USS PC-552

The USS PC-552 in action. Courtesy of Mr. Kesnick
Career (United States)
Name:	USS PC-552
In service:	1942-1946
General characteristics
Class and type:	Class 461 Patrol Craft ("PC")
Notes:	Battle of the Atlantic, Battle of Normandy. Call sign: Nan - Baker - Uncle - Yoke

Nan

Baker

Uncle

Yoke

"Dare You To Say or Think You Do Not Feel" - NARA - 514103

"Never" - NARA - 515060

American World War II poster featuring an English soldier.

A sailor saluting war production: "I'm proud of you folks too!

Be with him at every mail call! (by Lejaren Hiller, Sr.)

The USS PC-552 was a World War II Patrol Craft ("PC") which was at the forefront of the naval efforts during the Normandy invasion. It served as convoy protection in the North Atlantic and as the primary control vessel for Fox Green sector of Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion.^[1] PC-552 was the first ship to reach Omaha Beach^[2] and it led the naval assault at the Battle of Normandy.

Patrol Craft

Patrol craft were 173 ft. long, had crews of 65 sailors and five officers, and were originally built for Anti-Submarine Warfare ("ASW"), convoy escort duty, and coastal patrols. In the European theater, they served as trans Atlantic convoy defense during the Battle of the Atlantic (1942-1943) until enough Destroyer Escorts ("DE") had been built to take over.^[2] Subsequently, they were used to patrol the coasts of Europe and designated as Patrol Control Craft ("PCC") to guide and control amphibious landings.^[2] From 07 Dec 1941 to 01 Oct 1945, a total of 315 steel PC's (PC-552 was a steel PC) and 444 wooden PC's were built. The wooden PC's were formally designated as SC's (Submarine Chasers) on 08 Apr 1943 to clear up confusion.^[3] Patrol craft were the smallest U.S. naval vessels in existence which could cross the Atlantic on their own power.^[4]

This is the symbol of the World War II Patrol Craft

Donald Duck Navy

Most sailors referred to the PC's as the "Donald Duck Navy." The origin of that epithet, "Donald Duck Navy", is obscure. An early use of the symbol of Donald Duck on a PC was by Jim Dickie, a Signalman on PC 564, which the Navy later named USS Chadron. He painted the "Fighting Donald Duck," on the starboard wing of the bridge. Similarly, the Storekeeper on PC 546 painted on his ship a Donald Duck as a sailor in the crow's nest. The Fighting Donald Duck, with his binoculars on the lookout for enemy submarines, with his depth charges ready to drop at a moment's notice, became the unofficial symbol of the Donald Duck Navy. It even made it to the letterhead of the Submarine Chaser Training Center at Miami, Florida.^[5]

Class of PC-552

PC 552 was a Class 461 ship. Class 461 Patrol Craft were built mainly for the US Navy from 1941 to 1944. This class was called Class 461 because the first one built was PC-461, which began the series. The first of the class to enter service was the PC-471.^[6] The class 461 was designed for rapid production in large numbers, to be effective anti-submarine vessels, and to relieve larger vessels from convoy duty. The U.S. Navy usually did not provide traditional names to PC's; the name of this ship was "PC-552".^[7] This PC class was considered seaworthy but bounced around on the water like no other craft. The PC's were a match for the enemy submarines when the submarines were submerged but the PC's were clearly outgunned in a surface battle. In such a case, the PCs' preferred tactic was to charge the submarine to ram it, before the submarine could bring its superior gun to bear.^[8] Class 461 Patrol Craft were designed to get most of their drinking water from an onboard distillation plant. Because of the violent pitching, the distillation plants of the PC's rarely worked. Consequently, the PC's were continuously plagued by a shortage of drinking water.^[9]

Specifications of Class 461

"We Can Do It!" by J. Howard Miller

• Displacement: 280 t.(lt), 450 t.(fl)
• Length: 173' 8"
• Beam: 23'
• Draft: 10' 10"
• Speed: 20.2 kts.
• Complement: 65
• Armament: One 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount, one 40mm gun mount, three 20mm guns, two rocket launchers, four depth charge projectors, and two depth charge tracks
• Propulsion: Two 1,440 bhp General Motors 16-258S diesel engines (Serial No. 6327 and 6328), Farrel-Birmingham single reduction gear, two shafts.^[10]

Of particular importance were the depth charge projectors, two on each side and two in the bow, which were used against submarines.

Launch of PC-552. Courtesy of Brooklyn Public Library (www.brooklyn.newspapers.com.)

US Navy commissioning pennant

Launch of PC-552

The USS PC-552 was launched the evening of 13 Feb 1942 from the Sullivan shipyard in Brooklyn, New York. This was the first night launch of the Third Naval District and done so that work could begin to work immediately on a sister ship, PC-553. A night launch was considered risky.^[11]

About 2,000 people attended the launch, about half of whom were the workers who built PC-552. Rear Admiral Adophus Andrews, Commandant of the Third Naval District and Commander of the North Atlantic coastal frontier said, "Everything connected with this war must be on a 24-hour basis. These night launchings should be the most common occurrence in the world. Not a minute should be wasted in getting out the ships and planes and supplies of every sort that are needed on our many fighting fronts."^[11]

The wind was biting and cold and the vessel was blessed by the Rev. Arthur R. Cummings, pastor of the R.C. Church of the Resurrection, Richman Hill. With him was the Rev. William J. Farrell, port chaplain in Brooklyn.^[11]

Grace Finley, 16, of 84-48 116th St., Richmond Hill, a junior at Richmond Hill High School and daughter of Leslie H. Finley, office manager of the Sullivan Company, smashed a bottle of champagne against the PC-552, which glided smoothly into the water. The keel of the next ship was laid immediately.^[11]

History of PC-552

• Built by: Sullivan Dry Dock and Repair Co. (Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.)
• Ordered: 01 Apr 1941
• Laid down: 20 May 1941
• Launched: 13 Feb 1942
• Commissioned: 28 Jul 1942
• Decommissioned: 18 Apr 1946
• Stricken: 05 Jun 1946
• Sold: 06 Dec 1946 to MARAD (MARitime Administration.) Ultimate fate unknown.^[10]

PC-552 was originally stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the period it patrolled the Atlantic coast, but after its transatlantic convoy duty, was stationed in Europe.

Unit Citations

Awards and citations the USS PC-552 received:

Presidential Unit Citation

The ship was awarded the The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) per Deck Log entry of 11 Nov 1942 (see "1942" below) This was awarded to units of the United States Armed Forces, and those of allied countries, for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 07 Dec 1941 (the date of the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the start of American involvement in World War II).

The USS PC-552 was almost certainly awarded a Battle Star or a Service Star although this has not been proven at this time. The PC-552 was damaged at the Battle of Normandy and this alone should have qualified such an award. Additionally, the ship participated in the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign which qualified. A Star was awarded to a crew member of the ship whose only combat deployment was on that ship so the ship should have received the same Star. Research continues.

Individual Medals

In addition to medals for unusual efforts, most men of the USS PC-522 probably received all of the following medals:

World War II Victory Medal

The World War II Victory Medal (United States) medal was awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippine Islands, who served on active duty, or as a reservist, between 07 Dec 1941 and 31 Dec 1946.

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal recognized those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) during the years of the Second World War.

American Campaign Medal

The American Campaign Medal recognized those military members who had performed military service in the American Theater of Operations during World War II. A similar medal, known as the American Defense Service Medal was awarded for active duty service prior to the United States entry into World War II. Some crew members received that medal, also.

In addition to these medals, crew members were eligible for other medals, as their efforts may have merited.

Lieutenant Spielman, Commander of the USS PC-552. (Captain at the time of this photo.)

Officers of PC-552

The following tables approximate the dates of office for each commanding officer (CO) and each executive officer (XO) of the USS PC-552. The sources for this information were the PC-552's Muster Rolls (see "Sources for information about crew in "Crew" section). Each Muster Roll was certified by the CO and XO by signature. When an officer first appears on the certification page, it means that officer took position some point on or before the date of that certification page, yet after the date of the previous one. As an example, Lt. Spielman first appears on the certification page as commander on 31 Mar 1945. His actual orders assigning him as commander were effective 28 Jan 1945.

Commanding Officers ("CO") and Executive Officers ("XO") of PC-552

Source: Certification page of PC-552's Muster Rolls.

