Dashiell (DD 659) - Naval Cruise Book

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RECEIVED JUN 2 3 1960 NAVY DEPARTMENT LIBRAR' CI n I , . . r 4. THE UNITED STATES SHIP f P3 , I v IIA HIELL . . mslafzq A-x-1+ Cornnmnded by IDR. J. B. NIIIEAN, ESX '- Har. 1943 to Jan. 1944 LT. CUNIDR. E. A. BARH.-XXI, LSN M jun. 1944 to July 1944 IDR. IJ. I.. I.. CUHIJINER. ISN -- July 1944 to Sept. 1945 CIN I,'I'. IIIINIIIII. .I. If. WIIIIXS. .Ir. ISN Sn-pt. 1945 to --Sf CCPYR our 1945 RICHARD M can MORSE W.-i

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p . P 1' 5 n ' F f -' if U .gi N 'A sg. 1. 'f it . , F' A s -iff Q 'T -' 535.5 ' LQ? t e .- 'sfhiii if'-1 Ugg V cmd5 From the Federal Shipyard in Kearny, New Jersey, where she was built inlrecord-breaking time, the U. S. S. DASHIELL QDD 659D made her way on 19 March 1943, just forty days after launching, to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York. Her first draft of fighting men were impatiently awaiting to board her as soon as she pulled alongside the dock. Theirs was now to be the main share in the hustle of preparing her for all that she was destined to become. The next day, on a cold and hlustery morn- ing, the commissioning ceremonies were held, and the DASHIELL be- came a living part of the United States Fleet. Having completed the fitting-out period in New York, the ship pro- ceeded to Casco Bay, Maine, on ll April to report upon arrival to Com- mander Destroyers, Atlantic Fleet, for a period of much-needed training and shakedown. There was but one end and purpose in view during these early days of operating - readiness for duty with the fighting forces - and toward this the ship, her Captain, Officers, and crew bent every effort under the direction of a rigorous program of training schedules, which kept them moving constantly off the Maine coast and points to the southward until the end of May, when the first military inspection was held aboard the vessel. It was then that the DASHIELL experienced her initial vote of confidence in the GQWELL DONE' of ComDesLant, who immediately sent her on her way in the knowledge that she had made a fine beginning for what was to follow. Returning to New York for a short post-shakedown availability, followed by the first convoy duty to Boston and back fthe crew, kept guessing by secrecy, had visions of Africa, at least, upon departure for this onelj, she was ready for a longer trip at sea. While she was in Brook- lyn Navy Yard this time Commander Destroyer Squadron 25 hoisted his flag aboard her, initially assuming command in this unit of his squad- ron. By 6 June the ship was in Norfolk, and three days later she was ac- companying a carrier and another escort enroute to the island of Trini- dad. Arriving in Trinidad on the 13th, the DASHIELL spent sixteen days operating with carriers, while they trained their flight crews in the Gulf of Paria. The first foreign port naturally afforded much interest and sev- eral enjoyable liberties, - not like New York, but nevertheless 'Gthe beach , the mere idea of which was taking on an ever-increasing import- ance for all hands. In convoy the ship again returned to Norfolk, arriv- P-