Benner (DD 807) - Naval Cruise Book

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S ORY OF THE RLII E On September 27, 1960, a Destroyer moved smartly away from Pier Seven at Long Beach, California. The USS BENNER CDDR-8075 was underway for six months of deployment to the Western Paciflc. Slowly the wives and sweet-hearts and families grew smaller as we backed out into the stream. Ahead of us lay almost 6,000 miles of ocean, with only one stopover, at Pearl Harbor. After clearing the breakwater, we joined company with the PROVIDENCE and the LARSON, and headed West. The first lap to Pearl Harbor didn't seem too difficult, we were still occupied with thoughts of home, as well as being busy with work on the ship. But arrival in Pearl Harbor was welcome. And, though the stay was short, many of us made the most of the time: some visiting Waikiki Beach, the Hawaiian Village, Don the Beachcombers, and several other fine spots. After taking aboard stores, fuel, and MPC to be spent in the Far East, we again cast off lines and turned toward Japan. Eleven days later we entered Yokosuka, Japan. Once a small fishing village, Yokosuka expanded with the establishment of iron foundries, and is today a principal port for commercial shipping and the U.S. Navy. Many attractions were found here. ,By virtue of its reputation and location, Thieve's Alley seemed to be the first discovered. Here we could bargain with hundreds of small shopkeepers, flirt with equal numbers of at- tractive hostesses in the many bars and night spots, and purchase literally anything we desired, from engraved chopsticks to a shiny tin steamer trunk. And if they didn't have what we were looking for, they would make it overnight, and have it ready the next day. Prices seemed to depend on how many ships were in, we soon discovered. Yokosuka had fine clubs, for Ofhcers, Chiefs, 'Petty Officers, and enlisted men. Two ship's stores afloat offered fine quality foreign merchandise of controlled quality at reasonable prices. Recreation facilities were to be had for the asking. Tours to near-by Tokyo were arranged. In all, we stayed over two weeks, and enjoyed every day of it We left Yoko on the last day of October and headed southward toward Kobe japan By this time all but the very greenest were over any seasickness encountered Although not familiar to most of us Kobe is the sixth largest city in Japan and her port IS the finest and largest in the Islands A few of us visited nearby Kyoto an ancient capital of japan and the acknowledged cultural and artistic center of Japan Many arts and crafts are still flourishing in Kyoto that had their origin 1n China and Japan many centuries ago Kyoto is also famous for her many shrines and temples spared by the allies from bombing during the last war e 24th of November found us underway again participating in Operation Treble Clef along Wlth Olihe task force exercises We stopped overnight briefly in Buckner Bay Okinawa remaining on 30 minutes notice r m l t d si u a e war operations during the night We departed at dawn and continued various operations until re entering Yokosuka on the 2nd of December T , , r fo' ' ' ' i i . ' , . , . 1

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F l E QContinuedl A week and a half were spent in Yokosuka this time, repairing, painting, provisioning, and getting ready for another period at sea. Leaving port on the 9th of December, we again headed South, this time further down the island chain to Sasebo. We arrived on the 19th of December, and entered drydock for Sonar Repairs. Sitting on blocks, high and dry, we had a fine Christmas turkey dinner, and thoughts turned to home and family. Leaving Sasebo again on the 27th of December, we had an uneventful New Year's Eve in the Formosa Straits, but we were thinking ahead of Hong Kong, and that made things a bit better. We arrived in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong on the 3rd of January, and began a memorable week there. Among the attractions visited were the many excellent oriental and western style restaurants, the Tiger Balm Gardens! the city of Hoating Junks at Aberdeen, the Repulse Bay and Hotel, and of course the many world-famous tailors, specializing in British texiles and oriental silks. Many a package was brought aboard, containing some fine new threads for that first big liberty back in the States. Lockers filled up, then quickly spilled over into many storerooms as the purchases mounted. Since Hong Kong is a free port, many items could be bought there at prices lower than anywhere else in the world. We sadly departed Hong Kong on the 10th of january, this time heading toward the Philippines. Opera- tions enroute kept us busy, and the weather began to turn decidedly warm. By the time we entered Subic Bay on the 19th, all hands were searching the ship for additional fans. But the warm climate was conducive to swimming, sports, and general sightseeing. For the easterners among us, it was unusual to go out on a January night in nothing but a short-sleeved shirt, and still feel warm. Subic was left behind us on the 31st of January, and we turned north to the Island of Okinawa once again. Refueling and minor repairs were accomplished in Buckner Bay during the second week in February, and then north again. Valentine's Day at sea was almost forgotten because of our many replenishments, gunnery shoots, and anti-air warfare exercises. We kept working our way north, arriving in Sasebo on the 18th of February. By this time, calendars had begun to appear with the days numbered until our return. But we kept busy with a tender availability, mak- ing voyage repairs, replenishing supplies, and writing letters home. ' At the end of February, we left Sasebo and started for Yokosuka, and the last in-port period before leaving for the States. We spent a quick week painting and preparing the ship for the journey, then went off , and suddenly it was the 18th of March. We entered Yokosuka to off-load some equipment we were leaving behind, picked up that last load of fresh pr0' for five days ofoperations with other units of the Seventh Fleet visions, bought those last-minute items, and took our last look at Japan. On the afterngon of the 18th we left Japan behind, and headed for the States, via Pearl Harbor.