Hopewell departed Subic Bay on May 2nd 1969, for the return transit to the States by way of Australia. Hopewell joined by USS Duncan sailed from Subic enroute to Manus Island via the San Bernadino Straits on the first leg of a 7000-mile voyage. On 7 May, his Royal Majesty King Neptune, Her Royal Pureness, Queen Amphetrite, his courtly right-handedness Davey Jones and the rest of the regal entourage boarded Duncan for equatorial crossing ceremonies initiating some lowly pollywogs into the mystic order of the deep. By mid morning, all of the ship’s shivering, shriveled, gutless, guilt ridden pollywogs had been transformed into sturdy, crusty shellbacks. Then it was on to the Australian Port City of Townville, North Queens land to represent the United States in ceremonies commemorating the Battle of the Coral Sea in World War II. Then followed a four-day visit to New Castle, South Wales. Then it was on to Pago Pago, and the remaining long journey stateside. Shortly before arrival in Pago Pago on 26 May 69, Hopewell's crew had the unique opportunity to view the reentry of Apollo 10 as it flashed across the sky on it's way to splashdown. Later that day, many of the crew were on hand in Pago Pago to welcome our Astronauts back on Earth. The voyage continued with Hopewell reaching San Diego on 7 June 69 completing its deployment.Following regular leave and upkeep periods, the remaining portion of 1969 saw the usual stateside refresher training and pre-deployment preparations for her next extended overseas stint.