to read - USS Finch DER 328

USS FINCH DER 328
58
USS FINCH
(DER 328)
________________________________________________________________________
FINCH was to sail again, and in its third life undertake yet a third mission. This
final revival was destined to be her longest, and as implied, her last. Remaining inactive
for only 17 months, the conversion of the FINCH from Coast Guard Cutter to a Radar
Picket Escort Vessel (DER) began at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 1 October 1955.
The ship's Combat Information Center (CIC) was enlarged and relocation of the crew's
messing spaces were among some of the major modifications made to the ship. She was
fitted out with the most modern radar and communications equipment and the
superstructure was changed, no longer retaining her original Destroyer Escort profile.
Lieutenant Commander James K. Athow of Tacoma, Washington assumed command
when the ship was re-commissioned as USS FINCH (DER 328) on 17 August 1956.
Upon completion of conversion, the FINCH underwent extensive shakedown training at
San Diego, California and then proceeded to her new home port, Seattle, Washington,
arriving on 17 December 1956. The ship became a member of Escort Squadron FIVE,
where, with other Radar Picket Vessels, FINCH was a part of the Western Continental
Air Defense System, whose mission was to detect and report aircraft movements over the
water areas adjacent to the western coast of North America. The ship was also assigned
an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) mission.
In the year to follow, FINCH would perform its assigned tasks rotating between
its home port and one of several numbered Picket Stations at sea. Although a naval
vessel, once the ship arrived on Picket Station, she would fall under the operational
control of the U.S. Air Force, and once again revert to Navy control upon departure from
picket duties. On 3 January 1958, Lieutenant Commander John A. D'Zamba reported on
board and relieved as Commanding Officer. In the next month, on 10 February, the ship
got underway for, and arrived at, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington
where it was to remain for a month to receive the installation of new a Air Search Radar.
Additional Picket Station assignments continued and, in July and August, FINCH was
awarded the Anti-Submarine "E" and Engineering "E" Awards in recognition of her
exercise Excellence ("E") in these areas of squadron competition for the year. Although
Pier 91, Seattle, Washington had become a familiar berth for the ship in recent times, a
change was soon to occur. FINCH departed Seattle on 2 September 1958 enroute to
Picket Station THREE. This latest assignment was brief, as on 10 September the ship
was relieved on station and set course for her newly assigned home port, Pearl Harbor,
Territory of Hawaii.
FINCH arrived at her new home port on 16 September 1958 and soon departed
for 24 days of duty on Barrier Patrol. With only one patrol completed, she entered Pearl
Harbor Naval Shipyard on 20 November commencing a regular scheduled shipyard
overhaul period which included entering Dry-dock #1 on 2 December and departing the
dry-dock shortly before Christmas on 22 December. Once out of the shipyard, the new
year, 1959, witnessed the resumption of duties on the Pacific Barrier and relief of the
59
Commanding Officer by Lieutenant Commander Edwin J. Burke on 20 September 1959.
Christmas of this year was to be spent at sea. The ship's routine was to change following
return to port from picket duties on 14 February 1960. Instead of picket assignments, the
next three months were devoted to type training, upkeep, and rare recreational visits to
Hilo on the main Island of Hawaii, and to Wailuku, on the island of Maui. These visits
were identified as being for R&R (Rest and Recreation) and furtherance of the People-toPeople Program.
FINCH departed Pearl Harbor on 16 May 1960 now bound for San Francisco,
California which was designated her new home port, arriving 22 May. The remainder of
1960 found itself being similar to the preceding year with the ship resuming picket duties
and once again spending Christmas at sea. The period 29 June 1960 to 20 July 1960 will,
however, long be remembered by Lieutenant Henry C. Morris, Jr., FINCH's Executive
Officer, who temporarily was required to assume command of the ship during this
interval due to the hospitalization of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander
Burke, who resumed command upon FINCH's return on 20 July from their first West
Coast picket since 1958.
1961
The year began with what could be called routine operations, alternating between
the southern stations of the Barrier and home port, interspersed with brief local underway
periods for type training. The routine was modified slightly on 11 April when, in lieu of
returning to her normal berth at Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, FINCH
departed Picket Station NINE and proceeded to Port Angeles, Washington for a brief port
visit. She also made another port visit to Vancouver, British Columbia, departing that
port on 17 April. One more picket assignment followed. On 23 May, FINCH off loaded
ammunition. This was necessary prior to the ship entering Bethlehem Steel Shipyard,
San Francisco, California, and then entering dry-dock on 1 June during her regular
overhaul period. She left dry-dock on 28 June and while still in the middle of overhaul,
on 15 July, Lieutenant Commander Edward P. Stilwell (left in photo on next page)
relieved Lieutenant Commander Burke (on right) as Commanding Officer. August 18th
marked FINCH's completion of final sea trials signifying the end of her overhaul period.
Now there were brief underway sessions to shake out some of the minor bugs that usually
followed an overhaul, reloading ammunition, the conduct of OOD (Officer of the Deck)
training, exercising at drills, and familiarization with newly installed equipment. All had
been proceeding well until the morning of 13 September when the Commanding Officer,
Lieutenant Commander Stilwell was taken ill and it appeared he might be hospitalized.
With the ship scheduled to sail on 21 September for Underway Training at San Diego, it
appeared that the new Executive Officer, who had relieved Lieutenant Morris on 17
August, might similarly be required to assume temporary command. Lieutenant
Commander Stilwell's strong insistence at not being hospitalized precluded two weeks of
hospitalization, but he was required to remain at home on strict bed rest. The ship
completed preparations without any problems, and Lieutenant Commander Stilwell,
although still recovering from his illness, felt well enough to rejoin for FINCH's
departure for San Diego. With Refresher Training (RefTra), schooling and daily
underway exercises completed, the ship returned to San Francisco and was once again
60
ready to resume picket duties and responsibilities.
