Events from the Official DECK LOG RECORDS of the USS SALT LAKE CITY CA25 December, 1943 List of Information Transcribed from Copies of Originals

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Dec. 1st, 1943 Steaming in condition of readiness II (modified) in company with CruDiv5 with Rear Admiral Small in ComCruDiv 5 in CHESTER; in column, natural order, standard distance 1000 yards, at fleet speed 12 knots, with standard speed being 15 knots, on fleet course. CruDiv 5 (CHESTER (guide) SALT LAKE CITY and PENSACOLA) operating as part of Task Force 53, with CTF 53 Rear Admiral HILL as OTC and SOPA in MARYLAND, engaged in occupation of APAMAMA ISLAND and patrolling northwest of the island within TBS range of MARYLAND (20 to 25 mile distance). Visibility temporarily decreased to 2000 yards because of heavy rain squall. Unidentified "SG" radar contact, distance 15 miles. Contact closing rapidly on collision course, distance 10,000 yards. Contact bearing, distance 8,000 yards. This force was challenged and promptly replied to challenge by the surface ship which proved to be friendly tug boat. The tugboat showed no IFF at any time and was engaged in patrolling area. Dec. 2nd, 1943 - Steaming in condition of readiness II - Nothing of Interest Dec. 3rd, 1943 USS CHESTER reported "SK" radar contact, unidentified planes, distance 50 miles, closing. Contact verified by this ship. Observed many AA bursts in sky in direction of contact. Planes proved to be enemy. Sounded G.Q. Radar contact on 4 or more groups of planes bearing between 40 and 55 miles, apparently in vicinity of TARAWA. Contacts, "SK" radar continued, frequently fading in and out. General direction of enemy planes was toward TARAWA which was under attack. Heavy AA fire observed. Flare observed - 30 miles. Commenced Z-Z, plan #15. All enemy planes faded from screen. AA fire ceased, TARAWA apparently no longer under attacks. Planes withdrew to north, none having closed less than 40 miles from this force. Secured from G. Q., set condition of readiness II. Ceased Z-Z, resumed b/c. Dec. 4th, 1943 Catapluted plane to port for a/s patrol; Pilot Lt. M. L. Dana; passenger, Bryan, D. H., ARM2c. Commenced maneuvering independently on patrol covering the northwest approach to APAMAMA. Secured from General Quarters; set condition of readiness III. Recovered planes to port Launched aircraft to starboard for a/s patrol. Woolling, R. F., Pilot, Lt.(jg); passenger, Fife, J. D., AMM3c. Recovered aircraft to port. Resumed patrol in assigned area; Steering casualty; Lost steering control on flying bridge; made emergency shift to steering aft, shifted from port to starboard steering unity; casualty appears to have been caused by failure in the selsyn panel. On station in form with CHESTER (guide), PENSACOLA astern and MACKINAC ahead as a/s screen. Ceased Z-Z, resumed b/c. Dec. 5th, 1943 0215 - Visibility decreased to about 3,000 yards due to heavy rain squall. 0330-Visibility increased, unlimited. Patrolling on various courses covering the transport group at APAMAMA, this ship in northwest area, set condition of readiness III. Starboard gyro repeater on bridge failed; shifted repeater to forward gyro. Launched plane to port for a/s/ patrol; pilot, Lt. M. L. Dana; passenger, Dennis, L. F., Ensign. Shifted main engines #1, 2, and 4 to cruising combination. Steering control taken from bridge momentarily to adjust selsyn on port steering unit. Steering control returned to bridge. Dec. 6th, 1943 Launched aircraft to port for a/s patrol, Lt. (jg) R. F. Woolling; passenger, Porterfield, E. C., ARM2c. Maneuvering on various courses to take up patrol station within sound screen northwest of APAMAMA Island. Launched plane to starboard for a/s patrol; pilot, Lt. M. L. Dana; passenger, Ellis, D. L., RM2c Resumed patrol of northwest passage of APAMAMA. Dec. 7th, 1943 Patrolling northwest sector off APAMAMA. Launched aircraft to starboard for a/s patrol. Pilot: Toner, Edward P., Jr., Ensign; passenger, D. H. Bryan, ARM2c. launched aircraft to port for a/s patrol, pilot; Lt. (jg) R. F. Woolling; passenger, D. L. Ellis, RM2c. Dec. 8th, 1943 Upon order of ComCruDiv 5, set condition of readiness I to repel air attack. "SK" radar contact on unidentified aircraft, distant 23 miles. Aircraft identified visually and by IFF as friendly. Maneuvering on various courses and speeds to take station from CHESTER, distant 1000 yards. No further remarks of interest. Dec. 9th, 1943 PENSACOLA reported small definite radar contact, distance 31 miles; faded immediately. Contact no verified by any other ship, but believed to be a cloud. This vessel assumed radar guard. Sighted friendly group of ships, distance 20,000 yards. Sighted VAITUPU Island, distance 20 miles. Sighted 2 friendly tankers and 1 destroyer, distance 20,000 yards. Sighted FUNAFUTI Island, distance 15 miles. Stationed all the special sea and anchor details, making all preparations for entering FUNAFUTI HARBOR. Set Condition of readiness I in AA batteries for entering port. Commenced maneuvering standing into FUNAFUTI HARBOR, Captain at the conn, Exec. Officer and Navigator on the bridge. Enroute to Berth B-9. Heavy rain squall approaching from northwest. Visibility reduced to 50 yards by heavy rain. Wind velocity 40 knots from northwest. All engines stopped. Anchored in 24 fathoms of water. Dec. 10th, 1943 The day was spent re-fueling with aviation gasoline, diesel oil and making misc. repairs to airplane crane. Dec. 11th, 1943 Anchored in Berth Baker 9, FUNAFUTI HARBOR, FUNAFUTI ISLAND, ELLICE GROUP, in 24 fathoms of water, rock, coral and sand bottom with 90 fathoms of chain out to the starboard anchor. Ship set on 15 minutes notice to get underway on main engines #3 and #4. Rain squalls with strong gusts of wind. Heavy rain and lightening storm with sinds up to 30 knots. Ready in all respects to answer bells. Wind increased in intensity 35 to 43 knots gusty. Very heavy rainfall. Heavy seas running. Wind decreased in intensity, 15-22 knots. Seas calm. Secured main engines with 1/2 hour notcie, and all special sea details. The following named men were transferred this date to the USS BRIDGE for futher transfer to duty in new construction by ComSerPac with bags, hammocks, records and accounts.

