Stevenson (DD 645) - Naval Cruise Book

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fl! 9601 MLMGQ Leaving Fiji in our wake, we were destined for Milne Bay where our or- ders for reporting to the Seventh Fleet were given. We left the Bay to report to Buna, New Guinea. Our stay was short, for the invasion of the Admiralty Islands was to take place, including the Steven- SOT1. We had, at last, joined the combat forces of the Pacific. Of course every- one was a little nervous and excited because we didn't know what was in store for us during the invasion. We left Buna with LST's and LCl's also carrying troops aboard us. After three days and two nights, we took stations for the invasion of the Admiralty Islands. ' During the entire operation we patrolled in the background as sub screen. , Most of the firing was done by veteran destroyers so -we had a box 'seat for awhile until we got the order to remain there for several days as a fire-support- ing group. We remained in the Admiralty vicinity for about five days when we were relieved. The occupation contin-ued for several weeks and we were convoying supplies during that period. Our next invasion took us to Hollandia at which we again acted as sub screen, just watching the bombardment. Hollandia was soon secured which then took us back to Buna where we went into rehearsal for the next invasion, the Schoten Islands. During the latter part of May, the Steve hit a submerged log while patrol- ling off Humboldt Bay which necessitated a trip to drydock in Milne Bay. It took about a week to get the ship back in shape. We arrived back at Hollandia in time to escort a group of eight LS'I s to Biak Island. Everyone who was there will always remember how those lap Kates came out of the sun to drop their eggs but the only thing they did was splash water on a couple of LST's. One of these Kates headed for the Stevenson, approach- ing from the starboard quarter but things got quite hot for her so she turned away. The captain of the Hobby reported as having definitely seen her crash on the island. It's the only time the main battery ever fired when no one on the director platform felt the blast. 'There was something so fascinating about seeing the enemy plane coming in, that one never felt the guns firing. Ourgroup left that evening for Hollandia but the Hobby and Kalk were sent back to Biak and the next morning the Kalk was hit with a bomb causing the most serious damage that any of the ships of the Squadron experienced during the entire war. . Several other trips were made to Biak and at this time Commander I. R. Pahl relieved Captain R. F. Stout as the Commander of Destroyer Squadron 19. 2.5