Louisville (CA 28) - Naval Cruise Book

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AFTERMATH ON GUAM-A 6-INCH COASTAL DEFENSE GUN FOUND ON SHONITO CLIFF ill-fated bid for fame in the first battle of the Philippine Sea. Those were portentous days. Because so much hung in doubt it was easy to forget the vast preponderance of strength on our side. Men eagerly lis- tened for the outcome of the battle at sea, while the ship frantically answered one call after another for gunfire support. Twice Louisville planes were damaged by anti-aircraft fire as they spotted targets from low altitudes. One plane capsized and sank when its battered wing gave way during a landing, but no one was injured. Meanwhile, ,lap aircraft kept shipis gun- ners on the alert with frequent raids. On one occasion the Louisville was firing a bombardment mission and anti-aircraft simultaneously. Then came the breaks. Task Force 58 won a smashing victory in the sea battle. Men ashore encouraged by this news dis- played increased determination and capac- ity for the fight. However, it was not until after twenty-four gruelling days of the hardest fighting yet recorded in the Pacific that Saipan fell to the force of American arms. The victory of that cam- paign was announced July 9. On July 20, the ship commenced pre- paratory bombardments of Tinian, the island twin of Saipan, located a mile south. The Louisville and her bombardment force softened the island for four days before the transports moved in for the second phase of the great operation. The cam- paign was under the command of Vice Admiral Hill aboard the Cambria. The Louisville was directly opposite the main landing beach, 2,000 yards out, as landing parties opened the assault. The long lines of barges passed within easy hail of the ship. As they edged onto the beach, every gun that could bear from ships and nearby Saipan was speaking- Hkeep them safe. The ship's planes, spotting overhead, n 117

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I Q F I i. l 1 1 5 l 1 1 1 . 120 Whaleboat returns with rescued Chamorros. The island lies approximately one hundred miles south of Tinian, and being a former American possession, it was probably the most interesting to Louisville men. Unex- pectedly on August 2, the ship was ordered to participate in the closing days of that part of the campaign. On the following morninglwe were view- ing the high bluffs of Guam with anxious eyes. The signal watch on the long glass was scanning the coastal area, when he sighted a native sending frantic semaphore signals for help. He was amazed at first, because the man was in enemy-held ter- ritory. Rescue was delayed because we suspected a ruse. However, as the native,s signalling continued, the ship became con- vinced of his affiliation with the American Navy. We had recently read of Raymond Tweed, who was stationed on Guam at the After a hearty meal the natives pose for a photo. time of the Jap invasion, and who for three years eluded the enemy,s relentless search, until rescued by an American destroyer a few weeks before our arrival. It was decided to send a rescue party. A call went out for volunteers to man a whaleboat. It was quickly answered by more than enough men. A group was chosen and the Captain met them on deck and warned them of the risk they were taking. He wished them luck. When the rescue boat was within about one hundred yards of the shore a signal- man aboard the craft sent a message to the native to swim out. As the Chamorro climbed aboard he began begging that his native friends be included in the rescue. They were an old man and his two sons. A message was signaled to the ship and orders received to bring themfalong. The .-?Qi 4- ,g -N J