Of some Interest.

[PaxPerPoten]

Alludes to a battle in the Philippines in 1971.
Anyone have a clue as to that action? I know that many small Battles
occurred there that never openly logged. But 4,500 rounds fired from
this ship at this battle is of interest. That is serious Amount of Ammo.


https://www.travel-mi.com/USS-Edson.html#gsc.tab=0

[a425couple]

Post by PaxPerPoten
Alludes to a battle in the Philippines in 1971.
Anyone have a clue as to that action? I know that many small Battles
occurred there that never openly logged. But 4,500 rounds fired from
this ship at this battle is of interest. That is serious Amount of Ammo.
https://www.travel-mi.com/USS-Edson.html#gsc.tab=0

Yes, the claim is "of interest".
I'd ask more of the 'museum staff'.
Here are 5 thoughts.

I was filling a major's billet on the 3rd Marine Division staff
in Embarkation in 1972 and was in the Philippines about 4 times
for a total of around 3 to 4 weeks.

T#1 There was an ongoing problem with communist rebels, that caused
Marcos to declare martial law in 1972. But I have trouble
thinking that a US Navy ship fired in support of it.

#2 In 1972 we had a Marine platoon going through combat training
in a jungle training area with blanks and BFAs on their M-16s,
and they got pinned down for a while by these communist 'troops'
that were really doing live firing!!!.

#3 A fellow Marine officer was in wrong place at wrong time and
was killed by these communist 'troops' while they did a bank robbery.

#4 There was a major naval gun firing range on a smaller Philippine
island.

#5 There is not mention of caliber. So, is that 4,500 5", or .50 cal.?
It wouldn't take long to fire 4,500 .50 cal rounds for crew familiarization.

Good luck. Be sure to let us know if your find out more.


#

[PaxPerPoten]

Post by a425couple

Post by PaxPerPoten
Alludes to a battle in the Philippines in 1971.
Anyone have a clue as to that action? I know that many small Battles
occurred there that never openly logged. But 4,500 rounds fired from
this ship at this battle is of interest. That is serious Amount of Ammo.
https://www.travel-mi.com/USS-Edson.html#gsc.tab=0

Yes, the claim is "of interest".
I'd ask more of the 'museum staff'.
Here are 5 thoughts.
I was filling a major's billet on the 3rd Marine Division staff
in Embarkation in 1972 and was in the Philippines about 4 times
for a total of around 3 to 4 weeks.
T#1  There was an ongoing problem with communist rebels, that caused
Marcos to declare martial law in 1972.  But I have trouble
thinking that a US Navy ship fired in support of it.
#2  In 1972 we had a Marine platoon going through combat training
in a jungle training area with blanks and BFAs on their M-16s,
and they got pinned down for a while by these communist 'troops'
that were really doing live firing!!!.
#3  A fellow Marine officer was in wrong place at wrong time and
was killed by these communist 'troops' while they did a bank robbery.
#4  There was a major naval gun firing range on a smaller Philippine
island.
#5  There is no mention of caliber.  So, is that 4,500 5", or .50 cal.?
It wouldn't take long to fire 4,500 .50 cal rounds for crew
familiarization.

That article mentions one round every 5 seconds. That fits the
Auto-loader 5"x38".

Post by a425couple
Good luck.  Be sure to let us know if your find out more.

According to some, the DD946 had no .50 aboard, but good Gunnery Chiefs
usually stashed some of that in the Voids for a rainy day. I suspect
that Auto-loader 5X38 would be the Artillery of choice. 3" would be more
for AA. Any way you load it 4,500 rounds of expended brass is
impressive. In earlier years we had firing runs on Marcos's HUKS. Nasty
bunch. We had to bribe our way through them with Gold, when the
Philippines were retaken. I had a Marine cousin that was shot and
drowned in the river fighting at the end of the war. He made it through
the island hopping, but ended in the Philippines.

[a425couple]

Post by PaxPerPoten

Post by a425couple

Post by PaxPerPoten
Alludes to a battle in the Philippines in 1971.
Anyone have a clue as to that action? I know that many small Battles
occurred there that never openly logged. But 4,500 rounds fired from
this ship at this battle is of interest. That is serious Amount of Ammo.
https://www.travel-mi.com/USS-Edson.html#gsc.tab=0

Yes, the claim is "of interest".
I'd ask more of the 'museum staff'.
Here are 5 thoughts.
I was filling a major's billet on the 3rd Marine Division staff
in Embarkation in 1972 and was in the Philippines about 4 times
for a total of around 3 to 4 weeks.
T#1 There was an ongoing problem with communist rebels, that caused
Marcos to declare martial law in 1972. But I have trouble
thinking that a US Navy ship fired in support of it.
#2 In 1972 we had a Marine platoon going through combat training
in a jungle training area with blanks and BFAs on their M-16s,
and they got pinned down for a while by these communist 'troops'
that were really doing live firing!!!.
#3 A fellow Marine officer was in wrong place at wrong time and
was killed by these communist 'troops' while they did a bank robbery.
#4 There was a major naval gun firing range on a smaller Philippine
island.
#5 There is no mention of caliber. So, is that 4,500 5", or .50 cal.?
It wouldn't take long to fire 4,500 .50 cal rounds for crew
familiarization.

