Leonard Mason (DD 852) - Naval Cruise Book

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As a direct result of the Middle East Crisis, MASON deployed unexpect- edly on 11 November 1956 from Long Beach with Fast Carrier Task Force 11. The Task Force arrived in Hawaiian waters 19 November after a week of extensive underway training. MASON used Pearl Harbor as a base of opera- tions for nearly two weeks, while the remainder of Task Force 1 1 redeployed to the United States. This period was high lighted by Carrier Operations and by the MASON ' s first Search and Rescue Mission of the Cruise. For one day MASON searched intensively in the reported area of a recent Marine air crash. Her only success was the recovery of the downed pilot ' s headgear. On 1 December the ship left Hawaii in company with DESDIV 32 bound for Japan. Enroute, a short stop was made at Midway Island on 4 December to refuel and deliver mail. The Division reached Yokosuka, Japan on 1 1 De- cember. During the following two weeks, MASON men maintained the ship, celebrated the Christmas holidays and held a Christmas party for fifty under- privileged children from the local area. Upon completion of volage repairs MASON departed Yokosuka 28 December to participate in Hunter-Killer operations. MASON arrived at Sasebo, Japan on 3 Januar y 1957 for recreation, upkeep and logistics, and departed on the 7th in company with DESDIV 32 to conduct more anti-submarine training. After another weekend in Sasebo 11-13 January and a one day visit to Yokosuka on the 17th, MASON headed for Buckner Bay, Okinawa and a rendezvous with Fast Carrier Task Force 11 . Operating with TF77 until 26 lanuary, MASON then proceeded to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands for a destroyer tender availability through 10 February. Underway from Subic Bay 1 1 February, MASON set her course to the North towards Kaohsiung, Taiwan, with DESDIV 32. Upon arrival in Kaohsiung on the 13th, the ship assumed the duties of a unit of the Taiwan Defense Patrol Force. During the early hours of the morning one day on patrol, MASON was called out on her second Search and Rescue Mission of the cruise. Racing at high speed through the grey dawn light towards the reported position of a grounded British freighter. The Hydralock, MASON ' s crew readied for any eventuality. On arrival at the scene, no vessel was in sight. When an error in the report of the Hydralock ' s position had been established, MASON was released to resume her patrol. It was later determined that Hydralock had grounded on Communist held territory about 60 miles from her reported position. After being relieved on 8 March of her Patrol duties, MASON proceeded to Hong Kong, B.C.C., where she moored in a Man-of-Wor anchorage on 19 March. The following five days were devoted to liberty, recreation and upkeep. 16 March found MASON underway for Yokosuka, lapan, where she arrived on the 21st for a final repair and logistics period in preparation for her East- ward Trans-Pacific Crossing. On 25 March MASON assisted in a very intens- ive air and sea search for a downed USAF transport. On the 26th she was released along with DESDIV 32 to head Eastward on schedule. Having made brief stops at Midway and Pearl Harbor, MASON moored to the Net Piei, Naval Base, Long Beach, on 10 April 1957 thus completing her eighth successful tour in the Orient in eleven years of commissioned service.

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HER CRUISE . .

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if DEPARTURE • • • When the MASON received word for emergency de- parture to WESTPAC, the officers and men worked with great zeal to prepare the few extras which were needed. All hands displayed almost superhuman effort to insure that the ship was in Al condition for her coming voyage! Take in the brov The brow is clear Single up all lines! All lines clear aft. Take in all lines forward. Underway — next slop is Pearl Long Beach far astern . Thru the breakwater and on to the open sea!