White Plains (AFS 4) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 10 text:

4-'QV - ,f .ff X , ,459 1 jk july 29, 1965 anuary 24, 1966 X It was a long three years from keel to completion, but WHITE PLAINS 6 finally made it to join her sister ships servicing the fleet. ef July 19, 1966

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2 R1 , 1.5 ,AJ rom then on WHITE PL AINS trained and loaded and prepared to take her art i h F1 p n t e eet. In those hectic first days the extra training and cohesiveness of t he crew paid off. WHITE PLAINS was ready for her task, her mission of supply, 'J ur chance finally came in late August 1969, when WHITE PLAINS deployed for the first time. There were no bands playing or wives and families on the pier waving good-bye. A last- minute reefer casualty had delayed the schedule enough to leave no time for last-minute visiting. There was only the fog. Fog so thick even the Golden Gate drifted overhead a suspended phantom. But we were on our way. On August 31, we reported to Seventh Fleet for duty, replenishing our first ship in Sasebo, japan, on September 11. I I. C rom then on it was work steadily as the ship made four line swings down the coast of Vietnam. But the work was worth it for USS WHITE PLAINS set records and received praise where ever she went. y ut in between the line swings and the trips to Subic Bay, there was a chance to catch one's breath. There were Hong Kong and Sasebo and Kaohsiung with their ladies and their lights. And there were the shops and all the things we bought and all the photos we took. 9 7: ,LV X nd there were the letters, reminders of what was back home. Of why March Sth was too far away. There were babies born and children growing up and women living with their IOHCHHCSS, waiting. Work can dull loneliness, and we had work enough, but there were quiet moments when there was time to remember. Time to dream. And the months slipped by. JI .5 he last morning was clear. The Bay hadn't changed very much except for the teepee on Alcatraz Island. But that we left behind us like so many other things. Then there Was a HOW Sign saying Welcome Home Uss WHITE PLAINS. There were People Ufldemeafh if- PCOPIC we knew. People we loved.

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LAUNCHING: JULY 23, 1966 Mrs. Bob Wilson, ship's sponsor and wife of the Congressman, breaks the traditional bottle of champagne across the stem. Moments later WHITE PLAINS was afloat. John V. Banks, Executive Vice President of National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, supervises the ceremony. w ! I f. f fi W gi