Action Report

USS DuPage (APA-41) Official Action Report – TOP SECRET – Released from U.S. Naval Department Records

From:  The Commanding Officer

To:  Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet

DATE:  January 20, 1945

 Via:

            1.                  Commander Task Unit 78.1.21 (Commander Transport Division 24 Temporary).

2.                  Commander Task Unit 78.1.2 (Commander Task Force 78 (Commander Transport Squadron FOURTEEN)

3.                  Commander Task Force 78.1 and Commander Task Force 78 (Commander Seventh Amphibious Force).

4.                  Commander Seventh Fleet.

 Subject:            Action Report – Lingayen Gulf Operation in San Fabian area.

 Reference:        

a.       Article 874(6), U.S. Naval Regulations 1920.

b.       ComSeventhPhibFor confidential letter Serial 0212 of 17 February 1944.

c.       CinAdCinSeventhPhibFor Restricted letter Serial 2565 of 18 October 1944.

d.       ComAdminComSeventhPhibFor Restricted letter Serial 2823 of 12 November 1944.

e.       ALNAV 215 of 1944.

 Enclosure: 

A.      Special anti-aircraft action report for anti-aircraft action occurring 0720, 9 January 1945.  (Original sent direct to Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet).

B.      Special anti-aircraft action report for anti-aircraft action occurring at 1930, 9 January 1945.  (Original sent direct to COMMANDER IN CHIEF U.S. Fleet).

C.      Special anti-aircraft action report for anti-aircraft action occurring at 1915, 10 January 1945.  (Original sent direct to Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet).

D.      Damage report.

E.      Casualty report.

F.      Reports of Boat Officers.

1.             In compliance with references a, b, c, d, and e, the following report is submitted covering the actions of this vessel participating in the San Fabian phase of the assault on Lingayen Gulf, Philippine Island, 9 January 1945.

 PART I

                                                OMITTED

            This is covered in operation orders and reports of Task Force and Task Group Commanders.

 PART II

 Chronological Account of the Action 9 January 1945

PART III

 Performance of ammunition was excellent. Elevating. Coil in forward 5”/d38 mount burned out during firing at 1930, January 1945. Ammunition expended – 6 rounds AA common 5”/38, 3 rounds MK 32 5”/38, 751 20MM, 192 rounds 1.1”/75, 400 rounds 50 caliber.

 PART IV

 See Enclosure (D) for damage inflicted on this vessel. Enemy damage, one “Nick” fighter-bomber was completely destroyed.

 PART V

 The CIC, Navigation, Engineering, Damage Control and Communications Department performed satisfactorily throughout the entire operation.

 SPECIAL COMMENTS

The attack on this vessel by a Japanese Suicide Plane resulted in the death or injury of the entire after Damage Control Party.  Fires and damage were brought under control by the forward Damage Control Party and other ship’s personnel.  The latter, though not damage control personnel, were able to perform in a highly credible manner due to special training given them in fire fighting schools and general training aboard this vessel.  This is demonstrated by the fact that although the entire Port Side of this vessel was on fire from the wing of the Navigation Bridge aft to the main deck and over the entire after portion of the ship above the main deck, all fires were extinguished in a period of 22 minutes.

Navigation – At no time was control of the ship lost and she maintained her correct position as guide in the cruising formation and maintained fleet speed.

CIC and Engineering Departments continued to function properly.

Communications Department affected repairs to the TBS promptly and communications were not impaired.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Damage Control Party should be divided into small units and dispersed around the ship.

Personnel on weather decks should be reduced to a minimum.

All practical personnel should be trained in the general principals of Damage Control, particular emphasis being placed on fire fighting.