Sicily (CVE 118) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 18 text:

On the 3Oth of July l949 the SICILY departed from Nor- folk and proceeded to the port of Piraeus, Greece, This was to be the SlCll.Y'S first active participation in maintaining world peace. l-ler task on this voyage was to deliver 49 SBQC type air- craft and spare parts to the U. S. military mission in Greece. These aircraft were then delivered to the Greek government and were very instrumental in auelling the Communist uprising. ,Th-.

Page 17 text:

For Memorial Day V949 the SICILY was sent to Portland, Maine, where the otticers and men participated in the Memorial exercises and annual encampment at the Maine Veterans ot Foreign Wars. 1- f -. L' . U I I 1 v I l I g ig? if . , 3 I , I I T, l 3 ' ' ' ' I I I I 'lilly Q W - i : A A x . VA l. if ! f I I' 's'f::g:. C , 4 3:1 , ,jr Q ' 11501, , C ,ff 1331-, j.: ' , U H . vl- d it lifiiftta-if l , . 124 , . A. -i .Lil fi The latter part ot June the SlCll.Y was underway to con- duct a reserve and midshipman cruise that took her to the ports ristobal, Canal Zoneg then she returned to her home port. On July 25th Captain Pirie was tain C. l-l. Duerteldt. Four days later Rear Adm. ot Ciuatanamo Bay, Cuba, and C relieved by Cap Robbins hauled down his personal flag and transferred his statt to the USS Mindoro CCVE-l2Ol.

Page 19 text:

The unloading of aircraft was seriously hampered by the unusually rough weather and limited port facilities. The crew and officers of the SICILY again showed their willingness to do jobs over and above their supposed capacity. Many of the aircraft were catapulted from the ship while she was at anchor, and Ships aviators flew these aircraft to their delivery point. Captain Duerfeldt was the first to be catapulted. This operation resulted in expeditious delivery of the aircraft and allowed the crew to eniov an additional two days liberty in visiting the historical places of interest in Athens. .., 'Iii A Uffff?