Back to Radar Picker Station #15 (July 1945)

We stayed alongside the Destroyer Tender USS HAMUL (AD-20) as long as we could, frantically trying to finish underway repairs and picking up last minute unscheduled items. Finally, in the afternoon of July 1 we cast off and move away from the HAMUL and anchor in Berth K-104, Kerama Retto, Okinawa.

Work continues on the FOOTE - all departments getting the ship ready for combat steaming again. The HAMUL technicians did a great job, but left it to the FOOTE crew to button-up, straighten-up and clean-up.

At Okinawa Gunto the FOOTE has been normally assigned to the Third Fleet, Task Force Thirty-one, Task Group Thirty-one point Five, (31.5). The FOOTE is also part of Destroyer Squadron Twenty Three (DesRon-23) and Destroyer Division Forty-six (DesDiv-46). At 0900 July 1 all task organizations to which this vessel is assigned are cancelled. In accordance with Commander Task Group 99.1, Operation Plan #4-45, the FOOTE is now assigned to Task Force 99. Commander of Task Force 99 is General J. W. Stillwell, USA, Commanding General of the Tenth Army and Commander of Ryukus Forces. We will be in Task Group 99.1 commanded by Rear Admiral C. H. Cobb, USN, Commander of Naval Forces, Ryukus, U.S.C.G.C. TANEY, flagship (what a deal) and Task Unit 99.1.6 commanded by Captain T. B. Duncan, USN, ComDesRon-23, CHARLES AUSBURNE, flagship. The mission of Task Unit 91.1.6 (DesRon-23) is to be the offensive screen and to furnish destroyers as radar pickets, screening vessels and escorting local groups.

We went to G.Q. at 0415 on the 2nd when a Bogie came in so close that the shore anti-aircraft batteries off the port bow opened up. The Bogie high-tailed it out of here without doing any damage. As soon as we secured from G.Q. we weighed anchor and went alongside the USS CUYAMA (AO-3) to take on fuel. We have been alongside the CUYAMA so often in recent times we are getting to know the crew.

When we finished fueling at 0825 we were directed by CTU-99.6.1 (Dispatch 011658) to escort LCT-1153 to Aguni Shima. I wonder what she’s carrying that’s so important to rate a destroyer guard dog? We arrived at Aguni Shima at 1200 and the LCT is nosed up on the beach. At 1500 we left the LCT at the beach and returned to Kerama Retto. At 1730 we topped off our fuel tanks from the USS BRAZOS (AO-4) and got underway for Hagushi Anchorage. We dropped the port anchor in Berth H-163 at 2007. It is a bright clear night - a good night for Bogies.

We passed a quite night on July 3rd and woke with a start to morning G.Q. and a bright warm day. About ever 3rd or 4th day a LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) makes its way around the anchorage delivering and picking up mail - hope today is one of those days. A sailor is always thinking of home - especially at Okinawa. This parody was written by one of those sailors.

Oh, give me a home, far away from the foam,
Far away from the smoke and this bay,
Where seldom is seen, FLASH RED, CONTROL GREEN,
And the G.Q. alarm is silent all day.

We watch all night with no sign of delight,
For the Bogies are coming they say,
If it rains we get soaked, if it’s dry we get smoked;
We are jumped by the Japs either way.

Home, home, Oh, take me home,
Get me there and I’ll never stray.
Get me out of this plight so I can sleep some at night,
And relax just a bit through the day.

Three cities in the Japanese home islands were hit by over five hundred B29 Bombers yesterday. Rumors are rife in the anchorage that the next big operation will be a landing on Kyushu - southernmost big Japanese home island.

We get new orders on July 4th. In accordance with Commander Task Unit 99.1.6 (Dispatch 030255) we are directed to get underway for our old hot spot, Radar Picket Station #15, in company with USS CONVERSE (DD-509) and USS AULICK (DD-569). ComDesDiv-46 in CONVERSE is O.T.C. (Officer in Tactical Command). As the three “Little Beaver” ships steamed in column at 21-knots toward Radar Picket Station #15 the ship pitched gently in the rolling sea and as we headed into the wind, the bow of the FOOTE dove down toward the small rollers, stopped just before she got under them, lifted her bow with a gentle withdrawal, then lowered it softly once more. It is exceedingly humid, very clear and beautiful.

