Rear Admiral
Charles Wilson
Dyson
was an American
naval officer
and engineer. He
was born 2
December 1861 in
Cambridge,
Maryland, and
died 25 October
1930 in
Washington, D.C.
Dyson graduated
from the United
States Naval
Academy in June
1883. He was
well known for
his achievements
in the field of
engineering. His
designs covered
machinery for
naval vessels of
all types,
including
Saratoga (CV-3)
and Lexington
(CV-2). He wrote
extensively for
technical
magazines and
revised Durand's
treatise on
Marine
Engineering.
RADM Dyson
served three
terms as
president of the
American Society
of Naval
Engineers (ASNE)
(1916, 1920, &
1922). For
his meritorious
service while in
charge of the
Division of
Design of the
Bureau of Steam
Engineering
during World War
I, he was
awarded the Navy
Cross and the
Distinguished
Service Medal.
Dyson was
retired 2
December 1925,
and died in
Washington,
D.C., 25 October
1930. In 1942,
the destroyer
USS Dyson
(DD-572) was
named in his
honor.
Moored to the
City Docks,
Orange, Texas, a
newly
constructed 2
100-ton
destroyer rested
tranquilly—a
modern charger,
destined to
carry men into
battle against
the enemy. On
the 30th day of
December, 1942,
this destroyer
was commissioned
the U.S.S. DYSON
(DD 572) and
accepted by the
United States
Navy. Its
officers and men
reported on
board. A soul
had been
breathed into
this bulk of
steel giving it
personality and
a name.
After the
commissioning,
there followed a
period of
outfitting; a
month shakedown
cruise at
Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba; a
post-shakedown
check-up; and
two months of
escort and
anti-submarine
duties in the
Atlantic. That
summarizes, in a
very brief way,
the training
activities in
which the DYSON
participated and
was made ready
for the call to
the Pacific
Ocean.
On I5 May 1943
the Dyson
departed Sandy
Hook, New
Jersey, on a
voyage which
took her through
the South
Atlantic;
through the
Caribbean Sea;
through the
Panama Canal.
After leaving
the Canal, the
DYSON pointed
her bow westward
for Noumea, New
Caledonia.. Bora
Bora Island was
a “gas stop” on
the way. On the
12th of June
1943 the DYSON
steamed into
Port Noumea, New
Caledonia.
The time was at
hand when the
DYSON would be
actively
contributing to
the defeat of
the aggressors
from Japan.
Noumea was the
base from which
the battle for
the Solomons wan
directed. In
July the United
States launched
the campaign to
wrest the New
Georgia Islands
from the enemy,
and the DYSON
won a unit of
Task Group 36.3
which was poised
in the Coral Sea
ready to block
any effort
attempted by
major Japanese
surface forces.
Then followed
the days of the
“slot—that famed
passage through
the Solomon
Islands. The
destroyers and
cruisers of the
United States
Pacific Fleet
fought
courageously in
those
treacherous
waters, aspiring
to win master of
the “slot,” so
that the road
out of the South
Pacific might be
opened to our
armies.
The DYSON began
her “slot” days
on 27 August
1943. It was
always an
exciting
experience
racing up the
“slot” under
cover of night
to intercept the
“Tokyo Express.”
The ever-present
“bogies” hovered
overhead,
displaying their
wide assortment
of flares, float
lights, and
bombs to any
ship which would
dare trespass
this “no man’s
land.” It was
not the lot of
the DYSON to
meet the “Tokyo
Express.” She
did contribute,
however, in
disrupting the
barge traffic
which was so
important to the
Japanese
garrisons in the
Solomons. On two
occasions the
DYSON was
instrumental in
sinking same of
the enemy’s
barges. The crew
watched, with
impatience,
Japanese flags
being painted on
the directors of
other DD’s, and
wondered if
barges could not
be credited on
the director of
the DYSON. The
captain, though,
predicted bigger
things to come.
“Bigger things”
did come when
the long step to
Bougainville
Island wax
planned. The
first day of
November 1943
was a few
minutes old when
Cruiser Division
Twelve and
Destroyer
Squadron
Twenty-Three
opened fire in
the first naval
bombardment of
the Buka-Bonis
airfields and
the Sohano
Island off Buka
Island. The
primary
objective was to
render
inoperative the
two airfields
which were
within easy
striking
distance of
Empress Augusta
Bay, Bouganville,
where our troops
were to invade
that morning.
