Damato (DDE 871) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 104 of the 1953 volume:

itp jrt CANADA Jf- flANTIO OCl STATF8 fAtO rOLK a 8f£Mi DA saaamamoBmm OCEAN , JA?V -4 eucoA ' ROC CO ]ALOERIA TUfilSJA use 1 i ix i ix - ■A- iz Tis fine to see the Old Worl :l, and travel up and down, Among the famous palaces ar.d Cities of renown, To admire the crumbly castles ar.d the statues of the kings,- HENRY VAN DYKE )) U.S.S. DAMATO The Story oj The Ship The keel of the U.S.S. DAMATO (DDE- 871), a 2400 ton long hull type destroyer was laid on 10 May 1945, at Stat en Island, New- York by the Bethlehem Steel Company. On 21 November 1945, the Damato slid down the ways and began her preparations to join the Fleet. The Damato was named in honor of Corporal Anthony Peter Damato, U. S. Marine Corps, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for action on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, on 19 February 1944. Corporal Da- mato distinguished himself by bravery above and beyond the call of duty by covering an enemy hand grenade with his body in order to save the lives of his two companions. On 27 April 1946, the DAMATO was formally commissioned at a brief ceremony in the U. S. Naval Shipyard, New York, with Corporal Damato ' s mother, Mrs. Frances Damato, acting as official sponsor for the ship. The DAMATO operated independently until 13 December 1947, at which time she joined four other destroyers in Destroyer Di- vision 81, a unit of Destroyer Squadron 8, known as the Eight-ball Squadron . De- stroyer Division 81 operated with Hunter- Killer One, a task group made up of destroy- ers and a carrier whose mission was to hunt for submarines. In August and September 1949, the DAMATO made a cruise to France and England with Naval Academy Midship- men aboard, and in November 1949 she went north to participate in cold weather opera- tions in Artie waters. 1950 was a very active year for the DAMATO starting out with her participation in a big fleet exercise down in the Carribean near Puerto Rico. Upon her return from this operation, known as Opera- tion Portrex , the DAMATO received an as- signment to Destroyer Division 82, another unit of the Eight-ball Squadron . Anti- submarine Warfare training was the main concern after that until July of 1950, when the DAMATO and Hunter-Killer Group One took time to visit Quebac, Canada on another Midshipmen Cruise. In September 1950 Hunter-Killer Group One was ordered to the Mediterranean for training with large fleet units. The DAMATO left the United States on 2 September 1950 stopping over, enroute, at Iceland, where they had a chance to see the world . The DAMATO arrived in Italy in the latter part of September, and took part in frequent fleet exercises. In between these exercises she visited Naples, Palermo, Au- gusta and Villefrance (French Riviera). At the end of October the DAMATO and Hunter- Killer Group One left the Mediterranean Homeward Bound, exercising enroute in op- eration Convex , an amphibious landing. Then followed Christmas leave and some training until the ship entered the Philadel- phia Naval Shipyard. In January 1951 the DAMATO was assigned to the Escort De- stroyer Squadron 4. After departure from the yard and com- pletion of Hunter-Killer exercises in the South Atlantic, the DAMATO departed in Septem- ber 1951 for the Mediterranean Area. In a visit to Tangier, North Africa, the entire crew was entertained by members of the American Colony culminating in a formal dance given in their honor, and a reception on board for their congenial hosts. Departing from Tangier she joined units of the Netherlands Navy in DDE-871 Hunter-Killer exercises in the Mediterranean. After making the usual Southern European ports of call she returned to the States for Christmas Holidays. One of her major opera- tions during 1952 was her participation in Convex III , as a unit of Hunter-Killer Forces, United States Atlantic Fleet. During this fleet- wide exercise Hunter-Killer and Convoy Es- cort exercises were held in areas from the New England coastline to the coast of Mexico. In August 1952 the DAMATO was award- ed the Battle Efficiency Plaque for fiscal year 1952. ■ i DA JATO m rfiovER  l! fiSRP. MfiJfiii PETSfi L i ' HM .1. g ' , ' . f rvri - ri. t tJ :T tdrAU I. iiiiiiJilirr AniiiMltillfrM FOOTNOTES— The DAMATO has three times been awarded the NAVY SERVICE OCCUPATION MEDAL with European Clasp for service with NELM Forces. ... In May, 1951 the DAMATO broke the Philadelphia Navy Yard Blood Bank record wi ' th contribution of 140 pints of blood given in one day. ... In June, 1951 the DAMATO was declared by the Commander-in-Chief of the ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY, to be ... the cleanest ship I have ever been aboard . This was received as a high tribute from the head of a Naval Organization whose own policy is the very essence of cleanliness and sanitation. ... In Jun3, 1952 the DAMATO was saluted in the syndicated column of Walter Winchell for its generous contribution to the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund. . . . On September 18, 1952 the DAMATO officially crossed the Arctic Circle in position 66 degrees 33 minutes north and 03 degrees 55 minutes east, the first in traditional Navy line Crossings by this ship. AND THIS CRUISE . . . On 26 August 1952 the DAMATO departed Norfolk, Virginia to participate in a triduum of history making exercises with the military forces of other nations, members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The first of the three operations, Gannet was with ships of the Portugese Navy, the second, Mainbrace , which was widely hailed throughout the democratic world as a great step toward unified Naval Defense, started after a three day layover at Gourock, Scotland, where the Firth of Clyde was crammed with ships of Her British Majesty ' s Navy, the Navy of the Netherlands, and the Navy of France. Landing forces of these nations joined in a gigantic assault on the shores of Norway. At the completion of this exercise the ship proceeded to Southampton, which afforded the crew members an oppor- tunity to visit London. Their experience in Glasgow and Greenock while the ship was in Gourock, Scotland, assured them of a splendid welcome in the ports of the British Isles. They were not disappointed. Then on to Tangier where the never ceasing hospitality of the resident Naval Es- tablishment and members of the American Colony was thoroughly enjoyed. Tea, formal dance, and as a culmination of nearly a week of delightful experiences, a genuine bull fight with Rear Admiral Frank T. Ward of the U. S. Navy as honorary president of the Interna- tional association sponsoring the affair. From Tangier to Gibraltar is but a short trip and then liberty in La Lenia, Spain, for most of the men while some of the people journeyed to Seville, and Malaga. Naples and the neighboring historical cities of Rome and Pompeii were the next spots to be visited. Departing Naples the ship traveled to Augusta, in Sicily for replenishment. The French Riviera ' s beautiful city of Cannes was hostess for our next period of Shore Leave . One day tours of the Riviera to the border town of Menton attracted a number of the men who were on their second and third trips to the Riviera, and had friends scattered through the towns of Nice, Ville France, and Monte Carlo in the principal of Monoco. The novices made pilgrimages to Paris and Switzerland. The start of the third exercise was from Cannes and consisted of a trip through the Mediterranean with amphibious craft in our wake to simulate a landing in Turkey. This was operation Longstep . After Longstep we called at the port of Algiers from whence a few members of the crew took a trip across the Atlas Mountains, the Northern Border of the Sahara Desert in Algeria to the Oasis Bou Saada and the holy city of El Hamel . All the ships in com- pany joined