USS PICKING WORLD WAR II LOG

February 14, 1945                   Zone description (-) 9

Remained anchored in SUBIC BAY until 1730 at which time got underway and patrolled in area south of GRANDE ISLAND until the assault group (landing craft) sortied. Upon completion of sortie formed a cruising disposition with TASK GROUP 78.3 and set course for MARIVELES HARBOR, BATAAN PENINSULA, LUZON in accordance with CTG 78.3 OP Plan 4-45. OTC and guide in USCGC INGHAM. OTC is CTG 78.3 (REAR ADMIRAL A. D. STRUBLE, USN). PICKING in station 2330. PICKING’s task in this phase of the operation: Escort the assault group to the assault area and then furnish fire support, preliminary bombardment and call fire.

          Positions:

             0800 - Latitude - l4°-32.8’ N; Longitude - l20°-l2.5’ E.

             1200 - Latitude - l4°-32.8’ N; Longitude - l20°-12.5’ E.

             2000 - Latitude - l4°-40.7’ N; Longitude - l20°-05.0’ E.

 

February 15, 1945.                   Zone description (-) 9

          Steaming in company with TASK GROUP 78.3 enroute SUBIC BAY to the assault of MARIVELES, BATAAN PENINSULA LUZON. Shortly after midnight the fire support group commander (CTG 77.3) reported there were still active gun batteries on CORREGIDOR that had inflicted damage on fire support ships during the previous day. CTG 78.3 delayed the scheduled “H” - hour in order that the fire-support ships would have more time to neutralize resistance from CORREGIDOR. At 0830 the OTC ordered “H” - hour for 1000. Upon arrival in the assault area, all ships were ordered to take assault stations. PICKING left the disposition and proceeded to fire support area at the entrance to MARIVELES HARBOR and west of the landing craft lane. As the landing craft were lying to in assault area about 3 mile northwest of CORREGIDOR, splashes were observed among them caused by gun fire from CORREGIDOR. Fire support ships quickly silenced the shore battery and no further fire from CORREGIDOR was observed. 0850 Arrived in assault station and commenced bombardment of the MARIVELES area at 0915. During the bombardment, friendly bombers made heavy air strikes on both CORREGIDOR and MARIVELES. The bombardment and air strikes ceased at 0950 and the assault troops commenced landing at 1000 against no apparent opposition. Ammunition expended in fire support mission: 275 rounds 5” AA Common, 130 rounds 40 mm. After the assault troops had landed and as the LSM’s were proceeding to the beach, LSM 169 struck a submerged mine causing, heavy damage and blowing a number of personnel into the water. Five of the survivors were brought aboard this ship for treatment and were later transferred to the hospital LST. At noon CDS 49 in PICKING received orders to take charge of the Anti-Submarine screen around the assault area. PICKING proceeded to the vicinity of the Anti-Submarine screen five miles west of CORREGIDOR and conducted Anti-Submarine patrol in assigned area. At sunset CTG 78.3 in U.S.C.G.C. INGHAM commenced retirement for the night. TASK MIT 78.3.5 was ordered to furnish Anti-Submarine screen for retirement.

 

          PICKING was assigned to station #1 of Anti-Submarine Screen Plan 56. Retirement was made due west of CORREGIDOR at 5 knots, screening ships patrolling stations at 10 knots.

          Positions:

             0800 - Latitude - 14°-l9.2’ N; Longitude - l20°-25.5’ E.

             1200 - Latitude - l4°-24.9’ N; Longitude - 120°-30.3’ E.

             2000 - Latitude - l4°-22.8’ N; Longitude - l20°-29.0’ E.

