Catamount (LSD 17) - Naval Cruise Book

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taken off, but when we left for Yokosuka they were still aboard. The upkeep period in Yokosuka was badly needed; much work was completed by the ship ' s company alone. During the I 7 days there, many traveled to Tokyo, at present the world ' s largest city. Yokohama proved to be a popular liberty city. Some made weekend trips to Mount Fuji and Lake Hakone; others saw the famous Buddha at Kamakura, only a 10 minute train ride from Yokosuka. After leaving Yokosuka, the Catamount went west to Kobe, Japan ' s most important shipping city. Many felt that Kobe provided the best liberty of the cruise; Kobe steaks were consumed in great quantities. English style pubs as Clancy ' s and King ' s Arms were also popular. While in Kobe, several large groups went on tours; one traveled to Takarazuka, home of the world-renowed Takarazuka Review. The show, which lasted 4 hours, cost only 250 yen for the best seats in the house. Others went to Kyoto, once the capital of Japan and the only major city not bombed during World War II. In Kobe emphasis was again placed on a people-to-people program. As in Kagoshima, several groups visited the ship, and many members of the crew spent an afternoon in Japa- nese homes and leading Kobe universities. Forty-two of the ship ' s company also donated blood on 14 December, and we received nationwide press coverage when two pints of the blood were given to a newly-born Rh negative baby, helping save its life. Leaving Kobe on the 19th of December, we returned to Yokosuka, stopping at Numazu to load several LCM ' s and LCPL ' s. From Numazu we had probably our best view of Mount Fuji, and she was a breathtaking sight with her snow-capped peak. After spending two days in Yokosuka, we steamed to Subic Bay for the final time. The air conditioners were removed, maintenance and upkeep work completed, food and fuel loaded, and late in the afternoon of 3 January we steamed for San Diego. After a refueing stop at Pearl Harbor on the 16th and loading a group of Marines for transport to the States, the lookout sighted Point Loma on the 23rd of January. The Catamount, a little tired after a 35,681 mile cruise, steamed into San Diego harbor, moored to the pier, was given a brow, and thus ended her 1962-63 WestPac cruise. 10

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to Kagoshima, a large industrial city. The people of Kagoshima were very cordial, and many groups visited the ship, including English-speaking col- lege students. Several members of the crew were invited and visited Japanese homes in Kagoshima. While there a bus tour took 50 of the crew to Kirishima National Park, which proved a pleasant contrast to the honking horns of Japa nese cities. Completing a circle around the island of Kyushu, we stopped briefly in Sasebo, then headed south to Okinawa for the big one — Operation Lone Eagle, which involved 40 ships and 15,000 men, including the Marine Ready Force. The Catamount arrived at White Beach on 10 October; the next three days were spent loading. The Operation itself, during which we again acted as Primary Control Ship and as an emergency boat haven, began on the 13th and was completed on 22 October. That same day, after welcoming aboard 17 South Vietnamese naval officers, the Cata- mount began the week-long trip to Saigon, capital of South Vietnam. However, plans were changed abruptly when President Kennedy established the Cuban Quarantine. We were ordered back to Oki- nawa to await further instructions. After spending one day anchored off White Beach, we were again dispatched to Saigon with a scheduled stop in Danang, a small city in northern South Vietnam. Arriving there on the 31st of October, the Catamount had an enjoyable afternoon in Dan- ang. Then departed for Saigon, arriving there after a four-hour special sea detail on the 2nd day of November. While going up the Saigon River, it was almost amazing to see the miles of wet swampy land bordering the river and even more amazing to realize that people live in such areas. Saigon, a French-oriented city, was a pleasant surprise; no one told us to go home, shot at us, or threw hand grenades, although some grenades were thrown while we were there. The people were friendly. On the 7th of November the Catamount made the three-hour trip down the river and pointed to Subic Bay. After arriving, talk was about possible extension in WestPac; most agreed that we would be affected in some manner. On the 10th, the day after arrival, we received the news that the Colonial, our relief, had been sent to the Atlantic and would not be available to relieve us on the scheduled date. During the nine days in Subic, we held a ship ' s party at Grande Island, and upkeep work was again emphasized. Fingers were crossed that the air conditioners would be

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Hawaii The first stop during the cruise was in Kaneohe Bay, where we loaded for Operation Flying Disc. After the Oper- ation, during which the Catamount acted as Primary Control Ship, we steamed past Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and Honolulu, mooring in Pearl Harbor on 23 July. Our berth was only 500 yards from the newly completed memorial to the battleship Arizona. Arizona battleship memorial. The island of Oahu is covered with natural beauty. Covering the island are large fields of sugar cane and pineapple, cocoonut trees, white, sandy beaches, and small, quaint shacks. In the Kaneohe area ore found canyons, craters, and coral gardens. Some of the most spectacular scenery in the world may be found in Hawaii, our newest state. Nuuanu Pali Lookout, Oahu. Pearl Harbor is a short drive from Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, so m ' ost were able to see commercial Hawaii at least once. Nightclubs were colorful and expensive, but there ap- peared to be an abundance of tourists. Judging from the sunburns as we steamed for Subic Bay, many swam in the white sand, wide beaches, and clear water of Hawaii. Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, Honolulu 11