1953 Log Book


*U.S.S. Allen M. Sumner DD-692*
1953 Log Book

January 1, 1953 - The traditional mid-watch verse by LCDR Habersat
January 19, 1953 - Daily OPS in Chesapeake Bay area
January 26, 1953 - More Training OPS
February 2, 1953 - Underway for Sumner's future home, Mayport
February 5, 1953 - Training OPS with USS Coral Sea in heavy seas, Mount 51 face plate damage
February 27, 1953 - Walt Meierdierks decides to become a civilian, Sumner loads ammunition from anchorage
March 7, 1953 - A little fun in the Caribbean, arrive in San Juan, CDD 322 departs
March 13, 1953 - Anchored in Target bay, Culebra Island, Puerto Rico
March 18, 1953 - A visit to St. Thomas long before it became a cruise ship port
April 24, 1953 - All preparations complete, underway for Korea
May 5, 1953 - Pass the Rock of Gibraltar after a rough crossing of the Atlantic
May 10, 1953 - Arrive in Greece and payoff a fisherman after a Whale Boat collision
May 14, 1953 - Cross the Med to Egypt and enter the Suez Canal
May 18, 1953 - Out of the Canal stop at Aden for fuel
May 25, 1953 - At Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Captain Lynch is seriously injured in a traffic accident, LT Olsen assumes command
May 31, 1953 - Hoist the Jolly Roger it's Shellback time!
June 3, 1953 - Anchor in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands where it turns out to be a bit on the humid side
June 7, 1953 - Cover letter to the Bureau on CDR Lynch's accident
June 9, 1953 - Arrive in Yokosuka, Japan and CDR S. C. O'Rourke reports aboard
June 11, 1953 - Change of Command ceremony as CDR O'Rourke assumes command from LT Olsen
June 20, 1953 - Rendezvous with TF 77 in the combat zone off the Eastern Korean coast for carrier OPS
June 30, 1953 - A typical day of carrier OPS with the USS Philippine Sea
July 5, 1953 - Rescue pilot LT Clarence R. Johnson and crewman AN D. G. Kennedy after their plane crashes
July 15, 1953 - Begin the great Japan tour at Nagoya
July 25, 1953 - Next stop at Hakodate
August 5, 1953 - Third stop is one of our favorites - Yokosuka
August 9, 1953 - Final stop on this tour is Sasebo
August 22, 1953 - Back with TF77 and carrier OPS with the USS Princeton
September 8, 1953 - Change of pace with TF 95 patrolling the Korean coast
September 10, 1953 - 57 minutes in Pusan, Korea
September 15, 1953 - Our third and last visit to Yokosuka, Japan
September 23, 1953 - A quick stop at the Navy's Pacific gas station - Midway Island
September 26, 1953 - Time to try a grass skirt at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
October 5, 1953 - Back in the States at San Francisco
October 10, 1953 - Quick visit to an old friend - San Diego
October 22, 1953 - A fun day traversing our second canal of the trip - Panama
October 27, 1953 - Back to the C&E Piers and HOME
November 24. 1953 - Back to the daily grind - local OPS
December 3, 1953 - A quick trip to Bermuda, a little fun and sun!
December 16, 1953 - Pretty up for the Holidays, into the Drydock
and we spent the rest of the year tied up to the pier waiting on Liberty Call