De Soto County (LST 1171) - Naval Cruise Book

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Two thousand thought leaders exposed to the Navy-Marine Corps Team during DeSoto County's cruise received this letter from the commanding officer. A select few have cruise photo albums. Each Secretary of the Navy cruise guest has a card making him an honorary crew- man. Some leaders wear inexpensive lapel pins that commemorate the cruise. And the efforts will continue. COMMANDING OFFICER U. S. S. DE SOTO COUNTY CLST-1170 GREAT LAKES CRUISE - 1964 Care of Fleet Post Office New York, N. Y. 09501 Since your association with the Navy-Marine Corps Team on the DESOTO COUNTY this past summer, I felt you would be interested in the results of the highly successful and well received LST Great Lakes Cruise of l96Lp. - As you know, we left Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia, our homeport, on 8 June, sailed north around Nova Scotia into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and m up the St. Lawrence River - gate to the inland seas. During the summer we sailed in all five of the Great Lakes, visiting your wonderful city and 16 others. The reception by the people of the Great Lakes area was true hospitality, second to none. The visiting totals are truly indicative of the interest and response in every area we visited. The hourly average was 700, the daily average 7000 and the total visitor count was Li26,0Lt6. This was a first for the Navy-Marine Corps Team and for an LST. The opportunity for us to bring a sample of seapower to your community and to visit the famous inland sea of the United S t as welcome. Each one of us believes in our mission in ta es w facing the Four Ocean Challenge of today. In case you might have lost or misplaced the brochure we handed out, I am taking the liberty of e.nclosing one with a card to remind you of your affiliation with the DESOTO COUNTY. Thank you for your help and interest in the Navy-Marine the DESOTO COUNTY You have my sincere Corps Team and - - appreciation for making this trip the most meaningful and - memorable of my career. Most Sincerely, PV - .foffnff H zz J '

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Jpecyfe ,...x Jo peoffe .r ' :mf tffiii- -i...:'...lfL -- .lll,,2f5l ,L- There have not been as many people in Clayton as there were that one' day the DeSoto County was here. . .nor as rnanyhappy girls. -- New York couple Thank you for the fine band concert. Music is always one of the best therapies for our patients. . . -- Ohio state hospital recreation director

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A cake t for a new R ' crew member 1 gf' fn zlefmaf Qefa fab-mf Z1 ffgffyfecfeci Your ship has the teamwork, comradeship and pride that most of us miss in civilian life. -- retired major I was greatly impressedby the excellent attitude and esprit de corps of the ship's personnel. -- public relations official The DeSoto County is back at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base withtales that -ex- plain why she is a happy' ship. . . a -- Virginia newspaperman YY The professional manner in which the crew carried out their duties was a reward to my personal as well as civic pride. -- Rochester mayor Our people were very much impressed with the USS DeSoto County, the fine spirit aboard ship and the courtesies shown by all members of the crew. -- Air National Guard officer ' 'S1HiEElf'iQLE?,H?i-gtililf' U53 ki