Catamount (LSD 17) - Naval Cruise Book

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Korea Operation Seven Seas was held in early Aijgust near Po-Hong, Korea. The Catamount went first to Pusan, where 2 LCD ' s were offloaded. Then she went to Inchon, loaded for the operation, and proceeded to Po-Hang. After the Operation, during which we were Primary Con- trol Ship, the Catamount returned to Inchon, offloaded, and steamed to Pusan. The 2 LCD ' s were backloaded and operation was completed. Okinawa Okinawa, which has an area of 454 square miles and a population of 758,000, is the largest island in the Ryukyus, a group of 64 islands taken over by the Dnited States after World War II from Japan and administered by the Department of the Army. BUHTJJ BEHcn During mid-October, Operation Lone Eagle took place near White Beach, Okinawa. Partici- pating were 40 ships and 15,000 men. The Cata- mount, as we did throughout every operation, acting as Primary Control Ship. The night of 17 October the Catamount also acted as a boat haven for 15 boots participating in the Opera- tion which, because of the heavy seas, were un- able to return to their own ships.

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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

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Pepuenc OF Phiutppinsc, The Philippine Islands The Philippine Islands, discovered by Ferdinand Mag- ellan in 1521, are located in the South Pacific between Japan and Indonesia. There are 7,107 islands in the Philippine Archipelago with a total of 116,000 square miles, an area comparable to the state of Arizona. In- vaded by the Japanese in 1941, the Philippine people were granted their independence on July 4, 1948. During the months in WestPac, the Catamount was in Subic Bay during parts of July, August, September, November, December, and January. The July upkeep period coincided with the summer monsoon period, and the last six days there we saw 144 consecutive hours of rain. For the most part, however, Subic Bay and the Philippines was hot, especially at the end of December and early January, as we made preparations for the return home. When it rains, it pours! 13