to read - USS Finch DER 328

DEDICATION
_____________________________
To the memory of one ship,
named FINCH,
and the three crews that sailed her,
in each of her three lives.......
and to the memory of our shipmate
that rekindled the friendships that
continue to bind us together.
Robert Leland Stevens, RdM1c
USS FINCH DE-328
13 December 1943 - 2 January 1946
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February 2005
First Printing: 1995; Revised 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000
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PR E FAC E
This narrative history has been put together in order to document the story of a
single ship, named FINCH, and the young men that sailed in her in three distinct
lifetimes. Although it is mainly based on official U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard
records, this book is not the official history, nor can it be considered a formal history in
the academic sense.
Beginning with a brief account of the need for Destroyer Escorts in the early years
of World War II, this narrative describes the commissioned employment of the ship from
initial launching to final disposal. The ship was initially built to satisfy a U.S. Navy need
in World War II, and after inactivation was called upon twice thereafter to satisfy
subsequent needs, serving during times that included the Korean and Vietnamese
hostilities. This history is based on information obtained from the official U.S. Navy and
U.S. Coast Guard log books of FINCH, annual supplements to the ship's history
submitted by the ship, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard personnel diaries, and other
official records on file at the Washington National Record Center, National Archives, and
the Naval Historical Center. One final documentary source was Destroyer Escorts of
World War Two, produced by the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association, and Pictorial
Histories Publishing Company, which was valuable in the development of the initial
chapter - (DE 328). Additionally, some documented events are based on the personal
experiences of the ship's officers and crew.
Special thanks are extended to the following shipmates who initially assisted in
the development of this history, or made available personal documention and/or
photographs: (DE) Jack D. Kaney, Robert L. Stevens, Walter J. Gluvna, Luther N. Nall,
Herman P. Janowiak, Ollie D. Taylor, Jr., Louis Q. Flourney, Jr.; (WDE) Donald L.
Ciapusci, Carmel R. Botte, Bernard W. Freitas, Albert R. Ridge: (DER) Henry C.
Morris, Kent Overholser. And additional thanks which are extended to Captain Gulliver,
and Captain Moore, and his NROTC Unit at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL for
their assistance in locating and providing a photograph of Joseph Warren Finch, Jr., for
whom the ship was named after.
All photographs are from private collections, or are official U.S. Navy and U.S.
Coast Guard releases.
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(DE 328)
________________________________________________________________________
The Nazi conquest of France at the outset of World War II (WWII) left England
completely isolated and its survival depended upon aid from overseas. Convoys,
protected by naval escorts, were the means of survival. Initially, trawlers, yachts and
other types of crafts were converted for escort service, and they did not prove to be
effective in protecting the convoys. Meanwhile, German submarine assaults continued
and by late 1940, an average of twenty-six allied ships were being sunk for every German
U-boat destroyed. The U.S. Navy saw the shortage of adequate ocean escorts in the
Royal Navy, and recognized the same emerging need for itself.
Just prior to our entry into World War II, the U.S. Congress established the LendLease Act to bring American industrial strength to the aid of England. As part of the
agreement the U.S. placed an order in early 1941 for fifty Destroyer Escorts, a specially
designed ship that was a third of the cost of fleet destroyers, would take much less time to
construct and yet have the same escort and anti-submarine capabilities.
With the passage of the Act of 11 March 1941, Lend-Lease was started and along
with it, the lending of 50 U. S. Navy Four Stack Destroyers to the Royal Navy. In mid
June 1941, the British, with desperate need for more escorts, requested that the U.S. Navy
build 50 new escorts for the Royal Navy. President Roosevelt approved the production
of these 50 British DE's (BDE) on 15 August 1941. The first of these new vessels was
laid down at Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California on 28 February 1942. This
was the USS BRENNEN DE 13 (ex BDE BENTINCK).
The design concepts were to meet British requirements. However, many changes
were made in the design due to shortages in weapons and power plants. After the entry
of the United States into the war, the need for escorts for the U.S. Navy became apparent.
Some of the vessels being built for the Royal Navy were kept for the U.S. Navy. Also,
many more Destroyer Escorts were ordered. Of the 1005 escorts ordered during the
course of the war, only 563 were built.
Five U.S. Navy Yards and twelve shipbuilding companies launched 563 DEs
between 1942 and 1945, and the average construction time was eleven months. Seventyeight of the ships were transferred to the Royal Navy, 12 went to Brazil and France and
94 were completed or converted to APDs (high speed transports) for Pacific invasions.
Due to the armament and power plant configurations, the Destroyer Escorts of
WW II were broken down into six classes. These were the "Short Hull" EVARTS class
(3" gunned, GMT-GM Tandem Diesel), BUCKLEY class (3" gunned, TE-TurboElectric), CANNON class (3" gunned, DET-Diesel-Electric-Tandem type), EDSALL
class (3" gunned, FMR-Fairbanks-Morse-Reduction gear type), RUDDERROW class
(5" gunned, TEV-Turbo-Electric drive) and the JOHN C. BUTLER class (5" gunned,
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WGR-Westinghouse-Geared Turbine). Also, the conversion of 94 "TE" and "TEV" to
APD's (High Speed Transports).
The laying of the keel for DE 328 forged the ship design in the mold of the
EDSALL class Destroyer Escort within the assigned numbers of DE 129-152, 238-255,
316-338, and 382-401. These Destroyer Escorts were similar to the BUCKLEY class in
external appearance with 3" guns, long hull and high bridge superstructure. A total of 85
ships of the EDSALL class were built by two shipyards, Consolidated Steel Co., of
Orange, Texas and Brown Shipbuilding of Houston, Texas. The lead ship, USS
EDSALL (DE 129) commissioned on 10 April 1943 at Orange, Texas.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Length Overall
Length at Waterline
Beam
Shaft Horsepower
Trial Speed
War Endurance
Displacement
Complement
Fuel Capacity
306' - 0"
300' - 0"
36' - 10"
6,000
20.9 Knots
5,100 Miles/12 Knots
1,490 Tons
8 Officers 201 Men
312 Tons
ARMAMENT
3 - 3"/50 Caliber guns - Main Battery
1 - Twin 40mm gun
10 - 20mm guns
1 - Triple Torpedo Tube
1 - Hedgehog Projector
2 - Depth Charge Tracks
8 - "K" gun projectors
This original configuration was to undergo many changes following initial
commissioning which will be addressed later.
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Joseph Warren FINCH, Jr.
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Joseph Warren Finch, Jr., born 8 March 1920 in Chicago, Illinois,
was appointed ensign in the Naval Reserve 28 May 1941. He was
killed in action in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November
1942, when his ship Laffey (DD 459) was sunk. Lieutenant (junior
grade) Finch shared posthumously in the Presidential Unit Citation
awarded his ship for its outstanding performance in action against
the Japanese in the Southwest Pacific from 15 September until its
loss. (DE 328 was named in his honor.)
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Miss GRACE CUSHING
28 August 1943
Sponsor of USS FINCH DE-328
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USS FINCH
(DE 328)
________________________________________________________________________
The USS FINCH (DE 328) gained its identity when it was launched and named
in honor of Joseph Warren Finch, Jr., USNR. Lieutenant Finch was born in Chicago,
Illinois on 8 March 1920 and, at the age of 21, received his appointment as Ensign in the
Naval Reserve on 28 May 1941. He was later to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant
(junior grade) on 15 June 1942. Shortly after his appointment, he reported to the U.S.
Naval Academy for instruction in communications. Upon completion, he reported to the
TWELFTH Naval District, San Francisco, California on 13 December 1941 for duty with
the Local Defense Force. He was assigned to duty in connection with the fitting out of a
vessel which he joined when the ship was commissioned. Lieutenant (junior grade)
Finch was killed in action in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands, on
13 November 1942 when his ship USS Laffy (DD 459) was sunk. Lieutenant (junior
grade) Finch shared posthumously in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded his ship for
its outstanding performance in action against the Japanese in the Southwest Pacific from
18 September until its loss.
USS FINCH (DE 328) was launched, on her beam, on 28 August 1943 by
Consolidated Steel Corporation, at Orange, Texas. The ship's sponsor for the launching
was Miss Grace Cushing who was the fiancée of Lieutenant (junior grade) Finch at the
time he was killed in action. In the following three and a half months the ship underwent
final fitting out in preparation of acceptance by the Navy, and commissioning. During
this same period, the personnel that would man the ship were being selected and orders
were being issued. The officers, and the newly formed crew consisting mainly of 17, 18
and 19 year old youths, converged in October and November of 1943 at the Naval PreCommissioning School in Norfolk, Virginia to undergo specialized training and to learn
the essentials of functioning as a team. USS FINCH (DE 328) became alive at the
Consolidated Steel Company, Orange Texas when it was commissioned at 1500 hours on
13 December 1943, 73rd of the EDSALL class to be commissioned, and took on its
officers and initial crew of 182 sailors under the command of Lieutenant Commander
Albert H. Nienau, USNR. The ship's log recorded the following: 1500 Commander R.
O. Burzynski, USN, Assistant Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Orange, Texas, representing
Commandant EIGHTH Naval District, placed the ship in commission. The USS FINCH
(DE 328), USS Kretchmer (DE 329), and the USS Maloy (DE 791) were placed in
commission simultaneously. Lieutenant Commander Albert Henry Nienau, D-V(G)
USNR assumed Command pursuant to Bupers Order Pers-3134-PJB-6 (77299) of 18
November 1943. The Commanding Officer read SECNAV (Secretary of the Navy) letter
of 3 December 1943, subject: "Readiness for War Service" in compliance with the letter
from Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet FF1/P15/A16 serial 7785 dated 3 December 1943.
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The first major task that the crew encountered was that of loading the ship with its
allowance of ammunition, including rounds for the smallest of the ship's guns to its depth
charges and torpedoes. This required the major part of two days, the 16th and 17th of
December, which also saw the crew walking through General Quarters and Special Sea
Detail drills in order to familiarize all hands with their shipboard responsibilities. These
were the first days, and because they were the early attempts at functioning as a single
crew, drill repetition would be necessary. The last of the ammunition was finally loaded
on board by 1730 hours on the 17th. The next day, it was Special Sea Detail drill again.
On Sunday morning, the 19th of December, although still not having a magnetic
compass installed, FINCH officially got underway for the first time and, via the Sabine
Pass, entered the Gulf of Mexico to drill, and exercise at anchoring, then returning to
moor at Sabine Section Base at 1727 hours. The next day, the ship was underway at
0945 to conduct structural firing and speed tests while proceeding to Galveston, Texas.
On 20 December, the crew fired Hedgehogs, the main battery, and all 20mm guns. The
40mm guns were tested on the 21st prior to the ship's arrival, and mooring, at Pier 19 in
Galveston alongside USS Borum (DE 790) at 1826.
1944
On New Year's day, 1 January 1944, FINCH entered Dry-dock "D" at Todd Dry
Dock and by 2000 hours sand blasting had begun on the hull. The ship would remain in
the dry-dock until 6 January and then undergo deperming and equipment calibrations
during the following few days.
Underway at 1840 hours on 11 January, FINCH left Galveston to join up with
USS Janssen (DE 396) at 2350, then both ships set course for Bermuda. The transit to
Bermuda was the first extended voyage for both ship and crew alike, and provided the
first real taste of sea duty. FINCH and the crew were greeted with hurricane winds and
seas which saw the ship experience severe rolling, with at least one roll registering 62
degrees. Most of the crew became seasick. Late one night, in the midst of this storm, an
unidentified contact was picked up on radar. Since German U-boats were known to
frequent the waters that FINCH was transiting, the General Quarter alarm was sounded
and the crew manned their battle stations. Star shells were fired in the air in order to
illuminate the area of the contact, but the rain and the wind driven sea spray obscured
vision and prevented any identification or confirmation of the contact. The storm
eventually passed, and the seas abated allowing the remainder of the voyage to Bermuda
to pass uneventfully. Bermuda was reached on the 17th of January with air temperatures
ranging near 90 degrees. In the midst of these warm surroundings, everyone soon was
questioning the wisdom of being issued heavy hand-knitted woolen sweaters that had
been donated by the Red Cross. Many of the sweaters came with notes attached, and the
names and addresses of the knitters. The crew acknowledged these gifts, responding to
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the note writers and knitters, expressing their thanks little realizing how useful and
"warmly" appreciated these sweaters would become a few months later while sailing the
cold waters of the North Atlantic. After the arrival in Bermuda on the 17th, the ship
commenced a concentrated period of daily Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises which
were to last from 19 January through 30 January. This period was, however, punctuated
one day with additional internal drills devoted to Steering drills, Fire, Fire & Rescue,
Armed Boat, Boarding & Salvage, Landing Force Party, Visit & Search, and the now
becoming familiar, General Quarters. On 31 January the ship got underway and entered
new training in formation steaming, and convoy exercises in the company of USS
Coffman (DE 191), USS Jordan (DE 204), USS Janssen (DE 396), USS Wilhoite (DE
397), USS Cockrill (DE 398), and USS Cates (DE 763), all of which had been
commissioned in the two week period following FINCH's commissioning and were in
the same stage of training. There were gunnery exercises and another day of convoy
exercises, and then a final afternoon of liberty in Bermuda on 9 February. The next day,
10 February, the ship was underway, with passengers, bound for Charleston, South
Carolina. Enroute, a full power test was conducted, achieving 386 RPM on the shafts,
and a hull structural test was conducted by firing a full pattern of depth charges set to
detonate at 30 foot depth. The stay in Charleston was fairly brief, ending with calibration
of the radio direction finder equipment (DAQ) on 20 and 21 February, then departing for
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for the final stages of ship and crew training. The period of 24
February to 4 March witnessed drills, anti-submarine exercises, and firing exercises
which included the firing of the center torpedo from its triple mount on the 26th of
February. On 5 March, the ship refueled and set sail for the port of Curacao, Netherlands
West Indies. Up to this point, these initial months for ship and crew had been spent in
training, molding ship and crew into a single unit - - - preparing them to face the war that
drew them together.
Between February of 1943 and June of 1944, a total of 30 convoys would sail
between the Caribbean and various ports in the Mediterranean, most notably to
Casablanca in French Morocco, and the ports of Oran and Algiers in Algeria.. The
primary ships in these convoys were oil tankers with petroleum products in their holds
and P-51 "Mustang" aircraft secured on their decks during the crossings to the
Mediterranean. These convoys were termed "fast" tanker convoys due to the speed of
about 17 knots that the tankers were able to maintain during crossings, and they bore the
designations OT and TO. These particular convoy designations coincided with the code
name that was assigned for the invasion of North Africa in 1942, "Operation Torch".
Each convoy normally averaged about seven tankers, plus escort, and the OT designation
was assigned to the convoys bound for the Mediterranean and North Africa, while the
return convoys were identified with the TO designation.
FINCH arrived in Santa Anna Bay, Curacao at 1823 hours on 7 March and
moored port side to USS T. J. Gary (DE326) at Prince Hendrick Dock, Willemstad. One
final refueling exercise was conducted on the morning of 9 March and then a brief return
to port.
At 1609 hours FINCH entered the war as she got underway to escort her first
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convoy. Convoy OT-13 consisted of ten tankers and four escorts The Convoy
Commodore was embarked in SS Churubusco and the Escort Commander was embarked
in USS T. J. Gary (DE 326) with accompanying escorts USS Koiner (DE 331), USS
O'Reilly (DE 330) and FINCH. This initial convoy transit remained quiet until 1830
hours on the 13th when the tanker Camais Meadows commenced showing breakdown
lights, but her problem was soon rectified as at 1905 she was rejoining the formation. On
17 March FINCH proceeded alongside the tanker Cherry Valley, remaining there for
about one hour and twenty minutes, until 1153, while refueling. On the 23rd, three
tankers detached from the convoy to proceed to their destination in the company of five
escorts which had arrived to meet them. The next day, at 1055, a friendly aircraft
dropped a depth charge and a smoke marker directly ahead of the convoy which
prompted the convoy to execute a 45 degree Right Emergency Turn. Eight minutes later,
at 1108, the convoy executed a 45 degree Left Emergency Turn. At 1123 a FINCH
lookout reported a periscope on the port beam, distance about 400 yards, however, no
sound contact was made. Close to their destinations on 25 March, two tankers detached
to proceed to Oran, and at 2000 FINCH and USS O'Reilly (DE 330) reached their
destination escorting the tankers SS Churubusco and SS Winchester into the port of
Algiers. At 2250 FINCH anchored 1.1 miles from the outer jetty at the south entrance to
Bassin de Mustapha. The next morning saw the ship underway briefly going alongside
the tanker Franc Union, then shifting to moor at 1350 starboard side to the Polish
destroyer Slazak at Berth 44, south side of Mole Al Pjerna. USS O'Reilly joined the nest
where both escorts would await the return of the Bizerte contingent of Convoy TO-13.
On the evening of 29 March, at 2200, a Red Alert was sounded by the shore station and
remained in effect until 2300. Underway at 0911 on 2 April, the ship fired a brief AntiAircraft (AA) firing exercise and then returned to Algiers anchoring off the north jetty.
At 1702, FINCH was underway with USS O'Reilly escorting tankers SS Winchester and
SS Churubusco out of the port of Algiers. At 1744 they were met by escorts T. J. Gary
and Koiner with tanker SS Cayuse. Another tanker joined from the port of Oran on the
3rd, and more joined the convoy formation on the 4th, now all were enroute from North
Africa to Aruba. On the evening of the 7th of March, at 1920, FINCH shifted to night
patrol station to down moon the escort upon receiving word from the Division
Commander. In the early morning hours of the 8th, the escort was 10,000 yards from the
convoy with the convoy in the path of the moon. At 0610 FINCH assumed new station
astern of the convoy, 3,000 yards from the convoy front center. Our station on the next
day was still astern of the convoy but the distance was reduced to 2,500 yards. Effective
sound range on that day was only 2,200 yards. By late evening of the 11th, the escort
was now ahead of the convoy patrolling a sector for two ship escort limiting bearings 295
degrees to 060 degrees relative from convoy ship 11, and limiting distances on the patrol
for each limiting bearing varied from 4,500 yards to 2,500 yards respectively. At noon of
the 14th, FINCH escorted the tanker Cherry Valley to Manchebo and then proceeded to
moor at 1958 hours, starboard side to T. J. Gary, at New Wharf, St. Anne's Channel,
Willemstad, Curacao. Remaining only overnight, the ship was underway at noon to
refuel, then at 1815 departed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
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With the aid of tugs, FINCH entered dry-dock in Guantanamo at 0828 on the
23rd and remained docked until 0830 on the 25th for repairs on her sound gear. She
spent the next day conducting Anti-Aircraft gunnery and torpedo exercises. On the 27th
new problems were experienced with the sound gear and weren't corrected until 2348
hours that night.
Since commissioning in December of 1943, approximately four and a half months
had passed, the ship and crew had undergone extensive training, a convoy transit had
been experienced, and now the ship was completing her in port period prior to resuming
escort duty. At 1405 hours on 28 April 1944, Lieutenant Commander Albert H. Nienau,
who had commanded FINCH through these early months, was relieved by Lieutenant
Clement D. LeHardy who had been the ship's Executive Officer during this time. A short
42 minutes later, FINCH, with her new Commanding Officer, were underway enroute to
Curacao in company with T. J. Gary, Koiner, and O'Reilly. Meanwhile, Lieutenant
Arnold E. Haire stepped up from his job as First Lieutenant to become the ship's new
Executive Officer. The ships arrived in Curacao early on the 30th as FINCH moored at
0142 hours in St. Anne's Channel, port side to Werf DeWilde, Curacao Trading
Company, Willemstad. Twelve new personnel reported for duty on board, but 10 of the
new personnel would only remain on board for a month in a temporary duty status At
1346 hours, with the temperature approaching 82 degrees and a gentle breeze blowing
from the north, Convoy OT-14, consisting of six tankers, T. J. Gary, Koiner, O'Reilly,
and FINCH, got underway for North African ports.
Convoy OT-14 made its first stop on 11 May in French Morocco as FINCH
eased into her berth at 1242 alongside USS Koiner at Fish Wharf, Casablanca Harbor,
French Morocco. Early the next morning, at 0630 the convoy was underway once again,
now with only five tankers under escort. At 1145 two Patrol Craft, PC550 and PC625,
arrived for the tankers SS Dartmouth and SS Lookout Mountain and took them under
escort into the port of Oran in Algeria. The remainder of the convoy continued on to the
port of Algiers, Algeria arriving at 0231 on 14 May. At 0630 FINCH made a brief shift
to refuel from the tanker SS Franc Union and at 0929 moored port side to the dock at
Berth 46, Mole #1, Al Djemfa, Algiers, Algeria, North Africa. At 1825 on the 15th, the
ships in port received an air raid alert "Yellow" signal, but it lasted only 12 minutes as the
all clear was signaled. On 19 May, Lieutenant LeHardy, having received a promotion,
donned the insignia of his new rank, Lieutenant Commander. This day also held a
surprise, in the form of a surprise inspection that was announced and held at 0900 by the
Commander Escort Division 57, with an assisting party of inspectors. The ship secured
from the inspection at 1035. At 1528 got underway and proceeded to an area
approximately 10 miles from Cape Caxine and conducted gunnery exercises until 1746
expending 1050 rounds of 20mm, 114 rounds of 40mm, and 170 rounds of 3"/50
ammunition. In the meantime, at 1725, the initial segment of return Convoy TO-14
consisting of two tankers was underway and forming up. The next morning, the 20th, at
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0746, FINCH changed course to enter Oran Harbor where she was met by a picket boat
at 0925 that delivered a Hi-Voltage Transformer for the ship's SL (radar) equipment.
