Comet (AP 166) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 94 of the 1945 volume:

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Ifnz, I ' ' ,, 1' J. - f', f', ' V 'kv 1 ,',, ,O, A' 'df ' ',' , f,f PEARL HARBORHQQABI-loNoLuLu , iii-i. - f ' ' BAY KAHULUI HARBOR 204' ,2 , , - - ' ' MAMAEA Hilo , , f 'I ' l .' XG .sig W, s-ogre V-I we s -? . N,,g,s,4..2 ,. we Sv-s.d A-'sn'-E ' R 1 -- 9 ' : , i I Q I . ---'Sf C5 A .Pg-'T'-Ti xR,x 002 .-Pi'-' .,'1N.-- ...J A 3' Hx -Avg I Fila.: J 2 7 J I x skrfxi-Q -ff' . ,V hx . YV Il A 1 P , xssl F' 13 ....-- A il-r- -1 -5 -' . o ..-,- .20R' G o X W. Q --us. 5 N-Arg., fl gg'L4 vs' . f N-fN-x.- f - LQ 1' 'N Nr?- A '1Lry.,q .An L , I . N--.fs-f b gg 1600 ' 1400 A , 1200 R , H , . ' R ACKNOWLEDGMENTS , Grateful acknowledgment is made to the following copyright owners who have kindly granted permission to include material in this volume: V i H Page V A . 27 ,,,,...,.. Selections from My God and I, Copyright 1935 ' by Kalnin Mohr, and Apsit-The Kana Company p - 53 ,,,,,,.,.,,.-, Cgy-zijimtey-Copyright by Lloyd O. Wofford Grateful acknowledgmentis made to Chief Bauer and the Ship's office yeomen for assistance in preparing the material of this book. 1 ' PHOTO CREDITS The following list shows the source from which pictures used in this book were gathered. I All pictures not included in this list were taken by the Ship's Photographic Officer. Page , 4, 5 ...... ........... G abriel Moulin Studios, San Francisco, California 7 ..-... ....................... C lyde Sunderland, Oakland, California 3 ------------------.--.-.---.. .................,.......... O Hicial U. S. Navy Photo 9, 10 Sr 16 to 24 ....... ......... G abriel Moulin Studios, San Francisco 28 ----------------------- ........................ O Hicial U. S. Navy Photo 35 -------- ......... C Topl Press Association, Inc. 37 -------- ....... C Bottoml Press Association, Inc. 39 --Q ----- -.......4 C Topl Press Association, Inc. 63 -------- --... CBOttomD Press Association, Inc. 74 -------- -----------------f----------------------------. O fl'lCiZ1l S. Navy Photo 75 --Q ----- ----------- A fthuf C0fkUIT1, Huntington Park, California Lithographed in the United State: of America E by Srhwaybacher-Frey Company, San Franciyco Nifnftzen Hundred and Fortyisix 2 - xpf ' ru FH! by 1 l',fif f X - 63 Dirk 53? 1 3 i A y sit' 1 N Fi?iWi?ENT LIBRARY Follows . . . an illustrated history of the U.S.S. Comet . . . from her launching through eighteen months of combat duty . . . including her first post war voyage . . . the book is published for the officers and men of her crew out of their Ship's Store prof- its fund . . . 3 c Mrs. Earl Warren Sponsor Mr. Ios. A. Moore Builder flj XX' .-. 1 PREFACE Keel laid ......... .......... 0 ctober 13, 1942, Launched ....... ......... D ecember 21, 1942 ' 1943 1 Dehvered ........... .......... A ugust 17, Comm1ss1oned .............. February 15, 1944 A Built by ........ Moore Dry Dock Company, Oakland, California Type Ship ...... ............................. C -2 Horsepower ....... ........ 6 OOO I Sponsored by: 3 Mrs. Earl Warren l Pre-Chnstemng Ceremomes LAUNCHING DAY p MooRE DRY DoCK coMPANY Mrs Warren Breakmg Bottle ,. U.s.s. COMET CAP-1665 Length-overall ........ ......... 4 59' ZZ Beam ................... ....,,....,,,,.., 6 3' Depth ............... .............. 4 O' 6 Displacement ...... ........... 1 3,860 Tons Fuel Capacity ................ 526,982 Gallons Fresh Water Capacity .... 498,135 Gallons Speed CMaXimumD .................. 17.5 Knots Commissioned by: E Just launched 'n' riding high Comdr. W. N. Pringle, Representative Commandant- 12th Naval District The Comet starts down the ways Takes to the water DECEMBER 21,1942- OAKLAND, CALIFGRNIA . o E STAFF C. Ferguson, Lt. Cjgb, USNR ............ C. Travelstead, Lt. Cjgl, USNR..- ' ..... ..... , -dsfistant Editor H. Gartrell, Lt. CChCD, USNR ........ ....... B. Rubenstein, PhM2c, USNR .......... S. Tr1pp, PhM3c, USNR ............. 6 Asfiftant Editor Afyiytant Editor ------.------...-Ca1'tooni5t fx w I Y -, , Q. ve ff, if, 2 ,asf AQ 5 ,291 XZ f 4, Wk X . ff .i 7. 9 WMSI ,, dw W. , 1, v .1 , A and Qi ',9:,, A. , -Q 5 5 X' ,Akin ff-V 1 1 I 9' 4, iw , , . 2 , V L4 My W Q 'K ,IQ E . , , , , 'TT' . V V, V. T. Q5 .raw zu M A ,ef X x SSR SEN W .. K ix M Q W My 1, XX. Xxx Q. if l i X S S is F U 1 ,:.-3 .mga .-fx -' 'NXS' f X x X RQ ,iw N gx X.x Z-5 C y-4 I 6. bi! ' 7 . ny A rw xv! E71 O F U1 U3 f-Q i-J iii COMMANDING OFFICER Lt. Commander T. C. FGNDA, USNR EE EE 9 EE EE EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lt.'Commander F. R. BERRY, USNR DEPARTMENT HEADS i GUNNERY NAVIGATION ENGINEERING 'CONSTRUCTION Lieut. W, C, BOLE Lieut. T. F. MONAI-IAN Lt. Cjgj E. G. ZIMMERMAN Lieut. E. M. DIXON Gunnery Officer, Cargo Navigator, Welfare Engineer Officer, Awards First Lieutenant, and Transportation Officer, and Recreation Officer Officer, Hull Board Hull Board, Damage Insurance Officer, Control Ofiicer SCM Board Member J! 55 iam.: MEDICAL SUPPLY CHAPLAIN ' Comdr, C, F, JQHNSON Lieut. D. G. FREED Lieut. E. H. GARTRELL . Senior Medical Officer . Supply Officer Chaplain, War Bond Ofiicer, Public Information Officer Eye-fkAAA .Ii SHIP'S OFFICERS Lieut. F. R. HALBERT Lieut. F. A. CHADWELL Lieut. W. G. WOFFORD Lt. Cjgj C. C. TRAVELSTEAD R 'Division Officer, Assistant Communications , lst Division Officer, Communications Officer, .Assistant First Lieutenant, Officer, N Division Officer, Watch Officer, Hull Board, Civil Readjustment Officer Senior Member SCM Board, SCM Board Member, Recognition Officer Voting Officer SenLggS?gfi3nliFega.gi:geirgsHiBeoard, Ship's Secretary 0 xitfl sw ,Q E ex ff 'i it 'lf' I 4 Am 45 t m f9 ' f .t i ii? . . o fy i Lt. fig? R. C. FERGUSON . B Division Ofiicer, Lt. Cjgj J. E. SAVAGE 9 i ' Watch Officer, Shlpys Boat Operational Officer ' Photographic Ofiigef, Assistant Gunnery Ofiicer, 0 Asslstant 2nd DIVISIOYI Watch Officer, Assistant Lt. Cjgj W. R. WITCHER Officer, Recorder SCM Cargo and Transportation 2nd Division Ofhcer, ' Board Officer Junior Watch Ofhcer .fi Q- OCTOBER, 1945 Lt. fjgj M. J. TELESMANIC Ensign D. J. WARD Ensign G. E. FRENCH Ensign J. H. GRAVES Senior Assistant Engineering Assistant Communications Assistant Navigator, Assistant R Division Officer Officer, Electrical Officer, Officer, Watch Officer, Watch Ofiicer, Assistant Junior Watch Ofiicer, Engineering Watch Officer, Recruiting Officer Recognition Oliicer Assistant Damage Control Movie Officer ' Officer J A SRS og wil Qi.h fi 29 E Ensign W. N. LAIR l Boiler Division Officer, Ensign R. J.-QDER V Assistant Engineering Watch Assistant lst Division Officer, Lt. Cjgb H. B. NEIS Ofiicer, Assistant Engineering junior Watch Officer, Junior Medical Officer Education Officer Codmg B0f1fd l NNY' rev- -re'-:1'wFf vl 9 1, -r: .... Lfmilflfi' Erin A Q .,- 4.4. ,ygzi-f t4m.fs.-fx-'-fgfsf SHIP'S OFFICERS-'Continued Ensign R. Fi. SNIDER, Jr. , Chief MachinistsR. C. JENKINS Chief Pay Clerk A. L LUCIA Ph3fm3Cl5t I M VVILLIANTS i . Digburging Officer, Assistant lvfachinery Officer, Assistant. Su-pply Officer Pharmacist H Division Asgigtant S Division Officer, Engineering Watch Officer, ' S Division Officer OH'iCCl' Ship's Store Officer 5mYg lf 'Qi 4 1 . -K vm I: :ft 1 ww No PICTURES AVAILABLE Lt. GED R. G1 SNELL ' Boat Officer. Junior Watch Officer, Assistant N ,Divisions Officer, Assistant Communications Officer Lt. Cjgl J. C. WYATT Dental Officer Repair Officer Troop Mess Officer Ensign C. E. WHITTLE Assistant Damage Control Officer, Assistant Cargo and Transportation Officer, Junior Watch Officer, Voting Officer, Mess Officer Chief Pharmacist K. S. FIX Pharmacist, H Division Officer .li DEPARTMENT HEADS February 1944 to October 1945 Frgm V F Stieglitz . 2-15-44 T C FOHCII-1 .. . 7-9-44 J B Blee .... 12-24-44 T C Fonda 2-7-45 EXECUTIVE OFFICER T C Fonda ............... .. 2-15-44 B Hartley .... 7-9-44 Blee ....... .. 9-10-44 Adams, Jr.. . . .... 12-24-44 Blee ..... 2-7-45 Adams, Ir 5-17-45 R. Berry .... 8-24-45 GUNNERY OFFICER F R. Berry ....... . ..... .... 2 -15-44 I K. Adams, Jr. g .... .... 9 -13-44 H E. Duvall ...... .... 1 2-24-44 J. K. Adams,rjr. . . . . . 2-7-45 H. E. Duvall .... .. 5-16-45 W. C. Bole ....................... 8-22-45 FNGINEERING DEPARTMENT A. V. Zeis 2-15-44 C. W. Hire ........ ........ ...... 9 - 16-44 S. Bayes 8-7-45 E. G. Zimmerman .. 10-7-45 NAVIGATOR A J. B. Blee 2-15-44 F. R. Berry ...... .. 9-13-44 T. F. 'Monahan ........... . . 8-23-45 FIRST LIEUTENANT B. Hartley .............. . . 2-15-44 F. S. Buchanan ........ .. 9-8-44 E. M. Dixon ...... .. 8-22-45 SUPPLY OFFICER T. J. Rowe ...... - .... .. 2-15-44 D. E. Freed ......... .. 8-17-45 MEDICAL OFFICER C. L. Bain ............ .. 2-15-44 8-26-45 C. F. johnson ....... .. 15 To 7-8-44 12-23-44 2-6-45 Present 7-8-45 9-18-44 12-23-44 2-6-45 5-16-44 8-23-45 Present 9-12-44 12-23-44 2-6-45 5-16-45 8-21-45 Present 9-15-44 8-6-45 10-6-45 Present 9-9-44 8-22-45 Present 9-7-44 8-22-45 Present 8-16-45 Present 8-25-45 Present ,, l AQ K' 1 4 St' DIVISION Front: Thigpen, Hatton, C., Ross, Oliver, Mantone, Gardner, D. L., Malone, Gibson, A. A., Garland, Boyd i C enter: Johnson, W., Jones, R. B., Schreiner, Calabrese, Bantum, Hargrove, Meitzner, Little, R. I. ,1Lt. W.offord, Ensign Oder, Egler, Burza, Hal1,. M. K., Vennes, Elkins, Grawburg, Caldwell , Back: Bailey, Barnett, King, I. M., Carmichael, Bay, Pennington, Hall, C. A., Chandler, Aga, Malloy, Gerth, Howell, Rozborski, Gephart, San Giorgio Not Present: Broderick, Clay, Clingan, Striker , J 16 l I J Front: Glenn, Flommersfieldg Miller, W. R., Nicely, Engbroten, Hakaenson, Mann Hicks, C. E., McCoy, M. E., Garrard, Woodin Center: Lt. Cjgj Witcherg Gibson, E. B., Harris, W. F., Turner, J. R.g Henry Mauerman, Kaczynski, Krippendorf, Inman, Garrett, Skebo, Kandler, Hitchins Lesko, King, D. P. J., Jones, C. L. Jr., Giacchi, German, Ensign Ward - Back: Peters, Gauss, Hartzler, Matochag Parker, G. R., Johnson, B. E., Kaschner Collins, Kirkwood, Dunbar, Nichols, Bjorklund, Kissel, Sprague, Thomas, M. R Not Present: Franklin 9 ' DIVISION L 'fa' DIVISION ,Q ' Front: Bonsall, Riley, I. A. Ir., Clark, J. LG., Giannini, Gibson, A., Van Deventer Potenza, Jessup, Van Wermeskerken, Morgan, Alloway Center: Matson, Ordyniec, Fitch, Froemke, Mathis, Beach, R. D., Grabowski, Jawor- ski, Pullum, Lockwood, Mandernach, Craig, D. G., Starry, Watson, C. J. Back: Shepard, Sutherland, Johnson, R. L., Pratt, V. L., Titcomb, McCalden, Crump, Hansen, J. D., Dulrnstrag Walker, H. E., Stetz, Martin, A. P., Jones, A. D. Not Present: McKarnin, Michalczyk, Duff, Daniel, Mackey, Cook Sniallwood Kirk, Ashcraft, Raczkowski, Makovic, Yonkin, Reams , , ' 'I8 Front: Locken, Duncan, Dulick, Arellano, Whitney, Brensel, Penny, Holmes, Caudill, Jordan, Geering ' Center: Lt. Qjgj Ferguson, Riley, Berry, W. E., Henderson, Taylor, Caro, Bellew, 1 Wallis, Thomas, R. J., Butler, Crowder, Duck, Clayton, Habegger, Lt. Cjgj Savage Back: Lynch, Hays, Sallas, Meyers, Howard, Martin, C. F., Peacock, Fledderman, Jones, I. F., Crabb, Clark, R. C., Engbrock, Crowley, Park, Walker, H. D. x CJ 3 DIVISION ff 0? kk N.,zs.ag,, ,xg Sfg-, .'w',1'1z.17 ' so ig, . ffm: , ' - DIv1s1oN Front: Lt. CjgD Wyattg Sisk, Mobleyg W'atson, M. H.g Wheelus, Kdup, Pharmacist Williams , ' Back: Rubinstein, -Doyan, Pastine, Tripp, Neighbors, Nolan N0tP1'esent: Lt. Cmdr. Johnson, Lt. Cjgj Neis, Dolon 20 Front: Manley, Hawkins, Genlot, John, Genisio, Bonham, Cole, Dahl, Innocenti, Meyers Center: Lt. Monahan, King, W. E., McKenzie, Wallschlaegerg Walker, R. O., Q Stewart, Casey, Downs, Pettus, Van Derlyn, Cramer, Malinoski, Kelly, Ayoub, Armstrong, Lt. Cjgj Travelstead Back: Baumgardt, Akinsg Miller, F. J., Hillgamyerg Jones, W. E., Colton, Cound, Randle, Mattot, Peterson, Smith, L. E., De Vries Not Present: Bauer V f X 10, DIVISION If - WI Xlfy' ,.,,,m,f Z jx, 2 V ,vw 4 Q or 3 DIVISION Front: Riugstaff, Gram, Seymourg Lt. Halbertg Gatzemeyer, Grossieg Johnson, W. B., Joyce A Back: Berry, S.g Bridgerg Gardner, D. L.g Perry, Krost, Watkinsg Marshall, C. E Front: Coang Marshall, O-. W., Love, Jackson, C. 0P. Ir., Ruchman, Brown, Limon- gello, March, Martin, R. K., O'Donnell, Vanier Center: Chief Pay Clerk Lucia, Hansen, L. E., Edwards, Rogerson, Harp, Mraz, Shearer, Ricci, Johnson, W. E., Hickerson, Camden, Sutphin, Griffin, Ensign Snider Back: Dodge, Fleece, Gervasiog George, M. D., West, Kessler, Tucker, Munson, Seder- straud, Holt Not Present: Lang, King, L., Harris, R. G. I DIVISION n-4 , of 5 ' ' 'f . C 1 DIVISION X f , Front McCoy E Alexander Curr1e Hansberry Segura Br1nson HHFYIS H Back Langford I Burr1ss F A Boone Gordon Merr1ll Jackson V E If Fortson Kelen Not Pfcscnt Domondon Wallace U I . . n . ' I 'J 1 I I v I I ' n u I 1 . O ' !