USS TORTUGA KOREAN WAR DIARY
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 1951
WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS...
Richard Bowman has spent many hours of his quality time looking up the documents, scanning them and typing the text. After you have viewed the two pages, please let him know how much you appreciate all of his hard work and efforts by sending him an e-mail. Will also post his e-mail address on the secound page...
RICH BOWMAN’S E-MAIL ADDRESS
RBowman866@aol.com
Thanks...
-Chuck
NOTE...
This brief Navy Bio was taken from the cover page of "Richard Bowman's Korea."
Richard A. Bowman enlisted in the Navy, March 1948. His shipboard assignment to the Mansfield was from the summer of 1948 until late 1950. He served two tours of duty in the Korean War. First aboard the Mansfield, and then reassignment to the USS Tortuga (LSD-26), which had been mobilized and recommissioned from the mothball fleet.
The Tortuga deployed to Korea via Japan from December 1950 until March 1952. He was honorably discharged from the Navy at San Francisco, CA, 29 October 1952, a Quartermaster Second Class Petty Officer, having served four years, seven months and six days.
Richard published a book titled, "A Tin Can Named Mansfield: A History of the USS Mansfield (DD-728)." This was the comprehensive history of the (DD-728).
At this time I would like to acknowledge and thank Richard A. Bowman for permission to use the and information on the following pages.
On 1 May 1950 the Mansfield, the flagship for DesRon 9 departed San Diego for duty in the Far East. Arriving 31 May, at Yokosuka, Japan, and after replenishment, DesRon 9 deployed to Sasebo, Japan. On 26 June, one day after North Korean forces invaded South Korea, the squadron steamed to South Korea. Beginning 27 June, the destroyers provided blockade, shore bombardment and escort services along the enemy coast. Ordered to lead a reconnaissance in force, the Mansfield lead five other destroyers, the Collett, DeHaven, Swenson, Gherke and Henderson in an attack on Wolmi-Do Island on 13 September, for the purpose of locating enemy gun positions.
During this action, the destroyer squadron won the title "The Sitting Duck Squadron." On September 15th, Mansfield lead the entire invasion fleet into Inchon Harbor on D-Day. Two weeks after Inchon, Mansfield, while searching for a downed Air Force B-26 bomber, struck a mine which severed the bow below the main deck. The ship's casualties totaled 28, nine of whom required transfer for surgical treatment. After receiving a temporary bow at Sasebo, Japan, Mansfield returned to Bremerton, Washington for extensive repairs and refitting, and again returned to the Far East and Korea. After Korea, she remained in duty until being decommissioned on 4 February 1971, after 27 years of active duty service. During her years of active service, she received five battle stars for WW-II service; The Navy Unit Commendation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, three battle stars for Korea, and three battle stars for Vietnam.
"Information & Documents courtesy,"
Richard Bowman QM2
Chuck,
Several years ago when I requested copies of the diaries, the only one's that I received was January, February, and March of 1951, and then it skipped to August, September and October 1952. I fired off another letter to them and said they had omitted April thru December 1951 in my original request They wrote back and said they had no records of those dates. During 1952 we did not return to Japan/Korea until August at which time the diaries resumed again. In my original request for the diaries, I only requested them up until October 1952 when I left the ship in Yokosuka and returned to Treasure Island, California for discharge.
Maybe, now that a few years have passed, I think I will send another letter and request the diaries form April thru December 1951, and see what kind of a response I get this time. I have always been disappointed about those omissions.
Rich
USS TORTUGA KOREAN WAR DIARY
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 1951
USS TORTUGA KOREAN WAR DIARY
FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 1951
THIS IS THE REST OF THE FEBRUARY WAR LOG IN TEXT FORM
IT WAS TYPED BY RICH BOWMAN AND SENT TO ME.
DECLASSIFIED
U.S.S. TORTUGA (LSD-26)
Subj: WAR DIARIES FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY 1951; Submission of
7 February 1951 (cont'd) rendezvous with Task Element 90.02, U.S.S. MONTAGUE (AKA98) as OTC, and SEMINOLE (AKA104) steaming in column en route to Inchon Korea, as directed by CTE 90.02 dispatch 061412Z 8 February 1951
Steaming in column with Task Element 90.02. 0800 Position: 37-00N, 126-05E. 1200 Position: 37-16N, 126-25N. Anchored in Berth E-4 Marie Fortune Archipelago, Korea. 2000 Position: 37-28N, 126-04E
. 9 February 1951 Anchored as before. 0800, 1200, 2000 Positions: Berth E-4, Marie Fortune Archipelago, Korea.
