DD‐649 U.S.S. ALBERT W. GRANT By Terrence P. McGarty and Elaine (Carlson) Dorland DD-649 1 Common Men, Uncommon Valor By Terrence P. McGarty and Elaine (Carlson) Dorland DRAFT 1 Copyright © 2007 Terrence P. McGarty and Elaine Dorland, all rights reserved. "Among the Americans serving on Iwo island, uncommon valor was a common virtue." (Adm. Chester A. Nimitz). “Uncommon valor was the normal reaction and bravery beyond the call of duty was the normal response.” (Captain Andy Nisewaner) Page 2 of 397 Page Deliberately Left Blank Page 3 of 397 THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the THE UNITED STATES SHIP ALBERT W. GRANT for service as follows: “For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, October 24 to 27, 1944. Conducting a determined torpedo attack against a Japanese task force in Surigao Strait on the night of October 24, the U.S.S. ALBERT W. GRANT closed range to fire her first half salvo of torpedoes and succeeded in scoring hits on a Japanese battleship. Although severely damaged when heavy enemy guns opened fire as she turned to retire, she remained in the battle area and successfully launched her five remaining torpedoes, scoring hits on other enemy units. With all power gone, fires raging, compartments rapidly flooding and over one hundred casualties to care for, she fought throughout the night to remain afloat. Finally, assisted by a tug from Leyte, she effected the repair of her crudely patched holes and the pumping out of excess water and oil, resolutely continuing damage control measures until she could be taken in tow to an anchorage in Leyte Gulf. Crippled but undaunted, the ALBERT W. GRANT, superbly handled by gallant officers and men, rendered distinctive service and upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” All personnel attached to and serving on board the ALBERT W. GRANT from October 24 to 27, 1944, are authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon. /s/ John L. Sullivan Acting Secretary of the Navy Page 4 of 397 Contents 1 Prologue ................................................................................................................................ 16 1.1 Planning and Character .................................................................................................. 18 1.2 The Pacific Battle Theatre .............................................................................................. 21 1.3 The Pacific War and War Plan Orange .......................................................................... 23 1.4 A New Method of Warfare ............................................................................................. 27 1.5 Prelude ............................................................................................................................ 29 1.6 The Weapons and Technology ....................................................................................... 29 1.6.1 Radar ....................................................................................................................... 30 1.6.2 Fire Control Systems............................................................................................... 31 1.6.3 Weapons .................................................................................................................. 33 1.6.4 Communications ..................................................................................................... 36 1.6.5 Control .................................................................................................................... 36 1.7 The War and its Progress ............................................................................................... 40 1.8 Statistics of the Grant ..................................................................................................... 42 1.9 Battle Stars of the Grant ................................................................................................. 43 2 Commissioning and Shakedown ........................................................................................... 44 2.1 The Captain .................................................................................................................... 46 2.2 Officers ........................................................................................................................... 49 2.3 The Enlisted Men ........................................................................................................... 52 2.4 Training and Boot Camp ................................................................................................ 67 2.5 The Ship Organization ................................................................................................... 69 2.6 Commissioning, Shakedown and to the Pacific ............................................................. 77 2.7 Shakedown Cruise .......................................................................................................... 80 2.7.1 Bridge and Deck Watch .......................................................................................... 80 2.7.2 Engineering Watch .................................................................................................. 81 2.7.3 Communications Watch .......................................................................................... 82 2.7.4 CIC (Gunnery) Watch ............................................................................................. 82 2.7.5 Memories ................................................................................................................ 83 3 Crossing the Equator ............................................................................................................. 87 4 Hollandia and Truk .............................................................................................................. 91 4.1 Hollandia and New Guinea ........................................................................................... 93 4.2 Recollections .................................................................................................................. 95 4.3 MacArthur and Hollandia ............................................................................................... 97 4.4 Truk ................................................................................................................................ 99 5 Saipan, Tinian, and Palau................................................................................................... 100 5.1 The Saipan Invasion ..................................................................................................... 101 5.2 The Players ................................................................................................................... 103 5.3 Crew Observations ....................................................................................................... 106 5.4 Lessons Learned ........................................................................................................... 123 5.5 Palau ............................................................................................................................. 125 6 Surigao Straights: The Real Enemy .................................................................................... 131 6.1 Prelude .......................................................................................................................... 132 6.2 The People and the Organization ................................................................................. 133 Page 5 of 397 6.3 The Forces .................................................................................................................... 136 6.4 The Events of the October 25, 1944 ............................................................................. 139 6.4.1 Phase I: Early Warning and Swarm Attack by PT Boats ...................................... 141 6.4.2 Phase II: Swarm Attack by Destroyers ................................................................. 141 6.4.3 Phase III: Battle Line Commences Firing ............................................................. 143 6.4.4 Phase IV: Grant Takes Hits ................................................................................... 146 6.4.5 Phase V: Oldendorf Orders Cease Fire ................................................................. 147 6.4.6 Phase VI: Oldendorf Follows Fleet....................................................................... 148 6.5 The Navy’s Detailed Analysis...................................................................................... 149 6.6 The Grant’s Remembers: Facts and Reality ................................................................. 163 6.6.1 Grant Battle Report ............................................................................................... 163 6.6.2 Nisewaner’s Memories ......................................................................................... 164 6.6.3 Hamill’s Memories ............................................................................................... 167 6.6.4 Carlson’s View...................................................................................................... 174 6.6.5 Bugge’s Remembers ............................................................................................. 176 6.6.6 Williams Recollections ........................................................................................