Burdick, Daniel Charles, CM2c Camper, Norman Raman, Ck1c Clatterbuck, Paul Herbert, GM3c Cordelles, Andrew Pantagious, GM2c Dugan, Harold Willams, FCR1c Fasse, Commelious, SC1c Flor, Donald Harry, MM1c Golson, Harry Richard, F1c Kelley, Samuel Palmer, Bkr1c Lewis, Haywood Daniel, St2c Lindsey, Durward Warn, M1c

Loe, Donald Gray, QM3c McCormick, Joseph Francis, RM2c McElwain, Robert John, GM2c Michael, Cyrus Thomas, F1c Miller, Fred Hugh, Jr., F1c Pace, William Clarence, BM2c Pattoon, Charles Willis, GM3c Starnes, Odell Dent, MM1c Strickland, Donald Sylvester, MM2c Williams, Norman Wesly, S1c

Transferred Newman, F. E., Jr., GM1c to the USS BRIDGE, fft via Fagtrans Navy #128 to the nearest RecShip of station of U.S., to Washington, D.C., for a course of instruction in Gunner's Mate School. Transferred Smythe, John Henry, BM1c to USS BRIDGE for fft to Washington, D.C. Transferred the following named men to the USS BRIDGE, fft to nearest RecShip or Station on west coast of the US for assignment to duty in new construction.

