The USS Davison was named after LCDR Gregory Caldwell Davison who was born in Jefferson City, MO, 12 August 1871. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1892, and was in command of a gunboat in the Spanish-American war. In 1908, LCDR Davison resigned his commission and became Chief Engineer of the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT. Later he became President of three companies which included the Davison Ordnance Co. that developed a light weight gun he designed. LCDR Davison died in 1935 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors.

Built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydocking Company at Kearny, NJ, the USS Davison DD618 was completed and delivered to Navy Yard, New York, on 4 September 1942, where she was placed in commission on 11 September with LCDR W. C. Winn , USN, as her first commanding officer. The ship was 348 feet long; beam of 36 feet; displacement of 1630 tons and a draught of 17 feet. Armament consisted of four 5 incg single mount guns, two 40mm guns and six 20mm guns along with five 21 inch torpedoes. She also had 300 and 600 pound depth charges. The ship was equipped with the latest sonar and radar equipment. Top speed was 38 knots. She joined the rapidly expanding Navy at a time when the enemy submarine warfare in the Atlantic was a serious threat, and ships of her type were sorely needed. By 15 September, the DD618 had completed fitting out at the Navy yard and was ready for her shakedown cruise and training period under Commander Destroyers, Atlantic Fleet. This four week period which ended on 21 October at Navy Yard, New York, for post shakedown repairs and Acceptance Board trials was crowded with drills, drills, and more drills, all designed to rapidly acquaint the crew and officers with their new ship. The heavy schedule had taken her from Bayonne, NJ, Long Island, NY, thru Long Island Sound north to Casco Bay, ME.

On 27 October, the Davison reported for duty and became a unit of Destroyer Squadron Fifteen in the US Atlantic Fleet. On the same day, she departed New York for Hampton Roads, VA, as part of a coastal convoy on her first official assignment. Arriving at Hampton Roads, VA, the following day she went into drydock at the Newport News and Shipbuilding Co. in Newport News, Va, for repairs. After eight days shereturned to New York as an escort with a coastal convoy and stood by at 35th St. Pier, Brooklyn , NY, from 7 to 13 November waiting for Convoy UGS-2 to depart. Enroute to New York, a depth charge attack was made on a doubtful underwater contact with negative results.

On 13 November, the supply convoy for Operation Torch departed New York bound for Casablanca, French Moroco and the Invasion of North Africa. The USS Davison was part of Task Force 37 screening and escorting Convoy UGS-2. Several underwater contacts were made but no depth charges were dropped. After nine days moored in Casablanca, the Davison proceeded down the coast to Safi, French Morocco. At this tiny harbor she remained anchored outside the breakwater until 18 December as protection against possible enemy submarine attacks. Returning to Casablanca on 19 December, the Davison departed on the 21st with Convoy GUS-2 returning to New York, again as part of TF37 assigned to screen the convoy. 11 January, 1943 saw her in New York again until the 23rd. During this period, final Acceptance Board trials were held and the ship was accepted by the Navy from her builders. Tentative acceptance had been made during the ship's shakedown cruise and training period but final acceptance was delayed because the wrong type shaft counter in both shafts had been installed. Because the original counters were different type ship, the Davison had not been able to make the required speed on her full power trials. The error was corrected and no difficulty was experienced in making the required speed for the Acceptance board.

The end of January saw the Davison at Casco Bay, ME, undergoing a seven day training period under ComDesLant. At the completion of this training period, she proceeded to Hampton Roads, VA and then onto New York.

The period 8 to 10 February found her enroute to Casablanca, French Morocco on an uneventful trip as part of Task Force 36 escorting Convoy UGF-5. Asfter eight days in Casablanca, she returned to New York with Convou GUF-5 which arrived in New York on 11 March, thirteen days later. Routine post voyage repairs were made at Navy Yard, New York and the week of 22-31 March was spent at Casco Bay, ME in training.

