Monday, April 8, 1968

USS JOUETT (DLG29)

FAMILY GRAM

8 April 1968

Dear Family and Friends of JOUETT:

Three weeks have passed since I last wrote to you, and a great deal has occurred in that time. I would like to tell you now some of the highlights of JOUETT's many activities.

On March 22, JOUETT was relieved on South SAR station by the USS HALSEY (DLG-23), a ship which many of you have crossed when visiting JOUETT last fall in San Diego. We proceeded then to YANKEE STATION, refueled from one of the SEVENTH Fleet Oilers there, and received stores from the USS POLLUX (AKS-4), another of the many support ships necessary to maintain ourselves and other "ships of the line" in top fighting trim.

The next morning, JOUETT set out for Subic Bay, P.I., at high speed. The cruise was uneventful, but as we steamed away from the mainland of Southeast Asia, many hearts were lightened to see the sun break through the clouds once again. Vietnam, as you may know, was under the influence of the northeast monsoon during JOUETT's first period on station; rain, fog, and low visibility were standard during the five weeks we spent in Tonkin Gulf. In the late afternoon of Sunday, March 24, JOUETT moored at the U.S. Naval Station, Subic Bay. During the few hours of our stay there, the ship's helicopter detachment and Clem II were off-loaded, to return to the Naval Air Station at Cubi Point. Some of our crew members of Filipino extraction departed the ship to enjoy leave in their homeland. A few stores, repair parts, and a great deal of mail was received; "Mail Call" was held at least four times that evening, and it was gratifying to observe the men's reaction to letters from home.

Later the same evening, all lines were cast off, and JOUETT turned her bow northward, toward Japan and a well-earned period of rest and recreation. We made this journey alone and we steamed as rapidly as possible. All hands turned to in an effort to show the ship at its best: some compartments were freshly painted; brass and brightwork were polished; scrubbing and cleaning were the order of the day. As we drew nearer to Japan, we were passing the scenes of many fierce struggles of World War II, where the U.S. Navy played so prominent a role. Although we did not come within sight of land, our radar scopes showed many shores whose memory will long live in American hearts: Leyte--Luzon--Okinawa--Iwo Jima. Reflecting on the violence of only a quarter-century ago, it is little short of incredible to view Japan today. The U.S. Occupation wrought sweeping changes. Good will and energetic effort on the part of both the Japanese and the American peoples have transformed Japan into a symbol of hope for the future. A friend and an ally, Japan is now a working democracy, able to successfully compete, economically and socially, with the United States.

During the early morning of 28 March, JOUETT began to thread her way through the fleets of small fishing junks and sampans which are so common in this part of the world. Shortly after noon, we commenced our approach into Yokosuka (Yo-kous'-ka), and moored there at the U.S. Naval Station in mid-afternoon. Yokosuka, like several other naval, air and army bases in Japan are U.S. Military reservations leased from the Japanese government in accordance with the peace treaty of 1952, which states in part that such bases may be leased to be utilized for "maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East".

Of the 436 men and officers who make up JOUETT's crew, it is likely that we now carry away 436 different memories of Japan. I will, however, attempt to touch briefly on a few of the experiences and impressions which are common to most of us. We were most fortunate in that our visit to Japan coincided with the first weeks of spring; the cherry blossoms, long a symbol of this island nation, were in full bloom while JOUETT was in port. These beautiful trees are identical to those which are so admired in Washington, D.C., where they are carefully tended around the Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial. The trees bear no fruit, but are grown solely for their blossoms, which lend a delicate pink tint to the land for only a week or ten days each spring. A clue to the character of the Japanese people may be found in their willingness to carefully tend these trees year-round in order to enjoy the blossoms for only a few days each spring.

One of the first places visited in Yokosuka, and one of the most popular, was the Navy Exchange. Here foreign merchandise from all over the Orient is gathered together under one roof, and offered for sale at prices considerably lower than in the United States. Some of the best bargains found here are in Japanese-made electronics equipment; tape recorders, stereo phonographs, amplifiers, speakers and television sets were among the more popular items purchased by JOUETT sailors. High quality optical instruments, too, are manufactured in Japan, and many cameras, camera accessories, binoculars, and telescopes are now stowed in our storerooms. The Japanese textile industry is world-famed, and many of our men invested in the colorful silks, elaborate brocades and delicate laces offered for sale in Yokosuka. Table china, crystal, pottery and silverware were also popular purchases, as were the many and clever varieties of toys; many of the latter were small enough to be mailed home, and your children may be enjoying them already.

Many organized tours were made available to the JOUETT during our stay in Japan. LT R. N. JAMES, the ship's Tour Officer, reports that over two hundred of the crew participated in such tours, at an average cost of slightly less than $10.00 per man. One of the most popular tours was that which went to the nearby town of Kamakura. A combination holiday resort and museum town, Kamakura was the capital of Japan for 150 years during the middle ages. Since Buddhism came to Japan from China during this period, Kamakura has many historic sites, shrines and temples. Most famed of Kamakura's landmarks is the colossal statue of Buddha known as the Dai Butsu, which is familiar even to many persons who have never visited Japan. Buddha is here portrayed in a sitting position; the statue is cast of bronze, towers 42 feet above the ground, and is well over 700 years old. The nearby Hachiman Shrine, with its ancient ginko tree is also a popular spot for tourists.

Another well-patronized tour took JOUETT sailors to Hakone National Park, a beautiful highland area in central Honshu, which is dominated by the lofty slopes of Mount Fujiyama, respectfully known throughout Japan as "Fuji-san". Lake Hakone (often seen in pictures or paintings with Mt. Fuji reflected in its placid waters) is a popular resort area, and the entire area is dotted with natural hot springs. The many small villages in the Fuji-Hakone area typify the rural life of Japan, closely tied to the soil, conservative, and bound up in centuries-old tradition.

Our welcome to Japan, in fact, was so warm, and our stay so enjoyable, that many wished to be able to do something in return. As a part of the Navy's "People To People" program, a group of thirty-two men, under the direction of the Chaplain of Destroyer Squadron ONE, LT A. R. TREIBEL, and JOUETT's Master Chief Petty Officer, J. V. PATTISON, volunteered two days of their liberty time to assist the Japanese people in some way. Specifically, they contributed their labor to two small churches in villages near Yokosuka, completely painting one church and the pastor's home, and touching-up the paint and carrying out other repairs on a second church. These churches, incidentally, belong to the Kyodan, or "United Church of Japan", an ecumenical group of the major Christian denominations. Those who participated in this most commendable project have helped to forge still stronger the bonds which unite our two countries, and they all carry with them warm memories of their experience.

Although other interesting sights were seen, other customs and traditions observed, and other experiences remembered, I cannot begin to recount them all at this time. Your sons or husbands will, I am sure, give you a glowing account of this rugged and beautiful land and its charming, gentle people.

At present, we are steaming south to Subic Bay, where we will embark our helicopter detachment, and return to the Tonkin Gulf, to carry out our yet-unfinished tasks. Although our days will be busy, a part of us will always be with you, at home.

Sincerely,

ROBERT S. HAYES

CAPTAIN, U.S. NAVY

COMMANDING OFFICER