Currituck (AV 7) - Naval Cruise Book

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INTRODUCTORY Places and events of the past tend to lose their outline in time and become enwrapped in a sentimental aura of unreality. In an effort to recapture by the magic of the camera the true form and spirit of the recent operations of the U.S.S. CURRITUCK, we have compiled this pictorial record— CRUISE BOOK, 1951-1953. Since her recommissioning in August 1951, the U.S.S. CURRITUCK has accom- plished a great deal. She carried the stars and stripes and a small cross-section of America across several seas and established in every port she visited a feeling of good will. But her greatest accomplishment, as the only large sea-plane tender in the Atlantic Fleet, has been the successful training of hundreds of Naval personnel in the fine art and science of seaplane tender operations. From her decks have gone to the civilian reserve and to other Naval activities a host of men well equipped to man several tenders of the CURRITUCK class in case of war. During the past two and one-half years we have shared many experiences — we have worked hard, at times we have been discouraged, but more often we have felt pride of accomplishment as we have reached our goals, one by one. In addition, we have seen interesting places and done interesting things which we will never forget. If this book can enable the reader to recall more clearly an experience or a friendship made on the CURRITUCK, it will have justified its existence. The Editors All Rights Reserved ALBERT LOVE ENTERPRISES 1090 Capitol Avenue ATLANTA, GEORGIA

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USS CURRITUCK (AV-7) ftuUe So ' 51 - ' 53 RECOMMISSIONING EARLY OPERATIONS OPERATION SHAKEDOWN Gtmo Haiti Trinidad Jamaica San Juan Panama OPERATION MAINBRACE Norway Scotland OPERATION SPRINGBOARD San Juan CHANGE OF COMMAND OPERATION CHURCHY Panama Panama Canal Shellback Initiation Balloon Exercises Refueling at Sea ACTIVITIES Sports Parties Religion SHIPS ORGANIZATION Divisions Shops

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This is the Captain speaking. I have some things I would like to share with you concerning this cruise . . . With these words, Captain Black would open his fireside chat, to us, his crew. It is not unusual at a time like this to see a momentary cessation of activity throughout the ship as all ears are turned to the straight dope from the Captain. Captain Black came to us from the Joint Staff, Office of the Joint Chief of Staff, on May 28, 1953. Prior to that time, he had served as Executive officer of the Coral Sea, and of a CVE. He was an air group commander in WWII, and also a member of the staff of Commander Air Force, Pacific. He was a pilot in various carrier-based squadrons for seven years, and was attached to a patrol squadron for an ad- ditional two years. From there, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Naval War College, and served a tour of shore duty as Executive officer at NAS, Quonset Point, R. I. ... we are now departing on an extensive tour through the pages of your cruise book. I hope it will bring back to memory the exciting cruises, liberties in foreign ports, and many fine shipmates. In closing, I would like to say to All Hands, Well Done, and may all your cruises be as happy. J. D. BLACK Commanding Captain J. D. Black Commanding Officer