Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description At the end of the Second World War, Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers, led by the United States with contributions also from Australia, British India, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. This foAt the end of the Second World War, Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers, led by the United States with contributions also from Australia, British India, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. This foreign presence marked the first time since the uni... More
Memories
Berthed at Port Director's Office, Yokosuka until December 15, 1945.
Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 r... The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 required four years of service. MoreHide
Chain of Command
CO - LCDR J. B. Fyffe USNR XO - LCDR J. F. Weller Jr. USNR
Other Memories
When completed, floats were welded to the hull of the USS Gosselin and the ship was floated down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.
USS Gosselin was assigned to carry press and Navy photographers into Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay. Many of the photos you have seen of Navy ships around Tokyo Bay were taken from the USS Gosselin.
The History of the USS Gosselin:
Edward Webb Gosselin, born 1 May 1917 at Hamden, Conn., was educated at Yale University. He enlisted as an Apprentice Seaman 30 September 1940 and was commissioned 14 March 1941. Ensign Gosselin?s first duty station was battleship ARIZONA (BB.39). He reported on board 3 May 1941 as an Engineer when she was sunk at Pearl Harbor. Ensign Gosselin was officially declared dead as of 7 December 1941.
GOSSELIN (APD.126), launched 17 February 1944 by the Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City, Mich., was laid down and partially completed as destroyer escort DE.710; sponsored by Mrs. E. N. Gosselin, mother of Ensign Gosselin, and commissioned 31 December 1944, Lt. Comdr. Joseph B. Fyffe in command.
After shakedown in Bermuda and Chesapeake Bay waters, GOSSELIN cleared Norfolk 16 February 1945 bound for the Pacific via the Panama Canal. Touching at Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, and Ulithi, she arrived 6 April in the Okinawa area where she was employed as a screen vessel until 10 April. GOSSELIN then began convoy duty which took her to Guam and Saipan, returning to Okinawa 27 April.
From 27 April until the end of May, GOSSELIN was assigned at the Okinawa screen protecting the invasion area, shooting down one Japanese plane, taking several others under fire and rescuing a number of survivors and casualties from ships hit by suicide planes.
From 1 June, GOSSELIN was in an upkeep status, mostly in Leyte Gulf, returning to Okinawa 17 July to form part of the reduced screen still being maintained. GOSSELIN departed Okinawa 17 August 1945 in company with sister ship REEVES (APD.52) to rendezvous with the 3d Fleet, then cruising south of Honshu. Joining the fleet, she was assigned to carry part of a Naval Assault Battalion for the occupation of Yokosuka Naval Base. Later, this assignment was changed to duty carrying press representatives and Navy photographers during the initial entrance into Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay. GOSSELIN was one of the first group of ships, including battleships MISSOURI (BB.63; Admiral Halsey), IOWA (BB.61; Rear Admiral Badger), and H.M.S. DUKE OF YORK (Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, R.N.) to enter Sagami Wan 27 August. The next day, she accompanied light cruiser SAN DIEGO (CL.53) into Tokyo Bay to begin the official occupation.
GOSSELIN was transferred 29 August to the task group commanded by Commodore R. W. Simpson, USN, assigned to liberate and evacuate prisoners of war. That same day, her boats were sent first to reach Omori Camp, from which the first prisoners were evacuated, and brought out the first boatloads of prisoners. On 27 September 1945, GOSSELIN was berthed in front of the Port Director's office, Yokosuka, and used as a barracks ship for shore-based and transient personnel. She remained there until 15 December when she got underway for San Francisco via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor. GOSSELIN discharged her passengers at San Francisco 28 December.
GOSSELIN remained in the United States until 22 August 1946 when she cleared San Diego with Navy and Marine replacements bound for Yokosuka via Pearl Harbor and Eniwetok. Discharging her passengers at Yokosuka 13 December, GOSSELIN returned to San Diego 16 November 1946. She operated out of there until 16 July 1948 when she departed again for the Orient. Arriving Tsingtao, China, 14 August 1948 GOSSELIN made this her base of operations. She visited such ports as Shanghai and Nanking and occasionally operated in the Yangtze River during American efforts to stabilize the situation in China.
GOSSELIN departed Shanghai 18 February 1949 and reached San Diego 11 March. She decommissioned there 11 July 1949 and was placed out of commission in reserve. She berthed with the San Diego Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, until struck from the Navy List 1 April 1964 and sold for scrapping. GOSSELIN received one battle star for World War II service.
GOSSELIN was sold on 23 March 1965.
USS Gosselin Specs:
Physical: United States Navy Crosley Class High Speed Transport Ship (APD.126). Laid down as (DE.710), a Rudderow Class Destroyer Escort at Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City Mich. Launched 17 February 1944 Redesignated a Crosley Class High-speed Transport while under construction. Displacement 1,400 tons. Length 306' (oa); Beam 37" Draft 12' 7" (limiting) Speed 23.6 kts (trial) 2 Combustion Engineering DR boilers, 2 GE Turbines (turbo-electric drive), 2 shafts, Shaft horsepower 12,000. Range 6,000 nautical miles at 12 kts.
