Ernest Small (DDR 838) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS ERNEST G. SMALL (DDR-838) Named after Rear Admiral Ernest G. Small, redipient of the Navy Cross for his action as commanding officer of the cruiser SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25) in night action ofF Savo Island on 11 and 12 October 1942, the USS ERNEST G. SMALL was built by Bath Iron Works and commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on 21 August 1945. After serving with various units of the Atlantic Fleet, the SMALL was transferred to the Pacific Fleet in June of V950 for action in Korea with fast carrier task groups. In October 1951, while engaged in counter- battery gun fire support, SMALL suPFered an underwater explosion presumed to be a mine. The forward 100 feet of the ship was extensively damaged causing the ship to back down all the way from Korea to Japan at 6 knots. Heavy seas tore the bow off forward of Mount 52 while in transit. After being fitted with a false bow in Japan, the SMALL returned to the United States where she was decommissioned and converted from a DD to a DDR. On 2 January 1952 she was recommissioned sporting a new bow taken from her unfinished sister ship, the USS SEYMOUR D. OWENS. During the period January-August 1961, the ship underwent an extensive modernization and rehabilitation program designed to improve her capabilities as a radar picket destroyer. In 1963, she was back fitted with variable depth sonar, and in early 1964 the AN SPS 30 height finding radar was installed. On 16 May 1964, SMALL departed Long Beach, California and proceeded directly to the South China Sea for operations with a fast carrier attack force, remaining on station until mid-June, and then proceeding to her current homeport, Yokosuka, Japan. January 1965 found SMALL in the South China Sea where she became a designated unit of one of the Desoto Patrol (Tonkin Gulf) destroyer teams. During January and February, 57 consecutive days were spent underway. June 30, 1965 marked the completion of another competitive excercise period during which the SMALL gained top honors winning the Battle EfFiciency E for DesRon THREE, the Red Engineering E , nomination for the Weapons E , and was the Squadron Commander ' s nominee to receive the CNOS Ship of the Year Award . Also, during this period, U.S. Naval aircraft, under the advisory control of the sea units downed three MIG aircraft over North Vietnam. For this action, three members of the AAW team were awarded SECNAV letters of Commendation, and the captain was awarded the Bronze Star.

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LT L.C. DUFFY OPERATIONS OFFICER LTJG H.G. MAMMONS SHIPS SECRETHRY •X ' OC DIVISION ATHLETIC OFFICER LTJG J.R. FIUST COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER LTJG W.P. BAYS CIC OFFICER Ol DIVISION OFFICER ENS K.K. YASUTOME EMO OE DIVISION OFFICER