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USS BUSH - Miscellaneous Deck Log Entries

June 1943 through June 1944

The following are a collection of miscellaneous deck log entries from June 1943 through June 1944. Collectively, deck log excerpts provide insight into tactics, terminology, logistics, and life in general aboard a U.S. Navy World War II destroyer stationed in the Pacific.

Dates Location
June 12, 1943 through July 28, 1943 California Coast
August 16, 1943 through November 24, 1943 Aleutian Islands
December 1, 1943 through December 13, 1943 Enroute Adak, Alaska to New Guinea
December 20, 1943 through January 26, 1944 New Guinea - New Britain
February 12, 1944 through February 19, 1945 Sydney, Australia
March 12, 1944 through April 13, 1944 Admiralty Islands - New Guinea - Cairns, Australia
May 1, 1944 through June 27, 1944 Mare Island, California

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Location: San Diego, California
Saturday 12 June, 1943
1300-Held change of command ceremonies. Lieut-Cmdr., Thurmond A. Smith, USN relieved Commander Wallis F. Petersen, USN, of Command of this vessel in accordance with BuPers Despatch 100385 of May, 1943. Commander Wallis F. Petersen, USN, in accordance with BuPers Pers-3113 Rel 36497 of' May 10, 1943 assumed command of Destroyer Division 48. Temporary Flag Ship, USS BUSH.

1450-Received aboard the following provisions and supplies, inspected as to quality by Lieut. G. M. Johnson, (MC) USNR, and as to quantity by Ensign Doble M. Doyle, (SC) USN: 40 gallons milk from Arden Farms Co., 400 loaves white and 250 loaves wheat bread from Snowflake Baking Co., 12 gallon vanilla ice cream from Mayes Co., 3 boxes Post Toasties and 3 boxes shredded wheat from Wellman Peck & Company, 495 lbs. jam (ass't. 10 ozs.), 300 lbs. onions (dry), and 200 lbs prunes (dry), and 3 cartons rolled oats from Flauber Wgenheim.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: near San Diego, California
Monday 21 June, 1943
1455-Schaal, E. W., 377 92 91, Bkr3c, USNR, was rendered unconcious by blast of 5"/38 gun #4, received medical attention and was released by medical officer.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: California coastal waters
Monday 12 July, 1943
0636-Lost one life raft overboard because of heavy seas.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: California coastal waters
Sunday 18 July, 1943
0100-Atwood, C. F., S2c, had left shoulder, chest, neck and hips severely bruised and crushed as a result of being caught between gun #41 and shield; Medical treatment administered by medical officer and he was placed on the binnacle list.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: San Francisco, California
Saturday 24 July, 1943
1440 Received aboard from Naval Supply Depot, Oakland, Calif, 1017 pounds of boneless beef, 1014 pounds of bologna, 240 pounds of butter, 100 pounds of frankfurters, 255 pounds of Hams S.P., 326 pounds of Bacon S. P., 224 pounds of loin pork, 250 pounds of ram age pork, and 210 dozen eggs. Inspected as to quantity by Lt.(jg) D. M. Doyle.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: San Francisco, California
Wednesday 28 July, 1943
1450-Called the crew to Special Quarters. Commander Destroyer Division presented the Silver Star Medal to White, J. H., CTM, USN.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

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Location: Between San Francisco, CA and Adak, AL
Monday 16 August, 1943
1756-Jirrels, F. E. S1c, 342 24 54, USN while on watch as loader and telephone talker on gun #44 was jerked between the gun and outboard shield by the telephone lead which was caught on the gun as the gun trained around. Jirrels was treated in sick bay for crushed back, pelvis and left leg.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: Between San Francisco, CA and Adak, AL
Tuesday 17 August, 1943
1243-Jirrels, F. E. S1c, 342 24 54, USN was transferred to USS J. FRANKLIN BELL for hospitalization, diagnosis: possible pelvic fracture. AUTH: Form G. of BuM&S. Bag, hammock, service record, and pay account accompanied patient.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: Near Adak, Alaska
Tuesday 14 September, 1943
0900-Excercised at general quarters.
0927-Held rescuing survivors drill.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: Near Adak, Alaska
Saturday 25 September, 1943
1351-Went to general quarters to hold damage control drill.
1452-Completed damage control drill; secured from general quarters.

