U.S.S. KENNEBEC AO-36
                   c/o Fleet Post Office
                   San Francisco, California

                                          AO36/RD:lc
                                          5720
                                          Ser: 416
                                          2 JUL 64
Dear Families of the Men of the KENNEBEC:

	Today we enter Subic Bay, on the island of Luzon, in the
Philippine Islands. We would have entered Subic Bay earlier, but
for the last three days, we have diverted south to stay out of the way
of typhoon "Winnie", who, with her 90 MPH winds and rain, has caused
damage to Luzon, and caused many ships at sea to turn away from her.
Before we enter Subic Bay, let me fill you in on our cruise to date.

	On the morning of 21 March many of you who reside in the
San Francisco area waved farewell as we got underway and steamed down
the bay toward the Golden Gate. We passed under the Gate in the early
afternoon and, after casting one last, long look at San Francisco, set
a course in a southwesterly direction for Pearl Harbor on the island
of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. For a few days the weather was bad,
but later the temperatures rose to the 80's and 90's. Each day during
the noon break, the open weather decks became temporary bathing beaches
as sunbathers sought their first tan. Several men got their tan plus a
little extra. Our Hospital Corpsmen worked overtime disposing soothing
lotions. The Corpsmen also took advantage of having everyone close at
hand by promptly completing the required series of shots for WestPac.
Needless to say there were some sore arms.

	Much of our stay in Pearl Harbor was devoted to preparations for
an inspection by our Administrative Commander, Rear Admiral William D.
IRVIN, USN, Commander Service Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, which went
very well. Even with the inspection preparations, we found tine to
enjoy the warn hospitality, beautiful beaches, scenery, and balmy weather
which is characteristic of Hawaii. Our berth was only a short distance
from the Arizona Memorial which is built over the hulk of the battleship
USS ARIZONA, which was sunk on 7 December 1941.

	On 1 April 1964, we got underway for Sasebo, Japan on the Island of
Kyushu, four-thousand miles from Hawaii. The trip took sixteen pleasantly
warm days, and warm, breezy, moonlight nights, with the. smell of tropics
in the air. Enroute, we refuled the carriers USS MIDWAY and USS 
BENNINGTON along with their accompanying destroyers. Both refuelings, I am happy to
say, went off with the ease and efficiency displayed by sesoned profes-
sionals.

	On 16 April we entered Sasebo, our first port in "The Land of the
Rising Sun", located on the Island of Kyushu. The purpose of the visit
was an inspection by our imediate Operational Commander, Rear Admiral
R. KEFAUVER, USN, Commander Service Squadron THREE; take on fuel; and
accomplish some needed repairs and maintenance. The inspection went very
well, and the Admiral was well pleased. The wonderful cooperation and
initiative of the naval and civil service personnel enabled us to
accomplish much valuable work on the ship and its equipment. There
was plenty of time to enjoy the visit, with the mild weather and
beautiful green hills surrounding the city giving all the appearances
of spring. Many men took cameras ashore, and I expect that some of you
have received snapshots of scenic spots in Sasebo. The time in port
was also well spent by the ship's softball and basketball teams, which
engaged the other ships and shore facilities in active competition.

	We stayed in Sasebo until 5 May, except for two trips to refuel
the carriers USS MIDWAY and USS KITTY HAWK and their accompanying de-
stroyers. On 5 May we left Sasebo and arrived, thirteen days later,
at Yokosuka, on the Island of Honshu; after having taken on food and
stores from the USS BELLATRIX and USS CASTOR, and refueled the
USS KITTY HAWK, a regular customer, and her destroyers.

	After a right of relaxation and taking on fuel, we left for Kagoshima
(on Kyushu) via a rendezvous with the carrier USS TICONDEROGA. The city
of Kagoshima (population 300,000) is the same latitude a s Los Angeles in
America. Here we find the traditional culture and flavor of Japan set
among the scenic beauty of Mt. Sakurajima (Cherry Blossom Mountain), an
active volcano just across the bay from the city, and Mt. Shiroyama, just
behind the city. Mt. Sakurajima has erupted more than thirty times in
modern history, the most recent being in 1955, when three villages were
destroyed. Special tours of the city and the surrounding area acquainted
KENNEBEC personnel with the rich historical background of the city.
Kagoshima was the home of two of the Meiji Restorations of 1868, and
Admira1 Togo, who beat the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905.
Admiral Togo is known as the "Nelson of the Pacific.'

	Kagoshua is off the beaten track for U.S. Military. There are only
occasional visits by Navy ships. Our visit there was one of international
goodwill and understanding between us, as representatives of the
United States, and the people of Japan, as represented by the people of
Kagoshima. There are no PX's, United States Laison Cfficers, Military
Post Offices, etc. It is pure Japanese. The people there are very friendly
and eager to practice speaking English, in fact, some of the men and
officers went over to the University and High School for a day to teach and
aid the students in learning English. Men and school boys approached our
men on the dock and in the street and offered to show them around. I am
very proud of the way your men represented the United States in Kagoshima.

	On 26 May, we sailed from Kagoshima, north to Yokosuka, for repairs and
maintenance. While in Yokosuka many of the men took advantage of the
inport time to visit the famous cities of Tokyo and Yokohama, and the
historic city of Kamakura, with its great Buddha and ancient temples, only
a short train ride away.

   Relaxed, rested, and with repairs and maintenance completed, we left
Yokosuka on 9 June to refuel the carrier USS BENNINGTON and destroyers,
and then on to Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung, on the southern part of Taiwan is the
pleasant mixture of Oriental China combined with the "modern". The friendly
people and warm, sunny climate made our stay there a memorable one,
especially the heartwarming greeting of a band playing on the pier as
we moored the ship.

	On 19 June, we left Kaohsiung to continue our mission of refueling
various units of the Seventh Fleet. The carrier USS CONSTELLATION,
cruiser USS TOPEKA, and numerous destroyers were all satisfied customers,
before we decided to "get out of the way of "Winnie". Winnie is safely 
north-west of us, and we are making preparations to enter Subic Bay, where we
all expect to set our feet on dry land and rely awhile. I ara sure we
have made many friends for America during our visits to Taiwan and Japan.
Though our detailed schedule is confidential, I can say that in the near
future we shall visit Hong Kong; and Japan again. We have a good schedule
and I shall keep you posted on our activities from time to time.

	In the mean time, may God bless each of you and keep you well and
happy until our return,

                                Sincerely,

                                R. DI CORI
                                Captain, USN
                                Commanding Officer