Andy "Frenchy" Milette reports that the Des Moines arrived in Norfolk on February 6, 1952 from the Med and left on March 17th for a three week opeations in the Carribean.  Arrived back in Norfolk in early April 1952.

Dick Belongea reports that the Des Moines crossed the Artic Circle on September 16, 1952 and September 23, 1953.In 1953 and 1954 the Mediteranean Cruise included Athens, Greece; Cagliari, Sardinia; Beirut, Lebanon; Suda Bay, Crete; Corfu, Greece; Naples, Italy; Frence Rivera; Barcelon, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal.  Home port was Villa France.

Carl G. Weberlein reports that according to the 1953 cruise book the Des Moines visited ports at Lisbon, Portugal; Barcelona, Spain; Naples, Italy; Leghorn (leaning tower of Pisa), Italy; Sardinia, Sicily; Beirut, Lebanon; Istanbul, Turkey; Athens (side trip to Corfu, a resort island), Greece; and Villefranche, France (home port for the flag).

Carl also reports that, according to his research, in 1952 the Des Moines sailed more miles than any other ship in the Navy.

THE FOLLOWING 4 PAGES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY BERNARD DeBRUYNE