Markab (AR 23) - Naval Cruise Book

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W. F. BRINGLE VICE ADMIRAL USN CGMMANDER US. SEVENTH FLEET

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I am the USS MARKAB QAR 235 or the MIGHTY MARKAB as many have chosen to call me. history is as diversified as the repair services that I am called upon to perform. It all goes back to the Pascagoula, Mississippi, Shipyard where I was built in May 1941. I was going to be christened the SS MORMACPENN, and had intended to begin my career as a maritime commission ship. But when the world situation worsened I joined the US Navy instead. In June 1941, I was sent to Charleston. South Carolina, Navy Shipyard and was converted to an attack cargo ship, and given a new name: USS MARKAB IAKA 313. After commissioning I operated with the Atlantic Fleet. I performed Amphibious duty in several areas, supporting new bases in Greenland, and delivering cargo to key Carribbean ports. In December 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor placed my country at war, and I vol- unteered for more pressing and difficult assignments as a destroyer tender. After a brief period in the Mobile, Alabama, Shipyards I was reconverted, given a new crew, and recom- missioned the USS MARKAB CAD 2ll in September 1942. Working as a destroyer tender during wartime was a long, tough jobg but I always tried hard to be where duty called. In November 1942. I was sent to Pearl Harbor where l repair- ed destroyers damaged in the bloody Solomons campaign. February 1943 found me in Dutch Harbor, Adak and the Aleutians. In April 1944, after a short rest for my crew, I made repairs at Majuro, Marshall Islands, Roi, Eniwetok, Ulithi and other strategic areas of importance which supported the invasions of Saipan, Guam and Iwo Jima. I knew I was help- ing to strike a mortal blow at the enemy. I moved to Leyte Gulf in February 1945, aided the Okinawa invasion and was involved with Task Force 38 which conducted raids on Japan. I was a proud and decorated veteran on V.J. Day as I steamed into the harbor of Sasebo, Japan. I continued to serve, after the war, with Service Division 101 at Shanghai, China, until early 1946. I was ready for a long rest when they sent me to Orange, Texas for retirement in March 1947. But my slumbers were interrupted in February 1952, when I was called back for the Korean conflict. I was originally homeported at Newport, Rhode Island where I assisted east coast ships and participated in several exercises. In March 1955, I moved to Fall River, Massachusetts for fifteen months. In July 1956, I returned to Charleston, South Carolina to resume my retirement. But again, I was awakened in 1960 and given the same job but with a different title: Repair Ship. I was sent to Mare Island Naval Shipyard for outfitting, and my initials were changed to USS MARKAB QAR 23l. My new homeport was San Francisco, California, but I frequently moved up and down the west coast and assisted all types of ships in the Pacific Fleet. I am now in my fifth deployment to the Western Pacific since 1960. I have repaired the Fleet in such ports as Subic Bay and Manila, Philippines, Buckner Bay, Okinawag Yokosuka, Japang Koahsiung, Taiwang and Vung Tau,Viet Nam. I am the MIGHTY MARKAB , My history is a matter of record and my name is well known throughout the fleet. I am a proud ship, and my future endeavors will surpass my historic past. My motto has been, and always will be: CAN DO - WILL DO - GLAD TO DO. H MY

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U.S. NAVAL MESSAGE 080830Z DECEMBER 1968 FROM: COMMANDER U.S. SEVENTH FLEET TO: U.S.S. MARKAB INFO: COMMANDER TASK FORCE SEVENTY THREE COMMANDER SERVICE FORCE U.S. PACIFIC FLEET COMMANDER SERVICE SQUADRON SEVEN UNCLASSIFIED SEYONARA 1 AS YOU RETURN HOME, AFTER A LONG AND ACTIVE DEPLOYMENT, n ' LIKE TO CONVEY MY GRATITUDE TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN I VIOULD OF THE MARKAB FOR THEIR FINE PERFORMANCE WHILE IN THE SEVENTH ' LAYED FLEET, ALTHOUGH SELDOM IN THE SPOTLIGHT, YOU HAVE DISP R PROFESSIONALISM AND EFFICIENCY WELL WHILE ACCOMPLISHING YOU IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY WORK. YOU HAVE DISTINGUISHED YOUR SHIP AS ONE OF THE FINEST AND HAVE BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT MEMBER OF THE SEVENTH FLEET TEAM. 2. I WISH YOU A SMOOTH AND SWIFT VOYAGE HOME AND A HAPPY HOL- IDAY SEASON WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES. VICE ADMIRAL USN