Frank Evans (DD 754) - Naval Cruise Book

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The ship ' s party . . . was perhaps the most memorable occasion during the holidays. It was held on two nights to allow all three duty sections to attend. Free booze, and chow, prepared by the ship ' s cooks, were consumed in huge quanti- ties by the ship ' s company and their forty beautiful, young, charming, in- digenous companions. The guest of honor, Commodore DWYER, COM- DESRON 23, visited the party on both nights.

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After 10 hectic days of HUK operations we stopped at Iwakuni, Japan, for a brief rest. Iwakuni is located near Hiroshima on Japan ' s Inland Sea. The entrance to Iwakuni proved to be one of the most scenic sights of the cruise. As we threaded our way around one large freighter and through the hundreds of tiny islands and inlets which dot the chart of the Inland Sea, we could not help but be enthralled by the beauty of this ancient green land against the calm blue water. Anchored off the Iwakuni Naval Air Station we struggled with scarce liberty boats and endless taxi rides to a not so well lit thieves alley . But Iwakuni by virtue of its geographic locale, did offer an exciting opportunity to visit Hiroshima, the first atomic bomb tar- get. Highlights of the tour were a visit to Memorial Museum at ground zero, brousing through the modern downtown shopping district and a never-to-be-forgotten visit to the ancient religious shrines at Miju Jima. Our next port was Sasebo, Japan. After 10 more days of HUK Operations we arrived there to spend the Christmas holidays. We didn ' t exactly have a white Christmas but it rained a lot. Yet , despite the fact that we were away from loved ones the Christmas spirit soon became evident throughout the ship. Christmas trees were gaily decorated on the mess decks and in the wardroom. The post office was flooded with packages from home. Each night the ship glowed from stem to stern with multi-colored lights. Under the circumstances it was as nice a Christmas as we could expect and it was highlighted by a delectable Christmas dinner.

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IVAN When we left Sasebo on 3 January we headed northwest into the Sea of Japan. During our ASW Operations we were visited by a Russian destroyer which we nicknamed IVAN. He was very friendly or at least indicated that he was by steaming to within 500 yards of us several times. It was strange to see Russians studying us just as we were studying them. One morning he flashed over good morning on his signal light. We also saw a Russian submarine; and, yes, our evaporators went out AGAIN. As we headed toward Yokosuka for re- pairs, the Engineering Officer, Mr. Weegar, was seen on the fantail shaking his fist in the direction of Pearl Harbor where they were supposed to have been fixed. By the time we arrived in Yokosuka everyone was calling us the Rank Frank . We had plenty of water to drink but showers were scarce. Again! Pearl ' s back there, somewhere 42