Convoy UGF-7 departed New York on April bound for Gibraltor and Casablnca with the Davison as part of Task Force 99 escorting the convoy. After an uneventful eleven days, the convoy arrived at Gibraltor where one day was spent before proceeding to Casablanca. On this trip the Davison made another depth charge attack on a doubtful underwater contact with negative results. Following four days in Casablanca, she departed on 19 April on the return voyage to New York with Convoy GUF-7 in Task Force 99. This passage was uneventful and was followed by a ten day assignment for routine post voyage repairs from 29 April to 10 May. From 10 May to 8 June, the Davison was enroute to and in the Chesapeake Bay area. Considerable training was accomplished in this time in addition to one day spent at anchor at Annapolis, MD, and eight days in Norfolk Navy Yard, Va for an emergency availability.

On 8 June the Davison joined Task Force65, escorting a convoy of troop ships and supply ships destined for the invasion of Sicily. The next six days were spent in patrol and in training in the vicinity of Oran. On 29 June, the Davison proceeded to join Convoy UGS-10 located westward of Gibraltor to act as additional protection on the remainder of the convoy's trip to Mers-El-Kebir. Arriving Mers-El-Kebir on 3 July, the Davison fueld and provisioned and took on board 80 members of an Amphibious Engineer Unit with which she proceeded to deliver to the Bay of Tunis.

On 8 July the Davison joined Task Force 85 as part of the assault force which was to invade Sicily on the morning of 10 July 1943. During the ten days following the Allied Landings at Scoglitti, Sicily, she acted as a fire support ship and had assignments in the anti-aircraft and anti-submarine screens. During this period the entire force was harassed by sporadic German air attacks and by return fire from shore batteries. Departing the area on 20 July, the Davison proceeded to Algiers for fuel and then escorted a small convoy to Mers-El-Kebir, arriving there on 24 July. Four days later she joined Task Force 89.5 and escorted Cruiser Division 13 and the USS Chicopee to the US. The group arrived in New York on 8 August where the Davison was assigned eleven days for routine repairs at the Navy Yard, New York.

On 10 August 1943, LCDR D.J. Collett, USN, XO of the Davison since her commissioning, relieved CDR W.C. Winn, USN, as commanding officer. Lt. H.H. Anderson became the Executive Officer(XO).

Her first trip under the new skipper proved to be an interesting one for all hands. Having left New York on 21 August, Convoy UGF-10, with Task Force 68 escorting, was attacked on 2 September near Phillippeville, Tunisia, by 10 Heinkel 111's and Junker 88's. The only ship in the group to be hit was the USS Kendrick DD612, part of the escorting unit. An aerial torpedo struck her in the stern during the attack but did not damage her propellers so that she was able to proceed to port without tow. Two days later, the voyage ended in Bizerte, Tunisia, where the Davison remained at anchor until 7 September. The night before departing was marked by a full scale German air raid on ships in the harbor and on harbor installations. The Davison opened fire many times during the raid but achieved negative results. The voyage to New York with Convoy GUF-10 was a quiet one of 10 days duration.

In New York, Captain C.C. Hartman, USN , Commander Destroyer Squadron 15, shifted his flag to the Davison, where it remained until November 1944.

Leaving New York on 2 October 1943, the Davison participated in underway training exercises in the Block Island Sound area for four days and then joined Task Force 60 escorting Convoy UT-3, a fast troop convoy, to the United Kingdom. Ten days were spent in Belfast, North Ireland, after arriving there on 17 October and before joining Task Group 60.2 escorting Convoy KMF-25A to the Mediterranean ports. While proceeding near Phillippeville, Tunisia, on 6 November, the convoy was attacked successfully by a large force of German aircraft. Accurate shooting by Davison's gunners brought down one of the attacking enemy aircraft. The enemy succeeded in sinking two troop transports and one destroyer, sister ship USS Beatty. The remainder of the trip to Naples, Italy was without incident. Remaining in Naples overnight, the Davison proceeded to Palermo , Sicily, on 9 November and two days later rejoined Task Group 60.2 escorting Convoy MKF-25A to the UK. Arriving in Belfast, North Ireland, on 23 November she received seven days rest before joining Task Force 60 to return to the US , escorting Convoy TU-3. Sixteen days availability in Navy Yard, New York, the Davison's home port, were granted for post voyage repairs upon arrival on 4 December.

During this yard time, Captain S.W. DuBois, USN, relieved Captain C.C. Hartman, USN, as ComDesRon 15.

