Louisville (CA 28) - Naval Cruise Book

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ll0 K I :L-1-, . x 'W j. L I T - weather interference during the approach, it was entirely uneventful. Stopping briefly at Eniwetok, we pushed on to the peaceful Majuo Lagoon where some rest and recreation loomed high in our expectations. The Marianas The Marianas, heart of Hirohito's mighty Central Pacific defense, and great- est obstacle to the increasingly important American supply lines, had become, by Spring of 1944, number one on the Navyis hit parade. These islands were later to become the site of air bases from which the enemy was pounded unmercifully. At that time of the war the job appeared as difficult as entering the city of Tokyo to steal the Emperoris famous white horse. Yet it had to be accomplished. That was the task facing the Louisville and other ships of the Fifth Fleet! in the early sum- mer of 1944. Fresh from a monthas rest in the quiet Lagoon of Majuro, men of this heavy cruiser were once more ready to put forth to action. They had enjoyed ball games, swimming and beer parties-even the mail had come in abundance. Then orders were received, and prep- arations were made for getting underway for the operation. The plan provided for preparatory attacks on three of the Mari- anas lslands: Saipan, Tinian and Guam, with the opening attack by the full might of Task Force 589s gunhre and aircraft. Meanwhile the Louisville and countless other ships of the bombardment and fire support groups loaded provisions and ammunition. On June 6, the fire support group under the command of Rear Admiral Oldendorf, aboard the Louisville, set a course to a staging point for the assault on the islands. The Admiralgs force, similar to that employed so successfully against Kwajalein, Eniwetok and Satawan, included battleships, cruisers and destroy- ers. The ships were not of the latest design, but were veterans of proven ability. Such was the Lady Lou. The fighting groups assembled with close air support units at Roi Anchorage for fueling and final review of plans. On .lune 10, the entire force got underway for the first phase of the greatest amphibious effort yet made against the lap. The Louisville was guide ship, and the first stop was Saipan. Tenseness gripped us as we pushed through water near the enemy stronghold. Word had been received that Task Force 58 had completed the attack on the islands. It was early morning June 14. The Louisville and her force were to take over the firing line. 1 With night shades still on the water, we edged toward our objective. As the

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Q! Hollandia FOLLOWING successful sweeps against Palau and Truk in March with Task Force 58, we again sortied with this famous force on April 13 for the covering operation off Hollandia. The temporary lull in the Cen- tral Pacific made it possible to take part in the operations under General MacArthur in New Guinea. And it was a treat to carry on with the 'clirst teamv for another run. Present with the fast carrier force under Vice Admiral Mitcher were all the first- line carriers and cruisers, carefully guarded by a horde of our finest destroyers. And as if to add unneeded backbone, all the new battleships also traveled with this force. Our Task Group was commanded by Rear Admiral Reeves. As the ships approached Hollandia, April 21, waves of carrier planes were sent in to bomb and strafe an airfield. lntensely alert against sudden air attack, we on the Louisville were not getting much business. Keep them safe At 1000, word was suddenly received from the Group Commander that a Hghter pilot had been shot down and was afloat in Tanahmerah Bay. Fellow fighter pilots were continuously strafing the beach to ward off snipers. A float plane was needed to effect the rescue. The Louisville was ordered to action. Mend dashed to flight quarters to launch the plane. Speed was of essence, yet time dragged. The planes took an eternity to warm up. With the pilot Hnally in place, first the red flag, then the green, and he was shot off on his mission. Anxious hearts beat a fast pace aboard ship while the plane was away. Was our rescue plane in time? Could the strahng Hghters give their fallen mate sufhcient protection? The suspense-filled hours passed slowly. Finally our plane came circling in with his thumbs upi' for suc- cess. The rescued pilot reported this to be the third time he had been shot down, and the most exciting. Nearly taken by Nips when his raft was driven in to the shore, he managed by frantic paddling and a friendly current to gain the middle of the bay once more. Thoroughly rested, he was as good as new the next day. Enroute to our base, the cruisers were assigned to conduct a bombardment of Satawan Island, while the big battleships tendered attention to Ponape Island. ln the afternoon of April 30 we gave Satawan a thorough going over. Except for a 109

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.I A SECTION OF THE TREMENDOUS MAJURO ANCHORAGE dim shadow of Mutcho Point blurred into the hazy dawn, word was passed that a surface contact had been made. Guns whirled to positions on the target. Men tense with the anticipation of action, waited for the order to fire. Long minutes of delay passed. Then the Melvin, one of the screening destroyers, reported the con- tact to be an enemy cargo vessel. She alone was ordered to destroy the ship, much to the disappointment of the Louisville. The Melvinfs early hits dashed the enemy vessel into brilliant flames which lighted the task group's way on to Saipan. A short time later the first salvos from the bombardment group found their targets and the incessant pounding of Saipan was begun. Bombarding ships searched for targets with glasses and planes, seeking to destroy all visible means of the enemy,s power to resist landing forces. The Louisville moved in for close range tiring. It was a danger- ous mission. An enemy battery could spell doom at any moment. Alert eyes earched the shore. Men were excited beyond fatigue. The Louisville unloaded her deadly salvos and received no return fire. She was earning her nickname- The Lucky Lou. Reaching a point close into the beach early in the afternoon, the ship covered under-water demolition teams by holding snipers at bay with automatic weapon fire. Meanwhile the gallant demolition teams removed all boat obstacles protecting the shore. The unceasing bombardment continued hour after hour throughout the long day. During the night a fleet of transports moved silently into position for an early morning discharge of their cargo. Vice Admiral Turner, commander of the am- phibious operation, directed movement of