Siboney (CVE 112) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 12 text:

CRACIAS! ,J A Grateful People I s ,l .' V .l V .1 V U-M Q ' A , .W k 5 f T A Q - Q A-- r 5- Q - W A , - G ' Y I l 11 . Q 7, v ' ' A , , 7'JL , H 5 in ' Y ,,w,Y,w Q3 SB. :V M T A A -,. ja! ' : :I-2 A Lwrfvir TM' .ix 'AK vi Flowers of thanks for Adm. Miles and Capt. Moore

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RESCUE GPERATICDNS THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT was given a workout also. More than one thousand innoculations against Yellow Fever were given within two hours. The ship's bake shop turned out 1060 loaves of bread per day. The commissary crew turned-to parcelling beans, rice, flour, and other provisions. Individual packages were consolidated into lots, and palletized for efficient delivery ashore by helicopter. But, nobody had any regrets for the long hours of hard work when they witnessed the farewell demonstration given by 15,000 local citizens. As SIBONEY got underway to re- turn to the United States, a Mexican aircraft flew overhead and strewed flowers on her flight deck. Main Highway

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WELL DONE. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERNHONB WASHINGTON 28. D. C. un :vu num to op-211fc,1h Ser 2331921 Q DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 2 5 JAN 1955 From: Chief of Naval Operations To: Rear Admiral Hilton E. Miles, USN, Conmander, Joint U.S. Military Disaster Relief Force fTask Group 811.75 Subj: Outstanding Performance of Duty at Tanpico, Mexico, during October 1955 1. The Chief of Naval Operations has noted with much gratification the outstanding performance of duty of all naval personnel who participated in the rescue operations at Tampico, Mexico, during October 1955. 2. The hurricane and flood disaster which struck Tampico was the worst in the modern history of that country. The disastrous effects of this hurricane laid waste a vast, thickly-populated area, killed many persons and seriously threatened many thousands of others who were stranded by the flood waters. 3. Joint U.S. Military Disaster Relief Force fTask Group 5h.7l met this challenge in a magnificent manner. Through its tireless efforts and devotion to duty many lives were saved, physical suffering minimized, and hope restored to countless thousands. Work of the helicopter pilots and crews, in rescuing over 6,ooo stranded persons vmose lives were in jeopardy, was particularly noteworthy. The spirit of cooperation, zeal, and friendly attitude which characterized this operation bolstered the morale of the unfortunate victims of this appalling catastrophe. Every member of the Relief Force represented the United States Navy and the nation as an outstanding HAmbassador of food will.H U. The Chief of Naval Operations takes great pleasure in commending Task Group 811.7 for its OUTSTANDING performance of duty during Operation Friendship.n 5. It is desired that this letter be made a part of the official records of the officers and men who participated in this operation. ARLUGH BURKE Copy to: BUPERS Q . 4 ' -55' lg