We arrived on station at 0800 and relieved the USS HUBBARD (DE-211), USS BOLE (DD-600) and USS PRITCHETT (DD-561). Our support craft (Pallbearers) are LCS-84, LCS-64, LCS-101 and LCS-120. We are steaming at 12-knots in a special formation with 700-yard separation on a patrol courses of 045-Degrees True and 225-Degrees True, reversing course ever 30-minutes. The LCSs are in formation two miles to the northwest.

On a Radar Picket Station I think the best Battle Station (G.Q.) to have aboard a destroyer is top-side - although you are exposed, you can see everything that is going on around the ship. I think the worst G.Q. station would be the Engineering spaces and Repair Parties. The Engineers are below the waterline, surrounded by pipes full of scalding steam, spinning turbines and electric motors, in oppressive heat with only the sounds of the guns and speed of the ship to give them an indication of what is going on. Topside and most of the below deck crew has things they must do - search, aim, load, fire, pass ammunition or clips, stand-by to steer, watch the radar, turn the throttle wheel, open or close a valve or operate the Fire Control computer. Even the men in the handling room or magazines for the five inch guns, under dogged-down hatches, below the waterline in most cases, surrounded by explosives, placing their 54-pound projectiles in the hoist and passing the 38-pound powder case up through scuttles in the gun mount, has something to do, something to occupy hands, body and mind.

Action is probably hardest on the men in the Damage Control and Repair Parties. A man in a Damage Control Party had nothing to do, his job begins when the ship is hit. Until then he has simply to sit inside the hull, water-tight hatches closed around him, ventilation off, blind except the eerie glow of the red battle lights - wait and try to piece together from the sounds, feelings and fragmentary reports of a telephone talker, the events on which his life depends. But, once the ship is hit, everyone’s life depends, to a great degree, on the performance of the Damage Control Parties.

The Fourth of July 1945 passes on Radar Picket Station #15 without any fireworks from the FOOTE.

On July the 5th we were steaming as before on Radar Picket Station #15. At 0701 one of the Pallbearers (LCS-64) sighted a corpse in the water. They were ordered to investigate and it was identified as Japanese. It was left in the water. At 1520 LCS-64 left Radar Picket #15 and returned to the anchorage at Okinawa. No Bogies approached our station close enough for us to go to G.Q. - so far today, things are very quiet. Today the Radio Shack reports that the Navy has been ordered to take over the Akron, Ohio plants of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. whose workers have been on strike since June 16th. I wonder if they would like to swap places?

At 0700 on July 6th LCS-84 left station after being relieved by LCS-61. We went to G.Q. at 0810, but the Bogie didn’t close. By order of ComDesDiv-46 (OTC) our group held two hours of Tactical Maneuvers after lunch. It was fun to watch. Hundreds of miles of ocean around us and the OTC worries about being off station by a few yards - what a deal. Broke off the exercise at 1445 and went to G.Q. - nothing materialized.

Pallbearers LCS-102 and LCS-104 were relieved by LCS-64 and LCS-120 at 1000 on July 7th. We have been out here three days and haven’t fired a round - Jap aerial activity has greatly diminished - that’s fine with me. As powerful land-based radar is set up on Okinawa and out-lying islands some of the ring of Radar Picket Stations are being eliminated.

On July 8th at 0755 the USS HUBBARD (DE-211), USS CUNNINGHAM (DD-752), USS EVANS (DD-552) relieved the CONVERSE, AULICK and FOOTE who were directed to Kerama Retto for logistics. First it was alongside our old friend the USS CUYAMA (AO-3) for fuel then over to Berth K-56 where we dropped the hook and commenced taking on stores. Taking on stores from boats alongside is unmercifully slow and lasted well past mid-night.

At 1610 the next day we weighed anchor and got underway for Hagushi Anchorage. When we arrived at 1748 we were assigned an berth and almost everyone was listening to the Armed Forces radio broadcast - the greatest assemblage of American air might - 1,500 bombers and fighters - hit Japan today. We didn’t have a G.Q. all night - that’s a rarity.

