Damato (DDE 871) - Naval Cruise Book

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WALTER J. BERRY Captain, USN Commanding Destroyer Squadron Thirty-Six Captain Walter J. BARRY, U. S. Navy graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1937. Prior to World War II he served in cruisers and destroyers in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. During World War II Captain BARRY was Gunnery Officer of the USS OMAHA in the Atlantic Fleet, and participated in convoy and blockade duty in the South Atlantic and in the invasion of Southern France. In 1944 he reported to the new cruiser USS DAYTON as Gunnery Officer, deploying to the Pacific Fleet on commissioning. The DAYTON participated in the final strikes against the Japanese Empire with the Third Fleet, as a member of Task Force 38. After the Japanese surrender, the DAYTON remained in Japan as a unit of the Occupation Force until late November 1945. Since World War II, Captain BARRY has had duty ashore in the Research and Development Division of the Bureau of Ordnance, at the Naval War College, Newport, R. I., both as a student and a member of the Staff, and as Inspector of Navy Recruiting for the Eighth Recruiting Area, which comprises the western area of the United States. In addition, he has served as Commanding Officer of the USS R. H. MC CARD (DD 822) in the Atlantic and Mediter- ranean; Executive Officer of the USS TOLEDO (CA 133) in the Pacific and Western Pacific; Commander of Destroyer Division EIGHTY-TWO in the Atlantic and Mediterranean; Commanding Officer, USS ARCADIA (AD 23), a destroyer tender at Newport, R. I., and his present duty, Commander of Destroyer Squadron THIRTY-SIX, assumed on 3 December 1960. Captain BARRY is married to the former Mary T. Mc- Donald of Boston, Mass., and has four sons, the oldest of whom is a midshipman at the U. S. Naval Academy. A MESSAGE FROM COMDESRON 36 TO THE OFFICERS, MIDSHIPMEN AND MEN IN DESRON 36 SHIPS Your cruisebook is a visual and easily read memento which you can cherish and fully appreciate in years to come. It is a record of a part of your life, in which you served honorably in the United States Navy and more particularly in the ships of Destroyer Squadron THIRTY-SIX. I hope you have enjoyed your cruise to the Mediterranean as much as I have enjoyed being with you. Good luck and smooth sailing. W. J. BARRY

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DESTROYER SQUADRON THIRTY-SIX Destroyer Squadron THIRTY-SIX was established I July 1956. It included the USS NEW (DDE 818) Flagship, USS HOLDER (DDE-819), USS RICH (DDE 820), USS R L. WILSON (DDE 847), USS BASILONE (DDE 824) and USS DAMATO i DDE 87) ). During the summer of 1956 the Squadron par- ticipated in a summer training cruise for midship- men. In October 1956 the Squadron sailed for a tour of NATO countries and the conduct of ad- vanced ASW exercises. In November 1956 the Squadron was diverted from its tour and proceeded to the Mediterranean to operate with the U S Sixth Fleet during the Suez crisis. The Squadron returned to Norfolk in mid-December 1956 The first portion of 1957 was devoted to local ASW operations and training. During the summer of 1957 DESDIV 361 participated in the International Naval Review in Norfolk and conducted local op- erations in the Virginia Capes area DESDIV 362 participated in a Midshipmen Cruise, stopping in Brazil and Puerto Rico During this period USS H J ELLISON (DD-864) and USS MULLINNIX IDD- 944) joined DESRON 36 In September 1957 the Squodron entered Nor- folk Naval Shipyard for a regular overhaul. In January 1958 the Squadron sailed for Guonlan- omc Bay, Cuba for Refresher Training until Febru- ary 1958. The Squadron deployed to the Sixth Fleet in March 1958 The Squadron returned to Norfolk in September 1958 and was assigned to Task Group ALFA from October through December Contr ilradshaw, S.V2, Bowen. Thompson, RM2, Morton. Y ' CS, Scbuma 1958 when the ships received extensive training in , ASW Operations and evaluated new techniques During the first quarter of 1959, DESRON 36, less MULLINNIX operated os a unit of Task Group ALFA (TG 818) On I April 1959, MULINNIX and H. J ELLISON left DESRON 36. R A OWENS (DDE 827) |oined DESRON 36 and replaced NEW as flagship On 4 May 1959 DESRON 36 was re leived from duty with TG 81.8 and immediately became part of TG 83.3, another ASW group, with which the Squadron operated until 17 August 1959 conducting routine ASW exercises. The Squadron participated in a six week doclrination cruise for Midshipmen in June and July. In September the Squadron commenced an interim availability. Dur- ing the months of January and February DESRON 36 participated in Operation SPRINGBOARD, in the Ccrribbean. During the summer of 1961 the Squadron received their regular yard overhaul and commenced refresher training during the fall In the winter of 1960 DESDIV 361 was assigned to TG83.4 and participate d in various ASW exer- cises DESDIV 362 soiled for the Caribbean to participate in Operation SPRINGBOARD and arrival training exercise. It was from here that the R. L. WILSON and DAMATO were detached for the search for the Sonta Mario which ended in Recife. Brazil. In the later winter of 1960-61 the Squodron was united as the destroyer unit of Task Group BRAVO They continued to operate with this unit participating in regular ASW exercises The Squad ron, less the NEW and BASILONE, was deployed to the Sixth Fleet with Tosk Group BRAVO in June 1961 LT. Fatrcloth, LT. Kase, LT. Pattee, LT. Williams, CAPT. Barry, LTJG. Trayer, LTJG. Reister.