Lowry (DD 770) - Naval Cruise Book

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I 3 e 3 l . z i f 2 E a 1 1 1 1 YBEL McGUIRE HUIETT 5 Q . 5 4 3 1 9 f I 3. 3RD D1vnsnoN EXPLOSION 25 , 27 I , i c 3 . 6 1,

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N420 ENS. INGELS CHOW LINE MORE MAIL POSED PICTURE

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n't out too long this time and soon came X: vilgreproceed to Ulithi, for a short overhaul oriiod, Though there hadn't been much fighting on mrs hip we were all sick ot the rough weather and Plein read to head back to the base and try out a mile gf the beer we tound there. The overhaul period went without incident though Nmars started to come in as to our next operation. the rumors didn't help our peace ot mind any as nokinawf' was mentioned freely in all ot them. None ot us knew much about Okinawa but we did know for sure that it was plenty close to Japan and we were certain the Japs would tight like the dickens forthe island. They did. March 20th we were on our way tor Okinawa with the Escort Carriers, providing air cover tor the close bombardment group. Everyone expected trouble and we had the usual number ot talse alarms on fhe way. However tor some unknown reason no real attacks materialized and we reached our as- signed position ott the southeastern tip ot Okinawa without incident. The bombardment group then lett and proceeded on to the beach. The next tour or tive weeks the LOWRY lived up to her nickname Lucky. lt seemed as though we were always in the right place at the right time, and time and again we succeeded in leaving an area just prior to a heavy attack. During this period we were engaged in screening the carriers as they sent planes in to protect our ships and men on the beach head. No real aerial attacks materialized although one night we tired at an unknown plane and another a plane or bomb ot some type landed about IOO yards astern. We also engaged in anti-submarine warfare and dropped charges on what seemed like a good contact one night. No known results were obtained. During this period we also made periodic trips to Kerama Retto tor re l 'h Q . penis ment purposes. On one rgplenishment trip we loaded up with several 1-ans OH rockets and explosives. The material was stacked Zbjgiupgloghe deck and we telt like sitting ducks. ' word came to stand by to repel an enemy air attack in torce. l suppose all ot us thought our time had not only come, but was past due, Luckily the weather closed in the attack tailed t materialize and the LOWRY slipped out ot port iii the nick ot time. The next day bright and early the Nips hit the place with everything they had and succeeded in hitting and sinking the ammunition ship we had been alongside the previous day. Each time we made the replenishment trip an enemy air attack was expected and tor some miraculous reason never seemed to materialize. Ships ot our grou who pro- ceeded or tollowed us were also iumpecli Luck was with us. However luck hadn't been with all ot our ships. Destroyers were taking a terrible pounding while operating as radar picket and tire support ships. Each night when Lt. Hagan would read the daily communique word would reach us ot another one ot our squadron or another ship we knew ot with our friends aboard had been badly hit or sunk. From our squadron the Latfey made her heroic stand and came back hit by six planes and tour bombs. The O'Brien was badly hit. This coupled with the loss ot the Meredith in the Normandy invasion, the Cooper in Ormoc Bay, and the damaging ot the Sumner and Walke at Luzon Iett our squadron in rather a pre- carious position. The Moale had suttered severe material damage in the Tokyo raids and had been returned to Pearl Harbor. This lett only the LOWRY, Barton, and the lngraham in an operating condition. We knew it was only a matter ot time until we moved into a little more active job. Word reached