Lowry (DD 770) - Naval Cruise Book

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

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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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Away VISlf and Search Party Inspecting a Sampan Quad 40's 1 Manned for Acjion -32-