# USS PC-552 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/USS_PC-552 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/USS_PC-552.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_PC-552 > Source revision: 1341901187 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{cleanup|date=May 2021|reason=Cluttered with extraneous type information, personal details, much like a memorial page. See Talk for long history of problems.}} {{Use American English|date=November 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox ship |infobox_caption=yes |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=Submarine chaser USS PC-552.jpg |image_caption=USS ''PC-552'' in action }} |section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |country={{nowrap|United States}} |flag={{USN flag|1942}} |name= |owner= |namesake= |ordered=1 April 1941 |builder=[Sullivan Drydock and Repair Corporation](/source/Sullivan_Drydock_and_Repair_Corporation) (Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.) |laid_down=20 May 1941 |launched=13 February 1942 |acquired= |commissioned=29 July 1942 |decommissioned=18 April 1946 |in_service= |out_of_service= |struck=5 June 1946 |identification=[Call sign](/source/Maritime_call_sign): Nan – Baker – Uncle – Yoke |reinstated= |honours= |honors= |fate=6 December 1946 to Maritime Commission, predecessor to [MARAD](/source/MARAD). Ultimate fate unknown.{{cite web |last1=Priolo |first1=Gary P. |title=Submarine Chaser Photo Archive |url=http://www.navsource.net/archives/12/010552.htm |website=NavSource |access-date=22 February 2015}} |notes= }} |section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption= |class= Class 461 Patrol Craft ("PC") |displacement=280 t.(lt), 450 t.(fl) |length={{convert|173|ft|8|in|abbr=on}} |beam={{convert|23|ft|abbr=on}} |draught= |draft={{convert|10|ft|10|in|abbr=on}} |power=2 × {{convert|1,440|bhp|abbr=on}} [General Motors](/source/General_Motors) 16-258S |propulsion=* [Farrel-Birmingham](/source/Farrel-Birmingham) single reduction gear * 2 × shafts |speed={{convert|20.2|kn}} |range= |complement=65 |sensors= |EW= |armament=*1 × [{{convert|3|in|mm|abbr=on}}/50 cal](/source/3%22%2F50_caliber_gun) [dual purpose gun](/source/dual_purpose_gun) *1 × [40 mm gun](/source/Bofors_40_mm_Automatic_Gun_L%2F60) *3 × [20 mm cannon](/source/Oerlikon_20_mm_cannon)s *2 × [rocket launcher](/source/rocket_launcher)s *4 × [depth charge](/source/depth_charge) throwers *2 × depth charge tracks |armour= |armor= |aircraft= |aircraft_facilities= |notes=Battle of the Atlantic, Battle of Normandy. }} }} '''USS ''PC-552''''' was a [class-461](/source/PC-461-class_submarine_chaser) patrol craft ("PC") that was at the forefront of the naval efforts during the [Normandy invasion](/source/Normandy_invasion). It served as convoy protection in the [North Atlantic](/source/North_Atlantic) and as one of about ten PC control vessels off [Omaha Beach](/source/Omaha_Beach) during the Normandy invasion.{{cite book |editor-last1=Stillwell |editor-first1=Paul |title=Assault on Normandy : first person accounts from the sea services |date=1994 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis |isbn=978-1-55750-781-5 |page=64}} ''PC-552'' was among the first ships to reach waters off Omaha Beach.{{cite web |last1=Guzda |first1=Ted |last2=Kesnick |first2=William |title=The Stamford Historical Society Presents |url=http://www.stamfordhistory.org/ww2_kesnickguzda.htm |publisher=The Stamford Historical Society |access-date=21 February 2015}} ''PC-552'', primary control vessel for [Fox Green sector](/source/Fox_Green_sector) of the beach, was forced into rescue efforts and recovery of bodies at the departure line for Fox Green when the [Duplex Drive tanks](/source/DD_tank) that survived the initial disastrous launch were swamped at the line with only two surviving.{{cite book |last=Morison |first=Samuel Eliot |title=The invasion of France and Germany, 1944–1945 |series=History of United States naval operations in World War II |year=2002 |volume=11 |location=Boston |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=978-1-59114-577-6 |lccn=2009052288 |page=134 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mhJE9XFacGwC&pg=PA134 |access-date=26 May 2015}} The PC was diverted into this effort for forty-five minutes and ultimately only five tanks, the two that survived the launch disaster and three that were aboard LCT-600 whose commander raised his ramp when the first off foundered and instead landed them on the beach, reached the beach. ''PC-552'' remained in European waters until 6 June 1945, where after a ceremony commemorating the events of the previous year on that date, a convoy of PCs departed for the Atlantic crossing. ''PC-552'' arrived at Key West, Florida on 22 June 1945 and was decommissioned at Charleston, South Carolina on 18 April 1946. == Patrol craft == Patrol craft were 173 ft. long, had crews of 60 sailors and five officers, and were originally built for [Anti-Submarine Warfare](/source/Anti-Submarine_Warfare) (ASW), convoy escort duty, and coastal patrols.{{cite web |last1=Matyas |first1=Mark |title=173-Foot Steel-Hull Patrol Craft|url=http://www.ww2pcsa.org/patrol-craft.html |publisher=Patrol Craft Sailor Association}} Most sailors referred to the PCs as the "[Donald Duck Navy](/source/Donald_Duck_Navy)." .{{cite book |last1=Veigele |first1=William J. |title=PC patrol craft of World War II : a history of the ships and their crews |date=1998 |publisher=Astral |location=Santa Barbara |isbn=978-0-9645867-1-0}} == Class == ''PC-552'' was a [Class 461](/source/PC-461-class_submarine_chaser) ship. Class 461 Patrol Craft were built mainly for the US Navy from 1941 to 1944. This class was called Class 461 because the first one built was ''PC-461'', which began the series. The first of the class to enter service was the ''PC-471''. The class 461 was designed for rapid production in large numbers, to be effective anti-[submarine](/source/submarine) vessels, and to relieve larger vessels from convoy duty. The U.S. Navy usually did not provide traditional names to PCs; the {{em|name}} of this ship was ''PC-552''.{{cite book |last1=Veigele |first1=William J. |title=PC patrol craft of World War II : a history of the ships and their crews |date=1998 |publisher=Astral |location=Santa Barbara |isbn=0-9645867-1-1 |page=36}} This PC class was considered seaworthy but bounced around on the water like no other craft. The PCs were a match for the enemy submarines when the submarines were submerged but the PCs were clearly outgunned in a surface battle. In such a case, the PC's preferred tactic was to charge the submarine to ram it, before the submarine could bring its superior gun to bear.{{cite book |last1=Veigele |first1=William J. |title=PC Patrol Craft of World War II : a history of the ships and their crews |date=1998 |publisher=Astral |location=Santa Barbara |isbn=0-9645867-1-1 |page=37}} Class 461 Patrol Craft were designed to get most of their drinking water from an onboard distillation plant. Because of the violent pitching, the distillation plants of the PCs rarely worked. Consequently, the PCs were continuously plagued by a shortage of drinking water.{{cite book |last1=Veigele |first1=William J. |title=PC Patrol Craft of World War II a history of the ships and their crews |date=1998 |publisher=Astral |location=Santa Barbara |isbn=0-9645867-1-1}} == Armament == thumb|left|upright|This is a 3"/50 caliber gun mount on an unidentified patrol craft. Patrol craft were designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare and mine sweeping and the armament reflected this. A secondary group of arms were anti-aircraft. As an antisubmarine warfare ("ASW") ship, it was equipped with both [sonar](/source/sonar) and [radar](/source/radar) to detect enemy submarines. Once such enemy submarines were detected, the ship's weapons were brought to bear. The ship's radar had a range of around {{convert|10000|yd|m}}, as the crew noted during their pursuit of an e-boat in February 1945. Anti-submarine weapons were the heart of the patrol craft. They consisted of a [3"/50 caliber gun](/source/3%22%2F50_caliber_gun), [depth charges](/source/depth_charges), and anti-submarine rocket launchers known as [mousetraps](/source/Mousetrap_(weapon)). Patrol craft also had anti-aircraft weapons, including the [Bofors 40 mm/56-caliber autocannon](/source/Bofors_40_mm_Automatic_Gun_L%2F60), which were either single or double barreled. There were also three [20 mm Oerlikons](/source/Oerlikon_20%26nbsp%3Bmm_cannon) which was a manually operated air cooled weapon mounted on a pedestal. == Operations == ''PC-552'' protected numerous convoys up and down the east coast and the Caribbean, as well as Convoy UGS-29, as part of Task Force 69. It also screened for the Battle of Normandy fleet. During this period, it made contact with suspected enemy submarines many times, vigorously attacking them each time. It was credited with just one kill, but that is not certain. Although ''PC-552'' suffered air attack numerous times, it had only one surface-to-surface engagement with a German E-Boat 6–7 February 1945. In this case, ''PC-552'' outgunned the target and the engagement consisted of a race. Ultimately, the E-Boat got away. == Construction == thumb|Launch of USS ''PC-552'' ''PC-552'' was [laid down](/source/Keel_laying) on 20 May 1941 at the Sullivan Dry Dock and Repair Co. of [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn), [New York](/source/New_York_City).Friedman 1987, p. 476. It was [launched](/source/Ceremonial_ship_launching) on the evening of 13 February 1942 in the first night launch (which was considered risky) of the [Third Naval District](/source/Third_Naval_District) so that work could begin to work immediately on a sister ship, ''[PC-553](/source/USS_PC-553)''.