Bennington (CVA 20) - Naval Cruise Book

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WHY FREEDOM OF THE SEAS? BECAUSE 70W of the earth's surface is covered by Water BECAUSE 99? of World commerce travels by sea BECAUSE free nations of the world are bound and dependent almost entirely on seaborne commerce for economic health and military security BECAUSE of the 77 strategic raw materials required by industry -- our country, surpris- ingly enough, is sufficient in only ll BECAUSE the Allies lost 12,850,814 tons of shipping in World War I BECAUSE the Allies lost 141,600,000 tons of shipping in World War ll BECA - 661 BECA World, USE 8729 of Allied shipping losses in World War II were from enemy submarines 34+ ships sunk USE if the world arteries of commerce and communication were severed, the free as we know it, would shrivel and die

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ACT I Scene 1 THE MISSION OF THE HUKSTERS IS THE AND . . .DETECTION I SSSSS T . . . OF ENEMY SUBMARINES DEST RUCT ION TO KEEP THE SEAS FREE

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COMMANDER U.S. SEVENTH FLEET VICE ADMIRAL CHARLES D. GRIFFIN UDUTEl7STATESlW4VI' UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET 2 December 1960 From: Commander SEVENTH Fleet To: Task Group 7O.h Subj: The Challenge and Responsibility of Antisubmarine Warfare l. As our newest Antisubmarine Carrier Group joins the SEVENTH Fleet today to become Task Group 7O.u, it is appropriate that Commander SEVENTH Fleet reaffirm the vital importance of antisubmarine readiness. 2. Antisubmarine warfare capability is universally recognized as one of the most significant requirements of naval strategy. No nation can maintain control of the sea or protect its mari- time commerce without an effective and versatile ASW capability. Two great wars have scourged the world since submarines became a naval weapon and, in both of these wars, a thin line of tired sailors and airmen provided the margin which drove the sub- marines from the seas to insure ultimate victory. The United States and its free world allies have learned this lesson well. 3. You men of Task Group 70.4, with your specially configured ASW ships and aircraft, have been trained and shaped into a balanced precision team, superbly oriented to the single mission of detecting, localizing, and destroying the submarines which, today, represent the greatest threat to continued freedom of the seas. The energy, enthusiasm, and devotion which you bring to your antisubmarine task may influence the course of history. h. Your modern ASN weapons systems and the new developments of the future promise much, but the principal strength of our antisubmarine power has always been - and will continue to be - men. As long as there is a sea, it will be controlled by a sailor. 5. Good luck and best wishes. I am proud that we serve the same God, Nation, and Navy. P ' ' C. D. G IN Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy Commander SEVENTH Fleet