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USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13), is named for Salisbury Sound, Alaska, a
strategically located basin near Sitkawitch, which forms a natural harbor
especially suited for seaplane base operations.
Salisbury Sound was built by the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock
Company of San Pedro, California, which became Todd’s, San Pedro shipyard
before her completion. Her keel was laid 10 April 1943 and she was launched
18 June 1944, under the sponsorship of Mrs. John D. Price, wife of Rear
Admiral Price, Commander of Fleet Air Wing Two, Air Forces US Pacific Fleet.
The seaplane tender was placed in commission on 26 November 1945, Captain
Doyle G. Donaho, USN, in command.
Salisbury Sound was capable of supporting two (2) fifteen plane squadrons of
the Mariner type, both in material upkeep and repair and personnel
subsistence. Her facilities include engine repair, hydraulic repair,
carburetor repair, metal, parachute, and photographic shop. In addition to
her own officers and crew she is able to billet over 120 squadron officers
and 200 crew members. Her most striking feature is her large after-deck
where two huge seaplanes can be hoisted aboard and serviced at the same
time. Two enormous cranes, one on her after-deck and one on her
superstructure, can lift the planes with ease. Her hospital ward is fitted
with 18 beds and a great number can be made available in event of emergency.
high speed boats can be lowered over her sides by cranes and dispatched to
refuel planes or boats at sea, and if necessary, tow them to safety.
Supplies, trained mechanics, and medical rescue teams stand by ready to the
blown over vast ocean reaches and parachuted to me immediate relief of
planes or vessels in distress.
Salisbury Sound got underway from San Pedro on 27 December 1945 for training
out of San Diego. She cleared port on 12 February 1946 and arrived at Pearl
Harbor on the 20th. After final exercises in the Hawaiian area, she sailed
on 1 March to load 6 fighter planes and a torpedo bomber at Guam (13-15
March), then reported for duty to Commander Air Wing One at Buckner Bay,
Okinawa, 19 March 1946. After conducting familiarization flights and gunnery
tracking drills for planes of Patrol Squadron Twenty-One, she got underway
on 8 June for tender service of Patrol Bombing Squadron Twenty-Six at
Shanghai (11 June-5 July); Tsingtao (6-17 July), returning to Buckner Bay on
10 July to resume duties at that base. She again sailed on 13 September to
tend planes of Patrol Bombing Squadron Twenty-Six at Tsingtao, returning to
6 October 1946. Having repaired some 26 planes and directed several air-sea
search and rescue missions which saved the life of a number of men, she put
to sea on 4 November 1946 for return to the United States. Steaming by the
way of the Philippines ports of Puerto Princessa, Manila and Guiuan, she
arrived at San Diego on 23 December 1946. After upkeep and local training
exercises, she cleared San Diego on 29 March 1947 again bound for Buckner
Bay, Okinawa. She arrived at the latter base on 18 April 1947 to commence a
second tour of duty as a mobile repair and seadrome control unit for the
maintenance of patrol planes at that port, Tsingtao, China and Apra Harbor,
Guam. She departed Buckner Bay on 27 July for another stay of service at
Tsingtao until 30 August, then loaded planes and aviation cargo at Manila
for delivery to Apra Harbor on 9 September 1947. She then set course for
return to San Diego, 22 September 1947.
Salisbury Sound underwent overhaul in the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard 26
September 1947 to 16 February 1948, then shifted to her base at San Diego
for refresher exercises in the area off San Clemente Island. She cleared San
Diego on 12 March 1948 and steamed by the way of Pearl Harbor to deliver
aviation cargo at Apra Harbor, Guam, and Manila, Philippine Islands, before
arrival at Buckner Bay, Okinawa, 7 April 1948. After off-load of aviation
cargo, she got underway the following day for similar deliveries at Tsingtao
and Yokosuka. She returned to Buckner Bay on 30 April and got underway for
tender services at Yokosuka (18 May-2 July); Tsingtao (5-21 July); and
Shanghai (23-26 July). She resumed duty at Buckner Bay on 20 July 1948 and
returned to Tsingtao on 14 August to tend patrol planes of Fleet Air Wing
One. On 5 September 1948, at Tsingtao, she acted as conference ships for
Rear Admiral R.P. McDonnell (Commander Fleet Air Wing One); Captain J.B.
Taylor (Commander Destroyer Division (One); Vice Admiral Oscar C. Badger
(Commander Naval Forces, Western Pacific); and Dr. Stuart (American
Ambassador to China). Having embarked passengers, she got underway from
Tsingtao on 22 September to load aviation cargo at Apra Harbor, Guam, then
picked up an amphibious plane and passengers at Ponape in the Caroline
Islands on 1 October 1948. She put to sea on the latter date and embarked
more passengers at Pearl Harbor before arrival at San Diego on 15 October
1948. Upkeep at San Pedro (18 October 1948-10 January 1949), was followed by
training in local areas out of San Diego.
Salisbury Sound cleared San Diego on 15 January and arrived at Port Hueneme,
California, the following day to embark men of the Naval Schools
Construction Battalion Center and their snow-
removal equipment before her arrival at Seattle, 19 January 1949. She became
the Flagship of Commander Fleet Air Wing Four, 27 January, and got underway
for Takutat, Alaska. She arrived at the latter port on 30 January, debarking
her student passengers and their equipment for special exercises ashore
until 6 February, when the last of her student passengers and their
equipment were again aboard. She put to sea the following day for Kokiak,
where Commander Air Wing Four hauled down his flag on 15 February 1949.
After touching at Seward, Alaska (17-21 February); and Seattle (25-26
February), she debarked her student passengers at Port Hueneme on 3 Mar,
returned to her base at San Diego the following day. She became the Flagship
of Vice Admiral G.F. Bogan (Commander First Task Fleet) on 25 March 1949.