{{cite news |title=2,000 See Launching of Submarine Chaser |publisher=Brooklyn Eagle |date=14 February 1942 |location=Brooklyn, New York |page=2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/52625305/ }} About 2,000 people attended the launch, about half of whom were the workers who built ''PC-552''. Rear Admiral [Adolphus Andrews](/source/Adolphus_Andrews), Commandant of the Third Naval District and Commander of the North Atlantic coastal frontier said, "Everything connected with this war must be on a 24-hour basis. These night launchings should be the most common occurrence in the world. Not a minute should be wasted in getting out the ships and planes and supplies of every sort that are needed on our many fighting fronts." Grace Finley, the 16-year-old daughter of the office manager of the Sullivan Company, smashed a bottle of champagne against ''PC-552'' as the ship was launched. The keel of the next ship was laid immediately. Although originally scheduled for completion by 12 November 1941, ''PC-552'' was finally accepted on 27 July 1942. Cost was $625,000 (${{formatprice|{{inflation|USD|625000|1942}}}} today).{{cite report |author=U.S. Navy |title=PC-552 II Card |date=1942}}{{clarify|date=May 2015|reason= What is an II card? What does II stand for?}} == Deployments == === 1942 === right|thumb|upright|alt=A depth charge explodes astern during a practice anti-submarine run during the ship's shakedown tests.|A depth charge explodes astern during a practice anti-submarine run during the USS PC-1264's shakedown tests. The USS PC 552 was commissioned on 29 July 1942, Lt. Donald McVickar, USNR commanding.{{cite report |last1=Spielman |first1=James S. |title=USS PC-552 Ship's History |date=23 March 1946 }}{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log Book-USS PC-552 |date=July 1942}} By 12 August, the ship was underway for the first time in [New York Harbor](/source/New_York_Harbor).{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log Book-USS PC 552 |date=August 1942}} The first few months were spent shaking down the ship, calibrating the engines, steering communication, guns, etc. The next month was spent training against American submarines. The first combat mission was in September during which the ship engaged with suspected German submarines. For most of the remainder of the year, the ship screened convoys between [Tompkinsville, Staten Island](/source/Tompkinsville%2C_Staten_Island), New York and [Guantanamo Bay, Cuba](/source/Guantanamo_Bay%2C_Cuba), berthing primarily at both places. There were several contacts with suspected enemy submarines which were attacked vigorously but no proof of destruction. Beginning 20 September 1942, ''PC-552'' had her first convoy escort patrol.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log USS PC-552 |date=September 1942}} The next day ''PC-552'' made contact was with a submarine attacking when contact was made again on 22 September. An aircraft assisted and an oil slick was observed, but there was no proof the attack was successful. On 27 September 1942, the ship berthed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. ''PC-552'' was underway again 29 September returning to Tompkinsville 7 October 1942 and picked up additional crew.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log USS PC 552 |date=October 1942}} ''PC-552'' returned to Guantanamo Bay with another convoy, 11 to 18 October 1942. On 20 October the ship visited Santiago de Cuba. On 21 October, on the way back to Guantanamo Bay ''PC-552'' engaged a possible submarine, but lost contact. On 15 November 1942, ''PC-552'' departed with a convoy bound for Tompkinsville.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of USS PC 552 |date=November 1942}} On 23 November, they made contact with suspected enemy submarine. A six and one-half hour engagement was made against the contact with the help of {{HMCS|Halifax|K237}} and an airplane. Multiple depth charges were dropped by the group. Eastern Sea Frontier command classified this as a likely submerged wreck and noted the attacks on old wrecks were common enough to consider attaching buoys to wrecks to prevent additional attacks.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/280195719/ |title= War Diary COMEASTSEAFRON: November 1942 |author= Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier |date= November 1942 |url-access=subscription }} On 24 November 1942, ''PC-552'' arrived at Tompkinsville. On 28 November 1942, "Lt. J.R. Pilling, Jr. USNR relieved Lt. D McVickar USNR as commanding officer." On 18 December 1942, ''PC-552'' departed with a convoy dropping depth charges on a possible submarine contact, but contact was lost. They arrived and berthed at Guantanamo Bay on 25 December 1942.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log Book for USS PC 552 |date=December 1942}} === 1943 === thumb|This is a typical Bofors 40 mm/56 caliber machine gun for a ship ({{USS|Valor|AM-472}}). ''PC-552'' performed protection for convoys going from New York (berthed at Tompkinsville) to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and back. For the most part, serious maintenance was performed at Tompkinsville such as replacing guns. Tompkinsville was also the main source for ammunition and new personnel. The first half of the year was similar to how 1942 was: periodic contacts with potential enemy submarines resulting in instant attacks by ''PC-552'', great care given to zigzagging convoys, detailed deck log entries, etc. These were anxious, serious men at an anxious, serious task. The last half of the year, the convoys became routine. There were no contacts with potential enemies, there were less frequent convoys, and the deck log entries became cursory. Often, not even the name of the mooring station was mentioned. It apparently was obvious to all at the time where they berthed although not to us, reading the deck log entries today. While on convoy patrol, ''PC-552'' is believed to have killed a Nazi submarine on 15 May 1943 at 2300 hours.{{cite book |last1=Veigele |first1=William J. |title=PC Patrol Craft of World War II : a history of the ships and their crews|date=1998 |publisher=Astral |location=Santa Barbara |isbn=0-9645867-1-1 |page=157}} The ship was given credit for a possible kill in company with another PC (not clear this is the same incident). ''PC-552'' left Tompkinsville bound for Guantanamo Bay on 11 January 1943 screening a convoy. While en route on 17 January, ''PC-552'' deployed a boarding party to ship #33 in the convoy retrieving them on the 18th and entering Guantanamo Bay the same day.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of USS PC 552 |date=January 1943}} ''PC-552'' went on a one-day special sea detail on the 19th and departed 21 January 1943 with a convoy bound for Tompkinsville. On 22 January 1943, ''PC-552'' dropped several depth charges on a possible submarine contact, arriving 27 Jan 1943 at Tompkinsville, Staten Island. From 7 to 14 February 1943 ''PC-552'' made another trip to Guantanamo Bay with a convoy returning to Tompkinsville 17 to 26 February.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of USS PC 552 |date=February 1943}} From 11 to 17 March 1943, ''PC-552'' made a trip to [Key West](/source/Key_West) with a convoy returning to Tomknisville 22 to 28 March 1943.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log USS PC 552 |date=March 1943}} 2 to 9 April 1943, ''PC-552'' sailed to Guantanamo Bay with another convoy. The trained with an American submarine on 12 April and returned to Tompkinsville 14 to 20 April 1943.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of USS PC-552 |date=April 1943}} ''PC-552'' engaged possible submarine contacts 15 and 20 April, without proof of success. 