Log of the U.S.S. Hickox (DD673)

Monday 19 March 1945 0 to 2

Monday March 19 1945 2 to 6
Steaming as before. 0216-- Ceased zigzagging on zig leg 005°pgc, 001°psc. 0222-- Changed speed to 23 knots. 0255-- Resumed zigzagging in accordance with plan #6 (USF10A) base course 345°T. 0302-- Changed speed to 21 knots. 0302--Bogie reported in vicinity Task Group 58.2. Commander Task Group 58.2 directed all ships to set condition I on AA batteries; sent the ship to General Quarters. 0340-- Resumed zigzagging in accordance with plan #6 (USF10A). 0500-- Ceased zigzagging, changed course to 270°pgc, 265°psc. 0516-- Changed course to 330°pgc, 325°psc. 0530-- Changed course to 045°pgc, 040°psc; carriers commenced flight operations. 0535-- Changed course to 055°pgc, 050°psc. 0541-- Changed course to 065°pgc, 060°psc. 0543-- Changed speed to 23 knots. 0556-- Carriers completed flight operations. 0557-- Changed course to 250°pgs, 247°psc, changed speed to 17 knots.
R. F. STARZ, Lieut. (jg), U.S. Naval Reserve.

Monday March 19 1945 6 to 8
Steaming as before. 0602-- Formed cruising disposition 5VD. HICKOX taking station with guide FRANKLIN bearing 015°T-3200 yards. 0605-- LEWIS HANCOCK taking linking vessel between Task Groups 58.2 and 58.3. HICKOX equalizing station between heavy units. Guide now bearing 025°T-2800 yards distant. 0615-- Secured from General Quarters. 0634-- Changed speed to 18 knots, commenced zigzagging in accordance with plan #6 of USF10A. 0634-- Shifted steering motor and cable to port motor, starboard cable. 0648-- Changed course to 060°pgc, 055°psc, changed speed to 24 knots. 0653-- Carriers commenced flight operations. 0700-- Changed course to 070°pgc, 065°psc. Bogie reported bearing 350°T-10 miles distant. 0704-- FRANKLIN dive bombed by single enemy plane. Entire flight deck in flames. 0705-- Sounded General Quarters. FRANKLIN turning to the right. 0710-- HANCOCK assumed guide. 0715-- HICKOX proceeding to pick up survivors from FRANKLIN reported in the water. 0719-- HUNT and THE SULLIVANS rejoining formation from picket stations. 0720-- ComCruDiv 10 assumed tactical command of Task Group 58.2. 0722-- Task Group 58.2 Changed course to 345°T. 0730-- Heavy explosions observed aft of FRANKLIN. 0731-- Fire forward on FRANKLIN apparently under control. 0735-- Sighted number of men in the water on port beam. 0740-- Commenced recovery of FRANKLIN survivors from water. Gig lowered away to assist in rescue. 0747-- MILLER directed to go alongside FRANKLIN to render assistance.
W. F. JACOBS, Lieut., U.S. Navy.

Monday March 19 1945 8 to 12
Steaming as before on various courses and speeds in rescuing FRANKLIN survivors. 0810-- MILLER alongside FRANKLIN to remove personnel. 0843-- Moved ready ammunition in 5" guns #1 and #2 to handling rooms and ready ammunition from port 40mm guns to starboard 40mm guns in preparation to go alongside FRANKLIN. 0857-- MILLER away from alongside FRANKLIN. 0904-- HICKOX directed to continue rescue operations close astern of FRANKLIN. 1017-- SANTA FE alongside FRANKLIN fighting fires and removing personnel. 1020-- HICKOX proceeding to go close aboard FRANKLIN. 1040-- PITTSBURGH close aboard FRANKLIN port bow to commence towing operation. 1135-- HICKOX bow close aboard FRANKLIN stern, first line over to rig whip to remove wounded men. Number one mooring line over to FRANKLIN to setern for steadying line. 1140-- First man aboard in stretcher. 1146-- Second man aboard in stretcher. 1159-- Parted mooring line. Bull nose crushed into main deck, splitting main deck seam to frame #1 add opening a hole in stem about 8" long by 4", two feet below main deck.
W. W. POTTS, Lieut., U.S. Naval Reserve.