On 29 December the Davison commenced a round trip to Belfast with Task Force 60 and UT-6. This trip included seven days in Belfast. After 10 days in New York, another trip was made to the UK, this time Greenock, Scotland, with UT-8, returning to New York by 10 March.

On 11 March 1944, LCDR E.L.E.Ritson, USN , became the third skipper of the Davison, relieving CDR J.D. Collett as commanding officer.

Between 2 March and 22 April, a round trip was made to Belfast with Task Force 68 escorting UT-10 and including a six day layover in Belfast. This was the fifth troop convoy to Great Britain by the Davison prior to D-Day, 6 June 1944.

After completing post voyage repairs at the Navy Yard, the DD618 proceeded to Casco Bay, ME, for exercises until 12 May. From there she proceeded to Norfolk, VA, and joined Task Force 68 escorting Convoy UGF-11 to the Med. The convoy reached Naples on 31 May after a quiet passage and one day later the Davsion got underway with Convoy GUF-11 for New York, where she remained for 10 days before going to the Block Island Sound area for four days of training.

July, August, and September included two round trips to Naples from Norfolk, VA, with Convoys UGF-12 and UGF-14. During the stopivers in Naples, some time was spent in recreation on the Isla of Capri. On 18 August, while in New York, between trips, Captain E.R. Durgin, USN, relieved Captain S.W. DuBois as ComDesRon 15.

Early October was spent undergoing repairs in Navy Yard, NY, and in training in the New London area before sailing from New York with Convoy UGF-16 to Southern France. After arrival at Marseilles on 28 October, five days were spent before returning to New York with ConvoY GUF-16. In New York, ComDesRon 15 shifted his flag to the USS Mervine DD489 while Davison was in the Navy Yard undergoing post voyage repairs.

From 28 November to 4 January, a very intensive training schedule was accomplished at Casco Bay, ME, interrupted by a search for survivors, a hunt for a enemy submarine, and five days in Boston Navy Yard over the Christmas holidays.

From Casco Bay, Davison joined Task Group 60.4 at Norfolk, VA to escort Convoy UGS-67 to Oran, Algeria, and arrived there on 27 January, 1945. Four days later she departed on the return trip with Convoy GUS-69. In New York, she was granted ten days yard time for voyage repairs at the Navy Yard Annex, Bayonne, NJ.

March, April, and May were spent with Task Group s 60.2 and 60.4 escorting Convoys GUS-79 and UGS-89 to Oran, Algeria from Norfolk and convoys GUS-81 and GUS-91 on the return trip. The last Atlantic convoy for the Davison ened with the arrival of GUS-91 at Norfolk on 7 June 1945.

From Norfolk the Davison proceeded to Charleston Navy Yard at Charleston, SC, for conversion to a high speed minesweeper(DMS). Here on 20 June, LCDR O.F. Salvia, USN, relieved CDR E.L.E. Ritson as commanding officer.

On 23 June USS Davison became part of Mine Squadron 21 when her dsignation was changed officially from DD618 to DMS37. Conversion at Charleston was completed on 30 July and the ship reported to Commander Service Squadron Five at Norfolk for two weeks training in minesweeping. The two week period extended into four weeks because of various delays and the termination of the war with Japan, 14 August 1945. Finally on 27 August, departure was made for the Panama Canal.

The ship left Norfolk in company with the other four ships of Mine Squadron 21:: USS Carmick DMS33, Doyle DMS34, Quick DMS32, and Earle DMS42. Captain N.R. Curtin, USN, COMdIV 63 in the Carmick was OTC. The group arrived on the Atlantic side of the canal on 1 September aftert a five day trip during which daily minesweeping and shooting exercises were held to supplement the training at Norfolk. At Panama, all five ships reported to the Commander In Chief of the Pacific Fleet for duty in the Pacific.

Transit of the canal was made on 2 September and the group proceeded to San Diego, CA without stopping, arriving there eight days later. Seven days were spent at San Diego, before proceeding with the same group for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During this week, representatives of the Underway Training and Shakedown Group under CotCPac thoroughly inspected the ship and assigned four days for post voyage repairs at the Navy Repair Base.

