Reassemble Desron 23

The “Little Beaver” ships of DesRon-23 are being assembled by Commander Seventh Fleet (Adm. T. C. Kincade), Task Force Seventy-six (CTF-76, Vice Adm. D. E. Darby), Task Group Seventy-six point Six (CTG-76.6, Capt. S. G. Barchet). When DesRon-23 is completely reformed it will be under the command of Captain T. B. Dugan. The USS FOOTE will be in DesDiv-46 under the command of Commander H. H. McIlhenny. That’s official.

The news from home today, fresh from the Radio Shack, said Hitler dies in Berlin and the city of Hamburg surrenders. It was also reported that golf balls would soon be produced for civilian use - now, that was something I was waiting to hear. Also, in Washington, a bill was introduced in Congress giving twenty dollars a week to veterans, who are looking for work, until they are employed.. But, where is the news about the “picket line” at Okinawa? Most of the correspondents got no closer to Okinawa than Guam and what news they get usually concern the Tenth Army - what a deal. The picket line duty must be bad - news is so tight. We are back to fixin’ , training and making sure this old bucket is ready.

When all the “Little Beaver” ships have been assembled, undergone tender availability and training exercises they will then be transferred, as a unit, to operational control of Commander in Chief Pacific for further assignment.

On May 4th it’s back to the firing range Southeast of Samar. This time we are steaming in company with the USS CHARLES AUSBURNE (DD-570) and USS AULICK (DD-569) - two more “Beavers” who have arrived in recent days. Once on the firing range and steaming in column - the three ships took their turn firing as the target plane pulled the sleeve parallel to our course. Early in the day it was the 5-inch guns that fired and as the target plane moved closer, it was the 40-MM and 20-MM gun’s turn. Our accuracy was good - I think we are ready. Today we fired 80-rounds of 5”/38 AA Common, 2315-rounds of 40-MM and 2029-rounds of 20-MM. The acrid smell of cordite was heavy on the ship - now to clean up and save brass.

On the way back into San Pedro Bay we had “man overboard/pick up flyer drill”. The whaleboat was lowered away and in the water long before the ship was stopped. The boat crew was very impressive with the efficiency, sharpness, seamanship and speed with which they executed the drill - the Captain was well pleased with the events of the day and gave a “Well Done” to all hands.

It was late afternoon when we made our way to Berth #61, San Pedro Bay, P.I. and tied up, starboard side to USS DYSON (DD-572). Most of the crew skipped the movie on the fantail and turned in early.

We moved away from the DYSON at 0822 on the morning of the 5th and went alongside the Destroyer Tender USS DIXIE (AD-14). All ten of our torpedoes were exchanged for replacements - wonder what brought that about - sure hope we don’t have to use them.

Our Torpedomen who adjust these torpedoes, clean them, fuss over them and have them ready for instant use will be tired this night. We go back and tie up to the DYSON in late afternoon.

On the morning of May 6th we cast off from the DYSON at 0615 as she weighs anchor and both ships get underway to hold anti-submarine exercises in area “Charlie” . First the FOOTE was launching the attack and the DYSON stood off and acted as security/confirmation/coordinator - then the rolls were reversed and the FOOTE stood off. At 1300 the FOOTE secured from anti-submarine training and held a full-power run for two hours. With all Engineering spaces doing their “dead level best” the old scow does a little better than 36-knots for a solid two hours. That’s pushing plenty water for this old bucket - that is about 41.5 MPH for all the “feather merchants” and “land lubbers”. All speed requirements were met. We arrived back in San Pedro Bay and tie up alongside the DYSON at 1810.

Another day and it’s back to the gunnery range in company with the DYSON for more practice. The 40-MM and 20-MM guns did themselves especially proud. At 2230 the word came over the radio of the unconditional surrender of the major German armies. So now it is two down (Germany & Italy) and one to go. There was no real celebration aboard ship - just a half-relieved feeling and the wonderful knowledge that all our resources can now be applied to defeat the Japs. There were lots of grins - back slapping and “thumbs up” in the crew.

We returned to San Pedro Bay in late afternoon and took our position alongside the DYSON. There was an unusual number of misfires with the 5-inch guns during this exercise. Today we fired 152 rounds of 5”/38 Common, 1534 rounds of 40-MM and 2041 rounds of 20-MM.

Before our orders were unexpectedly changed in Morotai and we were ordered to Leyte for the reformation of the “Little Beaver” Squadron we had been assigned to Task Group 78.1 for Operation OBOE-1. This operation was the Tarakan (Borneo) Invasion with the Australians. An unconfirmed rumor trickles back that the ship that replaced us for that operation hit a submerged mine on invasion day and sank. Who says we don’t have a very special Guardian Angel.

