Monrovia (APA 31) - Naval Cruise Book

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ENS D. S. Hes ' ersonnel Office CDR R. L. Olsen Executive Officer R. E. Cluugb, YNC Chief Clerk There is a saying that the Navy is run on paper. To a certain extent this is true, for paper work is continually necessary for the efficient operation of any organization. On a ship this becomes the responsibility of the Executive Department. The yeoman and personnelmen of the department ab- sorb and properly direct the flood of paper that Ai continually surges through the ship. The door of the MONROVIA ' S ship ' s office is emblazoned with the words, v v Paper to any Point , and the carrying out of this motto becomes the source of all activities on the ship. The department is headed directly by the Executive Officer, and its steady, efficient functioning, often unnoticed by those around it, results in a smooth-running ship and ultimately in a powerful and effective Navy. C. . Boutuell. EMC Chief Master at Arms II ' . Hensley.YNS B. Steele. PC} R. Green. P 3 J. Fields, PCSN H PCSN }. Dungan, YN3 R. Speer. YXSN

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In November 1950, shortly after the outbreak of the Korean War, MONROVIA was recommissioned. She joined the Atlantic Amphibious Force and in December 1951 made the first of her many post- war Mediterranean cruises. On 15 July 1958, MONROVIA served in another important amphibious landing being the first ship to anchor off Beirut, Lebanon, and land her landing force when that country requested assistance from President Eisenhower in resisting communist pressure. The MONROVIA always seems to be close by when trouble arises. On 23 October 1962, she was the first amphibious ship to arrive at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and offload her Marines at the out- set of the Cuban Quarantine Operation. And again on 9 January 1964, the day of the violent riots at the borders between the Canal Zone and Panama, MONROVIA had arrived in Cristobal, C.Z. only a few hours before. MONROVIA, on this occasion, supported U.S. Army troops on the embat- tled front line in sight of the ship. A MONROVIA boat and crew conducted three successful evacuations of U.S. citizens and dependents from Colon waterfront hotels on the 10th and 11th of January bringing out a total of 108 persons, mostly women and children. On 8 May 1965, when it appeared that American citizens and property were in danger in the Dominican Republic, the MONROVIA assisted by landing Marines near Santo Domingo. The MONROVIA received the following citation from the Secretary of the Navy in 1949 for her outstanding record during World War II: For exceptionally meritorious service in actions against enemy aircraft, shore batteries, mines and submarines. Operating in contact with the enemy and under attack the USS MONROVIA performed her duties as an attack transport, consistently main- taining a superior degree of efficiency in the performance of her assigned tasks and contributing materially to the development of the technique of amphibious warfare. Her courageous determin- ation and effort were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. MONROVIA is authorized to wear the following ribbons: Navy Unit Commendation, European- African-Middle Eastern Campaign (1 bronze star), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign (1 silver star), World War II Victory, Naval Occupation Service Medal (Europe), China Service (Extended), Philippine and National Defense Service Ribbons, Armed Forces Expeditionary medal for service in Lebanon and service in the Dominican Republic.

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Chief Clougb wrestles with a new op order ' ' Yes sir, the postal clerks did meet that flight . . . trouble is, we haven ' t seen the postal clerks for three days. Speer pounds out tomorrou ' s Plan of the Day. ' ' Speling errors? What speling errors? T. Wilson, YN3 K. Baker, SN A. Hamilton, SN D. Hull. SN C. Miller, SN M.Beckmann. X4 T. Massey. SA