WWII USS NEWCOMB COMMISSIONING BOTTLE 1943 DD-586

[KASTAUFFER]

This is the actual commissioning bottle for the WWII US Navy Destroyer, the USS Newcomb. These bottles were always presented to the sponsor , who was the person who smashed the bottle against the ship when it was commissioned . She saw a lot of action during WWII earning 8 battle stars. She sustained major damage after 4 Kamikaze's hit her on April 6, 1945.

SHIPS HISTORY

Newcomb (DD-586) was laid down 19 March 1943 by Boston Navy Yard; launched 4 July 1943; sponsored by Mrs. C.C. Baughman; and commissioned 10 November 1943, Comdr. L.B. Cook in command.

Newcomb shook down in the West Indies for a month, then made passage to the Marshall Islands, arriving 4 April 1944 for two months duty on antisubmarine patrol off the Japanese held Mille, Wotje, and Jaluit atolls. She next joined the assault on Saipan as flagship for the screen from 29 May until 5 August, serving as fire support and patrol ship at both Saipan and Tinian. On 22 June, while guarding transports, she and Chandler (DMS-9) sank Japanese submarine 1-185, and on 4 July her well-directed fire broke up a Japanese banzai attack north of Garapan on Spain.

Operating in the Fire Support and Bombardment Group for the assault on the Palaus 6 September to 1 October, Newcomb fired 23 separate shore bombardments and also covered underwater demolition teams providing bombardment control spotting. As flagship of Destroyer Squadron 56, Newcomb joined in the Leyte landings 12 October to 4 December, covering underwater demolition teams and firing preinvasion-bombardment, call-fire, night-harrassing and illumination missions.

Her squadron made a daring night torpedo attack in the Surigao Strait phase of the Battle for Leyte Gulf 25 October. At least one of her 5 torpedoes struck battleship Yamashiro, sunk in this action. Closely straddled but not damaged, Newcomb went to the aid of stricken Albert W. Grant (DD-649), providing medical aid and a tow out of the battle area. In this classic sea battle, Newcomb and her sisters played a key role in the great American victory which insured the success of MacArthur's return to the Philippines, and effectively ended major Japanese naval threats for the remainder of the war.

Often under fire from Japanese aircraft, several of which she destroyed, Newcomb continued important service in the Philippines, engaging Japanese shore batteries at Ormoc 9 December while screening landing craft, fighting a convoy through heavy enemy air attack to Mindoro 19 through 24 December, and driving off 2 would-be kamikazes during the Lingayen landing 6 January 1945. She covered operations in Lingayen Gulf through 24 January, then prepared for duty as fire support ship at Iwo Jima from 10 February, where she covered minesweeping for three days prior to the landing. During the invasion the destroyer engaged shore batteries and fired pinpoint accurate bombardments of inestimable assistance to troops ashore. She again engaged a Japanese submarine 25 February, with unknown results.

Departing Iwo Jima 10 March, Newcomb joined the Okinawa assault force 11 days later, and again covered underwater demolition and minesweeping operations as well as antiaircraft and shore bombardment until 6 April, when she was screening minesweepers off Ie Shima. At least 40 enemy aircraft were observed in the area during the day, and at 1600 suicide attacks began. Though handicapped by a low ceiling, her gunners were able to drive off or shoot down several attackers, but over a period of an hour and a half, she was struck five times With a skill and fighting spirit which won them a Navy Unit Commendation, her crew worked furiously to repair engine damage and extinguish fires, while continuing to fight their ship and maneuver to avoid further crashes. Aid was rendered by Leutze (DD-481), herself struck by the fifth kamikaze skipping across from Newcomb, and Beale (DD-471). Indomitably afloat, fires and power out, with 18 killed, 25 missing, and 64 wounded, Newcomb was towed to Kerama Retto by Tekesta (ATF-93).

Repairs to her hull were made by Vestal (AR-4) under frequent enemy air attack, and 14 June she left under tow for Saipan, Pearl Harbor, and San Francisco, arriving 8 August. The end of the war ended further repairs, and Newcomb decommissioned 20 November 1945. Stricken from the Navy List 28 March 1946, she was scrapped at Mare Island Navy Yard in October 1947.

Newcomb received 8 battle stars for World War II service.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Newcomb_(DD-586)

The Navy Unit Citation Awarded to the USS Newcomb:

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

WASHINGTON

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP NEWCOMB

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Saipan-Tinian operations, May 29 to August 5, 1944; Palau, September 6 to October 1, 1944; the Battle of Surigao Strait, October 24–25, 1944; Iwo Jima, February 10 to March 10, 1945; and Okinawa, March 21 to April 7, 1945. Operating in the face of continued and persistent air attacks throughout five major campaigns, the U.S.S. NEWCOMB blasted Japanese shore emplacements, screened our attacking transports and effectively laid support barrages for amphibious assaults. As the Leader of Destroyer Squadron FIFTY SIX in the historic Battle of Surigao Strait, she spearheaded a three-section night torpedo attack, boldly closing the battleship YAMASHIRO‘s terrific broadsides to aid in sinking the powerful man-o’-war with accurate torpedo salvos. In retiring, she went alongside the stricken A. W. GRANT to evacuate casualties and take the disabled ship in tow. At Iwo Jima, the NEWCOMB covered our minesweepers in the pre-attack sweep of the landing beaches and scored a probable kill on her second submarine. Culminating her brilliant combat service in a furious engagement with seven enemy suicide planes determined to destroy her, the NEWCOMB, staggering from the first suicide crash and slowed by loss of steam, shot down a second plane and was immediately smashed amidships by a third. With top-hamper and machinery spaces blown into a tangled mass of rubble, with smoke and flames billowing 1000 feet above her and the bridge the only structure intact above the water line, she fought on relentlessly with her remaining guns in manual control to blast three more attackers into the sea an damage the last Kamikaze. Superbly handled by valiant officers and men, the NEWCOMB has added new luster to the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. NEWCOMB in one or more of the above mentioned periods are hereby authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.

James Forrestal

Secretary of the Navy

 

 

 

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

This was folded up in the box. The sponsor of the ship was the wife of a US Naval Officer who was a Naval Academy graduate.

 

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

Damage the ship sustained

 

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

[MastersMate]

If interested, look up the history of Lt. Frank Newcomb, U.S Revenue Cutter Service.

[MastersMate]

Some info on Lt Newcomb..

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2015/12/the-long-blue-line-frank-newcomb-and-the-battle-of-cardenas-bay/

[zsmith]

Now that is an awesome piece of memorabilia right there. Very cool.