The History of Destroyers Built in Orange, Texas During W. W. II Page: 26
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Through the remainder of November, Charles Ausburne patrolled and conducted
bombardments in the Bougainville area, several times escorting resupply echelons to that island.
Devastating fire poured on to the Japanese airfield at Bonis, and antiaircraft actions were fought off
the beachheads, as the squadron was almost constantly underway. On 24 November 1943, while the
squadron refueled in Harborn Sound, orders came to intercept Japanese forces believed to be moving
down to evacuate men from Buka. Immediately, the five American destroyers then composing the
squadron moved north to search the Rabaul-Buke line, and at 0141 on 25 November, a radar surface
contact was made as the squadron patrolled in St. George ChanneLCharles Ausburne with two others
headed in for a torpedo attack on two Japanese destroyers as Burke's two remaining destroyers
provided cover. Hits disintegrated Onami, and broke Makinami in two. Quickly as the covering ships
polished Makinami off, Charles Ausburne and the others turned to attack three destroyer transports
now visible, who turned and fled with the American destroyers in pursuit. At 0215, acting on sound
estimate, Captain Burke ordered his ships to make a sharp change of course to the right to evade
torpedos. Just a minute later came the slam of torpedos exploding in the wake of his ships. Now the
"Little Beavers" opened fire on the fleeing enemy, while maneuvering to avoid return fire. As the
three targets took divergent courses, Charles Ausburne continued her pursuit of Yugiri hitting her
repeatedly. Soon blazing from stem to stern, the Japanese ship made a last desperate attempt to open
the range but was quickly overhauled and sunk. Approaching daylight now made it imperative that
the squadron withdraw to put distance between themselves and the Japanese airbase at Rabaul. Thus
ended the classic destroyer battle off Cape St. George, marked by outstanding devotion to duty, skill,
and aggressiveness in the American squadron. Three enemy ships had been sunk and another badly
damaged, while no damage was received by the American ships.
Through December 1943, Charles Ausburne continued her patrol, escort, antiaircraft, and
bombardment duties in support of the Bougainville operation. After brief overhaul in Australia she
returned to the northern Solomons 30 January 1944, and on 3 February sailed for action once more,
fighting off a heavy Japanese air attack to break through for a bombardment mission on the northern
coast of Bougainville. A series of patrols to cover the landing on Green Island and many searches
for enemy surface craft were conducted, along with a punishing bombardment of Kavieng Harbor on
18 February. The enemy's part facilities, airstrip, and supply dump were almost completely destroyed
in this attack.
From 20 to 24 February 1944, the squadron swept the waters of New Ireland for Japanese
shipping, sinking a tug, a coastal minelayer, a small freighter, and many barges, then returned to
escorting amphibious craft until 5 March, when they sailed on a patrol north of the Bismarcks.
On 26 March 1944, Charles Ausburne joined the 5th Fleet at sea, and next day Captain Burke
left the ship to assume new responsibilities as Chief of Staff. With the powerful carrier striking force
TF 58, Charles Ausburne sailed for air strikes in the Palaus and on Yap, Ulithi, and Woleai between
30 March and 1 April, then replenished at Majuro. Late in the month she sailed with the group
formed around Yorktown, screening as the carrier offered direct air support during the landings at
Holandia, and launched strikes against Truk and Ponape. Returning to Majuro, Charles Ausburne
joined in exercises preparing for the next great operation, the assault upon the Marlanas.26
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Orange County Historical Society (Tex.). The History of Destroyers Built in Orange, Texas During W. W. II, book, October 2002; Orange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth312850/m1/31/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Orange County Historical Society.