USS CLEVELAND

From: The Commanding Officer

To: All Hands

Subject: Action off Tinian, 24 and 26 July 1944

1. On July 24th while this ship was engaged with the Colorado and Norman Scott, in covering landing craft operations off Tinian Town, two Japanese Batteries, one of which was not even known to exist, opened up a heavy surprise fire, killing and wounding a large number of officers and men on both other ships, and seriously endangering the other ships, the landing craft, and this ship. Through rare good fortune the shots aimed at the Cleveland missed narrowly. The Cleveland opened exactly accurate, high volume fire, with all batteries main, secondary, and machine gun, registered hits immediately and continued to fire until well after both Japanese batteries had ceased firing.

2. There can be no doubt that the Cleveland contributed greatly toward saving a highly dangerous situation, and that the Cleveland’s blanketing fire must have prevented much loss of American life on our own and other ships, as well, we hope, destroying enemy lives.

3. On July 26, yesterday, we received orders to deliver fire with the secondary battery in areas where an enemy counter attack was forming. This fire had to be delivered very close to our own front lines, and any error would mean loss of American lives. Between 4:50 and 5:20 PM the Cleveland delivered such an accurate and effective fire that the counter attack was stopped before it was started. Again many American lives were saved, and we believe many Japanese lives were lost. Last night the ship received special commendary and congratulatory messages from Rear Admiral Hill, commanding operations against Tinian.

4. Every man on board has a right to be proud of the job he and his shipmates are doing. Again I have to say, “Well done, I am proud to serve with you.”

A.G. SHEPARD

CAPTAIN, USN

COMMANDING/
USS CLEVELAND