With the transformer on board at 0952, the engines were called upon for 20 knots of ship
speed to catch up with the convoy. Gaining station at 1640 the convoy was approaching
the Straits of Gibraltar. Calaburrus Light was sighted at 2143 bearing 345 degrees True,
distance 17 miles, followed by the sighting of Punta Carnero Light bearing 241 degrees
True, distance 20 miles. Having entered the Atlantic, the convoy was joined by the
tanker SS Esso New Haven which joined at 1218 on the 21st, arriving from the port of
Casablanca and bringing the number of tankers in the convoy to five.
At 0151 hours on the 22nd, a fire broke out in the stack. The fire was put out and
at 0217 FINCH was rejoining the convoy. In late afternoon of the 29th, the tankers in
convoy stations #11 and #12 detached from the convoy to proceed to the port of Trinidad.
The next evening at 2040 FINCH left screening station to clear the neutral ship "Cabo
Buina Espirinza" and then returned to station. The convoy reached Curacao on the
morning of the 31st, and, after refueling, FINCH and USS T. J. Gary got underway at
1134 enroute to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
FINCH arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on 2 June 1944, remaining only
overnight and then getting underway at 0544 with USS T. J. Gary enroute to Key West,
Florida. The two ships arrived and moored in Key West on 4 June, the same day that
Rome, Italy fell to the Allies. On 5 June, 32 of FINCH's crew departed on leave, with
most having ten days to relax and visit with friends, wives and relatives. Among those in
this lucky first group were: Leo Dube, Richard Long, Donald Reel, Ernest Rounseville,
James Anderson, Arnold Banta, Roy Carlson, William Condron, James Dal Santo, Robert
Dorsey, Asa Evens, and Glenn Griffin. On 6 June 1944, as these members were enjoying
leave, and the ship was engaged on local area exercises, the Allies launched the invasion
of France across the beaches of Normandy. The ship was underway again on the 7th for
local exercises, returning to Key West and mooring at 1513. At 1810 hours, FINCH
would receive its largest group of new personnel reporting for duty since the date of
commissioning. A total of 34 new personnel were reporting for duty, including: Charles
Austin Baughman, 2512730, S2c; Elmo Walter Boone, 6367658, RM1c; Henry Clinton
Jenkins, 8387641, S2c; Clifford Lee Parks, 7532200, F2c(EM); and, James Edward
Winebarger, 2933013, S1c(TM). On 15 June, 20 of the members that had left on leave
on 5 June returned, and 30 more of the crew, including Robert Stevens and William Von
Garrel, departed with their 10 day leave periods set to expire at 2400 hours on 25 June.
On 19 June, Refresher Sonar Operators class 36-44 of 7 men and 2 instructors embarked
as the ship got underway for local exercises, returning and mooring at 1542. The next
day also included Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises. A dispatch had been received from
Commander Task Force 23.3, dated 21 June 1944, which required FINCH to get
underway at 1613 hours on 25 June, in company with USS T. J. Gary and set a course for
Boston, Massachusetts. FINCH arrived in Boston on 29 June, mooring at 0717 at Pier
3E, South Boston Annex, U.S. Navy Yard only to be met by some 20 of the crew whose
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leave expired on the evening after the ship had sailed from Key West. These men were
detoured and returned on board via the Receiving Station, located at 495 Summer Street,
Boston, Massachusetts. Among those that had to follow the ship to Boston were Robert
Stevens and William Von Garrel. Despite this interruption in the leave sequence, 24 new
personnel departed on leave including: "Scotty" McIlquham, Charles Herr, Frederick
Koenig, Richard Boos, Walter Wade, and Hugh O'Dell. The next day another 17 of the
crew were granted leave with most of the terminating times being 2400 on 10 July.
On 3 July 1944, FINCH entered dry-dock 4 at South Boston Annex, U.S. Navy
Yard while undergoing routine overhaul. At 1130 on 6 July the ship was once again
afloat and shifting to an alongside berth. The past month had provided the opportunity
for a large portion of the crew to share in brief periods of leave. The current overhaul
period even allowed the Commanding Officer to equally share in a small portion of leave
as the OOD (Officer-of-the-Deck) noted his return on board at 2225 hours on 8 July.
With the overhaul period at an end, the ammunition lighter YF 526 came alongside at
1055 on 13 July and the ship commenced reloading its ammunition. With this task
completed at 1830, YF 526 was replaced by the yard oiler YO 136 as the ship next took
on 21,084 gallons of diesel fuel. The following morning, FINCH and USS T. J. Gary left
Boston and sailed for Casco Bay, Maine, arriving, and anchoring in Anchorage Baker,
Hussey Sound at 1905. The following week was occupied with underway periods
exercising at gunnery and Anti-Submarine Warfare. On 22 July, the ship was underway
for exercises once more until 1458, then joined Task Group 27.6 and course was set for
Norfolk, Virginia.
At 0737 on 28 July, FINCH got underway from the north side Pier 5, Naval
Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia and began heading out the channel. In open water,
Convoy UGF-13 was now forming with the Convoy Commodore in USS General Bliss
(APA 131). Task Force 69 would provide the escort and protection for the convoy.
Commander Task Force 69 was embarked in the light cruiser USS Cincinnati (CL 6), and
the Screen Commander was in USS Wainwright (DD 419). At 1519 Base Course of 116
degrees True was set, speed 14.5 knots, and FINCH assumed station 5,000 yds. from the
nearest convoy ship. The convoy was two days out of port and Lieutenant Joseph Rose
was on the bridge for the 20-24 watch when USS Mayrant (DD 402) reported an
unidentified radar contact. General Quarters was sounded and the crew manned their
stations, but secured about ten minutes later. Later, at 2238, USS O'Reilly (DE 330)
picked up a radar contact and the ship once more went to General Quarters with the crew
remaining on stations until 2257 before securing and setting the war cruising condition
watch. On 1 August, while the convoy covered a distance of 341 nautical miles toward
its destinations, FINCH's crew engaged in their routine at sea of continuing training that
included periodic gunnery exercises, gun loading drills, recognition classes, fire drills,
and other drills to improve the ship's readiness condition. On 2 August, USS Cincinnati
(CL 6) and USS Koiner (DE 331) dropped out of the convoy at 0602 hours to pursue
what may have been a submarine contact and had fallen astern of the convoy. At 0617,
USS T. J. Gary (DE 326) and USS Mayrant (DD 402) also dropped out of formation to
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search for a lost contact. It appears that neither group was successful in their searches.
On 4 August, the convoy was to log another 329 nautical miles in its transit. Between the
hours of 0932 and 1007 it was FINCH's turn at refueling as she received 24,971 gallons
of diesel fuel from the USS Kennebec (AO 36). Nearing the continent on 8 August, the
tanker Utila, and the escort aircraft carriers USS Shamrock Bay (CVE 84) and HMS
Puncher CVE detached from the convoy to proceed to their destinations. The next
morning, the convoy was passing through the Straits of Gibraltar entering into the
Mediterranean Sea as the USS Cincinnati (CL 6) left the convoy at 0530. Once clear of
the Straits of Gibraltar, the convoy continued on to its destination of Naples, Italy with its
cargo of war materials that would be used by the Allies in preparation of the impending
assault on Southern France. Logging its navigational position, FINCH passed Isle of
Coni Light at 1003 on 11 August, and Isle Plane Light at 1051, then arriving and
anchoring in 25 fathoms of water in Western Anchorage, Naples, Italy on 12 August
1944.
While the ships of the convoy remained in port unloading their cargoes many of
the crew were able to go ashore in Naples, and some were able to visit the ruins of
Pompeii, the Roman city that was once buried by the ashes from an eruption of Mount
Vesuvius. The port stay lasted only five days as FINCH got underway on 17 August for
an assignment screening the USS Merak (AF 21) to the port of Oran in Algeria, North
Africa. During the evening hours on that first day, a sonar contact was gained and the
ship went to General Quarters. When the contact failed to develop, the crew secured
from General Quarters some fifteen minutes later at 2158. About two and a half hours
later, at 0024 on the 18th, another sonar contact was picked up and the ship was once
again at General Quarters. The crew secured from General Quarters at 0033 after it was
noted "Condition after investigation of contact proved unsuccessful." [Documentation
for a Commanding Officer's Mast entry for 1400 hours, 18 August reads: ".......NLN.....
offense: Insolence. Talking back and slow in obeying orders from a senior 'petting'
officer. Awarded 20 hours extra duty."] At 0240 hours on the 19th, nearing the coast of
North Africa, the ship's starboard engine was stopped. At 0335, the starboard shaft was
secured due to a casualty (unknown) at about 0240. Sonarmen had reported a loud
unusual noise, followed by excessive water noises in the (sonar) dome. It was considered
possible that a submerged object had been hit. At 0957 the sonar equipment was secured
and the ship ceased echo search plan due to a casualty to the equipment. Tests were to be
conducted on the engines later at 1540.. The ships entered port and at 1747 FINCH
moored port side to a tanker to refuel, then subsequently mooring port side to USS Paul
Jones (DD 230) at New Mole, Mers El Kebir, Algeria, Africa to await the sailing of the
return convoy.
The time arrived at 0450 hours on 21 August when FINCH had to get underway,
and proceed to join up at 0830 with Task Force 69 and Convoy GUF-13 for the return
transit to Hampton Roads, Virginia. The daily rituals of training and drills, and manning
General Quarters stations at dusk would continue on this return voyage. Two days
16
underway, convoy vessel #32 reported a man overboard and the escorts O'Reilly and
Koiner left the screen to conduct a search for the man. While the ships were still at sea
on 25 August, the world would hear that Paris had fallen to the Allies in their drive
toward Germany. Only 10 days had passed since departing Oran, and now with the
convoy home again, FINCH was mooring at Pier C, Berth 3, Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New
York where it would undergo scheduled repairs. Once again there was an opportunity for
some of the crew to enjoy leave. Although it would be of short duration, "Scotty"
McIlquham and Lloyd Biggs would qualify for leave and head the first list on 1
September. It was James Dal Santo's turn on 6 September, recipient of 5 days leave.
Others would enjoy local liberty, or contend with duty, and in some instances serve off
restriction that had been imposed by the Commanding Officer prior to port entry. At
0200 on 7 September the ship entered dry-dock number 2 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and
was re-floated again at 2045 on 9 September. On 11 September, work was set aside as
the crew set out to test their "sea legs" on the dance floor during the DE-328 dance held
at the Hotel Picadilly in New York City. Thereafter, with leave periods ended and repairs
completed, FINCH sailed from the Navy Yard at 1010 on 16 September on her way to
Casco Bay, Maine for training exercises. That evening, at 2037, the crew was called to
General Quarters stations as a fire was reported in the engineering spaces (B-2). It was a
brief General Quarters as the fire was put out with no damage and the crew secured at
2044. The next day, the ship anchored in Berth "K" in Casco Bay, Maine at 1802 hours.
In the ensuing days, local area exercises were conducted with USS Brister (DE 327) and
USS T. J. Gary (DE 326). Casco Bay was put astern at 0726 hours on 27 September as a
course was set for Boston Harbor which was only 7 steaming hours away.
Ships were already underway at 1925 on 29 September 1944 as FINCH got
underway out of port to join with Convoy CU-41 bound for ports in the United Kingdom.
This was the seventh convoy transit for the ship and many of the crew, and the daily
routine was well known. This would also be a fairly quiet transit. Two days from port
FINCH was called upon to transfer personnel between ships. Commencing at 1445 on 7
October, the ship went alongside convoy ship SS Santa Elisa (#52) to receive
Commander J.O. O'Hannera, (MC) USNR, Lieutenant Commander W. R. Pierce, (MC)
USN, and W. T. Steffy, PhM1c, USNR, then alongside USS Hermitage to deliver the
personnel via breeches buoy, completing this evolution at 1643. The next day, the 8th,
the Irish Sea section of the convoy detached to proceed to their destinations. FINCH's
section arrived in Plymouth, England on the 9th as the ship moored to Buoy 7, Plymouth
Harbor. The turn-around wait was a brief five days. With the convoy ships having
discharged their cargo, FINCH was underway at 2121 on 14 October with the Plymouth
section UC-41A of the convoy for the return transit that would have other sections join
enroute and form Convoy UC-41. This west bound transit was equally quiet, interrupted
only once on Sunday 22 October at 1235 when ship #44 of the convoy reported an engine
breakdown. FINCH detached to provide escort for the disabled ship until her engine was
repaired at 1304, then both ships commenced rejoining the convoy. Progress in Europe
had the Allied Armies having crossed the German frontier and taking the city of Aachen
17
on 21 October, the first city within Germany's prewar borders to fall to the Allies. The
invasion forces from Normandy and Southern France were now joined in their drive east.
The demand for war materials, and the increased number of convoys to transport the
materials was evident. New York was finally reached on 25 October and the cycle would
begin anew. By now there were always a few personnel changes each time the ship
entered port. Harold Gregory Applegarth, S1c(RdM), reported on board for duty on 26
October. Frederick Musser, Hubert McEver, and Leo Rankin, all Firemen, would report
on board 1 November for Engineering duties. Five more new personnel would report the
next day. The last in this in port period to join FINCH on 10 November was George
Gordon Griffin, CMoMM(AA)(T).
The morning of 15 November found Convoy CU-47 forming early as FINCH got
underway at 0645 ready to join. This convoy would consist of 37 ships bound for the
United Kingdom and Continental ports. The next day at 1502 the ship would conduct a
"Zombie Drill" securing at 1528. In mid ocean, at 0800 on 20 November, a floating mine
was sighted. FINCH commenced fire on the mine with guns 24 and 28 at 0804 hours.
At 0805 General Quarters was sounded and the ship opened fire on the mine with all
machine guns. At 0836 cease fire was finally sounded as the object was sunk. The ship
had expended 6 rounds of 40mm HET, 312 rounds of 20mm HET, and 626 rounds of
20mm HEI. The crew secured from General Quarters at 0843. Nearing the coast, the
Channel Section of the convoy was dispatched at 1215 on the 25th. The following day,
the 26th, FINCH was in Bristol Channel. At 1800 she rejoined with the Liverpool
Section of the convoy for port entry, and at 2119 moored to the starboard side of USS
Mills (DE 383) at Gladstone Dock, North Wall, Berth D-1, Liverpool, England.
On 1 December, FINCH was underway with Convoy UC-47A, Liverpool
Section, enroute to New York. The Bristol Section of the convoy joined at 1000 the next
day and the ships proceeded on their westerly course. When the ships reached New York
and were off Ambrose Lightship ready to pick up their pilots for port entry, they were
met with winds that were fluctuating between 25 and 45 knots, creating heavy seas
recorded as Sea State 3. With the air temperature hovering at about 45 Degrees
Fahrenheit, the roughness of the seas and high winds made it difficult to transfer the
harbor pilots safely to the waiting ships. Port entry was therefore delayed. By the next
morning when the weather had abated, FINCH departed at 0830 enroute to Earle, New
Jersey, to off load ammunition, then returned at 1700 to moor at Berth S3, Bayonne
Annex, New York Navy Shipyard. Once again, "Scotty" McIlquham, this time joined by
James Winebarger, John Scanlon, and Jack Thurmond were among the first to enjoy a
few days leave, departing on the day before FINCH's first birthday. Robert Stevens and
Charles Herr were next, on 17 December, to receive 5 days of leave which would expire
at 2330 on 22 December. The Hotel Picadilly once again became the scene for testing
"sea legs" as another DE-328 dance was held for those that remained on board during this
in port period. With Christmas only a few days away, Chaplain McClure came aboard at
2050, on 22 December and brought Christmas bundles for the crew. Later that evening,
18
at the expiration hour of 2330, Robert Stevens, Charles Herr, Joseph Munn, Robert
Markee, Arthur Davis, John Delery, and Hal Scrivner returned on board, having used
every minute of their respective leave periods. Underway on 24 December, FINCH
returned to the Naval Ammunition Depot at Earle, New Jersey to reload ammunition,
then at 1745 on Christmas Eve set sail for Casco Bay, Maine. On 26 December, between
the hours of 0945 and 1500, the ship joined with USS Brister and USS Tahoma to
conduct exercises with the Italian submarine Vortice. The next day Charles Dahlem and
Harry Earnshaw were off to the Naval Training School (Diesel) located at the Fairbanks
Morse Company in Beloit, Wisconsin, and would not return to FINCH until 6 February.
Another day was spent on the 29th exercising with the Italian submarine Vortice,
followed by departure from Casco Bay on 31 December for the short journey to Boston
and mooring at Commonwealth Pier 5 in time to welcome in the New Year 1945.
1945
While FINCH had been in port in New York on 16 December 1944, Germany
launched a counter-offensive which would be called the "Battle of the Bulge" and it took
the Allies by surprise. The battle was still being fought as 3 January arrived and FINCH
joined Convoy CU-53 bound for ports in the United Kingdom. The transit was direct and
without incident. The Irish Sea section detached on 13 January and entering Cardiff,
Wales on 15 January, FINCH moored at Roath Dock. In port on 18 January at 1130, the
ship received 10 sacks of cabbage at 56 pounds each from the Fruit Delivery Pool, 20
New Street, Cardiff, and 5 sacks of Brussels Sprouts at 20 pounds each from William
Morgan and Company, Ltd., Custom House Street, Cardiff, Wales. [It is not clear if this
shipment of vegetables was a matter of crew preference, or availability?] On 20 January
the ship's berth was changed to Milford Haven, Wales to await Convoy UC-53B.
Departure from port was on 22 January as Convoy UC-53 formed for the return transit to
New York across the wintry seas of the North Atlantic where State 3 seas and 20 knot
winds were not uncommon. Anchorage was reached at 0040 hours on 4 February, at
Gravesend Bay, New York only to depart later to unload ammunition at Earle, New
Jersey prior to entering the Navy Yard. On 6 February FINCH greeted 13 new arrivals
for duty that included Gunner's Mates Edward Colle, Leonard Bateman, Jack Linscott,
Signalmen Anthony Perna, William Perkins, Alfred Mitchell, and Electrician's Mate
Albert Kirkhuff. Having completed dry-docking from 0805 on 11 February to 0050 on
13 February, the ship returned to the Naval Ammunition Depot at Earle on 15 February to
reload ammunition and then set sail that evening in company with USS T. J. Gary and
USS Brister bound for the exercise areas off the coast of New London, Connecticut.
FINCH was back at the Navy Yard in New York on 17 February.
With the temperature registering a chilly 24 degrees, Convoy CU-59 left port on
19 February at 0049 enroute to ports in the United Kingdom and France. The convoy,
escorted by Task Group 61.1, set course 088 degrees True while maintaining a speed of
19
14 knots. At 1115 on 28 February, the English Channel Section of the convoy screen was
joined by His Majesty's Ships (HMS) Tantaside, Impulsive, and Brissenden. Nearing
land, the crew of FINCH would experience some anxious moments that day in the late
evening hours as ships began picking up sound contacts and 5 HMCS (Canadian)
destroyers joined astern at 2330. Shortly thereafter, at 0100 on 1 March, FINCH gained
sonar contact bearing 157 degrees True at 1,200 yards. A 13 charge pattern of depth
charges was dropped on the contact which was later classified doubtful. At 0528 a good
sonar contact was picked up at 064 degree True bearing, distance 1,500 yards. A 13
charge pattern of depth charges was dropped on that contact. This contact was likewise
classified doubtful as it was lost at 300 yards range and not regained. USS Richey (DE
385) thereafter made urgent attacks on a sonar contact. At noon, convoy units bound for
Lehavre, France detached and FINCH's section continued on to Southampton, England,
arriving on 2 March. The next day anchorage was changed from "The Solent" to Netley
Channel in preparation for the return transit. Departure for Convoy Section UC-59A was
on 5 March. No sooner than the ships had been a sea a day that at 1235 hours on 6
March, FINCH gained sonar contact bearing 195 degrees True, range 1,440 yards. The
ship conducted a 13 charge pattern, depth charge attack, with charges set on a shallow
pattern. HMS Narborough proceeded to investigate, classified possible submarine. At
2030 hours, the Irish Sea Section of the convoy joined. Later, at 2158, Captain W. L.
Benson, USN, Commander Task Group 61.1 and 5 of his staff transferred on board
FINCH from USS Winslow (DD 359) which had developed shaft vibrations and was
returning to Plymouth, England in the company of Ramsden and Savage. The Escort
Commander was now aboard FINCH. As the ship entered 12 March, it was in the midst
of high seas and the winds were a strong 36 to 45 knots which continued throughout the
day, diminishing only slightly to 20 to 25 knots as the day drew to an end. At 0130 on 13
March, Saint Elmo's fire was observed aloft on the ship's antenna, and finally, at 1410 the
skies began clearing and the seas were abating as the storm passed.
With the ships of Convoy UC-59 reaching the entrance of New York on 16
March, FINCH had the misfortune to strike a submerged object with possible damage to
the starboard shaft which began vibrating considerably. The ship entered the Navy Yard,
New York to undergo repairs and dry-docking on 22 and 23 March. While in dry-dock
on 22 March, the ship received its Annual Material Inspection conducted by Commander
Escort Division 57 (COMCORTDIV 57) assisted by personnel from USS Brister.
