Donner (LSD 20) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 88 of the 1961 volume:

tc C iK ::= . (7 4  i I ; Port Gei ni_ ' oiM-i-e Nome- 31 mnnct c« to-- ' K ' ., HISTORY and MISSION Mutual understanding between countries cannot be advanced by a single drannatic stroke, but rather by a thousand small acts by a thousand people all patiently trying to enlarge the area of mutual respect between human beings. This statement was made by Admiral Arleigh Burke, former Chief of Naval Operations. Several years ago, former President Eisenhower initiated the nationwide movement known as the People-to-People program. President Kennedy endorsed this program early this year. With the enthusiastic support of Admiral Burke, the Navy and Marine Corps Joint Service Programi became operational in November I960. This People-to-People prograna was designated Operation South Atlantic Amity and is designed to be carried out in small - but important - acts by the thousands of men who are part of the Solant Amity Forces. The mission of Solant Amity is primarily to present the American, and the American way of life, to the people of other nations. This is done in several ways. For instance, helicopters air lift medical supplies as much as 50 miles inland for a missionary station. People are given a glimpse of the American way of life through use of the Solant Amity Fair where display boards and demonstrations are used to portray the United States, and the custonns and traditions of its people, A typical visit by Solant Amity units would include: Rendering honors to visiting miilitary and civic officials; Presentative of books, medical supplies and food; Athletic contests with local teams, such as baseball, soft- ball, golf, volleyball, soccer and judo exhibitions; Children ' s parties aboard ships, and visits to private homes. The ships would hold general visiting in the afternoons, and it is esti- mated that over a quarter of a million Africans have visited U.S. Navy ships. Most of them saw Americans for the first time. The Solant Amity bands have spoken the international language of music to some 400,000 people by outdoor concerts, pierside jam sessions and any other occasion where their services were called for. This was the third Solant Amity Force. It consisted of five ships which carried to the people of Africa, 32, 000 pounds of medical supplies, 10, 000 pounds of food, 10,000 pounds of protein, 400 bibles, 40 cases of clothing and 10, 000 magazines , Encyclopedias, toothbrushes, tooth paste, candy, and last but not least, the warmhearted good will of the American people. Our men returned from Solant Amity III with the knowledge that there are friends of America all over the world. SOLANT AMITY 1961 t REAR ADMIRAL ALLEN U. S. N. L. REED Allen Lorentz Reed was born May 21 1908 in Manila, P. I. , son of William Allen Reed, who was then Governor of the Province of Lopante Bontoe, and Mrs. Grace Peterson Reed. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1927, and was com- nnissioned Ensign 4 June, 1931. He was advanced to Rear Admiral with date of rank 1 July, 19 58. He served for six months in the Battleship USS Oklahoma after grad- uation from the Naval Academy. In addition, he served in USS Parrott, USS Tennessee and USS Milwaukee. He was Executive Officer of the USS Helm when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The Helm was the only ship of the Fleet which was fully manned and underway when the Japanese attacked. He has commanded the USS John Hood, USS Botetourt and USS Saint Paul. In addition to the Bronze Star Medal with the combat ' V and the Commendation Ribbon, Rear Admiral Reed has the American Defense Medal; Fleet Clasp; The