Ernest G Small (DD 838) - Naval Cruise Book

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we dd a .Mdforg The USS ERNEST GJ SMALL is a 2,250- ton Gearing Class destroyer. It received it's name from Rear Admiral Ernest G. Small, Admiral Small, ,a World War II hero., won the Navy Cross while commanding the cruiser Salt Lake City during a night action against Japanese sur- face units off Salvo Island. Built at Bach Iron Works the Small was christened by the Admiral's widow. Cdr. Thos. D. McCrate assumed command when the de- stroyer was placed in commission on August 21, 1945. After commissioning the ship served in the Atlantic Fleet making three trips to the Mediter- ranean. On June 29, 1950, the Small passed through the Panama Canal joining the Pacific Fleet and commencing operations with the Seventh Fleet. In September of 1951 the Small returned from her second tour of duty in Korean waters. ...2Ef'..'7'f.i13 W 1- . '1 39455 3 fxif On October 7, 1951, while firing at Red shore batteries and maneuvering at high speeds, the ship suffered an underwater explosion which was presumed to be a mine. The disaster claimed the lives of nine men and injured eighteen others. The bow was damaged extensively, and four days later was broken off by heavy seas. Limping badly and forced to back all the way to Japan, the ship was saved. Sporting a new bow, it was recommis-sioned on December 2, 1952 after undergoing repairs and conversion, rejoining the fleet as a radar picket destroyer. Since 195 3, she has made five more tours in the Western Pacific. As a unit of Destroyer Division 131 she was employed in routine training operations off the coast of California until May 17, 1960 when she again deployed to WestPac. . . A, -may ':-.. . 4. tcfi x-pc. .

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me Jr 'i . . V ,rl Eff -il: - ef .A ,: -2 ' f- N g i 55' .. . at fe M A - J.: al. ix' 4 1 l .1 Q . ., , ' ' ,x ,. 6 4. fa WI 1 l tl .'- 1 lkl l W 5. Commanding Officer 9- Commander Charles H. Carroll, USN 'ill va ,Q 1 if l qv. .I 'lj ? l 3 J 4 f I 1, 15 ,ii , x,. C' . me Clapfain Commander Carroll was born April 16, 1921, in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the young age of twelve he ran away to his first love, the sea. Reaching seventeen he enlisted in the regular navy and began his ascent through the enlisted ratings finally arriving at the top of the enlisted bracket as Chief Quartermaster. In the midst of World War II, in 1943 he received his commission as an officer. During World War II and through some of the roughest action in the Solomons Campaign of the Pacific Theatre, he served with and knew Admiral Ernest G. Small who was then commanding officer of USS Salt Lake City CCA 25 J . The Korean con- flict found him serving as a destroyer oper- ations and executive officer. , ' 1 Q' ,EFMYU 4