Joseph Kennedy (DD 850) - Naval Cruise Book

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alonikaz The Arch of Galerius. Typical American Tourista on parade in a foreign land. We left our NATO allies in the Adriatic Sea on 26 April, then headed east to join our own forces. Together the many ships of the task group anchored in the harbor of Salonika on 29 April for an eleven day visit. This was the greatest amount of time we would spend in any port. Despite the city's size - it is second only to Athens - we got to know the sights thoroughly: the Arch of Galerius, the White Tower, the main shopping streets with their bargains in leather and copper, and the night spots. Salonika was large, but it was still a provincial city. The thought of Athens, gleaming far to the South, attracted many of the men. We had had trouble organizing some of our smaller tours, but when a weekend tour to Athens was first proposed the response was great. So too, according to everyone who went there, was Athens. Of course, not everyone could go to Athens and not everyone wanted to. There was maintenance to do, MEDTACEX reports to write, and a long operat- ing period for which to prepare. We had six days at the training anchorage in Argostoli ahead and an Admin to give the MOALE. Upon leaving Salonika on 10 May, we would not see liberty again for 14 days. The Roach Coach served beer on the pier. J l

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i The harbor at night. Tripoli The spires of Islam rise throughout the city. wwf - fif -+ f r ' 1- M fy ... , , V , f -wwf 491 ' 'Aw 'M 7f +-JW , . , f .M-vs. V . - f fu... i...,,-V A-W . ,,..g x ,, I ., MJ :..-.f 'W 'f---- - No American Naval vessel had been in the Libyan port of Tripoli in over a year when the Kennedy arrived on l4 April. This was to be a routine visit, but constant attention from the Ameri- can Ambassladoriai staff brought us invitations both to official parties and informal barbecues. For the officers there was a reception at the Ambassador's residenceg for the men there were parties hosted by private citizens, and everyone found the complete facilities of Wheelus Air Force Base at his disposal. Tripoli was a strange, new experience, for most it was our first introduction to the Muslim way of life, with purdah for the- women and unusual customs, prohibitions and laws. Having been forwarned, though, we respected their codes. Without incident the men toured the old city with its bazaar's, visited mosques, and journeyed to the edge of the desert to visit SABRATHA and LEPTIS MAGNA, two magnificent Roman ruins. Above all, they spent much of their time over at Wheelus where the bat- gains and the hospitality were tops. Five days after we had come we left once again. This time ten days at sea awaited us, including the largest NATO exercise we were to be in, MED- TACEX V, a grueling 5 day ASWXAAW operation with Naval units from 5 countries. We played a good game, but the Tripolitanians drubbed us every time. Thieves' Market my -A 1 .

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Languages speak to men of all nations in a typical Main Street store. How can we win this one? Lots of gin and very little tonic. A Greek guard stands his post, oblivious to the distractions around him. USS KENNEDY with friendship lights. I