USS Fletcher

USS Fletcher DDE-445 Chronology 1952

A summary transcribed from the original deck logs by Commander Robert McCurley, USN retired

January 1952

Tuesday, 1 January, Off the coast of Korea in the Sea of Japan steaming by Suwon Dan as part of Task Element 77.717 in company with USS Manchester CL83, and USS Collett DD 730, conducting interdiction and harassing fire.  0552 Completed firing mission, having expended 84 rounds 5"/38 AA common.  0636 Took station 2000 yards ahead of Manchester. 0818 Went alongside USS Virgo AKA 20 to transfer stores, ammunition and mail.  Received 182 rounds 5"/38 AA common. 1010 Went alongside USS Passumpsic AO 107 to refuel. 1048 Completed refueling and proceeded to the vicinity of Suwon Dan to transfer guard mail to USS Erban DD 631. 1150 Transfer completed, Fletcher proceeded independently to Sasebo, Japan.  1413 Sighted Chuminjin Hang light to starboard at 6 miles.  2252 Wi Gi light abeam to starboard at 15 miles.

Wednesday, 2 January, Steaming enroute east coast bombline to Sasebo, Japan. 0104 Passed Mitsu Shima light to starboard at 6.8 miles. 0140 Changed course to avoid small craft.0153 Changed course to avoid small craft. 0205 Changed course to avoid small craft.  0248 Sighted Myaku Shima light. 0255 Sighted Ko Saki light.  0325 Sighted Futagami Shima light.  0412 Futagami Shima light to port at 8 miles. 0451 Entered swept channel and outer harbor, Sasebo, Japan. 0527 Koshiki Shima light abeam to starboard at 17 miles. 0538 Kurmo Se light abeam to starboard at 14 miles. 0546 Ogami Shima light abeam to port 2 miles.  0636 Fuku Se light abeam to port 5 miles. 0640 Odate Shima light abeam to starboard 2 ½ miles. 0748 Shima Se light abeam to starboard 1 mile. 0803 Entered Sasebo harbor channel.  0804 Passed through the submarine net. 0837 Denty Shima rock abeam to starboard 200 yards.  0857 Moored starboard side to Columbian Frigate Admirdle Padilla in nest alongside USS Piedmont AR17 at buoy X-ray one, Sasebo Japan. 1500 Took on water from Fleet Activities Water Barge.

Thursday, 3 January, Moored as before. 1118 Thailand PF 47 moored to port.

Friday, 4 January,   Moored as before. Other ships in the nest include Radford, O’Bannon, and Walker.  SOPA is CTF 95 in Piedmont. Ships present were units of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Thailand Navy, Republic of Korea Navy, United Kingdom Navy, and merchant vessels from various countries. 1145 Fleet Activities Fuel Barge delivered fuel alongside to port. 1245 I.L. Edwards SKG1 was transferred to USS Bushnell AS 15 for duty. 1340 The following men reported aboard for duty: C.R. Jenkins SA, S. Marquez FA, R.W. Marks FA, J.J. Pershing FA, R.S. Poppell FA, B. Holland FA, C.D. Garrett FA, B.J. Bass FA, J.V. Hardin SN, B.R. Hanson ETSN, E.D. Campbell EN3, reported aboard from 30 days reenlistment leave.  2305 Water barge 3739 came alongside to port to deliver water.

Saturday, 5 January,   Moored as before. 1430 Following men reported aboard for duty: W.P. Camp FC3, L.C. Randall SA, J.L. Johnson FA, D.L. Jones FA, C.W. Joyce Jr. FA, R.S. Kennedy SA, R.W. Johnson FA, S.D. King FA, C. Rhode SA, D.E. Reinhart SA, A. Robert, Jr. SA, J.R. Roger SA. 1955 Ammunition barge tied up astern astern and Fletcher took on 250 rounds of 5"/38 AA common and 200 rounds of powder.

Sunday, 6 January,   Moored as before. Ships present now included French Navy ships.  0930 Water barge W-2 delivered fresh water. 1650 HMCS Cayuga DD 218, moored to buoy X-2. 1810 W. Drennon FTC reported aboard for duty.  1845 YO 179 moored alongside to port.

Monday, 7 January,   Moored as before. 0245 YO 179 got underway from alongside Thailand PF 47. 0700 Thailand PF 47 got underway.  0739 Fletcher got underway from alongside Thailand PF 36 in nest with pilot and YTB 129 and YTB 406.  0818  Moored to buoy 14-N.0906 USS O’Bannon DDE 450 moored alongside to starboard.  1147 Took on fuel oil from Navy fuel barge.  1320 Diver over the side to port to inspect QDA sonar.  1340 Transferred the following men to Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan for separation from the Naval Service: T.W. Woods SA, M.E. Monday GMM2, H.C. Pepper SN, R.S. Mell III GMM3, S.P.K. Lim BT3, V.H. McCall SN, and B.F. Lehnhoff QMS1.  2110 Oil Barge B-1 cast off.

Tuesday, 8 January, Moored as before. Ships present include units of U.S. Pacific Fleet, war and merchant ships of United Nations countries.  0800 O’Bannon got underway in accordance with CTF 90 operations order. 0808 Fletcher got underway.  0900 Passed through submarine net.  1005 Formed in column open order astern of O’Bannon with USS Horace A Bass APD 124 astern.1529 Passed Taka Shima abeam to port at 3.5 miles.  Isukura Se abeam to starboard 3.2 miles. 1706 Passed Bono Misaki light abeam to port at 6 miles.  1734 Darkened ship. 1746 Sighted Sata Misaki light at 19 miles. 1841 Passed Sata Misaki light abeam to port at 4 miles.  1925 Sighted Toi Saki light at 38 miles. 2210 Sheared out for B/T reading.

Wednesday, 9 January,  Underway as before.  0013 Sighted TU 90.52.1 and TU 90.52.2. Proceeded independently to take screen station 2 in bent line screen.  USS Clymer APA 237 in formation center.  USS Henrico APA 45 in station 3, USS Bexar APA 237 in station 2, USS Menifee APA 202 in station 1, USS Catamount LSD 17 in station 4, and USS Cabildo LSD 16 in station 5.  0255 O Shima light abeam to starboard at 17 miles.  0331 Toi Misaki light abeam to starboard at 8.5 miles.  0622 Passed Sata Misaki light abeam to starboard at 8.7 miles.  1118 Fletcher proceeded to transfer guard mail between units in formation.  1133 Alongside Clymer.  1157 Alongside Calildo.  1227 Alongside Catamount. 1255 Alongside Cabildo.  1323 Alongside H.A. Bass. 1344 Alongside O’Bannon. 1710 Oze Zaki light abeam to starboard at 20 miles. 2043 Maneuvered to avoid small craft.  2333 Maneuvered to maintain safe distance from U Do island.

Thursday, 10 January,  Underway as before.  0857 Took station on 2000 yards on port beam of O’Bannon to conduct radar calibration exercises. 1258 Exercised crew at general quarters. 2108 Closed formation to 4000 yards. 2206 Passed Son Gap abeam to port at 1000 yards. 2217 Passed Mun Gap Island abeam to port 1000 yards. 2237 Passed Soya Nada abeam to port at 800 yards. 2338 Passes Taemuue Do abeam to port at 1200 yards.  2356 Proceeded to berth assigned on signal from OTC.

Friday, 11 January, Underway as before.  0027 Anchored in berth X-ray 26 in Inchon, Korea as assigned by OTC. SOPA was CTF 90 in USS Estes AGC 12. Set condition III modified in accordance with ComTransDiv 15 Debarkation/Embarkation order 1-52. Fletcher assigned to TU 90.51.4, protective unit Baker. 0730 Fletcher got underway to go alongside USS Menifee APA 202.   0810 Moored port side to Menifee and refueled ship. 1045 Completed refueling.  1109 Underway and proceeded to anchorage X-ray 26. 1135 Anchored. X-ray 26. 1925 Fletcher got underway and proceeded out the channel. 2003 Formed column normal order with O’Bannon and USS Howard Bass APD 124.  2230 Formed formation OC4 with Clymer in formation center, Fletcher in station 2.

Saturday, 12 January, Underway as before.  Formation consisted of USS George Clymer APA 27, USS Henrico APA 45. USS Menifee APA 202, USS Bexar APA 237, USS Cabildo LSD 16, Fletcher, O’Bannon, and Bass.  0116 Passed Tonggyongoibi light abeam to port at 4000 yards. 1700 Passes Kaigon To abeam to port 3 miles. 1715 Passed Hwa Do to port 7 miles.  1758 Darkened ship.

Sunday, 13 January, Underway as before enroute to Yokohama, Japan. 0043 Sighted Oze Zaki light abeam to port 27 miles.  0201 Oze Zaki light abeam to port at14 miles. 0250 Passed O Shima light abeam to port 22 miles.  0312 Sighted Mc Shima light abeam to starboard 23 miles.  0558 Sighted Tsurikake Saki light at 26 miles. 0725 Passed Shimo Koshiki Island to port 14 miles. 1045 O’Bannon came alongside to pick up mail.  1714 Fletcher detached with O’Bannon to rendezvous with USS Pomodon SS 486.

Monday, 14 January, Underway as before enroute Tasu Wan, Japan.  0608 Sighted Okitsu Saki light at 13.5 miles. 0736 Detached to clear operating area. 0925 Conducted engineering drills. 1222 Fletcher assumed tactical control of  USS Pomodon SS 486.  1326 Commenced ASW exercises. 1640 Completed exercises.  1649 Submarine surfaced.

Tuesday, 15 January, Underway independently in vicinity of Tosa Wan submarine sanctuary.  O’Bannon and Pomodon operating independently in the area.  0810 Commenced ASW exercises with Pomodon.  1000 Completed exercise having expended 10 7.2" plaster load projectiles. 1152 Pomodon on surface, detached and directed to proceed as previously directed.  2055 Commenced exercise with Pomodon. 2301 Exercise completed, submarine surfaced. 2313 Fletcher proceeded to anchorage south of Ryuzu Saki , Kochi, Shikoju, Japan.

Wednesday, 16 January, Underway as before. 0027 Anchored in Tosa Wan submarine sanctuary. 0936 Underway for ASW exercises. 1030 Formed ASW scouting line with O’Bannon. 1055 Commenced exercise. 1113 Lost contact, commenced operation Duet. 1207 Completed Duet.  Fletcher took station yards on starboard beam of O’Bannon.  1329 O’Bannon reported sonar contact.  Commenced operation Duet. 1613 Surfaced submarine and ceased ASW exercise.  Fletcher took station 3500 yards abeam of O’Bannon. 1905 Commenced scheduled exercise, operation Duet with O’Bannon and Pomodon.  2027 Pomodon surfaced.  2055 Pomodon submerged.  2057 Commenced exercise.  2140 Pomodon on surface.  2243 Anchored in Tosa Wan submarine sanctuary.

Thursday, 17 January, Anchored as before.  0938 Underway from anchorage in company with O’Bannon and Pomodon while standing out of swept channel.  1108 Commenced ASW exercises. 1348 Took life guard station astern of USS Tatania AKA 13. 1404 Took screening station 2000 yards ahead of Tatania. 1630 Took station 600 yards astern of Tatania. 1655 O’Bannon cleared Tatania.  1719 Fletcher went alongside to starboard of Tatania, and commenced refueling the ship.  1723 C.L. Hembree EN2, was transferred to Tatania for transportation and further transfer to USS Ruddy AM 380.   T.M. Vaughn BT2, was transferred to Tatania for transportation and further transfer to USS Rankin AKA 13.   C.S. Kropinicki SK3, was transferred to Tatania for transportation for transportation and further transfer to Continental United States for 20 days emergency leave. 2055 Completed refueling and proceeded to anchorage in vicinity of Kochi Ko breakwater light, Toas Wan, Shikoku, Japan.

Friday, 18 January, Underway as before. 0101 Anchored south of Kochi, Shikoku Island, Japan. 0741 LTJG D.E. Witt was transferred to USS Pomodon SS 486 as an observer for ASW exercises. 0755 Underway from anchorage with O’Bannon and Pomodon.  0900 Commenced ASW exercises. 1112 Ceased exercises and surfaced the submarine.  1200 Entered swept channel. 1237 Anchored 2 ½ miles south of Kochi Ko Light. 1644 Republic of Korean Ship Duman PF 61, anchored nearby.  1645 USS Pomodon SS 486 anchored nearby.  1800 A.Roberts Jr. SA, was transferred to USS O’Bannon DDE 450 for medical treatment.

Saturday, 19 January, Anchored as before.  0759 Underway for operating area Love.  0810 Formed on O’Bannon 1000 yards astern. 1355 Exercised crew at general quarters for AA firing. 1553 Completed AA firing.

Sunday, 20 January, Steaming in company with O’Bannon enroute Tosa Wan to point "Linnet"   0107 Joined TE 90.52.1 in formation OC3 comprised of USS Cabildo LSD 16, USS Gunston Hall LSD 5, USS Bexar APA 237, USS Noble APA 213, USS Minife APA 202, USS George Clymer APA 27, Screen consisted of Fletcher, O’Bannon, and USS Horace A Bass APD 124. 0243 Passed Tosaki Hana light to starboard at 21 miles.  0330 Passed O Shima light abeam to starboard at 16 miles. 0356 Passed Toi Misaki light abeam to starboard at 4.3 miles.  0717 Passed Sata Misaki light abeam to starboard at 3 miles.  0843 Fletcher took screen station 1 while Bass transferred mail to O’Bannon. 1045 Bass alongside to port to transfer mail.  1220 Higashi Jima abeam to port 10 miles. 1222 Taka Shima abeam to starboard 10 miles. 1305 Koshiki Retto abeam to starboard 16 miles. 1923 Osze Saki light abeam to starboard 16 miles.

Monday, 21 January, Underway as before.  0045 USS Hanson DDR 832, joined formation in screen station 4.  0835 Fletcher took lifeguard station on Clymer for personnel transfer. 0907 O’Bannon detached, and Fletcher assumed duties as CTU 90.52.4. 1813 Made sonar contact bearing 064 T, 650 yards.  0836 Contact evaluated as possible pinnacle or bottom effects.

Tuesday, 22 January, Underway as before with TU 90.52. 0228 Formed entry screen. 0244 Passed through point Oboe. 0324 Passed through point X-ray and formed column for entry. 0410 Chawol To abeam to starboard 500 yards. 0445 Proceeded to assigned anchorage.  0603 Anchored in berth X-ray 9, Inchon Korea. 0742 Fletcher got underway and moored port side to USS Menifee APA 202, at anchorage X-ray 13, Inchon Korea.  0902 Gunner W.W. Drennon was detached to report to the Naval Receiving Station Washington D.C. for duty at Fire Control Technician Class A School.   0945 LT W.C. McClelland reported aboard for duty. 1015 P.R. Doyle GM2, was transferred to Menifee for further transfer to Class B Gunners Mate School, Washington, D.C. W.J. Albert QM2 was transferred to Menifee for transfer to Naval Receiving Station Treasure Island CA for a normal tour of shore duty.  1145 Completed taking on fuel from Menifee. 1306 Fletcher got underway and returned to anchorage X-ray 9.  1415 J.R. Shultz SOSN was transferred to USS George Clymer APA 27 for medical treatment.  1445 General Quarters, USS Hanson DDR 832 reported two unidentified aircraft in vicinity; subsequently identified as friendly. 1502 Secured from General Quarters.  2207 Fletcher got underway enroute Inchon Harbor Korea, to operating area on west coast of Korea.

Wednesday, 23 January, Underway as before, proceeded out Inchon channel enroute area Nan for rendezvous and operations with TU 95.12.1. 0816 HMAS Tobruk abeam to port.  0941 Anchored 2200 yards southeast of Hak Ho Choda Island, Korea. 0955 Commanding Officer, Navigator, and Operations Officer departed for conference with CTU 95.12.1 aboard HMS Cardigan Bay, anchored 600 yards away. 1125 Commanding Officer, Navigator, and Operations Officer returned from conference. 1210 ROK JML 307 moored alongside to starboard. 1510 ROK JML 307 got underway. 1510 J.E. Joyce SN, fell overboard from gig when tiller gave way.  He was brought aboard and treated for exposure. (Water temperature was 44F).  1907 Fletcher got underway to new anchorage in vicinity of Choda Island.  2006 Commenced illumination firing schedule of Chodo Suido area.

Thursday, 24 January.  Anchored as before. 0512 Completed night firing, having expended 12 rounds of 5"/38 illuminating projectiles.  0635 Fletcher got underway and proceeded through swept channel to vicinity of Sok To Island.  0835 Anchored in vicinity of Sok To Island. 0852 Commenced indirect destructive fire on gun emplacements on Am Gak. 0854 Ceased fire having expended 3 rounds 5"/38 non flashless ammunition.  1443 Fletcher got underway and proceeded to Players Anchorage.  1520 Anchored.  2150 Commenced starshell illumination firing of southwest Soku To to assist in rescue operation of USS LST 803, reported to be broached starboard side to the beach. 2330 Rescue operations ceased due to lack of sea room. USS Apache ATF 67 stood by.  Ceased starshell illumination, having expended 73 rounds 5"/38 illuminating flashless ammunition.

Friday, 25 January, Anchored as before. 0810 Fletcher got underway, conducting day patrol west of Soku To.  0850 USS Apache ATF 67, came alongside to port to receive U.S. Mail.  1145 Came under fire from enemy positions on Pippa Kotsu, four rounds fired striking water 300 yards to eastward. 1221 Commenced firing on gun position on Pippa Kotsu point.  1308 Ceased firing, having expended 15 rounds 5"/38 AA common. No results observed. 1458 Lying to in Blackburn anchorage. 1630 General quarters for air alert, unidentified aircraft sighted over anchorage. 1644 Aircraft identified as friendly.  1648 Anchored in vicinity of Cho To Island and secured from general quarters. 1658 Sighted wing tank 200 yards off port bow. 1748 Tank sunk with 30 caliber machine gun fire, expended 60 rounds.  2131 Commenced illumination fire schedule.

Saturday, 26 January,  Anchored south of Choda Island.  0434 Completed night firing, having expended 6 rounds of 5"/38 illuminating. 1100 ROK JML 307 came alongside to starboard. Transferred armed liaison and reconnaissance team for temporary detached duty. 1114 ROK JML 307 got underway.  1116 Fletcher got underway from anchorage, and began patrolling waters in Chudo Sudo area. 1135 Opened fire on enemy positions in vicinity Chin’gangp’o.  1312 Ceased fire, having expended 10 rounds 5"/38 AA common and 3 rounds 3"/50 VT, then continued patrol.  1545 Anchored in Blackburn anchorage. 1612 ROK AMC 307 moored alongside for fueling, liaison and reconnaissance team returned aboard. 1812 Completed fueling AMC 307 having delivered 1000 gallons of diesel fuel oil.  1815 ROK AMC 307 underway and anchored 1300 yards in vicinity of Choda Island.  2110 Commenced illumination fire schedule on targets in beach area east of Choto Suido.

Sunday, 27 January, Anchored south of Choda Island.  0545 Completed night firing, having expended 6 rounds 5"/38 illuminating ammunition. 0940 Fletcher got underway to patrol Chodo Sudo.  1008 Opened fire on enemy positions to east of Chodo Sudo between Chin gang po and Changsan Got.  1225 Ceased firing.  1315 Anchored in Blackburn anchorage. 2126 Commenced illumination firing schedule on targets east and south of Chodo Sudo.  2359 Got underway to patrol Chodo Sudo.

Monday, 28 January, Underway patrolling south of point "Chester" conducting night illumination firing.  0547 Completed night firing, having expended 15 rounds 5"/38 illuminating ammunition. 0835 Heaveto, ROK AMC 307 came alongside to port.  0940 ROK AMC 307 underway.  Fletcher resumed patrol of Chudo Sudo. 0943 Opened fire on targets in vicinity Hosen, Korea.  0950 Under fire from enemy shore batteries located northwest of Hosen Korea. 0950 Commenced direct counter battery fire. 1035 Ceased fire, having expended 138 rounds 5"/38 AA common. Counter battery fire ineffective, retired to south in open range.  Shore batteries ceased fire, having expended approximately 70 rounds, scoring four straddles and six near misses.  No personnel or material casualties resulted.  1221 Ceased firing. 1334 Anchored in ‘Players" anchorage.   1445 J.C. Quitorio IC2, R.W. Huerter ICFA, C. Stanfield SA, A. Randolph SA, and L.W. Palmore SA reported aboard for duty.  1614 Underway from anchorage at Sosari Do and entered swept channel "cigarette". 1702 Commenced firing at personnel concentration on Nanjon Chi.  1715 Completed firing, expended 22 rounds 5"/38 AA common and 13 rounds 5"/38 VT, estimated 30 casualties. 1807 Commenced patrolling area of Cho To.  2022 Commenced night illuminating firing schedule.  2308 Engineering casualty, leaking tube in Number 1 condenser. Locked starboard shaft.  Proceeded on port shaft to anchorage south of Cho Do, Korea. 2342 Anchored.