in entertaining the children of The Methodist Mission at La Palmerie, Al- giers, on Thanksgiving afternoon — leaving a carload of American toys for the children ' s greater enjoyment of the Christmas holiday. A sprint to Gibraltar and then started the Long Voyage Home to Norfolk, arriving in the States on 6 December, just in time for Christmas leaves. Christmas Eve was marked by a Christmas party for underprivileged children of Norfolk and vicinity. Their hosts were the children of the DAMATO ' s ships company. During the month of December both our Commanding Officer and our Executive Offi- cer were relieved. Commander Meadors by Commander Victor F. Wadsworth, Lieutenant Commander Beck by Lieutenant Commander Robert J. Sammons. Commander Meadors is now attached to CINCLANT Staff, and re- siding in Norfolk, while Lieutenant Com- mander Beck has returned to inactive duty, practicing law in Boston, Massachusetts and residing in Canton, Massachusetts. On 6 January 1953 the DAMATO was again underway as Flagship for Rear Ad- miral Chester C. Wood, Commander De- stroyer Flotilla FOUR, who rode as an ob- server during operation Springboard . With the Carribean as an operating area, we were also treated to a few good liberty ports; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas and Port of France in Martinique. . . . And so of the future we know not. . . . Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in the great waters, and Thy footsteps are not known . Psalms 77-19. THE CAPTAIN ... WILLIAM WINFIELD MEADORS, Commander, United States Navy Born March 21, 1920, the son of the late Mr. Irby Meadors and Mrs. Meadors of 522 2nd Avenue, Albany, Georgia, Commander Meadors was educated in the Public Schools of Albany. A graduate of North Georgia College in Dahlanega, Georgia, in 1940, he entered the Navy as an Ensign. He has served in the Gunnery Department of the U.S.S. Anderson (DD 411), as Gunnery Officer of the U.S.S. Heermann (DD 532), as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. Claxton (572), as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Foss (EDE 57) and as Operations Officer and Navigator of the U.S.S. Fargo (CL 106). He reported aboard the Damato as Commanding Officer in January 1951 to be vi ith us for almost two years and was relieved by Commander Victor F. Wadsworth as our Skipper on 20 December, 1952. Commander Meadors is now serving in the Planning Department of the Commander-in-Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia. ; f w -.-ii SAILORS ♦ yr dyfciiiifhi.. Wi? ' l«t X j - For THIS is a BOOK of SAILORS . . . The faces and the places on these pages are all projected against a background of the sea, and as you look, and read, you must hear its sounds: the sluicing of the sea at the ships bow, its rumbling at the fantail, and the passage of wind in the rigging. [For this is a book of sailors.) There is Collins, red face gleaming with spray, urging his deck apes to get the slack out of that line; and Ward, swaying through a passageway, a bag of change for the Coke machine in one hand, and in the other a list of electronic spares; and Litten squinting down a 40mm barrel; and Gjerding, his blue shirt soaked with sweat generated in the moist and humid for- ward engine room, taking a breath of air in the midships passage; and the Del Signers, in the steaming galley; and Captain Meadors peering upwind as he conns the ship along- side a wallowing carrier; and Wright, squat- ting happily in the Torpedo Shack with his fifth cup of coffee; and Spitz ram-rodding the mess deck, — and three hundred others you came to know during your cruise on the DAMATO. A year, ten years from now, see- ing these faces again, you will remember a familiar tone of voice, smell the acrid stack gasses clouding the bridge in a following wind, feel once more the biting chill of an early winter hour at the C. E. Piers. You will see the grey combers of a North Atlantic gale rearing mountain-like against the ship ' s side, or recall the green shadowed eminence of Gibraltar against Mediterranean stars. Men travel in trains, in planes, in cars, but it is only in a ship that men travel — and live, and who can tell the landsman how it is to live with men in a ship at sea? Do they know why it is that in weeks and months at sea the everlasting immensity of the ocean around one, and the heavens overhead makes man seem small, and each man more than life-size? Think, yourself, how well you remember your shipmates. Does the landsman know what the wind can do, out there beyond the horizon? No picture can show him those endless watches, those hours, days and weeks of a howling gale, with the ship lunging heavily into the sea and the bow exploding in a fan of spray which the wind ships aft in smoking stream- ers which lash the pilot house windows and drive the lookouts to cover. Below decks, in passageways and engineering spaces, men stagger and cling, riding the ship, fighting the sea with their muscles and their minds, while the loose gear crashes for days and nights and the funnels are crusted with salt and the rust begins. And how would you paint for him the gentle quiet of a spring night, at anchor in Lynnhaven roads, the whisper of the tide along the side, and the soft light of a full moon over the Virginia shore, and the promise of port the next morn- ing? Or the lilac Mediterranean lake at dawn, as the ship stands in to anchor at a Riviera port? Will you, in time to come, tell from some rolling rocking chair on a tree shaded porch, of Lamy ' s singing at the Gibraltar smoker, of the time you almost fell overboard from the liberty launch in Tangier, of the night-time search for the crew of a plane which crashed in the Straits of Sicily, of standing rigidly at mast in the chart house, of spinning shut the throttle when the starboard engine lost lube oil pressure during a full power run, of having the Commander in Chief of the Canadian Navy tell you that this was the cleanest ship he ' d ever seen, of crouching tensely in Mount One the first time you ' d ever helped fire a five-inch gun, of watching the orange tracers stream out from your 20mm to the target, of standing stiffly at quarters for inspection while the Captain ' s eyes swept down the blue ranks of your division? What other mem- ories will you have of this watery, wind- swept, regimented but wonderful life at sea on a United States man-of-war? You can say to yourself, in time to come, that this cruise was more than a voyaging and more than a mere traveling. It was for its time, a way of life. And remembering this seafaring, you can say to yourself more: that in this time and in this ship you stood to your station and were, or still are, a sailor in the world ' s best Navy. S( ilie fiew . . . This book is offered as a souvenir of a great occasion in the history of a great ship, the winning of the Desiant Battle Efficiency Award by the U.S.S. Damato. To describe the time and effort, the sweat and toil and blood that was poured into winning this award would in itself fill a book. The story of the post-yard shake down period at Guan- tanamo Bay, Cuba; the rigorous training period, general quar- ters, drills, inspections, ori ' s, battle problems, each would fill a page. All this and your outstandingly fine attitude and success- ful completion of the required exercises and problems lent a fine foundation for the work of a year which was to culminate in winning for you the coveted E . The events depicted in this book are re-occurring in the life of a destroyer sailor, even the ports of call in the Mediterranean area, most of them are revisited annually, thus the presentation is typical of life in the Damato. It is hoped that ports have been portrayed to the degree that the book will also serve as a travel guide on your next cruise and excite an interest in places which formerly seemed to possess no color. The book represents the finest