Rodman (DD 456) - Naval Cruise Book

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Because of the desperate need for escort ships at the time, the RODMAN had only a one month shakedown cruise at Casco Bay, Maine and after the Shakedown the RODMAN joined Destroyer Squadron Ten, an Atlantic Squadron. She remained in the Atlantic until January 8, 1945, when she became a member of the Paciiic Fleet. During her tour of duty in the Atlantic the RODMAN participated in four Major engagements, and contributed to the sinking of a German Submarine. After joining the Pacific Fleet the RODMAN was in one more Major engagement, Okinawa, and was also in one of the longest Air-Sea battles of the entire war. The first Destroyer duty the RODMAN had was screening Carriers training in the Caribbean. In April, 1942, the RODMAN accompanied a Force of United States Ships to Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, where they worked with the British Home Fleet in the various Naval 0per- ations of the North Atlantic. MURMANSK, RUSSIA--AUGUST 1942 On August 23, 1942, the RODMAN, the Destroyer EMMONS, and the Cruiser TUSCALOGSA left Reykjavik, Iceland for an emergency run to Murmansk, Russia. At that time German Air Power in Norway had made the trip so hazardous that few. supplies were getting through. The ships were loaded to capacity with medical and military supplies needed by the Russians. It was while repelling an enemy air attack that the RGDMAN fired her first shot at the enemy. The 3 .

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iff. i'!'iiW' - , 3 G . . 3,1 . The U. S. S. RODMAN, KDD-4561 a 1650 ton destroyer of the Bristol class was guilt by the Pg. eral Shipbuilding and Drydock Company 26, 1941. Her first trip under her own power was to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where she was com- missioned and joined the U. S. Fleet on January 27, 1942, just fifty days after the entry of the United States in World War II. From then until the surrender of Japan, the RODMAN played an ever active part in the victory of the United States. The RODMAN is named for the late Admiral Hugh Rodman, U. S. Navy, who was commander of the U. S. Battleship Force operating in Europe when the German Fleet surrendered to the British in 1918. He subsequently served as Com- mander-in-Chief of the Pacific , Fleet, and as Commandant of the '1fH 'f mQ of Ulf' V- -S. S. RUIJ.!l.4.'s' in Kearney, New Jersey. She wsu launched on Fifth Naval District. 2

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weather was so violent on this trip, that after the muzzle bag had been shot off SUD one in firing at the enemy air Craft, H0 0119 could get on the forecastle for five days to replace it, The three ships were the first U. S. Naval vessels to enter Murmansk, since the be- ginning of the Wars. THE INVASION 0F NORTH AFRICA November 8 1942 to July 9, 1943 During the invasion of North Africa the RODMAN operated as an anti-submarine screen for the U. S., S. SANTEE. During this operation the RODMAN did her first rescue Work, saving the lives of the crews of several planes that were forced to mzikc crash landings on the water. 4