At 0609 on the morning of February 7th, following course 225˚ and making 18 knots, Princeton's OOD and bridge watchstanders dutifully maintained station as the rising Pacific sun pasteled* the horizon broad on the port quarter. Less than an hour later came the first sighting of ROI ISLAND bearing 194˚, 12 miles ahead. 0745 brought the O.T.C.'s order to prepare to enter port, at which time the "Carriers formed column astern of USS SARATOGA at 0806, distant 1000 yards between ships." The Peerless P passed between the entrance buoys to Mellu Pass at 1031. By 1055, the unmistakable sound of her anchor chain feeding out the hawsepipe indicated she was safely anchored in the northern portion of Kwajalein Lagoon, at berth spots 113 and 114.
Captain Henderson, Princeton's Commanding Officer and senior plank owner since her commissioning a year earlier, met with Rear Admiral Ginder aboard Saratoga just after noon. Three hours later, the War Diary matter-of-factly notes that "At 1505, Captain George R. HENDERSON, USN, read his orders detaching him from command of this vessel and Captain William H. BURACKER, USN, read his orders and assumed command."
Immediately following the reading of orders, Captain BURACKER published a despatch from ComTaskGroup 58.4, Rear Admiral Ginder:
"Before the departure of Commodore HENDERSON, I wish to thank the PRINCETON for its outstanding performance of duty on this operation as well on all operations since you have joined Carrier Division ELEVEN. To me you have no equal in the CVL class. Captain HENDERSON's superior leadership and your loyalty and efficiency have made it so. I know that you will always maintain these high standards of efficiency."
The Change of Command ceremony notwithstanding, Princeton was anchored for a reason and things needed to be done.
At 1725 the oiler USS MILLICOMA approached the port side for fueling. By 2050, 245,614 gallons of fuel oil and 38,000 gallons of aviation gasoline had been taken on board.
The moon's illumination on February 7th was 97% (a full moon would occur 2 days hence) which explains why at 2127 the entire fleet was brought to General Quarters upon orders from SOPA (South Pacific Area - Vice Admiral Halsey commanding) after reports "of unidentified aircraft bearing 260˚, distant 27 miles" were made. The War Diary continued..."Made all preparations for getting underway. At 2140 SOPA ordered all destroyers present to make smoke, wind blowing smoke over other vessels in the anchorage in an effective screen." By 2250 all clear was signaled and the fleet was secured from General Quarters.
Tomorrow would bring continued provisioning and repair work for what the Graybook described as "Preparations for early operations against ENIWETOK and an early carrier strike against TRUK continue. No target date for either has been set."
Princeton and her new commanding officer would be back in the fight soon.
NNNN
* Not a word, but should be.
Comments