Yorktown Apollo Recovery (CVS 10) - Naval Cruise Book

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Christmas Party Held November 17 l l Pmouf PRESENTED--capf J. G. Fifield pre- sented a Yorlztown plaque to uentri loquist Paul Winchell and his wooden side-lziclzjerrg Mahoney at the Christmas Party. Because of the December--at-sea period, Christmas came early to the Yorktown. Ventril- oquist Paul Winchell and his wooden side-kick Jerry Mahoney, along with Happy the Clown and Santa Claus, played by CWO-4 F. X. lssel- hardt, were onboard to entertain 700 dependents on November 17, during the Dependents' Christmas Party. Setting the fa-la-la mood in Hangar Bay One was the band from the USS Valley Forge, berthed next to the Yorktown in Long Beach. Santa Claus presented three gifts to each child. Presents ranged from large rubber balls to sweaters and various toys. The afternoon, spent in Christmas cheer, was highlighted with Capt J. G. Fifield pre- senting Fighting Lady plaques to Paul Win- chell and Happy the Clown. Boughs of holly may not have decked the hangar bay, but gift wrappings certainly left evidence of early holiday festivities. Page Three Era's Linked Together ln Pearl o 1 ' Y 5 gr,-i - t .ii A I I f, i , fi,,,...PF' YURKTUWN lN BACKGROUND--The 'Fighting Lady'I in the background. rests at a pier in Pearl Harbor across from the memorial to the USS Arizona Three era's were linked together when the Yorktown pulled into Pearl Harbor onDecember 10 and berthed next to the Arizona Memorial. The Fighting Lady brought to Hawaii 30 American planes, converted to resemble World War I1 Japanese aircraft, so 20th Century Fox could finish making the movie Toro! Toro! Toro l . The YorktovvnplayedaJapanese carrier in another portion of the film, which was filmed off the coast of San Diego before embarking for Hawaii. After unloading the Japanese aircraft, the Yorktown began loading men and equipment to complete her primary mission of recovering the Apollo 8 lunar orbit shot. Twenty- seven years ago the Japanese sank the Arizona in Pearl Harbor. So--in a period of 26 years, the Yorktown played a major part in World War H, played a major role in the filming of a movie about the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and was the prime recovery ship for the first men in the world to circle the Moon. I0

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On Famou Fighting Lady The Yorktown played host to a crew from 20th Century Fox for the filming of the movie Toro! Toro! Toro!. Action took place off the coast of San Diego in early December. At 0600 the aircraft carrier swung smartly into the northeasterly wind. Across the flight deck the engines of the bomb and torpedo laden Zekes , Kates and Vals roared to life in, anticipation of the dawn launch. At 0610 the first Zeke rumbled down the flight deck, be- came airborne and then briefly settled for an agonizing moment over the dark waters of the Pacific, steadied and gained altitude. Thus, the operations commenced. The year was not 1941, but 1968. The aircraft carrier was not Admiral Yamamoto's flagship, but Capt John G. Fifield's Yorktown. The 1968 converted aircraft were flown and maintained by off duty personnel on contract with 20th Century Fox, with Department of Defense approval given to the ship's participation. The film, essentially a documentary, has beenin preparation since 1966, and is not ex- pected to be released until late 1969. The film is being produced both in Japan and the United States, with tedious attention being given to detail. A budget of 25 million dollars has been allocated for the picture. Thirty Japanese fighters and bombers were hoisted on the Yorktown December 2. The planes are United States BT-13 and AT-6 training planes altered by 20th Century Fox to resemble theJapanese planes that launched the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Most of the flight deck crew, garbed in con- ventional World War II Japanese flight gear, participated in maneuvering the Rising Sun bearers in position for filmed take offs. Lines from the angle deck were painted over to make the Fighting Lady appear like the straight-decked Akagi. Mter filming off San Diego, the planes re- mained onboard for the trip to Pearl Harbor to assist completing the movie in Hawaii. Pa ge 'i4CTl0N, CAMERA --A 20th Century Fox camera- nnn shoots a scene on Yori-ztawn's flight deck PAINTERS--The Yorhtown's flight deck is re- painted to resemble a straight-deck Japan- ese carrier. 9 , A.. . .. ml...

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Apollo 8 covery ecember 27, 1968 --cl Sf' Wy, 14,9 A W Q -11,0 '39 awww Page 11 J Lil? . , :J