Catamount (LSD 17) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 56 of the 1963 volume:

% 1 i r - .-t n The WestPac Cruise of the USS Catamount 1962-63 Date of Departure: 11 June 1962 Date of Return: 23 January 1963 Length of Cruise: 217 Days Days at Sea: 127 Days in Port:100 Total Number of Miles : 35,681 Amount of Fuel Used: 2,576,107 Gallons Man-Hours Spent on Watch .- 134, 756 IT WAS A LONG CRUISE, LONGER THAN ANY OF US HAD ANTICIPATED. BUT, LIKE ALL OTHERS, IT FINALLY ENDED. AFTER TWENTY DAYS, THE LOOKOUT SPOTTED POINT LOAAA: THE EXCITEMENT BEGAN. SUDDENLY, WE WERE SETTING THE FINAL SPECIAL SEA DETAIL. TIME RACED BY. EVERYONE BECAME A LOOKOUT, SEEING IN SUCCESSION THE SUBMARINE PIERS, NORTH ISLAND AIR BASE, ADMIRAL KIDD, AND THEN PIER 6. THERE THEY WERE — WAITING ON THE PIER. EVEN BEFORE IT SEEMED POSSIBLE, THE LINES WENT OVER, THE BROW WAS READIED, AND THE CRUISE ENDED. A WestPac cruise . . . with its laughter ... its monotony ... its excitement . . . its frustration . . . the Paramount . . . reveille . . . holiday routine . . . quarters for division officers ' muster and inspection . . . midwatches . . . operation Lone Eagle . . . boat runs ... 8 o ' clock reports . . . sweepers . . . gunnery exercises . . . liberty call . . . now relieve the watch . . . mess gear . . . Oro ' s . . . volleyball in the well deck . . . mail call . . . shoe shine boys on the wingwall . . . surf inside the well deck . . . the Marines . . . LCD 1482 . . . Softball games . . . Grande Island . . . light off 1 Generator . . . New Year ' s Eve . . . Chaplain Cortney . . . now the tour will leave in five minutes . . . Bonanza again . . . Protestant lay leader services . . . working parties . . . the girl on the pier in Kobe . . . Japanese taxi drivers . . . China Fleet Club . . . Stars and Stripes are now on sale . . . Get an IC up here immediately . . . right ten degrees rudder . . . light on the hill, bearing 074 . . . Olongapo . . . good chow . . . bad chow . . . now cleaning gear is being issued . . . anchor tends 090, light strain . . . E Division, all present and accounted for . . . condition yoke . . . the last cruise for some, the first for others, one of many for most ... for all, memorable. The Catamount The USS Catamount, one of the four LSD ' s in Amphibious Squadron Five, was commissioned on 9 April 1945 at Norfolk, Virginia. The Catamount is the first ship in the Navy to bear her name, and is named in honor of the famed Catamount Tavern in Bennington, Vermont. After a shakedown cruise in Chesapeake Bay, she sailed directly to the Pacific. As the Pacific War drew to a close, the Catamount performed admirably and carried into Tokyo Boy Admiral Nimitz ' barge and Admiral Holsey ' s Reno Silver Saddle. From mid-1946 until 1950, the Catamount operated. out of Norfolk. While there, she gained nationwide prominence when a news wire service discovered her secondary use for the 394-foot well deck, that of flooding it and turning the huge space into a large, portable swimming pool. When the hostilities commenced in Korea, the Catamount was returned to the Pacific. She arrived in Korean waters in September 1950 and commenced heavy duty for the remaining three years of the war. During the Korean conflict, the Catamount earned seven stars and the Korean Service Medal for the landing at Inchon, the evacuations, and other vital operations. Since then, the Catamount has been an active participant in several notable Navy endeavors, including the breaking of the Quemoy artillery blockade in 1958, DEW line replenishment, and watchdog cruising off the Vietnamese coast during the Laos crisis. In 1960, the Catamount was the ship dispatched by President Eisenhower to carry relief supplies to earthquake victims in Chile. The present Commanding Officer, Commander Harry F. Slawson relieved Commander C. W. Smith on 13 October, shortly after the Catamount had entered the Long Beach Naval Shipyard for a Mark II FRAM overhall. The Catamount is classed as a Landing Ship Dock. An LSD is a specialized amphibious type ship developed during World War II to transport combat load vehicles to the assault area. The craft are launched by flooding the 394-foot well deck and dropping the stern gate. Another important function is to provide a floating drydock and repair ship for the same craft. In recent years, and especially during the cruise, the Catamount has also been used for both launching and landing helicopters. The Catamount Tavern One sunny afternoon in the 1770 ' s, a hunter killed a strange looking mountain lion in a forest near Bennington, Vermont. The hunter, proud of his kill, dragged the lion into Bennington, pro- ceeded to have it stuffed, and presented it to Stephen Fay, proprietor and founder of the town ' s leading tavern. At the same time, the Royal Governors of New York and New Hampshire were involved in a dispute, both claiming the region around and containing Bennington. Were New York to win the disagreement, the claims of the settlers would have been invalidated. To aid in resistance, Ethan Allen, who was to become a famous Revolutionary War hero, formed a small band of volunteers, known in history as the Green Mountain Boys. Their primary purpose was to defend the settlers ' claims to their homes and farms. Fay ' s tavern soon became the site for all town meetings. A special convention was even held