US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

Naval Aviation, 1932-1940 145
U. S. Navy sailor men carrying the ashes of late Ambassador Saito.
NH 69101
and in central China, including the sinking of the gunboat Panay and the
rape and pillage of Nanking.
The State funeral was as formalized and impressive as Orientals can make
such a cheerless occasion. Tens of thousands lined the streets. It was the
“double cherry blossom season” in Japan. Once it was over, the Japanese
good will demonstration rolled up like a South China Sea cloudburst. Poets
wrote verses, musicians composed lyrics, the Tokyo newspapers covered the
event with massive minutiae. Everyone was friendly. Thousands visited the
Astoria at Yokosuka.
In Admiral Turner’s effects were three phonograph records with special
English and Japanese renderings of an “Ode by Yone Nogushi dedicated to
Captain Richmond Turner of the A~toria,” a “Welcome A~toria” march and
a lyric “Admiral Saito’s Return,” with special soprano solo.
The lyric:
This day the storms forget to rave,
The angels walk from wave to wave
This ship glides gently over the foam,
That brings the noble envoy home.
The ode:
Pale blossoms greet you
Searnan from afar
Who bring him home
Where all his memories are.