Benner (DD 807) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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ff Some of the sights of japan, from above counter-clockwise : CD Mount Fuji holds her head proudly above the Islands, always wearing a cap of glistening snowg C2j Tokyo Tower, higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, from which you can get a wonderful panoramic view of the city of Tokyog C35 A quiet pool and covered bridge in Kyotog C45 A typical variety shopg if you canit ind what you are looking for, they may sell you something elseg C51 The world-famous Ginza, in Tokyo, the Sunset Strip and Broad- way of japan.