Toledo (CA 133) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 30 text:

treated to dinner and a movie, each child guided by two bluejackets. The language barrier was forgotten in the genuine fun of this event. One of the biggest events of the holiday season, as fas as Tokyo was concerned, was the colorful and well-executed Christmas Parade, which many TOLEDO oflicers and men were able to witness. Floats from many service activities and units, lavishly dec- orated in the manner of the 'Tournament of Roses or ulfiose Festivalf' portrayed the Christmas story and many family aspects of the gay season. Featured in the parade were several Santas, all apparently duly author- ized representatives of Saint Nick himself, many Japanese girls, and a few Army wives, present to assist Santa in his air operations from an Air Force fighter plane. The Tokyo children, and grownups, too, loved the dis- play, and we observed on every hand the way that our own customs of Christmas were being copied and enjoyed by the Japanese. Aboard the TOLEDO, Captain Arison, in a very impressive ceremony on the main deck, presented scholarships for a yearis study to Japanese school children of the Yokosuka area considered deserving of them. The money for these scholarships had been contributed by men of the ship during the preceding weeks. Needless to say, the gratitude of those receiving the awards was very evident. All hands felt that a positive step toward greater understanding and friendship with the Japanese people had been made by the ship. New Year's saw the end of the spiral of celebrations that marked the holidays. uOpen Housesv at the Officers, CPO and PO, and EM Clubs were big successes. The new year of 1950 having been ofiicially welcomed aboard, all hands looked forward to the third cruise from Yokosuka, this one to Osaka, Kobe and a chance to visit famed Kyoto. After barely enough cruising time to sound General Quarters, followed by Air

Page 29 text:

The holiday spirit invades the wardroom. The ship turned to with a will to avoid being too lonesome when Christmas time rolled around. Decorations sprang up all over the ship, from the wardroom to the mess halls and living compartments. It wasn't quite a white Christmas, but the crisp, cold air lent a real holiday atmosphere to the season. There was carol-singing on the fantail on Christmas Eve, and Lt. R. W. Kurz, play- ing Santa Claus for the third straight year aboard TOLEDO, handed out presents to over 200 men. The traditional turkey dinner was served on the 25th. Parties at all the local clubs rounded out the festivities. Church services were held Christmas Eve, and again on Christmas morning. Many men were able to squeeze their calls to the US. into the tight schedule at the exchanges in Yokohama and Tokyo, and most of the con- nections were good. Traveling to these cities was by no means limited to those making phone calls--every Army and Air Force ac- tivity had parties of some kind, and local clubs throughout the area made the season a continuous round of fun. Wfe wanted to be home, but this being impossible, we had a grand time where we were. TOLEDO men were hosts to fifty Japa- nese orphan children on Christmas Day. The tikes, from Yokosuka orphanges, were

Page 31 text:

Defense. darken ship. and 0011111101100 the fourth drill period, TOLEDO arrived in Osaka 011 a brisk morning, ready in all re- spects to have a liberty i11 the famed G'Venicc of the Orient, and one of the major .lapa- nese seaports and industrial centers of the recent war. Mooring to a pier which seemed to be a number of 111iles from town, the ship was soon being boarded by the usual group of Army visitors, ready to turn over all the available information on local recreation and entertain.ment, sports facilities, trans- portation, and out-of-bounds areas. This in- formation was immediately broadcast over the ship's announcing system and, at least in theory, every man leaving the ship knew exactly where to go-and where not to go. The canals provided novel snapshot sub- jects, and the Army clubs, opened to all Navy personnel, solved the problem of what to do after taking the snapshots. The pleas- ant stay was brought to a close four days after arrival when the ship moved to Kobe, a few miles west, the Kobe chapter of the story, a close parallel to the Osaka, then be- gan. At both cities, sightseeing of the bomb damage and of local scenic spots competed with organized Army recreation for our at- tentions. Kyoto, ancient capital of the Empire, lies north of Osaka and Kobe, the three cities forming a triangle on the map. While the ship was in the area, facilities of the resort hotels at Kyoto were used by TOLEDO of- ficers and men-used and enjoyed to the fullest. Travel to Kyoto was by rail, and from Kyoto station, busses and taxis took the leave-takers to the Miyako and Kyoto hotels. Wonderful food, fine accommoda- tions, and perfect leisure were the orders of the day. In the harbors of Osaka and Kobe, as well as those of other ports visited by CA-133, in- spections of Japanese ships took place. As an important part of the duties incident to occupation of the Japanese islands, regular inspections were conducted of the ships,