Lowry (DD 770) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE YELLOW SEA After several days rest in Sasebo, Japan where we had a Tender period, we headed into the Yellow Sea for new and slightly different operations. It was in this neighborhood that we were to stay for our longest time out, about six weeks, without replenishing with fresh provisions. We found ourselves at this time operating with a mixture of British, Canadian and other American ships. During this time we maneuvered with a task group and also did some patroling inshore of some of the many islands in pro- tection against any movement the Commies might have in mind. It was while operating in this neck of the woods that on a certain Mon- day evening a great transformation took place on the LUCKY LOWRY . Yes, it was on this day that all and any boys that had started this cruise were forcefully transformed into men in approximately 15 minutes time. We might also add here that the ones that were men already gained a few years and probably a few gray hairs. There is nothing that can make these changes any quicker than being under actual fire. And that is just what happened when four shore batteries opened up on us simultaneously. Many things that happened during that experience can be looked back at now and laughed at, but you can rest assured that during that time the pulse-beat of every man jumped about forty beats. Actually the Commies ' probably thought that they stirred up a hornet's nest , because while their four batteries were throwing approxi- mately 50 rounds at us we were throwing 243 back at them. We won't boast too much, but we think that at least two of the four emplacements were' eating their own guns before it was all over. . And so after that ordeal we were all sure that they did have guns and did know how to shoot them. Lucky for us however, they evidently didn't know how to shoot them well enough and we emerged without a scratch of any kind. If, however, you count the nerves that were shattered, we were really scarred-up. Upon completion of our mission there we bid our enemies goodbye with a 40 MM gun salute and wearily turned our bow toward Yokosuka for a few days of badly needed rest and relaxation before one last short trip back into the Sea of Japan and our final appearance in the war zone. .Upon the return from our last short cruise into the Sea of Japan, we arrived in Yokosuka for a stay. Just long enough to turn over information and gear to our relieving division. We then said sayonara to Japan for the last time and started the last and most pleasurable part of our home- ward trek via the Mediterranean. , -30-

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IN THE SEA or JAPAN So it was that at 0559 in the dark of the morning of the 3rd day of March, we parted company with the Tender we had been snuggling against and were underway for the front . As we steamed along the coast of Honshu Island we were awed by the beauty of spectacular Fuji-yama, and with our brave little hearts pounding in our throats we hoped we would have the opportunity to see it again. Our first job after joining the task force operating in the Sea of Japan was to take our position in the screen. This was blended in withlinter- mittent carrier plane-guarding assignments. We had been in company with the task force exactly 32 hours and 52 minutes when we were assigned our first shore-fire bombardment mission. Not that we minded, but these j okers could have at least let us get acclimated first. But, being good sailors and well heeled to rules and regulations we shoved-off to play havoc with the North Korean Railroad CRed Pacificl. We made runs u to the bombardment area on this tri the 7th 13th p p 9 - U Q and 25th, which totaled up to 4 days on the bomb line and 423 rounds of B 5 shells expended. Box Score-3 runs, many hits, and no errors. After working on the railroad we returned to the task force to find that We were in the honored presence of the Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Secretary was riding. the Valley Forge and I am sure that he was pleased with what he saw, because at this time the task force was running like a iiawless machine. Mr. Secretary had all the more reason to be satisfied when the LUCKY LOWRY made a speedy recovery of one naval pilot in the pitch black, wee hours, of the morning of the 30th day of March. At 0446 plane hit the soupg 0447 stationed plane-guard detail, 0448 plane- guard manned, 0449 Captain took the conng 0454 pilot was aboard safe and sound but chilled to the bone. The water temperature was 35 degrees that morning, and if you don't think that is cold, just ask the man that went in after the pilot. - . So, with our first policing action complete, at 0001 31 March we bid the task force Sayonara and set a course for Buckner Bay, Okinawa for a little ASW exercising. - 29 -

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Always on the Alert A Stormy Night oft Korean Coast 9 ..U1- Thanks to our Spotters