USS SIGSBEE DD-502 

The above painting by Naval artist Peter Hsu (copyright authorized) shows the 502 under air attack 4/14/45

ACTION REPORT SERIES:

SIGSBEE'S 7th WAR ACTION

ACTION REPORT SERIAL 087 6 OCTOBER 1944:  INVASION AND OCCUPATION MOROTAI ISLAND PERIOD 19 SEPTEMBER 5 OCTOBER

Secret

From: The Commanding Officer.

To: The Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet

Via: 1. Commander Destroy Division FOUR.  2. Commander Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-ONE  3. Commander Task Force SEVENTY-FIVE.  4. Commander SEVENTH FLEET.  5. Supreme Commander, Allied Forces Southwest Pacific Area.

Subject: Action Report, Invasion and occupation of Morotai Island 

Part I:

 SIGSBEE was assigned as screening vessel for Echelon M-5 and Echelon M-14.

Echelon M-5 was composed of USS GLENDALE, USS CORONADO, USS LANG, USS DASHIELL and USS SIGSBEE as screen, together with 9 LST's.

Enroute from HUMBOLDT BAY to MOROTAI Echelon M-14 was composed of CDD 4 (OTC), USS LANG DD-339, USS SIGSBEE, USS DASHIELL, USS RINGGOLD as screen, 7 LST's and SS LINDLEY GARRISON,  SS GEORGE PERKINS, SS GUS DARNELL, SS ISAAC STEVENS.

On return from MOROTAI to HUMBOLDT BAY Echelon M-14 was composed of CDS 21 (OTC), USS NICHOLAS DD-449, USS HOWORTH DD-592, USS SIGSBEE, USS RINGGOLD, USS DASHIELL, USS QUAPAW ATF-110   http://www.ussquapaw.com/history.php Y19, and 7 LST's.

Part II: Chronological Log of Events

19 September:

1807   Arrived Cape GILA awaiting departure of Echelon M-5.

1925   Bogey reported bearing 180 degrees T, distance 15 miles.

1937   Heavy AA fire observed over beach, bogey retired.

1951   Bogey bearing 060 degrees T, distance 21 miles.

1959   Bogey report false.

2014   Heavy AA fire observed over MOROTAI Island.

2017   AA fire ceased.

2031   Took departure from MOROTAI Island.

20-21 September:

Steaming as before.

22 September:

0805   Two LST's escorted by USS CORONADO and USS GLENDALE detached from formation.

23 September:

0733 Echelon M-5 entered HUMBOLDT BAY.

24-25 September:

At anchor in HUMBOLDT BAY

26 September:

2025   Underway with Echelon M-14 in accordance with CTF 77's Operation Plan 8-44.

2152   Took departure from HUMBOLDT BAY with CDD 4 in USS LANG (OTC), screening vessels USS LANG, USS RINGGOLD, USS DASHIELL, USS SIGSBEE, convoy consisting of five LST's.

27 September:

0832   DASHIELL detached from formation in accordance with previous instructions.  Formed screen 53.

0937   Commenced scheduled AA firing.

1055   Completed exercrise.

1458   DASHIELL and XAK's SS LINDLEY GARRISON, SS GEORGE PERKINS, SS GUS DANELL, SS ISAAC STEVENS joined formation.

1703   DASHIELL detached from formation.

28 September:

1550   DASHIIELL and LST's 465 and 168 joined formation.

29-31 September:

Steaming as before.

1 October:

0520   Arrived off PITOE BEACH, MOROTAI, took station screening to seaward while LST's proceeded to beach and XAK's proceeded to DOROEBA anchorage.

0718   Commenced patrolling on line, point of origin 110 degrees T, 9000 yards distance from south tip of MITITA Island, course of patrol 070 degrees 7000 yards.

1415   Left patrol station, proceeded to vicinity of USS LANG to receive support air control party.

1515   Resumed normal patrol station.

1803   Left patrol station, formed AA screen for Echelon M-14 departing from PITOE.

1818   Took departure from MOROTAI Island with CBS 21 as (OTC), USS NICHOLAS, USS RINGGOLD, USS DASHIELL, USS HOWORTH, and USS SIGSBEE, as screen.  Convoy consisted of 7 LST's, USS QUAPAW ATF-110 ( Auxiliary Tug Fleet) and Y19.

1843   Condition Red on MOROTAI.

2 October:

0758   DASHIELL, RINGGOLD, and HOWORTH with LST;s 208, 911, 613, 460, and Y19 left formation.

3 October:

0013   DASHIELL rejoined formation.

1103   QUAPAW detached from formation.

2000   Entered Class "D" Submarine area.

2020   DASHIELL investigating possible sound contact.

2106   Surface contact bearing 146 degrees, distance 12,000 yards.  Directed by OTC to investigate.  Went to GQ.

2125   Signal light spotted on port bow.

2130   Recognition signals exchanged with contact, identified as USS PADDLE SS-263. Rejoined formation.

2153   DASHIELL directed to remain with contact until daylight.

2300   Left submarine safety lane.

4 October:

1145   DASHIELL rejoined screen.

1343   Detached, escorting LST 26 to TOEM.

1805   Released LST 26 at MAFFIN BAY, proceeding as previously directed.

5 October:

0615   Arrived HUMBOLDT BAY.

                                                                                                           G.P. Chung-Hoon

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