P, , 1 ' ffflg5.ww ' f .ee P f M-sw 9-Ann-I 25 1 , C Lx I September l--September 18 ,P - K Y i 1 September 23-October I M, 5 123, gf,-f,-, ,gf - October 5-October 6 Q Q ' ,October ll-November I0 ' mx ,P ,f X govemtr 19-December 4 u X Q XI, 1' U ' ecem 1 9-January 16, 1944 , se - QS ,, .tammy 29-Febmry 4 'VQCX f February 4-February I2 X, H: , 7 fl ksx N February 16-February 22 jj, r f wisflrf Vf XYLQ ' - if' February 26-March 7 Fi x x V .w My March ll--March 15 f Ns 1 X W' Q March 20-April I fu 479 5X'5i,,.?f Avril 6-Avril 13 if Y is ' n April 21--Miy I . pf 7 -'Ni it P K Y M-y 4-May 13 E, A A May 14--June 6 I . VJ 7 'V X4 Q , , June ll-June '24 'C ' ff . ' X June I9-June 20 '41 f f fi, ! 9 Sbx Y ff , 251 Va be 4 . ,W - u y u , ' August 2--August 10 August 13-August 23 3 QQ, K September 6-September 18 14-P E ,V geptiznber 21--September 24 a lQr,f-,ffQ,,3:mE' Migrim 'f cto r 10-October 30 HC Iwi October 24--October 25 U November 2-November ll a QACCESSION N9 CLAS 1 ATION Tlzllovemllig' is-November 23 3 1 682 mm PA Puscadoxus only war cms . f ' I X ,' 120' fx. -. 20 I 1 x X J, -Xu ' xx 2 is Xxx I U K X. X J ' .X x X NX x 1 x . x . ' ' XL' X x?7fiCC07ld Bdlllc' of PlliHl'l'i7W Sfa U7 K X' fl ' First Batllc of Philippine Sea ' ' -' ' l X .Hg I ,JZ T' I Q Z 4 'f--1'-'D L. -g.---.-..r..pv.f X Esafpaho .,,,,,0l-so ' X ' .f x'N, I U' 9 .540 0 .. e ' f,Q-- ':N xx ' rxf NN! 1 .Ma f .. .f ' :- . . . A I 4 e o f . 1 . 4 N! I' X'x, , X ,,f J ' C1'eTf ..f',,c X I Mmdolo f ,T - W - f .1 - -Y -. hh , lu lx! .2 ,' S-'e' Guam - .1 9w.., PHILIPPINE 7--M -- ' f., ,f' Lf -' '-LN - fr:-mc, -wg-.1 P---Pc .- . Negros 3. J Yap ,l Ulithi 0 b Sullufsea I Nxrume EAROLINI-: ls. l.: 61. W, .. ISLANDS ' 0 . ' ' Palau IS' fb x ' X Vfolcai ' U . 5' .3 It V 1 V. 6' x,x If '-1' ., sc' IA, ' ':..,,,,,g,:1.'.lg- 6.611155 -X' .xi 1' .I Truim vi ,-'Nil ' Q fa. Mindanao X ,' ' .fu . S'X 5-P '.: ' ' POHRDU f- . yu xg . ps, .X -3 ' .. n '- ,' 'R-Q. '- -- - 4 Celebcs Sea 5 ', ' . ' ' 'XX ' ' ' . ' X, X' , Q. .0 -.X Q. Q. O X i. Halmahera U Morotai 10 ' ' - , . lg 7 ..- . .... .... ,-- 'Tw f '+ .i'.'. .-'+.7L '-'-'-'fi 1 NNgi.t- 'i.,-Li.-Q.-4. II H: K . '..-76-.,.fs,.. le Culubcs I.-..u'H . ,-D -. . -x3f.L.... .....,u J Q -.B .1 xl. Sx.FtX,'3 -R xT..q-.S ,.K.- u T' 'x l Niianus sc 'X s ' -'X sis' ' some-2-M Bismarck Av-shim-luxe 'xx U Q , I Boulrainvillu 1 uw Britain Q SOLOMQ Q Ox 8 I 5. S . 1 D Coral Sea Cumlul ,a I KWAIALIIN ,a KWAJALEIN .ua TINIAN Sgllh nun. uurm. Ncuw. ...4 worm TRUK, and PONAPE BONIN ISLANDS. IWO JIMA. and PAGAN OF PHILIPPINE SEA Midway O rulnlrrmx-:s. CELEBES .1 Mono ' Harbor, Mamas Island 1 an TAI WA. FORMOSA. PESCADORES, LUZON, and Lum-: BATTLE OF PHILIPPINE SEA M Ulishi Pearl Harbor Arrived San Francisco are ploiled. IIAWAIIPIN rs1.ANns . . -5- . ' 9 ram- . O -.,'50' '75 Y ' ' '-1 0 , Q ' 4. 'fy l Wake ' ' 1 . 1 5 I , if .. 'KLFI ..n .I If . .4,f ' P nl f ... 3 ,--2-sx., ,ff ,bf Z,f 'x X X 1 . 0 , .X . 1. - LX f ,-ff' 'X f ff ' I' . .0 Q . . lx, 5 ,?kX:'. Eniwutok f -f ' X.X , 5 I 0 1 Q'.3.4fn,Q Bikini Lf ,tif 'X I ,l I - ' '. - ' ' 1 X. N 86514, g 'o.. 63,6 c. X j I4 1 X ', ' , , nf- . ,,. ' in, 5 .XP E150 lkaaJaI.1.rg J A Mamvlup , l If ,, l ' ?- 0 fs Qlris. 'a X. I g 'Oo' 0 I' . 5' - ', ' f PNN, '. , XTNN 7 ', Majuxjo X ' f 1 X-635,24-sms, 'X .f lf T K'-7, 0.3. ! Lu: Zof','.1'1'g ' .X I 0 E - -' I s 3 P' f' N X. f If .' L '. I 4 I f' - ' - V I7 x 'J ' f T. .X - - 'j' -. V f f x ' H - 'ff -' ff ' ' I , x I fuF3T O .' ' ' .f' f ' ,nfl x 3 xiii- Mum . - ' If' ' ,' , ...ttf XX 0- I 1 Z4 Y ff 4 ',H.,f X ' Tarawzxtsli 'xvJ,.-,. 1 'i I ' ' 1 If ' f XXI C4 1' 1 ' . f' . f -0 -. . ' f ' ' . - X .9 '.c- , . 1 , If .' ' I IX QP' Wu 1'r-I P 'visa'-...U- ir-n..A.A..: 0. RN 4? 6- ff . X f -'-I , K J ' xx an .2 Xxx PHOENIX 'IS. sy I' xx f Q -2 .Q X xsb--,fr r J ri 'xi In 3 , I X. I x - -r A IS, - I . :' , mg X m.l.1c1-: xs. 1 X 2- .I 'I Q N-X I S X ! I L 0 , ' Q I N f'l x, O ,f smm is. 'x ' X, QQ Eullirihl Sanlq NEW HEBRIDES IS. FIJI IS -.-.-- B v Q 1 l 1 i 1 I I I w Q 1 I Q 4 i 5 ,4 a v E E f L 49 1 1 1 9 i i 4 F x K. F i. A f 5 . X hi 1 3 1 'P al I ! I ! i r ,l 1 ,.....6- ,...- Ji Q I Q rf L 1 ,, I ' ll 0? ll wdlfif. ,F . YH f X 'tx 1 'My Winw .lf A V. 1. , W, .,1 vff VW' ,f fy: 14 1 f f ? if if , ,, i gf W: fyf 4 2 ! 5 ef ,. I F Z 1 1 f ki v 4 s' fc mv 1 w M X Z .4 7 , 'Q 4 , if Q2 ..z Q w T? T2 1 - lu ff' B -1 :Zen 8 z, 1 'fi .4 Q ,f P? l 3,1- 2 . E A PQ, . H ' 6 , K 1 X Z 1 K , W 1 41. 4 t 1. ff , 'S I' .N X, E 1 ' x x A I 4 -. I ' , 1 'P L ' Q n . 'lj ' M . i ' xx x ix: N .M FLIGHT UU 4. X 5 F il b the welfare fund of the U.s.s. BELLEAU Woon. Flight Quarters has been financed primar y y ::::::::::::::::r::Jl: All photographs in this book Cexcept those on page 765 are official U. S. Navy photo- graphs. Acknowledgment is made to the Bureau of Ships and to the Ofiice of Public Information, U. S. Navy Department, Washington, D. C. for supplying duplicates of several photographs which had been destroyed on the BELLEAU WOOD as a result of enem action y . The map of the Second Battle of the Philip- pine Sea Cpage 52D appeared in the Bureau of Personnel manual, All Hands? C0DY1'ight. 1946 by JOHN W. ALEXANDER. Lieutenant. U.S.N-R- CV I.-24 Roy A few extra copies of Flight Quarters are available. Those interested can order copies at S3 apiece from the printer COLE-HOLMQUIST Pmsss 1 1228 S. Flower Street Los Angeles 15 Y California is The BELLEAU WOOD has no addresses for mailing Flight Quarters to the following shipmates. All efforts to locate these men have been unsuccessful. Anyone knowing their whereabouts should notify Q them to send their serial numbers as identification and request their copies. Write to Ben Clyde Eddie Ewing James Edward Julius Lipford Jacob John Maximo William, Porter Carmel Edward George Anthony Bruno MKII IIC!! William Luther Harry Lee Jesse Willard Lyle Lavine William Oscar Charles Howard Hillard Anthony Peter James Stanford Joseph Leslie O ' ' l E t ren Lxmia rnes Joseph, Jr. Steve Anthony Williston Jennings Ray Edward Alfred Joseph Robert Leroy Bruce Robert Lee William Thomas Nicholas James Walton IIE!! HJ!! Smith Edward rancis Albert Newton Earl Melvin Elmo Dale Thurston Ernest Vernon Daniel George , Arnol Charles Roland Lloyd Hersel Joseph Flight Quarters -70591111 U. S. S. BELLEAU WOOD Fleet Post Odice San Francisco BOVEE, YVillard BOWER, Paul Clayton BONVERS, James Woodrow BOWLER, VVilliam John BOX, Johnn Walter BRADHAM, Ebbie Odell BRADNER, VVillie Richard BRADSHANV, Manley 'Wilson BRADSHAW, Melvin Leon BRAINERD, Darwin William BRAKE, Bruce BRAKEMAN, Ernest Elwood BRANNON, Henry Thaxton BRANSTETTER, Earl BRANTON, George Milton BRAZAITIS, Zigmund Victor BRAY, Ellis Tillman BRECK, Everett Bert, Jr. BREMMER, Richard Gordon BRESLIN, Charles Vincent BREWER, Hatson BREWER, John Jackson BRODIE, Herbert Frederick BRODIE, Thomas Matthew BROOKS, Thomas Charles BROWN, James BRUNELLE, Albert Hector BUCCINI, Louis Joseph BULLOCK, Melvin Franklin BURCH, Lyndwood H BURDEN, Leo Edward BURKE, Bernard Joseph BURKS, Edward Eugene BURTON, Howard Ivan BUSH, James Bernard BUSH, l1Valter Joseph BUSSE, Evan William BUTCHKO, Joseph BYERS, James Dennis BYRNES, Thomas Patrick CALHOUN, Willie Henry CALLAGER, Robert Daniel CAMPBELL, Clarence James CAMPBELL, William CANO. Cornelio CANTRELL, James Abram CAREY, Ross Donald CAREY, William Curtiss, Jr. CARLSON, Calvin Wayne CARLSON, Gustave Adolphe CARNEY, Wilmer Floyd CARR, Herbert Lee CARR, Joseph Amos CARROLL, Jack Dempsey CARTER, Jesse Marvin CARTWRIGHT, Albert Ernest CASPERSON, James Albert CASTORENA, Rodolfo Pedro CATTON, Charles Francis CAVALERI, Rocco CETRONE, Anthony Joseph CHALLET, Albert Vernon CHAPPELL, James Harold CHAVES, Antonie Joseph CHENOSH, John, Jr. CHINO, Daniel CHRISTIAN, Curtis T, Jr. CHRISTIE, George William CLARK, Joseph Matthew CLULOW, Paul Wayne CLYMER, Earl Ollis CLYMER, Thomas Roy COACHE, Aime William COAGER, COAKLY, Henry Harrison John Robert COBB, Clifford Earl COCKRELL. Willie COFFIN, Ralph Edson COLE, James Edward COLLINS, James Edward COLLINS, James Michael COLLINS, Otis COMBS, Breck COMER, Thomas CONTE, Alfred Vincent COOPER, Charles Ray COPPOLA, Anthony Rudolph, Jr. COSTA, John Frank COTE, Rolland Romeo COX, C. W. CRAWFORD, James Burnettc CROCKETT, Joseph Stanley, Jr. CROMWELL, John CRUSE, Donald Aurelius CUPREVVICH, Vincent John CURRY, Lawrence Paul CUSTADO, Sixto CZARNOTA, Joseph Albert D'AGOSTINO, Robert D DALTON, William Edward AMATO, Peter Patrick ' rw'-e Cha les D U DAVIS, Ralph, Sr. Davis, William Allen, Jr. DAVIS, Willis Pinkerton DEB'OLD, Clarence DECKER, Wallace Augustus, Jr. DEE, William Franklin DEFEO, Francis Paul DE FINA, Joseph Leonard DE GUTIS, Albert Paul DELLIQUANTI, Peter DE LUCCA, Joseph Dominic DE MARCO, Alexander Orlande DENISTON. William R. DERRAH, Walter Ferdinand DERRICOTT, Robert David DERRINGTON, Horace Raymond DE VIVO, John Philip DEVLIN, Joseph Francis DICK, Gordon DIGIAIMO, Frank Paul DIPALMA, Vincent DIMMITT, William Wilbur, Jr. D'ORSIE, Frank DORRIS, Carl DOUGLAS, William Wayne DOWDALL, Lester Anthony DOWNES, Kenneth William DRAYTON, Robert DUDLEY, Arthur Dale DUDLEY, Leo Roscoe DUFFY, Thomas Lawrence DUNKELBERGER, Richard DWYER, Robert Emmett, Jr. DYER, Delbert Edward DYER, Homer Wilson EGGERT, Robert Erwin EIKENBERRY. John Robert EILERS, Henry william ELLEDGE, Henry Hollis EMERICH, John, Jr. EMERSON. Ralph EMERY, Carlton Earl EMERY, Clyde Junior ENGLAND, Leonard Grant ' ENGLAND, Walter Rodolphe, Jr. ESHOO, Samuel Theodore ESKRIDGE, Wilton ESTEY, Irving Truskul ESTOCK, Joseph Edmund EVANS, Gaylord Carroll Jacque EVANS, Kenneth LaMarie EVANS, Roy Oscar FAIVRE, Rene August FALESE, Alfred Mathew FARGUS, Kenneth Ray FREDERICO, Anthony Neal FEESER, Ross Erwin, Jr. FELTON, Arthur William FINCH, Rocky V. FITZWATER, Oscar Talbott FLAHERTY, Isadore Charles FLEMING, Lonnie FLETCHER, Frank Joseph FLOWER, Raymond Frank FOLLETT, Donald FOREMAN, Joseph Theodore FOSS, Frederick DeOrville FOSTER. B. F. FOSTER, Bill Thomas FOWLER. Willie Lee FOX, Raymond Edward FRANKLIN, Raymond Bernard FRANTZ, Fred Kenneth FRECHETTE, Charles Armand FRISTO, Donald Robert GAGNE, Roland Silvais GALLAGHER, Thomas James GAREY, Carl Arista GARTNER. Charles Henry GAUMOND, Clarence Ronald GAUSE, Richard Henry GAVERICK, Michael GAYNOR, Daniel Joseph GEORGE, Lawrence Eugene GERVAIS, Rothwell Emmet GIBSON, Arthur GIBSON, Forest Lee GIESER, Melvin Henry GILLETT, LaVerne Orville GILLIAM, Albert Stanwood GILLIGAN, Matin Thomas GLOSSON, Andrew GOHMANN, Charles Albert GOLBA, Charles Frank GORAJ, Peter Anthony GORDON, Jack Russell GORDY, Robert King GORSKI, Alexander GOYETTE, Arthur Henry GRAHAM, Henry GRASS, Leo Bernard GRAVELINE, Edgar Stanley 0. Sam is GREEN, Kenneth Clark GREEN, WVilburn Harold GREEN, William Hueston, Jr. GREENE, Rowland Roy GREEN LAW, Dale Kennedy GREENLEAF, Malcolm Edward GREENMYER, John Henry, Jr. GROGAN, Samuel Henry Jr. GRUMBLING, Thomas, Jr. GRYGOREWICZ, Joseph William GUASCONI, Gino Charles GULLY. Clifton Junior GUTELIUS, Donald Floyd GUZY, Eugene Anthony HAMBERGER, Donald HAMILTON, Almus HAMMANN, John James HANNA, Dugal Alexander HAN NA, John HANSON, Charles Edwin HARRINGTON, James Walter HARRINGTON, Samuel Eugene HARRINGTON, Walter Vincent HARTFORD, Herbert Thomas HARVEY, William Alfred HASKELL, Harley Phinney HASTINGS, Will, Jr. HATALA, Louis Henry HATTON, Dallas Monroe HAYES, Hubert. HAYES, John Franklin, Jr. HAYNES, Vance HEIGHES, Leonard HEIN. L. D. HELT, Roy Edwin HELTON, Thomas Monroe HENDERSON, John Albert HENFLING, Franklin HENNESSEY, Daniel Francis HERENDEEN, Charles Floyd HEWITT, James H. HIGHT, Jim Thomas HILGERS, Walter HILL, Dean Carlton HILL, Douglas HILL, Elroy Hunter HILL, Jack Frederick HILLIER, Herbert Earl HODGES, Claude Lenord HODUR, Edward Joseph HOFFMAN, Edwin James HOFMAN, Floyd Walfred HOMIAK, Peter HOPKINS, William Charles- HOULIHAN, John Edward HOUSTON, Glenn Walter HOWACHYN, Peter HOWELL, Ralph Burris HOYT, Polete Leroy HUBBARD, William John HUDSON, R. 0. HUFF, Lawrence Nathaniel HUFFMAN, James Inman HUNGELMANN, James Thomfs HUNT, Richard Kenneth HUNTER, Vincent Martin HURD, William Nathaniel HUTCHINSON, Harold Anthony INTREVADO, Contantino Carl IVINS, William Heider JACKSON, Ewing Aubrey JACKSON, Joseph Anthony, Jr. JANKOSKI, Martin Richard JEFFERSON, Stafford Clarence JENNISON, Stephen Robert JERNIGAN. Philip Dean J IAVA, Fred J OCHEM, Harold JOHNELL, Louis John, Jr. JOHNSON, Hamilton Leon JOHNSON, James J OHNSON. Milton J OHNSON, Melvin Soldon JOHNSTON, Benton Wilbur JOHNSTON, John Jones JONES, Clair Philip JONES, John Maldwyn JONES, Thomas Hughs JONES, William Samuel JOYCE, John Francis JUDGE, John Joseph JUMPER, William Nevens JURICH, Michael KALBFLEISCH, Harvey Vernon KALMAR, John Steven Marvin Joseph oseph Joseph Jr. Thomas J h 0 n Leroy John Stanley Earl - Jr. John ZCQUES Ernest Bruce Francis Hubert Joseph as Sylvester Russel Eugene Oliver William Hilaire James H el Lucien Carl Fred William J Victor Leonard Francis Thomas Annard, Jr. Joe Haynew - Heralio Grover Alonzo Kenneth Gordon Eugene Stanley Joseph, Jr. Joseph Francis Gilbert Walter John Leonard Ernest McLemore Alvin Joseph Uriah James Gerard McFARLAND, Willard Winfield McGO'WAN, Robert Lewis McKEE, James Junior McMAHAN, Edward Eugene McVAUGHN. John MEHAN, Leroy Ayer MELTON, Aivis MEREDITH, George Donald MESKAN, Clarence Frank MICHALESON. Paul MILLER, Alton Eugene MILLER, Samuel Wilson, Jr. MILLER, Walter Pierce MIXON, Jilmmie Ray MOLTA, John Robert MONAHAN, Edward James MOONEY, Charles Wesley MOORE, Clarence Howard MOORE, Horison Osmend MORELAND, Arthur McKeel MORGAN., Edwin Frank MORRISON, William Joseph MOSS, Wendell Willard MOYER, Charles Albert MURCH, Donald Lloyd MURPHY, H. A. MURRAY, Gordon Howard, Jr. MURRAY, John Wallace MYERS, Theodore Wayne, Jr. MYERS, Wallace NAHAS. James Elias NAPIER, Cyrus NAPOLI, Albert 'Frank NARDI, Santo Sam NEIGHBORS, James Raymond NELSON, Wavil Canute NE SMITH, Clyde Norman NE SMITH, Edward Merrell NICHIPORCHIK, John ' NICHOLSON, William Maddison, Jr. NOLES. Will Mack NORRIS, Charles Wayne NOWHITNEY, John Patrick O'BRIEN, Daniel Patrick OLIVIERI, Tony Francis OPELAAR, Arie ORTEGA, Vincente Flores ORTEGO, Walter Adam OSLANDER, William Adam OSS, Chester Anderson OSTERMAN, John Joseph PACILLO, Joseph John PACK, George - PARKES, ,Ralph Herbert PARKS. Randolph Franklin PATRICK, James Walker PAUL, Peter Funsen PAULSON, Ralph Hartwick PAYNE, Jay T PEASE, Eldred PECK. Wendell Nelson PEDIGO, Charles Thomas, PEETS, Walton Munson PELOSI, Anthony Joseph PENDLETON, Thurman Griiiin PHILLIPS, R. H. PIJANOWSKI, Raymond John PINK, Harry Shockey PINKOSKI, Leo PLUTA, Wallace John PONCIER, Emmette Earl PORWET, John Joseph POWERS. John Francis POWERS, Troy-Fletcher POZZI, Mario. PRATT, Leo Willis PRELL, Raymond Bernard PRENDERGAST, John Albert PRINGLE, James -Arthur PRYNE, Cornelius, Jr. QUALTIERE, Anthony Richard QUIRK, Robert Paul QUIST, Ernest William RACKLEY, Fred Carswell RAMSEY, James Harrison RANGER, John Herbert RANKIN, James William RAPP, Richard Earl RASMUSSEN, Hans Arnold READ, Elwood Charles REILLY, Raymond Francis RENEHAN, Harold Edward RENFRO, Elvin RENNOE. Robert Earl REYNOLDS, Russell Raymond RHODE, Emil Frank RHODES, Laurence Samuel, Jr. Dusty K. - Legrand Wilfred Collins Frank Sam Donald Darius Leo Huestess onroe A James George Bernard . Robert Cole , William Arthur Carl lan W ROLJSE. Harry Elmer ROWLAND. Ronald Ray ROZIER, William Matthew, Jr. RUFF, Vernon Orvlllc RUHLIG, Richard Edward RUPPERT, Frank Xavier RUSHING, Carrol Brooks RUSSELL, Harold Wilson, Jr. RUTKOWSKI, Bruno Anthony SAKIEWICZ, Chester SALERNOK, Bernard Joseph SANTACROCE, Ji.m SAPP, Reynold Wiley SAULS, William Ashley SAVAGELU, Norman Henry SCAIEF, Willie Ray SCANDURA, Joseph, Jr. SCHAEFER, Michael William SCHAEFER, William Jefferson SCHINDLER, Bill SCHNEIDER, R. A. SCHNELL, Arthur John, Jr. SCHREINER, John Joseph, Jr. SCHULTE, Francis Gerald SCHULTZ, Stanley SCHUMACHER, Francis John SCHWARK, William Carl SCHWEIZER, William Joseph SCOTT, Adolph Leonard SCRUGGS, Hugh Preston SECKINGER, Hugh David, Jr. SEEFRIED, Donald Edward SELLERS, John Richard SETCHELL, Clarence Ermerson SEVERTSON, LeVerne Henry SHANNON, James Thomas SHARP, Alfred SHEETZ, Dalton Douglas SHELTON, Sam Davis SHIMP, Harold Franklin SIKORA, Joseph Frank SILANCE, Russell Monroe SIPLING, Harry Clausen SKOCH. James SLANTON, James R. SMALL, Michael John SMERNO, Peter Steven SMITH, Cecil SMITH, David D. SMITH, Donald Lester SMITH, James Franklin SMITH, Gypsy SMITH, James William SMITH, Leo James SMITH, Richmond Howell SMYTHE, Freeland Levan SNOWBERGER, Arnold, Jr. SNOW, Lawrence Leroy SNYDER, Ray Bert SOMERVILLE, Kirk H. SONDEY, John Edward SPEARS, Harold Jack SPITLER, Edward Lee, Jr. SPRINKLE, Lee Stephen STANDEFER, William Oscar STATES, William Glen STEADMAN, Kenneth William STEEL, Peter Maxwell, Jr. STEELE, Robert Joseph STEINMACHER, Wendel STEINMAN, Arthur John STELLER, Edwin Glenn STEVENSON, John STEWART, Simon Wade STONE, Basil Otho STONE, John Carl STRAUSBERGER, Max Joseph STUART, Franklin Howard SUCH, Mike SUMMERS, Firman Faye SUTTON, John William SWAN, Alvin Eugene SWANSON, Alfred Burton SWEAT, Edward O. SWIECKI, Stanley Joseph SYCZYK, John SYPNIEWSKI, Frank SZAJKO, John Joseph, Sr. SZALKOVVSKI, Louis TALBERT. Bill Jay Dee TALMADGE, John Alden TAYLOR, Berry Lynn TAYLOR, Odies Henry TAYLOR, Eugene Fulton TAYLOR. Richard William TESCHN ER, Arthur TESSMAR, Joseph Anthony THANER, Bernard George THOMPSON, E. M. THOMPSON, David Russell THOMPSON, Harold Franklin THORNHILL, Samuel Warren TIBURZI, Michael Frank TIGHE, Elmer Clayton TILBURY, Gordon