That article mentions one round every 5 seconds. That fits the
Auto-loader 5"x38".
Yes. That fits, But the Edson did not have the 5"x38.

They had the much better 5 inch/54 Mark 42
Rate of fire As built/designed: 40 rounds per minute automatic
Down-rated to 28 rounds per minute in 1968>>

Post by PaxPerPoten

Post by a425couple
Good luck. Be sure to let us know if your find out more.

According to some, the DD946 had no .50 aboard, but good Gunnery Chiefs
usually stashed some of that in the Voids for a rainy day. I suspect
that Auto-loader 5X38 would be the Artillery of choice. 3" would be more
for AA. Any way you load it 4,500 rounds of expended brass is
impressive. In earlier years we had firing runs on Marcos's HUKS. Nasty
bunch. We had to bribe our way through them with Gold, when the
Philippines were retaken. I had a Marine cousin that was shot and
drowned in the river fighting at the end of the war. He made it through
the island hopping, but ended in the Philippines.

For the 1970s,
I would be fine believing the USS Edson fired 4,500 rounds
into Vietnam.
I would be fine believing they fired 4,500 rounds at a Naval Gunfire
Training Range in the Philippines.

Ireally doubt they fired 5" in support of Marcos in the Philippines.

To explore further, I'd suggest
1. contacting the museum, or
2. try looking for USN groups on Facebook, either USN Retired, or
USN DD crewmen.

[PaxPerPoten]

Post by a425couple

Post by PaxPerPoten

Post by a425couple

Post by PaxPerPoten
Alludes to a battle in the Philippines in 1971.
Anyone have a clue as to that action? I know that many small Battles
occurred there that never openly logged. But 4,500 rounds fired from
this ship at this battle is of interest. That is serious Amount of

Ammo.

Post by PaxPerPoten

Post by a425couple

Post by PaxPerPoten
https://www.travel-mi.com/USS-Edson.html#gsc.tab=0

Yes, the claim is "of interest".
I'd ask more of the 'museum staff'.
Here are 5 thoughts.
I was filling a major's billet on the 3rd Marine Division staff
in Embarkation in 1972 and was in the Philippines about 4 times
for a total of around 3 to 4 weeks.
T#1  There was an ongoing problem with communist rebels, that caused
Marcos to declare martial law in 1972.  But I have trouble
thinking that a US Navy ship fired in support of it.
#2  In 1972 we had a Marine platoon going through combat training
in a jungle training area with blanks and BFAs on their M-16s,
and they got pinned down for a while by these communist 'troops'
that were really doing live firing!!!.
#3  A fellow Marine officer was in wrong place at wrong time and
was killed by these communist 'troops' while they did a bank robbery.
#4  There was a major naval gun firing range on a smaller Philippine
island.
#5  There is no mention of caliber.  So, is that 4,500 5", or .50 cal.?
It wouldn't take long to fire 4,500 .50 cal rounds for crew familiarization.

That article mentions one round every 5 seconds. That fits the
Auto-loader 5"x38".
Yes.  That fits, But the Edson did not have the 5"x38.

They had the much better 5 inch/54 Mark 42
Rate of fire    As built/designed: 40 rounds per minute automatic
Down-rated to 28 rounds per minute in 1968>>

Post by PaxPerPoten

Post by a425couple
Good luck.  Be sure to let us know if your find out more.

According to some, the DD946 had no .50 aboard, but good Gunnery Chiefs
usually stashed some of that in the Voids for a rainy day. I suspect
that Auto-loader 5X38 would be the Artillery of choice. 3" would be more
for AA.  Any way you load it 4,500 rounds of expended brass is
impressive. In earlier years we had firing runs on Marcos's HUKS. Nasty
bunch. We had to bribe our way through them with Gold, when the
Philippines were retaken. I had a Marine cousin that was shot and
drowned in the river fighting at the end of the war. He made it through
the island hopping, but ended in the Philippines.

For the 1970s,
I would be fine believing the USS Edson fired 4,500 rounds
into Vietnam.
I would be fine believing they fired 4,500 rounds at a Naval Gunfire
Training Range in the Philippines.
Ireally doubt they fired 5" in support of Marcos in the Philippines.
To explore further, I'd suggest
1.  contacting the museum, or
2.  try looking for USN groups on Facebook, either USN Retired, or
USN DD crewmen.

I put out feelers to the reunion group in hopes of snagging someone from
that era.

In earlier days some warships leaving Subic Bay were tasked with hit and
run fire missions on their way to Mission stations or patrols. But 10 to
20 rounds at most. 4,500 rounds of any artillery would be a heavy load
for a Forest Sherman Destroyer. Can they carry that much ammo along with
all else? Maybe there is a bit of Sea tale fiction on that web page?