Monrovia (APA 31) - Naval Cruise Book

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FOREWORD Eorly one morning late in April 1957 MONROVIA slowly pulled away from her berth in her home port of Norfolk, Virginia to commence a six months tour of duty in the Mediterranean Sea. Warships of the United States Navy have cruised in the Mediterranean Sea since the early nineteenth century. Beginning with the war with Tripoli in 1802, and almost continuously since 1886, American sea power has operated in this area of more than one million square miles which the ancients call the center of the earth. The Mediterranean was of strategic importance in world affairs cen- turies before America was discovered. In the countries bordering this area, civilization was born. Phoenicians, Romans, and other powerful peoples fought to control it. Throughout history it has been the vital sea link between Europe, Africa and the countries of the Near and Middle East. The Mediterranean has been called the loveliest of all seas, favored by situation, shape and climate above all others, and likewise before all others discovered and sailed. This is the Helen among oceans,- like her it was desired by all that saw it, and captured by the boldest. Then it was half forsaken, obscured by the fame of new and distant oceans; rediscovered, as it were, after three hundred years,- and today, before our eyes, it is fought over anew. In the unsettled years immediately following World War II, ships of the States Mediterranean Squadron helped to establish peace among the countries of the Balkans and the Middle East. This is the gible evidence of the United States ' interest in an area whose strategic importance towards the main- tenance of peace is recognized.

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DEDICATION ■ ' On 26 ENTINO, but so ■ On 10 May 1943. sailed for N • jaded with Army troops t MONR Vice Admire ft, Commonder Western Tas- General George S. Potton, Jr. embarked. After a successful and an attack by Sfuka dive bombers, the ship returned he minor repairs, loaded with prisoners of war. Early that I .ROVIA was reassigned to the Pacific Fleet and in October 1?-: nland. MONROVIA subsequently took po rt the amphibious Ion ■ iwo, Kwajalein, Soipon. Guam, Leyte, Luzon and Okinawa, earning a total of seven bo Well Dones before returning to the United States for overhaul and leave in April 1945. In the early summer she again returnee: I For East where she landed troops for the occupation of Tokyo, ond Tienstin, China until January 1947 when she returned to the States and was placed in moth balls. as part of the Atlantic • Fleet. Following the outbreak of the Korean war, the MONRO recommissioned on 30 November 1950 and has se r Atlantic Fleet in the Caribbean, Greenland and tl ean.

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GIIII A F. W. LAING, CAPTAIN, USN Commander Transport Amphibious Squadron SIX k