Erben (DD 631) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 60 of the 1955 volume:

•fc A BRIEF HISTORY OF O.S.S. ERBEN Henry U.S.S. FRBEN is a 2IOO ton, Fletcher class destroyer named after Rear dmiral Erben, a veteran naval leader of the war between the States and the war with Spain. She was built at the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine and commissioned on May 28, 1943 at the Boston Naval Shipyard, Charleston, Massachusetts. ERBEN ' s World War II record began in September 1943 as she joined the FIFTH Fleet in the Pacific with ComDesRon 48 embarked. The remainder of the war say ERBEN in service conducting screening, bombardment and escorting missions with famous Task Forces 38 and 58 and the SEVENTH Fleet. ERBEN say action in the Marshalls, Marianas, Philippines, Leyte Guif, and Okinawa compaigns, and finally off the home islands of Japan. After the signing of the Japanese Treaty in Tokyo Bay, ERBEN could take credit for 5 enemy planes, with scores of assists , one freighter sunk, 9 bombardments, 33 rescues at sea, and 17 mines sunk or exploded. After a post war rest in moth-balls , ERBEN rejoined the Pacific Fleet with Destroyer Division 172 on May 19, 1951. By September, she was back in Japanese waters again in another war against aggression — this time in Korea with the SEVENTH Fleet. ERBEN ' s time was divided between screening the fast carriers of Task Force 77 and bombarding with Task Force 95. During this cruise she was commended for the dramatic rescue of six airmen from dark, rough seas. While conducting shore bombardment off the Korean east coast, ERBEN struck an uncharted reef which sent her to the dry docks of Sasebo and Yokosuka until her return to the United States. On her return she was fitted with a new tripode mast, remodeled CIC, plot and sonar equipment at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard and left for another crack at the Commies with the SEVENTH Fleet. Her second Korean tour proved fruitful and included duty on Formosa Strait Patrol with a visit to Hong Kong while working with Task Force 72. ERBEN ' s guns again spoke in anger against communism before her return to the States where she exchanged her old SC-2 air search radar for the new AN SPS6 search equipment before her third trip to the Orient. ERBEN ' s third trip to the Far East was marked by visits to Hong Kong and Manila. She saw duty off Indo-china, Formosa, and Korea during this tour, before departing for a well deserved rest and overhaul period in the United States. While in the Philippines in March 1954, ERBEN in company with U.S.S. WASP (CVA 18) and U.S.S. BLUEGILL (5SK 242) was selected to participate in a live fire demonstration which included aircraft rocketing, bombing and strafing, followed by hedgehog and depth charge attack on a simulated submarine. Purpose of the demonstration was to illust ate to President Magsaysay and high Philippine dignitaries the capabilities and techniques employed by Fast Carrier Task Forces in detection, attack and destruction of enemy targets. CRUISE SUMMARY The destroyer U.S.S. Erben returns to her home port of San Diego in September after a six month tour in the Far East. , Erben ' s operations were varied and included evasion of several typhoons, operations with cruiser and fast carrier task forces, and in June, along with other ships of Destroyer D.v.s.on 172 transported sixty boy scoutes from their annual encanpment at Okinawa to Keelung, Formosa. During the tour, Erbsn visited various ports of the Far East including Man.la, Pn.l.ppine Islands; Hong Kong, British Crown Colony; Sasebo, Kobe, and Yokosuka, Japan. Erben is commanded by Commandor William A. Keefo of Coronado and Carnal. c A P T A I N 4 m ... w ' ! Bb| - w 1 