DE210(TE)/P6                                  U.S.S. OTTER (DE-210)  
  JMI:bfr                                                    Fleet Post Office  
  Serial:  005                                                New York, N.Y.  
                                                                                                                 30 April 1945.  
                S E C R E T  
     
 
From: The Commanding Officer.
To: The Commander Task Unit 22.7.1.
Via: The Commander Task Group 22.8
   
Subj: Rescue of Survivors - USS DAVIS (DE-136) - REport of.
   
Encls: (A)  List of survivors and dead of USS DAVIS (DE-136).
  (B)  Death Certificates.
  (C)  Photographs of rescue work.
 
     
          1.        At 0853 Oboe, 24 April, while this vessel was engaged in a retiring search for a submarine, in company with USS VARIAN (DE-798), USS JANSSEN (DE-396) and USS COCKRILL (DE-398), word was received that the USS F.C. DAVIS (DE-136) had just been torpedoed about thirty six (36) miles away in position 43-51 N, 40-15 W.  Course was changed to head for the scene in company with USS VARIAN (DE-798) and speed increased to flank speed, 24 knots.  
     
          2.        This vessel arrived at the scene of sinking at 1035 Oboe, and began to assist the USS HAYTER (DE-212) in rescue of survivors.  The whaleboat was not lowered because of proximity of submarine, and orders to stand by to join search.  Two small groups of men were rescued from rafts.  The remainder were individuals, most of whom were floating alone, spread over a large area with life jackets untied, and their faces under water most of the time.  Rubber boats and men in harness with lines attached were used to bring these men alongside.  Planes assisted materially in their location.  The last survivor was brought aboard about 1410 Oboe.  
     
          3.        This vessel was then ordered to proceed to rendezvous with the USS CORE (CVE-13) to transfer survivors.  At this time eight (8) men had responded to treatment; six (6) men were obviously dead of wounds, shock and exposure - rigor mortis had already set in on some.  Twelve (12), apparently lifeless when brought aboard, seemed to show occasional flutters of the pulse and were given artificial resuscitation for a minimum of four (4) hours.  None of the twelve (12) regained consciousness.  
     
          4.        At 1638 Oboe, this vessel was alongside USS CORE (CVE-13) and took aboard by breeches buoy two Medical Officers, one Dental Officer, a Pharmacist's Mate and medical supplies.  Seventeen (17) men and one (1) officer were declared dead by the Medical Officers; and eight (8) men, one (1) a stretcher case in critical condition, were transferred to the UCC CORE (CVE-13), for further treatment.  The Dental Officer and Pharmacist's Mate remained aboard to chart teeth of deceased, and the USS CORE's Chaplain was transferred aboard to assist in burial services.  
     
 
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  S E C R E T  
  Serial:  005  
                                                                                                                 30 April 1945.  
     
  Subject:  REscue of Survivors - USS F.C. DAVIS (DE-136) - Report of.  
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          5.        Burial services were conducted at sunrise 25 April 1945.  
     
          6.        Weather conditions during rescue operations were as follows:  Wind from 280°T., force 3; sea from West, force 2; swell from West, force 2; 7-8/10 clouds; visibility 20; injection temperature 57°F; air temperature 55°F.  
     
          7.        The work of the Pharmacist's Mate on board this vessel was considered outstanding and is the subject of separate correspondence.  
     
     
                                                                                                  J.M. IRVINE  
                                                                                           /s/   J.M. IRVINE  
     
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U.S. DESTROYERS ATLANTIC FLEET
 
 
DESTROYER ESCORT DIVISION SIXTY-TWO
  
 
U.S.S. OTTER (DE-210) Flagship
 
  FIRST ENDORSEMENT to  
  USS OTTER Secret ltr                                                                     Care Fleet Post Office  
  Serial 005 of 30 April 1945.                                                             New York, New York.  
     
  S-E-C-R-E-T                                                                               1 May 1945.  
     
 
From: Commander Task Group TWENTY-TWO-POINT-EIGHT (22.8)
To: Commander Task Unit 22.7.1.
 
     
          1.        Forwarded.  
     
                                                                                                            J.F. BOWLING  
                                                                                                     /s/   J.F. BOWLING  
     
  cc:  CO., USS OTTER (DE-210)  
     
     
     

 

     

   
 
U.S.S. OTTER (DE-210)
 
 
Fleet Post Office
 
 
New York, N.Y.
 
  S E C R E T  
     
 
LIST OF SURVIVORS AND DECEASED TAKEN ABOARD THE USS OTTER (DE-210) ON 24 APRIL 1945.                   (From the crew of the USS F.C. DAVIS (DE-136))
 
     
  DEAD.  
 
1. DROGAN, H, EM3c
2. CROSS (or Ross), Vincent, S1c
3. DeRICHMOND, John E. Jr., 709 61 59.
4. WHITTEN, Clifford Harold, 600 72 78, USNR
5. RICHSTEIN, D.
6. PHILABAUM, Robert Wayne, 955 93 48, USNR
7. PAULUMBO, Sunda, S1c(TM), USNR
8. PARKER, Henry, MoMM3c.
9. MORGAN, Wayne J., SoM2c, USN
10. REEVES, James A., 931 08 73.
11. BRANN, Dennis Warren, 657 27 19, USNR.
12. COURSEY, Edward R., 602 41 93.
13. GARNER, Thomas L., BM2c
14. TAYLOR, Dorald R., 205 45 14.
15. LEATHERMAN, A.C., SC1c.
16. KUNTZ, Bernard, Y3c.
17. MEECE, Robert E., SM2c
18. DOWNING, W.E., Ensign or Lieut(jg).
 
     
  ALIVE - Ambulatory.  
 
1. SOUTHERS, Eugene H., 966 88 00.
2. MILLER, William K., GM1c, 244 79 36.
3. LEELY, Norman A., S1c, 782 52 87.
4. ADCOCK, Albert R., S1c, 930 52 46.
5. SALLS, Darwin L., S1c(RM), 667 38 66.
6. HARRISON, Jr., Jack S., BM2c, 360 56 10.
7. PICKING, Rueben P., F1c, 957 19 49.
 
     
  STRETCHER CASE (Abdominal Operation necessary - condition critical).  
 
1. PAPALLO, Vincent, 624 39 88.
 
     
                                                                                                         ENCLOSURE (A)