Convoy CU-65 left New York on the morning of 8 April bound for ports in the
United Kingdom. The Escort Commander was riding in USS Edison (DD 439) and the
Convoy Commodore was aboard USS Lejune (AP 74). A major problem developed at
1955 the next evening when the ships in convoy stations #102 and #103, the SS Nashbulk
and SS Saint Mihiel collided and dropped out of formation. The SS Saint Mihiel caught
fire and the USS Sellstrom, USS Richey, and USS Brister proceeded to stand by the
burning ship. While the convoy was at sea on 12 April 1945, American forces were
located only 96 kilometers (60 miles) from Berlin and the war in Europe was nearing an
20
end. The English Channel Section of the convoy detached at 1210 on the 18th as
FINCH proceeded to assume station directly ahead of, and 15,000 yards from, the center
of the remaining ships which comprised the Irish Sea Section. At 0144, on 19 April, the
Bristol Channel Section departed as the convoy continued on its northerly course. At
0420 hours, SS Valdosta Victory dropped off at her stop of Barry Road. As ships
detached for their individual destinations, FINCH was still providing escort duties for SS
Cape Borda, proceeding to Belfast, Ireland. At 1605, sonar contact was picked up and,
within minutes, a shallow setting depth charge pattern was fired. Contact was regained at
1620 and Hedgehogs were fired at the contact which was subsequently classified nonsubmarine. Belfast was reached at 2102 on the 19th and SS Cape Borda was detached to
proceed independently into port. FINCH then headed for Liverpool, England, arriving
and mooring at 1045 on the 20th. Liverpool was left behind on 27 April as ships were
underway to commence forming Convoy UC-65 for the return to the United States. On 6
May, the ship was detached to escort SS Mosdale to Boston, Massachusetts. At 1715 on
7 May, the SS Mosdale was detached to proceed into port and FINCH turned toward
New York. At 1830, the ship's speed was increased to 21 knots - - - to conduct a full
power run to New York on the eve of Germany's surrender. Since FINCH's first escort
duties in March of 1944 to the formal surrender of Germany on 8 May 1945, ending the
war in Europe, FINCH participated in and provided escort for sixteen convoys between
ports in the United States and Curacao, and ports in North Africa, Europe, and the United
Kingdom. The war in Europe was over and Atlantic escort duties for FINCH were at an
end but there were many new beginnings for the crew that would stem from this period of
conflict. During many of the brief preceding in port periods between convoys, a number
of the crew took the opportunity to marry their long-time sweethearts, and for some, newfound sweethearts. SM3c Fred Koenig took leave to marry his hometown girl friend,
Florence Lutz. Shipmates were ready to assist and provided support with Jack Kaney
(SoM3c) best man, and John Delery (SM3c) and Tom Bender (QM3c) serving as ushers.
"Scotty" McIlquham also met and married Gloria Murray, a telephone operator from
Brooklyn, New York during one of these breaks between convoys. Tom Langer (S2c)
provided support. [Many of the meetings and marriages during these trying times would
endure for years to come, and even lifetimes.]
21
__________________________________________________________________________________
Convoys/Ports
Convoy
Depart
Date
Arrive
Destination
OT-13
TO-13
Curacao, N.W.I.
Algiers, Algeria, N.A.
9 Mar 44
2 Apr 44
25 Mar 44
14 Apr 44
Algiers, Algeria, N.A.
Curacao, N.W.I.
OT-14
>>>
TO-14
Curacao, N.W.I.
30 Apr 44
Casablanca, Morocco, N.A. 12 May 44
Algiers, Algeria, N.A.
19 May 44
11 May 44
14 May 44
31 May 44
Casablanca, Morocco, N.A.
Algiers, Algeria, N.A.
Curacao, N.W.I.
UGF-13
>>>
GUF-13
Norfolk, VA
Naples, Italy
Oran, Algeria, N.A.
28 Jul 44
17 Aug 44
21 Aug 44
12 Aug 44
19 Aug 44
31 Aug 44
Naples, Italy
Oran, Algeria, N.A.
Brooklyn, NY
CU-41
UC-41
Boston, MA
Plymouth, England
29 Sep 44
14 Oct 44
9 Oct 44
25 Oct 44
Plymouth, England
Brooklyn, NY
CU-47
UC-47
New York, NY
Liverpool, England
15 Nov 44
1 Dec 44
26 Nov 44
11 Dec 44
Liverpool, England
New York, NY
CU-53
UC-53
Boston, MA
3 Jan 45
Milford Haven, Wales, Eng. 22 Jan 45
15 Jan 45
4 Feb 45
Cardiff, Wales, England
New York, NY
CU-59
UC-59
New York, NY
Netley Channel, England
2 Mar 45
16 Mar 45
Southampton, England
New York, NY
19 Feb 45
5 Mar 45
CU-65
New York, NY
8 Apr 45
20 Apr 45
Liverpool, England
UC-65
Liverpool, England
27 Apr 45
8 May 45
New York, NY
__________________________________________________________________________________
The war with Japan was still going on and with Atlantic hostilities over, the
United States was now able to re-deploy its forces to the Pacific. Whereas the primary
threat to Allied convoys in the Atlantic had been from German U-boats and surface
raiders, Japanese aircraft posed the greater threat in the Pacific area of operations. On 8
May 1945, the day of Germany's surrender, FINCH entered the Navy Yard in New York
to undergo repairs and alterations to her armament. The weapons modifications included
the removal of her torpedo tubes and installation of additional 40mm guns to enhance her
anti-aircraft capability. In a little over two weeks during this May period the ship
transferred 32 of her original commissioning crew, while receiving new personnel as
replacements. Others would also be transferred, and before leaving the shipyard, a total
of 47 of the crew would be gone. Completing her yard overhaul, she left New York and
sailed on 7 June for the island of Culebra in the Virgin Islands to conduct gunnery
exercises, being accompanied by USS T. J. Gary and USS Brister. On 13 June the ships
departed Culebra for a week of more training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Following this,
a brief visit was make to Gonaives Bay, Haiti, and then course was set to the west with
22
the ships arriving at Coco Solo, Canal Zone, Panama on 24 June 1945. The next day
FINCH transited the Panama Canal and entered Pacific Ocean waters for the first time.
The three ships, in column, steamed north towards San Diego and arrived on 3
July, mooring at Pier 3, National City Repair Base. FINCH and USS Brister remained
moored while receiving repairs until 6 July and then at 0737 shifted berths to the Mole
Pier, San Diego to load ammunition received from the Naval Ammunition Depot #20,
Fallbrook, California. With that completed, the special sea detail was set at 1355, and at
1400, 15 new personnel reported on board for duty. At 1422, the ship was underway and
at the sea buoy set course 265 degrees true to join with USS Brister (DE 327), both ships
now enroute to Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii.
Fore and aft views showing changes in the ship's armament to counter the air war threat in the Pacific.
Assigned to duty with the Pacific Fleet, FINCH arrived at Pearl Harbor on 12
July 1945. Underway, leaving port on 16 July, the ship proceeded to the vicinity of Point
"Oboe" about 10 miles northwest from Kahuku Point, Oahu during the early morning
hours to act as plane target. The ship remained in the area of Point "Oboe" throughout
the day and then returned to Pearl Harbor to moor in the evening at 1932 hours. There
were also other days the ship spent underway for exercises and calibrating equipment,
and it was on one of these days that the ship experienced a problem when returning to
port. At 1725 on 25 July, the ship was maneuvering on various courses and speeds while
conforming to the channel entering Pearl Harbor. At 1733 the special sea detail was set.
At 1815 the ship experienced a casualty to the motor whaleboat. As the boat was being
lowered, the forward fall was let go. The speed of the ship caused the sea painter to drag
23
the bow of the boat under water. The boat filled but did not sink, and the sea painter was
cut. The boat swung around and was towed by the after fall. When the ship was brought
to a stop, the boat was hoisted and there were no injuries to personnel.
Sea detail was set at 0715 on 1 August 1945, and then at 0758 FINCH was
underway proceeding on various courses and speeds conforming to the channel while
standing out of Pearl Harbor in accordance with Commander Task Force 16 Operations
Order 211-45, serial 00-11-202 and Commander-in-Chief Pacific secret dispatch 301852
of July 1945. At the sea buoy, the special sea detail was secured. The ship was now
proceeding to Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands in company with USS Thomas J. Gary
(DE 326), USS Brister (DE 327), USS Kretchmer (DE 329) and USS O'Reilly (DE 330).
Commander Escort Division 57 and Commander Task Unit 16.8.5 were embarked in USS
Thomas J. Gary. The ships took formation in column open order, distance 600 yards
between ships, and set course 270 degrees True. In the afternoon the steaming formation
was changed resulting in changes in ship station assignments. At 1740, FINCH, with
USS O'Reilly left the formation to search an area for a downed plane or survivors.
[Results of the search are not indicated.] At 1900 hours, the ship was back on station,
now 3,000 yards on the port beam of the USS Thomas J. Gary, and General Quarters
drill was held from 1922 to 2020. The next morning, 2 August, Kretchmer left the
formation at 0624 to investigate a sighted object, and, without incident, returned to her
station at 0647. Later in the morning, all ships exercised at screen maneuvers,
completing at 1130. At 1350, tactical maneuvering exercises were resumed and
continued throughout the afternoon. This was a period of time when historic events were
transpiring to bring about the final end of the war. The first Atomic bomb was dropped
on Hiroshima, Japan on 6 August 1945, soon to be followed by a second bomb on
Nagasaki, Japan on 9 August. On 6 August, the ships were still enroute to Eniwetok
Atoll, conducting tactical maneuvering exercises, as well as individual internal ship
exercises. At 1550, FINCH commenced making smoke, ending at 1602.
The ships had continued on to Guam in the Mariana Islands and on 13 August
FINCH was part of a carrier task force which was composed of Carrier Division 27 and
Escort Division 57 less USS Koiner (DE 331). As the ships' clocks indicated that it was
now a new day, the 14th of August 1945, the formation, in cruising disposition 4-LS
modified, steamed along on base course 261 degrees True, speed 16 knots. FINCH
occupied station 2 on the port side of the screen at a distance of 5,000 yards from the
guide. Zig-zag steaming plans were in effect throughout the day. At 1006 there was a
brief break in the daily routine as the ship was alongside Kretchmer while they passed
mail, breaking away only minutes later. Evening held the nightly General Quarters drill
and the day was nearing a close at 2315 when the formation ceased zig-zag plan 23 for
that day. That same day, 14 August 1945, Japan accepted the United States terms for
surrender and a cease fire was ordered the next day, the 15th. This welcome news
provided everyone the opportunity to celebrate and pose for photographs to record the
event.
24
THE WAR IS FINALLY OVER!
(Above) Lieutenant Commander
Clement D. LeHardy, USNR,
Commanding Officer.
(Above Right) Elmo W. Boone, RM1c
USNR. “The man that got the word.”
(Right) Reaction of crewmembers on
15 August 1945 - A salute to the end
of WWII
(Above Left L to R: W.C. Garrel, GM3c, USNR, J.D. Linnscott, GM2c, USN,
W.F. Alexander, GM3c, USNR, H.N. Zeller, S1c, USNR, R.B. Hall Jr., S2c,
USNR, J.E. Quinn, GM striker, USNR. (Above Right) L to R: Front row: E.A.
Gabrisch, GM1c, USNR, J.M. Kurzeck, GM2c, USNR, J.A. Balleto, FC(M)3c,
USNR, Back Row: H.P. Sims, GM2c, USNR, J.H. Coley, GM3c, USNR.
25
(Above Left) L to R: Front row: M.J. Shamis, RM2c, USNR, D.J. Forte,
RM3c, USNR, R.B. Brannagan, RM striker, USNR, C.R. Talbott, RM striker,
USNR, J.M. Panich, RdM2c, USNR. Back row: Mayer Klein, TR2c, USNR,
W.A. Heinsman, RM2c, USNR, J.P. Stenson, RM2c, USNR, T.W. Bender, Jr.,
QM3c, USNR, H.S. Worden, RM2c, USNR, E.J. Chesnick, RT1c, USNR, J.O.
Rocca, S2c, USNR. (Above Right) L to R: Front row: J. Morgan, Jr.,
MoMM3c, USNR, L.G. Flourney, Jr., EM1c, USNR, C.D. Taylor, S1c, USNR,
O.J. Hall, Cox, USNR, F.F. Cava, F2c, USNR, N.L. Neal, MoMM3c, USNR.
Back row: L.M. Williams, SC3c, USN, L.J. Rankin, F1c, USNR, E.L.
Wilson, TM3c, USN, L.O. Biggs, EM2c, USNR.
MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS
"MY WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A GREAT TASK. PLEASE SEND
THE COMMANDERS OF THE FLEETS AND FORCES THROUGH THE PACIFIC AND ALL HANDS IN THEIR
COMMANDS MY PERSONAL CONGRATULATIONS AND THE DEEP PRIDE WHICH AMERICA HAS IN HER
ACCOMPLISHMENTS. LET US KEEP IN REVERENT RECOLLECTION THE MEMORIES OF THOSE OF OUR
COMRADES WHOSE SACRIFICE HAS GIVEN US OUR FREEDOM."
SIGNED: JAMES FORRESTAL
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "THE JAPANESE SURRENDER BRINGS GREAT JOY TO ALL AMERICANS EVERYWHERE. THIS SHOULD BE
CELEBRATED IN AN APPROPRIATE AMERICAN WAY. AT 1730 TODAY ALL HANDS WILL FIRE THREE VOLLEYS
FOR THE DEATH OF ALL AMERICANS AND ALLIES. TWENTY ONE GUN SALUTE TO VICTORY. FOR THIS
VICTORY A SHORT PERIOD OF PRAYER OR SILENCE WILL BE OBSERVED BY ALL HANDS IMMEDIATELY AFTER
VICTORY SALUTE. THE FLAG SHIP WILL INITIATE BY THREE BLASTS ON SIREN AND RINGING OF SHIPS BELL.
MEN YOU ARE MEMBERS OF THE WORLDS GREATEST NAVY. YOUR NATION IS PROUD OF YOU. FROM THE
HUMILIATION OF PEARL HARBOR, CORAL SEA, MIDWAY YOU HAVE WORKED AND FOUGHT UNTIL THREE
YEARS AND 227 DAYS LATER YOU HAVE MET THE EMERGENCY AND HAVE BECOME EFFICIENT. MOST OF US
HAD NEVER BEEN TO SEA. YET IN A TRUE AMERICAN WAY YOU HAVE MET THE EMERGENCY AND ARE NOW
SEASONED MEN.
WITH A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING"
D. KETCHAM REAR ADMIRAL U.S.N.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "PLEASE ACCEPT MY SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF THE WAR
AGAINST THE JAPANESE. THE WAR HAS BEEN AN ALL HANDS JOB IN WHICH TEAM WORK HAS BEEN
RESPONSIBLE FOR VICTORY X UNDER YOUR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP ALL PERSONNEL IN THE UNITED
STATES PACIFIC FLEET AND PACIFIC OCEAN AREA CONTRIBUTED THEIR FULL SHARE."
SIGNED: ADMIRAL KING U.S.N.
26
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "HARDIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF YOUR COMMAND ON YOUR
DRAMATIC SUCCESSES CULMINATING ON THIS MEMORABLE DAY IN COMPLETE VICTORY.
YOUR
OPERATIONS IN THE PACIFIC AGAINST OUR BITTER ENEMY WILL BE RECORDED AS THE MOST BRILLIANT IN
HISTORY. WE OF THE ATLANTIC SALUTE YOU."
SIGNED: COM IN CHIEF ATLANTIC FLEET
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "THE WAR WITH OUR ENEMIES IS OVER. FOR SOME OF YOU ITS BEEN YEARS AND OTHERS ITS BEEN ONLY
YOUR STAY ON THE FINCH. IN ANY EVENT IT HAS BEEN A JOB 'WELL DONE'. I WANT TO TAKE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO COMMEND ALL HANDS ON THE EXCELLENT JOB YOU'VE DONE. FOR EVEN THO THE FINCH
HAS NEVER BEEN IN ACTUAL COMBAT WE HAVE A RECORD TO BE PROUD OF. 1. A LETTER OF SPECIAL
CREDIT AT BERMUDA DURING SHAKEDOWN. 2. MAKING 14 [sic] TRIPS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC ESCORTING
LARGE CONVOYS WITH THOUSANDS OF TROOPS IN SUBMARINE INFESTED WATERS WITHOUT LOSS OF A
SINGLE SHIP OR MAN DUE TO ENEMY ACTION. 3. MAKING AN EXCELLENT RECORD IN ALL TRAINING
PREPARATORY TO OUR FIGHT IN THE PACIFIC. YOU HAVE ALL EXECUTED YOUR DUTIES FAITHFULLY AND
HAVE WORKED HARD TO PREPARE YOURSELVES AND THE SHIP FOR ANY ASSIGNMENT SHE MAY HAVE
BEEN GIVEN.
WITHOUT YOUR COOPERATION SACRIFICES AND HARD WOK I COULD NOT HAVE
ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING NOR COULD I HAVE SAID 'THE FINCH IS READY' AT ALL TASK GROUP
CONFERENCES.
"I AM PROUD TO HAVE SERVED AS YOUR COMMANDING OFFICER. HARD MONTHS ARE STILL AHEAD OF US.
HARD BECAUSE WE HAVE OUR HEARTS SET ON GOING HOME. HOWEVER YOU MUST REALIZE THE NAVY
CANNOT RELEASE US ALL IMMEDIATELY. BE PATIENT AND CONDUCT YOURSELF AS HONORABLY AND
EFFICIENTLY AS YOU DID DURING WAR. I ASSURE YOU THAT ALL POSSIBLE HELP WILL BE GIVEN YOU FOR A
SPEEDY RETURN HOME. DISCHARGE WILL BE EFFECTED AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE UNDER THE SYSTEM
SET UP BY THE NAVY DEPARTMENT. SOMEDAY I HOPE THAT YOU ALL WILL LOOK BACK ON THE FINCH WITH
PLEASANT MEMORIES. I KNOW I SHALL"
SIGNED: C D LEHARDY
With the cessation of hostilities, the carrier force was ordered into Leyte,
Philippine Islands, arriving on Friday 17 August. The ships stood into San Pedro Bay
and FINCH dropped her anchor at 1133, but there was still work to be done this day.
She was soon underway again, going alongside the USS Amador (AK 158) and took on
the following ammunition: 20mm - HET, 2160 rounds; 40mm - HEIT, 1712 rounds;
3"/50 AA, NFL, 121 rounds; and 3"/50 AA, FL, 60 rounds. One more shift was made to
the YOG-41 to replenish 6788 gallons of diesel fuel and then on to final anchorage for
the night, Berth 47, San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands - - 10 1/2 fathoms of
water, 35 fathoms of chain to the port anchor. World War II was finally at an end. War's
end also meant end of service for some of FINCH's crew. Lieutenant (junior grade)
Harry R. Dahlberg included this entry on Sunday, 18 August 1945, in the ship's log for
his "12 to 16" watch: "1200, Anchored as before. 1310, The following men were
transferred to receiving Station Navy #3964 fft (for further transfer) to Receiving Station
nearest the Continental U.S. Port of entry fft to a separation [sic] activity for discharge.
Authority: ALNAV 196-45. SCANLON, John Holbrook, 705 18 12, CSK(AA)(T), V6
USNR; BALLARD, Earl Eugene, 311 29 07, CGM(T), USN; GABRISCH, Edward
Arthur, 668 68 22, GM1c(T), V6 USNR; HOWARD, Ralph Lowe, 725 32 66,
MoMM2c, V6 USNR; LONG, Richard Maurer, 662 05 66, CY(T), V6 USNR; SHOUP,
Robert George, 612 21 06, Y1c, V6 USNR......" More crew changes would soon occur
with many of FINCH's original crew retiring from war and being replaced by new
personnel. The next seven months would find FINCH continuing to serve in the Far East
with the ship and crew making ports of call in Formosa, Guam, Okinawa, Philippine
Islands and China, including the port of Hong Kong.
27
Although the war was over with the formal Japanese surrender aboard the USS
Missouri in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945, the Pacific Fleet continued it's vigilance at
sea as noted later on 15 October which found Task Group 74.3 at sea, underway from
Hagushi Anchorage, Okinawa enroute to Formosa in accordance with CTG (Commander
Task Group) OpOrder (Operations Order) 7-45. The Task Group included the carriers
USS Block Island (CVE 106), USS Gilbert Islands (CVE 107), USS Salerno Bay (CVE
110) and their escorts, Escort Division 57 composed of USS Thomas J. Gary (DE 326),
USS Kretchmer (DE 329), and FINCH. At 0900 hours the carriers commenced flight
operations, with FINCH occupying plane guard station 170 degrees relative, 1000 yards
from USS Salerno Bay. At 1019 hours, an F6F (Navy "Hellcat" fighter aircraft) went into
the sea off the port quarter of the Salerno Bay while attempting to land. General Quarters
was sounded, and the ship began maneuvering on various courses and speeds to pick up
the flyer. Robert L. Stevens, the designated swimmer, entered the water to recover 1st Lt.
Jack E. PERRY, USMCR, who was taken aboard FINCH at 1024 uninjured.
On 3 September 1945, USS Santee (CVE 29) reported a man overboard. FINCH
responded and finally located the man at 1250 and was taken aboard at 1300. At 1312 a
floating life raft was retrieved. At 1400 the rescued man from the USS Santee,
Lieutenant Commander Victor (n) Gang, (MC), USNR, 99161, was pronounced dead
from drowning by Lieutenant J. W. Coxe (MC), USNR. At 1615 the ship approached the
USS Santee to effect transfer for the body of Lieutenant Commander Gang and finally, at
1732, the transfer attempt was abandoned due to heavy seas. Station was assumed 1,000
yards on the port beam of USS Santee and at 1831 hours, speed was changed to stop,
while funeral and burial services were held for Lieutenant Commander Victor (n) Gang,
(MC), USNR, 99161. His body was committed to the deep in position Latitude 23
degrees and 03 minutes N, 129 degrees and 42 minutes E. Later, on 5 September, in an
area east of Formosa, USS Thomas J. Gary and USS Kretchmer left the formation and
proceeded to Kiirun Formosa. At 1816, FINCH was lying to in the vicinity of the USS
Santee (CVE 29), and at 1939, after lowering the motor whale boat away, Lieutenant J.
W. Coxe, III, (MC), 137710, USNR was transferred to the Santee for temporary
additional duty in accordance with verbal orders of the Commander Carrier Division 27.