Laverne TOMASUNAS, Anthony Alexander TOWLE, John Franklin TRACY, Edward Steven TRAUB, Anton John TREMONT, Leonard Sam TUCKER, Frank Lee TUCKER, Hoyt Cornelius TUCKER, Theodore Mathias TURSKY, Myron Rufus ULREY, Ralph Darden ULRICH, Harry Leonard UNGER. VVillinm Leo -FAN GELDER, .Tamer ' VAN GELDER., VK V, 'Mg ilgmnll Alfmwi VEUA, John VERNUM. Floyd Jolevh VIOLA, Peter James VOGEL, James Edward VOLBRUCK, William Albert, Jr. VON DER LINN. Robert Walker WAITKEVICH, George, Jr. WALKER, Johnny WALKER, Kenneth WALKER, William Jackson WALLACE, Vitold Frank WALLENBECK, Herbert Lee, Jr. WALSH, Anthony Joseph WALSH, Herbert WALTERS, Ralph Marion WALTON, Junior Raymond WARE, Ed WARNER, Larkin WARREN, George Howard WASHOM. Robert William WATERMAN, Robert Stanley. Jr. WATERS, William Thomas WATSON. Vaughn C WEATHERS, Elmo Francis WEAVER, Thomas Funk WEBBER, George Herbert, Jr. WEERSING, Norman Oakes WEGNER. C. N. WEIR, Tobert McAusland WEITZEL, Lester Roland, Jr. WELDY, Jean Richard WELLS, Carl Samuel -' WEMES, Maynard William WENDT, Russell 1 WEST, Charles Sidney WETER, Mike WHITE, James Alvis WHITE, James Lumby WHITING, P. I. WHITLEY, William Powers WICHLIDAL, Carl William WICKENS, Gerald Michael WIGGIN, Herbert Adna. WIGGINS, Willie Howard, Jr. WILEY, William,Street N , Charles Woodrow WILKERSO WILLIAMS, Ernest Craig WILLIAMS, Fred, Jr. WILLIAMS, Roy Abraham WILLIAMS, Soloman Nathaniel WILLIAMS, Solomon Thompson ' WILLIAMS, William Arthur WILLIAMS, Willie Maurice WILLIS, Merle Reese WILSON, James Frederick WILSON, William Reed WILTSE, Herbert Eugene WINDER, Joe Charlie WINTERS, James John WISE, Wid Junior WODZYNSK, John Henry WOLF, Edward Joseph WOOD, Raymond Monroe WOODWARD, Ronald WOOLFOLK, William Francis WOOLSEY, T. H. WRIGHT, Charles Vernon WRIGHT, Myron Dwight WRIGHT, Robert Joseph . WRIGHT, William Martin, Jr. WUERTH, Norman Edward WUNNER, Robert VVYSOWSK1, Sam YAHNE, Henry Scott YANDOW, Kenneth Bernard YOUNG, Melvin YUREK, Roman ZAJACZKOWSKI, Edward ZALESKI, Edward Albin ZDEB, Richard Jerome MARINES BALDWIN, Robert W. BANKSTON, Glenn E. BURNS, Jerome V. CHRISTIAN, Joe C. COOK, Charles W. DANNEMILLER, Vincent D. DOLNACK, Stephen J. DUBYAK, George M. FARRAR, Robert 'K. FOLKNER, Edward R. HARVVOOD, John G., Jr. HUIBREGTSE, Roland C. KELSON, Samuel C. KITTRIDGE, Harry F. KOMARNICKI, Joseph LERAY, Herman M. MARSHALL, Fred E. MARTINO. Serverio J. MIEALTOVVSKI, Joseph P. MORAN. James F. NORKER, Louis W. PARKAM, Wallace D. PHILLIPS, James E. RAMANO, Ralph A. RYAN, Patrick X. ' SAUTERRE, George H. SCOTT, Lawrence R. SEZOO, Leonard ST. JOHN, Alfred L. STEPHENSON, Andrew I-I. SUBA. John W., Jr. THOMAS, William B., Jr. TOTERO, James J. ULANOWICZ, Edwin C. VTCRTNC, lfv-1-,lv Ll l' lX'l1F .'.- A 3 'I , x , v-Nw x l ix I ,.. K y ,. , A 1 , '1!A43iiigf5j3ki: 'ix ' i N A , ru XA 4' ' fx M K H ff: Q in K. , , 1 . I I 1 Q 1 1 4, 5 1 1 l E 1 2 K Q., ', f f 4 -A it , I 4 D 4 Nearly two hundred individuals made direct contributions to this book. Their work has been super- vised and coordinated by the fol- lowing staff membersz. THE T FF A Editor Assistant Editor Editorial Committee: Layout Committee: Photography Committee: Circulation Committee: John W. Alexander Qjgj Richard L. Saunders Geoffrey Creyke CjgD Bertill W. Johnson fjgj Frank Sloan Ens. William W. Baines Ens. Cole G. Coleman Ens. Albert C. O'Neal Don C. Brandvold, Ylc August Jennevien, Slc Raymond L. Jones, QM3c Richard J. Koch, Slc Eugene Malone, Ylc Don A. Olsen, Slc Lt. Conrad E. Green' Gilbert R. Porter, Slc Louis J. Reedy, Slc Lt. C Arden I. Lichty Don W. Shearon, PhoM2c Theodore Perett, PhoM3c Ens. Frank Morgan Francis Read, SF3c Kale Hatfield, CM3c Charles Van Ooteghen, SpA2c PREP COE Cglflight Quarters is the story of the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD, CVL-24. Produced by the ship's company, it presents in picture and word the carrieris experiences on the long road from Camden to Tokyo. WWW y if 55 The title of the book is adapted from the most distinctive call heard aboard an aircraft carrier -the call to 6'Flight Quartersi'-which sum- mons the crew to stations for launching and landing aircraft. The public address system carries the voice of the boatswain's mate throughout the ship, GcFlight Quarters for launching and landing aircraft, followed im- mediately by the sprightly notes of the bugle. This call to flight quarters is a lively call, a familiar call, one we will always associate with the BELLEAU WOOD. 'Sl CAPT. ALFRED M. PRIDE .CAPT. JOHN A. PERRY 't '5i!'! FFICER APRIL 12 1944- - JANUARY 26 1945 COMMANDINC crrlclan, JANUARY 4, 1943 - APRIL 12, 1944 COMMANDING 0 , , g V P 1 , ,, . A ., , ,, I-. - ' w r ,, , , ,, , , , 1 V. A , - ,, , cri sis 'fl -j ,:m:'S:i,li'5,Zf?'I'-til-f4:?'NH. ,',' -- 1 -' 4 .-Fxffih , dig- -'-:ld , fa Y A 1g4h51,,LQf,glV- ...ff-t if --ll --Mau! --',sur,::,,: J J rl Y A N . E- . ' '9 A1 f ei i at - . ' .1 R I Q R R A I A 1 ' if 1 if -+3 R A ' ' I ' - F J A.R1 ,,, -K f Q M '- . 215223342 1 A V xrdfffifiigs 'XXV K , V' M V .. - S , V' 1, 'P A.-A .- fx ' I I sy i ' i J . .M , 1 3 Sf-TNQ. in api: .3 HIS book is not expected to be literature. We are not coiners of fine words or joiners of graceful phrases. Our experience at writing has been restricted to requisitions for war supplies and Action Reports-or occasionally making out a pay receipt. So the great might of the pen is not for usg ours has been the simpler task of bearing the sword. But perhaps the incidents jotted down herein will serve as an aide-memoire in an hour of reminiscence later ong or, still later, get one of us out of trouble and embarrassment when asked by one of the grandchildren, Where were you, Grandpappy, when Halsey was beating the hell out of U16 .laps and trying to get on that .white horse? With dignity you can produce this booklet as evi- dence, then quietly add, 'Don,t say 'hell' Sonny, us real fightin' men don't swear? Ahem. Together we have sailed the BELLEAU WOOD in the first strike against Tokyo when the home islands of the Empire were strong. Thereafter we stood against the Empire in every attack of either Task Force 58 or Task Force 38 until our enemy was beaten and gave up. We have seen many enemy suicide bombers nose over for the last diver as the Able Able opened up and you must have had a fleeting thought, as I have had, I wonder who will win ? At night we have been under .ISP flares and wondered 'what's up or more specifi- cally uwhat is coming down? Those flares, I know, produced a strange feeling of nakedness- Those occasions were much like the bad dream wherein one imagines that he is in a bathtub at Times Square with one notable exception, 88 someone said, This ain't no dream! X, e Qi K CAPT. WILLIAM G. TOMLINSON CAPT. JOHN B. MOSS F l V, N v3,1,e?,g-fr.g,:q-uyfawvvfx--. :--.v1- f. - ' Y -- --M - g- ' '- - -----A -r----H ,, , ,, COMMANDING OFFICER, JANUARY 26, 1945 - DECEMBER 15. 1945 rr-srvvsvlw' 4 ' ' 1-- -H ' ' -' Y -'-'Z-'f-ff f ww- ---1..:- . 5, , 6, i', :J . ' ,-jrax, g YM Y V. W V AV A A --J - -.-...-..-..-...--: f------4 ---Y --1 ----- : su:-N... Our record of Nip planes that were splashed, Jap men-of-war and merchant ships that are on the bottom, sitting ducks that were torched, air- field installations that were wrecked, industry blasted and locomotives blown up speaks for itself without a single word of embellishment. Every oflicer and man aboard contributed to these achievements and so each one may take pride in the service rendered to King and country. Fleet Admiral King, of course. Before reporting as the BELLEAU WO0D'S third war time skipper I knew of her fine reputa- tion in action under Captain Pride and Captain Perry. lt seemed that it would be impossible to add one mite to her stature as a Fighting Lady, and so it became the greatest wish of my life that, under my command, nothing would detract from CUMMANDINC OFFICER, DECEMBER 15, 1945 - --, ,.., - ---- - W,-aww-11523-5-.un-..-A...-f - 4' 91...-A-1: , -- - 5 Y- f-:::-:-M 1 - -- x X N fa her bright page in the history of the Fast Carrier Task Force. You, the crew of my ship, the officers and men of Air Group 30 and Air Group 31 have generously given me the fulfillment of that wish with high courage, real blood and sweat, but with- out tears. Let us guard the future and may God then grant us peace for our remaining days and beyond, so that our next generationis young need not die in battle. With great admiration, deep respect, and affec- tion for the crew which could not he stopped by enemy action . . . or a typhoon, ff , KTQ 7 Captain., U. S. Navy DEDIC TID ' I g ff ' ' fy f, , Q fy,yw1j2,5fjfy,1j! f , X n u f f ' ,ff HLA, w G f, !,,, I, V, V,, ,,,!,,,4.! ,THIS BOOK IS A 1 CAND SUPREME CDURAGE , 1 GUARD THE PEACE WHICH i Avery Waymall Abram, ACOM Emil H Hf ' fA H ,Qin Francis Thomas Acton, S20 Wilfredilli 'AAE ff ff! calvin Engene Adams, sz.: David icnf1isn,,rIsArAn1gg,'AMMSQ- Robert Glenn Agnersr 520 C A E1m0lJ0h'fS0ii5 nrslicihiillllflif ffff? Ef A f'f75'A3iQili Frank Thomas Alderson, Slc Ralph, John Franeis Allard, Cox. ' A Harold Lnnnin Allen, sze A f Edward Mn. Denon, AOM3c -A - A Elmer Clifton Barham, S2c hh Panl Lee' Barker, iS2c A John Kiiilellagl A D HH A Emilien Beanpre, Slc A I-larvey fA A H Thomas, Waisonyh Bell, sze. A Arthur niarrnae, 'Cl3Rd6',WilhHfIl' Bounds, Jr., S20 'John '1'fli,W'li ', iii.-if Elmer Claiborne Brake, S2c i C, C E!H A If Theodore Henry Brown, Slc H Smnlej?-Aloysius Brzozowski, Cox, A K'-,:.j:x iJ,ne,Bn11ing:nn, Jn., cox. A g nBn1n515ngignsA1gggg.ndnn Ahsmnnlgnsgsznh Prnnnni Loftus Bunch, AOM21: A Eaninnfi H'n AEHAH xlearpnggfmg SamuelCardone., AOM3c C E John, Michael Anthony Cercone, Slc H Arthur Elias Chapman, S2c C E Marionljames Clayton, S2c Y A ,Sic gifIQhffsfhoiff:5gl5Q-Ealfv Machinist Raymond Erle Connell -lll ' Harry Richard Darde, WT2c Lesliexllay Darsey, Slc John ,William Davie, Cox. Victor Devarney,iS1c A h .larnes Francis Edwards, Slc Alfred Henry Fenton,sEM3c h Antonio Flematti,S1c Frederick Joseph Fox, SF2c ,C John Freitas, AlVIM3c A C h Carlyle James Fuglie, AMMICAC C Carl .Thurston Gardiner, Cox. ll James Robert Gardner, AMMlc h Harry Charles Hannaman, Slc' E Daniel Henry Hedges, S2c A Thomas Paul High, Slc Ray Carl Hoefler, sln C + A John Frank Iloffenpradel, Slc Fredrick 'Martine Runxbm,S11C,3assfgife KampiaieBisfiiirfllisfiefliiifffi GewiHfFra11k1i1i ismilhfr Meuflifi CROBQUT Swifbzs Clyde! Edvard,eTh0vesf1iA2a -iii nlsrha PSHIQEFCB6fiiafi13,2SYTalk5i5sEHQS-'liirrgifijfffI A ..hk Lelandl,EllbaQiiW'ielillil3e, sli, Slelf 'lis 5 2 C' Esiwardf Ledrbwr Will! S167 Tile Carl Leonard Wilsoii, f he Slanleyg Lewis fRobert Beirne Wagenknecht, AOM2c , . r QPOF OUR CREW WHO FELL IN ACTION, THEIR DEVOTION TO DUTY OUR MINDS AND IN OUR HEARTS. WE AFFIRM THAT WE WILL EAND FOR WHICH THESE SHIPMATES HAVE PAID SO DEARLY. V E ' AIR GROUP 24 V Lt. Cjgl George John Agar I Robert Emmett Balfrey, AMM24: James Thurston Broome, ARM2c A Arthur David Carter, ARM2c I Ens. John Robert Clem Lt. Comdr. John O,Kell Curtis . fn Lieut. Robert Stanley Felt i'Ens. W.. R. King 1 Lieut. F. L. Lamb , i7Ens. Robert Howard Odem 'Frank Raitt, ARM2c 1, Max Eugene Shady, AOM3c 'C Edward M. Skeehan, AMM2c split. Cjgj Ernest W Wood, Jr. f J f CMISSINGJ Lt. Cjgj George P. Brown f Parker Atley Delaney, ACRMCAAJ , Ens. Donald E. Fleisher Q Ens. R. L. Parker James Asbury Peters, CM1c - Ens. Edward Joseph Phillipe to Ens. J. R.,Powning Lieut. I. J. Snowden Lieut. Richard Merriweather Swensson J r AIR GROUP 31 y, Ens. William Boyd Hall J Efns. Paul Herbert Henderson - Ens. Edwin Ross White A CMISSINGJ 'J '.Ens. GE Hn Caywood V Wmiam Kenneth Hall, ARM24: James Clarence Holland, AMMZQ ,.,E11.S5 Victor Julian Morton M, , AIR GROUP 21 Glenn Louis Allen, ARM2c Russell James Barlow, AMM2c George Gnst Brown, AOM2c Carl Preston Crump, Ptr2c Robert Bernard David, ARM2e Robert Franklin Drake, ARM2c Louis Bernard Drop, AOM2c Yvilliam Theodore Eschuck, ARM3c John Patrick Gorman, ARMIc Lieut. W'arren Lee Keely l Herbert Harry Logsden, ARMZC Dodson Anderson Marsh, ARMle George Wrashington Marsh, ARM2c' Jack McKelvy Martin, ARM2c George C. McClease, AMM2c Lieut. Marvin Udell Mead Edmund Lewis Nawrocki, AOMZC Billie James Nitzel, AOMlc Billy Moore Shelton, ACM Reynold Soquist, ACRM Robert Edward Traynor, AOM2c James Elmos Wfagoner, AOM2c Joseph Patrick'Wall, ARM2c Norman Earl Waters, AOM1c William John Zeits, AOM21: QMISSINGJ Leslie Ray Arrance, AMM2c Odis McRee Davidson, ARM2c Ens. James Everett AIR GROUP 30 Lt. Cjgl Lewis John Behrend Ens. Robert Gabriel Berenson Luther Lee Burton, AOM3c Joseph Cherry, AMM3c Edward Albert Gruett, AOM3c Lt. Cjgl Francis Earl Hedges A Theodore Ford McDavid, Jr., ARM3c Willis Milton Parker, ARM3c Frank Leo Peterson, AEMlc Lieut. Jacob Matthew Reisert Ens. Charles Dewitt Relyea, Jr. Ens. Harold James Wescott Ens. Robert Lyle Young CMISSINGJ Ens. Robert Owen Burns, Jr. Edward John Bury, AMM2c Ens. Williain Joseph Cummings, Jr. Howard Baldwin Jacques, ACRT Lt. Conidr. Robert Harold Lindner Ens. Clifford Davis Mclver Edward Jackson Mawhinney, ARMlc Ens. Robert Lee Mosher Ens. William Nelson Thomas, Jr. William Tilley, AMM2c Lieut. Roderick Charles Tothill Ens. George Joseph Tracy, Jr. Men are tefmed missing in accordance with the official casualty repon submitted by the ship at the time each man was lost I HI TURY Y. ,. --rf- 1 f, ..--L., A ,av F -:FN 1 sg! 5 XY' 1 -4, Q i W 4 1 Q 1 l From CRLII E to C PIRIEII THE war had ended. The curtain had been drawn across the Pacific stage. The U.S.S. BELLEAU WQCD, sailing from Tokyo Bay for home, was bowing out as a fighting carrier. In her radio room a radioman lounged at his typewriter with earphones propped over his ears. With no traffic of importance to record, he leaned on one elbow, stared at the bulkhead, and absentmindedly flipped the keys. Suddenly he sat bolt uprightg the typewriter rattled to the rhythm of dancing fingers. Something for us was coming through those earf phones! It was the Admiral sending-Rear Admiral T. L. Sprague, commander of our task group durf ing the closing months of the war: U. S. Naval Communication Service IT WILL ALWAYS BE A SOURCE OF PRIDE TO ME TO HAVE SERVED WITH THE GALLANT CAPTAIN AND THE GALLANT SHIPS COIVIPANY OF THE BELLEAU WOOD X YOUR PERFORIVIANCE OF DUTY HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING ON ALL OCCASIONS AND YOU LEAVE BEHIND YOU A DISTINGUISHED CHAPTER IN WAR HISTORY X YOU HAVE CON- TRIBUTED NIORE THAN YOUR SHARE TO THE FINAL VICTORY X GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK X SPRAGUE This is the story of that gallant ship. This is the story of the BELLEAU NVOOD. 15 ghxx The BELLEAU WOOD is the third of the CVL's, the Independence class carriers, constructed on cruiser hulls at the New York Shipbuilding Company in Camden, New Jersey. The INDEPENDENCE, CVI.f22 and PRINCETON, CVLf23 were the first two. The building of hangar decks and flight decks on hulls being constructed for cruisers was an emergency measure to nll the immef diate need for carriers in the Pacific where, during the early days of the war, the big carriers LEXINGTON, YORKTOWN, WASP, and HORNET had been sunk. The U.S.S. NEW HAVEN, through this transformation from cruiser to carrier and emerged CVLf24 flight carrierj. CVLf24 was launched December 6, 1942 after it had been christened U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD by Mrs. Thomas Holcombx. CLf76 flight cruiserj went 2'Mrs. Holcomb, wife of the Marine Corps Commandant, christened the ship BELLEAU WOOD in honor of the famous World War I battle of Bois de Belleau fBelleau XVoodj, fought in the area between Champillon and Bouresches near Soissons, 45 miles northeast of Paris. In which lasted from June 6 to June 27, this struggle 1918 U. S. Marines of the 4th Marine Brigade added a brilliant page to Mar' ine Corps history by expelling the Germans from the woods in some of the most desperate Hghting of the war. While all of the work of construction and launching was going on, the ship's company was reporting for dllfl' at the Wellsbach Building in Philadelphia to be Ofgan' ized into departments, divisions, and sections. New H169 fresh from boot camp and oiiicers coming to their first sea assignment mingled with the nucleus of veterans wh0 already had their sea legs. To direct the moulding pf an integrated, coordinated Hghting unit from these diverse components, the Navy appointed as the first skipper, Capt. A. M. Pride, a veteran pilot who won his wings in the other World War. One of the most capable men in the Navy, Capt. Pride had demonstrated his abil1tY.bY climbing through the ranks from machinists mate thlfd class to captain. . Y er Executive Officer on the new carrier was Command Shortlv alter our shiP was Commlsi sioned: a delegation of the Veterans.0f Belleau Wood. United States Mafme Brigade. Inc., an active organization of Wcv1'ld War I heroes who meet feglf' lar-ly in New York CRY- Presented their post colors to the ship' The colors are here diSPlHYed by Capt. Don NV. Calbreaith and C355 John Clablv of our own Marine 9 tachment. 