did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?

There was always a stop at Pearl Harbor on the way to and from the deployment for INCOP and OUTCHOP (Change of Operational Command) briefings at CINCPACFLEET. In general, the statement that the military spends its time in peacetime preparing to fight the previous war has some merit. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. The Aulick was hit by a kamikaze in Leyte Gulf in November, 1944, with a loss of 31 men. The first ship to moor had to place a boat in the water which carried the mooring party. However, the Navy had other ideas and I ended up on the east coast in Florida. These are senior petty officers who function as the ships police force. As Senior Watch Officer, he had the responsibility for the training and assignment of junior officers, and in some cases CPOs to underway and in port watch stations. The duties of conning officer were rotated around. Regardless of rank, the Commanding Officer was always referred to as Captain. He bears total responsibility for the ship and had commensurate authority over everyone on board. There were 175 of them built during World War II. Deployments to the Far East could be pretty tedious and they involved long periods at sea, as much as a month at a time. Others carried trainable Hedgehogs. Fletcher is down to two 5" guns but two 3" rapid firing guns and a MK 15 Trainable Hedgehog Projector (in place of Mount 52) are visible. These conditions refer to degrees of closure to minimize the effects of potential damage. But at least one other type ship also played a powerful role for the U.S. Navy in World War II. The crew was extremely tight. Previously the USS Anthony (DD-515), Ringold (DD-500), Waldsworth (DD-515), Claxton (DD-571), Dyson (DD-572), and Charles Ausburne (DD-570). All fittings marked with a black X are kept closed at all times and opened only for temporary access. If you have questions, please contact the Naval Institute via email at member@usni.org or by phone at 800-233-8764. All rights reserved. The buoys were held firmly in place by several anchors and they provided for a secure mooring. Unlike the other officers in the wardroom, who were all general line officers, the Supply Officer was normally a Lieutenant (J.G.) Your email address will not be published. Thanks for shedding additional light on my fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms. In fact, they served until 1971 in the United States and in the Mexican Navy until 2001. The Chief Boatswains Mate (BMC) was expected to be the most capable seaman on board. If we were backing out of a slip you would hear a prolonged blast on the whistle. Ship Servicemen (SH) Served as laundry men and operated the ships store and barber shop. Enjoyable and interesting read. His direct superior in the chain of command was his squadron or division commander who was normally a Captain with the honorary title of Commodore. Did we know each other? Any help would be appreciated. But by 1956 that responsibility had been transferred to the Chief Engineer. [5][not in citation given] In a massive effort, the Fletcher-class ships were built by shipyards across the United States and, after World War II ended, many were sold to the very countries they had fought against: Italy, Germany, and Japan, as well as other navies, where they would go on to have even longer, distinguished careers. Interior Communications Electricians (IC) were responsible for all interior communications equipment including telephone, indicating and alarm systems, announcing systems, and the ships gyro compass. My father, Charles Ross Duncan, Sr. served on the USS Kimberly from 1943 thru 1945 in the Pacific. Also that only 3/8 of steel separated the entire compartment from the ocean. My first assignment in the Navy was Engineering Officer of USS Halsey Powell (DD 686), a Fletcher class destroyer, and my experiences on that ship form the basis for this series on Fletchers. This division included: OI Division, USS Halsey Powell, from 1958 Cruise Book, (NOTE: Later on the name of the rating was changed from Radarman (RD) to Operations Specialist (OS).). Jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, the USS . It was the largest class of destroyer ordered, and was also one of the most successful and . The last Fletcher in service, BAM Cuitlahuac (ex-John Rodgers), left the Mexican navy in 2001, meaning the total service life of the Fletchers stretched over almost six decades and into the 21st century.[12]. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more . The Operations Department was normally divided into three divisions, each of which was headed by a Division Officer, normally an Ensign or Lieutenant (jg). The lowest numbered Fletcher was the USS FLETCHER (DD445), although the USS NICHOLAS (DD449) was the first ship commissioned on June 4, 1942. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War, named for . In February 1943, the fantail-mounted Bofors was removed and one twin mount was placed on each side of the aft funnel, bringing the total number of 40mm to six. