Consolation (AH 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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Operation Drawback was in effect at this time and men from the Connie were trans- ferred on Temporary Additional Duty to ships of the 7th Fleet. On 9 and 10 February the Consolation was given the over-all grade of EXCELLENT on its Annual Administrative Inspection by COM- SERVRON THREE staff personnel under RADM Chester C. Smith, USN. The time: 0945, 17 February 1955. The place: Hiroshima, Japan. The purpose: To promote good will among the people of this unfortunate city. Yes, they called it a good will tour, this visit to Hiroshima. It was that and more. For on the morning of the 17th day of February in the year 1955 the U.S.S. CONSOLATION anchored off Hiroshima for four days, very few of the city ' s population will forget for some time. Captain W. M. Gullett, commanding of- ficer of the Consolation, and Captain M. R. Wirthlin, officer in command of the Naval Hos- pital on board, began this memorable visit at the office of Shizuo Miura, Deputy Chief of the 6th Regional Maritime Safety Headquarters in Hiroshima. Governor Hiroo Ohara and Mayor Shinzo Hamai played host to Captains Gullett and Wirthlin on our first day in this Far Eastern port by discussing Japan ' s civic problems, edu- cational system, and Japan ' s modern hospitals. This particular visit left a feeling of pride. Pride among the Japanese because although they stood defeated in battle they could recognize a country who holds no vengeance but only for- giveness and rehabilitation aid to the unfor- tunate. And pride among the ship ' s crew be- cause they were able to promote good will. 29

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Oriental department stores were strangely enough preparing for the Christmas shoppers in the land of Buddah and Shinto worshippers. How different, seeing shopping sailors among kimono clad orientals. In Tokyo or Yokosuka our sailors found themselves trying to hold their own at a busy bargain counter, avoiding the wooden getas clacking at their feet. There were subways in Tokyo too, but just as in New York or Chicago we discovered the Japanese dropped their usual courtesies at the station entrance. The Consolation ushered in the Christmas holiday with Christmas trees throughout the ship. Catholic Midnight Mass and Protestant Christmas Eve Services were conducted before an altar bedecked with poinsettias, manger scene, and illuminated trees. Both choirs ren- dered music that had been rehearsed during the previous months. The ship, having undergone considerable overhaul and repair, departed Yokosuka on 28 December 1954 for Korea to resume its mission. The anchor was dropped in the muddy water of Inchon on New Year ' s Eve and the crew gathered in the mess hall for Auld Lang Syne. Refreshments were served and while Father Time was ushered out by Baby New Year, the ship ' s band played on. Even though we were away from home we kept the tradi- tional spirit. The icy cold had caused its accidents and the Consolation continued to render her serv- ices until the latter part of January when we hoisted up the hook and departed for Sasebo, Japan. Incidents in Formosa caused us to remain there on a four to twelve hour sailing notice.

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gain new friends, and create a lasting impres- sion among the p eople of Hiroshima. When liberty boats disembarked at the land- ing there were looks of bewilderment. Some expecting to see a large newly built city found instead many remnants of the historic and destructive bombing that took place ten short years ago. There was definite evidence of that disastrous bombing and although the city hasn ' t completely recovered from the bombing we could see many signs of restoration among the city ' s ruins. We also know that someday in the not too distant future it will once again become one of the more important industrial centers of Japan. One of the signs of the city ' s restoration is the establishment of the Atomic Bomb Casualty commission in Hiroshima. Many of the ship ' s crew were fortunate enough to be able to pay a visit to the ABCC and see for themselves just how much hope there is for the citizens of Hiro- shima. Many of the bomb casualties have been restored to health and many more will eventu- ally follow as exhaustive studies and research are continued by both governments. The real high spot of the visit did not come until the second day, when Captain GuUett in- vited one hundred orphans per day to visit the ship over a period of three days. To these un- derprivileged youngsters, the invitation brought enthusiasm equal to that of a four year old stateside child at the coming of Santa Clous on Christmas Eve. Each minute of thei boat ride from Ujina Pier to the ship meant getting closer and closer to happy hours which they had never before experienced. The crew members were amused by their antics, from the time they were handed from corpsman to corpsman, bucket brigade fashion up the gangway until 30