American Campaign Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with three stars; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal and the National Defense Medal. STAFF First row: LT R, L. Slawson, USN; CAPT J. M. MacKenzie, USMC; CORE. W. Myers, USN; CAPT R. D. Shepard, USN; RADM A. L. Reed, USN; CDR J. S. Spielman, USN; LCDR T. J. Elliott, USN; LT P. H. Edmunds, USN; LTJG D, R. Lindskog, USNR. Second row: Hawbaker, B, RM2; Marques, O, JOl; Lines, C, RMl; Cathey, G, YNl; Newbern, T, YNl; Schlatter, E, YNCS; Yarbrough, P, RMCM; Abille, R,SDC; Bennett, B, PHI; Howe, L, QMl; Elliott, C, BMl; McCall, J, RM2. Third row: Symons , R, SN; Driver, S, SN; Sullivan, W, RM3; Sproule, J, EN3; Genteel, S, RM2; Pickney, G, YN2; Switaj, D, PH2; Johnson, R, YN3; Wagemaker, E, RM3; Valdez, J, TN; Huerta, O, TN CRUISE NARRATIVE to the folks at home Preparations began about a mo six months deploynrient were emba of gift items and food stuffs. The friends and allies, and render ass nth and a half before the scheduled departure. Supplies for the projected rked along with extra ammunitions, special evacuation gear and a variety Force was then ready to carry out its good will mission, lend support to [stance in whatever form needed. Friday, 15 Septer (LST-1173) got under later. The USS Forr« and Mayport, Fla. , i iber was a cold, cloudy day as the USS Donner (LSD-ZO) and the USS Suffolk County vay from Little Creek, Virginia. The USS Mattabesset (AOG-5Z) left Norfolk a day St Sherman (DD-931) and the USS Meredith (DD-890) got underway from Newport, R. I. sspectively. At Morehead City, N. C. , the Don: group - F Company of the 6th Mar aboard off Onslow Beach. The Force and Suffolk County loaded the participants Battalion, Znd, Marine Division. Later s now ready, lacking only the titular Comr in the Solant Amity visit , 5 LVTP-5 ' s were put lander -in -Chief. We proceeded directly to Trinidad, Rear Admiral Allan Reed emba aboard the Don 23 Sept. The Mattabesset, Forrest Sherman and Meredith made a short stop at Tobago, proceeding west to Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Here they visited a local orphanage, the Royal Police Academy and a banana planta- tion. The Donner and Suffolk County set forth for the Cape of Good Hope, crossed the Equator 29 September, observing traditional ceremonies, and entered the South African Naval Base, Simonstown 12 October. All hands were Salute, and a 19 g turn, returned gur marines and the Si in dress blues for entering the harbor. The Flagship, Donner, fired a 21 gun National in salute to Rear Admiral Bierman, Chief of Staff of the South African Navy. They, in salutes to our ships and Rear Admiral Allan Reed. A rifle match was held between our )uth African Navy. The Forrest Sherman, Meredith and Mattabesset proceeded to Pointe Noire and Port Gentile, French Equatorial Africa, after leaving Abidjan, then proceeded south to Capetown. They participated in anti- submarine exercises. The Donner and Suffolk County got underway for Port Elizabeth, docking 16 October. This is a bustling industrial city that was happy to see us. We received over 11, 000 visitors and held many receptions. The ships entertained children fronn a local orphanage, and in return accepted invitations to various hospitals and institutions. Leaving Port Eli opportunities to see tl Ships visiting was lir comed all ship ' s cre was with reluctance ibeth 20 October, we entered Capetown afte townand countryside, especially the many ,ted to invitation only, and official functions 5 with the same courtesy and hospitality shov ; departed 28 October. four days of rough seas. The men had .ews of magnificent Table Top Mountain, ere held to a nninii;num. Capetown