McMorris (DE 1036) - Naval Cruise Book

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'TT' ' Y Motonzcfl lemk Alon ,f . 2 1 x A QR- kik N punk -. Captured Viet Cons. :rio

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Mc MORRIS JOINS JUNK FORCE MC MORRIS was made an honorary member of the South Vietnamese Junk Force in deference to her extended tour of service in cooperation with the Vietnamese on patrols against Viet Cong infiltration by boat. Patrolling daily off Qui Nhon with a junk division, the ship was something of a mother hen to the native craft which did not get to port often and consequently ran short of supplies regularly. Tea, water, and as a special luxury, ice cream, were transferred to thejunks,much to the delight and appreciation of the Vietnamese. On another occasion the Squadron doctor went aboard a junk and removed shrapnel from a wounded man's leg. So grateful were the natives that on one rendezvous they took time out to officially proclaim the ship an honorary member of the force. Also while in the Vietnamese harbor of Qui Nhon, MC MORRIS donated over 35200 of badly needed medical supplies to the HOW Family Hospital in Qui Nhon. The Commanding Officer, accompanied by coMcoRTRoN FIVE and the squadlion doctor, visited the hospital in June Wlth a small token of medical supplies. Four of the nuns from the Hospital staff were hosted to a brief visit of MC MORRIS by the Commanding Officer. This was the nuns first visit to a Navy fighting Sh1P- During their visit, it was learned that many of the medical supplies were,Sl0W in arriving, because of military pI'1QI'1'f1eS' and that conSGCiUeUt1Y, Critical supplies had to be purchased on the black market, and often times these SUDPHGS Were Ofinferlor ualit A list of critically needed medical Ol Y- . and surgical supplies was compiled, and the MC MORRIS, on a returntrip in early July, delivered a second donation.

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1 Junk boarding Party Number ONE. Junk boardmg Party Number TWO