Thetis Bay (CV 90) - Naval Cruise Book

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- 'Yin hs CAPTAlN DONALD E. WlLCOX, U.S.N. With twenty years of experience, ranging from Aide and Flag Lieutenant for Admiral King to acting in an advisory capacity for the British Fleet Air Arm, Captain Donald E. Wilcox came to the Thetis Bay when she was just CVE 90. Everyone's fears as to the type of person the Skipper would be were readily qualmed by the handsome and soft-spoken four- striper standing before the crew, reading the orders that provided for his taking command of the new addition to the fleet. During the nine months that he had command the high regard that was first had for Cap'n Don never ceased. His reserved self proved a great asset to the men particularly while sailing through the dark waters of the Pacific. Under his able guidance the ship gained the distinction of being the most Widely traveled of all transport-carriers for a period ot nine months. His Wonderful job done awarded him with a shore billet at Floyd Bennett Field, New York. - -,....,...,..,,. - r.l...4,,,,.c. -- 11:4 4-fe f ef- ' CAPTAIN BENIAMIN E. MOORE, U.S.N. The barnacles had more than begun to gather on the hull of the Thetis Bay. She Was no longer a new ship but one that had conquered many horizons and delivered many necessary supplies to the out-lying forward bases of the South Pacific. To this experienced ship came the former executive officer of the USS FRANKLIN, Captain, then Commander, Ben- jamin E. Moore, a short person in stature but great in the ambitions to retain the distinction that the Gay Ninety had gained. He applauded the work well done and, in a truly traditional manner, had hopes of doing better. He achieved that goal. Upon the ship's return to the States new orders that would tempor- arily change us from a transport to a replenishing carrier for the Third Fleet, that was then making its menacing attacks on the Iapanese home- land, were received. His experienced hands guided our anxious hearts safely through the North Pacific where it gave us inexplicable joy and pride to be, knowing that we were then actually a part of the final stabs that rewarded us with victory over our assailants. Paraphrasing a salty term . . . a 4.0 shipmate. f fa

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