- '9. J ' 'Q 2 J 2 i ' ' . x . . ' 2 ,gm-OA . XMI D E PA I Q f ZSS 41 E I Io. ,Q X A 4 V , D' ' sX 'E X 14 . A ' - 25229 li 'EV .Jv 1 J ffl I ,' ?W11 NSS i' A X Z CII. f' X W. W wo W N R 'f S I E --..-g'-43? 5 I S, S' C O Ngo j kffyo M ABOARD, OCTQBER 1945 : - FONDA, Theodore! C. Lr. Comdr. GEERING. S. E. BMZCCTD MALINOSKI, F. M. RrIM2oqTJ BERRY, Frank R. Lt. Comdr. GOIN, II. -II SIC MANN, V, J, SIC MONAHAN, Thomas F. Lieut. GORDON' W' D. ST3C MARTI-N. C. F. COXQTQ WOFFORD, Walter G. Lieut. GROSSIE, A. Jr. SIC MCKARNIN, G. W. CMM AACTJ ZIMMERMAN, Ernest G. Lt. HABBEGGAR' G. D. SIC MCKENZIE, W. S. SIC TELESMANIC, Mario Lt. Cjgb HALL' C. A. SIC MEIBAUM, C. L. BMICCTJ SAVAGE, Jimmie E. Lr. cigb HALL. M. K, Cox MERRILL, J. W. -' ST2o FERGUSON, Robert C. Lr. nigh HANSBERRY, E. W., Jr. SIMIC MICHALCZYK. A. J. WTICKTJ LUCIA, Arthur L. Ch. Pay Clerk HANSEN' L. E- CSKIC MILLER, W. R. Cox TRAVELSTEAD, Chester C. Lu. Cjgb HANSEN, IJ, D, MOMMZCQTQ MRAZ. R. J. Slc HARP, III A. SIC MIZZIE, C. R. CBM AACTJ AKINS, H. W.- SMZCCTJ HARRIS, R. G. , SKD3cCTJ OLIVER- R- M- .SIC ARELLANO. A. R. SIC HARRIS, W. F. CorrqTJ ORDYNICE- F- S- WTMTD ARNEY, A. G. SIC HAWKINS, H. OM3oqTJ OREM- H- E.. Jr. SFICCTD BARNETT, J. D. Jr. CorrqTJ HENDERSON, L. - CorrqTJ OSTERGREH- B- J- RMMTD BA'SKIN, H. A. . , PIrMIo HENRY, A. CorrqTJ PEP-C0CKr Winston S10 BAUER, L. B. CY AAQTJ HILIGAMYER, H. E., Jr. SM2o PENNINGTON, B- G- -COXCTD BAUMGARDT, M. F. QMlcA HOLBROOK. J. KS CM3CCTD PENNY- H- COXCTD BAY. A. J. Jr. SIC HOLMES. R. R. CorrqTJ PETTUS J- B- SMIC BELLER, JWA' COX ITD HOLT' R. E. SSMILIZCITI POTENZA, M. S. WTZCCTJ BONHAE, v. A. SM3cCTD HOWARD, H. E. MOMMZCCTD RACZOWSKI- S- A- WTZCCTD BRIDGER, K. COxCTJ JACKSON, C. P., Jr. SIC REAMS- J- WT3C BURRISS, F. A. SrMIo JAWORSKI, D. A. MMZCCTJ RICC1- D- SCICKTP CALABRESE, R. GM3cCTJ JESSUP, I. J. MMICITJ RILEY- W- E- BMZCCTD CALDWELL, W. SIC JOHNSON, W. B. CNUCCTJ RINGSTAFF, R. A. SFZCCTH CARO. N. W. CorqTJ JONES, C. L. Szo RGGERSIH- P- SKWT7 COLTON, W. S. QM3cfT5 JONES, J. F. Sno RQBINSTEIN- H- B- PhM2C COOK. J. C., Jr. BICCTJ KESSLER. E. M. SCICCTJ RUCKMAN- H- A- SCMT7 CRAMER, T. B. RCXNIZCCTJ KING, W.G. CSM SCQHREINER-W CONT? CROWDER, J. B. CorrITJ KIRKWOOD, R. E. GM3oI'I'J 51'-DERSTRANU C- E- SCMT3 CRUMP, F. MMZCITJ KRIPPENDORF, A. G. BMZCCTJ SEGURAI V- P- 5tM'C DAHL, E. N., Jr. RdM3cfTj KROST, R. J. GMZCCTJ SEYMOUR- W- L- GMMT9 DANIEL. D. C. EMZCCTJ LANG. R. P. SCZCCTD WEARER- D- D- SSMU-73C DIGBY, C. H. BMZCCTJ LIMONGELLO, M. SCZCCTJ 5MITH- L- A- MOMMMTP DOMONDON, F. S'FlcCTJ LITTLE, R. I. GMIrqTJ SMITH- R- 5- 51C DOWNS, J. T. SMlcCTJ LOCKEN. R. L. MOMMZCCTH STETZ- M- R- MOMMW DUNCAN, H. COXCTJ LOMMORI, P. J. SICIRAMJ STONE- B- G- CMH aa W9 EGLER. E. A. BMZCCTD LOVE, J. E. SKI.: TOPLEY- O- S- PhM3CfT5 ELKINS, J. J. CorrqTJ LYNCH, J. R. BMZCCTQ RIJEIISI5-If F- SSMIBI3 gg FIELDER. T. WTICCTJ MACKEY. P. E. MMZCCTJ VAN WERME-SKERKEN In II. C FULLER, H. RMICCTD MADER, L. S. PhMlc ' MMZCITI GARDNER, D. L. GM3c MADRONIN, T. CKIo WILKINS. H. ST3cCTJ GARMANY, W. L. SSMQLDICCTJ MAKOVEC, I. J. MM2o WILSON. W. SKZCCTJ 25 . my I ' I 7 , ,,,,,,, . Q S M 5535 -e ' j X fl , 'iZ' ll fff, ,,,,,, 'ff J I tttetw 4 0 40 111 , ' ' I , i f ,Z '- ,Q-tj' , I 1 U WM 1 7 I 1 ,. 5 if r W ' V WW Q 1- ..,, 4' H214 7 X , -V4'. 1 ..,1 -. TQ f--- 1 q f , 1 nf ,. . vw ICH . Q f Y 1 1 I DRIGGERS, Elwyn 1 Slc Date of Birth-Not Known 4 Deceased-16 March '44 VVATSON K , Edward E. ' SZCCRMD Date of Birth-Not Known Deceased-31 May '44 HUNTER, Benny H. ' S26 Date of Birth-3-2-26. Deceased-3 Dec. '44 Y X'-ff-fe- Xl.fQ L'-'ffx-fx.fg51,,-' j ,ln 1 I FOREVER THEY SHALL LIVE He tells me of the years that went before me, When hearfnly plan! were made for me to be, When all wax but a clrearn of clirn Conception, To corne to life, earth'5 verdant glory see. My Goa' anal I will go for aye together, We'll walk anal talk anal jeft ay good friends clo. Thif earth will pays anal with it common triflef, But Goal and I, will go unenclingly. hge.,-N..-fx-f g,x.z's- uf Q THE TALFT ' HE USS COMET QAP-1661 was placed 1n commission as a unit of the United States Fleet at San Francisco, California on A. 15 February 1944. Commander W. N.iPrin- 5 gel, as a representative of the Commandant TWELFTH Naval District, turned the ship over to Commander Vard F. Stieglitz, D-VCGD,-USNR, as Commanding Officer in a brief ceremony during Which Commander Stieglitz read his orders to command and addressed officers and crew and placed the USS COMET in full commission. Lt. Comdr. T. C. Fonda, DM, USNR, was Executive' Ollicer and other oflicers assigned to the COMET, at time of Commissioning, Were: - l if Clarence L. Bain ......................... ' ....... Lt. Comdr. MC-VCSD, USNR Barnard Hartley ........ .... ........................... L t ., DM, USNR Alphonse Zeis -.g ....... ......,..,,.,..,,.,..,,,, L t., USN james B. Blee ......... ......... i Lt., D-VCGD, USNR Frank R. Berry ..... Q- ........... Lt., D-VCGJ, USNR Fred S. Buchanan ...... ........ L t. Qjgj, D-VCGD, USNR 2 8 T A Taut Sh1p Rohert P. Larkin ........ . Lt. Cigl, D-VCGD, U SNR seiby Mohr ............... Lt. Cjgb, MC-VCSD, USNR Charles W. Hire ............. ....... 4 ............-...---- E nsign, USN Thomas F. Monahan ......... --------- E f1SigI1, D-VCGJ, USNR Walter B. Wofford .......... -------- E 11SigI1, D-VCGD, USNR Thomas Rowe ..............-- ------ E f1SigH, SC-VCC-ii, USNR Chester C. Traxielstead .... Ensign, C-VCGD, USNR Jimmie E. Savage .......... ........ E HSigI1, D-VCGD, USNR Robert C. Ferguson ...... ........ E nSigI1, D-VCGD, USNR Lloyd F.lHead ......... Q ...... ......................... E HSigI1, USN Ernest E. Zimmerman ....... Ensign, E-M, USNR Mario Telesmanic .......... .......... E nsign, E-M, USNR James F, Toner ,,,..,.... ...... L ..................... E nsign, USN Herman E. Duvall ...... ........ B Oatswain, I-VCSD, USNR Arthur L. Lucia .... Q. ...................... Pay Clerk, USN Alfred Clark ......... ................... B oatswain, USN Joseph Bonetti ..... ........ B Oatswain, USN Although one would think that the history of a ship and its crew would start upon commissioning, I think that the story of the USS COMET really began at the Receiving Ship, Q Treasure Island, California, for it was there' thatthe men , who were to be the crew of the COMET were brought to- 'gether by fate, and orders from the Bureau 'of Naval Per- sonnel, to be formed, from an aggregation of landlubbers, into a well-moulded, smooth-running, sea-going Navy Crew. It was there that the men got to know each other and that spirit of camaraderie, which is so prevalent in the armed forces, blossomed out. I The COME T that day wasn't quite ready to go to sea, but in a short time all hands were turning ton making prepara- tions for getting underway. It's strange how a person remem- bers minor incidents while the major ones may slip his mind, but the thing that remains foremost in my memory on that February day was not the commissioning ceremonies, but our 30 Hey, on deck- take her up No 6 to the ra11 One month s SUpp1lCS 4 jirst chow aboard ship The galley was in a state 0 con usion and the cooles were running about tearing at their hair trying A to put out a meal or the crew The tables werent as yet set up in the messhall and a ter the men passed through the chow line they had to seek a place to eat 4h the memory o that rst meal weiners and sauerleraut with the deck or a table and chair N The COMET left'San Francisco California on 29 February to Commander Fleet Operational Training Command at San Diego California This first trip was made following a few days loading at Naval Supply Depot Oakland California and operat- ing in San Francisco Bay in connection with testing degaussing equipment calibrating of compasses and radar and compensating radio direction finder .Enroute the COMET proceeded Without surface escort as Task'Un1t 14 6 2 at an average speed of advance of 15 knots. D I . f f f f . J , f . . I , If ' fl i 1 i ' f 1944 on its first assignment as a Navy ship under orders to report e 'B This was the first trip, and as recall, it also was the acid test. One day out of 'Frisco the forces of nature combined andthe test was on. If the crew had been judged that day as to whether they were sea-worthy or not, I believe that most Q of us would have been sent baclegto shore duty. Would- that! were able to describe the agony one experiences when ajlicted, it would rival any nightmarish tale of Poe's. Yes,'the fishes were well fed that night. g . ' Upon arriving at San Diego on 2 March 1944 and reporting to Commander Operational Training Command, the COMET re- ceived orders to undergo training off San Clemente Island begin- ning 5 March. The ship returned to San Diego Bay 10 March. The following day Rear Admiral F. A. Braisted, USN, Commander Operational Training Command, accompanied by his staff, held a military inspection of the COMET. T 32 as aeee I A gg ' I I' ,A A I Lookout- . the enemy lurks below V 'fr i ,7Mw07w4 , Divine Service , J. ffvffhf , I NV? f f X-Q ' 'XZVNZ7 f 'wwf' ,' ' 'M gf - qv ,, W 1 f ,W I -, ff fx ,wf f . gsm Wfww ' f WX Dawn G.Q As formal as the inspection was, it nevertheless held a note of comedy, ifyou could call it that. A flight of sea-gulls passed over the ship while the:men were lined up at attention, and a few of them, with very bombaraieristic ideas, attempted to changethe standard blue of our uniforms to a very un- decorative polka-dot scheme. Q . I V 1 . On 14 March the ship was ass1gned to Commander Task Force 13, along with the USS PIERCE, and the USS THUBAN, and placed in Task Group 137 under the command of Commodore H B Knowles, USN, on the USS MONROVIA This task group proceeded this date to Morro Bay, California, where loadlng of troops of the 81st Infantry D1v1s1on and their equlpment began the following day, and in the afternoon the ships began the return 'tr1p to San Diego escorted by PC 816 Cargo was loaded for two days wh1le moored to Pier 1, Naval Repair Base, San Diego, and 1n company w1th above named Sh1pS the COMET proceeded on 19 March to the training area off San Clemente' Island and com- menced land1ng exercises, Those landings designed to 'train the crew for amphlbious ope'rat1ons contlnued through Z6 March when all troops and equlpment were debarked at Aliso Canyon The ship then returned to the Naval -Repair Base at San Diego for bo1ler repairs I' - l Our stay wasn t very lengthy but while there we had our . share of shore leave and liberty San Diego then was notorious as a poor liberty town but thecr ew disregarded' the notoriety and commenced to make it a lively place One o the avorzte hangouts of the boys was the LITTLE CLUB in the base- ment o the U S Grant Hotel I can rememberthose nights when zfty or more men of the COMET could befound down . Baskin and Don Wol e really brightened up that burg And I ll never orget the night that Swanson stood on the corner o one main intersection and commenced guessing' peoples weight He was doing airly well in these deductions until one I f t . below. Guys like George Wolfe, Nugent, Art jones, Doc ' s f ' . , -f . . I f 34 A X , , f f -Lfigzi' ,lfi-wlif ,, , f f f. ,.,. Q., . X M Landing Craft massed off Saipan . . . Range Five Five Double Uh young min toole o enfe to his rowng hands He tried to ex- plain thatf how ity done at Coney Iyland but the young lady un ortunately had never been there so Swanny was' led of by rome o the boy! to a quieter corner The COMET was attached to the Amphibious Training Com mand Fifth Amphibious Force Pacific Fleet on 1 April Further training ewierciseswere begun ion,3 April as a part of Task Unit 13 7.1 to which the USS FULLER was now added With-troops of the 81st Infantry Division aboard' extensive landing exercises were carried out off 'San Clemente until 12 April