FINCH had already made three patrols to stations on the Western Contiguous
Radar Barrier by the time that 1 February 1962 had rolled around. That morning the ship
got underway enroute to Picket Station TWENTY-SEVEN. For the next four days it
appeared that this would be logged as another routine, and quiet, picket. The seas were
relatively quiet and all was proceeding well until the evening meal when the seas began
to grow, and the barometer was falling. Lieutenant (junior grade) Dean Lommen had just
relieved as Officer of the Deck on the mid-watch and the ship was experiencing heavy
seas that had been generated by a major storm south of Alaska. In the short space of
about six hours the seas had grown to become violent as the result of two wave systems,
composed of mountainous ground swells and wind driven waves. These caused the ship
to pitch and roll heavily, with occasional sudden snapping motions whenever a huge out
of cycle wave hit the ship upsetting her normal movements. Then, shortly after midnight, it was during one of these sudden snaps in the ship's roll that Lieutenant (junior
grade) Lommen was thrown across the open bridge and into the bridge blast shield
breaking the bone in his leg above his knee. The Commanding Officer assumed control
of the ship and searched for a course with less violent rolling motion while Chief
Hospitalman Stanley A. Norell and the Executive Officer tended to the OOD,
immobilized his leg and got him into a Stokes stretcher between rolls of the ship.
Lieutenant (junior grade) Lommen was finally moved, an inch at a time, to the Captain's
sea cabin and "packed" in the Captain's transom bed to keep him from being thrown out.
Removing the OOD from the bridge required approximately an hour and a half, as it was
soon learned by observing the ship's clinometer, FINCH was taking rolls frequently
measuring up to 67 degrees (from the vertical), and with very few registering less than 45
degrees. When daylight finally began to break about 0320 hours, it was discovered that
the two wave systems had the ship locked to a course which restricted the ship's rolling
motion to no less than the 45 degrees being experienced with the smallest rolls. It wasn't
until mid-morning that the seas began to show signs of abating and a reversal of course
was attempted in order to return to San Francisco and off-load Lieutenant (junior grade)
Lommen for hospitalization. The ship returned to Picket Station only briefly and then
returned to home port on 16 February. This non-routine picket was being interrupted
because FINCH had been selected for a special assignment.
FINCH received orders to take on provisions, stabilize the crew and prepare to
deploy to Pearl Harbor for an assignment with Joint Task Force EIGHT. On 26 February
1962, the ship sailed from San Francisco enroute to Pearl Harbor, arriving there on 5
March. The next four weeks were consumed with a brief local underway period,
briefings, and preparations for the ship's new assignment as a Picket Vessel in
"OPERATION DOMINIC" which involved the testing of Nuclear Weapons. On 3 April
FINCH departed Pearl Harbor bound for Christmas Island, approximately 1200 miles
South of Hawaii, where the Commanding Officer received an additional briefing and then
the ship assumed station on 9 April. Testing had not yet started when on 17 April
FINCH was ordered to proceed to Fanning Island, a coral atoll about 165 miles West of
Christmas Island, to evacuate a civilian and return him to Christmas Island. Since
detailed navigation charts for Fanning Island were not on hand, the ship had to rely on
61
radio instructions from Pearl Harbor in order to safely approach the atoll, locate the
entrance and effect the safe pick-up of the civilian. Returning to station, on 19 April,
duties were resumed to intercept shipping and aircraft approaching Christmas Island.
On 25 April all hands were buttoned up on the ship's interior as FINCH
maneuvered to safely position itself for witnessing the first Nuclear detonation of the
"OPERATION DOMINIC" Nuclear test series. On 29 April Lieutenant Commander
Stilwell transferred by high-line to the USS Forster (DER 334) to brief her Commanding
Officer prior to FINCH's departure from station and return to Pearl Harbor arriving on 2
May. For the two weeks that the ship remained at Pearl Harbor, the time was spent on
brief daily underway periods to conduct type training exercises, while in-port time was
devoted to replenishment, rest and recreation. Underway once again on 17 May, the ship
headed for her assigned test station. On station on 20 May, duties were resumed and in
the following week another Nuclear detonation test was conducted. No sooner than the
all clear was announced, the ship left station and set sail for Christmas Island arriving on
the 28th, remaining at anchorage overnight. The next day, the 29th, FINCH set sail in
company with USS Newell (DER 322) on a course due South. Shortly thereafter, the
ship's entered the Domain of Neptunus Rex, receiving a visit from Davey Jones who
issued summonses to the vast majority of the crew. Having duly crossed the equator on
30 May and with the ships having been cleansed of "Polly-Wogs" both ships continued
their journey south to conduct a visual inspection of Jarvis Island, which was situated in
close proximity to the test area, and insure that it still remained uninhabited.
On 31 May FINCH got underway from Christmas Island to rendezvous with USS
Chipola (AO 63) to top off on fuel, then returned to Christmas Island in order to take on
two 1000 pound generators. Once the equipment was loaded, the ship sailed for Papeete,
Tahiti which lay approximately 1260 miles south by southeast from Christmas Island.
The crew experienced an unexpected, and rare visitation opportunity on 4 June while the
ship remained in port and took on a cargo of 30 barrels of gasoline, special monitoring
equipment and 4 passengers. On 6 June FINCH set out from Tahiti with the destination
being Taiohae Bay located at the island of Nuka Hiva, Marquesas Islands, about a two
day sail to the northeast of Tahiti. FINCH's mission was to assist in setting up a
radiation monitoring station on the island using the equipment that had been previously
loaded on board. There were no piers or other berthing facilities in Taiohae Bay, nor did
the primitive environment of the island allow setting up the monitoring station without
the use of the two 1000 pound generators that had been transported on board ship. A
problem existed in how to get the generators ashore from the ship's anchorage position.
