The following "Letter of Appreciation" was copied from the USS Helena Organization Newsletter dated February 2003.
It is believed that a copy of this letter was placed in the service record of all members of the USS Helena CA-75
who participated in the Tachen Islands evacuation.

U .S .S. HELENA (CA75)
FLEET POST OFFICE
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

CA75/re
P15/MM

18 FEB
S-2

From: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. HELENA (CA75)
To: HOFFMAN, Ronald (n), 422 55 44, SN, USN

Subj: Letter of Appreciation

1. As the Commanding Officer, U.S.S. HELENA (CA75) I take pleasure in expressing my appreciation of your superior performance of duty during the evacuation of Chinese Nationalist Forces from the Tachen Islands off the Coast of Communist China from 6 to 12 February 1955. This operation was a delicate and arduous assignment conducted under difficult circumstances which required alertness, team-work and long hours spent at general quarters and condition watches.' The splendid performance of duty .by all hands contributed materially to the success of the operation and reflects most favorably upon you and upon the ship.

2. As a result of the successful execution of the evacuation the President of the United States, the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet were moved to send the following commendatory messages:

President of the United States: 121512Z FEB 1955 -- "TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN WHO HAVE ASSISTED IN AND PROTECTED THE EVACUATION OF THE TACHEN ISLANDS X YOURS WAS A DIFFICULT AND DELICATED ASSIGNMENT X ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL AMERICAN PEOPLE WELL DONE X SIGNED DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER." . . .

Secretary of the Navy: 121518Z FEB 1955 -- "THE NAVY AND THE ENTIRE NATION 'IS PROUD OF THE MAGNIFICENT J0B YOU HAVE DONE IN THE TACHEN OPERATION AND UNDER VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES X PLEASE ACCEPT MY PERSONAL WELL DONE. X SIGNED CHARLES THOMAS"

Chief of Naval Operations: 1214322Z FEB 1955 ---“MY CONGRATULATIONS ON A SUPERB PERFORMANANCE X THE THOROUGH PLANNING, INSTANT INITIATION AND “EXPEDITIOUS HANDLING OF THE TACHEN EVCUATION OPERATION REFLECTS THE GREATEST CREDIT ON ALL HANDS X FURTHERMORE, I CONSIDER THE FORCES INVOLVED BY THEIR POWER AND PROFICIENCY, SERVED WELL TO FURTHER POLICY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES X SIGNED ADMIRAL CARNEY

Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet : 120318Z FEB 1955 -- "TO THE PRESIDENT'S THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY'S AND THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS MESSAGES. I ADD MY APPRECIATION FOR THE SPLENDID PERFORMANCE AND ATTENTION TO DUTY X SIGNED ADMIRAL STUMP”

3. A copy of this letter will be made a part of your service record.

F. M. ADAMSON