Boyd, William Thomas, CM2c Foreman, George Washington, GM2c Henson, Mont Jerry, CMM(AA) Hudson, John V.[B.], FCR2c

Huth, Thomas Joseph, GM2c McLafferty, James Charles, F1c Natale, Rocco "Roxie", Bkr3c Purvis, William Robinson, MM2c

Potter, Elmer E., MM2c was transferred to the USS BRIDGE fft to San Francisco, CA. for a course in instruction in Diesel classification class. Stollar, Wilbur Earl, FCR3c and Wilkinson, William Kenneth, FC3c were transferred to the USS BRIDGE fft to Mare Island, CA. for instruction in Class B, Short Course Optical School.

Dec. 12th, 1943 Anchored in Berth Baker 9, FUNAFUTI HARBOR, FUNAFUTI ISLAND, ELLICE GROUP, in 24 fathoms of water, rock, coral and sand bottom with 90 fathoms of chain out to the starboard anchor. Dec. 13th, 1943 Anchored in Berth Baker 9, FUNAFUTI HARBOR, FUNAFUTI ISLAND, ELLICE GROUP, in 24 fathoms of water, rock, coral and sand bottom with 90 fathoms of chain out to the starboard anchor. 0515-Heavy rain squall with sharp gusts of wind up to 30 knots, visibility decreased to 200 yards. 0615-Weather cleared, wind dropped to 17 knots. Made preparations to receive ammunition ship, USS SANGUAY alongside to port. Commander W. S. Bitler, Exec., was relieved by Comdr. James T. Brewer, Gunnery Officer. Received USS SANGUAY alongside to port. SANGUAY moored alongside to port with bow spring wire, stern line. On the approach, the SANGUAY passed under the stern and swung wide up the port side, wind was from dead ahead, 18 - 20 knots, ship was swinging from 260 degrees to 310 degrees. As she closed our stern swung in so that she met at a 20 degree angle, her starboard bow meeting the ship at frame 60. As she moved aft, her bow flare overlapped the catapult causing heavy damage to plane and lesser damage to catapult, no hull damage. Report of plane damage: Left wing float struts sheered, left stabilizer and elevator control damaged, left wing float punctured and torn away from struts, fuselage sprung, left wing hold back rod broken, as left wing folded for SANGUAY'S approach and received force of ship on impact, it is assumed that there is structural wing damage. Other damage: Bomb rack on catapult bent, crane control rods bent but still operative, port sea sled recovery davit fractured, and a possibility that port catapult is sprung. Commenced taking on ammunition. Object reported to be mine from this vessel, not distance given. Alerted mine lookouts, posted Marine with rifle on forecastle, energized degassing gear. Object identified as a can. Received pontoon lighter alongside to starboard to take damaged plane. Transferred damage plane to USS BRIDGE via barge fft to SOSUI NAS #128. Commander Worthington S. Bitler was detached from this vessel and ordered to report to 12th Naval District for further assignment by BuPers. Transferred Brooks, L. J., OC3c to USS BRIDGE fft to Navy 128. Finished taking aboard ammunition having received 550 8"/55 cal. armor peircing projectiles; 150 8"/55 H.C. projectiles; 700 8"/55 cal. service powder charges; 250 5"/25 cal. AA common shells; 200 5"/25 cal. special shells;5680 rounds of 40 mm AA service; 900 rounds of 20 mm H.E.I. service; 720 rounds 20 mm H.E. T. service, and 960 MK 15-1 service primers. Transferred to USS SANGUAY: 9 1/2 8"/55 cal. reduced powder charges; 192 mk 29-1 nose fuzes; 1400 8"/55 cal. empty powder tanks; 379 5"/25 cal. empty tanks with brass; 26 enpty catapult charge tanks; 70 40mm empty ammunition containers with brass. The USS SANGUAY cast off. Crumm, H. H., S2c struck his head on the port catapult while skylarking and received a deep scalp wound. He was treated in sick bay and returned to duty. Doyle, J. F., Ensign and West, Robert K., 2nd. Lt., USMCR reported on board for duty.

