Bataan (CVL 29) - Naval Cruise Book

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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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BIOGRAPHY OF A LADY 17 November 1943 to 27 January 1952 Most everyone likes to read or hear great tales of the sea. This is such a story — a stirring tale of a great ship. It is the story of the part one ship played in two of the greatest and most terrible wars our generation has known. This is the story of BATAAN, a lady in every respect. Late Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox said of BATAAN: No ship bears a more illustrious name. Proof of Mr. Knox ' s statement was evidenced in 1944 when she began her fight. From that time on, not only her name, but her actions, have proved more than illustrious. They have become a symbol of greatness. Her career has been, and will continue to be, one to be long remembered. BATAAN began her colorful life on the 17th of November 1943. That was the day she joined the Navy. Her hull was planned as a light cruiser, but the finished construction produced a light carrier, not very beautiful, but eager, willing and able. BATAAN ' S first shakedown cruise began three days after Christmas in the fearful, war-torn year of 1943. On successful completion of this mission, she left Philadelphia to see the world for the first time, sailing the Atlantic and operating with her first squadron, Air Group Fifty. In March of 1944 she transited the Panama Canal to join the Pacific Fleet where she was needed most. After brief visits to San Diego, California, and Pearl Harbor, T.H., BATAAN and her squadron held maneuvers off Oahu. Upon completion of these operations, she was ready for the war. She reared her head proudly as she was ordered to join mighty Task Force 58 operating off the Marshall Islands. From that moment on, BATAAN began to carve, not merely a name for her- self, but also a legend that w ill forever be remembered. She participated in nearly every major offensive operation up to and including the final attacks on Tokyo itself. Her planes made strike after strike on New Guinea, Truk, Rota, Guam, bloody Iwo Jima and Okinawa. She will never be forgotten for the part she played in driving Japan to her knees. She hit where it hurt, at the heart of the Japanese Empire — Kobe, Kure and Tokyo. She fought off numerous desperate counter attacks. Planes were lost to enemy action. Seventy men died gallantly on her decks under heavy air attacks, but she fought bravely and the attacks were repel- led by alert and accurate gunners. Pilots met the enemy in the sky and sent him flaming into the sea. During that period, BATAAN sent catapulted planes off her deck 6,383 times. Successful landings were made 14,622 times. Her career was gallant and colorful to the end of the war which found her, fittingly enough, only 1 70 miles from Tokyo. A thundering mob of grateful people greeted BATAAN upon her return to the states for a well-earned rest. Meekly, tiredly, she again transited the Panama Canal, accepted her country ' s thanks and then went gratefully to sleep in Phila- delphia Navy Yard. She slept quietly until her country needed her again. She was awakened from her slumber on 13 May 1950, to begin another colorful, as well as gallant, period of operations. She had to get the kinks out after her long sleep, but she was an experienced lady and the sea made her fovget the stiffness in her bones. Again she left Philadelphia to begin another Pacific adventure. She traversed the Panama Canal for the third time in her career, and arrived in San Diego, California, on

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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.