John Pierce (DD 753) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 28 text:

Not Like Home, But Ships Relaxing at the ship ' s party, Badessa and Sosin- ski find that the Japanese girls are good dancers. Below, the front view of the Cabaret Takarazuka, where the parties were held. c ' Two ship ' s parties were held at the Cabaret Takarazuka in Sasebo. Although not like the local dance hall back in the States, it was the best available in the Far East, and helped keep the morale from sag- ging. The main features of the party were the 12-piece bands and the floor shows. The a I I - J a pa nese bands weren ' t able to read much English, but they could play Ameri- can music in the best Tex Beneke, Stan Kenton or Woodie Herman style. Puppets, dancers and cartoonists made up the floor shows, although some local talent from the ship also filled in when the opportunity presented itself. The parties were a real success and provided the whole crew with a couple of eve- nings of real fun.

Page 27 text:

Rest Camp and More Sightseeing I fr ' t ■ U Upper left, Skinner, Taylor and Barthuli clown before the camera Above, Riley, Stiles, Kology, Schafer, Hynes and Reid take leave at a Japanese rest camp. Below, the Shizura Hotel, one of the rest camps. There was plenty of time for ball games and tours to the top of the hills overlooking the harbor of Sasebo. Camera addicts had more of a chance to get out and get their human interest shots of forlorn babies, women carrying their children on their backs, and the peo- ple working in the terraced rice fields.

Page 29 text:

Party Builds Sagging Morale Upper left, Japanese dancers pjt on the floor show Left, tne captain makes a qjick speech and, above, Brinker and Hill offer protection to one of the waitresses.