Leyte (CV 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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TOKYO THIS capital of all Japan lacked only one factor -nearness. The thirty mile haul from Yoko- suka put the whammy on plans for many a liberty in that spot. Over five million souls inhabit the bewilderingly laid out city. More than one Gob got off course and had nightmares navigating back to home port. Too, never will you see a city with such a maze of different architecture-Spanish villas rubbing el- bows with Colonial mansionsg Japanese pagodas cuddling an old English bungalow. The most im- pressive of all is the Royal Grounds and Palace, mecca of all Nippon. Directly across the broad boulevard lies the headquarters of the big boss, General Douglas MacArthur, and strung down both sides of it the consulates and headquarters of dozens of countries. The Ginza, Tokyo's main drag, is comparable with Times Square and Loop. Its hundreds of stores can provide enough interest to keep the average souv- enir hunters happy for a week. And tl1at's a tall order. Definitely Americanized, the major city had some excellent cabarets. However, the service clubs f and there were manyj would shame a great many so- called night spots back in the States, so an enter- taining and inexpensive evening was had by many at such places as the FEAF and Rocker Clubs- providing one didnlt get all pushed out of shape by the low prices and lose one's head. Hirohito himself .V The Imperial Palace y Street Scene

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YOKOHAMA SOME dozen miles to north'ard fyouire in the Navy, sonj lies fate's pet punching bag, the city of Yokohoma, Port of Tokyo. The Nip version of the Toonerville Trolley took you there on a rather flexible schedule. - i Mainly thru American aid, this town of a million souls came back from the devasting earthquakes, fires and tidal Waves of 1923 to become the hub of ,lapanas commerce, only to be leveled by the same Americans during '44 and '45. It is now groping its way once ,more toward its former heights, both asa shipping and silk center. Not visited by too many because of its location, the town neverthless couldn't be beaten in silk values, and there are rumors that the night life was top flight, too. But who goes in for that sort of thing? c I p Watch out, Treeber Velly good bargain on ans

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f Beno looks over the scenery Welcome home. Drum majorettes yet. I I M SAN DIEGO UN February 3 as we peered through the haze we visualize the cliffs of Point Loma-our Odyssey was nearing a happy climax. Wliile steaming up the channel around North Island, the crew formed the ship s name neatly framed gwith a pair of Navy wings. When We approached our berth we found a large reception committee. Three curvaceous major- ettes strutted to the music of two bands,with the flags of the United Nations forming an ap- propriate background. While tying up, Admiral Sprague, ComAirPac, the Mayor of San Diego and other dignitaries greeted us and thanked us for our service to the UN forces. Air Group 3 was soon pouring over the gangway Quonset-bound. All of us experienced mingled feelings of joy and pride-joy because we had reached home safely after some sixty thousand miles at sea-pride because We knew We had done a good job. I OH Point Loma