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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Boston National Historical Park USS CASSIN YOUNG (DD-793) Oral History Project

Dates: 1980-1983

This collection contains copies of transcripts of oral histories with veterans who served aboard USS CASSIN YOUNG (DD-793) during World War II.  The oral histories were done by the team at Boston National Historical Park.  They donated the copies of the transcripts in 2000.  The Navy Archives collection only has copies of the transcripts and copies of the release forms.  All originals are held by the Boston National Historical Park.

Byrum, Peter; Melville, Al; & O’Hara, Jim

Date of Interview: 23 August 1980
Interviewer: Bockoven, Francy
Topics Discussed: The men reminisced about their experiences onboard the USS CASSIN YOUNG and when they reported aboard, their previous experiences, experience with Admiral Schreiber, the USS CASSIN YOUNG compared to other ships, delivering the mail, the duties of the coxswain, the occasions of lowering the boats, a typhoon, small boat stories, camaradarie, quality of life, sleeping quarters, right and left handed rates, the order of the rates, the job of the first lieutenant, what a mustang is, dangerous moments, general quarter duties, how the guns were controlled, opinions about taking the anti-aircraft guns off, who took care of the emergency boats during GQ, the duties of those under the supervision of the coxswain, the use of the coxswain's whistle, leisure time, and the loading machine.

Down, William
Date of Interview: 23 August 1980
Interviewer: Wheeler, Ruth
Topics Discussed: Former signalman Willaim Down recounts how he came to be assigned to USS CASSIN YOUNG, what his rating and position on the ship was, how he received training on board the ship, what his duties and position were at general quarters, how flag signals were exchanged between ships, the Nancy Hawkes system of infrared light, what his duties were in port, the activities of USS CASSIN YOUNG prior to entering the pacific theater of operations, which technical aspects and operations of USS CASSIN YOUNG was he most familiar with, the types of duty performed by USS CASSIN YOUNG in the Pacific, experience with typhoons, how maintenance was performed, the kinds of work destroyer tenders performed, a typical day at sea, a particular hazardous experience, leisure time, living conditions, ship discipline, morale, inspections, cleanliness, officer/enlisted rapport, the role of destroyers in the fleet, awards won by USS CASSIN YOUNG, and what does he think should be done about preserving USS CASSIN YOUNG for posterity.

Doyle, Brendan
Date of Interview: 24 August, 1980
Interviewer: Bockoven, Francy
Topics Discussed: Retired Machinist Mate Brendan Doyle discusses maintenance of diesel engines, his general quarters duties, his first kamikaze attack from the perspective of the engine room perspective, and his fear of returning to combat, his second kamikaze attack, life onboard the ship, maintaining the emergency pumps, and comparing destroyers to destroyer escorts.

Finnegan, George T. “Ted”
Date of Interview: 18 May, 1979
Interviewer: Steele, Peter
Topics Discussed: George Finnegan, formerly ship's navigator of USS CASSIN YOUNG, recalls when he served on board, his position, his duties, what was necessary to navigate the ship, memories of the captain, what he remembers as the most exciting time of his service aboard USS CASSIN YOUNG, details of the USS CASSIN YOUNG's missions, kamikaze attacks, working as part of a convoy, ship's mascots, rescuing a man overboard, service selection from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Haggerty, Heath
Date of Interview: 12 August 1983
Interviewer: Beltz, Jennifer
Topics Discussed: Former Gunner's Mate 2/C Heath Haggerty shared his views on his assignment to USS CASSIN YOUNG, a description of his duties as gunner's mate, drills and general quarters, anecdotes about various naval operations involving USS CASSIN YOUNG, life on board, leisure time, living conditions, his experiences during battle, casualties, officer/enlisted relationships, his philosophy on the use of the atomic bomb, Japanese naval strategies, personal "close calls", his feelings about destroyers, and his service in the Marine Reserve and Los Angeles Police Department after the war.

Jones, Paul M.
Date of Interview: 23 August 1980
Interviewer: Sullivan, Brian
Topics Discussed: Paul Jones is a former executive officer of USS CASSIN YOUNG. He discusses his history in the Navy, how he was assigned to USS CASSIN YOUNG, how long it took to get the CASSIN YOUNG ready for sea, duties as executive officer, personal interaction with fellow officers and crewman, the most important thing for an executive officer to know, how the captain fit into daily life, what he disliked most about being executive officer (XO), XO's job as a disciplinarian, how Captain's Mast works, difference between duties underway and duties at sea,  espirit de corps, experience with drydock, experience with kamikaze attacks, his experience on the USS PRINCETON, the effectiveness of the sonar system, how the ship is powered, what inspections were like, the role of destroyer tenders, what a burial at sea is like, and what he feels is the most important thing the Park Service can convey to the public about the ship and the men who served on her.