Criteria Occupation duty in the European-African-Middle Eastern area may be credited to organizations for duty performed on and subsequent to May 8, 1945. Terminal dates for eligibility periods and occupation ... Occupation duty in the European-African-Middle Eastern area may be credited to organizations for duty performed on and subsequent to May 8, 1945. Terminal dates for eligibility periods and occupation territories in this area are as follows: Italy: November 8, 1945 to December 15, 1947, Trieste: May 9, 1945 to October 25, 1954, Germany (exclusive of Berlin): May 9, 1945 to May 5, 1955, Berlin: May 9, 1945 to October 2, 1990, Austria: May 9, 1945 to October 25, 1955, Asiatic-Pacific Area: September 2, 1945 to April 27, 1952. Units performing service in the Korean area during the period of June 27, 1950 to April 27, 1952, inclusive, and which are eligible for the Korean Service Medal, will not be credited with eligibility for the Navy Occupation Service Medal for the same period. MoreHide
Description The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg. was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lastedThe Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg. was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945. After a long campaign of island hopping, the Allies were approaching Japan, and planned to use Okinawa, a large island only 340 mi (550 km) away from mainland Japan, as a base for air operations on the planned invasion of Japanese mainland (coded Operation Downfall). Four divisions of the U.S. 10th Army (the 7th, 27th, 77th, and 96th) and two Marine Divisions (the 1st and 6th) fought on the island. Their invasion was supported by naval, amphibious, and tactical air forces.
The battle has been referred to as the "typhoon of steel" in English, and tetsu no ame ("rain of steel") or ("violent wind of steel") in Japanese. The nicknames refer to the ferocity of the fighting, the intensity of kamikaze attacks from the Japanese defenders, and to the sheer numbers of Allied ships and armored vehicles that assaulted the island. The battle resulted in the highest number of casualties in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Based on Okinawan government sources, mainland Japan lost 77,166 soldiers, who were either killed or committed suicide, and the Allies suffered 14,009 deaths (with an estimated total of more than 65,000 casualties of all kinds). Simultaneously, 42,000–150,000 local civilians were killed or committed suicide, a significant proportion of the local population. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki together with the Soviet invasion of Manchuria caused Japan to surrender less than two months after the end of the fighting on Okinawa.... More
Memories Once while taking a shower, I had to run naked to my gun when "five o'clock charlie" showed up. I tOnce while taking a shower, I had to run naked to my gun when "five o'clock charlie" showed up. I took a pair of shorts to the shower from then on.... More
Description The surrender of the Empire of Japan was announced by Imperial Japan on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945The surrender of the Empire of Japan was announced by Imperial Japan on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting major operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent. Together with the United Kingdom and China, the United States called for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces in the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, 1945—the alternative being "prompt and utter destruction". While publicly stating their intent to fight on to the bitter end, Japan's leaders (the Supreme Council for the Direction of the War, also known as the "Big Six") were privately making entreaties to the still-neutral Soviet Union to mediate peace on terms more favorable to the Japanese. Meanwhile, the Soviets were preparing to attack Japanese forces in Manchuria and Korea (in addition to southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands) in fulfillment of promises they had secretly made to the United States and the United Kingdom at the Tehran and Yalta Conferences.
... More
Memories Seeing the USS Missouri, Halsey's flagship, at anchor.
Being one of the first ships into Tokyo Bay.Seeing the USS Missouri, Halsey's flagship, at anchor.
Being one of the first ships into Tokyo Bay.... More
Description The surrender of the Empire of Japan was announced by Imperial Japan on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945The surrender of the Empire of Japan was announced by Imperial Japan on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting major operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent. Together with the United Kingdom and China, the United States called for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces in the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, 1945—the alternative being "prompt and utter destruction". While publicly stating their intent to fight on to the bitter end, Japan's leaders (the Supreme Council for the Direction of the War, also known as the "Big Six") were privately making entreaties to the still-neutral Soviet Union to mediate peace on terms more favorable to the Japanese. Meanwhile, the Soviets were preparing to attack Japanese forces in Manchuria and Korea (in addition to southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands) in fulfillment of promises they had secretly made to the United States and the United Kingdom at the Tehran and Yalta Conferences.
... More
Memories We had troops aboard at the end of the war that would have taken part in the invasion of Japan. WheWe had troops aboard at the end of the war that would have taken part in the invasion of Japan. When the announcement came that Japan had surrendered, one soldier walked over to the rail and threw his rifle overboard. Of course he had to pay for it.... More
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. MoreHide
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
CO - LCDR J. B. Fyffe USNR
XO - LCDR J. F. Weller Jr. USNR
When completed, floats were welded to the hull of the USS Gosselin and the ship was floated down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.
USS Gosselin was assigned to carry press and Navy photographers into Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay. Many of the photos you have seen of Navy ships around Tokyo Bay were taken from the USS Gosselin.