2 to 9 May 1943, ''PC-552'' sailed to Guantanamo Bay returning to Tompkinsville 14 to 22 May.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log for USS PC-552 |date=May 1943}} On the night of 15 May 1943, while escorting convoy GN-59, ''PC-552'' detected and engaged a possible submarine contact. There was a major underwater explosion seven minutes after depth charging the contact. The explosion was so large that it knocked out the lights in the engine room of ''PC-552'' and was heard by other convoy escorts over 7 miles away. While the engagement was just south of the Eastern Frontier boundary, the commander there classified it as "Probable submarine, probably killed."{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/271079465/ |title= War Diary for May 1943: COMEASTSEAFRON |author= Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier |date= June 1943 |url-access=subscription |pages= 8–9}} At the time, the theory was that the contact was [''U-176''](/source/German_submarine_U-176) which had sunk two merchant ships off Cuba two nights earlier. In recent years it was determined that ''U-176'' had been sunk on 15 May, but not at that location and not by ''PC-552''.{{cite web |url= http://www.uboat.net/boats/u176.htm |title= U-176 |website= uboats.net |access-date= 30 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101028074538/http://www.uboat.net/boats/u176.htm |archive-date= 28 October 2010 }} GN-59 was escorted by ''PC-552'', ''PC-553'', ''PC-1226'' and {{USS|Restless|PG-66|2}}.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/271080405/ |title= War Diary for May 1943: COMEASTSEAFRON |author= Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier |date= 15 May 1943 |url-access=subscription |page= 161}} 6 to 13 June 1943, ''PC-552'' sailed to Guantanamo Bay returning to Tomkinsville 16 to 24 June 1943.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log for the USS PC-552 |date=June 1943}} 6 to 13 July 1943, ''PC-552'' sailed to Guantanamo Bay returning 14 to 19 July 1943.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of USS PC-552 |date=July 1943}} 22 to 29 July 1943 the ship sailed to Guantanamo Bay returning to Tompkinsville 2 to 7 August 1943.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of USS PC-552 |date=August 1943}} On 9 August 1943, ''PC-552'' was transferred back to [Eastern Sea Frontier](/source/Eastern_Sea_Frontier). The remainder of August and September was spent in and out of port underway for a few days each time.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=September 1943}} On 2 October 1943, Lieutenant J. Ross Pilling, USNR turned over command of ''PC-552'' to LTJG Frank Pierce.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=October 1943}} ''PC-552'' traveled to Guantanamo Bay 5 to 11 October 1943 returning to Tompkinsville. ''PC-552'' spent the rest of the year in and out of various ports without significant incidents{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=November 1943}} and on 17 December 1943, ''PC-552'' arrived into New York from her last trip from Guantanamo Bay. She had been selected to go to France. In Dec 1943, ''PC-552'' was originally assigned to the 8th Fleet (Mediterranean), perhaps without the ship knowing this, then switched to being assigned to the 12th Fleet (Europe). From 21 to 31 December 1943, ''PC-552'' traveled in the company of Destroyer Escorts (DE) 181, 318, and 225 and the PC's 553 and 1225 to escort the convoy New York Section [UGS 28](/source/UG_convoys) ('''U'''nited States to '''G'''ibraltar-'''S'''low) to Norfolk, Virginia.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/271025696/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: December 21, 1943 to February 1, 1944 |date= 10 February 1944 |url-access=subscription |type= none }} On 25 December 1943, ''PC-552'' was placed in [Portsmouth Navy Yard](/source/Portsmouth_Naval_Shipyard), dry dock #1 to have bottom scraped and painted, then berthed in preparation for the Atlantic crossing. === 1944 === thumb|USS ''PC-552'' in heavy seas During this phase of the war, ''PC-552'' protected a convoy across the Atlantic as the [Western Allies](/source/Allies_of_World_War_II) built up the naval fleet in anticipation of the Normandy invasion. It then patrolled the [European theatre](/source/European_theatre_of_World_War_II) coasts and was based in [Dartmouth, Devon](/source/Dartmouth%2C_Devon), Plymouth, and Falmouth, Britain, then after D-Day, in [Cherbourg](/source/Cherbourg), [France](/source/France).{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Chris |title=RFA Berta |url=http://www.historicalrfa.org/rfa-berta |website=Historical RFA}} On D-Day, it served as the control vessel for Omaha Beach. It was not all over after D-Day. The Germans continued to strafe and lay mines the remainder of the year. The Channel Islands were still held by the Germans which served as a military base from which to launch attacks. There still was a concern regarding enemy submarines. ==== The trans Atlantic crossing to England ==== thumb|left|USS ''PC-552'' in rough seas. This picture was taken on D-Day. It shows how rough the seas were. Note the white caps. Orders came 5 January 1944 for the move to [England](/source/England). ''PC-552'', along with ''PC-553'' and ''PC-1225'' as well as several destroyer escorts, escorted a large, slow-moving convoy across the Atlantic{{cite web |last1=Hyde |first1=Gary |title=Louis Hyde: Crew Member on PC-1225 During World War II |url=http://www.historynet.com/louis-hyde-crew-member-on-pc-1225-during-world-war-ii.htm |website=World War II Magazine |date=12 June 2006 |access-date=23 February 2015}} as Task Force 69 for the United Kingdom. The convoy was UGS-29 and consisted of 53 merchant ships, the army tug LT (Large Tug) 221. the LST's (Landing Ship, Tank) 22, 8, and 44, the LCI's (Landing Craft, Infantry) 493-503, and the carrier USS Guadalcanal with escorts. The crossing was very rough. On 15 January 1944, ''PC-552'' broke off from the convoy UGS-29 approximately 527 miles southwest of [Ponta Delgada](/source/Ponta_Delgada), [Azores](/source/Azores), as Task Force 62.9. This task force included the LCI's ([Landing Craft Infantry](/source/Landing_Craft_Infantry)) 493-503 escorted by the PC's 552, 553, and 1225 and headed to [Horta, Azores](/source/Horta%2C_Azores), on [Faial Island](/source/Faial_Island). The ship's evaporator broke down and ''PC-552'' had little fresh water. From 17 to 22 January 1944, ''PC-552'' stayed at Horta due to bad weather. From 22 to 27 January 1944, ''PC-552'' sailed to [River Tamar](/source/River_Tamar) at [Saltash](/source/Saltash), [Cornwall](/source/Cornwall), [England](/source/England), [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) with Task Group 120.2 as part of the escort for LCI's 493-502. The delayed by weather and although there were several false alarms, the convoy arrived without incident. "This was their (crew and officers') first look at open warfare as they witnessed the German bombings of England's south coast." ==== February to May 1944 ==== ''PC-552'' began European sea duty on 10 February 1944 returning to [Plymouth](/source/Plymouth) on the 12th.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=February 1944}} In February 1944, ''PC-552'' was berthed in the [River Dart](/source/River_Dart), as well as [Falmouth, Cornwall](/source/Falmouth%2C_Cornwall). There were a couple air raid warnings, but ''PC-552'' was not damaged. In February and March, the ship escorted traffic around the English coast as well as protected troop during landing exercises, usually in conjunction with PC's 553 and 1225.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/272848799/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: February 1944 |date=6 March 1944 |url-access=subscription }}{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/272846061/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: March 1944 |date=7 April 1944 |url-access=subscription }} On 11 March, ''PC-552'' brought two wounded 16th Infantry Army soldiers on board for treatment, but the more seriously wounded soldier died.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=March 1944}} Most of the time, when not active, ''PC-552'' was berthed in [Dartmouth, Devon](/source/Dartmouth%2C_Devon), near the Oiler {{HMS|Berta}}. "Falmouth, Dartmouth, Plymouth, and Torquay will ever remain in the minds of those who served aboard "552" during this period of preparation. As spring grew into summer, the tension became greater and officers and men were confident that the ship they had made ready and trained aboard would do her bit when the fateful day arrived." thumb|upright|left|This is the U.S. Navy's 352 page plan for supporting D-Day.