Tuesday, 29 January, Anchored as before, firing night illuminating schedule. 0207 Unidentified aircraft in vicinity.  0340 Casualty to number 1 condenser completed.  0357 Fletcher got underway to patrol "cigarette".  0421 Commenced harassing fire on estimated gun position.  0450 Completed harassing fire, expending 17 rounds 5"/38 common.  0545 Completed night illumination fire, having expended 15 rounds 5"/38 illuminating ammunition. 0737 Ceased patrolling and proceeded to rendezvous with HMS Belfast at point Old Gold, northeast of Choda Island. 0808 Completed transfer of official mail.  Proceeded to vicinity of Tgaechong Do, Korea. 0955 HMCS Sioux abeam to port at 500 yards. 1240 Moored starboard side to HMS Cockage. 1305 Underway. 1354 Moored starboard side to HMS Wave Reimier and commenced refueling. 1515 Completed refueling.  1530 Underway.  1854 Commenced patrolling "cigarette".  1940 Fired one round 5"/38 illuminating at lighted area on beach.  2110 Commenced firing schedule on targets in beach area east of Cho Da, Korea.

Wednesday, 30 January. Underway as before.  0115 Fired one illuminating 5"/38 round and 10 rounds 5"/38 AA common at area of enemy activity ashore. 0445 Fired one illuminating round. 0523 Fired on illuminating round.  0818 Anchored west of Sak To Korea in vicinity of HMS Belfast.   0942 Underway to anchor 1000 yards west of Sok To Korea to receive personnel for further transfer.  1021 Anchored.  Number 1 whaleboat with Ensign C. H. Collins in charge proceeded to Sok To.  1045 Underway to recover whaleboat. 1050 Col. W.W. Ives, Jr.,USA, Lt. G. Dudway, USA, and Major E.H. McKean USA reported aboard for transportation to Paongyong Do, Korea. Proceeded to vicinity USS Apache ATF 67, to effect transfer of U.S. Mail.  1125 Hove to, transferred mail by whaleboat.  1145 Completed transfer and proceeded to Paongyong Do, Korea. 1430 Moored portside to USS Porterfield DD 682.  1515 Received 50 rounds 5"/38 illuminating ammunition.  1510 Col. Ives, Lt. Dudway, and Major McKean left the ship.  LtJG Yong Ke Lee ROK Navy, detached and ordered to report to Porterfield. 1600 Fletcher got underway enroute to area Sugar.

Thursday, 31 January,  Underway as before from Choda Island to the Sea of Japan.  0259 Chilibal To Island at 8 miles. 0359 Single Island at 3 miles. 0608 changed course to avoid small craft. 0826 Reizu To abeam to port 4200 yards.  0934 Sei To light abeam to port 3 miles.  1022 Saigbaek To at 3 miles.  1647 Lost vacuum on number 2 main engine, slowed shaft to 148 rpm.  1700 Casualty restored, resumed speed of 25 knots. 2329 TF 77 bearing 282T, 23 miles.

February 1952

Friday, 1 February,  USS Fletcher DDE 445, underway in company with USS Radford DDE 446, enroute to join TF 77 off the southeast coast of Korea. 0035 Joined TF 77 and took station 3 in 8 ship circular screen. Ships present were USS St. Paul CA 73, USS Essex CV 9, USS Antietam CV 36, USS Radford DDE 446, USS James E Keyes DD 787, USS Maddox DD 731, USS H.J. Thomas DD 833, USS Shelton DD790, USS O’Bannon DDE 450.  0609 Joined up with replenishment group consisting of USS Guadalupe AO 32, USS Kaskaskia AO 27, USS Paracutin AE 18, and USS Jupiter AVS 8.  0810 Fletcher went alongside Guadalupe to refuel.   The following personnel were transferred to Guadalupe forefather transfer and duty as follows: E.A. Linquist ET1 to Fleet Training Center San Diego for training and further transfer to Com12 and USS Electra AKA 4 for commissioning. E.D. Campbell EN3, to ISC Unit Two, NavSta. Adak, Alaska.  J.N. Bousquet, CS3, to Fleet Training Center San Diego for pre-commissioning training and further transfer to Com12 and USS Electra AKA 4. R.D. Clemo GM1, to Naval Receiving Station Seattle Washington for a normal tour of shore duty.  LTJG H.W. Burns to USS Bobalink AMS 2 for duty.  0847 Completed refueling and took life guard station on USS Kaskaskia AO 27.  0930 Went alongside USS Paracutin AE 18 and took on 100 rounds of 5"/38 illuminating projectiles, 25 rounds 5"/38 VT projectiles, 100 rounds 5"/38 AAC PSF projectiles, 150 rounds of 5"/38 AAC MTF projectiles, 300 rounds 5"/38 non flashless powder, 50 rounds 3"/50 VT non frag projectiles.  1052 Returned to screen station 7.  1300 Conducted task force anti aircraft firing exercise.  1412 Maddox came alongside to port to transfer U.S. Mail. 1657 Fletcher took screen station 5, USS Wisconsin BB64, took formation center.

Saturday, 2 February.  USS Valley Forge CV45, joined formation. OTC is TF 77, ComCarDiv Three. 0539 Commenced air operations. 0549 Completed air operations. 1300 Commenced air operations.  1330 Completed air operations.  1425 Commenced air operations.  1500 Completed air operations.  1522 Received helicopter on stern for guardmail transfer. 1720 Task Force commenced flight operations. 1732 Completed flight operations.  1750 Commenced zig zag plan 14. 2225 Ceased zig zag. 2256 Locked port shaft to repair leaky nipple on number 2 main engine. 2323 Completed repairs and unlocked shaft.

Sunday, 3 February, Steaming in company with TF77 in the Sea of Japan off Nan Do Korea.  0509 Fletcher took plane guard station on Valley Forge for night flight operations.  0530 Valley Forge began flight operations. 0541 Valley Forge completed flight operations and Fletcher returned to screen station.  0635 USS Wisconsin BB 64, joined the formation. 0702 Commenced air operations. 0725 Completed air operations. 0745 USS St Paul CA 73, and USS Maddox DD 731 joined the formation.  0819 Commenced air operations.  1013 Completed air operations.  1112 Fletcher assumed plane guard station 1 on Valley Forge. 1142 Completed air operations.and returned to screen station. 1233 Fletcher took plane guard station on Valley Forge. 1314 Took screen station and conducted air defense exercises.  1623 Completed air operations 1718 Commenced air operations.  1740 Completed air operations.  Heavies in formation were USS St Paul CA 73, USS Valley Forge CV 45, USS Antietam CV 37.  1759 USS Philippine Sea CV 47 joined the formation. 2020 Commenced air operations. 2040 Completed air operations.  (Requirement for 30 knots of wind over the flight deck caused the formations to go to 20-25 knots during air operations)

Monday, 4 February, Steaming in company of Task Force 77 in the Sea of Japan off Kosong. Formation consists of USS Philippine Sea CV 47, USS Valley Forge CV 45, USS Antietam CV 36, USS St Paul CA 73, Screen contained USS Fletcher DDE 445, USS Radford DDE 446, USS O’Bannon DDE 450, USS Moore DD 747, USS Maddox DD 731, USS Thomas DD 833, USS Shelton DD 790, USS Keyes DD 787, and USS Walker DDE 517.OTC was ComCarDiv and CTF 77 in Valley Forge.  0518 Valley Forge commenced flight operations with Moore and O’Bannon as plane guards.  Maddox and Thomas detached for duty assigned. 0536 Completed flight operations. 0700 Commenced flight operations.  0722 Completed flight operations. 0800 Commenced flight operations. 0855 Completed flight operations.  0942 Commenced flight operations.  1015 Completed flight operations. 1118 Commenced task force flight operations. 1157 Completed flight operations.  1245 Commenced flight operations 1318 Completed flight operations.  1415 Commenced task force flight operations.  1500 Completed flight operations. 1555 Commenced task force flight operations. 1616 Completed flight operations.  1645 Radford and USS Higbee DDR 813 joined formation. 1807 USS Antietam CV36 had an emergency landing. 1945 USS Maddox DD 731 detached for duty assigned. 1955 Antietam commenced flight operations. 2013 Completed flight operations.  2312 DesDiv 71 reported to formation.

Tuesday, 5 February, Steaming in company of Task Force 77, with USS Wisconsin BB 64 in center of formation. 0420 Completed deballasting. 0615 Joined replenishment group consisting of USS Guadalupe AO 32, USS Taluga AO 62, and USS Paracutin AE 18. 0745 Alongside Taluga to receive fuel.  0815 LTJG B.W. Brown was transferred to Taluga for further transfer for duty at U.S. Naval Line School, Monterey CA. 0838 Completed refueling.  0840 D.A. Bailey EM3 was received aboard for duty.  Fletcher proceeded to screen. 1715 Alongside Taluga. 1723 Received A.J. Roberts SA aboard for duty. 1733 Cleared Taluga and went alongside Valley Forge for transfer of guard mail. 1758 Proceeded to screen station in 12 ship screen.

Wednesday, 6 February, Steaming in company of Task Force 77 in the Sea of Japan off shore near the front lines.  Fletcher was in 12 ship circular screen.  Heavies consisted of Valley Forge and USS Wisconsin BB 64, and other carriers. 0530 Commenced air operations. 0540 Completed air operations.  0744 Destroyer Division 122 joined formation and screen was changed to 16 ships. 0814 Fletcher and Wisconsin were detached to proceed to Yokosuka, Japan. 2023 Sighted Uru Saki light at 13 miles.  2041 Passed Uru Saki light to starboard at 7.5 miles.

Thursday, 7 February, Steaming in company with USS Wisconsin BB 64 enroute to Yokosuka Japan. Com Seventh Fleet is embarked in Wisconsin. Fletcher is 2000 yards ahead of Wisconsin in screening station.  0400 Wind increased to force 8.  Ship pitching moderately in heavy seas. 0447 Changed formation speed to 22 knots.  Ship pitching heavily.  Reduced speed to 18 knots.  0906 Changed formation speed to 22 knots.  0930 Changed formation speed to 24 knots.

Friday, 8 February,  Steaming as before.  0700 Reduced speed to 20 knots. 0924 Proceeded independently into Yokosuka Japan. 1015 Passed Fort #3 abeam to port and passed through harbor defense nets. 1046 Moored starboard side to USS Ajax ARH 6.  Sopa was USS Essex CV 9.  1205 Kenneth Hackworth FT2(T) was transferred to Fleet Activities for further transfer to Continental United States for discharge. 1440 YW 88 came alongside to port to transfer water. 1805 Tommy H. Thompson FA, reported aboard for duty.

Saturday, 9 February, Moored starboard side to USS Ajax AR 6 at buoy 6 in Yokosuka Japan. SOPA was Com 7th Fleet in USS Wisconsin BB 64. 0815 Commanding Officer of Fletcher departed to make official calls on Com7thflt and ComDesFlot 3. 0900 Commanding Officer returned.  0930 USS Radford DDE 446 moored outboard. 0945 USS Walker DDE 517 moored outboard of Radford.  1000 USS O’Bannon moored outboard of Walker.  1630 Commenced to offload ammunition on barge for transfer to Fleet Activities Yokosuka fro storage.  1935 Completed transfer of 1099 rounds of 3"/50 VYNF, 372 rounds of 3"/50 AP.

Sunday, 10 February, Moored as before.

Monday, 11 February, Moored as before. 1113 USS Henderson DD 785, USS Sutherland DDR 743, USS Gergke DD 783, USS Rowan DD 782, and USS Bataan CVL 27 stood into the harbor.  1400 Took on 6000 gallons of fresh water from YD 86.  1513 O.J. Lewis, BTC, was transferred to Fleet Activities Yokosuka for further transfer to Continental United States.

Tuesday, 12 February, Moored as before.

Wednesday, 13 February, Moored as before.  1450 YW 22 came alongside O’Bannon with water for Fletcher.  1700 YW 22 cast off having delivered 14000 gallons potable water to Fletcher.  1915 Fletcher received the following ammunition from LSU 686: 24 7.2 inch projectile charges, plaster loaded, 50 hand grenades M3A1 and 50 hand grenade fuses M6A3. The following men reported aboard for duty: D.E. Baker SA, J. P.Trinder SA,   W. Trinder SA, A.D. Smith FA.

Thursday, 14 February,   Moored as before. 1030 USS Carpenter DDE 825, moored starboard side to O’Bannon.  1135 E.A. Coleman FCSN reported aboard for duty.  1541 USS Radford DDE 446 got underway from alongside. 1635 C.J. Grobner CSC, reported aboard for duty.

Friday, 15 February,   Moored as before. 0900 W.H. Raynard GM1, was transferred to ComNavFe for further assignment. 0910 Hauled down commission pennant and hauled up pennant of ComCortDesRon One.  Staff of ComCortDesRon One conducted surprise administrative inspection. 1237 Inspection complete, and ComCortDesRon One pennant hauled down and commission pennant broke. 1330 Commenced taking on ammunition from lighter astern.  Received 1099 rounds of 3"/50 VTNR, 372 rounds 3"/50 VT, and 315 rounds 3"/50 AP ammunition.

Saturday, 16 February, Moored as before. 1110 Secured services from Ajax. 1120 Commenced taking on fuel from YO 86. 1230 Completed refueling fuel oil having received 21,163 gallons.  1600 Commenced taking on diesel oil.  1715 Completed refueling having received 2,678 gallons of diesel oil.  1810 Completed all refueling, having taken on 91,521 gallons.

Sunday 17 February,  Moored as before.  0900 The following men were transferred to the Receiving Station Yokosuka, Japan for discharge.: W.J. Kimmett RD2, D. Bland FN. 1000 The following men were transferred to Receiving Station Yokosuka Japan for discharge: D.I. Dester SK2(T), R.A. Brenner SN, R.F. Hall SN, B.P. Gardner ET1, A.S. Bernhardt SN, 1015 Tug breasted out O’Bannon and Carpenter.  1017 Walker got underway1030 O’Bannon and Carpenter were breasted back alongside to port. 1207 Radford entered the nest, moored outboard of Carpenter. 1425 Commenced taking on fresh water from YW 86. 1515 LCDR G.L. Rawlings relieved CDR George A Hayes as commanding officer of USS Fletcher DDE 445.  1601 CDR George A. Hayes departed to proceed to U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan.  1715 Completed taking on 13,000 gallons fresh water, and YW 86 cleared the nest. 1823 N. Mascitti SN, was transferred to U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan for treatment.

Monday, 18 February. Moored as before.  0710 Local harbor pilot came aboard.  0720 Radford underway. 0725 Carpenter underway. 0730 O’Bannon underway.  0735 Motor whaleboat #2 hoisted aboard. 0740 Fletcher underway from alongside Ajax.  0745 Captain took conn and pilot departed. Motor whaleboat #1 hoisted aboard. 0757 Passed Yokosuka breakwater light.  0819 Cleared the harbor defense net.  0834 Formed up column with Carpenter, Radford, O’Bannon and Fletcher. 2215 D.J. Lincoln SN, was reported unconscious in compartment C-101-L.  2230 Lincoln received treatment for dislocated left knee suffered as result of falling over lines used to secure stores on O-1 level, frame 100.  Unconsciousness resulted from pain.  Patient placed on binnacle list.

Tuesday, 19 February.  Underway enroute to Okinawa Island from Yokosuka, Japan. 0425 Changed course to avoid small craft. 1300 Conducted general quarters and other ships drills.

Wednesday, 20 February.  Underway in the Philippine Sea enroute to Buckner Bay, Okinawa with CortDesDiv 11.  ComCortDesRon One is OTC. 0723 Detached to conduct independent ship exercises.  1424 Took life guard station on O’Bannon. Radford commenced personnel transfer to O’Bannon.  1450 Personnel transfer completed.  1515 Alongside O’Bannon for personnel transfer.  J.A. Tow MM3, D.D. Reynolds BT3, and F.O. Faccin BTG3 were transferred to O’Bannon for duty.  1705 Completed independent ship exercises.

Thursday, 21 February.   Steaming independently in vicinity of Okinawa Jima. 0800 Commenced ASW exercises with USS Caiman SS 323.  1148 Submarine surfaced and was detached. 1300 Commenced ships exercises.1410 Lit off smoke generator and secured it at 1415. 2020 Maneuvered to avoid fishing craft.

Friday, 22 February.   Steaming independently in vicinity of Okinawa Jima. 0140 Changed course to avoid merchantman. 0800 Joined with Caiman and USS Carpenter DDE 825, to conduct ASW exercises .  1106 Caiman surfaced. 1216 Fletcher, Carpenter and Radford commenced ASW exercises with Caiman. Fletcher and Carpenter conducted coordinated attacks on submarine.  1335 Ceased exercisesAnd formed in column with Carpenter, Radford and O’Bannon.  1345 Entered Buckner Bay, Okinawa.  1515 Fletcher anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa. 1616 Fletcher got underway to go alongside fuel pier.  1647 Moored starboard side to Carpenter at fuel pier.  Fletcher took on 4000 gallons of fresh water. 2015 Fletcher commenced taking on fuel oil.

Saturday, 23 February.   Moored as before. 0000 Completed taking on 73,340 gallons of fuel oil  0705 Fletcher got underway and anchored in berth 174 Buckner Bay Okinawa.  1411 The following men were transferred to Fleet Training Center San Diego for pre-commissioning training and assignment to USS Sheldrake AM 62: W.J. Thomas QM3, J.W. Wardlow CS1. O.G. Whitehurst BT3, was transferred for 15 days emergency leave and further assignment. 

Sunday, 24 February.   0713 Fletcher got underway. 0835 Commenced cross over barrier patrol at point Xray. 0933 Formed bent line screen.  0945 Proceeding to station 1. 0950 Maneuvering on various courses to avoid SS Cyclops, British registry, sailing out of London. 1002 On station, with USS Bataan CVL 29 in formation center.  1605 Took station 2 in bent line screen.  1605 Bataan began flight operations.  1700 Completed flight operations.  1957 Stopped all engines to avoid ship at 950 yards. 1959 Ship passed clear.  2145 Commenced simulated urgent attack on submarine. 2209 Completed simulated urgent attack and directed submarine to surface.  2230 Submarine on surface, identified as USS Caiman SS 323. Returned to station 2 in bent line screen.

Monday, 25 February. Underway with USS McGinty DE 365, USS Edmonds DE 450, USS Douglas A. Monroe DE 422, USS Silverstine DE 534, USS Carpenter DDE 825, USS O’Bannon DDE 450, USS Radford DDE 446, and USS Bataan CVL29. Sopa was ComCarDiv 15 in Bataan.  0733 Fletcher took plane guard station 1 on Bataan. 0800 Commenced air operations.  0810 Completed air operations.  Fletcher took screen station 8. 0830 Carpenter reported sonar contact.  Radford left screen to help develop the contact.  Fletcher took station 6.  0938 Fletcher and O’Bannon detached to assist Carpenter and Radford. Fletcher designated attack ship, Radford assist ship.  1114 Lost submarine contact.  Radford and Fletcher commenced patrolling clockwise around O’Bannon and Carpenter. 1225 Formed column of Fletcher, Radford, Carpenter, and O’Bannon and proceeded to rejoin the formation.  1420 Bataan commenced flight operations.  1435 Flight operations completed. 1850 Fletcher took plane guard station 2.1857 Commenced flight operations.  2007 Completed aircraft launching operations.  2050 Completed flight operations.

Tuesday, 26 February.  Underway in the Philippine Sea as before. 0801 Commenced flight operations.  0805 Completed flight operations. 1340 Gland seal on starboard engine reported broken.  Stopped engine for repairs. 1415 Repairs to engine completed.  1505 Fletcher took plane guard station astern of Bataan.  1614 Commenced approach on starboard side of Bataan.  1626 Alongside Bataan. 1636 Commenced refueling ship. 1738 Completed refueling.  Fletcher took station 1.  1750 Took station 4.  1924 Commenced flight operations. 1937 Completed flight operations.

Wednesday, 27 February.  Underway with McGinty and Munro searching for pilot of plane that crashed. Conducting search in vicinity of aircraft crash. 0730 Abandoned search of the area. Munro was detached to remain in the area.  0830 Rejoined formation.  1155Commenced flight operations.  1208 Flight operations completed. 1638 Formed search attack unit with Carpenter and O’Bannon. SAU commander was ComCortDesRon One in Carpenter.  1709 Commenced ASW retiring search plan.  1819 Abandoned retiring search plan.  Formed column with Fletcher Carpenter and Radford to rejoin the formation. 1908 Joined Munro in type I attacks. 2015 Ceased ASW exercises and surfaced submarine USS Caiman SS 323. 2345 rejoined formation.

Thursday, 28 February. Enroute Okinawa Jima to Yokosuka, Japan with USS Bataan CVL 29, USS Radford DDE 446, USS Carpenter DDE 825, USS O’Bannon DDE 460, and USS Munro DE 422.  0135 USS McGinty DE 356, USS Edmonds DE 406, and USS Silverstien DE 534 joined the formation.  1103 Fletcher and Carpenter detached to investigate sonar contact reported by Radford.  1128 Started operation duet with Carpenter. 1320 CeasedASW exercise. 1333 Submarine surfaced.  1341 Fletcher, Radford, and O’Bannon formed column on Carpenter.  1527 Formed bentline screen on Bataan. 1701 Made sonar contact, began conducting ASW exercises with Radford and submarine.  2015 Ceased operation duet. Fletcher and Radford rejoined the formation.  Carpenter and O’Bannon in the area conducting operation duet.

