Rodman (DD 456) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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ESTCORTINGE THE DPRESIDENTT I Q . , ,November and December 19 43 9 p 1 During November and December 1943, the RODMAN was one of a squadron of destroyers that screened the U. S.- S. IOWA whenshe carried the president and his party over to the Big Three conference at Casablanca, North Africa. : THE SINKING OF THE U-616 May 14 to 17, 1944 Early in May 1944 Destroyer Division 19 of which the . , RODMAN was a member reported for duty to Commander 0 Destroyers Eighth Fleet in the Mediterranean. The division GTGGTL Water 01161' the F'0T90CLStl6 was designated a Hunter-Killer group, a special group for sinking submarines. D - At about 0430 May 14th, two merchant ships were tor- pedoed off Oran. The local escort began its SG211'Ch, and the HU'Ht9F-Killer SFOUD Of Vf'hiCh the RODMAN was a member was dispatched to the scene. They arrived at 12:30 and relieved the local escort. 5 -