This is a complete plan for the ships of the Western Naval Task Force 122. It includes information on how the ships were to come together, how to get ammunition, order of assaulting waves, what to do with the dead, etc ... .

"The assault is to be pressed home with relentless vigor regardless of loss or difficulty."
"Exploit every advantage gained to the end that unexpected opportunity will not be lost." NOWTF Neptune Monograph, Page 7 of 12.

''PC-552''{{'}}s call sign was "5Baker8". April 1944 brought more coastal escorting, screening, patrolling, and military assault and landing exercises, often with ''PC-553'' and ''PC-1225''.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/274205499/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: 1 April 1944 to 30 April 1944 |date=14 May 1944 |url-access=subscription }} Three air raids were sounded in April while the ship was berthed. On 27 April 1944, five [Landing Ship, Tank](/source/Landing_Ship%2C_Tank)s (LST) were attacked just behind ''PC-552''{{'}}s convoy. About 400 sailors and soldiers died.{{cite news |last1=Carella |first1=Angela |title='They Have the Same Angel.' Buddies Reflect on Surviving D-Day |publisher=The Stamford Advocate|date=6 June 2005}} Overnight there was sporadic gunfire and illumination fire. On 29 April 1944, ''PC-552'' set her flag at half mast in memory of the [Secretary of the Navy](/source/Secretary_of_the_Navy) [Frank Knox](/source/Frank_Knox) and for those lost during the engagement with German [E-boat](/source/E-boat)s on 27–28 April.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC 552 |date=April 1944}} In May 1944 there was continued military exercises including assaults, landings, and escort duty.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/274562170/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: May 1944 |date=1 June 1944 |url-access=subscription }} On 27 May 194, ''PC-552'' was involved a practice operation for D-Day. While escorting a convoy in poor weather and low visibility, ''PC-552'' collided with ''LCT(5)(R)-439'' ([Landing Craft Tank (Rocket)](/source/Landing_Craft_Tank_(Rocket))-439). ''PC-552'' stayed with the LCT all day, until entering Dartmouth. This incident temporarily shattered the men's hopes. 28–31 May 1944, a Board of Investigation inspected the damage with repairs being made 1–3 June 1944 just days prior to D-day. ==== D-Day ==== thumb|right|upright|This is a copy of the actual Deck Log of ''PC-552'' on 6 June 1944, D-Day. thumb|Fox Green beach highlighted on map of Omaha Beach. On 4 June 1944, ''PC-552'' took on supplies and arrived at Poole Bay to be berthed alongside ''PC-553''. [Operation Overlord](/source/Operation_Overlord) battle plans, for the invasion of Normandy, were received from the {{USS|Samuel Chase|APA-26|2}} with limited time available to read and understand them.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/279829753/ |last1=Moll|first1=A. Bradley|title=War Diary for USS PC 552: June 1944|date=1 August 1944 |url-access=subscription }} {{quote box |quote= ... In this force there are battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. There are hundreds of landing ships and craft, scores of patrol and escort vessels, dozens of special assault craft. Every man in every ship has his job. And these tens of thousands of men and jobs add up to one task only – to land and support and supply and reinforce the finest Army ever sent to battle by the United States. In that task we shall not fail. I await with confidence the further proof, in this the greatest battle of them all, that American sailors are seamen and fighting men second to none. |source=—Naval Commander, Western Task Force, 27 May 1944.{{cite report |last1=Naval Commander, Western Task Force |title=Coming Events |date=27 May 1944}} |align= left |width= 35% }} On 5 June 1944, the ships were kept in the dark about the actual timing of the invasion. "The secrecy surrounding the whole thing was uncanny." As the ships began to congregate, the crew did not know whether this was the real thing or another rehearsal. As the number of ships poured in, it soon became obvious. According to crew member Ted Guzda, "We knew when the invasion would come because the [channel](/source/English_Channel) was so full of ships you couldn't count them. The sea was so rough that when we started we couldn't make it." Executive officer, Lt. Bradley Moll recalled, " ... it was quite a sight to see the task force gathering in the blue-grey channel mist, grouping from various ports, and destined to control one of the beaches on [D-Day](/source/D-Day)."{{cite news |title=Invasion of France Described in Words from Bradley Moll-Dixon Lieutenant Was Among First to Land on Blazing Beach |work=Dixon Evening Telegraph |date=19 August 1944}} ''PC-552'' began rounding up task force at 0222B and was underway by 0320B. Task force rendezvoused with main assault group at 0930B. Weather was very rough and several ships had trouble keeping station. USS LCT (A) 2043 reported its engine room flooding and was in serious difficulty. ''PC-552'' passed over her only emergency portable pump and the ship was able to continue. At 2225B, ship received an S.O.S from the USS ''LCT (A) 2229''. Ship was taking on moderate seas and was unable to jettison its cargo of tanks. ''PC-552'' took on the Army personnel and the ship was able to survive by leaving station. The convoy proceeded on. According to Ted Guzda, "We turned back to [Southampton](/source/Southampton%2C_England) ... stayed till 2 or so and heard that the invasion was on, we headed back out. We practically led the whole convoy across the Channel. The {{USS|Augusta|CA-31|2}} was the headquarters of the whole invasion. It was a heavy cruiser. We came alongside and they told us good luck, you're on your own." "It was not until several months later that the men talked of their humble feelings on that day when they learned that the time for invasion had actually come." At 0300B on 6 June 1944, ''PC-552'' arrived in transport area off the coast of France setting general quarters at 0332. At 0340, ''PC-552'' synchronized watches with the USS ''Samuel Chase'', and proceeded to her assigned station 4,000 yards from the beach at 0409B. As ''PC-552'' departed, ''Samuel Chase'' said over the loudspeaker, "Good luck ''PC-552''. Take your station." Ship proceeded down the swept, buoyed channel, then to her designated line of departure at 0459B. ''PC-552'' buoyed her line of departure for Fox Green beach, then took up station as Fox Green beach Patrol Control Craft ("PCC"). According to crew member, Bill Kesnick, "When we left, they told us, 'God bless you, 552.' They didn't expect us to come back ... " As a Patrol Control Craft, ''PC-552'' guided and controlled the invasion of Fox Green sector of Omaha Beach, Normandy on D-day. There were 18 patrol control craft in total at Normandy organized as PC Squadron One.{{cite book|last1=Veigele|first1=Wm. J.|title=PC Patrol Craft of World War II : a history of the ships and their crews|date=1998|publisher=Astral Publ|location=Santa Barbara, CA|isbn=0-9645867-1-1|pages=182|edition=1st}} During the Battle of Normandy, all PC's were under intense 50 cal. and artillery fire. thumb|upright|Bronze Star Citation for "Lieutenant Frank E. Pierce, junior, DV(S)"
"For meritorious service in active sustained operations against the enemy in the Bay of Seine, France, for various periods of time in the Area Screen of the Naval Western Task Force, while participating in the invasion of France, June 1944." See also, entry for 25 Aug 1944.