production that the editor and his staff have been able to assemble with their limited talents and experience. It has been a pleasure working for a crew which has shown such tremendous interest in backing the project and the most rewarding knowledge that we can hope for is that you are satisfied. We sincerely hope that you will find many personal remi- niscences scattered through its pages; we hope that in poring thru you may see a former shipmate to whom you owe a letter — end :i: c; or that it v ill remind you of a note of thanks you owe to someone hospitable in Scotland, England, France or Italy; or that in the future it aids you in finding your way back to some place in the v orld to renew an old acquaintance. If it does ac- complish but one of these, it is a success. —Edward M. Ward, ETI J eveilIe . . . PORTRAITS NORTH ATLANTIC FUELING ' ;5-sooooooooo0Ooo«-B-sooooc r I TALK TO JIMMY HEAVE AROUND IT.S.S. DAMTO (DDE-871) PLAl CF THE DAY biform of the Day? Undress Blues, Officer and CPO ' s Service Dress KV DUIY SECTICIJ: LIBP:RTY SFC GO ' ? ' AND 0A30 - 0 ' A5 - 0600 - 0700 - 0800 - 0815 - 1115 1120 1130 1300 1600 1630 1715 1730 1930 2000 2130 Sunrise; 0512 ■Sunset; 18 !,6 Kn Dinn Turn Knock o Liberty c5 0750 Friday ffesE Gear Supper 2000 H?ports OTies Ikps epers 3rd sections to expire on board B. BECK, Jr, , USNR utive Officer HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS LEFT TO RIGHT: LT JG F. T. YUKNA, Supply Officer,- LT H. E. DAVIES, Jr., Engineering Officer; LCDR H. B. BECK, Executive Officer; LT D. G. WEIMER, Operations Officer; LT JG F. S. CONLON, Gunnery Officer. OUR EXEC FIRST DIVISION gt Tf rfttfTfi iff f. t rrrl 3 -.. J% ■ ■ ' ' ' i ' H ' ■ V A « ■II i,yi | t . ' ' ' ■ P Vy- firs; ROW: Cheaney, A. H., Champion, H. M., Rhodes, C. J., ENS E. N. Riesman, LTJG S. P. Dalsimer, Collins, G. E., Rooks, L. E., Henderson, L. A., Spinney, E. C. SECOND ROW: Laurie, J. R., Piechnik, R. E., Schneider, R. A., Ryan, J. J., Dufton, R. R., Haswell, G. P., Dixon, J. P., Keler, E. H., Williams, R. E. THIRD ROW: Ramos, E. C, Eldridge, R. C, Cosimelli, J. R., Ryan, R. A., Prince, D. J., Pierce, R. N., Savory, C. J., Smilovich, R. J., Pennel, B. L. JO- S ' % ifjf MW-WJ;; SECOND DIVISION FIRST ROW: Bosley, C. W., Mayhew, P. E., Anderson, R. F., Moll, H. (n). Ensign J. F. Smith, Clark, D. L., Lamparzyk, H. J., Roeger, J. F., Shoot, A. J., Mooers, J. R. SECOND ROW: Daye, J. C, Podlesney, J. H., Hemminger, C. A., Rhoden, R. B. A., Ross, R. R., Martin, C. O., McCarty, C. D., Light, R. Q., Chicoine, A. R. THIRD ROW: Kline, G. H., Quinney, T. J., DeCaussin, E. J., Lamy, C. J., Freeman, R. W., Wright, R. N., Accommando, N. D., Fisher, W. L., Parry, V. N. a- o e DIVISION ff MEL flJ. ' tj _ ■  S If ' ft TFT fJTT rft.rv ' trTtw - ' ' tt FIRST ROW: Sutfon, K. (n), O ' Malley, D. E., Ashley, W. N., Scharneck, C. W., LItten, C. T., ENS R. A. Costigan, Wright, F. A., Bell, W. R., Jr., Nylind, R. D., Pytko, P. P., Richard, H. J. A., Wise, Roland L. SECOND ROW: Reil, R. A., Ross, G. W., Pelton, R. G., Parrish, R. L., Jonas, A. M., Lange, R. E., Romine, E. E., Powell, J. A., Sheppard, F. B., Williams, S. R P , Pinard, H. G. THIRD ROW: Erickson, A. E., Dougherty, J. A., Casale, A. C, Watson, B. J., Wise, Richard, L., Richard, J. C, Robb, R. T., Born, K. A., Colyer, B. H., Jr., Olson, M. R., Young, E. (n). FOURTH ROW: Rabinoff, W. (n), Whitsel, H. E., Erickson, A. C, Harris, C. F., Story, F. M., Althouse, R. R., Bounds, L. (n), Lewis, E. E , MidkifF, J. P., Klopp, S. H., Jr., Sweeney, H. W., Koch, R. F. © @ S DIVISION o FIRST ROW: Delsignor, J. A., Kidwell, B. M., Carey, T. (n), Guinn, W. A., LTJG F. T. Yukna, Montoya, L. (n), Delsignor, D. (n), Abbott, C. S., Dayton, R. L. SECOND ROW: Robinson, C. J., Ulizza, R. M., Kaiser, D. (n). Storms, W. (n), Raab, G. A., Witt, W. P., Gedney, R. W., Georges, D. A., McNeill, J. J. THIRD ROW: Boder, A. A., Nykorchuk, P. (n), Idzior, A. S., Sottile, J. A., York, J. H., Ness, J. C, Dayton, E. H., Wilson, J. T., Thomas, A. ( n ) . e O DIVISION . J -joi - ' 5 ' w « n ' A jlt - «pv -- .; Pf tH t ir- V ' jr ' ;- - f t f f w IV ' ■•.i FIRST ROW: Sutton, F. E., Dyer, J. B., Knauf, E. E., Cook, E. D., Cree, D. (n), LTJG J. P. Martin, Pribble, R. J., LaBerge, R. E., Underwood, J. C, Randall, H. W., Lott, D. H. SECOND ROW: Welsh, R. E., Keller, L. W., Soule, A. W., Fitchard, R. H., Scott, J. E., Mclver, D. E., Ward, E. M., Gunner, R. E., Carrier, V. L., Shelton, P. L., Hunt, W. V. THIRD ROW: Hicks, R. E., Thomas, L. A., Cassidy, D. P., Long, R. D., Ingraham, R. L., Sutton, K. (n), Costello, T. M., Tozelaar, J. F., Gagner, F. J., Fritz, R. J. C DIVISION O W w Sf FIRST ROW: Brown, E. D., Fox, R. D., Harkins, J. W., Unser, R. D., Ensign F. J. Barto, LT(jg) J. F. Schell, Borza, E. M., Fleishman, E. A., Stephanos, G. T. SECOND ROW: White, H. K., Lawrence, A. W., Paoli, M. (n), Arch, D. W., O ' Toole, J. C, Southwood, R. L., Connor, C. J., P arks, R. A., Pucciarello, R. J. THIRD ROW: Cooley, J. M., Mercurio, J. C, Shepard, A. C, Watson, N. K., Decker, E. J., Busto, M. (n), Taylor, D. P., Ventura, J. J., Martin, P. B. o B DIVISION FIRST ROW: Nuberg, J. R., Bassett, Q. D., Rouzer, J. T., Ry- koski, M. S., Ensign H. R. Milliard, Tibero, M. J., Bishop, R. J., Kerns, R. L., Agee, A. R., Goss, E. W. SECOND ROW: Madison, W. R., Hordwick, K. (n), Chatten, M. C, Dougherty, T. J., Moore, F. D., Zasada, R. J., Birch, F. J., Roach, R. W., Johnson, A. R., Buchanan, C. L. THIRD ROW: Hutchins, R. O., Voccaro, J. S., Lainko, R. D., Cucarese, J. H., Burgess, W. O., Butler, C. N., Fowler, M. T., Ellis, C. O., Young, E. (n), Kirby, E. R. «■ J}- «- a- M DIVISION FIRST ROW: Harrison, D. A., Hisoire, W. J., Moder, G. J., Gjerding, K. C, Ensign H. R. Milliard, Baptist, F. R., Corley, E. A., Laing, C. P. SECOND ROW: Holder, P. R., McArdle, J. A., Jackson, R. O., Blessing, C. W., Cochran, R. R., Doss, W. J., Moditch, M. C, Eldridge, R. A. THIRD ROW: Kauss, J. A., Schriener, R. A., Curran, D. N., Williams, D. B., Milone, F. (n). Doss, F. E., Kabacinski, J. H., Pankonian, A. R. ri- ll- a- «- «- o R DIVISION @ ■ 1 f fj T jrf 7 f f t t Tl.f V V V V ' V ' V ' 1 FIRST ROW: Murphy, W. N., Brown, R. L., Seddon, T. S., Whit- mer, J. R., Shannon, M. E., LTJG J. R. McGonigle, Hunley, R. M., Harkins, N. W., Marciszewski, E. W., Schlotter, J. G. SECOND ROW: DeRubba, J. L., Jasewicz, A. D., Haus, A. H., Donelan, J. J., Willis, R. Y., Winchenbach, E. N., Marchese, J. (n), Pungitore, V. F., Hillard, K. W., Swenson, J. A., Trott, P. E., Hill, J. W. THIRD ROW: Gulbranson, W. O., Deweese, A. O., Rheiner, L. R., Kirk, F. W., Cockrell, W. S., McMickle, E. L., Saylor, R. H., Price, C. K., Shott, L. A. ® To: OUR CIVILIAN FRIENDS SHIPS ORGANIZATION: The purpose of these few lines is to acquaint the folks who read this book and do not possess a Navy back- ground to better understand the duties of the various rates and the functions of depart- ments. It will also aid the civilian to more fully appreciate the complexities of operating such a compact but complete community. As will be noticed each department in addition to the specialties of the individuals has a house- keeping problem and a military responsibili- ty. The fluidity of the unit lends additional administrative problems involving both logis- tics and personnel. Our geographic location for instance oft times governs the availability of water for crews showers and strange as it may seem where we need it the most is nor- mally the place where we can have the least due to the high injection temeperature of the sea water for our evaps. This is to cite but one instance that requires special attention as a result of our community moving from place to place. However, the next few paragraphs will we hope help you to better envision the duties of YOUR sailor in t he DAMATO. DECK: The first and second divisions are known as the deck division and are the housekeepers of the ship. Theirs is the