at the tavern, and before long Allen ' s band of vigilantes began to muster there in the evenings. Shortly thereafter Fay named his tavern The Green Mountain Tavern. After staring at the stuffed lion for many evenings, the Boys decided that the animal ' s face resembled their own grinning defiance to the Yorkers. They then decided to adopt the lion as a mascot and subsequently renamed the tavern for the beast, The Catamount. Soon the Revolutionary War became a reality and colonial leaders of Massachusetts and Connecticut met many times with Allen at the tavern. The attack on Fort Ticonderoga, led by Allen and the Green Mountain Boys in May, 1775 was planned at the Catamount and commenced from there. When England ' s Burgoyne was sent to capture Bennington in August, 1777 the Cata- mount was still functioning as a headquarters for the colonists. Several weeks after the Battle of Bennington, the settlers declared themselves independent of both New Hampshire and New York and formed the independent republic of Vermont. Then the republic became a state; the Catamount was used as the site for several sessions of the state legislature. The state ' s first court was held within its walls and the first man sentenced to death in Vermont was tried and convicted in the tavern and hung within sight of it. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1877, but two memorials to her importance remain. One is the large moument on her site in Bennington, the other is the USS Catamount, possibly the only ship in any navy named for a tavern. The Captain Commander Harry F. Slawsm Commander Harry F. Slawson relieved as Commanding Officer of the Catamount on Friday, 13 October as the ship entered the FRAAA yard period at Long Beach. He came from the Washburn (AKA 108) where he had served as Executive Officer since June 1960. Commander Slavi son was commissioned an Ensign, USNR, on 13 June 1943 after graduating from Bowling Green University and the USNR Midshipman ' s School, Columbia University. Upon commissioning, he attended Harvard University a nd Massachusetts Institute of Technology for duty under instruction in electronics and radar and taught briefly at radar maintenance school in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While in Hawaii, he volunteered for submarines and was selected for duty as Elec- tronics Officer aboard the Piranha. From May 1944 to May 1952 Commander Slawson served aboard the submarines Piranha, Diodon, Charr, Tilefish, and Trutta, during which time he partici- pated in 5 ' A World War II war patrols and 2 during the Korean conflict. From June 1952 until July 1955 Commander Slawson served in the Regulus Missile program, in guided Missile Unit 50 as Executive Officer and Atomic Warhead Assembly Supervisor and in Submarine Missile Division 51 as Missile Operations Officer and Test Coordinator. For the next two years he served as Executive Officer aboard the Alfred A. Cunningham (DD 752); from November 1957 to December 1959 he was Development Officer and Safety Analyst in Research and Development Directorate Headquarters Defense Atomic Support Agency, coordinating atomic weapons matters among the service headquarters, DOD, and AEC in Washington. He then attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California and was enrolled in the Man- agement curriculum from January to June 1960, after which he went to the Washburn. Commander Slawson is designated qualified for command of submarines and destroyers. He has been awarded the commendation medal with Combat V, the World War II Victory Medal, United Nations and Korean Service medals, China Service and Asiatic Occupation Medal, the American theater and Asiatic Pacific theater (with 6 stars), and submarine combat pin plus two stars. Commander Slawson has just completed his 7fh deployment to the Western Pacific. He was married in May 1949 to the former Helene Dudley of Newport, Rhode Island. The Slawsons, who have one boy and three girls, reside in Chula Vista, California. The Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander John A. Simmons, Jr. Lieutenant Commander John A, Simmons, Jr., a native of Chicago, entered Princeton Uni- versity in September 1944 under the V-12 program. In June 1946 he graduated and was commissioned an Ensign. Shortly thereafter he went to his first duty station, the USS Kearsarge (CV 33) where he served as Signal Officer. In May 1947 he commenced a tour of duty with COMSERVLANT, serving on the Communications staff. After 18 months of staff duty, LCDR Simmons spent four months aboard the USS Fresno (CLAA-121), acting as both 4th Division Officer and Forward Heavy Machine Gun Officer. From February 1949 until July 1950 he was Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and Communications Officer of LSM 297. He then became an Executive Officer for the first time, serving aboard the USS Marion County (LST 975) until March 1951. LCDR Simmons then went to the USS Erben (DD 631), where he was Operations Officer until December 1952. Commencing in January 1953, LCDR Simmons attended General Line School, then Post Grad- uate School, both in Monterey, California. After specializing there in Communcations Engineering, he served two years on the COMPHIBPAC staff, acting as Assistant Communications Officer and Flog Lieutenant. After completing this tour in July 1956, LCDR Simmons