Courtesy of Frank E. Pierce III (son). By 0530 on 6 June 1944, the first wave of attackers approached the beach, the 741 Tank Battalion (Duplex drive (DD) [Sherman amphibious tanks](/source/Sherman_tank) destined for the eastern half of Omaha were guided by LCC-20). At 0542, the first wave was dispatched. At 0641 ''PC-552'' reported to ''Samuel Chase'' that the entire first wave foundered.{{cite book|last1=Kershaw|first1=Robert J.|title=D-day : Piercing the Atlantic wall|date=1994|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Md.|isbn=1-55750-151-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/ddaypiercingatla00kers/page/119 119]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ddaypiercingatla00kers}} The waves were too high and many DDs destined for Omaha were swamped and sank while still well off shore. On other beaches the commanders realized the danger and brought their DDs much closer inshore before launching allowing them to reach the shore.{{cite web |url= http://www.naval-technology.com/features/featurepicture-the-wrecks-of-d-day-70-years-on-4143459/ |last1=Turnbull |first1=Grant |title=In pictures: The wrecks of D-Day, 70 years on |website= naval-technology.com |publisher=NRI Digital / Kable Intelligence Limited |date=10 December 2013}} ''PC-552'' spent the next 45 minutes picking up survivors, but watched many of the soldiers drown in front of them, helpless to do anything about them. Crewmen Ted Guzda described the scene saying, "We were the control vessel for the first wave of the invasion, they all went down, we picked up all the survivors and threw them on deck." Ted Guzda recalled, "Later we had to sink most of [the bodies]," he said. "We took off whatever identification they had, put weights on them and sank them. There was nothing else we could do." Some soldiers were so weak from exposure, sailors from ''PC-552'' were required to be lowered by rope to the water to place ropes around the soldiers to pull them from the water. Those soldiers did not have the strength to raise their arms to grab hold of the rope. According to Ted Guzda, "The sea was still rough ... [William Kesnick] lost his helmet while enemy planes were shooting and shore batteries were firing. We were back to back on 20 mm guns. I emptied a bucket of sand and told him to put it on his head and all you heard was shrapnel going ping, ping, ping." Kesnick thought it would be the last day of his life. He yelled, "Hey, Ted, how do you pray?" Guzda replied, "Pray? Willie, just keep that bucket on your head." Sam Raup, another crewmember, said there were bullet holes surrounding him and he was amazed he didn't get hit.{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Barbara |title=Harrisburg-area veteran Sam Raup recalls D-Day duties on patrol craft off Normandy coast |url=http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/06/veteran_sam_raup_recalls_d-day.html |website=Penn State Live |date=6 June 2014 |access-date=21 February 2015}} The ship was known as "Rustbucket 552" on the radio circuits. "On this historic day, all hands experienced for the first time, the terrible din of constant gunfire from shore, seaward, and from the air." During the assault, ''PC-552'' became the focus of enemy artillery fire, was bracketed and within moments of being hit. An American destroyer from the gunfire support group reduced the enemy installation before it could fire for effect. Lt. Moll recalled the incident, "First two short, then one right over us. Figured he had us, but a destroyer had seen enough to locate and let him have salvo after salvo." ''PC-1261'' was not as fortunate and was sunk with significant loss of life by a direct hit by 88 artillery after being bracketed.{{cite book|last1=Veigele|first1=Wm. J.|title=PC Patrol Craft of World War II : a history of the ships and their crews|date=1998|publisher=Astral Publ|location=Santa Barbara, CA|isbn=0-9645867-1-1|page=184|edition=1st}} ''PC-552'' continued picking up drowning men while under heavy enemy fire. Seven men were rescued, another was picked up, but found dead and another was transferred to PA 45-25. According to Lt. Moll, "Everybody and his brother was firing – cruisers, battleships, destroyers, gunboats, planes – what a holocaust! In the meantime, we had drowning men all around us so were maneuvering to avoid the fire and pick up those poor devils."" Some of those taken from the sea brought death aboard the ship for the first time." According to the after-action report, "''PC-552'', while under heavy fire, raced to pick up survivors. Because of the frigid water, some of the soldiers became too weak to hold on to lines tossed to them. Consequently, some of the sailors from ''PC-552'' went over the side of the ship to pull the men up. Some of the soldiers required prolonged artificial respiration."{{cite report |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=After Battle Report |date=23 June 1944}} {{quote box |quote= At approximately this same time the sixteen DD tanks forming the first wave for Fox Green Beach were seen approaching the line of departure after having been launched from the LCTs 549 – 602 – 592 - & 601 – 3000 yards to seaward of the line of departure. At 0533B the signal for despatching the first wave was hoisted and executed at 0535B, however it was noted that the DD tanks were maneuvering with great difficulty and in the area of the line of departure first one and then finally all of the DD tanks were seen to founder. It appeared as though the canvas frame work around the top of the tanks buckled due to wave action and by the time the tanks had reached the area of the line of departure so much water had been taken aboard that buoyancy was lost.
The entire area 200 yards to shoreward and 300 yards to seaward was filled with survivors, some in inflated life rafts, others with life jackets only. At this time the wind was from the west force 3, with a short choppy sea dad (sic) with a current setting easterly at about 2 knots. At 0542B the ship was maneuvered into various positions to try to pick up those survivors who had been unable to get into life rafts and between 0542B. |source=—PC-552 AAR from, Amphibious Operations Invasion of Northern France Western Task Force, October 1944.{{cite book |url= http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/rep/Normandy/Cominch/Neptune4.html |last1=Cooke, Jr. |first1=C. M. |title=Amphibious Operations Invasion of Northern France Western Task Force |date=21 October 1944 |publisher=COMINCH P-006 |pages=4, 26, 27}}|align= left |width= 35% }} Ted Guzda recalled,
The resistance to the landing was heavy. The beach was not secured till 2:30 in the afternoon ... we lost over 3,000 ... then finally our planes did the job. I couldn't count the number (of) planes that went over. We couldn't sleep. All hell had broken loose. Once the beach was secure we made an imitation harbor by sinking the [Liberty ships](/source/Liberty_ships) that brought stuff over. When they got the stuff on the beach they made a breakwater. Then they made a harbor, they brought in concrete [caissons](/source/Deep_foundation) and stuck them and made harbor.