endless task of keeping the decks, the sides, the bulkheads and the overheads clean. Handling lines and wires, making fenders, rigging, chipping paint, wirebrushing and applying new paint are but a few of their additional duties. Sweep down when sweep- ers are piped, swab down when they finish. Yes they are the housekeepers. Underway and in port they stand deck watches. These are the Bos ' n Mates. GUNNERY: The duties of the gunnery de- partment is to keep the guns and the fire con- trol equipment, torpedos and underwater weapons on board in top condition and operating order. They too have their share of spit and polish when their own spaces are involved. The fire controlmen, fire con- trol technicians, gunners mates and last but not least the torpedomen are members of this organization of specialists. These men also stand deck watches. OPERATIONS: The eyes and ears of the ship. This department embraces the ships office, the radio and quartermaster gang, the radar and sonar gang (a recent change put sonar in gunnery) and the electronic technicians. This department embraces the operators of our special electronic equipment, radars, radio transmitters and receivers, loran and numerous other electronic devices. The de- partment embodies its own repair force. Communications and navigation share the interests of the departments, but you can ' t scare these boys with a brightwork rag, nor a chipping hammer. They too have to keep house. ENGINEERING: These are the boys who keep our screws turning, make our fresh water from sea water, keep our lights glowing and keep the hull tied together. Critical machinery parts that are vitally needed underway ore also turned out by these boys in the machine shop. Boilertenders, machinist mates, dam- age controlmen, pipefitters, electricians and I. C. men who tend the gyro and interior com- munications systems. They also have the ob- ligation of upkeep and maintenance of their own spaces. SUPPLY: This is the Department which caters to our personal needs — food, laundry, medi- cal treatment and luxuries such as pay; cooks, bakers, tns., dks., sks., ships service- men, barber, laundrymen and then the lad who operates our ships store. The hospital- men are also under Supply Department on a small ship, such as ours. The ordering and procurement and receiving of our ships logis- tics are also included in the duties of the men in this department. The average sailor how- ever is content if their efficiency is limited to two phases of their business — feeding and paying. Since efficient operation could not tolerate this condition you may be sure that they are on the ball in all directions. By the way, the new name for a cook is Commissary Steward. They have changed the rate but not the grade. We have some of the best in the business. They all add up to one thing — a ship — a city afloat. SICK CALL In our size Navy we do not have a doctor for every ship but rate one for the squadron. Therefore our medical department on board a destroyer is usually headed by a compe- tent chief, who at this time in the Damato is Chief Hospitalman W. A. Guinn. His as- sistants are shown in the accompanying photographs and as destroyer hospitalmen they really develop in their profession at a fast rate since every patient is a member of the family. •DOC MUNRO SET FOR A $10 VISIT OFFICE CALL ALL (AORt fORf HANDS ' LOAFERS? THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES AND LOAFERS MARLINSPIKE SEAMANSHIP LET GO! COMMENCE SHIP ' S WORK... ■ ' TILT ' CHANGE of With the crews of four ships of his Squadron at quarters Commodore E. F. May (right), Commander Escort Destroyer Squadron Four, is shown as he warmly shakes the hand of and wishes success to Captain J. J. Carey, U.S.N. , who was to succeed him as Commo- dore of our Squadron. In brief ceremonies held in the U.S.S. New on 17 July 1952, Com- modore May was warm in his praise of the Squadron. Commodore Carey expressed great confidence in a highly successful tour of duty with our unit. Commodore May is now serving with Chief of Naval Operations. COMMANDS At 1000, 20 December 1952, our skipper. Com- mander W. W. Meadors (right) is shown, with his crew at quarters as he salutes Com- mander V. F. Wadsworth, his relief and our new skipper. Captain Meadors had been with us for nearly two years. He has joined the staff of Commander in Chief of the At- lantic Forces and has our best wishes for his every success in this new venture and all the undertakings of his naval career. A warm welcome to Captain Wadsworth. INSPECTIONS... TOP: Commander Escort Destroyer Squadron Four Inspects S Division. LOV ER: Captain Meadors inspecting First -Qp, Cppfpjns Inspection of C Division. Division. LOWER: The Engineers are inspected by Commodore Carey. COMMANDER ESCORT DESTROYER Squadron Four COMMANDER ESCORT DESTROYER Division Forty-two COMMODORE J. J. CAREY COMMODORE G. P. UNMACHT OUR NEW EXEC ROBERT J. SAMMONS, LCDR, U.S.N. Entered Naval Academy June 7, 1939. Graduated from Naval Academy June 19, 1942. Served in U.S.S. NELSON (DD623) from December 1942- February 1944 as assistant gunnery officer and communication officer. Served in U.S.S. RENSHAW (DD499) from August 1944- November 1945 as executive officer and gunnery officer. Served in U.S.S. THOMAS (DEI 02) from November 1945-May 1946 as commanding officer. Served in U.S.S. JACK W. WILKINS (DE800) from May 1946-December 1946 as executive officer. Served in U.S.S. TANAGER (AM385) from January 1947- August 1948 as commanding officer and commander mine division eight. Served as naval weapons instructor, NROTC Unit, Uni- versity of Colorado, from August 1948-June 1951 Served in U.S.S. LIDDLE (APD50) from July 1951 -Febru- ary 1952 as commanding officer. Served as Force Engineer on Staff Commander Battle- ship Cruiser Force U. S. Atlantic Fleet from April 1951 -December 1952. ] U. S. S. DAMATO (DDE-871) • A d Care of Fleet Post Office 1 3 M 7 New York, New York TO THE CREW I As this book goes to press we are preparing to embark on another year in the history of the DAMATO, There are among you many new men; some new to the Destroyer Navy; some new to shipboard life. In perusing this book you will see unfolded in its pages typical activity of the sailors who have been there . Liberty ports that we will hit again, experiences that we will re-live and memories that will always have a place in our NAVY BOOK . All these we hope to do together. We are starting a cycle in July that is not new, but parallels the chain of events that led to the eventual winning of the DESLA.OT E in 1952. It is my sincere belief and hope that a spirit that was evi- denced then still exists and will be the spark which makes the DAMTO an E ship for the fiscal year ' 54-. Guantanarao Bay for the post yard shakedown promises to be a rug- ged training exercise, but the ultimate is a better ship and a more efficient crew. To those men who participated in winning the first DESLI ' IT E , well done , to the new men aboard Welcome and Help us win the next one . Good shooting and good sailing - - - together we can and will win, VICTOR F. WADSWORTH Commanding Officer for PEAa or Nil- m SAVINGS BONDS OUR NEW CAPTAIN VICTOR F. WADSWORTH Commander, U.S.N. Commander Victor Flemming Wadsworth, U. S. Navy, was born on 30 May 1913 in Marinette, Wisconsin. He attended Grammar School in Green Bay, Wisconsin and Oak Park, Illinois, and the Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park. In 1931 he entered Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, graduating in 1935 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and a commis- sion as an Ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve. After college he served on active duty for two and a half years until March 1938. In 1939 he was recalled to active duty and was assigned to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5). He served on the YORKTOWN during the Battle of the