Sperry (AS 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 as 'Z i 2 it s pi ssl SPERRY P-S W Y ' uss - HAPPY 30th ANNIVERSARY! Instead of discussing the usual administrative interests of an Executive Officer, I would like to digress and discuss SPERRY's motto and shield insignia. Our motto is MDE PROFUNDIS TRIDENS, which means OUT OF THE DEPTHS, SEA POWER? This is simple, dignified, clear, and in keeping with the mission of the Submarine Force. Our shield is divided into quarters as follows: Upper Right: The Black Trident, traditionaldiriblem of Neptune, symbolizes dominion over the seas- the seas being represented by the light blue field. Upper Left: The crown of gold, a mark of sovereign power, denotes the naval supremacy of the submarine and, in particular, the submarines supported be SPERRY. The field of Navy Blue signifies that the supremacy is, indeed, naval. Lower Left: The III reveals that units displaying this shield are members of Submarine Squadron THREE. Lower Right, The heraldic Dolphin signifies the Submarine Force in that it is a mammal whose natural habitat is beneath the waves. Normally peaceful, it is fearsome when aroused and, if attacked, will intrepidly engage predators much larger than itself. The Dolphin also recalls the insignia of the sub- marine service and is represented in a diving attitude to represent the efforts of the Submarine Force to push back the frontier of the depths and constantly seek greater achievement. Last, but not least ,the gold and black banner prominently displayed across the shield leaves no doubt that this particular insignia is that of USS SPERRY KAS l2J. J. T. LEWIS Captain, U. S. N. Executive Officer 3 Executive OFFICER

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I- 'll'W 'f 'ir... ,i.. -asf. ' ' ' f ' HISTORY OF USS SPERRY IAS-121 On December 17, 1941 . the hull ofa ship destined to play a notable part in the winning ofthe war in the Pacific, slipped into the water at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Mare Island, California, and on May 1, 1942 the submarine tender U.S.S. SPERRY was commissioned and turned over to her first commanding officer, Captain R. H. Smith. Sponsored be Mrs. Robert B. Lea, Daughter of Elmer Ambrose Sperry, inventor and pioneer of submarine construction, after whom the ship was named, the SPERRY immediately undertook her Shakedown cruise and on August 2, 1942 she arrived in Pearl Harbor to begin her record of service in World War II. Her assignments during the following three years took her to such far flung places as Australia, New Caledonia, Majuro Atoll, Eniwetok Atoll, Guam and Midway. Like the tentacles of a giant octopus, the submarines serviced by the SPERRY reached out to harass Japanese shipping. While at Midway, the SPERRY serviced more than 70 submarines within five months. Only consistent hard work and excellent leadership made this record attainable. Between March and September of 1945, while at Majuro, SPERRY personnel helped in the construction of the first submarine recuperation center in the Central Pacific area. For their outstanding work in planning, constructing, and organizing the camp, three SPERRY officers were later decorated, Captain C. P. Erck CCOMSUBRON TENJ, Captain Thew, and Lieutenant E. E. Thomas. SPERRY personnel were later employed in building Camp Dealy, the first sub- marine recuperation camp on Guam. The main duty of the SPERRY since the end ofthe war has been to provide services for squadron THREE submarines in the San Diego area. SHIPS HISTORY 4 I I I r 5 st 15 ii ll 51 it E E ii ll If Il 1, f .l ij tr is it 31 if El QL 5. if 3 gt -5 5 ei .I 5 it i E if .2 ii gl 5 3, Ti il . til IQ It ra li I. kv I l H I r I 1 it It li I if, II: 1. It ll ll fl El it l I I