Consolation (AH 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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sCi - . Another first for CONNIE. While Joe Cos- tello, HN, and former 11th Naval District Fly- weight Champ was chatting with fellow British Armed Forces personnel in their club at Hong Kong, he inadvertently got himself scheduled for a bout with the British Armed Forces Fly- weight Champ at one of their smokers. During the second round of the bout, Joe stepped in- side the Britisher ' s powerful haymaker and, with two powerful well-placed punches, walked off winning the bout, among a very quiet group of spectators. Back in Sasebo, Japan, for refueling and sup- plies we received our first mail in three weeks — another good morale booster. Arriving in Inchon Harbor on 10 October a message announcing our arrival and mission was transmitted to all activities concerned. Letters of appreciation were received from the U. S. Army Liaison Office in Hong Kong and the U.S.S. WALTON (DE-361), expressing their appreciation for annual physical exam- inations conducted on officers of these com- mands and for the chest x-rays taken of Amer- ican civilian dependents in Hong Kong while we were there. The American Consul General also expressed his thanks for x-rays taken of the American Consulate staff and dependents. On 22 November, after a six week period in Inchon Harbor providing medical support to the First Marine Division and U.N. Forces in Korea, the Consolation departed for Japan with 120 patients on board for transfer to the U. S. Naval Hospital at Yokosuka. Fair weather and calm seas favored us on the first four days of our voyage, but on 26 November we hit stormy 26

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It was hot in Tourane Bay, to say the very least; but the U.S.S. AJAX had sized up the situation and provided a recreation area on one of the wide white beaches. Every afternoon liberty boats hit the beach and sailors swarmed ashore for some good swimming and refresh- ments. Others found the city of Tourane busy and somewhat alive in spite of the intense heat. A smile from a lady shopkeeper, with her black teeth and gums, was one for the photo albums. Betal nut is their favorite chew. French Foreign Legion troops were something to see as well as the natives who raised their families on small boats in the oily harbor. I suppose we looked as strange to them as they did to us, and we both wondered what the reasons were for the unexpected smiles and grins. Morale improved as the screw began to push the waters of Tourane behind us and we ap- proached the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. While en route the following message was received from Commander Task Force 90: YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OPERATION PAS- SAGE TO FREEDOM APPRECIATED X BON VOYAGE X Ask a man about Hong Kong and his re- sponse will be a great big AH! punctuated with a smile. While we roamed around Hong Kong we discovered that what our travel folders told us about Tiger Balm Gardens, swanky clothing stores, split skirts, coolie drawn rickshaws, in- expensive hand-carved ivory, etc. was surpris- ingly true. To save money we spent money, and it was worth it. On October 2nd liberty was not granted because the Communists were celebrating a National Hol iday. e 25 I 3 1, I . 1

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weather and heavy seas. Again our nurses were seasick. We ' ll never forget seeing one of them going about her nursing duties with a pickle in one hand and a soda cracker in the other. Immediately after docking, the patients were transferred via waiting ambulances and busses to the various military medical facilities ashore. Overhaul and repairs commenced and R and R was granted to the crew. Various R and R hotels under Army supervision are located throughout the main island of Honshu. For about $3.00 a day we were able to relax and enjoy the comforts of a home that was once the mansion of a Japanese baron, or even one of the more exclusive Japanese resort hotels. Good old American dishes were meticulously prepared and served by the Japanese in Amer- ican style. The Japanese have a world wide reputation for unexpected courtesies. Our asso- ciations with them will long be remembered. When the sun begins to set some of the girls of Yokosuka become active in a big way. Their male assistants also begin to mingle in the multitude of people. One evening our young Chaplain Howard, a Southern Baptist by de- nomination, was taking a walk through the side streets of Yokosuka. Soon after it began to get dark Chaplain Howard was approached by a young man who said, Naval officer, naval officer, would you like to see a good girl? Would you like to see a good girl? Chaplain Howard in a most positive fashion pointed to the cross on his uniform and showed some indigation. The young man then said, Oh! That ' s all right. That ' s all right. 1 get you good Christian girl. 1 get you good Christian airl. • . 4: TM iSW; pf |=Fff !=I= ' -- ' - ' ' •s y- ' ' ;d