Invention became the mother of necessity as FINCH's crew constructed a raft using
gasoline drums,
62
63
shoring and some wood planks. It was tested by the combined weight of twelve of the
crew and upon proving its ability to support the weight, the generators were loaded onto
the raft and it was all towed ashore by the ship's boat. In the space of one day, the crew
had constructed the raft, landed the equipment and supplies, hauled the generators a half
mile up a hill to the monitoring site at the local hospital building and set up the station.
In the same space of time the crew also made repairs to four generators whose combined
output was of considerably less generating capacity and served as the island's only source
of electricity. With the task completed, FINCH returned to Papeete, Tahiti and was
welcomed with the news that normal ship visit quotas were being waived, and the ship
could remain for two days of rest and recreation, which allowed the opportunity to hold a
ship's party. The ship returned to Christmas Island on 17 June in time to witness another
Nuclear detonation and then departed for Pearl Harbor. The ship arrived at Pearl Harbor
on 21 June and on the same day received a message from Commander Joint Task Group
EIGHT POINT THREE commending FINCH on her outstanding performance of duty on
the special independent mission to Tahiti and Nuka Hiva in support of Joint Task Force
EIGHT. A message of congratulations was also received from the Commander-in-Chief,
U. S. Pacific Fleet. The ship returned to the Christmas Island test area on 4 July, only to
depart on 6 July to assume station in the Johnston Island test area. The final high altitude
detonation took place in the evening hours of 8 July and lit up the sky as far away as
Hawaii (750 miles) making the night sky appear as if it were daylight. With the tests
over, the ship departed the Johnston Island test area and returned to Pearl Harbor on 13
July where Lieutenant Commander Stilwell was summoned to the Squadron
Commander's office. There he was informed that FINCH had won the Battle Efficiency
"E" as the top DER (out of 12) in the Squadron. On this high note, and following a brief
stay to refuel and replenish, FINCH departed Pearl Harbor enroute to its home port of
San
Francisco,
concluding a five month
deployment on 27 July
1962 with its return
home. The crew now
relaxed and turned their
thoughts to home, which
could very well have
been the topic of
conversation at this early
morning coffee and "flag
bag scuttlebutt" break
pictured at right.
The remainder of
1962 would see more
routine assignments on the Western Contiguous Radar Barrier. Another highlight did
occur on 6 October when the ship was formally presented with the Battle Efficiency "E"
Award for Fiscal Year 1961- 1962.
The year 1963 began on Barrier station and the Commanding Officer had received
64
a promotion to the rank of Commander. On 22 March he was relieved by Lieutenant
Commander Leslie A. Taylor, Jr. while FINCH was in port in San Francisco. The new
Commanding Officer would experience six Barrier assignments, interspersed with a few
side visits to San Diego, before the ship entered San Francisco Naval Shipyard for regular
overhaul on 22 November 1963.
FINCH completed her shipyard overhaul period on 26 February 1964 and
departed for San Diego where she continued her maintenance period with a Tender
Availability (TAV) and Restricted Availability (RAV) until 12 March. From 13 March
until 1 May, the ship underwent Refresher Training (REFTRA) and then departed San
Diego to resume Barrier operations. As in 1963, FINCH was to experience six Barrier
assignments, returning to San Francisco during off-station periods with a couple of
additional brief visits to San Diego for maintenance periods alongside a Destroyer
Tender. During the summer Lieutenant Commander George I. Thompson became
FINCH's new Commanding Officer on 20 July 1964 at ceremonies conducted in the
ship's home port of San Francisco. Unlike the preceding year, the ship was to spend the
Christmas holiday season at sea on station.
1965
Having spent the past two years on Barrier assignments, FINCH was to see a
dramatic change to her routine. The year began on station, then returning to San
Francisco on 7 January. Three more station assignments would follow before FINCH
would break routine and sail in a different direction. The ship had returned to home port
on 28 April 1965 and would remain in port until 3 June, making preparations and
provisioning to sail on 3 June, in accordance with orders, and proceed to Pearl Harbor.
As part of the preparations and prior to sailing, the ship had undergone a period of about
ten days in dry-dock at San Francisco. The ship arrived at Pearl Harbor on 9 June and
remained there, conducting type training exercises, until 19 June where upon she once
more set sail, with the destination being the island of Guam. At sea, enroute on the 23rd
of June, FINCH's home port was officially changed to Guam and she was assigned as a
unit of Escort Squadron SEVEN. No sooner than arriving at Guam on 29 June, then the
ship was underway again on 5 July and enroute to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands.
FINCH was now sailing familiar waters, and as she had been in 1945, she was involved
in a war and was sailing to face an enemy. She was to become a part of Task Force 115,
being assigned to the operational control of CTF 115, the Coastal Surveillance Force
Commander, responsible for the conduct of Market Time Operations off the coast of
Vietnam. With its home port in Guam, Mariana Islands, FINCH's underway
responsibility as an active unit of Task Force 115 was the denial to aggressor units of
access to the South Vietnamese waters and coastline for logistic support of Communist
guerrilla forces. The first Market Time patrol commenced on 10 July and they were to
continue for the remainder of 1965, with off station visits to Hong Kong, FINCH's port
of departure for home as DE 328 in 1946, and Manila, Philippine Islands. One off station
break did result in a return to its home port, Guam, during 9 September - 22 November,
and included a two week period in dry-dock once more for maintenance.
65
1966
The commencement of 1966 saw FINCH operating as a unit of the U.S.