Coral Sea and at Midway, where the ship was sunk. In September 1942, he went to the U.S.S. NASSAU (CVE-13) and helped place the vessel in commission. Served on board as Gunnery Officer at Guadalcanal and Attu. In September 1944, upon being detached from the NASSAU, he reported to the U.S.S. TENNESSEE (BB-45) as Asst. Gunnery Officer and then Gunnery Officer. Served on board during Iwo Jima and Okinawa and, as Com- manding Officer, placed the U.S.S. TENNES- SEE out of commission in reserve in 1946 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Commander Wadsworth attended the General Line School, Newport, R. I. from July 1947 to May 1948. Upon completion of the course of instruction he was assigned the duties of Inspector Instructor, Naval Reserve in Louisville, Ky. In August 1950 he reported as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. AMPHION (AR-13). Commander Wadsworth has received the following awards: Commendation ribbon, Navy Unit citation, American Defense, Ameri- can Theater, Asiatic-Pacific (with eight en- gagement stars). World War Two victory medal, Navy occupation, Korean and United Nations ribbons. He was appointed to the rank of Commander on 20 July 1945. CHARLIE VENTURA The Mail Man DICK STAPLETON In Our Ships Store OPERATIONS QM ' S ENGINEERS WATERHOURS DeRubba and Trott under the watchful eye of Chief Baptist oper- ate the Rainmaker — the evapo- rators. Here is made from sea water, the fresh water for the ship while underway. The boilers have the highest priority for the water, a man ' s shower, the lowest. NO. 1 KETTLE Burnerman Lainko, Coffee- man Butler, and Messenger Burgess making steam in No. 1 boiler under In Charge Bishop. They are making the steam that operates the ship ' s turbines and generators, the beginning of it all. ALL AHEAD FULL Throttleman Williams is get- ting assistance from Upper Level- man Moder and Chief of the Watch Baptist. The large wheels under Williams ' hands are the throttles which control the steam made by the boilers to vary the ship ' s speed and direction. The many gauges on the throttle board tell what is going on in the plant and what speed the bridge wants. GUNNERY GANG Ye RoY £tt Order df tke on THE CRfVJ WAirS PATIENTLY FOR l}iF FIRST i.l RTr BOAT ' QUICK , EFFICIENT 5 f R V CF 6AC TO THE SHIP.. = .rr urtTo 46. i «?3 ' DUTC HTREAT IN SCOTLAND •GLASGOW LIBERTY CALL LIBERTY BARGE GOUROCK, SCOTLAND 4 I miMmfikn . . . .c ' ' . ' ' .o x ..o (}nm • 99 Shakespeare said of Cleopatra that age could not wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety; the same might well be said of the city of London. The city is the original London. It is older than history, it is born afresh with each succeeding day and its moods are infinite. There are two ways of seeing the city; to see it on Sunday, when the sabbatical rest has imparted to its streets the appear- ance and quiet of a deserted city; or to see it on a weekday when the insistance of Modern Civilization ' s manifold purposes has turned the city into seeming pandemonium. We have tried to capture a few of her beauties, the serene and the lighter sides in our swift tour of this community whose every thread is closely woven into the fabric of the history of trie world. On this page is presented two of the tourist ' s delights — the changing of the guard at Buckingham and the changing of the Horse Guard in Whitehall — both ceremonies steeped in the tradition for which Britain and Britains are world renowned. Joe O ' Toole our staff photographer is your guide as we visit some of the high spots and some of the nite spots in our next few pages. BUCKINGHAM ENTRANCE TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY THE HORSE GUARD AT WHITEHALL ' Tor London is a man ' s town; there s power in the air ' ' BIG BEN NUMBER 10 DOWNING m kfi TANGIER — city of contrast; city of beauty and filth, of riches and poverty, of charm and intrigue. Tangier could no more help changing to fulfill the whims of a modern people, any more than she could help not changing the ancient way of life of the Arabs who live there. The ideas of the whole world have left their mark upon this little city — but instead of detracting from it, it has only added to its charm and atmosphere. Tangier ■ — most international city in the world — where you can walk from a modern European setting to the narrow crooked streets of the Casbah in but a few minutes. Outside the city of Tangier stands an arena m which was held one of the most colorful and thrilling events that it was our privilege to witness — THE BULL FIGHT. Staged in honor of the visiting units of the U. S. Navy, Rear Admiral F. T. Ward, Commander of the Task Force, was the honorary president of the interna- tional organization pre- senting the spectacle. The Matador — idol of all who follow this sport — must possess daring strength, and split-second timing to avoid the deadly fury of the charging beast. In addition, he must be a showman — gracefully flaring his cape or boldly ■I turning his back on his opponent. Gradually the magnificent beast is weakened by the torment- ing of the picadors and the assistants of the Mata- dor, but still the Matador must face the frenzied as- sault of the bull again and again before his victory is won. The charge — a flash of color and shining steel. Perhaps a miss — perhaps a kill. To the Hilt — to thrust the sword high between the shoulder blades, through the heart, and bury it to the very hilt and drawing blood on his hands — the per- fect kill. The pageantry, the brilliant cos- tumes and the drama that make up this spectacu- lar event are the things that have made this event a memorable one to all who wit- nessed it. AROUND TOWN 4 i MR. DALSIMER TAKES A BREATHER EC 1 1 crj CE 1 $ • U. S. NAVAL ATTACHE WELCOMES COMMODORE CAREY - . . - ' SAILOR IN MINK ' HAND SALUTE STREET SCENE . . . ajiles anJ It ' s su:eei to dream in Naples, . . . ■NATURAL LUSTER ' MORTAL SPLENDOR zji(i lij . . . ' and, it ' s gr ai to study Rome )} : In the shadow of Italy ' s famous volcano, Mt. Vesuvius, lies the city of Naples, and only a few hours by train bring you to Rome. Rome might bring to mind, not a city, but a monument — a monument to a civilization that once prospered and then fell. But as though they were still clinging to the glorious past, the century old ruins of Rome still remain. True, a modern civiliza- tion has taken its place beside them, but they still stand there to remind all who come to see them of the days when kings, queens, emperors and saints v alked their grounds. CREW MEMBER MEETS MOTHER ' S FAMILY IN ITALY Shown with Vincent Pungitore, FN, U.S.N. , a member of the Damato crew, who resides at 945 E. 214th Street, Bronx, New York, is the Digitalino fami- ly of Monterscolosio, Mater, Italy. This was Vincent ' s first meeting with his mother ' s brother, Mr. Digita- lino, and his family. The Digitalino family celebrated Vincent ' s visit as a homecoming, and it was a great occasion for the fireman ' s Italian relatives. % ( me HIS HOLINESS POPE PIUS XII HOLDS AUDIENCE During our visit to Naples a number of our people journeyed to Rome, where His Holi- ness Pope Pius XII granted an audience to members of our task force at his summer residence. Present at this audience were the following Damato men: LTJG Martin, LTJG Schell; R. J. Fritz, RDSN; W. S. Cockrell, SN; J. W. Harkms, QM3; P. B. Martin, RMSN; I. J. Krucenski, ET3; I. C. Underwood, RD3; F. E. Sutton, RDSN; R. E. LaBerge, SN; Mario Paoli-Fuertes, YNSN; E. C. Ramos, SN; T. M. Costello, SOS; J. M. Cooley, YNSN; R. E. Lange, SN. THE RUINS OF THE FORUM ST. PAUL ' S THE EXCAVATIONS OF ( mfieii 1. The House of the Faun; the atrium and tablinum. 2. The Forum. 3. Arch of Caligula — Via De Mercurio. 