Lexington (CVA 16) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 75 text:

Q F 150 9 V, 1 yxng, xi

Page 74 text:

We eritered Apra Har- bor, Guam, arid moored to a oaoy, greatly aided by a eoaple of highly paid bow Zookoats.

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LAOS was a very unpleasant name to the Lexington during this cruise. Shortly after the cruise started we were called upon to take station off the coast of Vietnam to be in a position to aid the government of Laos which we were supporting. Communists were pushing from the north into this tiny, bachward country. Courtesy National Geographic Society fust before Christmas the situation eased somewhat, at least enough to allow the Lexington to go to Hong Kong for the Holidays. However as soon as we lqft Hong Kong we headed once more to our old stationary PIM in the South China Sea. W hen we were finally ordered north to our favorite ports of fapan we were again rudely interrupted and back we went to the South China Sea. As much as we disliked being at this potential battle front we all realized that the prime function of the attach carrier in the 7th Fleet is to be on the scene to discourage aggression by our enemies. Our very presence in such troubled areas indicates to the Communists and to our friends that we are prepared to stand firm in the cause of freedom.