At 2020, the ship's motor whale boat began assisting on the loading of Allied prisoners of
war (POWs) from USS Thomas J. Gary to USS Block Island (CVE 106). The transfers
were completed and the boat was hoisted in at 2324 hours. The next day, 6 September,
Thomas J. Gary, Brister and FINCH entered the port of Kiirun, Formosa and at 1000
moored at No. 3 Shed, MeijiCho Docks, Keeling Ko Harbor, Kiirun, Formosa. At 1345
hours, FINCH commenced loading POWs and by 1430 had taken onboard a total of 221
POWs. At 1547 the ship was underway standing out of port. At sea at 1752, lying in the
lee of USS Santee (CVE 29), transfer of the POWs was commenced by motor whale boat
to the Santee. Transfer of the evacuees was completed at 2303 and the ship returned to
assume its screen station. A list of 49 of the POWs aboard FINCH contained the names
of the men that were now being transported from Formosa to Manila, Philippine Islands.
28
POW Evacuation - Kiirun, Formosa - 6 September 1945
FINCH crewmen help transport those unable to walk.
POWs board trains for transport to port area and awaiting ships
29
MeijiCho Docks, Keeling Ko Harbor, Kiirun, Formosa - POWs boarding Thomas J. Gary, Brister and FINCH.
_________________________ _ _________________________
Most of these POWs were British, but seven that were carried by FINCH were
Americans. Records providing the names of these men were indistinct in some cases, but
their serial numbers may aid in providing their identities:
[Beck], Calvin
Davidson, Brown F.
[Haleerman, James]
King, Walter
Rosenberry, [Harry]
[Shott], Catholic
Weber, W. H.
15364114
6296946
15016372
20720223
6274703
33421756
17018723
Corporal
Sergeant
Private First Class
Sergeant
Corporal
Corporal
Technical Sergeant
Manila was reached on the 9th of September and the POWs were transferred
ashore leaving FINCH officers and crew to participate in some relaxed liberty during the
next eight days. The ships sailed on 17 September and for the next month conducted
training with stops at Hagushi Bay and Buckner Bay in Okinawa for brief periods of
upkeep and liberty. Late October and most of November found FINCH operating in the
vicinity of Saipan in the Mariana Islands. It was at this time that FINCH's third
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Eugene T . MacDonald reported on board
30
on 18 November 1945 and relieved Lieutenant Commander LeHardy on the 22nd. Port
visits were then made to San Fernando, Philippines; Hong Kong, China; and
subsequently, back to Manila on the 23 of December to spend the first peaceful holiday
period in port. In the preceding three and a half months, the routine was changing and
beginning to reflect that the war was truly over. Many of the original crew were being
transferred for release from active duty, discharges, and return home. New replacements
were ever arriving to fill the vacancies. FINCH had also now found itself spending more
and more time in port than at sea. FINCH's role, and that of Escort Division 57, had
been screening carrier escorts (CVEs) in Task Group operations. The roles changed on
30 December 1945, the carriers departed on their homeward voyage to the United States,
CORTDIV 57 now became CORTDIV 50 and FINCH was underway bound for Hong
Kong, China, logging an end to the year 1945 which opened with war still raging in
Europe and the Pacific, and ended in peace.
FINCH arrived in Hong Kong on 1 January 1946 and would call Hong Kong home
through the end of March while
acting as station ship, making
port visits to China, and
carrying mail between Hong
Kong and Okinawa. The first
port visit on 10 January was to
Kwangsow (Fort Bayard),
China resulting in FINCH
being the first United States
ship to visit that port since the
war began. A mail run was
made to Buckner Bay, Okinawa
on the 23 of January and then
other port visits were made up
the Yangtze River to the Woosun Anchorage on 10 February, followed by two visits to
Shanghai in China in February and March , with a visit to Amoy in between. On the
second visit to Shanghai, it was
Lou Flourney's turn to leave
FINCH and make the long
journey home, one that would
take him nearly a month via
ship from Shanghai to Pearl
Harbor, on to San Francisco,
and then by train (cattle cars)
to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Lou had boarded FINCH on
commissioning in December of
1943, and with his departure on
4 March 1946, he recorded that
he and FINCH had logged
128,783
miles
together.
31
During this same period of time, more of her original crew were transferred for
separation, on their way to the United States and to a well earned and deserved return
home. New crew members boarded replacing those leaving, and others began reporting,
not as crew replacements, but passengers, setting the scene for a final liberty in Hong
Kong, and FINCH's ultimate departure from the Far East to return home - - 1 April
1946.
FINCH had departed Atlantic waters in June of 1945, sailing westward through the
Panama Canal, and on to the war in the Pacific. The day that everyone had been awaiting
finally arrived - - 1 April 1946, when FINCH would once again get underway on a
westward transit which take her through the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Suez Canal,
Mediterranean Sea, and finally back into Atlantic waters, thereby completing an aroundthe-world-cruise. Departure was scheduled for 1 April 1956, with an estimated date of
arrival in the United States of 1 June 1946, some 12,348 miles, two months, and nine
ports later. Loren W. Warwick, EM3c had reported aboard FINCH on 4 January 1946,
and was among those that anxiously looked forward to the day when it would be their
time to return home. Loren eventually wrote of the journey and experience of returning
home, injecting his own opinions, observations, and descriptions. He called his writings
"MODERN ODYSSEY" and noted "For me, this excursion [the voyage home] was a
dream that came true. Never in my lifetime had I expected ever to travel so much,
especially around the world. Sad as it is, all this was made possible by the greatest
catastrophe ever known.........Our orders came to return to the States on the first of April.
Everyone was happier than words can tell; to increase this elation we were ordered to
travel by way of the European Theatre, which made everything almost perfect and was a
fitting climax, to be long remembered." The "Homeward Bound" pennant (shown at
right) was streamed and it was time to sail. Loren further wrote "At last the day arrived
for our return and we were making preparations for getting underway when the
quarantine flag was hoisted to the yardarm. It was soon learned that some yeoman had
taken ill with smallpox. We were all dumbfounded and there was much grumbling
among the crew, some even wanted to drop him over the side; however, he was taken off
the ship immediately, and vaccine was administered to all. By the time we arrived at
Singapore, all was well and the quarantine had been lifted."
The first port on the journey was
Singapore, Malaya, situated in the Strait of
Malacca, the narrow sea lane where the Pacific
Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. This first leg
would take about four and a half days of
sailing, and cover some 1,400 miles closer to
home. On the 5th of April, FINCH crossed the
equator and appropriate ceremonies observed.
The Royal Court of "Neptunus Rex" was
32
welcomed aboard and the ship was purged of "polly-wogs" leaving it free to continue its
transit. Singapore was reached the next day, on the 6th of April and ships remained in
port until the 8th while the crew participated in liberty. Loren remembered Singapore
this way: "It rained frequently during our stay in Singapore, and since the ship was
restricted to water hours, almost everyone would run topside, clad only in his birthday
suit, to get a refreshing fresh water shower - - much to the Captain's embarrassment, as
his shower wasn't cut off.........Our last liberty in that haven of constant perspiration was
concluded by a hail of bananas and coconuts, offered by our allies in not a friendly
fashion, I assure you! Our side, however, was not without a number of these fuzzy
missiles and they were returned by all hands with even more enthusiasm than they were
sent." [Describing a small battle that took place between British and American sailors,
using for ammunition, cocoanuts and bananas.]
Departing Singapore on the 8th, the ships exited the Strait of Malacca and entered
the Indian Ocean bound for Colombo, Ceylon [Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka in
1972]. This leg of the journey to the island of Ceylon, lying just off the southern tip of
India was 1,625 miles, and best remembered as being hot and tiresome. Columbo was
reached on 13 April for three days of liberty and sight-seeing. The Division then set out
for Adan, Arabia on its longest leg thus far, 2,094 miles, mainly to replenish on much
needed fuel to see everyone safely home. The arrival in Aden was on the 22nd, and the
stay was brief, as the Division sailed the next day, into the Gulf of Aden, and northward
through the Red Sea to the port of Suez in Egypt and subsequent night transit of the Suez
Canal on the evening of 27 April. The ships reached Port Said, the northern terminus of
the canal on the 28th, remaining only briefly, then sailing on to Alexandria, Egypt,
originally founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and rich in ancient history. Three
days would be spent in Alexandria, with many of the crew taking in the sights, and some
venturing to the city of Giza [El Gizeh] just outside of Cairo to see the sphinx and the
pyramids. Sea legs were traded for camel legs while others scaled the pyramids.
33
Naples, Italy was the next stop from 6 to 8 May and FINCH once again was sailing in
familiar waters. Naples provided new experiences and sighting to many of the crew, and
for some, it was a city revisited. Loren described this port visit as "a continuous
celebration" which prompted the Captain to restrict the entire ship one day in Marseilles,
France. This punishment "...... turned out to be unsuccessful as most everyone found a
way to beat the restriction, when the time came." On 10 May, the Division arrived in
Marseille, France where it received its friendliest welcome that would carry throughout
the
FINCH had departed Atlantic waters in June of 1945, sailing westward through
the Panama Canal, and on to the war in the Pacific. The day that everyone had been
awaiting finally arrived - - 1 April 1946, when FINCH would once again get underway
on a westward transit which take her through the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Suez Canal,
Mediterranean Sea, and finally back into Atlantic waters, thereby completing an aroundthe-world-cruise. Departure was scheduled for 1 April 1956, with an estimated date of
arrival in the United States of 1 June 1946, some 12,348 miles, two months, and nine
ports later. Loren W. Warwick, EM3c had reported aboard FINCH on 4 January 1946,
and was among those that anxiously looked forward to the day when it would be their
time to return home. Loren eventually wrote of the journey and experience of returning
home, injecting his own opinions, observations, and descriptions. He called his writings
"MODERN ODYSSEY" and noted "For me, this excursion [the voyage home] was a
dream that came true. Never in my lifetime had I expected ever to travel so much,
especially around the world. Sad as it is, all this was made possible by the greatest
catastrophe ever known.........Our orders came to return to the States on the first of April.
Everyone was happier than words can tell; to increase this elation we were ordered to
travel by way of the European Theatre, which made everything almost perfect and was a
fitting climax, to be long remembered." The "Homeward Bound" pennant (shown at
right) was streamed and it was time to sail. Loren further wrote "At last the day arrived
for our return and we were making preparations for getting underway when the
quarantine flag was hoisted to the yardarm. It was soon learned that some yeoman had
taken ill with smallpox. We were all dumbfounded and there was much grumbling
among the crew, some even wanted to drop him over the side; however, he was taken off
the ship immediately, and vaccine was administered to all. By the time we arrived at
Singapore, all was well and the quarantine had been lifted."
The first port on the journey was Singapore, Malaya, situated in the Strait of
Malacca, the narrow sea lane where the Pacific Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. This first
leg would take about four and a half days of sailing, and cover some 1,400 miles closer to
home. On the 5th of April, FINCH crossed the equator and appropriate ceremonies
observed. The Royal Court of "Neptunus Rex" was welcomed aboard and the ship was
purged of "polly-wogs" leaving it free to continue its transit. Singapore was reached the
next day, on the 6th of April and ships remained in port until the 8th while the crew
participated in liberty. Loren remembered Singapore this way: "It rained frequently
during our stay in Singapore, and since the ship was restricted to water hours, almost
34
everyone would run topside, clad only in his birthday suit, to get a refreshing fresh water
shower - - much to the Captain's embarrassment, as his shower wasn't cut off.........Our
last liberty in that haven of constant perspiration was concluded by a hail of bananas and
coconuts, offered by our allies in not a friendly fashion, I assure you! Our side, however,
was not without a number of these fuzzy missiles and they were returned by all hands
with even more enthusiasm than they were sent." [Describing a small battle that took
place between British and American sailors, using for ammunition, cocoanuts and
bananas.]
Departing Singapore on the 8th, the ships exited the Strait of Malacca and entered
the Indian Ocean bound for Colombo, Ceylon [Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka in
1972]. This leg of the journey to the island of Ceylon, lying just off the southern tip of
India was 1,625 miles, and best remembered as being hot and tiresome. Columbo was
reached on 13 April for three days of liberty and sight-seeing. The Division then set out
for Adan, Arabia on its longest leg thus far, 2,094 miles, mainly to replenish on much
needed fuel to see everyone safely home. The arrival in Aden was on the 22nd, and the
stay was brief, as the Division sailed the next day, into the Gulf of Aden, and northward
through the Red Sea to the port of Suez in Egypt and subsequent night transit of the Suez
Canal on the evening of 27 April. The ships reached Port Said, the northern terminus of
the canal on the 28th, remaining only briefly, then sailing on to Alexandria, Egypt,
originally founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and rich in ancient history. Three
days would be spent in Alexandria, with many of the crew taking in the sights, and some
venturing to the city of Giza [El Gizeh] just outside of Cairo to see the sphinx and the
pyramids. Sea legs were traded for camel legs while others scaled the pyramids.
Naples, Italy was the next stop from 6 to 8 May and FINCH once again was sailing in
familiar waters. Naples provided new experiences and sighting to many of the crew, and
35
for some, it was a city revisited. Loren described this port visit as "a continuous
celebration" which prompted the Captain to restrict the entire ship one day in Marseilles,
France. This punishment "...... turned out to be unsuccessful as most everyone found a
way to beat the restriction, when the time came." On 10 May, the Division arrived in
Marseille, France where it received its friendliest welcome that would carry throughout
the four days of the port visit. As the ships of the Division arrived, they moored stern to
the sea wall, a style of mooring which would later be called "Med Moor" in following
years. Marseille quickly embraced the Americans and was quickly ranked as the most
enjoyable port on this trek home. Loren notes "It was as if all anyone had to do was
celebrate, and seemed as if the entire populous was taking part. When our day came to
leave, I know it was without enthusiasm." The four days passed quickly and when it was
time to leave "There was a large crowd on the waters edge as we were getting ready to
leave; as the screws [ship's propellers] began to turn, the water backed up over the sea
wall, and left a lot of folks standing in about six inches of water. It was not a fitting act
of appreciation on our part, though they took it as a good joke so all was well and we
were on our way.........From that day on, everything else was forgotten except the fact that
we would soon be home. Each man had his own idea of what would be the first thing he
would do, and the general impression and feeling was one of dreamy suspense."
Marseilles, France - 10-14 May 1946
_________________________ _ _________________________
The ships arrived at Gibraltar on 16 May and when it was ascertained that sufficient fuel
remained to complete the journey home, the Division sailed the same day bound for its
36
last overseas port, Funchal, Madeira Islands located about 360 miles off the northwest
coast of Africa. The Division arrived on 18 May and it was the first time in five years
that United States ships had paid a visit. The ships remained in this quiet little port for
three days and when it was time to leave on 21 May, the next port would be home, in the
United States. This round-the-world cruise, originally projected to end in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, would now terminate at Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday, 29
May 1946.
Two days later, on Friday the 31st of May, FINCH entered Dry-dock No. 1, U.S.
Navy Shipyard, Charleston, South Carolina, together with the Kretchmer and the Thomas
J. Gary. At 0805 hours 65 of the ship's crew and passengers were transferred, with
baggage and records, to the Receiving Station,
Charleston, South Carolina for separation
processing. Technical Sergeant Charles W.
McBurney, 14117949, who had boarded
FINCH in the Far East as a passenger for the
two month transit home, also departed for
separation at Fort McPherson, Georgia. On 4
June, while still in dry-dock, 25 more of the
crew were transferred to report to separation
centers in Illinois, California, South Carolina,
Minnesota, Washington, New York, and
Maryland. Only fourteen of the original crew (plank owners) remained aboard FINCH
to complete the entire WWII mission and the round-the-world cruise. They were:
BENJAMIN, Henry Rogers, Jr., 229098, LT
PERRY, Hoyt Ogden, Jr., 256512, LTJG
ABLEMAN, Samuel Max, 2255000, Cox
ADAMS, Raymond Hugh, 8355988, M3c
BOREK, Stanley John, 2255006, CM2c
COLEY, Joseph Paul, 7559513, S1c
DAHLEM, Charles Henry, 3827725, CMoMM
EARNSHAW, Harry Daniel, Jr., 2637070, MoMM2c
GACCETTA, Joseph Rocco, 2088999, SF3c
LOWRY, Bobby Lee, 8225184, RdM2c
MURRAY, Harry Lawrence, Jr., 8128916, Y2c
TAYLOR, Ollie Dan, Jr., 6579299, Cox
VADEN, "X" "L", 3383811, MoMM2c
WYANT, Jonas Marvin, 8508249, MoMM2c
Lieutenant Commander Robert L. Tully reported on board on 19 July 1946 and
became FINCH's fourth Commanding Officer on 22 July. By this date, the wardroom
consisted of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant (junior grade) Ned Swallow, and
Ensigns Jung, Callan, and Cobey. These latter four officers were all to be detached by 14
August, leaving Lieutenant Commander Tully alone in command.
37
It had long been apparent that the end was drawing near. The mid-watch ship's
log entry for Saturday, 31 August 1946 began with "Moored port side to USS Gary in
Berth D-1, U.S. Naval Shipyard, Charleston, S.C. using standard DE mooring lines.
OTHER SHIPS in nest USS Brister and USS Koiner. Receiving all auxiliary services
from the dock. Ship undergoing overhaul and inactivation. Ships present: various units
of the U.S. Fleet plus yard and district craft. SOPA (Senior Officer Present Afloat) in
USS Tidewater." The entry is signed by Lieutenant Commander Tully and is the opening
of the last ship's log submitted for the USS FINCH (DE 328). Further on:
8 to 12
"Moored as before. Mustered crew on stations. No absentees. 0900
Captain inspected the ship accompanied by his relief, Ens. J.W. Johnstone
Jr. 1100 In accordance with ComChasGrp 16th Flt. Dispatch 301600Z
and
301601Z of August 1946 and U.S. Navy Regulations, Lt. Comdr. R.L.
Tully, 83422, USN, was relieved of this vessel.. 1130 In accordance with
ComChasGrp 16th Flt. Dispatch 301601Z of August, 1946 Lt. Comdr.
R.L. Tully, 83422, USN was detached this date and ordered to report
to USS Rowe (DD 564) for duty as commanding officer and executive
officer."
(Signed)
R.L. Tully
Lt. Comdr., USN
This final ship's log was signed by J.W. Johnstone Jr., Ens., USNR, Commanding
Officer.
With her crew gone and her mission completed, USS FINCH (DE 328) was
decommissioned at Green Cove Springs, Florida on 4 October 1946, at which time she
was placed out of commission, in reserve, in the Florida Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet.
Inactivation had commenced upon her arrival at Charleston, South Carolina on 29 May
1946, but was not finally completed until 6 March 1947 at Green Cove Springs, Florida.
USS FINCH DE 328 - 21 May 1946
38
USS FINCH DE-328
PORT VISITS
(1943 - 1946)
_____________________________________________________________
Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii
Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands
Apra Harbor, Guam, Mariana Islands
San Pedro Bay, Philippine Islands
Keeling Ko Harbor, Kiirun, Formosa
Manila, Philippine Islands
Hagushi Bay, Okinawa
Buckner Bay, Okinawa
Saipan, Marshall Islands
San Fernando, Philippine Islands
Hong Kong, China
Kwangsow Wan, China
Yangtze River, China
Woosung, China
Shanghai, China
Amoy, China
Singapore, Straits Settlement
[Malaya]
Colombo, Ceylon [Sri Lanka}
Aden, Arabia
Suez, Egypt
Suez Canal
Port Said, Egypt
Alexandria, Egypt
Marseilles, France
Gibraltar
Funchal, Madiera Islands
Charleston, South Carolina
(Deactivation)
Green Cove Springs, Florida
(Decommissioned)
Orange, Texas (Commissioned)
Galveston, Texas
Bermuda
Charleston, South Carolina
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Curacao, Netherlands West Indies
Algiers, North Africa
Aruba, Netherlands West Indies
Casablanca,
French Morocco
Oran, Algeria
Key West, Florida
Boston, Massachusetts
Casco Bay, Maine
Norfolk, Virginia
Naples, Italy
Brooklyn, New York
Plymouth, England
New York, New York
Liverpool, England
Bayonne, New Jersey
Cardiff, Wales
Milford Haven, Wales
New London, Connecticut
Spit Bay, England
Southampton, England
(Barry Road) Scotland
(Belfast) Ireland
Culebra, Virgin Islands
Gonaives Bay, Haiti
Coco Solo, Canal Zone, Panama
Panama Canal
San Diego, California
39
USS FINCH DE 328
40
NAME
Nienau, Albert H.
LeHardy, Clement Daniell
Haire, Arnold E.
Duncan, Forrest LeMoin
Elliot, Card Garnett Jr.
Pierszlowski, Raymond V.
White, Gordon Rawlings
Benjamin, Henry Rogers Jr.
Blume, Elmer Martin
Perry, Hoyt Ogden Jr.
Bowen, Victor (n)
Cox, William Cloyd
Simon, Edward Leon
Newell, Ralph Jackson
Hall, Oliver Junior
Traun, George Leonard
Morton, Edward George
Ballard, Earl Eugene
Griffin, Glenn Lestee
Rozelle, Elijah John
Smith, Thomas (n)
Hickenbotham, Milton Raymond
Wedlake, Philip Russell
Rounseville, Ernest Gilbert
Burwell, John Raymond
Horner, Henry (n) Jr.
Anderson, James Berg
Cox, Homer Edmond
Fox, Marvin Edward
Lee, James Kenneth
Taylor, Ollie Dan Jr.
Markee, Robert Ammon
Munn, Joseph Cornelius
Chesnik, Edward John
Melson, Glenn Earl
Long, Richard Maurer
Flournoy, Louis Quitman Jr.
Thurmond, Jack Alfred
McCabe, John Edmond
Biggs, Lloyd O'Neil
Steele, William Clifford
Driscoll, Howard Francis
Evans, Asa (n)
Basinger, Thomas Benton
Brown, Warren Galahad
Comentale, Carmine Frank
Harris, Robert John
Johnson, Edward Joseph
Keyes, James Franklin Jr.
