Shannon (DM 25) - Naval Cruise Book

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EDWARD LEE FOSTER COMMANDER - U. S. NAVY This book is dedicated to: COMMANDER EDWARD LEE FCSTER, U. S. NAVY known to his men as Uncle Ed. He brought the Shannon into being and fought her with skill and distinction that is born onl ot knowledge and love of the sciences of the sea. He loved his ship ancllhis men with a love equaled only by the trust and respect that the men under his command held 'for their Captain.

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COMMANDER EDWARD LEE FOSTER, USN ----qgQQjJy:..-...- Uncle Edu has led a colorful and active life in the tin-can Navy which has gained for him a wealth of experience and innumerable friends, particularly among the crews he has commanded. Captain Foster spent his early years in Northport. Ala., where he was born January 19, 1910. He attended and was graduated from high school in nearby Tusca- loosa. At the age of 17, Foster became a Plebe at the Naval Academy, where he was active in athletics, par- ticularly as a member of the water polo team. In June, 1931, Foster was graduated with a degree and was commissioned Ensign. His first duty was abroad the four-piper Bernadou QDD 153Q, where he served in various capacities for a year. August 27, 1932, Ensign Foster and Miss Adele VVolcott were 'married in La Jolla, California. In the same year he reported to the Barney QDD 149j. He served on her until 1933, when he was ordered to the Arizona QBB 391 After three and a half years on the Arizona, Lieut. Foster reported to the hospital ship Relief QAH lj for a short tour of duty before going to the XYhitneyQAD 45. In 1938 he was stationed at the Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, his first two-year tour of shore duty. Lieut. Foster went to sea again late in 1940 to serve a year abroad the Craven IDD 3821 In November, 1941, was transferred tothe McCall IDD 4005 as Executive Officer. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Foster was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, and on November 1, 1942, to Commander. VVhen the Pacific Naval forces were reorganized fol- lowing the Pearl Harbor attack, the McCall joined a force of carriers, cruisers, and destroyers to carry out the first offensive operation of the war. Beginning Feb- ruary 1, 1942, this force struck and inflicted heavy damage on installations in nine of the Marshall Islands. On February 24, the McCall accompanied the Enterprise, two cruisers and six destroyers in the first 1Vake Island raid. On August 7, the same year, the McCall joined a force of cruisers and destroyers in the first bombardment of Kiska in the Aleutians. Commander Foster assumed command of the McCall in February, 1943, and led his ship through numerous operations during the succeeding Hfteen months. He participated in the capture of Kwajalein Cfiebruary 2-8, 19445 and Eniwetok Qlfebruary 17-20D by which control of the Marshalls was gained. As part of a fast Carrier task force, the McCall participated in an attack on the VVestern Carolines, striking Palau, Yap and Woleai be- tween March 30 and April 1, and in the Hollandia land- ings April 22. Returning from support of the Hollandia operation, the same fast carrier task force carried out the second Truk raid on April 29-30, and on May 1, bombarded Ponape. Commander Foster was relieved in May, 1944, and ordered to the States as PCO of the Shannon. He at- tended Fleet Sound School, Key VVest, before going to Bath, Me. to organize his new crew and supervise fitting out. Captain Foster assumed command of the Shannon at her commissioning in Boston, September 8, 1944 During the following nine months he successfully and brilliantly led the ship and her crew through shakedown and other training phases, the Capture and Occupation of Iwo Jima, the Capture and Occupation of Okinawa, and Operations Against the Empire in the East China Sea. For support provided by the Shannon at Iwo lima, Captain Foster was awarded a Letter of Commen- dation with ribbon by the Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet. He also was recommended for decoration for his outstanding work as skipper of the Shannon during the Okinawa operation. In addition, he wears six engagement stars on the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon. Commander Foster was relieved by Commander W. T. Ingram on june 10, 1945, and returned to the States for a tour of well-deserved shore duty. He served as Executive Officer of the West Coast Sound School, San Diego, living with his wife and six-year-old son, Richard, at 531 J Street, Coronado, Calif. He was assigned in lune, 1948, to the Naval VVar College, Newport, R. I. All who knew and served under Uncle Ed attribute much of the Shannon's 'fIrish I.uck,' to his courage, understanding, fine ship-handling, master seamanship, and skillful fighting. Everyone will remember him with pride in having known a true friend and gentleman, a fine man and skillful officer. A MESSAGE FROM CAPTAIN FOSTER TO THE OFFICERS AND ENLISTED CREW or THE sAssY SHANNON: The gratification with which I recall your accomplish- ments is exceeded only by my appreciation of your loyalty, cooperation, and faith. To your individual efforts we owe our lives. If in your various walks of life you carry on as you did on the Shannon, your success is assured. Good luck to you all. Q X7 Q 3