Cotten (DD 669) - Naval Cruise Book

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was picked for this mission on a basis of her outstanding performances during past train- ing maneuvers. On 7 July the COTTEN turned south to meet and escort the U. S. S. ST. PAUL. After the cruiser we then retraced our steps and headed for area S, this being a point on the chart so designated for strategic reasons. Upon arriving at Kosong the ship was assigned missions for the coming two days. We then proceeded to shell gun emplacements, supply lines, storage areas and other targets of vital need to our communist enemy. joining As soon as our mission at Kosong was completed we again headed our bow north for the now perilous Wonsan Harbor. It was this now famous harbor that was the target of the longest siege of any port in naval history. Also most of the hits scored. on U. N. ships during the Korean War were inflicted while our naval forces were shelling supply lines in this area. Once at Wonsan the ship was again given a specific area to concentrate on. Radar installations were now added to the previous list of targets which we were supposed to try to destroy. Evidently our tries were of great success according to the reports of spotters in helicopters and shore fire control parties on the beach who observed the damage done by our shells. We were reported to have scattered troop concentrations, hit storage areas, and completely broken up a convoy of trucks laden with supp-lies for our enemy forces. On the second day of shelling we received counter battery fire from shore installations which scored one hit on the ST. PAUL. Luckily damage was slight and there were no casualties. Immediately the Big J, better known as the battleship NEW JERSEY, leveled her huge 16 inch guns shoreward. This was all we needed and the batteries that were firing on us were soon silenced. It sure was a nice feeling to know those big 16 inchers were on our side. - Thirteen july saw the ship relieved to return to the bombline at Kosong. As darkness enclosed the sea of japan, the COTTEN arrived off the coast at Kosong. We were immediately given our assignments for that night and the following day. Once again we proceeded to shell the afore mentioned targets with great success. Upon completing our missions at Wonsan and Kosong we returned to TF 77 on 15 july for two more days of screening duty, before a well deserved seven day rest in Sasebo. At this time it was not known but upon completion of our operations in Korea, the CGTTEN was the only ship of DesDiv 302 to be detached for shore bombardment duties. This we consider an honor, for it is known that only the most efficient ships are selected for missions such as that which we had just successfully completed. On 24 july the revamped DesDiv 302 hoisted anchor and headed north to the port of Hakodate, on the Island of Hokkaido, to prepare for the forthcoming Anti-Submarine Warfare training. On 26.July after over 5 years of bloodshed an armistice was signed in Korea at 10:01 A. M. An immediate wave of joy and relief swept through the ship upon receipt of this long awaited news. It is felt that during the short time we did see action we all benefited from the experi- ence. It was our pleasure to fight side by side with such ships as the NEW JERSEY, ST. PAUL, MANCHESTER, WILTSIE and IRWIN. Hostilities having drawn to a close, we must remember always to be ready.

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