SEVENTH Fleet, actively engaged in Market Time Operations (Area 3), her patrol and
surveillance duties being highlighted by the firing, on 15 January, of 134 rounds of 3"/50
ammunition at a Viet Cong infested village two hundred and sixty miles northeast of
Saigon. Continuing patrol operations after six days in Hong Kong late in January,
FINCH's next major unscheduled event was the successful daylight recovery of Fireman
Apprentice Earl D. BLANTON who, on 23 February, during a morning underway
replenishment with USS Kennebec (AO 36), was swept over the side by unusually high
seas.
March saw FINCH in Kaoshiung, Taiwan alongside the USS Dixie (AD 14) for
the first twelve days of the month for tender availability, with the ship returning to
Market Time Area 1 on 15 March. She remained in various northern patrol areas until
departure for Bangkok, Thailand on 21 April 1966. FINCH returned to Market Time
Area 6 on 1 May, remaining on station until 13 May whereupon the ship departed for an
Operational Readiness Evaluation in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, on 16 May.
This in turn was followed by a ten day visit to Kaohsiung, Taiwan prior to returning to
her home port of Guam, arriving on 2 June. During this five month period of operations
with the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet
FINCH
conducted
thirty-four
underway
replenishments
and
detected 6,843 surface contacts
transiting the Market Time area.
Shipyard
availability
occupied the ship from early June
until final inspections by the Staffs
of Commander Destroyer Flotilla
FIVE and Commander Escort
Squadron SEVEN in September.
Within this period, on 7 July,
Lieutenant Commander Myron A. Skubinna relieved as Commanding Officer. In the
midst of the ship's final inspections 6 -10 September, it was confirmed by Commander
Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet that FINCH was named the recipient of the
Battle Efficiency "E" for the period 1 October 1965 to 30 June 1966. FINCH departed
Guam on 1 October 1966 for another tour of duty with the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet,
commencing Market Time Operations on 9 October. During October, she was assigned
the southern sector of Area 6 in the nine patrol
areas established along the Vietnamese coast.
Patrolling a fixed-line barrier FINCH steamed
independently, identifying all contacts which
entered her area of responsibility. Summary
contact reports and/or sighting reports were filed
furnishing operational commanders with the
66
name, call sign, ship's registry, port of embarkation, and ultimate destination as well as
position and time of sighting.
On 12 November 1966, FINCH was relieved by USS Hissem (DER 400) and
proceeded to Kaohsiung, Taiwan for an availability period alongside USS Hector (AR 7),
departing Kaohsiung on 20 November and returning to Market Time Area 6 for
resumption of patrol on 24 November. FINCH was assigned the northern sector of
Patrol Area 6 and commenced working in concert with PCFs (swift boats) conducting
coordinated operations. In her relatively new capacity as mother ship for PCFs and their
crews, FINCH directed swift boat investigations of contacts entering the control area
during the late evening through early morning hours. When not pursuing coordinated
operations, FINCH again steamed an assigned fixed-line barrier.
On 6 December FINCH departed Market Time Area 6 (North), having been
relieved by the USS Newell (DER 322), and proceeded to Subic Bay, Republic of the
Philippines for repairs and upkeep, and then returning to Market Time Operations on 22
December. Assigned again to the southern section of Area 6, FINCH relieved the USS
Brister (DER 327) and resumed patrol of the surveillance area until after the
commencement of the New Year.
During the calendar year 1966, FINCH steamed 54,452 miles, consumed 740,742
gallons of diesel fuel, and, conducted 57 underway replenishments.
1967
FINCH remained on station until 17 January in Market Time Area 6. Aside
from the routine inspections of coastal junks and sampans made by the ship's boarding
parties, the patrol was relatively uneventful. The calm was disrupted, however, on the
night of 11 January when Boatswain's Mate 1/c George Thompson fell overboard during
a refueling operation with USS Neches (AO 47). After an emergency breakaway,
Thompson was safely recovered. Upon relief by USS Vance (DER 387), FINCH
departed station and sailed to Hong Kong, arriving on 20 January and remaining for five
days of rest and recreation. The ship departed Hong Kong for its home port with a brief
diversion to Kaohsiung, Taiwan to refuel, then was greeted by family and friends upon
her arrival in Apra Harbor, Guam on 30 January. The next day FINCH hosted her family
members to a day at sea with a dependents' cruise. Following this she commenced an
eight week restricted availability period at
the U.S Naval Ship Repair Facility,
Guam. From 3 February to 1 March
FINCH completed her interim drydocking in USS Arco (ARD 29) and on 15
March received a visit from Vice Admiral
J. J. Hyland, USN, Commander U.S.
SEVENTH Fleet. With completion of the
availability period on 29 March, the ship
received surprise administrative and pre67
deployment inspections and then was engaged in local operations and exercises until 24
April when it departed for Yokosuka, Japan for a period of Refresher Training. Having
completed her training and passed her Operational Readiness Evaluation, FINCH
returned to Guam on 29 May 1967. Local independent ship exercises and AntiSubmarine Warfare (ASW) exercises with units of Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN
occupied the crew's time. There were, however, occasional periods of diversion with the
opportunity to show off the ship, as on 18 June FINCH launched
COMNAVMARIANAS' (Commander Naval Forces, Marianas) Visit Ship Program by
hosting 1066 open house guests.
A change of venue was to occur, as FINCH commenced her Western Pacific
deployment on 8 July 1967 and proceeded to Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. On
13 July the ship departed for Kaohsiung, Taiwan for duties with the Taiwan Patrol Group.
The Commanding Officer, USS FINCH (DER 328) relieved Commanding Officer, USS
Savage (DER 386) as Commander Taiwan Patrol Group, CTG 72.1, as FINCH took
station in the Taiwan Straits. Until 10 August, the ship remained on Taiwan Patrol
monitoring ship movements and collecting intelligence data in the Straits. When not on
patrol, the ship made port visits to Kaohsiung and Keelung.