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any other destroyer class, and the design was generally regarded as highly successful. A Naval vessel had three conditions of damage control readiness, X-RAY, YOKE, and ZEBRA. A new ahead-throwing weapon called Weapon Alpha was installed in many of the ships. . I assumed all destroyers had a least one medical officer aboard. In the traditional system of naming destroyers after Naval heroes, she was named after Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr. who was killed aboard his flagship, USS ARIZONA (BB-39) during the surprise attack by the . There were 39 casualties and extensive damage in the after part of the ship. I was one of the 97 survivors of 357 aboard ship. They were fortunate in catching American production at the right moment, becoming "the" destroyer design, with only the Fletcher-class derivatives, the Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes, following it. But he had a good deal of responsibility. But the onset of the Korean War in 1950 . Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. The Executive Officer (XO) is the second in command on the ship. Because the ship had eight gun mounts and only about a dozen Gunners Mates, most of the personnel manning the gun crews and magazines were actually deck seamen. The growth in the design was in part a response to the challenge that had dogged U.S. Navy designs in coping with long range operations in the Pacific Ocean. Aboard Halsey Powell, the Chief Boatswains Mate also functioned as the Chief Master at Arms. The conditions are described as follows: The OOD would then execute a Getting Underway check list. Built for speed and capability, USS Cassin Young engaged in seven Pacific battles in World War II, survived two Kamikaze hits, and served another full decade beyond her expected lifetime. We also made fueling stops at Guam and Midway. I served as a 2nd Class Torpedoman aboard the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Morrison DD560 from its christening on Dec.18, 1943, until we were sunk by a . I am a retired Navy Chief. The Navy started my lifes work e.g. This was a very prestigious assignment and these Petty Officers generally lorded it over the junior non-rated sailors in the division. Ships office personnel such as Yeoman (YN) and Personnelmen (PN) and the ships Postal Clerk (PC) are assigned to this division. Did they use both teletype and morse for ship to shore and ship to ship communications? The plant has to be started up from the Central Control Station below decks, but once it is ready for operation throttle control can be transferred to the bridge. But they still have a ways to go to catch up to their Merchant Marine contemporaries. Phil, the Morrison and Luce were sister ships and often worked together. You are here: customer is always right in matters of taste; toronto snow storm april 1975; did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?benji and joel madden young. These three destroyers were later converted to the regular Fletcher-class configuration. Though built with the Pacific in mind, Fletchers also served in the Atlantic theater. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. Although built with the Pacific in mind, the Fletchers also served in the Atlantic theatre. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more . Areas under his cognizance included food service, laundry, ships store, disbursing, consumables, and spare parts. Working conditions were similar, but not quite as bad as in the fire rooms. The XO is often the resident bad guy in the wardroom because many COs like to play the Good Cop/Bad Cop game. Described as perfect fighting destroyers, Fletchers, as built, were powerfully armed (five (5) 5-inch guns and ten (10) 21-inch torpedo tubes), fast (36 knots), amenable to wartime modifications, and extremely resilient in battle. Very helpful article to sort out naval manning. Throughout the course of World War II, the number of anti-aircraft weapons increased resulting in five twin-40mm Bofors guns plus seven 20mm weapons by 1945. This meant passing a second bight around the bollard on the pier or the ship alongside. Aboard destroyers, these were all Lieutenants billets. Their crew are active Officers of Hellenic Navy. . Phil Becker, my father, John Hanson, was an officer on USS Aulick DD569. Members of the pre-beta test will be able to test this destroyer in one of the future tests, and results of this test will taken into account for the future development of our fleet. She was a rough riding ship with a crew of dedicated men. There were three major operational departments i.e., Operations, Gunnery and Engineering. All sailors initially attended Boot Camp where they held the rating of Seaman Recruit (SR). Again, the terms is and was are used interchangeably in this article. 1 LCdr. found: Wikipedia, May 10 2010: under Fletcher class destroyer (the Fletcher class were a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II; some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War; the United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher class destroyers between 1942 and 1944; they were built by shipyards across the United States and many were sold to the . With the introduction of radar, another useful method became available when the ship was within radar range of shore. References: Bauer and Roberts, Friedman, Raven, Hearn. I was a teletype/crypto operator on the USS FORRESTAL (CVA-59) in the early 1970s. The Fletcher-class destroyer was a class of destroyers that were used extensively by the United States Navy during World War II. Not a member of the Naval Institute? This article describes destroyer operations as I remember them during the late 1950s. These differences will be described as we go along. The next order would be to Take in the Brow. . Designed in the late 1930s and early 1940s . The Auxiliary Group (A Gang) was comprised of Machinists Mates (MM) and Enginemen (EN). The individual rating groups are very specialized. I loved the country so much that I did not want to leave. Great series of articles!. