Dennis J Buckley (DDR 808) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 33 text:

ABOVE-L+. Sfanko and Ensign Whife in mixed company. BELOW-Mer,chan+ ship scuH'led by refreafing Ger- mans +o boHle up shipping remaining in harbor. BELOW-Resulfs of WWII-Burned oui' hull of Halian Aircraff Carrier. BELOW-DALTON, F.A., SN, in 'Phe role of Good-will Ambassador.

Page 32 text:

LA SPEZIA, ITALY 21-28 JUNE THE U.S.S. DENNIS J. BUCKLEY, in com- pany with various other units of the SIXTH Fleet, stood into La Spezia, Italy's largest post-war naval base, on the morn- ing of 21 june 1950. In rather deep contrast to the beauty of the harbor was the sunken and burned out wrecks of a 'once great naval power. It was evident that La Spezia had taken a terrific amount of punishment during the last war. Even though a great deal of construction and repair had been effected ashore, there still remained many bombed out buildings. Practically all damage had been caused byiGerman bombs after the capitulation of Italy. This was our first visit to Northern Italy. The inhabitants were very friendly and, on many occasions, went out of their way to be nice. This was particularly true of the Italian Navy. While the ship was still in the process of mooring stern to, an Italian Naval Officer was on the dock offering assistance in the way of Camels, lighters, water, gangways, etc. The Italian Navy arranged for a tour of the harbor and adjacent places of interest to the tourists, free of charge, via one of their small craft. The tour was very interesting and included a swim call on one of their best beaches. Such cordiality and friendli- ness had been absent in other Mediter- ranean ports. La Spezia has the distinction of being one of the few cities visited which had no ancient significant history, however, only 35 kilometers away is Pisa, 'famed the world over for its Leaning Tower. Again the inevitable organized tours were launched to Pisa, Florence and across the Alps for a four-day vacation in Switzerland. The majority of liberty was spent in La Spezia itself where prices were very rea- sonable, and wine, women, and songg all of good quality, abounded . . . however, the language barrier was again the major difficulty. ' I The civilians took a great interest in the American Navy, which was indicated by numerous requests to come aboard and look around the ship.. All hands enjoyfgi the eight-day visit to La Spezia, however, in anticipation ofliberty in our next port of call, Cannes, France - in the heart of the French Riviera - Anchors Aweighl

Page 34 text:

wr I E 2 L 1 I NI F l a v z ? 1 I 1 w X I yi I1 P 1 1 ' Hank, accompanied by Harmon and Reardon, makes his Q Halian debuf, by clemonshafing his abilify on 'Hmeir na- 3 F LEFT-CONTOIS, SN, in- Honal insirumenf. ,x 3 F L 4: it R X 1, i I P. '. 7 ABOVE-Ruins on 'Phe oufslciris of Pisa. Q spec+s brasswork in ihe i Leaning Tower. 1 I I l LEFT-UniHca+ion of Halian Army and U. S. Navy. 4 BELOW- One Man's Family and our Jeep. X!