Shannon (DM 25) - Naval Cruise Book

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3 l fl in A-san-i:wn.v-Q ffm Shannon and Jeffers lDMS-271 in Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal. Normally no one would have objected to staying longer, but with the Continental United States. only six days away and Christmas approaching, we were all anxious to leave. We streamed out of Pearl at 0700, December 16, enroute to San Diego, making 17 knots. Except for minor engineering casualties, the trip was uneventful. The weather was poor all the way, making navigation difficult, but Pop Howard kept us right on the track and we hit the landmarks off the coast of California on the button. Captain W. N. Wylie, USN, relieved Captain H. Farrow, USN, as Commander Mine Division Seven at 0800, Decem- ber 18. The following day, with all hands gathered on the boat deck, Commander W. T. Ingram, II, USN, read his orders and made a short speech, after which Commander W. R. Crenshaw, USN, read his orders and made a reply. At exactly 1400 they saluted and Commander Crenshaw assumed all duties as Commanding 'Officer of the Shannon. An unusual coincidence occurred about 200 miles off Cali- fornia. At 1200, December 21, our position was Lat, 32 45' North, Long. 1220 40' West, just 20 miles from where we had been exactly a year before. This year's direction was much more to our liking, however. A heavy fog settled over the sea during the night, so that the shore line of the United States, for which everyone was watching, could not be seen until we passed Point Loma, at 0655, December 22, 1945. At 0835, we moored to the Navy Pier in San Diego. THE SHANNON WAS HOME! Christmas in the States was a much different and more V f! if W, ,. V, 7, .f,7 X 5! Through Empire Reach, Panama Canal Peak on the left is Gold Hilll . i l Approaching Pedro Miguel Loclts, Panama Canal. pleasant experience than Christmas, 1944, had offered. Even though most of us could not be with our families, just being on native soil was home enough. Those four days in San Diego were very pleasant, but most of the crew was anxious to reach the East Coast. December 26, we sailed for Panama, arriving there in the early morning, January 3. New Year's Eve and Day had been spent at sea, but no one cared particularly. Right after our arrival, we started transiting the Canal in company with the Fraser, Bauer, and Jeffers CDMS 271. Traffic and the rain were heavy, making the crossing slow. At 1845, we stood out of Gatun Locks into the Atlantic waters of Limon Bay and on to Coco Solo, where We moored. 1 Everyone got at least a few hours ashore--enough to spend plenty of money on Cristobal night clubs, alligator purses and Tabu perfume. By late afternoon the 4th, we were on our way again, making 25 knots all the way to Norfolk, where we arrived the morning of January 8, and moored alongside pier 22, Convoy Escort Piers. Even Norfolk was a welcome sight. The story of the Shannon does not end here. ' True, most of the plank-owners have said their last good- byes: the men who built her into a fighting ship, who fought her for all they and she had, who earned her reputation, have saluted the Shannon's Quarterdeck for the last time and gone to assume their duties on other ships or in civilian life. But the spirit with which she was endowed lives on. She is a proud ship worthy of her name, of her Navy, of her Country, and ofthe men who have sailed her, May that pride and spirit never die! s .E if si 3 Entering Gatun Locks from Gatun Lalce Limon Bay and the Atlantic can be seen in the distance 9 s- Q p X af wi ' l I , x x t , I . h . . . K 5 f 'f ' H X' -' ' . lg A, , , . A , K 4 , . .1 ,l - ' ft, ... I g . , , ..,.. sf . u , .sywl K . . I . Q . 4 . K . . I I V. l