On 10 August, FINCH proceeded to Hong Kong, British Crown Colony, to
relieve USS Wilhoite (DER 397) on 11 August and provide administrative support as
SOPA ADMIN (Senior Officer Present Afloat Administrative) Hong Kong. While acting
in this capacity until 2 September, the ship was required to coordinate three typhoon
evasion sorties by U.S. Naval ships in port.
After US Camp (DER 251) assumed SOPA ADMIN on 2 September, FINCH got
underway for Sasebo, Japan. From 5 September to 14 September the ship underwent a
tender availability period (TAV) alongside USS Klondike (AR 22). The crew had an
opportunity for some relaxation during this period in the form of a ship's party.
FINCH departed Sasebo on 14 September for Market Time Operations in Area 2
and arrived to relieve USS Newell (DER 322) on 19 September. After a routine Market
Time patrol, USS Lowe (DER 325) relieved FINCH on 10 October. The ship then
proceeded to Hualien, Taiwan for a People-to-People port visit and from 13 to 16
October held open house for 2693 Hualien citizens. In furtherance of the People-toPeople Program, FINCH held a special on board reception for members of the Ami
Cultural Village, and engaged in a softball game with a local team.
On 17 October, FINCH sortied from Hualien on storm evasion in the face of
Typhoon Carla. Although the ship experienced heavy seas and high winds, she sustained
only minor damage to topside equipment. While on storm evasion, FINCH participated
in a Search and Rescue mission by escorting two crippled Taiwanese fishing vessels to
the safe lee shore of Taiwan. The ship then proceeded to Kaohsiung to take up the duties
of Taiwan Patrol on 20 October.
The deployment's second Taiwan Patrol passed smoothly and was completed on
68
13 November. On 16 November, the ship once again sailed for Vietnamese waters,
relieving USS Camp (DER 251) in Market Time Area 3 on 19 November. About half
way through this patrol, on 28 November, FINCH participated in a Naval Gunfire
Support Mission in a position north of Qui Nhon, Republic of Vietnam by firing 105
rounds of 3"/50 caliber fire on a suspected Viet Cong troop concentration area. Relieved
of duties on 10 December, the ship spent 12-16 December in the port of Hong Kong for
crew rest and recreation, then returning to Market Time Patrol on 19 December, this time
in Area 1.
FINCH spent Christmas 1967 at sea on Market Time patrol and had been
deployed from home port and families since 8 July. On 26 December, relief came in the
form of USS Hissem (DER 400), and the ship departed Vietnamese waters and, with her
deployment nearing an end, began her long journey home. After a brief stop at Subic
Bay, 28-30 December, FINCH navigated through the San Bernadino Straits and pointed
her bow for Apra Harbor, Guam and a well deserved rest concluding a deployment that
would number five days short of six months. The year 1967 was at an end and could also
have been measured by the total of 189 days that the ship had spent at sea underway, or
the 684,710 gallons of diesel fuel consumed while underway.
1968
New Year's day 1968 found FINCH still enroute home from deployment and
upon reaching Guam on 3 January safely reunited her crew once again with families and
loved ones, just as she had done so many times before.
The ship plunged into her annual restricted availability at the U.S. Naval Ship
Repair Facility, Guam on 13 January. While the focus of activities was material
improvement of the ship, time was found for varied outside activities. On 18 January
FINCH welcomed the Republic of China Ship Ta Tung (ATF 54) to Guam. While
wardrooms exchanged greetings, the crews played softball. Softball figured prominently
in organized leisure activities, followed closely by bowling. Lieutenant R. C. Newton,
USN, the ship's Engineering Officer, clinched the COMNAVMARIANAS (Commander
Naval Forces, Marianas) Lightweight Boxing Crown on 17 February. In subsequent
weeks he went on to compete in other matches and take the All-Navy Runner-Up spot in
his class.
FINCH completed her restricted availability with sea trials on 9 March and for
the next month she concentrated on training and readiness, getting underway for local
operations. During this period, she provided submarine target vessel services and
received valuable Anti-Submarine Warfare training in return from units of Submarine
Squadron FIFTEEN. Easter Sunday, 14 April, FINCH greeted her new prospective
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Robert L. Grimmell. The following day,
she departed for Yokosuka, Japan and annual refresher training with Fleet Training
Group, Western Pacific.
The first day of training, 22 April, saw a lot of action. At 1000 hours, under gray
69
but dry skies, Commander Skubinna turned over command of FINCH to Lieutenant
Commander Robert L. Grimmell. The fantail ceremony was held as the ship lay moored
at Berth 9, U.S. Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan. Vice Admiral W. F. Bringle, USN,
Commander of the SEVENTH Fleet was in attendance at the ceremony. Within three
hours of assuming command, Lieutenant Commander Grimmell had the ship underway
for the Training Battle Problem, inaugurating an intensive period of training which was to
last for the next three weeks. FINCH completed her training period, and after a brief
period of upkeep in Yokosuka, set sail for home port on 16 May.
The tempo of ship life shifted upon return to Guam on 20 May. During the first
week back, the ship was once again subjected to Administrative and Pre-deployment
inspections. During 27-29 May, FINCH got underway to conduct independent drills and
calibration exercises, then commenced an upkeep period which lasted until 16 June.