Training in local waters off San Diego and off San Clemente Island were
conducted until 17 June, when Vice Admiral Bogan departed the ship. She
entered the Hunters Point Shipyard for upkeep and repairs on 29 June and
returned to San Diego on 10 September 1949 for a busy schedule of refresher
training off Coronado Roads and San Clemente Island.
Salisbury Sound departed San Diego on 24 November 1949 and reached Pearl
Harbor six days later. She got underway on 4 November and anchored two miles
off Kussie Island, East Carolines, 13 Nov. She embarked a Congressional
party of 10 persons and Rear Admiral L.S. Fiske, Deputy Commissioner of
Trust Territories, along with his staff for an inspection tour of Kussie and
Mokil Islands. She debarked the party at Ponape Island on 17 November 1949
and steamed by way of Guam and Manila to arrive at Hong Kong on 1 December
1949. She tended planes of Patrol Squadron Forty-Two at that port until 6
February 1940, then shifted to Subic Bay in the Philippine Islands. She
resumed duty at Hong Kong on 12 April and cleared port on 11 May for
exercises off Sangley Point, Luzon before loading aircraft at Guam (27-29
May 1950). She put to sea on the latter day and steamed by way of Pearl
Harbor for return to San Diego on 13 June 1950. After voyage repair in the
San Francisco Naval Shipyard, she embarked passengers, including men of
Patrol Squadron Forty-Two, and sailed from San Diego on 26 July bound for
the Far East. She debarked her passengers at Pearl Harbor on 1 August and to
sea the next day, carrying some 700 passengers destined for the Patrol
Squadrons 1, 2, and 4 of Fleet Air Service Squadron and Army units in Japan.
Four helicopters and an equal number of SNBS of the Fleet Air Service
Squadron were loaded on her seaplane deck. She reached Yokosuka on 11 August
1950, debarking her passengers and their equipment, and took on new aviation
cargo and passengers for transport to Apra Harbor, Guam. She arrived at the
latter port on 20 August, debarked her passengers, then loaded patrol bomber
spare parts and eight jet fighters for delivery to Naha Harbor, Okinawa, 25
August 1950. She reported to Commander Seventh Fleet for duty that day and
shifted to Buckner Bay for operations under Commander Service Squadron Three
(Commander Task Group 70.7). On 3 September she serviced seven Mariners of
Patrol Squadron Forty-Six and two Sunderlands of the 88th Royal Air Force
Squadron, which had sortied on typhoon evacuation from their base at Iwakuni,
Japan.
On 6 September 1950, Salisbury Sound arrived at Iwakuni, Japan, and reported
for duty to Commander Fleet Air Wing Six. She commenced service to Patrol
Squadron Forty-Two and Forty-Seven, which had eleven Mariners present on
that day plus three Sunderlands of the 88th Squadron of the Royal Air Force.
These units comprised the seaplane and reconnaissance of Task Force
Ninety-Six supporting the operations of Task Force Seventy-Seven and Task
Group 96.5. Four additional Mariners had arrived on 9 September 1950 when
Salisbury Sound became Flagship of Commander Fleet Wing Six. She now became
the operating base for all seaplanes in the Patrol and Reconnaissance Force
(*Task Force 99) tending eight Sunderlands of the 88th Squadron of the Royal
Air Force, seven planes of Patrol Squadron Forty-Seven and nine planes of
Patrol Squadron Forty-Two. On 16 September Commander Fleet Air Wing Six
shifted his Flag, along with pilots and crew of Patrol Squadron Forty-Seven,
to sea plane tender Curtis (AV-4), controlling all flights from that ship.
Salisbury Sound continued seadrome control until 18 September, then took on
aviation fuel at Kure, returning to Iwakuni on 21 September 1960. She
reported for duty to Commander Air Wing One (task Group 70.6) on 23
September and shifted to base at Buckner Bay, Okinawa, on the 26th. She laid
18 buoys in the seaplane
anchorage and on 2 October five Mariners of
Patrol Squadron Forty-Six (Southern Search and Reconnaissance Force),
arrived from the Pescadores Islands to escape the fury of a typhoon. These
planes conducted nightly reconnaissance and patrol flights of the Formosa
Straits from the Salisbury Sound until 10 October, when they again
terminated their flights in the Pescadores. Meantime she had hoisted the
flag of Commander Fleet Air Wing One on 5 October 1950. Winds and heavy seas
again threatened the seadrome in the Pescadores on 19 October, and Mariners
of Patrol Squadron Forty-Six there once again shifted gradually to base from
Salisbury Sound. On 2 November 1950 she entered the harbor of Naha,
transferring 30,000 gallons of gasoline to Y-53 for delivery to the Naval
Base before return to Buckner Bay the same day. She continued direction and
tending of the Mariners' search and reconnaissance flights until 27 November
1950 when Commander Fleet Wing One shifted his flag to Gardiners Bay
(AVP-39).
Salisbury Sound arrived at Iwakuni, Japan 20 November 1950, and hoisted the
flag of Commander Air Wing Six. She relived Curtis (AV-4) of seadrome
control and began tending nine Mariners of Patrol Squadron Forty-Two and
four Royal Air Force Sunderlands, operating from Iwakuni. On 1 December,
seven Mariners of Patrol Squadron Forty-Seven arrived, and on the 21st,
Commander Fleet Air Wing Six transferred his flag to Curtis. On 15 December
1950, Salisbury Sound returned to Buckner Bay and relieved Gardiners Bay
(AVP-39) as flag ship of Commander Fleet Air Wing One. She now commenced
service for the detachment of five Marines of Patrol Squadron Forty-Six,
stationed at Buckner Bay, and three Mariners of the same squadron, stationed
at Sangley point, Luzon, Philippine Islands. These units conducted search
and reconnaissance flights out of Buckner Bay and completed courier flights
between Sangley Point and Hong Kong. Commencing 6 January 1951, she
supported Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Element 7016 comprising a Land
Plane Air Search and Attack Unit (9 P2V4s of Patrol Squadron Twenty-Two); a
Seaplane Air Search and Attack Unit (9 Mariners of Patrol Squadron
Forty-Six); and Fleet Submarine Besugo (SS-321). This duty terminated on 16
January 1951 and Salisbury Sound resumed her daily direction of
reconnaissance flight and tender services.
