To the Allies surprise, a vastly numerically superior Japanese army found their way to Los Negros Island during the first night. On Day 2, the USS BUSH and destroyer USS STOCKTON engaged in repeated bombardment and strafing of Japanese locations, inhibiting any effective counter attack and reducing potential American casualties.
Because bombardment and strafing occurred so close to beach, the ships numbers were visible to the troops on shore. It is from this action that the U. S. Army personnel first coined the USS BUSH nickname "The Fighting '29". An onshore Army commander is noted to have said, "The Navy didn't support us, they saved our necks!"
Excerpts from the USS BUSH Deck Logs follow.
| To Related Photos | To Medical Officer's Report on Invasion |
CONFIDENTIAL
OPERATIONAL REMARKS (excerpts)
UNITED STATES SHIP USS BUSH (DD529)
Tuesday 29 February, 1944
| Watch | Remarks |
|---|---|
| 4-8 | .....0721-Manus Island, Admiralty Group, bearing 270oT,
sky entirely overcast, visbility approximately 10 miles.
0724-Deployed from main group (TG 76.1) in company with USS WELLES
astern at 1,000 yards and stood in to bombard Los Negros Island.....
0736-U.S. aircraft observed bombing beach on Negros Island.....
0740-Commenced bombarding targets #10 and #12 on beach on Los Negros
Island bearing 292oT, range 28,000 yards,
all cruisers of TG 74.2 and destroyers of TG 74.2 and TG 76.1 firing.
0750-Army troops aboard USS HUMPHREYS, USS BROOKS, USS SANDS,
disembarked for beach. 0751-Misfire on gun #3, cooled with fire hose.
0756-Ceased firing, having expended 384 rounds of 5"/38 AA Common
ammunition of mixed lots. 0759-Cleared jam on gun #3. ...W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR. |
| 8-12 | ..... 0801-Commenced bombarding beach again.
0809-Ceased firing,
having expended 42 rounds 5"/38 (AA Comman) ammunition of mixed lots.
0810-Changed course..... 0820-Ordered to stand in and disembark troops
aboard. Maneuvered to stand in toward target area #2 to carry out
assignment. Reported that first wave of troops landed without opposition.
0826-Observed enemy fire from beach either 20mm or 40mm. 0829-Changed
speed to 25 knots (262 rpm). O830- Changed speed to 15 knots (150 rpm).
0831-Slowed to steerageway. 0832-Maneuvered to take LCV(P) alongside.
0834-Took aboard wounded crewman Chartrand, J. C., 610-21-23, Slc,
USNR, gunshot wound in upper left chest.
(To Related Photos and Memories)
0835-Commenced disembarking
Army personnel and equipment. 0846-LCV(P), loaded, cleared ship and stood
in to beach in Hyane Harbor. The following named Army officers and
enlisted personnel, units of the lst Calvary Division, disembarked
in accordance with CTF 76 OPPLAN 2-44 of 26 February 1944: .....(70 US Army
officers & men are listed).... plus the following war correspondents:
Frank Prist, K. Roberts and Joseph Scarlett. 0850-Maneuvered on various
courses at 15 knots (150 rpm) to remain 3,000 yards off Hyane Harbor
entrance awaiting return of LCV(P). 0904- Enemy fire directed on
landing craft observed on beach, north head. 0905-USS MAHAN, USS DRAYTON,
USS SMITH commenced firing on enemy gun emplacements. 0935-U.S. planes
(B25's) strafed beach. 0940-Planes bombed targets on beach. 0955-Firing
ships ceased firing. Commenced raining. 0957-Received report that second
contingent of troops landed; met opposition. 1022-Received report that
Momote air strip is captured. 1031-Together with other units, commenced
bombardment of targets #7 and #8. 1034-Ceased bombardment, having expanded
34 rounds 5"/38 (AA Common) ammunition. 1043-USS FLLUSSER commenced
firing on target #12 in order to silence enemy machine gun emplacement.
1047-Maneuvered to take LCV(P) alongside. 1050-Comnenced loading LCV(P)
with Army supplies and ammunition. 1056-LCV(P) left. ship. 1106-LCV(P)
under fire from shore. USS FLUSSER maneuvered to bombard area (target #1).