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WELL DONE. rf inn: 1- 1 'is - - - E l 1-5 l 5' 1 i - - ., - 1 F ll n. I l i mv i- 1-aan: 1.5,- 1 Ever since the day of her commissioning, the Shannon and her men have received commendations, congratulations, and a variety of well done's for outstanding performances. These range from the Navy E for excellence in gunnery, won while on shakedown, to general congratulatory messages from the Fleet Admirals at the end of the war. A few of the more formal messages and letters are quoted: Commander Mine Division Seven 10 May 1945 Memorandum for Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Shannon CDM-25D : Upon turning over command of this Division, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the loyalty, cooper,- ation, and teamwork shown by the Commanding Officer, Officers, and men of the USS Shannon. From the beginning these qualities have been out- standing and a reputation has been established by Mine Division Seven which will be hard to beat. This in my opinion is a hot outfit and a lucky one. May you continue to be both until Japan is shot to Hell. The best of everything to each of you. fs! W. G. Beecher, Jr. 18 June 94 From: Commander Mine Squadron Five . Commanding Officer U.S.S. Shannon fDM'25D Subject: Commendation 1. This Command has recently received from the Commander Minecraft b.S. Pacific Fleet, a commendation which is quoted in part as follows: The Commander Minecraft Pacific Fleet takes pleasure in commending the Commander 'Xffine Squadron Five and through him the officers and men under his command for the outstanding performance of duty as Commander of the Task Group of minesweepers engaged in the amphibi- ous assault operation at Iheya Shima, Okinawa Gunto. The effective application of professional skill ingenu'ty and seamanship are reflected in the precise planning of the nainesweeping phase. The courage and determination displayed in the execution of this phase while facing de- termined Japanese air 'tttack are indicative of 1 high quality of leadership. appreciation for the wholeheaited coopeiation 'ind cncful duo tion to duty extended by you and the ofhcei s and men undef Noni command This Command would decm it a DlL1SLllC to serx L with I 3. it is requested that the above expression of appreciation and commendation be conveyed to your officers and men. fs! G. VV. Allen ' Commander Minecraft United States Pacific Fleet 14 July 1945 TO ALL HANDS OF TASK GROUP 52.22 The assault on Okinawa having ended successfully, it is my pleasure to pass on to the participa.ting ships the following well-deserved praise of their performance. My reporting Senior in Command, Commander Task Force Fifty-Two, has made the following statement: Ships under the Command of Rear Admiral Sharp per- formed their assigned tasks in an outstandingly successful manner. They showed indomitable courage and persever- ance in the face of damage and casualties from enemy mines, aircraft, and shore batteries. Their operations are considered to haxe been a major factor with successful completion of the pre-landing phase of the Okinawa cam- paign. I pass this on to you with the full appreciation of your able and tireless support during this operation. My thanks and a hearty Well Done. Q 151 Alex. sharp Statement made by Capt. A. M. Tovsnsend DSN Commander Nffine Squadron Three, in a letter to ComPhibsPac dated '75 June 94: I The Squadron Commander has noted with pride the fine performance of the U.S.S. Shannon CDM-755 during her continuous service in the Okinana area for ox er two and one-half monthsy Capt. A. M. Townsend USN in his endorsement to the SllaUI10l1 S Report of Action during the Capture of Okinawa said: The USS Shannon has performed oustauding service under the most hazardous 'ind strenuous conditions in the Okinawa area for a prolonfed period. The tow serviCC rendered the USS .Xaron Xhhlffi which was in a sinkin2 condition and successfully bringing her to port nas 8. splendid example of coordination and excellent seaman- ship lhe per'form'xnee of this fine ship in combat with the Nu il SCIXICL n endoiscmtnt to the sune iepoit 1xe'u fhCll11ll'li Xlex Siarp, Y0111 511111111 d11Yf11lU1'C 011612111011 10 001110 Comm lllfiil Xlintci lit U S P xtihe 1 leet ind CTC VZ Said if l 1 J V 7 if Y, Y 77 W v 7 Y 1 M lf 7! 1 5 '1 1 To' , V V Q V 1 , .. 1 5 A Q It Y 7 I? 1 H it Y V Q ll 4 i -4 1 ' i 1 4 s I 5 , ig' 1 Y 1 -Q v rt. - - ,s I ll 5 I V KI Y 1 Y N U 1 f f ' - 1 1 A ,1 1 iw I be-e L r 1 , c e 3 z i c E x if if rx 4 1 I ui . .. .. f 1 . 1 . 2. This command also takes pleasure in expressing extreme menu 1145.111 ,itcflnllg 111111 thi 11191199 113dm0 5 of the 1 . ' ' ' 1' 1 1- . 1 1 , 12 T ,Q 1 1--.',. 5 1 76