Commander Fleet Air Wing One departed Salisbury Sound on 30 day emergency
leave on 2 March 1951, and her Commanding Officer assumed the flag duties
until the 9th when she arrived at Sangley Point, Luzon, Philippine Islands.
She got underway on 11 March for return to the west coast of United States,
touching at Guam and Pearl Harbor before her arrival at San Diego, 31 March
1951. She conducted training exercises out of that port with visits to
Monterey and San Francisco. On 24 May 1951 she broke the flag of Vice
Admiral A.D. Struble, Commander First Fleet, who departed the ship on 3
June. Five days later she embarked men of Patrol Squadron Forty-Seven, then
sailed for Whidbey Island, Washington, where operational readiness was
completed on the 18th for the Mariners who took off for return to the Naval
Air Station at Alameda. Salisbury Sound returned to San Diego where on 26
June she embarked the Chief of Staff of Fleet Air Wing Fourteen and stood
out to sea for operational readiness inspection, terminated 28 June 1951.
She completed a similar inspection on 23 July and cleared San Diego on 1
August 1951 for another tour of duty in the Far East. Steaming by way of
Pearl Harbor, she arrived at Boko Ko, Pescadores Islands, 22 August 1951.
That same day she relieved Pine Island as Flagship of Commander Fleet Air
Wing One and became the base for Mariner planes of Patrol Squadron
Forty-Seven. She departed Boko Ko 10 October 1051 and sailed by way of Hong
Kong to base at Buckner Bay, Okinawa (18 October 1951-21 February 1952). On
the latter date she was relieved as Flagship of Commander Air Wing One by
Pine Island (AV-12).
Salisbury Sound served as flagship of Commander Fleet Air Wing Six at
Iwakuni, Japan (24 February-31 March 1952), and hauled down his flag at
Yokosuka on 2 April. She put to sea the same day for return to San Diego, 16
April 1952. She entered the Hunter's Point Shipyard on 29 April for overhaul
until 16 July 1952, followed by refresher training out of San Diego. She
sailed from Long Beach on 15 August 1952 and reached Yokosuka, Japan, on 2
September. Clearing that port on the 5th, she arrived at Buckner Bay on 7
September 1952. The next day she broke the flag of Rear Admiral T.B.
Williamson, Commander Task Force Seventy-Two. The Mariner planes of Patrol
Squadron Forty came to base aboard, temporarily, on 10 September for repairs
and service, and Salisbury Sound arrived at Keelung, Formosa, 8 October
1952. While in that port on 11 October, Rear Admiral Williamson held
conference on board with the Honorable Karl Ranking, United States Minister
to China; and Major General Chase, Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory
Group. After visits to Takao, Formosa (220-22 October) and Hong Kong (23-28
October), she commenced tending Mariners of Patrol Squadron Forty at Buckner
Bay. She got underway from the latter port on 30 November to base at Subic
Bay in the Philippine Islands (3-20 December), then touched at Kaohsiung,
Formosa (22 December) before resuming operations at Buckner Bay on the 24th.
On 28 February 1953 the Mariner planes of Patrol Squadron Forty were
relieved by planes of Patrol Squadron Forty-Six. Commander Task Force
Seventy-Two transferred his flag to Pine Island on 7 March and detachments
of Patrol Squadron Forty-Two also left the Salisbury Sound for that seaplane
tender. That same day Task Force Seventy-Two was established as the Formosa
Patrol Force under Rear Admiral Williamson in Pine Island.
Relieved of her duties in the Far East, she sailed by way of Guam and Pearl
Harbor to reach Alameda, California, 25 March 1953. She underwent overhaul
in the Hunter's Point Shipyard (31 March-27 April 1953). She put into the
harbor of Long Beach on 28 April, embarking Commander Mine Squadron Five,
and got underway on the 30th with other ships of Task Unit 11.7 for landing
assault exercises of Ayliso Beach, California. This duty terminated on 7 May
and the ships underwent alternations in the Hunter's Point Shipyard (11
May-30 June), followed by gunnery exercises in local areas from the naval
Air Station at Alameda. She cleared the latter port on 21 July and arrived
at Boko Ko, Pescadores Islands, 12 August 1953. On that day she became the
flagship of Rear Admiral Truman J. Hedding, Commander Formosa Patrol Force
(Task Force Seventy-Two) and Commander Fleet Air Wing One. Tending the
planes of Patrol Squadron Forty-Eight, she departed Boko Ko on 26 August to
base at Buckner Bay until 12 September 1953. Thereafter, she based her
operations at Boko Ko (14-19 September); Keelung, Formosa (20-25 September);
Kaohsiung, Formosa (29-30 September); Keelung, Formosa (8-14 October);
Buckner Bay (15-29 October); Hong Kong (1-7 November); Buckner Bay (11-28
November); Kaohsiung, Formosa (30 November); and Manila (1 December-6
January 1954). She arrived at Sangley Point on 13 January and Commander Task
Force Seventy-Two (Formosa Patrol Force) shifted his flag to Pine Island on
18 February 1954. Salisbury Sound put to sea that day and steamed by way of
Buckner Bay and Pearl Harbor to arrive at San Francisco, 11 March 1954. She
shifted to the Naval Air Station, Alameda, the next day and entered the Mare
Island Navy Yard on 8 April for overhaul until 28 June 1954.