At 1620, 6 June 1944, ''PC-552'' was advised that all further tank landings would occur at Fox Green Beach.,{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of USS PC 552 |date=June 1944 }} but ''PC-552''{{'}}s SCR-609 radio failed and they lost communication with the beach master on Fox Green. ''PC-552'' was relieved of control duties at 1758 and commenced screening operations. At the close of D-Day, 1740B, PC Squadron One, including ''PC-552'', was assigned to patrol the "Dixie Line", a ring of ships to protect the capital ships and transports from submarines and E-boats. ==== D-Day aftermath ==== thumb|upright|William Kesnick and Ted Guzda on board USS ''PC-552''. Bill and Ted were childhood friends who arranged to be on the same ship and remained close buddies all their lives. In the days following D-day, ''PC-552'' was attacked by enemy aircraft a number of times, having a near miss from a bomb on 9 June 1944. The ship engaged in routine combat duties, including control of Fox Green beach. At 1835B on 14 June 1944, ''PC-552'' engaged an Army DUKW loaded with [Teller mine](/source/Teller_mine)s (German anti-tank mines), it exploded and sank. ''PC-552'' remained in the vicinity of Fox Green beach. ''PC-552'' lost their anchor at 1326B on 19 June 1944 and was forced to ride out a gale, replacing the anchor with one from a cannibalized craft. From 23 to 26 June 1944, the ship served as dispatch vessel. On 28 June 1944, the crew recovered a deceased sailor and delivered the body to Easy White Beach for burial. From 28 to 30 Jun 1944, they received and escorted Convoy CU-49{{clarify|date=May 2015|reason=CU-49 was Dec 1944, perhaps this was CU-29?}} ([Curaçao to the United Kingdom](/source/CU_convoys)) which was delivering fuel from Venezuelan refineries. ==== July to December 1944 ==== On 1 July 1944, ''PC-552'' departed the coast of France and moored in Dartmouth{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/279783153/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: July 1944 |date=1 August 1944 |url-access=subscription }} to receive supplies, new anchors, and make emergency repairs returning to the fleet on the 3rd. For the first part of July, the ship conducted routine duties including sinking enemy mines with gunfire and covering, identifying and burying a body at sea. ''PC-552'' returned to Dartmouth and was dry docked 20 July 1944 for a full inspection and repairs returning to duty at Cherbourg on 26 July. thumb|left|4 August 1944. USS ''PC-552'' found a German human torpedo submarine. Photo includes the dead pilot. After several days of routine duties, on 4 August 1944 the crew found German human torpedo with a damaged rudder and pilot dead.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/282756964/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: August 1944 |date=1 September 1944 |url-access=subscription }} Ted Guzda recalled, "The Germans used to have these one-man subs and we caught one but didn't take it aboard, we turned it over to an English ship." thumb|upright|This is a photo of the Moll brothers during World War II. Lt. Graydon Moll is on the left; Lt. Bradley Moll is on the right. Lt. Bradley Moll was the XO of USS ''PC-552'' during the Battle of Normandy and later, the CO. Lt. Bradley Moll left ''PC-552'' January 1945. Courtesy of Brodie Moll, Lt. Bradley Moll's nephew and Lt. Graydon Moll's son. On 25 August 1944, executive officer Lt. Albert Bradley Moll assumed command of ''PC-552'' from Lt. Frank E. Pierce.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC 552 |date=August 1944}} At this ceremony, Commander Pierce received the Bronze Star for the action during the invasion. September, October and November 1944 included mostly routine duties.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/292497192/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: September 1944 |date=9 November 1944 |url-access=subscription }} ''PC-552'' was assigned to patrol of Channel Islands under nasty weather conditions in October.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/292497233/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: October 1944 |date=9 November 1944}}{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC 552 |date=November 1944}}{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/292547359/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: November 1944 |date=3 December 1944}} The first part of December 1944, saw ''PC-552'' performing routine patrol duties.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/295232142/ |last1=Moll |first1=A. Bradley |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: December 1944 |date=13 January 1945}} On 24–25 December 1944, ''PC-552'' searched for survivors of {{SS|Léopoldville|1929|2}}, sunk just off [Cherbourg](/source/Cherbourg) harbor by [''U-486''](/source/German_submarine_U-486). ''PC-552'' found no survivors in the heavy seas, but ''PC-1263'' recovered several survivors. On 26 December 1944 there was a report of a submarine on surface attacking shipping. ''PC-552'' found two damaged British destroyer escorts, {{HMS|Capel|K470|6}} was sinking, but ''PC-552'' towed {{HMS|Affleck|K462|6}}{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=December 1944}} back, and directed PT boats to pick up survivors. The attacking submarine, [''U-486''](/source/German_submarine_U-486), was not located. ''PC-552'' was now known as "Cherry" on the radio circuit. === 1945 === The Allies were closing in on Germany proper and all knew the end of the European war was in sight. However, it would have been a mistake to think the fighting was over in the English Channel. The Germans still held the Channel Islands. The Germans remained fighting to the bitter end; with the Germans, it was not over until it was over. A suspected enemy submarine was detected and attacked in January 1945; a raid was launched by the Germans in February which almost resulted in the sinking of a sister patrol craft, the USS PC-564, a fate narrowly missed by ''PC-552''. President Roosevelt died that Spring. 1 January 1945, engaged a possible enemy submarine along with {{USS|Borum}}, but there was no evidence of success.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=January 1945}} On 28 January 1945, LT James S. Spielman relieved LT Moll as Commanding officer.{{cite report |url=http://www.fold3.com/image/1/295233112/ |title=War Diary for USS PC-552: January 1945 |date=3 February 1945 |first=James S. |last=Spielman |url-access=subscription |type=none}} Overnight on 6/7 February 1945, ''PC-552'' foiled an attempted night raid against the allies by the garrison commander of the Channel Islands, Admiral [Friedrich Hüffmeier](/source/Friedrich_H%C3%BCffmeier). An escorting Schnellboot ("E-boat") was detected by ''PC-552''. ''PC-552'' intercepted the E-boat, opened fire and chased the E-boat for more than twenty miles before it eventually outran ''PC-552''.{{cite book|last1=Veigele|first1=Wm. J.|title=PC Patrol Craft of World War II : a history of the ships and their crews|date=1998|publisher=Astral Publ|location=Santa Barbara, CA|isbn=0-9645867-1-1|page=192|edition=1st}} The only casualty sustained was the Coxswain, who received a slight bruise on the left foot when struck by an ejected 3" 50 cal. shell case.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/295242564/ |last1=Spielman |first1=James S. |title=Report of Night Action 6-7 February 1945 |date=9 February 1945 |url-access=subscription }} Subsequently, the successful [Granville Raid](/source/Granville_Raid), led by Kapitänleutnant [Carl-Friedrich Mohr](/source/Carl-Friedrich_Mohr), occurred on the night of 8/9 March 1945. That time, the Germans severely damaged the PC present, ''PC-564'', killing many crew members and wounding others. The rest of February, March and April 1945 were fairly routine.