10 February 1951 Anchored as before. 0800, 1200 Positions: Berth E-4 Marie Fortune Archipelago, Korea. Underway enroute Inchon, Korea to Sasebo, Japan in company with U.S.S. MONTAGUE (AKD98), U.S.S. SEMINOLE (AKA104) in accordance with CTG 90.2 dispatch 1000254Z of February. CTE 90.02 in U.S.S. MONTAGUE. Proceeding southward in column. In accordance with CTG 90.2 dispatch 101110Z February, detached from Task Element 90.02 and steaming independently to Ulsan, Korea at maximum sustained speed. 2000 Position: 37-05N, 126-08E
. 11 February 1951 Steaming independently as before. 0800 Position: 34-50N, 125-35E. 1200 Position: 34-06N, 125-40E. 2000 Position: 33-50N, 127-12E
. 12 February 1951 Steaming independently as before. 0800 Position: 5-27N, 129-22E. Anchored inner Harbor Ulsan, Korea. Reported to Logistic Command, Pusan, Korea for loading in accordance with CTG 90.2 dispatch 101110Z February. Completed loading LCM's having received a total of 17 LCM's with 12 Army officers, 201 enlisted personnel and 18 Korean interpreters. 1200 Position 35-27N, 129-22E. Underway independently enroute Ulsan, Korea to Inchon, Korea in accordance with CTF 90 dispatch 120246Z February. 2000 Position: 24-33N, 128-36E
13 February 1951 Steaming independently as before. 0800 Positions: 33-55N, 125-56E. 1200 Position: 34-54N, 125-40E. 2000 Position: 36-25N, 125-35E. -2- CONFIDENTIAL
DECLASSIFIED
U.S.S. TORTUGA (LSD-26)
Subj: WAR DIARIES FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY 1951; Submission of
14 February 1951 Steaming independently as before. 0800 Position: 37-27.7N, 126-35.2E. Anchored at Tong Sudo, Korea. Reported to CTE 90.03 for further orders in accordance with CTF 90 dispatch 120820Z February. 1200, 2000 Positions: Tong Sudo Anchorage.
15 February 1951 Anchored as before. 0800 Position: Tong Sudo Anchorage, Inchon, Korea. Shifted anchorage from Tong Sudo, Inchon, Korea to Berth A-7, Inner Harbor, Inchon , Korea. 1200, 2000 Positions: Berth A-7, Inner Harbor, Inchon, Korea.
16 February 1951 Anchored as before. Commenced unballasting for removal of embarked LCM's with all Army and Korean personnel. 0800, 1200, 2000 Positions: Berth A-7, Inner Harbor, Inchon, Korea.
17 February 1951 Anchored as before. 0800 Position: Berth A-7, Inner Harbor, Inchon, Korea. Underway from Berth A-7 and anchored in Berth X-8, Inchon Harbor, Inchon Korea. 1200, 2000 Positions: Berth X-8, Inchon Harbor, Inchon, Korea.
18 February 1951 Anchored as before. 0800, 1200 Positions: Berth X-8, Inchon Harbor, Inchon, Korea. Underway independently enroute Inchon, Korea to Pusan, Korea in accordance CTG 90.1 dispatch 180625Z February. Reported to CTF 90 for operational control by order of same message. 2000 Position: 37-02.3N, 126-12.3E
. 19 February 1951 Steaming independently as before. 0800 Position: 35-12N, 125-37E. 1200 Position: 34-12N, 126-03E. 2000 Position: 34-32N, 1228-27E
. 20 February 1951 Steaming independently as before. 0800 Position: 35-05N, 129-07E. Anchored in Berth ABLE, Inner Harbor, Pusan, Korea. 1200, 2000 Positions: Berth ABLE, Inner Harbor, Pusan, Korea.
21 February 1951 Anchored as before. 0800 Position: Berth ABLE, Inner Harbor, Pusan, Korea. Underway to Berth 5, Inner Harbor, Pusan. 1200, 2000 Positions: Berth 5, Inner Harbor, Pusan, Korea. -3- CONFIDENTIAL
DECLASSIFIED
U.S.S. TORTUGA (LSD-26)
Subj: WAR DIARIES FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY 1951; Submission of
22 February 1951 to 28 February 1951
Anchored as before. 0800, 1200, 2000 Positions: Berth 5, Inner Harbor, Pusan, Korea.
/s/ K.S. SHOOK
Submitted by: K.S. SHOOK
Commander, U.S. Navy
Commanding
CONFIDENTIAL
USS TORTUGA KOREAN WAR DIARY
FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH, 1951
CONTINUED
8 March 1951 Steaming independently as before. 0800 Position: 34-17N, 125-41E. 1200 Position: 33-28N, 126-02E. 2000 Position: 32-25N, 127-24E .
9 March 1951 Steaming independently as before. 0800 Position: 31-15N, 129-43E. 1200 Position: 30-59N, 130-32E. 2000 Position: 31-43N, 132-14E.