On 24 September the group arrived in Pearl Harbor and reported to Commander Minecraft, Pacific Fleet for duty. On eweek later, the group left Pearl bound for Okinawa via Enewatek, Marshall Islands. Enroute to Okinawa, the Quick was left behind at Enewetak because of engineering casualty. The four ships arrived in Buckner Bay on 15 October in time to view the havoc wrecked on the island by the terrible typhoon of 9 October. The ships reported to Commander Mine Squadron 21 for duty and commenced preparations to sweep live Japanese minesfrom a planted minefield in the Yellow Sea. These preparations included logistic replenishment, minor repairs, and taking on additional minesweeping gear.

Several days after the advance group of DMS vessels of MinRon21 had proceeded to the Yellow Sea, the Davison in company with the Carmick and the McCook departed Buckner Bay and joined the original group in the Yellow Sea on 24 October. The next day the Davison took her place in the line of minesweepers and swept her first live mine, a Japanese type 93 moored chemical horn mine. Sweeping was conducted daily during the daylight hours. At night the ships anchored in the Yellow Sea well clear of the mine line and in position to commence the following day's sweeping with minimum delay.

Except for a period of five days, during which time all of the ships went to Sasebo, Kyushu, Japan for logistic replenishment, from 4 November to 7 November, sweeping continued daily until 16 November. The operation netted over 500 Japanese mines. Of these, Davison accounted for 39 mines swept.

Completing the operation all vessels returned to Sasebo for logistics, liberty, recreation, and to await a new assignment. The crew enjoyed their first opportunity to see part of Japan. On 27 November the Davison departed Tokyo Bay on a new assignment, and there reported to CTG 52.10 (Captain W.L. Dye) on the USS Mervine DMS 31, on 29 November. The ship remained in Tokyo Bay, moored in Yokosuka Ko off the former Japanese Naval Shipyard, until early January 1946. The fifth of January saw our return to Sasebo where the ship remained until 21 February except for a quick two day visit to Fusan, Korea, on a special assignment. 23 and 24 January were spent in Korea.

Early in February the ship was cheered by unofficial news of our prospective return the the US. Two weeks later all hands were submitted to shots in preparation for a visit to Shanghai. On 23 February, the Davison reported to CominPac on the USS Panamint in Tokyo Bay for special duty as escort and courier on the Panamint visit to Shanghai. However a leaky steam valve could not be repaired in time for departure of the Panamint.

On 12 March the Davison steamed out of Tokyo Bay bound for San Francisco undero CominDic 3 (Captain R.H. Wilkerson, USN) in company with the Mervine, McCook, Endicott, Doyle, and Doran. By midnight, the greatest portion of the men were seasick as the ship was battered and tossed by a severe storm which rolled the ship up to 55 degrees. The weather moderated by the next afternoon, and the trip to Enewetak was only slightly rough. We remained in Enewetak just long enough to fuel, a total of five hours, before plowing east for Pearl Harbor through six days of heavy seas and strong winds.

At Pearl Harbor, CominPac (Admiral A.D. Struble) in the Terror took command of the group for the trip to San Francisco. Early in the moring of 31 March, the Davison passed under the Golden Gate Bridge and all hands heaved a sigh of relief after spending eighteen of the last twenty days bouncing around on a rough and nasty ocean.

Arrival in San Francisco also brought news that the Davison would leave for Guam on 15 May, and steps were taken to fill the ship with all US Navy personnel. The 28 US Navy men on the Davison were given 30 days leave so that they would be back in time to sail with the ship and form a nucleus crew. 15 May came and the Davison had not received enough personnel to sail. As of 1 June 1946, the ship had some 90 USN men; about 45 were experienced.

On 13 June 1946, LCDR Ernest Peterson, USN, relieved LCDR Onofrio Salvia as commanding officer.

Lack of qualified personnel to operate the ship duw to the rapid demobilization of reserves following the end of the war with Japan kept the Davison tied to a dock in San Francisco until CominPac could round up enough personnel to enable her to get underway and resume operations. DAVISON has been selected to serve the needs of ComSevenFlt for a high speed minesweeper to tow targets for fleet gunnery practice. On 15 August 1946, the Davison was manned and underway to San Pedro and San Diego for basic repairs and underway training.

