Gatling (DD 671) - Naval Cruise Book

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CU S. Qatling 671i The U. S. S. GATLING fDD671j is the first United States Vessel so named. The name is in honor of Richard J. Gatling, American in- ventor, born in Hartford County, North Carolina, September 12, 1818 and died in New York City, February 26, 1903. This man is best known for his invention of the rapid fire machine gun which bears his name. Other inventions include such miscellaneous items as a screw propellor for steam vessels, a cotton seed planter, a hemp breaking machine, steam plow, and various other farm machinery improve- ments which have aided in greatly revolutionizing American farming methods. The GATLING was built at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry- dock Company shipyards in Kearney, New Jersey. She was launched on 26 June 1943 and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N. Y. on 19 August 1943. LT. CDR. Alvin H. Richardson was her first Commanding Officer. The story of the GATLING for the next year and a half is the story of the Allied Naval penetration of the Western Pacific. The ship was assigned to the newly formed Task Force 58. Steaming west from Pearl Harbor early in January 1944 she performed screen for carrier air strikes against the Japanese sprawling Island Empire. 16-17 Feb. 1944 Invasion of Truk 27 Feb. Saipan March Invasion of Emirau Island April Invasion at Hollandia, New Guinea 10 June -July Marianas Islands 1 September Philippines October Battle for Leyte Gulf During the Battle for Leyte Gulf the U. S. S. PRINCETON CCVL-23D was hit by enemy aircraft and damaged so badly that she had to be sunk. The GATLING was among the ships assigned to the rescue operation with the PRINCETON and 326 survivors were taken aboard this vessel. For their heroic efforts in this work four of the GATLING'S crew were awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Medal and 2 Officers

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LT. CDR. J. F. GAVlN was born in South Boston, Mass. but spent most of his youth in Albany, New York. He graduated from Holy Cross College in June of 1937 and was commissioned an Ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve January 1942. During World War ll LT. CDR. GAVlN'S duty assignments, all in minesweepers, were: North Africa Invasion, Atlantic Patrol - 1942, Marshall Islands Campaign, New Guinea Campaign, Philippine Campaign, lwo Jima. ln 1945 LT. CDR. GAVIN was released to inactive duty, however, nine months later he returned to active duty as Inspector-Instructor, Naval Reserve Unit, Troy, New York and recently was in Pearl Harbor on the Staff, Commander Mine Forces, U. S. Pacific Fleet. He relieved as Executive Officer aboard the U. S. S. GATLING on 14 February 1953.

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