Dec. 14th, 1943 Anchored in Berth Baker 9, FUNAFUTI HARBOR, FUNAFUTI ISLAND, ELLICE GROUP, in 22 fathoms of water, rock, coral and sand bottom with 90 fathoms of chain out to the starboard anchor. Sighted mine: Distance 4,000 yards. Set material condition Zed. Number 1 motor whale boat with Halvorson, G. G., Lt. and Och, J. T. S., Ensign proceeded to location of floating mine. Returned to ship after boat from USS SANGUAY disarmed mine. Dec. 15th, 1943 Anchored in Berth Baker 9, FUNAFUTI HARBOR, FUNAFUTI ISLAND, ELLICE GROUP, in 22 fathoms of water, rock, coral and sand bottom with 90 fathoms of chain out to the starboard anchor. Dec. 16th, 1943 Anchored in Berth Baker 9, FUNAFUTI HARBOR, FUNAFUTI ISLAND, ELLICE GROUP, in 22 fathoms of water, rock, coral and sand bottom with 90 fathoms of chain out to the starboard anchor. Transferred Vanberkum, Gerrita A., SK3c and Valentine, James H., S2c to the USS RELIEF for treatment. Valentine returned on Dec. 24th, 1943. Dec. 17th, 1943 Anchored in Berth Baker 9 as before In accordance with a dispatch received from the Commandant, US Marine Corps, Taplett, Robert D., Major, USMC was detached from duty on board this vessel, to proceed to Camp Elliot, San Diego, CA., and report to the Commanding General, Fleet marine Force. Dec. 18th, 1943 Anchored in Berth Baker 9 as before Radio Tower #2, FUNAFUTI ISLAND, reported floating mine, location indefinite. Dispatched LCV #T-17 with Ensign J. T. S. Och, in charge to attempt to locate and remove mine to safe place. Posted sentries and lookouts in accordance with ship's Mine Disposal Bill. Recalled LCV #T-17, attempts to locate mine or obtain further information regarding its location being unsuccessful. Dec. 19th, 1943- FUNAFUTI ISLAND BERTH BAKER 9 -NO REMARKS Dec. 20th, 1943 Anchored in Berth Baker 9 as before 0737-Underway in accordance with ComTaskGroup 57.8 in company with Task Group 57.8 consisting of CHESTER, PENSACOLA, HARRISON (573), JOHN RODGERS (574), McKEE (575), MURRAY (576). Destroyer Division 49: (DesRon 25 in John Rodgers). SOPA and OTC ComTaskGroup 57.8 in CHESTER. Captain, Exec. Officer, Navigator on the bridge, Captain at the conn, s/s 15 knots, engines in maneuvering combination, standing out of FUNAFUTI HARBOR, FUNAFUTI ATOLL, ELLICE ISLAND GROUP. Set condition I in AA batteries and condition "Zed" below 2nd deck incident to leaving port. 0810- Maneuvering on various courses in conformity with channel. Observed heavy explosion in water; distance 1500 yards in area of reef. Believed to be mine exploded accidentally or possibly torpedo striking reef. Departed from FUNAFUTI ATOLL. Set condition of readiness III and material condition "Zed". "SK" radar contact on unidentified aircraft, distance 45 miles. Aircraft identified as briendly by PENSACOLA. Commenced with firing exercises. Lee, Oliver, CK2c, while at General Quarters, cut his right hand with a pocket knife, a 1" laceration on back of right hand. Man was treated in Sick Bay and returned to duty. Negligence not apparent. Dec. 21st-23rd, 1943-No FURTHER REMARKS Anchored in Berth Baker 9, FUNAFUTI HARBOR, FUNAFUTI ISLAND, ELLICE GROUP, in 22 fathoms of water, rock, coral and sand bottom with 90 fathoms of chain out to the starboard anchor. Dec. 24th-25th, 1943 - Still at anchor - NO IMPORTANT EVENTS Dec. 26th, 1943 Transferred the following named men to report to the transport commander of the SS GEORGE W. JULIAN for transportation and further transfer to the nearest Receiving ship or station in the US for assignment to duty in New Construction, with bags, hammocks, records and accounts. Hess, W. J., CQM in charge.