Friday, 29 February.   Underway enroute from Okinawa to Yokosuka, Japan as before. 0856 Formed SAU 1 with Carpenter and Radford. Proceeding to investigate submarine contact at 27 miles.   0958 Commenced retiring search plan 57 clockwise.  Took station on starboard side of Carpenter, and shifted conn to CIC.  1218 Abandoned retiring search plan 57. Reoriented search line normal to base course. 1258 Proceeded independently to make repairs on echo ranging equipment. Carpenter and Radford conducted plan Able. 1410 Rejoined Carpenter and Radford.1425 Commenced retiring search plan 57 counter clockwise.  1700 Joined column formation behind Carpenter and Radford.  1715 Joined bentline screen   1900 Sighted green flare at 5000 yards. Fletcher proceeded to investigate. 2025 Radford reported submarine contact. Radford and Carpenter detached to investigate. 2210 Commenced air operations.

March 1952

Saturday, 1 March. Underway with TG 96.7 enroute Okinawa to Yokosuka, Japan.  1220 Proceeded independently to berth D-2, Inner Harbor, Yokosuka, Japan. 1250 Passed through the submarine net. 1310 Took pilot J.C. Slycard aboard. 1416 Moored port side to USS Radford DDE 446 in berth D-2.  1418 Pilot left the ship. 1436 USS O’Bannon DDE 450 moored alongside to starboard. 1628 The following men reported aboard for duty: G.H. Gressler SA, John F. Hames SA G.D. Calcote SA, G.R. Cooper SA, R.R. Crook FA. S.H. Green SA, D.F. Bendt RDSA, and D.R. Powell SOSN.

Sunday 2 March.  Moored as before in Yokosuka Harbor Japan.  Other ships present include U.S. Pacific Fleet units, and United Nations Naval Force units.  1020 G.Brewer Jr. TE3 was transferred to Naval Air Facility, Litchfield Park, Phoenix Arizona. W.A. Prosser MM3, and V.G. Plowman RM3, were transferred to CONLUS for discharge.  J.D. Johnson QM3, was transferred to ComNavPhil C.M. Ewald SN2 was transferred to CONLUS for leave and duty at U.S. Naval Barracks, Bremerton Washington. J.C. Quitorio IC3, was transferred to Commander Naval Forces Far East for duty. A. Nagy EM1, was transferred to Fleet Training Center San Diego. 1307 Refueled from YO 174.

Monday, 3 March. Moored as before.  0532 O’Bannon got underway. 0550 Fletcher got underway and proceeded out the channel.  0906 Took station in 8 ship circular screen with USS Valley Forge CV 45 in the center.  1442 Changed formation to column of units.  1530 Aircraft on station for anti aircraft exercises. 1605 Ceased exercise, having expended 20 rounds 5"/38 AAC non flashless and 12 rounds 3"/50 VT (PCL) non frag.ammunition.  1630 Reformed 8 ship circular screen on Valley Forge.

Tuesday 4 March. Underway with units of TE 77.02 enroute Yokosuka Japan to Task Force 77 Point Oboe, Area Sugar.  1330 USS Manchester CL 83 and USS Owens DD 776 were detached to proceed to duty assigned. 2014 Fletcher took screen station 9.

Wednesday 5 March. Underway as before.  0757 Valley Forge commenced air operations. 0840 USS Essex CV9 and USS Hanson DDE 832 joined the formation.  0917 Commenced Task Element air operations. 1043 USS Taussig DD 746 joined the formation.  1146 Essex, Taussig and Hanson detached to proceed to duty assigned. 1158 TG 77.02 dissolved. ComCarDiv 5 in Valley Forge  assumed tactical command of TF 77. 1227 Fletcher went alongside USS Guadalupe and refueled.  1810 USS St Paul CA 73 and USS Isbell DD 869 joined the formation.  Screen was 10 ship concentric circular screen, Fletcher in station 5.

Thursday 6 March.  Underway with TF 77 in the Sea of Japan east of Kosong, Korea.  0405 USS Laffey DD 724 reported man overboard. Commenced search for man.  0425 Laffey reported man had not fallen overboard. 0610 Investigated unidentified object.  0626 Object was a barrel, which was then sunk. 0800 Commenced air operations. 0816 Completed air operations.  0933 Commenced air operations.  0958 Completed air operations.  1050 Commenced air operations.  1125 Completed air operations.  1445 Exercised task force at warning magenta. 1515 Ceased exercise.  1655 Commenced air operations.  1713 Completed air operations.  2015 St Paul and USS Lowry DD 790 left formation for duty assigned. 2105 Commenced air operations.  2125 Completed air operations.

Friday, 7 March. Underway as before.  0051 Sonar contact reported.  USS Laffey DD 724 investigated.  0102 Laffey evaluated contact as non submarine. 0430 Fletcher took plane guard station on Valley Forge. 0452 Commenced air operations. 0510 Completed air operations. 0623 Commenced air operations. 0640 Completed air operations. 0740 Fletcher left formation to go alongside USS Platte AO 24 to refuel.  0900 Alongside Platte receiving fuel. 0939 Completed refueling having received 40,920 gallons of NSFO.  1212 Commenced air operations.  1243 Completed air operations. 1401 Commenced air operations. 1410 Completed air operations.  1527 Commenced air operations.  1545 Completed air operations.  1716 Fletcher detached to investigate object in water. 1743 Sighted life jacket in the water. 1750 Lifejacket recovered, no identifying markings on life jacket. Fletcher rejoined formation. 1817 Commenced air operations.  1822 Completed air operations.  2059 Conducted air operations.

Saturday, 8 March. Underway as before with TF 77. 9 Ship circular screen with USS Antietam CV 36 and USS Valley Forge CV 45.  0457 Valley Forge commenced air operations. 0702 Fletcher investigated unidentified object. 0713 Object was identified as wooden box.  0815 Completed air operations.  0843 Changed screen to 10 ship screen.  USS St Paul CA 73 joined formation. 0920 Commenced air operations. 1000 Completed air operations. 1320. USS Stickell DD 888 detached for duty assigned, changed screen to 9 ship circular screen.  1611 Fletcher took plane guard station on Antietam. 1625 Commenced air operations. 1643 Completed air operations.

Sunday, 9 March. Underway as before with TF 77. 0455 Commenced flight operations.  0507 Completed flight operations. 0510 USS Stickell DD 888,  joined formation, and 10 ship screen formed.  0619 Commenced flight operations. 0633 Completed air operations. 0758 Commenced air operations.  0820 USS St Paul CA 73, USS Stickell DD 888, and USS Lowry DD 790 detached on duty assigned.  0922 Commenced task force air operations. 0943 Completed task force air operations. 1050 Commenced task force air operations.  1116 Completed air operations.  1219 Commenced air operations.  1245 Completed air operations.  1311 St Paul and Stickell joined formation.  1344 Commenced air operations.  1407 Completed air operations.  1425 Stickell detached from screen. 1432 Commenced air operations. 1522 Completed air operations.  1640 Commenced air operations.  1705 Air operations completed.  1807 Commenced air operations. 1827 Completed air operations. 1945 Commenced air operations.  Fletcher took plane guard station 2 on Antietam.  1958 Completed air operations.  2105 Antietam commenced air operations.  2126 Antietam completed air operations.

Monday, 10 March.  Underway as before with TF 77.  0522 Fletcher joined the replenishment group. 0805 Fletcher took life guard station on USS Kaswaskia AO 27.  0920 Fletcher went alongside Kaswaskia and commenced refueling. Received the following personnel from Kaswaskia by highline: LTJG H.W. Lagerquist, squadron medical doctor, and J.E. Cavanaugh RMC for duty.  1019 Completed refueling and went alongside USS Alstede AF 48.  1108 Completed provisioning.  1115 Went alongside USS Paracutin AE 18 for transfer of mail. 1410 Task Force gunnery exercises were cancelled/ Carpenter and USS Fox DD 779 detached to investigate reported submarine sighting. 1705 Carpenter and Fox rejoined the formation.

Tuesday, 11 March. Underway as before with TF 77 in the Sea of Japan off Kosong, Korea. 0709 USS Wisconsin BB64 and USS Duncan DDR 874 joined the formation. 0740 USS Stickell DD 888 joined the formation.  0953 USS St Paul CA 73, and USS Isbell DD 869 detached.  1224 Commenced air operations.  1244 Completed air operations.  1346 Commenced air operations.  1412 Completed air operations.  1451 Commenced air operations.  1500 Completed air operations. 1527 Commenced air operations. 1541 Completed air operations.  1701 Commenced air operations.  1717 Completed air operations.  1845 Completed air operations.  1847 Fletcher took life guard station on USS Bass DD 886, and USS Isbell DD 796. 1941 Took screen station 1.

Wednesday 12 March.  Underway as before with TF 77 off Kosong, Korea, in the Sea of Japan. 0450 USS Antietam CV 36 commenced air operations.  0615 USS Stickell DD 888 and USS Duncan DD 74? detached to proceed to refueling rendezvous. 0700 Fletcher and USS Bass DD 887 detached to proceed to refueling rendezvous. 0824 Fletcher was alongside USS Tolovana AO 64 for refueling. 0837 Transferred LTJG Lagerquist to Tolovana for further transfer to USS Radford DDE 446.0851 Completed refueling and took screen station 3.  1041 Fletcher took plane guard station 1 on Valley Forge. 1115 Completed air operations and Fletcher took screen station5.  1216 Took plane guard station on Valley Forge.  1253 Fletcher detached from formation to sink floating object 035T at 18 miles.  1348 Arrived in the area and commenced a search for object. 1440 Completed search with negative results. 1550 Fletcher rejoined the formation. 1657 Commenced air operations. 1709 Completed air operations. 2131 Commenced air operations.  2145 Completed air operations.

Thursday, 13 March.  Underway as before with TF 77.  Heavies included Valley Forge, Antietam, Wisconsin and St Paul, and USS Manchester CL 83. 0400 St Paul and Fox detached for duty assigned. Screen changed to 10 ship screen with Fletcher in station 5. 0435 Fletcher took plane guard station on Antietam.  0455 Commenced air operations.  0500 Completed air operations.  0930 Commenced air operations.  0945 Completed air operations.  1050 Commenced air operations.  1116 Completed air operations.  1220 Commenced air operations.  1245 Completed air operations. 1352 Commenced air operations. 1415 Completed air operations.  1435 USS Lowry DD 770 left the formation. 1521 Commenced air operations. 1548 Completed air operations. 1820 Commenced air operations. 1840 Completed air operations.  1841 Fletcher proceeded to investigate object in the water reported by USS Wisconsin BB 64. 1900 Took object under fire with 30 Caliber machine gun. 1925 Unable to sink object, which appeared to be wooden fish marker, returned to formation. 2037 Commenced air operations.  2110 Completed air operations.  2233 Secured the starboard main engine to affect repairs on number 1 guarding valve, ahead full on port engine.  2037 Repair completed and two engine operation resumed.

Friday, 14 March.  Underway as before with TF 77.  0300 USS Manchester CL 83 joined the formation. 0525 Replenishment group TE 92.11 joined the formation.  0918  Fletcher took station astern of USS Tolovana AO 64.  0942 Fletcher alongside Tolovana for refueling. 0955 Transferred F.L. Wilkins YN2, by highline to Tolovana for transfer and duty at U.S. Navy Recruiting Station, Houston, Texas.  1020 Completed refueling and returned to screen station.  1510 Task Group TE 92.11 detached from formation.  1545 Stopped and secured the starboard engine to affect repairs to high pressure drain line.  Proceeded on port engine. 1701 Engine repairs finished and back on 2 engine operations. 2002 Wisconsin and USS Duncan DDR 874 left the formation.

Saturday, 15 March.  Underway as before with TF 77.  0438 Fletcher took plane guard station on Valley Forge. 0450 Commenced air operations. 0504 Completed air operations. 0620 Completed air operations.  0642 Completed air operations.  0725 USS Lowry DD 770 joined the formation. 1035 Fletcher took plane guard on Valley Forge.  1234 Commenced air operations 1248 Completed air operations. 1350 Commenced air operations. 1417 Completed air operations.  1518 Commenced air operations.  1550 Completed air operations.  1818 Commenced air operations.  1830 Completed air operations.

Sunday, 16 March.  Underway as before with TF 77 in the Sea of Japan off Kosong, Korea.  Heavies are Valley Forge, Antietam, and Manchester with 10 ship circular screen. 0455 Valley Forge commenced air operations.  0505 Completed air operations.  0609 Lowry and Stickell detached to proceed to fueling rendezvous. 0650 Bass detached to refuel.  0729 Fletcher detached to refuel. 0820 Alongside USS Cacapon AO 52 to refuel.  0835 R.D. Holm PNSN, received aboard by highline for duty.  0852 Completed refueling and returned to screen station.  0922 Commenced air operations. 0943 Completed air operations. 1045 Commenced air operations 1114 Completed air operations.  1120 Fletcher sighted paravane floating in water, and was detached to sink same. 1132 Paravane sunk by M1 rifle and machine gun fire. Fletcher rejoined the formation.  1649 Commenced air operations.  1712 Completed air operations.  1820 Commenced air operations.  Fletcher took life guard station astern of Antietam and Radford.  1842 Completed air operations. 1915 Fletcher returned to screen station.  2128 Commenced air operations.  2150 Completed air operations.  Daytime ASW aircraft patrols were made by AD aircraft from the carriers flying a box around the formation.  The flight consisted of one radar equipped aircraft and one carrying ordnance. At night,multiengine aircraft from Japan conducted the patrol under air control of one of the destroyers including the Fletcher.  Fletcher also handled air control of jets in the CAP, and strikes on the beach.

Monday, 17 March.  Underway as before in the Sea of Japan off Wonson, Korea. 0457 Commenced flight operations. 0510 Completed air operations.   0918 Commenced air operations.  0945 Completed air operations.  1034 Task Force conducted air defense exercises.  1050 Commenced air operations. 1116 Completed air operations. 1140 Fletcher proceeded to destroy aircraft droppable fuel tank reported by Valley Forge. 1202 Tank sunk by M1 rifle and machine gun fire.  1226 Completed air operations.  1346 Commenced air operations.  1412 Completed air operations.  1519 Commenced air operations.  1549 Completed air operations.  1835 Commenced air operations. 1854 Completed air operations. 2040 Fletcher took night plane guard station on Antietam. 2042 Commenced air operations. 2105 Antietam completed air operations.

Tuesday, 18 March. Underway as before, 0520 CTF 77 took control of TE 92.11.  Fletcher took station in waiting line behind USS Cacapon AO 32. 0530 USS St Paul CA 73, and USS Isbell DD 869 joined up. 0703 Fletcher went alongside Cacapon to refuel 0745 Completed refueling and proceeded to screen station. 1205 Formed 10 ship circular screen. Antietam and Valley Forge formed line for anti aircraft gunnery exercises.  1334 Commenced exercises. 1359 Completed air defense exercises having expended 11 rounds of 5"/38 AAC (MTF) non flashless ammunition.  1738 USS Keys DD 787, and USS Moore DD 747 rejoined the formation.  1950 Formed 11 ship screen. 2019 Formed 12 ship screen.

Wednesday, 19 March Underway as before in TF 77. 0355 Manchester and Fox detached on duty assigned. 0440 USS Isbell DD 869, USS Brinkley Bass DD 887, and USS Stickell DD 888 detached on duty assigned. 0700 USS Samuel N. Moore DD 747 detached from formation. 1000 USS Philippine Sea CV 47, USS Rochester CL 124, and USS Taussig DD 746 joined the force. 1020 USS Wisconsin BB 64 and USS Higbee DDR 806 joined the formation.  1145 Wisconsin, Antietam, and Kyes were detached on duty assigned.  1208 USS St Paul CA 73, and USS Higbee DDR 806 detached on duty assigned. 2007 Taussig detached on duty assigned.

Thursday, 20 March.  Underway as before in TF 77.  0435 Unidentified surface contact at 8 miles. 0512 Contact identified as USS Union AKA 106.  Fletcher took station astern of Union.  0615 Fletcher reported to CTG 90.5 for duty. 0632 USS Union AKA 106 anchored in Sokcho Hang.  Fletcher anchored 1000 yards north of Union.  0715 USS Duncan DDR 874 standing in.  0927 Fletcher moved to another anchorage.  1958 Fletcher started to get underway.  The anchor failed to break ground.  Maneuvered the ship with engines to cast ship and clear anchor. Anchor chain apparently fouled on ledge while swinging with tides.  2029 Commenced heaving in anchor after clearing the anchor chain. 2041 Anchor aweigh. Proceeded to conduct ASW patrol.

Friday, 21 March.  Conducting barrier patrol off Sokcho-Ri Korea.  0906 Fletcher investigated object in the water. Object was standard 55 gallon oil drum.  0930 Sunk barrel with small arms fire, and resumed patrol.  Duncan proceeded to anchorage Sokch’o Hang Korea. 1020 Lowered two motor whaleboats.  1036 Completed man overboard drill. Proceeded to assigned anchorage in Sokch’o Hang Korea.

Saturday 22 March. Anchored as before.  0852 Fletcher went alongside USS Montague AKA 98 for refueling.  1455 Fletcher got underway to conduct barrier patrol to seaward of Sokch’o Hang Korea.  1648 Rendezvoused with LCM for guard mail.  1730 Resumed barrier patrol.  0845 Took screen station ahead of task element 90.51 enroute Sokch’o Hang Korea to Inchon Korea. OTC is CTE 90.51 in USS Catamount LSD 17.

Sunday, 23 March.  Underway as before in the Sea of Japan. Fletcher is one ship screen in front of formation and Commanding Officer of Fletcher is CTU 90.53.1.  0710 PCEC 896 detached to escort LST 1146. 2136 USS PCEC 898 and LST 1148 joined the force. 2335 Sighted Mitsu Shieva light at 11 miles.

Monday, 24 March.  Underway as before enroute Inchon, Korea. 0735 USS PCEC 898 directed to investigate small boat north of formation. 0852 USS PCEC 898 rejoined the formation.   2115 Fletcher proceeded to investigate sonar contact.   Contact evaluated as fish.

Tuesday 25 March.  Underway as before enroute to Inchon, Korea.  0817 Shoku Kazan abeam to starboard at 6 miles. 0951 USS PCEC 898 went alongside USS Catamount LSD 17. 1012 PCEC 898 returned to formation.  1100 USS PCEC proceeded to investigate object in the water. 1118 PCEC 898 identified object as aircraft droppable fuel tank, and destroyed it by gunfire. 1340 USS PCEC 896 and USS LST 883 joined the formation.  1415 Fletcher proceeded to sink belly tank with machine gun fire. 1425 Sighted belly tank and sank it with machine gun fire.  1510 COM LSD Div 12 conducted turning drills. 1735 Passed SS Pembina abeam to port 4000 yards. 2158 Sighted Pukkyongnyolai Do light at 12 miles.  2350 USS LST 914 detached to proceed as previously directed.

Wednesday, 26 March. Underway as before enroute to Inchon Korea.  0400 Entering Inchon Harbor, Korea. 0820 Anchored in anchorage A-7 Inchon, Korea.  0841 Fletcher got underway to go alongside USS Catamount LSD 17 for refueling.  1300 Fletcher completed refueling and returned to anchorage A-7. 1615 J. Hardin SN, severed the tip of his left thumb above the first knuckle while tending line on the inboard drum of the boat winch in the process of hoisting the starboard motor whale boat.  1623 Hardin was taken to USS Catamount LSD 17 for treatment.  M.V. McDaniels HMC, reported that the bone in the thumb will have to be shaved and the skin lapped over to make it heal properly.

Thursday, 27 March.  Anchored as before in Inchon Harbor, Korea.

Friday, 28 March.  Anchored as before. 0804 Fletcher got underway.  0810 Commenced blowing inland fog signals due to heavy fog. 0843 Let go starboard anchor due to poor visibility in heavy fog at Xray 18.  1002 Fletcher got underway. 1301 Passed Paukkyognolbi Do light to starboard at 4 miles.  1822 Shichatsu To light abeam to port 9 miles.  1900 Maikotso To abeam to port at 3.5 miles.  2047 Avoiding several fishing vessels.

Saturday, 29 March.  Underway as before enroute Inchon Korea, to Sasebo, Japan.  0545 Commenced approach to Sasebo harbor. 0821 Passed through harbor control nets and moored to starboard side of USS Dixie AD 14 at buoy 1.  0930 USS Mender ARSD 1 moored alongside to port. The following men reported aboard for duty: D.A. Fogg ET2, S. Evans Jr. SA, D.D. Homey, SA, M.W. Jackson SA, T.E. Webb, SA, R.I. Privett, SA, and F.G. Beckom SA. 1630 The following men reported aboard for duty: R.L. Redmond, GM2, L. Kenzie, FA.