Monday March 19 1945 12 to 16
Steaming as before. 1202-- All lines cleared of FRANKLIN. 1205-- Placed bow alongside of after 40mm mounts of FRANKLIN, 3 men jumped aboard. 1207-- 3 men jumped aboard from FRANKLIN. 1210-- 7 men jumped aboard from FRANKLIN. 1212-- 2 men jumped from fantail of FRANKLIN to water, line secured to their waists, then they were hauled aboard. 1215-- Recovered last man from fantail of FRANKLIN. 1220-- SANTA FE leaving from alongside FRANKLIN. 1233-- HICOX, HUNT, TINGEY, and MARSHALL formed a rotating circular patrol screen on FRANKLIN, distance 3000 yards. Ship's boat alongside with 13 additional survivors. 1240-- Boat clear of water, survivors on board. 1257-- HICKOX opened fire on diving Japanese plane. 1258-- Japanese plane dropped one bomb, near miss, starboard side of FRANKLIN. 1259-- HICKOX lost suction on main line. 1301-- Ceased firing. 1303-- Combat air patrol destroyed attacking plane. 1305-- Unloaded three guns through muzzle on safe bearing. Ammunition expended 40 rounds 40mm, 51 rounds 20mm HET, 103 rounds 20mm HEI. 1401-- Secured forward plant to clean debris out of main condenser. 1408-- MILLER directed to go astern of FRANKLIN to put out fire. 1415-- Unidentified aircraft reported bearing 205°T-20 miles. 1435-- Opened fire on enemy plane. 1437-- Ceased fire. Expended 47 rounds 40mm, 64 rounds 20mm HET, 139 rounds 20mm HEI. 1453-- TINGEY directed to investigate object in water being circled by plane. 1503-- PITTSBURGH reports she has commenced towing FRANKLIN at 3 knots, building up speed slowly. 1512-- MILLER directed to furnish FRANKLIN with two rescue breathing masks. 1520-- TINGEY rejoined screen, reported unable to locate any survivors in investigated area. 1540-- Condensers repair completed, starboard engine operative. 1549-- PITTSBURGH reports she is making 6 1/4 knots through the water. Survivors rescued from water and FRANKLIN are listed as follows: Lieut. (jg) David L. GIBSON, 321122, USNR; Lieut. Peter Lawrence SHAEFER, 023724 USMC; 2nd Lieut. Ramson Ricoli TILTON, USMCR o28764; 2nd Lieut. Arthur O. SCHMAGEL, 031298 USMC; M/T/Sgt Melvin Robert BRYAN, 326738 USMC; T/Sgt. Erwin Robert Schwartz, 280265 USMC; Sgt. James Francis Hermann, 439774 USMC; Cpl. Eugene Joseph CAREY, 886204 USMCR; Pfc Henry J. DEMARAIS, 891531 USMCR; Pfc Gebhard John Appel, 531472 USMCR; Pfc Joseph J. Kane, 900815 USMC; AUSTIN, William P. 201 50 65 CEM, USN; GREGG, Robert Charles, 409 28 91 CBM, USNR; McGONICLE, Joseph James 650 10 07 07 CY(AA), USNR; WRIGHT, Harold Bell, 406 79 28, ACMM USNR; CARTWRIGHT, Lowery C., 266 07 07, EM1c USN; ANTON, Joe (n), 886 34 87, S1c USNR; BRETZ, Albert Charles, 611 90 58, WT3c USNR; BYESS, William David, 783 79 82 S2c USNR; BAGANAS, Nicholas George, 400 82 78AMM1c USN; BELANGER, George Henry, 607 45 79 RM2c USNR; COLE, Albert Richard, 386 87 94 F1c USN; COOPER, Leonard William Jr., 603 27 67 EM2c USNR; CODDINGTON, Paul Archer, 815 18 64 S1c USNR; BERLUCCHI, Gerald Louis, 209 09 58 S2c USN; DICKMAN, James Franklin, 612 44 96 S1c USNR; DAHADIE, John Gerald, 274 84 98 CM3c USN; DOLL, Wendel (n) 809 84 13 MM3c USNR; FANNELLI, Daniel Anthony, 807 42 70 MM3c USNR; FENTON, John Frederick, 808 16 77 S2c USNR; FOWLER, M. R., 577 22 23 S2c USNR; FREGIATO, Thomas (n) 941 75 53 S2c USNR; EASLEY, John William Jr. 671 46 81 S1c(AMM) USNR; FLINTGER, L. D., MM2c 234 25 79 USN; FADEBC, Frank Anthony, 614 33 25 EM2c USNR; HOATH, William Charles, 920 89 30 F1c USNR; HAUK, Chester Lawrence, 316 70 16 SF2c USNR; HOUSE, William Rex, 896 62 53 S1c USNR; GABLE, William Claude, 934 71 88 S2c USNR; GARRETT, Niles Donald, 556 88 66 F1c USNR; GERRITT, John Wegter, 863 12 75 F1c USNR; HRON, Elbert Richard, Jr., 726 78 96 S1c USNR; GAST, Thomas Richard, 250 81 62 AM2c USNR; KARPIK, Frank Edward 608 51 75 S2c USNR; LARSON, Raymond Ernest 643 12 48 AOM3c USNR; ISBELL, Bert Archie, 860 79 75 RM3c USNR; KOON, Willie Dawson, 552 29 59 S1c USNR; KEANE, James Patrick, 708 31 69 S1c USNR; JONES, Richard Fred, 784 31 69 S2c USNR; JENNINGS, Thomas Early, 753 59 84 S2c USNR; LEE, J. C., 305 88 83 AEM2c USN; KIRKMAN, Robert Joseph, SF3c, 813 67 24 USNR; KIRKPATRICK, James Glen 832 04 54 F1c USNR; INGRAM, James Russell, 829 04 54 S1c USNR; HENSEL, John Clifford, 800 52 22 AOM3c USN; MICHELSON, Edward (n) MC NUTT, Walter Scott, 653 41 17; [illegible]SON, William Francis, 801 63 74 S1c V-6; AOLSON, George W., 386 60 81 F1c USNR; [illegible]HIAS, Donald Ernest, 753 47 56, F1c USN; McKENNA, John Patrick, 822 97 83 GM3c USNR; MONYI, Michael Anthony, ARM3c 817 71 48 USNR. PHILLIPS, Geroge Edward, 312 70 57, MM3c USNR; PAULSON, Vincent Robert, 883 74 36, S1c USNR; PERIVOLARIS, M., 895 06 73 S2c USNR; REID, Edwin L., 635 08 85 MM2c USNR; SMEATON, Ernest Hayes, 898 56 75 S1c USNR; SOLTAN, Edward Alfred, 709 52 88 Cox. USNR; SMITH, Leonard Clarence, 556 72 98 MM2c USNR; SPITZER, J. D., 782 87 39, USNR; SHEPHERD, "A" "D", 783 80 95 S2c USNR; ROSE, Andrew Natalie, 726 48 40, EM2c USNR; REECE, Russell Francis, 376 47 12 WT1c USN; RAPOSA, Eugene William, 887 71 46, USNR; (S1c) STUART, James Merton, 941 80 57, S2c USNR; RYAN, William Joseph, 818 24 44 S2c USNR; RUX, Arthur Cara, 305 39 86 S1c USN; HANCOCK, Roy James, 557 45 72 S2c USNR; SMITH, Clarence W., 895 40 20 F1c USNR; RUSSELL, Charles Mason, 603 66 27 USNR; REID, Alfred Elvin, 650 45 48 EM2c USNR; RITTER, Harold, 802 64 45 S2c USNR; RODDA, Kenneth Fred, 300 33 25, SSML3c USNR; RUGGABER, Harry, 826 29 59 S1c USNR; VARRACHIO, Gerald Paul, 815 77 98 USNR S1c; VENTRIGLIA, Joseph Louis, 711 87 27 S2c USNR; TIDWELL, Luther Raymond, 975 88 24 S2c USNR; WOLOSHUN, John, 653 87 56 S1c USNR; WILSON, Llewellyn, 964 38 12 F2c USNR; WOJICK, Anthony J., SC1c; KRENSKE, James H., ACM.
S. S. DORNER, Lieut., U.S. Naval Reserve.