when the Task Unit returned to Morro Bay where troops and cargo were unloaded Excitement was provided on 9 April While riding out a gale with condition 5 sea when a Navy F4-U Corsair made a forced landing at sea 3000 yards to port and the pilot was rescued by subchaser 758. Having received orders to report to San Pedro California for re- 1 , l ' cr 1 -J U JJ J 1 rr :J 1 , f , , , f , , 7 2 7 ' I C , 9 9 .7 . I ' a l , , V l 3 5 . l f I E 5 l 5 1 i r pairs, the COMET departed Morro Bay on 13 April and arrived at San Pedro the next day, mooring at Los Angeles Shipbuilding-and Drydock Company for an availability period of 10 days. The ship returned to San Diego on 25 April where Marine troops of the- Second Armored Amphibious Corps and Fifth Amphibious Tractor Battalion and a number of Navy personnel Were received aboard for transportation to the Hawaiian Islands. At 1312 on 26 April the COMET left SanqDiego and the United Statesfor its first tour of foreign duty, bound for Kahului, Maui, T.H. v ' 1 X Afiwe parsed through the Jubfmarine nets that runny after- noon, none of us, unlefs there was a prophet in our midst, ever realized that we would be gone for Jo many monthf, or while out in the Pacijic that we would fee the tide: of war turn' against japan- alnioft in front of our eyes. g, The ship steamed independently at a speed. of advance of 15 knots, zigzagging all the way. Passed through the breakwater into Kahului Harbor at 1559 on 2 May and moored to Pier 2, where cargo was unloaded and Marine troops debarked. Underway again 36 Pacific twilight -3 Guarding the Fox Afmywxkl. , ,W WM A In 05 Landing Craft going into Saipan 23 at 2126 enroute to Pearl Harbor, Oahu, T.H., with SC 1320 acting as escort. Arrived at Pearl Harbor the following morning where Navy passengers debarked. - Q A V As-we pulled into Pearl Harbor we saw the half-sunken wrecks of some of the ships that had been hit on fateful Def cember 17th. But around those charred hulles, and almost as ' far as the eye could see, w-as a vast armada of ships of all types . and classes. We were just a small cog in a mighty machine proudly known as the United States Navy. Some of the men aboard who knew the numbers of the larger ships pointed them out by name. The sight'of so many jighting ladies told, us that something was in the air. In a very short time the faps' on Saipan saw plenty in the air and on' the sea and land as well.... ' A ' SAIPAN OPERATION . ' The COMET was underway again on 7 May proceeding to Hilo, Hawaii, T.H. with vessels of Transport Division 28 under Captain H. C. Flanagan, USN, on the USS BOLIVAR CAPAD. .Combat cargo and Marine troops of the V Second Marine Division were taken aboard 8-10 May while moored to, Pier 2, Hilo, Hawaii. The ship moved to Honolulu Harbor, Oahu, on 11 May andireceived additional Marine troops. On 14 May the COMET left Honolulu at 0740 enroute to Lahaina Roads, Maui, for amphibious training exercises in company with Transport Divisions 10, 18 and 28. The ship thus began operating as an Attack Transport in Task Group 52.16 under Commodore H. B. Knowles, USN, OTC on the MON- ROVIA. Training operations were completed 19 May, and the ships ofthe above Transport Division returned to Pearl Harbor the following day. k A - ' Final preparations for the Saipan invasion were made during 38 X Charon Kanoa Dock--Saipan .-J' Center : Back f wr another load Bottom : V-Charlie-Oboe Mike-Easy-Tare ef the period 21-29 May as the loaded transports lay moored in Pearl Harbor. The ship was assigned to Task Group 52.16 with Vice Admiral H. W. Hill, USN, the OTC on the USS CAMBRIA. This Task Group was composed of Transport Divisions 10, 18 and 28, the COMET being in Trans Div 28 under Captain H. C. Flanagan, USN, on the BOLIVAR. Other ships in the Division included: USS DOYEN CAPAD, USS SHERIDAN CAPAJ, USS ELECTRA QAKAD, and USS OAKHILL CLSDD. The COMET was in Trans- port Group Able, Attack Group Two. In company with this Task Group and Task Unit 52.14.2 composed of the destroyers,USS PORTERFIELD, USS CALLAGHAN, and USSQLONGSHAW' and the escort carriers USS WHITE PLAINS and USS KALININ BAY, the COMET got underway for Saipan Island in the Marianas group on 30 May, zigzagging in accordance with plan 6 at a speed of advaneeof 13.5 knots. Before leaving Pearl Harbor, we had picked up a' broad- cast by Tokyo Rose, and she had threatened the entire in- 4 vafion arrnada with death, ftating that we would never reach V our objective. All handy aboard got a big kick out of her prophecy, erpecially the M arinef. They had heard her pro- grams before and didn't believe rnuch of what she raid. We figured that .rome attempts to Jtop the convoy, or at leart part of it, would be made, -but oyjfensive action by the Nipr, while A we were enroute, was practically nil, except for anoccasionali submarine contact. i A e The first submarine contact was reported by the escort on 1 June, but no direct attack was launched by the enemy, and no submarines were actually sighted. The convoy was now steaming toward the objective at a speed of advance of 14 knots. Zigzagging was discontinued for awhile each morning for anti-aircraft training exercises and ship handling drills. On 3 June the WHITE PLAINS CCVED reported that a torpedo crossed her bow from port to star- board. A tfew minutes later the same ship reported a torpedo wake astern. Both torpedoes passed harmlessly through the group causing no damage. The international date line was crossed at 1325, 4 June. 40 Jap farmer-Saipan Watching the PPI I 7440 , 2200 RPM Mr Blee added a note o comedy to this occarzon when he announced over the P14 that anyone wzshzng to see the lzne had pervnzyszon to go topsrde A couple o the boyf rnade a dafh and were laughed all the way back down the ladder! On 8 une a steady white light was sighted which was identi fied as being Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Islands On 9 une the Task Group arrived at Eniwetok Lagoon Marshall Islands and made final preparations for the forthcoming operation The next day the COMET was in all respects ready for the amphibious assault against the apanese on Saipan At Enzwetok we had our ryt look at what rnzght be called a war torn zsland The crew went ashore or a beer party and any zllufzony that we might have had about the beauztz ul zrlands o the Pacz c were broken like .voap bubbles The only lwzng thrngs that seemed to thrwe on the place were the .rand leaf T . , if in ' Q . . . . -ii' . K jf Q If . . . p. . . .- . ' J f ' Q ji ' . ' ff - n- U 4, .- I .-f . 75,1 l i ..' . f - '- E The final leg of the journey began 11 June as this ship got under- way at 0853. Contact was made with Transport Group Baker, Attack Group One, on 14 June. Officer in Tactical Command was then Vice Admiral R. K. Turner, USN, on the USS ROCKY MOUNT gf-loci. . D-Day, 15 June, found the COMET in company with this Attack Force approaching, Saipan from the west. During the pre- vious night the grouphad circled the island to they north. The guns of the bombardment ships could be seen flashing, and many star shells were observed in the pre-dawn darkness. Ar 0500 the gen- eral alarm sounded, and all hands speedily manned theirbattle stations as the ship steamed into the transport area. Landing craft were lowered away, and by 0557 the unloading of combat equip- ment and the debarkation of Marine assault troops had begun. Friendly planes from our carriers roared overhead, and bombs 42 I 5 2 Steady as she goes The 24-incher repeatedly hit inshore targets as the first wave of Marines landed in LCT,s on the beaches at O842. Bombardment of enemy positions and the landing of troops and combat cargo continued 'throughout the day. i , I 'During the assault phase of the operation all the landing craft crews were subjected to heavy mortar, artillery, and gunfire. One COMET LCM crew under the command of Lt. Cjgj Robert Fergu- son, COMET boat officer, was 'presented a presidential commenda- tion for conspicuous bravery. Formal presentation of the award was made at a special ceremony conducted on board the ship after its return to Pearl Harbor. Members of the LCM crew were: William EdwardiRiley, BM2c Winston Quentin Peacock, Slc Harold Edward Howard, MM2c Walter Starr McKenzie, ' Slc Charles Fred Martin, Cox ' t . While we'1'e parting out bouquets, allow me to past one on to Dr. Bain and our corprvnen for the excellent work that they did during this invasion. Theirif was a job that was far from easy, for healing is much more dijicult than killing. Theifr war a job that won them not wide acclaim but riinply a .grateful smile or a than-kr, Doc from a wounded man. At 1823 the COMET was again underway in company with Attack Groups One and Two, leaving the transport area in ac- cordance with retirementiplan 1. At 1839 an aircraft warning was received, and all ships went to general quarters. Three enemy air- craft were sighted at 1847. Emergency turns were executed as the 3 inch and 5 inch batteries opened fire at 1851 in company with other vessels in the vicinity, sending up such a heavy barrage of ack-ack that the enemy planes took evasive tactics. Three bomb splashes were observed at an approximate distance of three miles in the vicinity of battleships and destroyers..No casualties were suffered in this air attack, and no enemy planes were seen shot down by this command. By 1953 the ship secured from general quarters and continued on the retirement plan throughout the night. 44 HSl'1OOtiI'1g,, the Sun lf! W, f We 'I lf' U ,Q li ffff n I v Ll , lf,-: . LLJLQ i Sh1D,S Office Aftermath of invasion--Ag The following day at dawn the group returned to the transport area. After receiving a warning of unidentified aircraft, all hands manned their battle stations, and the ships again opened fire with 3 inch, 5 inch, and 20 MM anti-aircraft batteries. Luckily no darn- agewas done to the planes, for they were later identified as friendly. Unloading' operations began at 0659 and continued throughout the day. Retirement plan 1 was again executed in the evening. ' On 17 June the transports once again returned to the island and continued unloading. The retirement made on that night continued through the 18th and 19th, but the group returned on 20 June and remained off Saipan until unloading operations were completed and casualties taken aboard on 22 June. The ship was under air attack around midnight on the Zlst. However, no vessels in the transport area opened fire, but Marine anti-aircraft batteries on the shore threw up a barrage. Bombs were observed falling at an ap- proximate distance of one mile from the COMET in the vicinity of destroyers which were shelling enemy positions, butx no damage to our ships was observed. .. The night of the 17th 'we received rumors that the japanese fleet was approaching Saipan in an effort to destroy our ships of the island and isolate our troops on the beach. We were to learn later that a daring move by our carrier forces stopped this attempted ojensirfe action by the N ips, the engagement later became known as the First Battle of the Philippine Sea. - Q The ship sailed on the 22nd, leaving two LCVP's and theircrews with the boat pool which was being established at the island, and returned to Pearl Harbor, as a part of Task Unit 51.l8.l8, arriving there 3 July 19444 46 3. 1.9 -1 J, f ' 8 Saipan coastline , W? Sploom V GUAM OPERATION A combat load of cargo and 1650 troops ofthe 77th Army Divi- sion were taken aboard from 5-8 July. Lt. Colonel C. F. Green, USA, of the Second Battalion, 306th Infantry, was in command. Lt. Comdr. T. C. Fonda, USNR, Executive Oflicer on the COMET, assumed command on 9 July, relieving Commander V. F. Stieglitz. The same date the ship got underway for the Guam invasion, traveling in Task Unit 55.1.11 with OTC Commodore H. B. Knowles, USN, on the MONROVIA. Other ships in the Unit included the WARHAWK,jBOLIVAR, FUNSTON, ALCYONE, SHERIDAN, ALMAACK, FELAND, DOYEN, and the merchant vessels, CHINA VICTORY and CLAREMENT VICTORY. Escorts included the destroyers AULICK and GRENDREAU, and the destroyer escorts HASTINGS, H. C. THOMAS, and BEBAS. The ships zigzagged their way to Eniwetok, arriving there 17 July. With only one day's delay which was used for practice landings, the Unit proceeded to the objective arriving off Orote Peninsula on the west coast of Guam 22 July. The debarking ofttroops and discharg- ing of cargo were accomplished during 23-29 July, with the ships executing a retirement plan each night. Leaving Guam 29 July the ship returned to Pearl Harbor, with one night's stop at Eniwetok enroute. Steamed into Pearl Harbor on 11 August, andthe oflicers and men were given until 1 Septem- ber for rest, recreation, and training in preparation for forthcoming operations. F V . 