The element of
surprise was
achieved, far
the share
batteries did
not return fire
until eight
minutes after
the cruisers and
destroyers had
commenced
firing. The task
was completed
without damage
to United States
ships, and the
airborne spotter
observed that
the objective
areas were
“thoroughly
plastered.” An
enemy plane
which attempted
to interrupt the
retirement of
the bombardment
farce was shot
dawn by
destroyer
gunfire.
The bombardment
of the
Buka-Bonis
region did not
complete the
day’s work for
the cruisers and
destroyers. At
daylight they
were in
bombardment
disposition and
approaching the
Shortland Island
group. The
Japanese manning
the shore
batteries on
Morgssiai
Island,
Shortland
Islands, were at
their bottle
stations when
the cruisers and
destroyers
reached the
“firing line.’’
The ships and
the shore
batteries opened
fire
simultaneously.
The cruisers
fired on the
Faisi Island
seaplane base
while the
destroyers fired
counter battery
fire. The DYSON
found the shore
batteries
annoyingly
accurate, being
straddled
several times.
One shell
clipped a radio
antenna but
failed to
detonate.
Another shell
scored a direct
hit on the bow
chock causing
superficial
damage and
fires. Flying
shrapnel from
near misses
wounded five men
and caused minor
damage to the
hull and
superstructure.
Upon completion
of the
bombardment of
the Shortland
Islands,
Destroyer
Division
Forty-Five
fueled in
Hathorn Sound,
New Georgia
Islands. During
the return to
the rendezvous
point, the DYSON
struck a
submerged object
which did
considerable
damage to the
starboard
propeller. The
vibration shook
the ship but all
hands went to
work lashing
down the jumping
radio and radar
instruments,
engineering
equipment, steam
,lines, and
other gear. It
is to the credit
of the fighting
spirit of the
officers and men
of the DYSON
that they took
their
battle-scarred,
hopping ship
into the battle
of Empress
Augusta Bay.
At 0231 on 2
November 1943
Cruiser Division
Twelve and
Destroyer
Squadron
Twenty-Three in
attack
disposition made
radar contact an
a striking force
of twelve
Japanese
men-of-war which
was steaming
toward our
transports at
Empress Augusta
Bay. Destroyer
Division
Forty-Five sped
in for the
initial torpedo
attack. A fast
column of four
enemy ships was
attacking at the
same time.
Flashes were
seen and
underwater
detonations were
heard as the
U.S. torpedoes
intercepted the
path of the
enemy ships.
At
Left: The USS
Foote
As Destroyer
Division
Forty-Five
turned away from
the enemy
torpedo attack,
two torpedo
wakes were
observed by the
gunnery officer
and other
topside
personnel to
pass under the
DYSON. A
three-hour
battle ensued in
which five enemy
vessels. were
estimated sunk
and four
damaged. U.S.
forces suffered
one casualty:
the U.S.S. FOOTE
(DD 511) (At
Left) was
damaged by a
torpedo hit.
Action was
broken off when
the last enemy
target
discernible, a Fubuki-class
destroyer, was
sunk by gunfire.
The U.S. farce
re-farmed in two
groups—one group
with the four
cruisers and
four destroyers,
the other group
with the FOOTE,
taken in tow by
a destroyer, and
two destroyers
escorting.
At 0805 the
cruiser group
was attacked by
sixty or seventy
Japanese
aircraft. The
tight
anti-aircraft
disposition, the
evasive
maneuvering, and
the extremely
accurate gunfire
were responsible
for the
remarkable fact
that none of
these ships was
sunk. The DYSON
experienced many
near misses as
several planes
made runs an
her. The DYSON
tally after the
23-minute fracas
showed six
planes
definitely
destroyed and
one probably
destroyed.
The second
bombardment of
the Buka
airdrome was
conducted an the
morning of 17
November 1943 by
the DYSON and
four other
destroyers of
Destroyer
Squadron
Twenty-Three.
During the night
of the 16th the
destroyers were
speeding north
off the west
coast of
Baugaixviile
Island, when
DexDiv 46
intercepted an
enemy submarine
an the surface.
The target was
illuminated and
five-inch hits
were registered
an the
submarine. It
sank, and after
an hour of
fruitless sound
searching, the
destroyers
resumed their
trek northward.
