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Notable events involving Martin H. Ray include:

1 Jul 1944

Convoy UGF 12.

This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 1 July 1944.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Cristobal (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Cross Keys (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Esso Springfield (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Exanthia (American, 6533 GRT, built 1941), Exhibitor (American, 6736 GRT, built 1940), Four Lakes (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1943), Harpers Ferry (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Henry Gibbins (American, 12097 GRT, built 1943), J.W. McAndrew (American, 7997 GRT, built 1940), James Parker (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Kernstown (American (tanker), 10317 GRT, built 1944), Marine Robin (American, 11757 GRT, built 1944), Memnon (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Monocacy (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1944), Mount Baker (American, 6022 GRT, built 1940), Santa Maria (American, 6507 GRT, built 1942), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Sirocco (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), South Mountain (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Sturdy Beggar (American, 8271 GRT, built 1944) and Winchester (American (tanker), 10198 GRT, built 1943).

The troop transport USS General G.O. Squier (T/Capt. R.D. Threshie, USN) stores ship USS Ariel (Lt.Cdr. W.F. Smith, USNR), ammunition ship Mount Baker (Lt.Cdr. L.R. Brooks, USNR) and naval tanker USS Chicopee (Cdr. C.O. Peak, USNR) were also part of the convoy.

The convoy was escorted by Task Force 68 which was mad up of the destroyers USS Davison (T/Cdr. E.L.E. Ritson, USN, with COMTASKFOR 68 / COMDESRON 15, T/Capt. S.W. DuBois, USN on board), USS Mervine (T/Cdr. D.R. Frakes, USN), USS Quick (T/Cdr. P.W. Cann, USN), USS Tillman (T/Cdr. C.S. Hutchings, USN) and the destroyer escorts USS Roy O. Hale (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Bowie, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 59, T/Cdr. A.W. Slayden, USN on board), USS Edsall (Lt. M. MacLean, USNR), USS Stewart (Lt. A.C. Wilson, Jr., USNR), USS Daniel (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Boynton, USNR), USS Dale W. Peterson (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Hero, USNR) and USS Martin H. Ray (Lt. H.V. Tucker, Jr., USNR). USS Edsall actually only joined early on 2 July. She came from Cape Henry.

During 5 July 1944, the four destroyers of Task Force 68 fuelled from USS Chicopee.

Around 2100N/9, USS Ariel was detached to Gibraltar. She was escorted by USS Roy O. Hale which was to rejoin the convoy when the convoy passed Gibraltar.

In the early afternoon of 11 July 1944, the four destroyers of Task Force 68 again fuelled from USS Chicopee.

Around 1700A/11, the following tankers parted company with the convoy to proceed to Casablanca; Cross Keys, Four Lakes, Kernstown and South Mountain. To escort them to Casablanca the minesweeping sloops La Gracieuse and patrol vessels L'Indiscret and L'Effronté had come from Casablanca. The Casablanca section of the convoy arrived at its destination on the 18th.

Around 2000A/11, USS Roy O. Hale rejoined the convoy.

Around 1100B/12, the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar.

Around 2100B/12, the Mount Baker was detached to Oran while the troop transports Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921), Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939) and the naval attack transport USS Bayfield (Capt. L. Spencer, USCG) joined the convoy coming from Oran. Also the destroyer USS Benson (T/Cdr. J.B. Williams, USN) joined.

Around 1100B/13, the troop transport Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921) joined the convoy off Algiers. Also the destroyer escort Hova joined the convoy.

Around 0630B/14, HMS Colombo was detached to Bizerta followed half an hour later by USS Chicopee and the Hova.

Around 1800B/14, the Harpers Ferry and Monacacy parted company to proceed to Taranto escorted by USS Roy O. Hale and USS Edsall.

Around 0700B/15, the convoy arrived in Naples Bay.

5 Feb 1945

Convoy CU 57.

This convoy departed New York on 5 February 1945.

On departure it was made up of the following ships (New York Section);
Alden Besse (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922), Athos II (French, 15276 GRT, built 1927), Cape Corwin (American, 5124 GRT, built 1943), Cape Nome (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Carnifex Ferry (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1945), Chatterton Hill (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Chickamauga (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Esso Camden (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Examiner (American, 6737 GRT, built 1942), Fort Fetterman (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Fort Stevens (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Grand River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Hubbardton (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Java (Dutch, 9250 GRT, built 1939), Karsten Wang (Norwegian (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Marine Eagle (American, 11500 GRT, built 1943), Marine Panther (American, 11758 GRT, built 1944), Mobile Bay (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Ocala Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1945), Pit River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929), Raphael Semmes (American, 6165 GRT, built 1942), Rosemont (Panamanian, 4956 GRT, built 1938), Sandy Creek (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), The Yakima (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Yellow Tevern (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944) and York (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1943).

