John Thomason (DD 760) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 84 text:

As the cruise and this book close, the staff wants to thank all those who made this cruise book a reality. A special thanks goes to the Captain and the Exe- cutive Officer who gave us so much freedom in pro- ducing the book. The photographic efforts of LT1jgJ Bob Kreft, ETN2 Holms, ATN2 Ramos, and BTFN Donahue are all appreciated. We are grateful for the cooperation of LTfjgl Tom Ryan in permitting us access to PAO files. The staff also wants to thank Terry Henry of Walsworth Publishing Com- pany for his time, patience, and vital technical as- sistance in preparing this book. The cooperation of the entire THOMASON crew is also acknowledged and we hope that this cruise book does justice to the efforts of each member of the crew. LTQjgy Terry Maynard FTG3 Jack Hanover YN3 Mike Purnell

Page 83 text:

Two ports were visited in J apan, Sasebo and Yokosuka. The ship spent ten days in Sasebo in September during a tender availability and two days in Yokosuka on the way back to the U.S. in October. The stay in Sasebo afforded an opportunity for some sightseeing and the exchanges in both ports were heavily used by crewmembers. Yokosuka and Sasebo both have been heavily influenced by the presence of the U.S. Navy, and both areas mix generous quantities of modern Japanese and Western ideas with a touch of ancient Japanese culture in their atmospheres. The exchange of Yokosuka and Sasebo offered a wide variety of products which were widely purchased by the crew. Products of J apan's modern technology such as stereo components and motorcycles were sold as quickly as J apan's more traditional commodities,'china and pearls. The largest single purchase made was the duty free liquor ordered by the ship through the Yokosuka exchange. The ship's order was greater than the combined orders of two other ships in the division. Not considering liquor, the foreign exchange in Yokosuka, Building A-33, was considered far and away the best exchange in WestPac. Everything from pachinko machines to 900 cc. motor- cycles could be purchased, and this last chance ,to shop in WestPac was well taken. Every cubic inch of extra space aboard ship had some purchase stored in it. Time to sightsee was at a minimum in J apan, as much work had to be ac- complished aboard ship. Still, a few of the tourists among the THOMASON crew took in the scenic countryside of terraced farmlands around Sasebo. Some ventured to the peak overlooking Sasebo and the harbor for a better view of the entire region. And some sailors 'travelled to Nagasaki for a day to see the effects of the atom bomb on that city's way of life. Most of the crew enjoyed the nightclubs of downtown Sasebo and Yokosuka in their off-duty hours. Besides meeting a cute and polite hostess, everyone had to try the Japanese custom of the hotsy bath. With a little saki or beer, a steam bath and a rubdown, the mind, muscles and bones all seem to turn into some kind of tingling jelly. Refreshed and relaxed, each man could for- get about the rough day just completed and the day of work ahead. WAISWORTH cruise Book s I off PUBLISHING 7730-EH h IS! r COMPANY La Jon C If 92 037 , Marceline, Mo.. U.S.A.

Page 85 text:

G -C l ,ml . yup,- ,A+-