Everett Larson (DDR 830) - Naval Cruise Book

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INTRODUCTION The Larson has sailed from Newport for the Mediterranean early in every January since 1948. This book is a kind of record of her sixth successive cruise. Since it is the only such record that has been put together and published, we have tried to make of it more than the sim- ple history of missions accomplished and ports visited during this one voyage. Instead, you will find here an attempt to catch something of the spirit of a ship in whose life this year ' s cruise is but an episode. For after a time any ship develops a character of its own which is seem- ingly independent of the individuals on board, though each contributes something to it. The Larson is no exception. Not even her most Ancient Mariner has been with the ship since commissioning. And all of us will undoubtedly have gone long before she is finally relegated to some rusting backwater or scrap heap. In this book we have tried to preserve this intangible quality; to show it to our families and friends, or to stran- gers who may have no idea of what a destroyer is, much less the things one does or skills required to do them. The Larson is a Radar Picket Destroyer, which sounds very special. It signifies only a specialty. All destroyers, past, present, or future,

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Private First Class Everett Frederick Larson, USMCR Born Sept. 3, 1920 in Stamford, Conn. He enlisted in the USMCR Jan. 13, 1942 and served until killed in action on Guadalcanal on Oct. 8, 1942. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Asiatic-Pacific campaign ribbons. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on Oct. 8, 1942. With utter disregard foi his own personal safety, Private First Class Larson braved the intense fire of the enemy to swim the MATANIKAY in a heroic attempt to rescue a wounded comrade. His valiant and self-sacri- ficing action, in which he lost his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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whether designated General Purpose (DD) Escort (DDE) or Radar Picket (DDR) are much alike. They are fast, as ships go, narrow of beam, rough in a seaway, handy in a fight. Peace or war, they do the work. Nowadays most Atlantic based destroyers are rotated to the Mediter- ranean for five month periods — perhaps not as often as the Larson, - but it is a routine assignment, nevertheless. There is nothing spectacular in it. The work at sea is hard and the liberty ashore is good. Each ship has its share in waging a guiet war the Navy is winning through the presence of strength and the creation of good will among foreign peo- ples. The Larson is only one of many doing this same important and almost anonymous job. In the following pages you will find shipboard scenes, fleet opera- tions, ports of call familiar to most Deslant sailors. You may see faces here and there which you recognize as those you know, or love. But it is our hope that you will discover something more. Then you may understand the reason why we take a particular pride in this one ship. Why we who have served in her think of the Larson not merely as one of many, but as one among many.