wel- n by Port Elizabeth and Simonstown, It Avoiding Japanese fisl at Mullet Bank. The Doni the equator on 10 Novemb brated 9 November at sea. All visit proceeded 16 November to Conakry, capital city of Guinea. A Solant F. of the visit. The two amphibious ships proceeded 19 November to Baffu the Liberian coast. After four interesting days of sightseeing, we proc Liberian President Tubman ' s birthday celebration. Marines paraded nets, and investigating unidentified ra and Suffolk County got underway for Fr All hands became Golden Shellbacks, at Freetown were brief but pie -apital ar contacts, the ships stopped briefly etown. Sierra Leone, again crossing The Marine Corps birthday was cele- sant. The Donner and Suffolk County r and reception were the highlights 3ay, a small mission settlement on eded to Harper for participation in ith the Liberian Frontier Forces. The two ships continu ;d on to Mon occasio IS to d istribute the r g ifts. The entire Task F orce rei idezv Final de stinat on for a U is hoi Tie. We A-ould ike to s hare ou r pri ashore. They perforn led a se capital city of Liberia, 1 and 2 December, having many memorable dezvoused off Monrovia 3 December with a salute from the Destroyer Group. le with the families of oi; to the United States Nav Der of the American sailc and their behavior be en, in the exemplary conduct displayed while nd to the Nation, by showing the people of the nd marine. Their appearance was outstanding 1 w • ' - ' WHim sf m mim m A Cathedral A gift of encyclopcdi. The beach at To Downtown Trinidad Trinidad ' s Steel Band ' H fijlfii ! PPIBPfPH mmtm,m The old SUiimming hole DONNER CROSSES THE LINE SUFFOLK COUNTY at EQUATOR IN THE HIGHEST COURT OF THE RAGING MAIN. THE DOMAIN OF IMPERIVM NEPTVNI REGIS MEREDITH POLLYWOGS BECOME SHELLBACKS . — Ca.p Lopez. ICRT GE-MT;L t 1 4 THE GREATNESS OF A ■■ • ? J - Jl- ' ' I ' - f i MBER OF JTS PEOPLE OR THE EXTEKT OF iTS TERRITORY IE EXTENT M TICE OF ITS COMPASSION vv ' i H j ' -- V ifcr • ' jKP ■mm ■_ . ' K SI K j HIHhw . .Mitf jAi isssemiismmtiiit. Glad to meet y Looking down fron ■ ' f-i I 1 L ; . Vjj ' -, - The reception in Conakry Beffu Bfly m PBT ■0 ' 2i i M - V. Look at ' le bird ' • R ; iBWn •N k y A «(S i ■alllll ' l ■ T 1 1 1 1 I r . IIIIV. friond- pSJSSarim, 1 Mbli ' ., J. Rottier, Ensign R, Varnado, CWO Suffolk County y Donne r -1 arc on board the USS Donne r LSD ? T have you wUh us as our ,uest and w h J ' pleasure to an Old s.ado, s..u.a..„,.: WELCOME ' Tb ' o A R D f ■■ seapower . . . Bc ' forr wl- tell you about the construtlioii uf uuj- liiij Jmt ■ l ' ' sl U-U you ■ ■hy, in llu first pUi,., |I„. Na y ships like the Donner in our modurn fleet I n the present world allies and my c ;ther with your ei ition, the ability to use the sea is vital to y as well. The United States is joined y and the rest of the free world by the ommon bond of the sea. All but a few nations border on the sea . ' he integrity of our bond is necessary to preserve our freedom One of the elements of seapower is the amphibious force. To fully appreciate the value of this element, one merely has to glance at the map of the world and see that 70 percent of the world is covered by the sea. Amphibious capability furnishes a means by which we can come to the aid of our allies swiftly and land our forces in case of enemy attack. The USS Donner is capable of such an aid. Seventy-two feet wide and 458 feet long, the USS Donner draws Zt feet of water, and can do 15 knots. Aside from her regular crewmembers, the ship has berthing spaces for about 175 troops. Built by the Boston Naval Shipyard during World War Two, the ship was first put in commission on July 31, 1943. After four years of service, she