16 i l Robert Goldthwaite directing the following department heads: Cdr. Richard R. Lyons-First Lieutenant Cdr. Richard Phillipsaffngineering Ojicer Cdr. T. O. Dahl-Air Officer Lt. Cdr. H. E. Gillespie-eMed1'cal Officer Lt. Cdr. R. E. Patterson fSurvivor from the old 'YORKTOWNjfNavigator Lt. Cdr. H. R. Bierer-Supply Omcer Lt. Cdr. V. C. Cheek-Communication Officer Lt. W. T. Croner-Gunnery Officer Typical of the new crew ordered to the BELLEAU WOOD was Lou Mitnick, iireman first class, who was cleaning sides on the old TUSCALOOSA in the Brooklyn Navy Yard when he was handed a clearance card and told to be on his way to Philly. There he reported to the Receiving Ship and was assigned to the BELLEAU WOOD. After reporting to the Personnel Officer, he- but here he is with his own words: The following Executive Officers Commander Robert Goldthwaite Commander Richard R. Lyons Commander William Miller Commander Theodore O. Dahl Commander Richard R. Ballinger Commander William W. Hollister l I rushed in a chit for leave, but the officer, after looking through some papers, said, You're just the man we are looking for, B division has been waiting weeks for a fireman like you'. I retired wearily to the Wellsbach Building, got squared away, and prepared to hit the sack. Reveille the next morning was held by a boatswain who walked around shouting and blowing his whistleg he was the first one I got to know. His name was Skelton. After breakfast I met the chiefs and some of the boys and was ready to get my hrst glimpse of the BELLEAU WOOD. It was cold that morning hiking down to the dock. Suddenly somebody yelled, 'That's her!' 'You could have knocked me over with a feather. All this time I had thought the BELLEAU WOOD was one of the big Essex class carriers, but there she was, a little ugly flat top and a starboard list to boot. For a moment I wished I'd joined the Army. have served the BELLEAU WOOD: March 31 - October- 17, 194-3 October 17 - December 9, 19413 December 9, 1943 - July 7, 1944- g July 7, 1944 - January 17, 19415 January 17 - October 4, 1945 October 44, 194-5 - A .is ,M While the bluejackets were assembling in Philadelphia the Marine Detachment formed at Portsmouth Virginia where new sea going groups were getting their sea school training and assignments. In charge was Captain Leo Dulacki who had ridden the HORNET through the sensational Doolittle raids on Tokyo. Gunnery Sergeant St. John had been aboard the old WASP when she was sunk off Guadalcanal. The detachment was an eager out fithsince they were going on an aircraft carrier named after an immortal Marine battlefield. Commissioning day was March 31 1943. That morn ing the ship was towed over from Camden to the Phila quite an attraction Everyone wanted to be topside not withstanding the stern warnings of older carrier men. But new to the game we were curious to be up there to see what it was all about. No new man reporting to a carrier can help but marvel at the performance of the aviators and landing signal oflicer during landing operations. As soon as the first aboard curiosity drives him to the flight deck to see the action. Depending on the temperament of the observer he is either awed fascinated stunned or land this covers the majority -just plain scared. The sight of the flying machines roaring through the landing circle up the - , . ' 9 3 3 f flight quarters sounds after the newcomer arrives 3 5 , ' s 1 9 9 7 , delphia Navy Yard where in afternoon ceremonies Rear Admiral Milo F. Draemel ordered the ship into com' mission. In assuming command, Capt. Pride voiced the spirit that was to govern the ship, Our sole aim is to get this ship to the Pacific in record time, doing dirt to the Japsf' Our first Air Group fnumber 241 reported aboard in May at Philadelphia. The group operated 9 TBF's, 9 SBD's, and 12 fighters. After a week of practice operations in Chesapeake Bay during late May, we anchored off Annapolis for inf spection by Naval Academy midshipmen and naval authorities from Washington. Cn June 29 we checked in at Norfolk to prepare for the shakedown cruise. A week later our ship, and she was our ship now, slipped out into the Atlantic and disapf peared into the southern darkness. For six weeks the ship and crew were busy shaking out the wrinkles, the most intensive part of the cruise being the two weeks from June 14 to June 28 while operating around Trinidad off the northeast coast of South America. For daily launchings and landings we left the anchorage at PortfoffSpain each morning to return at dusk. The novelty of the Hrst few takeoffs and landings was groove, taking the cut, skimming the flight deck to catch a wire, is a thrilling experience. But there is always the possibility of the hook bouncing over the wires or snap' ping off after catching a wire, freeing the plane to shoot up the deck and plow through the barrier. A blowout can toss a plane into the catwalk. The air bristles with the threat of barrier crashes and fires on the flight deck., Every time a pilot takes off he is taking his life in his hands-for it means that a few hours later he will have to land on a floating platform little larger than a match box. Coming home to land on a long terra firma runway is a cinch compared to this. It would be hard enough to hit this restricted area from the sky even if it remained steady and level, but usually the flight deck is pitching and rolling with the motion of the ship. Too much credit cannot be given to these zoomies of ours who, day after day, risk their lives making landings on a squirming air' craft carrier-the toughest flying duty there is., july 3 found us back in Philadelphia with salt on our cheeks and wondering what was next. Then one day our orders came-orders to proceed through the Panama Canal and on to Pearl Harbor. The game was on. , THE JAVA JERKN He was making for the Oil Shack, Bound for the coffee pot, Drooling and expectant, This wildfeyed coffee sot. As he sauntered down the passageway. The coffee fragrance grew, He knew his search was nearing end. There'd be cream and sugar too. After seeking Joe here and there. P He Hnally found his treasure, There was coffee hot and steaming, Ch much to his great pleasure. M. A. ANDERSON. Ylc. HEPUPHI G for DUTY CPMISE It uMan all stations and communications for unmooring from dock . Engineers tested the main engines. The brow was hauled away. Lines to the dock were cast off. The ship quivered as the propellers churned the water astern. It was 'igoodfbye to Philly on july 21, 1943. In company with the new LEXINGTON and PRINCETON we soon were cutting through the white, choppy waves of the Atlantic. The daily routine of life at sea began: turn tow, scrubbing decks and bulkheads, flight quarters, the boatswain's pipe, watch after watch. New things caught our attention dailyg we were learning to be sailors-and shipbuilders too. 'LThey rushed us through the yard and into the Pacific so fast that we had to finish building the ship on our way to Pearl , grinned assistant engineer Tippett. After crawling through the Panama Canal the Beulah Maru Cas Air Group 24 had nickfnamed her, paused long enough for a brief liberty in Balboa before setting a course on the Pacific on July 28. It was August 9 when the ship reached Pearl Harbor, eager and ready to get in the game. E . 1 A l E l L 5 I , 491.04 i Un August 25 we departed with the PRINCETGN and supporting vessels on our inaugural assignment: covf ering the amphibious forces occupying Baker lsland. This tiny island southwest of Pearl was needed as a fighter base to disrupt Jap raids and patrols out of Tarawa and Makin. Although the Japs had no garrison on Baker we expected trouhle and airhornc opposition to our oceupaf tion. To our utter amazement the operation opened without incident on September l. While covering this occupation and waiting for the Army's squadron of Pf4O's to estahf lish itself, we spent two weeks churning around the island, crossing the equator on every swing---32 times to he exact. There were no laps on Baker hut there were plenty in the Gilherts. The Gilherts marked the limit of the east' ward advance of the Yellow Tide, and it was here that we would have to start pushing them hack. The invasion itself was still several weeks off when, on Scptemher lo after moving west from Baker, we took our first crack at Tarawa. It was at Tarawa, major Gilhert atoll, that Air Group 24 received their first indoctrination in striking Jap bases and facilitieslemachine gun nests, fuel dumps, barracks, antifaircraft emplacemcnts, shore defenses e elements to he wiped out hefore the Marines charged ashore. Assigned to this mission were these three carriers: the LEXINGTQN, PRINCETCN, and BELLEAU WGOD. url 2 0 Photographs of the results of the attack revealed the laps to be even more expert than we expected at the art of camouflage. It was difficult to determine the damage acf complished. But our fighters had aided in destroying 12 Jap planes on the ground. The Admiral's A GOOD JOB DONE ON THE BETTYS warmed us. Confidence was born It was late in the afternoon of Septemlcr 16 when the task group began its retirement from the one day strike at Tarawa Lt Bob Ross Lt jg Walter Buck Rogers and Ens Robby Robinson were on patrol duty when they received a call to investigate a plane which the ship s radar had picked up The three Hellcats went after the contact overtook a Betty and commenced their Gunnery runs The Betty immediately lo t altitude ind made a full stall landing in the water Straing runs sank the plane Another patrol was in on the kill on an Emily and re turned with some of the Hrst photographs taken of this large patrol bomber Tarawa marked our first contact vtith the enemy With growing confidence we returned to Pearl Harbor We had made the grade BEWARE ALL POLLYWOGS SAID THE GHOSTLY VOICE OVER THE BLATT BOX To say that the BELLEAU WOOD had crossed the equator several times during the preceding days is a simple statement of little import But to the men aboard who had never before seen that glorious line the crossing had re verberatmg significance These greasy slimy pollywogs were now eligible for initiation Into the elite order of shellbacks A pollywog is any person who has never crossed the equator a shellback has Here s Don W Shearon PhoM1c with his account of from pollywog to shellback Tales o terror trzc led throughout the shrp horrzble accounts o the process o bezng converted rom a slzmy pollywog to a nzce clean shellback but the sudden warnzng via the announcmg system was the tzpojjr o what was to ollow 'That was shortly a ter a routtne G one even mg The following mornzng ound pollywogs dressed in bac ward togs everything but their shoes worn hznd szde to and mstde out Some were dressed in out ts that rncluded everything rom unnels to lengths of fire hose others sprouted brzght colored pajamas Pollywog loolqouts spent all mornmg on the orward end o the 1ght dec peerzng through the wrong end o telescopes wartzng to see the line as we approached it In accordance wrth the backward trend they were o course loo mg toward the antazl Eventually each pollywog recerved a summons to the court o Neptunus Rex the summons statzng the o ense or whzch he was to be trred And the charges were rn eepzng wzth all that had gone on be ore they ranged rom rmpersonatrng a shellbac to at temptzng to steal the royal baby s nrpple Finally the notortous day arrived The morning was one o torture At noon the vtctzms were strzpped to the shorts and herded onto the hangar dec In groups of 50 they were escorted by sentrres to the zght dec well pac ed canvas tubes made good persuaders and dzscouraged muttny Arrzvrng upon the rght dec each pollywog was orced to his nees encouraged by electrrc prtch or s 'Travelhng across the ight deck on hands and nees the vzctrm was paraded be ore the Royal Party rncludzng the Royal Baby whose navel had to be zssed Generously smeared with a vile tastzng con coctron the extremely at babys paunch wasnt an rnvttzng place especially when one s head was pushed rom behmd Royal baby usually was the most corpulent shellback aboard A ter the parade thmgs began to get hot 'Tall men were orced into a wooden co n several mches too short then made to he down tn it scootzng bac and orth as a club was pounded rom one end to the other I you dtdn t scoot ast enough well A wild eyed doctor had his operating table all t . l , 1: , , ' . . . . . ff J, r ,g . , U ak. s gf: . ., . y If , . k y .4 .. K f it .. 9 .Q .' . 'L ff' ks It .. f .k ., . .n T' f f ' fr it f . .j J f .k , . . . . . M. t H. r f f . li , f r , f 1 .sr if A - , .U , .f y R. p . .y . i . k g A . ., f , , 5 . , , If f f y .nf , 5 ',. J f f fr R, ' f ' a ' f y .. , . . k .g . f f f It f u .f f r - -1 21 rigged up, including electric saws and wickedflooking mallets. Another 'doctor' snapped, 'Say ahhhhhh', then jammed a paint brush, with more of the vile vitamins, down the pollywog,s thr-oat. Busy barbers made bad haircu-ts worse. The stocks were reserved for special cases of stub' born recalcitrants who were locked in, battered with salt water from a hose, painted with more of the royal baby's belly cosmetics, grease, oil, rotten eggs- and just pestered in general. Came the climax of the entire initiation: running the sleeve. A couple of target sleeves had been sewn together end to end making a threeffoot tunnel al' Q x .Xt . most 40 feet long through which each candidate was forced to crawl with a fire hose stream of salt water driving through from behind. The biggest shellbacks with more of those canvas persuaders flanked the tunnel. 'Nuff said. It was either keep your head down and the other end up-or be carried to sick bay for reviving. All of this process produced new shellbacks, with the predominant color for a few days in the blacker and bluer hues. Other than the bruises, each victim had one thing to show for the ordeal: an impressive certificate signed by the skipper saying the :bearer had been 'duly initiated into the order of shellbacksf Q WA E CRUISE 2 October 1-October 11, 1945 ' HERALDED as the greatest carrier task force ever assembledn, six carriers steamed out of Pearl Harbor on October 1, 1943 to slug Wake Island. Our feelings were different on this raidg we were attacking an enemy entrenched on American soil, soil that bore testi' mony to the fighting spirits of the U. S. Marines. Present to avenge these heroes were the carriers LEXINGTON, YORKTOWN, ESSEX, INDEPENDENCE, BELLEAU WOOD, and COWPENS. It was pitch black that morning of October 5 , rainy and squally too. The first flight took off at O500g one by one the planes roared off the flight deck to circle in the night and rendezvous in the darkness. For two days, October 5 and 6, Wake took a beating twice as vicious as that given Tarawa. To our astonishment we were at no time attacked or engaged by the enemy, thanks to a snappy performance on the part of our C.A.P. which intercepted a group of Jap planes 90 miles away and shot down four Bettys and three Zekes. fC.A.P. is combat air patrol , a group of fighters policing the skies to intercept raids on the ships by enemy aircraftl. The operations against Wake brought the Task Force the following message from CINCPAC fCommander in Chief, Pacificj, Admiral Chester W. Nimitzz U. S. Naval Communication Service THE THOROUGH JOB DONE ON WAKE BY PLANES AND SHIPS OF YOUR TASK FORCE WILL HAVE RESULTS REACHING FAR BEYOND THE HEAVY DAMAGE INFLICTED f ff, ,. ,,,, I , ,f , , , ,f ff , f eff Qiffhwwd f'WM f ?',QCVf7y7if 4 5a-vfyywyggmefmf, f, f,ff,1,Wf,ff6,fMw fm: f Cfxf g,4fwfj'4z7,6fQf24,fZ ffiffz f,f,fw-f,f',f'g6ff f 'fg f, 'ff ,, , ,,,, M, f X f , ff' ,, f 'jf X ,, f ffyf, X l , , ,f ' y Qkf V f ,',ff',, 7, ' NN' If f Zvi Z faffff ' ,g,g, ,Wfy4,4795Wfgf,y,',,f,Xf,:myf,gfgff,fff , f 'I ,Q Q , mv- 1 .N X ff 1 -NX fy lllul nun lp- MJ, 'B 0 12 0 . - - l2 o 0 svncuu AIIYIELD 1 Q ', E Q 32 E Q 8 2 E E :mugs mm' AM - 6-.---ff1,e1u1nlA1u1 , ' .Xa .m....w -.,. i lmltlleiszlfvfn I I ,Puma uw ' f I. 'Q ,f:5' .-1, umm mu mvmon unncm '10 - ' I., 15.21 Allllllllli Mull rf' .dx 'nn Mon L. I 1127 1 ll' I I ll' 53' 1 M A R' S H A L L 41 . it 4 ' S v L A N D S Alluk Moll Mom I0 A 1 WWW AW' GJ Jcmo IW' 4, 10' 10 ' , ' ' H 10' 1 muy-Aw: 'ig . 115: ... , 0 I VM Q ,.J, un umm: nwaimin A1011 ww' M' Rm - 24. -M Jqovcss ummm X 9,44- Qfr' 'JY une mu ......, ..,. ,-11. KH. E W' A' - 0 V. -:,. 1 .jr 9, 9' -I , . I N9 9 CTA Llllbl ' , ir-.:L,k' ' s N:,,Q.-nwuuunu naman MQIOOIC9 Mall In K 71' 'MOH NNW-9 N., ' 0 A . - I 4 mn B D t I Aurmu fu Z l I Namu nav- fi? '-5 80 I V - 8' 4, XZ, 8' - 0 5132? Jnbvnnl ' 4 ,J-4-Ari 'V-if 1 gi ' C-' Asnmgamup mu 1 khfff' -2 F9213 - umm non gf' H WL. ff- 3, H6 mx. gg 'Q ':- - 7.1, I 7' . 4' ro N' ' . . ' lounnzw if S E 2 Q E 2 N : l E v v I I ,Q ' mn: 1111111 . Mun Aw' ' 32.3, rILLlAllYlEI-01:51-. L 6' -- 6' ' .. jf! 5' 1 . E Q ummm A8 0 KW U + 1. -, . ti. - f- si1551ffi.rf1' ,W . if . . . 215. .5w'fr'.il::,.1 While some ships struck Tarawa in advance of the Marine landings, our group raided Makin. During the period November 19 f 27, we steamed through the waters of the Gilbert Islands, slapping the Japs on Makin and Tarawa and making swift jabs at islands in the southern Marshalls. ' Cn November 20 the Marines stormed Tarawa in as bloody fighting as is found in the pages of war. For four days the outcome hung in the balance until late on No' vember 23rd the last organizedxjap resistance flickered out. Farther north, word of the victory in capturing Makin was flashed back to the bosses in the terse an' nouncement, Makin Taken . It was a swell dinner we had on that Thanksf giving evening out there in the Marshallsf, Lt. E. A. Simon recalls. The only rub was that we couldn't concentrate all our thoughts on the fine food. We were between the famous Sunrise and Sunset ehains and right in the heart of the powerfully def fended Marshallsg and we knew the faps were lookf ing for us. V About halfway through our dessert 'it' sounded- the raspy, nervefjangling general alarm cut loose with emphasis. We knew we were in for it.. We were, - too, eight hours of it. Jap torpedo planes started attacking at dusk and kept it up until almost dawn. Raid after raid turned up on the radar screen, circled, and came in to attack. We lost track 'of the number of raids, and we even lost count of the number of flaming balls of pre which plummeted into the sea. At first we cheered each time a plane was sh-ot down, but as fatigue weighed more and more heavily upon us we merely watched with a dull apathy, too tired even to be thrilled by the brilliant display of fireworks. It was about 0130 when this 'floating filling staf tion' had one of the three narrow escapes of her life. CIC f Combat Information Center j reported a bogey coming in dead ahead, and a few minutes later our forward lookouts sighted a torpedo dropped in the n .