1107-Maneuvered on various courses at various speeds off Negros Island
screening the remaining destroyers who were disembarking troops..... ...P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN. |
| 12-16 | .....1306 Torpedo wake reported sighted by USS HUTCHINS 10 miles
east of Hyane Harbor. Changed speed to 20 knots (203 rpm), course
335oT, 329o psc.
1317-Changed speed to 15 knots (150 rpm), maneuvering on various
courses patrolling anti-submarine sector assigned (OOOo
T to 045oT from transport area). 1322-Raining
heavily, visibility 3,000 yards. 1339 Rain decreased to steady drizzle,
visibility increased to 6,000 Yards. ...W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR. |
| 16-20 | ....1729-All units of TU 76.1 with the exception of USS BUSH and USS
STOCKTON took departure from the Admiralty Islands. 1836 On base course
355oT, 359o psc;, at 15 knots
(150 rpm), commenced zigzagging in accordance with plan #14, USS STOCKTON formed
090oT, distance 1,500 yards. CTU 76.1.31 in USS BUSH.
1840-Ceased zigzagging. Maneuvered on various courses at various speeds
to receive LCV(P) alongside. 1910-Shore fire control party requested
fire support on designated targets on Negros Island. Went to general
quarters. Maneuvered to close target. 1939-Commenced bombardment of
targets #10 and #17. 1958-Ceased firing, having expended 33 rounds
5"/38 (AA Common) ammunition. ...P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN |
| 20-24 | .....2006-Commenced anti-submarine patrol on a ten mile line on
courses OOOoT, 005o psc
and 180oT, 169o psc.,
speed 15 knots (150 rpm), USS STOCKTON formed 090oT,
distance 2,500 yards. 2013-Secured from general quarters, set condition
of readiness IE. 2036-Commenced zigzagging according to plan #14. ...W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR. |
CONFIDENTIAL
OPERATIONAL REMARKS (excerpts)
UNITED STATES SHIP USS BUSH (DD529)
Wednesday 1 March, 1944
| Watch | Remarks |
|---|---|
| 4-8 | .....0720-Shore fire control station requested fire on targets #8
and #9. 0721-Maneuvering on various courses at various speeds. Went
to general quarters. 0732-Commenced firing on target #9. 0736-Ceased
firing having expended 20 rounds 5"/38 service (AA Common) ammunition. ...W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR. |
| 8-12 | ....0808 Commenced firing on target #8. 0813-Ceased firing, having
expended 13 rounds 5"/38 service (AA Common) ammmunition. O841-Set
condition of readiness 1E; maneuvering on various courses at various
speeds to take expected boat from beach alongside. 0905-Boat failed
to come from beach. Maneuvering on various courses at various speeds
proceeding to patrol station. 0918-Patrolling 4,000 yards off Hyane Harbor....
0955-U.S. Army B-25 planes bombing and strafing beach. 1026-Maneuvering
on various courses at various speeds to take boat from beach alongside.
1029-Lying to; boat alongside; the following casualties were brought
aboard and treated for wounds: Capt. J. S. Tuck, USA, 403453, gunshot
wounds in groin, left leg and thigh; Dorn, H. G., Cpl., USA, l2l64151,
gunshot wound in head, shrapnel in left neck; Finney, S. J., Pvt., USA,
35502437, gunshot wounds right abdomen and chest; Griffitts, S., Sgt.,
USA, 35465011, gunshot wounds in abdomen; Hall, E. L., Cpl., USA.,
18048100, gunshot wounds in head and face. 1057-Boat cleared side;
underway at 15 knots (l5O rpm), patrolling off Hyane Harbor.....
1137-Shore fire control station requested fire on target #17; went
to general quarters; maneuvering on various courses at various speeds.
1147-Commenced firing on target #17. 1150-Ceased firing, having
expended 10 rounds 5"/38 service (AA Common) ammunition. ....P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN. |
| 12-16 | ....1217-Small craft sighted standing out of Hyane Harbor; maneuvering
on various courses at various speeds proceeding toward small craft.