The following ships were also part of the convoy; escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Pursuer (A/Capt. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN) and naval troop transport USS Hermitage (23254 GRT, built 1925) (T/Capt. J.T. Talbert, USN).

On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the destroyers USS McDougal (T/Cdr. E.W. Logsdon, USN, with COMTASKGR 61.5, T/Capt. E.D. Poole, USN, on board), USS Simpson (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Sedgwick, USNR) and the destroyer escorts USS Robert E. Peary (Lt. D. McKinlay, Jr., USNR), USS Blair (Lt. W. Gadsby, Jr., USNR) and USS Sturtevant (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Mertz, USNR).

On 6 February the Boston Section of the convoy departed that place, it was made up of the following ship;
Brazil (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Cape Borda (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Cape Race (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Excelsior (American, 6737 GRT, built 1943), Kokomo Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1945), Oneida Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Pachaug Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Sea Tiger (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944) and Thomas H. Barry (American, 11250 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from New York this section was escorted by the escort destroyers USS Jacob Jones (Lt. Frank L. Sullivan, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 3, T/Cdr. C.W. Musgrave, USN, on board), USS Brough (Lt. M.A. Stein, USNR), USS Roy O. Hale (Lt. H.C. Pogue, Jr., USNR) and USS Dale W. Peterson (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Bigelow, USNR).

Around 1015Q/7, the Boston Section of the convoy joined the main convoy. USS Simpson then parted company to proceed to Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Around 1800O/9, the merchant vessel Waiwera (British, 12435 GRT, built 1934) joined the convoy coming from the Panama Canal.

Around 0950O/10, the destroyer escorts USS Hammann (Lt.Cdr. C.L. Gould, USNR) and USS Martin H. Ray (Lt. H.V. Tucker, Jr., USNR), which had been delayed in sailing with the convoy due to the need for repairs, joined the convoy.

Around 1915N/11, the merchant vessels Hororata (British, 13945 GRT, built 1942) and Westerley Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from the Panama Canal and Horta, Azores respectively.

Around 1530N/12, the merchant vessel Empire Rawlinson (British, 9912 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from Ascension.

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Around 1700N/12, the Irish Sea / west coast section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Arawa, Carnifex Ferry, Chatteron Hill, Empire Rawlinson, Esso Camden, Fort Stevens, Grand River, Hororata, Mobile Bay, Pit River, Rangitata, Sandy Creek, The Yakima, Waiwera and York. HMS Pursuer was also part of this section. They were escorted by USS Jacob Jones, USS Hammann, USS Robert E. Peary, USS Brough and USS Roy O. Hale.

Around 1245Z/13, the merchant vessel Empire Grace (British, 13478 GRT, built 1942) joined the Irish Sea / west coast section. She came from the Panama Canal.

Around 1645A/15, ' Force 33 ' (21st Escort Group) reinforced the escort. This were the frigates HMS Conn (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Byron (Lt. J.B. Burfield, DSC, RN), HMS Deane (T/Lt.Cdr. F. Brock, RCNVR), HMS Fitzroy (Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR), HMS Redmill (Lt. J.R.A. Denne, RN) and HMS Rupert (Lt. P.C.S. Black, RN).

Around 1730A/15, HMS Redmill was detached for other escort duties.

Around 1945A/15, ' Force 37 ' (31st Escort group) joined and took over from ' Force 33 ' which then parted company. ' Force 37 ' was made up of the corvettes HMS Berkeley Castle (Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Carisbrooke Castle (T/Lt. W.H. Forster, RNR), HMS Dumbarton Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Heron, RNVR) and HMS Lancaster Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.S. Joliffe, RNR).

Around 2140A/15, the Esso Camden parted company to proceed to the Clyde. USS Brough went with her as escort. They arrived in the Clyde the following morning.

Around 2225A/15, HMS Pursuer was detached to Belfast Lough where she arrived around an hour later.

