Richard P Leary (DD 664) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 16 text:

I QE ql , . 'mn-u-s ...nw--f-qw.--....f - ff . - : ww - 5 Nu . fr---I -J... .g 1: 'L5L,,,Si,..vG3AH'-1-J - ,, ,,, ..,,' 1- , fn-a.Q.-.21-fqrgv.L3n,-?L-,,.a.4eAf,iug, 3, 51. Sark -ki' -E ,, . ,. ,- 1- -'PK'-s'f 1 f- - 'fy.LL:1, .i3'2x.ai'rskx,x:fne ,.. .K..1.f.'M,- 1 A- ' ' 'hfffhd L V. QU , ff , b X, - L Y I, A i-bu' K ff W 25: 1::f-:fuzz av 5 :sw vwM..,6.xm:. -:-,pw I -if v Q, .V.QV:.: . vlni A if q Ns fx A 1 Q, M .. .pf 51 'S W - 2 ,QQ '. , ,. . X ..,WwN f S , L,1.. , R

Page 15 text:

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

Page 17 text:

A, ,,-- 8 W-gh ,Q