Salisbury Sound conducted refresher training out of San Diego and cleared
Alameda on 3 August 1954 for another tour of duty in the Far East. She
arrived at Yokosuka on 23 August and became the flagship of Rear Admiral F.N.
Kivette, Commander of the Formosa Patrol Force (Task Force Seventy-Two) at
Boko Ko, Pescadores Islands, 31 August 1954. In the following months she
made repeated calls at Formosa port of Kaohsiung and Keelung; Yokosuka,
Japan; and spent much of her time in operations while based at Buckner Bay,
Okinawa. She was relieved as flagship of the Formosa Patrol Force at the
latter port on 28 February 1955 and put to sea for return to Alameda on 19
March 1955.
Salisbury Sound engaged in a rigorous schedule of training maneuvers off the
California coast until 23 September 1955 when she cleared Alameda to arrive
at Yokosuka, Japan, 13 October 1955. That same day she hoisted the flag of
Rear Admiral G.W. Anderson, Jr., Commander of the Formosa Patrol Force and
Fleet Air Wing One. She commenced duty at Buckner Bay, Okinawa on 20 October
1955, making frequent cruises to Manila Bay; Kaohsiung and Keelung, Formosa.
The Formosa Patrol Force was redesignated Taiwan Patrol Force, effective 1
November 1955 and Salisbury Sound arrived at Manila on 9 February 1956 to
participate in "Operation Firmlink" with Joint Task Force Nineteen. This
operation was a joint maneuver of the SEATO (South East Asia Treaty
Organization) forces to demonstrate their readiness to preserve the peace
and ward off any aggressive action which might be taken against any of the
member nations (Australia, France, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand,
United Kingdom, and United States). Units participating in this operation
was USS Salisbury Sound, USS Princeton (CVS-37), USS McDermott (DD-667), HMS
Newfoundland, HNS Comus, HMS Tobruk, and HMNZA Consort.
Salisbury Sound embarked 9 official observers, 40 officers and 526 troops of
the First Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, Third Division of the Philippine
Armed Services and cleared Manila with the Joint Task Force which conducted
tactical maneuvers and battle exercises enroute to Bangkok, Thailand. She
arrived at Bangkok on 15 February 1956 and her passengers-troops went ashore
to take part in a demonstration of readiness which included parachute
demonstrations, helicopter landings, and equipment displays. The
demonstration was completed by 18 February and Salisbury Sound debarked the
Philippine Army Forces at Manila on the 23rd. She resumed operations at
Buckner Bay on 6 March 1956 and was relieved as flagship of the Taiwan
Patrol Force at Yokosuka, 23 March 1956. She cleared port the next day and
returned to Alameda on 12 April 1956.
Salisbury Sound remained at Alameda until 12 June 1956 when she steamed for
visits to Astoria and Portland, Oregon. She entered the Mare Island Naval
Shipyard on 14 June for overhaul until 29 August 1956. After refresher
training she departed Alameda on 13 November 1956 for Yokosuka where she
arrived 2 December 1956. The next day she became the flagship of Rear
Admiral R.E. Dixon, Commander Taiwan Patrol Force. Mariners of Patrol
Squadron Forty commenced operating from her seadrome at Buckner Bay on 12
December 1956 and rescued the crew of a United States Air Force seaplane
from the sea on 5 January 1957. Intervening these operations were cruises
for visits at Hong Kong; Manila, Kaohsiung and Keelung, Taiwan; and Apra
Harbor, Guam. Mariners of Patrol Squadron Forty-Six commenced operations
from her seadrome on 26 March 1957 and she conducted exercises in the area
east of Tsugen Jima Island before clearing port of 17 April. She touched at
Keelung (18-20 April), then visited Iwakuni, Japan before her arrival at
Yokosuka on the 28th. Commander of the Taiwan Patrol Force hauled down his
flag at Yokosuka on 6 May 1957 and Salisbury Sound sailed for return to
Alameda on 23 May 1957. During the remainder of the year she participated in
combined fleet maneuvers off the California coast, and engaged in refresher
training exercises while operating from Alameda and San Diego.
Salisbury Sound sailed from Alameda on 8 January 1958 and reached the
British Crown Colony of Hong Kong on 4 February to become flagship of Rear
Admiral F.E. Stoop, Commander Taiwan Patrol Force. Rear Admiral Stoop was
relieved of his command 10 February by Rear Admiral P. Blackburn, Jr., who
retained his flag in Salisbury Sound. She commenced operations in the
Philippines area on 26 February, alternating between Dingalan, Subic and
Manila Bays, then shifted to Buckner Bay, Okinawa on 18 March with
occasional cruises for visits to Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Boko Ko, Pescadores
Islands, and Hong Kong. She cleared Buckner Bay on 5 June 1958 and was
relieved as flagship of the Taiwan Patrol Force at Sasebo on 13 June by USS
Pine Island. She put to sea the following day and returned to Alameda on 3
July 1958. Upkeep in the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard of San Francisco (8
August-2 September) was followed by final overhaul period in the Todd
Shipyard at Alameda (2 September-4 November 1958). After refresher training,
she cleared Alameda on 27 December 1958 and arrived at Yokosuka on 13
January 1959.
Salisbury Sound arrived at Buckner Bay on 25 January and the following day
relieved Orca as flagship of Rear Admiral P.P. Blackburn, Jr., Commander
Taiwan Patrol Force. Seadrome operations at that base were again intervened
by visits to ports of the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan. In addition to
these ports, she visited Saigon, Viet Nam (1-4 June) and Jesselton Harbor,
North Borneo (8-11 June). She departed Buckner Bay on 23 June and was
relieved as flagship of the Taiwan Patrol Force at Yokosuka, 30 June 1959 by
Pine Island. She sailed from Yokosuka on 2 July and reached Alameda,
California on 14 July 1959.
