Hank (DD 702) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 7 text:

THEIVIEN ... Lord, where did they all come from? And where did they all go? Faces will have a way of turning up without names, and names without faces. It will seem incredible that these men who sweated, and toiled, and grumbled beside you through many a day in many an odd corner of the world should have of a sudden dropped so completely out of your lives. . .

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TI-IE S ... Sleek and fast, beautiful at times when her bow bites into the green water and recklessly tosses it high into the air, the ship instills a sense of pride and confidence in those who ride her, much the way a champion horse effects a man in the saddle. Skimming along a midnight sea, feeling the pulse beat of her engines, a queer exultation seizes you and it does not altogether disappear when daybreak reveals the stack dirt of the night be- fore and cruelly points out the ever present rust breaking out here, there, and everywhere. .t But it takes more than just iron, and paint, and rust to make a ship. It is bound together by more than welds, and rivets, and nuts and bolts. It is above all else men, and the memories V A of men, that touch the magic wand to this tortured creation of ' if metal and make it a living and breathing thing that, God willing,- through the years of a long life will cause us to turn again, and eveQr again, from our safe haven on shore to remark Now, there 'waQa ship! ' X X X x x X Q

Page 8 text:

.f whieff' ,f m' f 6 A it f 'l X' ' ,affix 'X '77 Xb Nix x47 in GJ if O sb ' ffl' y Q7 ,ff f CZ X XC-5 Q, A Sbfjsxd Qhxfsw HQ QQOQQQ ' 'i ff N2 te V5 yn W ,ff Q QQ? mx P9 GD f X ' i 6 ff fl, ww X69 T H E 2-553 tiff' N XX G QW ivtxiqlb -'CSM W .Q ft. WC, A .M 1 S s I 0 N XX ww as TQ V 6 W it qw ff 9 Q3 RQ 1:3 X 1 iw 1 9 QNX nfl ' f RQXQQ! 'ls Q QNQWX W4 'iq IJ 4f ' R9 ogg? QM if xwgb ffm? ' G65 V33 U TQ? jf! S C N5 ' X f' fs-5 wx f 1 , ft If ff K IAN ggenxw !,ff,,f X r M QVXXISA ,ff X- Z WPA X9 X C3 H ffgfww 51 ,ff OC, was X N ff Xi, X Q' X! CJ X10 QS gr! I XX X A combat ship of the Navy exists to support the policies of the United States. In this period of history the United States is a leader among the countries which believe in freedom. The strength, unity, and collective security of the free World depend in a large measure upon the ability of the U.S. Navy to control the vital sea communications which link these countries together. The Mediterranean is one of the most important of sea links and also one of the mosttroublesome. The assignment of the HANK to the Mediterranean had a serious purpose. As part of the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean our mission was to display a readiness to strike an aggressor immediately. This quiet display of power has so far proved a most effective deterrent to War. At sea then We trained primarily to perfect the combat readiness of the HANK as an individual ship and as a combat unit of the Sixth Fleet. In port, our missionwas to promote international understanding and friendship among the peoples we visited in the various ports of the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf. The HANK is proud of the contributions made to combat read- iness and peace. Sacrifices - particularly being separated from our families - were required, but as Americans We made them willingly. Our mission accomplished, We are satisfied the cruise was Worthwhile. J