Reasoner (DE 1063) - Naval Cruise Book

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FRO THE CAPT I . . . This cruise book culminates the Maiden Voyage of REASONER, her first major challenge and operational eicposure to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The 3 lst of July, 1973, was of particular significance to us all for it was not only the second anniversary of com- missioning, but also the completion of a highly successful operational tour with the Seventh Fleet and the beginning of our long transit home. In brief reflection, those two years marked a period of amazing progress. Born of an open hearth furnance in some obscure town in Pennsylvania, those cold sheets of forged steel were transformed by the magic of hard work and sacrifice into the character of a fighting Man-of-War. During the agony of an extended shipyard period, followed immediately by the frustrations of refresher training, REASONER men trained themselves as true professionals for the still unexperienced challenge of deployment in this new class of Destroyer Escort. However, with the guiding hands of those veteran sailors in each department, she responded like a thoroughbred. Whether it was support tactics during End Sweep in the Gulf of Tonkin, anti-submarine operations with the Nationalist Chinese. or plane-guarding for high speed attack carriers, REASONER charted and sailed a precisigin course. A .Admiral Clarey, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, joined our July 3 lst celebra- tions, in.fSubic Bay, Philippines, and emphasized that REASONER could truly take its place alongside any unit' of the fleet. In this regard, the proud and confident character manifested by thisfnow sleek and graceful greyhound is merely the personitication of the dedicaton of those aboard who spared no sacrifice to achieve perfection. f J V Behind us were five months of high tempo operations, broken occasionally by short. but enjoyable, visits to ports such as Hong Kong and Singapore. Ahead lay the new task of serving as ambassadors of good will during a 15,000 mile solo-ship transit to some rarely visited ports in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific prior to our return to San Diego. For those of you who followed REASCINER'S departure in March, it left as a. fledgling, untested ship and perhaps a bit uncertain. She returned, having successfully completed every assignment given her and after having firmly established a reputation for herself throughout the fleet of being A Cut Above. As with Admiral Clarey, we welcome you aboard REASONER to join us in the retracing of A Maiden Voyage , , , s 2 A

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Uss REASONER A MAIDEN VOYAGE F J- lk ' , H, , MARCH 9 - SEPTEMBER 26 1973 M in J S 1-'R

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