Lansing (DER 388) - Naval Cruise Book

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BEFORE CONVERSION In July 1961, LCDR D. J. KREJCAREK, USN relieved LCDR OSTLUND as Com- manding Officer, and in November and December the ship journeyed to the Western Pacific, stopping at Yokosuka, Japan for an interesting change of pace. February 1962 saw LANSING enter Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for regularly scheduled overhaul. Upon completion in May, the ship underwent refresher training before returning to her normal rotation on the Pacific Barrier late in July. During the Fall of 1962, LANSING again assisted in the nuclear testing program at Johnston Island, this time under the operational control of Joint Task Force 8. As 1962 came to a close, the ship once more readied herself for the North Pacific Barrier. On 9 August 1963 LCDR R. T. SHULTZ, USN relieved CDR KREJCAREK and later the same month LANSING departed for a two and half month deployment to the Nor- thern and Western Pacific with brief stops at Dutch Harbor and Adak, Alaska, enroute to Japan. While passing near Kiska in September a wreath was cast upon the sea in memory of Aviation Machinist ' s Mate William R. LANSING, USN. The ship visited Yokosuka, Japan in late September and early October. While return- ing from the Western Pacific LANSING was called upon for the unusual task of refuel- ing USS GUIDE (MSO 477) while on the high seas between Guam and Midway. Refueling problems were quietly worked out and the thirsty GUIDE received enough fuel to com- plete her journey to Midway. As November came to a close LANSING prepared herself for another picket. Late Christmas Eve LANSING returned from patrol to Pearl Harbor and the year 1963 came to a close.

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HISTORY The USS LANSING commemorates the naval career of William R. LANSING, Aviation Machinist ' s Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. LANSING participated in an aerial flight in a patrol plane in action with Japanese Forces during the Aleutian Islands Campaign in June 1942. Opposed by heavy anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore batteries, LANSING participated in a determined divebombing and strafing attack on Japanese Ships in Kiska Harbor. While manning his exposed and unpro- tected station at the engine controls during an attack on 11 June 1942, he was killed by enemy fire. On 15 May 1942, the keel of a destroyer escort was laid by the Brown Shipbuilding Company, Houston, Texas. During the next 15 months this keel grew into a sleek destroyer escort, and on 2 August, USS LANSING slid down the ways. Commissioning took place on 10 November 1943. 3 December of that year found USS LANSING in Bermuda, for training under the Destroyer Escort Shakedown Group. Upon comple- tion of training, the ship joined the now famous Atlantic Fleet convoy escort force, and participated in numerous crossings. During this time two encounters with the enemy took place - both in the Mediterranean Sea off Oran, Algeria. After VE day, LANSING underwent a lengthy overhaul, then reported to the Pacific Fleet on 1 August 1945. She did not arrive in Pearl Harbor until after VJ day, how- ever, and was therefore sent back to New York, where she arrived in October 1945. The ship operated with the Atlantic Fleet until January 1947 when she was placed in reserve status at Jacksonville, Florida. From June 1952 until June 1954, LANSING donned a coat of white paint and served as a unit of the United States Coast Guard. Early in 1956, LANSING entered the shipyard and work began on converting her for her new mission - that of a Radar Picket Escort Vessel. The conversion included extensive modification of both hull and equipment, with the result that she no longer bore much resemblance to her former destroyer escort silhouette. The latest elec- tronics equipment was installed, and modernization of the entire ship took place. To compensate for the long and dreary hours ahead on the North Pacific Barrier, every effort was made to provide for more comfort and recreational facilities for the crew. In 1956, LCDR G. N. DE BUER, USN, assumed command and the ship was recom- missioned. LANSING has been home ported in Pearl Harbor ever since, and in 1958, under command of LCDR E. D. FLORY , USN, served with Joint Task Force SEVEN, participating in the Atomic Tests at Eniwatok and Johnson Island. In 1960, when former President EISENHOWER made a trip to the Far East, LANSING, then under command of LCDR E. W. OSTLUND, USN, served as a life guard vessel for the Pacific crossing.

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The new year brought quick action from USS LANSING. On 2 January 1964, she was selected by Commander, Hawaiian Sea Frontier to participate in a Search and Rescue mission. LANSING readied herself in 3 short hours and steamed northwest of Oahu where an Air Force C- 124 Globemaster went down with a crew of nine. LANSING had the distinction of being the first surface vessel on the scene and also the last military unit to leave the search 8 days and 2500 search miles later. In February, LANSING went into Ada ' k, Alaska in the middle of a snow storm to drop off a crewmember requiring surgery. In August, the ship crossed the equator and in October, made a call at Johnston Island for fueL Another medical emergency diver- sion to Adak, Alaska occurred in December, with much the same weather as experi- enced during the February trip. LANSING was inport for Christmas and New Years ' Eve, The new year again bi ' ought an early start to sea when LANSING departed Pearl Harbor on 2 January 1965, for her final patrol. During this patrol, the ship again crossed the Equator. The patrol finished the end of January as LANSING returned to Pearl Harbor for her last look at Hawaii. As the book goes to press, the ship is scheduled to depart Pearl Harbor on 16 February 1965, for Bremerton, Washington and decommissioning. The final decom- missioning ceremony is expected to take place 27 May 1965. AFTER CONVERSION ' ISS -iPJtm