De Soto County (LST 1171) - Naval Cruise Book

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

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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 MILITARY vIEwPo1NT . . . FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. . . Performance of Duty. . 1. Please read the following message to your crew and embarked units at any suitable time. 2. Upon completion of your successful cruise through the heart of the United States I congratulate you on your brilliant perfor- mance of duty. You have brought to hundreds of thousands of visitors a sense of sharing personally in our country's sea power. As your embarked units now return to their stations and you return to normal duties I hope you will take with you a deep feeling of satisfaction in having completed an outstandingly successful task. ' I FROM THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS. . . l, Your highly success- ful Great Lakes cruise of good will is noted with pleasure. The outstanding performance of all hands 'participating in the cruise has brought great I credit to the Navy. Well done! 2 FROM THE COMMANDANT, U. S. MARINE CORPS. . . . . . a significant success. 2. Please accept my personal congratulations to the officers and men of the Navy-Marine Corps Team on board for the highly professional manner in which all hands discharged their duties during this long and important cruise. , FROM THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, U. S. ATLANTIC FLEET. . . For Lieutenant Commander Mann from Admiral Smith. The cruise of USS A DeSoto County through the Great Lakes this summer has proved outstanding in every respect. As you return to salt water and home, please accept, and pass on to the rest of the Navy-Marine Corps Team on board, my per- sonal congratulations on your ability to tell the story of Seapower. You have translated the Navy-Marine Corps Team's Four Ocean capability to a five lake's public relations success. Well done. . FROM THE COMMANDER AMPHIBIOUS FORCE U. S. ATLANTIC FLEET . . . Performance of duty. '1. I extend my heartiest and most sincere con- gratulations on a job well done to the officers and men of the Navy-Marine Corps Team aboard the USS DeSoto County upon your return home. Your conduct and demonstrated pride in service which I personally observed on my visits to the ship during the summer have advanced the Navy-Marine , Corps image in the eyes of more than 400, OOO Americans in the Great Lakes area who visited the ship. 2. A great cross section of America is now more than ever aware of the four ocean challenge which faces our nation, and confident of our ability to meet the challenge as a result of your untiring efforts in the past three months. Again, well done.