Monday March 19 1945 16 to 18
Steaming as before. 1645-- Commenced closing screen to circle 2.5, patrolling counter-clockwise. 1735-- Commenced closing screen in to circle 2. 1740-- MARSHALL leaving screening station and proceeding to investigate dye marker bearing 1 80°T distant 10 miles.
R. F. STARZ, Lieut. (jg), U.S. Naval Reserve.

Monday March 19 1945 18 to 22
Steaming as before. 1800-- Half masted colors following movementes of MARSHALL and MILLER. 1803-- MARSHALL recovered one man, is rejoining formation. 1805-- MILLER proceeding under stern of FRANKLIN to play water on small fire on after part of FRANKLIN. 1830-- Two-blocked colors. 1928-- Completed ballasting C-8 and C-9. 2001-- KIDD and BULLARD joining Task Unit 58.2.9. 2003-- MILLER rejoining screen. 2018-- Opened screen to circle 2.5. 2107-- TINGEY designated to assist PITTSBURGH in towing operations. 2110-- Secured from General Quarters. 2145-- KRENSKE, James Herbert, 639 88 84, GAM, USNR died of internal abdominal wounds. 2155-- STOCKHAM directed to take picket station when screen 56 is formed.
W. F. JACOBS, Lieut., U.S. Navy.

Monday March 19 1945 22 to 24
Steaming as before. 2210-- GUAM, ALASKA, DesDiv 96 minus KIDD and BULLARD plus TWINING and STOCKHAM joined formation. Forming Task Unit 58.2.9 composed of GUAM, ALASKA, FRANKLIN, SANTA FE, PITTSBURGH, DesDiv 104 less LEWIS HANCOCK plus TINGEY and MILLER, DesDiv 96, TWINING and STOCKHAM. O.T.C. is C.T.U. 58.2.9 (ComCruDiv 16) in GUAM. Commander Screen is ComDesDiv 96 in BLACK. Formed Anti-Submarine screen #59, HICKOX proceeding to screen station #1. PITTSBURGH is guide bearing 000°T-6000 yards from screen station #1. 2235-- HUNT leaving formation to take picket station bearing 310°T-10 miles from formation. 2239-- HICKOX at screen station #1. 2255-- BULLARD leaving screen to assist FRANKLIN in fighting fires. 2300-- GUAM, ALASKA, and SANTA FE taking assigned stations within screen. 2345-- BULLARD returning to screen, changed course and formation axis to 155°T. 2353-- Screen started rectangular anti-submarine patrol in clockwise direction on square, tangent to circle 6 with axis parallel and normal to formation axis and course.
W. W. POTTS, Lieut., U.S. Naval Reserve.

Approved: J. H. WESSON, Commander, U.S.N., Commanding

Examined: A. H. ANDERSON, Lieut., U.S.N.R., Navigator

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