Marshall, Joseph Augustus
RANK
LCDR
LCDR
LCDR
LT
LT
LT
LT
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
BM1c
BM1c
BM1c
BM2c
BM2c(T)
CBM(AA)
CEM(PA)
CGM(T)
Ck3c
Ck3c
Ck3c(T)
CM2c
CMM(PA)
CMoMM(AA(T)
Cox
Cox
Cox(T)
Cox(T)
Cox(T)
Cox(T)
Cox(T)
CQM(AA)(T)
CQM(AA)(T)
CRT (AA)(T)
CY
CY(T)
EM1c
EM1c(T)
EM2c
EM2c(T)
EM2c(T)
EM3c
EM3c
EM3c(T)
F1c
F1c
F1c
F1c
F1c
F1c
ARRIVAL
28 Apr 44
Hartsville, SC
22 Nov 45
28 May 45
12 Oct 45
12 Oct 45
15 Jul 44
5 Nov 44
Cooperstown, NY
J-Aug 46
2 Nov 45
J-Aug 46
N.Y., NY
18 May 45
Toledo, OH
21 Feb 46
Portland, OR
S-Dec 44
Raleigh, NC
5 Mar 46
Roanoke, VA
27 Nov 45
San Francisco, CA J-Sep 44
Pearl Harbor, TH S-Dec 44
Detroit, MI
19 Aug 45
Spartanburg, SC
5 Mar 46
Little Rock, AR
5 Nov 44
Philadelphia, PA 27 Nov 45
New Orleans, LA
23 May 45
Miami, FL
J-Mar 45
Boston, MA
2 Jan 46
Columbus, OH
5 Mar 46
PSC Gr.Lakes, IL 21 Feb 46
Chicago, IL
14 Sep 45
Anniston, AL
J-Mar 45
Nashville, TN
18 May 45
Indianapolis, IN 14 Sep 45
Raleigh, NC
Jun 46
Toledo, OH
15 Jul 45
Charlotte, NC
27 Dec 45
N.Y., NY
14 Sep 45
San Francisco, CA 5 Mar 46
Detroit, MI
19 Aug 45
Birmingham, AL
5 Mar 46
Norfolk, VA
2 Jan 46
St. Louis, MO
J-Sep 44
Birmingham, AL
27 Nov 45
Dallas, TX
14 Feb 45
Boston, MA
J-Sep 44
Huntington, WV
12 May 45
Jackson, MS
27 Nov 45
Milwaukee, WI
9 Nov 44
N.Y., NY
7 Jun 45
Cleveland, OH
26 Apr 44
Providence, RI
xxxx
Baltimore, MD
14 Sep 44
Spartanburg, SC
27 Apr 45
Young, Robert Charles
Seater, George Richard
Groncki, Theodore John
Kirkland, Porter (n)
Schneider, Herbert William
F1c
F2c
F3c
F3c
FC1c(T)
Baltimore, MD
Milwaukee, WI
Baltimore, MD
Jacksonville, FL
N.Y., NY
41
HOME TOWN
5 Feb 46
J-Sep 44
12 May 45
J-Sep 44
xxxx
NAME
Kuzeck, Joseph Martin
Gabrisch, Edward Arthur
Lewis, Edwin Earl
Carlson, Roy Frodolph
Cobb, John Frank
Sapp, Anson Bray
Von Garrel, William Conrad
Wrinn, James Edward Jr.
Alexander, William Forney
Darden, Walter Lewis
Kovarovic, John Anthony Jr.
Adams, Raymond Hugh
Duggan, George Ardell
Sienkielewski, William Paul
Dube, Leo Armand
Dahlem, Charles Henry
Mitchell, William Oscar Jr.
Graber, Milton, Allan
Howard, Ralph Lowe
Neal, Nathaniel Lindsay
O'Dell, Hugh Dale
Rapose, James Charles
Thomasson, Edwin Clyde
Vaden, "X" "L"
Williams, John Walter
Wilson, Frank Joseph
Foutes, William Andrew
Pacht, William Gustav
Turocy, Regis Aloysius
Jenkins, Robert Lee
Lieb, Mathias John
O'Loughlin, John William
Signer, Richard Ernest
Wade, Walter Edward
Whalen, Robert Francis
Wyant, Jonas Marvin
Earnshaw, Harry Daniel Jr.
Hollar, Floyd Gamewell
Morgan, Jesse (n) Jr.
Sledge, Forrest Lawrence Jr.
Gough, Joe Herbert
Kilgalen, James Christopher
Dal Santo, Aldo James
Bender, Thomas William Jr.
Hunter, Ernest Lester
Stevens, Robert Leland
Lowry, Bobby Lee
Panich, Joseph Matthew
Penland, David Robert
Moseley, Nathan Francis
Shamis, Marvin Jack
Worden, Harry Shannon
Heineman, William Arthur
Stenson, Joseph Patrick
Herr, Charles Louis
Todd, Garey Steele
RANK
GM1c
GM1c(T)
GM2c
GM2c(T)
GM3c
GM3c
GM3c
GM3c
GM3c(T)
GM3c(T)
GM3c(T)
M3c
MaM3c
MM1c
MoMM1c
MoMM1c(T)
MoMM1c(T)
MoMM2c
MoMM2c
MoMM2c
MoMM2c
MoMM2c
MoMM2c
MoMM2c
MoMM2c
MoMM2c
MoMM2c(T)
MoMM2c(T)
MoMM2c(T)
MoMM3c
MoMM3c
MoMM3c
MoMM3c
MoMM3c
MoMM3c
MoMM3c
MoMM3c(T)
MoMM3c(T)
MoMM3c(T)
MoMM3c(T)
PhM1c
PhM3c
QM1c
QM2c
QM2c
RdM1c(T)
RdM2c
RdM2c(T)
RdM3c
RM1c
RM1c(T)
RM2c
RM2c(T)
RM2c(T)
RM3c
RM3c
HOME TOWN
Altoona, PA
St. Louis, MO
Detroit, MI
Kansas City, MO
Columbia, SC
Akron, OH
Baltimore, MD
New Haven, CT
Anniston, AL
Atlanta, GA
Utica, NY
PSC Bremerton, WA
Chicago, IL
N.Y., NY
Springfield, MA
Los Angeles, CA
Cincinnati, OH
Los Angeles, CA
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Kansas City, MO
Chicago, IL
Richmond, VA
St. Louis, MO
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, NY
St. Louis, MO
Boston, MA
Pittsburgh, PA
Detroit, MI
Baltimore, MD
Newark, NJ
Portland, OR
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, IA
Columbus, OH
Raleigh, NC
Spartanburg, SC
Cincinnati, OH
Richmond, VA
Houston, TX
Washington, DC
Indianapolis, IN
Harrisburg, PA
New Orleans, LA
Chicago, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Milwaukee, WI
Los Angeles, CA
Chicago, IL
Evansville, IN
Indianapolis, IN
N.Y., NY
N.Y., NY
Cleveland, OH
Springfield, IL
42
ARRIVAL
12 Feb 46
19 Aug 45
14 May 45
xxxx
S-Dec 44
18 May 45
12 Feb 46
S-Dec 44
21 Feb 46
2 Jan 46
14 May 45
31 May 46
5 Mar 46
S-Dec 44
2 Nov 45
J-Aug 46
12 May 45
5 Feb 46
19 Aug 45
12 Feb 46
20 Nov 45
12 May 45
31 Oct 44
1 Aug 46
S-Dec 44
5 Feb 46
18 May 45
7 Nov 45
xxxx
6 Jul 45
20 Nov 45
18 May 45
2 Jan 46
xxxx
4 Nov 44
J-Aug 46
J-Aug 46
21 Feb 46
7 Nov 45
22 May 45
J-Sep 44
18 Jun 44
12 Feb 46
12 Feb 46
S-Dec 44
2 Jan 46
14 Jun 46
2 Jan 46
12 May 45
18 Apr 44
2 Jan 46
27 Dec 45
2 Jan 46
2 Jan 46
2 Jan 46
xxxx
NAME
Ableman, Samuel Max
Baker, Arthur Layfaette
Banta, Arnold Roy
Bordner, Robert Edwin
Borek, Stanley John
Coley, Jack Hansel
Coley, Joseph Paul
Dorsey, Robert Jennings
Freeze, Everett Vastine
Gore, Thomas Loring
Gravel, William Edward
Gurcsik, William Andrew
Guske, Edwin Henry
Hall, Rochel Blair Jr.
Hammill, Charles (n)
Howell, "E" "B" Jr.
Janowiak, Herman Patrick
Kolbuk, Phillip (n)
McEathron, James Leroy
McGarry, William Joseph
McIlquham, Archibald Blythe
Painting, Charles Ray
Payne, William Dee
Phillips, Otis Melton
Poe, David George
Whitworth, Joe Tillman
Williamson, Orville Russell
Zeller, Herbert Norman
Adkins, Ora (n) Jr.
Boos, Richard Dale
Breeden, Harley Wayne
Christian, Lawrence Edward
Cobb, Warren Francis
Collins, Warfield (n)
Cutcher, Joseph Alfred
Douglas, Walter Joseph
Dowell, Norris Eddie
Duechle, John George
Farris, Fred Taylor
Farthing, Frederick Francis
Ferguson, John Thurman
Hall, Clyde Eldridge
Jones, Billie Junior
Jordan, Jack (n)
Lawson, Marion Franklin
McClung, James Kelsie
McGuire, Charles Calvin
McMikle, Willard John
Monroe, Robert James
Oberlander, Fredelin Robert
Rogers, Owen Kirkwood
Sands, Fred Braudt
Wagoner, Thomas
Woodbury, Clarence Charles
Scott, Robert Divver
Brandt, Melvin Ambrose
RANK
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S1c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
S2c
SC1c
SC1c(T)
HOME TOWN
N.Y., NY
Denver, CO
Newark, NJ
Chicago, IL
N.Y., NY
Raleigh, NC
Huntington, WV
Clarksburg, WV
Spartanburg, SC
Clarksburg, WV
Detroit, MI
Philadelphia, PA
Milwaukee, WI
Richmond, VA
Pittsburgh, PA
Jackson, MS
Baltimore, MD
Chicago, IL
New Haven, CT
Akron, OH
Jackson, MS
Little Rock, AR
Raleigh, NC
Philadelphia, PA
Macon, GA
Huntington, WV
Milwaukee, WI
Cleveland, OH
Toledo, OH
Indianapolis, IN
Huntington, WV
Boston, MA
Huntington, WV
Toledo, OH
Nashville, TN
Nashville, TN
Cincinnati, OH
Spartenburg, SC
Nashville, TN
Huntington, WV
Roanoke, VA
Raleigh, NC
Houston, TX
Not Available
Huntington, WV
Huntington, WV
St. Louis, MO
Little Rock, AR
Buffalo, NY
Columbia, SC
Milwaukee, WI
Roanoke, VA
Toledo, OH
Nashville, TN
Portland, OR
43
ARRIVAL
15 Aug 46
24 Aug 45
12 Oct 45
21 Feb 46
J-Aug 46
5 Mar 46
20 Jul 46
xxxx
21 Feb 46
12 Feb 46
21 Feb 46
2 Jan 46
21 Feb 46
12 Feb 46
5 Mar 46
27 Nov 45
12 May 45
13 Oct 45
21 Feb 46
xxxx
18 May 45
5 Mar 46
M-Jul 44
5 Mar 46
14 May 45
M-Jul 44
20 Nov 45
7 Nov 45
J-Mar 44
7 Jun 45
xxxx
xxxx
2 Nov 44
J-Mar 44
J-Mar 44
25 May 45
xxxx
12 Feb 46
J-Sep 44
J-Mar 44
S-Dec 44
J-Sep 44
27 Jul 44
15 Dec 44
12 May 45
18 May 45
12 May 45
12 May 45
12 May 45
20 Dec 44
13 May 45
J-Mar 44
xxxx
J-Sep 44
25 Jul 44
xxxx
NAME
McCall, Howard Thomas
Midura, Joseph John
MacPherson, Walter Eugene
Poole, Julius Ray
Gaccetta, Joseph Rocco
Scrivner, Hal Effort
Tiedermann, Henry John Jr.
Painter, Aubrey Louis
Delery, John Francis
Koenig, Frederick George
Eser, Martin Marks Jr.
Neff, Junior Gustav
Hammerschmitt, Arthur Thomas
Martin, Dalmar George
Kaney, Jack Daniel
Newman, Robert (n)
Condron, William Samuel
Payton, Virgil Leon
Baker, Willie (n)
Spencer, Robert William
Reel, Donald Robert
Bloomer, Robert Edgecomb
DeHaven, Leon Gladstone
Polen, William Adams
Urmann, Frank Joseph
Murray, Harry Lawrence Jr.
Snead, Taylor David Jr.
RANK
SC1c(T)
SC1c(T)
SC3
SF1c
SF3c
SF3c(T)
SK1c
SK3c
SM2c(T)
SM3c(T)
SoM1c(T)
SoM1c(T)
SoM2c
SoM2c
SoM3c
SoM3c
SSML2c
Std2c
StM2c
StM2c
TM1c
TM2c(T)
TM3c
TM3c
Y1c
Y2c
Y2c
HOME TOWN
Roanoke, VA
Springfield, MA
Bangor, ME
Houston, TX
Portland, ME
Jackson, MS
Washington, DC
Roanoke, VA
Boston, MA
Newark, NJ
Houston, TX
Toledo. OH
N.Y., NY
Springfield, IL
N.Y., NY
Chicago, IL
Pittsburgh, PA
Indianapolis, IN
Baltimore, MD
Philadelphia, PA
Des Moines, IA
Erie, PA
Baltimore, MD
Omaha, NE
Los Angeles, CA
N.Y., NY
PSC Shoemaker, CA
44
ARRIVAL
20 Nov 45
18 May 45
12 May 45
14 May 45
23 Jul 46
7 Nov 45
3 Nov 44
J-Mar 45
18 May 45
7 Nov 45
22 May 45
20 Nov 45
12 Feb 46
18 May 45
S-Dec 44
J-Mar 44
21 Feb 46
J-Mar 44
23 May 45
24 Dec 43
J-Sep 44
7 Oct 45
S-Dec 44
J-Sep 44
J-Mar 44
2 Jun 46
21 Feb 46
USCGC FINCH WDE-428
45
USCGC FINCH
(WDE 428)
________________________________________________________________________
The U.S. Coast Guard manned 30 Destroyer Escorts during World War II and all
were of the EDSALL class. The only ship of the Coast Guard staffed ships lost during
the war was the USS Leopold (DE 319), which was torpedoed by a German U-boat off
Iceland on 9 March 1944. Only 28 men survived from the crew. After the war all Coast
Guard Destroyer Escorts were decommissioned, but with the commencement of the
Korean War, 12 EDSALL class Destroyer Escorts were to be recalled to service.
USS FINCH (DE 328), along with her dry-dock companion during inactivation
in 1946, USS Kretchmer (DE 329), were among the 12 selected for transfer, and service
as Coast Guard vessels. Re-activation of the USS FINCH commenced in July of 1951
and she was re-commissioned on 24 August 1951 as a United States Coast Guard Cutter
(USCGC). That day, the ship was moored at Pier 4, Naval Station, Green Cove Springs,
Florida. At 0801 hours on Friday, 24 August 1951, Commander Glenn L. Rollins,
USCG, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Re-activation Detachment, with the
commissioning party consisting of Captain Chauncey Moore, USN, Commander Florida
Group, Captain W. D. Brown, USN, Chief of Staff, Florida Group, Captain A. R.
Heckey, USN, Submarine Group Two Commander, and Lieutenant Ralph W. Hopkins,
CHC, U. S. Naval Station Chaplain arrived, and placed the USCGC FINCH (WDE 428)
in commission at 0815 hours in accordance with Headquarters letter (OFU) dated 6
August 1951. The ship's Personnel Diary reflects that only 109 of the crew, under the
command of Commander G. R. Boyce, Jr., USCG, were aboard on the Inaugural Date, 24
August 1951. The commissioning ceremony was brief, and at 0905 a fuel barge was
received alongside and by 1215 a total of 30,300 gallons of diesel fuel was taken on
board. The first day's duty fell on the shoulders of Lieutenant Allan Hoegsberg who had
to see to the remaining essentials. At 1230, the ship received 50 gallons of milk from
Gustafson's Dairy, Green Cove Springs, Florida. At 1300, it was liberty call. And at
1515, 150 pounds of bread was delivered from Flower's Bakery Company, Jacksonville,
Florida. On 29 August, Lieutenant Bainbridge B. Leland, the ship's Executive Officer,
accepted his appointment to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and, Hodges S. Gallop,
Jr., RD1 followed on the 30th by re-enlisting for six years.
Lacking all of her crew, the ship remained moored until the 31st of August.
Additional personnel had arrived, reported for duty, and the crew now numbered 121.
On the 31st, with a pilot on board, and with the aid of tugs, USCGC FINCH was
underway at 0916 hours. By 1435 she had cleared the St. John's River breakwater, only
to lose steering control two hours later. At 1745, the ship completed compensating the
compass and was now enroute to Norfolk, Virginia. Lieutenant (junior grade) Sidney
Wallace arrived on the bridge for the 20-24 watch and was greeted at 2015 with a
casualty to the main engines due to loss of compressed air. The ship commenced drifting
on various courses while effecting repairs. At 2047, repairs were completed and base
course and speed were resumed. During the mid-watch that followed, the steering gear
repairs were completed and control was returned to the "wheel-house" at 0150. That
46
second night at sea, the 20-24 Officer of the Deck (OOD) watch fell to Lieutenant (junior
grade) Sidney Wallace again, who must have thought that the "gremlins" must have also
drawn the same watch as, at 2140 hours, the gyro compass failed and steering was
commenced using the magnetic compass. A brief 5 minutes later, at 2145, the port
engine failed and all engines were stopped. Repairs were completed and headway
resumed at 2150 with the casualty being attributed to the main generator in engineering
space B3. The problems continued about an hour later when the port engine failed a
second time at 2252, headway of 7 knots was maintained using only the starboard shaft.
The port engine returned to service 5 minutes later, noting that this casualty was due to a
failure in the fuel supply. The watch was not over. At 2353, the gyro compass failed
again, followed two minutes later with the failure of the port engine again. The next day,
Sunday, the 2nd of September, FINCH was standing into Lynnhaven Roads at 1000
hours steering various courses at various speeds, and undergoing maneuvering drills,
when at 1020, all engines stopped due to loss of air pressure and the ship began drifting.
With air pressure restored, the ship finally made anchorage at 1300. Monday, the 3rd, the
ship moved to Berth 5, Pier 3, U.S. Coast Guard moorings, Berkley, Virginia where it
would remain for the remainder of the week.
On Monday, 10 September, FINCH got underway at 0744 to conduct exercises
and tactical maneuvers with USCGC Falgout, as well as own ship exercises of General
Quarters and "rubber" docking drills. The 11th and 12th were also spent conducting
exercises and anchoring in the York River, or returning to berth at the Coast Guard
moorings, Berkley, Virginia. The ship got underway at 2200 on Tuesday, 18 September,
remaining underway overnight. At 1040, the next day, FINCH received "XXX" from the
Motor Ship Star Betelgeuse reporting an aircraft in the water at 37-15N, 73-25W. Course
was changed to 188 degrees True for the position, and the Commandant Coast Guard
District THREE was informed of the action with FINCH's estimated time of arrival at
the scene. At 1150, information was received from Star Betelgeuse that the aircraft was
identified as a "Drone" and was picked up intact. Course was resumed for Portland,
Maine where the ship arrived at 1755, mooring at the State Pier. The ship remained
moored through the weekend and then was underway at 0748 on Monday, the 24th
enroute to Boston, Massachusetts. Arriving at Castle Island Terminal, South Boston at
1526 that same day, the ship remained only overnight and was then underway again at
1314 on the 25th to continue on to Brooklyn, New York. On the 29th of September,
structural firing tests were conducted with the firing of 4 rounds from each of the 3"/50
guns, 20 rounds each from 40mm gun mounts #41 and #42, 40 rounds from 40mm mount
#43, and 24 Hedgehogs. With the tests and drills over for the day, the ship arrived at its
moorings in Berkley at 1815 hours.
A month of training, and a shakedown cruise, were now behind the new crew as
FINCH got underway on Monday, 1 October, and proceeded up Chesapeake Bay to an
anchorage at the entrance of South River. The next morning, the ship got underway and
continued on to moor at Pier 3, U.S. Coast Guard Yard, Curtis Bay, Maryland for
conversion to an Ocean Station Vessel and completion of re-activation work. The ship
would remain at Curtis Bay on the southern edge of Baltimore, Maryland for the next
four months during this conversion period. The dry-dock phase commenced on 6
November as the ship entered Dry-dock #1 and remained until 16 November, then
47
returned to moor alongside at Pier 3.
1952
On 20 January the ship received 53,946 gallons of fuel in preparation of leaving
the yard as the conversion period was drawing to an end. On 29 January, sporting a new
hull number and mantle of white, USCGC FINCH (WDE 428) got underway at 0910
hours and proceeded out of Baltimore Harbor for Chesapeake Bay. At 1040 hours,
equipment calibration commenced and continued until completion at 1220, followed
immediately with a full power trial for the engines. With testing completed, the ship
returned to moor at Berth 3C, Curtis Bay at 1526. On 31 January, with the air
temperature registering a chilly 22 degrees, and the ship underway, the crew was called to
quarters which were followed by change of command ceremonies. Commander George
R. Boyce, Jr., 1431, USCG was relieved as Commanding Officer by Lieutenant
Commander Bainbridge B. Leland, 2698, USCG. Lieutenant Allan Hoegsberg, 36499,
USCGR, in turn, relieved as Executive Officer.
More tests were to be conducted and more equipment needed calibration. On 2
February, the ship got underway in the morning and proceeded to Chesapeake Bay to run
measured mile tests and, upon completion at 1400, recorded that 362.1 shaft revolutions
produced 20 knots of speed. Next it was "swinging" ship for compass compensation.
