Ingraham (DD 694) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 56 of the 1963 volume:

• Mcd-Mid Cink Cruise 1963 .Aden Barcelona fidda Karachi J[ialta flaples The U.S.S. INGRAHAM was built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearney, New Jersey and alter commissioning on 10 March 1944 joined Task Force 38 58 in the Western .The closing days of 1944 brought the INGRAHAM into die midst of battle where she sank a Japanese cargo ship off the coast of Mindoro.ln January 1945 she conducted shore bombardment patrols during the Lingayen Gulf landings. In the spring of 1945 the Japanese made the Pacific even more of a nightmare than it had been . tin- early island hopping campaigns by launching its last desperate attempt at victory: the Kamikaze raids. Enroute to the Okinawa Gunto Operation the INGRAHAM ' s task jj iit was attacked bv about 50 enemy planes. During the ensuing battle two destroyers were sunk, and scores of enemy planes were shot down . During the battle, the INGRAHAM was attacked by five aircraft, four of which the INGRAHAM shot down, but the fifth went into a suicide d i e and crashed into her port side. With 15 men killed, 36 wounded, only one gun operative, the sfittHimped back to port with her main deck only a few feet above the water. i, ' , After repairs the INGRAHAM rejoined the Pacific Fleet and participated in the atom bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946. In the early 1950 ' s the INGRAHAM joined the Atlantic Fleet. In 1962 she deployed to the Mediterranean where she visited Naples, Barcelona, Menton, Cannes, Valencia, and Palermo. Since her return to theU.S. she has participated in the Sigma Seven orbital flights and the Cu- ban Blockade. In June 1963 she went into drydock inBoston for minor repairs; then joined DESRON 24 for ASW operations in the Atlantic. During July andAugust 1963 she visited Bermuda, New York City, and Sydney, Nova Scotia, during the Midshipman training cruise. In October INGRAHAM deployed to the Mediterranean again with DESRON 24 as part of a fast Anti-Submarine Task Force. Commanding Officer Cdr. John M. Ferrante Commander John M. FERRANTE was born 3 February 1922, in Centerville, California. He attended Sari Jose State College for 2 years and was commissioned at Cornell University in March 1945. His first fleet duty was aboard the USS BLACK (DD-666) in the Pacific Theatre, until December 1945. Re- turning to the United States, he was ordered to the staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron Seven, wh ic h in- cluded the USS INGRAHAM, as Squadron CIC and Communications Officer. The Squadron participated in fleet exercises, the Bikini Atom Bomb Tests and as p art of the Central Pacific Fast Carrier Striking Force visited many Pacific ports including Australia. He reported aboard USS PCE-895 in December 1947 as E xe c u t i v e Officer on this weather patrol ship, serving until April 1949. From mid-1949 until mid-1951 he served on the staff of CINCPAC CfNCPACFLT as a member of the communications department. He then returned to attend a six month course at the CIC Officers School, Gle nv i e w, 111. He was then ordered to USS BOXER (CV-21), where he served until December 1952 as F Division Officer, CIC watch officer and air controller, during the Korean action. In January 1953 he reported to USS WALKER (DDE-517) as Operations Officer, operating in the Pearl Harbor area and in the western Pacific. In January 1955 he reported to the Fleet Training C e n t e r, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as Executive Officer, where lie served for 31 months. He reported aboard USS YARNALL (DD-541) as Executive Officer and on her decommissioning a year later reported to USS STODDARD (DD-566) in the same capacity, during which time the ships operated in Alaska and the western Pacific. In December 1959 he re- ported to USS CURRIER (DE-700)serving as Commanding Officer until she was decommissioned in April 1960. From June 1960 until January 1962 he served as Director of Officer Training at the Fleet Sonar School, Key West, Florida. He