Training went smoothly, and we set sail for China on 12 September. After refueling in Pearl Harbor on 18 September, we continued on to Enewetak Atoll for three days of repair and refueling. Then on to Guam and finally arriving in Tsingtao, China om 11 October. We reported to North China Training Group (CTG-71.1) for duty towing high speed gunnery targets.

Tsingtao had been used by the Germans as a naval port for many years before WW2 so there were many modern type buildings along with clubs for all members of the crew. It was a quiet city, and even though gunfire could be heard to the north of the city where the Federalist army under Chiang Kai Check was fighting the Communist Army under Chairman Mao, there was no sign of panic in the city. On 30 October, Davison put to sea for the beginning of fleet manuevers towing targets for gunnery exercises. Thereafter, we were in and out of port for towing exercises until mid November when our waterlogged target dived to the bottom of the Yellow Sea. Unfortunately it occured just as we were about to recover the tow and had prepared the towing wench to bring the target in. No one was injured and the crew handled the situation capably. With no replacement winch available, Davison was assigned to fleet operations until a replacement could be obtained from the US.

The Davison began operations with the fleet as a destroyer rather than a minesweeper with its first assignment to be a blockade of South Korea to stop the flow of contraband materials from Communist China. On 26 November, we took on board a dozen Korean Midshipmen at Fusan, South Korea to asist in the search of suspicious sampan boats. Each boat we would stop would be inspected by a couple of Midshipmen for illegal contraband. If anything was discovered that was not legal , the boat was escorted to port. The process worked fine until it was discovered that the Midshipmen did not care for shipboard food of eggs, beans, and bacon, but preferred the type of food found on fishing boats. As a result, every fishing boat we sighted was somehow found to be carrying contraband and taken into port. Because of the many islands along the coast of South Korea and for safety reasons, it was found best to anchor at night in one of the small island anchorages and only patrol during daylight hours. We participated in two patrols before departing Fusan for Shanghai, China. On 17 December, we tied up alongside a tender in the Whangpoo river for installation of a new towing wench.

After two weeks in Shanghai, which were well spent sight-seeing, we returned to Tsingtao on 4 January 1947. We continued towing targets for the Seventh Fleet until 5 March. At that time, the Davison was ordered to return to the Bremerton, WA shipyard for overhaul. After passing Okinawa on 7 March, we arrived in Guam for a two day stay on 11 March. We also stopped at Kwajalein and Pearl Harbor on our way to Bremerton ,where we arrived 28 March.

An uneventful two months were spent being overhauled. On 28 May, the ship's party was held at the Moose Hall in Seattle for fun and to say farewell. Underway trials were successful and on 30 May we had the honor of having the Gold Star Mothers on board for a memorial service while underway on Puget Sound.

31 May saw us underway for San Diego, where we arrived on 2 June 1947. On 13 July, CominDiv 3, Captain Wilkerson shifted his flag to the Davison from the Quick

Local training was conducted until 7 August 1947 when LCDR Ernest Peterson turned over commande of the Davison to LCDR David Loomis, USN.

Training continued in the San Diego area along with our tasks of towing high speed targets for gunnery exercises conducted by ships of the fleet varying from destroyers to battleships. Towing a 60 ton target sled presented more problems than might be imagines. The target with up to 2000 yards of heavy wire cable, had a nasty habit of diving before reaching planned speed. If this happened, it would frequently wipe out the target structure of the sled, ruining the day for everyone.

Towing targets did have some interesting experiences, as happened one day when towing for the USS Iowa west of San Clemente Island. On the first salvo, the Iowa, from a range of about 20,000 yards, damages the target beyond repair, sutting the sled into two pieces. These large chunks of heavy timbers and steel presented a hazard to navigation and the Davison was ordered to stand by the wreckage until a salvage tug from San Diego arrived. This was another one of those days when we had expected to be home at a reasonable hour that afternoon, but instead arrived a couple of days late.

Occasionally when we had a towing commitment for the next day, and the target was in good condition, the ship would anchor at San Clemente Island. Local lobster fisherman would normally be in the area, and it was customary to buy or barter lobster for dinner.

On 21 January 1948, the Davison left San Diego for Seal Beach and San Pedro for training and to replenish ammunition supplies.

