John Pierce (DD 753) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 19 text:

The major landmark of Sasebo was the familiar fleet landing. At the ex- piration of liberty, it looked like Grand Central Station in New York with only one entrance working at rush hour. Above, Clark and Smith pose for a candid shot in a pedi-cab, which is replacing the rickshaw. Left, a Japanese gate, and below, another street scene. Commercialized and Americanized Sasebo catered strictly to the Navy. But there was still a lot to see, from our standpoint. The shopping district, the pearl farms and the Budha temples, the nightclubs, the bars and the geisha girls — this was all Sasebo.

Page 18 text:

United States Ship j „ „, IZ Pierce (2)2)753) June 1952 . . . —Arrrli ' ecl JjaSebo, japan, moored .starboard . . . Sasebo, Japan, was our mam operat- ing base while we were in the Korean area. One of the largest Japanese Naval bases during World War II, it now houses the United Nations ' Naval forces of the Far East.

Page 20 text:

The West Meeting the East Tice poses in front of Japanese shrine Right, a Japanese girl stands forlornly in the street and below, Japanese men set up their tailor shop on the fantail of the ship w t ' Wi Prices were low and there was a lot to buy. Silk pajamas, robes, fishing poles, cameras, umbrellas, cue sticks, leather bags, dolls, puzzle boxes, and china were there. Sometimes it wasn ' t even necessary to go ashore. Cobblers and tailors, watch repairmen and dry