- f-ta.. ,A . .,i ,gf ' ' 'f iC:?Egahff:ig mia.. Y., . not ..f ,s ,. . . fyffggy . water. Shortly we heard the roar of a plane, and overhead at masthead height hurtled the sinister out' line of a jap Betty. Immediately after the lookout's report the ship executed a hard left turn-and just V in time, down the starboard side of the ship, not more than ten yards out, sliced an aerial torpedo with 'CVLf24' all but written on it. V God was good to us that Thanksgiving off Kwajaleinf' By the end of November the Jap flood tide had begun to ebb. We had successfully erased the Nips from the heart of the Gilberts: Tarawa, and Makin. The Marshalls were next. lt's a funny shaped island-that Kwajalein-on the map it looks like some sort of a germ a bacteriologist would find on a microscope slide. This was the heart of Japan's domain in the Marshalls. On December 4 we hit it for the first time, softening it up for that coming day when the beaches of Kwajalein would become the focal battleground of the Pacific. Not a Jap plane came at the ship during the day, but shortly after the dusk landings and while the task force was retiring, the Japs launched their rebuttal. Large groups of planes closed ineifectually in the darkness. Most of the time they simply danced around annoyingly 25 fi 0 miles out, but one enemy plane made a determined run through the outer screen to be shot down 1500 yards off our starboard quarter. Five days later we arrived in Pearl Harbor to close out the old year. For many of us Christmas of 1943 was our first Christmas away from home. Oahu, with its torrid sun, verdant cane fields, and emerald waters, was a far cry from the snowy landscapes we had learned to assof ciate with the Yuletide. The cooks prepared a big dinner with most of the trimmings: turkey, cranberry sauce, fruit, nuts, cakes, pies, and ice cream. General Divine Services and Catholic Mass directed our attention to Him who brought the first Christmas message of Peace on Earth. We prayed that this Peace on Earth might soon prevail with Good Will among all mankind. if if r - figs, p r A -.fer if vs . -- asa -. -hi? la is fr ,-1 ik i . -nfl. . ww., 3102? 3 .-l. F . V A, E 'sig :Y L . L- . 5 V12 if ' -.qs J. , :Ffa '45 ming -A CRUI E 4 January 16-February 4, 1944 HE Marshall Islands, like the Gilberts and Oarolines, are a cluster of lowflying, ring shaped, coral atolls crown- ing the summits of submerged volcanic peaks. Flat, low, and palmfstudded, these atolls are a strange geographic feature unique to the tropics. In the midst of the Marf shalls was Kwajalein, nucleus of the island group and largest atoll in the Pacific-65 miles across. The ,laps were dug in on Kwajalein as solidly as on Tarawa. The battle for Kwajalein opened with a roar on January 29. Sporadic carrier thrusts had been thrown its way in preceding weeks to sound it out , soften it up, and def tract Jap attention from bigger operations at Makin and Tarawa. Kwajalein had always been on the list,-now it was on top. On hand for the big push were two new carriers, the INTREPID and the OABOT, which had joined the Force now part of Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance's Fifth Fleet and designated the destinedftofbeffamous Task Force 58 , A new face appeared to boss the car' riers, Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitscher with his flag in the YORKTOWN in group 58.1. The BELLEAU WOOD was mighty proud to be in this group which also included the ENTERPRISE. On january 29 carriers struck the heart of the Mar' shalls so swiftly and suddenly that Jap air power in the area was completely destroyed within four hours. Proof of this victory is that not a single enemy plane attacked any of our ships during the entire operation. BELLEAU WOOD planes were assigned Taroa Ovfaloelapj on opening day and then moved over to help r27 WAIALEI gang up on Kwajalein where, from January 30 through February 3, we gave the place all we had. As the doughf boys and leathernecks battled on the coral sands below, planes from our air group blew up four ammunition dumps and sank five vessels in the lagoon. The ammunif tion dumps were serious business, one exploded as Lt. fjgj Doc Herr pulled out of his run. Doc was lucky to get out alive, limping home with the bottom of his fuse' lage shot up like a screen. Without a doubt the highlight of our Kwajalein per' formance was strafing the invasion beaches, laying down a carpet of fire to clear the Japs from the path of the Marines. Requiring perfect timing-to be there the moment the Marines need support, requiring perfect aim' ing-to shoot the Nips and not our Yanks-beach strafing is a ticklish assignment. Best strafing exhibition I've ever seen -from the Admiral. Kwajalein was safe in U. S. hands on February 4. That afternoon the Task Group anchored in Majuro Atoll, the first time we had stopped for rest without ref turning to Pearl Harbor. At sea there is always speculation and rumor about when and where we return to port. No sooner is the hook down in the anchorage than scuttlebutt flares again about when we leave and where we go on the next cruise. During this brief stay in Majuro everyone began to won- der what our next target would be. Around the ship flew the scuttlebutt---Marcus? New Guinea? Marianas? And the perpetual hwordl' that we were going back to the States to train air groups. -1' AFI XJQ 'ww ,:.4X..-r , w?'!f BHK, AIPAN, HE objective of the next cruise remained shrouded in secrecy as, on February 12, the giant hook lifted from the water, the engines throbbed, and the ship crawled into the long column of ships steaming out of Majuro. Two Groups of Task Force 58, 158.2 ESSEX, YORKTOWN, BELLEAU WOOD, and 58.5 BUNKER HILL, COWf PENS, MONTEREYJ headed west-but where? That is what the crew wanted to know. Then came the shattering announcement that we were on our way to Truk! A brief description of Truk as we felt it existed was a group of islands, packed with major warships, loaded with enemy planes, bristling with guns manned by highly trained personel. The greatest drawback for us was the lack of information--the Japs had made Truk such a guarded bastion for so long that no one had penetrated its secrets. Knocking out this fortress was imperative-a vital bridge on the Road to Tokyo . But there were other reasons for slugging Truk. Far to the eastward our landing forces were primed for a February 17 assault on Eniwetok. It was our job to touch off the fireworks at Truk on February 16 and draw Jap attention, air' power, and surface forces away from Eniwetok. And there was an added attraction at Truk. For the first time in months we had reason to believe we 29 TINIAN CBUlSE 5 February 12-February 26, 1944 might trap the enemy fleet which for so long had refused to fight. Photographs taken by a daring Marine search plane the previous week revealed that many of Nippon's major ships were there. f Corner the fleet. For three days the fleet sneaked westward through the Oarolines stealthily approaching Japan's Pearl Harbor. Secrecy of the operation was threatened once when a Jap patrol plane approached within a few hundred miles, but Lt. Bill Sours and his division found him first and shot him down before he could discover the task force. At dawn on February 16 the target lay only 46 minutes flying time away. Fortyfsix minutes after the first ight-er sweep took off there began one of the' fiercest battles ever fought in cloud country. A By midfafternoon over 204 enemy planes had been destroyed, 127 of them in the air. That was the finish of Jap air power over Truk. The Task Force had lost only 19 planes. From then on the targets were picked at ran' dom. For two days showers of bombs rained down on Truk. Long spirals of smoke surged upward from supply dumps, barracks, blazing planes, and burning ships in the lagoon. In the vicinity of our ships the BELLEAU WOOD patrol shot down a Betty and a Kate. if xl 42514 A-if w .' F. f 0000 ,. Ja W was , Y 94 ind, K O7 :Zh ply X 1 01 'QM-fi X if F- ' WAX f 131, T- fp G.. 1' L U k A ,Q ,Q .:.....'i'1 TQ Lf was .e f mf X f -at - ' f ' , tv U gig Zig Q v 1 0 , -:W 0 ' :IC 0. 'I 1 5 1 L ' I , Pd write a verse on Navy chow but stuff like this llff if - V011 f rhimf 'om' h W Our greatest disappointment was failing to Hnd the enemy fleet which had slipped away before our arrival. Only a few warships remained, and these did not stay afloat very long. The final tally of ships for Task Force 58 included 23 sunk Q2 light cruisers, 3 destroyers, 18 cargo ships and oilersj and 17 other ships damaged. Flushed with victory the fleet boldly strutted up from Truk. Japan's central Paeihc empire was crumbling fast. Truk was no longer a menace. But far to the west stretched the Marianas, a six hundred mile long chain of islands only 15 00 miles from Tokyo, containing the major supply bases of Japanis outer empire. We proposed to crack this solar plexus. We aimed deep. In addition to inflicting the maximum damage to Tinian, Rota, and Guam, we had to test the enemy's strength on Saipan where landings were scheduled in June. Now Saipan was no flat, narrow island' or atoll like all our previous targets-Baker, Tarawa, Wake, Makin, Taroa, Kwajalein, and parts of Truk. After hopping across the Pacific from one coral reef to another we had at last come to a significant land mass of mountains and cultivated slopes. From the air Saipan looks a lot like Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. This probing raid on the Marianas was scheduled for February 22, 1944. After refueling at sea following the highly successful Truk operation we headed straight for the target. This was the deepest we had ever been in enemy waters. It was late in the afternoon of February 21 that a lookout noticed a strange twinfengine bomber far out on the horizon. Our luck had run out at last. After months of catching the enemy off guard we Hnally had been spotted. All night long we fought. our way in. The laps kept up sporadic attacks which cost them fourteen planes and did us no harm. Dawn of VJashington's birthday found our first strike warming up on the flight deck for the inif tial swat at the target when a group of ten Jap planes began a masthead bombing attack. The screening def stroyers and cruisers knocked down some, but a few got through. One headed our way on a waterfskimming run for the starboard quarter. A cruiser opened up with all she had. Soon every ship that could bear joined the ex' plosive chorus and poured a hail of destruction at the enemy fidentified as a Bettyl, but she came on in directly for our bridge. Captain Pride swung the helm over hard to dodge the attack. By the grace of God that flaming plane missed the bridge and skimmed the top of OUT radar screen between the stacks. He had cleared us by 30 feet. The sieveflike appearance of his fuselage and the inferno inside could be plainly seeiieeemaiid felt! The plan? crashed just off our port beam with a tremendous explO' sion in the morning twilight. So close was the burning mass that the faces of those topside were hot from radiatf ing heat. This was our second narrow escape. One half hour later another Betty repeated the AIP' proaeh, this time on the port bow. lt also penetrated tl1C screen and, flying about fifty feet off the water, pressed home the attack. Our port battery opened fire with brilf kc , liant streaks of darting tracers converging around the plane. When SOO yards away the Betty burst into flames and crashed directly ahead of the ship. With a sharp turn we avoided the floating bits of wreckage. Minutes later a Tony dived at the ESSEX. He dropped a bomb, cried the masthead lookout. But the bomb was a far miss. Pulling out at IOOO feet, the Tony turned our way. Antifaircraft guns chattered. With smoke streaming from his engine, the plane plunged into the water 400 yards off our starboard bow. He was the last to attack. The next day there appeared on the dull gray wing of the bridge three freshlyfpainted red and white Jap flags-- for the guns . Qver Saipan that February 22nd morning the strikes ran into discouraging weather. A three hundred foot ceiling with but few breaks concealed the airfields and installations. Indiscriminate bombing by 'sguessworku wouldn't work eitherg besides being wasteful it would enf danger a mass of civilians--the first sizable civilian settlef ments we had as yet encountered. But the planes did slip through the cloud cover to find fields flush with planes. Why more weren't airborne is a mystery. The blasting that followed destroyed over ZOO enemy aircraft. The Force lost 45. Shortly before ten o'clock the BELLEAU WQQD patrol shot down two Lilys thirty miles from the ship. Cn February 26 the L'Battling Beulah returned to Ivlajuro, concluding the two most exciting and successful weeks in her young life. 4 V3 .yggfggq ef A f ws, pf .V ., 4.' ,iff ff ..... 1 '-5?-45 - 2:1177 ,X , fm I f?Wf'f fn- Z , in X My X ,f'cW 9'1f?w1' few fag? iP ,fy,T fm . ..'15f ,f,Z??..fm,fW.f, , ,,, i 3' wlv' x X X -X LXXQXOR ,xww Nik wx X N x XQ M XX mx XX . QNX .- X . X y X swSXFW55N' 'XV FN X . X X SNS A . -iixgi Qkxxxxfxw - - . ,xg X XR xx? . 5955 QS X X JXEX xx . XQXEQQ' M SX 5 X YXQX. XV XX X XA MW X XNNQXXNN X xx gwwwxw -- X Q Xywwww xy NXWWQX W-HXXNXNN K X XXX A XNNXXQ X: X QXMNW X x XXQXXQQW wiX.iQ4QXx X XX sw, SX Xw X wmmm - Xx N XXSXR wwmm XXX x. QQN X Q -NZ N55 X xx QXXXQXN LWNXQEX g 55 x ,QQXSXRN X K.. XX g XA? X .XX X X www 1X XQXXQBQNQ QXTXQXW X xXxXN X X qi XSXXQXN K .XXTXQN - TX-xxxxxw -.X XXQXN . X X Xfxx Nw -XxQXXw .6 NQNXXX m fffXXXfXX-xi x N H x 32 air. f , - I , ff , A 2,41 , ,fi ig,-iff 4:5 ' , , X . V ,fj qi f.Jw :1r51-::f,'f'5?Q1L , , f ,,,, .,, . A, I , ., X, 4,f,f,, I M ,,, ,, I ,, ,f-5, ,z,,,,w by X77 wifi, I X - ,I M 11 -5 ,Mem M ,, , 13-: 4 w ,MU ' vfifff- X V450 CRUISE 6 THE next item on the Southwest Pacific timetable was the landings on New Guinea Qat Aitape and Hollandial scheduled for April 22. The Army's land based planes could soften up Jap bases on New Guinea but they could not reach the Japs in the Carolines where there were plenty to swarm down and choke off a landing thrust. Truk and the Eastern Oarolines had already been swattedg but the Western Oarolines were spotted with enemy bases which were virgin soil -had never seen an American plane, had never felt an American bullet. Here's where Task Force 58 came in. Preparatory to this operation the BELLEAU WOOD had moved south from Iviajuro to Espiritu Santo where the force was assembling. Here for the first time task groups featured four carriers each: 58.1 ENTERPRISE, BELLEAU WOOD, and OOWPENS 58.2 BUNKER HILL, HORNET, MONTEREY, and OABOT 5 8.3 YORKTAOWN, LEXINGTON, PRINCETON, and LANGLEY On March 15, 1944 the armada sortied from Espiritu planes and damaged five others in addition to strafmg and struck out to the northwest bound for Palau, western barracks, AA batteries, wharves, and storage buildings pivot Of ,lap21I1,S CHIOHHC mechanism- Emoute We paused This attack concluded our successful smash at the at Emirau in the Bismarcks while Yanks-without opposif Western Carolinas. tion-deeupied the place on March 20. Then came Palau. T It was the Admiral sending: 3 A N tl 'N i U. S. Naval Communication Service Q ,QM , WE ARE ENROUTE T0 GIVE PALAU A TREATMENT X my A ' JAPS PROBABLY THINK SOMETHING IS COMING Q T dyaff BUT DONT KNOW WHEN OR WHERE X IT BEHOOVES I 1352, US T0 BE ON OUR TOES X ANY JAP THAT GETS ,U6 'I Q 'li it 1 IN REACH OF YOUR GUNSMAND BOMBS AND I riff - p L- HOPE THERE ARE PLENTY WILL GET THE PRE- T? somsso TREATMENT ' ' .. p .. - iQ.. - They did. On March 30 Mitseher's fury lashed Palau, sinking 31 ships, damaging 18 others, and destroying over ZOO planes. The contribution of BELLEAU WOOD planes to this score was three enemy planes destroyed, two damaged, a medium freighter and a mine layer sunk, one hangar destroyed. We left the base flaming and smoking, conclusive testimony to the power of Task Force 58. BELLEAU WOOD planes celebrated the ship's first birthday on March 31 by destroying a weather station on Ngulu, sinking an AK at Ulithi, and shooting down two Bettys twentyftwo miles from the ship. On April 1 the carriers hit Woleai. Our planes were first to the target where they destroyed seven grounded They say that Air Plot is not very hor. And those who agree include OIC. And then there are some who do not. The some who do not are all in Air Plot. The boys of Air Plot are a wonderful lol. In cases of urgency and extremous emergency They don't say Eh, what? It's just, Wait Out, Fly Control -from Air Plot. Air Plot is a modest lot. They know their stuff a little bit more than somewhat In spite of successes under all sorts of duresses Credit is due where it's got. Who says not? Vsfell, if we had more cooperation around here .... --A. L. Lundin. N W GUINEA TE C HOU E CP1UlS E 7 April 13-May 4, 1944 lT was on April 12, as the BELLEAU WCOD closed out a week's rest in Majuro, that Capt. Pride turned over command of the ship to Capt. John Perry, who came with a Wealth of flying experience in everyf thing from fighters to big boats. Capt. Pride was promoted to Rear Admiral, one of the few 'sinustangsmk to reach flag rank. if A mustang is rm ojjicetr who once was an enlisted man. I C The hop, skip, and a jump technique of seizing inf dividual island bases as springboards for vaulting over intervening Jap holdings to grasp bases further along the Road to Tokyo had worked so far. Worked, that is, as long as those intervening bases were kept suppressed. On April 22 MacArthur's men were slated for a leapf frog hop to Hollandia on New Guinea. To pave the way Task Force 58 departed Majuro on April 13 and ran inf interference, stinging the objective on April 21. With three complete groups of four carriers each, the fast car' rier forcewas the biggest ever assembled: 58.1 HORNET, BELLEAU WOOD, BATAAN, and COWPENS. 