attended the Armed ForcesStaff College, Norfolk, Virginia until July 1962 when he was to USS INGRAHAM as Commanding Off icer. He married the former Joyce Alice Jacques of Pymble, NSW, Austral ia in August 1947. They have three children, Jane Marie, Margret Anne, and John Michael, Jr. They presently reside in Newport, Rhode Island. U. S. S. INGRAHAM DD-694 17 January 1964 Dear Family and Friends, On the eve of my detachment as Commanding Officer, U.S.S. INGRAHAM, I would like to add a particular word of thanks a nd deep appreciation to the many p ar e nts and wives of INGRAHAM personnel who have taken the time and trouble to write and send me and my family personal letters and greetings. Receiving these has been one of the most enjoyable facets of my tour of command. Shouldering the responsibility of the ship and men is an inspiring yet humbling experience. Your letters and remembrances have done much to lighten the load. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your kindness and consideration. I am certain that Commander Faas who will relieve me on 1 February will appreciate the same interest and consider- ation you have shown to me. Very sincerely, Me—k__ FERRANTE ' ommander, USN Commanding Officer Executive Officer Lt. Edward J. Sottak Lt. Edward J. Sottak was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on August 25, 1932. He received his commission through the Massachusetts Maritime Academy i n 1954. His first assignment was to the USS Worland (PCE-845) where he served as gunnery and supply officer between 1955 and 1956. Mr. Sottak then we nt to the USS Bailey (DDR- 813) as gunnery officer and served aboard her until 1958. Mr. Sottak ' s next billet was Commanding Officer of the USS Falcon (MSC-190). In 1961, he joined the Logistics Planning section of CincLantFlt ' s Staff and remained until 1963. On July 15, 1963, Lt. Sottak assumed the duties as INGRAHAM ' s executive officer. The Executive Officer is married and has three children. Ltjg. Walter J. Smith WEAPONS OFFICER Ltjg. Richard E. Dodson OPERATIONS OFFICER DSPMZMStfZ MADS Ltjg. William L. Foster ENGINEERING OFFICER Ens. David J. Middleton SUPPLY OFFICER Marcdona ■ | i • ' TKi T JfT i fcl II Tirst Division . S fa .n 1 m 3 Q qj H. ■ iiJijfeift f M T) u hk;n cue Of TOY IS in cubRim: here ?• X Second Division O Q ■ ■JBl I Ml I e ' ■„ ,- rwi •••■ i , n i •,■!■.• hi toy m i J OK Division Jl §C rm . Karachi %t L Ship ' s Party s nii i _ : • • • l Orphan ' s Party A 6 Division i mm I P vH NP r f f- A . ImHMI m! BJB t Belli, J. Jenkerson. QM 1 F. - M testotkikh fd '  ( 5 J% ■ w- M Chesher, SMSN E. Harris, S.N it ikM ' Division kk i o mm JHBlJHE ■ ro Gil 11 ■ ' IRE IS THE HAN WHO PLOTTED OUR coun.se? Sil RDSN K. mtTi Men W :: U Division •e C. Brasell. BT1 ■ (£0 MY fLfl Y J. Anthony, FI m dm m iff«, BTFN m m f. Turner, B 1 E N M. Bianco. F.« 1 - Brow,.. FA M L. Small. FA P K Division O | J K -O 1 ® - -i t. Brown, EMFN K. Fischer, FN 1 1 A W. Hunter, FN Smith, EMFN AA M Division ts m 4ft o a r n u mMAMsA . ;ton. MN n R Turnur, MM! CI C Jama., k, MMFM cc 4 (i (?(i) II Ai Jfc, Wi 7 jugrakatH Cattdids v mK mam- £ r . Mfllta 5 UPPLY OFFICE Supply Division D. Nelson, CSC C 21 jf m irber. SKJ .«K 1 M M tit .jr.. SKSN .. ii Afe P. Mylenki, SN R V.lela. TN n O M fiaptis 3 k b T Iff JL;i ' - B wCTMSf : ' - ft ' - h vft Rome S mute Home ♦Sfe ME The most memorable experience of the entire cruise was our return home through one of the most violent storms the old salts can remember. Delayed three days by the storm, INGRAHAM sustained minor structural damage from the forecastle to the fantail.Less fortunate though, was the USS ESSEX (CVS-9) which lost her mainmast during the transit. The night ESSEX lost her mast several other members of DesRon 24 sustained damage and INGRA- HAM set a record with a 60 degree roll. News of the rugged crossing reached as far West as the CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER. j i Homecoming Cruise Book Staff tiffany EDITORS: Ens. W.P.Fl.i Ens. D.S. Johnson PHOTOGRAPHER: W. Miller, GMSN CARTOONIST: K. Fontaine, EN 3 •