Re: Formosa (Taiwan) during the KW

[Donald McElfresh <a0019874@airmail.net>]

FLETCHER and RADFORD were part of the two division (squadron) of DDE's out
of Pearl.  Included RENSHAW, EPPERSON, CARPENTER, NICHOLAS, PHILIP and
another I cannot remember.  We typically tied up at the Sub Base. Blouin was
our Commodore. We rotated divisions between Pearl and Korea; traveled by
ourselves.

Don

geminiad@whidbey.com wrote:

> Jhk789@aol.com wrote:
> >
> *  Thanks for the useful background info!
> > Seems you are very well informed.
>
> Student of Pacific War and Asian military  in particular. As for China,
> it has been WW II period thru Civil War, then 1965 - 2001.  Been
> filling in period of 1949-1965 lately.  Lived in Hong Kong, Taiwan
> and Malaysia. Language incl. Mandarin and Russian. Getting rusty,
> however, so I concentrate on military terminologies only - until one
> needs to fill one's rice bowl and then do fine in restaurants!
>
> *  May I ask what was your rank and where
> > you were stationed during the Korean War?
>
> Not a KW vet -  too young. Vietnam-Beirut-Gulf War vet.
> >
> *  Where was the 7th Fleet located on June 25?
> *  Was it under the Far Eastern Command or
> > under the Pacific Command in Hawaii at the time?
>
> Under  immediate operational control of Commander, Naval Forces,
> Far East (VAdm.  C. Turner Joy).
>
> *  When the 7th Fleet intervened in the Formosa Straits,
>  how many ships were sent there? One CV, one CA and 8 DDs.
> Transit from Philippines to Okinawa, only.  No permanent patrol at
> this stage. VP squadrons flew patrols from Okinawa and PI  but
> no permanent ships presence.
>
> Seventh Fleet (VAdm. Arthur D. Struble) - Adm. Struble was actually
> in Washington, DC at the time; RAdm. J.M. Hoskins, Commander,
> Carrier Division Three was "Acting" 7th Fleet.
>
> SEVENTH FLEET, centered on USS Valley Force (CV-45)
>  (TF-77.4), departed Hong Kong on June 24th for  Subic Bay, Philippines.
>  Departed Subic Bay, June 27th  -
> passed through the Formosa Straits and air wing aircraft (Air Group Five
> or CAG 5) overflew Taipei on June 29th.
>
> (Some sources indicate TF-77 was split between Hong Kong and
> Manila  Bay prior to June 27th - as CTF-77 had conducted large scale
> exercises between the PI and SE China in late May.  This would
> coincide with arrival of new destroyer escort squadron from States.)
>
> Destroyer Squadron 92 -
>
> BRUSH (DD-745) - Ordered to Asia , May  1st,1950. No details on arrival
> date.
> MADDOX (DD-731) - Sailed for Asia, May 1,  from San Diego.
> SHELTON (DD-790) - Sailed Asia, May 1,  from San Diego.
> TAUSSIG (DD-746) -  Sailed for Asia,  May 1st,  from San Diego.
> EVERSOLE (DD-789) -  Sailed forAsia, May 1st, from San Diego.
> SAMUEL N. MOORE (DD-747) - Sailed for Asia, May 1st from San Diego
> FLETCHER (DD-445) - Sailed for Asia, May 1st from San Diego.
>         Confirmed Hong Kong, June 24th
> RADFORD (DDE-446) -  Recommissioned Oct 1949, home port PH.
>         ASW escort for CV-45.  Unconfirmed Hong Kong, June 24th.
>
> AMPHIBIOUS GROUP ONE was conducting amphibous exercises
> at sea in southern Japanese waters on June 25th.
>
> SUPPORT FORCE and MINRON 3 were at Sasebo, Japan. Flag JUNEAU
> and DD De Haven were ordered to sea June 27th to patrol coastal waters
> south of the 38th Parallel. Ammo ship SERGEANT KEATHLEY was
> ordered from Tokyo to Pusan and CARDINAL O'CONNELL was ordered
> Pusan under escort of DDs Mansfield and Collett.
>
> Planned CTF-77 arrival Sasebo, Japan changed after teletype
> conference between CNO (Adm. F.P. Sherman) and CinC, US Pacific Fleet
>  (Adm. Arthur W. Radford), following which Commander, Naval Forces,
> Far East (Adm. Joy) ordered  CTF-77  to Buckner Bay, Okinawa
> to be closer to Formosa in accord with Truman directive.
>
> *   I assume some of the ships were also sent to Korea at the same time?
>
> (See above) - CTF 77 sorties Okinawa on July 1st, seaming to West Coast
> of Korea, with anticipated air strikes against North Korea following UN
> Resolution approving various command set-ups and UN action.
>
> *   How was it diviided into?   Reorganization came on July 1, 1950,
> after VADM Stuble retured from States to Tokyo,
> and after Admiral Sir Patrick Brind, Royal Navy ( as
> CinC, Far East Station, Hong Kong) on June 28th offered British
> assistance.
> Royal Navy (RN) Task Force 96.8, centered on RAdm Andrews Triumph (CVL),
> Belfast and Jamaica CLs, two destroyers and three frigates, was at Hong
> Kong.
>
> Thus, after July 1, naval forces became -
>
> TF-77 Striking Force (VAdm Struble)
> TG77.1  Support Force  (RAdm. Andrews, RN) - USS Rochester, HMS Belfast
> TG 77.2 Screening Group (Capt C.W. Parker, USN) - 8 USN desteroyers, 2
> RN destroyers
> TG 77.4 Carrier Group  (RAdm. Hoskins) - Valley Forge, HMS Triumph (Capt
> A.D. Torless)
> >
> CINCFarEast authorized first strikes north of 38th Parallel. July 3rd
> first pre-dawn
> (0530) air attack was launched from Triumph; 0600 Valley Forge launched
> it strike.
> --------
> There is more, specific to  naval squadrons, in my Tailhook Association
> journals
> but have not consulted, mostly due to time limitations.