58.2 BUNKER HILL, YORKTOWN, MONTEREY, and CABOT. 58.3 ENTERPRISE, LEXINGTON, PRINCETON, and LANGLEY. In the play of carriers, Air Group 24's role the hrst day was flying antifsubmarine and combat air patrols over the task group. But no Jap planes appeared to cause any disturbance. As the Army swept into Hollandia on April 22 we were assigned Sawar airfield and Wakde Island. Since Jap air power in the area had been obliterated the preceding day, the choicest remaining targets were runf ways, hangars, barracks, and gun emplacements-all of which were strafed and bombed. A similar dose was administered Sawar and Sarmi on April 23, the final day of our appearance. By this time the army had a, strong grip on northern New Guinea. Our job there was done. The second raid on Truk was a crushing affair. On their way back from the successful Hollandia operation steamed twice as many carriers as had been in on the previous raid in February. At the crack of dawn on April 29 Mitscher's planes swarmed the tottering Jap bastion. Sixty enemy planes were shot out of the air, 60 more burned on the ground. So completely had Jap air power been erased that on the second day only 1 Jap took to the air-and was swatted down immediately. Not an attack had been made on our ships during this operation, thanks to the boys in that protective umbrella, the Combat Air Patrol, who hovered over us policing the skies for miles around. On this duty BELLEAU WOOD planes shot down two Judys. No warships were seen in Truk's lagoon this visit-only barges and fishing vessels. By evening of April 30 Truk was the kind of naval base where Jap ships feared to go. Its threat had been erased. A backhand swipe at Ponape May 1 on our way back to Kwajalein gave us on the ship a first chance to observe our planes in action over enemy territory. Rear Admiral 'LJocko Clark moved 58.1 in close enough for the battle' ships to do some work. From the flight deck we could see planes riddling the seaplane base and warehouse area. Much of the factual information on operations of the entire task force as a whole during these early cruises has been drawn from Carrier Warn by Lieutenant Oliver Jensen, U.S'.N.R. 3 ci , lVlAPilANAS Sf BONIN -1TiT--in CHU ISE 8 June 6-July 2, 1944 DURING the entire month of May the huge fleet lay in the fleet anchorages at Kwajalein and Majuro. After the thrilling adventures of the past few months, the inactivity was a welcome chance to go ashore for a picnic, swimming, and beer for those who wanted it, But while the ships swung slow' ly at anchor, the strategists were hard at work. We had given the enemy a decisive trimming, expelling him from the Gilberts and Marshalls, supplanting him in New Guinea, lashing him severely in the Carolines and Marianas. The time was ripe to move in closer y 37 The Marianas were the sentinels of the Philippine Sea, guarding the Philippines, Ryukyu's, and Japan itself. The Fifth Fleet with which popular, admirable Admiral Spruance intended to snatch. the Marianas was an amazing armada built around 15 carriers of Mitscher's Task Force 58: 58.1 HORNET, YORKTOWN, BELLEAU WOOD, and BATAAN. 5 8.2 BUNKER HILL, WASP, MONTEREY, and OABOT. 58.3 ENTERPRISE, LEXINGTON, PRINCETON, and SAN JAOINTO. 58.4 ESSEX, OOWPENS, and LANGLEY. One of the boldesc strokes of the Pacific war, the scheme meant advancing 1200 miles over a water route, carrying with us our own supplies, materials, and man' power. On june 6, 1944 the great armada weighed anchor in the Marshalls and headed west. Strike 'em when they donlt expect it . That's what we always tried to achieve on our strikes-tactical surprise. We had done well at it in the past. But this time the Taps were waiting. We learned that they sensed something stirring on June 10, two days before the opening crack at Guam. From our own task group commander: U. S. Naval Communication Service THE ENEMY KNOWS WE LEFT MAIURO BUT HAS NOT FOUND US YET X HE IS STILL SEARCHING DILIGENTLY FOR US X KEEP A BRIGHT LOOKOUT FOR SNOOPERS followed by- U.S. Naval Communication Service GUAM HAS BEEN ALERTED X ALL HANDS KEEP SHARP LOOKOUT AND PREPARE HOT LEAD RECEP- TION FOR ENEMY PLANES and- U.S. Naval Communication Service MESSAGE TO ALL HANDS X WE NEED NO SPECIAL INCENTIVE BUT GUAM BELONGS TO US X DELIVER EVERY BOMB AND BULLET WHERE IT WILL DO THE MOST GOOD X DESTROY THE YELLOW BASTARDS X GOD BE WITH YOU AND GOOD LUCK XADMIRAL CLARK On the afternoon of June 11 the BELLEAU WOOD launched its first strike to help clear the Marianas skies Of all Jap planes and knock the airiields staging those QIHIWS- In a dogffight above Guam four enemy planes were shot down. Next day two planes were flamed over Rota LIS we continued the assault to soften up ,lap defenses for the imminent invasion. But it did little good to clear the ,laps over the MariHl135 if they were still free to sweep down from Iwo .lima and the Bonins. Therefore, on the evening of ,IUHC 15 our group moved north to attack these islands. On the 15th, as we struck Haha ,lima and Chit-hi lima, news of fhc landing on Saipan was flashed to the world. SS was-nu. J It was sloppy, rainy weather, like the tail end of a typhoon as we hammered the Bonins. A heavy swell made flight operations extremely hazardous. The pitching, roll' ing sea lifted the flight deck violently up and down-the ship quivered in its effort to right itself. One of the most serious accidents ever experienced by this ship in flight operations occurred during the late evening of June 15. A landing fighter crashed through the barriers into the island structure and burst into flames. For 23 minutes the flames crackled and roared before being brought under control. For months the enemy had refused to uncover the Imperial Fleet for a showdown fight. Where's the Jap fleet? had been asked time after time as we powered our way across the Pacific on the Road to Tokyo. In February we thought we had it cornered at Truk. Now at last Task Force 58's brazen, taunting thrusts at the Marianas and Bonins, just 700 miles from Tokyo, had pried the lid off this evasive opponent. Large Japanese force moving up from East Indies came one report shortly before the Marines swarmed Saipan. On the 17th a second Jap force-carriers, battle' ships, cruisers, and destroyers was sighted east of the Philippines. They were coming out. Like two jaws of a giant vise the Jap carrier planes from the west and land based planes from Guam, Tinian, and Rota began closing in on our fleet. June 19, 19,44 brought forth the greatest aerial battle of the war as the Japanese threw a combined NavyfArmy haymaker at Task Force 5 8. The challenge was eagerly accepted. At 1000 the enemy raids began. Scramble all fighters came the order from the flagwk and planes started .roaring off flight decks. 'K The Flag is the admiral in charge of a group of ships. 39 .gf,..-1 fi - ., ,.. 'L I 2- . ' . ' WZ '-' -, , ' '- ily. tag -9 .Q .Ay ,Bfmm l 4 L'?44, fr l f 3 'f 5- nuff if g 46K f' ,?Q51i -. ll K Ark ? 0 Soi? ...gl L, 1 AV ia fa ff! q D ,uf , X N 2 . f I -if J gi J :EW . T sf f ff - f 7. ll 34 , I 5 '3 - ,qf i l if ,a..' ' A - ' is snows S Q iz. ii' fi 1. if U - 2 J 1 a -fag ' 1, 1 1 S 4,i ,avg .V eggglgpigvgg . XL! QQ Mml T52 1 1 jnrf: 1 LE X Nf fe . 6 f ax , I. 1'g1zi ,fQE3QSS? ribs? gf 95 f-LQ sy S I? XP? as is kv x Q W X ffm?- K ' iii: N A cv ' 1 I? ff. ,I W fTN X I I ' 1 ,Fa l , W as 1 ' BY' V p as .noe muwmoai ' A F551 V i V Av- 'TQ' ' ' 'vi' ' ' Y bt V -wr6lI Z.3rA-1:,r.l'H inflhxinc union' an 1. 4 'L All day long our planes were launched, winged out to battle, and fefumed to be rearmed andurefueled. Meanwhile the ship, at General QUMYCYS, 1155611691 to radar plot:'l' A large group of bogeys at , 15 21 Another large' group at 100 miles, being intercepted. 'Tallyho on Raid 4191. Seven planes splashed so far. V Raid Three has closed to 50 miles. Never before had the radar scopes been so white with bogies. With excitef ment and pride mirrored in their faces, the pilots returned from their patrols, two fingers held aloft, then three, all adding up to the destruction of the Jap Air Force. In a morning spree over Orote Field, Guam, twelve BELLEAU WOOD nghters led by Lt. Oveland and Lt. Thelen were hopped by 20 Zekes. They shot down ten and three more probables without losing a single plane. During the morning and afternoon there were fourteen Jap raids on the Task Group. Every one was intercepted and broken up. You've got to hand it to those uflyffly boys . They beat off every Jap punch, they spared the ships a vicious attack. By nightfall the enemy air force had ceased its activities, so badly damaged it no longer could form striking groups. Task Force 58 immediately whipped west, seeking to contact the surface force, the carriers which had launched those planes we had just clipped. A11 night long and throughout the entire morning of June 20th we raced at flank speed. At dawn, scout planes were launched to locate the fleeing Japs, a timefconsuming process because of easterly winds which necessitated our reversing course to steam into the wind for launching. Then at 1530 the enemy was reported at Latitude 15 0 35' N, Longitude 1340 35' E-300 miles away and running for cover. They were at a maximum range. Risk our planes so late in the day? It would mean night landings! A hard decision to make. Then over the squawk boxes in the ready rooms came the order from-Air Plot: Pilots, man your planes on the double . Mitscher said, 'LAttack. Our share in this venture included four torpedo planes with a fighter escort. They were launched at 1621 with only a few hours of daylight remaining. We sat back soberly, realizing the odds against them-maximum range, the easterly winds, sunset approaching. The moment was tense. Un board the ship we could just sit and wait, while our hearts and hopes flew in those planes winging west' ward to the foe. The historic First Battle of the Philippine Sea has already been immortalized in such books as Mission Beyond Darkness . It is common knowledge how Task Force 58 planes took off in the late afternoon to smash the fleeing Jap and return to the fleet on exhausted fuel supplies either to make dangerous night landings or crash land in the sea. Gur strike arrived over the target at 185 5. While the torpedo planes dropped down to release their ish , the six fighters remained at 15,000 feet as a prof 2500 d' t nce 85 miles, circling. :Radar Plot-the room where radar scopes indicate the location of enemy and friendly aiwraft tecting cover. Almost immediately the Hellcats were jumped by several groups of from four to six Zeroes. Lt. Qjgj Tabler shot down two and Ensign Barr destroyed one and two probables while protecting each other from enemy attack astern. Barr was subsequently shot down but was rescued the following day by a Kingfisher. Lt. QjgJ Christensen got one before his own plane was damaged. Lt. fjgj Rogers made two bombing runs on a small carrier and destroyer. Lt. fjgJ Cveland and Lt. Qjgj Hillner strafed the decks and island structure of a Zuiho carrier and dropped their Sooflb. bombs at the bow. During their run the enemy AA batteries ceased firing. We sent six Hellcats and four Avengers into that scrap. Only two returned directly to our carrier. A day or so later when noses finally were counted on other carriers, all our pilots were safe by some phenomena-all except Lt. George Brown who had driven his TBF through the fire of flaming Jap guns to plant his torpedo directly in a big Jap carrier--and gave his life in exchange. Brownie was leading our four Avengers---with Tate, Cmark, and Luton. They approached the Jap fleet from out of the sun. There were eight carriers, I counted them , 'declared Tate. Most of these were already under attack, but Brown noticed one which was steaming along unmolested. It was a big Hayaf taka. Brown nosed over into a dive. The other three followed and with no other assistance, the four whizzed down towards the flat top, while the six fighters were tangling with Japs overhead. Fanning out, the VT pilots attacked from different quadrants. Fire belched from the enemyis guns as LLBIOWDICQQ leveled off for the final run. His plane shook violently, a portion of the left wing burst s broke out in the middle, forcing the tail g,unner and radioman, E. C. Babcock and G. H. Platz to bail out. They landed successfully in the water where they had a ringside seat for the succeeding events of the night. In spite of the fire in his plane, Brown pressed home his rt of the carrier. Tate's torpedo hit the star' board bow-3 Cmark scored on the port bow. From his patrol aloft Christensen away the fuselage was riddled, and flame attack to plant his torpedo in the hea glanced down to see the Hayataka obscured by smoke. Suddenly a gigantic flash of flame shot out from the vessel. It looked as if somebody had thrust a lighted match into an open box of matches, said Chris. The carrier shuddered from . . . 1 d the three torpedo hits-and then blew up. Flames roared inside her as she kee e over into a watery grave. The four torpedo pilots did not take time to join up. Hopped by enemy planes, they scooted for home. Just before dark, Omark overtook a struggling TBF. It ' fl was Brown1e ! The fire had gone out. But the plane was scarcely able to y l ' ' d Cmark shepherded the crippled plane as and Brown was severe y injure . long as he could-a difficult job, for its lights were shot out and it wandered off course. It dropped into a cloud and was never seen again. ' f L d h' rew, Cmark landed on the: LEX with 1 gallon of gas le t. uton an is c Whiting and Brookbank, bailed out of their punctured plane, unable to land. Tate, with Siwicki and Dobbs, also hit the drink in the darkness. All were picked up by destroyers the next day. ......-,A -..,.-Q-. Hundreds of planes nearly out of gas were returning in the dark of night. Many were crippled and damaged. Landing lights on the ships were turned on to land the planes, and the waters for miles around blossomed with flares-red, green and white-turning the ocean into a weird arena probed by eerie shafts of stabbing searchf lights. Lost planes droned overhead in all directions, but as orderly as possible they landed, landing anywhere, for any carrier looked like home. Here and there lights bobbed up and down on the choppy sea where a pilot had to ditch. In the midst of all this a plane popped up in our landf ing circle, and despite the tricky depth perception of lights at night, Harpo Harper, our landing signal oihcer, brought her in for a beautiful landing. It was a VF and as it came to a stop we dashed up to see whether the pilot was one of our boys or a lost visitor from anf other carrier. It was quiet, softfspoken Al Hillner, who staggered out of that plane and fell on the deck to kiss it in thankfulness for his safe return. We all had 3 lump in our throats as we helped Al to his feet and down to the ready room. Oveland, always a 'Lcool cucumberw, came in a short while later with Harpo doing another marvelous job. He was as glad to get back as Hillner. Both had been through a terrific ordeal. In this historic battle Task Force 58 planes shot 360 Japs out of the air. BELLEAU WOOD planes received credit for destroying 13 definite and 5 probable airborne planes, definitely sinking one carrier, and damaging two others. Very few carriers, including the Essex class with air groups three times as large as those on CVL's, have ref ceived full credit for sinking a major enemy warship. The BELLEAU WQQD had paid for itself by single' handedly annihilating a larger enemyi carrier. This sucf cessful attack on the Hayataka fills one of the most brilf liant pages of heroics in BELLEAU WOOD's record. Pictured at the left are the VT crews who attacked the Hayatakag fabsent is I. F. Siwicki who was injured in the frayl. The pilots who scored hits-Brown, Tate, and Omark-received the Navy Cross, the highest award a Navy man can receive save for the Congressional Medal of Honor. Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded Luton and the crewmen of the four Avengers. At the right are the Hellcat pilots who escorted the Avengers. TOP ROW: gaxeli Omark, Lt. Ben Tate, Ens. D. Luton, Lt. Cjgl TOP RUW: Ens. Marcellus Barr, Lt. Walter Rogers. F ti , o 1. Y . P , , BOTTOM ROW : Lt. Cjvj Alvin Hillner, Ll. fjgj Rodne ' Tablet F - MIDDLE ROW: R0b0 f RHIIGS, James Dobbs, Philip Whiting, Ellis Babcock. Lt, Collin 6iv,,1m,,1, Lt, fjgj W,,1,1,.,,,a,. Ch,.i3u.n,,,m, ,- BOTTOM ROW: John Prince, G00l'gf2 Platz, James Brookbank. ' The remainder of june was spent in covering' the oc' Cupation of Saipan and Tinian. Our group returned to the Bonins for additional strikes against Iwo Jima, Haha lima, and Chichi Jima on June 23 and 24. Un the 24th of june alone, Task Group 58.1, of which we were Still 3 Part, deStf0Yed 116 enemy aircraft at the target be' sides damaging the airfields and installations. During the strenuous fighting of the preceding two weeks, Task Force 58 had cleared the Marianas skies of ,l21p21116Se air power, had dealt the Imperial Fleet a erushf ing blow, and had paved the way for invasion forces which now had a sure foothold in the Marianas. On june 25 the BFLLEAU VJOOD received orders to proceed to Pearl Harbor for an overhaul, her first since departing from the States one year previous. 42 van-small :J- rv O v-1 D .... 5 UQ O P-4-' f, ff '-tw W4 27 ff w if or . P6 - A, 'N .Ly f ... 5 . O O H cv CL sv FY 'U rv as v-1 ,... is , + X , Harbor ready for entering drydock. Showing the scars of a year's sea duty, her entire structure needed a new paint job as well as several repairs. Meanwhile, the crew returned to Waikiki Beach and Honolulu. Special periods at rest camps were given to all the men-camps where the cares of the ship were forgotten. No reveille, no turn to , no quarters, watches, or swabbing of decks- just a few peaceful days devoted to dayfdreaming and recreation. Air Group 24 received its orders during this period and after 14 months aboard fone of the longest tours of duty for any air groupj disembarked for home, leaving behind a record of high achievement. To replace Lt. Cdr. E. M. Link and his men came Air Group 21 com' manded by Commander Vincent Casey with Lt. Cdr. R. A. Kennard directing the torpedo squadron. ln Hawaii we soon found that the climate is always the same and that means it's always good. lt's hot down in the harbor tied up at a Ford Island pier, but the liberty is just like the magazine ads except for the hula girls. Now we had no com' plaint to make about the girls in Hawaii except that the ratio of male to female was about ZOO to 1. . In order to finagle a date you have to know a guy who knows a guy who had his leg broken on a surffboard and therefore can't make the date he arranged last month . . . then you talk or buy your way past the other three guys in between you and the character with the broken leg. They say it was better after the WAVES arrived . . . but we saw little improvement in January of '45, just more sailors trying to knock each other off the Leapin' Tuna on the way to the Ford Island ferry. While on the subject of transportation in Hawaii . . . take this as a warning never to ride down the Old Pali Road with one of those wildfeyed bus drivers. Some of the boys tried it going over to the recreation beaches near Kaneohe . . . for days they walked around holding tight to all stanchions and lifelines and refused to go down steep ladders without a lifefbelt. On the iirst visit there Captain Pride arranged aroundfthe' island tours for groups of us. Everybody was amazed at the vivid green of the fields and exotic plants and trees . . and all hands sampled the papayas and various melonsg familiar bananas looked just like those in the States . . and tasted as good. isa? Mxwis-as wa.. -A ....,'.,sx-s-. X as.svxxeHQXa3qysc Y -Q X SSX XX X N X QQ X X sw Ok , X Q xx W XX fm X wx NF 695 x 4 xQXg Xxx QQ 'IW 1, f Nm., 1 5 W.: I A.: f, 'iq' K f-M' f +w-4-una? ,v ' ,, 5 1: nw-em ww ww X Q X. nmwQ'Q G Ll M C HUISE 9 july 31-August 13, 1944 To break in her new air group, the L'Beulah Kas we devotedly called herj joined the fleet which was out west attending the occuf pation of Guam where the ground forces were moving in after sef curing Saipan. For us, the cruise was only a brief sally, but it felt good to have a small part in again raising Old Glory on this famous island. l I x 2 .iii From vAugust 3 through August 10 we operated in an area 30 60 miles to the east and southeast. At the start of this period American ground forces had driven across the island splitting the japanese forces into north ern and southern components. In succeeding days BELLEAU WUOD targets were all in the northern sec tion where our planes bombed and strafed wooden and metal structures, roads, and junctions occupied by ref treating enemy troops. Not a single Jap aircraft was sighted. By the time we departed the Yanks had occuf pied nearly all the northern half of Guam. On the morning of August 13 the task group anchored in Eniwetok for the first time. The fleet anchorage was moving west. -Eniwetok is one of the most symmetrical atolls in the Pacific. With a diameter of 25 miles, it provided a com' modious anchorage for the fleet and attending auxiliaries -tankers, freighters, repair ships, tenders, transports, hospital ships, and small craft. The thin ring of land protrudes scarcely 15 feet out of the ocean. Average width is measured in tens of yards. The backbone of palms and grass is fringed by white coral beaches, so-bright in the blazing sun that it hurts your eyes to look at them. The brilliantemerald of the shallow waters around these white coral beaches is duplif cated nowhere. But there was little attraction ashore, other than a splendid beach for swimming. An occasional baseball Held was leveled oif. Majuro, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, fand later Ulithij at best were merely effective protection from the ocean's swells. FL! GL-IT 'UECK PHRHDE 1 f - i' 'x 0 ff: jf K-1 ll s f ' J L 0 :ask o S lb L 1 U Q V I . d I - ,J Q h 169' Q ' , 1 o ' W, 2 ' l ' H Y '-f ZXAA ' X To ai' - fir,- - ru, . 5 1 N' as Y Tm X RIRDHLE DECK RPG Bites Rm' 57 553 AJZHMMZM' ' Wwainfiif i'lr....... PALAU, lhcPHHJHN E1 fWlFBH URUT I Cllll ISE A10 August 28-September 21, 1944 91 MM f f ,si Af ff QP, As September approached, Admiral Williani F. Halsey, Commander Third Fleet, had relieved Admiral Spruance, Commander Fifth Fleet. Task Force 5 8 was then designated Task Force 38, commanded by Vice Admiral John S. McCain. The arrival of the FRANKLIN made it 16 carriers in the Force. With the securing of a foothold in the Marianas, a long stretch had been completed on the Road to Tokyo: But the forces on Guam and Saipan were way out there by themselves, surrounded by Nips on all sides'-Bonins, Philf ippines, and Carolines. And We hadn't as yet touched the Philippines. They were frontier country. To establish a support for our Marianas' tentacles, the strategists called for the invasion of Palau in midfSeptember. To clear the way sailed Task Force 38. On August 28 a long column of carriers and supporting ships had filed out from Enivvetok and headed south around the Carolines. ,,.,,,,,,. -M---1.-sv-sv-um... m .,, ..,.. . ...... I ., ,, .,,,.,, ,, .VN ,lznlv-N 1. 5 i Un September 6, as part of Admiral 'flockov Clark's 38.1, we began a twofday session hammering Palau striking Jap aircraft, installations, and other targets which had to be cleared ahead of the Marines. just 500 miles west of Palau lay Mindanao lar e v g southern island of the Philippines and foundation for several significant airfields. Even with Jap air power destroyed over Palau the Japs could still throw a heavy wallop from those Philippine bases. To cripple the enemy power in Mindanacu, to choke off reinforcements to Palau, and to divert attention from our imminent Palau landings, the fleet headed west for the initial strike at the Philippines. Un September 9, five days before riers began swatting Minf the landing on Palau, the car danao. To BELLEAU WOQD Air Gr signed airfields at Davao, Buayan, and Digos where our Hellcats and Avengers, with their black numbers on white circles, s oup 21 were asf trafed, bombed, and flamed Tojo's withf ering air force. Cebu and Negros were hit on the 12th and 13th. A long range sweep at Zamboanga on the 14th destroyed 5 Bettys and a Nick with 8 more probables. Concomitant with the assaulting waves at Palau WHS another amphibious force moving in on Morotai. Our task group moved south on September 15 to cover fhC operation there. BELLEAU WOOD fliers destroyed 14 planes that day on fields in the northeast Celebes. Subsequent to the capture of Ivlorotai, the BELLEAU WOOD was transferred from locko Clarks 38.1 to 33-4, commanded by Rear Admiral Davison in the FR ANKLIN, cruising with the ENTERPRISE illlll SAN JACINTO off Palau. For two days we pi'tWldCll air support to tl on southern Palau. Then on September IS we lllfllcll toward lvlanus in th ie men in the bitter struggle for Peleliu e Adiniralties for reprovisions. AS darkness settled that evening the sky was punctured lo' flashes and roars of artillery lire in the battle raging O11 PClCliL1. For the first time, we on the ship felt linked to the boys in the lioxholes. 48 UHINA and the CHUI E ll September 24-November 2, 1944 . HE Yellow Tide was ebbing fast, in less than a year the front had been pushed back from the Gilberts to the door of the Philippines. It was Sepf tember 24, after a threefday rest in Manus, that task group 38.4 steamed into the Philippine Sea to patrol around Palau and wait while other task groups took turns at reprovisioning. On October 5 we all joined up and headed north. The sea was rough. For three days we lived on sandwiches and fruit, the ship pitched and rolled too much to prepare anything else. Most of us had butterfly stomach anyhow. We were on the tail of a typhoon-a protecting mass of weather concealing the fleet steaming through the Philippine Sea. But where were we going? The objective was kept secret until October 8 when, after fueling, we received the pungent word from the skipper. It was Okinawa -in the Nansei Shoto. 'iHalsey's sure sticking our necks out, grinned one newlyfarrived shipmate. At that time we did not know the significance attached to our impending thrust. It was apparent that the closer the fleet struck japan, the less the ,laps could concentrate on Palau. But we had no idea that a fortnight away was our invasion of Leyte and that by smiting deep into the Nansei Shoto we would not only destroy local air opposition but prepare for the impending invasion by crippling an important connection between Japan and the Philipf pines. Long before dawn of October 10 the first carrier planes shot off the catapults on their way to Okinawa. Hundreds of planes flew from the decks of our carriers that day for a bold onefday smash at the surprised Japs who offered no retaliation. Then followed a swipe at Aparri on northern Luzon and a twofday engagement at Formosa where we hit planes, hangars, workf shops, industrial plants, and small freighters, destroying many planes and sinking tons of Jap shipping. PHIUPPI E For the first time in several months the JapS fifughf back--on Friday the 13th. It was a big bogey fone could not tell how many planesj creeping across the radar scope, seemingly enroute from Luzon to Formosa. A division of BELLEAU WOOD fighters on CAP were VGCYOICCI Out to investigate. What they found was enough to make one's eyes blink. Coasting along at 12,000 feet were a dozen Bettys with a layer of 20 fighters a thousand feet above. Sneaking around behind, the Hellcats climbed to 20,000 feet from which vantage point they surveyed the entire Nip formation, cruising at a comfortable unsusf pecting speed. Then down swept the eight spitting, snarlf ing Hellcats. Streaking through the startled foe they wiped out five Bettys, three Zekes, an Oscar, and a Tony. Like frightened chickens the Llaps broke formation and fled for Formosa. It was getting dark, that same Friday, the formation was steaming into the wind while the FRANKLIN landf ed aircraft. The weather was squally to the northwest, and the visibility ahead was poor. Suddenly bogies popped up, bogies which had trailed our own planes back to their carriers. Two planes later identified as Bettys appeared on the horizon having apparently glided down the port beam of the formation from the squally area. Our port battery split and took both planes under fire. The first plane passed astern of the FRANKLIN and tried to go through the formation with fire from guns in all directions slash' ing away at it. This plane was hit, began burning, and crashed flaming just inside the screen. Meanwhile, the second plane crossed forward of the FRANKLIN and headed through the formation. He crashed in flames amid a flurry of AA fire about 600 yards off our port quarter. The roaring inferno of dirty orange flames and boiling black smoke raged for several minutes in the oily sea. It a5..ia5LLs,.LL,.s,r.:..3i,.,,.Q:.,v.,5.4.,1,.fg, . L aw? F . .. mL L L ffli-If:.5li SQ-250 sfo ' A I . F I s-.i -flfwff-S Qs +P . .LL..L.L. LLL,LLLLLLo.LLLLLL,L. ,L LL, L. LL L L RQLLL., QL 13 OOYOSEEE 1944 L L L L L .L L L 'S LL Lfemwax ' L iii. . W. .. fliisfgl ia E3 if -A . K. lf .. I Ii Q 5..LLLsgsL5L.,LgL Ly ILQAX-l ss 1 ' i . . I ,. ' I K .. ssggwgq L-gj 1 5 ELL-.F L p-.L L .- L f L L L - I ,. L..LL L.L,L jf LILLL. .. L L L L .fL LL L . ig.gQ5.5L+gLgyzja4 ..,. iLL.L.gf.Lg: F ' . ' A . .' QE LL . ,L LL LL L .- f - Q L L L 1 . Lag .L A7465 LL! hl.. ,Vkk . L QQLLL . LL .. ,f L i i., xi- ' iNLf ,I .-.X . ' . sg ' . L LLLLL ..L. KL13: L LL LXXL L. . X L . X , .LLL L L I ssisynw '- E ' 1, wa.-J X - . I . 2 3 J .. . ' f 'QL Na F . F 53. fi ' xg T91 X'-f New A V' ' ,-a. LL f.-.s. f--. FL X. Ls .L I L L . F Xk.kV . L L. . Lag? L :rss Q .. X -L L . X hx 1 fi, f , LLLSLLLL . . L. , .L NMLKLLL . mga LL L L .frgbi T F I 6 . L . O'N..N P ' ' si. L L A L or----W-Xa., A ' LNKL Ls . .sax A f. .re X . L 3.gL.F.LL-.L L .. .L N , .- f . .1 . IQ , X LLLLLLLL, L, L. . L, xig L, L , ff , L L L L LL L I .- . - ' FNS-N X ,Q . Y - I O L I ,ALL L ' . sh, I ' I I ' - . 5 seemed unreal that in that blaze of death so near us we a half dozen or so japanese. A moment later, a third plane approached from about the same bearing and came directly at the FRANKLIN's beam. Immediately Big Ben scored. The Betty burst into flames, skimmed across the FRANKLIN's flight deck, and crashed violently img the sea, very close aboard. A fourth Betty slipping in from the same direction drove at the ENTERPRISE, Caught in the midst of carriers whose guns were spitting fire, he suddenly burst into flames to join his cohorts mid' way between us and the SAN JACINTO. At 1908 the last plane was nicked by the SAN LIACINTO, and a small fire flickered in the engine, lighting her up in the darkness and giving our gunners a sight. The flying torch flamed brilliantly and crashed 900 yards astern of us. The successful repelling of the assault brought the folf lowing from Task Group Commander, Admiral Davison: U. S. Naval Communication Service THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL HANDS DURING THE VICIOUS ATTACK LAST EVENING WAS MAGNIFI- CENT AND I AM PROUD 'TO COMMAND A TASK GROUP WITH SUCH GUTS X OUR TASK FORCE COMMANDER HAS SENT US TO ATTACK LUZON AND HIS ORDERS TOLD US TO GIVE THEM HELL X I AM SURE AFTER SEEING YOU IN ACTION THAT YOU WILL CARRY OUT HIS ORDERS A Much to our surprise we learned the following day fwhile listening to Tokyo Rose , that we were one of 16 U.S. carriers sunk in a gigantic sea battle off Taiwan fFormosaj. For two days, October 14 f 15, we attacked the airfields of Manila and the shipping targets in Manila Bay. OH one such raid our fighters escorted torpedo bombers from the ENTERPRISE and wound up in a vicious dog' fight over the target. From the Skipper of the BIG U. S. Naval Communication Service ALL MY PILOTS HAVE GIVEN UNITED PRAISE TO YOUR FIGHTERS FOR THE VERY EXCELLENT COVER PROVIDED DURING THE ATTACK YESTERDAY MORNING ON NIELSON FIELD X PLEASE EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO YOUR FIGHTRON X OF FIFTY NIP FIGHTERS ATTACKING NOT ONE GOT THRU TO THE BOMBERS TORPEDO FORMATION Osfiahr OXCFIHCLCII It wms Sunday morning Ottobe s A snooping Fr uices had been eau ht by our Hellca L 18 Ii OVCF the Tisk Group A hissing burst of fire SC 1 APM? swing C Idp H511 C One wing broke off to floit lazily dOW lb thi? rflmainclri of thc burning plant descended at 50 I A. . F F . F I Wa. ' if A 'f if L .qs . if, . LL 4 ' . A . D ff fa . ' f , ' - r LL .L L qs . . L . . L L L C L , I I ' I' I. 