Henry A Wiley (DM 29) - Naval Cruise Book

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6 UNLIKE the day of the launching August 31, 1944 was a warm, hu' mid, mid-summer New York C12-Y 31121 as we heaved around and triced up at sunrise we all anticipated an eventful day. The day before, we had stood by on the Hammer Head Pier Number '16, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, watching our new ship round the bends of the East River, it still being in the hands of the Bethlehem Steel Company, and as soon as she tied up, we got our first good look at our sturdy craft, and a better looking ship few of us have ever seen. We clambered aboard, seabags in hand, to hunt down our trusty bunks which later proved to be our favorite spots for the many long months that followed. After stowing our gear the rest of the day was devoted to squaring away our spaces in anticipation of the day that was to follow. The morning of the 31st, Thursday, was devoted toward the all-important field day, so as to have everything ship- shape for the hours that were to follow. By 10:30, all began to dress for the occa- sion trying to make ourselves appear '4salty as possible. The saltiest look- ing sailors of course were those whose sea experience had been confined to the Chesapeake Bay. By 1130, we were all topside on the fantail, lined up in as near a military style as the mine tracks would permit, dressed in our best whites. As we were sweating it out under the August sun, the guests began to arrive and seated themselves on the benches provided on the pier. Those of us who were expect- ing guests strained our necks to get a view of those on the pier to see if Mom, Dad, the Wife, or perhaps the little girl had arrived. A band provided by the NEWY Yard added to the scene by play- Ulg mllltary and patriotic selections. The brief ceremony started at 1200 Page six as scheduled and Captain McKittrick, Assistant Captain of the New York Navy Yard, placed the ship into Com- mission and handed the command of the ship over to Commander Robert E. Gad- row, United States Navy. Captain Gad- row then gave a brief talk to the crew on the efficiency of a fighting ship. Mrs. Elizabeth W. Robb of Boston, Massa- chusetts, the daughter of Admiral Henry A. Wiley and the sponsor of the ship, then wished the crew, Good Luck and God Speed . This concluded the cere- mony and the boatswain's mate set the port watch, the U.S.S. Henry A. Wiley, DM-29, being officially commissioned in the United States Navy. A scramble then started as the offi- cers and men rushed to the pier to greet their guests and were permitted to bring the guests on board to show them our new home. A luncheon was held in the mess hall for guests of the crew. This luncheon consisted of the old Navy standby, baked beans, potato salad, cold cuts, with all the trimmings. It is in- teresting to note that this was the first and last meal to be served on board where flowers appeared on the table or napkins were at hand or that it was quiet enough to hear yourself speak. A lunch- eon was also held for the officers and their guests after the commissioning at Naval Officers Club, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The immediate guests that were present were Mrs. Roberta Wiley Childs of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Admiral Wiley's youngest daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Wiley of Haverford, Pennsylvania, Admiral Wiley's song and Captain Giles Stedman, USNR of the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, Long Island. All the visitors had left the ship by 1430 and at 1500 liberty was granted to the fortunate boys of the third section and thus ended the commissioning of the U.S.S. Henry A. Wiley, DM-29.

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.E IT WAS raining on the day of the launching as the party assembled at 0820 on the launching stand where pho- tographs were being taken of the spon- sor and party. The vessel was launched at 0835 on Friday, 21 April, 1944. Mrs. Elizabeth W. Robb of Boston, Massa- chusetts, was designated by the Secre- tary of the Navy as sponsor of the de- stroyer, named in honor of her father, the late Admiral Henry Ariosto Wiley, U. S. Navy. The U.S.S. HENRY A. WILEY was contracted for on August 7, 1943, and has a standard displacement of 2200 tons. Approximately four hundred persons witnessed the launching of the to-be fa- mous ship as the christening fluid of Brut Curee Champagne was broken against the hull. About forty-five guests were present at the reception after the ceremony. Habana! Wiley ADMIRAL Henry Ariosto Wiley was born in Troy, Pike County, Ala- bama, on January 31, 1867. He died at Palm Beach, Florida, on May 20, 1943. Admiral Wiley was appointed a Naval Cadet from the Fifth Congressional Dis- trict of Texas on May 17, 1883, and in June, 1888, completed the four year course and on June 7 was detached from the Naval Academy. From 1888 to 1890, he served on a number of vessels and on March 1, 1890, was assigned to the Naval Academy for examination, being commissioned ensign on July 1, 1890. After being commissioned, his duties varied as he was promoted in rank until July 16, 1927, when then Vice Admiral Wiley was designated Commander-in- Chief of the United States Fleet, with the rank of admiral effective upon tak- ing over command. He was transferred and advanced to the rank of admiral on the retired list on July 24, 1942. After being on the retired list, Admiral Wiley Was recalled to active duty on October 23, 1941, being relieved of all active duty on November 17, 1942. Admiral Wiley's career in the Navy was a brilliant one, covering forty years of service. He served during two wars while on active duty and served a short period in World War H after having been retired. During the Spanish American War, Admiral Wiley served as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. Maple and in World War I served as Commander of Division A, Atlantic Fleet, Division B, Atlantic Fleet, and Division 4, U. S. Fleet. Admiral Wiley was assigned to tem- porary duty as U. S. Naval Represent- ative on the commission for executing the naval terms of the Armistice with Germany. He also served as Command- er-in-Chief of the United States Fleet from November 8, 1927 , to May, 1929. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, Admiral Wiley was recalled to active duty, serving in the Office of Public Relations, Washington, D. C., and in the Office of the Chief of Naval Per- sonnel, Washington, D. C. Admiral Wiley was awarded the Dis- tinguished Service Medal for Service during World War I. He also was awarded the Spanish Campaign Medal, Sampson Medal, Victory Medal, Amer- ican Defense Service Medal, and the Commander of the Order of Leopold CMilitaryJ. Page seven