Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 135 text:

The Army is supposed to travel on its stomach, but the Navy has long enjoyed the reputation for the best chow in the service. Lex certainly does its part to maintain such a reputation, for the cooks, bakers and stewards who prepare food for enlisted and officer personnel take a great pride in their work. The bakery, butcher shop, main galley and commissary office produce the nutritious menus of tasty chow for the crew,while the hard-working and smiling stewards cook and serve for the Wardroom, in addition to main- taining Officers' Country. Special problems facing the latter group is the berthing of the 80-120 SecNav guests aboard almost daily during ship's operations or two dozen overnight guests accompanying CVS-16 on her monthly cruises to Corpus Christi. Spe- cial circumstances, such as the 500 high school bandsmen aboard during Lexis 1964 Mardi Gras cruise, test facilities and patience even more, of course, although visitors never fail to depart praising their hosts' care and consideration. To maintain readiness capabilities, Lexington holds periodic refueling and replenishment exer- cises at sea-operations in which this Depart- ment plays the major role. Of a more routine nature, the carrier refuels its escort destroyer every Fleet Week, and similarly engages in the highline transfer of movies or other vital necessities with such vessels. 133

Page 134 text:

a n-an 'f :li-Avnnm-1412455- av-: ' 'm1H mg1e J'3sr' ' U ' ' -'-- '-1-'T' Its 0 en said that the Navy moves on black ozl and coffee Here some 0 the sugar or that co fee is checked in one 0 the Suppb storeroorns. The ship ,s stew- ards are in charge ofthe ojjicers' state- rooms. They are also in charge of pre- paring and serving the OJWCGVS, food Another old Navy saying has it that a well-fed offcer z's a happy officer and a happy officer signs Special Liberty chits. Right page, above, rnen of S-4 Division chech over pay records. 132

Page 136 text:

1-fm-rue'-:rssfwaxxf--1-115111: .1-:1m1uzn-fmmmuf-v..b:m:e-,egnnmiggmsfnnvrm:wear-1:9-a-QF ''11 W.:L , W ' A---W .- The Administrative Department? re- sponsibilities include the library, below, which stocks a complete range ofhoohs hom fast-reading mysteries to complex technical volumes. The aim is to have hooks on hand for the reading tastes of all hands. Above, right, the Chaplain talhs over some Administrative Depart- ment worh with one ofthe men ofX Di- vision. Right, below, men of X Divi- si'on worhing on part ofthefilm library in the shzpis Educational and Training Office. Administrative Department The name MAdministrative Department is not really encompassing enough, because the person- nel assigned also have a great range of other ac- tivities in which 'they engage, contributing to wel- fare and recreation or other crew benefits. The post office, for instance, is assigned to this Department. Besides speedily dispatching mail and packages to shipls company when Lex is at sea for extended periods, this facility also sells stamps, money orders, etc., and provides the standard services' of shore-based post offices. The Print Shop is most helpful to all Depart- ments, turning out high quality work. The ship as magazine is an important morale factor, as are the special booklets about ports visited, such items, of course, do not represent the printing volume of other literature, forms and Depart- mental material necessary to the ship's overall smooth internal operations. All of the carrierls offices are manned by per- sonnel from the Administrative Department, and the individuals assigned become specialists in the demanding procedures and terminology charac- teristic of each. The Legal Office is one good ex- ample, while the Captain's Office, the Personnel Office, Chaplainas Office, and of course the Ad- ministrative Office itself are also staffed by Ad- min men. The Public lnformation Office lets the world land each man's home townj know what Lexington and her personnel are up tog its staff also writes the ship's newspaper and edits news broadcasts. The Education and Training Office assists personnel in their general learning and rate advancement needs by ordering courses and tests, administering exams, etc. Other important facilities under the cognizance of this Department include a fine library of over 3,500 volumes, and the Athletic Gear Locker, from which ship's company may draw all matter of sports equipment. The Master-at-Arms Force, CVS-16's police department, is likewise assigned to Admin. w t