Richard P Leary (DD 664) - Naval Cruise Book

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C DIVISION 5 DIVISION C 84 R DIVISION it delivered a coordinated torpedo attack on the japanese battle line, the R. P. LEARY being credited with hits on a jap battleship which no doubt contributed to its loss. Both ships were under heavy enemy Iire but escaped without injury. 4. During the Okinawa campaign both ships were among the mainstays of the fire support group. VVhen the originator requested Commander, Am' phibious Force, Pacific Fleet to give these two particular ships a breather, he was told, Those will be the last ships to be relieved, because they are so good that we cannot spare them. We can always rely on the EDWARDS and the LEARY to produce in the tight places. 5. The remarkable thing about these two ships, and the thing which the originator wishes to emphasize, is that in spite of these long and arduous duties, neither ship has been hit by the enemy, either from ashore, surface or the air. ln view of the fact that six of the other ships of the squadron, participating in the same actions, have been hit and damaged, this record cannot be passed off as mere luck. Rather, it is the writerls opinion that this fine record is due to outstanding performance of duty by all olhcers and men of both ships, and is one of the principal bases for this recommendation. Many of the officers and men have been decorated for their individual acts, but it is the earnest desire of the squadron commander to see every man receive recognition for the outstanding performance men' tioned herein. 6. While neither ship has participated in any action of the spectacular nature which draws the attention of the press and radio to it individually, it is desired to point out that to the writer's knowledge no other destroyers in the Navy, except the other ships in this squadron have participated in all six of the above named major operations as a part of the bombardment and hre support group. This record the writer believes to be of such an outstanding nature as to warrant the award of the Navy Unit Commendation. H, F. STOUT. :I iw. 5 I I

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Voit, D. K., S2c Wager, S. H., Slc Wagner, E. H., Slc Walker, G. W., S2c Wallech, L. E., S2c Warfield, R. T., RM2c Warren, D. L., TM3c Weinberg, J., FI c Wells, C. T., S2c Wells, S. E., S2c West, F., GMI c West, J. E., Y2c Whitley, M., CK2c Whitlock, J. H., TMI c Wichser, J. N., COX Wicker, J. B., S2c Wilkins, J., S2c Wilkinson, S. A., SC3c Williams, C. C., Slc Williams, C. W., Flc Williams, E. O., PHMlc Williams, W. W., Sl c Wilson, G. C., S2c Wilson, J. W., Flc Wimp, G. W., Flc Wolfe, B., FI c Wolff, A. V., EM3c Wolper, L., SF2c Wood, B. H., Slc Wood, G. K., Sl c Woodard, C. F., Flc Woodruff, R. L., Slc Woodworth, H. B., EM2c Worth, L. B., Flc Wren, T. G., Sl c Youskites, S. J., WTI c Ziomek, L. F., TM2c I s Letter of Commendation From: Commander Destroyer Squadron FIFTYf SIX. To: The Secretary of the Navy. Via: Official Channels. Subject: Recommendation for Award of Navv Unit C Commendation to Uss HEYWIOOD 4 L. EDWARDS qDD663p and Uss q RICHARD R. LEARY CDD664J. 1. ln accordance with current directives, it is recommended that the Navy Unit Commendationbe awarded to the USS HEYWOOD L. EDWARDS CDD663J and the USS RICHARD P. LEARY CDD664D for outstanding performance in combat against enemy japanese forces ashore, afloat and in the air in the Pacific War Area from 29 May 1944 to 28july 1945 for the H. L. EDWARDS and from 9 july 1944 to 28july 1945 for the R. P. LEARY. 2. During these periods the subject ships par' ticipated in the six major amphibious assaults and landings in the Marianas, at Palau, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, lwo jima and Okinawa. ln each of these dillicult and very consequently the first ships to arrive in the area and in almost every instance among the last to leave. During this period the H. L. EDWARDS fired a total of rounds equivalent to four times the normal life of the guns. Both ships have been repeatedly commended for their accurate and devastating fire, and have ac' counted for the timely demise of many japanese. During these operations both ships have been under fire from shore batteries and under repeated and heavy air attaclc. Both ships have made attacks on submarines, and both have claimed probable sinlcings of one submarine each, though official assessments have not been received. The H. L. EDWARDS on 24 September 1944 destroyed a large group of small enemy surface craft, attempting to reinforce the garrison of an enemy held island in the Palau with the loss of a large number of enemy troops. 3. Both ships participated in the Battle of Surigao Straits and were with this squadron when O DIVISION ENGINEERING

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