Location: Near Adak, Alaska
Tuesday 28 September, 1943
1008-Chamblee, T. V., S2c, on gun #23 received contusions on right cheek and left temporal region from contact with gun caused by concussion from #3-5"/38. Treated by Medical Officer and returned to duty.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: Near Adak, Alaska
Thursday 30 September, 1943
1530-Kasparek, G. E., TM3c, received mild flash burns of chest, back and arms while standing near gun #5 without a shirt. Examined and treated by Dr. G. M. Johnson, Lt.(MC) and returned to duty.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: Near Adak, Alaska
Thursday 7 October, 1943
1000-Commenced taking on 4000 gallons of fresh water from the USS CASCADE.
1115-Completed taking fresh water from the USS CASCADE, having received 4000 gallons.
2000-Commenced receiving fresh water from USS CASCADE.
2200-Completed receiving fresh water from USS CASCADE, having received 10,000 gallons.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: Near Adak, Alaska
Saturday 16 October, 1943
1149-Completed fueling of ship having taken aboard 103,992 gallons of fuel oil and 6,006 gallons of diesel oil.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: Near Adak, Alaska
Tuesday 23 November, 1943
1110-Bell, Robert Anthony, 265 57 46, USN, was given an Honorable Discharge, this date of November 23, 1943, due to expiration of enlistment.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

Location: Near Adak, Alaska
Wednesday 24 November, 1943
1630-Bell, R. A., 265 57 46, SK1c, USN was re-enlisted in the U.S. Navy, this date, for a period of four (4) years.
... W. V. Combs, Lt.Cdr., USN

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Wednesday 1 December, 1943
0000-.....enroute from Adak, Alaska to Pearl Harbor.....
... H. C. Stanley, Lt.(jg) USNR.

Thursday 9 December, 1943
1500-Underway for FunaFuti, Ellis Islands.....
... W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg) USNR.

Monday 13 December, 1943
1711-Moored starboard side to YO 160 in berth 21 in Fongafale Anchorage, FunaFuti Atoll, Ellice Islands.....
... P. A. Lilly, Lieut., USN.

1946-Completed fueling ship having taken aboard 128,131 gallons.
... J. E. Zimmerman, Lieut., USNR

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Location: New Guinea
Monday 20 December, 1943
0434-Red alert set in Milne Bay area. 0438-Went to general quarters. 0440-Made all preparations for getting underway. 0535-All clear sounded. 0536-Secured from general quarters. 0704-Stationed anchoring and maneuvering detail.
... G. B. Triede, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: New Britain
Sunday 26 December, 1943
0709-Commenced maneuvering in fire support area No. 2. 0600-Task Group 74.1 opened fire on Cape Gloucester. 0625-Steaming on various courses at speed 10 knots (98 rpm) as USS PHOENIX, USS NASHVILLE, and USS BACHE bombarded Yellow Beach at Cape Gloucester, New Britain. 0725-Ceased bombarding; Allied planes bombing and strafing Yellow Beach.
... P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN.

Location: Enroute to Buna Roads anchorage, New Guinea
Sunday 2 January, 1944
2220-Man overboard, starboard side, all engines stopped, hard right rudder. 2229-Lowered whaleboat into the water. 2235-Whaleboat, with the aid of a boat from LST 259, recovered man. 2241-The man overboard, McCLOUD, L. D., 378-03-17, S2c, USN, is returned to ship with no apparent injury. He was asleep on the after deckhouse and claims to have dreamed "abandon ship", immediately upon which he jumped into the water.
... W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Near Cape Gloucester, New Britain
Friday 7 January, 1944
1320-Maneuvering at various courses and speeds to take USS AMMEN's boat alongside. USS MULLANY, USS BACHE, USS AMMEN circling BUSH clockwise. 1333-AMMEN's boat alongside picking up Lieut. G. M. Johnson, (MC), USNR., who was called to perform possible appendectomy upon AMMEN's doctor. ... P. A. Lilly, Lieut., USN.

Location: Buna Roads, New Guinea
Tuesday 25 January, 1944
1336-Took departure for Madang, New Guinea, for bombardment operation..... ... P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN.

Location: Madang, New Guinea
Wednesday 26 January, 1944
0130-Commenced firing 5"/38 battery bombarding installations at Madang, in accordance with CTG 74.2 Operation Plan #1-44, of 21 January 1944. 0142-Changed course to 198oT, 188o psc, in order to keep forward guns on target. 0149-Completed bombardment having expended 526 rounds of 5"/38 service ... W. A. Koxumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR.

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Location: Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney, Australia
Saturday 12 February, 1944
1100-Kasparek, G. E., TM2c, 639-06-49, USNR., and Wagner, A. F., TM3c, 633-66-10, USNR., received severe burns on both legs while engaged in replacing valves on smoke screen generators. The burns were caused by the FS liquid. Both men were treated in sick bay.
... P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN.

1430- Kasparek, G. E., TM2c, 639-06-49, USNR., and Wagner, A. F., TM3c, 633-66-10, USNR., were transferred with health records and pay accounts accompanying them to U.S. Naval Hospital, Base #10 for treatment.
... R. L. Wilcox, Ensign, USN.