At 0417 on the
17th, the
twenty-minute
bombardment of
Buka airdrome
commenced. A
large ammunition
dump was
exploded and
extensive fires
started before
the ships
withdrew from
the bombardment
area. Despite
the fact th0t
bogies had
dogged the
destroyers
throughout the
previous night,
the “tin-cans’
pulled out
successfully.
On Thanksgiving
Day, 25 November
1943, five
destroyers of
DesRon 23
pounced on five
or six
destroyers of
the Japanese
fleet attempting
a speedy round
trip between
Buka and Rabaul.
These enemy
ships h0d just
departed Buka
and were laden
with evacuees
from the Buka
and Bonis
airfields. The
enemy was
deployed in two
groups. In the
van group there
were two or
three ships; in
the rear group
there were three
ships. The
AUSBURNE,
CLAXTON and
DYSON of
Destroyer
Division
Forty-Five
immediately
proceeded to
attack the first
group, each
firing a half
salvo of
torpedoes at
6000 yards from
the enemy. Just
before the
torpedoes struck
the first group
radar contact
was made on the
second group.
When the
torpedoes
intercepted the
van group,
terrific
explosions and
fires warned the
rear group of
the presence of
DesRon 23. These
three Japanese
vessels
immediately
turned to the
north at top
speed. The
CONVERSE and
SPENCE stayed
behind to sink
the sole,
crippled
survivor from
the van group,
while the
CHARLES F.
AUSBURNE, the
CLAXTON, and the
DYSON chased the
rear group. It
was an astern
chase, so a
torpedo attack
was an
impossibility.
The three
“Little Beavers”
began firing at
the enemy from
the forward
mounts, the only
mounts which
would bear. The
enemy were
returning fire
from their after
mounts. As our
destroyers were
slowly inching
up on the enemy
ships, the three
Japanese ships
scattered. One
continued,
north, one
altered course
to the
northwest, and
the third
changed course
to the west.
Rather than make
a melee out of
an orderly
pursued
engagement,
Commander
Destroyer
Squadron
Twenty-Three
elected to keep
Division
Forty-Five
intact. The
CHARLES F.
AUSBURNE with
the CLAXTON and
DYSON in column
astern continued
to chase the
target trying to
escape to the
north. The
CLAXTON fired on
the other two
escaping targets
and the DYSON
fired on the
target escaping
on a westerly
course until
they were out of
gun range. Both
of these ships
were hit; one
was slowed
considerably and
may have been
the ship which
search planes
described as
exploding and
breaking up
after the
“Little Beavers
had begun their
retirement. The
enemy DD racing
to the north was
slowed by
gunfire and
eventually sunk
by the combined
fire of the
AUSBURNE,
CLAXTON, and
DYSON. This
engagement, The
Battle of Cape
St. George, has
been described
as the almost
perfect surface
action.
December 1943
was a busy month
with shore
bombardments and
air attacks.
Buka and Bonis
airfields were
on the receiving
end of many
five-inch shells
from DesRon 23.
January 1944 was
a welcome
“breathing
spell” devoted
to effecting
repairs,
installing new
equipment, and
training.
On 3 February
1944 the CHARLES
F. AUSBURNE the
CLAXTON, and the
DYSON positioned
themselves on
the Buka-Rabaul
shipping lane in
anti-submarine
disposition—
their mission to
tighten the
blockade of Buka
Island and
Bougainville
Island by
intercepting any
surface or
subsurface
shipping along
the usual route.
Shortly after
sunset that
evening Japanese
bombers began
attacking the
three destroyers
and continued to
attack for about
two hours. The
DYSON splashed
one bomber while
receiving a near
miss off the
starboard bow, a
near miss off
the port bow,
and three or
four bombs off
the port
quarter. The
Japanese
attackers were
not successful
and failed to
deter the Blue
destroyers from
bombarding
Sarime
Plantation on
the west coast
of Bougainville
the following
morning at
sunrise. So-
rime was an
enemy strong
point from which
an attack
against our
positions in
Empress Augusta
Ba could be
hurled.