Lieutenant Albert Bradley Moll, USNR. (1915-1964^[12])

Lieutenant James Samuel Spielman, USNR.^[10] (1920-1995)

Orders changing command

29 Jul 1942: “Lt Commander Sasse USN turned vessel over to Lt. Donald McVickar USNR as C.O."^[13]

28 Nov 1942: "Lt. J.R. Pilling, Jr. USNR relieved Lt. D. McVickar USNR as commanding officer in accordance with Commandant Fifth Naval District’s orders NH8/00/J-104365 dated November 17, 1942."^[14]

02 Oct 1943: "1300: Lieutenant J. Ross Pilling, USNR, in accordance with official letter from BuPers, turned over command of this vessel to Lt. (jg) Frank Pierce in presence of part of this vessel’s crew.^[15]

25 Aug 1944: 0900: "In accordance with COMPHIBSUKAY 232117B August 1944 and COMPHIBSUKAY 232115B August 1944, Lt. Frank E. PIERCE, 204832, USNR Commanding Officer, was relieved of command of the USSPC552 (sic), by Lt. Albert Bradley MOLL, 130991,USNR, Crew present at quarters."^[16]

"28 January 1945: At 1030A, this date, Lieut. James S. SPIELMAN, DE. USNR, 120014, relieved Lieut. A Bradley MOLL, D, USNR, 130991, as CO, USS PC-552 by authority of Orders of BuPers."^[17]

08 Apr 1946: 0810: "Lt (jg) Robert E. Gleason, DE USNR 340441 relieved Lieut. James S. Spielman as Commanding Officer of PC 552. BuPers dispatch 221640 dated March 1946."^[18]

Other officers

Officers came and went just as the crew members did. The PC-552 was allotted five officers, a CO, an XO, and three watch officers. Sometimes the watch officers had special duties such as gunnery officer or communications officer, sometimes they didn't. Patrol craft were informal. Many of the officers were promoted on the ship. For example, Lt. Moll came on board as the XO, rated LT. (jg); he was promoted to CO and Lt. Both Lt. (jg) T.F. Finucane and Lt. (jg) W.J. Shaw originally came on board as ensigns and watch officers. Other officers were transferred to other ships.

Crew of PC-552

The typical complement of a PC during World War II was sixty-five enlisted men and five commissioned officers. The initial number of officers and men for the PC's commissioned by the United States Navy was almost 24,000, yet a total of 50,000 actually served due to transfers, hospitalizations, etc.^[19] PC-552 was no different.

History of the crew members

Although the ship was commissioned 28 Jul 1942, the initial crew boarded 30 Jul 1942. Of the 55 members of the crew who boarded PC-552 initially, only 14 were present at D-Day. The rest of the crew were replacements. Those 14 crew members were:

Of those 14 crew members who boarded the ship initially, and who had participated on D-Day, only five sailed the PC-552 home in June 1945. These five crew members were:

Of all the crewmembers who boarded the USS PC-552 30 Jul 1942, only one stepped off the ship when she was decommissioned 18 April 1946: Boatswain's Mate Second Class (BM2c) George Clinton Sullivan, USN, who boarded with the rate of Able Seaman (AS). He had enlisted 05 May 1942 from New Haven, CT.^[20][21]

Crew of the USS PC-552. The date of this photograph certainly is before 07 March 1945 and may actually be 10 Aug 1942, when the Deck Log mentioned a photographer was taken on board to photograph the crew.

Crew members on D-Day

The following crew members were all on board the USS PC-552 on D-Day:

SUB SPOTTED. LET `EM HAVE IT. LEND A HAND. ENLIST IN THE NAVY. - NARA - 513663

Roland N. ("Nick") Stine, Jr. was officially a Radioman aboard the USS PC-552 but also served as Radarman and Gunner and was present at the Battle of Normandy.

This is the wedding picture of Pat Waldrop and Nick Stine, married 12 Jun 1946, two years to the month after D-Day. They went on to create a successful wildcat oil company and raise four children.

Crew statistics

This is a photo of German planes attacking the D-Day invasion force

Source for information about crew

"Muster Roll of the Crew of the U.S.S. PC 552 on the 30th day of June, 1944"

Unless otherwise noted, the sources for this information were all the "Muster Roll of the Crew of the U.S.S. PC 552", the "Report of Changes of U.S.S. PC 552", "the Recapitulation Sheet of the U.S.S. PC 552", and related personnel reports for the years 1942-1946, the naval life of the ship. These are stored in microfiche form at the National Archives and Records Administration. Naval ships were required to issue a Muster Roll each quarter and a Report of Changes monthly, and upon special events such as the commissioning of the ship, the decommissioning of the ship, or the end of a voyage. The Muster Rolls were instructed to be only a roster of the enlisted men although officer information was sometimes added. The Reports reported changes in the crew such as transfers, promotions, arrivals, hospitalization, etc. These were compiled by the yeoman, essentially a clerk/typist, and thus influenced by the experience and thoroughness of the yeomen. During the commission of the ship, there were six sailors who served as Yeoman. In particular, the Muster Rolls for 30 Jun 1943 and 30 Sep 1943 had to be interpreted. These reports were then signed by the ship's executive officer (nine during the life of the ship), who was personally responsible for them, and the ship's commander, who approved them. One can still see the pencil tic marks and the tears fixed with scotch tape.

In the December of 1944, PC-552 quit requiring the date and place of enlistment, and did not always require this before which explains the blanks in the table above.

Rates of crew members

The rates of enlisted men in a typical PC crew were:

These are the insignias of the US Navy rates and ratings.

    Boatswain (BM)
    Ship's Cook (SC)
    Coxswain (COX)
    Electrician (ELEC, EM)
    Fireman (F)
    Gunner's Mate (GM)
    Motor Machinist's Mate (MoMM)
    Pharmacist's Mate PhM)
    Quartermaster (QM)
    Radarman (RD)
    Radioman (RM)
    Seaman (SEA)
    Shipfitter (SF)
    Signalman SM)
    Soundman (SoM)
    Officer's Steward (SD)
    Storekeeper (SK)
    Yeoman (Y)[22]

Verified Deployments of PC-552

1942

U.S. Navy World War II Ship Clock. Note that under the 1 of this clock is a 13.

Military time is the same as civilian time, except the military uses a 24 hour clock to prevent confusion. For example, 01:00 am is 0100 ("zero one hundred hours"); 01:00 pm is 1300 ("thirteen hundred hours"). Thus, the USS PC-552 was turned over to Lieutenant McVickar at 1410 hrs or 02:10 pm.

Summary of 1942

The USS PC 552 was commissioned on 29 Jul 1942. The first few months were spent shaking down the ship, calibrating the engines, steering communication, guns, etc. The next month was spent training against American submarines. The first combat mission was in September during which the ship engaged with suspected German submarines. For most of the remainder of the year, the ship screened convoys between Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, berthing primarily at both places. There were several contacts with suspected enemy submarines which were attacked vigorously but no proof of destruction (Deck Log of USS PC-552).

Venezuela was a critical source of oil for the Allies, which was refined in Aruba, then carried to the East Coast, then transferred across the Atlantic. German submarines were very active in the Caribbean, attempting to disrupt this flow. It was the PC-552's job to protect these convoys.

President Roosevelt responding to Pearl Harbor

Ship is commissioned

The tanker "Dixie Arrow", torpedoed off Cape Hatteras by U-71 on 26 March 1942 during the height of the Second Happy Time. The Second Happy Time, or the American Shooting Season, was the informal name given by German submariners for a phase in the Second Battle of the Atlantic during which Axis submarines attacked merchant shipping along the east coast of North America. The Second Happy Time lasted from January 1942 to about August of that year. American defense measures were weak and disorganized, and the U-boats were able to inflict massive damage with impunity, often in sight of Americans on the beaches helpless to do anything about it. During this period, Axis submarines sank 609 ships totaling 3.1 million tons with the loss of thousands of lives, mainly those of merchant mariners, against a loss of only 22 U-boats. This was roughly one quarter of all shipping sunk by U-boats during the entire Second World War. See Wikipedia article: Second Happy Time

This was the reason for the urgent need for patrol craft such as the USS PC-552. The USS PC-552 was among those which turned the tide.

29 Jul 1942: "1410 hours: Lt Commander Sassley^[23] USN turned vessel over to Lt. Donald McVickar USNR as C.O. Ship was commissioned as USS PC 552 and colors hoisted. The following were guests abroad during commissioning ceremonies: Captain Paul P. Blackburn USN (Ret), Mrs. J. R. Birmingham, Dr. Dave (?) W. Fuller, Mrs. William Carr, Mrs. E. Kennedy, Mrs. B Campbell, Mrs. V.D. Cutting, Miss A Cutting, Mr. F.C. Fisher, Mr. H.L. McVickar, Mrs. Donald McVickar, Mrs. H. C. Taylor, Miss C. Moss, Mr Feunie, Mr. E.A. Stern."^[13]

Jul 1942: Most of crew was boarded.^[13]

10 Aug 1942: Photographer taken on board to photograph crew.^[24]

Shake down cruises and training

"Keep these hands off" - NARA - 513550. What American fighting man would not respond to this?

