Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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he writing of this article for the Cruise Book reminds us that the memorable cruise is quickly coming to an end. Some of the boys in the Fighting Fourth are anxious to get back home, while the other steamers are wishing that we were going back to France or Genova. Under the guidance of LTJG Gebhardt as division officer and ENS Cordell as junior division officer, the Fourth Division had proudly held its title as a smooth and efficient working division. One might think that J. C. Cleary, BM2, LPO, is always cracking the whip to keep the boys working. We in the division know that it isn ' t like that at all, because the men themselves are striving for one thing, and that Is to uphold their reputation as a 4.0 division. Whenever you visit any of the Fourth Division spaces, whether It be the main deck, frames fifty-three to seventy-four, 01 level. Admiral ' s country, officer ' s country, living compartment, or as high up as the foremast, you will always find them living up to COLUMBUS standards. Our gun gang under the supervision of Ford, GMI, maintains the forward 5 battery. When we man our battle stations, have no fear of air attacks, for the smooth coordination of our gun crews, and excellent condition of the guns makes the forward 5 battery outstanding In gunnery throughout the ship. Engagement Ring D. Grow takes the spotlight In the lovers department. Whenever a bright moment is needed you can depend on R. Myott and J. D. Murphy for a hilarious laugh. J. P. Hennessy Is our shutter bug and we also have been blessed with our share of steamers or liberty hounds. A familiar threesome is J. C. Cleary, R. P. Russo and R. A. Watson. D. S. Champagne always cheers us up with his charming smile. If anyone happens to find a whaleboat floating around somewhere in the Med kindly Inform BMC Grace, for we seem to have misplaced ours. Now that this cruise is over, we can talk about the many wonderful places the COLUMBUS has taken us. This cruise shall forever be part of our fondest memories.

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' .f ' f .■■f-vf w I M C ne morning at quarters LT McCreary announced that COLUMBUS was to produce a big Smoker on the fantall, boxers were needed, and a request was made for partici- pants. It was at this time that the entire Fifth stepped forward. The COLUMBUS boxing squad couldn ' t handle all comers and the Fifth ended up fighting each other. Thus we were dubbed the Fighting Fifth. Fifth Division spaces extend from frame sixty-two to frame ninety-six . . . including the Oh one level (not to be confused with Villa) starboard side, the number one stack and the forward starboard Sunday fueling station. Sam and his boys contribute greatly to the upkeep of the Turnpike passing by the Executive Officer ' s Office, and the Flag Operations Office in the absence of you know who . Air Defense Forward (lookouts ' mess hall) is under the able supervision of that versatile Boatswain ' s Mate, Gibbons. Aft we have mounts 54, 55, and 56 which proudly boast many compliments for their inside appearance and efficiency. The gun gang is second to none and operates enviably under the tutoring of that Overnite Specialist , Eardley. All in all we ' re quite proud of the Fighting Fifth , but no more so than we are of the name the good old Colombo sports throughout the entire Navy. We realize that we are but a strong link in that unbreakable chain that makes our home the envy of all other ships. Some of us came to the Fifth as boots, others came as salts — we ' ve griped and growled, laughed and worked hard, and yet we have learned a lot — both the hard way and the right way. As we look forward to future cruises we cannot help but remember those good days we shared with the entire crew of our good ship COLUMBUS.