The following letters provide additional history of DE 353

John Ingle, Jr., RADM, USNR, Ret. wrote this "letter to the editor" that was published in DESANews, Jan/Feb 1980 edition.

MAIL CALL...

Dear Jack,

I have avidly read each issue of the DESA Newsletter since joining the DE Sailors Association a couple of years ago but your Nov/Dec issue just received, with its remarkable DE action stories, was the most fascinating yet. You are to be congratulated personally for that fine job, and for building the fine team that gets every issue out rain or shine.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the first birthday of the Doyle C. Barnes (DE-353) so nicely and generously treated and I am indebted to Chief Yeoman Ledbetter, ever efficient, for saving his bulletin all these years and sending it to you. Being skipper at that time, I could have added only that nine days after that 13 July 1945 birthday celebration the ship was called upon to conduct a shore bombardment of Japanese strongholds in Borneo and was subsequently commended by COMDESPAC in a letter which read in part, "The USS Doyle C. Barnes was confronted with as difficult a gunnery problem as yet faced by ships of this class and the results obtained were excellent." Lieut. Albert Goodson, USNR, of Plano, Texas was our capable Gunnery Officer in charge of that operation.

Noting that your Editor's Column is still calling for more DE stories it occurred to me that the attached account may be of interest for some future issue. It concerns the Jap's surrender at Kuching, Borneo, written by Lt. (j.g.) Herbert H. Toder, USNR, the Doyle C. Barnes' First Lieut. and Public Relations Officer. He wrote it for general release in 1945 but if now used it should be of course credited to him. (I'll track him down for membership in DESA)

With every good wish for the continued success of DESA and the DESA Newsletter.

Sincerely,
John Ingle, Jr.
RADM, USNR, Ret.

A Mélange Of Our Meaningful Memories Together
By
John Ingle

Oct. 19, 1944 at NOB Norfolk you shifted your pennant as COMCORTDIV 82 from Mack to Doyle C. Barnes, thus inspiring my entire ship's company to new heights of pride and responsibility. Crossing the Pacific with daily division tactics, flag hoist drills, and (at any hour) gun readiness exercises. Air attack on convoy thwarted. Working with subs at Subic Bay and Commendation from ADM Fife. Shore bombardment of Jap stronghold at Miri and Commendation from COMDESPAC. Your role as Sr. Naval Officer present at Brunei Bay, working with Australian Army and your Commendation by Gen. Wootten. Jap surrender ceremony at Kuching and transporting prison survivors back to civilization. Seas we have known: Caribbean, Bismark, Coral, Mindanao, Sibuyan, Sulu and South China. Transits: Panama Canal, Int'l Date Line and 10 times (with ceremonies) the Equator. Remote Ports: Cristobal, C.Z.; Galapagos Island, Bora Bora, Society Islands; Espiritu Santa, New Hebrides; Hollandia, New Guinea; Mois Woendi, Padaido Island, Dutch New Guinea; Brunei Bay, British North Borneo; and in the Philippines Tacloban and Tolosa, Leyte; Mangarin Bay, Mindoro; Subic Bay and Manila, Luzon; Zamboanaga, Mindanao and Calicoan, Samar. Mix together with many miles (56,713 nautical miles the ship's first year alone), from mirror seas with flying fish to typhoons with seasickness, fears and prayers, friendships all deepen. Your Legion of Merit with Combat V and impressive citation was eminently well deserved. Your own recommendations resulted in personal decorations to several Officers in your division including Flagship C.O. who deeply appreciates it. Congratulations on Big 80! Betty and I send admiration and affection to you both!

From 28 June to 6 October 1945, DE 353 took part in the assault and occupation of Borneo, working with the Australian General G. F. Wootten for whom DE 353 served as the US Navy liaison ship.  On 10 September, she took part in the Japanese surrender.

Lt. (j.g.) Herbert H. Toder, USNR, was the First Lieutenant of DE 353 with collateral duty as the ship's Public Relations Officer.  He wrote an eyewitness account of the Japanese surrender at Kuching, Borneo. Fair Warning: This is a scanned copy of the document and is slow to load.  Please be patient.