Location: Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney, Australia
Monday 14 February, 1944
1000-Capt. W. F. Petersen, USN., was relieved as Commander of Destroyer Division FORTY-EIGHT by Cmdr., J. B. McLean, USN., pursuant to BuPers dispatch 30168 of December, 1943.
... E. E. Sechrist, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney, Australia
Saturday 19 February, 1944
1135-Received aboard for use in the general mess the following provisions, from McNevin Bros Ltd., 480 ice cream bricks and from George Kellaway and Sons, Ltd., 300 lbs. of cucumbers, 100 lbs. of peppers, 100 lbs. of garlic, 500 lbs. of cabbage, 300 lbs. of carrots, 15 cases of pears, inspected as to quantity by Lieut. J. E. Zimmerman, USNR., and as to quality by Homer, C. J., PhM1c, USNR.
... J. E. Zimmerman, Lieut., USNR.

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Location: Admiralty Islands
Sunday 12 March, 1944
1209-Approximately 12 LCM's standing towards Hauwei Island, southwestern approach. 1221-Commenced firing 5"/38 bombarding enemy positions on western end of Hauwei Island.....1317-Fighter planes bombed and strafed enemy positions on western end of Hauwei Island. 1328-Ceased firing, having expended 175 rounds 5"/38 (AA Common) ammunition of mixed lots.....1347-LCM's commenced landing assault troops on western tip of Hauwei Island.
... W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Admiralty Islands
Sunday 13 March, 1944
1311-Went to general quarters. 1330-Commenced bombarding assigned targets in Lorengau, Manus Island. 1343-Ceased firing, having expended 104 rounds 5"/38 service (AA Common) ammunition of mixed lots. 1345-USS STOCKTON bombarded western part of the same target area.
... W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Gili-Gili Anchorage, Milne Bay, New Guinea
Thursday 30 March, 1944
1012-WAGNER, A. F., 633-66-10, TM3c, USNR., KASPAREK, G. E., 639-06-49, TM2c, USNR., reported aboard for duty with baggage, hammock and transfer papers.
... R. L. Wilcox, Ensign, USN.

Location: Cairns Harbor, Cairns, Australia
Tuesday 11 April, 1944
1300-Pursuant to Commanding Officer, USS BUSH orders dated 11 April 1944, Lieutenant Percy A. Lilly, jr., 100321, USN., assumed the duties of Executive Officer and Navigator, relieving Lieut-Cmdr., Walter V. Combs, USN.
... G. B. Triede, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Cairns Harbor, Cairns, Australia
Thursday 13 April, 1944
0815-In accordance with Commanding Officer, USS BUSH orders, DD529/P16/00 serial 60, dated 11 April 1944, Lieutenant Commander Walter V. Combs, U.S. Navy (77017) was detached to report as Commanding Officer, USS HARRISON.
... B. O. Shook, Boatswain, USN.

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Location: South Pacific
Monday 1 May, 1944
0000-In accordance with Cincpac dispatch 111950 and Comdespac dispatch 280222 of April 1944, the USS BUSH is proceeding independently from the Southwest Pacific area to Navy Yard, Mare Island.....Port engine is inoperative due to an engineering casualty and the port propeller has been removed from its shaft and left in Cairns, Australia.
... H. C. Stanley, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Mare Island, California
Thursday 4 May, 1944
1929-Yard tug came along port side. Pilot Mr. Johnson came aboard. 1940-Moored port side to Pier #35, Mare Island Ammunition depot, Mare Island, California.
... E. E. Sechrist, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Dock 18-A, Mare Island, California
Saturday 27 May, 1944
1000-Pursuant to BuPers dispatch 120947 of May 1944, Lt. Cmdr. Rollin E. Westholm, USN, 73482, reported aboard for duty as Commanding Officer.
... R. J. Moses, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Dock 18-A, Mare Island, California
Tuesday 30 May, 1944
1000-Ship's company at quarters. Pursuant to orders of officer in charge, Fleet Sound School, Key West, Florida, MC 73/P16-4/00(2), of 14 May 1944,, Lieutenant Commander Rollin E. Westholm, 73482, USN., relieved Commander Thurmond A. Smith, 62117, USN., as commanding officer.
... E. T. Davey, Ensign, USNR.

