CORAL SEA BATTLE

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 14

CORAL SEA BATTLE

U.S, Admiral To Visit Clicli. A senior United States Naval officer will arrive in Christchurch next month to take part in commemorative functions to be held in New Zealand to mark the Battle of the Coral Sea. He is Vice-Admiral P. H. Ramsey, deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air. He will be accompanied by an official party of eight, and the Band of the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet. They will arrive by air from Hobart aboard two United States Navy DC6s. While in New Zealand Admiral Ramsey will be a guest of the Government. Between May 16 and 20 Admiral Ramsey will visit Wellington and Auckland.

On the evening of his arrival Admiral Ramsey and his party will be guests at a reception to be tendered by the Christchurch branches of the North American Club and the English Speaking Union. On May 17 the admiral’s party will go to the Hermitage for the night. The rest of the American group and the band will remain in Christchurch where the band is expected to give a public performance.

The two planes containing the American visitors will leave Christchurch on the morning of May 18 for Wellington. Last week the Prime Minister (Mr Hoiyoake) announced that two United States Navy guided-missile destroyers and a seaplane tender vessel would call at two New Zealand ports next month as part of the Coral Sea commemorations.

The guided-missile destroyer, U.S.S. Benjamin Stoddert, will visit Wellington between May 17 and 20. The other. U.S.S. Berkeley, will visit Auckland between May 19 and 22. The seaplane tender, U.S.S. Pine Island, will visit Auckland between May 16 and 20.