Meade (DD 602) - Naval Cruise Book

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- . W... -. W W--W.,-. ...s .-F.. fy-A. Q ' zz .f -ir e, .1-1A,.,:..-,-v1.,Q.. ann., s1.1.,.,.,.-1 ....-......... r .. G' t.,-r..,A.--,m..-.1 3 it A To all hands: This is our book, the book of every man and officer who served in the Meade. It has been published by us and for us. Someday, many years from now, it will mean much to have this reminder of our cruise together. The Meade will shortly go out ofcom- mission. To everyone of us she was the best ship in the destroyer navy. We can rightly be proud that We served in her. I am very proud to have commanded her. Captain- Richard G. Colbert Most of you are leaving the Navy to re- turn to civilian life after a job well done. It is hoped that you will keep in touch with each other and maintain the strong friendships that have been built up while serving together in the war. Nothing has ever given me more pleasure than being with you these last years. Good luck and God bless all of you. Q ' Sincerely,

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Her officers and men... No heroes. Running a destroyer is first of all a job. That was something all could understand. Rust must be chipped and the sides painted, the bilges must be cleaned, steam and oil pressures constantly regu- lated. Night and day watches must be stood in the gun mounts, at the depth charges, in the engineering spaces and the pilot house. Starting with the simple jobs any boot could handle men worked into the more complex assignments, earned rates and accepted responsibility. Some are Twenty Year Men , some survivors of sunken warships. Others came aboard wide-eyed youngsters and grew up before returning to the States. Always griping about the ship they will defend it against any other ship in the navy and honestly believe it to be the best damn can afloat. inn y , From left to right, seated: Ens. Marvin Strunk, Ens. John Gibson, Lt. Ralph Baker, Lt. Harold lilexgsezgl, gomdr. Richard G. Colbert, Lt. Comdr. Robert Guy, Lt. Charles Nevins, Lt. Stephen'Cappannar1, Lt. is Er 1 IOEGT- Standin : Lt. Q' I l-larr Greenspan, Lt. ljgl Scott Terrill, Lt. Ugj James Williams, l.t. Ugl Edwar ea ey, ns. Y . George gl-lall, Peter Perkins, Ens. Robert Bauman, Lt. Ugj Sam Schultz, Lt. Ugj Robert Wheeler, Lt. hpgl Richard Ash, Lt. Qjgl Walter Pikofsky.

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Executive Officer Lt. Comdr. Robert S. Guy WAR DIARY U.S.S. MEADE The U.S.S. MEADE was commissioned on 22 June 1942, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. She then had a shakedown cruise to Guan- tanamo Bay until 22 August. On 23 August she got underway, proceeding for.Pacific waters. She reported for duty to the Com- mander in Chief, Pacific Fleet on 28 Aug- ust. On 18 September the U.S.S. MEADE joined Task Group 17 in the South Pacific Area. Here after various escort jobs, on November 15 immediately following the Second Battle of Savo she destroyed four beached transports on the North Coast of Guadalcanal On the same day survivors were picked up from the destroyers WALKE and PRESTON and BENHAM Of this period of the war Admiral King has calls the Battle of Guadalcanal there was a period laconically described as one in I ll said, Toward the end of what the Navy