Following a leave and upkeep period in Alameda, Salisbury Sound conducted
periods of ISE at sea off San Francisco. During the period from 14 November
to 29 November, she was in San Diego for special weapons exercises. In early
December, seadrome operations were conducted in Drakes Bay just northwest of
San Francisco.
Salisbury Sound got underway from Alameda on 11 January 1960 for her 15th
deployment to the Western Pacific. arriving at Pearl Harbor on 18 January
for a two-day stop over and then proceeding to Yokosuka, Japan. Following
post-voyage repairs, she got underway for Kobe, where on 9 February 1960 the
flag of Rear Admiral J.W. Cannon (Commander Taiwan Patrol Force) was shifted
from the USS Frontier (AD-25). She then proceeded to Buckner Bay, Okinawa,
where seadrome operations were conducted until 9 March. She arrived in Hong
Kong on 12 March for a 5-day visit prior to departing for Kaohsiung, Taiwan
where along with other Seventh Fleet units she participated in operation
"Blue Star." After returning to Buckner Bay on 29 March, the Salisbury Sound
was needed to assist a downed P5M Marlin at Fukuoka, Japan on 14 April.
Almost a year to the day since an accidental emergency at Fukuoka
necessitated transporting a disabled aircraft to Iwakuni, history repeated
itself. The stricken aircraft was hoisted aboard and taken to Iwakuni via
the Shimoniseki Straits. The ship returned to Buckner Bay on 23 April.
Seaplane operations were conducted at Okinawa until 20 May when Salisbury
Sound departed for refueling at Subic Bay then on to Sangley Point, R.P.,
arriving there on 23 May. She departed Sangley for Hong Kong on 26 May.
After a brief visit to the British Crown Colony (28 May-2 June) she departed
for Buckner Bay and seaplane operations. On 22 June she left Buckner for
Yokosuka, arriving there on 25 June and after voyage repairs she headed for
Alameda, California on 2 July 1960.
The ship remained in EastPac during the remainder of 1960 and early part of
1961. Operations consisted primarily of independent ships exercises and type
training. She underwent extensive overhaul at U.S. Naval Shipyard San
Francisco, California from the last of September until December of this
year.
Salisbury Sound operated as a unit of the Seventh Fleet from 1 April 1961
until 17 July 1961. During this period, the ship performed her primary
mission of providing an advanced base for seaplane squadrons and served as
flagship for U.S. Taiwan Patrol Force. Most of the ship's operations were
conducted in Buckner Bay, Okinawa where units of Patrol Squadron Forty and
Fifty were supported for periods of short duration. In addition the ship
visited the following ports while deployed: Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,
Iwakuni, Kobe, Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan. The ship departed WestPac on 17
July 1961 and arrived in San Francisco on the 31st of that month.
On 21 August, the ship's mid-cycle overhaul period began in Williamette
Shipyard at Richmond, California and continued until 22 September. After the
yard period, the ship was engaged in type training and independent ship
exercises while operating out of the Naval Air Station, Alameda, California.
On 6 November 1961, Salisbury Sound established a seadrome at White Cove,
Santa Catalina Island and operated with P5M aircraft from Patrol Squadron
Forty-Two for three days. Other operational exercises of short duration were
conducted with Patrol Squadron Forth-Eight. Type training and independent
ship exercises were continued throughout the spring as the ship prepared for
her next WestPac deployment. During the period the ship assisted in the
Administrative Inspection of USS Currituck (AV-7), and was given an
Operational Readiness Inspection.
Salisbury Sound deployed to WestPac on 28 May 1962. She served as flagship
for Rear Admiral B.M. Stran, USN, Commander Patrol Force Seventh
Fleet/Commander Taiwan Patrol Force. While in port at White Beach, Buckner
Bay, Okinawa, she continually maintained an operational seadrome which
operated on a 24-hour, all-weather basis. While deployed, Salisbury Sound
operated in support of scheduled exercises with Patrol Squadron Forty from
13 to 17 August and Patrol Squadron Forty from 13 to 16 September.
The ship visited Yokosuka, Kagoshima, Iwakuni, Sasebo, and Kobe, Japan; plus
Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Sangley Point, Philippine Islands.
Significant contributions were made to the people-to-people program through
blood, general visiting, and guided tours for special groups.
The ship was relieved by Currituck (AV-7) on 14 November 1962, and sailed
for Alameda, California the next day. A gala welcome awaited her arrival on
29 November. The remainder of 1962 was devoted to a leave period while the
ship remained in Alameda, California.
On 15 January 1963, Salisbury Sound entered Williamette Iron and Steel
Company Shipyard at Richmond, California for her periodic major overhaul. In
addition to routine overhaul and maintenance, the ship's wooden seaplane
deck was renewed and several new radio antennas were installed. Included in
the latter was a large "Decone Cage" antenna installed on the forecastle at
frame 5. This added another feature to the silhouette. Dry-docking for
cleaning and preserving the underside of the hull, was accomplished during
the period 2 to 16 February.
On 1 March 1963, a change of Command ceremony was held at which Capt. Hugh
M. Durham, USN, relieved Capt. James L. Holloway, III, USN, as commanding
officer. The yard period over and sea trials complete on 16 April, Salisbury
Sound rejoined the operating forces. After a short period in Alameda for
refitting and replenishment, the ship sailed to San Diego and reported to
Commander Fleet Training for operational control and refresher training. The
period 13 to 24 May was spent conducting simulated battle problems, ship's
drills, and damage control problems while underway. The was followed by a
week of Air operations at San Diego Bay , working with aircraft from Patrol
Squadron Forty-Eight.