1227-Lying to; boat alongside; the following named casualties came
aboard and were treated for wounds: White, R. R.. Pfc, USA, 34036300,
gunshot wound right arm; Wiegand, J. W., T-4, USA, 13026787, gunshot
wound, compound fracture, left leg; Miller, A., Pvt., USA, shrapnel
wound left buttocks....1302-Boat cleared side; standing out to sea
on various courses at various speeds. 1314-Commenced patrolling.....
1546-USS STOCKTON commenced bombarding beach. 1554-USS STOCKTON completed
bombardment. ...W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR. |
| 16-20 | ....1607-Maneuvering on various courses at various at various speeds
standing toward small craft. 1614-USS STOCKTON commenced bombarding
beach. 1617-Lying to; boat from beach alongside. The following
casualties came aboard and were treated wounds: Tower, B. E., Pvt.,
USA, 36113513, wounded in abdomen and back; Wheeler, R. D., Pvt.,
USA, 11085540, gunshot wound abdomen.... 1619-USS STOCKTON ceased
firing. 1642-Boat cleared side; commenced patrolling 2,000 yards off
Hyane Harbor.... 1729-Shore fire control station requested bombardment
and strafing of area between targets #13 and #14; went to GQ.....
1745-Proceeding on Northerly course at 5 knots (53 rpm) about 1,000
yards from beach. 1751-Comenced firing 5" and automatic weapons at
beach. 1753-Ceased firing. 1757-Reversed course to Southerly
course. 1804-Commenced firing 5" and automatic weapons at beach.
1806-Ceased firing, having expended 133 rounds 5"/38 service (AA Common)
ammmition, 739 rounds 40mm service amunition and 1550 rounds 20mm service
ammunition.....1912-Shore fire control station requested fire on area
between targets #13 and #14....went to general quarters. USS STOCKTON
formed column astern....1920-Commenced firing 5" and automatic weapons
at beach. 1922-Ceased firing. USS STOCKTON commenced firing. 1923-USS
STOCKTON ceased firing. Maneuvering on various to make second run....
1933 Commenced firing 5" guns and automatic weapons. 1935-Ceased firing,
having expended 136 rounds 5"/38 service (AA Common), 1065 rounds 40mm
service, and 2360 rounds 20mm service ammunition. USS STOCKTON commenced
firing. 1937-USS STOCKTON ceased firing. Unidentified planes on radar
bearing 262oT, distance 42 miles..... 1958-Full
left rudder, planes now bearing 350oT, distance
1.5 miles. ...P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN. |
| 20-24 | ...2012-Changed speed to 30 knots (325 rpm). 2027-Changed speed
to 25 knots (265 rpm). 2029-Changed speed to 15 knots (150 rpm).
2035-Changed speed to 10 knot (098 rpm) planes approaching....2042-Planes
going out to east; changed speed to 20 knots (203 rpm). 2049-Secured
from general quarters; set. condition of readiness 1E; lost radar contact
bearing 235oT, distance 63 miles..... ....W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR. |
CONFIDENTIAL
OPERATIONAL REMARKS (excerpts)
UNITED STATES SHIP USS BUSH (DD529)
Thursday 2 March, 1944
| Watch | Remarks |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | ....0004 Proceeding to patrol area.....0048 Commenced patrolling
....with USS STOCKTON formed....2,000 yards....from USS BUSH (CTU 76.1-31)
.....0240 Tower, B., 36113513, Pvt., USA, died as a result of gunshot
wounds in abdomen and back, sustained during action with enemy on Los
Negros Island. ...P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN. |
| 4-8 | ....0530-Unidentified aircraft contact (radar)....distance 16 miles;
went to general quarters. 0545-Changed course.... 0548-USS STOCKTON
formed astern, distance 1,000 yards. 0558-Unidentified aircraft withdrew.
Secured from general quarters, set condition of readiness 1E.....