The movie on the fantail was lightly attended - some of the crew went over to the DYSON to see their flick - most wrote letters or slept.

We got underway early on May 8th to go alongside the BLUEFIELD VICTORY to transfer defective 5-inch ammunition - good deal, I sure want it to work. The transfer was completed at 1100 and we were assigned Berth #78 - not too far from the beach. The second section was called away for liberty with 15-minutes notice. On the beach the crew toasted a few hot-dogs - played a little softball - drank a little green beer - did some trading with the locals and was back aboard ship by 1830. All the Fire Controlmen assembled in Plot for a “Tube Lecture” in celebration of V.E. Day. The “lecture”, as usual, was presided over by John Gallagher.

On May 9th the day dawned clear and bright. At 0915 a LSM (Landing Ship Mechanized) came alongside with supplies and most off-watch crew members loaded stores until mid-afternoon. At 1510 we weighed anchor and went alongside an oiler to top off all fuel tanks. This operation was completed at 1612 and we were assigned Berth #60 where we laid out 60-fathoms of chain on the port anchor in 11-fathoms of water. Boiler #3 was left on line for auxiliary purposes. All hands are using ever spare minute making final checks and adjustments to equipment before the ship enters the forward active area. On May 10th we received a secret dispatch ordering ComDesRon-23 (Capt. T. B. Dugan) to report with DesRon-23 (Destroyer Squadron-23) to CinCPac (Commander in Chief Pacific). The orders further instructed ComDesRon-23 to have all ships under his command ready for sea at 1300, 13 May 1945. I don’t think there is any doubt in anyone’s mind where all this official secret order stuff is leading. At 1500 the BRAINE tied up alongside the FOOTE with standard mooring lines.

The Radio Shack picked up a message today that a Marine Corsair ran out of ammunition and overtook a Jap “Nick” (Fighter) airplane and chewed his tail off to keep him from crashing into a destroyer on a Picket Station at Okinawa. Must be getting pretty hot up there.

As dawn breaks on the 11th we are still hanging on the hook in Berth #60, waiting. At 0715 the BRAINE cast of and got underway and stood out of the anchorage . The BRAINE was back alongside to port at 1620 - understood from some of the crew that they made a speed run and took care of some minor engineering concerns. We received CTF-75 (Commander Task Force) secret dispatch 110740 of 11 May 1945 directing ComDesRon-23 to report to Port Director, Leyte, for routing to Ulithi and report to CTU 94.6.2 (Commander of Task Unit) for duty with CTF (Commander Task Force) escort pool. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT - NOT GOING TO OKINAWA?

At 0810 the next morning we received CTF-51 secret dispatch 121515 of 12 May 1945 that cancels secret dispatch 110740 of 11 May 1945 and directs ComDesRon-23 to report to the Port Director, Leyte, for direct routing to Okinawa. What a deal - get it right guys.

MOTHER’S DAY - and, we are a world away from our mothers. At 0800 the crew was mustered at quarters. The temperature was taken in all the magazines and of smokeless powder samples - conditions normal.

The Captain’s Gig was called away early this morning to take Lt. Comdr. Harry W. McElwain to attend a conference of Commanding Officers of DesRon-23 on the Squadron Flagship, USS CHARLES AUSBURNE DD-570.

Captain McElwain returned to the ship at 1250 and immediately calls all department heads to the Wardroom for a meeting. The Special Sea Detail was set at 1640 - we weigh anchor and get underway at 1719 in accordance with visual signal from ComDesRon-23 and ComPhilSeaFron (Commander of Philippine Sea Frontier) speed letter serial 00404 of 13 May 1945. En route San Pedro Bay, Leyte, P. I. to Okinawa Gunto, Ryukus in company with DesRon-23: AUSBURNE, CONVERSE, THATCHER, CLAXTON, BRAINE, DYSON, AULICK and FOOTE. The Captain has the conn, the Navigator is on the bridge - using various courses and speeds to clear the anchorage. After all ships cleared the anchorage they formed into Squadron Formation #6, a special cruising disposition. The formation speed is 17-knots.

Our Gunnery Officer, Lt. Charles J. Rodgers, earlier in the afternoon regaled the Fire Controlmen with a story, relayed from Okinawa, of a Destroyer that shot down nine Jap kamikaze and rammed five. Surprisingly enough she is still afloat, but has 103 casualties - we don’t need to hear this.

Set Condition II Mike, Material Condition Baker and secured from the Special Sea Detail at 1803. The mood of the crew is one of anticipation and anxiety - what will it really be like? It is 1050-miles to Okinawa. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
(USS FOOTE Deck Log, USS FOOTE War Diary and Gene Schnaubelt)