5 ' On 1 September preparations were begun for-the invasion of Yap island in the Western Carolines. The ship got underway for 'Maui with more than 500 troops aboard for training purposes. The COMET was still operating in TransDiv 28, with the BOLIVAR CTransDiv Flagshipj, SHERIDAN, DOYEN, ALMAACK, and BELLE GROVE. This Division was part of Task Group 33.2, Attack Group Baker, under command of Rear Admiral F. B. Royal, on the ROCKY MOUNT: and Task Group 33.4, Transport Group Baker, consisting of TransDiv's 10, 18 and 28, under Commodore 48 Crossing the Line-Royal Barber i Crossing the Line-Royal Party Crossing the Line-Royal Doc. and Patient I-I. B. Knowles, on the USS CAIXIBRIA CAPAD. Extensive drills inldebarking troops, further training of boat crews, and gunnery practice consumed the first week in September. The ship then re- turned to Pearl Harbor, debarked troops, and remained there for another week before re-embarking them for the invasion of Yap. LEYTE OPERATION In company with this Attack Group the CGIVIET steamed out of Pearl Harbor on 15 September enroute to the final staging area at Eniwetok. Training and drills were conducted on the way, and before the convoy reached Eniwetok, it was learned that because of a change in Allied strategy the Yap invasion was to be cancelled. Arriving at Eniwetok on 25 September the Attack Group got under- way for Manus Island, in the Admiralty Group, just oiI the northern coast of New Guinea. Tactical exercises and ship handling drills continued, but the high point of the journey was the crossing of the Equator on 2 Qctober with appropriate initiation ceremonies. 'With C hief W ater Tender Caldwell and Chief Boatswain Brady as Neptunus Rex, the Ruler of the Raging Main, and Davy jones, his Royal Scribe, the ceremonies got underway. There weren't too. many shellbacks aboard and for a while it looked as if the polywogs would take over. However, the rebel- lion was quickly .put down and soon the polywogs who had gone through the initiation quickly assumed their roles of shellbacks and the sides were somewhat evened. Chaplain Pillsbury was one of the rebel force. He took over a high pres- sure jire hose, and for a while it seemed that he would hold off the shellbacks indefinitely. He was subdued, however, but not before putting up a mighty wet scrap. The shellbacks rigged up all kinds of devices, much to the discomfort of the polywogs. Lesko, the Royal Barber, clipped hair like a man 50 Cross ' mg tive Lzlzex Royal Delytllvt and Royal De WY FO S8108 tlye Lf I i E I 1zexT!1e Cleaners E i Q rosszhg' 190 f rosszbg the LIQIGXDZIIJAGQI F1'2e ' J al 47 lmex 4 ' ass ager i P mowing lawns, and Chief Hicks, the Royal Doctor, passed out his medications with malice instead of mercy. 24 shampoo ' of gooey black fuel oil followed, and then the soon to be shell- ibacks were given over to the mercy ofthe' gauntlet. Many a man had to eat off the mantel the next few days. Following the ceremonies by the crew, the Army passengers aboard took ooer and initiated their men. A The ships anchored in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, on 3 October. At this time it was learned that the date for the invasion of the Philippine Islands was to be advanced from December to 20 Oc- tober, and that the task group of which the COMET was a part would participate in the initial assault on Leyte Island, P.I. For this operation the Task Group designation Was changed from 33.2 to 79.2, and the USS AURIGA QAKD was added to TransDiv 28. Leaving lManus on 14 October, the group steamed toward Leyte Gulf preparing to join, on D-day, a huge task force composed of over 1000 ships. Due to continuous operation Without time for maintenance or repairs, the COMET suffered minor engine room casualties which caused it to break out of formation once, and on two occasions the gyro-compass was out of order for a brief time because of generator troubles. i' The course and speed of the group were frequently changed and many tactical maneuvers were carried out. General Quarters be- came an order of the day both morning and evening. 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'if'-'.zf , U, ' , 1, ' ' - -M 'f '- ' gif' ff 2 Q ,Q , , .,-wwf - 5-Cu J S NM ,-Ba 0 1 fi 1 , 53 fggfqfshggiixzgviiiin oywifa ff 'I 'f A ' W- 95 ' it V L ,W ' A23 f if '-,, . ' - -'--- ' 13 5154--:rf-xW lf, g5,.1:7?'Q J? ' ' 'Gb 4 M 19,4-ff, XA, , r - ysf wb- ,, -ff bg, .Q Q fm . mfg. --l. My Y -Q AQ? . ,ff fS'95?Z5?f4'5f9-fygfw ..,.., W.. ,... M.......,,,.,, ,..., ,...vQ2...1Y.f?:2F.1:i.., W .. .. ,,,, .figffzigl N ATF., ...., .TZ::.m..::7.7.7:7,. 'cf -2' 53 r I This was to prove a memorable afternoon. After the COMET had shifted berth to No. 3 anchorage, a Japanese torpedo bomber ap- proached unnoticed at 1603 from behind the hilly terrain of the island, skimming the surface at an altitude of about 15ffeet. When only a few yards from the COMET, it launched a torpedo which struck the cruiser HONOLULU in an adjoining anchorage. The explosion blew a large gaping hole in the port side of the ship just forward of the bridge, flooding a boiler room and other compart- ments, and causing her to take on a heavy list. The attacking plane apparently escaped although fired upon by destroyers. One of the 5 inch shells landed about ZS yards off the COMET'S starboard beam and exploded, but luckily caused no damage to the ship. Even though the plane flew directly over the COMET, gun crews were unable to open fire because of endangering the other ships. It is understood the HONOLULU was beached to prevent it from sinking and thus saved to fight again, although she suffered a large number of casualties. . D , E . Enemy planes were reported overhead several times during the night, and in the early morning hours some passed over the ship at a very low altitude, but they were not sighted due to the dense smoke screen which had been laid to hide, the 'anchored transports. Unloading continued throughout the second day despite Flash Red alerts and attacking enemy planes. With the aid of two LCT's and one LST the ship was completely unloaded on schedule and got underway at 1911, 22 October, leaving Leyte Gulf with a convoy bound for Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea. Ar we leftLeyte Gulf under cover oftmolee Jcreerz we were to have more excitement. Our sitter Jhip, the USS WARHA WK, rammed the battlethip, USS TENNESSEE. She came thru with a large hole in her bow,lea1fing the battle wagon with .tome Juperjicial scratches in the paintworki on her armor plated rider. I 1 , 54 Load I -,--- . V, V e,,,,.,, ,m - , lb Talking to the Tower NJ' WWW ... Z v Saipan Highway and Jap cave defenses IM- . LEYTE REINF ORCEMENT . 1 The Task Group retired to the'South Pacific steaming at an approximate speed of advance of 14 knots, arrived at I-Iollandia 26 October, and anchored in Humboldt Bay. The COMET re- mained in the harbor for 10 days during which time the ofiicers and men enjoy-ed recreation parties on the beach, and minor jobs of maintenance and repairs were completed. On 5 November, after topping off with water and fuel, the ship sailed in company with the KNOX, CUSTER, SHERIDAN, and MERCURY for Noem- foor Island, about 40 miles off the northwest coast of New Guinea. Arriving there on 7 November, the COMET moored alongside the merchantman SEGUNDO RUIS-BELVIS and .began loading cargo from.her in preparation for a return trip to Leyte. The next day due to a heavy ground swell, it was necessary to move to an adjacent anchorage, and on 9 November loading operations were continued using LCT's to transfer the cargo. About 900 troops of the 503 rd Parachute Infantry cameaboard on 11 November, and on the 14-th the COMET again sailed for Leyte as a part of Task Unit 79.15.4 with OTC on the KNOX. The unit included: the KNOX, CUSTER, SI-IERIDAN, MERCURY, LAMAR, ALPINE, BOLI- VAR, STARLIGHT, ALSHAIN, AURIGA, BAXTER and ALCYONE-all U.S. Navy ships. Screening vessels were the des- troyers PICKING, BADGER, ISHERWOOD, WICKES, W. D. PORTER, SPROSTEM, and the destroyer transports QAPD'sJ SANDS and GOLDSBOROUGH. I , During this trip in which reinforcements were transported to Leyte, the ships did not meet as much enemy action as in the initial landings. However, one attack transport, the ALPINE, suffered severe damage when struck by an enemy Kamikaze plane early on the morning of arrival, 18 November. Even though -interrupted by four Flash Red warnings, unloading was completed in one day and at 1711 the ship weighed anchor-and got underway, joining a convoy bound for Manus. Enroute the destroyer WILKES was fueled by the COMET while underway on 20 November. A dispatch received 24 November ordered the COMET to proceed independently to Noumea, New Caledonia. At a point X56 I-: Surgery Sick Call Dental Office SICK Bgy 1 ' 4 ELK? J lj' ,ff 0500 i J .Q 5 f I Ke e Z 'fx J. i I gt E 5 in y ---, I Q just northwest of Manus, course was changed, and the speed ad- vanced to 15 knots as the ship fell out of formation and began the 5' day journey. On 29 November she .moored at the Gran E Quad dock in Noumea and began making preparations for another in- VElS1OI'1. A , Nonniea ojerecl the crew the bert liberty since the rhip left the States. It war the jfrrtiirlancl ontricle Pearl Harbor where there were honrer inrteacl of native hats. What a plear- 'are to, ree a toitch of Wertern civilization again, even though the people all spoke French. Troops embarked on 30 November, and soon the Winches began hoisting aboard another lo-ad of' combat cargo. After loading was completed it was learned that the schedule of operations would be delayed for 20 days, and consequentlyfcombat troops were put ashore. During the next 2 weeks the COMET lay at anchor in Dumbia Bay, Port Noumea, with the exception of one day under- way on 11 December when maneuvers and gunnery exerciseswere held. Embarkation of 970' troops of the 3rd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Division, co-mmanded by Lt. Colonel Alan M. Strock was carried out on 15 December, and on the afternoon of the 17th the ship sailed for Guadalcanal in company with Task Group 77.9 with OTC, Admiral R. L. Conolly, on the USS APPALACHIAN CAGCD. Other ships under this command included the following APA's: ZEILIN , PRESIDENT JACKSON, PRESIDENT ADAMS, PRESIDENT MONROE, LLATIMER, OXFORD, AKA's AL- HENA and ALGOL, and the merchantman NAVAJO VICTORY. i Lt. Comdr. T. C. Fonda, Commanding Officer, was placed on the sick list for acute appendicitis shortly after leaving port. Lt. J. B. Blee, Executive Officer, assumed temporary command, and Lt. K. Adams, Jr., USNR, assumed duties as acting Executive Officer. Lt. Comdr. M. C. Jenkins, QMCD, USNR, andtwo pharma- cist' mates were transferred by landing craft from the ZEILIN to perform the necessary operation on Captain Fonda, assisted by the COMET'S Senior Medical Officer, Lt. Co-mdr. L. Bain. 58 Track your target F orming-up ' . ' WHAT!-No rurru - -FRU!