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/295349502/ |last1=Spielman |first1=James A. |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: February 1945 |date=2 March 1945 |url-access=subscription }}{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/295377440/ |last1=Spielman |first1=James A. |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: March 1945 |date=6 April 1945 |url-access=subscription }}{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/295868255/ |last1=Spielman |first1=James A. |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: April 1945 |date=5 May 1945 |url-access=subscription }} On 14 April 1945, the crew lowered colors to half mast on notice of the death of President [Franklin D. Roosevelt](/source/Franklin_D._Roosevelt).{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/295868257/ |last1=Spielman |first1=James |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: April 1945 |date=5 May 1945 |url-access=subscription }} May 1945 was mostly uneventful,{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/296113890/ |last1=Spielman |first1=James |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: May 1945 |date=29 June 1945 |url-access=subscription }} but the German forces on the Channel Islands kept the PC's in the Cherbourg area on constant alert up to the surrender on 8 May 1945. After the [German surrender](/source/Victory_in_Europe_Day), there were constant rumors from below decks as to where the ship would go from here. On 31 May 1945, TU 122.2.1 was dissolved by order of CTG 122.2 ending the European war for ''PC-552''. ==== The voyage back home ==== The ship went back across the Atlantic June 1945 after being away eighteen months, saluting fallen comrades at Normandy on the way. The ship was actually assigned to the Pacific Fleet, in anticipation of redeployment to the war in the Pacific. Most people expected the war with Japan to continue into 1946 or 1947 (no one knew about the atom bomb) and the ship went through an extensive overhaul prior to joining the Pacific Fleet. Finally, the war with Japan ended prior to the competition of the overhaul; the ship relaxed and was opened to the public for Navy Day. thumb|6 Jun 1945. USS ''PC-552'' salutes the Normandy Beaches before starting back home. Note the going home pennant from the mast head to the rear of the 40MM gun tub representing 18 months overseas. Courtesy of William Kesnick. 01 Jun – 5 Jun 1945: Departed Cherbourg, France and arrived and moored at Le Havre, France.{{cite report |url= http://www.fold3.com/image/1/296598278/ |last1=Spielman |first1=James |title=War Diary for USS PC 552: June 1945 |date=4 July 1945 |url-access=subscription }} On 6 June 1945, ''PC-552'' departed Le Havre in formation with {{USS|Borum|DE-790}}, {{USS|Maloy|DE-791}} and USS PC's 484, 553, 564, 567, 617, 618, 1225, 1232, 1233, 1252, 1262, and 1263. At 949B, off Omaha Beach, the crew fired a three round salute from 3" 50 Cal., commemorating the first allied assault on the Normandy beaches and a similar salute at 1103B off Utah Beach before departing for the Azores. "Although the war was still in full force on the other side of the world, the voyage to the U.S. was much like a pleasure cruise, using running lights, being able to smoke on open decks, and even being favored by a calm sea and fair winds." Arriving 11 Jun 1945 at Horta, Fayal Island, [Azores](/source/Azores) departing the next day for [Bermuda](/source/Bermuda). {{USS|Borum|DE-790|2}} and {{USS|Maloy|DE-791|2}} left the convoy bound for New York at 2125B on 16 June 1945. ''PC-552'' and remainder continued on in formation for Bermuda. ''PC-552'' arrived in Bermuda the next day. On 18 June 1945, ''PC-552'' was to depart with the group for [Key West](/source/Key_West), but the port main engine broke down and they returned to Bermuda for repairs with the convoy leaving them behind. On 19 June 1945, they departed for Key West, Florida arriving 22 June.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=June 1945}} On 20 June 1945 probably not known to the crew, the ship was assigned to the Pacific Fleet as part of Service Squadron ("ServRon") Two. thumb|This is the first page of the Navy's official Ship's History of ''PC-552''. Although the entire report is only three pages long, it provides a sense of the emotions of the crew. From 23 to 30 Jun 1945, work began on the ship for an assigned industrial availability and unloaded all munitions. On 9 July 1945, ''PC-552'' departed for [Charleston, South Carolina](/source/Charleston%2C_South_Carolina) accompanied by ''PC-553'' and ''PC-1225'',{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=July 1945}} arriving 11 July 1945 remaining there through August and September.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=August 1945}} After eighteen months overseas, the ship underwent a complete overhaul in preparation for the war in the Pacific against Japan. [Japan's surrender](/source/Victory_over_Japan_Day) was announced 15 Aug 1945 before the ship completed its overhaul. ''PC-552'' was accidentally rammed by ''PC-553'' during a transfer to another berth sustaining minor damage.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=September 1945}} In September, now that the war with Japan was over, the ship was transferred to the Atlantic force (ACTIVE Lant), ACTIVE in this case as opposed to reserve duty. On 21 October 1945, ''PC-552''' departed Charleston for [Stamford, Connecticut](/source/Stamford%2C_Connecticut).{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=October 1945}} arriving 24 October for a Navy Day celebration. The ship was open for inspection for Navy day for a period five days. About 10,000 interested people boarded her during that period. {{quote box|quote=The fleet, on V-J Day (Victory in Japan Day), consisted of 1200 warships, more than 50,000 supporting and landing craft, and over 40,000 navy planes. By that day, ours was a sea power never before equaled in the history of the world. There were great carrier task forces capable of tracking down and sinking the enemy's fleets, beating down his air power, and pouring destruction on his war-making industries. There were submarines which roamed the seas, invading the enemy's own ports, and destroying his shipping in all the oceans. There were amphibious forces capable of landing soldiers on beaches from Normandy to the Philippines. There were great battleships and cruisers which swept the enemy ships from the seas and bombarded his shore defense almost at will.|source=—Harry S. Truman, on Navy Day, 1945|align=left|width=33%}} On 30 October 1945, ''PC-552'' sailed to [Tompkinsville, Staten Island](/source/Tompkinsville%2C_Staten_Island). The ship was back again operating in those same waters in which she had begun just three years before. For the remainder of the year the ship was in and out of New London and Groton, CT training with submarines returning from the Pacific.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=November 1945}}{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=December 1945}} === 1946 === By now, the writing was on the wall. ''PC-552'' marked time until the government decided what to do with it. Sailors left the ship as they were honorably discharged and not replaced. When the ship made its final voyage, it was under-crewed by a third. The ship was decommissioned 18 April 1946. As of 2015, the final fate of the ship has not been determined. There was a huge push to convert the U.S. economy from a war basis to a peace time basis. People were flush with money but could not buy anything and people wanted houses and cars. Many patrol craft were immediately scrapped and the steel entered the peace time economy. From January to March 1946, the ship conducted minor training exercises, test runs and spent time in Newport, RI.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=March 1946}}{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=January 1946}}{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=February 1946}} On 30 March 1946, ''PC-552'' began her final voyage as a commissioned Navy ship, traveling to Charleston, SC by 2 April 1946 to unload ammunition and be decommissioned.{{cite report |author=Various |title=Deck Log of the USS PC-552 |date=April 1946}} On 8 April 1946 LTJG Robert E. Gleason, relieved LT James S. Spielman as Commanding Officer of ''PC 552''." == Decommissioning and fate == thumb|LtJG R.E. Gleason, Commanding Officer

The last signature of the last Commanding Officer of USS ''PC-552''. This is the signature which decommissioned the ship.