Sunday 30 March. Moored as before.  0906 USS Mender ARSD underway from portside to allow USS Owens DD 776 to come alongside to port.

Monday, 31 March.  Moored as before. 0850 The following men reported aboard for duty: M.  Earwood SA, M.N. Mascitti SN, A. Tonsica FA, D.B. Donner FA, and H.B. Hay EMC.

April 1952

Tuesday,1 April. USS Fletcher DDE 445, was moored starboard side to USS Dixie AD 14 in Sasebo, Japan. Other ships present include various units of the United Nations Forces and harbor craft. 1310 USS Mender ASR 12 moored alongside to port.

Wednesday, 2 April.  Moored as before. 0935 Took on water from Water Barge #4.  1025 LTJG Larz Anderson left the ship for TAD at the Fleet Sonar School San Diego, for training.

Thursday, 3 April. Moored as before.  0905 Mender got underway. 0920 USS Radford DDE 450, moored alongside to port. 0930 USS O’Bannon DDE 450 moored outboard of Radford.  0940 USS Carpenter DDE 825 moored outboard of O’Bannon.  1100 LTJG Alfred Carpenter reported aboard for duty.  Ensign Yung Kuk KIM, Republic of Korea Navy, reported aboard for duty.  1400 LT L.C. Chambers reported aboard for duty. 1610 Exercised crew at general quarters for a warning yellow in the Sasebo area.  1900 Took on water from water barge YW1.

Friday, 4 April. Moored as before.  0025 Warning yellow, ship darkened. 0035 Warning white, ship lighted.  1427 R.W. Hudgins FA, reported aboard for duty. T.E. Christensen BM3 reported aboard via Naval Receiving Barracks Yokosuka, Japan from Receiving Station Treasure Island, California via USNS Breckenridge without transfer papers. 1735 D.T. Severson TM1, was transferred to U.S. Naval Infirmary, Fleet Activities, Sasebo, Japan.

Saturday, 5 April. Moored as before.  0925 Commanding Officer inspected crew at quarters. C.J. Reil NS, was transferred to U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan for treatment.  1230 W.W. Chapman MMC, was transferred to ComFltActs for further transfer to USS Higbee DDR 806. 1640 Completed taking on water from water barge YW5.

Sunday, 6 April. Moored as before.  1450 V.J. Treacy BGT3, and T.M. Truville SN, reported aboard for duty.

Monday, 7 April. Moored as before.  1255 Completed taking on water from YW5.  ComCortDesRon One assumed SOPA from CTF 95 in USS Dixie AD 14.

Tuesday, 8 April.  Moored as before.

Wednesday, 9 April.  Moored as before. 1613 D.T. Severson TM1, returned aboard from U.S. Naval Hospital, Sasebo, Japan, having completed treatment. 1645 Received 954 gallons of Navy Fog oil. 2232 J.E. Sullivan MMFN, was transferred to USS Dixie AD 14 for medical treatment.

Thursday, 10 April.  Moored as before. 1050 R.C. Nearoff MEW1was transferred to CONLUS for discharge.  H.D. Borba, SN was transferred to Naval Hospital San Diego, for school.  E.L. Gentry SN was transferred to CONLUS for discharge. 1245 Completed receiving water from YW5.  1509 P.E. Thompson was transferred to Naval Station San Diego for a normal tour of shore duty.

Friday, 11 April.  Moored as before. 0140 Completed refueling the ship from oil barge B1. 1405 The following men were transferred to CONLUS for discharge; W.A. Tripp SN, H.T. Tyner CS3, M.A. Cole SHSN, R.L. Glasscock FC3, A.L. Hurst FN,  R.T. Johnson BT3. 2043 C.D. Harmon SN, was transferred to USS Dixie AD 14 for treatment.

Saturday, 12 April.  Moored as before. 0650 J.E. Sullivan Jr. MMFN, was transferred to USS Carpenter DDE 825 for temporary duty.  F.W. Thompson SN, was transferred to Naval Training Center, San Diego, California. 0710 Number 1 whaleboat hoisted aboard.  0713 Fletcher got underway from alongside USS Dixie AD 14 enroute to Buckner Bay, Okinawa. 0720 Number 2 whaleboat hoisted aboard.  0758 Cleared Sasebo Harbor Japan. 0808 Formed column normal order, double distance in following order, Carpenter, O’Bannon, 0815 Radford detached.

Sunday, 13 April.  Underway enroute to Buckner Bay Okinawa, with Carpenter and O’Bannon. OTC was ComCortDesRon One in Carpenter.  0815 Steaming independently in entering Buckner Bay, Okinawa 0908 Anchored in Berth B186 Buckner Bay Okinawa.  0944 J.E. Sullivan MMFN, was received aboard for duty from Carpenter. 1205 Fletcher got underway and formed column open order double distance with Carpenter and O’Bannon. 1236 Cleared the harbor. 1400 Ara Sari abeam to starboard 3.5 miles.  1451 Aware Sari abeam to starboard at 8 miles.  1510 Koba Shima abeam to starboard 9 miles.  1452 Fletcher took station abeam to starboard of Carpenter and conducted double echo checks.    1730 Completed double echo checks and resumed column formation.

Monday, 14 April.  Underway in the East China Sea enroute from Okinawa to Formosa in company with Carpenter and O’Bannon. 0110 Kobe Sho abeam to port at 9.5 miles.  0209 Uotshuri Shima abeam to port at 20 miles.  0507 Steering casualty to port cable. Rudder indicator had a14 degree to port error when the rudder was midships. Steering control shifted to after steering.  0702 Casualty restored, rudder angle transmitter arm pin worked out.  Steering shifted back to bridge.  1020 Fletcher took life guard station astern of O’Bannon and Carpenter. 1054 Reformed column formation.  1150 Rendezvoused with Task Group 72.1. 1205 USS J.W. Thomason DD 760 came alongside to transfer guard mail, mail, and movies. 1215 Completed transfer.  1228 ComCortDesRon One relieved ComDesRon 7 as CTE 77.2.1 1300 Fletcher assumed duties of CTU 72.11.1 and commenced Formosa Straits patrol   2050 Fletcher formed astern of O’Bannon to proceed to Kaoshiung, Formosa to fuel. 2141 Changed course to avoid small craft.

Tuesday, 15 April.   Underway with O’Bannon enroute from northern Formosa Straits to Kaoshiung Formosa to refuel. 0415 Tokitisu To abeam to starboard at 6.5 miles. 0645 Proceeding independently into Tokao Ko, Formosa. 1028 Moored alongside USS Platte AO 24.  1145 Completed refueling, receiving 70,471 gallons of fuel oil, 1158 Underway from alongside Platte.  1208 Cleared channel and proceeded enroute to southern Formosa Straits patrol area. 2345 Commenced south patrol of Formosa Straits.

Wednesday, 16 April. Underway in the Formosa Strait, patrolling assigned area.  0806 USS O’Bannon DDE 450 came alongside to starboard to transfer guard mail. 2215 Had high water casualty on boiler number 4. 2228 Casualty restored.  2329 Turned on running lights for possible surface contact. 2334 Secured running lights, contact believed to be electronic disturbance.

Thursday, 17 April.  Underway as before on patrol in Formosa Strait. 0855 Stopped all engines to repair split in shear strake, frame 35, port side.  0958 Completed repair and resumed patrol. 2302 Maneuvered to avoid small craft in area.  2344 Investigated large radar contact.  Contact identified as SS Jensen Heinrich of Danish registry.

Friday, 18 April.  Underway as before on patrol in Formosa Strait. 0211 Changed course to avoid small fishing craft in the area.

Saturday, 19 April.  Underway as before on patrol in Formosa Strait.

Sunday, 20 April.  Underway as before on patrol in Formosa Strait.

Monday, 21 April.  Underway as before on patrol in Formosa Strait.

Tuesday, 22 April. Underway in the Formosa Strait enroute to Kaohsiung (Takoa) Formosa.  0323 Risci Kaku abeam to starboard at 9 miles. 0714 Completed deballasting and proceeded into Kaohsiung channel. 0738 Moored port side to USS Platte AO 24 and took on fuel.

Wednesday, 23 April. Moored as before.  1435 D.R. Powell SO3, was transferred to Platte for transfer CONLUS for emergency leave. 1556 Fletcher got underway for patrol area in Formosa Strait.  1638 Took departure of Kaohsiung Formosa.

Thursday, 24 April.  Underway enroute to patrol area in Formosa Strait.  0020 USS O’Bannon DDE 450, passed abeam to port at 6000 yards. 0917 O’Bannon came alongside to starboard to transfer light freight.

Friday, 25 April.  Steaming independently on patrol in the Formosa Strait. 1129 Fletcher went alongside USS Carpenter DDE 825 to transfer light freight and mail.

Saturday, 26 April.  Steaming independently on patrol in the Formosa Strait.

Sunday, 27 April.  Steaming independently as before. 1104 USS Carpenter DDE 825 came alongside to starboard to transfer U.S. Mail to Fletcher.

Monday 28 April. Steaming independently as before.  0000 Departed patrol area and proceeded enroute Kaohsiung, Formosa.  0156 Turned on running lights and avoided junks in the area.  0810 Entered Kaohsiung harbor.  0830 Moored alongside USS Platte AO 24 to refuel. 0952 W.F. McSween YN2, returned aboard on completion of TAD and treatment. 1250 Fletcher got underway and proceeded to sea. 1325 Lost steering on port motor, shifted control to after steering.  1333 Returned control to the bridge.  Shifted control to starboard cable and motor. 2055 Sighted USS O’Bannon DDE 450 at 11 miles.

Tuesday, 29 April. Enroute Kaohsiung Formosa to Hong Kong, China. 0711 Entered channel to Hong Kong harbor.  0756 Moored to buoy at berth B-3, British Crown Colony of Hong Kong, China. 0815 Boarded by various local Hong Kong merchants. 1045 Water tender alongside to port.  1300 water tender departed.

Wednesday, 30 April. Moored as before in Hong Kong harbor.  Ships present included USS Everest PF 8, and various British Naval and merchant vessels.

May 1952

Thursday, 1 May. Moored to buoy B-3, Hong Kong China. Other ships present were USS Everett PF-8, and various units of British and United Nations Fleet, merchantmen and harbor craft. American SOPA is Commanding Officer USS Fletcher DDE 445.  D.C. Powell RD3, and B.H. Jenkins RD 3 left the ship for shore patrol.

Friday, 2 May. Moored as before.  USS Okanagan APA 220 was in the harbor and assumed SOPA.  0829 Fletcher got underway and proceeded to sea.

Saturday, 3 May. Underway from Hong Kong China to Formosa Strait.0040 Sighted and exchanged calls with HMS Glory.  0125 Quemoy Island abeam to port.

Sunday, 4 May. Steaming independently on patrol in Formosa Strait.  1645 Made rendezvous with USS Carpenter DDE 825 and USS O’Bannon DDE 450. Fletcher took life guard on Carpenter. 2011 Turned on running lights and avoided fishing junks.

Monday, 5 May. Steaming independently in the Formosa Strait on patrol.

Tuesday, 6 May.  Steaming independently in the Formosa Strait on patrol. 0200 Departed patrol station for Kaohsiung Formosa. 0727 Altered course to investigate sonar contact.  0735 Sonar contact evaluated as reef. 1420 Entered Kaohsiung Formosa harbor.  1455 Moored alongside USS Platte AO 24 to refuel.

Wednesday, 7 May.  Moored as before alongside USS Platte AO 24 in Kaohsiung Formosa harbor.  0730 Ensign R. Holman was detached to proceed to Naval Administration Unit, Massachusetts Institute of Technology for duty under instruction.  0757 Underway for the patrol area.  0809 Took departure of Kaohsiung Formosa. 1956 Took station astern of USS Carpenter DDE 825. 2000 Fletcher relieved Carpenter as TU 72.11.1

Thursday, 8 May. Steaming independently on patrol in Formosa Strait.  1555 Maneuvered to avoid small craft.   2243 Altered course to avoid small craft.  2321 Sighted Jaaung Kuan light 336T at 22.5 miles.

Friday, 9 May. Steaming independently on patrol in Formosa Strait. 1818 Sighted Carpenter.  1825 Fletcher fell in astern of O’Bannon and Carpenter for personnel transfer. 1900 Transfer completed.

Saturday, 10 May.  Steaming independently on patrol in Formosa Strait. 0204 Departed patrol for Kaohsiung, Formosa. 0945 Entered Kaohsiung, Formosa harbor.  1045 Moored starboard side to USS Platte AO 24 to refuel.  1317 Underway from alongside Platte, enroute to southern Formosa Strait patrol. 1535 Received word from O’Bannon reporting man overboard in vicinity of 23-14N, 119-50E.  Fletcher changed course to assist in search of the area.  2005 Abandoned search and proceeded to southern Formosa Strait patrol.

Sunday, 11 May.  Steaming as before. 0659 Fletcher went alongside USS Tucker DDR 875 to effect light freight transfer. 0745 Took station astern of Carpenter, with O’Bannon astern of Fletcher.

Monday, 12 May.  Steaming in company with CortDesDiv 11 minus Radford enroute from Formosa Patrol area to Buckner Bay, Okinawa. 0822 Proceeded independently into Buckner Bay, Okinawa.  0924 Anchored in Berth B-184 Buckner Bay, Okinawa.  1210 Ensign R.U. McCurley, Jr. reported aboard for duty.  1420 L.C. Ford BM3, was transferred to ComNavFe for further assignment. J.B. Granger, Jr. QM3, was transferred to ComNavFe for further assignment.  J.L. Mills BM3 was transferred to Chief of Naval Air Advanced Training at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station.

Tuesday, 13 May. Anchored as before in Buckner Bay, Okinawa.  SOPA was ComCarDiv 15 in USS Bairoko CVE 115.  0712 Fletcher got underway 0742 Formed column open order with Carpenter, O’Bannon, Radford and Fletcher. 0950 Commenced inter ship exercises. 1425 Maneuvered to avoid merchant vessel crossing.  1629 Completed calibration of sonar equipment, standing by sonar buoy triplane reflector until relieved by Carpenter.  1642 Carpenter recovered buoy.  1755 Took station 1000 yards astern of Carpenter. 1810 Radford fell in astern of Carpenter and Fletcher astern of Radford.

Wednesday, 14 May. Underway as before in column with Carpenter and Radford. OTC is ComDesRon 7 in USS Lofberg DD 759. 0700 Proceeded independently to conduct ship exercises. 1232 Took station on port beam of O’Bannon and commenced ASW attacks on USS Cabezon. Shifted conn to CIC. 1702 Completed ASW exercises and Cabezon surfaced. Took station astern of O’Bannon.

Thursday, 15 May.  Underway with O’Bannon in the operating area off Buckner Bay, Okinawa.  0801 Started ASW exercises with USS Cabezon SS 334.  1054 Completed ASW exercises, having expended 8 rounds of 7.2 inch plaster load projectiles. 1339 Commenced man overboard drills.  1523 Completed exercises.  1940 Commenced ASW attacks with O’Bannon and Cabezon. 2245 Completed ASW exercises and formed in column being O’Bannon.

Friday, 16 May.  Underway as before. 0620 Took station astern of Radford. 0726 Took station 4 in search line with Carpenter, Radford and O’Bannon. 0822 Set Battery and Sonar attack team and commenced ASW exercises with Cabezon.  1154 Ceased exercise and formed in column with Carpenter, Radford, and O’Bannon.   1500 Entered Buckner Bay Okinawa. 1559 Anchored in Berth B-184 Buckner Bay, Okinawa.  1938 C.D. Harmon SN, reported aboard for duty

Saturday, 17 May.  Anchored as before in Buckner Bay Okinawa.  SOPA was CTG 96.7 in USS Bairoko CVE 115. 0744 Fletcher got underway and went alongside USS Kaskaskia AO 27.  1125 Completed refueling and proceeded to anchorage B-177.  2040 Sent the Captain’s gig to USS Carpenter DDE 825 to pick up the squadron doctor.   2245 C.J. Williams GM3 was transferred to USS Bairoko CVE 115 for medical treatment.

Sunday, 18 May.  Anchored as before in Buckner Bay Okinawa.  0714 Fletcher got underway and joined column of CortDesDiv 11.  0810 Fletcher took in close barrier support ship. 0810 Joined bent line screen on Bairoko.  0947 Fletcher took plane guard station 1 on Bairoko.  0957 Took pouncer station 2 on Bairoko. 1238 Took launch plane guard station 1 on Bairoko. 1332 Took pouncer plane guard station 2 on Bairoko. 1852 Commenced air operations. 1916 Completed air operations. 2209 Took station 6 in eight ship circular screen on Bairoko.

Monday, 19 May.  Underway as before conducting ASW exercises in the Okinawa area and enroute to Yokosuka, Japan.  0800 Commenced air operations.  1106 Completed air operations.  1120 Commenced air operations. 1128 Completed air operations. 1337 Took plane guard station 1 on Bairoko.  1445 O’Bannon picked up sonar contact.  1509 Completed air operations.  1645 Took plane guard station 1 on Bairoko.  1726 Completed air operations.  Took station 3 in 8 station circular screen with 5 ships.  1740 USS Lofberg DD 759, USS Radford DDE 446, and USS Thomason DD 760 rejoined the formation.  1923 Fletcher took plane guard station 1. 2010 Took screen station 2.

Tuesday, 20 May. Underway with units of TG 96.7 enroute Okinawa to Yokosuka, Japan. 0922 Fletcher took life guard station astern of USS Bairoko CVE 115. 1000 Took plane guard station 1 on Bairoko.  1021 Fletcher went alongside Bairoko to refuel, then returned to screen station. 1718 Commenced air recovery operations. 1723 Completed air operations. 1812 O’Bannon, USS Buck DD 761, and Fletcher detached to form surface attack unit #1. 1830 O’Bannon reported sonar contact, evaluated as submarine. Commenced making coordinated attacks on submarine. 1926 Completed attacks and cleared area to south to surface submarine. 1936 Submarine surfaced. SAU returned to formation.

Wednesday, 21 May. Underway as before.  1048 Commenced air operations.  1126 Completed air operations.  1210 Fletcher detached with SAU.  1226 Returned to screen.  1915 Possible sonar contact 400 yards. Fletcher came left with full rudder to investigate. 1917 Contact evaluated as fish, resumed station.  1930 Commenced air operations.  2001 Completed air operations.

Thursday, 22 May.  Underway as before with TG 96.7 enroute from Okinawa to Yokosuka, Japan. Fletcher was in station 5 of an 8 ship circular screen, with USS Bairoko CVE 115 in the center.  0500 USS Carpenter DDE 825, USS Bole and USS O’Bannon detached as SAU.  Screen changed to bent line. 0800 Commenced air operations. 0804 Completed air operations. 0817 Commenced air operations. 0827 Completed air operations. 1035 returned to 8 ship circular screen 1100 Commenced air operations. 1121 Completed air operations. 1150 Had power failure and shifted steering to after steering.  1151 Power casualty repaired. 1152 Shifted control back to bridge.  1310 Buck, Radford, and Fletcher designated SAU #1to investigate sonar contact 37 miles west of formation.  1441 Commenced retiring search plan.  1542 Sonar contact made by Radford. Fletcher designated assist ship. 1544 Contact identified as wake, resumed retiring search plan.  1920 Returned to screen station on Bairoko.

Friday, 23 May.  Underway as before with TG 96.7 enroute Okinawa to Yokosuka, Japan.

Saturday, 24 May.  Underway as before. 0200 USS Lofberg DD 759 detached from formation. 0432 Passes Kazehaya Saki light abeam to starboard at 3 miles. 0545 CortDesDiv 11 detached to proceed independently into Yokosuka harbor. 0728 Passed buoy Able entrance to Yokosuka harbor.  0806 USS Bole DD 755 passed abeam to starboard. 0813 Rendered honors to USS Buck DD 761 to starboard.  0817 Rendered honors to USS Thomason DD 760 to starboard. 0824 Motor whale boat in the water.  0830 Rendered honors to USS Bairoko CVE 115 to starboard. 0855 Put gig in the water. 0905 Rendered honors to USS Hamul AKA 20 to starboard. 0913 Received harbor pilot on board. 0915 Moored alongside USS Radford DDE 446 at buoy C-2. Nest consists of Fletcher, Radford, O’Bannon and Carpenter.  1425 Water barge W-2 came alongside to transfer potable water.  1430 The following men left the ship for further transfer: T.D. Domboski SN for duty 3rd Naval District headquarters, New York, N.Y.; G.T. Calvert CS1 for duty U.S. Naval Station, Adak Alaska; D.D. Collings BM3, for duty U.S. Naval Station, Tounge Point, Satoria Oregon; C.J. Grobner CSC To Comll ND for release from active service; A. Ogmalek SH3, for duty admincom, U.S. NTC Great Lakes Ill. Received 50 rounds of white phosphorus from M boat alongside. 1800 The following men reported aboard for duty: R. Kohlmeyer SKSA, H. Jenkins BTC, C. Pritchard SN, J. Irby FTSN, W. Clark YNC, B. Goforth RM3, T. Kaemerer DCFA, J Klutts MMC, J. Ullom RDSA, G Matteson SOCA, W. Anderson FA, D Valentine FA, T. Fincher FN, E. Ashley MM1, W. Macloed FA, T. Grimes FA, R. Retka FA, R. Roy FA, W. Huss SA, A. Johnson FN, J. Wenda SA, R. Winnen, B. Wright BM1, W. Dalager SN, Parrish, J. Hardin SN, O. Whitehurst BT3.