-ru occ mean? I i f i I Taking up the k slack came out with a clayyic report that will forever be rernern- bered. While rtearning along toward Leyte, the above rnen-' tioned crew rnernber noticed fornething in the sky. Here if his report, via phoner, to the bridge: linerny-air-craft-at-090 elevation if . . . Wait! I think it'f flapping ity wingrf' On D plus 2, 11 January, the convoy steamed into Lingayen Gulf on the west coast of the island of Luzon. The whole area was under dense smoke screen at the time, making ship maneuvers very hazardous. Upon anchoring about 0830, debarkation began imme- diately, and by 1400 all troops except the shipis platoon had been put ashore, and the discharge of cargo was begun. Unloading con- tinued throughout several Flash Red warnings, and numerous reports were received of enemy planes being shot down. By mid- night on 12 January the ship was completely unloaded and ready for sea. One boiler had been secured for emergency repairs, result- ing in a reduced speed. Consequently, this ship was placed in a convoy of LST's, for the return trip. The escorticarrier SALA- MAUA, which hadisustained severe damage by the enemy and was intermittently receiving help from an attendingtug, was part of the group. Since the carrier's storm rooms had been destroyed, supplies from this ship were sent to them on an LCI which came alongside while underway. . The gro-up proceeded to Leyte at a speed of advance of9'knots, encountering no enemy forces enroute. V Onlythree hours were spent at anchor in Leyte Gulf on 18 Jan- uary before the COMET received orders to proceed independently to Hollandia, to be escorted by the destroyer ROBINSGN. A mes- sage requesting medical assistance was received from the escort on 21 January, and a landing craft was lowered away to pick up the patient. Shortly thereafter a successful appendectomy was per- formed on him by Lt. Comdr. L. Bain. LUzoN RE1NFoRcEMENT Arrived in Hollandia 23 January and took on oil and water before proceeding to an anchorage in Humboldt Bay. Un the 26th 62 Battin' the Breeze 'hm MINI vi' , 3g.,1- gy, -2, A Y ,. , -if ' :fa -we-.Qv:fv..:11:J,,'z ' '45 K' -N ,F .,-rf' 155 1 1' fb IUMA 1 7 1 4 2 yr M' 4? 44 4 , , . 'S ' 'iw 1-12: , 1 , V Q M Q K0 ,,..fA.5 f -4 7,9 3' M N 3 X ,,,f ,A ,Jw , My ' - M' Lf 2wwM.,.Mfw,:f2QwZQ,x9 2,1 in Air attack-Lingayen Gulf Berled Erl The rest of the month was consumed making emergency repairs necessary because of excessive continuous service. A few passen- gers and patients returning to the States boarded for the next leg of the journey which ended at Pearl Harbor. The destroyer escort MANLOVE and PC-587 escorted the ship to Eniwetok, after which she proceeded independently for the next 11 days, arriving at Pearl Harbor 16 March. - ' Here it was .learned that the COMET was to return to San Francisco for overhaul. 400 patients from U.S.S. Naval Hospital, including some Iwo Jima casualties, were taken aboard during the next two days. Also received were a number of passengers going back for reassignment. On Sunday, 18 March, the last leg of the journey began, and a week later the COMET steamed under the Golden.Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay and debarked all patients and passengers. T .. ' A period of 60 days availability was granted the ship for altera- tions, maintenance, and repairs, and all personnel were given 25 days leave. Everyone felt that it was well earned after serving 11 consecutive months overseas and participating in 4 major invasions. Overhaul began Z6 March at Pier 25 with the General Engineering and Drydock Company doing the work. A On March 26th the first leave xection w-as of and work began. The entire ship way changed over in many ways and when the jirft .fection returned it war, to thern., like Corning back to a new COMET. The availability expired 25 May after the ship had been dry- docked at Hunter's Point and had completed :numerous tests on Z3 and 24 May in preparation for sea. On 17 May Lt. B. Blee had been detached and Lt. K. Adams, Jr. was now the Executive Officer. Provisions, stores, and ammunition were loaded at NSD, Oakland, during the period 26-28 May and on the 31st the COMET was once again underway carrying out orders to report to Port Hueneme, California, to load Seabees destined for Okinawa in the Ryukus Islands. T ' 660 i a . iz Q S 5 l QE g . iw . il l ii .,. 4 Radio Shack Daily routine Loaded to the Gunwales RETURN TO COMBAT DUTY 6 Arrived at'Port Hueneme on 1 June and commenced loading cargo. The ship got underway at 1644 on 4 June, carrying 32 officers and 1389 enlisted men. This total included 4 officers and 263 enlisted men of the 6th U.S. Naval Construction Battalion, 23 officers and 1070 enlisted men of the 15th NCB, 5 officers and 56 enlisted men of the 46th NCB. I ' . The first' port of call was to be Eniwetok, however, on the third day out the ship's port boiler exploded. No personnel were injured, but the ship was forced to steam on one boiler and put in at Pearl Harbor for emergency repairs. Arrived there on 12 June and moved to the repair base the following day. One week later, on 20 June, the journey to Eniwetok was resumed. 23 additional officers and 9 enlisted men reported aboard for transportation just prior to depar- ture. The trip was uneventful except for numerous drills and an initiation which the Seabees,' held on crossing the international date line. Q On the evening of 28 Junethe COMET sailed through the channel into Eniwetok Lagoon and dropped the hook.'Three days later, as a part of Task Unit 93.3.56, with Convoy Commodore Cap- tain W. S. Campbell, USN, on the USS ARUNDEL QAPD, this ship got underway for Ulithi, arriving S July. After waiting for fivedays, the COMET joined the Ulithi- Okinawa Convoy No. 36, OTC Captain W.'N. Thornton, USN, on the USS MARATHON CAPAD. Extensive drills were held on this trip due to the threat of japanese suicide planes, and 14 luly the ships anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa. At the completion of unloading on 17 July, preparations weremade for departure. After the receipt of numerous warnings of an approaching typhoon on 19 July all the ships in the bay got underway to execute Typhoon Plan X-11 For two days the ships rode out the storm and on 21 July returned to anchor in Buckner Bay. An explosion of undeter- mined origin occurred .onthe MARATHON anchored about 500 yards off the COMET'S port bow just after 0100 on 22 july. A call for assistance was sent out and a fire and rescue party from this 168 New Guinea natives 69 ,Taps quit the War ship went to aid them. It was a clear night and the moon was just going down as the officers and men of the sinking ship began to come topside. The ship was well down by the bow, and her loud speakers were clearly audible as instructions were given to mem- bers of the- crew and the boats standing by. Two tugs came to her assistance, and she was kept afloat, despite the gaping hole in her port side between No.. One and Two holds. The explosion was thought to have been caused by an enemy torpedo but this was not verified. That same morning the COMET set sail as part of an Okinawa-Ulithi convoy under command of Captain P. Dix, on the LATIMER. 0 Alt was at Okinawa that we were able to see preparations for the Corning final defeat of japan. Although they were in- terrupted eoeryro often by air raid alertr, we had iniooiey topride every night. Here we were, a few hundred miles from japan, enjoying niovieriwith hardly a care in our rnindr, while a .vhort dirtanee to the north the Nipr were no doubt worrying about where our bornbery would hit that night.. It was, indeed, a wonderful feeling. In company with the USS STORMKING CAPD, this ship broke off from the group at 0300 on Z5 July and proceeded to Guam, arriving at Apralflarbor the following day. The next morning'a4few patients, prisoners, and passengers returning to the States came aboard from the receiving ship, and the COMET proceeded inde- pendently to the west coast, steaming close to -Eniwetok, Wake, and Midway following a great circle route. Just a day outiof San Francisco, orders were received to divert to Seattle. The course was changed immediately, and the ship steamed up the coast and into fogbound Puget Sound. The mist was just lifting as the Seattle skyline came into view, and the ship tied up alongside the merchant vessel SPINDLE EYE at Todd's Dry- docks on 11 August.- 70 Shipfxtter Machine Shop Welcome Home Committee v-J The news of theisurrender of Japan, came on 14 August at 1600 amid blowing of whistles and shouts of joy from the sailors and shipyard workers. Seattle, like all U. S. cities, celebrated the victory for several days, and .general repair work on the ship was at a standstill for this time. However, urgent repairs were effected and she was made ready for sea again. Celebration in Seattle was relatively inild compared to the wild timer had in some of the other big cities on the coast. Then there were the poor nnfortuna-ter aboard the ship who had duty that night and were forced to limit their celebrating to joyonr Jhoutrand, ar .fcuttlebutt had it, mnnggled Jpirity. While at Seattle, Lt. K. Adams, Jr. was detached from the COMET for release to inactive duty, and Lt. F. R. Berry succeeded him as Executive Officer. I ' H On 26 August, .even before the final signing of the surrender terms by the Japs in Tokyo Bay, the COMET was loaded and underway again, this time carrying ground crews of the Army Air Force to Guam as replacements. A fewlminutes after leaving the dock, an engineering casualty to the main shaft caused the ship to stop. The trouble was remedied in about two hours, and the ship was again on her way to Guam, where she arrived safely on 12 September after a brief stopover at Eniwetok on the 9th, All pas- sengers except the ship's platoon debarked the next day, and un- loading of cargo was completed on 15 September..1376 enlisted men, 72 oflicers, and one American Red Cross representative made this trip. V A V THE MAGIC CARPET Orders to return were received on 19' September, and the next .day a total of 110 officers and 1700 enlisted men Qincluding 61 Navy 72 5 Welcoming Band San Francisco :M EMM, -W, ,c mf 4 Q Almost Home 91 coo ' C00 99 Elin. X , sf XO QQ , ,,11,,,,,A,,. A i f 'fig A A ii X X Debarking Stateside officers, 960 Navy enlisted men, SO lWarine officers, 562 Marine enlisted men, 70 Coast Guard enlisted men, 97 Army enlistedmen, and 6 men serving in the Merchant Marinej embarked for the return trip to the U.S.A. This liftof personnel was the largest the COMET had carried, every available space being occupied. The shipiwas undervvay at 1723 and steamed independently to San Francisco by a great circle route. - A different reception awaited the ship this time as it steamed under the Golden Gate Bridge on the morningiof. 4 October. In large letters on a hill overlooking the harbor appeared the Words, Welcome Home, Well Done, and a small Army ship came out with ta band playing and girls Waving as the COMET pulled into Pier 7 to debark the returning veterans. A And so might the history of the COMET be closed with this same tribute to one of the many ships who had a job to do--and did it! WELCOME HOME, ,WELL DONE. 1 -.,: Nf:2:L - 1.-4 vs:-w-asf 1 ' 'S-1 END OF THE TALE DATE DEPARTED 29 February 1944, San Francisco 5 March 1944, San Diego 10 March 1944, San Clemente 14 March 1944, San Diego 15 March 1944, Morro Bay 18 March 1944, San Diego 4 April 1944, San Diego 13 April 1944, Morro Bay ' 25 April 1944, San Pedro . 26 April 1944, San Diego 2 May 1944, Kahului Harbor 7 May 1944, Pearl Harbor 10 May 1944, Hilo 14 May 1944, Honolulu 17 May 1944, La Haina Roads 19 May 1944, Maalaea Bay 5 30 May 1944, Pearl Harbor ll June 1944,'Eniwetok Atoll 22 June 1944, Saipan 5 July 1944, Pearl Harbor 9 July 1944, Honolulu Harbor 18 July 1944, Eniwetok Atoll SHIP'S LOG February 1944 to October 1945 DA TE ARRIVED Z March 1944, San Diego, California 6 March 1944, San Clemente Island, Cal. 10 March 1944, San Diego 15 March 1944, Morro Bay, Oceanside, Cal. 16 March 1944, San Diego , 18 March 1944, Tactical Area, San Cle- mente, San Diego 4 April 1944, Tactical Area, San Cle- mente, Morro Bay 14 April 1944, San Pedro, California 25 April 1944, San Diego 1 2 May 1944, Kahului Harbor, Maui Island, Territory of Hawaii 3 May 1944, Pearl Harbor, Oahu Is- land, T.H. 8 May 1944, Hilo Harbor, Hawaii Is- land, T.H. 11 May 1944, Honolulu Harbor, Oahu 15 May 1944, La Haina Roads, Maui 17 May 1944, Maalaea Bay, Tactical Area, Maui 20 May 1944, Pearl Harbor 9 June 1944, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands i 15 June 1944, Saipan Island, Marianas Group 3 July 1944, Pearl Harbor 5 July 1944, Honolulu Harbor 17 July 1944, Eniwetok Atoll D 22 July 1944, Guam Island, Marianas Group MORE Loo . . . DA TE DEPARTED 29 July 1944, Guam 3 August 1944, Eniwetok Atoll 1 September 1944, Pearl I-Iarbor Z September, 1944, La Haina Roads 6 September 1944, Maalaea Bay 16 September 1944, Pearl Harbor 28 September 1944, Eniwetok Atoll 14 October 1944, Seeadler Harbor 21 October 1944, Leyte Gulf I 1 November 1944, Humboldt Bay 5 November 1944, Hollandia Bay 14 November 1944, -Noemfoor Island 20 November,1944, Leyte, Gulf 1 December 1944, Noumea Bay 17 December 1944, Dumbea Bay 24 December 1944, Lengo Channel 25 December 1944, Port Purvis 2 January 1945, Seeadler Harbor 13 January 1945, Lingayen Gulf 18 January 1945, Leyte ,Gulf 26 January 1945, Hollandia Bay 2 February 1945, Wadke' Island 7 February 1945, Leyte Gulf 12 February 1945, Lingayen Gulf 18 February 1945, Leyte Gulf 1 March 1945, Ulithi Atoll 18 March 1945, Pearl Harbor 31rMay 1945, San Francisco . 