The days that followed, until 14 February, were spent in the upper reaches of Chesapeake
Bay conducting additional tests, exercises and drills. At 2336 on 14 February, FINCH
left her anchorage in Baltimore Harbor, sailing down Chesapeake Bay, enroute to
Hampton Roads. The next morning the ship reached anchorage at 0947 and at 1030
debarked two civilians, Mr. Goode and Mr. Klapper, who had sailed overnight with the
ship to work on the ship's evaporator. An ammunition barge arrived alongside at 1131
and the crew commenced loading ammunition. With ammunition loading completed at
1754, the ship moved to Craney Island Fuel Depot and commenced refueling, topping off
the ship's tanks with 48,972 gallons of diesel fuel. At 0659 on the 16th of February,
sailed from her berth at Craney Island and proceeded to Yorktown Mine Depot to
complete taking on the remainder of her ammunition. At 1445, on 16 February, USCGC
FINCH (WDE 428) sailed from Yorktown, Virginia, and reaching the sea buoy, set a
southerly course, enroute to the Panama Canal Zone. At midnight on the first day out,
the winds were recorded as Force 2, which equated to gentle 4 to 6 knot breezes. At 0206
the ship set course 180 degrees, speed 15 knots. Then in the space of 4 hours, the
weather rapidly deteriorated to the point that at 0600 the ship's speed was reduced to 10
knots as the wind, now at Force 6, was building the seas from the southwest with 22 to 27
knot winds. The wind and seas continued throughout the day on the 17th, eventually
forcing the ship to reduce speed to 5 knots, at 1832, when winds were peaking at Force 9
(41 to 47 knots - Strong Gale). This also required the ship to continually change course,
steering into the rapidly building seas as the wind backed to the west. The wind and seas
continued throughout the night until conditions finally began improving about 0900 on
the next day, the 18th. Once the storm had passed and the weather improved, the ship
resumed its transit and finally arrived at the U.S. Naval Station, Coco Solo, Panama
Canal Zone at 1400 on Thursday, 21 February, mooring at Pier 1A. Saturday, the 23rd,
48
FINCH got underway at 0815 to transit the Panama Canal, and at 1449 hours entered
Pacific Ocean waters, turning north enroute to Acapulco, Mexico.
The ship entered Acapulco on the 27th and remained in port until the 29th, then
set out for San Diego, California. About half way between Acapulco and San Diego, on
the 3rd of March, the ship diverted to pick up a sick man off the "clipper" North
American near Marquis Point in Baja California. FINCH anchored at 0700 and at 0717
the patient, Miguel Ybarra was brought on board. The ship got underway at 0735 and
proceeded to anchor in the lee of Man of War Cove, Magdalena Bay, Baja California at
1257, to await air evacuation of the patient. At 1400, PBM aircraft #4736 landed in the
bay and the patient was transferred to the aircraft. The PBM took off at 1419 and
FINCH got underway at 1444 to continue on to San Diego. The ship arrived in San
Diego on the 4th of March and in the following weeks, until 29 March, engaged in
underway training which included Anti-submarine Warfare exercises with USS Falgout
and USS Stickleback (SS 415), gunnery exercises, and a wide variety of onboard drills
which were conducted almost daily. The training period concluded on 29 March, and as
soon as the Underway Training Element personnel finished with their briefing on the
ship's training performance, and had debarked at 1125, the ship was underway for San
Francisco, California.
The preceding eight months had been consumed with training and ship
conversion, now USCGC FINCH (WDE 428) was in San Francisco and ready to assume
her duties, reporting to the Commander, 12th Coast Guard District on 30 March 1952.
On 1 April, during an underway period in the evening hours, the ship and crew refined
their training by engaging in plane ditching exercises which lasted until 2254 hours.
During the next three weeks, the ship would remain in port at the Coast Guard Base,
Government Island, Alameda, California. As the end of her in port period neared, the
ship moved on 21 April to refuel from the Naval Fuel Dock at Point Molate.
On the morning of 23 April 1952 the ship's direction finding equipment received
final calibration, then at 1301 hours FINCH passed under the Golden Gate Bridge
enroute to its first assignment, Ocean Station "UNCLE". The transit to station took until
the early morning hours of 27 April when the USCGC Bering Strait was sighted bearing
252 degrees True, distance 10 miles. The ships closed and at 0527 and 8 sacks of mail
were passed to Bering Strait. At 0747, FINCH relieved Bering Strait on Station
"UNCLE" (28-00N, 144-55W) located approximately midway between San Francisco
and Hawaii. That initial morning the condition of the sea was entered in the log as being
sea state 1, the sky was overcast, and the air temperature was 64 degrees, while the water
temperature registered 68 degrees. Station patrols were mainly solitary events, but on
occasion other vessels would be detected or sighted as occurring on 8 May at 1417 when
the Fred C. Anesworth (T-AF 181) was sighted, followed at 1947 when calls were
exchanged with the USS Sergeant Andrew Miller T.A.K. FINCH headed to Grid
Position PG on Station "UNCLE" during the early morning hours of 12 May to
rendezvous with a large Navy vessel in order to transfer Lewis H. Bryant, 258002, CS2
for medical treatment. The ships met in Grid Position OQ and the Navy ship was
identified as a CVE, the USS Sicily. At 0406 the ships commenced high line transfer of
the patient and the evolution was completed by 0510 hours. On Sunday, 18 May,
49
FINCH's relief, USCGC Minnetanka, arrived and brought with it 4 sacks of mail which
was delivered to FINCH via small boat. At 0833 the ship had been relieved of station
responsibilities and departed the area enroute to port. The first patrol was now completed
as the ship entered San Francisco Bay on 21 May, and at 1510 moored at Berth 3,
Government Island, Alameda, California.
From its time of arrival on 21 May, the ship remained in port at Alemeda
throughout the month of June until 7 July, getting underway for only a few days during
this period when drills were conducted, equipment calibrated or the ship refueled. On 7
July FINCH left San Francisco Bay, passing under the Golden Gate Bridge at 1607,
enroute to Midway Island. This transit was not to be uneventful. On 10 July, a casualty
was experienced to the #3 main engine as a cylinder liner cracked. The next day, the
11th, the engines were stopped at 1918 and the ship's #1 boat was lowered into the sea.
Coast Guard aircraft #2467, from Coast Guard Air Station, South San Francisco had
arrived, and on board the aircraft was a portable respirator for a polio patient that was
aboard FINCH. At 1932, the plane made its first drop by parachute and that was
recovered by the boat almost immediately. The second parachute drop was also quickly
recovered and the ship's boat, with the portable respirator, were brought on board at 1946.
At 1959 the entry is made in the ship's log book "After 17 hours and 30 minutes of
artificial resuscitation on patient respirator in operation, condition satisfactory." A
further entry is made at 2130 indicating "Ashenden, Frank A., 296300, SN(SK)
pronounced dead by medical officer, diagnosis cardiac arrest due to polio." FINCH
entered Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 13 July and moored at the Fuel Oil Pier,
U.S. Naval Station at 1554. A service was held for Seaman Ashenden at 1653, after
which his body was taken off the ship with a Coast Guard shipmate accompanying as
escort.
FINCH remained at Pearl Harbor overnight and then set sail at 1355, on 14 July.
The ship's destination was Ocean Station "VICTOR" which was reached on 21 July as
USCGC Forster was sighted at 0935. Relieving information was exchanged and at 1121,
at 30-50N, 169-45E, FINCH assumed Ocean Station "VICTOR" duties. The station time
passed without any significant incident and on 10 August, USCGC Falgout, the next
relief, arrived. When relieved, FINCH set sail for Japan, and on 14 August entered
Tokyo Bay, then moored at 1105 at Berth D-1, U.S. Naval Facility, Yokosuka, Japan in a
nest of ships that included USS Frybarger (DE 745), USS Diachenko, and USS League
Island.
FINCH remained in port in Yokosuka, Japan until 26 August when she sailed for
Ocean Station "SUGAR" and once again, following in the wake of USCGC Forster,
relieve her as the ship had done on "VICTOR" station. The ship took departure from
Ocean Station "SUGAR" at 1424 hours on 19 September and set out for Adak, Alaska via
Point "A" (50-47N, 179-07W). On board was a patient, Hosken Clive Romilly,
Apprentice Officer, British Merchant Service, who was received from the SS Eastern
City, and was being transported to the hospital at Adak. FINCH arrived in Adak on the
20th and moored at the Fuel Dock, Adak in late afternoon at 1758 and transferred the
patient. Underway the next morning at 1044 hours, the ship was enroute to Government
Island, Alameda, California. The ship entered San Francisco Bay on 29 September and
50
moored at 1212 hours.
FINCH shifted to San Francisco Naval Shipyard on the 6th of October for repairs
and overhaul and remained at the shipyard until 6 November when it returned to moor
again at Berth 3, Government Island, Alameda, California. The ship got underway on the
13th to run the degaussing range, calibrate direction finder equipment, refuel and then
proceed to the Naval Magazine at Port Chicago, California to reload ammunition. The
next day, ship and crew were back at Government Island.
It was mid afternoon on Sunday, the 16th of November, when the ship got
underway, exited San Francisco Bay, and set course for Ocean Station "QUEEN" which
was a little over six steaming days distant. FINCH reached station on 23 November and
relieved USCGC Wachusett (WPG 44) of Ocean Station "QUEEN" (43-00N, 167-00W)
duties at 0546. This patrol, which lasted until 14 December, would also be recorded as
being relatively quiet. Relief came on 14 December in the form of USCGC Winebago.
Entering San Francisco Bay on the 19th of December, the ship encountered fog which
lasted until Alcatraz Island was passed. The ship reached its berth at 1510 and moored
starboard to USCGC Escanaba (WPG 64) at Government Island, Alameda, California, to
remain over the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays.
1953
The year 1953 found FINCH moving to Madsen Electric Company Shipyard on
12 January where the ship remained until 4 February. Sea trials were conducted on the
4th and then the ship returned to its normal moorings at Government Island. The ship left
port for her first patrol of the new year on 11 February and proceeded to Ocean Station
"UNCLE" where she relieved her "nest mate" from December, USCGC Escanaba (WPG
64), on 15 February. FINCH was relieved in turn by USCGC Funster on 8 March and
returned to Government Island in mid afternoon on Wednesday, 11 March. On 18 March
the ship got underway at 0705 for Port Chicago, and then departed from there enroute to
San Diego, California to conduct underway training. The ship and crew arrived in San
Diego on 20 March and engaged in training through completion on 10 April. FINCH got
underway at 1150 hours on the 11th for the return transit to San Francisco. At 1655
hours, a distress signal was sighted. A small boat that was enroute from San Pedro to
Santa Catalina Island had run out of fuel. "ESSO" FINCH donated 8 gallons of
gasoline and oil mixture to the small boat and then returned to its transit to San Francisco
and arrived on 12 April.
FINCH next got underway on 8 May and, this time, proceeded to Weather
Station "NAN" (37-27N, 134-55W) and relieved USCGC Klamath on 10 May. Three
uneventful weeks passed until USCGC Winona arrived on 31 May ready to relieve and
assume weather station duties. The ship returned to Government Island, Alameda on 2
June. June was spent undergoing routine overhaul. The ship shifted to Moore Dry-dock
Company on the morning of 9 June, then on 10 June off-loaded ammunition at the Naval
Ammunition Depot, Mare Island. At the end of the month, when the overhaul period was
over, the ship sailed to Port Chicago and on the 30th retrieved its ammunition from
storage. Now it was FINCH's turn to rotate to the more distant stations. The ship left
51
San Francisco Bay on 3 July and headed for Midway Island. The transit westward was
made in eight days with the ship arriving at Midway Island at 0831 on 11 July. The next
day, the 12th of July, FINCH was dispatched to an area in the vicinity of 19-49N
Latitude and 172-25E Longitude on a Search and Rescue mission for a missing aircraft.
It was in the search area, on 14 July, that debris was sighted at 1018 hours. A boat was
lowered and the debris, from aircraft TAL-806, was recovered and transferred to USNS
Tomahawk (TAO 88). The position of the debris was recorded as 19-55N, 171-52E, and
the Search and Rescue mission was later terminated at 1400 hours. FINCH then returned
to Midway Island, arriving on 16 July.
August 1953 found FINCH underway for almost every day of the month. The
ship left Midway Island on the 1st, relieved USCGC Klamath on Ocean Station
"VICTOR" on 5 August, and did not return to port again until it entered Apra Harbor,
Guam, on the 30th of August. On the following two successive Fridays, the 4th and 11th
of September, FINCH conducted Search and Rescue exercises, with the second one
being conducted under the watchful eyes of observers riding the ship. The ship took
departure from Guam on 20 September and then headed for Yokosuka, Japan. Upon
arrival on 24 September, the ship was met with fog but, as it lifted, clearance was gained
to enter port and at 1135 FINCH was moored starboard side to HMCS Calgoa (F 408) at
Buoy Dog One, maintaining Typhoon Condition Two. The next morning, 25 September,
a shift was made to Berth 12, Piedmont Pier, Yokosuka. However, as Typhoon
Condition One was signaled on 26 September, the ship got underway at 1012 to moor at
Buoy Dog Two sharing it with HMCS Iroquois (DD 217).
Departing Yokosuka on the 1st of October, FINCH sailed to relieve USCGC
Klamath (WAG 66) of Ocean Station "SUGAR" duties on 5 October. The next reliever,
USCGC Richey (WDE 485), appeared on 26 October. FINCH arrived at Adak, Alaska
on 29 October and proceeded to moor at Pier 7, Sweeper Cove to refuel, then changed
berths, remaining in Adak through 15 November. At 1432 hours, on 16 November,
FINCH got underway to render assistance to SS Margo in position 42-15N, 152-09W.
Force 8 winds of 34 to 40 knots (Fresh Gale) were causing heavy seas as FINCH set sail
to the indicated position. At 1911 on 20 November, USCGC Koiner (WDE 431) was
sighted, and then 40 minutes later the ship approached SS Margo and Tug Agnes Foss.
The winds on scene continued to vary between Force 4 and 8. FINCH relieved Koiner at
2000 hours in position 47-35N, 145-25W, and commenced providing escort for the two
vessels. SS Margo had lost her propeller in Latitude 45-01N and Longitude 150-00W
while enroute from Japan to the Columbia River in North America. FINCH was relieved
during the next evening at 2200 by the USCGC Yocona in position 48-06N, 144-33W,
and then set a course for San Francisco. The ship arrived in port on 25 November 1953
and moored in Berth 3, Government Island, Alameda, California. That date also marked
the end of Ocean Station assignments and extended voyages for FINCH as a Coast
Guard vessel. The ship would spend the remaining days of the year 1953 in port, with
inactivation to follow.
1954
52
With her mission completed once again, FINCH entered Mare Island Naval
Shipyard on 7 January 1954 to commence inactivation work, the second time in a decade.
Whereas the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Bainbridge B. Leland, had
boarded FINCH on the day of commissioning and would remain to the last day, the
remainder of the ship's crew, and wardroom, saw the arrival and transfer of a total of over
374 Coast Guard officers and crew members that served aboard FINCH during its 32
month period of service in the U.S. Coast Guard. The last of her crew debarked and, with
Lieutenant Commander Leland reading the orders, she was decommissioned at 0906
hours on 23 April 1954. FINCH was returned to the U.S. Navy, wherein she was
assigned to the Mare Island Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet
.
The final ship's log for USCGC FINCH (WDE 428) was submitted on 23 April
1954, the date of decommissioning and return to the U.S. Navy. The log details the
decommissioning and lists the names of crew departing on that date. Following the last
entry, the ship's Executive Officer, Lieutenant C. H. Jurgens, USCG, appended this final
comment: "Thus ends the Coast Guard Career of one destroyer escort. We turned her
back much better than we got her."
53
USCGC FINCH WDE-428
PORT VISITS
(1951 - 1954)
_____________________________________________________________
Green Cove Springs, Florida
(Commissioned)
Norfolk, Virginia
Portland, Maine
Boston, Massachusetts
New York, New York
Curtis Bay, Maryland
Coco Solo, Canal Zone, Panama
Panama, Canal
Acapulco, Mexico
San Diego, California
Alameda, California
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Yokosuka, Japan
Adak, Alaska
San Francisco, California
Midway Island
Guam, Mariana Islands
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
(Decommissioned)
54
NAME
Boyce, George R. Jr.
Leland, Bainbridge B.
Hoegsberg, Allan
Hacker, Jackson B.
Poulda, Charles L.
Sinnes, Alfred E.
Wallace, Sidney A.
Fletcher, Robert E.
Weringer, Joseph F.
Trickey, Eligha
Holley, Raymond E.
RANK
CDR
LCDR
LT
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
ENS
ENS
CMACH
CPCLK
ARRIVAL
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
Brooks, Lewis F.
Howard, Edward James
Shanley, John J. Jr.
Allen, Edwin M.
Walsh, Edward S.
Bennett, William H.
Egerton, Myron E.
Bryant, Lewis H.
Stell, Hayward D.
Brooks, Luin D.
Hubbard, Herman L.
Kelm, Edward E.
Prescott, Ben R.
Frank, Russell W.
Schons, Nicholas A.
Sweeney, Joseph P.
Lindsay, Dwight E.
Schmer, Clarence J.
Casker, William A.
Meigs, Arthur C.
D'Agosta, Frank D.
Gill, Richard A.
Brehm, John Fred
Graham, Herbert M.
Killmeyer, Albert E.
Randolph, Melvin A. Jr.
Brackin, James C.
Lopez, Alfredo R.
Lunetta, Neil G.
Mallet, Joseph A.
Karlson, William (n)
Lauve, Curley A.
Rockweiler, John S.
Taddei, Francis J.
Walker, Lewis H.
Peterson, Baby (n)
Bradley, Daniel P. Jr.
Scheffer, Perry S.
Daley, James Henry
Orr, Jackie E.
Webb, Donald L.
Robinson, Paul L.
Clemmons, Edward L.
Collins, Walter, W.
BM1
BM1
BM1
BM2
BM3
BMC
BT1
CS1
CS1
CS2
CSC
CSC
DC1
DC2
DC2
EM1
EM2
EM2
EM3
EM3
EN1
EN1
EN2
EN2
EN2
EN2
EN3
EN3
EN3
EN3
ENC
ENC
ENC
ENC
ENC
ET1
ET2
ET3
FA
FA
FA
FC1
FN
FN
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
TRANSFER
31 Jan 52
23 Apr 54
xxxxx
55
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
23 Apr 54
20 Jan 54
18 Jun 53
20 Jan 54
20 Jan 54
30 Jan 53
15 Dec 53
19 Jan 53
30 Jan 53
1 Jun 52
30 Jan 53
Decom54
30 Jan 53
NAME
Dodge, Donald C.
Flynn, John J.
Halstead, Marvin R.
Howard, Merrill J.
Kirschbaum, Wayne L.
Lloyd, Jack L.
Manuel, Robert B.
Soappman, Clyde O.
Weaver, James E.
Dixon, James V.
Hutchins, Harry W.
Woolard, Leon (n)
Griffin, Robert F.
Leonard, Walter W.
Proffer, Edmond J.
Thibault, James R.
Gill, James B.
Gallop, Hodges S. Jr.
Christie, Joseph D.
Johnson, Clinton T.
Stevens, Stanley M.
Holtsman, William E. Jr.
Young, Edwin F.
Kakalia, John D.
Smith, Robert E.
McWilliams, James W. Jr.
Anderson, Clifford F.
Brophy, Harry F.
Cantwell, Kenneth N.
Crittenden, Robert L.
Franzen, Richard (n)
Fromberg, Samuel C.
Giberson, Reuben B.
Levesque, Herbert (n)
Mann, Kristofer P.
Pitkoff, Harris (n)
Schiegat, Allen F.
Springer, Jack R.
Poole, John (n)
Baker, Francis E.
Cownie, David C.
Berman, Albert H.
Baer, George A. Jr.
Beck, Charles A. Jr.
Bogert, Edwin L.
Bosworth, Herbert W.
Burris, Roy Felton
Danes, Robert (n)
Griffin, Johnnie F. Jr.
Klema, Harry W.
McCreary, Jack D.
Mellema, Henry (n)
Michael, Donald L.
Phelps, Victor Bell
Redmond, Joseph E.
Cotter, Eugene T.
RANK
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
GM1
GM3
GM3
GMC
HMC
QM1
QM3
QMC
RD1
RD2
RD3
RD3
RM1
RM1
RM2
RM2
RMC
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SD2
SK1
SK2
SK3
SN
SN
SN
BM3
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SO3
ARRIVAL
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
56
TRANSFER
18 Jun 53
18 Jun 53
23 Apr 54
1 Jun 52
20 Jan 54
1 Jun 52
1 Jun 52
20 Jan 54
30 Jan 53
18 Jun 53
00 Jan 53
NAME
Masters, Leslie V.
Lewis, Joseph W. K.
Moromisato, Archie S.
Taba, Clarence I.
Kramer, Richard L.
Gannon, Thomas A.
Woodling, Robert L.
RANK
SO3
TA
TA
TA
TN
YN1
YN2
ARRIVAL
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
24 Aug 51
57
TRANSFER
18 Jun 53
24 Apr 54
00 Sep 52
USS FINCH DER 328
58
USS FINCH
(DER 328)
________________________________________________________________________
FINCH was to sail again, and in its third life undertake yet a third mission. This
final revival was destined to be her longest, and as implied, her last. Remaining inactive
for only 17 months, the conversion of the FINCH from Coast Guard Cutter to a Radar
Picket Escort Vessel (DER) began at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 1 October 1955.
The ship's Combat Information Center (CIC) was enlarged and relocation of the crew's
messing spaces were among some of the major modifications made to the ship. She was
fitted out with the most modern radar and communications equipment and the
superstructure was changed, no longer retaining her original Destroyer Escort profile.
