U.S.S. PETERSON (DE-152)
  DE-152                                                 Fleet Post Office  
  ASW-1                                                 New York, N.Y.  
     
  CONFIDENTIAL  
     
                                                                                                                 27 April, 1944  
     
 
From: The Commanding Officer.
  The Commander in Chief, U.S.Fleet
   
Via: (1)  The Commander, Task Group 21.5
  (2)  The Commander, Destroyers, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
   
Subject: Anti-Submarine Action by Surface Ship.
   
Reference: (a)  Atlantic Fleet Confidential Letter, 13CL-43, (revised).
   
Enclosure: (A)  ASW-1 Report of 16 April, 1944.
  (B)  Narrative of Anti-Submarine Action 16 April, 1944.
  (C)  Track Chart.
 
     
          1.        Inclosures (A), (B), and (C), are forwarded herewith as directed in reference (a).  
     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                    S. M. HAY  
     
  Advance Copy to:  
      Anti-Sub Development Dept.,  
      LantFleet.  
      COMINCH.  
     
     
     
 
 

 

 

 

 

     
     
  U.S.S. PETERSON (DE-152)
     
  NARRATIVE OF ANTI-SUBMARINE ACTION 16 April, 1944.  (CONFIDENTIAL).  
     
          At 1200 G.C.T. 16 April, 1944 we were making full speed on course 090° T enroute to rejoin convoy "CU 21" and at this time we were about 15 miles astern of convoy.  About 1215 the Officer of the Deck sent word that he had overheard C.T.G. 21.5 and U.S.S. GANDY (DE-764) discussing the torpedoing of ship number 21 (STK PAN PENNSYLVANIA) of the convoy.  
     
          At 1219 we received orders from C.T.G. 21.5 to sweep area around ship number 21 (STK PAN PENNSYLVANIA) and pick up survivors, and at about the same time sight straggler from convoy about 2 miles ahead of us.  1222 sounded General Quarters Alarm and proceeded to sweep area as we closed to position of torpedoing.  
     
          At about 1300 we sighted tanker and continued zig-zag sweep in our approach.  The USS GANDY and USS JOYCE were then both in the vicinity.  At 1315 USS JOYCE stopped to pick up survivors in life boat.  At 1320 we stopped to pick up 22 survivors in 2nd life boat.  1333 life boat was cut adrift all survivors having been taken aboard.  We then made wide sweep proceeding to life raft with 3 survivors.  1343 stopped to pick up life raft survivors.  1345 USS JOYCE completed picking up survivors ad got underway and reported sound contact.  USS GANDY heading in between us to follow up USS JOYCE attack.  1352 USS JOYCE dropped depth charge pattern.  1355 completed picking up survivors from life raft and got underway.  
     
          1400 submarine surfaced, proceeding to ram.  USS GANDY opened fire which was returned by submarine.  We held fire due to foul range as USS GANDY was heading in to ram.  1402 submarine was rammed by USS GANDY.  1404 commenced firing on submarine side this ship instead of ramming, as USS GANDY had reported doing so.  Fired two (2) shallow depth charges from starboard "K" guns at short range from submarine.  1420 this ship and USS GANDY acting as screen while USS JOYCE engaged in picking up crew of submarine.  STK PAN PENNSYLVANIA ablaze and sinking.  1430 submarine sank.  After the USS JOYCE completed picking up survivors of submarine, USS JOYCE, USS GANDY, and USS PETERSON formed line and set to rejoin convoy.  
     
     
                                                                                      
                                                                                        S. M. HAY,  
                                                                                        Lieutenant Commander, U.S.C.G.R.,  
                                                                                        Commanding Officer.  
     
     
     
 
 

 

     
     
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  ComCortDiv 22                                    1st Endorsement                                       30 April, 1944  
  USS POOLE (DE-151)  
  A16-3  
     
 
From: Commander Escort Division 22
To: Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet.
   
Via: 1.  Commander Destroyers, U. S. Atlantic Fleet
  2.  Commander in Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet
   
Subject: Anti-Submarine Action by Surface Ship.
 
     
          1.        Forwarded.  
     
          2.        The USS PETERSON (DE-152) is assigned to Escort Division 22, which for the periods of the above report, had been designated Task Group 21.5.  At the time of the action the Peterson was engaged with the USS JOYCE (DE-317) and USS GANDY (DE-764) in searching for the submarine and rescuing of survivors of the torpedoed steamer PAN PENNSYLVANIA, a vessel of convoy CU-21.  After the JOYCE's successful depth charge attack the PETERSON promptly closed the scene of action and brought the submarine under fire with her guns.  As is stated in the report, the PETERSON intended to ram but did not do so after the GANDY had rammed the enemy submarine.  The commanding officer showed presence of mind in firing his starboard depth charge throwers when he turned away from his attempted ram.  It is believed that the PETERSON had part in the destruction of the enemy submarine and is recommended for such award as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Assessment Board deems fitting.  
     
          4.        The Commander Escort Division 22 (Commander Task Group 21.5) considers that the performance of the commanding officers of the USS JOYCE (DE-317), USS GANDY (DE-764), and USS PETERSON (DE-152) highly satisfactory and commendable in all respects.  
     
                                                                                            
                                                                                              W. W. KENNER  
                                                                                              Captain, USCG  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
UNITED STATES FLEET
 
DETROYERS, ATLANTIC FLEET
 
  Refer to  A16-3/FF13-6  
  Serial  01797  
                                                                                                                                            Care of Fleet Post Office  
                                                                                                                                            New York, N.Y.  
  CONFIDENTIAL  
                                                                                                                May 11, 1944  
  SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:  
  CO, USS PETERSON (DE-152)  
  (FMR) Conf. Ltr. of 27 April 1944.  
     
 
From: Commander Destroyers, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.
To:   : Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet.
   
Subject: Contact and Action Reports.
   
Reference: (b)  SecNav P16, S03-7-37 of 7 March 1944 contained in Navy Dept. Bulletin of 15 March 1944.
 
     
          1.        By copy of this endorsement the attention of the Commanding Officer, U.S.S. PRTERSON (DE-152) is directed to paragraph 8A(2) of reference (a).  Advance copy of the appropriate ASW form should be forwarded to the Atlantic Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Unit.  
     
          2.        Commander Escort Division TWENTY-TWO is directed to initiate appropriate recommendations for award to the Commanding Officer, U.S.S. PETERSON in accordance with paragraph 9(d) of reference (b).  
     
                                                                                                          
                                                                                                        T.  L.  LEWIS  
                                                                                                        Chief of Staff  
  cc:  CO, USS PETERSON (DE-152)  
      ComCortDiv 22