De Soto County (LST 1171) - Naval Cruise Book

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' fMN W fa MANUFACI-w,-4,,.A'RERS OF BALSAM-WOOlj ,LO-TONE, NU-WOOD, TUFFL ' 763510 , I 563' .fs-I A' f--. 0 CJ ffl? 2' fe . . 1, X., X rj I gf.vx,lf 0 f J , .XY V 31 any J - 3, L 'ir A My-3 ' f Q NI:-v We-1 ,f R? .r, ,fUmmWh Kel' WOCD COPSVERS UN CGMPAEQY uoquir, Mnmlsorn August 11, 1961+ I H. D. Mann, Lieutenant Commander, U. S. Navy U. S. S. DeSoto County, L. S. T. 1171 - F. P. O. New York, New York 09501 Dear Sir: May I take this opportunity to thank you, your executive officer, Major O'Brien and all those other fine people who make up the DeSoto County team for the wonderful hospitality and the thoughtful consideration extended to a land lubber on the cruise from Duluth to Marquette. I was greatly impressed, not by the type of equipment you carry, for we civilians expect and want you to have the very best, but by the excellent attitude and esprit de corps of the ship's personnel toward their mission and those in responsibility along the chain of command. 'It was evident in many little things - such as a young Seaman on the double to carry out an assignment - and whistling as he went - the little extra rub of a polishing cloth to make sure that the job was a little above what was needed to pass. It was evident in the very courteous manner in which a busy person took time to go into detail about a point in question, or the solicitous concern for the comfort and safety of persons unfamiliar with conditions and routine. It was a tight ship, but a happy one. e As a somewhat blase' P. R. man I expected that your officers would naturally exhibit this attitude, but I will admit that I was agreeably surprised to see that it extended to the entire crew, or, at least to every member with whom I came in contact. I am sure that this is due to your unusual understanding of people and I to your ability to communicate. Equipment we can buy, but men of your caliber, able to lead are beyond price. Please tell your junior officers that I greatly enjoyed the trip and my association with them, and if there is a way Cand I know you will have onel please see to it that the rest of the crew get a big thank you from this civilian. I particularly appreciated the special extra impromptu karate exhibition which was staged for Bill MacConnachie and myself I Sunday evening on the tank deck by the instructor and one of his assis- tants. The color slides we obtained of this are terrific. V

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mu 'X 3 , Y , i - 2 - It is impossible for me to detail all the specific instances which, added together, made for a most enjoyable twenty four hours so probably the best way to express my sentiments is just to say Hthank you very muchn and that I shall treasure the experience and the fine fellowship as one of the finer things which have happened to me. I recall very vividly sitting in the wardroom with Norm Nelson, Jr. and yourself, and discussing the world situation and also your hopes for the future, and to all this I say nAmenn. I hope you realize your ambitions The Navy needs men like you, making policy. To you and your crew, good luck. - Sincer ly, ff, - 7 -1 ,7 f '-, ,uv ,.- ' . f 4 1 J N v 'C .l66,l5Qgg.L,' J' HSO:jc f '