USS Bennington (CVS-20) Newsletter 19 April 1965

Dear Families and Friends of BENNINGTON:

     On April 13, Rear Admiral Robert A. Macpherson, Commander, Antisubmarine Warfare Group FIVE, embarked in BENNINGTON, hosted a luncheon for the Honolulu Rotary Club on the ship's hangar deck. Approximately 300 Rotary members were present including many Mainlanders and foreign visitors. Rotarians came from as far as Connecticut and Australia. Shortly after departing Hawaii, Admiral Macpherson received a letter from Rear Admiral Henry S. Persons, the Commandant of the Fourteenth Naval District, which said in part:

"Captain Barnett and the officers and men of BENNINGTON, by their imagination, planning and hard work, provided the ideal setting for the Rotary Luncheon. . .Please accept for yourself, Captain Barnett and his officers and crew, my sincere thanks for a job well done; an effort which should pay dividends in good will for the Navy in Hawaii in the future."

     Time moves quickly for all in BENNINGTON. Ten days after leaving Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the ship arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, which is a large Naval Base just inside Tokyo Bay. The primary purpose of going to Japan was to report to the Commander of the Seventh Fleet for duty as his Antisubmarine Task Group. 

Naturally, our officers and men did not restrict their activities only to official business. A good deal of liberty time ashore was spent shopping at A-33, one of the three base exchanges. Souvenirs have been brought aboard BENNINGTON, and confident that these gifts (called "presentos" in Japan) will be happily received upon our return home.

Five days from Yokosuka, en route from Pearl Harbor, we had an anxious time. One of our Chief Petty Officers, Charles W. Howard, suffered a severe heart attack. His condition was considered critical and prognosis was extremely grave. He was immediately diagnosed via electrocardiogram and promptly treated with narcotics, oxygen, digitalis and given constant nursing care. When we arrive at Yokosuka, he was transferred to the Naval Hospital, much improved. His recovery will be slow and arduous and our prayers go out to him and his wife for a complete and speedy recovery.

As has been mentioned before, Medical Department facilities aboard BENNINGTON are equivalent to a modern 50-bed hospital -- excellently equipped and staffed. X-Ray and laboratory services assist our four doctors in definitive diagnosis. The pharmacy carries the latest drugs necessary to combat disease. Our operating suite is equipped to handle any major surgical procedure. Other services available include eye refractions, an audiometer, electrocardiograph, and oxygen therapy. Be confident that no finer medical care is available anywhere than that which is available to your loved ones aboard BENNINGTON.

Recently, BENNINGTON's officers and men competed in the annual physical Fitness Contest. There were separate divisions for the officers and enlisted men and each group was tested in six areas -- pull ups, pushups, jump and reach, standing broad jump, sit ups and a 300-yardshuttle run. The first five places in both divisions were closely contested but in the end, Private First Class Wilton Barrett from the Marine Detachment and Lieutenant (jg) Tom Gunlock, our Public Information Officer, finished first in their respective competitions and were awarded beautiful trophies. 

     On 8 May we were highly honored by the visit of five admirals and two generals of the Chinese Navy and Air Force. The visiting dignitaries were briefed on antisubmarine warfare by Admiral Macpherson and then watched an air show which demonstrated the capabilities of the BENNINGTON's SH-3A turbojet helicopters, S-2E "Trackers" and A-4B jet interceptors.

     Following the demonstration, the guests were given a firsthand look at the various aircraft in the hangar bay and toured key shipboard facilities.

     When you receive this letter, BENNINGTON's men will have been away from our homeport of Long Beach, California for eight weeks. The ship has traveled approximately 12,400 miles. We are now in Manila Bay anchored in view of the city and Corregidor Island, the fortress of World War II. Today the island is primarily a showplace for visitors. Perhaps your husband or son may visit the island.

     All of us in BENNINGTON sincerely hope and pray that all goes well with you at home as it does with us here.
 

Sincerely, MAVIN E. BARNETT Captain, U. S. Navy Commanding Officer

Dear Families and Friends of BENNINGTON:

     I would like to take this opportunity to familiarize you with our recent activities, as our three week stay in Hawaiian waters comes to a close.

     The BENNINGTON departed from Long Beach on 22 March and went directly to San Diego to pick up Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group - Fifty Nine and left the same afternoon for Hawaii. Thirteen distinguished civilian guests of the Secretary of the Navy accompanied us to Hawaii. The officers and men enjoyed their presence tremendously.