4. An excavated petrified human body. 5. The ampitheatre; the cavea and arena. AUGUSTA . . . •REPLENISHMENT The process of replenishing a ship in a foreign port is no small job. It is an All Hands evolution and a tiresome task. Supplies are taken aboard to keep us going for a six or eight week period and it is really surprising how much three hundred men can eat in that period. It is no special revelation to a sailor after one trip to Au- gusta. 1 After a day of the sort described, something must be done in order to restore balance to living. So, as can be seen by the photos on this page, the boys hit the beach, and steaming to a recreational area, spliced the mainbrace. Did they have fun? Take a good look. :pweeineafii$ One in evefiy jiani? FRANCE TANGIER SCOTLAND HAPPY OLD SALT SPAIN ppacus0 THE THEATRE BATTLE SCARS mn( ine annes . . . POINTED SHEETS ' FRAMED ' ! ) l: SEASIDE THOROUGHFARE dfllS . . . All other cities are towns, but Paris is a world! Who can forget the train trip through the neat, well-tended French countryside, the glimpses of the ever impressive provmces, the bull sessions enroute or the first French dinner served in true Gaulic fashion? Remember the hurried fractured French SIDEWALK CAFE SO nonchalantly tossed off to bewildered waiters? Is it hard to recall the great Gare de Lyon as our train made its final stop and the mad scramble out into the brisk night air? Place Pigalle! Driver! and we were off, in the famed ancient taxis of Paris, to this garish land of the Night. History that bores in books becomes vibrantly alive as you face the Arc de Triomphe, gaze down upon Napoleons ' marble coffin, stroll the Champs E ' lysee, or have your lunch and wine atop the russet-colored Tower Eiffel. A stroll at Versatile, hours I EIFFEL TOWER ' ' ' ' rJm; and paris is a u;oman ' s toirn, ipith floirers in her hair SIDEWALK STUDIO lost in the renowned Louvre, these would placate any lover of beauty. The River Seine courses its ancient way beneath the lofty majesty of great Churches which offer a benign look to the sprawling, but colorful, districts below. Such sights enchant the day however, for at night, under a path of dazzling stars and fantastic Neon, Paris assumes a more sophisticated and glam- orous air. Yes, we came, we saw and we were conquered by Paris. And our hearts were not light and gay as, next morning, we bid Her a fond . . . Adieu, City of Dreams. STEPS OF CASINO •invrrivjioao iQfS R HI EFERRED to as the Oasis of Europe this country is not only a real democracy but in itself a way of living. The traveller finds within its confines and borders an aura of contentment that swells the soul. Switzerland is felt by the tourist. Our tour brings us to the City of Geneva men- tioned in the Commentaries of Julius Caesar in the year 58 B. C. She has always had a democratic constitution and stuck with it even through the battles waged against the Dukes of Savoy. Under Calvin ' s influence she became in the sixteenth century, the center of Protestant- ism. In 1814 Geneva became the twenty- second and last Canton of the Swiss Con- federation. ROCHE DE NAYE Home of the International Red Cross, founded at the end of the nineteenth century, she became the seat of the League of Nations in 1920 and is now the European Home of the United Nations Or- ganization. Also quartered in Geneva is the seat of the International Labor Office, the World Health Institute and about eighty more interna- tional organizations. Leaving Geneva for a trip into the Alps we drive along the shore of the beautiful Lake Geneva through the cities of Lausanne and Montreux to Glion which is at an altitude of 700 meters. From there we start our 9.5 kilo- meter climb by cable car to the heights of Rocher de Naye (2045 meters) high above the clouds. Peering down through the snowy white billows we can see the treeline which is so dramatically portrayed in a photograph on the opposite page. On our return to Geneva we pause for a moment to view the Chateau de Chillon, the Castle of the Prisoner of Chillon eulogized so beautifully by Lord Byron. Back in Geneva we visit the United Nations Buildings and the City Hall wherein is located the room in which the League of Nations was founded. EUROPEAN HOME OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN GENEVA FORMERLY THE SEAT OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS ALGIERS Algiers is not a city to be described, since the stealth and intrigue which is the essence of its atmosphere is not a tangible thing but is subtly suggestive of the ethereal. It is the usual North African city, highly cosmopolitan, and its modes of life, deeply sensuous. It has its Casbah and Medina, its Latin Quarter and its French Quarter and even in the absence of the tracks there still exists both sides; there is social register, there are nomads; there are princes, there are paupers; within its confines there are those so glorious- ly alive and it has its living dead . Algiers did not impress the writer as a nice place but rather as a market- place designed to enable the native to eke out an existence; designed to pro- vide in its seething mass of humanity an opportunity for the fleeing one to melt into the safe haven of obscurity and anonymity. . . . This to me is Al- giers. . . . Stealth. . . . Intrigue. THE QUARTERDECK -sf?3 HARBOR ENTRANCE I liiUfien V afiiy I , • ..  ■ • P M r H r M M -4 H ■ ' Vlip PWl Biiiii ii 1 B 1 Li f J L H ' ■■■■ ' , ' nm . l T 1 . H ' «• K ms ...::::.j To some fifty orphan and underprivileged children of the Methodist Mission at La Pal- merie, Algiers, the arrival of the U.S.S. DAMATO was a thrill of a lifetime . Their thrill was a party given by the Damato com- plete with toys, cake and ice cream. For some of the Arab children it was a new experience because they had never eaten ice cream be- fore. The expressions of happiness on their faces gave proof of the success of the party. Their Navy hosts were Lieutenant G. T. Boyd, Squadron Chaplain and Bob Dayton, a mem- ber of our Welfare and Recreation Com- mittee. s 0U paaJd mm Wk i x 1 wL ■ 1 JH ■pr X- -i H ra .,-_.{. Drifting sands and a caravan, the deserfs endless space. Lustrous eyes ' neath eastern skies, and a woman s veiled jace Langworthy ; ?vv i?vvvv v.a 4 While in Algeria a small group from the ship ventured into the great desert. Located 150 miles south of the city of Algier and 100 miles deep in the Sahara lies the Oasis Bou Saada, translated Pearl of the Desert . A Mecca for Moslem pilgrims who travel there to visit the holy city of El Hamel founded by a Son of the Prophet many centuries ago and located about five miles from the civic center of the oasis; Bou Saada boasts a cosmopolitan appeal. Well ap- pointed hotels, complete with swimming pools and exotic gardens; occidental foods are no rarity but oriental menus are delectable and reveries for the gourmet. ONE OF OUR PARTY GOES NATIVE MOSQUE IN HOLY CITY EL HAMEL COOL ENOUGH FOR JACKETS IN THE SAHARA Home of the Ouled-Naia Dancers the party from the ship was treated to a special performance and were highly intrigued with the supple gyrations of the group of beautiful maidens noted for their deli- cate physical dexterity and whose sole purpose in life by tradition is the cultured professional art of ballet. The camel caravan proved to be a new but highly amusing experience, highlighted by feuding camels, which we are informed are not unusual. Of course life in the desert is not quite as smooth as a career in a Cadillac, but for a short time was tolerable. Standing alone as a symbol of strength and security, guarding the gateway to the Mediterranean is the famous Rock of Gibraltar . Towering above the nearby hills of Spain, it stands out, clearly ex- pressing its purpose. Pictured here on this page are views of the special ceremonies in honor of the 25th Anniversary of Bishop Griffin, Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar, which were attended by many of our crew members. Shown in the procession are the Chaplain and Command- ing Officer of the U. S. S. DES MOINES. Also shown, is one of our -staff