The second Anthony (DD-515) was launched 20 December 1942 Bath Iron Works
Corp, Bath, Maine: sponsored by Misses Alice and Frances Anthony; and
commissioned 26 February 1943, Lieutenant B. Van Mater in command.
Anthony steamed to the Pacific in May 1943. The following months were
spent in training and escort duty out of Pearl Harbor. On 1 November 1943
she provided fire support at the landing at Empress Augusta Bay,
Bougainville, as flagship of Destroyer Division 90. A week later Anthony
helped defend transports carrying reinforcements against a very strong
Japanese air attack, shooting down several planes. For the next few months
the ship conveyed transports and supply ships in the Solomon Islands;
conducted anti-shipping sweeps; and took part in the bombardment of Rabaul,
New Britain (24 February 1944) Anthony furnished fire support for the
landings on Green (15-19 February 1944) Emirau Islands (20 March) Saipan
(14 June-8 July), Guam (12 July-9August;, and Tinian (24 July). During the
Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June 1944) she rescued several carrier
pilots who had run out of gasoline returning from strikes against the
Japanese fleet.
During August-October 1944 she had convoy duty, followed by an overhaul at
San Francisco (October-December ) . In January she returned to the Western
Pacific to take part in the invasions of Iwo Jima (19 February 6 March 1945)
and Okinawa. During 1 April-24 June 1945 Anthony served as a radar picket
off Okinawa, and helped repel five heavy air attacks, with only slight
damage on 26 May and 7 June 1945. Following her Okinawa service Anthony
joined TF 95 in sweeps along the China coast during July and August She
entered Nagasaki, Japan, 14 September and remained in Japanese waters until
17 November 1945. Anthony returned to Charleston, S. C., and was placed out
of commission in reserve 17 April 1946. She remained in "mothballs" until
29 April 1947 when she was transferred to Commandant, 6th Naval District
for modernization and repair preparatory to transfer to Germany.
On 17 January 1948 the transfer was effected and she
was renamed Z-1.
Anthony received seven battle stars for her wartime exploits and the Navy
Unit Commendation for her service at Okinawa (1-19 April and 19-24 June
1945).
(See below)
***************************************************
Note- Possible conflict
In next to last para above, it list January 17, 1948 as transfer date..
I received email from Al Trudeau, assigned to Repair/Refit crew for
Anthony in 1957-1958. Advised me disposition info was incorrect.
He sent info citing DANF Vol-1, Part A, Page 319.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THIS SITE IS:
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
URL IS: http://www.history.navy.mil/download/Volume%201%20Part%20A/v1pta35.pdf
THIS brings up ACROBAT READER PDF FILE. If you want to read, it took
me 15 minutes to download.
I am attaching info from last para from this document. Both are
official Navy versions. ??Which is correct?? This will give both versions.
**********
Quote: Preservation work began shortly after her (Anthony) arrived
in Charleston SC to ready the ship for inactivation. Anthony was
placed out of commission, in reserve, on 17 April 1946.
On 17 January 1958 the destroyer was loaned to the Federal Republic
of Germany. She was returned to the United States custody and
simultaneously struck from the Navy List on 15 April 1972. The ship
was then sold to West Germany on 27 June 1972 for cannibalization and
scrapping. UnQuote.
Thanks to Dave McComb for Commendation
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION AWARDED
TO U.S.S. ANTHONY DD515
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the
UNITED STATES SHIP ANTHONY
for service as follows:
For outstanding heroism as a Fire Support Vessel and Radar
Picket Ship during the Okinawa Campaign, from April 1 to 19, 1945, and
June 19 to 24, 1945. A natural and frequent target for heavy Japanese
aerial attack while occupying advanced and isolated stations, the
U.S.S. ANTHONY defeated all efforts of enemy Kamikaze and dive-bombing
planes to destroy her. Constantly vigilant and ready for battle, she
sent out early air warnings, provided fighter direction and, with her
own gunfire, downed eleven hostile planes and routed many more; she
furnished close fire support for initial landings and advances and
participated in shore bombardment missions, and she rendered valiant
service in preventing air attacks in strength against the Naval forces
off the Okinawa beachhead. A seaworthy, fighting ship, the ANTHONY,
her officers and men achieved a gallant combat record which attests
the teamwork, courage and skill of her entire company and enhances the
finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. ANTHONY during
one or both of the above-mentioned periods are authorized to wear the NAVY
UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.
/s/ James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy
Thanks to Charlotte Goerlich for the two commendations
C O M M E N D A T I O N
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT,
U.S.S. ANTHONY DD515
15 January 1945:
Commended for outstanding contribution to the record compiled by the USS
ANTHONY, as authorized by ComDesRon 45 in his letter of commendation to the
Engineering Officer, Serial 16 of 25 September 1944, quoted in part herewith:
"The USS ANTHONY completed one year of continuous active service in advanced
areas during which the ship steamed over 100,000 miles in missions against
the enemy -- Maintained a record of 100% reliability - benefited by only one
period of so much as 10 days tender availability.
"Yourself, the other officers, Petty Officers, and enlisted men of the
engineer's force of the USS ANTHONY are highly commended for the outstanding
record of operation and maintenance that you have upheld throughout an
extended period of arduous operations."
/s/ E. B. TAYLOR
C. J. VAN ARSDALL, Jr.
Commander, U. S. Navy,
Commanding
The second one is dated 10 DEC 1946. My husband was a WT1/C when he
was discharged in July 1946. This is from the Navy Department,
BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL, Washington 25, DC
Note:The copy below was sent to each crewmember by the Awards
Department. Does anyone have a copy of this commendation that was
sent by the Secretary of the Navy? If so, email to me. Bob
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION AWARDED
TO U.S.S. ANTHONY DD515
To: Mr. Robert Otto Goerlich, Ex-WT1, USN, 243 86 45
Subject: Navy Unit Commendation awarded to U. S. S. Anthony (DD-515)
1. The Secretary of the Navy has awarded the Navy Unit Commendation
to the U. S. S. Anthony for outstanding heroism as a Fire Support
vessel and Radar Picket Ship during the Okinawa Campaign from 1-19
April 1945 and from 19-24 June 1945.
2. By virtue of your service in the ANTHONY during one or both of the
periods mentioned above, you are hereby authorized to wear as part of
your uniform a Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, one of which is
transmitted herewith.
3. This authorization has been made a part of your official record in
the Bureau of Naval Personnel.
By direction of Chief of Naval Personnel:
(???) Floyd
Assistant to Director,
Medals and Awards
Encl:
1. NUC Ribbon
(The question marks for the first name are because I can't make it out.)
Charlotte Goerlich
Thanks to Charlotte Goerlich for the two commendations
AREAS OF OPERATIONS:
NORTH SOLOMONS
BOUGAINVILLE
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO
MARIANAS
CAROLINES
IWO JIMA
OKINAWA
| 