became Commanding Officer of the USS Steuben County (LST 1 138); he was relieved in August 1958. During the next 13 months, LCDR Simmons served as Executive Officer, Naval Communica- tions Station, Seattle, Washington. Following this assignment, he began in November 1959 a 26- month tour of duty as Communications Advisor to the Korean Navy. After leaving Korea in January 1962, LCDR became Executive Officer of the Catamount on 25 February 1962. LCDR Simmons was married in July 1951 to the former Gloria Peterson of Fullerton, Cali- fornia. They have two boys, William and Michael. The Story of a Cruise June 11th — the day awaited for so long had suddenly arrived. With wives, kids, dogs, and sweethearts waving farewells, line three was clear of the pier at the scheduled 0855, the whistle sounded, engines answered all bells, and the Catamount left pier 6 for points west — Hawaii, the Philippine Islands, Japan, Hong Kong, South Vietnam, Okinawa, and Korea. Eight days later the Catamount steamed carefully into Kaneohe Bay for opera- tion Flying Disc; the Operation was completed on 22 June. During Flying Disc we acted as Primary Control Ship. Completing the three-day operation, the Catamount passed Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and entered Pearl Harbor on 23 June, moor- ing 500 yards from the newly completed Arizona battleship memorial. Four days of Hawaiian liberty were both busy and enjoyable, and more than one member of the crew spent too much time in the sun. The morning of June 27th began the long run — the 16 day trip to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. This was to be the longest period during the cruise without mail, and both Beedy and Brown were kept busy on the 1 3th of July, arrival day. The Cata- mount spent nine days in Subic Bay. The air conditioners were also installed and remained until the end of December, when they were removed just prior to our return to the United States. On the 16th of July, the RED E award was presented for Engineering Efficiency; Lt. Thompson, the Engineering Officer, donned a pair of white shorts and climbed the starboard stack to paint the E. On the 27th of July, exactly one month after leaving Hawaii, the ship arrived in Yokosuka, Japan after a brief stop at White Beach, Okinawa, scene of much World War II action. The first stay in Yokosuka lasted five days, long enough for payday to be awaited anxiously. However, as always seemed to happen, payday came one day too late, so much buying had to be postponed until the next time. During the five days, several ventured as far north as Tokyo and Yokohama, discovering to their amazement that there is a country where trains operate EXACTLY on schedule. For many, the turkish bath was tried, and enjoyed. The time came to again answer bells; this time the Cata- mount steamed for Operation 2 — Seven ' Seas off the coast of Korea. Typhoon Nora however, altered plans; we spent the evening of 2 August anchored in Beppu Bay, near the famous Japanese resort city Beppu. Reports of liberty there were quite positive; we all hoped to return. The next day we continued to Korea, stopping first at Pusan to offload LCU ' s. We then steamed around the southern coast of Korea and continued north to Inchon, where the Catamount was loaded for the Operation. The operation took pbce near Po-Hang, located halfway up Korea ' s east coast. Seven Seas was a joint Army-Navy operation; since our helicopter deck was the only one available at the scene, several generals ' including the Commanding General of the Eighth Army, viewed the Operation frorn the Catamount. As in every operation during the cruise, the Catamount acted as Primary Control Ship. Completing Seven Seas, we returned to Inchon, offloaded the Army personnel, steamed back to Pusan, reloaded the LCD ' s and began the trip to Subic Bay, via Buckner Bay. However, typhoon Sarah interfered; this time several days were spent in Sasebo, Japan. After waiting five days for the typhoon to change course, we were given the green light and at ten minutes past midnight on 22 August, the Catamount again headed for Buckner Bay. After loading Marine personnel and equipment we proceeded to Subic Bay. The same day we arrived in Subic the mail arrived in Sasebo, one of few times our mail was waiting at the wrong port. Our stay in Subic Bay lasted only long enough to load Marines for the usual milk run to Oki- nawa. Ten days later, after fighting typhoons Wanda and Amy a tired ship finally anchored. The fatigue came not only from rolling and pitch- ing but from catching soup in our own laps. During this time, the famed Catamount racing north message was sent from the Commodore, while the Catamount was racing south evading typhoons Amy and Wanda. This trip was to lose us the Hong Kong station ship assignment, and the original 17 days became only 5. After stopping to offload the Marines, the Catamount steamed around the southwest tip of Okinawa to Naha for refueling. Leaving Naho, we finally steamed for Hong Kong. Five days there and everyone was broke. At times it appeared that the boat crews were running a delivery service for Macy ' s, and few boat runs were made without a load of pack- ages. It was a busy five days and was made enjoyable since the English language is quite in fashion here. After leaving Hong Kong on the 16th of September, back we steamed