De Soto County (LST 1171) - Naval Cruise Book

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HEADQUARTERS 209TH ARTILLERY GROU? NYARNG 1 la5 Culver Road, Rochester, New York 17.1620 2h June l96h Lt Cmdr H. D. Mann Jr Commanding Officer UoS.S. DeSoto County LST-ll?l Bwfalo, Nei-I York 311205 Dear Commander Mann: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, your officers, and men for the wonderful opportunity that the members of the National Guard had in joining you on the cruise from Ogdensburg to Rochester, NYL The trip was most enjoyable and informative. Our people were very much impressed with the U.S.S. DeSoto County, the fine spirit aboard ship, and the courtesies shown by all members of the crew. we of the National Guard also believe as you do that we must be the best prepared at all times. Those of us who were fortunate enough to make the cruise are very pleased to have been designated WHonorary Gatoru. This will always remind uscfannost memorable occasion. May'I wish you the best of success on your tour of the Great Lakes. I am sure the public will have a much better understanding of the capabil- ity of the Navy and Marine Corps after visiting the U.S.S. DeSoto County. Sincerelyy 512 6 5544 f HmMMDJiSMHH' Lt Col Arty NYARNG aff-'C'i2.'1E !1p9Rq

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1 'W E E il 4,-4 'Z xx.. ll J f -VD.,-f 1 1 ' -, f .1 V , I. I, .1 , . f nf .' . ' I -- ,, If ,. I . ' 5 - .X . .- ,ww-ff XI vIgI,,,-fs'- J ,,. ,,.. ...M iw .fi 33. 'r TT 'W - - 1 f-X. 1 .' -H - - . V 2 ' ,' . -- KJ :J .4 - X. 4 . 1. - Rx . , SIXTY-C3 .2 ilfir.-Y WESIE- .El 1-1 EY PLLDXXD. Bl l lx?-fl ff Ii Xl August 13, 1964 Vice Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. , USN Commander Amphibious Force U. S. Atlantic Fleet cfo Fleet Post Office New York, New York 09501 Dear Sir: ' Recently I was a guest aboard the U. S. S. DeSoto County LST-1171 on the Detroit to Bay City leg of its Great Lakes Cruise. l suppose it is redundant for me to point out what a fellow you have in Lieutenant Commander H. D. Mann, since he' would not have been given the responsibilities of such a cruise were his. qualities not already recognized. But Skip Mann is something special, and deserves my special remarks. His personal man's man charm is immediately obvious, but his abundant and genuine love for the Navy is the sobering quality which registers most deeply. His ability to project this feeling to others transforms a land-lubber like myself into a Navy enthusiast with a new appreciation of the immense Four-Ocean job which we face as well as the conviction that the problems are being solved with in- genuity and preparedness from position of strength. Needless to say, I am grateful for the wonderful cooperation Captain Mann and members of his crew extended to me in Erie, Pa. , with my painting of Oliver Hazard Perry for the History of Michigan series for Michigan Bell Telephone Co- The whole sequence of experiences has made me a devoted Horace D. Mann fan and USN booster! S C I' G ly, X X X ff ' ft' X- ' fffff I., f Jfj.. , X 7 Rob e r t A. T hom R,AT:am .........-.............,..--......-..-a..-,..........., 4, . .. , ,I I I I I I I II mm- W0