Around 0200A/16, ' Force 37 ' parted company having been relieved by the 19th Escort Group which was made up of the frigate HMS Loch Shin (Cdr. J.P. de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Loch Insh (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Anguilla (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR), HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN) and HMS Goodall (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Fulton, RNVR).

Around 0300A/16, the Bristol Channel section of the convoy parted company. This was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arawa, Chatterton Hill, Empire Grace, Fort Stevens and Pit River. They all arrived at Avonmouth on 16 / 17 February 1945. USS Robert E. Peary and USS Roy O. Hale went with them as escorts and they arrived at Cardiff in the evening of 16 February. This section of the convoy was supported by ships of the ' 25th Escort Group ' from 0700A/16 until the vicinity of Milford Haven. The 25th Escort Group was made up of the frigates HMCS Orkney (A/Cdr. V. Browne, RCNR), HMCS La Hulloise (Lt.Cdr. J. Brock, RCNVR), HMCS Strathadam (A/Lt.Cdr. H.L. Quinn, DSC, RCNVR) and HMCS Thedford Mines (Lt. J.A.R. Allan, DSC, RCNVR).

The remaining ships of the Irish Sea / west coast section arrived off the Bar light ship off Liverpool around 1030A/16 and the ships then started to enter the harbour.

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The remaining ships made up the Channel / east coast section.

Around 1200A/15, the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) and escort destroyers HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, DSC, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.D.E. Vivian, DSC, RN) joined.

Around 0355A/16, the Java suffered a steering defect and collided with the Westerly Victory. HMS Tanatside was ordered to standby them. They arrived at Plymouth later on the 16th. Java being towed into port by the rescue tug HMRT Allegiance.

Around 0730A/16, the Fort Fetterman and Yellow Tavern were detached to Weymouth Bay where they arrived later the same day.

Around 1000A/16, HMS Faulknor, HMCS Iroquois and HMS Brissenden parted company after the destroyer HMS Vidette (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.S. Wooley, RNVR), frigates HMS Hargood (Cdr. P.G. MacIver, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Kingsmill (Lt. G.H. Cook, RN) and L'Escarmouche joined.

Around 1400A/16, the ' London ' Section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vesssels;
Chicamauga, Hubbardton and Karsten Wang. HMS Vidette went with them as escort.

The remaining ships arrived in Le Havre Roads in the evening of 16 February. (1)

21 Feb 1945

Convoy UC 57A.

The Channel section of this convoy departed The Solent on 21 February 1945.

This section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Chickamauga (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Fort Fetterman (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Hubbardton (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Karsten Wang (Norwegian (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Memnon (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Sea Tiger (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944), Wacosta (American, 5432 GRT, built 1920), Waipawa (British, 12436 GRT, built 1934), White Bird Canyon (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944) and Yellow Tavern (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944).

On departure from The Solent the convoy was escorted by the destroyer USS McDougal (T/Cdr. E.W. Logsdon, USN, with COMTASKGR 61.5, T/Capt. E.D. Poole, USN, on board) and the destroyer escorts USS Blair (Lt. W. Gadsby, Jr., USNR) and USS Martin H. Ray (Lt. H.V. Tucker, Jr., USNR).

Around 2245A/21, the destroyers HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.V.W. Groos, RCN) joined.

Around 0435A/22, the Santa Rosa and Sea Tiger parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth.

Around 0745A/22, the Alcoa Pointer, Memnon and Waipawa parted company with the convoy to proceed up the Irish Sea. HMCS Iroquois and HMCS Huron went with them as escorts.

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The Irish Sea Section of the convoy was made up of four sections, coming from the Clyde, Belfast Lough, Liverpool and the Bristol Channel.

The Clyde Section of the convoy departed on 21 February and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Esso Camden (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944) and Paraguay (British, 7555 GRT, built 1944). The (midget) submarine tender HMS Bonaventure (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.R. Fell, DSC, OBE, RN) is also part of the Clyde Section. The Clyde Section was escorted by the destroyer escort USS Brough (Lt. M.A. Stein, USNR). The frigates HMS Fitzroy (Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR) and HMS Rupert (Lt. P.C.S. Black, RN) provided support for this section of the convoy.

The Belfast Lough Section of the convoy departed on 21 February and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Australia Star (British, 11122 GRT, built 1935) and Roxburgh Castle (British, 8003 GRT, built 1945). The Belfast Lough Section was escorted by the destroyer escort USS Hammann (Lt.Cdr. C.L. Gould, USNR).

