Henry A Wiley (DM 29) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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