At 0800 hours, on 17 June 1968, FINCH stood out of Apra Harbor, Guam
enroute to Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines on the first leg of her six month
deployment. As in her prior deployment, she reverted to the operational control of
Commander, SEVENTH Fleet, occurring this time on 19 June, and the ship reached
Subic Bay two days later. After loading final stores and conducting several gunnery
exercises, she made the short transit to Vietnam and relieved USS Falgout (DER 324) as
Commander Task Element 115.2.2.2 in Market Time Area 5 on 25 June.
FINCH's patrol period in Vietnam was relatively quiet except for one short visit
to Nha Trang Harbor and three quick trips to Cam Ranh Bay. Daily routine consisted of
tracking, inspecting, and boarding Vietnamese cargo junks. PCF (swift boat) boat crews
lived aboard FINCH and alternated duty days, changing when the boats came to be
refueled from the ship. The routine was broken about every three days with an underway
replenishment. The only other interruption came on 3 and 4 July, when FINCH
delivered her Fourth of July fireworks against thirteen suspected Viet Cong trails and
assembly areas. She departed Area 5 when relieved by USS Haverfield (DER 393) on 29
July.
By 31 July, FINCH had moored to Buoy B-28, Hong Kong Harbor, British
Crown Colony and had relieved USCGC Cambell (WHEC 32) of duties as Senior Officer
Present, Administrative, Hong Kong. Hong Kong, the favorite port of the Western
Pacific, proved no disappointment in FINCH's two week stay in spite of the existence of
the Hong Kong Influenza Epidemic. In hopes of researching this new disease, personnel
from Naval Medical Research Unit TWO, Taipei, Taiwan, with the aid of the ship's
"Doc", Hospitalman 1/c Roger G. Kennedy, drew blood samples from approximately 125
of the 140 man crew on the 2nd and 13th of August. A third drawing was made on 26
August when the ship was in Kaohsiung. "Doc" Kennedy was to later make a final
drawing during the week of 18 November. Numerous throat swabs were taken in this
span of time, and data was kept on the number of men who caught the disease. With the
help of the Army 406th Medical-General Laboratory and the U.S. Public Health Service,
it was discovered that the Hong Kong influenza was a variant of the Asian Flu and was
unaffected by present vaccines. It was later noted, that as a result of this "perfect
70
controlled experiment", the virus recovered from the men of the FINCH, 70% of whom
caught the flu to some degree, was made into a new vaccine which was made available
on 1 December; first to the Armed Forces, and then to the general population. It was
further noted that the availability of this new vaccine would benefit all of South East Asia
and the rest of the world if the disease spread during the winter as it was expected.
FINCH was relieved of SOPA ADMIN, Hong Kong duties on the afternoon of 13
August by USCGC Bibb (WHEC 31) and the next day departed Hong Kong Harbor for
Kaohsiung, Taiwan, for assignment to Taiwan Patrol Duty. For the next month, the ship
operated out of Kaohsiung as a unit of Task Group 72.1, spending about 70% of her time
on patrols in the Straits. FINCH returned to Kaohsiung on 2 September from patrol and
moored in a nest with USS Markab (AR 23). At 1600 hours, 3 September, all U.S. Navy
units present in port were ordered to get underway and sortie south to avoid typhoons
Wendy and Agnes. The next morning USS Kretchmer, which had been on patrol,
rendezvoused with FINCH. The two ships proceeded to the lee of the Babuyan Islands
just north of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Until the ships returned to Kaohsiung on 8
September, they put the time on storm evasion to good use by conducting numerous dual
ship exercises. The remainder of the patrol period passed quickly.
From 16 to 18 September FINCH made a return transit to Subic Bay, Republic of
the Philippines for upkeep. During this in-port period uninvited guest Typhoon Elaine
forced the cancellation of the ship's party and the only diversion was the arrival of the
battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62). FINCH's stay in Subic Bay ended in a rough transit
to Vietnam on 1 October. Arriving on Market Time station on 3 October, the ship
relieved USCGC Winona (WHEC 65). The entire patrol period turned out to be fairly
routine with the exception of 7 to 9 October when the ship was called upon to provide
direct gunfire support in the vicinity of Cape Batangan, Republic of Vietnam. Following
relief by USCGC Owasco (WHEC 39) on 19 October FINCH returned to Taiwan Patrol
from 22 October to 23 November with intervening in-port periods in Kaohsiung and
Keelung. On 22 November, FINCH's crew, Commanding Officer, and "Doc" Kennedy
were honored by the Commanding Officer of the Naval Medical Research Unit TWO,
Taipei, Captain Watten, who presented plaques and certificates of appreciation for the
ship's part in the research of the Hong Kong Flu. The ship set sail the next day for
Yokosuka, Japan.
FINCH reached Yokosuka on Thanksgiving Day, 28 November 1968, and
moored alongside USS Markab. The Yokosuka upkeep period had two beneficial effects.
First, it gave the ship and crew a head start on the upcoming restricted availability, and
secondly, it also provided a last chance for the crew to blow off steam before returning to
the rigors of an overhaul in Guam. A ship's party was held on two consecutive days, 9
and 10 December, to allow all hands the opportunity to participate, and to make up for
the party canceled earlier by Typhoon Elaine. Two days later, FINCH departed on the
deployment's last transit -- the return home to Guam.
In a modest shipboard ceremony held during the rough transit, FINCH celebrated
the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of her first commissioning on 13 December 1943. As it
71
would lagter turn out, this would also be the last anniversary celebration that the ship
could anticipate or experience in active duty as a commissioned ship. Two days later, she
departed SEVENTH Fleet and returned to the operational control of Commander
Cruisers-Destroyers, Pacific. The ship ended her deployment on 16 December as she tied
up in Apra Harbor at U.S. Naval Supply Depot, Guam. The next day she off-loaded her
ammunition and fuel and then entered restricted availability at the U.S. Naval Ship
Repair Facility, Guam on 18 December bringing the year 1968 to a close.