Location: Dock 18-A, Mare Island, California
Thursday 1 June, 1944
0840-Explosimeter reading on fuel tank C8F indicated 50% which is 10% below explosive. Smoking, burning, welding and sanding was immediately discontinued throughout the after compartments. Security watch set. 0900-Lt. Cmdr. Hooper, of the Yard Superintendant's office came aboard to supervise testing. 0920-All smoking, welding, burning and sanding discontinued throughout the ship. 0930-Condition of fuel tanks reported normal by Lt. Cmdr. Hooper. 0950-Forward fuel tanks tested and found to be 100% explosive. 1000 Sent for the Commanding Officer. 1020-The following explosimeter readings were obtained on fuel tanks by yard workman No. 51-2378.

A-4V30%explosive
A-9F100%do
A-10F100%do
A-11F100%do
C-6F5%do
C-9F5%do
C-1F10%do
C-8F100%do
C-11F5%do
C-10F40%do
1025-Captain came aboard. The existing situation was explained to him. 1100-Samples of the fuel gas were taken by the Yard Industrial Laboratory.
... N. P. Foss, Ensign, USN.

Location: Dock 18-A, Mare Island, California
Friday 2 June, 1944
0700-The following explosimeter readings on tanks were reported:

A4E5%explosive
A508F5%do
510F5%do
A3F5%do
C1F10%do
A507F5%do
A511F5%do
A3F5%do
A2F5%do
C4F10%do
... H. K. Woodhurst, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Dock 18-A, Mare Island, California
Thursday 8 June, 1944
1750-Completed receiving ammunition, having taken aboard the following: 200 Common, 100 starshell, 1300 AA Common and 12 BL&T 5"/38 projectiles; 12,000 40MM and 42,000 20MM service projectiles; 1500 cartridges of 5"/38 smokeless powder, SPDN 5227; and 600 cartridges of 5"/38 flashless powder, SPDN 4112.....2355-Completed fueling ship having received 128,424 gallons of fuel oil.
... J. E. Zimmerman, Lieut., USNR.

Location: Pacific Ocean near San Francisco, California
Wednesday 14 June, 1944
1200-Commenced turns for full power run.....1249-Commenced test firing of all guns.....1319-Completed tests firing of all guns.....1337-Exercised at full right and left rudder turns. 1342-Completed exercising at full right and left rudder turns. 1352-Changed speed to 30 knots(325 rpm)..... 1400-Exercised at full right and left rudder while running full speed astern. 1403-Stopped all engines. 1405-On various courses and various speeds, tested main engines. 1430-Completed testing main engines.
... H. C. Stanley, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Dock 21, Mare Island Navy Yard, California
Thursday 15 June, 1944
1515-Received following stores for the general mess.....305 pounds beets, 510 pounds carrots, 1500 pounds oranges.....15 crates, 1234 pounds cantaloupes.....2 crates (99) pounds bell pepper....12 crates, 1092 pounds cabbage.
... P. H. Dodd, Ensign, USNR.

1745-Received following stores for the general mess.....300 pounds onions, dry and 3000 pounds potatoes, Irish.
... E. E. Sechrist, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Operating Area II, International Waters, near San Diego, CA
Date: Thursday 22 June, 1944
1415-Exercised fire and rescue parties.....1436-Excercised plane crash parties..... 1510-Commenced plane tracking drill.
... E. E. Sechrist, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Operating Area II, International Waters, near San Diego, CA
Date: Friday 23 June, 1944
0655-Commenced anti-submarine exercises on submerged submarine S33 with Eagle Boats 32 and 38.
... J. E. Zimmerman, Lieut., USNR.

Location: Operating Area II, International Waters, near San Diego, CA
Date: Sunday 25 June, 1944
1000-Went to general quarters for anti-aircraft firing practice. 1020-USS WOODWORTH(DD460) took station 2000 yards astern. 1026-Commenced anti-aircraft firing practices on towed sleeve, main battery firing one gun at a time. 1044-Completed "Tare" runs. 1046-Took station 2000 yards astern of the USS WOODSWORTH.....1130-Commenced "Uncle" anti-aircraft firing exercises, firing 40 and 20 millimeter guns.
... E. E. Sechrist, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Operating Area II, International Waters, near San Diego, CA
Date: Monday 26 June, 1944
2117-proceeding to Area II 7 for night exercises with torpedo planes. 2119-Maneuvering for simulated attack by torpedo planes. 2234-Exercise completed.
... H. C. Stanley, Lt.(jg), USNR.

Location: Operating Area II, International Waters, near San Diego, CA
Date: Tuesday 27 June, 1944
1136-Commenced making torpedo run on USS WOODWORTH in accordance with exercise #27. Maneuvering on varioous courses at various speeds making radar torpedo practice run.
... G. B. Triede, Lt.(jg), USNR.

1608-Went to general quarters to simulate repelling coordinated dive bombing and torpedo plane attacks. Steering evasive courses at various speeds.
... J. E. Zimmerman, Lieut., USNR.

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