12 Aug 1942: First cruise, around New York Harbor. Ammunition loaded.^[24]

Aug 1942: Lots of testing guns, compass, engines, etc. Many minor repairs and adjustments. Minor excursions, at first around Sullivan Dry Dock, which built the ship, then to Tompkinsville, Staten Island to berth, then to New York Harbor, Oyster Bay, and Boston, MA to take on more ammunition. The ship finished the month berthed in Boston.^[24]These series of cruises were preliminary trials while the trip to the Boston Navy Yard was for final equipment installation.^[23]

07 Sep 1942: To Provincetown, MA to test engines, steering, and communication. Returned to Boston the next day.^[25]

11-15 Sep 1942: To New London, CT and Cold Springs Harbor for training operations^[23] against American submarines. Returned to Tompkinsville 15 Sep 1942.^[25]

First encounter with the enemy

20 Sep 1942: First real convoy escort^[23] patrol.^[25]

21 Sep 1942: Made contact with submarine and attacked. Dirty water observed.^[25]

22 Sep 1942: Made contact again. Attacked twice with help of airplane. Oil slick observed. No proof of successful attack.^[25]

27 Sep 1942: Arrived at new berth at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. End of first combat patrol.^[25]

Convoy duty

29 Sep 1942: Out to sea again.^[25]

07 Oct 1942: Arrived in Tompkinsville to pick up more crew.^[26]

Convoy duty

11-18 Oct 1942: Zigzagged with convoy to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[26]

20 Oct 1942: To Santiago de Cuba.^[26]

21 Oct 1942: Return to Guantanamo Bay. Made contact with submarine at 0946 and fired upon it. Lost contact at 1010. Arrived at Guantanamo Bay.^[26]

Convoy duty

23 Oct 1942: Underway for Tompkinsville.^[26]

29 Oct 1942: Made contact twice but lost it without firing.^[26]

30 Oct 1942: Arrived in Tompkinsville.^[26]

Convoy duty

04 Nov 1942: Left for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in a zigzagging convoy.^[14]

Presidential Citation

11 Nov 1942: Arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "1629. Quarters for muster. Ship’s company inspected by Commanding Officer. Presentation of Silver Star Medal to Robert B. Christensen, Shipfitter, Second Class, and announcement of Presidential Citation." (no more details provided).^[14]

13 Nov 1942: To Santiago, Cuba and berthed.^[14]

14 Nov 1942: Left for and arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[14]

Convoy duty

The deck log of the USS PC 552 for 23 November 1942 in which a running encounter (six and one-half hours) with a suspected German submarine is described.

15 Nov 1942: Left with zigzagging convey bound for Tompkinsville.^[14]

23 Nov 1942: Made contact with suspected enemy submarine. From 1220 to 1850 (six and one-half hours), a running battle. Two major attacks by ship with help of HMS Halifax and airplane. Multiple depth charges dropped by all. No proof of success.^[14]

24 Nov 1942: Arrived at Tompkinsville.^[14]

New commanding officer

28 Nov 1942: "Lt. J.R. Pilling, Jr. USNR relieved Lt. D McVickar USNR as commanding officer in accordance with Commandant Fifth Naval District’s orders NH8/00/J-104365 dated November 17, 1942."^[14]

Convoy duty

18 Dec 1942: Cast off to screen patrol in zigzag course. Contact at 1037. Dropped two depth charges. Lost contact.^[27]

25 Dec 1942: Arrived and berthed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[28]

Convoy duty

28 Dec 1942: Left Guantanamo Bay screening a zigzagging convoy.^[28]

1943

Summary of 1943

The USS PC-552 performed protection for convoys going from New York (berthed at Tompkinsville) to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and back. For the most part, serious maintenance was performed at Tompkinsville^[23] such as replacing guns. Tompkinsville was also the main source for ammunition and new personnel. The first half of the year was similar to how 1942 was: periodic contacts with potential enemy submarines resulting in instant attacks by the USS PC-552, great care given to zigzagging convoys, detailed deck log entries, etc. These were anxious, serious men at an anxious, serious task. The last half of the year, the convoys became routine. There were no contacts with potential enemies, there were less frequent convoys, and the deck log entries became cursory. Often, not even the name of the mooring station was mentioned. It apparently was obvious to all at the time where they berthed although not to us, reading the deck log entries now.

While on convoy patrol, PC-522 is believed to have killed a Nazi submarine on 15 May 1943 at 2300 hours.^[29] The ship was given credit for a possible kill in company with another PC^[23] (not clear this is the same incident).

Oil tanker Pedernales. Torpedoed by German submarines 16 Feb 1942 as part convoy of oil tankers bound for refineries in Aruba and Curaçao.

After Italy blocked passage from the Middle East, Venezuela was the most important source of oil for Britain. Additionally, there were major refineries at Curaçao (largest in the world), Trinidad, and Aruba. The United States had large refineries in the Gulf of Mexico. Also, bauxite, for making aluminum, vital for aircraft production, came from the Guianas. It was vital for the Allies that these materials reached Britain and the German U-boats actively campaigned against this. (Source: Wiki article: “Battle of the Caribbean”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Caribbean).

Supplies were initially convoyed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, then to the American east coast, then across the Atlantic. The convoy route from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to New York was designated the GN route. The return trip was NG. (Source: Wiki article: “List of Allied convoy codes during World War II”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Allied_convoy_codes_during_World_War_II).

The USS PC-552’s job was initially to clear the U-boats from the east coast, then to patrol around Florida to prevent U-boats from slipping into the Gulf of Mexico and to convoy this material north.

04 Jan 1943: Arrived and berthed at Tompkinsville.^[30]

Convoy duty

11 Jan 1943: Left Tompkinsville screening zigzagging convoy.^[30]

Typical Convoy Diagram

General Quarters sounded. Convoy member boarded

17 Jan 1943: 1420. Sounded general quarters. Prepared boarding party. Boarded #33 in convoy at 1527. Boarding party remained on #33.^[30]

18 Jan 1943: Retrieved boarding party. Arrived and berthed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[30]

19 Jan 1943: Left Guantanamo Bay on special sea detail. Set special sea detail at 1305 (no explanation of what this means). Returned to Guantanamo Bay.^[30]

Convoy duty

21 Jan 1943: Cast off for sea duty. Zigzagging convoy protection.^[30]

Enemy contact

22 Jan 1943: At 340, picked up good contact of enemy submarine. Dropped several depth charges. Noticed only smell of fish oil, afterwards.^[30]

27 Jan 1943: Arrived at Tompkinsville, Staten Island. Moored. Many sailors released on leave.^[30]

Convoy duty

Dr. Seuss cartoon supporting the trans-Atlantic convoy. He began to draw cartoons for the Treasury and the War Production Board

7 Feb 1943: Cast off for sea and made underway to protect zigzagging convoy.^[31]

14 Feb 1943: Arrived at Guantanamo Bay.^[31]

Convoy duty

17 Feb 1943: Cast off from Guantanamo Bay to accompany zigzagging convoy.^[31]

26 Feb 1943: Arrived at Tompkinsville and moored. Significant inspections. Passed all.^[31]

Convoy duty

11 Mar 1943: Cast off and made way to sea. Screened zigzagging convoy.^[32]

17 Mar 1943: Arrived at Key West, FL and moored.^[32]

Convoy duty

22 Mar 1943: Cast off and made to sea to screen zigzagging convoy.^[32]

28 Mar 1943: Arrived at Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York.^[32]

Convoy duty

02 Apr 1943: Cast off for special sea detail. Zigzagging convoy.^[33]

09 Apr 1943: Arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[33]

Convoy duty

12 Apr 1943: Cast off for new sea detail. Rendezvous with American submarine for training.^[33]

13 Apr 1943: Returned to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[33]

Convoy duty

14 Apr 1943: Cast off to protect new convoy, zigzagging, as always.^[33]

Enemy contact

15 Apr 1943: Possible contact with enemy submarine. Depth charges dropped. No evidence of success.^[33]

20 Apr 1943: Possible contact with enemy submarine three times outside New York harbor. Contact attacked by ship each time.^[33]

20 Apr 1943: Arrived at Tompkinsville.^[33]

Important events

30 Apr 1943: Obviously important events:

              "1405: Received aboard from Grimshaw's Confectionary, candy, soap + gum."  
              "1503: Received aboard from Maritime Tobacco Co., cigarettes + book matches."[33]