At daylight on
the morning of 8
February 1944
the AUSBURNE,
STANLY,
CONVERSE,
SPENCE, and
DYSON began a
seventy-minute
bombardment of
Kavieng, New
Ireland. In that
period of time
the facilities
of this
important enemy
bastion received
a severe
drubbing. The
air spotter was
mast
enthusiastic in
his report of
the destruction
caused by
gunfire, which
destroyed or
damaged many
enemy vessels in
the harbor. The
destroyers
encountered
moderate and
accurate share
battery fire and
an many
occasions it was
necessary to
shift the guns
from target
areas to silence
a battery that
was becoming
particularly
dangerous. As
the ships
retired from a
smoking Kavieng,
two Doves mode
bombing runs on
them without
success.
George
Washington’s
birthday in 1944
was celebrated
in a patriotic
manner by the
“Little
Beavers.” About
1045 a small
merchantman
evacuating four
hundred Japanese
from Kavieng to
Truk or Palau
was sunk by
these
destroyers. The
AUSBIJRNE picked
up 31 survivors;
the STANLY, II,
and the DYSON,
31. At 753 the
“Little Beavers”
sank a Japanese
destroyer or
minelayer by
gunfire near
Tingwon Island.
The victim
exploded
violently after
she sank,
affording little
opportunity for
her officers and
crew to escape.
The third
surface
engagement of
the day come at
2103. The
CONVERSE and
SPENCE had
bombarded the
harbor
facilities of
Kavieng, forcing
some of the
shipping to exit
from the harbor
via Steffen
Strait. The
CHARLES F.
AUSBURNE,
STANLY, and
DYSON steamed
into the mouth
of Steffen
Strait to close
the trap on a
large AK and a
few smaller
craft. The DYSON
sank a PC or SC
in sixteen
minutes and then
switched over to
the AUSBURNE’s
target, a large
AK. At 2213,
burning from
stem to stern
and being hit by
salvo firing
from the
AUSBURNE and
DYSON, the large
cargo ship sank.
The STANLY had
damaged several
barges, causing
two of them to
be beached. The
trek down
Gazelle Channel,
between New
Britain and New
Ireland, began.
A snooper plane
went ahead of
the three
destroyers
searching the
harbor for
shipping, but
found nothing of
any consequence.
The destroyers
approached the
Duke of York
Islands and at
0336 on 23
February began a
23-minute
bombardment of
an airfield
which the
Japanese were
constructing.
After daybreak
the CHARLES F.
AUSBURNE, STANLY
and DYSON
effected
rendezvous with
the CONVERSE and
SPENCE east of
Cape St. George,
New Ireland. An
enemy plane
sneaked out of
Rabaul, dropped
a bomb near the
SPENCE, then
high- tailed
back to his
base. An hour
later the
CONVERSE rescued
four survivors
from a Ventura
patrol plane
that had gone
down in the
vicinity of Cape
St. George. With
their mixed
cargo of
survivors—Americans
and Japanese—
and with the
unique
experience of
three surface
engagements and
two shore
bombardments
within eighteen
hours to their
credit, the five
destroyers set
course for
“home”— Port
Purvis, Florida
Islands.
The “Little
Beaver Squadron”
had served
notice on the
sons of Nippon.
The power of the
‘‘Fortress of
Asia” in the
South Pacific
was past its
prime and
dwindling. Two
operations in
the South
Pacific remained
for the
destroyers of
DesRon
Twenty-Three.
The CHARLES F.
AUSBURNE STANLY,
CONVERSE,
SPENCE, and
DYSON in company
with Cruiser
Division Twelve
made the second
sweep across the
Truk-Rabaul-Kavieng
sea route
without
encountering an
enemy vessel.
These some ships
acted as a
covering force
for the landing
in the St.
Mothias
Island—an
amphibious
operation which
placed the Yanks
between Kavieng
ond Truk.
The battle for
the South
Pacific had been
won. Destroyer
Squadron
Twenty-Three
departed
triumphantly
from that
theater of the
war late in
March 1944 to
join a carrier
task force which
was steaming
westward for the
first carrier
raid on Palau
Islands. These
destroyers began
a new career as
screening units
in Task Force 58
which
spearheaded the
attack across
the vast
Pacific. The
reception at
Palau was a hot
one. The
Japanese
endeavored to
turn back this
bold force of
carriers and
sent many
planes, chiefly
torpedo planes,
in to attack
with a
vengeance; but
they failed to
accomplish their
mission, for
Palau was hit
and hit hard. On
the return to
Majuro, Marshall
Islands, the
carriers dallied
by Truk long
enough for the
“flattop flyers
to give it a
heavy pasting.