     Upon our arrival at Pearl Harbor on 27 March we immediately began preparations for the Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet Change of Command Ceremony.

     We were highly honored to be chosen as the host ship for the ceremony at which Admiral T. H. Moorer was relieved of his command by Admiral R. L. Johnson at 1000, Tuesday, the thirtieth.

     For the occasion the hangar bay (the deck immediately below the flight deck) was draped overhead by signal flags and the number one elevator at the forward end of the deck served as the stage. A 48 foot long American flag provided an impressive back -drop for the speaker's platform which was draped with red, white and blue bunting. The all-hands project was not only colorful, but most impressive. The ceremony was a great success.

     The following message was received from Admiral Johnson, the new Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet:

     "The excellent appearance of the USS BENNINGTON and the superb performance of her crew in making preparations for and during the Change of Command Ceremony were a credit to your ship, the Naval Air Force and the Pacific Fleet. Please convey my personal appreciation to all concerned. "

The day after the ceremony we went to sea again for a period of ten days for our annual ORE (Operational Readiness Evaluation). The inspection consisted of simulated battle condition exercises to test our readiness for deployment. It proved that every man on the ship has an important job to do, and that he can do that job well.

We arrived back at Pearl on Saturday, 10 April and since then have enjoyed a week in port here in the "Paradise of the Pacific".

In an effort to give everyone a chance to see as much of Oahu, Hawaii as possible at a reasonable cost several sightseeing tours were arranged through the Chaplain's Office.

A daily around the island "Aloha" tour included a visit to the Mormon Temple and its grounds on the windward side of the Island and to the National Cemetery "Punch Bowl" where famed World War II news correspondent Ernie Pyle’s grave is located. A stop at the Polynesian Cultural Center offered a two hour simulated trip to various island communities in the South Pacific. The center featured a park with each of the cultures having its own village with examples of native arts and crafts. The guides authentic natives and Polynesian show gave all who attended either of the two evening performances the chance to eat native food and to see native dances featuring many Hawaiian Hula dancers.

Highlights of the tour also included the famous surfing spots of Sunset Beach and Pipeline, a drive though pineapple and sugar cane fields and 

stops at the scenic bay where the beach scene from the movie "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" was filmed. On the way home we stopped at the Blow Hole. Here, because of an unusual rock formation, a geyser is created whenever a wave hits the shore. We continued our homeward journey via the Pali Drive through the mountains which afforded a panoramic view of Honolulu and the eastern end of the Island.

An historical tour of Pearl Harbor was also given daily. The high point of this tour was a visit to the memorial erected over the all but submerged wreckage of the battleship USS ARIZONA that lost almost her entire crew in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.

Entertainment at considerable financial savings in comparison with civilian standards was afforded by the exceptional Armed Forces recreational facilities. Your sons, husbands and loved ones have had a wonderful opportunity to see this beautiful and enchanting island. I am confident many of their letters home will reflect these interesting and enjoyable hours ashore.

We will depart Hawaii for the fascinating Far Eastern ports of Sasebo, Subic, Yokosuka, Kobe and Hong Kong. However, recent news events from this troubled and unfortunate area of the world cause me to surmise that our duties in the Western Pacific may be demanding and tiring for our excellent crew and far different from this pleasant sojourn here in Honolulu, Hawaii.
 

Sincerely yours, MARVIN E. BARNETT CAPTAIN, U.S. NAVY COMMANDING OFFICER

"Gunsmoke's" Marshall Dillon,
actor James Arness is seen
here driving two BENNINGTON
crew members from the luau
to the show at the Polynesian 
Center.

Operational Readiness Evaluation 
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Underway for West-Pac
Enroute

Yokosuka, Japan
Enroute
Manila, Philippine Islands 
Operation "Seahorse" 
Bangkok, Thailand
Enroute
Subic Bay, Philippine Islands

Enroute
Hong Kong, British Crown Colony
Enroute
Sasebo, Japan 
Operation "Cross-Tee" 
Hakodate, Japan

On Station 
Enroute 
Subic Bay, Philippine Islands 
Enroute Station Off Vietnam 
On Station

On Station 
Enroute 
Yokosuka, Japan 
Underway for CONUS 
Enroute Home

Enroute Home 
Arrive Long Beach, California