Louisville (CA 28) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE TERRIFIC pace of the war continued relent- lessly from Peleliu through Leyte and Luzon. On November 3, immediately fol- lowing the first Philippine invasion, the Louzsville stood out to join a fast carrier task force for strikes on Luzon Island. The two previous days had been sweaty when line after line of men rushed to load stores and ammunition from the supply ships at Ulithi. As the last shells and crates were struck below, we joined our task force, which headed for Luzon at twenty-five knots. Suddenly the dreaded warning of Hsub- marinem came over the TBS from one of the destroyers. The formation hurriedly swerved eighty degrees to the left, resum- ing its course when the contact disap- peared. We learned later that the light cruiser Reno, steaming with a task group forward of us was crippled by a torpeoo that same night. With this as a reminder, we proceeded cautiously but speedily on to Luzon. Arriving in position on November 5, the carriers launched their planes for dev- astating strikes on the southern airiields and harbors of the island. With this done, we reversed our course and steamed for our base. Our force had gotten through the raid with little difliculty from the laps. How- ever, 'while returning home, we met a Kamikaze LINGAYEN typhoon whose angry claws ripped the sea into a rage. With undiminished speed, we plowed through heavy, turbulent seas. Mountainous waves slapped us with pon- derous force. Violently pitching, groaning in creaking protest, the Lou. stumbled through to arrive in Ulithi on November 9-battered but safe. A week of much-needed repairs pro- vided opportunity for the crew to obtain a well-deserved rest. During that time Rear Admiral Oldendorf presented Air Medals to three aviators and Purple Hearts to several members of the crew. Leaving the harbor on November 17, we took-our Admiral to a conference with General MacArthur and the Commander of the Seventh Fleetat Hollandia, for Ia last-minute polishing of the Luzon inva- sion plans. We returned to lVIanus for a week and then back to pick him up. On December 1 we again cleared Hol- landia for Manus. The calm quiet of the night was suddenly broken by the wild ringing of bells, and the piercing notes SOC DAMAGED BY TYPHOON ' p g W V ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,i, ,W I