10 March 1951 Steaming independently as before: 0800 Position: 32-54N, 135-02E. 1200 Position: 33-17N, 136-04E. 2000 Position: 33-58N, 137-44E.
11 March 1951 Steaming independently as before: 0800 Position: 32-15N, 139-41E. Moored to Mooring Buoy No. 2, Yokosuka Outer Harbor, Yokosuka, Japan. 1200, 2000 Position: Buoy No. 2, Yokosuka Outer Harbor .
12 March 1951 Moored as before. 1029 Underway from Buoy 2, Outer Harbor, Yokosuka to moor portside to Piedmont Pier, Youkosuka Inner Harbor, Yokosuka, Japan.
13 March 1951 Moored as before. 0805 Shifted mooring berths from Piedmont Pier to alongside U.S.S. PARICUTIN (AE-18), Pier A-10, Yokosuka Inner Harbor, Yokosuka, Japan.
14 March 1951 Moored as before. 0800, 1200, 2000 Positions: Moored starboard side to Pier A-10, Yokosuka, Inner Harbor .
15 March 1951 Moored as before. 1816 Underway from Pier A-10 to Floating Finger Pier, Yokosuka Inner Harbor, Yokosuka, Japan
16 March 1951 Moored as before. 0800, 1200, 2000 Position: Moored to Floating Finger Pier, Yokosuka Inner Harbor, Yokosuka, Japan. -2- CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL DECLASSIFIED
17 March 1951
Same as before.
18 March 1951
Same as before.
19 March 1951
Same as before.
20 March 1951
Same as before.
21 March 1951 Moored as before. Broke Flag of Commander Carrier Division 15, Rear Admiral E. A. CRUISE and Staff came aboard to attend conference. Rear Admiral E. A. CRUISE departed ship after conference.
22 March 1951 Moored as before. Underway enroute vicinity 35-10N, 139-20E from Yokosuka Inner Harbor in accordance CTE 96.74 dispatch 200605Z of March with Read Admiral E. A. CRUISE and Staff (ComCarDiv 15 and CTE 96.74) embarked. Rendezvous with the LEONARD F. MASON (DD852) and conducted designated tests listed Annex ABLE ComCarDiv 15 OpOrder 3-51. Returned to Yokosuka Inner Harbor upon completion of tests. CTE 96.74 and Staff departed from the ship. 2000 Position: Floating Pier Inner Harbor, Yokosuka, Japan.
23 March 1951 Moored as before. 2345 Rear Admiral E. A. CRUISE, ComCarDiv 15 and CTE 96.74 and Staff came aboard. 0800, 1200, 2000 Position: Floating Pier, Yokosuka, Japan.
24 March 1951 Moored as before. Underway enroute vicinity 35-10N, 139-23E from Yokosuka Inner Harbor accordance CTE 96.74 dispatch 230500Z of March with Rear Admiral E. A. CRUISE and Staff embarked. Rendezvous with LEONARD F. MASON (DD852) an conducted designated tests listed Annex ABLE ComCarDiv 15 OpOrder 3-51. 1244 Rear Admiral CRUISE and Staff transferred to the U.S.S. MASON (DD852). Returned to Yokosuka Inner Harbor and moored berth D-2
25 March 1951 Moored as before. 0800, 1200, 2000 Position: Berth D-2, Yokosuka Inner Harbor, Japan.
26 MARCH 1951
Same as above.
27 MARCH 1951
Same as above.
28 MARCH 1951 Moored as before. Underway enroute vicinity 35-10N, 139-23E from Yokosuka Inner Harbor accordance CTE 96.74 dispatch 260700Z of March with Staff of CTE 96.74 embarked. Rendezvous with the LEONARD F. MASON (DD852) to conduct designated tests listed Annex ABLE ComCarDiv 15 OpOrder 3-51. Tests canceled due to inclement weather. Returned to Yokosuka Inner Harbor. 2000 Position: Moored to buoys in Berth D-2, Yokosuka Harbor Japan.
29 MARCH 1951 Moored as before .
30 MARCH 1951 Moored as before. Rear Admiral E.A. CRUISE, ComCarDiv 15 and CTE 96.74, and Staff came aboard. Underway enroute vicinity 35-10N, 139-23E from Yokosuka Inner Harbor accordance CTE 96.74 290445Z of March. Rendezvous with the LEONARD F. MASON (DD852) and LSMR 401 to conduct designated tests listed Annex ABLE ComCarDiv 15 OpOrder 3-51. Returned to Yokosuka and anchored in Berth 136, Yokosuka Outer Harbor, Yokosuka, Japan.
31 MARCH 1951
Moored as before. Underway from Berth 136 to Buoy D-2
Submitted: K.S. SHOOK
Commander, U.S. Navy
Commanding U.S.S. TORTUGA
-4-
CONFIDENTIAL