Essex (CVA 9) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 25 text:

K W ,il .2 il X- rl I ot the war. Two weeks more on the line and the stal:l3 was back to Yokosuka with a record For the number of continuous days at sea during the Koreanioperation. Ten days rest and recreation and back to the H line again For a month. September. The Admiral and Stahl: are homeward bound on the RRlNCE-TON. On 21-L September IQ53, the static moved ashore to North lsland. Admiral Blick went on leave, as did the rest orc the Elag. While there, the Admiral addressed the Naval War College at Newport, R. l., on Naval Operations in Korea. Thanksgiving. Ready For sea agair. The day beicore, Admiral Blick broke his Flag on the ESSEX and the stalit moved aboard bag and baggage. Just 68 days in the states. Then the third part orc the team was completed. The ESSEX, Air Task Group TWO, and Commander Carrier Division THREE and stat?-one team living together, working together For one goal-Preserve the Peace.

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LA' IQ 1iLgf Cav mu I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I X As the ESSEX slipped back into San Diego and Air Task Group TWO started its retraining, the third component ol: the team lior IQSLI-Carrier Division TI-IIQEE Stath- was still in the Ear East. Commander Carrier Division TI-IIQEE, then lQear Admiral Apollo Soucek USN, and his static were embarked on the Valley Forge, with the Admiral serving as Commander Task Force 77. In Nay IQ53, the Admiral shifted his Flag to the PRINCETON and was relieved two weeks later by Rear Admiral l2obert E. Blick, USN. With a static inherited From Admiral Soucek, Admiral Blick assumed the Fast carrier task Force command. Then the PRINCETON developed engine trouble and was ordered to drydock at Yokosuka, Japan For emergency repairs. ln port, the Admiral and his static moved to the Pl-lIl.ll3l3lNE SEA and sailed For Korean waters the next day. Many days later, aicter shitting back to the PRINCETON via highline and an accomodating tanker, came the end I I I I I I I I

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The Air Task Group is qualihed the spud locker is Full and thell December 2, IQ53, Found us ready, it not willing, to get underway. A meager crowd ot Families, Friends and well-wishers were on hand to blow a last kiss, to throw a last wave ot Farewell .... Most ot us had said goodby at home .... At IOOO sharp, the last line was cast ott and the brave smiles ot our wives grew dim as our eyes grew misty .... Some orc us stayed on deck to watch and wave until nothing but the outline orc Point Loma could be seen. The cruise had begun.