Henry A Wiley (DM 29) - Naval Cruise Book

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Gapzbm all. U. Mckztbfzcka HMM Page ten za-1aey.waa.aMmafzza,1fWu,,f1. me., azzae -' ' eww, Captain Gadrow, Officers and men of the U.S.S. Henry A. Wiley: It gives me much pleasure to be here today, and to take part in the com- missioning of your fine ship for active fighting service. I am sure that you all are happy on this occasion and proud, too, proud of this fighting ship which you are the first crew to man. And you are prouder still that your ship will carry you into the battle line of our enemies-and you should be, for you are the fighting men of a fighting Navy. Your ship is a marvel of workmanship-the all-American product of everything that is known about modern Naval warfare. The best of our country has been put into its construction-brain and brawn and material, in order that the U.S.S. Henry A. Wiley might be a masterpiece. But splendid man-of-war as she is-without your help she is no fighter. You officers and men, as her crew, must make her that. The Navy ex- pects each one of you individually and all of you together as a tightly or- ganized, well-trained combat crew to get the most out of your ship. You must lose no moment in mastering assigned duties, and getting yourselves geared to each other as a team. In this ship you have been given the best means to strike' the enemy hard and swiftly, but you officers and men, as its fighting crew, must supply the initiative, courage and cool determin- ation that will allow your ship to deliver the fighting punch built into her. Your ship is named in honor of Admiral Henry Ariosto Wiley, USN, Ret., of the Class of 1888, who diedin 1943. His whole career is in the highest traditions of the Naval service. I am confident that you officers and men will do honor to his name and to the United States Navy. On behalf of the Commander-in-Chief, I welcome you to the Fleet and to active service. The best of luck and God's blessings to you all. H. V. MCKITTRICK Captain, U. S. Navy Acting Commandant New York Navy Yard

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COMMANDER Robert E. Gadrow, U.S.N., was our first skipper, hav- ing placed the ship into commission on August 31, 1944. His career as an offi- cer of the United States Navy is a bril- liant one and under his leadership the development and efficiency of this crew is one of which he may be proud. Upon enlisting in the Navy in 1924 he served as a seaman .prior to entering the Naval Academy. Part of this time Was spent attending the Electrician Mate's School-at Norfolk. He graduated from the Academy and was commission- ed an ensign in 1930. His duties Were largely on battleships before studying engineering design in France and taking postgraduate courses in this country. Later he placed the U.S.S. O'Brien, DD-413, in commission as engineering officer before she was fatally torpedoed in the Pacific. Commander Gadrow then put the U.S.S. Isherwood, DD-520, in commission as the Commanding Offi- cer. This ship saw action in the Aleu- tian Islands during 1943 and 1944. After serving on the Isherwood he re- turned to the States and placed the Wiley eapz. .4 CAPT. H. J. Armstrong, U.S.N., Commander of Mine Division Eight, shifted his flag to the U.S.S. Henry A. Wiley on June 7, 1945, and re- Gamch. Qazhow in commission and was with us until March 17, 1945, having brilliantly com- manded this vessel through the battle of Iwo Jima. Commander Gadrow is now serving his tour of shore duty as inspector of naval machinery for the area around Hartford, Connecticut. mained aboard until September. The Commodore was in the Class of 1927 at the Academy and later served as Engineering Officer, Gunnery Offi- cer, Navigator, First Lieutenant and Executive Officer on such ships as the U. S. S. Colorado, U.S.S. Henshaw, U.S.S. Pruitt, U.S.S. Saratoga, U.S.S. Fairfax, and the U.S.S. Oklahoma. In 1941, he received his first command aboard the U.S.S. Waters, DD-115, pa- trolling the Pacific triangle from the West Coast to Pearl to Kiska. His sec- ond command Was the U.S.S. Spence, DD-512, which, after being placed in commission, became part of the famous Little Beaver Squadron in the South Pacific. Before Capt. Armstrong be- came Commander Mine Division Eight on May 4, 1945, he was the skipper of our sister ship, the U.S.S. Adams, DM- 27. 9 The Henry A. Wiley has been proud to fly the division pennant of Command- er Mine Division Eight and Will do its best to live up to the Commodore's opin- ion of this ship. Page nine

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THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON ll Aug. 1944 From: Secretary of the Navy. ' To : Commanding Officer, U.S.S. HENRY A. WILEY QDD-7495 Subject: Readiness for War Service. 1. The Secretary of the Navy congratulates you, your officers and crew on being assigned to duty in the U.S.S. HENRY A. WILEY. He takes this occasion to impress on each of you the seriousness and importance of your responsibilities in the days and weeks ahead. 2. Immediately after her shaking down period, the U.S.S. HENRY A. WILEY will be assigned to duty wherever she is then most needed. It is entirely possible that you will proceed directly into combat. Your first action may be by day or by night, against any type of vessel or aircraft possessed by our able and ruthless enemies. 5. The only training period assured to you is from now until you report the U.S.S. HENRY A. WILEY ready for duty. Take full advantage of every facility and every hour to attain maximum readiness for war during your shakedown. 4. Your future Fleet, Force, and Unit Commanders must rely on the U.S.S. HENRY A. WILEY as an effective fighting unit from the hour when she reports to them for duty. It is your task to justify their confidence. James Forrestal c Page eleven