USS PIllsbury (DER-133)
c/o Fleet Post Office
New York, New York
USS PILLSBURY (DER-133) MAKES LONGEST OPERATION IN
PICKET HISTORY
The USS Pillsbury (DER-133)commanded by LCDR Alfred W. Harmon, USN
of 44 Powell Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island, has just completed about three
months of near continuous operations away from her home port of Newport,
Rhode Island. Pillsbury is a unit of Destroyer Force, Escort Squadron SIX-
TEEN, commanded by CDR D.G. BRYCE, USN of 53 Everett Street, Newport, Rhode
Island
Leaving Newport on the eighth of July, the ship proceeded to the At-
lantic Barrier where she stood a ten day picket. During this time PILLSBURY
received word personally from RADM J. G. Daniel, USN, Commander Destroyer Force,
U. S. Atlantic Fleet, flying overhead on a barrier inspection that she had
won the battle efficiency Award for the second consecutive year. Upon be-
ing relieved, the ship went to Argentia, Newfoundland for fueling and
provisioning and then spent Friday 26 July to Monday 29 July as guests
of Commander, Royal Canadian Naval Forces, Newfoundland moored at St. John's,
Newfoundland. There the ship was treated to warm Canadian hospitality, with
parties and dances being given for all hands. The RCN Naval Commander, New-
foundland, CDR j. H. G. BOVEY, DC3, CD RCN CANCOMNEW, started the whirlwind
and the wardroom officers in the Commandants quarters at Buckmasters Field,
St. John's. That evening the senior petty officers of the ship were feted
by their opposite numbers at a smoker and dance held at the Sergeants mess,
Buckmasters Field while a dance was given for junior petty officers and
seaman by their Canadian contemporaries at the latter's club. This got the
weekend off to a flying start, allowing many of the blue jackets to make
valuable and interesting contacts for the weekend.
Saturday noon 25 children from the Anglican and Roman Catholic Orphan-
ages of St. John's came aboard as guests of the crew for lunch and a tour
of the ship. The youngsters were thrilled as they were shown the gun mounts,
stood at the helm and conned the ship from the Captains chair. A luncheon
of sandwiches, milk and ice cream topped off the visit which will be long
remembered by all.
Saturday evening a dinner the Consul General for all officers was
a highlight. On Sunday afternoon the ship was opened to the general visiting,
almost 500 guest being escorted on tours. Latter in the afternoon thirty
hostesses from the Service Club at Pepperrell Air Force Base came aboard
for a tour ,and dinner and were escorted by members of the crew to a dance
at the Service Club. Sunday Evening His Worship the Mayor, HGR Mews, the
Naval Commander, other dignitaries and their ladies attended a farewell dinner
party in the wardroom of PILLSBURY.
On Monday the 29th of July the ship left for Picket Station. Although
only a few days were spent in St. John's there were good times for everyone
and the city was given the sailors accolade "a good liberty town".
The following message from Commander Canadian Forces, Newfoundland on depart-
ure is quoted: "It has been a great pleasure to have the PILLSBURY at St.
John's, the smartness of your ship and the behavior of the ships company is
an example to all".
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From St. John's The PILLSBURY went to warmer climates and spent a calm
and enjoyable two weeks on the southern most station of the Atlantic Barrier.
After relief, the ship left the usual DER routes and began to blaze a new
trail towards Europe, the first ship of her class to do so.
She arrived at Her Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, England on Friday 23
August. The PILLSBURY berthed next to her host ship, HMS TROUBRIDGE within
a short distance of HMS VICTORY, Lord Nelson's famous flagship at the battle
of Trafalgar.
The first night the officers were feted at a reception aboard TROUBRIDGE.
There was not as highly an organized social schedule as in St, John;s, but
the proximity of London made this unnecessary. For five days Picadilly,
Soho, and London's west end in general were home to the PILLSBURY Sailors
Who were now proudly wearing their hashmark "E"'s.
Portsmouth had its share of good times too, although concluding the
festivities at a more normal hour than London's 4 A.M. Many small pubs
and clubs in this town made it possible to spend an enjoyable evening in the
traditional English manner of drinking dark beer and playing darts, even being
"turned out" by the barmaid at closing.
Sunday general visiting was held on board and 1200 English people
availed themselves of the opportunity.
On Monday afternoon the Captain and six ship's officers were guests of
the Portsmouth-Southson Rotary Club at their weekly luncheon meeting. It
gave the officers a chance to meet the business and professional men of
the community and was enjoyable to all concerned.
On Wednesday, 28 August 1957 The PILLSBURY steamed across the English
channel to Le Harve, France for a week's visit arriving the same afternoon.
This week was highlighted by the tours to Paris which were enjoyable
to all hands. Included on the social calender were parties given by the President of the
Chamber of Commerce.
During the stay at Le Harve the Commanding Officer, United States Consul
and two other officers attended the celebration of the liberation of Rouen,
France from the Germans and the Executive Officer, as the Commanding Officers
representative, the United States Consul and wife, and the other officers
attended a celebration honoring the war dead of world war II at Fecamp,
France, a nearby fishing town and home of famous Benedictine Monastery .
This gala occasion included a parade in the morning, a banquet, a tour of
the Benedictine Monastery and finally the Grand Ball which lasted most of the
night. An excellent Air Force Band also attended the festivities.
On Saturday 21 August a group of children from the local orphanage
at Le Harve were guests aboard for luncheon and tour. Although the lang-
uage barrier was almost complete, the smiles and laughter of children
made it more than plain that a wonderful time was being had by all.
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The following day an open house was held aboard the ship. Almost 2007
people came aboard to inspect them ship despite rainy weather. This was
the largest open house to date; in a period of a little more than a month
over 3500 people from three countries have visited the PILLSBURY. The many
hours spent by the crew in escorting visitors about the ship were rewarded
by the knowledge that they had created a good impression for the United
States and had gained many friends personally.
On Tuesday 3 September a farewell party was given by the ship in Le
Harve's finest hotel, a long remembered party attended by 100 of Le Harve's
prettiest "jeune filles". Soft lights, an orchestra, wine and beautiful
women combined to make a memorable time. Many of the local dignitaries of
Le Harve attended lending color to an already colorful affair.
The next morning the PILLSBURY Sailed for picket station and eventually
the United States. The following message was received on departure Le Harve.
"Your valiant ship has made most belle impression bon voyage signed.
Harbormaster Le Harve."
All in all it ncan be said that the trip was most successful with all
hands enjoying themselves while at the same time serving as good-will am-
bassadors for Uncle Sam. There are already murmers of "when are we going
back" heard about the ship. Other DER's will probably follow in PILLSBURY's wake,
but like a modern Columbus in reverse, she saw it first.
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