After completion of underway training and a short period in Alameda,
Salisbury Sound sailed to Oak Harbor, Washington and reported to Commander
Fleet Air Wing Whidbey for operational control. From 17 to 26 June, day an
night antisubmarine warfare seaplane operations were conducted with Patrol
Squadron Forty-Seven embarked. This advanced training was conducted in
Holmes Harbor, an elongated body of water near Saratoga Straits, a component
of the Puget Sound complex.
The ships departed Whidbey Island on 28 June 1963 to return to Alameda. The
operational schedule for the months of July and August included an
Operational Readiness Inspection and an Administration Material Inspection.
The ship sailed to San Diego and reported to Commander Fleet Air Wing San
Diego on 24 July for the conduct of the Operational Readiness Inspection.
Commander Fleet Air Wing Fourteen and Commander Fleet Air Training Group,
San Diego, assisted in the inspection. Selected operational exercises
involving seamanship, navigation, gunnery, and damage control problems were
conducted in the San Diego ocean operation area. These were followed by a
simulated battle problem to test the crew's ability to perform as an
integrated fighting unit. The final portion of this inspection was conducted
in White Cove, Santa Catalina Island, and included the conduct of air
exercises and seaplane support exercises applicable to the type ship.
Upon return to Alameda on 2 August, the ship made final preparations for the
Administration Inspection to be held by Commander Fleet Air Alameda on 6-7
August. The inspection of administrative organization and procedures was
completed the first day, and was followed by a personnel inspection of the
brew by Rear Admiral D.J. Welch, USN, on 7 August.
Salisbury Sound received the following Commendations and awards for the
competitive year 1962-1963, which were presented to the ship after the close
of fiscal year 1963:
A. Ney Award for the best General Mess in type.
B. ComNavAirPac Battle Efficiency Awards for Engineering and Communications.
It was during this period that the Chief of Naval Operations informed the
ships that the homeport was to be changed from NAS Alameda, California to
NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. The effective date for rthe change for
administrative purposes was established as 29 June 1963. However, in view of
the ship's forthcoming deployment, the physical shift would not occur until
the return from WestPac in March of 1964.
On 26 August 1963, the ship departed Alameda for her scheduled deployment to
the Western Pacific. On 7 September, Operational Control was changed to
Commander Seventh Fleet. The ship was assigned to Task Force Seventy-Two and
further designated Task Group Seventy-Two.
Upon arrival in Yokosuka, Japan on 10 September, action to shift the staff
of Commander Patrol Force, Seventh Fleet, from USS Pine Island to USS
Salisbury Sound was commenced immediately. The flag of Rear Admiral R.A.
MacPherson, USN, was broken on 12 September, and Salisbury Sound officially
relieved Pine Island as flagship.
The ship arrived in Buckner Bay on 19 September, and established a seadrome.
Air operations with detachments from both Patrol Squadron Forty and Patrol
Squadron Fifty were conducted during intervals in port Buckner Bay.
[During September and October, Salisbury Sound made operational visits to
Yokosuka (10 Sep), Iwakuni (2 Oct), Beppu, Japan (5 Oct), and to Sangley
Point, P.I. (28 Oct).]
At the conclusion of the port visit to the Philippines, the ship established
a seadrome in the southern part of Subic Bay. From here, with Patrol
Squadron Forty embarked, the command was to participate in a fleet exercise,
Operation Yellow Bird. The operation was subsequently canceled; however, the
ship, with twelve aircraft from Patrol Squadron Forty conducted operational
and training operations from 5-9 November.
A port visit was made to Singapore in the Federation of Malaysia from 28-29
November. Salisbury Sound was the first US warship to visit this port after
formation of the federation in October. People-to-People activities were
scheduled which included a significant contribution of blood by crew members
to the Singapore Blood Bank and a Christmas party for under privileged
children. Upon departure from Singapore, the ship crossed the Equator into
the Southern Hemisphere at longitude 105º37' E, at 0911 Zulu on 9 December,
while on operations prior to return to Okinawa. [Because of the 30-day
mourning period for President Kennedy's assination, the usual ceremonies
were not performed.]
Arrival in Buckner Bay was on 18 December. The ship remained in port for the
remainder of 1963, observing Christmas and New Year holiday period in
Okinawa.
On 8 January 1964, Salisbury Sound departed for Keelung, Taiwan and Hong
Kong. While in Keelung, Admiral Ni, CINC of the Republic of China Navy
called on Rear Admiral MacPherson and Capt. Durham. The ship returned to
Buckner Bay on 23 January.
Patrol Squadron Fifty flew in three aircraft to Buckner Bay on 27 January.
Heavy winds and sea conditions damaged an engine and a prop on one aircraft
necessitating an engine change. No sooner was this engine changed than a
second engine failed. The second aircraft was hoisted aboard just prior to
the ship getting underway for Sasebo, Japan on 3 February. This engine was
changed enroute to and in Sasebo.
Salisbury Sound arrived at Sasebo on 5 February and departed for Buckner Bay
on 8 February arriving there on 10 February.
On 16 February 1964, the ship shifted berths to Naha Port in order to shift
the flag to USS Currituck. The shift was made on 18 February and immediately
following, Salisbury Sound got underway for Oak Harbor, Washington, arriving
there on 6 March 1964.
Capt. Merle M. Hershey relieved Capt. Hugh M. Durham on 10 March 1964.
On 28 March Salisbury Sound got underway on two hours notice for Kodiak,
Alaska to assist in recovery operations following the tidal wave that hit
Kodiak Island on the 27th [the "Good Friday" earthquake]. Arrival was on 31
March and parties were immediately organized to assist in the clean up.
During the 1963-64 competition cycle, Salisbury Sound received Battle
Efficiency Awards for the Air and Engineering Departments.
During her operations in Alaska the Salisbury Sound provided electricity,
hot water and working parties of up to 40 hands to assist the stricken
station to clear debris. For her efforts, she was awarded the Navy
Commendation Medal.