Lieutenant Commander James K. Athow of Tacoma, Washington assumed command
when the ship was re-commissioned as USS FINCH (DER 328) on 17 August 1956.
Upon completion of conversion, the FINCH underwent extensive shakedown training at
San Diego, California and then proceeded to her new home port, Seattle, Washington,
arriving on 17 December 1956. The ship became a member of Escort Squadron FIVE,
where, with other Radar Picket Vessels, FINCH was a part of the Western Continental
Air Defense System, whose mission was to detect and report aircraft movements over the
water areas adjacent to the western coast of North America. The ship was also assigned
an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) mission.
In the year to follow, FINCH would perform its assigned tasks rotating between
its home port and one of several numbered Picket Stations at sea. Although a naval
vessel, once the ship arrived on Picket Station, she would fall under the operational
control of the U.S. Air Force, and once again revert to Navy control upon departure from
picket duties. On 3 January 1958, Lieutenant Commander John A. D'Zamba reported on
board and relieved as Commanding Officer. In the next month, on 10 February, the ship
got underway for, and arrived at, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington
where it was to remain for a month to receive the installation of new a Air Search Radar.
Additional Picket Station assignments continued and, in July and August, FINCH was
awarded the Anti-Submarine "E" and Engineering "E" Awards in recognition of her
exercise Excellence ("E") in these areas of squadron competition for the year. Although
Pier 91, Seattle, Washington had become a familiar berth for the ship in recent times, a
change was soon to occur. FINCH departed Seattle on 2 September 1958 enroute to
Picket Station THREE. This latest assignment was brief, as on 10 September the ship
was relieved on station and set course for her newly assigned home port, Pearl Harbor,
Territory of Hawaii.
FINCH arrived at her new home port on 16 September 1958 and soon departed
for 24 days of duty on Barrier Patrol. With only one patrol completed, she entered Pearl
Harbor Naval Shipyard on 20 November commencing a regular scheduled shipyard
overhaul period which included entering Dry-dock #1 on 2 December and departing the
dry-dock shortly before Christmas on 22 December. Once out of the shipyard, the new
year, 1959, witnessed the resumption of duties on the Pacific Barrier and relief of the
59
Commanding Officer by Lieutenant Commander Edwin J. Burke on 20 September 1959.
Christmas of this year was to be spent at sea. The ship's routine was to change following
return to port from picket duties on 14 February 1960. Instead of picket assignments, the
next three months were devoted to type training, upkeep, and rare recreational visits to
Hilo on the main Island of Hawaii, and to Wailuku, on the island of Maui. These visits
were identified as being for R&R (Rest and Recreation) and furtherance of the People-toPeople Program.
FINCH departed Pearl Harbor on 16 May 1960 now bound for San Francisco,
California which was designated her new home port, arriving 22 May. The remainder of
1960 found itself being similar to the preceding year with the ship resuming picket duties
and once again spending Christmas at sea. The period 29 June 1960 to 20 July 1960 will,
however, long be remembered by Lieutenant Henry C. Morris, Jr., FINCH's Executive
Officer, who temporarily was required to assume command of the ship during this
interval due to the hospitalization of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander
Burke, who resumed command upon FINCH's return on 20 July from their first West
Coast picket since 1958.
1961
The year began with what could be called routine operations, alternating between
the southern stations of the Barrier and home port, interspersed with brief local underway
periods for type training. The routine was modified slightly on 11 April when, in lieu of
returning to her normal berth at Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, FINCH
departed Picket Station NINE and proceeded to Port Angeles, Washington for a brief port
visit. She also made another port visit to Vancouver, British Columbia, departing that
port on 17 April. One more picket assignment followed. On 23 May, FINCH off loaded
ammunition. This was necessary prior to the ship entering Bethlehem Steel Shipyard,
San Francisco, California, and then entering dry-dock on 1 June during her regular
overhaul period. She left dry-dock on 28 June and while still in the middle of overhaul,
on 15 July, Lieutenant Commander Edward P. Stilwell (left in photo on next page)
relieved Lieutenant Commander Burke (on right) as Commanding Officer. August 18th
marked FINCH's completion of final sea trials signifying the end of her overhaul period.
Now there were brief underway sessions to shake out some of the minor bugs that usually
followed an overhaul, reloading ammunition, the conduct of OOD (Officer of the Deck)
training, exercising at drills, and familiarization with newly installed equipment. All had
been proceeding well until the morning of 13 September when the Commanding Officer,
Lieutenant Commander Stilwell was taken ill and it appeared he might be hospitalized.
With the ship scheduled to sail on 21 September for Underway Training at San Diego, it
appeared that the new Executive Officer, who had relieved Lieutenant Morris on 17
August, might similarly be required to assume temporary command. Lieutenant
Commander Stilwell's strong insistence at not being hospitalized precluded two weeks of
hospitalization, but he was required to remain at home on strict bed rest. The ship
completed preparations without any problems, and Lieutenant Commander Stilwell,
although still recovering from his illness, felt well enough to rejoin for FINCH's
departure for San Diego. With Refresher Training (RefTra), schooling and daily
underway exercises completed, the ship returned to San Francisco and was once again
60
ready to resume picket duties and responsibilities.
FINCH had already made three patrols to stations on the Western Contiguous
Radar Barrier by the time that 1 February 1962 had rolled around. That morning the ship
got underway enroute to Picket Station TWENTY-SEVEN. For the next four days it
appeared that this would be logged as another routine, and quiet, picket. The seas were
relatively quiet and all was proceeding well until the evening meal when the seas began
to grow, and the barometer was falling. Lieutenant (junior grade) Dean Lommen had just
relieved as Officer of the Deck on the mid-watch and the ship was experiencing heavy
seas that had been generated by a major storm south of Alaska. In the short space of
about six hours the seas had grown to become violent as the result of two wave systems,
composed of mountainous ground swells and wind driven waves. These caused the ship
to pitch and roll heavily, with occasional sudden snapping motions whenever a huge out
of cycle wave hit the ship upsetting her normal movements. Then, shortly after midnight, it was during one of these sudden snaps in the ship's roll that Lieutenant (junior
grade) Lommen was thrown across the open bridge and into the bridge blast shield
breaking the bone in his leg above his knee. The Commanding Officer assumed control
of the ship and searched for a course with less violent rolling motion while Chief
Hospitalman Stanley A. Norell and the Executive Officer tended to the OOD,
immobilized his leg and got him into a Stokes stretcher between rolls of the ship.
Lieutenant (junior grade) Lommen was finally moved, an inch at a time, to the Captain's
sea cabin and "packed" in the Captain's transom bed to keep him from being thrown out.
Removing the OOD from the bridge required approximately an hour and a half, as it was
soon learned by observing the ship's clinometer, FINCH was taking rolls frequently
measuring up to 67 degrees (from the vertical), and with very few registering less than 45
degrees. When daylight finally began to break about 0320 hours, it was discovered that
the two wave systems had the ship locked to a course which restricted the ship's rolling
motion to no less than the 45 degrees being experienced with the smallest rolls. It wasn't
until mid-morning that the seas began to show signs of abating and a reversal of course
was attempted in order to return to San Francisco and off-load Lieutenant (junior grade)
Lommen for hospitalization. The ship returned to Picket Station only briefly and then
returned to home port on 16 February. This non-routine picket was being interrupted
because FINCH had been selected for a special assignment.
FINCH received orders to take on provisions, stabilize the crew and prepare to
deploy to Pearl Harbor for an assignment with Joint Task Force EIGHT. On 26 February
1962, the ship sailed from San Francisco enroute to Pearl Harbor, arriving there on 5
March. The next four weeks were consumed with a brief local underway period,
briefings, and preparations for the ship's new assignment as a Picket Vessel in
"OPERATION DOMINIC" which involved the testing of Nuclear Weapons. On 3 April
FINCH departed Pearl Harbor bound for Christmas Island, approximately 1200 miles
South of Hawaii, where the Commanding Officer received an additional briefing and then
the ship assumed station on 9 April. Testing had not yet started when on 17 April
FINCH was ordered to proceed to Fanning Island, a coral atoll about 165 miles West of
Christmas Island, to evacuate a civilian and return him to Christmas Island. Since
detailed navigation charts for Fanning Island were not on hand, the ship had to rely on
61
radio instructions from Pearl Harbor in order to safely approach the atoll, locate the
entrance and effect the safe pick-up of the civilian. Returning to station, on 19 April,
duties were resumed to intercept shipping and aircraft approaching Christmas Island.
On 25 April all hands were buttoned up on the ship's interior as FINCH
maneuvered to safely position itself for witnessing the first Nuclear detonation of the
"OPERATION DOMINIC" Nuclear test series. On 29 April Lieutenant Commander
Stilwell transferred by high-line to the USS Forster (DER 334) to brief her Commanding
Officer prior to FINCH's departure from station and return to Pearl Harbor arriving on 2
May. For the two weeks that the ship remained at Pearl Harbor, the time was spent on
brief daily underway periods to conduct type training exercises, while in-port time was
devoted to replenishment, rest and recreation. Underway once again on 17 May, the ship
headed for her assigned test station. On station on 20 May, duties were resumed and in
the following week another Nuclear detonation test was conducted. No sooner than the
all clear was announced, the ship left station and set sail for Christmas Island arriving on
the 28th, remaining at anchorage overnight. The next day, the 29th, FINCH set sail in
company with USS Newell (DER 322) on a course due South. Shortly thereafter, the
ship's entered the Domain of Neptunus Rex, receiving a visit from Davey Jones who
issued summonses to the vast majority of the crew. Having duly crossed the equator on
30 May and with the ships having been cleansed of "Polly-Wogs" both ships continued
their journey south to conduct a visual inspection of Jarvis Island, which was situated in
close proximity to the test area, and insure that it still remained uninhabited.
On 31 May FINCH got underway from Christmas Island to rendezvous with USS
Chipola (AO 63) to top off on fuel, then returned to Christmas Island in order to take on
two 1000 pound generators. Once the equipment was loaded, the ship sailed for Papeete,
Tahiti which lay approximately 1260 miles south by southeast from Christmas Island.
The crew experienced an unexpected, and rare visitation opportunity on 4 June while the
ship remained in port and took on a cargo of 30 barrels of gasoline, special monitoring
equipment and 4 passengers. On 6 June FINCH set out from Tahiti with the destination
being Taiohae Bay located at the island of Nuka Hiva, Marquesas Islands, about a two
day sail to the northeast of Tahiti. FINCH's mission was to assist in setting up a
radiation monitoring station on the island using the equipment that had been previously
loaded on board. There were no piers or other berthing facilities in Taiohae Bay, nor did
the primitive environment of the island allow setting up the monitoring station without
the use of the two 1000 pound generators that had been transported on board ship. A
problem existed in how to get the generators ashore from the ship's anchorage position.
Invention became the mother of necessity as FINCH's crew constructed a raft using
gasoline drums,
62
63
shoring and some wood planks. It was tested by the combined weight of twelve of the
crew and upon proving its ability to support the weight, the generators were loaded onto
the raft and it was all towed ashore by the ship's boat. In the space of one day, the crew
had constructed the raft, landed the equipment and supplies, hauled the generators a half
mile up a hill to the monitoring site at the local hospital building and set up the station.
In the same space of time the crew also made repairs to four generators whose combined
output was of considerably less generating capacity and served as the island's only source
of electricity. With the task completed, FINCH returned to Papeete, Tahiti and was
welcomed with the news that normal ship visit quotas were being waived, and the ship
could remain for two days of rest and recreation, which allowed the opportunity to hold a
ship's party. The ship returned to Christmas Island on 17 June in time to witness another
Nuclear detonation and then departed for Pearl Harbor. The ship arrived at Pearl Harbor
on 21 June and on the same day received a message from Commander Joint Task Group
EIGHT POINT THREE commending FINCH on her outstanding performance of duty on
the special independent mission to Tahiti and Nuka Hiva in support of Joint Task Force
EIGHT. A message of congratulations was also received from the Commander-in-Chief,
U. S. Pacific Fleet. The ship returned to the Christmas Island test area on 4 July, only to
depart on 6 July to assume station in the Johnston Island test area. The final high altitude
detonation took place in the evening hours of 8 July and lit up the sky as far away as
Hawaii (750 miles) making the night sky appear as if it were daylight. With the tests
over, the ship departed the Johnston Island test area and returned to Pearl Harbor on 13
July where Lieutenant Commander Stilwell was summoned to the Squadron
Commander's office. There he was informed that FINCH had won the Battle Efficiency
"E" as the top DER (out of 12) in the Squadron. On this high note, and following a brief
stay to refuel and replenish, FINCH departed Pearl Harbor enroute to its home port of
San
Francisco,
concluding a five month
deployment on 27 July
1962 with its return
home. The crew now
relaxed and turned their
thoughts to home, which
could very well have
been the topic of
conversation at this early
morning coffee and "flag
bag scuttlebutt" break
pictured at right.
The remainder of
1962 would see more
routine assignments on the Western Contiguous Radar Barrier. Another highlight did
occur on 6 October when the ship was formally presented with the Battle Efficiency "E"
Award for Fiscal Year 1961- 1962.
The year 1963 began on Barrier station and the Commanding Officer had received
64
a promotion to the rank of Commander. On 22 March he was relieved by Lieutenant
Commander Leslie A. Taylor, Jr. while FINCH was in port in San Francisco. The new
Commanding Officer would experience six Barrier assignments, interspersed with a few
side visits to San Diego, before the ship entered San Francisco Naval Shipyard for regular
overhaul on 22 November 1963.
FINCH completed her shipyard overhaul period on 26 February 1964 and
departed for San Diego where she continued her maintenance period with a Tender
Availability (TAV) and Restricted Availability (RAV) until 12 March. From 13 March
until 1 May, the ship underwent Refresher Training (REFTRA) and then departed San
Diego to resume Barrier operations. As in 1963, FINCH was to experience six Barrier
assignments, returning to San Francisco during off-station periods with a couple of
additional brief visits to San Diego for maintenance periods alongside a Destroyer
Tender. During the summer Lieutenant Commander George I. Thompson became
FINCH's new Commanding Officer on 20 July 1964 at ceremonies conducted in the
ship's home port of San Francisco. Unlike the preceding year, the ship was to spend the
Christmas holiday season at sea on station.
1965
Having spent the past two years on Barrier assignments, FINCH was to see a
dramatic change to her routine. The year began on station, then returning to San
Francisco on 7 January. Three more station assignments would follow before FINCH
would break routine and sail in a different direction. The ship had returned to home port
on 28 April 1965 and would remain in port until 3 June, making preparations and
provisioning to sail on 3 June, in accordance with orders, and proceed to Pearl Harbor.
As part of the preparations and prior to sailing, the ship had undergone a period of about
ten days in dry-dock at San Francisco. The ship arrived at Pearl Harbor on 9 June and
remained there, conducting type training exercises, until 19 June where upon she once
more set sail, with the destination being the island of Guam. At sea, enroute on the 23rd
of June, FINCH's home port was officially changed to Guam and she was assigned as a
unit of Escort Squadron SEVEN. No sooner than arriving at Guam on 29 June, then the
ship was underway again on 5 July and enroute to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands.
FINCH was now sailing familiar waters, and as she had been in 1945, she was involved
in a war and was sailing to face an enemy. She was to become a part of Task Force 115,
being assigned to the operational control of CTF 115, the Coastal Surveillance Force
Commander, responsible for the conduct of Market Time Operations off the coast of
Vietnam. With its home port in Guam, Mariana Islands, FINCH's underway
responsibility as an active unit of Task Force 115 was the denial to aggressor units of
access to the South Vietnamese waters and coastline for logistic support of Communist
guerrilla forces. The first Market Time patrol commenced on 10 July and they were to
continue for the remainder of 1965, with off station visits to Hong Kong, FINCH's port
of departure for home as DE 328 in 1946, and Manila, Philippine Islands. One off station
break did result in a return to its home port, Guam, during 9 September - 22 November,
and included a two week period in dry-dock once more for maintenance.
65
1966
The commencement of 1966 saw FINCH operating as a unit of the U.S.
SEVENTH Fleet, actively engaged in Market Time Operations (Area 3), her patrol and
surveillance duties being highlighted by the firing, on 15 January, of 134 rounds of 3"/50
ammunition at a Viet Cong infested village two hundred and sixty miles northeast of
Saigon. Continuing patrol operations after six days in Hong Kong late in January,
FINCH's next major unscheduled event was the successful daylight recovery of Fireman
Apprentice Earl D. BLANTON who, on 23 February, during a morning underway
replenishment with USS Kennebec (AO 36), was swept over the side by unusually high
seas.
March saw FINCH in Kaoshiung, Taiwan alongside the USS Dixie (AD 14) for
the first twelve days of the month for tender availability, with the ship returning to
Market Time Area 1 on 15 March. She remained in various northern patrol areas until
departure for Bangkok, Thailand on 21 April 1966. FINCH returned to Market Time
Area 6 on 1 May, remaining on station until 13 May whereupon the ship departed for an
Operational Readiness Evaluation in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, on 16 May.
This in turn was followed by a ten day visit to Kaohsiung, Taiwan prior to returning to
her home port of Guam, arriving on 2 June. During this five month period of operations
with the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet
FINCH
conducted
thirty-four
underway
replenishments
and
detected 6,843 surface contacts
transiting the Market Time area.
Shipyard
availability
occupied the ship from early June
until final inspections by the Staffs
of Commander Destroyer Flotilla
FIVE and Commander Escort
Squadron SEVEN in September.
Within this period, on 7 July,
Lieutenant Commander Myron A. Skubinna relieved as Commanding Officer. In the
midst of the ship's final inspections 6 -10 September, it was confirmed by Commander
Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet that FINCH was named the recipient of the
Battle Efficiency "E" for the period 1 October 1965 to 30 June 1966. FINCH departed
Guam on 1 October 1966 for another tour of duty with the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet,
commencing Market Time Operations on 9 October. During October, she was assigned
the southern sector of Area 6 in the nine patrol
areas established along the Vietnamese coast.
Patrolling a fixed-line barrier FINCH steamed
independently, identifying all contacts which
entered her area of responsibility. Summary
contact reports and/or sighting reports were filed
furnishing operational commanders with the
66
name, call sign, ship's registry, port of embarkation, and ultimate destination as well as
position and time of sighting.
On 12 November 1966, FINCH was relieved by USS Hissem (DER 400) and
proceeded to Kaohsiung, Taiwan for an availability period alongside USS Hector (AR 7),
departing Kaohsiung on 20 November and returning to Market Time Area 6 for
resumption of patrol on 24 November. FINCH was assigned the northern sector of
Patrol Area 6 and commenced working in concert with PCFs (swift boats) conducting
coordinated operations. In her relatively new capacity as mother ship for PCFs and their
crews, FINCH directed swift boat investigations of contacts entering the control area
during the late evening through early morning hours. When not pursuing coordinated
operations, FINCH again steamed an assigned fixed-line barrier.
On 6 December FINCH departed Market Time Area 6 (North), having been
relieved by the USS Newell (DER 322), and proceeded to Subic Bay, Republic of the
Philippines for repairs and upkeep, and then returning to Market Time Operations on 22
December. Assigned again to the southern section of Area 6, FINCH relieved the USS
Brister (DER 327) and resumed patrol of the surveillance area until after the
commencement of the New Year.
During the calendar year 1966, FINCH steamed 54,452 miles, consumed 740,742
gallons of diesel fuel, and, conducted 57 underway replenishments.
1967
FINCH remained on station until 17 January in Market Time Area 6. Aside
from the routine inspections of coastal junks and sampans made by the ship's boarding
parties, the patrol was relatively uneventful. The calm was disrupted, however, on the
night of 11 January when Boatswain's Mate 1/c George Thompson fell overboard during
a refueling operation with USS Neches (AO 47). After an emergency breakaway,
Thompson was safely recovered. Upon relief by USS Vance (DER 387), FINCH
departed station and sailed to Hong Kong, arriving on 20 January and remaining for five
days of rest and recreation. The ship departed Hong Kong for its home port with a brief
diversion to Kaohsiung, Taiwan to refuel, then was greeted by family and friends upon
her arrival in Apra Harbor, Guam on 30 January. The next day FINCH hosted her family
members to a day at sea with a dependents' cruise. Following this she commenced an
eight week restricted availability period at
the U.S Naval Ship Repair Facility,
Guam. From 3 February to 1 March
FINCH completed her interim drydocking in USS Arco (ARD 29) and on 15
March received a visit from Vice Admiral
J. J. Hyland, USN, Commander U.S.
SEVENTH Fleet. With completion of the
availability period on 29 March, the ship
received surprise administrative and pre67
deployment inspections and then was engaged in local operations and exercises until 24
April when it departed for Yokosuka, Japan for a period of Refresher Training. Having
completed her training and passed her Operational Readiness Evaluation, FINCH
returned to Guam on 29 May 1967. Local independent ship exercises and AntiSubmarine Warfare (ASW) exercises with units of Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN
occupied the crew's time. There were, however, occasional periods of diversion with the
opportunity to show off the ship, as on 18 June FINCH launched
COMNAVMARIANAS' (Commander Naval Forces, Marianas) Visit Ship Program by
hosting 1066 open house guests.
A change of venue was to occur, as FINCH commenced her Western Pacific
deployment on 8 July 1967 and proceeded to Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. On
13 July the ship departed for Kaohsiung, Taiwan for duties with the Taiwan Patrol Group.
The Commanding Officer, USS FINCH (DER 328) relieved Commanding Officer, USS
Savage (DER 386) as Commander Taiwan Patrol Group, CTG 72.1, as FINCH took
station in the Taiwan Straits. Until 10 August, the ship remained on Taiwan Patrol
monitoring ship movements and collecting intelligence data in the Straits. When not on
patrol, the ship made port visits to Kaohsiung and Keelung.