Sunday, 25 May.  Moored as before in Yokosuka Harbor, Japan in nest with Carpenter, Radford and O’Bannon.  1218 G.L. Conrad CS1 reported aboard for TAD. 1340 W. L. Coey SR, was transferred from the ship.  1350 K.W. Pfewtsch SN, reported aboard for TAD. 1615 Completed refueling .  1750 F. Demyon CSC, reported aboard for TAD from Radford. 1815 W.F. McSween was transferred to U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka for treatment.

Monday, 26 May.  Moored as before in Yokosuka Harbor, Japan. 0110 The following men returned to the ship from shore patrol duty: W. Anderson BT2, G,H, Teclaw ET3, R.W. North SO3, and D.E. Scott BM3. 0706 Fletcher got underway and cleared the nest. 0720 Passed breakwater light abeam to port.  0730 Awaiting clearance through the submarine net gates. 0825 Cleared the harbor and joined column. 1054 Passed Mikomoto Shima light abeam to starboard. 1905 Passed Kautori Zaki light abeam to starboard. 1932 Passes O’Shima lighthouse abeam to starboard.

Tuesday, 27 May. Underway in company of CortDesDiv 11 less Carpenter. Enroute from Yokosuka, Japan to Hungnam, Korea. 0015 Passed Murato Zeki light abeam to starboard.  0030 Changed course to avoid ship on port bow. 0339 Passed Ashizuri Saki light abeam to starboard at 5.3 miles.  0445 Passed Okino Shima light 7000 yards off starboard beam.  0640 Proceeded independently through Hayasui Set Narrows.  0707 Passed Ogden Bar lighthouse 5000 yards off starboard beam. 1110 Proceeded independently into Shimonoseki Straits. 1223 Cleared Shimonoseki Straits. Reformed in column astern of Radford.

Wednesday, 28 May. Underway as before in company with Radford enroute Yokosuka, Japan to Hungnam, Korea.    0620 Took departure of Radford.  0702 Sighted USS Currier DE 700 at 15 miles. 0722 Lying to during transfer of mail to Currier.  0758 Relieved Currier at package 4, east coast of Korea.  0803 Commenced interdiction fire on rail target at a rate of 7 rounds 5"/38 ammunition per hour. 1946 Darkened ship.  2349 Completed day’s firing assignment, having expended 64 rounds 5"/38 AAC, 17 Rounds 5"/38 AAC with PDFm 4 rounds 5"/38 VT, 1 round 5"/38 WP, 3 rounds 5"/38 illuminating.

Thursday, 29 May.  Underway as before. 0115 Ceased firing and approached small boat.  0127 Brought two enemy civilians aboard and small boat. 0143 Returned to station.  0153 Commenced interdiction firing. 0500 Ceased interdiction fining, commenced coastal patrol. 0626 Commenced firing on bunker.  0647 Ceased firing, having scored one hit and expended 6 rounds of 5"/38 ammunition. 0712 Commenced firing on group of railroad cars. 0742 Ceased firing, having expended 20 rounds 5"/38 ammunition.  No results observed, resumed patrol.  1045 Columbian Frigate Capitan Tono came alongside to port for mail transfer. 1056 Capitan Tono away from alongside. 1105 Commenced firing on gun position on Phaakkuan Kutchi. 1121 Completed firing, having expended 20 rounds 5"/38 AAC. Scored 5 direct hits.  1315 Entered swept channel off Wonson Harbor. Lowered whaleboat. 1338 Transferred two enemy civilians and small boat by whaleboat to U.S.  and ROK Marines on YoDo Island.   1459 Fletcher proceeded to clear harbor. 1515 Continued patrol toward bombline. 1600 Continued patrol from Wonson to Suwon Dan.  1748 Fired 3 rounds 5"/38 ammunition at railroad bridge.  No damage observed. 1900 Conducted anti-fishing and anti-mining patrol.

Friday, 30 May.  Steaming independently off East Coast of Korea conducting harassing and interdiction fire. 0807 Completed firing on rail target at Shoto Ko, having expended 20 rounds 5"/38 AAC. Scored 4 direct hits.  0912 Commenced firing on rail target vicinity of Naijin.  1200  Completed firing on rail target, having expended 20 rounds 5"/38 AAC.  Scored 8 direct hits, completely destroying trestle. 1240 Fired 2 rounds at factory.  1326 Commenced firing on target, package 2. 1344 Ceased firing.  1352 Commenced firing at railroad tunnel1357 Ceased firing. 1434 Commenced firing on package 1.  1437 Ceased firing. 1439 Proceeded to rendezvous with USS Endicott DMS 35 off Yangdo Island. 1553 Anchored off Yangdo Island. 1650 Underway enroute to rail target at Ssyanganowieyon. 1841 Commenced firing on rail target in vicinity of Saangnyongjin. 2150 Ceased firing.  2230 Arrived off Songjin harbor, and maintained position in center of harbor entrance. 2313 Commenced firing on targets of opportunity in Songjin and nearby area.

Saturday, 31 May.  Lying to in Songjin Harbor, Korea conducting harassing fire on targets of opportunity, operating independently.  0205 Proceeded out of Sonjgin Harbor, having expended 19 rounds 5"/38 ammunition.  0232 Lying to off rail target at Saaangnyongjin, conducting harassing fire   0345 Completed firing on rail target, having expended 9 rounds of 5"/38 ammunition.  No results noted. Proceeding to rendezvous with HMCS Nootka DDE 213 off Yang Do island.  0530 Relieved HMCS Nootka DDE 213 on Yang Do defense patrol.  0614 Commenced firing on group of sampans on the beach in the vicinity of Kuri. 0622 Completed firing 9 rounds 5"/38 AAC. Scored several direct hits.  0623 Resumed patrolling vicinity of Yang Do.  0800 Took station as gunfire support for minesweepers.  Remained seaward of minesweepers north of Yang Do Island.  Provided gun fire support for minesweepers through the afternoon. 1620 Commenced passage between Kokoji To and Yo To islands to meet a boat from Yotu and deliver recognition signals. 1629 Struck uncharted shoal between Yo To and Kokoji To islands. All engines stopped.   1630 Set condition Able.  1638 Soundings normal, hull found to be intact.  Engine control reported shafts operating normally except for some vibration.  1651 Anchored in anchorage area. 1700 Locked both shafts. 1705 Commenced diving operations to determine extent of damage.  1735 Delivered 925 gallons of fresh water to South Korean tug moored alongside to port. 1820 completed diving operations, damage reported as: sheared tips of all propeller blades, bottom two feet of rudder bent and sonar dome and transducer smashed.  1831 Got underway to test engines.  1930 Completed trials, having determined 7 knots maximum safe speed on both shafts.  Commenced assigned patrol. 2123 Anchored in anchorage off Yang Do Island.

June 1952

Sunday, 1 June.  Anchored off Yangdo Island, Korea.  Ship’s maximum speed 6.5 knots due to propeller and rudder damage. 0706 Fletcher got underway proceeding to replenishment area south of Yangdo. 0900 Sighted USS Caliente AO 53. 0952 Moored alongside Caliente and refueled.  1153 Underway from alongside Caliente.  Proceeded enroute Yangdo Island Korea to Sasebo, Japan. 2358 Changed course to avoid USS Juneau and escort.

Monday, 2 June.  Steaming independently enroute Yangdo Island, Korea to Sasebo, Japan.

Tuesday, 3 June. Steaming as before.  2319 Sighted Uru Saki light at 17 miles.

Wednesday, 4 June. Steaming as before.  0115 Passed Uri Saki light abeam to port.

Thursday, 5 June.  Steaming as before. 0151 Sighted Ogama Shima light at 14.5 miles.  0232 Sighted Kuromo Se light at 10.3 miles. 0440 Passed Ogama Shima light to port at 9 miles.  Entered swept channel entrance to Sasebo harbor. 0728 Passed Fuko Se  light abeam to port at 1 mile.  0913 Sasebo Fleet Activities tug #2 came alongside and the pilot, Mr. Nkozima came aboard.  0950 Passed through the submarine net.  1108 Moored to buoy 5, Sasebo Harbor, Japan. 1120 The pilot left the ship.  1231 Thailand frigate PF2 moored alongside to port. 1258 The Board of Investigation appointed by ComDesFlotOne arrived to conduct the investigation of the grounding of the Fletcher on 31 May, 1952. The board consisted of the following:
Captain A.C. Young, Chief of Staff, ComDesFlotOne.
Captain H. Adams, Jr. ComCortRonSeven
CDR J.W. Miller, Operations Officer ComDesFlotOne
 LTJG R.R. Kramer, Legal Officer ComDesFlotOne
1300 Water Barge YW-2 came alongside to replenish water. 1630 The Board of Investigation adjourned and left the ship. 1822 Thailand Frigate PF2 got underway from port side. 2200 Darkened the ship due to yellow warning.2215 Went to general quarters. 2230 Secured from general quarters.

Friday, 6 June.  Moored as before to buoy 5, Sasebo Harbor, Japan. 0713 Three tugs came alongside. Pilot S.Yoshida came aboard. 0725 Underway from buoy 5 to dry dock 3 under power of tugs. 0753 Bow crossed the dry dock sill.  0805 Fantail passed through entrance to dry dock.  0822 Centered in dry dock 3.  Receiving all services from dock. 1340 Ship settled on blocks.  1800 Completed pumping water out of dry dock.

Saturday, 7 June.  Drydocked as before in dry dock 3, Sasebo, Japan. 1030 Engineering Officer inspected the underwater portion of the hull.  The following discrepancies were noted: Tips of the starboard and port propeller blades were sheared off from one to two feet, rope guard on port strut was missing, and the bottom section of the rudder where alteration DD775 was accomplished was bent to port at an angle of 90 degrees. 1925 A.A. Boger FN, was injured while working on replacement propeller in bottom of dry dock.  Received emergency treatment from Pharmacists mate for slight laceration of finger.

Sunday, 8 June.  Drydocked as before.  0934 H.B. Campbell MM3, R.E. De Filippo RD3, and R.W. North SO3 left the ship for shore patrol. 1050 Commenced jacking starboard screw.  1108 Secured from jacking starboard screw.

Monday, 9 June.  Drydocked as before.

Tuesday, 10  June. Drydocked as before. 0830 The Hull Board reported the following discrepancies which were noted during an inspection of the underwater body of the ship’s hull conducted at 0830 7 June, 1952: (a) QHS sonar dome wiped off and after section of foundation forced up toward shell plating.  (B) Sonar transducer and shaft bent aft and damaged beyond economical repair. Shaft packing gland cracked, distorted and leaking slightly. © Tips of port and starboard propellers sheared off in varying sections from one to two feet, (d) Rudder extension alteration on bottom of rudder (2 feet) bent to port at an angle of 90 degrees, a three foot length of the lower trailing edge of the original rudder installation was bent with a slight angle to port and it is possible that the rudder frame is slightly bent aft and up. (E) Rope guard missing from port strut.  (F) Hull zincs were in good condition. (G) Fathometer transducer, QDA sword and pit log housing were not accessible due to the location of keel blocks during last dry docking.  (2). 5 percent of bare metal exposed. 10 percent of undercoat exposed. 85 percent of anti-fouling intact. (3) Anti=fouling paint showed signs of moderate checking, cracking and slight sagging. 0835 Commenced flooding dry dock. 1057 Ship floated off blocks.  1245 Received pilot Y. Oizumi aboard.  1246 Drydock opened.  1303 Japanese tug 8-06 passed wire to stern.  1305 Tug commenced towing Fletcher out of dry dock. 1313 Japanese tug Shokina Maru on starboard quarter. 1314 Japanese tug Ataga Maru took port quarter.  1310 Cleared dry dock.  1320 Fletcher got underway enroute Yokosuka, Japan. 1331 Pilot left the ship, all tugs away from alongside. 1410 Cleared the submarine net.  1418 Passed Shira Ki lighthouse to port.    1443 Passed obstruction buoy to starboard.  1727 Passed Shima Koshiiai island abeam to port.  1737 Passed Tauikaka Saki light abeam to port.  1855 Passed Bono Misaki light abeam to port.  1930 Completed high speed test (30 Knots) satisfactory. 2015 Sighted Toi Missaki light.  2122 Changed course to avoid small craft. 2315 Fire under #3 boiler died out because of water in the fuel oil.  2320 Casualty restored, resumed split plant operation.

Wednesday, 11 June.  Underway independently from Sasebo to Yokosuka, Japan. 1545 Commenced entering Yokosuka harbor channel.  1651 Moored starboard side to Radford at buoy #4 Yokosuka harbor Japan. 1755 YW 88 came alongside and transferred water. 1819 Ensign Kim, Yung Kuk of the ROK Navy was detached to report to the Senior ROK navy liaison officer, Yokosuka, Japan.  1835 Received fuel oil from YO 174.

Thursday, 12 June. Moored as before to nest at buoy #4. Nest consists of Fletcher, Carpenter, Radford, and O’Bannon.   0612 Fletcher got underway in company of CortDesDiv 11 enroute Yokosuka to Midway Island. 0934 Passed USS Noble APA 218 abeam to port.

Friday, 13 June. Underway in company with CortDesDiv 11 enroute Yokosuka Japan to Pearl Harbor, T.H. via Midway Island.  2021 Radford had steering casualty and repaired it, then returned to station in column.

Saturday, 14 June. Underway as before.

Sunday, 15 June. Underway as before.

Monday, 16 June. Underway as before.

Tuesday, 17 June.  Underway as before. 0003 O’Bannon in station 2 indicated breakdown.  Fletcher changed course to right to avoid O’Bannon . 0016 O'Bannon returned to station 2. 1000 Advanced clocks to -12 time zone. (Crossed international date line)

Tuesday, 17 June.  Underway as before. 0010 Changed ships clocks to conform to plus 12 time zone.  0430 Made landfall on Midway Island.  0557 Anchored south of Eastern Island.  0600 Advanced clocks to plus 11 time zone.  0807 Transferred D.S. Bywater ET2 to Fleet Activities Midway for further transfer to CONLUS for emergency leave.  0816 Fletcher got underway and went alongside USS Tolowana AO 64 to refuel.  0950 Fletcher got underway enroute Midway Island to Pearl Harbor, T.H.  Formed column with Carpenter, O’Bannon, Radford, and Fletcher.

Wednesday, 18 June.  Underway as before enroute Midway Island to Pearl Harbor, T.H. in company with CortDesDiv 11. Radford is maintaining station 300 yards to the right of assigned station to repair engine casualty. 0034 Radford took her assigned station.  0400 Fletcher detached with Radford for economy trial. 0900 Commenced 25 Knot fuel economy run. 1500 Completed economy run. 1640 Fletcher and Radford returned to column formation with Carpenter and O’Bannon.

Thursday, 19 June. Underway with CortDesDiv 11 enroute Yokosuka, Japan to Pearl Harbor, T.H. via Midway Island.

Friday, 20 June. Underway as before.  0018 Sighted Kilauea light at 18.5 miles. 0822 Passed Barbers Point abeam to port. 0752 Proceeded independently into Pearl Harbor channel.  0816 Moored starboard side to Carpenter in berth B-25, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 0950 A. Golding GMC, was transferred to Naval Receiving Station Pearl Harbor, for 30 days leave and further assignment.  1015 J.F. Green SA reported aboard for duty.  C.C. Whitte Jr. SA and G.H. Gressier SN, reported aboard from Rec. Barracks, Headquarters Command

Saturday, 21 June. Moored as before.  1735 R. Schmallenbach TM2 left the ship for shore patrol

Sunday, 22 June. Moored as before.  1719 Yard tugs 290 and 235 alongside to port. Pilot R.A. Taylor came aboard.  1735 Underway for dry dock 4, Pearl Harbor, T.H.  1817 Crossed sill in drydock 4. Tugs cast off. 1552 Commenced pumping water in dry dock.  2041 Ship rested on keel blocks. 2230 Completed pumping dry dock.

Monday, 23 June. Drydocked in Dry dock #4, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Oahu, T.H.1530 W.E. Foster FTC(T) was transferred to Naval Receiving Station Pearl Harbor T.H. for temporary instructions, Navy School Instructors.  2110 Shipyard workers began sand blasting ship’s bottom.

Tuesday, 24 June.  Drydocked as before.

Wednesday, 25 June.  Drydocked as before.  1200 W.J. Williams Jr. PN3 was transferred to USNTC Personnellman Class A school, San Diego California.  M. O’Hare MM2, departed on 30 days leave CONLUS and reassignment on completion by Commanding Officer USNRS Treasure Island California.  W.T. Kay Em3, and J.E. Pollard departed for 30 days emergency leave CONLUS.  The following men departed the Ship for CONLUS nearest receiving station for 30 days annual and reenlistment leave, upon completion, to return to the ship: S.H. Ross RD3, T.Dias SN, J.D. Vestal FC2, R.E. Smaby SO3, G.L. Anderson TM1, J. Eldridge SH3, J. Lewis TA, N.E. Ray FN, R.L. Redmond GM2, C. Truitt Jr. GM2, B.E. Billingsby EN2, D.R. Atkinson SN, R. E. Schroder BT1, E.E. Lorenz MMC, A.M. Bozymowski GM3, C.T. Peat III BT3, H.L. Crenshaw ET3, D.D. Phelps SN, D. Lincoln Jr. SN.

Thursday, 26 June. Drydocked as before. 1140 J. Householder FN, departed on 7 days leave.

Friday, 27 June. Drydocked as before. 1700 R.C. Corona RMN2, left the ship for further transfer CONLUS for discharge. C.R. Jenkins SA left the ship for 30 days emergency leave CONLUS.

Saturday, 28 June. Drydocked as before. 0925 Ensign H.W. Phillips reported aboard for duty. 1301 V.C. Rasmussen GMC, was transferred to Naval School Command, Naval Station, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California.

Sunday 29 June, Drydocked as before.

Monday, 30 June. Drydocked as before. 0335 J.B. Shields SN, reported aboard for duty from Navy Receiving Station San Francisco, California.  1200 J.I. King FTSN, left the ship on emergency leave and reassignment.  1700 N.N Mascitti SN, was transferred to Naval Receiving Station for discharge.

July 1952

Tuesday, 1 July. Drydocked in Dry Dock #4, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Oahu, T.H.  SOPA was Commander in Chief Pacific and U.S. Pacific Fleet. 1200 The following men reported aboard for duty: J.L. Bailey SA, R.T. Cart FA, C. Dale SA, E.W. Oaks EM1, F. Galloway FA, G.W. Guffey SA, C.H. Hall SA, E.D.J> Johnson SA, H.H. Keller SA, A. Marquez SA, J. Martinez SA, B.R. Richuber SA, F.Samudio SA, R.L. Silver SA, R.G. Smith FA, J.B. Tindell SA, A. Tipton SA, F.C. Vasquez SA.

Wednesday 2 July, Drydocked as before.0945 LTJG J.W. Osmer was transferred.  1507 M.A. Ross MM1 was received aboard for duty. 1700 E.W. Wilson MM1 was transferred to USS Stembel DD 644 for duty.

Thursday, 3 July.  Drydocked as before.  0700 F.J. Moser CSC, reported aboard for duty.  1300 E.F. Ashley MM1 was transferred to Tripler General Hospital for treatment.  1640 LT D.R. Duncan and the following men reported aboard from TAD Loran Operators School: R.E. Sanchez QMS1, W.R. Rezac RD3, R.E. De Filippo RD3.

Friday, 4 July.  Drydocked as before.

Saturday, 5 July.  Drydocked as before.

Sunday, 6 July.  Drydocked as before.  1050 J. Alfaro SA, and E.M. Wilkins reported aboard for duty.

Monday, 7 July.  Drydocked as before.  The following men left the ship for schools: Defense Monitor 426 school 426:. Hitchcock RD2, W.R. Rezac RD3, K.M. Chambers GM3. RAD CMOP 281: LT D.R. Duncan, J.C. Crown RD3, J.B. Ullom RDSN.

Tuesday, 8 July. Drydocked as before. 0845 The following men left the ship on annual leave: P.L. Gilbert SO1, J.W. Godfrey SO1.  The following men were transferred to Naval Receiving Station Pearl Harbor for transfer to nearest receiving station CONLUS: B.D. Goforth RM3, W.F. Soutar RM3.  1000 LT L.C. Chambers was detached for TAD at the U.S. Navy Fleet Sonar School , San Diego, California.

Wednesday, 9 July. Drydocked as before. 0735 Started flooding the drydock. 0810 Stopped flooding for water tight check.  0815 Resumed flooding drydock.  0835 Ship was water borne.  1015 YTB 410 alongside to starboard. 1016 Pilot R.C. Ingram came aboard.  1021 Underway. 1048 Moored port side to dock GD2 U.S. Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor T.H. 1110 F. Demyon CSC, was transferred.  1835 LTJG L.T. Anderson reported aboard from TAD at Fleet Training School, San Diego.