The History of the USS Gosselin:
Edward Webb Gosselin, born 1 May 1917 at Hamden, Conn., was educated at Yale University. He enlisted as an Apprentice Seaman 30 September 1940 and was commissioned 14 March 1941. Ensign Gosselin?s first duty station was battleship ARIZONA (BB.39). He reported on board 3 May 1941 as an Engineer when she was sunk at Pearl Harbor. Ensign Gosselin was officially declared dead as of 7 December 1941.
GOSSELIN (APD.126), launched 17 February 1944 by the Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City, Mich., was laid down and partially completed as destroyer escort DE.710; sponsored by Mrs. E. N. Gosselin, mother of Ensign Gosselin, and commissioned 31 December 1944, Lt. Comdr. Joseph B. Fyffe in command.
After shakedown in Bermuda and Chesapeake Bay waters, GOSSELIN cleared Norfolk 16 February 1945 bound for the Pacific via the Panama Canal. Touching at Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, and Ulithi, she arrived 6 April in the Okinawa area where she was employed as a screen vessel until 10 April. GOSSELIN then began convoy duty which took her to Guam and Saipan, returning to Okinawa 27 April.
From 27 April until the end of May, GOSSELIN was assigned at the Okinawa screen protecting the invasion area, shooting down one Japanese plane, taking several others under fire and rescuing a number of survivors and casualties from ships hit by suicide planes.
From 1 June, GOSSELIN was in an upkeep status, mostly in Leyte Gulf, returning to Okinawa 17 July to form part of the reduced screen still being maintained. GOSSELIN departed Okinawa 17 August 1945 in company with sister ship REEVES (APD.52) to rendezvous with the 3d Fleet, then cruising south of Honshu. Joining the fleet, she was assigned to carry part of a Naval Assault Battalion for the occupation of Yokosuka Naval Base. Later, this assignment was changed to duty carrying press representatives and Navy photographers during the initial entrance into Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay. GOSSELIN was one of the first group of ships, including battleships MISSOURI (BB.63; Admiral Halsey), IOWA (BB.61; Rear Admiral Badger), and H.M.S. DUKE OF YORK (Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, R.N.) to enter Sagami Wan 27 August. The next day, she accompanied light cruiser SAN DIEGO (CL.53) into Tokyo Bay to begin the official occupation.
GOSSELIN was transferred 29 August to the task group commanded by Commodore R. W. Simpson, USN, assigned to liberate and evacuate prisoners of war. That same day, her boats were sent first to reach Omori Camp, from which the first prisoners were evacuated, and brought out the first boatloads of prisoners. On 27 September 1945, GOSSELIN was berthed in front of the Port Director's office, Yokosuka, and used as a barracks ship for shore-based and transient personnel. She remained there until 15 December when she got underway for San Francisco via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor. GOSSELIN discharged her passengers at San Francisco 28 December.
GOSSELIN remained in the United States until 22 August 1946 when she cleared San Diego with Navy and Marine replacements bound for Yokosuka via Pearl Harbor and Eniwetok. Discharging her passengers at Yokosuka 13 December, GOSSELIN returned to San Diego 16 November 1946. She operated out of there until 16 July 1948 when she departed again for the Orient. Arriving Tsingtao, China, 14 August 1948 GOSSELIN made this her base of operations. She visited such ports as Shanghai and Nanking and occasionally operated in the Yangtze River during American efforts to stabilize the situation in China.
GOSSELIN departed Shanghai 18 February 1949 and reached San Diego 11 March. She decommissioned there 11 July 1949 and was placed out of commission in reserve. She berthed with the San Diego Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, until struck from the Navy List 1 April 1964 and sold for scrapping. GOSSELIN received one battle star for World War II service.
GOSSELIN was sold on 23 March 1965.
USS Gosselin Specs:
Physical:
United States Navy Crosley Class High Speed Transport Ship (APD.126).
Laid down as (DE.710), a Rudderow Class Destroyer Escort at Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City Mich.
Launched 17 February 1944
Redesignated a Crosley Class High-speed Transport while under construction.
Displacement 1,400 tons.
Length 306' (oa);
Beam 37"
Draft 12' 7" (limiting)
Speed 23.6 kts (trial)
2 Combustion Engineering DR boilers,
2 GE Turbines (turbo-electric drive),
2 shafts, Shaft horsepower 12,000.
Range 6,000 nautical miles at 12 kts.
Crew:
Complement 12-15 Officers, 189-192 Enlisted.
Troop Capacity 12 Officers, 150 Enlisted.
Armament:
1 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount,
3 twin 40 mm gun mounts,
6 single 20 mm gun mounts,
2 depth charge tracks.
Troop Accoutrements:
(4) LCVP's landing craft
(6) 1/4 ton trucks
(2) 1 ton trucks
(4) Ammunition carts
(4) Pack howitzers
(6,000 cubic feet) Ammunition
(3,500 cubic feet) General cargo
(1,000 cubic feet) Gasoline