to Subic Bay; five days later came the regularly scheduled v isit to Sasebo. While there, many made visits to Nagasaki and were soberly impressed by the peace statue and museum there. The first ship ' s party also took place, along with the usual number of private ones. By this time, almost everyone had found the yen store and packages of every size and description began appearing throughout the ship. From Sasebo the Catamount steamed to Beppu, which we had visited one day previously. After two day of seeing monkeys and hot springs, we moved further south to Kagoshima, a large industrial city. The people of Kagoshima were very cordial, and many groups visited the ship, including English-speaking col- lege students. Several members of the crew were invited and visited Japanese homes in Kagoshima. While there a bus tour took 50 of the crew to Kirishima National Park, which proved a pleasant contrast to the honking horns of Japa nese cities. Completing a circle around the island of Kyushu, we stopped briefly in Sasebo, then headed south to Okinawa for the big one — Operation Lone Eagle, which involved 40 ships and 15,000 men, including the Marine Ready Force. The Catamount arrived at White Beach on 10 October; the next three days were spent loading. The Operation itself, during which we again acted as Primary Control Ship and as an emergency boat haven, began on the 13th and was completed on 22 October. That same day, after welcoming aboard 17 South Vietnamese naval officers, the Cata- mount began the week-long trip to Saigon, capital of South Vietnam. However, plans were changed abruptly when President Kennedy established the Cuban Quarantine. We were ordered back to Oki- nawa to await further instructions. After spending one day anchored off White Beach, we were again dispatched to Saigon with a scheduled stop in Danang, a small city in northern South Vietnam. Arriving there on the 31st of October, the Catamount had an enjoyable afternoon in Dan- ang. Then departed for Saigon, arriving there after a four-hour special sea detail on the 2nd day of November. While going up the Saigon River, it was almost amazing to see the miles of wet swampy land bordering the river and even more amazing to realize that people live in such areas. Saigon, a French-oriented city, was a pleasant surprise; no one told us to go home, shot at us, or threw hand grenades, although some grenades were thrown while we were there. The people were friendly. On the 7th of November the Catamount made the three-hour trip down the river and pointed to Subic Bay. After arriving, talk was about possible extension in WestPac; most agreed that we would be affected in some manner. On the 10th, the day after arrival, we received the news that the Colonial, our relief, had been sent to the Atlantic and would not be available to relieve us on the scheduled date. During the nine days in Subic, we held a ship ' s party at Grande Island, and upkeep work was again emphasized. Fingers were crossed that the air conditioners would be taken off, but when we left for Yokosuka they were still aboard. The upkeep period in Yokosuka was badly needed; much work was completed by the ship ' s company alone. During the I 7 days there, many traveled to Tokyo, at present the world ' s largest city. Yokohama proved to be a popular liberty city. Some made weekend trips to Mount Fuji and Lake Hakone; others saw the famous Buddha at Kamakura, only a 10 minute train ride from Yokosuka. After leaving Yokosuka, the Catamount went west to Kobe, Japan ' s most important shipping city. Many felt that Kobe provided the best liberty of the cruise; Kobe steaks were consumed in great quantities. English style pubs as Clancy ' s and King ' s Arms were also popular. While in Kobe, several large groups went on tours; one traveled to Takarazuka, home of the world-renowed Takarazuka Review. The show, which lasted 4 hours, cost only 250 yen for the best seats in the house. Others went to Kyoto, once the capital of Japan and the only major city not bombed during World War II. In Kobe emphasis was again placed on a people-to-people program. As in Kagoshima, several groups visited the ship, and many members of the crew spent an afternoon in Japa- nese homes and leading Kobe universities. Forty-two of the ship ' s company also donated blood on 14 December, and we received nationwide press coverage when two pints of the blood were given to a newly-born Rh negative baby, helping save its life. Leaving Kobe on the 19th of December, we returned to Yokosuka, stopping at Numazu to load several LCM ' s and LCPL ' s. From Numazu we had probably our best view of Mount Fuji, and she was a breathtaking sight with her snow-capped peak. After spending two days in Yokosuka, we steamed to Subic Bay for the final time. The air conditioners were removed, maintenance and upkeep work completed, food and fuel loaded, and late in the afternoon of 3 January we steamed for San Diego. After a refueing stop at Pearl Harbor on the 16th and loading a group of Marines for transport to the States, the lookout sighted Point Loma on the 23rd of January. The Catamount, a little tired after a 35,681 mile cruise, steamed into San Diego harbor, moored to the pier, was given a brow, and thus ended her 1962-63 WestPac cruise. 