In the course of FINCH's six month deployment the ship was underway at sea on
112 days, steaming a total of 25,396 miles, and consuming 532,776 gallons of fuel. The
crew, on the other hand, during this same six month period, consumed 7,969 pounds of
beef, 3,445 pounds of lettuce, 4,224 pounds of bread, 19,090 pounds of fresh potatoes,
758 gallons of ice cream, and 1,200 pounds of coffee. The ship also dispatched 7,212
pounds of mail, and in return received 11,210 pounds of mail.
1969
On 1 January, FINCH was still in the midst of her annual restricted availability at
the U.S. Naval Repair Facility, Guam. The two weeks from 12 to 26 January were spent
in dry-dock, USS Arco (ARD 29). Due to the deactivation of several DER's, FINCH
learned that her home port was changed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, effective 15 January.
This marked the second time that FINCH would call Hawaii home. Her post availability
sea trials were held on 11 February, and two weeks later, on the 24th, FINCH sailed for
her new home port, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 5 March.
Only two days passed since her arrival at Pearl Harbor, as on 7 March, with the
numbers "139" painted on her bow, the ship got underway to participate in the filming of
the movie "Tora, Tora, Tora." FINCH played the role of the USS Ward (DD 139), which
sank a midget submarine near the entrance to Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.
The next week saw the ship preparing for refresher training, which began with a
Training Readiness Evaluation (TRE) on 13 and 14 March. From 24 March to 18 April,
the Pearl Harbor Fleet Training Group instructors put the ship through its paces, both at
sea and in-port, running seemingly endless drills and evolutions. These included various
gunnery exercises and a morning of shore bombardment conducted at Kahoolawe Island,
Hawaii.
In the interval, 19 to 30 April, FINCH lay alongside the USS Royale (AD 29) at
Ford Island for a tender availability period. With FINCH's deployment to the Western
Pacific (WESTPAC) scheduled for 19 May, the ship was surprised to learn on 2 May that
she was to be deactivated and that the deployment was canceled. With this news in hand,
the crew redirected their collective energies to prepare the ship for an INSURV
Inspection, held on 10 and 11 June, to determine the further serviceability of FINCH.
Their efforts were rewarded when the results were in and the verdict was "fit for further
service." It was decided that FINCH would be placed in "mothballs" and, accordingly,
she sailed for Bremerton, Washington on 7 July 1969. On board was Lieutenant
72
Commander R. L. Johnson, who would relieve as Commanding Officer at a brief change
of command ceremony that was held upon FINCH's arrival at the Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard on 14 July.
Deactivation work began on the following day under the watchful eye of the
Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility at Bremerton. As 2 August dawned, the officers and
crew left the ship and moved onboard the EX-USS Euryale (AS 22), alongside which the
FINCH was moored. On 26 August the ship was towed across the Puget Sound to the
Lake Union Dry Dock Company shipyard in Seattle for the industrial period of her
inactivation work. At this time the crew moved onboard the barracks ship APL 10,
which had been towed to Lake Union for that purpose. The FINCH entered dry-dock on
4 September, remaining until 29 September when she was re-floated and was towed back
to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. A week later, on 3 October 1969, for the third and
what would be the final time in her career, the FINCH was placed out of commission and
in reserve at Bremerton, Washington. The last of FINCH's crew were finally transfered
the following day, 4 October 1969.
During the span of a little over eighteen and one half years that FINCH was in
active service, as a Destroyer Escort, Coast Guard Cutter, and Radar Picket Vessel, she
served honorably in times which witnessed three wars; World War II, Korea, and
Vietnam. On the occasion of each assignment at sea, she performed her mission well and
carried her crews home safely. It is estimated that in the course of her existence, FINCH
was home, away from home, for approximately 2,607 young men who will remember,
and always be remembered with FINCH in history.
1974
On 27 September 1974, the Inactive Ships Facility, Bremerton Washington sent a
message (INACTSHIPFAC BREMERTON WA 272014Z SEP 74) to the Chief of Naval
Operations in Washington, DC which began "1. IAW REF A EX-FINCH (DER-328)
RELEASED FROM NAVAL CUSTODY 27 SEPTEMBER 1974 TO
SUCCESSFUL BIDDER LEVIN METALS, CORP., SAN JOSE
CALIFORNIA.........."
73
_________________________ _ __________________________
USS FINCH DER-328
PORT VISITS
(1956 - 1969)
_____________________________________________________________
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
(Commissioned)
San Diego, California
Seattle, Washington
Bremerton, Washington
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
San Francisco, California
(Treasure Island)
Port Angeles, Washington
Christmas Island
Fanning Island
Papeete, Tahiti
Nuka Hiva, Marqueses Islands
Guam
Subic Bay, Philippine Islands
Hong Kong
Manila, Philippine Islands
Kaoshiung, Taiwan
Bangkok, Thailand
Apra Harbor, Guam
Yokosuka, Japan
Keelung, Taiwan
Sasebo, Japan
Hualien, Taiwan
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam
Cape Batanyan, Vietnam
Kahoolawe Island, Hawaii
Ford Island, Hawaii
Bremerton, Washington
(Decommissioned)
74
NAME
Athow, James K.
Scott, Clyde L.
Burch, William J.
Carter, Robert E.
Edson, Theodore M.
Fitzgerald, John R.
Lombardi, Richard E.
Needham, William L.
Slocomb, Richard S.
Stark, Donald D.
Wachob, James R.
Russell, William E. Jr.
Brown, Robert H.
Pierce, Henry L.
Parker, Paul F.
Duggan, Harold D.
Mahoney, James F.
Norman, Hal W.
Harrison, William R.
