The following "Plan of the Day" donated by Guy Travis who served on the USS Helena CA-75 from 1951 - 1954.
BT3 Travis was assigned to "B" Division "Oil King".
U.S.S. HELENA (CA 75)
PLAN OF THE DAY FOR THURSDAY 8 APRIL 1954
DUTY COMMANDER - LCDR KNIGHT SUNRISE - 0534
STAFF DUTY OFFICER - LT JOHNSON SUNSET - 1817
OFFICERS DUTY SECTION - IV DUTY SECTION - 1
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT - LTJG LANDRY DUTY DIVISION - 7
OPERATIONS - LT NEAL DUTY YEOMAN - LONG, YN3
GUNNERY - LTJG LIVAS DUTY DRIVER-MC NAMARA,R.J.
SUPPLY - CHPCLK JAECKLE 4th Div.
ENGINEERING - LTJG CARRUTH MOVIES - To be announced.
MEDICAL GUARD - NAVSTA INFIRMARY
WATCH OOD JOOD JOOW
12-16 LTJG MINOGUE ENS RAMBO JAEGER BMC
16-20 LTJG HAMMER ENS HARRISON WINTER GMC
20-24 LTJG STITT 1st LT GARTRELL FONNER QMC
00-04 LTJG LIVAS ENS RAMBO NOBLE GMC
04-08 LTJG MINOGUE ENS HARRISON JAEGER BMC
08-12 LYJG HAMMER 1st LT GARTRELL WINTER GMC
Carry out IN PORT - AT SEA routine amended as follows:
0200 - Commence preparation for full power and smoke prevention trial.
(HELENA NOTICE 9080 reference).
0750 - Quarters for muster, inspection and instruction. Publish art. 9007
(corrected) Ship's Regulations.
0800 - Commence full power trial (Exercise BC-30-E).
1200 - Complete full power trial. Proceed to Long Beach. Field Day enroute.
1230 - Protestant Lenten Devotions in the Crew's Lounge.
1300 - Planning Board Meeting in the wardroom.
1400 - Lecture in Wardroom on the subject "Uniformed Services Contingency
Option Act of 1953" (See Note #9).
1500 - (About) Anchor.
1600 - (About) Liberty for the SECOND and THIRD sections to expire at 0710
at Pico Street Landing or 0730 on board, 9 April 1954.
NOTES
1. Air Defense alert. CIC and AA Battery Control Personnel be prepared
to man stations for ADEX ONE upon receipt of alert signal or upon air
contact at anytime this afternoon.
2. Fleet Marine Force Units - All Naval personnel who served on duty with
and have been attached to Fleet Marine Units in active combat with an armed
enemy during World War II and the Korean hostilities are authorized to wear
a miniature Marine Corps emblem on the appropriate campaign ribbon.
Personnel who believe themselves eligible should report to the Personnel
Officer for necessary authorization.
3. Scheduled Movements - The ship is scheduled to get underway for
local operations Monday morning, 12 April 1954.
4. Palm Sunday - This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday and all hands are
urged to attend worship services at their own church or on board ship. We
will have as our guests this Sunday approximately 40 young people from the
First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, who will sing at the Protestant
service.
5. Plane Crashes - For 14 hours, from Monday night to Tuesday
morning, HELENA as the flagship of RADM Ralph E. WILSON, Commander
Cruiser division FIVE, participated in an eight ship search for three men
lost in two plane mishaps off the Coronado Islands. The first crash was a
Navy plane with four men aboard, which went down near the submarine,
Bream, four and three-quarters miles northwest of North Coronado Island.
The sub picked up three of the men and a search was launched for the
fourth. During the night's rescue operations a Navy helicopter lost radio
contact with its home base and the one man search developed into a three
man search. Three submarines in the area joined the hunt and assumed the
original search while five ships, HELENA and ST. PAUL and three destroyers,
made a sweep towards the helo's last known position. One of the subs located
the helicopter wreckage at 0830 Tuesday and recovered one body. After 14
hours of searching the job was relinquished to sea-air rescue planes and the
Coast Guard. The Flag and Ship have received a message from the Coast
Guard Authorities at San Diego, commending all participating units for their
outstanding effort and efficiency.
6. California Vehicle Code - The following condensed excerpts from the
California Vehicle Code are called to the attention of all hands.
a. Operator's Licenses for automobiles. A non-resident of the State of
California over the age of 21 years having in his immediate possession a
valid operator's license issued to him in his home state or country may
operate a motor vehicle in the State of California for a period of one
(1) year without obtaining a California operator's license. If the non-
resident's home state or country does not require an operator's license,
a California license must be obtained within Thirty (30) days after arrival
in the State of California.
b. A non-resident of the State of California who is not yet 21 years of
age may use a license issued to him in another state or country for a
period of ten (10) days after arrival in the State of California, after
which a California driver's license must be obtained.
7. Laundry Bags - Division Officers submit work requests to 1st
LIEUTENANT for repair, if necessary, of remaining old laundry bags in
compartments.
8.Shore Patrol Claims - All men who have not signed their claim
for subsistence while on shore patrol report to #5 mess hall at 0830 for
this purpose. This includes all claims through 4 April. The claims will be
paid as soon as they are signed by the men concerned and approved by
the Commanding Officer.
9.Uniformed Service Contingency act of 1953 - The supply Officer
will give a lecture on the provisions of the Uniformed services
Contingency act of 1953 in the Wardroom at 1400 today. It is of special
interest to all officers, chief petty officers and petty officers who have
already or will complete 18 years service during this fiscal year. All
officers and men who have completed 18 years service are reminded that
they must make their selections of the various options prior to the 30th of
this month in order to receive the benefits of this act.
10. Inter Divisional Transfer - The following inter-divisional transfer is
effective this date.
SMITH, Hearst A. SN From: 7th Division To: S-1 Division