Bataan (CVL 29) - Naval Cruise Book

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T THE FIRST COMMISSIONING Miss Maria Osmcna, Admiral Draciiicl, Honorable Sergio Osiiiena and Captain Sihailli r admire IJATAAX ' S new plaques. On the first day of August, 1942, construction began on light cruiser USS BUFFALO. The finished product, however, was a little different than the original plans called for. Emerging from under the welding torches, electric hammers, and machinery came a light carrier destined to become one of the greatest. This carrier was built at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden. New Jersey, and was launched t here one year after construction began. The Maid of Honor at this memorable occasion was Miss Maria Osmcna, daughter of Honorable Sergio Osmena, Vice-president of the Philippine Common- wealth. The Sponsor was Mrs. George D. Murray, wife of Admiral George D. Murray. She christened BATAAN to commemorate ... the valor of the American and Filipino fighting men who battled through the long months on BATAAN.

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28 July 1950. For three months BATAAN conducted carrier qualification exer- cises in sunny California. Then, on 16 November 1950, she bid farewell to San Diego and departed for the Far East to begin a battle against Communist aggres- sors, carrying with her Air Force personnel and -84 jets. Her first stop was Yokosuka, Japan, w here she off-loaded the Air Force per- sonnel and equipment. From Yokosuka, BATAAN headed for Kobe where she picked up ' MF 212. Sasebo was her next Japanese port of call. There she fueled, loaded ammunition and provisions. Again, the second time since her birth, BATAAN went to war. She joined another mighty Task Force — Task Force 77 off the east coast of Korea. On the morning of the 15th of December 1950, she sent her first flight of planes into the winter skies to lend air support for the Hungnam evacua- tion. On New Year ' s Day, 1951, BAT.A, N left Task Force 77 to join Task Group 96.8 on the west coast of Korea. Until 9 January she sent combat air patrols, reconnaissance, and close air support missions over Korea with never ending regu- larity. Tired and in need of replenishment, she returned to Sasebo. On 15 January BATAAN and her four-destroyer screen set out to do a job twice their size — to patrol an entire coast. She had a lot of confidence and fighting ability, though not much size. BATAAN and her screen relieved HMS THESESUS and screen as Task Element 95.11. This was the beginning of almost five months of alternating on station in the Yellow Sea; first with the THESESUS and later with another British carrier, HMS GLORY. Through the cold of winter and into late spring, BATAAN fought bravely, again proving herself worthy of her name. Her pilots chalked up one of the most b ' iliiant records of any Air Group in Korea. During her period of duty from 15 December 1950 to the early part of June, 1951, BATAAN was host to two top squadrons of Marine fighters. The first was VMF 212. In March BATAAN sailed into Pusan Harbor to off-load that tired squadron and give them a well-done. Then she embarked the famed Checkerboard Squadron VMF 312, now VMA 312. On the day of the first anniversary of the Korean War, BATAAN arrived in San Diego where a gala celebration was held to welcome her home. But she took her praise with all modesty. She was tired and battle orn and needed first aid. In July. 1951, she sailed up the coast to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremer- ton. Washington, for a four-inonth yard period. This was a rigorous period for her. She didn ' t much resemble a ship. Yards of hoses and pipe, lumber, machinery and metal littered her decks. Her bridge became a shambles as it underwent a painful remodeling job. Sparks flew from welding torches and spouted from her sides. A new coat of Navy gray covered her water-worn drabness. After four months of this she was ready to return to operations. BATAAN returned to San Diego in November, fresh and ready. She went to work again, beginning underway training operations off the coast of Southern Cali- fornia. This continued until January, 1952. On 27 Janunary BATAAN and her crew departed San Diego again. Her country was calling her once more and she answered the call gladly. Her name was a symbol of fortitude and endurance and she must forever hold that symbol high. She was a small ship with a big name and to keep the honor of that name, she must work a little harder. Yes, she was ready and she would not let her country down. She was proud of her country and her country was equally as proud of her. Her name would ever be remembered in the annals of history. Most certainly, BATAAN has a rendezvous with destiny that shall not be denied.

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A WARRIOR IS REBORN BATAAN lay in mothballs from 11 February 1947 until she was recommis- sioned on 13 May 195U. Her prospective Commanding Officer, Captain Edgar T. Nealc, reported aboard and re-commissioning ceremonies were held. The Sponsor of the affair was Mrs. George D. Murray. She w as also the Sponsor at the original commissioning ceremony in August of 1943. The Matron of Honor was Mrs. James Charnley, daughter of the Honorable Sergio Osmena, former ' ice-president of the Philippine Commonwealth. Mrs. Charnley, nee Miss Osmena, was al.so the Matron of Honor at the original commissioning ceremony in 1943. Rear Admiral R. E. Schuirmann, Commandant, Fourth Naval District, acted as Re-commissioning Officer and also was the principal speaker. An invocation by Chaplain Harold E. Mayo, Lcdr, ChC, U. S. Navy, began the cere- monies, followed by Rear Admiral Schuirmann or- dering Captain Neale to place the ship in full com- mission. The colors were hoisted once more. Cap- tain Neale read his orders and assumed command of B A T A A N . The first watch was set. Captain Neale then introduced the Sponsor and Matron of Honor. Rear Admiral Schuirmann gave an ad- dress followed by a short talk to the ship ' s company by Captain Neale. Chap- pain Mayo gave the Bene- diction and the ceremony was completed. BAT.A. N was a fighting ship once again. J. R. Hacffner, QMC, USN, salutes the colors as they are hoisted to fly once again above BATAAN.