Bosnengo, John E.
Stevens, Joseph L.
Alcorn, Gail E.
Drummond, James E.
English, Jerrold R.
Horn, Robert D.
Skidmore, Harold W.
White, Robert R.
Howell, Wyman S.
Landis, John B.
Douglas, William G.
Sidebottom, Larry R.
Stuchell, Nathan L.
Turner, William E.
Woody, Melvin R.
Hodge, Clarence A.
Rudd, Malcolm T.
Durbin, Thomas L.
Goldman, Monroe O.
Hunter, Ralph L. Sr.
Imlay, Ellsworth E.
Vigliaturo, Daniel A.
Wymore, Edward J.
West, Philip H.
Breckenfeld, Herbert G.
Mizeski, Joseph J.
Anderson, Chester W..
Kiogima, Charles W.
Boone, Robert D.
Davis, Floyd E.
Jones, Alfred E.
Bordenkircher, Walter L. Jr.
DeWitt, Solon W.
Nick, Ernest H.
Bradfield, Milton H.
Jewett, Oliver H.
Slane, Vernon W.
RANK
LCDR
LT
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
LTJG
ENS
AG3
BM1
BM2
BM3
BM3
BMC
BT1
BTFN
CS1
CS2
CSC
CSG3
CSG3
DC1
DK2
EM1
EM2
EM3
EM3
EM3
EM3
EMC
EN1
EN1
EN2
EN2
EN2
EN2
EN2
EN2
EN3
ENC
ENC
ENCA
END3
ENFA
ENFA
ENFA
ENFN
ENFN
ENFN
ET1
ET3
ET3
75
ARRIVAL
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
570500
NAME
Backstrom, Einar W.
Mattson, George E.
Smith, Arthur O.
Smith, Freddie E.
Bentley, Billy C.
Bergmann, Gerard
Craycraft, Clarence
Crayne, Larry M.
Elms, Alvin D.
Gomez, Ernest (n)
Hansen, George M.
Harmon, Donald W.
Hazelgrove, Carl E.
La Grant, Edward J.
Moore, John W.
Newton, Lloyd L.
Reed, Wally P.
Robb, Russell A.
Roberson, William L.
Slaughter, Oliver
Traver, Wayne E.
Tsuboi, Tadamasa
Jones, Lloyd E.
Watts, Malcolm G.
Hoover, Wayne L
Van Atta, Clarence C.
Walker, Lacy L.
Bruhn, Gary J.
Burneskis, Peter
Paccioretty, Albert A.
Douglas, Pasley J.
Morris, Bentley H. Jr.
Calhoun, Robert L.
Ward, Ronald R.
Fraser, Dale H.
Jackson, John D.
Bowman, William L.
Lance, Marcus S.
Le Claire, William H.
Parker, James G.
Parillo, Stephen J.
Jockisch, Arthur R.
Dunn, James L
Downs, Harrison "F"
Hall, James N.
Alaga, Nick J.
Bates, Warren W.
Bishop, Raymond N.
Freire, Richard M.
Gates, George K.
Hayes, James P.
Hill, Benjamin B.
Lindstrom, John F. III
Pfeifer, Karl R.
Summerford, Bernard H.
Steadman, Victor M.
RANK
ETCA
ETRSN
FA
FA
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
FN
MM3
FN
FN
FP2
FT1
FT3
GM1
GM2
GM3
GMC
GMM2
HMC
IC1
IC3
EM1
MR1
PN1
PN3
QM1
QM3
QM3
QM3
QMC
QMQ3
RD1
RD2
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RD3
RDC
76
ARRIVAL
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
590900
NAME
Fine, David (n)
Van Wert, Edward B.
Boxell, Jesse S.
Paxton, Haven
Freeman, James A.
Mathis, Charles W.
Powers, Richard L.
Wall, Jack M.
Owen, Charles L.
Rogers, Arthur W.
Sharples, Richard D.
Tison, Clyde W.
Alexander, Howard W.
Berberabe, Emilio
Cavender, Cecil L. Jr.
Buffington, Arthur G.
Mowbray, Arthur E. Jr.
Lun, Bobby (n)
Azevedo, Ernest M.
Benge, Thomas A.
Blieu, Claris W.
Christofferson, Dennis L.
Eaton, Gerald K.
Ferguson, Olin D.
Gandy, Joseph Jr.
Godbey, Velmer L.
Goldbeck, Dean R.
Gomez, Alberto
Henninger, Edward D.
Herrington, Fred A.
Houver, William M.
Jacobson, Wesley J.
Jeffers, James A.
Johnson, Edward L.
Mastel, Fred W.
Maxwell, Claude H.
Mitchell, Junior H.
Molina, Benito
Muise, Ronald A.
Pedigo, Leonard C.
Smith, Donald E.
Stewart, Willie F.
Valdes, Leo J.
Watkins, Mitchell A.
Wiggin, Carl R.
Wolford, Elmer D.
Yarmak, Alexander J.
Rea, Gerald E.
Daniels, Juddie C. Jr.
Graves, Howard H.
Jennings, Keith M.
Clark, George Jr.
Fulgencio, Rodolfo C.
Daffern, Harold F.
Howland, James R.
Teague, Norman
RANK
RDSN
RDSN
RM1
RM2
RM3
RM3
RM3
RMCA
RMSA
RMSA
RMSA
RMSN
SD1
SD3
SH2
SH3
SK1
SKG3
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SN
SO1
SO2
SO3
SO3
TA
TE1
TE3
TEP2
TM2
77
ARRIVAL
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
NAME
Peterson, John H.
Gourley, Francis G.
Flores, Felizardo P.
RANK
TN
YN1
YN2
78
ARRIVAL
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56
17 Aug 56