Thursday, 10 July. Moored in berth GD-2 Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor T.H. 1500 LTJG T.M. Nilon was detached to report for duty on USS Cabildo LSD 16.   1545 Ensign V.W. Cobb reported aboard for duty.

Friday, 11 July. Moored as before.  1040 Delivered 15 7.2" plaster loaded projectiles by motor whale boat to USS Philip.

Saturday, 12 July. Moored as before.  1000 R.L. Holland SN, reported aboard for duty.

Sunday, 13 July. Moored as before.  0920 Ensign H.D. Barker reported aboard for duty.

Monday, 14 July. Moored as before.

Tuesday, 15 July.  Moored as before.

Wednesday 16 July, Moored as before. 1515 Commenced dock trials.  1530 Secured from dock trials. 2000 W.C. Jacques reported aboard for duty.

Thursday, 17 July. Moored as before to berth GD-2 Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor T.H. 0805 Commenced dock trials.  0843 Completed dock trials. 1001 Underway and stood out the channel. 1027 Casualty to starboard engine. Starboard engine stopped.  1200 commenced tests of engineering plant.  1338 Passed point x-ray.   Lighted fathometer.  1411 Alongside berth CD-2 pier. 1430 Ensign J.E. Hasen departed for TAD at U.S. Naval School Command Treasure Island, California. 1810 Took on provisions from Naval Supply Center Pearl Harbor T.H.

Friday, 18 July. Moored as before.  1430 Ensign W.A. Jacobson reported aboard for TAD awaiting arrival of USS Rowan DD 782.  1520 Ensign J.W. Kuncas reported aboard for TAD awaiting arrival of USS Gurke DD 783.  The following men returned from Fleet Training Center Aiea, having completed Radar Countermeasures operators school course 281: T.W. Doremus RD2, R.E. De Filippo RD3. B.H. Jenkins TD3, D.F. Bendt, J.D. May RDSN, C.W. Youngblood RDSN.

Saturday, 19 July. Moored as before.  0612 J. Richardson SOSN reported aboard for duty. 0910 YO 176 came alongside to port to refuel the ship.

Sunday, 20 July. Moored as before.  0734 P.G. Williams GMC reported aboard for duty.  2100  B.D. Moix CSSA, reported aboard for duty.

Monday, 21 July. Moored in berth GD-2, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, T.H.  0736 Underway.

0812 Took departure of channel.  0915 Commenced engineering drills.  0945 Arrived in operating area C-3.  1045 secured engineering drills.  1136 Completed man overboard drills and proceeded to Submarine operating area S10 and S11.1231 Took station 1000 yards astern of USS Munro DE 422, acting as target vessel for submarine exercises.  1503 Completed exercises and returned to Pearl Harbor.  1709 Moored port side to USS Tingey DD 539 at dock M-1, U, S, Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, T..H.  1720 The following men reported aboard for duty: J.R. Baldwin SN, M. Gonzalez Jr. SN, G. Perez SN, and M. Rhodes SN.

Tuesday, 22 July.  Moored as before. 0735 Fletcher got underway for operating area. 0917 Took station on Carpenter for rehearsal run on USS Greenfish SS 351.  1500 Completed exercises, returned to Pearl Harbor. 1629 Moored port side to berth M1, U.S, Naval Base.  Pearl Harbor, T.H.

Wednesday 23 July. Moored as before.  0720 P. Santalucia, Jr. DK3, was transferred to CONLUS for discharge.  0738 Underway for operating area. 0954 Arrived in operating area, commenced exercises. 1130 Completed exercises and proceeded to area N-1 for afternoon exercises. 1300 Commenced afternoon exercises.  1552 Moored alongside dock M1, Pearl Harbor Naval Receiving Station.

Thursday, 24 July. Moored as before.  0300 The following men were transferred to the Naval Receiving Station, Pearl Harbor, T.H.: H.R. Gerke SN, J.C. Crow RD3. 0610 Fletcher got underway and cleared the channel.  0655 Formed column normal order with Carpenter, Fletcher, Radford and USS Monroe DE 422. 0717 Engineering casualty, Fletcher sheered out of formation to make repairs. 0720 Engineering casualty restored, rejoined formation.  1116 Formed bentline screen around Munro. 1134 Commenced weaving.  1143 Ceased weaving.  1255 Formed column with Carpenter, Radford, Fletcher and Monroe. 1620 Joined Task Unit 14.4 with OTC in USS Badoing Strait CVE 116. Other ships in the task unit were USS Vamen DE 614, USS Lewis DE 535, and USS Naifeh DE 352. 1752 Naifeh and Munro detached as SAU 1.2205 Naifeh had sonar contact. 2228 SAU 1 returned to formation.  Naifeh took pouncer station 2, and Munro in pouncer station 1

Friday, 25 July. Underway as before with Task Group 14.4 in Hawaii operating area.  0535 CortDesDiv 11 detached to proceed independently into port. 0630 Passed point x-ray and entered inland waters. 0736 Moored starboard side to Carpenter in berth S12, Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 0820 A.R. Murphy ET2, was transferred to U.S. Naval Construction Battalion, Ft. Hueneme California.  1335 Completed taking on fuel oil.  1510 R.W. North SO3, reported aboard from 14 days island leave.

Saturday, 26 July.   Moored as before in berth S-12, U.S. Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

Sunday, 27 July. Moored as before.  1530 E.A. Coleman FTSN, was transferred to Tripler General Hospital Oahu, T.H.

Monday, 28 July. Moored as before.  0745 Fletcher got underway and proceeded to operating area.  0925 Commenced man overboard drills.  1105 Secured from man overboard drills. 1300 Made rendezvous with USS Bugara SS 331.  1504 Completed ASW exercises. 1540 Entered the channel. 1619 Moored starboard side to Carpenter at berth S-12, U.S. Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 1530 J.E. Leedale SN, reported aboard for duty.

Tuesday, 29 July.  Moored as before. 0720 J.E. Beaver SN, was transferred to Fleet Sonar School, San Diego, California. 0730 B.C. Hitchcock RD2 departed on leave. 0749 Underway, proceeding out channel.  0803 Annunciator casualty, starboard arm would not transmit orders. 0829 Casualty restored.  0831 Cleared the channel proceeded to rendezvous with USS Bugara SS 331. 0945 Commenced ASW exercises with Bugara.  1051 Secured from exercises.  1307 Commenced ASW exercises with Carpenter and Bugara. 1520 Completed exercises and Fletcher surfaced the submarine. 1525 Submarine proceeding independently into port. Fletcher remained in submarine operating area S-2 south of Oahu, T.H.1851 Fletcher rendezvoused with O’Bannon for night exercises.

Wednesday 30 July. Underway with USS O’Bannon DDE 450 in submarine operating area S-2.  0634 Proceeded independently to operating area C-3 for exercises.  1245 Commenced firing exercise, expending 11 rounds 5"/38 AAC and 23 rounds 3"/50 VT.  1511 Entered Pearl Harbor T.H.entrance channel.  1600 Moored starboard side to berth S-12, U.S. Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

Thursday, 31 July. Moored as before.  0725 L.W. Palmore SN was transferred to Tripler General Hospital for treatment.  0750 Carpenter underway from alongside. 0810 Fletcher got underway for operating area S-2. 0919 Commenced ASW operations with O’Bannon. 1139 Completed exercises and cleared the area.  1439 Entered Pearl Harbor channel.  1502 Pilot J.S. Cole came aboard from a tug. 1521 U.S. Navy tug RTL 59 came alongside to port to assist in mooring. 1529 Moored alongside dock W-1 starboard side to, West Lock, U.S. Navy Ammunition Depot, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 1540 Commenced taking on ammunition. 1546 Completed taking on 11 Mk 6, Mod O depth charges with depth charge pistols, extenders, booster cans, and detonators.  1552 Fletcher got underway with assistance from RTL 59. 1630 Moored Carpenter starboard side in berth S-12, Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.  1850 H.R. Copeland FN, left the ship on 10 days island leave.

August 1952

Friday, 1 August.  Moored starboard side to USS Carpenter DDE 825 at S-12, Navy Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 0800 R.M. Meek, BMC, was transferred to U.S. Naval Reserve Training Center, Chattanooga, Tenn.  0830 Took on fuel.  1455 E.A. Coleman reported aboard from Tripler General Hospital. 1520 Took on 23 plaster loaded 7.2" hedgehogs. 1630 R.H. Moore FP3, departed on 3 days leave.

Saturday, 2 August.  Moored as before. 1310 Ensign W.A. Jacobson and Ensign J.W. Kuncas were detached from TAD.

Sunday, 3 August.  Moored as before.

Monday, 4 August.  Moored as before. 0225 R. Moore FP3 returned from 5 days leave.  0758 Fletcher got underway. 1230 Entered neutral area south of Barbers Point, Oahu, T.H.and commenced man overboard drills.  1401 Went to general quarters for battle problem. 1452 Completed battle problem, enroute to Pearl Harbor. 1530 Passed through point Xray.  1610 Moored starboard side to berth S-12 Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor T.H.  2000 J.E. Cavanaugh RMC departed on leave CONLUS and reassignment.

Tuesday, 5 August. Moored as before.  0725 ComCortDesRon One reported aboard as chief observer for operational readiness inspection and his flag was broken at the foremast. Observers from USS Radford DDE 446 and the Underway Training Element, Pearl Harbor, reported aboard.  0744 Fletcher got underway. 0818 Cleared channel.  0920 Commenced exercise with USS Whitehurst DE 634 on port bow 10 miles and USS Carpenter DDE 825 on starboard bow 14 miles.  1000 Commenced engineering drills.  1059 Commenced ASW phase of ORI.  1155 Completed ASW portion of ORI.  1204 USS Sea Fox SS 402 on the surface. 1310 General quarters for ASW ordinance exercises.  1316 Commenced firing depth charge pattern. 1319 Completed firing pattern.  1323 Completed ASW ordinance exercises. 1330 Commenced damage control drills. 1409 Completed damage control drills.  1600 Secured from general quarters.  1505 Proceeded to Pearl Harbor. 1629 Moored starboard side to Carpenter outboard at berth S-12 Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor T.H.  1650 The following men returned to the ship for duty from leave in continental U.S.: G Anderson TM1, R. Redmond GM2, S. Ross RD3, R. Schroeder BT1, R. Smaby SO3, C. Truitt, R. Atkinson SN, B Billingsley EM3, A. Bozymowski GM3, H, Crenshaw ET3, T. Diaz SN, D. Lincoln SN, D. Phelps SN, N. Ray FN.  1702 LTJG W.D. Dewey SC returned to the ship for duty from leave in continental U.S. 2042 J.E. Joyce SN, was transferred to Naval Receiving Station San Francisco, California.

Wednesday, 6 August.   Moored starboard side to USS Carpenter DDE 825, in berth S-12, Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 0747 Underway and proceeded out the channel. 0850 Exercised crew at general quarters for Battle problem.  0900 Battle problem commenced.  0950 Battle problem completed. 1000 Commenced man overboard phase of ORI. 1048 Completed the man overboard phase. 1104 Entered Pearl Harbor channel. 1142 Moored starboard side to berth S-12, Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor T.H.  1335 P.L. Gilbert SO1, left the ship for 11 days island leave.  1535 The following men reported aboard for duty: J.L. Guthrie SOSN, and D.E. Gray ETSN.  1625 A.C. Juarez BT3, left the ship on 15 days island leave. 2205 R.E. Delaney SKSN, reported aboard for duty. 

Thursday, 7 August.  Moored in berth S-12, Naval Submarine Base Pearl Harbor T.H.  0530 ComCortDesRon one shifted his flag to the Carpenter. 0630 Underway and proceeded out channel. 0727 Commenced proceeding at 20 knots for 20 knot economy trial 0900 Commenced 20 knot economy run. 1500 Completed 20 knot economy run.  1536 Entered Pearl Harbor channel. 1630 Moored starboard side to USS Nicholas DDE 449 in berth B24, Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 1640 Ensign J.E. Hasen reported aboard from TAD under instruction in Atomic Defense Course, U.S. Naval School Command, Treasure Island, California.

Friday, 8 August.  Moored as before 1555 Received 12 7.2" plaster load projectiles from USS Naifeh DE 634. 1900 H.G. Jenkins BTC, left the ship on 30 days emergency leave CONLUS and to report on completion to Receiving Station San Diego, California.  2202 G.M. Crane BMC, reported aboard for duty.

Saturday, 9 August.  Moored as before. 1320 Loaded 12 rounds 7.2" plaster load projectiles from Nicholas. 1325 Transferred the following men to the Receiving Station Pearl Harbor, T.H.: H.R. Johnson GM3, L.A. Martin BM3, B.P. Wright BM1.  1647 B. Bonne EN2, was transferred to Naval Training Center Great Lakes Il. For TAD in Engineman School.

Sunday, 10 August. Moored as before in berth B-24 outboard of USS Nicholas DDE 449, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, T.H.

Monday, 11 August. Moored as before.  0743 Fletcher got underway for local operating areas.0909 Took bathythermograph reading.  0920 Water contamination in fuel oil line put out fires under #2 boiler. Cross connecting the engineering plant, and lighted fire under #1 boiler. 0935 Put #1 boiler on line and split the engineering plant.  0945 Rendezvoused with USS Carpenter DDE 825 and USS Bugara SS 331 for morning exercises. 0945 Bugara submerged. Commenced ASW exercises for analysis.  1143 Completed exercises and directed Bugara to surface. 1321 Took station on starboard quarter of submarine Bugara.  1330 Commenced ASW exercises. 1624 Ceased exercises and surfaced submarine.  1723 Entered Pearl Harbor channel.  1806 Moored starboard side to USS Carpenter DDE 825 in berth S-12, Navy Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 1915 J.D. Vestal FC2, reported aboard for duty.  2030 P.R. Hutton SN and R.E. Green SN were transferred TAD under instruction to Fleet Sonar School, San Diego, California.  W.J. McMullen YN3, was transferred TAD under instruction to Yeoman’s School, San Diego, California. 2035 D.R. Atkinson SN was transferred to Tripler General Hospital for treatment.

Tuesday, 12 August.  Moored as before. 0715 G.D. Matterson SCCA was transferred to Com 11 Naval Personnel Research Unit for duty. 0731 Underway and proceeded out the channel. 0930 Entered operating area C-2. Commenced exercises with aircraft. 1100 Exercises completed and aircraft returned to base. 1300 Exercised crew at general quarters. 1321 Secured from general quarters and aircraft for afternoon drills released because of engine trouble.  1339 Commenced simulated docking drills. 1804 Commenced ASW exercises with USS Tilefish SS 307.  Conn passed between CIC and UBP during attacks. 2230 Exercises completed, Tilefish on surface. Conn returned to bridge.

Wednesday, 13 August.  Steaming independently in operating areas N-1 andN-2 south of Oahu, T.H.0900 Commenced ASW exercises with Carpenter and Bugara.  Bugara submerged. 1109 Secured from ASW exercises.  1123 Submarine on surface.  Fletcher took station astern of Carpenter. 1305 Commenced exercises with Carpenter. 1544 Entered Pearl Harbor channel. 1627 Moored starboard side to berth S-12 at Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

Thursday 14 August.  Moored as before with USS Philip DDE 498 moored to port.  0752 Philip got underway.  0759 Fletcher got underway and proceeded to sea.  0854 Changed course to avoid tug. 1255 Rendezvoused with USS Tilefish SS 307.  1300 Commenced exercises with Tilefish.  1407 completed exercise and released Tilefish.  1427 Commenced ship exercises.  1552 Entered Pearl Harbor channel.  1627 Moored starboard side to berth S-12, Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 1642 Carpenter moored to port.

Friday 15 August.  Moored as before. 1122 C.R. Jenkins SA, and J. Eldridge SH3 returned to the ship from 30 days annual mainland leave. 1547 G.L. Anderson TM1, was transferred to Naval Receiving Station Pearl Harbor for further transfer. 1550 F.E. Wilson SK2, was transferred to Naval Receiving Station Pearl Harbor for further transfer.  1557 A.A. Boger FN was transferred from the ship for 30 days emergency leave and reassignment.

Saturday, 16 August. Moored as before.  0805 Carpenter underway from alongside. 0810 Fletcher underway. 0842 Took departure from channel.  0852 Formed column normal order with Carpenter and Philip.  0932 Veered out of column to investigate excessive vibration of cruising turbine #1.  0940 Vibration was caused by water. Resumed station in the column.  1325 Conducted steering casualty drill.  Actual steering casualty caused loss of control.  Fletcher steered out of formation to port.  1333 Regained steering on the bridge and resumed station in formation.  2338 Took station one mile ahead of task group 14.5 to await station assignments.

Sunday, 17 August. Steaming in column open order with Carpenter and Philip. 0049 Rendezvoused with TG 14.5 and formed circular screen around USS Kearsarge. 0647 Commenced air operations.  0717 Sonar contact, left formation to make urgent attack on the submarine. Set the ASW attack team. 0755 Completed fourth attack on submarine and returned to the formation.  Secured the ASW team. 0855 Rejoined the formation. 1414 Formed entry screen and cross over patrol following movements of Carpenter. 1440 Ceased patrolling and formed column to enter port. Fletcher astern of USS Wedderburn DD 684.  1607 Moored starboard side to Philips in berth S-12, Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.  1628 A crew member SA, left the ship in custody of C.A. Tracy HM3, having attempted suicide by slashing his wrists in the sail locker.

Monday 18 August.  Moored as before. 0600 B.W. Lawson BT3 returned to the ship from 8 days leave.  0805 T.W. Doremus RD2, and C.W, Youngblood RDSN left the ship on 5 days leave. W.E. Hayes RD3. Left the ship on 7 days leave.  0832 Took on fuel.  0840 G.L. Conrad CS1 left the ship on 5 days leave. 1025 Transferred W.T. Fincher to Tripler General Hospital for treatment. 1145 H.B. Hay EMC left the ship on 7 days leave. 1244 Fletcher got underway.  1319 Cleared the channel.  1400 Took station 1000 yards astern of USS Kearsarge CV 33. 1520 On plane guard station. 1530 Commenced flight operations.  1546 Completed flight operations.  1640 Commenced flight operations. 1715 Completed flight operations.  1802 Commenced flight operations. 1853 Completed flight operations.

Tuesday, 19 August.  Underway with USS Kearsarge CV 33 in the Pearl Harbor operating area. 0655 Took plane guard station. 0700 Commenced flight operations.  0720 Completed flight operations.  0833 Commenced flight operations. 0856 Completed flight operations.  0948 Commenced flight operations. 1044 Completed flight operations.  Fletcher detached from plane guard duty and proceeded to assigned operating area. 1316 Rendezvoused with USS K-2.  1325 Commenced AWS exercises.  1515 Completed exercises. Proceeded to Pearl Harbor channel. 1705 Moored starboard side to berth S-14, Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor T.H.  1805 Ensign W.A. Johnston was detached TAD under instruction to Naval School of Military Justice, Newport, R.I. 1810 LT D.R. Duncan was detached for TAD under instruction to Fleet Sonar School, San Diego, California, and for further transfer to Norfolk Naval Shipyard for duty as prospective operations officer of the USS E.A. Greene DDE 711.  1815 LT L.C. Chambers reported aboard for duty from TAD under instruction at Fleet Sonar School, San Diego, California.  LT R.F. Keough reported aboard for duty from TAD under instruction at U.S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, California.  1930 J.B. Koch MM2, and D.A. Bailey were transferred to Naval Receiving Station Pearl Harbor for further transfer and discharge.  1930 F.E. Chandler FA was transferred to ComNavFe for duty.

Wednesday, 20 August.  Moored as before. 0745 W.A. Donaldson RMN2 reported aboard for duty.  0830 Refueled from YO 176 alongside to port.  1044 Underway from berth S-14, proceeded out the channel. 1319 Relieved Radford as plane guard on Kearsarge. 1457 Commenced air operations.  1508 Completed air operations. 1656 Commenced air operations. 1748 Completed air operations. 1750 Philip joined the formation.  1908 Commenced air operations.  1938 Completed air operations.  2200 Commenced air operations.  2234 Completed air operations.

Thursday, 21 August. Steaming off Oahu, Hawaii with USS Kearsarge CV 33, and USS Philip DDE 498. 0500 Detached from duty with Kearsarge.  0834 Entered Pearl Harbor channel.  0903 US Navy YTF 253 alongside to port.  0915 Moored starboard side to berth W-2< U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 0940 Commenced loading and unloading ammunition.  Unloaded 318 Rounds 5"/38 and 1796 rounds of 3"/50 ammunition, 134 rounds of 7.2" projectiles, 1 Mk9 and 2 Mk6 depth charges. Took on 456 5"/38 and 1538 rounds of 3"/50 ammunition, 1 Mk9 depth charge, 100 distress signals, and 200 hand grenades. 1500 R.L. Holland left the ship on 4 days island leave.  1725 Underway from NAD West Loch and proceeded out the channel. 1905 Commenced ASW operations. 2313 Completed ASW operations.

