USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852)

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Last edited 10 October 2024.

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History of the Mason 1945 to 1970

History of the Mason 1971 to Present

List of Commanding Officers

Where the Ship is Today

On first impression, the Mason is a rather unremarkable ship. However, the ship has a history that belies its appearance. It also had personality, which endeared it to the crews that sailed on the ship. My sincere thanks to the crew members and their relatives who have contributed their recollections and photos to this site.

The unofficial (but more complete) history of the USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852)

Media Files

In January 1973, during a Linebacker mission off the coast of Vietnam, Storekeeper Glen Cruikshank made an audio recording in the upper handling room of Mount 52 (the aft 5"/38 gun) of the Mason. Here are a few brief excerpts from that recording. This is the real thing!

The sounding of General Quarters prior to the mission.

A very brief excerpt of Commander Robert L. Warren's comments to the crew about the mission. Commander Warren was Commanding Officer of the Mason at that time.

Firing the guns, as heard from the upper handling room of Mount 52! A good audio system is needed to bring out the sound of the guns firing.

Glen dedicated the recording to the crew members and families of the USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852), to all Destroyermen, and to the officers and sailors of the United States Navy. My thanks to Duke Henry GMG3 for sending a copy of the recording to me and giving his permission to post the excerpts on this site. By the way, the Webmaster (me!) was on board the Mason during that Linebacker mission!

Reunions

The 2025 reunion information will be posted when available. Contact the webmaster for the latest.

Photo Album

	PFC Leonard Foster Mason, USMC Photograph from 1972-1973 Cruise Book.
	PFC Leonard Foster Mason, USMC U. S. Marine Corps photograph.
	A recent photograph of Sid Merrill, the first Commanding Officer of the Mason. Mr. Merrill passed away 7 January 2010. Photograph by GMT2 Roger Muller.
	Article about Don Garland, yeoman, on board the Mason 1948 to 1950.
	U. S. Bureau of Ships photo number 19-N-95337 in the National Archives.
	U. S. Naval Institute photograph.
	Post card from Derek Baggett, whose grandfather was a crewmember from 1946 to 1951.
	U. S. Naval Institute photograph.
	U. S. Naval Institute photograph.
	USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) approaching the pier, Sand Island, Midway Islands, May 1960. Photo taken from the USS Higbee (DDR-806). Mason outboard the USS Higbee (DDR-806). Photos by RD2 Keith Olson.
	U. S. Naval Institute photograph. Post FRAM I conversion.
	U. S. Naval Institute photograph. Post FRAM I conversion.
	The Mason in 1964. Photo by Brent Harrison, DesRon 3 Medical Officer.
	The Mason in the spring of 1965 as seen from the USS Henry W. Tucker (DD-875). Photo by Don White.
	Views of the Mason from the air search radar antenna platform. Yokosuka, Japan. Photos by RD2 Dewey Flor.
	USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) Plan of the Day, 15 January 1971. Submitted by ETR2 Jerry Hodson.
	The Mason, heavy seas, Sea of Japan. Photo by ETR2 Jerry Hodson.
	The Mason stopping for fuel at Midway Island, March 16, 1972. The ship was in company with the Chevalier (DD-805) enroute to San Diego, California, USA. Photo by OS3 David Faige. © David Faige
	The Mason at sea. Frames from a super 8mm movie taken during a WestPac cruise January 1973 by OS3 David Faige. © David Faige Full video on
	The Mason in drydock, Sasebo, Japan, March 1973. Photo by OS3 David Faige. © David Faige
	The Mason at San Diego, California, USA, 32nd Street Naval Station, April 1974. Photo by OS3 David Faige. © David Faige
	Flight Ops with the Mason on station for plane guard. Photo by OS3 David Faige. © David Faige
	The Mason refueling a helicopter, 1976. Photo by G. Price.

Questions or comments? Please Email to the webmaster.