Pine Island (AV 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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During our second stay in Yokosuka the crew madeit a point to enjoy themselves to the utmost with sightseeing being the main item on the agenda. The instant liberty commenced they rushed outside the gates of the large former Japanese Naval Base 'and hopped into ricki- shaws for,a'short ride into the railroad station for a comfortable ride to Tokyo,.the capital of Japan andalso its. most famous city, Yokohama, another famous city, was but a ,fifteen minute ride from' Tokyo in the same direction. It is famous as nbeingthe, port of entry for all the tourists into Japan from the United. States. At Tokyo 'sightseeing began in earnest and the' camera enthusiast had an exceptional time photo! graphing themany historic sights of this famous' city. The Imperial Palace. heading the list with its beautiful gardens and fine old architecture. Probably the Daiflchi building was the next building to be photographed as it Was the head- quarters forthe United Nations Commander-in- Chief, General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur. He was generally seen hopping out of his large black' Cadillac during the day. We were always sure to see a good number of our men atthe Main PX in Tokyo, looking at all the wonderful gifts offered for sale and ondisplay. Many of the items were too nice to resist and we had to dig down deep into the greenbacks We were saving, for that thirty day leave back inthe States. Or maybe' we could be seen on the Ginza, that famous street known the World over as the most fascinating shopping' center in Japan. Here the merchants and street Vendors expected the customer to haggle over the price. Those thatypaid the first price asked were sure to betaken. The others that enjoyed bargaining would manage to get the price down to at least half that asked. y Such was Tokyo with its wonderful bargains that nearly everyone returned to the ship laden with bundles from fishing poles to extremely sheer black nightgowns. , J. Kostal, FN . A 1