Glossary

AD

Destroyer Tender

AO

Fleet Oiler

   

Asiatic Fleet 

The US Fleet stationed in China and Philippines, 1919-1942. It was comprised of thirteen destroyers, with a heavy cruiser as "flag." 

  
Capt.

Captain, Commanding Officer
   

Comdesron Five

The Commander of Destroyer Squadron Five (Desron Five). Captain Caroll occupied this post for a period of time. 

CVE

Escort Aircraft Carrier

   
DANFS

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (www.hazegray.org/danfs)

 

DD

Destroyer

DE

Destroyer Escort
   

Desron Five

Short for Destroyer Squadron Five--the thirteen destroyers that comprised the Asiatic Fleet. Desron Five was made up of Destroyer Divisions (Desdivs) Thirteen, Fourteen and Fifteen.

 

ENS

Ensign

Four Pipers

Distinctive smokestack configuration (like Whipple)

Hunter-Killer Task Unit

CVE and DD Force deployed to destroy German submarines - WWII

   
JU88/DO217

German bomber aircraft (WWII)

LCDR

Lieutenant Commander

   

LT

Lieutenant

LTJG

Lieutenant, junior grade
   

Mad Dog Five

A reference to Captain Caroll, the commander of Desron Five. The name came from the flag or visual signal--Squad Dog Five--that flew on the Captain's ship. (Mad Dog Five could also refer to that flag.)

   
Pollywog

Uninitiated (Shellback candidate)

Shellback

Initiated (after crossing the Equator)
   

Squad Dog Five

The flag hoist, or visual signal for Desron Five. Known by sailors as "Mad Dog Five."

 
TF

Task Force

   
TU

Task Unit

   
Y3C

Yeoman 3rd Class

Submitted by Harvey Westfall, 2002, with additions by R.C. Wohosky, RM3C USS Whipple DD217, 1937-38.