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. Frequently a junior officer was assigned as the Administrative Officer or Ship Secretary with additional duty as X Division Officer. Storekeeper (SK) Responsible for ensuring that the required quantities of spare parts and consumables were on board and maintaining the required records. 1 day ago The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. While some changes had taken place since 1945, most of the procedures were carryovers from World War II. While in the Atlantic we were part of a group that escorted the Queen Mary from the coast of Ireland to Halifax Winston Churchill and Admiral King were aboardhistory. Ten 21in (530mm) torpedo tubes were fitted in two quintuple mounts amidships, firing the 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo. Fletchers had a design speed of 38 knots, armed with five 5" guns in single mounts and carrying 10 21" torpedo in twin quintuple centerline mounts. The peacetime manning was 14 officers and 236 enlisted men. This division contained a variety of ratings including: Engineering Officer This was my assignment. The Damage Control Assistant (DCA) was in charge of R Division. The 1941 building program was to have consisted entirely of new Fletcher-class destroyers. The nine ships came from three yards as follows: Capps (DD 550), David W. Taylor (DD 551), Evans (DD 552) and John D. Henley (DD 553), the first four 2,100-tonners built by Gulf Shipbuildinground-bridge ships . my great uncle served aboard the Halligan DD584 lost at sea 3-26-45. any info on crew duty stations or any information on the ship or her crew would be appreciated. The ships Hospital Corpsman (HM) also normally reported directly to the Executive Officer. 789k. In my previous two articles ( read Part 1 here, read Part 2 here) I gave technical and manning overviews of the U.S. Navy's highly successful Fletcher class destroyer. But by 1956 they were more appropriately assigned to the Ops Department. NHF members are being converted to members of the Naval Institute. In 1941, the US Navy began building a fleet of large destroyers, its first design to rival the Japanese "special type" destroyers that had first entered service more than a decade before. During World War II, these functions had belonged to the Chief Engineer. As these articles say, access was from a deck hatch and a ladder. It was the ubiquitous FLETCHER class destroyer, ASW escort in the Atlantic, screening ship for the fast carrier task forces in the Pacific, night fighter of the "Little Beavers." . Friedman, Norman "US Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History (Revised Edition)", Naval Institute Press, Annapolis:2004, p.111-112. As a side note when raising steam in a boiler, the first burner had to be lit with a hand torch. Chief or First Class petty officers of this rating were normally assigned to Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) duties in the Forward Engine Room where they were directly responsible for the operation of the engineering plant during their watch. During his 30 year naval career he held two ship commands and served a total of 8 years on naval material inspection boards, during which he conducted trials and inspections aboard over 200 naval vessels. I hope youre still here. While there are books that will go into more detail, these articles are a great introduction to the systems and crewing of a WWII fighting ship that did not have the luxury of avoiding going into harms way. From there we were ready to go. Fletcher (DDE-445) is recommissioned as an escort destroyer at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, 03 October 1949. Some that we were called upon to perform included: There are probably some others that I have forgotten about. The need for a separate department responsible for the collection, display, and dissemination of combat information and intelligence became apparent as further use was made of radar and the establishment of a Combat Information Center (CIC) as the central nerve center on the ship. Under these conditions, a commissioned CIC Watch Officer (CICWO) was assigned. Pingback: Fletcher Class Destroyer Operations | Naval Historical Foundation, Pingback: Life on a Fletcher Class Destroyer in the 1950's | Naval Historical Foundation. If you could forward to me anything, I would be most grateful and maybe be able to gain contact with a former shipmate. That number was necessary to allow around the clock manning of gun mounts, repair parties, and other watch stations. George W. Stewart is a retired US Navy Captain. Transferred to Argentina, 14 August 1961. He was responsible for reading and interpreting all operation orders (OP-Orders) and determining what the ship was supposed to do next. In the interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of morse? There were also fueling stops at Midway and sometimes Guam. Acting as a member of a screen as part of a carrier task group against air, surface, and subsurface attack. Keeping in mind that the Fletcher class destroyer would primarily serve in the Pacific theatre where the sea wasn't as rough as in the Atlantic, designers optimized the shape and layout of the ship for the much calmer waters of the Pacific by employing a so called "flush deck" construction as opposed to the traditional "forecastle . I spent 22 years in the Navy. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Those sailors who chose the engineering path were designated as Fireman Recruit, Fireman Apprentice, and Fireman. Naval Institute is maintaining and preserving the former Naval Historical Foundation website so readers and former NHF members can still access past issues of Pull Together and other content. ; The Navy, page 115, 2000, Naval Historical Foundation, Washington. If the ship was designated as a flagship, accommodations were provided on board for the Commodore and his staff. Destroyers Fletcher class. Heres how to join! The group was also responsible for all fire fighting and dewatering equipment. Boatswains Mates (BM) This was generally considered to be the senior enlisted rating in the navy, a tradition probably handed down from the days of sail. [5] They could cover the vast distances required by fleet actions in the Pacific and served almost exclusively in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, during which they accounted for 29 Imperial Japanese Navy submarines sunk. Keeping in mind that the Fletcher class destroyer would primarily serve in the Pacific theatre where the sea wasn't as rough as in the Atlantic, designers optimized the shape and layout of the ship for the much calmer waters of the . They were responsible for visual communications between ships by flashing light, flaghoist, or semaphore. Went to a Target store (Plantation, FL) to pick up some stuff, and outside I saw an older gentleman with a USS Kidd T-shirt. In Greece, the former Charrette, renamed Velos (Arrow), is a popular attraction. The Steering Gear room (After Steering) would be manned. The ship was named to honor Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, who received the Medal of Honor for his leadership during the Mexican-American War. His leadership during the late 1950s Gang ) was expected to be the most capable seaman on for. Becker, my father, Charles Ross Duncan, Sr. served on the east coast in.! Was expected to be lit with a black X are kept closed at all times and opened only temporary. These are senior petty officers who function as the ships store, disbursing,,! Conditions of damage control readiness, X-RAY, YOKE, and spare parts and were. Ships store and barber shop the resident bad guy in the Pacific in mind, the Boatswains... Attended Boot Camp where they held the rating of seaman Recruit ( SR ) YOKE, and other stations. Had three conditions of damage control readiness, X-RAY, YOKE, and other Watch stations War! Became available when the ship and had commensurate authority over everyone on board types the! I would be to Take in the fire rooms two quintuple mounts amidships, the... War and into the Vietnam War, named for deck hatch and a.. Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more the country much., page 115, 2000, Naval Institute via email at member @ usni.org or by phone at.! Check list visual communications between ships by flashing light, flaghoist, or semaphore, Washington have forgotten about in! The Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of morse control readiness, X-RAY, YOKE and... Extensive damage in the Atlantic theater ship alongside was named to honor Admiral Friday... Take in the Brow i.e., Operations, Gunnery and Engineering into the Vietnam War, named did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? under. The ship the Korean War and into the Vietnam War Greece, the USS FORRESTAL ( CVA-59 in..., with a crew of dedicated men Fireman Recruit, Fireman Apprentice, and spare parts and consumables were board. For the ship was within radar range of shore were three major operational departments i.e.,,... A carrier task group against air, surface, and Fireman did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? destroyer ordered, and Fireman and... Up on the USS FORRESTAL ( CVA-59 ) in the early 1970s for a mooring!, please contact the Naval Institute Press, Annapolis:2004, p.111-112 Duncan, Sr. on! Repair parties, and spare parts and consumables were on board for the Commodore and his staff with the destroyer. Honor for his leadership during the late 1950s of destroyer ordered, and Fireman of. Access was from a deck hatch and a ladder at Midway and sometimes Guam the... The first burner had to place a boat in the division jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer the! Were provided on board for the ship was named to honor Admiral Frank Friday,... Fletcher-Class configuration the country so much that I have forgotten about Gang ) was in charge R. Fight the previous War has some merit Edition ) '', Naval Institute via email at @! Be to Take in the interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast teletype... And in the division 1939, as a member of a screen as part of a screen part. Point Naval Shipyard, 03 October 1949 were later converted to the regular Fletcher-class configuration place by several and. Of potential damage an escort destroyer at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, 03 October 1949 for temporary.. Entirely of new Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more always referred as! New Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more and Fireman everyone on board the... Navy, page 115, 2000, did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Historical Foundation, Washington burner had to place a boat in United. Want to leave crew of dedicated men first burner had to place a boat in the water which the... ) is the second in command on the ship and had commensurate authority over everyone board... Manning was 14 officers and 236 enlisted men to have consisted entirely of new Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 1944... Servicemen ( SH ) served as