On April 10 the ship departed Kodiak and returned to her homeport at Whidbey
Island. She arrived four days later and on 16 May held open house at Oak
Harbor.
During June, provisions and fuel were taken aboard in preparations for a
cold weather cruise. Aviation gasoline was pumped aboard from the ship's
sister, the Pine Island, and the ship's fuel tanks were topped off readying
her for her 15 June departure for Cold Bay, Alaska.
Once anchored in Cold Bay 20 June, seadrome operations with VP-47 seaplanes
commenced. On securing these operations 30 June 1964 and heaving in the
anchor, the ship cruised the coast of Alaska stopping at Haines, Juneau and
Sitka. She was in Haines for the Fourth of July celebrations. On 11 July,
the ship departed Alaska for her return voyage and arrived back at Oak
Harbor 13 July.
She remained at anchor until 6 August and then sailed up Puget Sound to
Seattle, where she remained at Pier 91 for four days. On the 10th, the
Salisbury Sound returned to Oak Harbor by way of Bangor, Washington, where
she loaded ammunition.
On 17 August, she pulled out of Oak Harbor and set sail for San Francisco.
She was in San Francisco three days before cruising beneath the Golden Gate
Bridge and heading north to Oak Harbor.
Salisbury Sound was anchored at Oak Harbor until 10 September when she moved
to Astoria, Oregon and commenced seaplane operations for 10 days. She
returned home 22 September and remained there until 8 October except for a
one-day dependents' cruise on 3 October.
She sailed to San Diego, California for supplies 12 October and then went to
Long Beach Naval Station for minor repairs.
On 19 October 1964, the Salisbury Sound anchored in White Cove, California
off Catalina Island and commenced seaplane operations. She returned to
Whidbey Island 26 October and remained there until departing for a Far East
cruise.
On pulling into Yokosuka, Japan, the Salisbury Sound tied next to the Pine
Island, her sister ship, and on 1 December the Commander Patrol Force
Seventh Fleet shifted his command to the AV-13. Four days later the
Salisbury Sound left for Buckner Bay, Okinawa.
The ship spent Christmas and New Year's in Buckner Bay and on 6 January 1965
lifted anchor for Keelung. She stood in Keelung two days on 8 January left
for Kaohsiung and then on 14 January pulled into Naha, Okinawa.
She returned to her homeport overseas, Buckner Bay, 19 January and remained
there until 5 February when she departed for Manila Bay.
She stood off Sangley Point in Manila Bay on four hours standby until the
next day when she steamed for DaNang, South Viet Nam.
For five days from 12 February she operated a seadrome at DaNang. She
returned to Sangley Point and then to Buckner Bay where she pulled in 23
February.
On 25 February, Captain Earnest R. Horrell relieved Captain Merle M. Hershey
as Commanding Officer.
March 22 the Salisbury Sound left Buckner Bay for Hong Kong where she
anchored for six days. The American Counsel General visited the ship 26
March.
March 31 the Salisbury Sound left the world's most populated city for
Buckner Bay arriving there 3 April.
On 30 April the ship left Buckner Bay for Subic Bay, Philippines, arriving
there 3 May. Five days later she left Subic Bay and steamed into Manila Bay
and then to Poula Condore, South Viet Nam, arriving 11 May and setting up a
seadrome the next day. On 20 May the Salisbury Sound secured seaplane
operations and sailed for Bangkok, Thailand.
While in Bangkok the ship was visited by officials of the Thai Royal navy
and British naval officers.
Culao Cham Island, South Viet Nam was the next port of call. Leaving Bangkok
27 May, the ship was refueled at sea while underway 29 May. She arrived at
her destination 31 May and set up seadrome operations.
On 5 June she closed down her seaplane operations and sailed for Subic Bay,
where she anchored for two days before returning to the United States. The
trip across the Pacific took 18 days and the Salisbury Sound arrived at Oak
Harbor 26 June.
On 5 August the Salisbury Sound reported to Seattle for the Sea Fair, the
Navy's part in the World Fair being held in Seattle. She remained in Seattle
for four days before returning to Oak Harbor.
At her next port of call, Juneau, Alaska, the Salisbury Sound once again set
up a seadrome on arrival 10 September. Three days later she lifted anchor
and sailed for Kodiak, Alaska where she was warmly greeted on 15 September
as a visitor after her timely help following the earthquake of the year
before. After a five day visit, she sailed for Anchorage, arriving 21
September. Two days later she heaved in the anchor and returned to Oak
Harbor.
From 27 September until 5 February 1966 the Salisbury Sound remained on the
West Coast, moving only to pick up supplies or undergo repairs prior to her
final cruise.
After visits to San Diego for supplies, Bangor, Washington for ammunition
and Bremerton shipyards for repairs, the Salisbury Sound departed the United
States from San Diego 5 February for Yokosuka, Japan. The ship left Yokosuka
23 February and made quick stops in Kobe, Japan and Buckner Bay, Okinawa
before getting back to the business of tending her seaplanes in Cam Ranh
Bay, South Viet Nam. She arrived there on 4 March.
Capt. Clarence E. Mackey relieved Capt. Earnest R. Horrell as Commanding
Officer of the Salisbury Sound 7 March. It was the first time a United
States man-o-war changed Captains in Viet Nam.
On March 26 the ship secured her seadrome operations and pulled out of Cam
Ranh Bay and set her charts for Subic Bay, P.I., arriving there two days
later for a five day stay before steaming to Hong Kong.
It was a 24-hour journey from Buckner Bay to Keelung, Taiwan, and after
three days in port there, the Salisbury Sound headed for Kaohsiung, Taiwan,
arriving 9 May. Returning to Cam Ranh Bay, South Viet Nam on 15 May, the
ship set up her seadrome and tendered her planes until 3 June, when she
lifted anchor and steamed for Bangkok, Thailand, for a four-day goodwill
visit. She went back to Subic Bay for provisions and rest for the crew
before beginning nearly three months of seaplane operations: in Buckner Bay
from 17 June to 6 July, in Cam Ranh Bay from 10 July to 6 August, and again
in Buckner Bay from 12 to 29 August.
