Text of NAS Quonset Point Public Information Office press release, dated 7 September 1954, that accompanied the original photograph:
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. -- The aircraft carrier USS Tarawa arrived here today Monday September 6th after completing a round-the-world-cruise which lasted nearly a year. The Newport Navy Band played Old Lang Syne as the ship docked. The Navy band aboard the Tarawa answered with "It's Been a Long Long Time". The 27,000 ton attack carrier left Norfolk, Va. September 12, 1953. After spending eight weeks in Mediterranean waters with ports of call at Algiers, Naples and Spain, the Tarawa steamed through the Suez Canal on the first lap of her long journey through the Indian Ocean and China Sea to report for duty with the Seventh Fleet in the Far East. Arriving in Yokosuka, Japan on February 15, the Tarawa operated with the Seventh Fleet for the next two months. In April the ship headed southward to Australia and New Zealand, where with Fleet Admiral Halsey she represented the United States in the annual ceremonies commemorating the Battle of the Coral Sea. After brief visits to Sidney and Melbourne, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand, the Tarawa headed northward to the Philippine Islands and operated in and out of Manila until mid-July. After a brief stop at Hong Kong the ship proceeded to Subic Bay for minor repairs before starting their homeward journey on August 1. |
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1 May 2001