1 June 1945, Port Hueneme 20 June 1945, Pearl I-Iarbor 1 July 1945, Eniwetok Atoll 10 July 1945, Ulithi Atoll 19 July 1945, Buckner Bay 22 July 1945, Buckner Bay r 27 July 1945, Guam Z7 August 1945, Seattle 9 September 1945, Eniwetok Atoll 20 September 1945, Guam lg' 0 ' - Mb. .' - Q Q 'ov U ,, Q 1- 0 1 - 3' 1. .7-,..C1 -': 9 ..'pu'., nl. Q. , DA TE ARRIVED 2 August 1944, Eniwetok Atoll 11 August 1944, Pearl Harbor 2 September 1944, La Haina Roads 2 September 1944, Maalaea Bay, Tac- tical Area ' 7 September 1944, Pearl Harbor 25 September 1944, Eniwetok Atoll 3 October 1944, Seeadler Harbor, Manus Island, Admiralty Islands 20 October 1944, Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands ' 26 October 1944, Humboldt Bay, Dutch New Guinea 1 November 1944, Hollandia Bay, Dutch New Guinea 7 November 1944, Noemfoor Island, Geelvink Bay, Dutch New Guinea 20 November 1944, Leyte Gulf 29 November 1944, Noumea Bay, New Caledonia 1 December 1944, Dumbea Bay, New Caledonia 21 December 1944, Lengo Channel, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands 24 December 1944, Port Purvis, Florida Island, Solomon Islands 29 December 1944, Seeadler Harbor 11 January 1945, Lingayen Gulf, Luzon Island, P.I. , 18 January 1945, Leyte Gulf Z1 January 1945, Hollandia Bay 27 January 1945, Wadke Island, Dutch New Guinea 6 February 1945, Leyte Gulf , 10 February 1945, Lingayen Gulf 17 February 1945, Leyte Gulf 23 February 1945, Ulithi Atoll, Caro- line Islands 16 March 1945, Pearl Harbor 25 March 1945, San Francisco 1 June 1945, Port Hueneme, Calif. 12 June 1945, Pearl I-Iarbor 28 June 1945, Eniwetok Atoll 5 July 1945. Ulithi Atoll 14 July 1945, Buckner Bay, Okinawa Island Riding out Typhoon C2 daysJ 26 July 1945. Apra Harbor, Guam 11 August 1945, Seattle, Washington 9 September 1945. Eniwetok Atoll 12 September 1945, Apra Harbor, Guam 4 October 1945, San Francisco 76 I Y -0 fa: r ' f ' , V 4::::- -- I .vi ti I ,'1 3 .4-c' ...J . . . 5 ':.,u1.: STATISTICS FROM THE LOG ENGINEERING ADS Engine Miles Steamed ..,....,,,,,,,, ,.,,.,.,,--,,,,-.-,- -..----.--,- 1 2 4,161 Miles Shaft Revolutions ......,,,,,,, Fuel 011 Expended ............, ,,,,,.-,-,,,-. 4 - 39,483,461 Turns. 4,013,311 Gallons. Evaporator Capacity ----.--.. ....... 4 0,000 GHllOHS 661 Day Hours Underway .......... ,.,-.,,-.--,-,-----.-- 3 7G79 -Hours MEDICAL Patients Treated at Sick Call , Cal Shipis Company ........... Cbb Passengers ................ QCD Total ....................................,.., Patients admitted to sick bay ward ......... Gperations .............................................,, Persons treated With Penicillin ......... Units of Penicillin used ................ Innoculations Given ................. X-Rays taken ................ SUPPLY I Rations served C1 ration:3 meals 36,017 148,513 184,530 656 177 37 .----.---..7,400,000 9,722 72 per man, ,,,,,,,,.,,,,,,,,,,,,, ' ,,,,,,,,.,,,...,........ 573,462 Or 1,720,386 IT1CalS Food consumed ,,,,,,,,, .................. 4 ,400,000 pOL1I1ClS PASSENGERS Marines ................................. ............... .... - -- Army ................................................ . Navy Cdoes not include crewj ....... Merchant Marine ....................... Civilians ,,.....,............................ TOTAL ...... 77 2,180 10,170 7,861 I 40 20,256 Dv ,qw PH ' -fs -ax A ...ns . R o s T E R 1 PN i f 7 lfa- X ZS D' S XX 1 X 1944 . , t gggg 13 5252 A X -11 PS'- S ifaa sssssgf 1' Q X f .file - W - - - 1945 E l Qi Including all hands who have served aboard and their tour of duty. Roster: SHIP,S' OFFICERS ' V . f A Date Date NA ME Rank Reported Detached STIEGLITZ, Vard F. Comdr. 2-15-44 7-9-44 . BAIN, Clarence L. Lieut. Crndr. 2-15-44 8-26-45 HARTLEY, Barnard Lieut. Cmdr. 2-15-44 8-27-4-4 ZEIS, Alphonse A Lieut. Cmdr. 2-15-44 4-14-44 BLEE,-Iames B. A Lieut. 2-15-44 A 5-17-45 BERRY, Frank R. Lieut. Cmdr. 2-15-44 Present BUCHANAN, Fred S. - Lieut. I 2-15-44 ' 8-24-45 LARKIN, Robert P. Lieut. 2-15-44 5-17-45 MOHR, Selby Lt. Cjgj 2-15-44 1-25-45 HIRE, Charles-W. Lieut. 2-15-44 8-23-45 MONAHAN, Thomas F. Lieut. 2-1-5-44 ' Present WOFFORD, Walter G. Lieut. 2-15-44 Present I ROWE, Thomas J. Lt. fjgj 2-15-44 8-18-45 TRAVELSTEAD, Chester Lt. fjgj 2-15-44 10-27-45 SAVAGE, Jimmie E. Lt. Qjgj ' 2-15-44 Present FERGUSON, Robert C. Lt. fjgj 2-15-44 Present HEAD, Lloyd F. Lt. fjgj' 2-15-44 8-22-44 ZIMMERMAN, Ernest E. Lt. fjgj 2-15-44 Present TELESMANIC, Mario Lt. Cjgj 2-15-44 Present TONER, james F. Lt. fjgj 2-15-44 8-13-44 DUVALL, Herman E. Ensign 2-15-44 8-23-45 LUCIA, Arthur L. Ch. Pay Clerk 2-15-44 Present CLARK, ,Alfred Ch. Boatswain 2-16-44 7-9-45 BONETTI, Joseph Boatswain 2-15-44 2-19-44 78 Z!!! 'A . 2 l Roster: SI-IIP'S, OFFICERS , NAME GOULD, William D. PILLSBURY, John SHREFFLER, Russel T. HODGES, John . FIX, Kenneth S. SNELL, Roy G. BRADFORD, William H. SPRAGUE, Francis B., DIXON, Eldon M. WARD, David J. BENTON, james BRADY, Helbert fnj ADAMS, Josiah K. DELANEY, James lf.. NEVVMAN, William TAVE, Stuart M. . GARTRELL, Ethelbert H. SNIDER, Ray jr. FRENCH, Gilbert E. WHITTLE, Chester E. WITCHER, Walter R. CHADWELL, Frederick A. BOLE, William C. STONE, Joe D. NEIS, Harry B. KIEHM, Charles H. ODER, Robert WYATT, john C. HALBERT, Fred R. JOHNSON, Chester F. GRAVES, James H. BAYES, Stephen FREED, Daniel G. ' AMATO, Emamul G. Rank Lieut. ' Lieut. Electrician Lf- fig? Ch. Pharmcst. Lt- fig? Lf- fig? Lieut. Lieut. Lf- fig? Ch. Machinist Boatswain Lieut. Cmdr. Lieut. Ensign Lf- fig? Lieut. Ensign Ensign Ensign ' Lf- fig? Lieut. Lieut. Machinist Lf- fig? Lieut. Ensign Lf- fig? Lieut. Commander. Ensign, Lieut. Lieut. Ensign Date Reported 2-15-44 2-21-44 2-15-44 5-28-44 4-21-44 4-17-44 5-13-44 8-10-44 8-21-44 8-21-44 7-15-44 6-15-44 9-13-44 9-13-44 9-13-44 12-15-44 12-21-44 12-21-44 12-30-44 11-21-44 12-21-44 12-21-44 12-30-44 11-15-44 3-26-45 3-26-45 3-26-45 5-16-45 5-8-45 8-25-45 8-20-45 8-13-45 8-11-45 10-20-45 Date Detached 12-23-44 12-23-44 4-14-44 5-18-45 10-9-45 10-20-45 7-4-44 5-17-45 Present Present 5-21-45 5-21-45 8-23-45 1-1-45 11-4-44 3-17-45 Present Present Present 10-9-45 Present Present Present 8-22-45 Present 4-24-45 Present 10-19-45 Present Present Present 10-9-45 Present Present Roster: SHIP'S CREW NAME ADAIR, William L. ' AGA, Ralph T. AKINS, Haze W. ALESSIO, joseph Cnj. ALEXANDER, George C.. ALLEN, Arthur L. . ALLEN., Lawrence VY ALLOWAY, C. H. AMOS, Buford B. ANDREW, john W. ANDREWS, Clyde E. ARENDT, George , ARELLANO, A. R. - ARMSTRONG, Lyle J. ARNEY, Alvin G. ASHCRAFT, K. L. ATTEBERY, F. A. AUTON, James C. AYOUB, David C. BACHMAN, James R. BAILEY, Ned UL . BALDIVINO, C. B. BANKS, Nathaniel I. BANT.UM, K. V. ' BARNETT, blames D., Jr BARNETT, Ralph, Jr. BARSOTTI,,Marco, BARTLETT, Edward L. BASKIN, Henry A. BAUER, Louis E. BAUGH, Clarence E. BAUMGARDT, Mars F. BAY, Alfred J. L., Ir. BEACH, Wilbert W. BEACH, Robert D. , A BEAMISH, Stanley R. BECKER, Clifford M. BEELER, Curtis L. BELLEW, John A. A BENSON, Ladd A. BENTON, James W. BERRY, Stephen Cnj BERRY, Warren E. BLACK, Henry F. BLACK, Lee D. V BOCKWEG, M. E.- BODINE, Reuben W. Rate SSMfLj3c Cox. I SM2c Slc StM2c CCS MoMM3c F10 S2c CCS F2c ' MoMM2c Slc SICCQMD Slc WT3c Slc FZC RM1c 1 F2c ' Slc StM3c StM1c Slc Cox. PhM1c SC1c S2c PhM1c CY SK3c QMIC Slc SK3c F2c Slc Slc S2c ' Cox. MoMM3c CMM Slc MoMM3c SC1c Flc Cox. Bkr3c 1 From 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 10-11-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-25-45 5-25-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-15-45 5-25-45 2-15-44 5-25-45 5-15-45 2-15-44 10-8-45 2-15-44 10-16-45 2-15-44 8-13-44 5-25-45 2-15-44 1-1-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 -2-15-44 5-24-45 10-1 1-45 2- 15-44 10-25-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2- 1 5-44 5-25-45 4-15-44 5-25-44 5-25-45 '5-15-45 2-15-44 To 8-23-45 Present Present 6-4-45 Present 8-12-45 8-23-45' Present 8-15-45 8-18-45 6-22-44 3-13-44 Present Present 10-4-45 Present 6-4-45 3-13-44 Present 3-13-44 Present 7-8-44 4-28-45 Present Present 3-25-45 3-25-45 3-13-44 10-4-45 Present 8-23-45 Present Present 10-4-45 Present 4-20-45 Present 3-13-44 Present 3-13-44 8-31-44 Present 10-23-45 8-20-45 8-23-45 8-18-45 8-18-45 Roster: SHIP'S CREW NA IW E BOICE, john R. BJORKLUND, Lyle D. BOLES, Allen W. BOLGIANO, Edwin R. BONHAM, Victor A. BONSALL, Levi I. BOONE, Jimmie fnj BORGESEN, Orville M. BOYD, Cecil R. BOYLES, Irvin E. BOYNTON, R. E. BRADY, Helbert fnj BRAGA, Antone L. BRENSEL, H. L. BRIDGER, Kenneth L. BR1NSON,john W. BRODERICK, William L. BROOKS, James T. BROWN, Edwin D. BRUCE, David B. BRUTON, William D. BURCHARD, Leland E. BURRIS, Fred R. BURRISS, Frank A. BURZA, Peter S. GBUSHMAN, Terry R. BUSS, Richard R. BUTLER, P. CALABRESE, Raymond P. CALDVVELL. Leslie C. CALDWELL, William CALLAS, Chris N. CAMDEN, Cletis A. CANTRELL, Leslie M. I CARB1S,johnston M. CARLTON, Berl CARMICHAEL, W. M. CARO, Newell W. CASEY, Lee P. CASTILLO, Felix CAUD1LL,,Tohnny fnj CHANDLER, W. R. CHAPMAN, Cecil H. CLARK, Gayle R. CLARK, Raymond C. CLARK, john G. CLAY, George L. Rate From SM2c 2-15-44 ' Slc 10-16-45 Slc 2-15-44, Y3c 2-15-44 SM3c 2-15-44 WT2c 5-13-44 St3c 2-15-44 CY 2-15-44 Slc 8-20-45 CMM CAAJ CTD 2-15-44 MoMM3c 5-15-45 CBM 5-15-45 CMM 10-20-45 Slc 5-15-45 COX. 2-15-44 StM2c 10-11-45 S2c 5-25-45 Y2c 5-13-44 S2c 5-25-45 SC3c 2-15-44 HA1c 5-12-44 S2c 2-15-44 MoMM2c 2-15-44 StM1c 2-15-44 BM2c 2-15-44 S2c , 2-15-44 EM1c 2-15-44 MoMM2c 5-15-45 GM3c 2-15-44 CWT 2-15144 Slc 2-15-44 MoMM3c 4-15-44 Slc 5-25-45 SC3c 8-16-4-4 HA lc 5-12-44 AerM2c 2-15-44 Slc 5-25-45 Cox. 2-15-44 RM3c 5-11-44 Cklc 2-15-44 Cox. 7-6-44 Slc 5-25-45 RdM3c 2-15-44 MoMM3c 2-15-44 Cox, 7-6-44 ' F2c 10-11-45 Slc 2-15-44 To 5-21-45 Present 12-15-44 6-22-44 Present Present 10-23-45 8-30-44 Present 8-23 -45 10-4-45 10-4-45 Present Present Present Present Present 6-8-45 Present 4-24-44 3-17 -45 3-13-44 3-13-44 10-25-45 Present 3-13-44 8-18-45 Present Present 5-3-45 5-3-45 7-6-45 Present 9-7-44 3-17-45 10-4-45 Present 10-23-45 Present 8-18-45 Present Present 8-18-45 8-23-45 10-23-45 Present Present Roster: SHIP'S CREW NAME CLAYTON, W. H. CLEMONS, Elbert fnj CLINGAN, james M. CLOUGHEN, Joseph fnj COAN, Robert H. COCKRELL, Clarence E. COHEE, Joseph V. . COLBURN, John F. COLE, Carol Z. COLLINS, Keith A. COLTON, Warren S. COOK, John C., Jr. CORDELL, Leonard L. CORNELIUS, Walter A. COUND, George COURSON, George E. COY, Roy, Jr. CRABB, Arthur, Jr. CRAIG, David G. ' CRAIG, Harry M. CRAMER, Thomas B. CRAVEN, Clinton D. CROWDER, joe B. CROWLEY, James P. CRUMP, Foster G. CUMMINGS, J. H. CURRLE, Lee, Jr. CZAPOWSKI, A. I. CZERWINSKI, C. M. DABNEY, Loren A. DAHL, Earl N., Jr. DANDO, Gwen H. DANIEL, Dan C. DAVIS, Lewis A. DAY, Phillip DELANEY, Samuel S., Jr. DE PAUW, Leon V. DE VRIES, Robert G. DEZORT, Alios DIGBY, Charles H. DILLON, Laurent H. DODGE, Harold A. DOLEN, jack W. DOLAN, john DOLOR, Crisanto DOMONDON, Felix G. DOUCETTE, W. F. 1 82 Rate Mo'MM3c I Slc Stlc I PhM1c Slc S2c RdM2c RdM2c RdM3c Slc QM3c Blc Slc BM1c Slc SKZC SK3c Slc F2c Mlc RdM2c Flc Cox. MoMM2c' MM2c BM2c StM lc MM 1c BM2c Ptr2c RdM3c SK3c ' EM2c Slc SF3c MM1c GMZC Y2c F2c BM1c S2c Slc PhM3c MoMM3c CCk Stlc EM2c From 5-15-45 2-19-44 8-20-44 1-1-45 5-25-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 8-16-44 10-16-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 4-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 4-15-44 10-11-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-35 2-15-44 7-6-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-15-45 2-15-44 5-15-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 10-16-45 3-1-45 2-21-44 2-'15-44 12-11-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-1-45 4-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 To Present 5-26-45 Present 3-25-45 Present 3-13-44 5-21-45 8-23-45 Present Present Present Present Present 8-18-45 Present 5-17-45 12-8-44 Present Present 5-26-45 Present 12-15-44 Present Present 10-23-45 8-11-45 Present 8-13-44 8-18-45 8- 18-45 Present 8-15-45 Present. Present 3-25-45 10-4-45 3--25-45 Present 3-25-45 10-4-45 3-25-45 Present Present 3-13-44 8-13-44 Present 10-31-44 Roster: SHIP'S CREW NA IVE DOWNS, Jack T. DOYAN, Yvon C. 