Convoy duty

02 May 1943: Cast off for sea.^[34]

09 May 1943: Arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[34]

Convoy duty

14 May 1943: Got under way as ordered. Various courses and speeds.^[34]

22 May 1943: Arrived at Tompkinsville.^[34]

Convoy duty

06 Jun 1943: Cast off for sea detail.^[35]

13 Jun 1943: Arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[35]

Convoy duty

16 Jun 1943: Cast off for sea detail.^[35]

24 Jun 1943: Arrived at Tompkinsville.^[35]

Somebody blabbed

Convoy duty

06 Jul 1943: Ship underway for special sea duty.^[36]

13 Jul 1943: Ship moored at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[36]

Convoy duty

14 Jul 1943: Ship underway.^[36]

19 Jul 1943: Moored at Tompkinsville.^[36]

Convoy duty

22 Jul 1943: Cast off, underway.^[36]

29 Jul 1943: Moored at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[36]

Convoy duty

02 Aug 1943: Cast off, underway.^[37]

07 Aug 1943: Arrived at Tompkinsville.^[37]

Convoy duty

10 Aug 1943: Underway.^[37]

11 Aug 1943: Moored.^[37]

A careless word... A needless loss. (by Anton Otto Fischer)

Convoy duty

13 Aug 1943: Underway.^[37]

15 Aug 1943: Moored.^[37]

Convoy duty

17 Aug 1943: Set special sea detail and underway.^[37]

23 Aug 1943: Moored at Tompkinsville. Received new guns and plenty of ammunition.^[37]

Convoy duty

09 Sep 1943: Underway.^[38]

15 Sep 1943: Moored.^[38]

Guantanamo Bay, 1943. A painting by Stephen Crane Hill--from the Navy Historical Art Collection

Convoy duty

19 Sep 1943: Underway.^[38]

28 Sep 1943: Moored.^[38]

New commanding officer

02 Oct 1943: "1300: Lieutenant J. Ross Pilling, USNR, in accordance with official letter from BuPers, turned over command of this vessel to Lt. (jg) Frank Pierce in presence of part of this vessel’s crew."^[15]

Convoy duty

05 Oct 1943: Underway.^[15]

11 Oct 1943: Moored at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.^[15]

Convoy duty

16 Oct 1943: Set special sea detail. Underway.^[15]

World War II poster exhorting America to get the supplies across to Britain.

The Allied UG Convoy System

The UG convoys were a series of east-bound trans-Atlantic convoys from the United States to Gibraltar (UG) carrying food, ammunition, and military hardware to the United States Army in North Africa and southern Europe during World War II. These convoys assembled in Hampton Roads near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay and terminated in various North African locations as Axis forces retreated from 1942 through 1945. They were sequentially numbered. Return convoys were known as "GU". Convoy speed was limited by the speed of the ships being convoyed and convoys were designated either Fast ("F") or Slow ("S"). Slow convoys usually traveled about 8 or 9 knots per hour. Source: Wikipedia article: UG convoys

The USS PC-552 was responsible for escorting a number of ships collectively known as UGS 28 to the assembly point at Hampton Roads, VA. From there, it joined a bigger convoy designated UGS 29. It split off from the convoy south west of the Azores and continued on to the Azores as part of Task Force 62.9.It then split again as Task Force 120.2 delivering landing craft to England in anticipation of D-Day.

24 Oct 1943: Moored. (Tompkinsville?).^[15]

Convoy duty

29 Oct 1943: Castoff-Underway.^[15]

04 Nov 1943: Moored.^[39]

Convoy duty

09 Nov 1943: Cast off all lines and underway.^[39]

17 Nov 1943: Moored.^[39]

Convoy duty

28 Nov 1943: Cast off and underway.^[39]

Note: December 1943 Deck Log has been lost.

17 Dec 1942: The ship arrived into New York from her last trip from Guantanamo Bay as she had been selected to go to France.^[23]

Preparing to cross the Atlantic

21–31 Dec 1943: Left Tomkinsville, Staten Island, New York in the company of Destroyer Escorts (DE) 181, 318, and 225 and the PC's 553 and 1225 to escort the convoy New York Section UGS 28 (United States to Gibraltar-Slow) to Norfolk, Virginia.^[40]

25 Dec 1943: PC-552 was placed in drydock #1 to have bottom scraped and painted, then berthed.^[40]

1944

Summary of 1944

During this phase of the war, PC-552 protected a convoy across the Atlantic as the Western Allies built up the naval fleet in anticipation of the Normandy invasion. It then patrolled the European theatre coasts and was based in Dartmouth, Devon, Plymouth, and Falmouth, Britain, then after D-Day, in Cherbourg, France.^[41] On D-Day, it served as the control vessel for Omaha Beach. Starting December 1943, there was a renewed interest and urgency aboard the USS PC-552. There was an immediate return to the emphasis of zigzagging convoys and meticulous entries to the deck log. Things were serious again. All seemed to know this was the beginnings of the big show, with D-Day being the biggest. It is clear from reading the documents all knew D-Day was to be the deciding event of the 20th century, and that the transatlantic crossing was the prelude to that deciding event.

It was not all over after D-Day. The Germans continued to strafe and lay mines the remainder of the year. The Channel Islands were still held by the Germans which served as a military base from which to launch attacks. There still was a concern regarding enemy submarines.

The first trans Atlantic crossing to England

05 Jan 1944: Orders came in January for the move to England. PC-1225, along with PC-552 and PC-553 and several DE's, escorted a large, slow-moving convoy across the Atlantic.^[42]as Task Force 69 for the United Kingdom.^[23] The convoy was UGS-29 and consisted of 53 merchant ships, the army tug LT (Large Tug) 221. the LST's (Landing Ship, Tank) 22, 8, and 44, the LCI's (Landing Craft, Infantry) 493-503, and the carrier USS Guadalcanal with escorts.^[40]The crossing was very rough.^[23]

15 Jan 1945: Broke off main convoy approximately 527 miles southwest of Ponta Delgada, the Azores, as Task Force 62.9. This task force included the LCI's (Landing Craft, Infantry) 493-503 escorted by the PC's 552, 553, and 1225 and headed to Horta, Fayel, the Azores. Ship's evaporator broke down and ship was with little fresh water.^[40]

17 Jan 1944: Berthed at Horta, Fayel, the Azores, where the PC-552 remained because of intense weather.^[40]

22 Jan 1944: Left Horta as part of Task Group 120.2 which included as additional escorts, the PC's 553 and 1225. Vessels escorted were the LCI's 493-502. The convoy was bound for the Tamer River, Dartmouth, Devon but was seriously delayed by the weather. There were several false alarms but the convoy arrived without incident.^[40]

The USS PC-552 in heavy seas. Courtesy of Mr. Kesnick

27 Jan 1944: Berthed in the Tamer River, Saltash, England.^[40]

"This was their (crew and officers') first look at open warfare as they witnessed the German bombings of England's south coast."^[23](Ship's History).

European duties commence

10 Feb 1944: First European sea duty commenced. Purpose was to test engines and armament.^[43]

12 Feb 1944: Return to Plymouth, England.^[43]

Feb 1944: PC-552 berthed in the River Dart, as well as Falmouth, Cornwall. Twice, an air raid was sounded at which the ship sounded General Quarters. The ship was secured from General Quarters both times without incident.^[43] The ship escorted traffic around the English coast as well as protected troop during landing exercises, usually in conjunction with PC's 553 and 1225.^[44] ===== Death from military exercises =====

USS PC-552
46th United States Secretary of the Navy
In office July 11, 1940 – April 28, 1944
President	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by	Charles Edison
Succeeded by	James V. Forrestal
Personal details
Born	William Franklin Knox January 1, 1874 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died	April 28, 1944(1944-04-28) (aged 70) Washington, D.C., United States
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Annie Reid Knox
Alma mater	Alma College
Profession	Publisher
Religion	Congregationalist
Military service
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1898, 1917–1919
Rank	Major
Battles/wars	Spanish–American War Battle of Las Guasimas Battle of San Juan Hill World War I

Frank Knox

Mar 1944: More routine coastal escorting, military exercises, and some patrols in coastal waters, usually in the company of PC's 553 and 1225.^[45] Lots of landing and screening exercises. Two soldiers wounded (11 Mar 1944) during exercises and treated by flotilla medical officers: Sgt. Poriotos (hit in left arm by shrapnel) and Private First Class McGirts (hit in back by shrapnel), both of the 16th Infantry. Private McGirts later died.^[46] Most of the time, when not active, berthed in Dartmouth, England, near the Oiler HMS Berta.^[46]

"As spring grew into summer, the tension became greater and officers and men were confident that the ship they had made ready and trained aboard would do her bit when the fateful day arrived." (Ship's History).^[23]

A distant battle. Secretary of the Navy died.

This is the U.S. Navy's 352 page plan for supporting D-Day.