10 Hawaii The first stop during the cruise was in Kaneohe Bay, where we loaded for Operation Flying Disc. After the Oper- ation, during which the Catamount acted as Primary Control Ship, we steamed past Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and Honolulu, mooring in Pearl Harbor on 23 July. Our berth was only 500 yards from the newly completed memorial to the battleship Arizona. Arizona battleship memorial. The island of Oahu is covered with natural beauty. Covering the island are large fields of sugar cane and pineapple, cocoonut trees, white, sandy beaches, and small, quaint shacks. In the Kaneohe area ore found canyons, craters, and coral gardens. Some of the most spectacular scenery in the world may be found in Hawaii, our newest state. Nuuanu Pali Lookout, Oahu. Pearl Harbor is a short drive from Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, so m ' ost were able to see commercial Hawaii at least once. Nightclubs were colorful and expensive, but there ap- peared to be an abundance of tourists. Judging from the sunburns as we steamed for Subic Bay, many swam in the white sand, wide beaches, and clear water of Hawaii. Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, Honolulu 11 Korea Operation Seven Seas was held in early Aijgust near Po-Hong, Korea. The Catamount went first to Pusan, where 2 LCD ' s were offloaded. Then she went to Inchon, loaded for the operation, and proceeded to Po-Hang. After the Operation, during which we were Primary Con- trol Ship, the Catamount returned to Inchon, offloaded, and steamed to Pusan. The 2 LCD ' s were backloaded and operation was completed. Okinawa Okinawa, which has an area of 454 square miles and a population of 758,000, is the largest island in the Ryukyus, a group of 64 islands taken over by the Dnited States after World War II from Japan and administered by the Department of the Army. BUHTJJ BEHcn During mid-October, Operation Lone Eagle took place near White Beach, Okinawa. Partici- pating were 40 ships and 15,000 men. The Cata- mount, as we did throughout every operation, acting as Primary Control Ship. The night of 17 October the Catamount also acted as a boat haven for 15 boots participating in the Opera- tion which, because of the heavy seas, were un- able to return to their own ships. Pepuenc OF Phiutppinsc, The Philippine Islands The Philippine Islands, discovered by Ferdinand Mag- ellan in 1521, are located in the South Pacific between Japan and Indonesia. There are 7,107 islands in the Philippine Archipelago with a total of 116,000 square miles, an area comparable to the state of Arizona. In- vaded by the Japanese in 1941, the Philippine people were granted their independence on July 4, 1948. During the months in WestPac, the Catamount was in Subic Bay during parts of July, August, September, November, December, and January. The July upkeep period coincided with the summer monsoon period, and the last six days there we saw 144 consecutive hours of rain. For the most part, however, Subic Bay and the Philippines was hot, especially at the end of December and early January, as we made preparations for the return home. When it rains, it pours! 13 Much liberty time was spent on the base at Subic Boy; facilities were more than adequate. Probably each member of the crew also went to Olongapo, the town just outside the main gate. There the twist was in style and Oro ' s introduced one and oil to the mashed potato. New Year ' s Eve, however, was spent on the base. Each club had its own party — some went to all of them. U.S. Naval Base, Subic Bay. . . W ' In mid-November, the ship had two parties at Grande Island, a small particle of land in the Boy. Although many seemed to enjoy Softball and football, more appeared to enjoy the beer, and there was always enough for everyone. Sunday afternoon in the back 40. One trip was scheduled to Manila, but the mon- soon created complications. After a 4-hour trip through flooded countrysides, there was just time to buy pesos, eat, see two historic sights, and return. Tomb of on Unknown Soldier, Manila. 14 Nou -ka V ' ' ' ' Hong Kong Hong Kong, a British Crown Colony, consists of 236 islands and islets and a portion of the Chinese mainland. The total land area is 398 miles. Hong Kong island is the most important island; it has an area of 29 square miles and includes Victoria, the City commonly called Hong Kong. On the mainland opposite Hong Kong island lies Kowloon. North of Kowloon, stretching to the Chinese border, are the New Territories, leased from China until 1997. From the top of Victoria Peak one gets a spectac- ular view of the harbor. Victoria is in the foreground, Kowloon in the background. Tram ride to the top takes 20 minutes, costs the equivalent of 30 cents. Hong Kong, city extraordinary. Total population of Hong Kong Colony is 2,918,000- 99% of the population is Chinese. A sidewalk in Kowloon. Street scene, Hong Kong. ting homes, Aberdeen. 