Friday, 22 August. Steaming independently off Oahu, Hawaii. 0800 Rendezvoused with USS K-2 in sub area 10 of S-2. 0827 Commenced ASW operations. 0955 Completed ASW operations.  Conducted man overboard drills. 1303 K-2 submerged and Fletcher commenced ASW operations.  1504 Completed ASW operations, proceeded to Pearl Harbor channel. 1638 Moored starboard side to berth S-12 at US Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor T.H.  1700 G.W. Poutt TM3 returned from TAD at the submarine base.  1709 USS Philips DDE 449 moored alongside to port.  1729 D. Mosey SN was transferred to ComNavFE. R.E. Schroeder BT1 was transferred to USS Magoffin APA 199. W.W. Henson FN was transferred to ComNavFE.  C.T. Peat BT3, and C.T. Lewis TA, returned from CONLUS leave. R.H. Cleary MEG1 reported aboard for duty. 1854 A.M. Holcomb QMC, reported aboard for duty.

Saturday, 23 August. Moored as before.  0902 Navy Pilot E.L. Ballenger reported aboard. 0918 Philip got underway from alongside. 0924 YTB 412 came alongside port bow.  YTB 253 alongside port quarter.  0939 Underway from berth S-12.  Moored to berth B-24, U.S. Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor, T.H.   1007 YTB 253 cleared the side.  1009 Pilot left the ship and YTB 412 cleared the side.  1400 USS LST 735 got underway from berth B-25.

Sunday, 24 August. Moored starboard side to berth B-24, U.S. Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 1700 L.E. Byrd SN was transferred to Naval Receiving Station Pearl Harbor for 30 days emergency leave.

Monday, 25 August. Moored as before.  1700 USS Kidd DD 661 moored alongside to port.

Tuesday, 26 August.  Moored as before. 0725 R.L. Holland SN reported aboard from 4 days island leave.  0900 E.A. Coleman FTSN left the ship on 4 days island leave.

Wednesday, 27 August.  Moored as before. 1141 USS DD 661 moored alongside to port.  1430 LT R.A. Gavin was detached from the ship and ordered to report to Com14 for duty.

Thursday, 28 August. Moored as before.  1110 T.M. Chisholm SN, was transferred TAD to the Naval Training Center San Diego California.  T.E. Christensen BM3, was transferred to ComNavFE.for duty. 1535 D.R. Atkinson SN reported aboard for duty from Tripler Army Hospital.

Friday, 29 August. Moored as before.  0741 A.A. Nathe MM2, reported aboard from 4 days leave. 0958 YSR8 alongside to port. 1107 J.F. Neudek QMC left the ship for transfer to USS Currier DE 700.  1617 P.L. Gibert SO1, was transferred to nearest receiving station CONLUS for reassignment.

Saturday, 30 August. Moored as before.  0940 Took on fuel from dock.  1445 R.W. Schmalenbach TM2,  G.A. Tracy HM3, H.M. Burpee MML3,and V.J. Treacy BTG3 left the ship for U.S. Naval receiving station CONLUS for discharge.  K.M. Chambers left the ship for transfer to Adak Alaska. J.A. Franklin GM3, and B.E. Beeler GM2 were transferred to ComNavFE.  2100 B.P. Wright BM1 returned aboard from emergency leave.

SundaIslandsy 31 August.  Moored as before. 0650 YSR8 underway from port side. 0800 Ensign W.J. Hipple reported aboard for duty.

September 1952

Monday, 1 September. Moored starboard side to berth B-25, Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Oahu, T.H. 1126 B.C. Hitchcock RD2, and L.P. Jones RD2 were transferred to nearest receiving station, CONLUS for further assignment vy ComWesSeaFrontier.

Tuesday, 2 September.  Moored as before. 1415 J.W. Godfrey SO1, and R.L. Kashewr YNSN were transferred to the receiving station Pearl Harbor, T.H. for discharge. 1522 J.L. Johnson FN, was transfered to U.S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, California. O.J. Brown SD3, was transferred to Naval Air Station, Grosselle, Michigan.

Wednesday, 3 September.  Moored as before. 1035 Received fresh water from YW 104. 1245 L.F. English RM2, was transferred to Naval Receiving Station, Treasure Island, California. 1440 F.H. Jones SN, was transferred to Technical Training Center, Memphis Tenn.

Thursday, 4 September. Moored as before.  0550 J. Hackey SN, was injured and sent to the Naval Shipyard dispensary. 1415 Underway and proceeded out channel. 1455 Fletcher formed astern of USS Carpenter DDE 825. 1638 Commenced AA firing exercise. 1720 Completed exercise.  1900 Formed bent line screen with Carpenter, USS Radford DDE446 and USS O’Bannon DDE450.

Friday, 5 September. Steaming as before with Task Element 132.33 in bent line screen ahead of USS Tolovana AO64. 0630 Rendezvoused with USS Curtiss AV4 in company with USS Mansfield DD 730 and USS Collett DD723.  0927 Tolovana, Mansfield and Collett were detached from TG 132.  [Joint Task Group 132 was an operation of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Atomic Energy Commission, and NOAA known as "Operation Ivy". to test the first Hydrogen Bomb and the dropping of an Atomic Weapon from a B36 aircraft at the Eniwetok Atomic Proving Ground at Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. Ships present for the operation were USS Estes AGC12, (flagship), USS Carpenter DDE825, USS Fletcher DDE445, USS Radford DDE446, USS O’Bannon DDE450. USS Agawan AOG6, USS Arikara ATF98, USS Curtiss AV4, USS Elder AN20, USS Leo AKA60, USS Lipan ATF85, USS LST836, USS Oak Hill LSD7, USS Rendova CVE114, USS Yuma ATF94, USNS Gen. E.T. Collins TAP147, USNS David C. Shanks TAP 180, MV Spencer F. Baird (EX-ATA), MV Horizon (EX-ATA).

Saturday, 6 September. Steaming in company with USS Curtiss AV4 and CortDesDiv 11 enroute Honolulu T.H. to Eniwetok Atoll. (The Curtiss carried the weapons to be tested.)

Sunday, 7 September. Steaming as before.

Monday, 8 September. Steaming as before.  1249 During steering casualty drill had actual casualty to starboard motor, cable and pump.

Wednesday 10 September.  Steaming as before. Crossed international date line and set clocks ahead 24 hours.

Thursday, 11 September.  Steaming as before. ( All cameras were taken up and locked in a magazine for the duration of Operation Ivy.  CTF 132 promised a cruise book upon completion, but that did not happen, probably because of the classified nature of the operation.)

Friday, 12 September.  Steaming as before. 0940 C.B. Pritchard GMSN, was painting magazine and while coming out of hatch, it slipped out of his hand hitting his left big toe, partly amputating the toe. 1334 Entered Eniwetok Atoll. 1339 Navy Pilot LT Bond came aboard. 1424 Anchored in berth N-6, Eniwetok Lagoon.  1712 H.H. Copeland FN, and C.B. Pritchard were transferred to U.S. Army Hospital, Eniwetok Atoll for treatment. (Ship was quarantined due to a case of mumps aboard.) Temperature varied from 82 to 98F.

Saturday, 13 September.  Anchored as before. 1243 Fletcher got underway and went alongside USN YON 146 to take on fuel. 1610 Completed refueling and returned to berth D-6.

Sunday 14 September. Anchored in berth D-6 Eniwetok Lagoon, Marshall Islands. Had ships party on Japtan Island.  (Ship was in quarantine, Fletcher had exclusive use of Japtan Island on this day due to quarantine.  Picnic, softball game, snorkeling etc took place.)

Monday, 15 September.  Anchored as before. 0817 Fletcher got underway and proceeded to patrol area around Eniwetok Atoll.

Tuesday, 16 September. Steaming independently, patrolling area surrounding Eniwetok Atoll.  1124 Received crash boat to port and received officer messenger mail.  1130 Crash boat away, resumed patrol.

Wednesday 17 September.  Steaming as before patrolling area. 0859 Received small boat from O’Bannon alongside to port with U.S. mail.

Thursday, 18 September.  Steaming as before.0808 USNS Bald Eagle passed across bow port to starboard at 1500 yards.

Friday, 19 September.  Steaming as before. 0035 Changed course and speed in accordance with USS Curtiss message to investigate.  0155 Resumed patrol in accordance with USS Curtiss message. 1005 Slowed to take BT reading.  1010 Resumed patrol.

Saturday, 20 September.  Steaming as before.

Sunday, 21 September.  Steaming on patrol as before. 1026 Secured #1 generator for repairs. 1048 Repairs completed.

Monday 22 September. Steaming on patrol as before.  0930 Entered the "Deep Channel" entrance to Eniwetok Lagoon. 1046 Moored starboard side to YON 146 in berth L-3, Eniwetok Lagoon.  1108 Commenced taking on fuel.  1110 ComCortDesRon One and staff came aboard, shifted flag to Fletcher.  1258 Completed refueling and proceeded to anchor in berth D-4.  1650 Transferred D.T. Severson TM1 to Naval Training Station NewPort R.I. TAD to return to the ship.  1747 Received T.R. Massey SN as a passenger for further transfer to Radford.

Tuesday, 23 September. Anchored as before in Eniwetok Lagoon. Sopa is CTG 132.3 on USS Estes AGC12. 0700 Ensign H.W. Phillips was detached TAD to the Navy Fleet Gunnery School, San Diego, California.   1136 H. Copeland Jr. FN came aboard from TAD U.S. Army Hospital, Eniwetok Atoll.

Wednesday, 24 September. Anchored as before.  0810 Commander Joint Task Force 132 and 132.3 arrived on board.  0850 CJTF 132 and 132.3 departed.

Thursday, 25 September.  Anchored as before. 0800 Transferred passenger T.R. Hassey SN to the Radford. 1010 Motor whaleboat returned to the ship assisted by the Gig. While backing down to recover packages fallen overboard from the fantail of the Radford, losing rudder, tiller and parted preventive line.  Rudder, tiller and preventive line sank immediately before they could be recovered.  1205 C.B. Pritchard SN returned from Army Hospital, Eniwetok.

Friday, 26 September.  Anchored as before. Other ships present include Estes, USS Oak Hill LSD7, USS Agawam AOG6

Saturday, 27 September.  Anchored as before. 1045 J.L. Bailey SA, was transferred TAD to USS Estes AGC12. 1330 H,A, Ricci RD3 and E.V. Olgardt SN reported aboard for TAD under instruction. 1920 USS LSU 764 came alongside to port to return liberty party from Japtan Island.

Sunday, 28 September.  Anchored as before. 0700 Underway for deep passage.  0735 Took departure from Eniwetok. 0759 Relieved the Radford of her patrol. 1003 :Lowered Dan Buoy into water.  Commenced steaming various courses at 10 knots to track drift of Dan Buoy.

Monday 29 September. Steaming independently as before tracking Dan Buoy to determine current conditions.  1250 Detached from tracking Dan Buoy by CTG 132.3 to investigate ship bearing 283T, 97 miles.  1506 Ordered to resume tracking Dan Buoy. 1720 Made radar contact with Dan Buoy. 1939 Commenced steaming to box the buoy at a range of 10,000 yards.

Tuesday, 30 September. Steaming independently as before tracking Dan Buoy.  1004 Recovered Dan Buoy.  1014 Proceeded to Eniwetok Atoll to patrol assigned area.

October 1952

Wednesday, 1 October.  Steaming independently on patrol in Eniwetok Atoll area.  1100 Transferred R.L. Brittain FN, and T.M. Grimes FA, to an LCM for further transfer to the Army Hospital, Eniwetok Atollon TAD orders. 2255 Lost power on gyro compass. Commenced steering by magnetic compass. (Received typhoon warning)

Thursday, 2 October. Steaming independently as before on patrol.  1155 Left patrol to rendezvous with USS Rendova CVE114.  1230 Took plane guard station on Rendova. 1243 Commenced air operations.  1300 Completed air operations.  1508 Resumed patrol.  1553 Proceeding to point bearing 158T 11 miles from point yoke as directed by CTG 132.3. 1707 Passed through datum point.  Commenced operation tomato, joined by the O’Bannon. Commenced retiring search plan #58. 1800 Modified search plan. 1815 Secured sonar attack team.  2036 Resumed patrol.

Friday, 3 October. Steaming independently as before on patrol.  0830 Received U.S. Mail aboard from Air Force helicopter.

Saturday, 4 October. Steaming independently as before on patrol.  0735 Entered deep channel of Eniwetok Lagoon. 0836 Moored starboard side to YON146 in berth P-4 to refuel. 1129 Underway.  1300 Anchored in berth 773, north lagoon, Eniwetok Atoll. 1432 Conducted diving operations on sonar dome.  1435 Completed diving operations. 1540 The packing from the emergency feed pump in the forward fire room blew out, secured #1 boiler and #1 generator, and cut in emergency diesel generator. 1550 Cut boiler #3 in on the auxiliary line and cut the #1 generator in on the main line. 1555 Secured the diesel generator.

Sunday, 5 October. Anchored as before in berth 773, north lagoon, Eniwetok Atoll.  0800 Assumed duty as the anti aircraft guard ship, northern lagoon.

Monday, 6 October. Anchored as before. AA guard duty ship.

Tuesday, 7 October.  Anchored as before. 0800 Assumed duty as the anti aircraft guard ship, northern lagoon.

Wednesday, 8 October.  Anchored as before. 0801 Relieved of the ABLE radar guard by the Curtiss.

Thursday, 9 October. Anchored as before.  0745 Assumed AA defense guard-ship duty. 1350 Gyrocompass secured for repairs. 1515 Repairs completed.

Friday, 10 October.  Anchored as before. 1149 Underway from berth 773, northern lagoon, Eniwetok Atoll.  1206 Received boat alongside to starboard. H.L. Hasach FT1, was received aboard for TAD.  1347 Cleared deep channel.  Commenced northern patrol.  (Doug Covington noted that it rained for 4 hours.)

Saturday, 11 October.  Steaming independently on the northern patrol of Eniwetok Atoll.  Doug Covington notes rough seas and high winds)

Sunday, 12 October.  Steaming independently on the northern patrol of Eniwetok Atoll.  1255 USS O’Bannon DDE450 alongside port quarter to transfer mail. 1300 Mail transfer completed.

Monday, 13 October.  Steaming on patrol as before. 1000 Exercised crew at Atomic Attack, using wash down system. 1040 Secured from Atomic Attack drill. 1250 O’Bannon came alongside port quarter to transfer mail. 1302 Relieved of patrol by the O’Bannon. 1325 Received injury report; R. Moore FP3.  Moore’s foot struck a piece of metal lying on the deck, cutting his right foot between #3 and #4 toes. Four stitches were taken, tetanus and penicillin shots were given, and he was placed on the binnacle list.  1428 Entered deep channel, Eniwetok Atoll.  1450 Anchored in berth D-6, Eniwetok lagoon. Engine room placed on ½ hour notice. 1530 G.M. Dillard YN3 was received aboard from Naval Receiving Station, Treasure Island, California.  1905 LCDR W.J. Pasanan reported aboard for TAD.

Tuesday, 14 October. Anchored as before in berth D-6, southern end of Eniwetok lagoon.  1610 Underway.  1725 Fletcher went alongside the port quarter of the O’Bannon for mail transfer.  1754 Completed mail transfer.  1815 Gained patrol station, patrolling in accordance with CTG 132.3 OpPlan. (Doug Covington reported it was raining again)

Wednesday, 15 October. Steaming independently on patrol in the northern patrol area as before. (Still raining)

Thursday, 16 October.  Steaming independently on patrol as before. 1037 Received Navy helicopter on forecastle to receive U.S. Mail. 1113 Commenced deballasting. 1409 Relieved on station by USS Carpenter DDE825. 1450 Entered the deep channel to Eniwetok lagoon.  1557 Moored alongside YON146 to refuel. 1619 ComCotDesRon One came aboard and broke his pennant. 1757 Underway from alongside YON146. 1828 Anchored in berth D-5, Eniwetok lagoon.

Friday, 17 October.  Anchored as before. 1310 C.A. Whitworth BT1, was received aboard for transfer to the Radford. T.B. Channel RDSN was received aboard for transfer to the Carpenter. 1345 O.L. Wallace SN, was transferred to USS Estes ACG12 for treatment.

Saturday, 18 October.  Anchored as before. 0740 J.E. Coombs YN3, was transferred to the Radford for TAD. 1255 W.E. Manning SN, reported aboard TAD from Tripler Army Hospital, for further transfer to the O’Bannon.  1445 Ensign H.D. Barker left the ship for medical treatment aboard the Estes.  1815 R.L. Griffith FP1 reported aboard TAD for treatment by CortDesRon One staff doctor.

Sunday, 19 October.  Anchored as before. 1205 The following reported aboard TAD from the O’Bannon to conduct a scheduled inspection of the supply department. LT R.W. Harrison, W.J. Bates CS1, and R.L. Wilson DK3.

Monday, 20 October.  Anchored as before in berth D-5, Eniwetok lagoon.

Tuesday, 21 October. Anchored as before.  1010 W. Bates CS1, and R.L. Wilson DK3 were transferred to the USS Rendova CVE114 for further transfer to the O’Bannon. 1327 Underway.  1400 Alongside YON146 to refuel.  1500 Underway.  1534 Anchored in berth D-5, Eniwetok lagoon.

Wednesday, 22 October. Anchored as before.  0649 Underway and proceeded out deep channel. 0815 Exercised crew at Atomic Defense. Adjusted course and speed to conduct wash down.  0947 Secured from drill.  1039 AVR came alongside to transfer observing party.  1230 Relieved the Carpenter on station. Assumed patrol A2/12 northern area patrol, Eniwetok. Doug Covington reported that it rained 16 hours)

Thursday, 23 October.  Steaming independently on patrol, northern area patrol, Eniwetok. 1513 Helicopter transferred U.S. Mail and departed.

Friday, 24 October.  Steaming independently on patrol as before.

Saturday, 25 October.  Steaming independently on patrol as before. 1600 Received mail from helicopter.  (More rain)

Sunday, 26 October.  Steaming independently on patrol as before. (Rain)

Monday, 27 October.  Steaming independently on patrol as before. 1053 Received helicopter on the fantail to transfer US and guard mail. (Rain)

Tuesday, 28 October. Steaming independently on patrol as before.  0620 Relieved from patrol by the Carpenter.  0836 Joined formation with USS Rendova CVE114 and USS Radford DDE446 0924 Went alongside the Rendova to refuel.  1124 Refueling completed, proceeded to assigned patrol. 1529 Commenced patrolling on western patrol, plan A3/12 per CTG 132.3 OpPlaN.

Wednesday, 29 October. Steaming independently on the western patrol of Eniwetok Atoll.  2135 Commenced southern patrol.

Thursday, 30 October.  Steaming independently on the souther patrol of Eniwetok Atoll. 1044 Entered the wide channel, Eniwetok lagoon. 1123 Anchored in berth #5, Eniwetok Atoll. 1238 Underway from berth #5.  1306 Moored port side to USNS Bald Eagle TAF50 to replenish.  The following men reported aboard: H.J. Binicke Sr. TM1(T), for further transfer to receiving station Kwajalein, M.I.  J.L. Bailey SA, for duty, T.W. Fincher FN, for duty, O.L. Wallace SN for duty.  1436 Underway from alongside Bald Eagle.  1528 Moored port side to USS Leo AKA60 to receive dry stores. 1705 Underway from alongside Leo, and proceeded to deep entrance channel.  1720 Received mail from helicopter on fantail.  2015 On station on northern patrol plan A2-12

Friday,. 31 October. Steaming independently on the northern patrol of Eniwetok Atoll, M.I.  2257Left northern patrol to take station 2000 yards astern of the Radford in accordance with Radford dispatch.

November 1952

Saturday, 1 November.  Steaming in company with USS Radford DDE446 enroute to patrol area off deep entrance, Eniwetok Atoll. 0125 Arrived in patrol area. 0325 Proceeded independently to northern barrier patrol station outside deep channel entrance.  0335 Commenced barrier patrol as directed by the Radford.  0412 USS Curtiss AV4 stood out from the deep entrance, Eniwetok Atoll.  Fletcher and Radford formed bent line screen on Curtiss.  0614 Reduced speed to 5 knots on course 055T. O645 Fletcher took station 1 in 3 ship bent line screen on formation. 0649 Changed course to 235T. 0710 Changed speed to 10 knots.  0901 Reduced speed to 7 knots.   Maintained position in area 30 miles south of shot island.  1713 Rendova and Carpenter left formation to conduct air operations.  1755 Carpenter and Rendova rejoined formation.  1823 Formed bent line screen on USS Estes with Rendova and Curtiss in formation. (There is no entry in the Fletcher ship’s log of the detonation of the Mike device, probably because the log was of a lesser classification than the operation classification.) Doug Covington noted: ("At 0715, Hydrogen bomb was set off 30 miles away.  Heat and flash (looking away) turned everything white.")