members. Mercuric on a brief visit to Spain. •Gibraltar being the last port of call before our departure for Uncle Sugar the inbound arrivals of two large liners, softly lighted and vi- brant with living and excitement invited nostalgia which settled ■over the crew and to the last man there were the pleasant reminis- cences of fleeting moments in the -ports that he enjoyed the most. By morning the jnood had passed -and every heart skipped a beat -when the order was passed to Set the special sea detail . The Dama- -lo was soon under way for her -tenth Atlantic crossing. We were 1-1  ■ -T-T -Gom Home . Ok it ' s home again, and home again, America for me! I want a ship that ' s westward hound to plougJi tlie rolling sea, To the Blessed Land of Room Enough beyond the Ocean bars, JJ ' here the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars. iV T iV it i? -)V it LEAVE Back in the States again from the Med all the boys are anxi- ous to get home. The leave schedule is ar- ranged to permit im- mediate departure after Customs Inspec- tion, but the short time consumed by these inspections seems like days when all any man can envision is homey dreams of wife, kid- dies, mom and dad or sweet- heart. Well, after a cruise of this sort there is also the large collection of souvenirs gathered from every port visited. This year, the boys brought back over two hundred, four hundred and thousand day clocks, horological masterpieces and timely gifts . Even though the weather on our return trip was not especially suited to the trans- porting of such delicate mechanisms — no casualties were reported. With these added to the leather goods from Tangier; gloves and artwork from Italy; perfume from Grasse; cuckoo clocks from Switzerland; cameras, binoculars and toys from Germany; the ship was truly laden with Christmas Cheer for the crew ' s friends and families. One glance at the pictures tells rest of story. That Homeward Bound smile is strictly a type of expression reserved for this very special occasion. WINNING THE In August 1952 the DAMATO was award- ed the Battle Efficiency Plaque for fiscal year 1952. This award, made by Commander De- stroyers, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, is made annually to those few ships which, on the basis of competitive exercise scores, performance of assigned combat and Fleet exercise missions, and general reputation, show superior quali- ties of battle readiness. Pictured on the page is an informal photo- graph of our staff of officers who contributed greatly to winning the coveted honor. In the upper right hand corner we have a photo taken in Korea of Lieutenant (junior grade) George Carpenter 111. Lieutenant Car- penter (second from left) was also a leading figure in the keenly fought competitive exer- cises that enabled us to come out on top. He is presently engaged as a liason officer with the United States Marine Corps. Shown with him are his R. O. K. Marine Lieutenant, his Korean interpreter and Staff Sargeant. Many of the other officers pictured here returned to their civilian pursuits. We would like to present pictures of many of our former crew members who contributed to our success but since that is not possible we wish to say that their mighty efforts had a salutory effect and were greatly appreci- ated by both the command and the crew. Congratulations... OFFICIAL GOVERNOR DeCASTRO OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GREETED BY THE ADMIRAL p nam eci p m QMm ' L . . On Friday, 6 February 1953 at Meritorious Mast held on board the U.S.S. DAMATO a score of members of the ship ' s crew were re- cipients of Specific Commendations for excel- lence in performance of their respective duties during the time that the ship was host to Rear Admiral Chester C. Wood, Comman- der Destroyer Flotilla FOUR, United States Navy. The Commendations and awards of the Admiral were typical expressions of his appreciation of a job well done . In commending the Communications per- sonnel, he said in part, This general per- formance of duty speaks well for the Com- munications organization of your ship . In- cluded for special credit were the Operations Officer, Lieutenant Ralph K. Strawn, United States Naval Reserve, the Communications Officer and his assistant. Ensigns Fred J. Barto and Robert A. Costigan and the enlisted men of the Radio Gang: G. T. Stephanos, RMl; F. A. Fleishman, RM3; and the following RMSN ' s: E. D. Brown, M. Busto, E. J. Decker, P. B. Martin, J. C. OToole, D. J. Prince, A. C. Shepard, D. P. Taylor and N. K. Watson. In a citation mentioning Alfred R. Chi- coine, SN; Anthony J. Shoot, BM3; Ralph W. Preo, Jr., SA, and James Marchese, EN3, who were mutually responsible for the prepara- tion and operation of the ship ' s boat as the Admiral ' s Barge, the Admiral stated that, The boat was beautifully prepared from a material point of view and at the time of my embarkation was in ideal shape . Admiral Wood in appreciation of the serv- ices of his orderlies stated that Elmo Young, SA; Bobby J. Watson, SN; Richard F. Ander- son, SN; Ronald L. Wise, SA, and Ernest C. Spinney did Without exception, and at all times, perform their duties in the most exem- plary fashion. They were alert; they acted with a high degree of intelligence; they dis- played initiative; they were outstanding in the appearance of their uniforms and in their personal bearing; they were courteous and helpful. They did much, as a group, to make my stay in DAMATO as pleasant as it was . And to the Commanding Officer, a letter was addressed reading in part, U. S. S. DAMATO (DDE871) commended by Com- mander Destroyer Flotilla FOUR for excellent service as his flagship during the month of January 1953 while engaged in Operation SPRINGBOARD . At the same ceremonies, two Chief Petty Officers, Roscoe M. Hunley, MMC, and Frank R. Baptist, MMC, were com- mended for outstanding performance of duty and devotion to ship and service. This com- mendation was in recognition of a speedy repair of equipment under pressure and strain in order to successfully complete a required competitive exercise. Their success in this arduous task was attributed to their leadership and ' know-how ' by Commander Victor F. Wadsworth, Commanding Officer of the ship. Puerto Rico s A N J U A N ■ ' i. jj JP i vcs FORTRESS OF San FELIPE del MORRO A DAY ON A CAN By GEORGE R. MOOERS Whut ' s a day on a can like? Wal, I ain ' t one fer describin thaings, but it seems ter me thet I should sorter try ter tell yer thet much, sence yer askin. I don ' t rightly know how ter go bout it, but here goes: Right away, the fust thing thet comes inter my haid is reveille. Thet ' s when we gotta git up. Fust off, they blows a tin whistle with a gosh-awful screechin sound thet ' s calc ' lated ter wake up any self-respectin dead man from his grave, then a guy they call a MAA comes round and sorta skeers the tar out ' n them thet was jest too durn tired to hear the whistle-thing. (Them MAA ' s, they seem ter be either big an burly, else theys small an scrawny, usu ' ly the fust one, never any in between.) Then you mosey on up to the head an kinda stand aroun whilst bout leventeen guys who ' re ahed of yer warsh up an brush their teeth an such. After you fine ' ly git aroun ter it yer- self, thet there whistlin thing starts a ' screechin fit ter bust, ter let yer know chow ' s bein ' served up. Chow, wal, thet ' s a mess o ' somethin calc ' lated ter look like food. After chow, you kinda mosey down the deck sorta takin it easy digestin yer food and yer bout ter lite up a fag when a guy called a leadin seaman shoves a broom ' er a swab in yer mitt an says let ' s hit it er some- thin ter thet effect. Them there leadin sea- men, they ' re right on the ball. They alius seem ter wake up jist at the right time ter give yer somethin else ter do. After you gits the deck all nice an clean somethin alius happens ter mess it up agin an before