DESDIV 91 backed away from pier seven, Long Beach, amid the final farewells of wives, children, parents and friends to begin another deployment to the Western Pacific. Although many hearts were saddened by the prospect of the months to be spent away from loved ones, all were looking forward to the challenge of operating as a part of the "first team", the mighty Seventh Fleet.

Excitement was not long in coming upon DESDIV 91. Three days out of Long Beach an emergency message was received from a USNS ship, the MAUMEE, that a crew member was suffering from what seemed to be acute appendicitis and no doctor was on board. Captain C. M. HENDERSON, COMDESRON NINE, immediately dispatched USS BENNER with Dr. R. E. MILLER aboard to assist. Arriving on the scene, Dr. MILLER took the situation in hand. The patient's symptoms were relieved and the MAUMEE was able to proceed to port with the patient reasonably comfortable.

A good portion of the crossing was devoted to routine drills to "sharpen" the various departments on the ships and keep an edge on the talents that quickly slip away if not practiced.

DESDIV 91 arrived in Yokosuka, Japan on 4 August for an arrival availability alongside USS PRAIRIE, COMDESFLOT ONE's flagship. All ships took advantage of the time to accomplish necessary repair work and to fill the shopping lists that all married men and most single men bring to Japan.

Departing Yokosuka, DESDIV 91 took advantage of the availability of USS BREAM (SS243) for several days of anti-submarine warfare training. After this they joined with USS LEXINGTON (CVA16) to operate as a portion of a fast carrier task group. The task group joined with other units of SEVENTH FLEET for a combined air defense and striking exercise nick-named "TALL DOG".

With "TALL DOG" successfully completed, the division headed for Subic Bay and another repair period, however, increasing tension in the Eastern portion of the globe made it necessary for DESDIV 91 to forego the opportunities for repairs and return to sea with USS HANCOCK (CVA19) as part of another carrier task group. After a short period of opeartions DESDIV 91 was allowed to return to Subic Bay and a well deserved availability alongside USS FRONTIER. While in Subic the USS MANSFIELD, flagship of COMDESRON NINE, was notified that she had been awarded the green "E" for excellence in operations for the year ending 30 July 1959. The division held what is known as the DESDIV 91 Olympiad, a series of athletic events between the ships of the division. The winner and holder of the division trophy for the year was USS DE HAVEN.

MANSFIELD and DE HAVEN also scored heavily in the area of human relations while there. DE HAVEN repainted the inside of the Protestant Mission Church in Olongapo. The MANSFIELD, under the able direction of LTJG W. H. SHOWERS, completely repainted the inside of the Catholic Mission School. On the last day of the ship's stay in Subic a program of apprecialtion was given by the teachers and students of St. Josephs Catholic Mission School for the MANSFIELD. All hands were sure it was a worthwhile job when a little sixth grade girl introduced the program with these words: "Welcome officers and men of the USS MANSFIELD, the greatest ship in the U. S. Navy".

From Subic Bay DESDIV 91 proceeded to Kaohsiung, Formosa to take a turn as watchdogs on the outermost frontier of freedom, the Formosa Patrol. Although the duty is monotanous and certainly not the exciting life most would picture, it is a necessary function of a destroyers existance and serves to illustrate one of the many functions that a destroyer can so ably perform. While serving as part of the patrol each ship was given time off for a trip to Hong Kong, one the most interesting and exotic cities of the East where East meets West and just about any other section of the world.

U.S.S. MANSFIELD left Long Beach, California for WESTPAC on 17 July 1959 under the command of Commander B. D. GAW, U. S. Navy, and with COMDESRON NINE, Captain C. M. HENDERSON, U. S. Navy, embarked.

Enroute to WESTPAC, MANSFIELD had a two day stopover at Pearl Harbor where the first of the DESDIV 91, softball competition was begun. This inter-divisional spirit displayed itself throughout the cruise as the four hour Midway fuel stop saw 2 games played.

DD-728 steamed happily into Yokosuka, Japan on 4 August, looking forward to voyage repairs and availability alongside U.S.S. PRAIRIE (AD-15) and recreation in the nearby cities of Yokohoma, Kamakuru, and Tokyo.

Upon completion of the avaiability, MANSFIELD left for the Philippines area for TG 77 Fast Carrier Task Force operations with U.S.S. HANCOCK (CVA19) and U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CVA34). It was during these operations that MANSFIELD received notification of the Green "E" award for excellence in Opearaions and Communications and proudly (and promptly) displayed the coveted Green "E" on all Opeations department spaces.

