Eldorado (AGC 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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a mo s ' koshi history of the USS ELDORADO On the 25th of August 1944 a new type of ship greeted the world. She was the U. S. S. ELDORADO, once a merchant ship named the SS MONSOON, now converted into an amphihious flagship. This new ship, the product of a new type of offensive warfare, was designed to direct the amphihious assaults of our island hopping forces in the Pacific. The watch was set and the ensign raised ; the Eldorado, its name taken from a Nevada mountain range, was now in commission. Green hoots from Newport, Rhode Island, with just a sprinkling of old salts ' , took her out of New York harhor and into Long Island Sound. There she underwent extensive drills and tests designed to season her inexperi- enced crew and test her new equipment. It wasn ' t long hefore she was in fighting condition. The officers and men were proud of her shipshape appearence and had a growing confidence in her unique capabilities. Her skipper, Captain J. R. WALLACE, USN, hrought her around to Pearl Harhor, where Vice Admiral, R. K. TURNER, USN, Commander Amphihious Forces Pacific, embarked. Immediately the Eldorado plunged into new training exercises. Simulated enemy beaches were assaulted until they became familiar as Main Street . Assualt wave followed assualt wave, a period of rest, and hack to the attack. The coxswains knew every inch of those sandy beaches, and the men in the boats knew every dip and break in the distant hills. Suddenly training stopped. The Eldorado headed into the waters of the now setting sun. Each man thoroughly knew his part in hauling down the red ball. The crew and Eldorado both sensed their baptism under fire was soon to come. After days of steaming, an island rose out of the sea, her beaches and hills remarkably resembling the ones which were so familiar. 1 he big guns of the fleet spoke with firm determination. The battle for Iwo Jima was underway. As the command ship, the Eldorado directed the assualt on the first actual Japanese territory to be invaded. The Secretary of the Navy, James E. Forrestal, was an eyewitness to the battle from the flag bridge of the Eldorado. It was during this major engagement that the ship acted as a floating radio station , broadcasting the victorious progress of our forces directly from the beach to the press back home. Later, as the need for advanced bomber bases became imperitive, the Eldorado moved westward, joining with a large task force. She took part in the Okinawa invasion, the largest amphibious assualt ever attempted at that time. The Eldorado become the focal point for coordinating strikes against the island. In the struggle for this stra- tegic island the Eldorado, along with the rest of the task force, sustained 568 enemy air attacks. Although not primarily a combatant ship, the Eldorado proved her worth by downing several attacking aircraft. During these almost continious air attacks, eight members of the crew were wounded. It is interesting to note that the Japanese were never fully aware of the Eldorado s strategic importance in the campaign. Her outward appearence was that of an auxiliary ship, concealing the fact that she was the nerve center of the operation. Had the Japanese known this and concentrated their attacks on the Eldorado rather than the lush-looking carriers, this story might never have been written. After World War II, with many tours of duty in the Orient behind her, the Eldorado was spending a much needed rest in San Diego when the unstable situation in Korea exploaded with the invasion of Soutli Korea. Many of her crew were home enjoying leave when telegrams brought them back, on the double . I key were reluctant to leave their families and friends, but at the same time eager to again prove the capabilities of the Eldorado. On the 28th of August, 1950, the Eldorado departed from San Diego with Rear Admiral, L. A. THACKERY, USN, embarked. Eighteen days continious steaming brought her to Inchon, Korea. There she participated in the latter stages of the Inchon invasion, which has been called one of the most brilliantly planned and executed opera- tions of the Korean Conflict. The Eldorado had the unique experience of taking part, not only in the invasion, but also in the evacuation and re-occupation of Inchon. She remained in the Far East 385 days, of which 216 were spent in Korean waters. The Eldorado earned eight battle stars during her long tour in the troubled Korean area. Back in the states the Eldorado took part in a huge PACTRAEX operation. This exercise, designed to show weak points as well as strong ones in America s first line of defense, provided much valuable information to those entrusted with our safety. The Korean conflagration has long since died to a glowing, hut not forgotten ember, and the Eldorado settled down to . . .