0625-Echelon H-2 contacted by TBS transmission interception, distance
and bearing estimated as 25 miles and 225oT,
respectively...... 0748-Maneuvered on various courses at various speeds
to take station in screening disposition around LST's..... 0758-On
station #2 screening TU 76.2.2 composed of LST's 171,(CTG 76.2 and
CTU 76.2.2), 454, 458, 466, 22, 202, in company with TU 76.2.1 composed
of HMAS WARRAMUNGA (CTU 76.2.1), USS AMMEN and USS MULLANY and TU 76.2.3
composed of USS HAMILTON (CTU 76.2.3) and USS LONG, as well as the USS
WELLES (TU 76.1.31) and one unit of TU 76.1.34, the USS STOCKTON. ...W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR. |
| 8-12 | ....0906-Maneuvered to close LST 466 in order to transfer dispatches
to beach for delivery to the Commanding General. 0923-Dispatches
transferred. 0924-Plane crashed dead ahead, all engines ahead emergency,
proceeding at 35 knots (398 rpm) to scene of crash. 0925-Changed speed
to 15 knots (150 rpm), USS WELLES and HMAS WARRAMUNGA proceeded to scene
of crash. 0926 Commenced patrolling off Los Negros Island screening
LST's standing in to Hyane Harbor.....0946 Received word from USS MULLANY
that enemy guns were firing on USS HAMILTON and USS LONG from Hauwei Island.
0947-At speed 22 knots (225 rpm), HMAS WARRAMUNGA, USSAMMEN, USS BUSH and
USS MULLANY, in that order, formed column formation and stood in toward
target area. 0955-Went to general quarters. 1010-Changed speed to 25
knots (265 rpm). Commenced raining, visibility 3,000 yards....1039-Commenced
firing on Hauwei Island. 1040-Changed speed to 15 knots (150 rpm).
1043-Ceased firing, having expended 50 rounds 5"/38 service (AA Common)
ammunition of mixed lots. 1122-Ships approaching beach in scouting line....
1339 Commenced firing on same target. 1143 Ceased firing, having expended
25 rounds 5"/38 service ammunition mixed lots. 1158-Set condition of
readinness 1E; changed speed to 20 knots (203 rpm); formed column as
follows: HMAS WARRAMUNGA, USS AMMEN, and USS BUSH. ...P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN. |
| 12-16 | .....1208-Enemy planes overhead, went to general quarters.
1209-Changed speed to speed to 25 knots (265 rpm). 1210-Opened fire
on plane diving on B-17 with 5"/38 and automatic weapons. 1211-Ceased
firing having expanded 5 rounds 5"/38 service (AA Common)) and
1 round 5"/38 service (Mk. 32) and 20 rounds of 40mm service ammunition
of mixed lots; plane retiring. 1220-Took station #2 in special
anti-aircraft disposition with HMAS WARRAMUNGA in station #1 and
USS AMMEN in station #3.....1310-Enemy planes retired; friendly fighters
overhead; set condition of readiness 1E; .....1450-Hall, J. L., Corporal,
USA., died as a result of gunshot wounds in head and neck, sustained
during action with enemy on Los Negros Island. ...W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg), USNR. |
| 16-20 | ....1738-Shore fire control station requested fire on target #12; went
to general quarters; maneuvering on various courses at various speeds
to take station in column; order of column: HMAS WARRAMUNGA, USS
AMMEN, USS MULLANY and USS BUSH. 1755-Maneuvering in order to reverse
column.....BUSH leading column. 1808-Commenced firing on target #12.
1811-Ceased firing having expended 46 rounds 5"/38 service (AA common)
ammunition of mixed lots. ...P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN. |
| 20-24 | ....2203-Took departure from Admiralty Islands for Buna, New Guinea.... ...W. A. Kozumplik, Lt.(jg),. USNR. |
CONFIDENTIAL
OPERATIONAL REMARKS (excerpts)
UNITED STATES SHIP USS BUSH (DD529)
Fridy 3 March, 1944
| Watch | Remarks |
|---|---|
| 8-12 | ....1000 Tower, Byrone, Pvt., USA, 36113513 and Hall, J. L., Cpl.,
USA, 18048100, who died on 2 March 1944, of gunshot wounds inflicted by
enemy action on Los Negros Island, Admiralty Group, were buried at sea,
latitude 04-30'S, longitude 147-31'E. ...P. A. Lilly, jr., Lieut., USN. |
Deck logs for the above days were examined by the Executive Officer, W. V. Combs, Lieut-Cmdr., USN and approved by the Commanding Officer, T. A. Smith, Cmdr., USN.
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