VW« ra - k . B CAPT HISTORY The Captain commenced his Naval Career upon his Graduation frnm tk. r a |-C • Academy at which time he was commissioned ' ZT S fte served on fourteen deep water merchant ships in various officer bMuTtl J j Vm9 duty aboard U.S S OKLAHOMA rDD v ■ ,«H l? j etS he was ordere d to active as L Japanese a ta ed he7 af 1 Har r.  by 9 ™ •«« • WILLIAM fCVE d 3n nl S ? En9in l eer c ° f f ic « r  boa«l the newly commissioned U.S.S. PRINCE and eaHy 94 5 ' f rs lE tenant and D St A ■  ' PROVIDENCE ; CCL 2) whTrh ll S £2? C ° n n o1 L Ass,stant were his next duties  b°«rd USS the Met .945 he w ' came edlterrea n flagship shortly after his reporting aboard In graduate LlTl cZL TorTw u er £ U ° ' ° 7 t0 P° transport U.S.S. wZo lto FQ S £ J T duty ab ° ard the Atfcack Armed Forces Sail College an d then Z r 9 ?, J Under -Auction at the E X E G Mr. CARTER began his career with his commissioning in December 1943 after his graduation from flight school. He then spent the early years of his career in the air arm as a pilot, a student, and also as an instructor during which time he transferred to the Regular Navy. In May 1949, he reported to Glenview, Illinois, for duty under instruction in the CIC Officers School. Upon his graduation, he reported to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. LEYTE (CA 32) for his first tour of duty aboard a ship. He then served aboard U.S.S. FRANK KNOX (DDR 742) as Navigator and AS Officer before reporting to U.S.S. STEMBEL (DD 644) for duty as Operations Officer. His next duty was ashore with the NROTC unit at the University of Southern California. Again he saw duty under instruction at the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School at Monterey commencing in December 1954 before reporting aboard this ship to assume the duties of Executive Officer in June 1955. D E P T. M E A D Mr. Wilson is the Operations Officer aboard ship. He reported aboard in November 1 954 having previously attended General Line School, Monterrey, California. Prior to this school, he served with the Pacific Amphibious Forces. He received his commission in the Naval Reserve in July 1945 transferring to the Regular Navy in De cember I 945. Mr. Racik is the Engineer Officer aboard ship. He reported in October 1 954, having previously served aboard U.S.S. Macomb (DD 458). He received his commission in the Naval Reserve in August 1 950 upon his graduation from the California Maritime Academy. Mr. Williams is Supply Officer aboard ship. He reported aboard in November 1 954 having previously served aboard U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA 34). He received his commission in the Regular Navy upon his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. Serving as Gunnery Officer aboard ship, Mr. Nelson reported in January 1 955. He received his commission 1 upon graduation from the U.S. Maritime Academy in August I 954. Subsequent to his graduation, Mr. Nelson served with the Merchant Marine until his activation in January I 954. D E P T. H A D S o p C p s Serving, as first lieutenant aboard ship, Mr. Wilford reported aboard in July 1954. He received his commission in the Regular Navy upon his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. Mr. Favrot is the Electronics Meterial Officer aboard ship. He reported in December 1 954 after attending Elec- tronics Officer School at Treasure Island. He received his commission in the Naval Reserve upon his graduation from Tulane University in June 1 954. Mr. Sandoval is Damage Control Assistant aboard ship. He reported in September 1954. He received his com- mission in the Regular Navy upon gradu- ation from Officers Candidate School in August 1954. Prior to his enrolling in OCS, Mr. Sandoval served