Henry A Wiley (DM 29) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 30 text:

W CUNGRA TULA TURY MESSAGES 25 Feb. From: James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy. To: Vice Admiral R. K. Turner, U. S. N. It has been a high privilege to witness the operation for the capture of Iwo Jima. It has been marked by teamwork, devotion to duty, and unflinch- ing gallantry which have measured up to the high9S'U traditions Of the Naval Service. 6 April From: CTF 31 Admiral Turner To: TF 31 Again you took all the J aps could throw at this area and gave them an outstanding splashing party. A rousing well done to all hands particularly tactical air force and their fighter directors. 14 May From: CTF 51 To: Henry A. Wiley, Hadley, Brown, Wadsworth, Bennion, Ingra- ham, Purdy, McConnell, Sterett, Cowell. Congratulations are extended to you for your excellent job against enemy planes. In view of the high share of planes splashed by your guns desire you submit any special methods or technique which might be worth- while to use in future to further decrease the Jap Air Force. 16 May From: CincPac To: Henry A. Wiley, Hadley, Brown, Ingraham, Evans, Cowell, Sterrett, Daly, Shea, Butler, Wadsworth. CincPac adds his congratulations to those already extended you by CTF 51 for your excellent record in downing enemy aircraft. It is particularly desired that CTF 51's suggestion of revealing any special technique you may have acquired in combating enemy aircraft be accepted and acted upon for the mutual benefit of us all. 6 June From: Fleet Admiral King. To all officers and men of the United States Armed Forces of the Pa- cific Ocean Areas and of the British Pacific Fleet who took part in achiev- ing victory in the long and difficult campaign for Okinawa hearty congrat- ulations on a job well done. - 27 June From: Admiral Hill I take pleasure in quoting for your information ComThird-Fleet dis- patch. 'To you personally and to all officers and men who have worked heroically and untiringly to bring the Okinawa campaign to its brilliant successful conclusion, well done. Your valiant efforts in the midst of grave danger provide a lasting inspiration to the Fleet. Halsey'. Hill Page twenty-six

Page 29 text:

Meanwhile, there were miscellaneous ir- ritations from above and a sub contact from below. There were plenty of Wiley men who never expected to see the end of those two days, and now, when you ask how it was done, one will say: Recognition Our guys could really pick out those plane profiles and identify the Jap bo- gies fast enough to have us ready for them . Another will say: Good Gun- nery. The gunners were as scared as everyone else all right, but they knew all the time it was either us or the J aps and they stayed right in there and pitch- ed the ammunition right down the middle . Another will say: Good Sea- manship. The Captain knew how to change the pace with this baby to keep the Japs off balance. The time the tor- pedo missed he had kept her slow until the Japs were set to attack, then he shoved her up to 25 knots or so, just like that. That's why the torpedo missed- We fouled up the J aps timing . Another will say: Every guy knew he had re- sponsibility for the other guy . Another will say: Luck , Another will say: We prayed a lot, and the prayers were an- swered . The right answer is probably the total of all the answers offered. Skill, leader- ship, loyalty, faith, confidence, and ac- ceptance of responsibility. Officers and men who rate those March dates as the toughest on the Wi- ley calendar put May 4 in second place. Others give the top spot to May 4, and second to March 28-29. Anyhow, here's the dope on May: Trouble tumbled in before dawn, when three enemy planes closed in on the Wiley. One of the three was set afire and crashed into the sea after -passing over the ship. Ordinarily, after a splash- ed bogey hits the drink, it burns but a short time. But this one showered flame into the air for more than an hour and the other Japanese pilots, doubtless thinking it a burning American ship, made five bomb runs on the blaze. That kind of warfare the Wiley men liked. Shortly after morning chow, the Wiley was told to proceed to the assistance of the U.S.S. Luce, reported sinking. The planes which had set the Luce afire were still waiting in the area for the rescue ships, and when the Wiley came into view she got the works. Two J ills opened the attack, but were driven off. Minutes later a Betty came in and was splashed at 3000 yards, but before anyone could find time for a cheer a Baka bomb was sighted. CLater anal- ysis indicated the Betty had released the Baka then circled as a decoy.J The 20MM boys saw the Baka first and opened up. The bomb, with its human pilot, crashed about 75 yards off the stern. It proved to be only the Baka begin- ning. Another was soon taken under fire at two miles and was forced into the sea by the Wiley fire at 1200 yards. The warhead separated from the after body of the bomb, skittered along the water like a well-thrown flat rock and rico- cheted over the Wiley's fantail before exploding. Then the planes came back. A torpedo-carrying Jill was taken under fire as it roared in from the port side. At almost the same time a Marine Cor- sair came in for the fight from the op- posite direction. Starboard guns held their fire as the Corsair passed directly over the Wiley but the port guns-nat- urally-couldn't stop. The Marine raced through the thick AA fire to attack the Jill, and brought him down. Although the ship's guns probably would have ac- counted for the enemy plane, the Marine pilot speeded the final results consider- ably and his courageous act brought a Well Done from every man on the Wiley. Still there was no respite. An- other Jill came in from starboard and met the same splashing fate as her mates. The enemy had apparently had enough for awhile and the Wiley could turn its attention to the survivors of the sunken Luce. Eleven men were taken from the water and thirty others, picked up by an LCI, were taken aboard for medical attention. May 4 didn't end the war. The war didn't end until August, and the Wiley and her men played a prominent part right up to the finish. But it is over, now. No more Jills or Jakes, Bettys or Bakas . . . No more picketing, screening, or bombarding. Some of the Wiley's wartime crew al- ready have gone home. Others are about to go, while some will stay in the Navy. The Wiley herself is in good shape, tested by time and sea and battle. If she's needed in the peacetime Navy that America needs to guarantee the Peace, she's ready, fit, and willing. Page twenty-five

Page 31 text:

From: Commander Mine Squadron Five. To: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Henry A. Wiley CDM-295 Subject: Commendation. 1. This command has recently received from the Commander Minecraft, U. S. Pacific Fleet, a Commendation which is quoted in part as follows: The Commander Minecraft, Pacific Fleet, takes pleasure in commending the Commander Mine Squadron Five, and through him the officers and men under his command, for outstanding performance of duty as Com- mander of the task group of minesvveepers engaged in the amphibious assault operation at lheya Shima, Okinawa Gunto. The effective application of professional skill, ingenuity and seaman- ship are reflected in the precise planning of the minesweeping phase. The courage and determination displayed in the execution of this phase While facing determined Japanese air attacks are indicative of a high quality of leadership. 2. This command also takes pleasure in expressing extreme appreciation for the Wholehearted cooperation and careful devotion to duty extended by you and the officers and men under your command. This command Would deem it a pleasure to serve with your ship in any future operation to come. 3. It is requested that the above expressions of appreciation and com- mendation be conveyed to your officers and men. Page twenty seven