This was the
second carrier
attack on Truk.
The Blue carrier
force was next
employed in
supporting
amphibious
landings at
Hollandia, New
Guinea. On this
occasion the
CHARLES F.
AUSBURNE STANLY
and DYSON made
an anti-shipping
sweep along the
coast of New
Guinea,
northwest from
Hollandia with
negative
results. Truk
again was a
target on the
return to
Majuro.
The month of May
was utilized in
training and
upkeep. On the
6th of June 1944
the fast carrier
task force
sorted from
Majuro in
support of the
most daring move
in the Pacific
to that date—the
landing on
Saipan. The
DYSON was with
the carriers
which were
positioned
between Saipan
and the
Philippines
ready to
counteract any
thrust the
Japanese fleet
might attempt
from that
direction. The
nineteenth of
June, 944, has
become famous as
the Turkey shoot
day, for on that
day more than
350 Jap planes
were destroyed
by the carrier
pilots and ships
of the Fifth
Fleet when the
Japanese carrier
force tried to
strike a mortal
blow against the
U.S. warships
and invasion
fleet.
The DYSON was
also with the
carriers who
made the first
attack on the
Bonins on 15-16
June 1944. Guam
and Rota Islands
were shelled
during daylight
on 27 June by
the MIAMI,
HOUSTON and
Destroyer
Squadron Twenty-
Three (less
AULICK, CLAXTON,
and FOOTE). Five
days later the
AUSBURNE, STANLY
and DYSON
returned to Guam
on a day and
night harassment
sweep. The
intermittent
fire of these
destroyers kept
the enemy
jittery and
finally provoked
return fire from
the shore but
none of the
destroyers was
damaged. In July
the DYSON was a
screening unit
in the fast
carrier task
force which
pounded Guam in
the pre-invasion
bombing and
which remained
to afford the
invading force
close support.
On 30 July 1944
Destroyer
Squadron
Twenty-Three
(less AULICK,
CLAXTON, FOOTE,
and THATCHER)
began a trek to
the east which
terminated in
th0t for away
land the United
States. The
DYSON commenced
her overhaul on
17 August in
Mare Island Navy
Yard, Mare
Island,
California.
The Navy yard
overhaul being
accomplished the
DYSON on 5
October 1944 in
company with the
CHARLES F.
AUSBURNE,
CONVERSE and
SPENCE,
proceeded in
route to Pearl
Harbor. After
two weeks of
gunnery torpedo
arid radar
tracking
practice,
squadron
maneuvers and
other exercises
these ships
along with the
BISMARCK SEA,
MAKIN ISLAND and
LUNGA POINT
departed the
Hawaiian Islands
on 25 October
for Ulithi Atoll
in the Western
Carolinas. The
DYSON was
detached from
the ships in
company and sped
on ahead to
arrive in Ulithi
Atoll on 4
November 1944.
The following
day the DYSON
was assigned to
Task Farce 38
and sorted with
one of its
groups on a
mission in
support of
invasion of the
Philippine
Islands. On II
and 13 November
1944 enemy
planes
approached the
carrier
formation but
were destroyed
or turned back
by combat air
patrols before
they could
attack the
vessels. On 24
November, after
many successful
air strikes had
been
accomplished by
the carriers,
the DYSON in
company with
Task Group 38.1
returned to
Ulith for
routine
provisioning and
upkeep.
Departing Ulithi
on II December
1944, the DYSON
joined Task
Group 38.2 whose
mission was to
hurl air strikes
at enemy planes
and bases on
Luzon Island in
the Philippines.
The carrier
planes were
devastating in
their blows
against Clark
Field, Nichols
Field and other
important air
bases which the
Japanese were
employing.
While on this
mission, Task
Group 38.2 and
other Third
Fleet units had
an awesome
experience. A
typhoon of
terrifying
intensity
enveloped the
Fleet. Three
destroyers—the
HULL, MONAGHAN,
and
SPENCE—overturned
and capsized.
Though a tedious
search of the
area was made by
ships and
aircraft, only a
few survivors
were found.
During the
raging storm the
DYSON had a
close call when
the ship rolled
heavily to port
taking a huge
swell over the
main deck. Water
entered a
ventilation
intake and was
sluiced into the
forward engine
roam, causing
the No. I
switchboard to
short out. To
save the ship,
emergency
repairs were
effected
immediately.
