RECOLLECTIONS

Bill Clancey 1987

“Sentimental Journey”

When I look back 45 years to my three years on the USS Swanson , many vivid memories pop into my mind.

My first trip on convoy duty to Casablanca had brought seasickness and frustration because I had used a direction finder in radio school and plotted a German sub for Mr. Purdy right smack in the middle of Egypt.

The invasion of Sicily was frightening . Being hit by the USS Roe, as were chasing what we believed to be German torpedo boats. After being rammed by the Roe, and lying dead in the water, brings great satisfaction when our #1 Gun, where I was stationed, and the other 5”/38 caliber guns shot down a German plane with the first few salvos, as it was gliding in to finish us off. I still remember with awe how the Maltese welded a plate on our side without having the sophisticated tools we had in our shipyards.

Our trip through the Panama Canal and our stay there to get a new propeller brings back the memories of going through the locks and the great liberty we had during the repairs.

The Pacific: Same war but different enemy. What I remember is the constant pressure as we went up the New Guinea Coast. The invasion of Hollandia where the Swanson was the flagship. We had General Eicheiberger on board as Commander of the invasion. The Captain gave up his Quarters and moved to the bridge. Jap planes came over and I ran into the Generals cabin and told him to get his hands off the light switch as his port holes were open. Later he thanked me and I did not have a heart attack for telling off a three star General.

Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands, an Island no one knew . We had 100 dog faces aboard for the invasion. We had 14 wounded brought back within 5 hours. On the way back the Jap Planes came and General Quarters was sounded. We had one G.I. with a bullet wound in his throat, who died within an hour after we secured from General Quarters. His body was transferred to the Army ashore. I have prayed for this G.I. for the last 45 years.

After leaving New Guinea and moving northward in the Pacific ocean as part of the screen for the fast carrier forces; picking up pilots and getting ice cream from the Carriers for every man we saved. I remember going close to Yap (which we never captured) and saving a Pilot who was stuck on the reef.

At Ulithi Atoll, I was in awe because over 1000 men-of-war were gathered there for the invasion of the Philippines. I remember going to confession as I had a premonition of doom. It never happened.

The Kamikazes were awesome. Thank God they went after the Carriers instead of our destroyer. When we went back to Pearl Harbor I was saddened seeing over 25 destroyers hit by these fanatic Pilots.

When the war ended, we were at Manila. I was on duty and copied the message telling us it was all over!

We were sent to Charleston , South Carolina for decommissioning and discharge. A Naval Photographer took a picture of our ship going under the Charleston Bridge, Chief Radioman, Fred Mann, (God rest his soul) signed my copy “Sentimental Journey”.