 

February 16, 1945.                   Zone description (-) 9

          Steaming as before in accordance with retirement instructions. Shortly after midnight PICKING, YOUNG and WICKES were ordered to proceed to the assault area to repel “Suicide” - boat attacks on friendly shipping. All ships were ordered to clear the assault area until daylight. Arrived in assault area at 0520 and patrolled in western end of south channel to MANILA BAY until 0730, then commenced lying to in area three miles west of CORREGIDOR. From 0730 until 0830, bombers made heavy air strikes on CORREGIDOR, concentrating on the western half of the island where paratroopers were scheduled to land. 0840 The paratroopers commenced landing on the western part of CORREGIDOR; this phrase lasted for about an hour. 0850 Commenced steaming various courses and speeds proceeding to the southern side of CORREGIDOR to take station for the next phrase of the operation, amphibious assault. PICKING’s task again was fire support. At 0916 arrived in station 2000 yards south of the assault beach and about 500 yards west of the landing craft lane, and commenced the bombardment at 0941. The bombardment was coordinated with air strikes both ceasing at 1020. The assault troops immediately proceeded to the beach, landing against light machine gun fire. There was one mortar observed firing from the hills west of the landing beach which was silenced by gun fire from this ship. A half an hour later, an enemy pill box firing at boats was knocked out by this ship’s gun fire. During the afternoon moved in to within 800 yards of the beach in order to furnish better protection to boating to and from the beach. While in close to the beach, a large explosion occurred about 400 yards off the starboard bow of this ship believed to be a controlled mine exploding, fortunately, no damage caused. At 1630 retired from the fire support area. Ammunition expended: 718 rounds 5” AA Common, 28 rounds 5” Common. 1800 Departed from the assault area in company with the WICKES and YOUNG and set course for LEYTE ISLAND in accordance with CTG 78.3’s instructions. In column formation with guide and OTC in PICKING. OTC is CDS 49.

         Positions:

               0800 - Latitude - 14°-43.0’ N; Longitude - l20°-ll.0’ E.

               1200 - Latitude - l4°-43.0’ N; Longitude - l20°-11.0’ E.

               2000 - Latitude - l4°-43.0’ N; Longitude - l20°-17.0’ E.

 

February 17, 1945.   Zone description (-) 9

             Steaming enroute CORREGIDOR to LEYTE. At 0600 while off the coast of MANGARIN BAY, MINDORO ISLAND, the SS KENNESAW MOUNTAIN joined the formation. DD’s formed Anti-Submarine screen plan #53, KENNESAW MOUNTAIN as guide; PICKING in station #1.

         Positions:

0800 - Latitude - l2°-02.8’ N; Longitude - l20°-57.9’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 1l°-07.2’ N; Longitude - l2l°-33.3’ E.

2000 - Latitude - 09°-2l.0’ N; Longitude - l22°-l6.8’ E.

 

February 18, 1945.   Zone description (-) 9

             Steaming enroute CORREGIDOR to LEYTE. Arrived in SAN PEDRO BAY, LEYTE at 1600 and anchored in assigned berth, passage from MANILA BAY made without incident.

         Positions:

0800 - Latitude - 09°-36.5’ N; Longitude - l24°-58.0’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 10°-l7.2’ N; Longitude - l25°-2l.5’ E.

2000 - Latitude - 11°-05.4’ N; Longitude - l25°-03.4’ E.

 

February 19, 1945.   Zone description (-) 9

PICKING with DesRon 49 less U.S.S. YOUNG ceased operating with Seventh Fleet and commenced operating with Fifth Fleet amphibious forces under overall command of Admiral R. A. SPRUANCE, USN. Immediate superior is CDS 49, Captain B. F. BROWN, USN in PICKING. Anchored in SAN PEDRO BAY,

LEYTE, P.I.

         Positions:

0800 - Latitude - 1l°-05.l’ N; Longitude - 125°-03.0’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 1O°-56.5’ N; Longitude - l25°-03.2’ E.

2000 - Latitude - 11°-lO.2' N; Longitude - 125°-09.5’ E.

 

February 20, 1945 through February 28, 1945.     Zone description (-) 9.

From the afternoon of the twentieth until the morning of the twenty-fifth moored alongside U.S.S. DIXIE (AD 14) carrying out necessary ship repairs and upkeep. Remainder of the period, up until afternoon of the twenty-eighth, was spent at anchor in SAN PEDRO BAY with tender availability to continue with ships repairs and upkeep. About 1630 - 28th entered dry dock in ARD 19 to exchange propellers.

         Positions:

             0800 - Latitude - 11°-10’ N; Longitude - 125°-1l’ E.

             1200 - Latitude - 11°-10’ N; Longitude - 125°-l1’ E.

             2000 - Latitude - 11°-l0’ N; Longitude - 125°-1l’ E.