This is a complete plan for the ships of the Western Naval Task Force 122. It includes information on how the ships were to come together, how to get ammunition, order of assaulting waves, what to do with the dead, etc.....

"The assault is to be pressed home with relentless vigor regardless of loss or difficulty."
"Exploit every advantage gained to the end that unexpected opportunity will not be lost." NOWTF Neptune Monograph, Page 7 of 12.

The USS PC-552's call sign was "5Baker8".

27-28 Apr 1944: During the late evening and early morning ship observed sporadic gunfire and illumination fire.^[47]

29 Apr 1944: 0810: "Executed colors at half mast in memory of the Secretary of the Navy and for the dead resulting from the engagement with German E-boats of April 27–28."^[48] Apr 1944: Yet more coastal escorting, screening, patrolling, and military assault and landing exercises, often with PC 553 and PC 1225.^[47] Three air raids were sounded in April while the ship was berthed.^[48]

May 1944: Continued prophetic military exercises consisting of assaults, landings, and escort duty.^[49]

27 May 1944: The USS PC-552 was involved with a practice operation which turned out to be a dress rehearsal for D-Day.^[23] While escorting a convoy during a period of zero visibility due to weather, PC-552 collided with LCT (R) (Landing Craft, Tank) 439. PC-552 stayed with LCT 439 all day, then entered port at Dartmouth when instructed to do so.^[49]This incident temporarily shattered the men's hopes.^[23]

28–31 May 1944: Board of Investigation came to inspect the damage. The ship was repaired. It was the mundane before the storm.^[49]

01-03 Jun 1944: Ship repaired.

D-Day

The is a copy of the actual Deck Log of the USS PC-552 on 06 June 1944, D-Day.

From: Naval Commander, Western Task Force. To: All Hands. Subject: Coming Events (D-Day). 27 May 1944. Courtesy of William Kesnick

Map of the invasion area showing channels cleared of mines, location of vessels engaged in bombardment, and targets on shore

04 Jun 1944: PC-552 took on all supplies and arrived at Poole Bay to be berthed alongside PC-553. Operation Overlord (battle plans for the invasion of Normandy) were received from the USS Samuel Chase. Immediate action to understand, in the limited time available, Operation Overlord. PC-552 proceeded to her assigned station in Poole Bay and anchored at 2209.^[50]

From: Naval Commander, Western Task Force

To: ALL HANDS

Subject: Coming Events

"... In this force there are battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. There are hundreds of landing ships and craft, scores of patrol and escort vessels, dozens of special assault craft. Every man in every ship has his job. And these tens of thousands of men and jobs add up to one task only - to land and support and supply and reinforce the finest Army ever sent to battle by the United States. In that task we shall not fail. I await with confidence the further proof, in this the greatest battle of them all, that American sailors are seamen and fighting men second to none."^[51]

USS PC-552 in rough seas. This picture was taken on D-Day. It shows how rough the seas were. Note the white caps. Courtesy of William Kesnick. "I was only nineteen."

It begins

05 Jun 1944: The ships were kept in the dark about the actual timing of the invasion. "The secrecy surrounding the whole thing was uncanny."^[23]As the ships began to congregate, the crew did not know whether this was the real thing or another rehearsal. AS the number of ships poured in, it soon became obvious.^[23] PC-552 began rounding up task force at 0222B and was underway by 0320B. Task force rendezvoused with main assault group at 0930B. Weather was very rough and several ships had trouble keeping station. USS LCT (A) 2043 reported its engine room flooding and was in serious difficulty. PC-552 passed over her only emergency portable pump and the ship was able to continue. At 2225B, ship received an S.O.S from the USS LCT (A) 2229. Ship was taking on moderate seas and was unable to jettison its cargo of tanks. PC-552 took on the Army personnel and the ship was able to survive by leaving station. Convoy proceeded on.^[50]

"It was not until several months later that the men talked of their humble feelings on that day when they learned that the time for invasion had actually come."^[23](Ship's History).

06 Jun 1944: PC-552 arrived in transport area off the coast of France at 0300B. Ship came to general quarters at 0332. At 0340, PC-552 synchronized watches with the USS Samuel Chase, then proceeded to her assigned station 4,000 yards from the beach at 0409B. As the USS PC-552 left the USS Samuel Chase, the Chase said over the loud hailer, "Good luck PC 552. Take your station."^[23] Ship proceeded down the swept, buoyed channel, then to her designated line of departure at 0459B. PC-522 buoyed her line of departure for Fox Green beach, then took up station as the Fox Green beach Patrol Control Craft ("PCC").

LCVP landing craft put troops ashore on Omaha Beach

6 Jun 1944: As Patrol Control Craft, PC-552 guided and controlled the invasion of Fox Green sector of Omaha Beach, Normandy. There were 18 patrol control craft in total at Normandy organized as PC Squadron One.^[52] During the Battle of Normandy, all PC's were under intense 50 cal. and artillery fire.^[1] PC-1261 was sunk with a significant loss of life by a direct hit by 88 artillery after being bracketed.^[53]

06 Jun 1944: At 0530, first wave of attackers approached, the 741 Tank Battalion (DD (duplex drive) Sherman amphibious tanks destined for the eastern half of Omaha, guided by LCC-20). At 0542, the first wave was dispatched.^[50] "At 06.41 Patrol Craft 552 observing the beaches reported back to the USS Chase-'entire first wave foundered.^[54] (Unfortunately on D-Day the waves were too high and many DDs destined for Omaha were swamped and sank while still well off shore. On other beaches the commanders realized the danger and brought their DDs much closer inshore before launching allowing them to reach the shore.)^[55] PC-552 spent the next 45 minutes picking up survivors.^[42] PC-552 watched many of the soldiers drown in front of them, helpless to do anything about them. Lieutenant Pierce's official report is below.

The ship was known as "Rustbucket 552" on the radio circuits. "On this historic day, all hands experienced for the first time, the terrible din of constant gunfire from shore, seaward, and from the air."^[23] (Ship's History).

06 Jun 1944: Ship became focus of enemy artillery fire and was bracketed and within moments of being hit. An American destroyer from the gunfire support group reduced the enemy installation before it could fire for effect. PC-552 continued picking up drowning men while under heavy enemy fire. The men picked up were:

  Name                   Rank     Unit                   Name                  Rank     Unit
  Clements, Harold R.     T-4     741 Tank Battalion     Hulsey, Woodrow       T-5     741 Tank Battalion 
  Henkelman, Leonard      Sgt.    741 Tank Battalion     Melanson, Gerard      T-5     741 Tank Battalion
  McGowan, John R.        Pfc.    741 Tank Battalion     Metzger, Donald R.    Pfc.    741 Tank Battalion
  Johnson, Herman R.      Cpl.    741 Tank Battalion     Hutton, Gale          Pvt.    741 Tank Battalion
  Covington, John H.      2nd Lt. 741 Tank Battalion     Linguina, Vincent     1st Lt. 741 Tank Battalion
  Caccavoni, Frank J.     Pfc.    741 Tank Battalion     Norwood, Clayton      Cpl.    741 Tank Battalion
  Crisler, Norman         Sgt.    741 Tank Battalion

Picked up already dead were:

  Name                   Rank     Unit                   Name                  Rank     Unit
  Domenighini, Elmo       Unk      Unk                    Belcher, D.           Pjx.     SMN GEGC

Transferred from the PA 45-25:

  Name                   Rank     Unit                   Name                  Rank     Unit
  Slodkowski, Walter     Cpl.     741 Tank Battalion     Greenside, Norman J.  Cpl.     741 Tank Battalion

"Some of those taken from the sea brought death aboard the ship for the first time."^[23] (Ship's History).

