Lewis Hancock (DD 675) - Naval Cruise Book

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arrival On August 30th the USS LEWIS HANCOCK passed Brenton Reef Lightship and the welcome sight of Newport came into view. Since early that morning men had anxiously paced the deck, dressed and waiting for the word that would signal the end of months of separation. The thoughts and dreams that had gone unheeded for months soon would become a reality. Ours was what the old sea dogs among us might dismiss as a routine cruise, but we ' d all had our share of work and sweat and then some perhaps, and we ' d had the good times with our buddies too. Remember that night in Barcelona? — Yeah, but that afternoon in Massawa! Now those memories were erased by thoughts of loved ones waiting on the landing and at home. Quickly every- one fell into divisional quarters and in a matter of minutes we were finally there. At 1606 the word Shift Colors was passed and the USS LEWIS HANCOCK was officially home from its last cruise. Soon the quarterdeck was filled with camel saddles, bags of all sizes and descriptions, and impatient sailors anxiously awaiting the word that every sailor waits for. That word Liberty Commences finally came, and men hurriedly departed the ship into waiting boats that would take them to home and loved ones.

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' E Division, Tensh-Hut! Congratulations, Boats. Now you ' ll salute with the right and shake with the left. Ouch!!! Clesse earns his G.E.D. diploma.

Page 68 text:

USS LEWIS HANCOCK HAS SAILED HER LAST CRUISE FOR SOME TIME TO COME. THIS GALLANT LADY WHO HAS CARRIED THE STARS AND STRIPES THROUGH TWO WARS WILL BE DECOMMISSIONED IN DECEMBER 1957. SHE HAS PERFORMED HER TASK WELL BUT THE EFFECTS OF WAR AND PROGRESS HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL. NOW HER GUNS ARE STILLED, HER DECKS ARE SILENT. WE ALL HOPE AND PRAY THAT NEVER AGAIN WILL A TIME OF INTERNATIONAL ALARM AND TERROR DISTURB HER REST.