Allen, David Bruce, SC3c Ball, Walter Frank, F2c Batchelor, Thomas Fulton, GM3c Bielanin, Carl, GM1c Bohlin, Howard Harold, MM2c Braswell, Homer Ray, SF1c Briery, Azle Elmo, GM3c Bush, Harry Paul, Bkr2c Campbell, Malcolm Dale, EM2c Carveth, Elbert Clark, GM3c Combs, Kenneth Burchell, QM2c Cooper, Sidney Dee, GM3c Corder, Curtis Sidney, GM3c Crane, Gordon Freeman, F1c Dahlsten, George Henry, BM2c Davis, Chester Charles, GM3c Donnie, Joseph Dudley, F1c Drummond, Henry, GM3c Ernst, William Joseph, GM3c Fawcett, Harold, RM3c Forbes, Grady Stevens, MM1c Foster, Douglas Paul, GM2c Franklin, Leo, F2c Frenier, Andrew Jenks, Cox Gaffaney, Durwood Andrew, GM2c[or CM2c] Glidewell, Roy Allen, SC1c Goldfinch, William Risdon, SC1c Hagerty, Paul Francis, F1c(B) Heimbegner, George Phillip, GM3c Hess, William Jerome, CQM(AA) Hobson, Raymond Lester, Cox Hokes, Ben Franklin, Ck2c Holm, Carl Martin, EM2c Hubbard, Jessie Marvin, SF1c

Jolley, Royal[Hoyd] Broadus, SC1c Jones, Harry Wilson, F1c Kearse, Forest, Ck3c Kopytko, Leonard Joseph, SC1c Krekel, Walter Ralph, Cox Laining, Reinhol, RM3c Laloli, Leon, CMM(AA) Longfellow, Donald Calvin, F2c Macbeth, George Elden, GM3c Meunier, Albert Leo, BM1c Michaelson, Oris Leslie, GM3c Mickelson, James LaVerne, GM3c Miller, Stanley Morgan, GM3c Mosebrook, Roy Allen, CBM(AA) Orcutt, Ernest Eugene, BM2c Pek, Vernon Clifford, S1c Petalver, Fernando, St3c Schneider, Carl Philipe, Bkr1c Slone, Raymond Leroy, GM3c Smyser, George Washington, GM3c Speer, Eugene Earl, Cox Spence, Walter Frank, SC1c Stedenfeld, Otto Rudolph, SK1c Steffens, Charles George, F1c Succarotte, Phillip William, EM3c Susalla, Joseph Charles, Jr., F1c Thompson, Walter Henry, F1c Trexler, William Charles, RM3c Weiner, Fred Ralph, BM2c Wekkin, Eugene Duane, M2c Wiget, Charles Donald, GM3c Windham, Ellis Oren, RM3c Woodbury, Orval Noble, Y1c Woods, Audre Burges, F1c

Dec. 27th, 1943 - Anchored as before. Vashus [Vashue], L., CM3c received lacerated ring and little finger on left hand while running wet board through a joiner machine in the Carpenter Ship. Board slipped and man's hand was drawn across the sharp edge of joiner. After treatment in Sick Bay the man returned to duty. Dec. 28th, 1943 - Anchored as Before. Wind increased to 30 knots with heavy rains. Haslam, M. L., S2c was transferred to the USS RELIEF for mental observation. Dec. 29th, 1943 - Anchored as before. The following named divers went overside to clear fouled screw and rudder of LCV-T-9, and LCV-T-17: Wester, William E., SF1c,  Cobler, Robert C., S1c, and Masci, R. J., S1c

Dec. 30th, 1943 - Anchored as before Wilson, J. H., F3c received contusion on left side of head and possible concussion as a result of a five inch projectile falling on him while he was walking under the boat deck.

The Commanding Officer held meritorious mast this date, citing the following named men for meritorious performance of duty in connection with the repiars to the's Hydraulic Steering Gear and to the reduction gears of the Anchor Windlass:

Allgood, B. C., MM1c Cichelli, A. J., MM2c Conn, R. E., F1c DeVost, L. R., MM2c Glinzak, D., F3c Hettesheimer, F. S., F3c

Masse, L. P., S1c Stoffer, J. J., F3c Swenson, T. R., CMM Van Etten, Omar C., S1c Van Huss, Paul R., S1c

The commendations were entered in the respective service records of the men cited.

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