It was BOONE
KEMP who saved
the ship on this
day. He had to
enter the engine
room and throw
switches and
told me that it
was "extremely
hot" in the
engine room with
temperatures of
125 t0 150
degrees. He went
in not expecting
to come out. Three days later
the DYSON
entered Ulithi
Atoll to repair
storm damage.
Ulithi Atoll
below


Beech At Ulithi
Atol
After
celebrating
another
Christmas in
Pacific waters
and the second
anniversary of
the
commissioning of
the vessel the
DYSON departed
Ulithi as a
screening unit
with the Third
Fleet tankers.
On the 10th of
January 1945 the
DYSON contacted
what was
believed to be
an enemy
submarine. Two
attacks were
made before
contact with the
sub was lost. A
week later, the
DYSON in company
with the tankers
and the major
portion of the
Third Fleet
weathered a
typhoon in the
South China Sea.
This two-day
storm paralleled
the ferocity of
the one
encountered the
month before.
While no ships
were last, many
men were swept
aver the sides
of ships by
mountainous
rolling seas,
and considerable
material damage
was done to the
ships. Fear
clutched every
heart as each
roll of the ship
brought back the
picture of
disaster in
December.
When retiring
from the South
China Sea, the
DYSON
encountered a
Nippanese
U-boat. This
undersea craft,
attempting to
forestall the
attacking
destroyer, fired
torpedoes, two
of which
exploded in the
wake of the ship
as she plunged
in far a depth
charge attack.
It is believed
that the
submarine was
damaged but not
destroyed. The
DYSON returned
to Ulithi Atoll
on 27 January
far provisioning
and other
logistics.
At
Left: Jap
uniform from one
of the escaping
Japs on
Corregidor
Picture
courtesy of:
John Signorino
S1C USS Dyson
who still has it
Having been
detached from
the Third Fleet,
the DYSON
departed Ulithi
on 7 February
and proceeded to
Leyte Island, P.
I., to join the
other ships of
DesRan 23. Three
days later she
arrived in San
Pedra Bay at
Leyte and
reported to
Commander
Seventh
Amphibious Carps
far duty. The
bombardment of
Corregidor
Island on almost
daily trips from
Subic Bay, Luzan
Island, between
the 19th of
February and the
middle of March
was of great
service to the
Army. On the
20th of
February, four
Japanese
attempting to
escape from
Corregidor
Island were
picked up by the
DYSON and turned
aver to the
Army. The
SAUNTER (AM 295)
shuck a mine off
El Fraile Island
in Manila Bay on
26 February, and
it was feared
that she would
have to be
abandoned.
However, a party
of officers and
men from the
DYSON went
aboard the
SAUNTER and
helped to save
her.
In the ensuing
period of two
months the DYSON
supported the
amphibious
landings an
Panay, Negras,
and Mindanaa
Islands in the
Philippines.
There was very
little firing
required by the
support ships on
these
operations, as
the Philippine
guerilla farces
had assisted
capably in
keeping the
Japanese clear
of the assault
beaches. Far the
DYSON, this was
the “quiet
before the
storm.”
On Sunday, 13
May 1945, the
“Little Beaver
Squadron”
steamed out of
San Pedro Bay,
Leyte Gulf,
enroute far
Okinawa Shima.
Three days later
Destroyer
Squadron
Twenty-Three
arrived off
Hagushi Beach,
Okinawa.
Okinawa, the
land of the
Kamikaze pilot,
was a graveyard
far destroyers.
There was,
however, a gap
to fill, and the
“Beavers” were
there to fill
it. The DYSON
fueled the
following day,
and then
proceeded to a
station on the
outer screen
line, where the
Commanding
Officer of the
DYSON was in
tactical command
of a screening
sector. That
night two
Japanese planes
were scared off
by the concerted
firing of the
five- inch guns.
At 2310,
however, a
Japanese torpedo
plane plunged
through the flak
and attacked.
DYSON five-inch
shells seemed to
burst all around
him, but he
pressed in to
launch his
torpedo.
Fortunately, the
gunfire and
evasive
movements of the
ship caused the
pilot to
miscalculate and
the torpedo
exploded astern;
regrettably, the
plane got away.