was decommissioned and mothballed in Charleston, S. C. A year later, September 16, 1950, she was recommissioned and has operated continuously since then. her mission . . . The USS Donner rs a landing ship dock designed to load combat troops and equipment, small amphibious craft and vehicles transport them across oceans; and launch them ashore. The ship is also so designed that it can render docking and repair services at sea or in port to small ships and craft. In accomplishing her mission, the Donner can easily fit into her roomy well deck three landing craft utility (LCU) or 18 landing craft , In an entirely different mission, the ship lany as 15 helicopters. However, on routine ly four to six helicopters. d (LCM) . aki up Ihe - ' V J , 5, re the Donn. r Tot wblcl liJs a specific job to do. ' s engines, ' ' ° ' j j nj shipfilters , u „„ on. nunnery ais.sions, the deck her crew . . • . ' ■., mbal information center (CIC) Coinmunic.Uions, the com under the operations ■ ' ,,,,„enl While each crewmcmber is u-.ioi. dep..rtme, together as ' -■••I I ' her landing force I he- lunsiqiicnos c «as unable to rcpa onth his family U ' llu- first rchc-f party =hov...ci up ..r ' s thiltiri.-n safuly to Californi. -p-daushtcrs Elitha and Li-anna. Sho Klitha and Lcanna. . . thcy ' r iblt winter. Mc-an« ill from expos nil- Ci- food and survived on the wa: Deeeinber, it ould only take uld iihe ;,is fa ? Hci 1 them all. w. .nd they might forget what they ' ve scon here, and ner whisper... You ' ll come back for them (her own children) - remaining Donners m.ra. lul food. But before Ih ary 1847, George IDonner had dropp ' ■ r urged Tamsen to ti would bury them alive. With Tiurinured her liusband was sti that she kissed her daughters coma. The relief par ith them with her children before the sn eves, she shook her he mphibioui sneak in c s behind e jmbat nemy 1 roups ant ines. Til el. copter equipme 1 envelope ily on prevents troops de jarkinj; f her proud name Now I peopli A ' her rum . . . .ind what it means. To the American the name Uonncr stands as a symbol of courage d unselfish devotion. In the summer of 184D, George Donner, a husky man of about 50, led a string of covered wagons from Illinois U) California. With him washis family his wife Tamsen and their five small daughters. This wa the first attempt by pioneers to steer covered wagons across the Rocky Mountains -- a short cut to the West. A series of delays found the Donner party still at the Rocky Mountains at th start of winter. Food supplies had run out. Some members abandoned the group in frantic search of refuge from the coming snow and hunger. Howev. the Donner party went on . . . George Donner ' s wagon moving last because c Its heavy weight. About 8 miles from Truckee Lake, Nev. (which was late to bear Donner ' s name) his wagon broke down. The others had reached the safety of abandoned cabins by Donner La - before they discovered George Donner and his family were missii Out of 87 pioneering people of along the Rocky Mountains during t the widow of George Donner-- the c i. .i, ,„,! .levoled Tamsen Donn Lake The Navy has chosen t a ship after the Donne We, as USS Donner n; strive to be as courage devoted to duty just as Tamsen W.1S to pioneer George Donne Cmmndinq (Mwi MARTIN Y. CORNETTA COMMANDER, U.S.N. 3 Commander Martin V. Cornetta, USN, is a veteran of 24 years Naval Service. