Richmond (CL 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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. I.. -...V . , . ,.,.t-I I Ed! ACTICN SUMMARY December 7, 1941-Steaming off the West coast of Peru, enroute from Balboa to Valparaiso, Chile. December 13, 1941-Began Hrst convoy mission to a South Pacific base. The Ricbinond escorted the garrison force and materials for an air base on Seymore Island in the Galapagos group, the carrier Yorktown from Balboa to San Diego, the USS President Coolidge, overloaded with troops, to Bora Bora, and many others. In addition to convoy duty, the Richmond Was given patrol assignments off the coasts of Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and in the vicinity of adjacent islands. January 29, 1943-Began tour of duty in Aleu- tian area that ended with the occupation of Japan. February 1, 1943-Operated in covering force off Amchitka until construction of an air base on that island was completed. February 18, 1943-Participated in initial bom- bardment of Attu. March 26, 1943-Took part in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands. The Ricbinond was flag- ship of a small task group which intercepted and turned back a more powerful Japanese task force attempting to reinforce the Japanese garrison at Attu. The battle was a three and one-half hour running engagement with four fpossibly Hvej cruisers and eight destroyers. It ended with the westward retirement of the damaged Japanese ships. F ii V 'T 1 I' -an r '41 ffl I FW T F1 1 L. W Q. -.. Q1 4 7-, -J :QI Er X-qu A L

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1 wr-M. -. , H DIVISION. Front row-S. W. Poteetg W. R. Millerg G. K. Dorsey. Second row-J. R. Olsong Dr. B. A. Johnson W. N. Whnakerg B. B. Ziegerg W. E. Willisg B. Starnesg Dr. F. Kanterg Dr. N. J. Thysell. FLAG DIVISION. Front row-R. G. Rezing W. A. Garnerg C. A Ludwickg H. G Magargalg H. J. Bristow B. Smileyg G..Williamsg E. W..POY6f. second row-S. Af Rahwylerg A. L. Boulayg R. H. Breeng R. C. Mayerg R. D. Deweyg C. A. Haysg J. J. Ruberag H. F. Meltong R. N. Sloan. Tloircl row-Lieut. A. D. Nortong O. J. Kluhg J. H. Holmes R. J. Severanceg H. G. Livermoreg M. Bernsteing F. E Raimondig R. R. Hillg J. W. Swavolag W. N. Millerg L. E Guevarra. Fourth row-R. C. Littlejohng R. A. Woelkg E. E Ruckerg C. C. Wittmang A. L. Kanenwisherg R. S. Tingley C. J. Terharrg Lieut. P. G. Feld. I. , . v , ..-A JF .... , . 'VV' . A , A X I ' ' if. ---r -- H -, ,J-up 17-51-fa-if-:L , .y- ff-Fvfff' jggr w'5 1 s.i? . ., ,EC 'f' -'lj f .l i.'m-e-K . T-, : ,M J H--Y 3

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..-. - . .....,- -... ...1..,. ......... ,...-....,.. -, ......---4--f-. --- x , -,L-W I s vlpnulu'-'wwun KWH 1 ,ll 1 .xi il F E I if Lia 1. 2L E 1 . 5'l , , .'l l 1 i..J LL F . LL - I April 26, 1943-Bombarded Attu for the second time. May 1943-Operated in covering forces prior to and after the invasion of Attu. August 1943-Operated in covering forces prior to and after the occupation of Kiska. February 4, 1944-Participated in the first .bom- bardment of the Kurile Islands, the northern out- posts guarding the Japanese homeland. Kurabu Zaki on Paramushiro Island was the target. March 4, 1944-Entered the Okhotsk Sea with a small task force. This marked the first penetra- tion by American surface Vessels of the Okhotsk Sea-especially important to Japan in that it offered a supposedly safe passage for the all- important fishing and cargo ships of the Empire. August 1944-Made anti-shipping sweep of the Kuriles. Bombardment was prevented by enemy aircraft's early detection of the task force. September 9, 1944--Anchor chain to buoy parted due to high winds. One of the most per- sistent enemies of the North Pacific task forces was the strenuous weather. Fog, high winds, heavy seas, and snow was the rule-not the exception. October 14-19, 1944+Made anti-shipping sweep of the Kuriles. Weather prevented bombardment. October 24-29, 1944-Made anti-shipping sweep of the Kuriles. Weather prevented bombardment. November 21, 1944-Bombarded Matsuwa Is- land in Central Kuriles. This island lies less than 1,000 miles from Tokyo and was used as an air base. Numerous fires and explosions resulted from the shelling. January 5, 1945-Bombarded cannery and air base installations at Suribachi Wan, Paramushiro. L' -, , ---- -- va s1'1 ,V February 9-14, 1945--Made anti-shipping sweep of the Kuriles. Weather prevented bombardment. February 18, 1945-Bombarded Kurabu Zaki. Enemy aircraft shadowed the task force during retirement but did not attack. March 15, 1945-Bombarded Matsuwa. One very large explosion was seen and numerous fires were started. This was probably the most success- ful bombardment of the Kurile Islands. June 10, 1945-Bombarded Matsuwa. June 11, 1945-Made anti-shipping sweep in Okhotsk Sea. Bombarded Matsuwa for second successive night. June 25, 1945-Made anti-shipping sweep in Okhotsk Sea. Discovered and destroyed a 2,000- ton freighter, a 1,000-ton tug, and a small coastal freighter. Two other small coastal freighters were probably sunk. July 21, 1945-Made anti-shipping sweep in Okhotsk Sea. The task force was detected in midday by enemy planes who shadowed the force for the next ten hours but did not attack. After a short retirement into the Pacific, the force turned westward again and successfully bom- barded Suribachi Wan. August 11, 1945-Made anti-shipping sweep in Okhotsk Sea. Destroyed one submarine chaser and ten Japanese trawlers in Onekotan Straits. The force then made a simultaneous bombard- ment of Matsuwa, Suribachi Wan, and Kurabu Zaki. September 8, 1945-Entered the harbor at Omi- nato-Japanese Naval Base for Northern Honshu and Hokkaido. Participated in the surrender of this area to Admiral Fletcher's North Pacific Force. ' -., ,W sq. .V -