Introduction to the Web version
On October 29, 1945, the print shop at Puget Sound Navy Yard produced 600 copies of History of the U.S.S. ABBOT DD 629, a sort of yearbook for the ship’s crew. At 48 pages with a green paper binding, physically it hardly seems the equal of most naval histories. Just two staples hold the pages together.
This volume was written a little more than a month after Japan’s surrender, yet as of 2003 — 60 years after Abbot’s launch — two copies remained on the shelves at the Naval Academy library in Anapolis, and the Navy’s history department listed this slim volume in its recommended bibliography of World War II. They also have a copy.
Unlike most history books, this cruise book was written with the assumption that the readers had participated in all of the events during the preceding 2½ years. It was created even as the United States fleet was sailing home from the surrender ceremonies in Tokyo Bay, and this is reflected in the voices of the writers and editors.
Although this text was scanned from an original copy of the book, some errors may have crept in. In addition, I corrected a few minor spelling mistakes, but nothing factual has been changed — even if incorrect. The Navy’s official history can be used for comparison.
To best view this site, I recommend using the most recent version of your favorite Web browser. A variety of maps and additional photos scanned from originals are provided. Click on a photo or map to see an enlargement. Photos bordered in blue link to slide shows. Popup footnotes marked in green type are linked to major glossary terms; simply pass your pointing device over a photo, map, name, ship’s name or term. Links are in blue.
My father, Walter Raymond Baranger, was the Abbot’s executive officer for much of its war cruise. He joined Abbot as an original crew member following the sinking of the destroyer Worden (DD 352) in January 1943. This version is dedicated to him, and to all the Abbot crewmen who were characters in dad’s war stories as I was growing up.
(Is it true that someone tried to get out of the Navy by drinking enough Coca Colas to cause an ulcer?)
Fairfield, Connecticut
20 February 2003
PREFACE
This story is a short history of the U.S.S. ABBOT (DD629) from her launching until her return to the Navy Yard for overhaul at the end of the war just prior to placing the ship in an inactive status. It covers the duties of the ship and life on board as seen through the eyes of certain members of her crew who served her well throughout the most active period of her history. Those of you who enjoy this book have E. S. Jenkins, CPhM; C. L. Woosley, SM1c; R. J. Gastineau, QM1c; V. J. Loranger, Y1c; R. L. Curran, Y1c; J. T. Crowe, SK1c, and D. A. Scott, RdM2c, to thank as it was their idea and their combined efforts that brought this book into being. Also to Lieutenant S. E. Magill, USNR; Lt. (jg) P. Ingalls, USNR, and Lt. (jg) F. W. Stevenson, USNR, who edited the various chapters and supplied from the ship’s records some of the specific names contained in the text, must go some credit. For myself, I can claim credit only for censorship and the paper work necessary to get it printed.
F. W. INGLING,
Commander, U. S. Navy,
Commanding.
U.S.S. ABBOT (DD629),
Puget Sound Navy Yard,
Bremerton, Washington.
18 October 1945.