Shorthly after following this period of operations, U.S.S. MANSFIELD with DESDIV 91, steamed into Subic Bay for 7 days availability at Ships Repair Facility Subic to put her back in shape for the forthcoming Formosa Straits operation with TF 72. During our Subic stay, President Eisenhower's people-to-people program received a boost when the ship's Recreation Counsel conceived the idea of painting the St. Joseph's Mission in nearby Olongapo. The idea caught hold with the entire body of officers and crew, and before it was done, a 21 room school had the inside completely painted and a new set of athletic equipment was donated to the school. In a party given by St. Joseph's for painting participents, the nine year old mistress of ceremonies said, "Welcome officers and crew of the U.S.S. MANSFIELD, the greatest ship in the U.S. Navy".

Also during our Subic trip a DESDIV 91 Olympiad was held featuring softball, basketball, volleyball, arm wrestling, and track, which boosted spirits despite the Philippino heat. Side trips of wild boar hunting were also popular with the crew - if somewhat unpopular with the wild boars.

Our stay ended in Subic Bay, MANSFIELD left for the Formosa Straits to join TF 72. During our stay in the Straits area, much training was accompished in all departments and the ship visited Kaohsiung, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Hong Kong was the paradise for Christmas shoppers, sightseers, camera bugs, and clothes horses; and ended 7 days later with the billfolds depleted and a very contented crew.

MANSFIELD rejoined TF 72 for two more weeks operations before being relieved on October 30th. U.S.S. MANSFIELD (DD-728) then headed north for Sasebo and a week's voyage repair and final liberty before heading for CONUS.

USS MANSFIELD (DD-728) left Long Beach, California on 29 April 1958 under the command of CDR W. J.MC NULTY with Commander Destroyer Squadron NINE (captain Earl T. HYDEMAN) embarked.

The officers and crew were looking forward to their part in "Operation HARDTACK" at the Atomic Proving Grounds surrounding the Marshall Islands of Eniwetok and Bikini. Amid the "count-downs", "big noises", and 85 degree temperatures, the officers and crew found it an excellent chance to gain fine tropical suntans and grow luxurious vari-colored beards and mustaches while conducting weather and surveillence patrols.

Upon completion of "Operation HARDTACK", 30 July, MANSFIELD turned towards Japan. On 6 August, MANSFIELD steamed happily into Yokosuka Harbor to commence nine days of liberty, maintenance and recreation. After days of picture taking and touring the nearby cities of Tokyo and Kamakuru, we left for a brief period of air operations with USS SHANGRI LA (CVA-38). The speed and maneuverability of the fast carrier task group was educational for all hands, even for those "salts" who had experienced it many times before. A good deal was learned before we again put into Yokosuka for a stay that was to be cut short by the advent of Chinese Communist bombardment of Kinmen (Quemoy) and the threat to Matsu and Formosa.

With but five days in "Yoko", MANSFIELD began extended patrol and convoy duties on 29 August by operating in the Formosa Straits with USS SHANGRI LA. It was to this carrier that MANSFIELD returned a pilot rescued from the Formosa Straits in heavy seas. The pilot, LT LEUELLEN, USNR, was forced to ditch when his plane developed engine trouble on take-off. It was also during this period that we started dodging the over-friendly ladies, Ida and Helen, the playful typhoons.

On 7 September, we arrived in Kaohsiung, Formosa for briefing and provisioning prior to reporting to Task Force 72 for convoy escort duties. The next day found MANSFIELD on the way to the Matsu patrol station. On 10 September we began convoy escort duties. All hands had a grandstand seat to view 55,000 rounds dropping on one small beach of Quemoy. We concluded our initial escorting duties on 21 September when we left for Kaohsiung for 10 days availability alongside the tender, USS PIEDMONT (AD-17).

On 2 October the big and small jobs were completed and all departments made "Readiness for Getting Underway" reports. The next day we were underway for Boko Ko in the Pescadores to rejoin the escort unit. We participated in 2 more escort jobs before rejoining Task Group 77.4 and USS SHANGRI LA for more air operations east of Formosa.

From 12 October to 5 November we operated with this Task Group. The days passed. Sundry comments were heard as 21 October our due date home went by. Joy returned, however, on 29 October when the message arrived ordering us to proceed to Yokosuka, Japan on 5 November and to "CONUS" via Pearl Harbor on 6 November. We should arrive in Long Beach 20 November 1958 and it will be great to be home.