Official U.S. Navy Photograph USS Boxer, F4U Corsair Prop off Korea, 1951

Downed pilots usually picked up by helocopters and delivered to the PARKS, "taking turns sleping in my bunk"

THE SEA WAR IN KOREA

Star shells fired by the destroyers enabled the attack aircraft to locate targets more easily and make attacks upon them. The aircraft, in return, spotted the bombardment fire of the destroyers and increased its effectiveness.

PARKS was designated Flag Ship for DesRon ONE which consisted of eight destroyers. (Commodore-Captain Howard Yeager)

The work of DesRon One ships Floyd B. Parks (DD-884). Agerholm (DD-826), and John R. Craig (DD-885) on the night of 5 May 1951 was typical of this work."This-was the Parks' first of two 30-day periods in Wonsan," recorded "Captain" CDR H. G. Claudius USN, "Two of my officers, LT Harold A. Bres, and LT G. Urban G. Whitaker, Jr., USNR, worked out an excellent procedure for working with our own Task Force 77 planes during the day and with Air Force planes at night.

Many Air Force planes checked in with us at night looking for targets. We gave targets to these planes, and in addition to vectoring them in, we assisted them to locate the target area with star shells. On their arrival in the area we would illuminate the target for them to make their runs and drop their ordnance. We continued illumination to assist them in evaluating their attack.After unloading their bombs, the planes usually had thirty to forty minutes they could remain in the area, and they were generally glad to use this time to spot for us.

During this night bombardment work, the planes kept clear of our fire but remained in a position where they could spot our fall of shot, using illumination provided by star shells fired from another mount. The spotting ability of these pilots varied but was generally considered good, and in the case of some Air Force pilots who had had some Navy spotting indoctrination was excellent. Nearly all the pilots we worked with were most enthusiastic, with the result that the Reds in Wonsan got little rest or freedom of movement day or night."

With the Agerholm illuminating, the B-26 spotting plane directed the fire of Parks and Craig on a Wonsan bridge. The two destroyers fired ten rounds and made two direct hits. After demolishing a new supply building, the attention of the spotting plane was called to a truck convoy moving through Wonsan. While the destroyers furnished illumination, the B-26 attacked and destroyed several of the trucks.

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