De Soto County (LST 1171) - Naval Cruise Book

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426, 167 civilians hosted on board, an average of 700 persons an hour during 61 visiting days. 8240, 000 Ka conservative estimateb of free publicity tender-edthe Navy-Marine Corps Team and Sea- power's Report to the Stockholders in the form of 82 1X2-hours of radio and television time -- much prime -- and in 7, 168 column inches of newspaper space -- equivalent to the editorial content of' 110 New York Times pages. A major boost to Navy and Marine Corps recruiting programs in the Great Lakes area. A 338 Secretary of the Navy guests given one and two- day cruises -- compared to 1, 200 for the entire Navy last year -- plus 170 others given a special ' y one-day cruise. ' 1, 528 special guests hosted at on-board receptions. 66 speaking engagements completed before influen- tial groups. c ' A 6 ' A ' 354 special presentations by the embarked band, karate team, chorus, frogmen, andhelicopter crew. A Secretary' of the Navy Commendation for Achieve- ment earned by the DeSoto County's commanding officer, as well as his nomination by the Navy as one of America's 10 most outstanding men of the year. Nomination of the 'DeSoto County as ship of the year. New prestige in the Great Lakes littoral, satisfyingly evident to all, but especially to the Navy-Marine Corps Team of the DeSoto County and to military observers stationed in the area. p 1

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The LST Great Lakes Cruise 1964 was highly successful and completely sound in principle and concept. Letters, statements and public reaction bear out the fact that the effects of this cruise will be profound. With this statement the commanding officer of the tank landing ship USS DeSoto' County concluded his written report of the most improbable voyage of any U. S. warship in recent years and one of the most successful. His combatready, salt water amphibious warship had justreturned to its Atlantic coast home port, ending an extraordinarily successful public relations cruise to 17 cities bordering the nation's inland seas. A recognition of the importance of good community re- lations and the necessity for civilian understanding' and support for United States Navy missions world-wide, the operation succeeded because basic public relations princi- ples were consistently emphasized and practiced, with an g application of originality, enthusiasm and dedication. Measurements of cruise successes are many. A few are listed below. Others are contained on succeeding pages -- in the highly commendatory letters from high ranking military officials, civic leaders and ordinary citizens, in the abundance of laudatory yet objective press clippings that revealed the warm and interested welcome tendered to the cruising Navy-Marine Corps Team, and in pertinent sections of the very revealing report submitted at voyage end. W -- Navy Department planners have proposed a contin- uation of such cruises, including one the length of the Mississippi river. -- State Department interest is being shown. -- Other ships are using visit techniques, tools and tactics developed and polished by the DeSoto County.

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WHY 'E NOT READ SOME OF THE LETTERS AND CLIPPINGS FOR YOURSELF ?