Lorichon, Raymond
Date of Interview: 13 August 1983
Interviewer: Sullivan, Brian
Topics Discussed: Former Chief Pharmacist Mate Raymond Lorichon shared his experiences on the USS CASSIN YOUNG about his assignment to USS CASSIN YOUNG, description of the medical department, working with the doctor, daily sick call, emergency surgery, duties during general quarters, burns and other serious battle injuries, transferring patients to other ships, the mission of the medical department during battle, equipment, supplies, and medicines available, training the crew in first aid, gold bricking, duties as chaplain and psychologist, and other jobs  after the war.

Marrs, James
Date of Interview: 14 August 1983
Interviewer: Whitherby, Connie
Topics Discussed: James Marrs, Quartermaster First Class, USN, Ret., discusses his experience onboard USS CASSIN YOUNG, how he came to be onboard CASSIN YOUNG, the duties of the quartermaster, the ratings of the World War II Navy, where the crew's quarters were, mess cook duty, sleeping in the mess hall, experience with kamikazes, people's duties during general quarters, the schedule of a typical day, leisure activities, recollections of any special ceremonies, awards he received, who his favorite shipmates were, if he kept in contact with them, what happened when he left the CASSIN YOUNG in 1946, and how he thinks the Park Service should go about preserving the memory of the USS CASSIN YOUNG.

O’Connell, Dave
Date of Interview: 25 May 1980
Interviewer: Bockoven, Francy
Topics Discussed: Former Torpedoman 2/C Dave O'Connel shared his USS CASSIN YOUNG experiences about his duties as a torpedoman, operation and mechanics of torpedos, firing K-guns, operating depth charges and problems with verifying hits, working with gunner's mates, destroyer tender MARKAB, his daily routine, travelling in darkness and precautions on light, battle routine, leisure time, censoring mail, living conditions, friendships, food, discipline, officer/enlisted relations, precommissioning days on the ship, shakedown cruise, USS PRINCETON, rest and relaxation islands, shooting down own pilot, transfer off the ship, and after the war.

Perry, Oliver
Date of Interview: 23 August 1980
Interviewer: Wheeler, Brian
Topics Discussed: Former signalman Oliver Perry recounts how he came to be assigned to USS CASSIN YOUNG, what his rating and position on the ship was, how he received training on board the ship, what his duties and position were at general quarters, how flag signals were exchanged between ships, the Nancy Hawkes system of infrared light, what his duties were in port, the activities of USS CASSIN YOUNG prior to entering the pacific theater of operations, which technical aspects and operations of USS CASSIN YOUNG was he most familiar with, the types of duty performed by USS CASSIN YOUNG in the Pacific, experience with typhoons, how maintenance was performed, the kinds of work destroyer tenders performed, a typical day at sea, a particular hazardous experience, leisure time, living conditions, ship discipline, morale, inspections, cleanliness, officer/enlisted rapport, the role of destroyers in the fleet, awards won by USS CASSIN YOUNG, and what does he think should be done about preserving USS CASSIN YOUNG for posterity.

Snyder, William
Date of Interview: 23 August 1980
Interviewer: Wheeler, Brian
Topics Discussed: Willaim Snyder was the commissioning executive officer of USS CASSIN YOUNG. He discusses his history in the Navy, how he was assigned to USS CASSIN YOUNG, how long it took to get the CASSIN YOUNG ready for sea, duties as executive officer, personal interaction with fellow officers and crewman, the most important thing for an executive officer to know, how the captain fit into daily life, what he disliked most about being executive officer (XO), XO's job as a disciplinarian, how Captain's Mast works, difference between duties underway and duties at sea, espirit de corps, experience with drydock, and experience with kamikaze attacks.

Spangler, William
Date of Interview: 13 August 1983
Interviewer: Beaujean, Jenny
Topics Discussed: Storekeeper 2/C William Spangler shared his experiences on USS CASSIN YOUNG about the operation of ships's store, items stocked, problems with keeping an ample supply of items, his duties, payroll and office work, riding a typhoon, berthing areas, friendships, morale, leisure, training course at Pearl Harbor, concrete supply ships, movies, an anchor mishap, general quarters, seasickness, the beauty of the scenery, San Pedro and Beer Islands, the role of the destroyer and the USS CASSIN YOUNG in World War II, and World War II blimps.

Wheeler, Sumner
Date of Interview: 8 March, 1980
Interviewer: Bockoven, Francy
Topics Discussed: Former Torpedoman 3/C shared his recollection from onboard USS CASSIN YOUNG about his duties as a torpedoman, maintaining and servicing torpedos and depth charges, operation mechanism, and occasions for use of torpedos and depth charges, air attacks, "losing" a depth charge, refueling, general quarters, life on board, storms and typhoons, sleeping conditions, socializing, camaraderie, pay, and leisure time.

Published: Mon Mar 22 11:11:43 EDT 2021