Omaha Beach wounded soldiers, 1944-06-06 P012901. Soldier from the 1st U.S. Infantry Division stares at the camera as he is surrounded by injured comrades near Omaha Beach. He has been identified as Nicholas Fina, who lived in Brooklyn, New York. (http://www.historybyzim.com/2013/06/d-day-in-pictures-part-ii/#jp-carousel-6071)

Some soldiers were so weak from exposure, sailors from PC-552 were required to be lowered by rope to the water to place ropes around the soldiers to pull them from the water. Those soldiers did not have the strength to raise their arms to grab hold of the rope.^[50]

How Omaha Beach looked during the afternoon of 06 Jun 1944

06 Jun 1944: 1620: Received order advising all further tank landings to occur at Fox Green Beach.^[56]

06 Jun 1944: PC-552's SCR 609 radio did not work and there was no communication with the beach master on Fox Green beach, which was under heavy mortar and small arms fire. Ship was relieved of control duties at 1758B and commenced screening operations.^[50]

06 Jun 1944: At the close of D-Day, 1740B, PC-552, along with the rest of PC Squadron One, was assigned to patrol the "Dixie Line", a ring of ships to protect the capital ships and transports from submarines and E-boats.^[50]

Normandy Invasion, June 1944

07–08 Jun 1944: Ship attacked by, and responded to, enemy aircraft.^[56] Ship engaged in routine combat duties, including control of Fox Green beach.^[50]

American soldiers recover the dead after D-Day

09 Jun 1944: Continued same duties. Ship engaged enemy aircraft with her full armament at 2339B and experienced near bomb misses close to the stern.^[50]

10–19 Jun 1944: Enemy planes again engaged at 0348B on 11 June 1944 and at 0342B on 13 June 1944.^[56] At 1835B on 14 June 1944, fired upon a DUKW loaded with Teller mines (German anti-tank mines). Ship exploded and sank. PC-552 remained in the vicinity of Fox Green beach.^[50]

19–22 Jun 1944: Ship lost anchor at 1326B on 19 June 1944 and was forced to ride out a gale until the gale was over. The anchor was then replaced from a cannibalized craft.^[50]

23–26 Jun 1944: Served as dispatch vessel.^[50]

28 Jun 1944: 1432: Recovered body of Thomas M. Stamm, US Navy and proceeded to Easy White Beach for burial.^[56]

28–30 Jun 1944: Routine duties.^[50] Received and escorted Convoy CU (Curaçao to the United Kingdom) 49 bringing fuel from Venezuelan refineries. (See CU Convoys ).^[56]

Relieved from the line

01 Jul 1944: Ship left the coast of France and moored in Dartmouth, England at 1755B.^[57]

02 Jul 1944: Ship took on supplies, received two new anchors, and affected emergency repairs.^[57]

03 Jul 1944: Sailed from Dartmouth and returned to the fleet.^[57]

04 Jul 1944: Routine duties.^[57]

A German contact mine

05–06 Jul 1944: Each night, enemy aircraft sowed mines. Mines were sunk by ship gunfire.^[57]

07 Jul 1944: More routine duties.^[57]

08 Jul 1944: Found body, secured identification, and buried body at sea due to condition of remains.^[57]

09–13 Jul 1944: Routine duties.^[57]

14–25 Jul 1944: Dry docked 20 Jul 1944. Full inspection.^[58] Returned to Dartmouth, went into dry dock for repairs, and left gunnery officer in hospital. Received replacement.^[57]

26 Jul 1944: Returned to active duty at Cherbourg.^[57]

27–31 Jul 1944: Routine work.^[57]

01–03 Aug 1944: Routine work.^[59]

04 August 1944. The USS PC-552 found a German human torpedo submarine. Photo includes the dead pilot. Courtesy of William Kesnick.

German human torpedo found

04 Aug 1944: Found German human torpedo with rudder damaged and pilot dead.^[59]

05–13 Aug 1944: Routine duty: patrols, picket lines, etc.^[59]

14 Aug 1944: Enemy aircraft came and dropped flares. Expected bombers did not come.^[59]

New commanding officer

25 Aug 1944: 0900: "In accordance with COMPHIBSUKAY 232117B August 1944 and COMPHIBSUKAY 232115B August 1944, Lt. Frank E. PIERCE, 204832, USNR Commanding Officer, was relieved of command of the USSPC552 (sic), by Lt. Albert Bradley MOLL, 130991,USNR, Crew present at quarters."^[16]At this ceremony, Commander Pierce received the Bronze Star for the action during the invasion.^[23]

Sep 1944: Routine.^[60]

Oct 1944: Routine. Assigned to patrol of Channel Islands. Weather very nasty.^[61]

Armistice Day observed. A reflection on the Great War

11 Nov 1944: 1100: "Lowered ensign to half mast in observance of Armistice Day."^[62]

Nov 1944: Routine patrolling, etc. Located floating mines and sank them with gunfire. Sank derelict ship which was considered a menace to shipping.^[63]

01–23 Dec 1944: Routine.^[64]

Germans attack. Still dangerous

24–25 Dec 1944: Proceeded seaward at flank speed to look for survivors of the HMS Leopoldville, sunk just off Cherbourg harbor^[23] by either a mine or torpedo. Found none but PC-1263 found several survivors. Very heavy seas.^[64]

26 Dec 1944: Report of a submarine on surface attacking shipping. General Quarters was sounded and ship rushed to scene. Found two damaged ships, both British destroyer escorts, one sinking, towed the floating ship which had been torpedoed^[23] (HMS 462)^[65] back, and directed PT boats to pick up survivors. The submarine was nowhere in sight.^[64] The ship was now known as "Cherry" on the radio circuit.^[23]

27–31 Dec 1944: Routine.^[64]

1945

Summary of 1945 in Europe

The Allies were closing in on Germany proper and all knew the end of the European war was in sight. However, it would have been a mistake to think the fighting was over in the English Channel. The Germans still held the Channel Islands. The Germans remained fighting to the bitter end; with the Germans, it was not over until it was over. A suspected enemy submarine was detected and attacked in January 1945; a raid was launched by the Germans in February which almost resulted in the sinking of a sister patrol craft, the USS PC-564, a fate narrowly missed by the USS PC-552. President Roosevelt died that Spring.

01 Jan 1945: 1225: Made contact with potential enemy submarine and attacked it with the USS Borum. No evidence of success.^[66]

New commanding officer

Jan 1945: Routine except change of command 28 Jan 1945. Lieutenant James S. Spielman relieved Lieutenant A. Bradley Moll at 1030A.^[67]

01–05 Feb 1945: Routine.^[68]

Independent-Voters-Committee-of-the-Arts-and-Sciences-for-Roosevelt-poster

The Channel (Der Kanal), D.66 Kriegsmarine nautical chart, 1943

The Germans attempt a night raid.

06-07 Feb 1945: PC-552 foiled an attempted night raid against the allies by the garrison commander of the Channel Islands, Admiral Friedrich Hüffmeier. An escorting Schnellboot ("E-boat") was detected by PC-552. PC-552 intercepted the E-boat and opened fire. PC-552 chased the E-boat for more than twenty miles, firing on it the whole time, before it eventually outran PC-552.^[69] The only casualty sustained was Coxswain George Sullivan, who received a slight bruise on the left foot when struck by an ejected 3" 50 cal. shell case.^[70] Subsequently, a successful raid, led by Kapitänleutnant Carl-Friedrich Mohr, occurred on the night of 8 March 1945 – 9 March 1945 (Granville Raid). That time, the Germans severely damaged the PC present, PC-564, killing many crew members and wounding others.^[68][69]

08-28 Feb 1945: Routine.^[68]

Mar 1945: Routine. Back to training and some shore liberty.^[71]

Apr 1945: Routine, sinking mines and patrolling, except the following on April 14.^[72]

PC-552 mourned death of Roosevelt

"14 April 1945: At 1530 B, lowered colors to half mast in obedience to Secretary Navy dispatch 122351/69, dated 13 April 1945, giving official notice of the death of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Dropped two depth charges on known wreck at 1920 B in position 49°°45'40"N 01°44'00"W."^[73]

01–30 May 1945: Routine.^[74] The German forces on the Channel Islands kept the PC's in the Cherbourg area on constant alert and this was not relaxed until the Germans surrendered on 08 May 1945.^[23] After the German surrender, there were constant rumors from below decks as to where the ship would go from here.^[23]

31 May 1945: TU 122.2.1 dissolved by order of CTG 122.2.^[74] The war was over for the USS PC-552.

This is the cover page of the War Diary of the PC-552 for the month of June 1944, which included D-Day.

Sources for deployments

The primary source for the deployments was the War Diary of the U.S.S. PC 552. On 29 Oct 1943, the US Navy issued order FF1/A12-1/A16-3, Serial 7152 which directed the commanders of all Navy ships in combat to write war diaries to preserve for history the experience of the ships and their crews. The war diary for PC-552 stretches from 21 Dec 1942 to 30 Jun 1945. Also written were official after battle reports, action reports, and other such reports. All these documents were originally classified as "Secret" but were declassified 31 Dec 2012. They are now maintained in microfiche form at the National Archives and Records Administration. A copy resides at the County Historical Society Museum-PCSA Collection, MI.

Another important source were the daily Deck Logs of the USS PC-552. That is the formal name of what laymen typically refer to as the "Ship's Log". They begin upon the commission of the ship, 29 Jul 1942, and end on the decommissioning of the ship, 18 Apr 1946. They were handwritten by various watch officers until 01 Jun 1944 and deciphering them can be quite challenging. After that, they were typed. For some reason, the month of December 1943 has been lost. They also are now maintained in microfiche form at the National Archives and Records Administration. A copy of the Deck Logs also resides at the County Historical Society Museum-PCSA Collection, MI.

