Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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ENS Peirce

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LTJG Chechik LTJG Simler Four decks below in Radio One, where sunlight and fresh air are merely words, may be found at any time men of the OR division. Twenty-four hours a day throughout the year they are on watch, linking the Columbus with the rest of the world. Not only concerned with official messages, they insure the safe and confidential receipt and delivery of hundreds of personal telegrams between Columbus personnel and their families. While underway they insure that sufficient news is obtained to permit publication of a daily newspaper, keeping the ship up to date on the world news. Moreover, the OR Division is responsible for what is probably, outside of field days, the greatest source of enjoyment— the mail. Neither wind nor rain, nor rolling or pitching keeps the Columbus mailman from making his appointed rounds. With all its duties the OR division still manages to indulge in wholesome forms of recreation ashore, mainly athletics and sightseeing. Our men have acted as ambassadors of good will throughout the world and have on this cruise particularly endeared themselves to the people of Japan. All in all, it would seem that OR division is a well rounded group of individuals and, in some individual cases, it is very well rounded indeed. LTJG Sakal LTJG Hunt FRONT KOW : Hope, .1. K., Cleveland. K. W., LTJG H. I. Chechik, Thomas, B. B., RMC, Rhodes. C. W.. Norris, C. S. SECOND ROW: Leonard, J.D., Hedges, D.A.. Gonzalez, L.L., Whitt, J.M., Edwards, J.E., Edwards, R.W., Drummond, B., Prieto, L.A. THIRD ROW: Hobart, G.S., Kendall, N., Cromwell, N.L., Lanoue, F.E., Tarallo, R.P., Stoue.C.M., Williams. D., Morrison, H.T., Gillette, H.J. f . 1 f Iff. ' g 3ft £ 1 - m. 1 - ' ■-

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4B f - r B ' 41 • f ml 4% % T 2£ FRONT ROW: Jenkins. J.C., Supry, W.F., LTJG D.T. Lowell, Colyar. W., QMC, Lorenz, R.W., McNeely. R.D. SECOND ROW: Kline, J.J., Chargois, C.I,., James, H. (n), Myers, C.W., Kirchgesler, W.J., Harbaugh, K.G. THIRD ROW: LaForme. J. A., Chambers, W.H., Bradley. D.R., Durant, E.W., Meyers, M.T., Bales, F.D. LTJG Lowell On any ship the signal gang is the show division. It is their performance with visual communi- cations and tactical flaghoists which exhibits for the fleet the skill, discipline, and training of their particular ship. The OS division aboard the Columbus is proud to operate the best signal bridge in the Pacific Fleet. These men are especially proud because they have done this with minimum numbers. During this Far Eastern cruise the 15 men of the signal gang have stood 12 hours of watch per day, and performed the upkeep duties of the bridge during their free time. As testimony to their excellence, RADM McCorkle wrote in a letter to CAPT Grant, For many years I have looked for a pre-war signal bridge, and at last I have found one. The OS division exhibits its caliber and spirit in many ways. First, it has an excellent training program. Second, it is invariably one of the most squared-away divisions at personnel inspection. Third, its conduct record is excellent. These are only the most tangible exhibits of the OS division ' s spirit and class. It is actually easier to notice the spirit while the ship is operating. An observer becomes caught up in the competitive spirit, where each signalman works rapidly trying to haul down a flag hoist before other ships, or where signalmen concentrate intently catching each word as it is sent by flashing light. Hy this bridge other ships judge the Columbus. It is therefore evident why the Columbus crew is so proud of her signal gang, and why OS division takes great pride in its work.