15 7 r - • ■ Downtown, near the US Embassy. Refugee housing, Kov I thought you had a ricksha. ' Mary Soo ' s girls at work. 16 South Vietnam In November, the Catamount made her first visit to South Vietnam. We spent an afternoon in Da ' Nang, then steamed to Saigon, where we stayed for four days. South Vietnam became a country in 1954, after the war ended in Indo-China. Her Constitution was signed on 5 July 1954. F= Vietnamese sampan near Da ' Nang. The Saigon River bank — swamp. Quiet intersection in Da ' Nang. Vietnamese gir!. 17 Statue of the Trung Sisters, Saigon. Saigon ' s only Pagoda, Xa Loi. South Vietnam Congress During the four days in Saigon, we saw many tanks, jeeps, and advisors. Most shops and buses hod wire mesh OS protection from grenades. The French influence is unmistakable, from the wide streets to the bikini-filled pool of the Cercle Sportif. Since South Vietnam is a coun- try with a dancing ban, it was frustrating to listen to music without gyrating to the beat. Most agree that the South Vietnam girl is one of the most beautiful that we met. Old meets New. The Cercle Sportif, a private French-Vietnamese Club. South Vietnam is within 600 miles of the equator; consequently, hot weather is a rule. However, we were still surprised that day in Da ' Nang when everyone closed their shops at 1 200 and napped for three hours. The Presidential Palace, Saigo 19 Japan 1 - Yokosuka 2 - Num 3 -Kobe 4 - Beppu 3 - Sasebo 6 - Kagoshima Mount Fuji. Great Buddha, Beppu. r.- aft- . « ' . ;••«« ' - Terraced rice fields. Point of explosion of atomic bonnb, Nag ' asaki. a... z.:: . ' Tourist attraction — Asahi. 21 ,.. L.,W Entrance to Imperial Palace, Tokyo. Tokyo Tower, Japan ' s tallest structure — 1,092 ft. Kinkakuji Temple (GolcJen Pavilion), Kyoto. 22 Peace Statue, Nagasaki. Active volcano, Kagoshima 23 L I BlB K 111 hmm k ■ ' •f« ' ) t|f: «««jj « ' ««« ««« f «m. ' ■ m Kyoto, cultural center. Tonights movie. Bridge in Heian Shrine, Kyoto. Entrance to the Ginza, Tokyo ' s famous shopping district. 24 5I At two different ports during the cruise, the Catamount crew became blood donors — on 5 November in Saigon, South Vietnam and on 14 December in Kobe, Japan. The following is an article appearing in the Kobe Morning Issue: Kobe, Dec. 14 — This morning 42 crew men of the USS CATAMOUNT, a 9,000-ton dock landing ship of the US 7th Fleet, under the command of CDR. H. F. Slawson, now moored alongside Pier 6, visited the Blood Plasma Corporation of Japan, Kobe Branch to donate their blood. Learning of the shortage of blood in stock at the Blood Bank in Kobe and having been in Kobe as Executive Officer of the USS WASHBURN, the very first US Navy ship to participate in blood donation in Kobe, CDR. Slawson encouraged his men to offer to donate their blood during their visit to Kobe. In response to the proposal of the Commanding Officer, LCDR. J. A. Simmons and 41 others arrived at the Blood Bank to make a wonderful Christmas present out of blood donations. About 4:00 p.m. this afternoon, the Blood Bank received a telephone call from the Yodogawa Christian Hospital, Higashiyodogava-ku, Osaka, asking for 600-cc of Rh-negative type to save the life of a newly born baby who was badly in need of blood exchange because of its blood type. The Blood Bank got in touch with the Prefectural Police Board for the 600-cc blood, part of the blood donated by American sailors this morning, to be taken to the Hospital in a police car, sincerely hoping it would be a really nice Christmas present for this poor baby. The parents of this lucky baby had looked for Rh-negative blood all over Osaka and even Tokyo but in vain. The Rh-negative type blood donated by American sailors was transferred into the vein of the baby at 5:00 p.m. and it is hoped by all at the hospital and its parents as well that the baby will escape the critical condition. 25 The Catamount and Her Typhoons Now stand by for heavy rolls. This word, it seemed on occasions, was passed as often as mess gear. During July and August, locating the Catamount could have been done easily by checking the paths of typhoons, for it seemed that invariably both the Catamount and any number of typhoons wanted to go to the same places. There were seldom steaming days without some sign of a typhoon, and even the oldtimers among us said they had never seen so many storms. Our schedule was altered time after time by the swirling winds. The ten-day trip from Subic Bay to Okinawa is normally a short three-day run, but Amy and Wanda forced us to reverse course almost daily; the seven extra days we spent steaming cost us the Hong Kong station ship assignment. Our first night in Beppu was not originally scheduled, but Opel forced us to drop the anchor. The first five days in Sasebo were also not scheduled, but typhoon Ruth took longer than usual to move north then east. Below is a list of the typhoons during the 1 962 typhoon season, most of whom affected our steaming schedule: Joan 16 July Ka te 20 July Louise 23 July Nora 27 July Opel 3 August Patsy 8 August Ruth 16 August Sarah 22 August Thelmo 23 August Vera 26 August Wanda 29 August Amy 30 August Clara 21 Sept. Dinah 30 Sept. Emma 1 Oct. Gilda 3 Oct. Ivy 7 Oct. Jean 7 Nov. These typhoons required evasive action and or affected our schedule. 26 Whds in Charge Here? 27 28 Ship ' s Patties Sasebo, Japan 28, 29 Septembei Visitors Selected groups were invited to visit the Catamount v hile we were in Saigon, South Vietnam, Kobe and Kagoshima, Japan. Among the many who came aboard, most were school children, many of whom had never seen a naval ship before. At times the children almost wore out their welcomes, but when time came to depart all left energetically but promptly. The Captain and Executive Officer welcome tfie Mayor of Beppu 30 Honors , Awards, Qremonies Lt. Thompson paints the stack. Gctlin, Id becomes GotHn, ICC. On 16 July, shortly after arrival in Subic Bay, the Catamount was awarded the Red E for Engineering Efficiency. The final requirement for the award, on econ- omy fuel run, was completed while steaming from Pearl Harbor to Subic Bay. Dollison, SH3 — again the Phibron Five jump champion. 