1,500 yards out. High speed, coupled with heavy and accurate gunfire, forced these planes to either break off their attacks or pass comfortably astern. No more torpedo wakes were sighted although several more planes attempted runs. ,- ln the meantime, the Brown, independently engaged, had fared iust.as well making a total for the evening of three planes destroyed and three probables for the two ships. Of this BRAD- FORD'S share was one destroyed and two probables with a fourth plane damaged. For that night's work the BRADFORD and Brown received special congratulations from Admiral Nimitz and the remainder of the operation passed in comparative quiet. On the fifteenth of February, a Task Group consisting of the Iowa, New Jersey, Minneapolis and New Orleans with BRADFORD acting as one of the four destroyer escorts formed to intercept and destroy several warships escaping from Truk via the North Pass. About 1445, smoke, bombs splashed and anti- aircraft fire were sighted on the horizon ahead and as speed was increased three ships came into view, one a Kotori class cruiser, another an Asashio class destroyer and the third, a small steamer. The destroyer and cruiser were under heavy air attack by 18 carrier based bombers and fighters and were putting UP a very poor defense. While they watched, the cruiser took a heavy bomb hit amidships and lost headway rapidly. The de- stroyer elected to stay with the cruiser, while the small steamer turned toward our formation, putting over lifeboats as she did so. The New Jersey, as first in line in the main body, waited until the steamer was on a clear bearing and.let a twelve QU salvo go from her secondary battery. The reaction was instan- taneous as the steamer disappeared completely leaving only a 2,000 foot mushroom of black smoke. In the meantime BRAD- FORD being on the engaged side, had come into range of. the cruiser which she took under fire at 1515, scoring a straddle on the second salvo and several hits in succeeding salvos. Seven minutes later two torpedoes were fired at the cruiser scoring One hit. At 1525, fire was shifted to the destroyer as she had opened UP with two of her after guns and shell splashes were observed between the BRADFORD and main body. At 1531 BRADFORD fired one torpedo which struck the enemy destroyer iust as BRAD- FORD was passing with the Jap 3,000 yards on our port beam-