Catamount (LSD 17) - Naval Cruise Book

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The Story of a Cruise June 11th — the day awaited for so long had suddenly arrived. With wives, kids, dogs, and sweethearts waving farewells, line three was clear of the pier at the scheduled 0855, the whistle sounded, engines answered all bells, and the Catamount left pier 6 for points west — Hawaii, the Philippine Islands, Japan, Hong Kong, South Vietnam, Okinawa, and Korea. Eight days later the Catamount steamed carefully into Kaneohe Bay for opera- tion Flying Disc; the Operation was completed on 22 June. During Flying Disc we acted as Primary Control Ship. Completing the three-day operation, the Catamount passed Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and entered Pearl Harbor on 23 June, moor- ing 500 yards from the newly completed Arizona battleship memorial. Four days of Hawaiian liberty were both busy and enjoyable, and more than one member of the crew spent too much time in the sun. The morning of June 27th began the long run — the 16 day trip to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. This was to be the longest period during the cruise without mail, and both Beedy and Brown were kept busy on the 1 3th of July, arrival day. The Cata- mount spent nine days in Subic Bay. The air conditioners were also installed and remained until the end of December, when they were removed just prior to our return to the United States. On the 16th of July, the RED E award was presented for Engineering Efficiency; Lt. Thompson, the Engineering Officer, donned a pair of white shorts and climbed the starboard stack to paint the E. On the 27th of July, exactly one month after leaving Hawaii, the ship arrived in Yokosuka, Japan after a brief stop at White Beach, Okinawa, scene of much World War II action. The first stay in Yokosuka lasted five days, long enough for payday to be awaited anxiously. However, as always seemed to happen, payday came one day too late, so much buying had to be postponed until the next time. During the five days, several ventured as far north as Tokyo and Yokohama, discovering to their amazement that there is a country where trains operate EXACTLY on schedule. For many, the turkish bath was tried, and enjoyed. The time came to again answer bells; this time the Cata- mount steamed for Operation 2 — Seven ' Seas off the coast of Korea. Typhoon Nora however, altered plans; we spent the evening of 2 August anchored in Beppu Bay, near the famous Japanese resort city Beppu. Reports of liberty there were quite positive; we all hoped to return. The next day we continued to Korea, stopping first at Pusan to offload LCU ' s. We then steamed around the southern coast of Korea and continued north to Inchon, where the Catamount was loaded for the Operation. The operation took pbce near Po-Hang,

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The Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander John A. Simmons, Jr. Lieutenant Commander John A, Simmons, Jr., a native of Chicago, entered Princeton Uni- versity in September 1944 under the V-12 program. In June 1946 he graduated and was commissioned an Ensign. Shortly thereafter he went to his first duty station, the USS Kearsarge (CV 33) where he served as Signal Officer. In May 1947 he commenced a tour of duty with COMSERVLANT, serving on the Communications staff. After 18 months of staff duty, LCDR Simmons spent four months aboard the USS Fresno (CLAA-121), acting as both 4th Division Officer and Forward Heavy Machine Gun Officer. From February 1949 until July 1950 he was Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and Communications Officer of LSM 297. He then became an Executive Officer for the first time, serving aboard the USS Marion County (LST 975) until March 1951. LCDR Simmons then went to the USS Erben (DD 631), where he was Operations Officer until December 1952. Commencing in January 1953, LCDR Simmons attended General Line School, then Post Grad- uate School, both in Monterey, California. After specializing there in Communcations Engineering, he served two years on the COMPHIBPAC staff, acting as Assistant Communications Officer and Flog Lieutenant. After completing this tour in July 1956, LCDR Simmons became Commanding Officer of the USS Steuben County (LST 1 138); he was relieved in August 1958. During the next 13 months, LCDR Simmons served as Executive Officer, Naval Communica- tions Station, Seattle, Washington. Following this assignment, he began in November 1959 a 26- month tour of duty as Communications Advisor to the Korean Navy. After leaving Korea in January 1962, LCDR became Executive Officer of the Catamount on 25 February 1962. LCDR Simmons was married in July 1951 to the former Gloria Peterson of Fullerton, Cali- fornia. They have two boys, William and Michael.

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located halfway up Korea ' s east coast. Seven Seas was a joint Army-Navy operation; since our helicopter deck was the only one available at the scene, several generals ' including the Commanding General of the Eighth Army, viewed the Operation frorn the Catamount. As in every operation during the cruise, the Catamount acted as Primary Control Ship. Completing Seven Seas, we returned to Inchon, offloaded the Army personnel, steamed back to Pusan, reloaded the LCD ' s and began the trip to Subic Bay, via Buckner Bay. However, typhoon Sarah interfered; this time several days were spent in Sasebo, Japan. After waiting five days for the typhoon to change course, we were given the green light and at ten minutes past midnight on 22 August, the Catamount again headed for Buckner Bay. After loading Marine personnel and equipment we proceeded to Subic Bay. The same day we arrived in Subic the mail arrived in Sasebo, one of few times our mail was waiting at the wrong port. Our stay in Subic Bay lasted only long enough to load Marines for the usual milk run to Oki- nawa. Ten days later, after fighting typhoons Wanda and Amy a tired ship finally anchored. The fatigue came not only from rolling and pitch- ing but from catching soup in our own laps. During this time, the famed Catamount racing north message was sent from the Commodore, while the Catamount was racing south evading typhoons Amy and Wanda. This trip was to lose us the Hong Kong station ship assignment, and the original 17 days became only 5. After stopping to offload the Marines, the Catamount steamed around the southwest tip of Okinawa to Naha for refueling. Leaving Naho, we finally steamed for Hong Kong. Five days there and everyone was broke. At times it appeared that the boat crews were running a delivery service for Macy ' s, and few boat runs were made without a load of pack- ages. It was a busy five days and was made enjoyable since the English language is quite in fashion here. After leaving Hong Kong on the 16th of September, back we steamed to Subic Bay; five days later came the regularly scheduled v isit to Sasebo. While there, many made visits to Nagasaki and were soberly impressed by the peace statue and museum there. The first ship ' s party also took place, along with the usual number of private ones. By this time, almost everyone had found the yen store and packages of every size and description began appearing throughout the ship. From Sasebo the Catamount steamed to Beppu, which we had visited one day previously. After two day of seeing monkeys and hot springs, we moved further south