Farenholt (DD 491) - Naval Cruise Book

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sHlP's I-usToRY fcontinuedl A ln some ways it was a reward to the ship for many months of active dutyg in other ways it was boring and uninteresting. The movies and regular mail we had then were missed several months later. Okinawa was ripe for invasion and the U. S. was ready to seize it in April, 1945. At first the FARENHOLT and DesRon Twelve were not included in the support forces, but the suicide planes forced many tin cans out of action and Desliion Twelve was ordered to Okinawa at top speed. Back to war was welcomed by most men, especially the new crew members. The long stay at anchor was perhaps a little too restful. What they welcomed was a rough introduction to the Japanese most effective weapon to date, the suiciders. Twenty-four hours after arrival and assignment to a screening station, a J ap singled out the FARENHOLT's sector of the screen and crash dived into a DE, the U-SS Oberrender, damaging her so badly that she was later decommissioned. ComDesRon Twelve took charge of the rescue operations and the FARE-NHOLT went alongside to fight fires. Lt. Comdr. B. Magoffin, USN, was captain of the ship then, having relieved Captain Shook at Kossol Passage. The succeeding days were filled with new raids of varying size. A few ships were al- ways among the permanent victims. General Quarters was an exhausting regularity. When orders to a small carrier force striking Sakishima Island group, south of Okinawa, a staging point for J ap suiciders, arrived, a feeling of relief was widespread. It was justified, for in the next few weeks a calm sea, very few bogies and constant flight of friendlies over- head made it ugood duty . Like all good duty, it couldn't last. Leyte Gulf, Philippines, and then the Third Fleet unit supporting the fast carriers off the Japanese homeland were the flagship's next assign- ments. lt, too, was quiet, except for countless mines, of which FARENHOLT gunners sank their share. Days became weeks before back to Okinawa for the end of the war. Captain Luther K. Reynolds, USN, was now Commodore. He was soonto be relieved by Captain Thomas C. Hagan, USN. It certainly didn't look like the end as the FARENHOLT dropped anchor in Buckner Bay on July 28, 1945. The ship the FARENHOLT was to relieve on picket station was sunk the same night. Next night another destroyer was hit just outside the FARENHOLT's an- chorage. The war continued in similar fashion until August 9, when the first news release of Japanese peace intentions startled the Okinawa forces into a wild celebration with guns, rockets and searchlights. It was slightly premature as the scattered air raids during the 11ext few days proved - a transport bombed, the USS Pennsylvania torpedoed. But the hoped for, dreamed of, and prayed for ending came on August 15 and the FARENHOLT signalman ran up the V-J flag. There was no noisy emotional celebration this time - only a tired and grateful feeling that it was over and we would be homeward-bound soon, and perhaps, for some, the wish that mankind would never again be fo-rced to resist oppressive, domineering minds at the expense of the life of any man, race or nation. But the War was not yet ofiicially over for the F arenholt. For three months the tired tin can braved typhoons, assisted in the occupation of the Sakishima group and convoyed to Sasebo, Kyushu. On October 31, 1945, the FARENHOLT and Desliion Twelve saw the last of desolute Okinawa. Its homeward-bound pennant flying the veteran ship touched Saipan, Pearl Harbor, San Diego and transmitted the Panama Canal to Charleston, S. C. y Only another war could revive the FARENHOLT. Only the men who sailed her, fought her, a11d brought her home would determine that. U is , Ep. Thzrteen L57 311 , i I '-491: f g di -' af. X 1'

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SHlP'S HISTORY fcontinuedl THE FOLLOWING ARE MESSAGES OF INTEREST ADDRESSED TO THE USS FAREN- HOLT AND THE STAFF OF COMDESRON TWELVE WHILE THE USS FARENHOLT WAS OPERATING IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN: RABAUL AIR STRIKES-1 NOVEMBER 1943 SARA given chance is deadly. Message real music and opens tree tops to funeral dirge for Tojo,s Rabaul-Halsey, ' General MacArthur has sent his sincere congratulations on the splendid accomplishments of Task Force 38 and states that every man and officer reserves commendation. A BOMBARDMENTS, January 1944 In making things hum at Umum fBougainvilleJ your fast stepping veterans have turned in another star performance. Well done to them all. lTo DesRon Twelve from Halseyj. Things are shorter in the Shortlands since you showered down on them X Well done to all hands for your smooth performance-Halsey. RABAUL SURFACE RAID, February 1944 The first surface ship shelling of Rabaul, ably preceded and abetted by SoPac fliers adds an- other worry wrinkle to Tojo's brow. My congratulations to Simpsonis Shellackers for a grand performance-Halsey. Heartiest congratulations to you and all concerned in Rabaul air strikes. The relentlessness of the attacks and their effectiveness have aroused admiration and enthusiasm everywhere. The daring and successful destroyer raids were also splendid in every way and were conceived and accomplished in the best Farragut manner-MacArthur. KAVIENG SURFACE RAID, February 1944 To all destroyers working over the ,laps on the 24th and 25th a rousing well done-Halsey. Congratulations once more to Rodgers, Rangers. The .laps know that Twelfth night means a total blackout for them-Rear Admiral Ainsworth. Message Adm. Ainsworth-Squadron Twelve realizes that the training you have given us and the fighting spirit you have instilled in us will guide us in our future operations. We ap- preciate your good wishes and hope to get you a few trophies. Simpson's Scraperoos. fFrom ComDesDiv I0 to ComDesRon Twelvel . Congratulations on your last jaunt. Best of luck on the next, but leave something for us when we get off this milk run. QF rom ComDesDiv I0 to ComDesRon Twelvel. Looks like another first for Simpson's Scraperoos. Wish we could be with you. Good luck, good hunting and a full bag-Rear Admiral Ainsworth. Salaams to Simpson's Scraperoos. To all hands DesRon Twelve my congratulations on a job indeed well done-Ainsworth. SOLOMONS FINALE, March 1944 Your efficient services have been greatly appreciated while operating as a part of Task Force 38. Please convey to all your officers and men my heartiest thanks and congratulations, for duty well done and my best wishes for a happy and prosperous cruise in the future. fFrom Commander Task Force 38 to ComDesRon Twelvel. To the Squadron Commander and all ships, all ofiicers and men of the Buchanan and Wood- worth a pleasant voyage and best wishes for your happiness during your well merited visit to those at home. You have the satisfaction of a long and arduous task well and brilliantly done. I hope I may again have the pleasure of having you sail with me-Commander Task Force 38. To Captain Simpson. The departure of DesRon Twelve, the veterans of the South Pacific, will reduce drastically the tempo of the J ap smashing in this area, but in the fertile fields ahead Simpson's Slashers will carry on their glorious and inspiring deeds of which all of us are so justly proud. Good hunting and good luck-Halsey. Fifteen