'Viv - l D' I ' ' . I f 15 3 ' f - e U I5 I ' ' f 'fb . F 09 . I ' A T ' F' , LL L. ,LL L cp . . , L , L ,I . L I h LL L L u L L t za-3. ,-'. c. if .Tr - TQ' f ' . ' . . F - L -, A L .aa ,flaw I . .. , A , F tl . . ' F axle I I - I 'Q ' N A 1' - 1 Z' . f v - - ' 1 D . ww? A ' I . I H 9 ' f . ' L - 1 I ' 1 ' ..t. i, ff 'e.s we - 'fa U I .. , Wh 1, . . . ' , , L L . L K LL a ' ' f . f K. faster clip, spinning weird gyrations in the air like a warped firebrand. We had launched strikes against the Manila Bay area during the day of October 19. A few ENTERPRISE planes of the last strike were delayed in returning home and did not arrive until after dark. Dusk had settled. Dusk is not and never will be the friend of a carrier pilot in the landing circle. Suddenly through the darkness broke the red truck lights of the ENTERPRISE and FRANKLIN, whose flight decks were ready to receive the homing aircraft. From our stations at routine dusk alert, we could see all that was going on and anxiously scanned the sky for the first faint sign of red and green wingftip lights. It wasn't long until some of those lights appeared and began circling the lone red lights above the two big carriers. The first two planes landed with difficulty. Since the FRANKLIN was off our starboard quarter, some planes flew close aboard our starboard side in the down leg of their landing circle. Then on our starboard beam a new pair of lights suddenly appeared. Here is Ens. Bob Cole' man with the story of them: I was the director officer of gun director 557 and mount 4757 where were stationed fourteen men of the second division, all of us sweating them in on the FRANKLIN. A plane approached us on the star' board beam as if to enter the landing circle but seemed to be awfully slow in his cut to the left. We watched attentively as he came closer and closer. But those two wing lights showed no tendency to take what was then a most urgent change of perspective -they grew brighter and brighter but farther and farther apartg I yelled CHIT THE DECK, and took -one quick look over the director shield to see below me a red light aft of the director, a green light forf ward, and a spinning streak of propeller between the two. The plane crashed into the ship's blister thirty feet below and about ten feet forward of us. A burst of flame shot upward and through holes in the director deck. With a leap I reached the flight deck and dashed for the other side-the set of head phones were still over my earsg the entire assembly had come out -of the socket. Inspection revealed a puncture in the side of the blister just above the water line, a tenffoot hole neatf ly plugged with the engine of a Helldiver, sorry evidence of the tragedy of two lost men-pilot and crewmanf' In the first few weeks of October the enemy's inner defenses had been severely flayed. His staging grounds in the Ryukyus and Formosa were sprinkled with burnedf out ghosts of planes and shattered installations. The hour had come to bore into the Philippines. October 20 was D Day on Leyte As the amphibs churned ashore we 51 cruised to the east of Leyte Gulf, with our flock flying over the beachhead to cover and support the troops be' low. For four following days we hovered over the battle zone. For the Japanese the situation was desperate, every effort had to be made to stop the Allied advance. And for the first time in four months, their bashful fleet appeared. Far to the southwest two lonely U.S. submarines, the DAOE and the DARTER, spotted a large force moving out from Singapore, proceeding toward the Philippines. About thirty ships including 5 battleships and 8 cruisers entered the Sibuyan Sea while another and smaller force of 2 battleships,' 4 cruisers and 13 destroyers slipped through the Sulu Sea. Not a carrier in either one! Both of these forces were attacked on October 24 by Third Fleet carrier planes with most of the flights being against the powerful units in the Sibuyan Sea where onef third of the ships were sunk or damagedg the rest conf tinued through San Bernardino Strait. In the meantime our Third Fleet carriers east of Luzon were under heavy attack from land based planesg it was in this action that one of our sister OVL's, the PRINOEf TON, was sunk. On the afternoon of the 24th a Navy land based search plane discovered a third large Jap force 200 miles north of Luzon steaming south at full speed. In this group were 17 warships including 4 carriers, 2 battleships, 5 cruisers and supporting escorts. The presence of the carriers made this prong the biggest threat and choicest target of the three converging enemy forces. Task Force 38 immef diately drove north. Late that afternoon Commander Dahl, our popular executive officer, called over the P.A. system, Attenf tion, all hands. This is the Executive Officer. We are steaming north to intercept the Jap fleet which is coming out to fight. When the gong rings, move in a hurry. Be prepared for anything That is all ' 1 5 ' . . . ' Y 'T' ' ' ' ' A' ' ' ' r--AA - -f I ........a.....i.ar.K.u.r..,f,a.r. .,:..:1Q:a.':,.i-.s-..... .c. ML , ,W H Q: --'- --1 All night long we raced at full speed. At dawn the nrst planes whanged off the catapults. uGet the carriersf, About OSOO came the utallyhow. They struck with complete surprise and caught the Japs with only 15 Zekes airborne. Yet their carrier decks were practically empty! Where were the planes? Fueling ashore? As Hellcats, Avengers, and Helldivers zoomed down on the prey, the sea was streaked with twisting wakes of doomed vessels dodging for life. Back on the ship we waited for enemy planes to appear over us. But they never came. The glassy sea was a deep blue as white cotton puffs of cloud loafed across the sky. The horizon between the deep blue of the sea and the light blue of the sky was as sharp as a razor. It was diflif cult to realize on this sunny day with no disturbance about the ship that just a few miles over the horizon a fleet was in its death throes, and that we were playing in the greatest naval battle in history. The final tally in the encounter with the northern Jap force: 4 carriers- ZUIKAKU CHITOSE CHIYODA sunk ZUIHO crippled and finished off by 1 cruiser and ern 2 battle ships ISE HYUGA damaged as well 'is some of the cruisers and destroyers. But down to the south there was trouble, and in re' sponse to an urgent call Admiral Halsey took one task group and some battleships on a dash for Samar. The old battlewagons of the Seventh Fleet under Admiral Ulden' dorf had caught the southern Jap forces steaming in column through Surigao Strait. With the help of PT'S and DDls that force was almost annihilated. North of Samar however the middle Jap prong had puI1ChCd through San Bernardino Strait and caught a group Of escort carriers 70 miles off Leyte Gulf. These were HO match for the heavy guns of the Jap ships. The GAM' BIBR BAY and SAINT LQ were sunk. Screening def stroyers and planes of the CVE's, slugging away in OIIC of the most gallant actions of the war, were inflicting heavy damage on the attackers when suddenly the ,laps broke off the engagement and sped northward to slip through San Bernardino Strait under the cover of night before Task Force 38 could intercept. Cn the 26th we collaborated with land based pl2lI1CS to hop the retreating Nips Thiee stiaggling tru1serS WUC sunk The Japs had run for home The beichhcad on Leyte was saved 7 4 . . 1 1 . Q -g g , , , K .c. , r rxpx L . sf c e r Q c ' -. . K c ' . 2 f i , , c ' X ' ' c . X AX X X X if X-XS 'IX X .X .X XXX, XX XXXQX-X X X g XXQXXX. X XX . - -. X . AXXX N s VXX 3555 X XX X XX XX . - X ff f f - V, V 7i,,i.'f7 f:,' ,iff 'WW f f ,, f , f ,7,..,,, , .yy , 9: 1 f, , , ,,,,,,. , 1 X , 1 , 1 if if -,zf X f f f W wf , ,, 7 , X ff H K ty ,X lim WW 5 A .N ,,A, W Mmm. Shortly after two o'clock bogies blinked on the scopes bearing 2600, sixty miles away. They closed rapidly. Then at 1411 HALL HANDS, GENERAL QUARf TERS. Twentyfeight clangs of the general alarm and the stirring notes of To Arms on the bugle pierced through the ship. Decks rumbled. Ladders rattled with running feet. Waterftight doors slammed shut. Battle helmets, flash proof hoods and gloves came bouncing out of gear lockers. In accordance with orders from the Task Group Com' mander we rushed to scramble eight fighters. just as the sixth of these roared off the flight deck we noticed a plane hurtling down on the FRANKLIN astern of us. There was a flash of flame near the island structure and instantf ly her flight deck was ablaze and smoking. A second Jap peeled off out of the same spot and started what appeared to be another suicide dive on the same ship. Instead, it suddenly pulled out as a column of bombfsplit water geysered skyward near Big Ben's bow. The plane swept l up, executed a quick wingfover and headed for us. Like a streak he came zooming down on our port quarter. The AA commenced firing. Red streaks of tracers whizzed by the plane ftagged as a Zeke in the ship's official ref portj. The Jap kept coming. Some said that the darting streaks of flame weren't all going the same way either-that there were a few shoot' ing towards us! The bluishfgreen cowling grew larger and larger. A few puffs of smoke on his wings and fuselage indicated that he had been nicked a little, but not enough. To the crew on mount 10 he seemed to be heading straight for them. They stayed with him, feeding their 40 as fast as it would fire. In the meantime mount 9 on the starboard side had trained clear around to fire over the flight deck to join the portside mounts in pumping away. It seemed incredible that a plane could slip through that fire. After barely clearing the corner of the flight deck the Zeke dipped his nose sharply out of his shallow glide and crashed us abaftthe after elevator. Z sw ! A xx by My , 2 fem xfz f -v, - W... -. . 'S Hmmm Flames, wreckage, and hunks of metal shot skyward and outward with a roar. billowing clouds of angry black smoke soared hundreds of feet into the air, while burning gasoline sloshed about the tlight deck and cascaded over the starboard side. The gun crews on 10 and 11 were ordered to llood their magazines and abandon their staf tions, but all other mounts remained to tire at succeeding attackers fof which there were 3 who dived on and barely missed the SAN JACINTQ and ENTERPRISEQ. All other mounts, that is, except mount 9. One of our own flaming planes, which had been parked near the explosion, was blown oil the deck and down on top of the gun mount. Wreathed in burning gasoline it smothered the entire area with a blanket of death from under which no man escaped. On the flight deck the airdales sprang into immediate action, moving as many planes as possible away from the fire, especially the torpedo planes loaded with depth charges. With foam and spray they fought the forward edgeg-the only accessible edge!-of the blaze which had engulfed the after end of the ship. Assistance was given by the U. S. S. MUCFORD, DD 389, which came along' side our port quarter to ight the side of the fire. , Contributing to the performance of the flight deck crew was the Air Oiiicer, Commander Joe Clymer, whose calm voice of assurance flowed over the bull horn with direc' tions for playing foam and moving planes. On the back porch fthe fantaill the crash sounded like a dull thud which rocked the ship. A heavy shroud of burning gas and smoke drooped down to engulf the area, which for some time was completely blockaded from the rest of the ship. Several men on gun crew 11 were burned. All this time there was live ammunition in racks on the gun shield with flames of fire licking close. It was Joe Butchko, GM2c, who alone threw most of that hot live ammunition overboard. fEor this and general leader' ship he received the Silver Star.l The inferno on the flight deck was punctured by the sharp staccato of detonating ammunition and whistling shrapnel. Every now and then a heavier explosion crushed the atmosphere as another depth charge responded to the intense heat. Some men topside were caught in the grasp' ing arms of flame and with clothes afire jumped overf board from the flight deck into the sea. Vernon Black, Slc, and Sam Harrington, Slc, had been pumping away on a .50 calibre gun on the extreme after port corner of the flight deck when the greenfnosed meat ballvfstudded plane streaked by. He was afire in the engine , said Black, then something hit me. Burning gasoline sprayed all over. It got awfully hot . . . my clothes began to burn. There was only one place for Black to go to extinguish his blazing garments. He went. At the bottom of a 45ffoot leap, water can be awfully hard. HI hit every way but the right way. I paddled and choked and fought for life in the boiling wake of the ship. There was a lot of screaming in the water and whistles blowing. I blew up my life belt as soon as I caught my breath, but the belt burst immediately-fabric burned through. A destroyer, sidestepping through the sailorf studded water, sowed life floats and nets in all directions. Black fought his way to one raft. Fortyffive minutes later the U.S.S. PATTERSON, merciful can, picked him up along with a dozen other BELLEAU WOOD men. Down in the engineering spaces nobody knew at first what had happened. Ensign Bob Reich remembers: Word had been passed over the PA system that bogies were closing. Suddenly the guns were heard rumbling away and the odor of cordite billowed down the air vent. A few seconds later a thump from Usomewherel' rocked the ship. The ship Hinusrhed down as if it had just slid off a ledge. Smoke billowed into the machinery spaces from the ventilating system which had to be secured immef diately. The smokefwatch man up on the bridge called down on the phones that a Jap had just hit starting a pre on the jiight deck. Nobody got partie' ularly excited, as jiight deck pres were no novelty- and none of us up to that time had heard of the word Karnikaze . Not until we secured from GEL did we discover what actually happened. 58 aa.,-M--M A ,. . Vw.. . A l Y Y . The pl.xxxc stxxxrlt llxxx slxxp .xl lx.xxxxx' lv .xlmxll xlxe .xltw ClCX.tm,,-Q the engixxe pxxxxxlxxxxtp .x ll lcxxxl hole tltxwxx llxroxxglx Sdcckg .lf coxixp.xx'tiixexxts QC ixlxll lil, .xxxtl lxelxxwj dt-stroyf ing ax lo l lmxixx. ll.xx'ely xxxxssetl lxy xlxx- plane ixst-ll hut Completely destroyed lay lin' was ilxt- .xller ready roonx where xl numlwei' xxli .xxx' cx'exx'xxxexx were txxxpped. Following the initi.xl explosion bxxrixing gasoline llowed down through the d.xxxx.xged coxxxp.xi'txxxents. Added to this was the detonation of lxuxxdreds ol' rounds ol? illfcxxlilaer aunxiuxnition stowecl in the service rxxoin on the U3 deck imxnedigxtely laenexxtlx the tliglxt deck, next to the crash. Survival in the .xi'e.x laecaine impossible axnd many men were driven over the side by tire and smoke. Qthers had no chance to escape. Some, more fortunate, fought their way to safety. Four men in the photo lab on the O3 deck, iust forward of where the plane struck, all got out alive. Two, though badly burned, fought and grasped their way to safety. According to one: Wlieii I saw that chair leap three feet olf the deck, I knew something had hit us, Ensign Don Kennedy, aboard less than two months, went in from below decks to help direct the HFC lighting x xxxd trezxtixxexxt ol' injured men. The Silver Star was :xwzxrded him lor this performance. Deep in the howels of the ship six men were trapped in steering aft for five hours, unable to make their way to safety because of hot water and steam from a ruptured steam line blocking their one escape hatch-the one open! ing into the CPO? mess. Adding to their tension was a false report over the soundfpowered phones that a dud hoinb was lodged in chief's quarters immediately above their heads. Not until the entire area below decks was secured were these men-Klayda, Foran, Hanson, Welch, Kuss, and Saulsgliberated. This Kamikaze attack was the emergency for which the medical department had been preparing for months. The wardroom was swiftly Converted into an emergency ref ceiving station abounding with sterile dressings and plasma. As the casualties appeared they were examined by the three medical officers and four corpsmen. Almost all the injuries were burns and shrapnel wounds. Corpsf men whose battle stations were with repair parties hurried it C.P.O.4Cl1ief Petty Ojficer f as ,-fV t . Y- f asf :ex - 59 . I gs . -1 is 121 ,I I 4 fi 1 E fi: I. if 'R 'i I 1 I I I I 1 I Iii ,I EI III ,E II ff I I 1 I fl Il f I S! I: I: ,I Q I I ,I Ig? Ji II' ff' I r I , I QEI I+ IIII I:I 'I fl, we III IJ IEII FII QI ,, tiff wi QEII z., ., In II1I IEW ISI' .I I' ,M I I za. ,Ei if Ist if ,. :IQ H2 If Z to the main fire to remove injured personnel. Other corpsmen worked with volunteer crew members removing the dead to a clearedarea forward on the flight deck and began the difficult job of identification. From 1430, the time disaster struck, until 2100, all medics labored ceasef lessly to make the patients as comfortable as sedatives would allow. Special liquid diets were administered through special tubes to those burned about the face and hands. Even after the major fire was under control, small flames continued to break out here and there. Shipfitters, carpenters, and damage control parties were up all night extinguishing these flickering fires and pumping out water from compartments below the damaged area. This was overflow salt water which had drained down through the ruptured decks and bulkheads from the fire hoses above. Destroyed in the fire were the eleven F6F's spotted aft. But what hurt most was the loss of our shipmates, over 100 of whom were either dead or missing when the pref --.................,.,s.....-... . . ......Y,.YV Y,V,,,,.,v W ,,,,,,..-.--....m.,,- liminary countwas made. That night there was a full moon. We will never for' get the sight of the rows of lifeless bodies aligned on the flight deck and the twisted, foamfcoated wreckage lying in the moonlight. John Giardini, WT1c, confesses. I didn't sleep much that night, others around me seemed to be restless too.I knew their thoughts, like mine, were of buddies who had been killed or were missing. After fueling next day came our disheartening job of investigation and cleaning up the carnage. As the wreckf age over mount 9 was removed it revealed the mount still turned around with barrels pointing over the flight deck. The crew had stuck by their gun, Bring to the end. One cheerful aspect of the day was the return from the def stroyer, U.S.S. PATTERSON, of fifteen shipmates who had been lost over the side. The return of these men left us with 92 shipmates dead and missing. Of a total of 245 casualties, 97 were still in sick bay, 54 severely burned. 