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1937 and was commissioned in October 1943. During World War II he participated in various engagennents and spent some time ashore in Guadalcanal with the U. S. Marines. Later he saw action aboard five aircraft carriers. In the course of his Naval career, Comnnander Cornetta has had conamand of the Landing Ship Flotilla Flagship 786 and Chesterfield County (LST-551). He served with the Operational Test and Evaluation Force for nearly four years and has recently connpleted a tour as Ex- ecutive Officer of the U. S. S. Hermitage (LSD-34) which visited the South Atlantic area as flagship during SoLant Amity I. Commander Cornetta reported as Commanding Officer of the U. S.S. Donner in July of 1961. k XJMtJm (Mem GEORGE E. IRISH LCDR. U.S.N. Vepaxbmit G. Saucier, LT DECK R. Visscher, LCDR MEDICAL i V R. Hill, LT OPERATIONS -Meoeh (II p. Hanneman, LT ENGINEERING H. O ' Connor , ENS NAVIGATION t R. Loftus, LT SUPPLY E cid]iju€ l?epaAtrn£irt r R % lK ' f k. E. Lynch, YN2 N. Kr J. Rosenberger, YN3 W. Tedlock, PC 3 E. Fournier. YN3 T, Fifield, SN G. Fluman, PN3 G. Mossey, SN 4« D. Bradley. SN R. Bruce, SN M. Cheatham, SN R. Clark, SN P. Craig, SN F. Hopkins, SN I IT %fi ¥t r K, H % SN C. Patterson, SN H. Shrode, SN J. Skala, SN D. Smith, SN J. Bier, SA B. Edwards, SA J. Everett, SA H. Miller, SA H. Williams, SA .SfiCOfUtT UHAOHl E. Carrai. BMC W. Elliott, BMZ W. Griffith, B.VIi R. Yoder, BM3 W, Kilgore, BMSN R. Bracamonte, SN T. Dandy, SN ' I S li ll. .if€ ,1?M G. Fortenberry, SN D. Godwin, SN J, Granski, SN B. Green, SN S. Hicks, SN F. Jackson, SN J. Kirby, SN W. Wells, SN H. Yetter, SN A SA J. Cavins, SA J. Chrusciel, SA T. Mills. SN J. Parker. S A P. Rsed, SN R. Reed, SA ' 1 I R. Smith, GMl J. Manly. CM2 E. WurtB, FT2 G. England. GM3 B. Bartee, SN V, Shu T. McCloskey, LTJG Ope;iQtionA X) p(JD(bneri; 3 YiijfcJl 3- E. Johnson, SMI R. Maloney, SM2 B. Newkirk, RM2 L. Sibley, RM2 H. Wyatt. RM2 K. Alexanderson, ETJ D. Cummings. RM2 l I fi R. Hefferman, RDSN G. Hollar, RDSN W. Kasak. ETR3 T. Marchant, ETRSN C. Phillips, RM3 M. Phillips. RDSN J. Smith, ETNSN D. Stuart, RMSN J. TerwiUiger, RMSN J. McF ul, CM) D. Wierzbicki.QMSN D. Barbe, SN C, Dilts, QM3 ){i 4 n A. Jurisich, HM3 D. Powell, HM3 B. Switzer, HM3 M Vmm 1 Callicutt, MM2 H. Daniels, MUZ R. Limdy, MMZ J. McCutcheon, MM2 J. Reed, MM2 E. Girouard, MM3 r )C4){ R. Harper, MM2 D. Sinkola, MM3 W. Upshaw, MM3 FX li. Enyart, F C. MuUms, FN P. Sunden, FN K iiWik ti K. Dukes, BTl K. AUred, BTi A. Ballard, BT2 J. Flory, BT2 R. Borlace, BT3 D. Cox, BTS J. Kudika, BT3 -DwiAi UKAUHl h U i X iiiir i R. Hunkley, FN C. Losino. FN V. Mazzella, FN J. Morris, FN H. Brooks, FA C. Mizelle, FN P. White, FN -A Dmi UMAUHt L. AUgeier, EN2 E. Cooney, MM2 A. Grouse. EN2 H. Goodnow, ENV F. Zuucr. MK A. Alvine. EN J K. Ueaver, E. 3 B. King, EN3 L. Lienesch, MR2 A. Smith, EN3 D. Hilander, EN3 B. Moore, MR3 L. Fahle, FN o. ' ' f K IX •K. .i D. Richards, MRFN K. Schuetz, ENFN R. Fruge, FN R. Sparrow. FN T. Woodward, FN A. Ooty, MRFN M. Easton, ENFN E Uiml wiAim f R. Varnado, CWO E Division Officer W. Mount, EMI H. Blackmon, EM2 D. Dunfee. IC2 F. Murray, EM2 W. Myers, EMJ C. Warlitner, EM3 C. Baker, EM3 J. Hall, ICFN D. Heimbach, EMFN R. Koskela, ICFN W. Olson, EM3 ' R Vimi J. Cobb, FN T. Griftin, FN G. Hovey, FN J. Rosbury, FN V. Steinwand, SFP3 L. Maher, FN S 17uHAUHt O. Winters, SD3 L. Lauch ,SK3 R. Serna. TNSN E. Ashmon, TN G. Beason, SK3 r if - k i i M. Rice, TN R. Wilhelm, SN H. WilUamB, TN THE BAND Front row: (I to r) H. McClure, MUC; W. Smith, MUZ; R. Powell, MUZ; S. Guarisco, SN; W. Bradley, MU3; J. Cansler, MUX; J. Howard, MUZ. Second row: F. Bowen, MUX; D. Evans, MUX; C. Burlc, MUX; J. Meulen- berg, MUX; T. Hansen, MUX; T. Adams, MUZ; T. Ingraham, MU3, Third row: F. Kocina, MUSN; R. Bauer, MU3; W. HiXlberg, MU3; R. Kingston, MUSN;R. Klotz, MUX;M. PXantenberg, MUSN;T. Shatuck, MUSN. FAREWELL PARTY WE WORKED V 4l 0M EFW a TIFFANV PHOTOCRAPHEKS I CoUey at Westover ? uj :: K ♦ «• o ' TuiNIDflD ' 1 I } ' -■ - '