Francis Marion (LPA 249) - Naval Cruise Book

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PALERMO, SICILY Palermo, our first real liberty port in the Med. , is a fairly modern city, bustling with cars, buses and trucks. Buses lined the pier in the mornings to take men of the FRANCIS MARION on tours of Monreale, the Catacombs, the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia and Monte Pellcgi ' ino. Many tried pizza Italian style and from all indications most preferod pizza Americania . Modello Beach was the place for a few stout hearts Who wanted to go swimming, though the local populus warned that it was too early in the year. But swimming they went, and after getting over their colds they reported that they had enjoyed themselves and that the swim was well worth the sneezes and sore throats. Rembmer the horse carriages in Palermo-the fine cakes, and the bitter ' coffee in the dainty cups? After a week of enjoyable liberty it was time to head out to sea again, and we were underway on June 3rd. Want to buy a shot gun, a hand painted picture, some hand made clothes? Yes, we were met by merchants that followed Francis Marion during the entire Mediter- reanean deployment Catacombs r ft . a« i A. • »v . Memorial Day Services -r ' - -r j m

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As all hands know FRANCIS MARION set sail from Norfolk on May 7th to start her five month Medi- terranean Cruise. The ship arrived at Morehead City, N. C. , site of the Marine Corps base, Camp Lejeune. Over 800 Marines of Battalion Landing Team 1 6 and their equipment, consisting of trucks, jeeps, amphibious tractors, tanks, machine guns, cannons and other assorted warlike contraptions embarked on the Swamp Fox . By the 9th of May, we had rendezvoused with the other ships in the squadron and set our course for the Mediterranean. Much of our Transatlantic Voyage was spent at General Quarters and Condition 1 Alfa, and of course, in talldng about the forthcoming liberty ports ROTA, SPAIN FRANCIS MARION arrived at the U. S. Naval Station, Rota, Spain on May 21st after twelve days sailing time. From the way many men talked one would tliink we had been at sea for twelve months rather then twelve days. The liverty in Rota was on base liberty only, but there were many forms of entertainment. The base offered roller skating, movies, restaurants, golf, bowling and many other interesting activities - especially the E. M. Club, which we helped fill to capacity. Hey Gang! Hold that Liberty Boat Arrival, Rota, Spain

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RHODES GREECE RHODES, GREECE The FRANCIS MARION formed a strildng con- trast to a background of fortresses, castles and sculptured deer, the elements which form much of Rhodes, Greece. The name Rhodes, translated into English, means, the Island of Roses; a fitting nomen for one of thfe Mediter- ranean ' s most beautiful Greek city-isles. Its streets are immaculate and the Aegean coast is lined with foam-crowned sandy beaches. As the curtain fell on our five day sojourn, we re- luctantly weighed anchor and set our course for the Queen City of the Golden Age, Athens, Greece. | 5s h f ' f ' • V ' ' «-. t ' V