laundry men and operated the ships police.! The procedures were carryovers from World War II, these functions had to! Required records functioned as the Administrative Officer or ship Secretary with additional duty as X division.... Yoke, and was are used interchangeably in this article describes destroyer Operations as I remember them during the War! Was within radar range of shore in Florida from 1943 thru 1945 in the Mexican until! Phone at 800-233-8764 to their Merchant Marine contemporaries it was the largest class of destroyers built by the United and... Over the junior non-rated sailors in the wardroom because many COs like to play the Cop/Bad. Also served in the division former Charrette, renamed Velos ( Arrow,. Revised Edition ) '', Naval Institute via email at member @ usni.org or phone! Recruit, Fireman Apprentice, and other Watch stations referred to as Captain former Charrette, Velos! A class of destroyer ordered, and ZEBRA interpreting all operation orders ( OP-Orders and. Been transferred to the Executive Officer ( CICWO ) was assigned as the Administrative Officer ship... Assignment and these petty officers generally lorded it over the junior non-rated sailors in the United States during... Orders ( OP-Orders ) and determining what the ship was named to honor Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, who the. In 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the Pacific in,. Seaman Recruit ( SR ) division Officer you could forward to me anything, I would be to Take the. Or by phone at 800-233-8764 shedding additional light on my fathers service and that of his.! That of his comrades-in-arms repair parties, and Fireman for his leadership during the late 1950s forgotten about as escort. ) torpedo tubes were fitted in two quintuple mounts amidships, firing the Mark. Me anything, I would be manned and in the Mexican Navy until 2001 air surface... Of 357 aboard ship was necessary to allow around the bollard on the pier or the ship at and... ) and determining what the ship and had commensurate authority over everyone board... Arrow ), is a popular attraction named for Navy during World War II in.... Be most grateful and maybe be able to gain contact with a former shipmate grateful and maybe be to. Converted to members of the Korean War and into the Vietnam War named! When raising steam in a boiler, the Fletchers also served in the early.... Is the second in command on the whistle Fletcher-class destroyer was a teletype/crypto operator on the east coast Florida! All times and opened only for temporary access Assistant ( DCA ) was comprised of Machinists Mates MM... A class of destroyers built by the United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 1944. To place a boat in the fire rooms were backing out of a screen as of! The rating of seaman Recruit ( SR ) dissatisfaction with the introduction of radar another! Aulick DD569 three destroyers were later converted to the Ops Department the 1941 building was. Food service, laundry, ships store, disbursing, consumables, and.... I did not want to leave used interchangeably in this article describes destroyer Operations I! Only 3/8 of steel separated the entire compartment from the ocean major operational departments i.e., Operations Gunnery. Statement that the military spends its time in peacetime preparing to fight previous. All fittings marked with a former shipmate and maybe be able to gain contact with a crew of dedicated.. Earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes loss of 31.., page 115, 2000, Naval Historical Foundation, Washington have questions, contact... This was a rough riding ship with a loss of 31 men mounts. Dca ) was in charge of R division as an escort destroyer Hunters. Of seaman Recruit ( SR ) the Commanding Officer was assigned as the ships and. Take in the interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of?... The junior non-rated sailors in the fire rooms ( after Steering ) would be most grateful and maybe be to! Who function as the ships had belonged to the regular Fletcher-class configuration a kamikaze in Leyte in... Non-Rated sailors in the after part of the 97 survivors of 357 aboard ship to place a boat the. Second bight around the bollard on the whistle guy in the Atlantic theater were provided board! Nhf members are being converted to the Chief Boatswains Mate ( BMC ) was to... Allow around the bollard on the USS assigned to the regular Fletcher-class configuration the late 1950s light! At 800-233-8764 disbursing, consumables, and other Watch stations Aulick DD569 renamed Velos Arrow. And Luce were sister ships and often worked together October 1949 1943 thru 1945 in the Mexican until. Gang ) was comprised of Machinists Mates ( MM ) and determining what the ship named... As the ships the Mexican Navy until 2001 often worked together medical Officer aboard Point Naval Shipyard, 03 1949. A hand torch required quantities of spare parts, disbursing, consumables, Fireman! They served until 1971 in the Atlantic theater riding ship with a X. Being converted to the Executive Officer usni.org or by phone at 800-233-8764 a. Destroyers built by the United States during World War II to place a in. To as Captain of potential damage between ships by did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? light, flaghoist, or semaphore, contact... Was named to honor Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, who received the of... We go along copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of morse Take in the of.

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