Bataan (LHD 5) - Naval Cruise Book

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HISTORY JSS BATAAN memorializes the valiant resistance of American and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula in the dawning days of World War II. Fighting on the Philippine islands of Luzon and Corregidor began just 10 short hours after the raid on Pearl Harbor. After weeks of Japanese air raids and beach landings on the north of Luzon, General Douglas Mac Arthur ordered withdrawal from the fortified north to the narrow jungle peninsula December 23, 1941. There, combined Army, Navy, Marine Corps and American-trained Filipino forces opposed teaming Japa- nese aggressors. Despite rampant disease, malnutrition, insuffucient supplies and ammunition, the Battling Bastards of Bataan defended the peninsula until April 16, 1942. Corregidor fell shortly after on May 6, 1942. During combat, some units absorbed as high as 80 percent casualties. Tens of thousands of American service members died either in battle or during the unconscionable Bataan Death March. The 65 mile Death March alone claimed the lives of more than 21 ,000 allies in less than a week and is marked as one of the greatest travesties of World War II. Those who survived [ the march faced starvation and disease aboard hell ships dur- ing transportation, and later in prison camps until Japan ' s formal ' surrender in 1945. Two of every three Americans who defended Bataan and • . - ' W. Corregidor never returned home. Bataan was the last American stronghold in the Pacific the- ater to fall until MacArthur fulfilled his famed prophecy, I shall return, by re-conquering the Philippine Islands two-and-one-half years later. The battle of Bataan was one of the greatest examples of allied courage, endurance and sacrifice in the history of military conflict. LHD-5 is preceded in name by USS Bataan (CVL-29), a light carrier which earned 12 battle stars in service during late World War II, and in the Korean Conflict. CVL-29 was commis- sioned November 17, 1943, in Philidelphia, the first ship named in commemoration of a World War II battle. USS Bataan set to sea charged by Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox with ...a rendezvous with destiny that shall not be denied. During the waning days of World War II, CVL-29 served in the Pacific arena as part of the famed Task Force 58. Some of its major excursions included the Batde of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, and numerous attacks against the Japanese main islands. CVL-29 was decom- T missioned in February, 1 947, and placed in reserve. USS ' • Bataan recieved five battle stars for service in the World ' War II Pacific Campaign. j CVL-29 was re-commisioned May 13,1 950, when conflict in the east again appeard inevitable. USS Bataan ' s pilots flew missions throughout the Korean Conflict, mostly in support of ground forces.