Waldron (DD 699) - Naval Cruise Book

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CRUISE HISTORY It all began when the WALDRON set sail on a Cruise that Would take her around the world. In early November we cleared the Virginia Capeg, to be gone for a long, long while. After passing Cuba and the Antilles, we started through the Panama Canal. Of course, practically all hands were topside to see the passage throu h the great locks and to join the fresh water hose-down of topsides S and personnel, in Gatum Lake, reservior for the locks. Some ten hours after our entry at Christobal, we tied up at Balboa, on the Pacific side , for a two day stay. Underway again, for a week of steady steaming, we met a slight storm in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, on the way to San Diego, to spend our last days on native soil. A point of interest was Tiajuana, Mexico, where a gay time was had by many. Leaving the coast of California behind us, we pointed our bows West and were soon greeted by the sight of the magnificent Hawaiian landmark, Diamond Head. Even before all lines were doubled up, we were treated to a typical Hawaiian welcome of ukeleles, leis, and hula girls. For two days we enjoyed the sights and sounds of Honolulu and Waikiki. - After the Thanksgiving Day banquet we were again underway. Stop- ping briefly at Midway Island, home of the goony bird , for fuel and water, we sailed on into the domain of the Golden Dragon, where we crossed the International Date Line, and lost the first of December. At last the voyage out was completed, and in early December we moored alongside BRYCE CANYON in the harbor of Yokosuka, Japan , for voyage repairs. After several days spent getting acquainted with the Yokosuka-Yokohama-Tokyo area, WALDRON steamed south to the advance base at Sasebo and Task Force 77. After spending part of Christmas, and New Year's, in port, we went to work, first with Seventy-seven, with HukPac, then back to Seventy- seven. This came to an end when we went alongside HECTOR in Sasebo for a much needed upkeep. It wasn't to last long, however, for soon we were out again, with Task Force 95, patrolling the coast of Korea. After touching such strange spots as Sokcho Hang, Pohang, Yongil Man, and Ulsan Wan qwhere we received a real surprise inspectiony, we were re- lieved in Pusan harbor byMURRAY, and we left Korea for a last tour with Seventy-seven. After sinking WISCONSIN, during Fleet Exercises, We went into Yokosuka for two weeks of re st and recuperation. Once more we traveledto White Beach, Okinawa on one last Huk then back to Sasebo and change of command. In early April we started the long journey home, followed by a well done from COMNAVFE. AI'1'iVi11g in Hong Kong, city of spices and spies, we saw a City teeming with refugees from war torn Red China, only a few miles to the North We were intrigued by Tiger Balm Gardens, real Chinese meals . and hand tailored suits and shoes Easter and Passover were celebrated in Singapore then down to the t Equator we steamed where the scurvy polloywog became a loyal sublec of King Neptune and a trusty shellback