1 6 November — advancement day! The basketball team, champions of Phibron Five. 31 Snapshots V , ' ■ ' - rH fHiii 33 34 Department Heads Navigation LT. L. B. ELLINGHUYSEN Operations Supply LT. R. E. LARSON LT. K. D. GILMORE 35 Engineering Deck LTJG. H. L BARNES LT. G. M. THOMPSON Supply - until 11 th of August LT. W. I. STARRETT 36 Officers LTJG. W. R. CASTLE Damage Control Assistant LTJG. F. R. SANDERLIN Ship ' s Bos ' n ENS. D. f. PILMER ASW Officer ENS. T. R. BARTEE Communications Officer ENS. R. L. CARROLL CIC Officer 37 First Division A cold special sea detail. Maintenance work never stops. The men of First Division find thennselves busy seven days a v eek. In addition to watches, boat runs, Vk ' orking parties, and anchoring, there is alw ays a head to clean, a capstan to grease, a deck to swab, and an awning to rig. First Division is responsible for the forecastle, Bos ' n locker, 02 deck, and many below deck spaces. In addition, the Division is responsible for berthing Marines and other fellow travelers whom the Catamount is always so anxious to welcome aboard. Besides their specific spaces and assigned duties, the men in the Division work closely with those in Second Division in many cases, particularly during operations and exercises. ENS. B. D. STEWART 1st Division Officer 38 Bulger Stange Hart Hobdy Decicio Henry Percifield Lyies Wilson Ens. Stewart Not shown: Roberts, Smith, J. B. Smith, A. R. Honlon Olson Hansen O Neol Graham Dadigan Dillard Roddy Shimek Prescotf Papuga Rhodelonder Second Division Ready to receive a DUKW. kii.g uii tilt htlu Dt.k Second Division performs a variety of tasks, including launching and receiving helicopters, launching and receiving boats, loading and offloading of equipment, and the issuing of cleaning gear to the cresN. However, the Division ' s primary re- sponsibility is the maintenance of the after end of the ship, the well deck, and the boats. Both Second Division and First Division work closely during operations, exercises, and in making the boat runs. ENS. J. L ANDERSON 2nd Division Officer Priest Campbell Martinez Colvin Richie Gomez Polinckx Carbiener Rosenstrom Leikness Martin Pedersen Ragas Minor Armond Parent 39 Third Division Third Division is the Catamount ' s Gunnery Division. The primary responsibil- ity of the division is the maintenance of the 40mm gun mounts, almost a full work load for the ten men in the division. In addition, they ore responsible for the magazines, the ammunition, all small arms, recreation firing arms, and M-1 rifles. Osberg Mensing Collins Spears Koehne Hornbuckle Duncan Sanderbrink ENS. J. C. KEAVNEY 3rd Division Officer X Division X Division is comprised of Yeomen, Postal Clerks, ond Hos- pital Corpsmen. Their job is service, and they must be prepared to give medical lectures, administer first aid, distribute moil, and handle administrative traffic of the ship. Their services may be needed at any hour of any day; they must and can be depended upon. 40 Sick Bay. Faylor Flickinger Steele Motsler Thompson Ship ' s Office. Division Signal bridge. The Operations Department, the eyes and ears of the ship, is comprised of five gangs — the Radarmen, the Radiomen, the Electronics Technicians, the Quartermasters, and the Signalmen. Radarmen man the Combat Information Center (CIC) and aid the Conn underway. The Radiomen work in Radio Central, the center of shipboard communication. The Electronics Technicians are responsible for all ship electronic equipment; they can expect to be summoned any time. Quartermasters maintain a log under- way, aid the Navigator, and are responsible for navigational charts and equipment. The Signalmen deal with visual communi- cations — at times they may be the only means of communication with other ships. ENS. J. D. THACKER O Division Officer Yohe Haldane Staton Sanders Gluts Wimpy Anderson Knops Mogovero Preuss Cooper Kane Helton, W. E. Agnew Catlett Potton Johnson Hinkle Eckerle Militono Vercouteren 41 S Division Replenishment — food for the crew. Bake shop. The functions of a ship ' s Supply Department all deal with service — the Catamount Supply Department is no exception. The Division is comprised of five integrated groups: commissorymen, repair parts storekeepers, ship ' s servicemen, disbursing clerks, and stewards mates. They provide the spare parts when an engine foils, distribute greenbacks and colorful MPC ' s, load the sparkling galley trays, cut your hair, sell you Coke, and keep you supplied with Camels and Dial. Another important function of the Supply personnel is the manning of the guns during General Quarters and during gunnery exercises. LTJG. J. C. EDWARDS Disbursing Officer S Division Officer Lee Crawford Porrish Jordan Requena Banana Chief Sheets Sullenberger Shannon White Sico Hampton Hous Slagle Hurtado Wimberly Sidney Bacud Pitel Culver Vera Pierce Jessup Harris Gathercole 42 A Division Boat shop. Machine shop. A Division operates and maintains the ship ' s auxiliary equip- ment. This includes the emergency diesel fire pump, emergency diesel generator, ice machine