PC-552 Crew Member Accounts of Normandy

William Kesnick and Ted Guzda on board the USS PC-552. Courtesy of Mr. Kesnick

"We knew when the invasion would come because the channel was so full of ships you couldn’t count them. The sea was so rough that when we started we couldn’t make it."^[75]

"We turned back to Southampton...stayed till 2 or so and heard that the invasion was on, we headed back out. We practically led the whole convoy across the Channel. The Augusta was the headquarters of the whole invasion. It was a heavy cruiser. We came alongside and they told us good luck, you’re on your own. We lead (sic) the boys into Omaha Beach."^[75]

"We were the control vessel for the first wave of the invasion, they all went down, we picked up all the survivors and threw them on deck."^[75]

"The sea was still rough... Bill (William Kesnick) lost his helmet while enemy planes were shooting and shore batteries were firing. We were back to back on 20 mm guns. I emptied a bucket of sand and told him to put it on his head and all you heard was shrapnel going ping, ping, ping."^[75]

"He (Sam Raup) said there were bullet holes all around him, and he was amazed he didn't get hit..."^[4]

"The resistance to the landing was heavy. The beach was not secured till 2:30 in the afternoon...we lost over 3,000... then finally our planes did the job. I couldn’t count the number (of) planes that went over. We couldn’t sleep. All hell had broken loose. Once the beach was secure we made an imitation harbor by sinking the Liberty ships that brought stuff over. When they got the stuff on the beach they made a breakwater. Then they made a harbor, they brought in concrete caissons and stuck them and made harbor.^[75]

We were such a small ship, the 88s that were shooting were shooting over us. The barrels of the guns could not reach down. Finally by nighttime it was over, then we had to deal with Luftwaffe. They would shoot flares to see the whole fleet. It looked like daytime out. The flares would hang in the air like chandeliers."^[75]

One PC got hit and sank from a beach shell. We lost our anchors and had to get one from one of the beached ships..."^[75]

"The Germans used to have these one-man subs and we caught one but didn’t take it aboard, we turned it over to an English ship."^[75]

"Normandy was hell, we didn’t expect to come back when we went in...we were under tons of fire night and day, mines, aerial bombs...guns..."^[75]

Fox Green Sector, Omaha Beach

Lieutenant Moll's (Executive Officer, later Commander of PC-552) D-Day Observations

"…it was quite a sight to see the task force gathering in the blue-grey channel mist, grouping from various ports, and destined to control one of the beaches on D-Day……….

The sea was a bit roughish for the first tank wave; it pounded as it got up to us. In the meantime Jerry started banging away and I could see the orange balls of flame from the guns on shore. Being first in, naturally some stuff came our way. (Lt. Moll’s boat, the subchaser PC-552, was one of the first boats to land on invasion day, even sweeping in before the mine sweepers had cleared the way for the attacking forces.) First two short, then one right over us. Figured he had us but a destroyer had seen enough to locate and let him have salvo after salvo. Everybody and his brother was firing - cruisers, battleships, destroyers, gunboats, planes - what a holocaust! In the meantime, we had drowning men all around us so were maneuvering to avoid the fire and pick up those poor devils.

Our beach was the toughest, of all. Mortars were bursting all over the boys. Finally got our boys on the beach and things improved. The Germans had tunnels all over the place and our boys ran them from one end to the other with flame throwers. Snipers went up like celluloid combs. Saw one destroyer knock a German tank end over end…….

Funny thing about this war business. You are so busy and so much is happening and everyone is so tense, you do things you never imagine you could do. Somehow it seems that you are not in it and all this is happening to someone else."^[76]

Explanation

"First two short, then one right over us." This means that the enemy artillery had bracketed PC-552. Once bracketed, the next artillery order would be to fire for effect; PC-552 was in minutes of sharing the same fate as PC-1261: sunk by artillery fire with significant loss of life. Lieutenant Moll certainly knew this and most the crew probably knew this.

Official Report of the Tank Deployment Disaster

Report from Lieutenant Pierce about the tank deployment disaster

Sunken tank off the coast of Omaha Beach. Source: "D-Day’s Sunken Secrets" Aired May 28, 2014 on PBS. Courtesy of Nicolas Job, Underwater Photographer. Nicolas Job . www.nicolasjob.net / MC4 & LCL production

"From: Commanding Officer USS PC-552. (OMAHA BEACH)

741st Tank Battalion Coat of Arms

At approximately this same time the sixteen DD tanks forming the first wave for Fox Green Beach were seen approaching the line of departure after having been launched from the LCTs 549 - 602 - 592 - & 601 - 3000 yards to seaward of the line of departure. At 0533B the signal for despatching the first wave was hoisted and executed at 0535B, however it was noted that the DD tanks were maneuvering with great difficulty and in the area of the line of departure first one and then finally all of the DD tanks were seen to founder. It appeared as though the canvas frame work around the top of the tanks buckled due to wave action and by the time the tanks had reached the area of the line of departure so much water had been taken aboard that buoyancy was lost. The entire area 200 yards to shoreward and 300 yards to seaward was filled with survivors, some in inflated life rafts, others with life jackets only. At this time the wind was from the west force 3, with a short choppy sea dad (sic) with a current setting easterly at about 2 knots. At 0542B the ship was maneuvered into various positions to try to pick up those survivors who had been unable to get into life rafts and between 0542B."^[77]

PC-552, while under heavy fire, raced to pick up survivors. Because of the frigid water, some of the soldiers became too weak to hold on to lines tossed to them. Consequently, some of the sailors from PC-552 went over the side of the ship to pull the men up. Some of the soldiers required prolonged artificial respiration.^[78]

Report from Lieutenant Moll about individual members of the PC-552 who worked on the tank disaster

Lieutenant Moll cited individual works of note as follows:

    Sullivan, Lawrence Ferrel, CBM(AA)
    For organizing and directing rescue of survivors.[78]

    Vendetti, Patrick, MoMM3c
    Dooley, Arthur David, RdM3c
    Sullivan,Lawrence Ferrel, CBM(AA)
    Watts, Richard Albert, MoMM2c
    Johnson, Kiernan Patrick, S2c
    For the manner in which they went over the ship's side to assist men in being removed from the sea.[78]

    Dooley, Arthur David, RdM3c
    Robinson, Raymond Leo, SoM1c
    Sheppard, Glen Calvin, SoM1c
    Williams, Thomas Jefferson, SC1c
    Woolever, Francis John, SK2c
    For their attention and assistance in caring for the men brought aboard.[78]

    Hill, William Robert, PhM1c
    For taking charge of men and directing first aid as needed.[78]

US Navy going home pennant. One white star for the first nine months of continuous service outside the U.S., plus another for each additional six months. The overall length of the pennant is one foot for each member of the ship's company on duty outside the United States for more than 9 months, but not to exceed the length of the ship itself. Joe McMillan, 14 November 1999

PC-552 Trip Home After the War

Summary of 1945 after VE (Victory in Europe)

The ship went back across the Atlantic June of 1945 after being away eighteen months, saluting fallen comrades at Normandy on the way. The ship was in a holding pattern the fall of 1945 because at that time, most people expected the war with Japan to continue into 1946 (no one knew about the atom bomb) and redeployment to the Pacific was a real possibility. Finally, the war with Japan ended and the ship relaxed and was opened to the public for Navy Day.

The voyage back home began

01 Jun – Jun 5 1945: Departed Cherbourg, France and arrived and moored at Le Havre, France.^[79]

The fallen at Omaha and Utah were honored

6 Jun 1945. The USS PC-552 salutes the Normandy Beaches before starting back home. Note the going home pennant from the mast head to the rear of the 40MM gun tub representing 18 months overseas. Courtesy of William Kesnick.

06 Jun 1945: Left in formation with U.S.S. Borum (DE 790), U.S.S. Maloy (DE 791) and U.S.S. PC’s 484, 553, 564, 567, 617, 618, 1225, 1232, 1233, 1252, 1262, and 1263. At 949B off Omaha Beach fired three round salute from 3" 50 Cal., commemorating the first allied assault on the Normandy beaches. Fired a similar salute at 1103B off Utah Beach. At 1230B, departed for the Azores.^[79]

"Although the war was still in full force on the other side of the world, the voyage to the U.S. was much like a pleasure cruise, using running lights, being able to smoke on open decks, and even being favored by a calm sea and fair winds."^[23] (Ship's History).

