Hooper (DE 1026) - Naval Cruise Book

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E 'A ,- Q4 f V. E if nfl ., , 'SV' ff? , 1 . 64 1 I I 1 lv-I sf Hirosaki Castle Dai Butsu, the Great Budha of Kamakura

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fx W JAPAN Japan: land of cherry blossoms and geishag a land to which many sailors look forward to returning, and to which many others hope never to returng a land of beauty and a simplicity of life that defies descrip- tion. Of all the languages encountered in WestPac, Japanese is the only one remem- bered. To most sailors 'W.estPac means' Japan. H 'J Hooper sailors were first introduced to Japan by Yokosuka, a seaport town of little beauty about two hours southeast of Tokyo on the island of Honshu. Thieves' Alley, its prime attraction, lured at night, its garish neon lights offering an evening's entertainment at stateside prices. Yet many were able to escape to Hakone, Kamakura, and the bright lights of Tokyo and Yokohama to see another side of Japan. However our stay in Japan was cut short by a running WW battle between North Vietnamese PT boats and the destroyers Maddox and Turner Joy. Delayed by engineering casualties, Hooper set course for Okinawa to escort some amphib- ious ships to the South China Sea. Later in the cruise after leaving Hong Kong, Hooper headed for Sasebo, a ship building center on the west coast of Kyushu for a two week upkee period which reached a climax in a materiallp inspection. Long days of work were ended by the relaxing fingers and fists of Japanese masseuses and the pleasant warmth of hot sake. The noon hours were spent in the exchanges purchasing china, hi-fi equipment, cameras, Japanese dolls, and pearls in the biggest shopping spree of the cruise. Evenings were spent shopping in Sasebo stores. Our departure from Sasebo was mourned by all, as our next assignment was the Taiwan patrol.

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, , ' f of-YTQP? z 'Q - , - . IE.: , ,uk ,',, x if i i- ii I ff ff f aff 1 f 79' . . I, Wm A ' , , ,,,, new ? , MW g , OKINAWA We arrived at Okinawa before the am- phibs and had three days of rest and rec- reation. White beach was the scene of a nightly beach party and baseball gameg and many a sailor came aboard the ship at the end of liberty arrayed in marine fatigues. One fine, warm afternoon a swim call was held while moored in Buckner Bay. Although there was a potential shark hazard, most of the crew chose to ignore it and enjoy the water sports offered. lR 'WE COMPLETED' HANDZED I yfss sa WHWE 55404 IN BUCAWER BAY ,N fwo DAYS --- WE MPFD our ALL THEIR cow BEER AND OUR ofvu' C,45u4L77g5 WE FE FROM 7',1!0SE ONE' ARMED 54 fypfffs' 7 xv' A5 6004 A h H TI HATE 'VHA ALK X .. X ,. o x Q Q o W Q I ,LQAVY C451-'4L7'Y L A Fw' Y TOAEGUTI1' Q +