On 10 August, FINCH proceeded to Hong Kong, British Crown Colony, to
relieve USS Wilhoite (DER 397) on 11 August and provide administrative support as
SOPA ADMIN (Senior Officer Present Afloat Administrative) Hong Kong. While acting
in this capacity until 2 September, the ship was required to coordinate three typhoon
evasion sorties by U.S. Naval ships in port.
After US Camp (DER 251) assumed SOPA ADMIN on 2 September, FINCH got
underway for Sasebo, Japan. From 5 September to 14 September the ship underwent a
tender availability period (TAV) alongside USS Klondike (AR 22). The crew had an
opportunity for some relaxation during this period in the form of a ship's party.
FINCH departed Sasebo on 14 September for Market Time Operations in Area 2
and arrived to relieve USS Newell (DER 322) on 19 September. After a routine Market
Time patrol, USS Lowe (DER 325) relieved FINCH on 10 October. The ship then
proceeded to Hualien, Taiwan for a People-to-People port visit and from 13 to 16
October held open house for 2693 Hualien citizens. In furtherance of the People-toPeople Program, FINCH held a special on board reception for members of the Ami
Cultural Village, and engaged in a softball game with a local team.
On 17 October, FINCH sortied from Hualien on storm evasion in the face of
Typhoon Carla. Although the ship experienced heavy seas and high winds, she sustained
only minor damage to topside equipment. While on storm evasion, FINCH participated
in a Search and Rescue mission by escorting two crippled Taiwanese fishing vessels to
the safe lee shore of Taiwan. The ship then proceeded to Kaohsiung to take up the duties
of Taiwan Patrol on 20 October.
The deployment's second Taiwan Patrol passed smoothly and was completed on
68
13 November. On 16 November, the ship once again sailed for Vietnamese waters,
relieving USS Camp (DER 251) in Market Time Area 3 on 19 November. About half
way through this patrol, on 28 November, FINCH participated in a Naval Gunfire
Support Mission in a position north of Qui Nhon, Republic of Vietnam by firing 105
rounds of 3"/50 caliber fire on a suspected Viet Cong troop concentration area. Relieved
of duties on 10 December, the ship spent 12-16 December in the port of Hong Kong for
crew rest and recreation, then returning to Market Time Patrol on 19 December, this time
in Area 1.
FINCH spent Christmas 1967 at sea on Market Time patrol and had been
deployed from home port and families since 8 July. On 26 December, relief came in the
form of USS Hissem (DER 400), and the ship departed Vietnamese waters and, with her
deployment nearing an end, began her long journey home. After a brief stop at Subic
Bay, 28-30 December, FINCH navigated through the San Bernadino Straits and pointed
her bow for Apra Harbor, Guam and a well deserved rest concluding a deployment that
would number five days short of six months. The year 1967 was at an end and could also
have been measured by the total of 189 days that the ship had spent at sea underway, or
the 684,710 gallons of diesel fuel consumed while underway.
1968
New Year's day 1968 found FINCH still enroute home from deployment and
upon reaching Guam on 3 January safely reunited her crew once again with families and
loved ones, just as she had done so many times before.
The ship plunged into her annual restricted availability at the U.S. Naval Ship
Repair Facility, Guam on 13 January. While the focus of activities was material
improvement of the ship, time was found for varied outside activities. On 18 January
FINCH welcomed the Republic of China Ship Ta Tung (ATF 54) to Guam. While
wardrooms exchanged greetings, the crews played softball. Softball figured prominently
in organized leisure activities, followed closely by bowling. Lieutenant R. C. Newton,
USN, the ship's Engineering Officer, clinched the COMNAVMARIANAS (Commander
Naval Forces, Marianas) Lightweight Boxing Crown on 17 February. In subsequent
weeks he went on to compete in other matches and take the All-Navy Runner-Up spot in
his class.
FINCH completed her restricted availability with sea trials on 9 March and for
the next month she concentrated on training and readiness, getting underway for local
operations. During this period, she provided submarine target vessel services and
received valuable Anti-Submarine Warfare training in return from units of Submarine
Squadron FIFTEEN. Easter Sunday, 14 April, FINCH greeted her new prospective
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Robert L. Grimmell. The following day,
she departed for Yokosuka, Japan and annual refresher training with Fleet Training
Group, Western Pacific.
The first day of training, 22 April, saw a lot of action. At 1000 hours, under gray
69
but dry skies, Commander Skubinna turned over command of FINCH to Lieutenant
Commander Robert L. Grimmell. The fantail ceremony was held as the ship lay moored
at Berth 9, U.S. Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan. Vice Admiral W. F. Bringle, USN,
Commander of the SEVENTH Fleet was in attendance at the ceremony. Within three
hours of assuming command, Lieutenant Commander Grimmell had the ship underway
for the Training Battle Problem, inaugurating an intensive period of training which was to
last for the next three weeks. FINCH completed her training period, and after a brief
period of upkeep in Yokosuka, set sail for home port on 16 May.
The tempo of ship life shifted upon return to Guam on 20 May. During the first
week back, the ship was once again subjected to Administrative and Pre-deployment
inspections. During 27-29 May, FINCH got underway to conduct independent drills and
calibration exercises, then commenced an upkeep period which lasted until 16 June.
At 0800 hours, on 17 June 1968, FINCH stood out of Apra Harbor, Guam
enroute to Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines on the first leg of her six month
deployment. As in her prior deployment, she reverted to the operational control of
Commander, SEVENTH Fleet, occurring this time on 19 June, and the ship reached
Subic Bay two days later. After loading final stores and conducting several gunnery
exercises, she made the short transit to Vietnam and relieved USS Falgout (DER 324) as
Commander Task Element 115.2.2.2 in Market Time Area 5 on 25 June.
FINCH's patrol period in Vietnam was relatively quiet except for one short visit
to Nha Trang Harbor and three quick trips to Cam Ranh Bay. Daily routine consisted of
tracking, inspecting, and boarding Vietnamese cargo junks. PCF (swift boat) boat crews
lived aboard FINCH and alternated duty days, changing when the boats came to be
refueled from the ship. The routine was broken about every three days with an underway
replenishment. The only other interruption came on 3 and 4 July, when FINCH
delivered her Fourth of July fireworks against thirteen suspected Viet Cong trails and
assembly areas. She departed Area 5 when relieved by USS Haverfield (DER 393) on 29
July.
By 31 July, FINCH had moored to Buoy B-28, Hong Kong Harbor, British
Crown Colony and had relieved USCGC Cambell (WHEC 32) of duties as Senior Officer
Present, Administrative, Hong Kong. Hong Kong, the favorite port of the Western
Pacific, proved no disappointment in FINCH's two week stay in spite of the existence of
the Hong Kong Influenza Epidemic. In hopes of researching this new disease, personnel
from Naval Medical Research Unit TWO, Taipei, Taiwan, with the aid of the ship's
"Doc", Hospitalman 1/c Roger G. Kennedy, drew blood samples from approximately 125
of the 140 man crew on the 2nd and 13th of August. A third drawing was made on 26
August when the ship was in Kaohsiung. "Doc" Kennedy was to later make a final
drawing during the week of 18 November. Numerous throat swabs were taken in this
span of time, and data was kept on the number of men who caught the disease. With the
help of the Army 406th Medical-General Laboratory and the U.S. Public Health Service,
it was discovered that the Hong Kong influenza was a variant of the Asian Flu and was
unaffected by present vaccines. It was later noted, that as a result of this "perfect
70
controlled experiment", the virus recovered from the men of the FINCH, 70% of whom
caught the flu to some degree, was made into a new vaccine which was made available
on 1 December; first to the Armed Forces, and then to the general population. It was
further noted that the availability of this new vaccine would benefit all of South East Asia
and the rest of the world if the disease spread during the winter as it was expected.
FINCH was relieved of SOPA ADMIN, Hong Kong duties on the afternoon of 13
August by USCGC Bibb (WHEC 31) and the next day departed Hong Kong Harbor for
Kaohsiung, Taiwan, for assignment to Taiwan Patrol Duty. For the next month, the ship
operated out of Kaohsiung as a unit of Task Group 72.1, spending about 70% of her time
on patrols in the Straits. FINCH returned to Kaohsiung on 2 September from patrol and
moored in a nest with USS Markab (AR 23). At 1600 hours, 3 September, all U.S. Navy
units present in port were ordered to get underway and sortie south to avoid typhoons
Wendy and Agnes. The next morning USS Kretchmer, which had been on patrol,
rendezvoused with FINCH. The two ships proceeded to the lee of the Babuyan Islands
just north of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Until the ships returned to Kaohsiung on 8
September, they put the time on storm evasion to good use by conducting numerous dual
ship exercises. The remainder of the patrol period passed quickly.
From 16 to 18 September FINCH made a return transit to Subic Bay, Republic of
the Philippines for upkeep. During this in-port period uninvited guest Typhoon Elaine
forced the cancellation of the ship's party and the only diversion was the arrival of the
battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62). FINCH's stay in Subic Bay ended in a rough transit
to Vietnam on 1 October. Arriving on Market Time station on 3 October, the ship
relieved USCGC Winona (WHEC 65). The entire patrol period turned out to be fairly
routine with the exception of 7 to 9 October when the ship was called upon to provide
direct gunfire support in the vicinity of Cape Batangan, Republic of Vietnam. Following
relief by USCGC Owasco (WHEC 39) on 19 October FINCH returned to Taiwan Patrol
from 22 October to 23 November with intervening in-port periods in Kaohsiung and
Keelung. On 22 November, FINCH's crew, Commanding Officer, and "Doc" Kennedy
were honored by the Commanding Officer of the Naval Medical Research Unit TWO,
Taipei, Captain Watten, who presented plaques and certificates of appreciation for the
ship's part in the research of the Hong Kong Flu. The ship set sail the next day for
Yokosuka, Japan.
FINCH reached Yokosuka on Thanksgiving Day, 28 November 1968, and
moored alongside USS Markab. The Yokosuka upkeep period had two beneficial effects.
First, it gave the ship and crew a head start on the upcoming restricted availability, and
secondly, it also provided a last chance for the crew to blow off steam before returning to
the rigors of an overhaul in Guam. A ship's party was held on two consecutive days, 9
and 10 December, to allow all hands the opportunity to participate, and to make up for
the party canceled earlier by Typhoon Elaine. Two days later, FINCH departed on the
deployment's last transit -- the return home to Guam.
In a modest shipboard ceremony held during the rough transit, FINCH celebrated
the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of her first commissioning on 13 December 1943. As it
71
would lagter turn out, this would also be the last anniversary celebration that the ship
could anticipate or experience in active duty as a commissioned ship. Two days later, she
departed SEVENTH Fleet and returned to the operational control of Commander
Cruisers-Destroyers, Pacific. The ship ended her deployment on 16 December as she tied
up in Apra Harbor at U.S. Naval Supply Depot, Guam. The next day she off-loaded her
ammunition and fuel and then entered restricted availability at the U.S. Naval Ship
Repair Facility, Guam on 18 December bringing the year 1968 to a close.
In the course of FINCH's six month deployment the ship was underway at sea on
112 days, steaming a total of 25,396 miles, and consuming 532,776 gallons of fuel. The
crew, on the other hand, during this same six month period, consumed 7,969 pounds of
beef, 3,445 pounds of lettuce, 4,224 pounds of bread, 19,090 pounds of fresh potatoes,
758 gallons of ice cream, and 1,200 pounds of coffee. The ship also dispatched 7,212
pounds of mail, and in return received 11,210 pounds of mail.
1969
On 1 January, FINCH was still in the midst of her annual restricted availability at
the U.S. Naval Repair Facility, Guam. The two weeks from 12 to 26 January were spent
in dry-dock, USS Arco (ARD 29). Due to the deactivation of several DER's, FINCH
learned that her home port was changed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, effective 15 January.
This marked the second time that FINCH would call Hawaii home. Her post availability
sea trials were held on 11 February, and two weeks later, on the 24th, FINCH sailed for
her new home port, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 5 March.
Only two days passed since her arrival at Pearl Harbor, as on 7 March, with the
numbers "139" painted on her bow, the ship got underway to participate in the filming of
the movie "Tora, Tora, Tora." FINCH played the role of the USS Ward (DD 139), which
sank a midget submarine near the entrance to Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.
The next week saw the ship preparing for refresher training, which began with a
Training Readiness Evaluation (TRE) on 13 and 14 March. From 24 March to 18 April,
the Pearl Harbor Fleet Training Group instructors put the ship through its paces, both at
sea and in-port, running seemingly endless drills and evolutions. These included various
gunnery exercises and a morning of shore bombardment conducted at Kahoolawe Island,
Hawaii.
In the interval, 19 to 30 April, FINCH lay alongside the USS Royale (AD 29) at
Ford Island for a tender availability period. With FINCH's deployment to the Western
Pacific (WESTPAC) scheduled for 19 May, the ship was surprised to learn on 2 May that
she was to be deactivated and that the deployment was canceled. With this news in hand,
the crew redirected their collective energies to prepare the ship for an INSURV
Inspection, held on 10 and 11 June, to determine the further serviceability of FINCH.
Their efforts were rewarded when the results were in and the verdict was "fit for further
service." It was decided that FINCH would be placed in "mothballs" and, accordingly,
she sailed for Bremerton, Washington on 7 July 1969. On board was Lieutenant
72
Commander R. L. Johnson, who would relieve as Commanding Officer at a brief change
of command ceremony that was held upon FINCH's arrival at the Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard on 14 July.
Deactivation work began on the following day under the watchful eye of the
Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility at Bremerton. As 2 August dawned, the officers and
crew left the ship and moved onboard the EX-USS Euryale (AS 22), alongside which the
FINCH was moored. On 26 August the ship was towed across the Puget Sound to the
Lake Union Dry Dock Company shipyard in Seattle for the industrial period of her
inactivation work. At this time the crew moved onboard the barracks ship APL 10,
which had been towed to Lake Union for that purpose. The FINCH entered dry-dock on
4 September, remaining until 29 September when she was re-floated and was towed back
to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. A week later, on 3 October 1969, for the third and
what would be the final time in her career, the FINCH was placed out of commission and
in reserve at Bremerton, Washington. The last of FINCH's crew were finally transfered
the following day, 4 October 1969.
During the span of a little over eighteen and one half years that FINCH was in
active service, as a Destroyer Escort, Coast Guard Cutter, and Radar Picket Vessel, she
served honorably in times which witnessed three wars; World War II, Korea, and
Vietnam. On the occasion of each assignment at sea, she performed her mission well and
carried her crews home safely. It is estimated that in the course of her existence, FINCH
was home, away from home, for approximately 2,607 young men who will remember,
and always be remembered with FINCH in history.
1974
On 27 September 1974, the Inactive Ships Facility, Bremerton Washington sent a
message (INACTSHIPFAC BREMERTON WA 272014Z SEP 74) to the Chief of Naval
Operations in Washington, DC which began "1. IAW REF A EX-FINCH (DER-328)
RELEASED FROM NAVAL CUSTODY 27 SEPTEMBER 1974 TO
SUCCESSFUL BIDDER LEVIN METALS, CORP., SAN JOSE
CALIFORNIA.........."
73
_________________________ _ __________________________
USS FINCH DER-328
PORT VISITS
(1956 - 1969)
_____________________________________________________________
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
(Commissioned)
San Diego, California
Seattle, Washington
Bremerton, Washington
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
San Francisco, California
(Treasure Island)
Port Angeles, Washington
Christmas Island
Fanning Island
Papeete, Tahiti
Nuka Hiva, Marqueses Islands
Guam
Subic Bay, Philippine Islands
Hong Kong
Manila, Philippine Islands
Kaoshiung, Taiwan
Bangkok, Thailand
Apra Harbor, Guam
Yokosuka, Japan
Keelung, Taiwan
Sasebo, Japan
Hualien, Taiwan
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam
Cape Batanyan, Vietnam
Kahoolawe Island, Hawaii
Ford Island, Hawaii
Bremerton, Washington
(Decommissioned)
74
NAME
Athow, James K.
Scott, Clyde L.
Burch, William J.
Carter, Robert E.
Edson, Theodore M.
Fitzgerald, John R.
Lombardi, Richard E.
Needham, William L.
Slocomb, Richard S.
Stark, Donald D.
Wachob, James R.
Russell, William E. Jr.
Brown, Robert H.
Pierce, Henry L.
Parker, Paul F.
Duggan, Harold D.
Mahoney, James F.
Norman, Hal W.
Harrison, William R.
Bosnengo, John E.
Stevens, Joseph L.
Alcorn, Gail E.
Drummond, James E.
English, Jerrold R.
Horn, Robert D.
Skidmore, Harold W.
White, Robert R.
Howell, Wyman S.
Landis, John B.
Douglas, William G.
Sidebottom, Larry R.
Stuchell, Nathan L.
Turner, William E.
Woody, Melvin R.
Hodge, Clarence A.
Rudd, Malcolm T.
Durbin, Thomas L.
Goldman, Monroe O.
Hunter, Ralph L. Sr.
Imlay, Ellsworth E.
Vigliaturo, Daniel A.
Wymore, Edward J.
West, Philip H.
Breckenfeld, Herbert G.
Mizeski, Joseph J.
Anderson, Chester W..
Kiogima, Charles W.
Boone, Robert D.
Davis, Floyd E.
Jones, Alfred E.
Bordenkircher, Walter L. Jr.
DeWitt, Solon W.
Nick, Ernest H.
Bradfield, Milton H.
Jewett, Oliver H.
Slane, Vernon W.
RANK
LCDR
LT
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
ENS
AG3
BM1
BM2
BM3
BM3
BMC
BT1
BTFN
CS1
CS2
CSC
CSG3
CSG3
DC1
DK2
EM1
EM2
EM3
EM3
EM3
EM3
EMC
EN1
EN1
EN2
EN2
EN2
EN2
EN2
EN2
EN3
ENC
ENC
ENCA
END3
ENFA
ENFA
ENFA
ENFN
ENFN
ENFN
ET1
ET3
ET3
75
ARRIVAL
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
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17 Aug 56
570500
NAME
Backstrom, Einar W.
Mattson, George E.
Smith, Arthur O.
Smith, Freddie E.
Bentley, Billy C.
Bergmann, Gerard
Craycraft, Clarence
Crayne, Larry M.
Elms, Alvin D.
Gomez, Ernest (n)
Hansen, George M.
Harmon, Donald W.
Hazelgrove, Carl E.
La Grant, Edward J.
Moore, John W.
Newton, Lloyd L.
Reed, Wally P.
Robb, Russell A.
Roberson, William L.
Slaughter, Oliver
Traver, Wayne E.
Tsuboi, Tadamasa
Jones, Lloyd E.
Watts, Malcolm G.
Hoover, Wayne L
Van Atta, Clarence C.
Walker, Lacy L.
Bruhn, Gary J.
Burneskis, Peter
Paccioretty, Albert A.
Douglas, Pasley J.
Morris, Bentley H. Jr.
Calhoun, Robert L.
Ward, Ronald R.
Fraser, Dale H.
Jackson, John D.
Bowman, William L.
Lance, Marcus S.
Le Claire, William H.
Parker, James G.
Parillo, Stephen J.
Jockisch, Arthur R.
Dunn, James L
Downs, Harrison "F"
Hall, James N.
Alaga, Nick J.
Bates, Warren W.
Bishop, Raymond N.
Freire, Richard M.
Gates, George K.
Hayes, James P.
Hill, Benjamin B.
Lindstrom, John F. III
Pfeifer, Karl R.
Summerford, Bernard H.
Steadman, Victor M.
RANK
ETCA
ETRSN
FA
FA
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
MM3
FN
FN
FP2
FT1
FT3
GM1
GM2
GM3
GMC
GMM2
HMC
IC1
IC3
EM1
MR1
PN1
PN3
QM1
QM3
QM3
QM3
QMC
QMQ3
RD1
RD2
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RDC
76
ARRIVAL
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
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590900
NAME
Fine, David (n)
Van Wert, Edward B.
Boxell, Jesse S.
Paxton, Haven
Freeman, James A.
Mathis, Charles W.
Powers, Richard L.
Wall, Jack M.
Owen, Charles L.
Rogers, Arthur W.
Sharples, Richard D.
Tison, Clyde W.
Alexander, Howard W.
Berberabe, Emilio
Cavender, Cecil L. Jr.
Buffington, Arthur G.
Mowbray, Arthur E. Jr.
Lun, Bobby (n)
Azevedo, Ernest M.
Benge, Thomas A.
Blieu, Claris W.
Christofferson, Dennis L.
Eaton, Gerald K.
Ferguson, Olin D.
Gandy, Joseph Jr.
Godbey, Velmer L.
Goldbeck, Dean R.
Gomez, Alberto
Henninger, Edward D.
Herrington, Fred A.
Houver, William M.
Jacobson, Wesley J.
Jeffers, James A.
Johnson, Edward L.
Mastel, Fred W.
Maxwell, Claude H.
Mitchell, Junior H.
Molina, Benito
Muise, Ronald A.
Pedigo, Leonard C.
Smith, Donald E.
Stewart, Willie F.
Valdes, Leo J.
Watkins, Mitchell A.
Wiggin, Carl R.
Wolford, Elmer D.
Yarmak, Alexander J.
Rea, Gerald E.
Daniels, Juddie C. Jr.
Graves, Howard H.
Jennings, Keith M.
Clark, George Jr.
Fulgencio, Rodolfo C.
Daffern, Harold F.
Howland, James R.
Teague, Norman
RANK
RDSN
RDSN
RM1
RM2
RM3
RM3
RM3
RMCA
RMSA
RMSA
RMSA
RMSN
SD1
SD3
SH2
SH3
SK1
SKG3
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SO1
SO2
SO3
SO3
TA
TE1
TE3
TEP2
TM2
77
ARRIVAL
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
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17 Aug 56
NAME
Peterson, John H.
Gourley, Francis G.
Flores, Felizardo P.
RANK
TN
YN1
YN2
78
ARRIVAL
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56