Haven (AH 12) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 43 text:

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION The Prestdent of the Republic of Korea takes profound pleasure in citing for exceptionally meritorious service and heroism during the period from 18 October 1950 to 25 July 1952 U SS. HAVEN (AH-12) UNITED STATES NAVY The U SS HAVEN (AH- 12) has distinguished itself in support of United Nations, Forces in Korea. This vessel provided medical and surgical care and consultative service in the cases of many Republic of Korea war casualties, many of whom were specially selected cases requiring unusual or particularly difficult types of medical or surgical treatment. The HAVEN thereby contributed greatly to the morale of the Army and to the people of Korea by the assurance of the most modern and effective types of medical care known to science in the many particular instances where these were required. The medical officers of the HAVEN through extra effort, over and above their already strenuous and full occupation in regularly assigned duties, gave unstinttngly of their remaining time in visiting Republic of Korea hospitals and medical installations and rendering instructive and consultative services which did much to improve the knowledge and ability of the Korean doctors in the care and administration of war casualties. The activities of a hospital ship, founded on the motives of alleviating the suf- fering caused by war and improving medical care as well as the highly substantial and beneficial effect in the recovery of casualties for further service, served in a great degree beyond the call of duty of its personnel, in the establishment and cementing of relations of friendship between the governments of the United States and of the Republic of Korea and provided an unusually high humanitarian as well as military contribution to the success of the war objectives of the Republic of Korea. The outstanding performance of duty by each individual member of the HAVEN is in accord with the highest traditions of the military service. This citation carries with it the right to wear the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon by each individual member of the U.S.S, HAVEN {AH-12) United States Navy who served in Korean waters during the stated period, SYNGMAN RHEE

Page 45 text:

To spend your days and your nights as if they really belonged to you again instead of to your job and the grim business of mending broken men. It was wonderful just to relax for a few days and to feel the strain of months of fension and work slowly ease away and finally dissolve. Wonderful R R split the necessary but tedious routine of our lives wide open. When it was over our taut and tired sensibilities had been drained and aired. And when the time came to head back to Korea, once again we were fresh and we were ready. ' -