The Radio Shack reports on July 10th that there will be a 1,000-plane raid on Japan today. We could see B-24 and B-25 Bombers forming up over our area to take part in the raid. Tokyo Rose said in her broadcast today …”The Okinawa campaign was a decided psychological victory for the Japanese because the Americans paid such high price for it and that has fortified the Nipponese, who will annihilate the Americans when they try to invade the homeland……”. Well, Rosie, here comes another 1,000-plane raid - you had better get in a hole.

We have been battle ready and swinging on the hook for the last three days wondering what is next. Now we know - on July 12th it’s back to the Jig-line - underway at 0600 with the CONVERSE and AULICK to Radar Picket Station #15. We arrive on station at 0745 and relieve the HUBBARD, CUNNINGHAM and EVANS. They indicated that things had been relatively quite - hope it stays that way.

Our first unscheduled G.Q. on station was 1030 July 13th. The Bogie didn’t close. The weather is clear with a smooth sea, but pretty warm. There was no G.Q. all night.

We have steamed and counter steamed across this particular bit of ocean known as Radar Picket Station #15 for the past 44-hours with no problem, but at 0407 on July 14th the loud, insistent clanging of the G.Q. alarm sent the crew scrambling to their Battle Stations (G.Q.). What a jolt when you are sleeping soundly. There is one Bogie on the Radar Screen headed in and night CAP (Combat Air Patrol) is vectored out on bearing 285-Degrees True to make an interception. The night CAP gave a “Talley-ho” about 10-miles out and a “Splash” shortly thereafter. It was just before dawn when CAP shot the Bogie down and he made a bright flare on his way to the water. The CAP identified the Bogie as a Jap “Betty” - a twin engine bomber. The Radar Screen was clear and we secured from G.Q. at 0445.

On July 15th the Radio Shack received a newscast that said Washington, D.C. reported there had been a total of 261 B-29 Bomber raids on Japan dropping over 90,000-tons of bombs and destroying 127-square miles of 27 Japanese cities. It is estimated that 51% of Tokyo has been bombed out - and still no sign of surrender.

At 0855 on July 16th the CONVERSE, AULICK and FOOTE are relieved on Radar Picket Station #15 by the USS LEARY (DD-879), USS DYSON (DD-572) and USS IRWIN (DD-794). The LEARY is the new Gearing Class Destroyer commissioned since the first of the year. The Gearing Class is a modified Sumner Class design with 14-feet added to her length for fuel tanks to increase her range. She sure is sleek looking with her twin 5-inch gun mounts. We look like we have been in a demolition derby compared to her. Picket Station duty will do that to a ship. Stood in about 1030 for Okinawa, but had to go about 30-miles out of the way to take on fuel from the USS SUAMIACO (AO-49). After fueling we took station astern of AULICK and proceeded to Hagushi Anchorage. We dropped the hook in our assigned berth at 1850 - went all night with no G.Q.

On July 17th after the public address (1-MC) directed the crew to begin the day’s work it was keyed again and called for me to report to Lt. Polatty’s (Executive Officer) stateroom - what did I do? When I arrived he told me that by authority of Commander Surface Forces Pacific I was being transferred back to the States for the 7th Increment Navy V-12 Program - he thought I would be going to Columbia University, but he wasn’t sure. He said there would be a boat alongside in approximately 30-minutes to take me to the beach and I should be on the Quarter Deck ready to leave the ship. He handed me my Service Jacket and Orders - wished me luck - we shook hands and that was it. I was dumfounded - but I was on the Quarter Deck to catch the boat. In my wildest dream this is not how I thought I would leave the FOOTE. What very few shipmates I was able to see before departing - I told good-by. As the boat headed for shore and my report to the Beach Master for further transportation, I looked back at the FOOTE for the last time - she was quickly lost among the many ships in the anchorage.
(USS FOOTE Deck Log, USS FOOTE War Diary and Gene Schnaubelt’s account)
(Written by: Wilbur V. Rogers)