compressors, refrigeration and air- conditioning equipment, storage and transfer of diesel fuel to ship ' s boats and to other boats as necessary, and operation of the ship ' s whistle and the 35-pound steam serving the ship with galley and heating steam. In addition, personnel of A Division operate the boat repair shop, which contains facilities for hoisting, overhauling and rein- stating diesel boat or other diesel auxiliary engines. The division also operates the machine shop, which contains the power equip- ment of the machinery repairmen. ENS. L H. MINES A R Division Officer Beckham Valdez Ershery Palmer Bontekoe Edmonds Miller Sullivai Smith Hopworth Moris Rounds Guancione Safechuck Not shown: Biggs 43 R Division Shipfitter shop. Carpenter shop. R Division accomplishes any repair work within ship ' s force capability. Pipe and metal work, including arc and oxyacetylene welding, brazing, and cutting is done in the shipfitter shop. Woodworking and finishing, in addition to normal damage con- trol functions such as maintenance of firefighting equipment, ABC gear and upkeep of repair lockers, is handled by the damage controlmen in the carpenter shop. Other R Division functions include ballasting, a necessary function related to the LSD ' s primary mission, stowage and trans- fer of aviaton gas to embarked helicopters, operation of the ship ' s central tool room, and maintenance of the Firemain system and all head drain and plumbing installations. Polich, SFC Johnson Frank Dennis Roiph, GE Durbin Onsurez Dickerman Robinson Garber Wills Stewart Not shown; Martin, Augustine, Armstrong, Demovic , Rolph, B Division Gordon, BTC McEachern, BTC Hornsby Moore Fiveash Smith Butler O ' Brien Manning Knudson Armstrong Griffin Rudalies Hansen Gordon, BTC McEachern, BTC Gossett Hart McClure Meals Bell Thompson Donald Borcherding Larson Cox B Division man s the fire rooms which generate the steam to run the ship ' s main propulsion plant and important auxiliary services. They are responsible for operating and maintaining the fuel oil system, including all refueling fittings, fueling tanks and interconnecting piping systems to the firerooms, fuel oil services and transfer pumps, feed Na er pumps, fuel oil and feed water heaters, and the forced draft blowers. The men in B Division are all BT ' s (Boiler tenders) or strikers. ENS. R. L TIPPS B M Division Officer Main Propulsion Assistant 45 M Division Rathbun Romay Metzmaker Prince Barkell Rogers Goyda Adams Lemieu; MMC Maynard MMC Vickers Morien Camper Hauxhurst Morange Barker Andrascik Mason Owens Hill.ard Loddy Barbee Henry Brandt M Division puts B Division ' s steam to work running the main engines, ship ' s service turbo-generators, evaporators to produce fresh water, and a variety of steam driven pumps. M Division is in charge of the main lube oil system for the main engine and shaft bearing lubrication and for maintenance of firemain and flushing water pressure. The Division also operates the large-capacity ballast pumps. The men also maintain the extensive main and auxiliary steam system piping in addition to auxiliary exhaust. M Division also supplies the Log Room Yeoman, who is the Chief Engineer ' s valuable righthand man. M Division personnel are all Machinists ' Mates or strikers. BWfc _- u KrP ' a i 46 Main control. E Division At work in the Electric Shop. A generator switchboard. E Division is responsible for the production of electricity and the maintenance of the many pieces of equipment utilizing it. Included in the Division ' s work is the upkeep of the motion picture and the Interior Communication equipment. The two shops are headed by Dobbins, EMCS and Gatlin, ICC. ENS. F. SENKIW E Division Officer Chief Dobbins Lomas Munson Wamberg Oliver Chief Gatlin Murray Koval Smith Dingus Walters Kay Hagan Graham Not shown: Macon, Shurina TAYLOR PUBLISHING COMPANY 47 The Cruise 1 1 June — said goodbye to San Diego, headed west. 19-22 June — Kaneohe, Hawaii and Operation Flying Disc. 23-27 June — Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 2 July — disappeared when we crossed International Date Line. 13-21 July — Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. 27-31 July — Yokosuka, Japan. 2 August — Beppu, Japan. 4-15 August — Operation Phiblex, Korea. 16 August — typhoon problems, turned toward Sasebo, Japan. 17-22 August — Sasebo. 23 August — brief stop in Okinawa. 27-28 August — Subic Bay, mail in Sasebo. 28 August — left Subic Bay for 3-day trip to Okinawa. 6 September — arrived in Okinawa, 10 days later. 10-15 September — Hong Kong. 17-20 September — Subic Bay. 26-30 September — Sasebo. 2-3 October — Beppu 5-6 October — Kagoshima, Japan. 10-21 October — Operation Lone Eagle, Okinawa. 22 October — President Kennedy announced Cuban Blockade. 23 October — returned to Okinawa to await instructions. 31 October — Danang, South Vietnam. 2-6 November— Saigon, South Vietnam. 9-16 November — Subic Boy. 19 November — Okinawa. 23 November-11 December — Yokosuka. 12-18 December- — Kobe, Japan. 20-21 December — Yokosuka. 27 December-3 January — Subic Bay. 16 January — Pearl Harbor. 23 January— SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. The cruise was a good one. No one, however, can deny that it was exciting to be home again. 48 3% Am .y. hiM A m A 10 - a. ' y nga j- if if %- 1: Ai ( VfM. j Vn tk J5 i r 1 f J- : 4 ' 1 ' i ■ .«-  . ' :