Voyage home was resumed

Map of US Navy Time Zones. Each time zone has been assigned a letter. Thus, the USS PC-552 arrived in Florida and set its time to Zone Q, known in the civilian world as Eastern Standard Time

07 Jun 1945: Continued steaming for the Azores in formation.

08 Jun 1945: Continued in formation, turned back clocks to Zone Z time.

09 Jun 1945: Continued on course.

10 Jun 1945: Continued on course. Switched to Zone N time.

11 Jun 1945: Sighted Ribeirinha Light on Fayal Island, Azores. Final berth at Horta, Fayal Island, Azores at 1630.

12 Jun 1945: Left Horta in same formation en route for the Bermuda Islands.

13-14 Jun 1945: Continued steaming for home in formation.

15 Jun 1945: Continued steaming as before. Switched clocks to Zone P time.

16 Jun 1945: U.S.S. Borum and U.S.S. Maloy left convoy bound for New York at 2125B. PC-552 and remainder continued on in formation for Bermuda.

17 Jun 1945: Sighted Mount Hill Light on St. David’s Island, Bermuda. Entered channel and moored for the evening.

18 Jun 1945: Departed at 0800P but at 0810P port main engine broke down. Returned to Bermuda for repairs. Remainder of convoy left without PC-552.

19 Jun 1945: Left en route for Key West, Florida at 0830P. That evening, turned back clock to Zone Q time.

20 Jun 1945: Continued steaming for home alone.^[79]

Entered home waters

This is the first page of the Navy's official Ship's History of the USS PC-552. Although the entire report is only three pages long, it provides a sense of the emotions of the crew.

21 Jun 1945: At 1210Q made radar contact with Abasco Pt., Bahama Islands. Entered Providence Channel and at 2130Q left Providence Channel and entered Straits of Florida.

22 Jun 1945: At 1126Q, sighted Sand Key lighthouse and at 1145Q entered Key West Ship Channel. Moored at Pier 1, U.S.N.O.B, Key West, Florida at 1230.^[80] The top song for June 1945 was "Sentimental Journey" by Les Brown and His Orchestra.

23 Jun-30 Jun 1945: Began work on ship for assigned industrial availability. Reported to ComServLant by speedletter on arrival for duty as directed. There and back again.^[79]

25 June 1945: Unloaded all munitions.^[80]

Waiting for Japan

09 Jul 1945: Cast off for Charleston, South Carolina via Route "Easy" accompanied by PC 553 and PC 1225.^[81]

11 Jul 1945: Arrived at and berthed at Charleston, South Carolina. Nothing else done remainder of month. Remained docked.^[81]The ship underwent a complete overhaul in preparation for the war in the Pacific against Japan.^[23]

Aug 1945: Remained dock the entire month next to PC-553.^[82] Japan's surrender was announced 15 Aug 1945 before the ship completed its overhaul.^[23]

Sep 1945: Remained docked the entire month. Accidently was rammed by PC 553 as ship was being transferred to another berth in same port. Minor damage.^[83]

21 Oct 1945: Cast off for Stamford, CT.^[84]

24 Oct 1945: Arrived at Stamford, CT. Docked at end of East Meadows Street.^[84]

Navy Day celebration

Ships anchored on the Hudson River for the 1945 Navy Day.

Navy Day was a day observed in the United States from 1922 to 1949. It is no longer officially observed. The Navy Day for 1945 was a huge victory lap for the U.S. Navy, with President Truman addressing the fleet assembled in New York and other Navy ships around the world participating.

The USS PC-552 participated in Navy Day at Stamford, CT. New Haven, CT, just 40 miles away, was the home of George Sullivan, Bill Kesnick, and Ted Guzda, sailors who served on the USS PC-552 at the Battle of Normandy.

28 Oct 1945: Opened for public inspection 1030-1130 and 1330-1700.^[84]

29 Oct 1945: Open for inspection as part of Navy Day celebration.^[84]The ship was open for inspection for Navy day for a period five days. About 10,000 interested people boarded her during that period.^[23]

Excerpt from President Truman's 1945 Navy Day speech

"The fleet, on V-J Day (Victory in Japan Day), consisted of 1200 warships, more than 50,000 supporting and landing craft, and over 40,000 navy planes. By that day, ours was a sea power never before equaled in the history of the world. There were great carrier task forces capable of tracking down and sinking the enemy's fleets, beating down his air power, and pouring destruction on his war-making industries. There were submarines which roamed the seas, invading the enemy's own ports, and destroying his shipping in all the oceans. There were amphibious forces capable of landing soldiers on beaches from Normandy to the Philippines. There were great battleships and cruisers which swept the enemy ships from the seas and bombarded his shore defense almost at will."

Back to Tompkinsville and military exercises

30 Oct 1945: Cast off all lines and made way. Arrived at Tompkinsville and moored. Nothing more remainder of October.^[84]The ship was back again operating in those same waters in which she had begun just three years before.^[23]

07 Nov 1945: Cast off and arrived at New London, CT.^[85]

27 Nov 1945: Cast off for deployment. Ran maneuvers with the USS Tigrone and the USS Finback. Returned to berth.^[85]

28 Nov 1945: Cast off all lines for sea details.^[85]

29 Nov 1945: Moored at New London, CT. Arrived at Electric Boat Co. Victory Yard 30 Nov at Groton, CT.^[85]

15 Dec 1945: Various training cruises. Wound up at New London, CT.^[86]

1946

Summary of 1946

By now, the writing was on the wall. The PC-552 marked time until the government decided what to do with it. Sailors left the ship as they were honorably discharged and not replaced. When the ship made its final voyage, it was under-crewed by a third. The ship was decommissioned April, 1946. At this time, no one knows its final fate. There was a huge push to convert the U.S. economy from a war basis to a peace time basis. People were flush with money but could not buy anything and people wanted houses and cars. Many patrol craft were immediately scrapped and the steel entered the peace time economy.

Jan 1946: Training exercise.^[87]

Feb 1946: Minor training exercises. Berthed at Newport, RI.^[88]

Mar 1946: Minor test runs.^[18]

Final voyage as Navy ship

30 Mar 1946: 1615: Cast off for final voyage as commissioned Navy ship.^[18]

02 Apr 1946: Arrived at Charleston, South Carolina.^[89]

04 Apr 1946: Unloaded all ammunition.^[89]

Honorable Service Lapel Button (Ruptured duck pin), awarded to honorably discharged veterans during World War II.

New commanding officer

08 Apr 1946: 0810: "Lt (jg) Robert E. Gleason, DE USNR 340441 relieved Lieut. James S. Spielman as Commanding Officer of PC 552. BuPers dispatch 221640 dated March 1946." ^[89]

18 Apr 1946: 0900: Decommissioning Party came aboard under Lt (jg) Wells, USNR, to make final inspection. Condition of ship found to be satisfactory. 1100: Underway to anchorage in Wando River, Charleston, S.C. with 2 tugs towing ship.^[89]

Ship decommissioned. That was that

18 Apr 1946: 1650: Arrived at upper end of anchorage in Wando River and moored alongside USS PC 1214. 1700: Completed mooring with steel cables and proceeded to let out port and starboard anchor. Anchors put out downstream with 30 fathoms of chain out. 1705: Lt. (jg) R.E. GLEASON, USNR, Commanding Officer, placed the ship out of commission in accordance with Com 6 letter of 18 April 1946: Serial PC/A4-1/NB.^[89]

Lt. (jg) R.E. Gleason, Commanding Officer

The last signature of the last Commanding Officer of the USS PC-552. This is the signature which decommissioned the ship.

Source: Deck Log April 1946

The End of PC 552

The USS PC-552 was decommissioned 18 Apr 1946, stricken from the books 05 Jun 1946, and sold to the Maritime Administration 06 Dec 1946.^[10] No record has been found as to her ultimate destiny. The Maritime Administration has no record of ever receiving the ship. There is no record of her being sold or transferred to a foreign country as so many of the PC's were. There is no record of her being sold to private hands. The Maritime Administration did not keep records of what happened to these ships after they were sold, for those which were sold. Many were cut up for scrap and that, unfortunately, was probably her fate. Research continues.

References

Further Reading and Other Resources

• Bay County Historical Society Museum-PCSA Collection (http://www.bchsmuseum.org/id29.html)
• Kershaw, Robert J. D-day : Piercing the Atlantic wall. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press. (1994). ISBN 1-55750-151-3.
• Patrol Craft Sailors Association (www.ww2pcsa.org)
• Stillwell, Paul (editor). Assault on Normandy: First Person Accounts From the Sea Services (1. print. ed.). Annapolis, Md.: Naval Inst. (1994). ISBN 9781557507815.
• Veigele, Wm. J. PC patrol craft of World War II : a History of the Ships and Their Crews (1st ed. ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Astral Publ. (1998). ISBN 9780964586710.
• Williams, Greg H., World War II US Navy Vessels in Private Hands. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. (2013). ISBN 978-0-7864-6645-0.