as an enlisted man rising to a rate af ATI. He attended Michigan State College. Mr. Cooper is prospective custodian. He reported aboard in July I 955 having received his commission in the Naval Reserve upon graduation from Stanford University. Serving as Communication Officer aboard, Mr. Jones reported in July I 954. Previously he served as Comm jnications Officer aboard the U.S.S. CURTIS (AV-4). He received his commission in the Regular Navy upon graduation from the University of Oklahoma in June «95|. • Serving as 2nd Division Officer, Mr. Powers reported aboard in December r953. He received his commission in the Naval Reserve upon graduation from Officers Candidates School in November 1 953. He is graduated from the uni- versity of Norte Dame. Serving as Ca bat Information Cen- ter Officer aboard ship, Mr. Mc Donald reported aboard in June 1954. Ha received his commission in the Naval Reserve upon graduation from Officers Candidate School in November 1953. He is graduated from the University of Colorado. Previous to reporting aboard, he attended Combat Information Center Officers School, Glenview, Illinois. Mr. Poteete is ASW Officer aboard ship. He reported in February 1955 having previously been assigned at Fleet Activities Yolcosuka. He received his commission in the Naval Reserve upon graduation from Officers Candidate school in July 1953. He is a graduate of the University of Redlands. o F c £ S s c ottf D| | 10 V4 1st. Row: Mr. Powers, Van Pool, Foley, Campbell, Noble, Harrison Reeves, Shaerron, Morse, Proper, Schrieber. 2nd. Row: White, Tucker, Palok, Stelljis, Osborne, Hood, Birmingham Patton, Gopsey, Carlos, Herzog. 3rd. Row: Moore, Geyen, Jackson, Thornton, Joyner, cottrell, Young Pottratz, Smerud, Folk, Reese, Mills, Mitchell 4th. Row: Sorrells, Piekarski, Griffith, Allen, Kelley. CHOW HOUNDS IV Sl h 1st. Row: Bunyea, Luslc, Powell, Carrillo, Bedard. 2nd. Row: Thompson, Wilson, Speer, Fink, Fezer, Sutton, Mr. Poteete. c 1st. Row: Primocfe, Boro, Bithel, Watier, Fortuna, Farmer. 2nd. Row: Mr. Jones, Mr. Cooper, Creamer, Wall, Benielc, Falo, Soyring, Bell. o II i °H 1st. Row: Orttz, Adel, Bennet, Sands, Clay, Carrilfo. 2nd. Row: Ltjlg McDonald, Gregory, Stone, Crandall, Hester, Penniugton, Casino, West, £ns. Favrofc. P0 P IV l$l Ohj I st. Row: Mosely-DeihI-Moorehead-Britt-Quantroy-Deadman. 2nd. Rew: Moses-Dirksen-Beird-Kasparek-Judd-Milled. ,f w £ i tv ts v °h Back Row Uentress, G. L. BT3, Humphry. D. R. Fn, Quiring DD mm3 Romin E, F.J. Fn-Whitten, R. E. mm2 Third Row Phillips, E. L. Fn, Courtney R. F. BTl, Dorado, M. J Fn, Smith, E. C. Fn Lawson, C. G. mm3 Pittman, 12, mm3, Shank, J. T. BT3, Zmuda, J (N) mmc Clark, D. C. BTc. L T. Jg Racik, Weauer, E. mmc. Second Row Waker J. M. Fn, Simmons E. E. BT2, Poe, D. E. Fn, Dunham, R. L. Fn, Smith, J. R. Fn, Mitcham, W. C. Fn, Austin R.C. Fn, Shilling, C. E. mm3, Summers, J. L. mm2 Mitchell, W.J. Fn, Chapman, C. R. Fn, Stuckman, J. L. BT3. First Row Hilterbran, U. R. mm3, Boyd, G. E. mm I , Stack, J. R. BT2, Mustard, E. A. Fn, Taylor, J. H. Fn, Gatlin, M. A. BT2, Schoff, R. G. BT3, Harding, A. B. Fn. ii hst. Row: Eldri-dge, Lacasse, White, Poin Riddidc 2nd. Row: Richsmeie deth, Rhodes. DWIS ON H A N doesm ' t remind one of H N p H I L I P P I N E S DAMN ZIPPO •THE GIG CREW WAS THAT LAST THREE BELLS OR FOUR BELLS? ■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■I fELL CONTROL A LIT TLE LOWER AND WE ' LL HAVE RIC-HT ON THE NOSE! OFFICER OF THE DECK 3 LEE HELM IP;™ QUARTERMASTER • M  W9K0 ' iS tj CT; 0W OK OFFICER OF THE DECK SI NALMWN SWPWv -CRUISE BOOK- STAFF- Editor: Turner, W. E. BM3. Layout Assistant: Turner, W. E. BM3. Artist: Turner, W. E. BM3. Technical Advisor: Lcod. H. E. Carter, Ltjg- C. W. Nelson Jr. Ltjg. McDonald, Bell. QMe.