Pine Island (AV 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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We looked at every- thing and came away laden with gifts. Before you knew it, that large roll of Japanese currency was gone. The exchange- was, 360 yen for one American dollar,pEach section on-liberty was in a buying frenzy, each trying to out dolthe others with their purchases. Much to the concern of the Post Office aboard ship for it was their job to lug the immense pile of parcels -to the base Post Office each day. By this time we were pretty much at home and -began to cast a jaded eye about for other places to visit. Tours were quickly arranged to take the tourist of the PINE ISLAND to Eta Jima, Kurevand Hiroshima. One of the most favorite trips was that fo Hiroshima. For the most part, those of the crew expected to see devastating ruins, caused by the atomic 'bomb blast of 1945, were in for a sour -dissappointment. Except for a site the Japanese have set aside as a memory ofthe occasion, we found a hustling metropolis. Cons- truction 'was seen through-out the city, People were 'busy rebuilding,.constructing new homes and buildings. The clamor of construction was echoing and re-echoing throughsout Hiroshima and the neighboring areas. Vehicular and pedes- trian traffic was pretty lmuch fouled up with the large roadbuilding program and the many bridge building projects. The bridges still showed the' devastating effects of the great blast and they will be the last to be repaired. ' Members of the crew were even encouraged to take five day leave periods and make trips to Japanese winter resorts. Those who went, came back refreshed both mentally and physically, to resume their duties. i During our stay at Iwakuni, one cold night a gale suddenly engulfed us at the harbor. We weathered 'the gale well at anchor with the loss of only one boat, but our aircraft were taking quite a beating, One of our planes broke loose from the bouy and before anyone knew what hadhappened, it was wreckedpon the sharp rockspof, the breakwater jutting out from the landing used for the liberty parties. We managed 'howeverfto salvage what we could from the plane and cleared away the wreckage. On,Easter Sunday we departed from lwakuni. In a sense, we came, we saw and we conquered japan. It was with regret, that we took leave of Japan and continued our tour of duty elsewhere. J. W. SHEEHAN, SN. 69',

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YOK Far out at sea Mt. Fujiyama was 'observed far off on the horizon with a black base and white cone standing up majestically above the haze. Many hours later we arrived at Yokosuka for a short -stay of just three days at :which time we unloaded our cargo, of the much wanted Corsairs, Catalina, R4D and jet engines for the Korea war front. ' All hands .were eager to go on liberty as the long voyage across the Pacific left its mark on us. The thought of wine, women, song and dance was a magic word, spelled, ULIBERTYH Yokosuka is a fairly large city where one can get lost quite easily in the s-treets and back alleys laden with shops selling everything imagina- ble. Before you knew it, your arms were full of gifts for the loved ones at home. V During the three days that we were there all sections had liberty and were eager for the next port and operation area-Iwakuni. The only break during our three months duty in Iwakuni was for three days at.Kure, the most important ship building and Naval base for the Imperial japanese Fleet. All now a twisted and rusting mass of ruins. ' The city nestling in a ring of mountians facing the sea is very pictur-esque. Looking up the streets the tall mountains stand out in the background. V We left Kure for 'Yokosuka again where we enjoyed another three days of liberty, each section having a day. This time however the men visited the nearby cities of Tokyo and Yokahamat 71