Sunday, 2 November.  Steaming in the Eniwetok Atoll area with units of TG 132.3 Units in formation were USS Rendova CVE114, USS Curtiss AV4, USS Estes AGC12. The screen consisted of Carpenter, Radford, and Fletcher. 0800 Took station in column with Rendova, Estes and Curtiss. Radford, Fletcher and Carpenter formed column astern of Rendova to enter Eniwetok lagoon. 0948 Fletcher alongside Rendova portside to refuel, Radford alongside starboard side to refuel.  1116 Radford completed fueling. 1213 Fletcher completed refueling and proceeded to patrol area.  1307 Commenced western sector patrol. 1534 Departed patrol and rendezvoused with Curtiss. 1627 Discontinued fog signals. 1645 Took station 2000 yards ahead of Curtiss.

Monday, 3 November.  Steaming in company with Curtiss enroute Eniwetok Atoll to Kwajalein Atoll  1145 Sighted Ebadon Island at 12.5 miles. 1507 Commenced patrolling station as entry screen.  1536 Released from escort duty and proceeded enroute to Eniwetok Atoll.

Tuesday, 4 November. Steaming independently enroute Kwajalein Atoll to Eniwetok Atoll.  0251 Sonar contact at 290T 650 yards. Evaluated as possible submarine. Proceeded on various courses to hold and evaluate contact.  0410 Contact evaluated as non submarine.  Resumed course to Eniwetok.  1300 Entered deep channel to Eniwetok lagoon. 1340 Anchored in berth D5, Eniwetok Atoll.

Wednesday,5 November.  Anchored as before. 0820 Received tidal wave alert, put out 90 fathoms of starboard anchor chain. Made port anchor ready for letting go, and lighted boiler #3.

Thursday, 6 November.  Anchored as before. 1010 H.J. Benicke TM1 was transferred to CTG 132.2 for further transfer.

Friday, 7 November.  Anchored as before. 0704 Fletcher relieved of radar guard. 1125 V.C. Rasmussen, GMC, was received aboard for duty.  1815 F. Carranzas GMSN, was brought aboard from liberty boat for medical attention to injury on his head.  Carranzas was assigned to O’Bannon. 1940 Carranzas was transferred to the Estes for treatment.

Saturday, 8 November.  Anchored as before. 0818 Underway from berth D5, proceeded alongside YON146 to refuel.  1008 Underway to proceed out wide channel.  1040 Relieved the Carpenter on southern patrol.  1442 Received Navy helicopter on fantail for transfer of guard mail.  1445 Changed course to search for a jettisoned torpedo at 11 degrees 13.9 north and 161degrees 56.7 east.  1549 Passed through search datum point. 1739 Changed course to investigate unidentified object in the water reported by search plane. Plane marked location with smoke pots.  1905 Discontinued search and proceeded toward patrol area.  1934 Resumed patrol.  1957 Changed course to investigate radar contact at 9 miles.  2019 Contact identified as USS Oak Hill LSD7. 2047 Resumed patrol.

Sunday, 9 November.  Steaming independently on patrol around Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. 0832 Proceeding to search area as directed by CTG 132.3. 1139 Arrived in search area and conducted expanded box counter clockwise search pattern.  1935 Broke off  search for torpedo and proceeded toward patrol area. 2226 Resumed patrol. 2341 Took departure from patrol plan and rendezvoused with USS O’Bannon DDE450 to conduct retiring search for possible submarine.

Monday, 10 November. Steaming enroute to rendezvous with O’Bannon.  0119 Arrived in search area, took station 2800 yards from O’Bannon.  0435 Discontinued search, proceeded to northern patrol 0700 Assumed northern patrol.  1636 Casualty to gyro compass, steered by magnetic compass.  1642 Casualty restored. 1745 SG radar casualty.

Tuesday, 11 November. Steaming independently on patrol in Eniwetok Atoll area. 1539 Received mail from helicopter on fantail.  (Doug Covington reported that it rained 20 hours.)

Wednesday, 12 November.  Steaming independently on patrol as before. 1436 Left northern patrol and commenced western patrol.

Thursday, 13 November. Steaming independently on western patrol in the Eniwetok Atoll area. 0715 Rendezvoused with the Carpenter to commence scheduled patrol. 0915 Took screen station of TE132.31 on port bow of USNS Gen. E.T. Collins. 1225 Took station astern of the Carpenter. Proceeded independently to patrol area.  1555 Received USMC helicopter on fantail for transfer of guard mail and US Mail.  (Doug Covington reported that planned atomic bomb drop was postponed due to weather.)

Friday, 14 November. Steaming independently on western patrol, Eniwetok Atoll.

Saturday, 15 November. Steaming independently on western patrol, Eniwetok Atoll.  1430 Relieved on station by the Carpenter.  1445 Entered Eniwetok lagoon. 1538 Went alongside YON146 to refuel.  1710 Underway.  1734 Anchored in berth D5, Eniwetok lagoon. 1900 S.E. Logsdon SN, was transferred to USS Rendova CVE114 for treatment.

Sunday, 16 November. Anchored as before.  0635 Underway.  Cleared Eniwetok through wide passage. Commenced patrol off wide passage, Eniwetok Atoll. 0923 Took screen station with the Carpenter on USNS Gen. E.T. Collins, speed 4 knots.  1040 On station resumed patrolling. 1118 Formation speed 8 knots.  1200 On station 1500 yards on port bow on Gen. Collins, maintaining station while main body remains in the vicinity of deep entrance north of bearing 090T.1617 Gen. Collins left formation to proceed into port.  1642 Took station astern of Carpenter  1655 Entered channel. 1741 Anchored in berth D6, Eniwetok lagoon.  (Doug Covington noted: "Pulled out about 15 miles to watch atomic bomb detonation.)( Bomb was dropped by an USAF B-36.)

Monday, 17 November. Anchored as before.  0640 Underway from berth D6, to investigate radar contact. 0713 Contact identified as MV Spencer F. Baird.  Returned to Eniwetok lagoon.  0744 Anchored in berth O8 Eniwetok lagoon. 0908 Underway. 0935 Moored starboard side of YON146 to refuel.  1025 Received CTG132.3, Rear Admiral Wilkins aboard.  1035 CTG132.3 departed.  1045 Underway.  1115 Anchored in berth D6.  1459 Underway from anchorage. Formed column astern of the Carpenter. 1525 Took departure from Eniwetok Atoll.

Tuesday, 18 November.  Steaming in company with TE132.30 in column of Carpenter, Fletcher, and Radford. 1509 Received small boat alongside with guard mail and D.M. Porter SOSN on board for duty.  1520 Resumed patrol.  1600 USS Curtiss AV4 sortied from Kwajalein Atoll1649 Formed bent line screen on Curtiss

Wednesday, 19 November.  Enroute to Pearl Harbor, T.H. from Kwajalein Atoll, marshall Islands in company with USS Curtiss AV4, USS Carpenter DDE825, USS Radford DDE446, and USS O’Bannon DDE450.1230 Unidentified contact sighted at 9 miles.  1305 Passed contact 1 mile to starboard, identified as KNI82 Koki Maru, Japanese fishing boat.

Thursday, 20 November. Steaming as before. 2012 Crossed international date line.

Thursday, 20 November. Steaming as before.  All clocks set back 24 hours. 0925 Lost steering control , port steering motor burned out.  Left station. 0930 Regained steering control using starboard motor.

Friday, 21 November. Steaming as before.  2230 TBS radio transmitter/receiver out of commission due to burned out motor generator.

Saturday, 22 November. Steaming as before.

Sunday, 23 November. Steaming as before.  1030 Article 137 of UCMJ was read and explained to the crew. Security requirements regarding operation just completed were read and explained to the crew in accordance with CTG132.3 instructions.  1300 USS Silverstein DE534, and USS Whitehurst DE634 rendezvoused with the formation and took station in the screen. 1307 ComCortDesRon One was relieved as CTE132.30 by Commanding Officer USS Curtiss AV4. CortDesDiv11 relieved as screen on Curtiss by Silverstein and Whitehurst.  1348 CortDesDiv 11 formed column in order of sequence numbers enroute to Pearl Harbor, Oahu, T.H. (Fletcher deck logs of this period have been declassified. JTF132 released unclassified videos of the details of the atomic detonations in Operation Ivy, produced by the USAF Lookout Mountain Laboratory)

Monday, 24 November. Steaming in company with other ships of CortDesDiv 11 enroute Kwajalein Atoll M.I. T Pearl Harbor, Oahu, T.H.  OTC was ComCortDesRon One.  0631 Passed through point X-ray at entrance to Pearl Harbor channel.  0730 Moored starboard side to berth S-11, Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor T.H.  0832 O.G. Whitehurst BT3, was transferred to Naval Receiving Station Pearl Harbor for transfer to CONLUS for discharge.  Ensign W.A. Johnson returned to the ship from TAD at the Naval School of Justice, Newport R.I., and 30 days leave. 1200 The following men reported aboard for duty: H.D. Brodney MMFA, G.E. Burck MMFA, D.R. Day MMFA, O.F. Lyons MMFA, and C. Crockett QMSN. 1602 L.E. Byrd SN reported aboard for duty.

Tuesday, 25 November.  Moored as before. O’Bannon moored outboard to port.  1013 Took on fuel from YO113 alongside O’Bannon. 1755 D.E. Lehman reported aboard for duty.

Wednesday 26 November. Moored as before in berth S11, Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 1220 E. Davis FC2 left the ship on 4 days island leave.  1730 O’Bannon got underway from alongside.

Thursday, 27 November. Moored as before.  1425 The following men reported aboard for duty from USS Taussig DD746: P. Pallan Jr. ENFN, D.V. Hoopengarner FA. B.I. Linamen FA, P.L. Linamen FA, M. Cisneros FA, A.O. Adams SA, and J.W. Schoen SA. 1823 S.E. Logsdon SN reported aboard for duty.

Friday 28 November.  Moored as before. 1610 A. Banas FP3, was transferred TAD to Pipefitter School, San Diego, California.  D.W. Stone EN3 was transferred to Air Conditioning and Refrigeration School, San Diego California.

Saturday, 29 November. Moored as before.  0720 W. McCarty Jr. MM2 reported aboard from 3 days leave.

Sunday, 30 November. Moored as before.

December 1952

Monday 1 December. Moored starboard side to berth S-11 Naval Submarine Base Pearl Harbor, T.H. USS O’Bannon was moored to the port side.  0230 E. Davis FC2 returned from 5 days leave.  0715 O’Bannon got underway. 0740 Fletcher got underway and proceeded to operating area.  Conducted general quarters exercises. 1620 Entered channel to Pearl Harbor.  1653 Moored alongside USS Carpenter DDE825 in berth B-24, U.S. Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 1845 M.V. Reeves SA, was transferred to U.S. Naval Medical Unit, Tripler Army Hospital, T.H.

Tuesday, 2 December. Moored as before.  0753 Underway from alongside Carpenter with assistance of YTL. 1130 Sighted USS Valley Forge CV45 at 14 miles.  1155 Took plane guard station on Valley Forge. 1302 Commenced air operations. 1717 secured plane guard detail. 1852 Took plane guard station 1 on Valley Forge. 2026 Commenced air operations again 2113 Completed air operations.  2150 Released from plane guard duty.  Proceeded to area N-1 for night steaming.

Wednesday, 3 December. Steaming idenpendently in area N-1 off Oahu, T.H.  0318 Passed Valley Forge to port at 2 miles. 0930 Exercised crew at general quarters for AA firing. 1030 Completed AA firing exercises. 1107 Took station astern of O’Bannon.  1224 went alongside port quarter of O’Bannon for transfer of light freight. 1550 Entered Pearl Harbor entrance channel. 1631 Moored starboard side to berth M-3 US Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.. 1645 Refueled from pier.

Thursday, 4 December.  Moored as before. 1100 P.F. O’Neil RMSN, was received aboard for duty from Naval Receiving Station, Treasure Island California. 1221 Underway proceeding to West Loch, with pilot Capt.Walker.1315 Moored starboard side to berth 3, West Loch, Pearl Harbor, T.H. Took on 200 rounds 3"/50 VT non frag ammunition and 2 depth charges Mk1, Mod 11424 Underway.  1459 Moored starboard side to berth M-3, Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

Friday, 5 December.  Moored as before. 1110 Bunyard, SN, was transferred to Tripler Army Hospital for treatment.  1228 Underway and proceeded out channel.  Remained in vicinity of point X-ray while waiting for Valley Forge to sortie from Pearl Harbor.  1545 Valley Forge stood out of channel.  1013 Took station 1000 yards astern of Valley Forge.  1702 Commenced air operations.  1734 Completed air operations.

Saturday, 6 December.  Underway with USS Valley Forge CV45 in operating area south of Pearl Harbor, T.H. 0757 Took plane guard station on Valley Forge. Maintained plane guard while Valley Forge launched and recovered aircraft.  2057 Completed day’s air operations.

Sunday, 7 December.  Underway as before. 0435 Commenced air operations. 1312 Detached from Valley Forge. Took station astern of Radford. 1715 Commenced visual and radio drills with Valley Forge.  1918 Alongside Valley Forge starboard side for practice refueling1947 Completed fueling exercise and cleared Valley Forge. Conducted other exercises with Valley Forge. 2340 Completed exercises.

Monday, 8 December.  Underway in company with Valley Forge and Radford providing plane guard services for Valley Forge. 0615 Took plane guard station. 0703 Released from plane guard duties.  Proceeded to Pearl Harbor T.H.  1106 Moored starboard side to berth B25, Naval Station, Pearl Harbor T.H. 1115 Commenced refueling from dock.  1232 W. McMullen YN3 returned to the ship from leave. 1440 The following men reported aboard for duty: L. Kolsen TMSA, E.E. Cooper BT1, and W. Ferguson MMC.

Tuesday, 9 December. Moored as before.  1150 E.E. Holland FN was transferred to Class A Electrician’s Mate School, San Diego California for TAD. 1542 The following men reported aboard for duty: J.L. England EMFA, J.J. Finn RMSA, and G.K. Clouden GMSA.

Wednesday, 10 December.  Moored as before. 0730 Underway from berth B-25, Naval Station Pearl Harbor, T.H, and proceeded to operating area for day’s exercises.  0905 Rendezvoused with USS Tilefish SS307. Commenced ASW exercises.  1115 Completed ASW exercises. Proceeded to operating area for AA firing exercises. 1255 Commenced AA firing exercises.  1418 Completed AA firing exercise, expending 55 rounds of 3"/50 ammunition.  1605 Entered Pearl Harbor channel.  1649 Moored starboard side to USS Monroe DE422, at berth M-4.

Thursday, 11 December. Moored as before.  0649 Underway from berth M-4, Pearl Harbor, T.H. Proceeded to operating area N-1 to conduct exercises for operational readiness inspection. 0830 Commenced exercises.  Exercises included ASW, man overboard drills, engineering and damage control drills. 1258 Conducted depth charge drill. 1336 Commenced AA firing exercise. 1443 Completed AA firing.  1618 Completed battle problem.  1634 Entered Pearl Harbor channel. 1718 Moored starboard side to USS Hanson DDR832. 1724 Underway from alongside Hanson.  1745 Moored starboard side to berth B-24, Naval Station, Pearl Harbor T.H. 1830 D.M. Porter SOSN, was transferred to USS Hanson.  2040 Emergency diesel put on line.  2119 E.A. Coleman SN, was transferred to CONLUS for discharge.  R.H. Wilson was transferred to the Navy Receiving Station, Pearl Harbor, T.H. for classification and further assignment.  J.D. Bench SN, was transferred to USS Helena CA75, J.H. Epps SOSN, was received aboard for duty.

Friday.12 December.  Moored as before. J.C. Crow RD3, H.R. Gercke SN, and B.L. Dewitt SA returned to the ship. R. Blackwell BM3, was transferred to ComNavFE for duty.  1058 R.E. Sanchez QM1, was transferred to CONLUS for discharge.  1105 K.O. Jordan QM2, was transferred ComNavFE for duty. 1106 S.M. Chestman BT1, was transferred to ComNavFE for duty.  1115 D.A. Fogg BT2, was transferred to USS Bausell DD845 for duty. 1116 F.E. Ross BT3 was transferred to USS Bausell for duty. 1120 A.B. Cunningham BT3, was transferred to USS Bausell for duty.  1122 E.H. Wheeler SN was transferred to Naval Air Station, Quonset Point for duty. 1130 C.L. Ellis RD3, was transferred to Navy CIC Team Training, San Diego, California.  1135 T.L. Watson SN, was transferred to USS HelenaCA75. R.L. Holland SN, and J.R. Burts SD3, were transferred to nearest receiving station CONLUS.  1139 K.S. Wireman SN was transferred to USS Helena CA75. 1140 J.E. Hackey SN, was transferred to the Naval Receiving Station, San Diego California. 1142 C.T. Peat BT3 was transferred to USS Brown DD546 for duty.  1145 N.E. Ray FN was transferred to USS Cunningham DD752. W.A. Donaldson RMN2, and D.E. Short IC3 were transferred CONLUS for discharge.  1150 M.E. Marshall MM2, was transferred to nearest receiving station CONLUS. 1152 M. Tabua TN, was transferred to USS Toledo CA133. 1155 C.H. Lewis SN, was transferred ComNavForces Marianas for duty. L.S. Reed MM1, was transferred to USS Helena CA75 for duty.  1156 D.R. Scott BM3, was transferred to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. 1210 O.L. Wallace SN was transferred to nearest receiving station CONLUS for leave and further transfer to ultimate destination. 1305 Ensign H.D. Barker was detached from Fletcher to report to Naval Submarine School, Naval Submarine Base, New London CT. 1500 W.E. Raubach RD3, reported aboard for duty.  1532 Ensign W.J. Hipple left the ship for TAD. 1750 Ensign R.U. McCurley, Jr. left the ship for leave and to report to Commanding Officer Naval Training Center San Diego for TAD under instruction.

Saturday 13, December. Moored as before in berth B-24, Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

Sunday, 14 December. Moored as before.

Monday, 15 December. Moored as before.  1050 Underway from berth B-17 outboard of USS Walker DDE517, dead plant with pilot aboard. 1109 Moored starboard side to the Walker in berth B-17 Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor, T.H.  1547 Ensign C.H. Collins departed the ship on 30 days leave.

Tuesday, 16 December.  Moored as before  0545 W.F. McSween YN1, was transferred to USS Frontier AD25 for transfer to CONLUS for discharge.  0900 A.M. Holcomb QMC, left the ship on 20 days annual leave.  1355 J. Cinfici BT1, reported aboard for duty. 1516 R.H. Cleary ME1, was transferred to CONLUS for emergency leave.

Wednesday, 17 December.  Moored as before. 0850 P.J. Muckelrath RM1, was transferred to the Naval Receiving Station, Washington DC for duty. 0935 J.V. Hardin BM3 was transferred to USS Helena CA75 for duty.  0950 The following men reported aboard for duty: E.L. McCann FTSN, R.K. Maupin SOSN, F.E. Fenneken SOSN, and G.E. Bruce BTGFA.  1400 J.P. Bell BT3, was transferred to CONLUS for 30 days leave and duty on USS Brown DD546.

Thursday, 18 December. Moored as before.  1344 Ensign V.W. Cobb left the ship for TAD.  1340 S.N. Pyler SKSN reported aboard for duty.

Friday, 19 December. Moored as before.  1135 V.G. Rivera MM3, reported aboard for duty.

Saturday, 20 December. Moored as before.  0830 LT W.C. McClelland departed on 7 days leave. 0950 S.H. Ross RD3, left the ship on leave.

Sunday, 21 December. Moored as before.

Monday, 22 December. Moored as before.  0001 ComCortDesRon One broke his flag on Fletcher.  0720 B.W. Lawson BT3 departed on leave.  0735 LT R.F. Keough departed on leave. 0747 E.T. Lorenze MMC, departed on leave.  0825 D.E. Gray ETSN, departed on leave. 1328 M. Earwood SA, left the ship on 30 days emergency leave.  1430 J.S. Bragg BT3, reported aboard for duty.

Tuesday, 23 December.  Moored as before in berth B-17, Naval Station Pearl Harbor T.H. outboard of the Walker.  1155 M.J. Swank MM3 reported aboard for duty.

Wednesday, 24 December.  Moored as before. 0900 ComCortDesRon One shifted his flag to USS Carpenter DDE825.

Thursday, 25 December. Moored as before.

Friday, 26 December. Moored as before.  1510 H.J. Childester RD3, reported aboard for duty. 1600 ComCortDesRon One shifted his flag from the Carpenter to the Fletcher.

Saturday, 27 December. Moored as before.  0820 W. Eichmiller SO3, was transferred to Fleet Sonar School San Diego, CA. TAD under instruction.

Sunday, 28 December. Moored as before.  1210 I.L. Walkon EMPC, and E.D. Ready EMPFA, reported aboard for duty.

Monday, 29 December. Moored as before.  1400 E.W. Oaks EM1 was transferred to USS Brown DD546.

Tuesday, 30 December.  Moored as before.

Wednesday, 31 December.  Moored as before. 0730 E.T. Lorenz MMC, returned to the ship from 9 days leave. 0920 L. McKenzie FN, departed on 4 days island leave.  1710 H.L. Crenshaw ET3 and W. McCarty MM2, left the ship for temporary shore patrol duty in Honolulu, T.H. 2355 Ensign W.A. Johnston III returned aboard from TAD at Tripler Army Hospital, Oahu, T.H.