Norton Sound (AVM 1) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

her miss 1on This is the X-17 rocket: a three-stage, solid-propel- lant missile. It has been used for research since its inception, this, too, was our use. It is impossible to present a complete picture of the missile and related programs. We of the NORTON SOUND can, how- ever, be proud of the highly successful sea-phase tests recently completed in the Atlantic area. They have contributed considerably to our still slight knowledge of the upper atmospheric levels. The X-17 was originally conceived by and, designed for the Air Force by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. The vehicle was engineered and manufactured at the Lockheed Van Nuys plant in California. It was developed as a transport and test-carrier for re-entry nose cones, being a three-stage type. That is, the nose-cone was powered on its re-entry to speeds of for exceedingb 10,000 miles per hour. Its purpose was to get the essential data for study of high- velocity airflow. From early 1955 through the spring of 1957 the Air Force launched several of the X-17's. The Navy watched, and its interest increased. Soon thereafter the Navy contracted to conduct advanced missile experimentation to aid in the development of the POLARIS program. The Office of Naval Research paved the way for continued X-17 test firings. After completion of many firings on land the decision was made to launch the rocket from specific locations afloat. It was felt that results would be at least as satisfactory Cand more easily accomplishedb if the launching equipment were installed aboard ship, in- stead of being transported by ship to some conven- ient island. By firing X-17 at various angles, includ- ing vertical, the Navy was able to achieve great altitudes, considerably advancing the study of the upper atmosphere. All three stages in the Navy tests were set to fire upwards. The NORTON SOUND is credited with many successful firings, both in the Point Mugu and in the Atlantic areas. The results were highly profit- able to the planned purpose of the mission.

Page 7 text:

X Q X NX NQx .ti I Q 1. ... 4 5 4 Y 1 - it-f ' , gl M ,K X Nx . , X . ffff 7 ZW! E W WQ?CW' ' ' fu ,. X I her history of Japs. An heroic member of the party swam to, intercepted, and was taken aboard one of the SOUND's small boats. Upon the hero's arrival on board, NORTON SOUND dispatched a landing party in two boats to the island. The Japanese were driven off and the LST's party rescued. The officers and men of this landing party were awarded ribbons and letters of commendation by Commander FIFTH Fleet, and Commander Fleet Air Wing ONE. Our ship's amphibious operation is commemorated by a brass plaque which is mounted out- side the Operations Office. During the summer of 1946, NORTON SOUND began her career of science and exploration. Operations were in progress at this time in North Atlantic waters off Greenland, where a task force was en- gaged in Arctic material and operational tests. Completing the installation of special equipment on 11 February 1949, the NORTON SOUND, now with Port Hueneme as her home port, sailed for equatorial waters off the West Coast of South America. In collaboration with the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University, three AEROBEE rockets were fired to study cosmic radiation at altitudes up to 60 miles. On the way home a call was made at Callao, port city for Lima, Peru. Away again in January 1950, the ship took a 19-day winter cruise to the stormy Gulf of Alaska for cosmic radiation and cold weather research in high geomagnetic latitudes. Here two more AEROBEE rockets were fired Cto gather data for Johns Hopkins University's laboratoriesb, as well as one LOON and one LARK missile. A brief stop was made at Vancouver, B. C., for a snowy liberty. Back to the San Francisco Naval Shipyard went the NORTON SOUND in early 1950, to have VIKING launching equipment installed. On 11 May of that year her first VIKING was fired to an altitude of 106 miles, where the 500 pounds of instruments recorded more cosmic research data. On completion of this project the ship began extended local operations, firing test and training shots with the LARK and early REGULUS missiles. In September 1950 she fired the first in a long series of TERRIER missiles, it was the first successful shipboard launching of TERRIER. I NORTON SOUND stayed close to home for several years, firing many HVAR, TERRIER and REGULUS missiles as one improvement or modification followed another. Cooperating with contractors and other naval activities, she hastened the introduction of TERRIER and REGULUS as tactical weapons to operational units afloat and ashore. Not until 1957 did NORTON SOUND begin another extended cruise. On 23 September she departed for tropical waters again to fire several TERRIER missiles under severe storm conditions. Balboa, C. Z., and Acapulco, Mexico, were liberty ports on this cruise. On returning to Port Hueneme, the ship expected only the usual milk run operations for some time. Fate intervened, however, and here begins our story., i i Z , f 1 6 Z an , Il . , XI fl , fb' Za: f ls f f 1 S , 5 'X XX S x t ,, . 4 ff fi f 45,31 S-4 P U1 ,' m f l f as if Q' QQ.

Page 9 text:

P I I Q I F I I I I I I I I .1 I K 1 II I I! I I I I I 1 I i, I I I I I I I I I I, I II CCMMUNIQU ES From: ONR: MR ROY W JOHNSON DIRECTOR ARPA DEPT OF DEFENSE HAS STATED THAT YOUR RECENT OPERATIONS WERE OUTSTANDINGLY SUCCESSFUL AND OF EX- TRAORDINARY VALUE TO MISSION OF DEPT OF DEFENSE X HE HAS ASKED ME TO MAKE APPROPRIATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO PARTICIPATING UNITS X I SHOULD LIKE TO JOIN MR JOHNSON IN COMMENDING THE OFFICERS AND MEN AND OTHERS OF THE NAVY INVOLVED FOR THEIR DILIGENT EFFORTS INITIATIVE AND COOPERA- TION IN PLANNING AND EXECUTING THEIR MOST UNUSUAL SCIENTIFIC EXPERI- MENTS X R BENNETT From: CNO: YOUR TASK FORCE HAS ESTABLISHED AN UNQUESTIONED RIGHT TO A PROMINENT PLACE AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED TO THE FREE WORLD THAT IT MAY BE THANKFUL FOR THE CALIBER OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN IN OUR NAVY X TO ALL HANDS IN TASK FORCE EIGHTY-EIGHT A MOST HEARTY WELL DONE X ARLEIGH BURKE From: CINCLANTFLT: THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF IS PROUD OF YOUR ENTIRE FORCE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT OF YOUR MISSION X PLEASE CONVEY ON MY BEHALF TO YOUR OFFICERS AND MEN A WELL DONE FOR THE SUPERB PER- FORMANCE AND THE TEAMWORK WHICH MADE THIS ACTION POSSIBLE X JERAULD WRIGHT FAREWELL TO THE TASK FORCE We have come a long way since we left Port Hueneme, Through the Rip-Roaring Forties and Horse Latitudes dreamy, We rounded the horn to the stormy Atlantic To accomplish a mission without causing world panic. Though our proud ship before never cruised in formation, We were anxious to show we knew how to keep station. Through long hours of toil and with blessings from heaven, We accomplished our mission with old number seven. With pleasant memories we bid our adieus, We enjoyed every minute of our interesting cruise. Our Commander is the best, his Staff also great, We will always remember Task Force 88. But now as we turn our bow towards home With hardly a chance again so far to roam, We send our best wishes to one and to all To the fine LANT ships who are really on the ball. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I 4 i I I I A I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I a I I I I so I I I I We enjoyed our tour, think the Atlantic is fine, But give us the Pacific any old time. Signed : The SNORTIN NORTON