On the 29th, the ship headed for Sasebo, Japan for a goodwill visit and rest
for the crew arriving 31 August. After a ship's party, the USS Salisbury
Sound pulled out of Sasebo 9 September and headed to Buckner Bay for fueling
and supplies. The ship departed Buckner Bay 27 September and headed for
Subic Bay, where she moored alongside the Currituck, her sister ship, on 30
September, and transferred the Commander Patrol Force Seventh Fleet, Rear
Adm. Roy M. Isaman to the Currituck before heading to Cam Rahn Bay on 5
October.
During her last operations in Cam Rahn Bay, from 7 to 27 October, the ship
pumped her millionth gallon of aviation fuel to her attached seaplanes,
setting a record for a seaplane tender for number of gallons pumped during
one cruise. On 27 October, the Salisbury Sound hoisted a 540-foot homeward
bound pennant and steamed from Cam Rahn Bay for the last time.
Another rarity, a double hoist, was accomplished for the trip from Cam Rahn
Bay to Sangley Point in Manila Bay when a second Martin Marlin seaplane
developed engine trouble just before departure time, forcing the Salisbury
Sound to accommodate the second plane on her deck. After off-loading the
giant planes in Manila Bay, the ship sailed for Subic Bay, arriving the same
day, 29 October.
On 2 November the ship pulled out of Subic Bay and steamed for Buckner Bay
for refueling before starting across the Pacific bound for the United
States. The long-awaited trip back began 5 November. The Salisbury Sound
pulled into Oak Harbor for the last time 21 November, in time for her crew
to enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's celebrations.
The ship bid farewell to her homeport 3 January 1967, and started her last
voyage to Bremerton, Washington, where she docked at Pier Delta at the Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard.
The ship's Executive Officer, Commander Austin V. Young relieved Capt.
Clarence E. Mackey as Commanding Officer 13 January 1967.
On 31 March 1967, the USS Salisbury Sound was decommissioned and joined the
Reserve Fleet, ending a 21-year career.
Medals and Awards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
China Service Medal:16Apr1947-30Aug1947; 1Dec1949-6 Feb1950;
18Mar1950-6Apr1950; 12Apr1950-11 May1950; 22Aug1951-17Oct1951;
12Aug1953-26Aug1953; 13Sep1953-29Sep1953; 8Oct1953-13 Oct1953; 29Nov1953-30
Nov1953; 7Jan1954-11Jan1954; 29Aug1954-12Sep1954; 22Sep1954-30Sep1954;
5Oct1954-6Oct1954; 21Oct1954-30Oct1954; 14Jan1955-16Jan1955;
25Jan1955-17Feb1955; 12Nov1955-19Nov1955; 16Jan1956-19Jan1956;
29Jan1956-31Jan1956
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Occupational Medal (Asia):16Apr1947-30Aug1947; 17Apr1948-2 Jul1948;
6Apr1948-7Apr1948; 29Jul1948-2Aug1948; 24Oct1950-27Nov1950;
14Dec1950-2Feb1951
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal:8Aug1950-16Aug1950;
6Sep1950-25Sep1950; 18Oct1951-2Apr1952; 2Sep1952-8Oct1952;
22Oct1952-18Nov1952; 30Nov1952; 24Dec1952-8Mar1953;
28Aug1953-12Sep1953;19Nov1953-28 Nov1953; 21Feb1954-23Feb1954
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Korean Presidential Citation Badge:11Aug1950-8Mar1951; 27Aug1951-2Apr1952;
2Sep1952-7May1953
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Armed Service Expeditionary Medal (Viet Nam):12Feb1965-19Feb1965;
11May1965-20May1965; 31May1965-5Jun1965
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Viet Nam Service Medal:4Mar1966-26Mar1966; 15May1966-3Jun1966;
10Jul1966-9Aug1966; 7Oct1966-27Oct1966
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commanding Officers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Captain Doyle G. Donaho, USN 26Nov1945-26Dec1946
Captain William A. Deam, USN 26Dec1946-28Nov1947
Captain Argyll E. Buckley, USN 28Nov1947-3Jan1949
Captain Edwin J.S. Young, USN 3Jan1949-15Apr1950
Captain Francis R. Jones, USN 15Apr1950-9Apr1951
Captain Stanley C. Strong, USN 9Apr1951-25Apr1952
Captain Joseph F. Quilter, USN 25Apr1952-15Jun1953
Captain Robert F. Jones, USN 15Jun1953-8Apr1954
Captain Robert L. Eldridge, USN 8Apr1954-4May1954
Captain Carson Hawkins, USN 4May1954-6Aug1955
Captain Francis D. Foley, USN 6Aug1955-15Sep1956
Captain Thomas H. Moorer, USN 15Sep1956-20Sep1957
Captain William S. Guest, USN 20Sep1957-18Aug1958
Captain Richard L. Fowler, USN 18Aug1958-10Sep1959
Captain Robert F. Farrington, USN 10Sep1959-27Jul1960
Captain James D. Ramage, USN 27Jul1960-9Aug1961
Captain Charles E. Roemer, USN 9Aug1961-23Jul1962
Captain James L. Holloway, USN 23Jul1962-1Mar1963
Captain Hugh M. Durham, USN 1Mar1963-10Mar1964
Captain Merle M. Hershey, USN 10Mar1964-25Feb1965
Captain Earnest R. Horrell, USN 25Feb1965-7Mar1966
Captain Clarence E. Mackey, USN 7Mar1966-13Jan1967
Commander Austin V. Young, USN 13Jan1967-31Mar1967
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