Source: Deck Log April 1946 On 18 April 1946, the decommissioning party came aboard under LTJG Wells, USNR, to make final inspection at 0900. At 1100 the ship was under tow to an anchorage in [Wando River](/source/Wando_River), Charleston. At 1650, ''PC-552'' was moored alongside ''PC-1214''. At 1705, LTJG Gleason placed the ship out of commission in accordance with Com 6 letter of 18 April 1946, Serial PC/A4-1/NB. On 17 May 1946, ex-''PC-552'' was deemed non-essential and authority was given to dispose of the vessel.{{efn|CNO Letter S/N 3069P414, 17 May 1946}} On 5 June 1946, the ship was stricken from the Navy register. On 5 December 1946, ex-''PC-552'' was delivered to the U.S. Maritime Commission, the predecessor to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), Port Representative at Charleston, South Carolina, "for disposal per Base 6ND letter" dated 5 Dec 1946. No record has been found as to her ultimate destiny. The Maritime Administration has no record of ever receiving the ship. There is no record of her being sold or transferred to a foreign country as many of the PCs were. There is no record of her being sold to private hands. The Maritime Administration did not keep records of what happened to these ships after they were sold, for those which were sold. Many were cut up for scrap and that was probably her fate. Research continues. == Awards and honors == Unit awards and citations ''PC-552'' received: ''PC-552'' was damaged at the Battle of Normandy and was awarded a [Service star](/source/Service_star) for action there.{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=wTi8mFT53IwC&pg=PA185 |title= The Navy of World War II, 1922–1947 |first= Paul |last= Silverstone |publisher= Routledge |year= 2012 |isbn= 978-1-135-86472-9 |page= 185}} In addition to unit awards and individual medals earned for unusual efforts, most men of the ''PC-552'' probably received ''all'' of the following medals: * 60px – The [World War II Victory Medal (United States)](/source/World_War_II_Victory_Medal_(United_States)) medal was awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippine Islands, who served on active duty, or as a reservist, between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946. * 60px – The [European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal](/source/European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_Medal) recognized those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) during the years of the Second World War. * 60px – The [American Campaign Medal](/source/American_Campaign_Medal) recognized those military members who had performed military service in the American Theater of Operations during World War II. A similar medal, known as the American Defense Service Medal was awarded for active duty service prior to the United States entry into World War II. Some crew members received that medal, also. == Notes == {{notelist}} === Sources for deployments === thumb|upright|This is the cover page of the War Diary of the ''PC-552'' for the month of June 1944, which included D-Day. The primary source for the deployment section was the "War Diary of the USS PC 552". On 29 Oct 1943, the US Navy issued order FF1/A12-1/A16-3, Serial 7152 which directed the commanders of all Navy ships in combat to write war diaries to preserve for history the experience of the ships and their crews. The war diary for ''PC-552'' stretches from 21 Dec 1943 to 30 Jun 1945. Also written were official after battle reports, action reports, and other such reports. All these documents were originally classified as "Secret" but were declassified 31 Dec 2012. They are now maintained in microfiche form at the [National Archives and Records Administration](/source/National_Archives_and_Records_Administration). A copy resides at the Bay County Historical Society Museum-PCSA Collection, MI. Another important source were the daily "Deck Logs of the USS PC-552". That is the formal name of what laymen typically refer to as the "Ship's Log". They begin upon the commission of the ship, 29 Jul 1942, and end on the decommissioning of the ship, 18 Apr 1946. They were handwritten by various watch officers on a rocking and pitching ship until 1 Jun 1944 and deciphering them can be quite challenging. After that, they were typed. For some reason, the month of December 1943 has been lost. The Deck Logs also are now maintained in microfiche form at the [National Archives and Records Administration](/source/National_Archives_and_Records_Administration). A copy of the Deck Logs also resides at the Bay County Historical Society Museum-PCSA Collection, MI. A brief but important source is the "Ship's History". This report is only three pages long but it is the best source for understanding the emotions of the crew during its ordeal. It covers the period from 29 Jul 1942 to the "end of 1945". It was most likely written by, or at the direction of, the commander at that time, Lt. James Spielman and was dated 23 March 1946. It is good to remember that all these documents were written by humans, who used human judgment as to whether to note something. For example, once in Europe, German air raids and picking up dead bodies from the sea were fairly common occurrences. At some point, they became too common to report. The Deck Log might mention an air raid on one day but the War Diary might make no mention of it. A week later, the opposite might be true. The clearest picture comes from reading all the documents. == References == {{reflist|30em}} *{{cite book|last=Friedman |first=Norman |title=U.S. Small Combatants: Including PT-Boats, Subchasers and the Brown-Water Navy |year=1987 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland, USA| isbn=0-87021-713-5}} == Further reading and other resources == {{Commons category|USS PC-552 (ship, 1942)}} * Admiralty, S.W.I.(UK) Naval Intellidence Division, N.I.D 08408/43 (December 1943). C.B.04051 (90) "U 470" "U 533" Interrogation of Survivors (Property of His Majesty's Government). * Bay County Historical Society Museum-PCSA Collection (http://www.bchsmuseum.org/id29.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311231143/http://www.bchsmuseum.org/id29.html |date=11 March 2015 }}) * Bureau of Naval Personnel, Naval Orientation, NAVPERS 16138-A, December, 1948. * Domenech, Dr. Ligia T., Imprisoned in the Caribbean: The 1942 German U-Boat Blockade: iUniverse. (2014). {{ISBN|978-1-4917-5270-8}} * Fishgold v. Sullivan Drydock & Repair Corporation et al., Legal Information Institute (LII), Cornell University Law School. * Kershaw, Robert J. D-day : Piercing the Atlantic wall. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press. (1994). {{ISBN|1-55750-151-3}}. * Operation Plan No. 2-44 of the Western Task Force, Allied Naval Expeditionary Force. Short Title "Onwest Two", 21 Apr 1944. * Patrol Craft Sailors Association (www.ww2pcsa.org) * Porier, Michel Thomas, Commander, USN, Results of the German and American Submarine Campaigns of World War II, Chief of Naval Operations-Submarine Warfare Division, 20 Oct 1999. * Spielman, James S., U.S.S.PC 552 Ship's History, 23 Mar 1946. * Stillwell, Paul (editor). Assault on Normandy: First Person Accounts From the Sea Services (1. print. ed.). Annapolis, Md.: Naval Inst. (1994). {{ISBN|978-1-55750-781-5}}. * Veigele, Wm. J. PC patrol craft of World War II : a History of the Ships and Their Crews (1st ed. ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Astral Publ. (1998). {{ISBN|978-0-9645867-1-0}}. * Williams, Greg H., World War II US Navy Vessels in Private Hands. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. (2013). {{ISBN|978-0-7864-6645-0}}. {{PC-461 class submarine chaser|1}} {{DEFAULTSORT:PC-0552}} Category:Ships built in Brooklyn Category:1942 ships Category:PC-461-class submarine chasers Category:World War II patrol boats of the United States Category:Cold War patrol boats of the United States Category:Naval ships of Operation Neptune --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [USS PC-552](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_PC-552) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_PC-552?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.