The year began in Subic Bay, Philippine Islands where the FIRM had recently arrived to begin its employment with the Seventh Fleet. Upon completion of an upkeep period and type training, Commander Mine Division 72 arranged for the division to proceed to Sangley Point Naval Air Station to make final preparations for a COMBMINEX with the Philippine Navy. The exercise was conducted in Caballo Bay, Corrigidor from 21 January to 25 January. Upon completion, FIRM proceeded to anchor in. Manila Bay.

In the company of EMBATTLE and FORCE, FIRM departed Subic Bay on 29 January for an eleven day “People to People” tour into the Southern Philippine Islands. Many familar names of World War II were recalled by the crew: Surigao Straits, Leyte Gulf, Ormoc Bay, Palo, Black Rock Pass and others. The ships anchored at Calbayog City, Samar; Ormoc City, Leyte; Surigao City, Surigao; and Tacloban City, Leyte. Unfortunately, the visit to Surigao had to be canceled due to the severe floods in the area. The ships, however, anchored in the bay and delivered rice and powered milk to the flood-stricken residents.

Everywhere the American Naval personnel were greeted with an enthusiasm unmatched throughout the cruise. The people of Calbayog had not seen Americans in quantity since 1898, during the Spanish-American War. In all of the ports, holidays were declared so that the local citizenry could have an opportunity to see and talk to the Americans. Softball and basketball games were organized between the Philippinos and the Navy men and competition was keen. Barrio Fiestas were the high point of the visit in each town.

The citizens of Palo City, Leyte, where Gen. Douglas A. MacArthur landed his troops when he returned to the Philippines, made Kenneth E. LEECH, SM3, of the USS FIRM, an honorary citizen of their town. LEECH was from Palo Alto, California which had recently become the Sister City of Palo, Leyte.

During the visit in Tacloban City, Commodore W. L. ZIMMERMAN, Commander Mine Division SEVENTY-TWO, Mr. Lyle F. Lane, American Counsul to Cebu, and Mayor Artemio Mate’ of Tacloban City, placed. wreaths on the graves of the Philippine and American unknown soldiers at the MacArthur landing marker. Mr. Lane was embarked on the FIRM during the entirety of the trip. Mayor Mate and Governor Ildefonso F. Cinco, Governor of Leyte, paid a visit to the FIRM during an open house on 5 February.

The tone of the entire trip is recaptured in the letter written to Keith W. Huiatt, RDJ, of the FIRM, by a young Philippino, Arthur Igmen:

“Sir: Thank you sir for your answer. I would like to express my admiration to those American men who have fought in the Far East to preserve freedom and democracy. Specially to the U. S. Marines and Navy. If I were already big enough during that time, I could have fought side by side with the men who are veterans now and those who died just to defend my beloved native land, the Philippines. I hope that my countrymen will not hesitate to offer our little aid to the United States in time of war. Lastly, may God bless you all.” After the visit to the Southern Philippines, FIRM returned to Subic Bay for upkeep, interim drydocking and same type training.

On 14 March, after proceeding to Kaoshiung, Formosa, the DIVISION, in company with four Chinese minesweepers, commenced sweeping the landing area for the amphibious assault forces of Exercise Silver Blade. The exercise was a particularly successful training experience for all personnel involved.

After four days of the roughest weather encountered in the Western Pacific, the division arrived in Sasebo on 25 March for a Material and Personnel Inspection by CAPT. J. F. RYDER, COMINFLOT ONE.

A six-day availability in Yakosuka, commencing 6 May, was followed by a logistics stop in Keelung while enroute to Hong Kong. While in Keelung, Douglas A. FISHER, RD3, , of the FIRM, Jumped into the harbor to save the life of a PRIME crew member. For this timely action, FISHER has since been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.

Upon completion of the R and R visit to Hong Kong, the division returned to Sangley Point to make preparations for the SEATO exercise SEA SERPENT. Two Philippine Navy Mine sweepers plus Mine Division SEVENTY-TWO swept the entrance to Manila from the seaward side of Corrigidor Island to the City itself. The exercise was terminated on 9 May and this also marked the operational climax of this cruise.

The Division spent six days in Subic preparing f or the return trip to CONJUS. On 17 May the ship took departure from the Philippines and commenced the 36 day voyage across the Pacific, making the usual logistics stops in Guam, Midway, and Pearl. On 22 June FIRM arrived in Long Beach, California after 7 1/2 months in the Western Pacific.

LCDR Francis E. BROOKS was relieved as Commanding Officer on 3 July by LT. Kenneth W. RUGGLES.

FIRM spent a month alongside the pier enjoying the return borne, however on 27 July the Division departed for a one month trip up the West Coast to Esquimalt, Canada; Seattle, Washington and San Francisco, California. The highlight of the trip was the Seattle SEAFAIR, in which the Division participated. In company with Canadian Mine Squadron 2, Mine Division 72 entered Lake Washington (a fresh water lake) through the Ballard Locks in order to view the Gold Cup Hydroplane Races. FIRM tied to the log boom in the position of honor for the race. About mid-day an unexpected storm approached and parted the log boom scattering hundreds of yachts. FIRM used her engines to hold the boom in place during the storm and then assisted in re-join the boom afterwards.

With the exception of the 9th through the 19th of September, the remainder of the year was uneventful and consisted at tender availabilities, upkeep periods and type training.CDR Wayne L. ZIMMERMAN was relieved as Commander Mine Division SEVENTY­TWC on 24 September by CDR Albert P. STELLO.

FIRM was given an inspection by the Board of Inspection an Survey on 30 September.

The crew’s dependents and friends were treated to a day at sea on board on 19 October.

On i8 November FIRM entered Fellows and Stewart Shipyard for regular overhaul and remained there through the end of the year.

During the period 9 - 19 September, Mine Division SEVENTY-BW conduct­ed a MINEX of the coast of Huntington Beach and upon completion FIRM received the following message from Commander Mine Division SEVENTY-TWO;

“During the recently completed MINEX conducted by COMINDIV 72, FIRM began the exercise by streaming an unfamiliar sweep at night, swept more mines than any other ship in the Division, expeditiously repaired all casualties, spent more operational time in the field than any other ship and completed the exercise with all equipment operating.

FIRM has once again demonstrated the meaning of the phrase READY FOR SEA-FULLY OPERATIONAL. WELL DONE.”