'DRIGC-PERS, Elwyn DRINKWATER, G. L. DUCK, David H. DUCKWORTH, Edmond, Ir. DUFF, Melvin DUIMSTRA, jacob G. DULICK, Joseph J. DUNBAR, Charles E. DUNCAN, Howell EGGER, James V., EARLEY, Cletusr-I. EDWARDS, James L. EGLER, Eugene A. ELKINS, Jerome I. ELLINGSON, Allen K. ELLIOTT, James H. ELLIS, Charles R. ELLISON, Ira O. ENGEBROCK, Eugene L ENGBROTEN, Clifford H. ENRIQUEZ, Manuel R EZELL, Homer O. FALCON, M. Dee FENN, Alvin V. FENTON, Harold L. FIELDS, Dennie B. FIELDS, Cf FIELDER, Trois FISHER, Clay FITCH, Melvin G. FITTS, John W. FLEDDERMAN, A. P. FLEECE, Charles W. FLOMMERSFIELD, True, Jr. FORTSON, Willie Qnj FRANCIS, Billy G. FRANKLIN, B. A., Jr. FRAZIER, C. H. FRINT, Robert G. FROEMKE, Virgil D. FULLER, Harry E. GARCIA, Damasco GAITHER, Earl D. Rate SM1c PhM2c Slc Slc ,Slc Slc WT3c F2c MoMM3c Slc Cox. Slc Slc SK2c BM2c BMZC F20 F2c SC1c Bkr2c Slc Slc PhM3c PhM2c S2c EM2c F2c Slc- Slc WT1c CRM Flc F20 Slc Slc Slc StM1c PhM3c Slc Slc F2c Flc RM1c GM3c Bkrlc From 2-15-44 10-8-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 7-6-44 8-20-44 5-25-45 10-11-45 7-6-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 2-23-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 7-6-44 8-29-44 5-12-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-13-45 10-16-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 8-20-45 2-15-44 5-15-45 5-25-45 5-25-45 6-19-45 5-12-44 8-20-45 5-15-45 2-15-44 10-11-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 To Present Present 3-16-44 3-16-44 Present 11-28-44 Present Present 10-23-45 Present 10-23-45 10-15-45 8-11-44 Present Present Present 3-13-44 3-13-44 4-26-44 12-15-44 Present Present 2-17-45 5-21-45 3-13-44 5-26-45 3-13-44 8-20-45 Present 10-4-45 7-8-44 Present 3-13-44 10-23-45 Present Present Present 3-17-45 Present 10-4-45 3-13-44 Present 10-4-45 8-23-45 8-23-45 Roster: SHIP'S CREW NAME , GARDNER, Dale K. I GARDNER, Donald L. GARDNER, Russell D. GARGUS, Roy L. GARLAND, W. A., Ir. GARMANY, William L. GARRARD, Barney E. GARRELL, Williard H. GARRETT, David R. Q GATZEMEYER, Jerome B. GAUSS, William E. GEERING, Sidney E. GEISEN, Joseph E. L GENISIO, Barnie P. VGENLOT, Leon D. GENTRY, Raymond E., Sr. GEORGE, Dominic GEORGE, Merl D. GEORGEN, Leland W. GEPHART, Howard S. GERHARDT, Earl W. GERMAN, Edward I-I.- GERTH, Charles M. GERVASIO, john M. GETCY, Frank I. GIACCHI, Frank Cnj GIANNINI, A. GIBSON, Albert fnj GIBSON, Abraham A. GIBSON, Edward B. GINSBACH, John P. . GLASS, Frank GLENN, Donald W. GODFREY, Charles N. GOIN, James I. GORDON, Willie D. GOLLIHAR, John D. GOODAY, Albert E., jr. GOUDY, Vern E. GRABOWSKI, Frank J. GRAHAM, Thomas K. GRANT, Martin A. GRANT, Gordon C. GRAWBURG, Leonard L. GREEN, George Cnj GREEN, Willard B. GREENSLAIT, J. W. GRIFFIN, William F. Rate MoMM3c GM3c Slc Flc i Slc y SSMQLQIC Slc Flc Cox. Slc Slc BMZC Flc Y2c Slc MaM2c Slc BkrZc RMlc Slc CM1c Slc Slc Bkr3c Q Slc Slc Flc MM3c Slc Sle MoMM3c S2c S2c MM3c SM3c St2c S2c S2c S2c EM3c Cox. RT1c Slc Slc StM2c Slc Slc From 3-1-45 2-15-44 8-19-44 8-19-44 8-19-44 2-15-44 8-19-44 8-19-44 8-19-44 .8-19-44 8-19-44 2-15-44 8-19-44 8-19-44 8-19-44 ' 8-19-44 8-19-44 5-13-44 3-13-44 8-19-44 2-15-44 8-19-44 8-19-44 8-19-44 8-19-44 10-16-45 5-25-45 8-19-44 8-19-44 8-19-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-25-45 5-26-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 5-13-44 10-11-45 2-15-44 5-25-45 5-1344 To 3-25-45 Present Present 4-28-45 Present 10-4-45' Present 3-25-45 Present Present Present Present 12-8-44 Present Present Present 10-23-45 Present 5-14-45 Present 4-28-45 Present Present Present 10-4-45 Present Present Present Present Present 3-13-44 4-26-44 Present 8-13-44 Present Present 6-22-44 3-13-44 3-17-44 Present 5-26-45 6-18-45 4-28-45 Present Present 3-13-44 10-4-45 Present Roster: SHIP'S CREW NA M E GROSSIE, Albert, Jr. GUICE, Tilly A. GUINEY, Harry S. GUINN, Viral T. GWIN, Leroy E. HABEGGER, Gordon D. HACKER, Douglas E., HAGSTROM, Reuben HAISTEN, Matt P. HAKAENSON, Bobby Qnj HALL, Clarence A. HALL, James B. HALL, julian A. HALL, Leonard HALL, Maurice K. HALLERAN, Michael I. HAMMOCK, Elmer C. HAMPTON, Harry B., Ir. HANIKA, Edward HANLEY, Norman W. HANS, Edward W., Ir. HANSBERRY, Eugene HANSEN, John D. HANSEN, Lloyd E. HARDMAN, Russel G. HARGROVE, Otha G. HARP, james A. HARPER, Herman Cnj HARRIS, Herman HARRIS, Robert G. HARRIS, Wayne F. HARRISON, Charles S. HARTZLER, M. E. HATTON, Clyde fnj HATTON, William H. HAWK1NS,Husville HAYS, Lloyd L. HEACOCK, Robert A. HEIDORN, Henry G. HEIM, Louis E. HENDERSON, James Cnj HENDERSON, Lloyd L. HENRY, Albert HICKERSON, Ulysses L., Jr. HICKS, Carl E. HICKS, Floyd A. HILLGAMYER, Henry E. Rate Slc MoMM2c PhM1c PhM3c BM2c Slc MoMM2c CCM HA1c FC3c Slc S2c CQM S2c Cox. - F2c B2c S2c F2c F2c Flc StM1c MoMM2c CSK S2c Slc Slc MM3c StM1c SKD2c Cox. MMS3c Slc Slc Slc QM3c BM2c Slc CSF EM1c Flc Cox. Cox. SK3c Slc CPhM SM2c From 2-15-44 5-15-45 2-15-44 9-13-44 5- 13--14 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 10-15-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44' 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 8-29-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-26-44 5-25-45 10-16-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 7-6-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 1-21-45 2-15-44. 2-15-44 6-20-45 5-25-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 To Present 6-4-45 5-26-45 3-17-45 7-6-44 Present 3-13-44 7-8-44 8-21-44 Present Present 3-13-44 7-8-44 3-13-44 Present 3-13-44 8-27-44 3-13-44 3-13-44 3-13-44 3-13-44 Present Present Present 3-13-44 Present Present 3-25-45 Present Present Present 4-3-45 Present Present 3-13-44 Present Present 8-23-45 8-13-44 2-24-45 1-25-45 Present Present Present Present 6-14-45 Present x Roster: SHIP'S CREW NAME HINTERLONG, E. I. HITCHINS, Reginald J. HOBBS, Fay E. 5 HOFFMAN, Werner J. HOLBROOK, James K. HOLCOMB, Griffin C. HOLMES, Rex R. HOLT, Ralph E. HOPOTEN, K. fnj HORTON, Paul J. HOVIS, Clayton A. HOVEN, Frank J. HOWARD, Harold E. HOWELL, William B. HOYT, Arthur H. HUNDERTMARK, Lyle YHUNTER, Benny H. INMAN, Vester E. INNOCENTI, Amadeo JACKSON, C. P. Jr. JACKSON, Decaylus H. JACKSON, F. V. JACKSON, Roy H. I JACKSON, Vate E., Jr. JAWORSKI, Daniel A. JENKINS, Jay E. JENKINS, Robert JENSON, Carnes L. JESSUP, Irwin J. JOHANNESSEN, L. B. JOHN, Robert W. A JOHNSON JOHNSON JOHNSON JOHNSONZ JOHNSON JOHNSON Arthur J. Vurdett E. R. L. Walter B. Walter E. William JOHNSTON, F. J. ' JONES, Albert D. JONES, A. W. JONES, C. L., Jr. JONES, James F. JONES, J. G., Jr. JONES, Randall B. JONES, William E. JORDAN, Edgar A. JOSTER, William R. Rate WT3c Slc S2c HA1c CM3c Slc Cox. SSM CLJZC Slc RM2c S2c MM2c MoMM2c Slc QM3c S2c S2c Cox. RdM3c SSM QLJ3c BM2c MM3c S2c Ck2c MM2c S2c BM2c MoMM2c MM1c Slc QM3c CRM Slc EM3c CMSC Slc Slc S2c CMM BM2c S2c Slc A MM3c Slc RM3c Slc From A 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 3-13-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-28-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2- 1 5-44 2-15-44 10-1 1-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 7-6-44 2-15-44 5-15-45 5-13-44 2- 1 5-44 10-16-45 8-29-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 5-25-45 2-15-44 5-28-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5- 13-44 5-13-44 7 -7 -45 7-6-44 9-20-45 .f To 3-25-45 Present 3-13-44 5-21-45 10-4-45 6-4-45 Present Present 4-20-44 6-3-45 .3-13-44 10-4-45 Present Present 8-23-45 3-13-44 12-3 -44 Present Present Present 8-13-44 8-23-45 3-13-44 Present Present 3-13-44 3-13-44 8-23-45 Present Present Present 10-3-44 Present Present Present Present Present 3-13-44 10-4-45 5-25-45 Present Present 8-12-44, Present Present 10-23-45 Roster: SHIP'S CREW NA M E JOYCE, J. I. -IOYNER, Benjamin F. JUAN, Vincent Cnj JUNEAU, Bobbie J. KACZYANSKI, E. J. KAMMERER, A. W. KANDLER, Earl fnj KANIA, Chester - KASCHNER, W. E. KAUP, Richard F. KAVANAUGH, C. A. KEARNEY, Merlen L. KECK, Robert L. KECKEVOET, G. C. KELEN, William KELLY, Charles B. KENNEDY, Billy G. KESSLER, Ernest M. KIEFER, William V. KING, Dorrance J. KING, James M. KING, Lincoln fnj KING, William E. KIRKWOCD, Robert E. KIRK, David H. KISSEL, Paul E. KOLB, Chester N. KOLINSKE, Roy M. KRIPPENDORF, A. G. KROST, Robert J. KULISH, John LANG, Richard P. LANGFIELD, Irving A. LANGFORD, Jesse LANGFORD S. C. LAPIN, Alforse J. LAUER, Ernest H. LAURITZEN, O. W. LEONARD, Clement LESKO, William P. LEW, Gnit S. LICHTLE, Donald W. LIMONGELLO, Michael LINT, Ray W. LIRETTE, Donald T. LISTER, Oliver D. LITTLE, Ralph B. Rate SF3c S2c Slc S2c S2c CSK Cox. S2c GM3c PhM1c F2c BM2c S2c - WT2c CK2c S2c Cox. SC1c S2c Slc Cox. SC3c CSM GM3c F2c S2c PhM2c S2c BM2c GM2c F2c SC2c SM3c StM1c Slc F2c Slc EM3c PhM2c GM3c CK2c F2c SC2c S2c F2c Cox. GM1c From 2-27-44 2-15-44 7-6-44 2-15-44 5-25-45 4- 14-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 5-25-45 5-27-45 2-27 -44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 10-11-45 5-25-45 5-21-44 2- 1 5-44 2-15-44 8-20-45 8-29-44 5- 13-44 2- 1 5-44 2-15-44 10-1 1-45 5-25-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 10-16-45 5-25-45 9-20-45 4-14-44 2-22-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 To Present 3-13-44 3-13-44 Present 8-19-44 Present 4-26-44 Present Present 3-13-44 8-18-45 3-13-44 3-25-45 Present Present 12-9-44 Present 3-13-44 Present Present Present Present Present Present Present 3-25-45 3-13-44 Present Present 3-13-44 Present 12-8-44 Present 6-22-44 3-13-44 Present 10-4-45 10-4-45 Present 10-4-45 3-13-44 10-23-45 3-13-44 3-13-44 2-26-45 8-18-45 Roster: I SHIP'S SCREW NAME LITTLE, Rollin I. LITTLE, Robert L. , LOCKEN, Russell L. LOCKWOOD, Thomas D. LOEWEN, Maurice LOGES, Frederick W. LOIZZI, Michael A. LOMMORI, Peter ' LONCARIC, Steffan LONGNECKER, Earl L. LONGENECKER, W. D. LGUDER, William H. LOVE, Jack E. LUMMIS, Howard K. LYNCH, Jones R. MACKEY, Paul E. MACKRISS, A. R. MADDEM, Paul F. ' MADER, Lincoln S. MADRONIO, Thomas MAKOVEC, Ivan I. MALINOSKI, Frank M. MALLOY, Thomas R. MALONE, George E. MANDERNACH, john, Jr MAN LEY, Richard E. MANN, Vincent J. MANTONE, Thomas D. MARCH, Walter H. MARCHANT, F. J. MARRUJO, Frutoso Sq MARSHALL, Coen E. MARSHALL, Oley W. MARTIN, Albert P. MARTIN, Charles F. MARTIN, James L. MARTIN, Paul WP. , MARTIN, Ralph K. MARUSKA, jerry V. MASTEL, Peter MASTY, Mike A. MATHIS, W. S. A MATOCHA, George R. MATOTT, Arthur E. ' MATSON, Oswald V. MAUERMAN, Paul R. . MAULIK, Frank O. Rate GM1c MM2c MoMM3c F2c S2c F2c S2c Slc SF1c A Slc F2c BMIC SK1c RM3c BM2c MM2c CY PhM1c CK1c MM2c RdM2c Slc S2c F2c I RT3c Slc Slc SC3c MMZQ RM3c CM3c Bkr3c MM3c Cox. RT2c SCB2c Slc ' HA1c HA1c Flc Cox. A Slc QSMJ MM3c Slc GM3c From 2-15-44 5-28-44 2-15-44 10-1 1-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 3-31-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 3-1-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 7-7-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 9-20-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 9-8-44 9-8-44 10-1 1-45 9-8-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 9-8-44 2-15-44 6-4-45 9-8-44 9-8-44 9-8-44 2-15-44 5-26-45 9-8-44 9-8-44 8-31-44 9-8-44 9-8-44 5-25-44 9-8-44 5-1 1-45 9-8-44 9-8-44 9-8-44 'To Present 12-9-45 Present Present 3-13-44 3-13-44 8-12-45 Present 9-9-44 3-25-45 3-13-44 8-18-45 Present 10-8-45 Present Present 5-27-45 10-4-45 10-23-45 Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present 5-17-45 Present Present Present Present Present Present Present 3-25-45 5-21-45 5-21-45 Present Present Present Present Present 10-9-45 Roster: SHIP'S CREW NA IW E MC CALDEN, David, Jr. MC COY, Eligah MC COY, M. E. MC CURDY, Donald MC DOUGAL, Albert T. MC GOWAN, B. MC KARNIN, Gerald W. MC KENZIE, Walter S. MC KEOWN, Frank L. MC LELLAN, Thomas A MC NAMARA, Leo P. MEIBAUM, C. L. MEITZNER, John P. MERMILLIOD, Lawrence MERRILL, james W. MEYERS, Bernard R.f MICHALCZYK, A. J., Jr. MILLER, Fred J. MILLER, john MILLER, Wiley R. MOBLEY, William H., Jr. MODRELL, Dale A. MORAWSKI, Andrew , MORGAN, Donald L. MORMON MORRIESE, W. A. MRAZ, Raymond MUNSON, Glenn J. - MURRAY, Robert C. MUZDAKIS, Joseph L. MUZZI, Carl R. , MYERS, R. I. MYRICK, Willis J. NADEAU, Yves L. NASTEL, Peter - NEIGHBORS, H. A., Jr. NELSON, Earl W. NELSON, Llewellyn E. NICELY, R. C. NICOLETTA, Lewis F. NICHOLS, Frank M., Jr. NOLAN, E. P. ' NORDIN, Dale K. NORMAN, Arnold E. NUGENT, Frank E., Jr. OLIVER, Robert M. OLIVER, Virgil B. Rate Fle St3c Slc S20 Slc Slc CWT Slc Bkrlc SZC. SF1c BMlc Slc Slc Stlc RM3c WTlc SICQSMQ BM1c . Cox. I-IA2c W'I'1c WT3c Flc StM1c Slc Slc PhM3c CPhM CBM Slc Bkrlc BM2c HA1c HA1c S2c ' StM2c Slc, HA1c Slc HA1c- MM2c CBM CBM Slc- WT2c F rom 8-20-45 5-25-45 5-25-45 2-15-44 10-16-45 5-15-45 , 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 5-15-45 2-15-44 5-11-45 2-15-44 5-11-45 12-21-44 2-15.