Around 1700A/21, the Clyde Section and Belfast Lough Section joined company.

The Liverpool Section of the convoy departed on 21 February and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Carnifex Ferry (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1945), Darro (British, 9733 GRT, built 1943), Elisabeth Bakke (Norwegian, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Grand River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Mobile Bay (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Sandy Creek (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), The Yakima (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944) and York (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1943). The Liverpool Section was escorted by the destroyer escort USS Jacob Jones (Lt. Frank L. Sullivan, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 3, T/Cdr. C.W. Musgrave, USN, on board). The frigates HMS Byron (Lt. J.B. Burfield, DSC, RN), HMS Deane (T/Lt.Cdr. F. Brock, RCNVR) provided support for this section of the convoy. The frigate HMS Conn (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN) later joined as well.

Around 2300A/21, the Liverpool Section joined the Clyde / Belfast Lough Section. The five British frigates now proceeded to sweep ahead of the convoy for which they were joined around 0100A/22 by the frigates HMS Barbados (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.G. Donald, RNVR) and HMS Nyasaland (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Scott, DSC, RNVR) from the 23rd Escort Group joined.

Around 0230A/22, HMS Conn, HMS Byron, HMS Deane, HMS Fitzroy and HMS Rupert set course to proceed to Belfast Lough. Three more frigates from the 23rd Escort Group joined; HMS Montserrat (Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR), HMS Papua (A/Lt.Cdr. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) and HMS Loch Gorm (A/Lt.Cdr. R. Johnston, RNR).

Around 1025A/22, ' Force 34 ' joined, made up of ships of the 22nd Escort Group. This were the sloops HMS Hart (A/Cdr.(Retd.) H.F.G. Leftwich, RN), HMS Amethyst (Lt.Cdr. N. Scott-Elliot, DSC, RN), HMS Magpie (Lt.Cdr. G.O. Symonds, DSC, RN), HMS Peacock (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, DSO, RD, RNR) and HMS Wren (Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, DSC, RD, RNR).

The frigates of the 23rd Escort Group then parted company.

Around 1130A/22, the Bristol Channel Section of the convoy joined. This section had departed also on 21 February 1945 and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Aiken Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Aztec (Hunduran, 5511 GRT, built 1929), Chatterton Hill (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), De Soto (American, 6165 GRT, built 1944), Delaires (American, 6509 GRT, built 1942), Exanthia (American, 6533 GRT, built 1941), Fort Stevens (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Golden Eagle (American, 6180 GRT, built 1943), Golden Fleece (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Jamaica Producer (British, 5464 GRT, built 1934), Midnight (American, 8258 GRT, built 1940), Pipiriki (British, 10057 GRT, built 1944), Pit River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Talisman (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944) and White Squall (American, 8258 GRT, built 1943) . This section was escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Robert E. Peary (Lt. D. McKinlay, Jr., USNR) and USS Roy O. Hale (Lt. H.C. Pogue, Jr., USNR).

Around 1300A/22, USS Jacob Jones parted company with the Irish Sea Section to return to Liverpool.

Around 1420A/22, ' Force 34 ' parted company with the Irish Sea Section.

Around 1530A/22, USS Roy O. Hale parted company with the Irish Sea Section to return to Milford Haven.

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Around 2300A/22, the Channel Section of the convoy was joined by the Irish Sea Section of the convoy.

Around 0335Z/25, the following ships parted company wih the convoy to proceed independently to their destinations;
HMS Bonaventure (arrived at Ponta Delgada on 26 February), Pipiriki (arrived in the Panama Canal zone on 6 March) and Roxburgh Castle (arrived at Buenos Aires on 12 March).

Around 0330P/2, in bad weather conditions, the following merchant vessels parted company wih the convoy to proceed independently to their destinations;
Jamaica Producer (arrived at Halifax on 3 March) and Midnight (arrived at New York on 5 March).

Around 0500P/2, USS Hammann and USS Robert E. Peary were detached to go to the assistance of two vessels in distress.

The convoy arrived at New York on 5 March. (2)

30 Apr 1945
USS R-1 (Lt. W.A. Schoenfeld, USN) conducted A/S exercises off Casco Bay, Maine together with USS Roy O. Hale (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Pogue, Jr., USNR) and USS Martin H. Ray (Lt.Cdr. H.V. Tucker, Jr., USNR).

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