Menifee (APA 202) - Naval Cruise Book

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In reply refer to: APA!202 Serial U.S.S. MENI FEE QAPA-2023 90 Fleet Post O fficc San FrancBCO,CaHfornia By the time this book goes to press, the Menifee will have been in commission for a little more than a year. During this year, it has been my privilege to watch the ship develope into a fine and well-functioning unit, of which you and the Navy can well be proud. It is with a feeling of pride that I remember the organization of the ship's crew. Most of you were somewhat green when you first came aboard, and it is a credit to the nation that you worked hard and were willing to learn from the old Nsaltsn the business of running a ship. If you had failed the ship, she would have failed with you. You learned your work well, and further than that, you took and still take pride in your ship. That's what makes a ship--pride in her appearance and performance. The Menifee may not have seen as much action as some ships, but whatever job she has been assigned, she has done well. Much of the credit goes to our former commanding officer, Captain Spaulding, who so ably commanded the Menifee. I have endeavored to carry on his policies after taking command. But, however much credit is given to Captain Spaulding or to me, a larger amount is due to you, the officers and men of the USS Menifee. Without your whole-hearted and spirited co- operation and diligence, no man, however well qualified, could have made this ship what she is today. I deem it an honor and a privilege to have served with you. JVM 8

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UUR CHPTHIHS -ll L U lie oft Hi: -H ' FV Commodore Knowles, Commander Transport Squadron l2, was in the habit of calling commanding officers of ships in his squadron to the microphone of the inter-ship radio and asking them in blunt and highly embarrassing terms, to account for the inadequate performance of their ships. This was never the case with Capt. Paul P. Spaulding lleftl or Lt. Comdr. Robert D. Lamson trightl, who served as the Menifee's captains. ln fact, when the Commodore passed out the Well Dones the old 202 was usually near the top. This Was particularly the case during the occupation of Nagasaki, when Captain Lamson, a young man wearing the gold oak leaves of a lieutenant commander, got his troops and equipment ashore While other HPR skippers, wearing agecorroded chickens on their collars, were still getting the lay of the land. Qnd our skippers Weathered another acid test, when a Menifee seaman deuce meets a buddy, an- other seaman deuce from another HPR and is asked, How's your Skipper and Exec? The answer is, Good, damn good! :FI IT 9