In early March. the Davison and the Quick made an overnight run to Seal Baech to obtain ammo and to train for the future Operation Sandstone, which was to be a nuclear bomb test at Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands. On 10 March, after having been fitted with various paraphernalia to accomodate the Naval Research Laboratories scientific personnel we were to carry, and a very thorough background investigation, the Davison and Quick left San Diego.

The trip to Pearl Harbor was uneventful, except for the fact that we were not making as much fresh water as we were expending. Even with very strict water rationing we were unable to provide enough water for our boiler consumption. Several times the Quick transferred fee water to us while enroute to Kwalalein. The Quick crew serenaded us with the popular song "Cool,Cool, Water".

Upon arrival at Kwajalein on 24 March, which was to be our base of operation for the next two months, we were able to tear down the evaporators for a complete inspection. It was found that the impeller in one of the pumps was installed backwards. After correcting this, it was a great relief to be self sufficient again.

On 4 April, the Davison and Quick left Kwajalein for practice runs to the assigned area for launching balloons after each nuclear explosion. Both ships arrived at Enewetak Atoll on 10 April, and left 12 April to take up their station for X-RAY, which occurred at 0617 15 April. This blast was on Enjebi Island, and was 37 KT at 200 foot altitude. Ballons were launched and we returned to Kwajalein 18 April.

On 20 April, Davison made a trip to supply the USS Pelican at Ailinglapalap Atoll. Again we left our station on 27 April, and were about 600nm from the blast which occurred at 0609 1 May. YOKE was a 49KT explosion at 200 feet on Aomon Island. Upon return to Kwajalein, we made another supply run to the Pelican on 7 May. On 12 May, we sailed again to our station for the ZEBRA bomb. At 0604 15 May, 18KT detonation took place on Runti Island at 200 feet.

After launching balloons, we got underway for Majuro Atoll to pick up equipment and to get some R and R. On 19 May we returned to Kwajalein prior to joining Task Group 7.3 in a convoy back to Pearl Harbor. After two days in Pearl Harbor, we sailed again with the Quick, and arrived back in San Diego 4 June 1948.

Note:: After many years of TOP SECRET classification, reports now reveal that the Davison, Quick, Pelican, Gull, and Swallow were part of Operation Fitzwilliam, a worldwide ataomic bomb detonation long range detection system. The Davison was one of 77 locations used to detect radiological, sonic, seismic, atmospheric conductivity, electromagnetic, and ionospheric effects of nuclear bombs. The final report of Operation Fitzwilliam has still not been released

On 6 November 1948, LCDR David Loomis was relieved by CDR Charles Johnson, USN, as commanding officer.

The Davison continued towing targets near San Clemente Island. On 10 January while stationed as airplane guard for the USS Bairoko CVE115, the first aircraft launched crashed into the ocean 800 yards ahean of the CVE. The Davison immediately changed course and hauled the pilot safely on board.

On 20 January, the Davison left San Diego for Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, WA. Steaming independently, she arrived at the base on 23 January. She remained in drydock until 4 March.

CDR Charles Johnson was ordered to report as CO of USS Arnold Isbell DD869, and was relieved by LT. Edward Flores, on 20 March 1949. The next day prior to getting underway for a trial run, a stow away was found on board. She was remove from the ship. After a successful performance and two months being refurbished, it was announced that the Davison would be placed in mothballs in San Diego.

Since she was located in Bremerton, the Navy supplied LCDR John Weiler as CO from 25 March until 30 March to take Davison to Dan Diego. Lt Flores then resumed command on 30 March 1949.

Shortly after arrival, she was placed in drydock to prepare the hull for storage and the long sleep in the harbor. On 3 May she was towed to berth 46, pier 2 alongside McCook at the US Naval Station, San Diego. The crew was slowly transferred off the ship until 24 June 1949 when the final 60 members left the ship. Ensign John McCabe was the last man of the ship. The USS Davison DMS37 was placed out of commission in reserve.

On 15 July 1955, Davison was reclassified DD618, and stricken from the Navy Register in the early 70's. She was sold along with Quick, McCook, Franks, Doran, and Knapp to Zidell Explorations, Inc., Portland, OR on 27 August 1973 for $726,000.

USS Davison received three battle stars for World War II service

This story was compiled by the USS Davison Association.

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