Lloyd Thomas (DDE 764) - Naval Cruise Book

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4 . a . .Slain 5 uM5i0l g HISTORY OF U.S.S. LLOYD THOMAS QDDE-7645 Lloyd Thomas, after whom this ship was named, received the Navy Cross For extraordi- nary heroism and courageous devotion to duty while piloting an airplane of Torpedo Squadron Six based on the U.S.S. Enterprise in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. The unprecedented conditions under which his squadron launched its offensive were so exceptional that it is highly improbable the occasion may ever recur where other pilots of the service will be called upon to demonstrate an equal degree of gallantry and fortitude. His extreme disregard of personal safety contributed materially to t-he success of our forces and his loyal conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. So reads the citation of Lieu- tenant Lloyd Thomas. In honor of Lloyd Thomas this ship was commissioned on March 21, 1947 at the Beth- lehem Steel Company Yard in San Francisco, California. After shakedown training in San Diego, Cali- fornia the Lloyd Thomas joined the Pacific Fleet and in October 1947 cruised to Pearl Harbor, Hawaiian Islands, with Task Force 38 conducting training exercises. On january 16, 1948 the Lloyd Thomas in company with the destroyers William C. Lawe, William M. Wood, and Keppler, and the aircraft carrier Valley Forge, began a world cruise for training and good will purposes. The Task Force made stops at Sydney, Australiag Hong Kong, China, and Tsingtao, China. Leaving Tsingtao, the ships separated, and the Lloyd Thomas, Lawe and Valley Forge proceeded west to Singapore, Trincomalee, Ceylong Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, and then through the Suez Canal and the Straits of Gibraltar. The Thomas finally arrived home at San Diego, California, on June 12, 1948, after steaming 46,168 miles in live months. ' In January, 1949 the Lloyd Thomas entered the Naval Shipyard at San Francisco for con- version into the Hunter-Killer type destroyer. Mfhen the work was finished, the ship proceeded to San Diego for underway training. Upon completion of the competitive year 1949, the Lloyd Thomas received the E for battle elli- ciency. The Lloyd Thomas was assigned to the At- lantic Fleet in October 1949, and immediately cruised from San Diego to Newport, Rhode Island, via the Panama Canal. She left N'ewport

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the same month to participate in the Second Task Fleet Cold Mleather Exercises in the Arctic Region. After completing the Arctic Operation, the Lloyd Thomas was subjected to opposite tempera- ture extremes when she was sent on special exercises to Bermuda injanuary 1950, and the Puerto Rican Portrex operation in 'February 1950. By April 9, 1950 the ship was back in the Newport area undertaking daily gunnery and amphibious operations at Bloodsworth Island, Maryland, and Onslow Beach, North Carolina. Early in june 1950 the Lloyd Thomas entered the training phase taking aboard Midshipmen and Reservists for summer cruising. The Mid- dies remained aboard to participate in the July ASW' exercises in the Bermuda area. On july 15, 1950, upon receipt of special orders, the Lloyd Thomas detached her Mid- shipmen and proceeded to Argentia, Newfound- land where she remained for three days for re- plenishment and repairs. At this time, Com- mander R. J. Dressling assumed command of the Lloyd Thomas relieving Commander A. D. jackson, jr. On july 22, 1950 she was under- way in company with Destroyer Division 22 pro- ceeding to Reykavik, Iceland on a diplomatic cruise. After remaining for five days in the Iceland area, the Lloyd Thomas returned to Argentia, Newfoundland and then to Melville, Rhode Island where she put in for tender availability. Upon arrival, the personnel aboard received word that their ship had earned a hashmark under her for the competitive year 1950. On September, 6, 1950, the Lloyd Thomas departed for Norfolk, Virginia in company with the destroyers Wood, Wa1'1'ington. and Harwood where they were met by the aircraft carrier Coral Sea, and escorted her to the U. S. Sixth Fleet operating in the Mediterranean sea. There the Thomas conducted exercises with the Sixth Fleet until November 1, when she and the above mentioned ships departed to escort the aircraft carrier Midway back to Norfolk, Virginia. After leaving Norfolk the escortingrhships returned to Newport, arriving November 10. The ports entered in the Mediterranean area were: Sardi- nia, Augusta, Sicily, Golfe juan, France, and Gibraltar. ' Her next venture was on December 4, 1950 at which time ComDesLant shifted his flag to the Lloyd Thomas and a five day inspection tour to Norfolk, Virginia was made. On january 8, 1951 she accompanied the destroyer U.S.S. Fox CDD-8291 to Bloodsworth Island, Maryland, to conduct shore bombard- ment exercises. Upon completion of these exer- cises the Lloyd .Thomas returned to Newport until January 24 when she proceeded to Key' 1rVest, Florida to assist the Fleet Sonar School in conducting ASYV exercises. In late February the Lloyd Thomas departed the warm Florida waters and proceeded to New- port area for routine maintenance and upkeep prior to- yard overhaul. This period was cut short due to a special ten day assignment as plane guard for the carrier Coral Sea in the Nor- folk Area. On March 13 she off loaded ammunition at President Roads entrance to Boston Harbor, and on the fourteenth she proceeded to Boston Naval Shipyard, Charlestown, Massachusetts for her scheduled annual yard availability. After three months at the yard during which much work was accomplished including the addition of a new 40mm quad mount where the. starboard gig had been formerly, the ship left on june 15 for Newport and 2 weeks of bouy upkeep. The ship then proceeded to Guanta- namo Bay, Cuba for 7 weeks of underway train- ing. The Lloyd Thomas came out with a mark of excellent in the ASXV phase of the OpRead Exercise and a high good for the other phases. The ship then proceeded to Culebra to conduct shore bombardment where a mark of excellent was received. Upon the completion of these exercises in August, the ship returned to New- port for a period of upkeep and tender avail- ability alongside the Yosemite. During September, 1951 the ship participated in daily type training and ASYV exercises out of Newport. Then on October 1 through Octo- ber 8 she participated in Task Force 81 Hunter- Killer exercises with the carrier Saipan, -CortDes Div 62, and DesDiv 62. Because of rough weather much of the operation had to be can- celled. At the end of the exercise the ship proceeded to Annapolis for the Homecoming Mfeekend, after which she returned to Newport for upkeep. Secretary of Defense Orientation and the operation LantFlex occupied the Lloyd Thomas during October and November after which she enjoyed a very welcometperiod of leave and recreation over the Christmas holidays. On December 6, 1951 CDR Mlilliam H. Rowen relieved CDR Richard J. Dressling as commanding oflicer of the Lloyd Thomas. Also in December, RADM Dietrich, ComDesFlot 2, gave the ship a very thorough administrative inspection to insure proper preparedness for the forthcoming departure to the Mediterranean. january'9, 1952 the Lloyd Thomas departed with the aircraft carrier Cabot and destroyers Harwood and -Keppler' for operations in the Mediterranean as part of the United States Sixth Fleet. In order to better relations with foreign- speaking peoples, the ship ,visited Oran, Augusta, Palermo, Naples, Villefranche, and Gibraltar. 1fVhile at Naples a tour was arranged to Rome for which the Pope held a special audience, and while at Villefranche, tours were arranged to Paris, Switzerland, and the French Riviera. Dur- ing February and March the ship participated in Operation Grand Slam and was successful in performing its primary mission having registered several submarine kills . But the more gratify- ing conclusion reached from the exercise was that units of the British, French, Italian and United States Fleets could operate as an inte- grated force. The ship arrived back in Newport on March 26, 1952 and as much as the liberty in foreign ports .was enjoyed, all hands. were very .glad to be home.