The Score in
1945
Two days later,
an the 19th of
May, the DYSON
was ordered to
Radar Picket
Station No.
16.-This was the
first assignment
far the DYSON an
the famed
‘picket line of
Okinawa.” This
was to be her
chief role far
the nest two
months. At dusk
on 29 May two
low-flying Zeros
attacked Radar
Picket Station
No. 9.
Commanding
Officer, USS
DYSON was in
tactical command
of two other
destroyers and
four LCSs. It
was a sneak
attack. The
enemy planes
were skimming
over the waves
and had
approached to
nine miles
before they were
detected by the
destroyers. The
skirmish was
quick and
decisive. The
LCS group was
interposed
between the
attacking planes
and the
destroyers. One
Zeke, trying to
cross the LCS5,
was destroyed by
the concentrated
fire of these
splendid little
support ships.
The other pilot
swung his plane
around this
group, missed
the stern of one
destroyer, and
broke out into
the open on the
beam of the
three ships. He
was just
attempting a
“wing over” when
he was killed by
five-inch bursts
or automatic
weapons fire.
The plane,
without catching
fire, plunged
into the sea.
Two days later
during the
mid-afternoon of
Thursday, 31 May
1945, a Japanese
plane, a
Frances,
approached R.P.S.
No. 9. It was at
an altitude of
4000 feet when
the five- inch
fire af the
three destroyers
began hitting.
Before getting
within bombing
range of the
ships, the
Frances
plummeted to the
sea. An enemy
plane had been
driven off
earlier, making
this the second
unsuccessful
attack of the
day.
The Okinawa area
was attacked by
night and by
day. There was
always an
unhappy report
th0t some ship
known to you had
been victimized
by the “Divine
Winds” from
Nippon. No place
in the area was
safe; the target
of most frequent
attack, however,
was the picket
line. Early in
June, the DYSON
was equipped for
fighter
direction. Her
purpose on the
picket line
became twofold:
to report
approaching
enemy aircraft,
and to direct
our fighter
planes to where
they might
engage and
destroy the
enemy planes. On
Monday June on
enemy air raid
was reported 35
miles away. The
combat air
patrol was
vectored out
immediately by
the DYSON
fighter
direction team
to intercept
this raid.
Subsequently,
this combat air
patrol shot down
two vals and
were making o
run on the third
when that one
was shot down by
surface craft.
The raid was
broken up
effectively
before it could
attack any of
our ships or
installations.
Okinawa was the
scene of action
for the DYSON
until the end of
the war. Over
and above the
picket duty
there was escort
duty in and
around Okinawa
Gunto. The DYSON
ran out two
typhoons while
escorting
transports to
safer waters.
These were the
menial tasks of
the destroyers,
but the suicide
plane—until the
final surrender
note was sent
out from
Japan—was a
constant threat
to the life of
every defender
of Okinawa.
The war has
ended. The war
record of a ship
is a phase of
history
completed.
Historians do
not attempt to
write down for
posterity the
saga of a place
or on era
without devoting
much time and
space to the
personalities
involved
therein, but
this war record,
because of its
brevity, has
omitted the
personal side of
the ship’s
history. No
mention has been
mode of the joys
and sorrows, the
hopes and
disappointments,
of the men on
the ship who
mode the DYSON o
living thing.
Everyone who
dealt with the
DYSON liked and
respected her.
It was a comfort
to many to look
around and see
that fighting
ship, DYSON, in
company with
them. In surface
engagements,
shore
bombardments,
and air-sea
bottles she has
performed in on
outstanding
manner. Of
course there
were many
tedious routine
tasks, but they
too were
performed with
interest and
competence, The
DYSON has
contributed to
the destruction
of many enemy
installations
and units while
suffering only
minor material
casualties; she
has token o
heavy toll of
enemy life with,
fortunately, no
loss of her own.
The U.S.S. DYSON
(DD 572) is one
ship that naval
historians con
point to with
pride in their
histories of
World War II.
Reporting to
the Naval Base
at Charleston,
SC, Dyson
furnished
electrical power
for a group of
decommissioned
destroyers until
placed out of
commission in
reserve 31 March
1947. On 17
February 1960,
Dyson was lent
to the Federal
Republic of
Germany, with
whose navy she
serves as Z-5.
It was renamed
to D179. Then it
was sold to
Greece February
1982 to be
cannibalized to
provide spare
parts.