Saufley (DD 465) - Naval Cruise Book

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D. M., PhM1c, USNR, HIGHLEY, D, L., MM3c, USNR, HILLMAN, E., M3c, USNR, MACOM, V. M., TM1c, USNR, 0'REILLY, D. D., EMlc, USNR, ZINTER, R. V. Slc, USNB, BLAKE, T. S., Slc, USNB, ARNOLD, B. D. Slc, USNR, KORDOSKY, J. V., lVIlVl3c, USN-I, LEVIN- SON, A., MM3c, USNB. The Chinese soldiers won three volleyball games to our two. The men of the SAUFLEY's volleyball team were: VEACH, J. E., FC3c, USNB, LEVINSON, A., HIGHLEY, D. L., BLAKE, T. S., HUTCHINSON, J. B., VVT2c, USNB, DIVITOBIO, H. F., GMIC, USN, LEIBERG, J., Slc, USN, and CIC- CHETTI, G. T., Flc, USNR. 7 Before the SAUFLEY left Tinghai, the crew made up a purse of almost five hundred dollars to feed and care for approximately three hundred Chinese orphans who were suffering from malnutrition in a Catholic Mission in -Tinghai. Between October 26th and November 4th, the SAUFLEY had a recreation period and was the first destroyer to have a Ship's Party in Shanghai. For this gala occasion, a large ballroom, the Meropole, was rented for two nights and an orchestra was lined up. Half the crew attended one night, the remainder the next night. A very enjoyable time was had by all hands. During November the SAUFLEY served as Harbor Entrance Control Vessel at the mouth of the Yangtze River. On the night of November 21st, a very tragic accident occurred. As the whaleboat was being hoisted in, due to a leak being discovered in the bottom, two men were left in the water by the boat sinking. One was rescued after floating about two miles aft of the ship. The other, Maury Gus Donato, Slc, USNB, of Plainfield, New Jersey, was pulled under the water by 24 7

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well prepared to give the Allies a great deal of trouble from this base, for not only were they excellently equipped from a defense standpoint, but as a major of- fensive weapon against Allied shipping, they had ap- proximately eighty-seven Q-boats fjapanese suicide motor boatsl . The Official U. S. Naval Inspecting party was feted, dined, wined and paraded through several villages in the locality by the grateful. Chinese. The first Inspecting Party ashore consisted of the Command- ing Officer, Lieutenant Commander Francis W. Silk, USN, Lieutenant James W. Beebe, USNR, Lieutenant Philip B. Holbrook, USNR, Lieutenant fjgl .lames M. Pennebaker, USNR, Lieutenant fjgl Douglas C. Reid, USNR, Ensign Joseph F. Carroll, USNR fattached to the SAUFLEY for temporary dutyl, Chief 'Gunner's Mate Henry C. Evans, USN, and Chief Yeoman Roy W. Akers, USN. The first day on the beach, these men were all treated to a luncheon party by the Governor. All large guns were rendered inoperative, and all portable guns and ammunition were assembled and put under guard. The ,laps themselves were interned in a Fishing School and the buildings near the air strip. In China, one of the days for much celebration is the 10th of October, known as HDouble Ten Dayw, the tenth day of the tenth month. On the night of October 10th, a dinner was given by the village of Tinghai, and several members of the crew of the SAUFLEY were in- vited over, where they were paraded through the streets to the accompaniment of wild cheers and shouts. Fur- ther relaxation was enjoyed by the crew by a basketball game and a volleyball game between the Chinese soldiers occupying Tinghai and the SAUFLEY crew. The SAL'- FLEY won the basketball game with a score of 4-9 to 3l. Members of the SAUFLEY team were: HAWICINS, 23

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the boat, when one of his feet was caught by a line at- tached to the boat. All efforts to save him failed and he was officially listed as 66Missing . His body was never recovered. During the latter part of November and the first of December, the SAUFLEY made a couple of mail runs between Okinawa and Shanghai. On December 12th, flying the homeward bound pennant, in company with Destroyer Division FORTY- THREE QUSS ROBINSON DD562 carrying the flag of Captain Robert L. CAMPBELL, USN, CDS-225, USS WALLER DD466, USS PHILIP DD489 plus the USS CHARRETTE DD58l, departed Shanghai, enroute to San Diego, via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor. Arriving in Pearl Harbor on December 23rd, the Divisio-n remained overnight while fuel and supplies were taken on. Christ- mas Day, l945, was spent at sea, when for the first time in the history of the ship, no reveille was held on the crew, except for watch standers. The men were allowed to get up when they got good and ready, breakfast was not prepared until 0930, and a delicious Christmas dinner was served about 1400. Point Loma, California, was raised on the morning of January 30th, but the Division was fogbound until about noon, and the harbor of San Diego was entered in the afternoon. After two weeks of very enjoyable liberty and rec- reation, the SAUFLEY, ROBINSON, WALLER and PHILIP stood out of San Diego Harbor for New York, N. Y., via the Panama Canal. Captain R. L. Malpass, USN, C.O. of the ROBINSON, was Officer in Tactical Command. 25