you gits ter straighten ' er out agin that there screechin comes agin an a guy bellers quarters fer muster. Quarters, thet there ' s when yer division officer tells yer everthin bout nothin and nothin bout whut ' s cookin fer the day an such. Right after quarters them leadin seamen gits hot agin an you either clean the deck agin or else they give you a job fer the morn- in sich as scrapin paint off an puttin new paint on or some other durn fool thing which only a leadin seaman kin think up. Purty soon thet there screechin tells yer thet yer kin stop workin (thets fer the guys whut ain ' t fluffin off al- ready) but yer don ' t stop workin, they gives yer back yer broom ' er swab an the deck gits another goin over. Thet screecher yowls out chow agin an you sudden- like gits caught in a hooman traffic jam thet makes Times Square on New Year ' s Eve look like a tea party. Thet there ' s called a chow line. After dinner (some call it thet) you saunter out ' n the mess hall feelin purty rite with the world when all of a sudden-like the screech- thing yowls turn to, com- mence ship ' s work an them leadin seaman fellers comes out ' n their holes long nuff ter put yer to work agin. Thet screechin announces knock off an the same stuff thet happened at dinner tim_e starts all over agin and after supper yer free by yer- self if yer got no watch. Watch, thet ' s four hours when yer wishin yer never heard of the Navy. Durin the evenin you gits ter see a movie yer seen five years ago when you was a civilian and then the ol ' screecher wakes up half o ' the guys an tells ' em ter go ter sleep. Thet there ' s taps. Thet ' s jist about it, 1 reckon, but don ' t git me wrong. I guess 1 like the Navy OK, in fact, I like it fine. Hope yer understand v hut 1 tried ter git acrost. Thankye fer listcnin. Thet ' s A wl ! 9tew sd On Thursday nite, June 12, 1952, the Welfare and Recreation Coun- cil sponsored a dance for the crew in the grand ballroom of the River- side Plaza on West 73rd, New York. With a good dance band and charming hostesses from R. H. Macy ' s and Bloomingdale ' s De- partment Stores Social Clubs, the evening was replete with pleasant experiences. There being no dearth of dancing partners every bluejacket present plunged into the spirit of the evening and it was generally agreed to have been a whale of a nite . A special troupe of Professional entertainers from a number of New York Night Spots, enlisted and pre- I sented by Tony Ferrer, popular Metropolitan Comedian, highlight- ed the evening ' s entertainment in a galaxy of song and dance acts that were overwhelmingly re- ceived by an appreciative audi- ence. A lovely black velvet evening bag, fitted with a Benrus Baguette was the door prize for one of the lovely hostesses. This was pre- sented by Lieutenant F. S. Conlon who expressed the crew ' s grati- tude to the young ladies who had so enthusiastically and spontane- ously responded to the DAMATO ' s call for dance partners in the Big Town . The Ballroom was decorated in salty style by Charlie Shay, Quar- termaster First and his willing crew of skivvy wavers. V-VWeprw U. S. S. DAMATO DDE 871 i In the true Christmas Spirit, the crew sponsored with the children of ship ' s company a Christmas party for underprivileged children of the Norfolk area. The afternoon started with a movie program packed with cartoons appeal- ing to our tiny guests and our own big kids in a big way. After the movies refreshments especially designed by our cooks and bakers for juvenile appeal met the overwhelming approval of our little visitors if rate of consumption could be considered a fair indicator. Of course the big event of the afternoon was the arrival of Santa Claus, who by special arrangements with his Norfolk representative and copyright owners was permitted to make a slightly early appearance in the USS Damato and distribute oodles of gifts to our young friends (pals by now). The re- ception he received needs no description further than that expressed in the delighted and smiling faces in the accompanying photo. SANTA HAS A VERY SPECIAL INTEREST IN BOBQY COLLINS, SON OF OUR CHIEF BOATS GLOWING FACES, GLOWING HEARTS ' ana innefi The entire event left a glow with the crew that contributed greatly to their enjoyment of Christmas Day. As one crew member so aptly phrased it Aw, Christmas ain ' t Christmas without kids . Since Church services were not held on board Christmas started with the crew members trudging off to services in several of the larger ships and the Naval Base Chapels. Some attended Norfolk churches where they are regular communicants. Entertaining members of ships company ' s families at dinner added no little sparkle to the occasion. The dinner was prepared in excellent style and proudly catered by our Service Force . A special movie program in the afternoon with buffet luncheon in the food service compartment until 1630 were additional features of the day ' s events. Culminating in the usual evening movie, the crew was really ready to hit the rack at Taps after a long, busy and delightful day. Menu FIttfffd Crirry Shrimp Corkin,! fi.pe O u Sailinr Crram of Tomato Sovp Roatt Young Tom Turkey Cnnbtrry Sautf Gibtrt Grai ' ii Oyiler Drctnng Spirrd Stveet Potatou Gritted Bitl Lvm SItakt Steak Sauet Crtam Whipped Foialoea Butttrrd Freih Froten Mixed Vtgrti lrf Stietd Tomato on Utluee Leaf . . . Mayonnaw Dreiting Hot Parker Hoiue Roll Freeh Bread Butler Anorted lee Cream Fruit Cakt Pumpkin Pie u-ilh Whipptng Candy Mixed Nut§ Ciffaretlet Cifari Freeh MUk Cora-Cola ' SERVICE FORCE •THE LINE ' SMOKER... ;ULBY SEATED: LTJG J. P. Martin, LTJG F. S. Conlon, Pete Richards, GMSN; Skip Rheiner, EMFN; LT R. K. Strawn and ENS J. F. Smith. STANDING: Hisoire, BT2; Doc Van Note, HM3; Sl i Lamparzyk, BM2; Danny Cree, SOC; and Ward ET1. WELFARE AND RECREATION Headed by Lt. Ralph K. Strawn, this is the organization that is charged with the respon- sibility of providing for the crew ' s athletic programs, social events, and maintaining proper living standards aboard ship. The morale of the crew is their first consideration. Members of the Board are appointed by the Captain for indefinite terms. CRUISE BOOK COMMITTEE and STAFF . . . LTJG Dalsimer, LT Davies, and ENS Smith. Lawrence, QMSN; Arch, YNSN; Mooers, SN; and Mercurio, YNSN. 4 Chairman, H. E. Davies, Jr., LT, U.S.N. Treasurer: S. P. Dalsimer, LTJG, USNR J. F. Smith, Ensign, U.S.N. STAFF Editor: E. M. Ward, ETl Assistant Editors: J. C. Mercurio, YNSN; D. W. Arch, YNSN; G. R. Mooers, SN; A. W. Lawrence, QMSN Photographers S. P. Dalsimer, LTJG; D. Cree, SCO; J. C. OToole, RMSN; R. T. Robb, SN Artists: R. Ulizza, DKSN; S. P. Munro, HM3; E. A. Seale, SA The staff would particularly like to thank the following men who have contributed material or services or both: Don Cow- drey, Jim Tazelaor, Duncan Mclver, Don Taylor, D. A. Georges, Pete Martin, and Mr. H. Brooks Beck, our former executive officer. The hearty cooperation of the photographic staffs of the F.D.R. CVA 42 and Salerno Bay CVE 110 made our task much lighter. Use of their facilities during our time in the Mediterran- ean were tendered unstintingly. The professional services of Mr. Jim Barry of Photo Craftsman Studio and Mr. Travis T. Phaup of the Phaup Printing Company of Norfolk are acknowledged with deepest appreciation. To all those who assisted in any way in the publication of this book we say Thank You in the names of the entire staff and ships officers and crew. THE BASKETBALL TEAM TOP PICTURE 1st ROW (left to right): Reagan , Doss , Accomando , Bobby Dayton, and Eddie Dayton. 2nd ROW (left to right): Born , Deacon DeCoussin, Lange and Stretch Ingraham. BASEBALL THE DOSS BROTHERS The Editor This book published at no expense to the U. S. Government Printed in the United States of America by The Phaup Printing Company, Norfolk, Virginia Wt! CANADA Mr Af jlNTlO OCi ITNITED STATES kf o roiK f eegMuoA A2oee 1 i