-44 10-7-45 4-19-44 2-15-44 8-20-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-25-45 9-20-45 9-20-45 2-15-44 5-15-45 2-15-44 7-6-44 3-17-45 10-7-45 4-15-44 5-15-45 5-25-45 9-20-45 10-15-45 10-7-45 4-19-44 2- 1 5-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 To Present Present Present 3-13-44 Present 10-25-45 Present . Present 9-9-44 3-13-44 8-18-45 10-4-45 Present 10-23-45 Present Present Present Present 5'-26-45 Present Present 8-23-45 5-10-45 Present 7-8-44 Present 10-23-45 10-4-45 10-4-45 10-4-45 Present 8-13-44 8-23-45 5-21-45 Present 6-22-44 10-4-45 Present 10-4-45 Present Present 5-26-45 9-9-44 10-31-44 Present 9-14-44 Roster: SHIP'S CREW NA M E 5 , O'DONNELL, Clifford R. OLSEN, Hardy L. ORD-YNIEC, Frank S. OREM, Herbert E., jr. OSTREGEN, Bertis PARK, William L. PARKER, Donald C. PARKER, Gene R. PARKER, Kenneth L. PARKS, Charles R. PASTINE, George C., jr. PEASLEY, Kimball N. . PEACOCK, Winston Q. PENNINGTON, B. G. PENNY, Herbert PERRY, Forrest PETERS, Edward Jr PETERSON, Donald O. PETTUS, Jack B. PEXTON, Thomas E. PHILLIPS, Clovis H. PIERCE, Armstead H. POST, Louis R. POTENZA, Miehael S. POWELL, Herbert L. PRATT, K. A. I PRATT, Virgil L. PRICE, joseph D. PUGH, Marlen O.- PULLUM, Richard M. QUEBEDEAUZ, J. J. RACPOWSKI, S. A. RAMI-REZ, Thomas H. RANDLE, Albert L. . RANKIN, John H. REAMS, jack REED, Thomas B. REYNOLDS, Herman E. RICCI, Dante RICHARDS, Francis V. RICHARDSON, Joseph CQ RICHTER, Ernest J. RIDLON, john W. RIDOLFI, Thomas P. RIGGS, C. E. RILEY, 'john A., Ir. Rate Slc QMIC WT3c SF1c RM3c Slc Flc S2c GM lc F2c PhM2c Flc Slc Cox. n Cox. Cox. Slc RM3c SM lc RTZC RM lc StM2c EM3c WT2c EM2e S2c MM3c BMZC SM2c ' Flc WTZC S2c QM2c RM3c WT3c MM2c Slc ' SC1c RM3c sKqD51c CMM FICQMMJ Slc MM3e 5 From 8-21-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 7-6-44 2- 1 5-44 5-25-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 6-19-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 7-6-44 10-15-45 5-11-45 2-15-44 5-25-45 2-15-44 10-22-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 8-29-44 5-25-45 5-26-44 8-29-44 2-15-44 8-20-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-21-44 5-1 1-44 - 2-15-44 2-15-44 8-30-44 2-15-44 5-1 1-44 9-20-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 6- 19-45 5-15-45 5-27-44 To Present 2-21-44 Present Present 10-8-45 10-23-45 3-13-44 Present 2-24-45 3-13-44 10-23-45 3-13-44 Present Present Present 10-23-45 Present Present Present Present 3-25-45 Present 7-7-44 Present 6-18-45 10-26-45 Present 9-12-44 10-31-44 Present 3-13-44 Present 3-13-44 Present 5-13-4,5 Present 6-18-45 Present 5-13-45 3-25-45 5-26-45 10-9-45 6-18-45 Present Roster: SI-IIP'S' CREW NAME RILEY, William E. RINGSTAFF, Rufus A. RIORDAN, Matthew 1.1 ROBINSON, james C. ROBINSON, William B. RODDY, James H. ROGERS, Huey P. ROGERS, K. E. ROGERS, Norman S. ROGERSON, Edward J. ROMANS, Robert R. ROSEBERRY, Paul ROSENTHALI, Philip ROSSART, Raymond H. ROSS, Carl M. A ROUMAINE, Calvin M. ROWLEY, Edward J. ROZBORSKI, Henry A. RUBINSTEIN, H. B. RUCHMAN, Harry A. RUSSELL, Robert W. RUST, Laurence C. RUTTER, Edwin C. SABO, Robert J. SALLAS, G. T. SANDIFIER, E. I. SAN GIORGIO, Joseph SAN ROMAN, Armendo SANTELLA, Albert A. SAWYER, James G. SCALFARO, James H. SCHILLO, Bernard SCHREINER, Adam SCOTT, Adophuas K. SCOTT, Raymond T. SEDERSTRAND, C. E. SEGURA, Vinder P. SELVITELLA, Louis SENTELLE, Hascal M. SEYMOUR, Walter L. SHEARER, Delbert D. SHEPARD, John E. SHOULDERS, C. P. SHREFFLER, R. T. SISK, Obie A. SIZIAN, Harry SKEBO, Mike fnj Rate BM2c SF2c Slc RM3c RM3c CMM SK3c Slc GM2c ' SK3c RM3c WT3c COX. Cox. Slc S2c F2c Slc PhM2c SC3c EM3c EM2c CM2c Slc CSM Slc S2c MoMM3c CK1c RM3c BM1c Cox. CK3c Slc SC2c StMlc CRM .CCSCAJ GM3c SSM QLj3c EM3c Slc CEM CPhM EM2c Slc From 2-15-44 2-15-44 8-29-44 5-11-45 5-11-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-15-45 4-14-44 5-13-44 5-11-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 9-8-44 9-8-44 3-1-45 2-15-44 5-15-45 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-11-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 9-8-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 10-7-45 2-15-44 5-13-44 To Present Present 8-12-45 Present 5-13-45 6-16-45 10-4-45 8-23-45 8-23-45 Present 5-13-45 8-13-44' 8-13-44 6-4-45 Present 3-13-44 3-13-44 Present Present Present 10-4-45 10-9-45 3-25-45 6-22-44 Present 5-14-45 Present 4-5-44 8-13-44 3-16-44 5-25-45 8-13-44 Present 6-18-45 5-26-45 Present Present 8-18-45 9-15-44 Present Present Present 8-23-45 3-15-44 Present 12-2-44 Present Roster: SI-IIP'S CREW NAME SKEET, William Qnj SMALLWOOD, O. M. SMITH SMITHZ SMITH SMITH SMITH SMITH SMITH SMITH A. W. George F. John A. L. E. ' I Leonard A. Lloyd V. Robert E. Roger S. SPEENEY, Albert M. SPRAGUE, Lester F. STARRY, Harold E. STERLING, Forest STETTNER, Thomas A. STETZ, Michael R. 1 STEWART, James P. STIMMELL, Albert W. STOCEK, Edward G. STONE, Bernard G. STONE, Joe D. , STOREY, C. C. STRIKER, Robert VV. STROHPAUL, Leo STURMAN, D. B. SUTHERLAND, Dale E. SUTPHIN, Bernard B. SWANSON, Robert F. SWEESY,.Gerald L. TANGNEY, john H. TARPLEY, Charles E. TAYLOR, R. E. THAYER, Henry THIGPEN, Baylus C. THOMAS, A. L. THOMAS, R. THOMAS, Melvin R. THOMPSON, George E. THOMPSON, C. THOWE, Donald O. ' TITCOMB, Harold L. TOPLEY, Billy W. TOVVNSEND, John E. TRIPP, Orville S. TRUSSELL, Warner TUCKER, Merlon D. 1 TULL, Leland E. 1 x Rate BM1c EM3c . Flc CCM RdM3c MoMM1c CSM Slc Slc Cox. Slc MM3c Y1c SM3c MoMM1c RM3c. Slc CEM CPhM CMM Slc Slc CGM FC2c F2c Slc RdM2c Slc CQM BM1c Slc Slc Slc Slc . Flc Slc Slc Cox. WT3c Flc Slc HA2c PhM3c S2c Slc ' CMM F rom 2-15-44 5-25-45 2-26-44 2-15-44 9-20-45 5-25-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 10-15-45 9-8-44 5-11-44 8-29-44 2-15-44 5-11-45 5-13-44 5-25-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-15-45 4-15-44 2-15-44 5-16-45 8-20-45 5-15-45 2-15-45 9-8-44 2- 1 5-44 2- 1 5-44 5'-12-45 2-1 1-45 10-16-45 3-13-44 5-15-45 2- 1 5-44 2-15-44 2-27-44 2- 1 5-44 6-15-45 2- 1 5-44 9-13-44 5-22-45 2-15-44 8-20-45 2-15-44 To 5-26-45 ' Present 5-1 1-44 4-2-45 Present 10-4-45 7-8-44 4-28-45 10-23-45 5-26-45 Present Present 12-8-44 10-4-45 Present Present 12-15-44 8-12-45 10-4-45 -12-9-44 10-12-45 Present 12-9-44 8-23-45 Present Present 4-22-45 8-23-45 5-27 -45 4-26-44 Present 5-27-45 Present 4-20-44 Present Present 5-26-45 5-26-45 5-21-45 Present Present 3-17-45 Present 3-13-44 Present 9-12-44 Roster: SHIP'S CREW NA M E I TURNER, james R. TURNER, Lewis T. VAN DERLYN, Harvey VAN DEVENTER, Leroy E. VANIER, Alexander VAN WERMESKERKEN, J. VENNES, Paul K. A VILLA, S. R. VINING, Ronald H. WAGNER, Frederick M. WAGNER, Harold A. WALKER, Harold D. WALKER, Harold E. ' WALKER, Ray O. WALLACE, Ernest WALLACE, Maurice WALLSCHLAEGER, W. WALLIS, Willis C. WARREN, A. R. WASE, G. G. WATKINS, Thomas K. WATSON, Charles QKWATSON, Edward E. WATSON, Midfer H. WEAN, Thomas M. WEGNER, Stanley WEST, S. L. WHEELUS, John T. WHITE, Herbert E. WHITE, James E. WHITNEY, T. J. WIDGINS, Ernest M. WIGGINS, Glen S. WILKINS, Clarence H. WILKINS, Horace WILSON, William, Jr. WISECARVER, Meryl ' WISNER, W. A. WOLFE, Donald H. WOLFE, George E. WOLFSON, R. G. WOODIN, Harold H. WROE, James A. YARNELL, James H. YATES, John L. YONKIN, john H. YOUNG, John R. 'Deceased Rate Slc RM2c EM3tc SSM QBj3c EMZC S2e ' S2c . CM3c Slc EMIC Slc Flc RM3c StM1c F2c RM3c MoMM3c S1cCRdMj Slc CMZQ Fle SZCCRMD HA1c Slc F2c SICQLCD HA1c SC2c F2c SICCLCJ BM2c S2c F20 St3c . SK2c MoMM3c S1c BM1c FC2c FIC BM2c F2c StM1c EM3c St3c From 2-15-44 2-15-44 8- 16-44 5-26-44 2- 1 5-44 2- 1 5-44 8-20-45 2- 1 5-44 2-15-44 5-13-44 8-16-44 4-15-44 5-25-45' 5-13-44 8-16-44 2-15-44 9-8-44 5-15-45 5-11-45 5-15-45 3-28-44 6-15-45 5-11-44 5-12-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-15-44 6-19-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-15-45 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 3-28-44 2-15-44 2-15-44 5-25-45 10-15-45 2-15-44 9-20-45 2- 1 5-44 5-25-45 2-15-44 To Present 7-8-44 Present Present Present Present Present 3-13-44 8-13-44 8-12-45 9-7-44 Present Present Present 3-13-44 Present Present 8-15-45 10-23-45 Present Present 5-31-44 10-23-45 3-25-45 3-13-44 Present Present 6-22-44 3-13-44 Present 9-14-44 6-22-44 3-13-44 10-4-45 10-4-45 3-13-44 6-4-45 8-18-45 2-24-45 8-23-45 Present 3-13-44 4-3-45 Present 8-13-44 PLAN OF THE DAY - SATURDAY, 17 MARCH 19145 DUTY OFFICHY - Lieutenant ADALS Duty Dag. -Officers - Lt.fjgD HIRE Lt.fjgJ DIXON Ensign FERGUSON msign vman. Lt. fjgj WITCHEI Lt.CjgI DIXON Ensign FERGUSON - Mach. STONE Duty M.A.A. - WISNE, BM2c Duty Electrician - DANIEL, EM3c Call cooks of the watch. Call BM's of divisions and police petty officers. 0.0.D, WATCH 0800 1200 - 1200 1600 - 1600 2000 - 2000 21.00 - OOOO 01400 - OLOO OGOO - 0430 0515 0530 REVEILLE. 0600 0630 0700 0815 0830 1130 1200 1300 11.00 1630 Wash and clamp down upper decks before breakfast. Shift into the uniform of the day - DUNGAREBS, WHITE HATS - UNDRESS WHITE WITHCXJT NECKIIICHIEFS FDR AQ MDI ON WATCH TOPSIDE. Boat leaves with Supply working party. PIPE DOWN TO BREAKFAST MUSTER ON STATIONS. SICK CALL. Pipe sweepers - Mess Gear. PIPE DOWN 'IU DINNER. Instruction Period. 'lurn to. Until darken ship, recorded program 191. hatch. 30 minutes before sunset, electrician test out running lights. PIPE DOWN T0 SUPPER. EIGHT O'CLOCK REPORTS. Iiyxts out in quarters. 1700 1815 2100 2.1.30 Tape. NOTICE ffl - NOTICE W2 - NOTICE 03 - NOTICE :Wo - CIGARETTE BUTTS - ID NUT THROW THEM ON DECK. - UNDRESS WHITE WITHOUT NECKERCHIEFS FOR ALL HANDS ON TOPSIDE, AND FOR BOAT WCRKINI PARTY - 2 MDI 2 MEN ruunmu mn womuuo THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE CREWS - ALL OTHERS, DUNGAREES AND WHITE FROM lst DIV, 2 MD! FROM 2nd DIV., FROM B DIV, 2 MEN FROM N DIV. PARTY - DUNGAREE5 AND WHITE HATS, WAS RECEIVED FROM CinCPac THIS DATE: FROM: COMMANDH IN Cl-EEF, U.S. PACIFIC PLET. ACTION: U.S.S. COMET CAP 1661. WELCOME TO PEARL. HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS UPON THE COMPLETION OF A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL 'NUR OF COM-HAT ?XITY. ' fs! J. B. BLEE, Lieutenant, USNR., Executive Officer. Pipe Down to Breakfast I I I swff cr H - A Clean Shlp , ,f , petty officers. REVEILLE - mid-watch standers. XT, Turn on lights quarters. 'L AL UARTEIS. I Q.. 0600 ineo the uniform of the day - uuwcmaes wrm mnc SLEEVE: sums. HELMET LINBIS - ICEEP STEEL HELMETS AT HAND. 0700 PIPE noww TO Mass. . mi 0815 Musmza ON STATIONS. bg.: 'XURN '10, Carry out sh1p's work. ML 0830 SICK CALL. iz,- J.l3O Pipe sweepers, less Gear. 1200 PIPE DOWN 'ID MESS. l6b5 Until darken ship Recorded Program fl, hatch. l 1 30 minutes before sunset, electrician test out running lights. 1700 PIPE DOWN 'KJ MESS. v 2100 Lights out in quarters. 2,30 Taps. - F F . NOTICE-QVI I Au. HANDS wma KAPOK LIFE ncxms. ,QUE-IEE-,Q I full ll-: In-as guns GAS msxs me NEAR G.Q. STATIONS. QOL: ' ' 'VPECTED mon emu-3 'ro me msrrr. I 'HE ONLY ALTERNATE COURSE 1 F oc sl Aye Nth. Pharmacy as 41'- . , i 'X 'wg,M1:WWgv Mk M , A. ' 2211- '.,.ff K X , V .X f 4 gen, Ulm I Q 'F-.fi I I I K5 f 1 ,fx y - 1 ,-1 21. ,, 'Q l-'lu .426 6 A Happy fx' :Ox f 'QQ ,Z No.2 W, 2 Aa .Q .I 'M 3 -V Qfw 1- ' L' si F It S71 X 23 8 f i