60 - ,,,Y. ,.. .... V Y: f ' C, Q, f ,ff , xf,f27c1,2fi f 7 X ' ,W f 'fa f 1 fl f V gf if f W, , X 'Q 'KJV fg, . .. H 6 fn During mass burial services that afternoon hundreds of sailors stood at attention while their former shipmates were committed to the deep. There were many silent prayers offered during those closing hours of October 31 -prayers for the loved ones of our shipmates-prayers that our comrades had not died in vain. It took a tragedy like this to make us realize more than ever that now the Japanese were playing the game grimf ly in earnest. To resort to suicide meant nothing else. We began to wonder what effects large scale attacks like this could accomplish against our Navy. Shortly before sunset the two crippled carriers, BELLEAU WOCD and FRANKLIN, accompanied by screening destroyers, departed from Task Group 38.4 and headed for Ulithi. Over the TBS'k, Rear Admiral Davison bade us farewell. On our bridge Captain Perry grasped the TBS transmitter: i'Badgei', this is Fagan. Goodbye. We'll be back. WTBSE- Talk Between Shipsu, a short range, high frequency radio channel for voice transmissions. 'FV 4 A ,,,,... Y.,.....-......,.......,, ULITHI 81 HUMEWARD BUU D We anchored in the lagoon of Ulithi on November 2. Almost immediately inspectors came aboard to see if the damage could be repaired by tenders present. In one way we hoped they could not fix us. We were upset over the loss of our shipmates and groggy from the shock of the attack, we were anxious to get some rest. But we knew that every carrier was needed in the Pacific and that if we did go home, there would be one less carrier to fight. You can't win the war sitting in port. While repair men from the tender began cutting out twisted girders and bulkheads, we wearily shoveled out debris from the damaged compartmenthburned matf tresses, covers, innumerable .5 0 caliber shells from the def stroyed magazine, twisted bed springs, burned papers and books from lockers-all tainted the deep green of water dye which had come from somewhere. Working parties for handling ammunition, provisions, and stores were called away, and the spiritless work began. Then came the news that we were to proceed to Pearl Harbor and probably on to Frisco. Tired men revived. On November 11, after distributing excess equipment to other ships in the harbor and after taking aboard a num' her of passengers to bunk on eots on the hangar deck, we left Ulithi in company with the FRANKLIN and three destroyers. Steaming eastward we clicked off the time zones with consistent regularity, setting the clocks ahead one hour every other day to the cadence of the bosun mate's chant, At 1900 all clocks will be set ahead one hour to read 2000 To that accompaniment, one could be going only one direction in the Paciiic-the direction of the Golden Gate. On Tuesday morning, November 21, the ship tied up in berth Ff13 at Pearl Harbor. Two truck loads of mail from home were waiting on the dock. Planes for ferrying were hoisted aboard-PV's, Gatalinas, Wildcats, even a couple of Cubs. In the other direction went hundreds of full 40 MM ammunition cans, belly tanks, wing sections, rockets,-anything which other ships could use while we recuperated in the States. Thursday afternoon shortly after Thanksgiving dinner, a long bugle blast announced the ship was clear. On the dock a band played, Galiforf nia, Here I Come . We were goin' home . Day by day the temperatures dropped. There was no more sunbathing on the flight deck and forecastle. Lined jackets, mittens, hoods, and foul weather gear appeared on the bridge and lookout stations. To our thin tropical blood the morning of November 29 seemed mighty cold as, long before dawn, the lights of San Francisco twinkled out from beneath an extensive low cloud cover. Shortly after sunrise, and escorted by an armada of sea gulls, the BELLEAU WOGD slipped through the Gate and slowly wove her way through the Bay to Alameda where she tied up at the Naval Air Station. Leaves for half the crew had been prearrangedg hardly had the mooring lines been secured than the long file of men in dress blues with traveling bags started running down the gangway. Next morning the ship moved over to berth 3, Hunter's Point, to enter her period of repair and overhaul. 64 CHURCH With dignity, the deliberate tones of church call echo throughout the ship every Sabbath morning. General Divine Services are now being held in the main messing compartment. Knock off all unnecessary work. Knock off all card games. The smoking lamp is out throughout the ship. Keep silence throughf out the decks . just as frequently it's Catholic Mass is now being held in the main messing cornpartmentll. But regard' less of which it is, Chaplain F. X. Ryan is certain to be in charge. Our only chap' lain aboard, he is Father to Catholic men and a sympathetic, encouraging, conf scientious spiritual advisor to those of Protestant faith. Relieving Chaplain F. J. Pegnam in San Francisco, he has mainf tained his predecessors significant contrif bution to the morale of the BELLEAU WOCD. The religious program of the ship also includes daily morning masses, a Weekly Bible class, Saturday evening gosf pel song services, and frequent periods of confessions. This Church away from home meant a lot to those who answered the call. THE AVY HYM Eternal Father, strong to save Whose arm doth bind the restless wave, Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep lt's own appointed limits keep, O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. Lord, guard and guide the men who fly Through the great spaces of the sky. Be with them traversing the air Through darkening storm or sunlight fair, O hear us when we lift our prayer For those in peril in the air. O Trinity of love and power, Our brethren shield in dangeris hour. From rock and tempest, fire and foe Protect them whereso'er they go. Thus ever let there rise to Thee Clad hymns of praise from land and sea. ' s i sig 5 as v ' SECURE ALL WATERTIGHT DOORS Lt. Cdr. Tippett had persistently impressed upon the engineering personnel the importance of maintaining watertight integrity dur' ing General Quarters. Once the watertight doors had been but' toned up, none were to be opened. During one G.Q. the Chief Engineer wanted to enter the evaporator room through one of these very doors. To his increasing irritation he noticed when he had undogged all the dogs but two that-zip--the dogs quickly snapped shut. Pat Gleason, MMZC. unconscious of the identity of the inf truder on the other side of the practically soundfproof door, had learned his lesson well. The Chief tried it again, but just as he was reaching for the last two dogs-zip-they all snapped closed again. He tried to be cagey by undogging alternate dogs cattyfcorner from each other, but as soon as he took his hand off a dog it closed quickly. He would undog one quickly-it would snap shut quickly. He would undog one slowly-it would close slowly. Banging on the door with a length of pipe brought only the same response from the other side. Angered by this situation, the Chief rushed to the Log Room and called Gleason by phone. Lemme in the evaporator room. This is the Chief En- gineer! Oh, yeah, this is Admiral Clark, chirped Gleason, not recogf nizing the voice. After hanging up, Gleason began to consider that maybe it was the boss. He allowed the door to be opened. It was. L , f LYAX X I Q ' Gx 4 yi , N we Fil fxm l -rf ll .I WE fly ' . H s af HA TCH -HOPPFQ i 12, 'R' ' fa . 1415 -. f ' 3' f 'C Wir D Q , . - ' f L7 .f . - ' in . f ' i ' ,P ,g ' . N a ' a Q X -o f-.aw ' Ns, N Wg .2 - - V h' f X!-ll ' ' I ' A ' G ,-V W 1 l ' f 0' , ll G JZ? 4 hu 5 U ia' f l U 7 S i X ' x 4 f Pr 1. 5, , Xxx V X ' X i D x f A' . X' lgfxs..-.'i'-: 3, I Jw -5 NN ff iw. JM 'A' ---fr' ffw:-s mff1fAfgfF1-ji5i,: N - J' ,N 35- 77115 I5 af :fer entgme room, :3f7j ' ,, l 'i ..'m '3'.i: gg , - F?2QllZ5Z' PZf777fQ55f0f7 tb fgffyfg bi-kgs 66 HE T Break out the cal0mel and phenol, Doc, this itches like . . . . . Lined up outside of sick bay was a file of itching humanity with acres of heat rash and fungus, burning for relief. In the heat of the tropics a variety of skin irritations-collectively dubbed the creeping crud - gripped with unrelenting tenacity the hides of the tender. And there wasn't much you could do about it either- except hope the war would end soon and you could get back to some cool dry air. For months in the tropics the BELLEAU WOQD was in hot water. H83 Degreesn, hummed the messenger on watch as, deep in the engine rooms, he observed the water injection temperature-the temperature of the water in which the ship was afloat. That temperature fre' quently bounced above 830, many a time it flirted with 860. The Gilberts, Marshalls, Carolines, New Guinea, Philippines-they're all bathed by 800 currents. Not until the last few cruises off Japan did the hull cool off enough to produce a comfortable temperature in the engineers' spaces, passages, and lower berthing compartments. In your rack you awoke from hot naps with that clamf my feeling unique to the tropics. Sweating, sleeping men filled tiers of bunks. Air circulated to the low whir of neverfceasing fans and the constant purr of ventilation blowers. The boiler rooms and engine rooms got so warm that the rails of the ladders were too hot to grasp. To ventilation ducts were rigged dungaree pants, funnels flapping in the draft, conducting every bit of precious air to the dripping snipes on station. Month in and month out, they stood the toughest watch schedule on the ship-usually 1 in S . With no view of the outside, no opportunity to see the fleet in action swatting down at' tacking japs, with extremely meager word of what was going on around us, the engineers lived what was prob' ably the most monotonous existence aboard. For over a year and a half these engineers, the men who are seldom glorified on a carrier, endured the dripping heat and the itching, creeping crud to keep the screws turning. TIMES VVHEN MURDER. as Jus'raFsED i 'Xf' ' NEVER HAD X N4 You N x A BETTER LIFE fx 4 l fnv15ZEi 1 ,Z 'QQQZK3 raclm l Wlmnnmaf ,ai .f rtmpi 4f llill ,A SL'Wi?'ingwMb K T i a U 6 5 WE u T .W 'TR 11' orro swnoi DtR JI frifr Nlff .fffvff WE BEEN HA WN6 Wffffk Hdlfff r 67 f - -5 ,-7,+ V . A - i' Z . Af g +A - ' ' .uf if ll 5 6 -T I W l r V' 1 ri - 5 ' ' X NPN Q fl ', 7 5 1 Q .iisllll -if rl- gtg BW Kf!l gvd- I 'f 5 Y i ' Axxxx ff. K - x- - Q,.Il-fl. , Hxr- -'41 V 1' -v - iff in gf ' I 'W ' x - I .b 3 f , A - -4 K rib f I' , 2 ' lo f'V K1l' I 1 ij CX' l 1 - ,J -H-ws . ' , f 4' f T , 4' if ff' ,,.l.,,, M v ' ' - if-. iaf,..,,.' 1 - ' - . v 'r f. ,Z . '-Q5 , p T N x xx, i f. -fwaf cars fff: r 4 L . .9 A fame si afff . 'er 3 - - .' 5 - -lui x? if - 0 Q x I Nl L. S. 0.-LANDING SIGNALS OFFICER By Lt. Frank Green Stand by to land aircraft roars over the bull horn from fly control, and the fox flags are two blocked as tha ship turns into the wind. You can feel the signal platform begin to vibrate under your feet as the ship picks up speed and the first plane breaks off into the landing pattern. The observer hands over the two flags as you take your posif tion for the Hrst plane. A quick look at 'the wind indicator shows that the ship is still too far out of the wind. The first plane breaks off a little too soon and has to be given a wavefoff. At fly control the red flag is still up and you couldn't have taken him anyhow. It's all down, deck clear from the observer as the second plane starts into the cross leg. You pick it up with a Roger fboth arms out horizontallyj but switch to a High when it starts to climb slightly. As he rolls out of the turn into the groove, the pilot takes off too much throttle and settles badly. You wave him off and instinctively crouch down as the plane roars over the signal platform. He settled in the groove , you yell down to the man who makes the proper notation in the book where a record of all landing approaches is kept. The next plane looks good and rides a Roger all the way into the groove with a little slant signal to line him, up before the cut. Your heart skips a beat when the plane bounces on land' ing ,and the hook misses the first few wires. But it finally does catch a wire and rolls to a stop. With a quick sigh of relief you pick up the next plane already starting its approach. You didn't hear General Quarters because of the roar of the engines, but when you notice the gun crews rushingf for their stations you know there must be bogies in the area. However there is not time to worry about that now as you pick up the next plane with a Roger. 1t's a good pass all the way and, as the plane swoops down and catches a wire, you notice that they are firing over in the next group. Simultaneously the telephone talker yells up that our planes have been instructed to circle outside the screen until after the attack and that you are to run for cover. Hey! hand me my mae west. The BELLEAU WOOD's landing record: 1 Landings .................. 13,161 Crashes .................... 121 Per cent crashes ...... .9fZp or 1 out of every 108 The majority of crashes were not serious, few were fatal. For instance any landing plane which even touched the barrier was counted as a crash. The BELLEAU WOOD's landing signals officers were: Lt. A. 'Harp'er, March, 1943-April, 1945 Lt. W. F. Wujcik, April, 1945--August, 1945 Lt. F. E. Green, and Ens. W. O. Blake, August, 1945- November, 1945. y l Jocicsr IITTERS The ship was at General Quarters. One of the bridge lookf outs was an excitable little man whose fearful eyes constantly scanned the skies. On the other end of his phone, which was in C.I.C., was Hilarious Harry Krovitz, an exfjockey. Sud' denly, from out of nowhere, came six Nip Torpedo planes. The diminutive lookout screamed, This is it! Oh, dear God, don't let fem hit us! They canit miss! They're almost on us! Help! This is really it! Down in C.1.C. Harry was seated on a high, backless stool, a.nd the louder the screams, the faster jockey Krovitz rode that stool. He resembled the small boy on his first merryfgofround ride. However the Jap planes missed. Those in the know say that 'iHi!arious Harry turned in one of his best an l Awe -'eff' - 5 K. , track performances. l K , A r K7 -in Wi if! Q I XD n, js. f , 1 fs A! ,jf M ful ' f f ' s ! :J 'i Q 4. ' ,Cixi g X ff' XX -2 W, 4-ff L if ,W ag if 'c if-if t ... ' ' A s- N ' f X-'Ili g-L INDEPENDENT LADY George Elliot, a new JuniorfOfficerfoffthefDeck, leaned back on his heels and whistled a few bars of Anchors Aweigh . On the bridge with George were the 0.0.D. and Capt. Pride. We were in a task group steaming towards Majuro. Suddenly the whole group started a starboard turn-all but Beulah , who maintained her course. Elliot, still on his heels, whistled All the Things You Are , his thoughts were thousands of miles away. Capt. Pride's voice broke through the low murmur of churning engines and subdued radio speakers. Mr, Elliot, do you know where we're going? L'Yes sir, Captain, we're going back to Majuro. We'll be there early tomorrow. Yes-1 know, but can you tell me why the rest of the for' mation 1sn't going with us? fMoral--never miss a zigfzagj LOTS OF AIR The Ship had been at General Quarters for hours. As usual all air, conditioning was off. and men inside the ship were sweltering, especially those whose stations kept them far below decks. The Executive Ofhcer was checking up on the readiness of all departments. On the bridge squawk bgx he Called Cen' tral4Stat1on, .-This is the Executivc Qmccr. A,-C you ready to receive a torpedo down there? The deliberate answer crept back from the First Lieutenant. Lt. Cdr. Wexel, Commander Lyons, if it will help the ventila' tion any, well accept two or three. 68 P U Pi I ' P1 U UTI Shortly after the bugle's blast for dropping the hook, the main enf gines were secured, the UHicerfoffthefDeck shifted his watch to the quarf terdeck on the hangar, and the in port watch was set. So much different from sea routine was life in port that in spite of strenuous physical work we looked forward to every visit. With reduced gun watches, no underway bridge watches, diminished watches at thc boilers and engines--we enjoyed a break in the monotony of sea life. Here's Raymond Lee jones, Jr., QM3c, with a slant cn Port Routine. Say, what time did we drop the hook, quarterf master? 1532? Warren, 2nd division wins the 350.00 anchor pool. And it isn't long before the quartermaster on watch is called again to settle other anchor pools. The quartermaster gang breaks out soap and water on the bridge, but it seems that they always end up by painting the entire place. Lambert says he canlt figure out which division he is in while in port-has a paint -brush in his hand more than a pencil. The Engineers secure the main engines and commence making repairs. The boilers and bilges need cleaning-one of the hottest and dirtiest jobs on the shipf, The hull of the ship got hot, sitting in those tropical anchorages with little breeze except the trade winds. Heat rash and the creeping crudn broke out in fresh attacksg the sleeping compartments, engineering spaces, oilices, galley and passages got hotter than ever. K' 'Stand by to receive LCM underneath the airf plane crane., Then it starts-'20 hands from the 2nd division, 20 hands from the 3rd division, 10 hands from Vfl division report to Chief Gandolfo on the forward elevator., Boxes, boxes, and more boxes. L.Porty for the storelqeeper means nothing but work. directing the unloading and stowing from reveille to taps. When the time comes to weigh anchor and leave port, the Supply Department is probably the only one that is glad to be under way again-glad to S t .1 J l MAIL CALL i s , g Q J 5. - 1-f ' 1 ' J ra s 'J , Q. is ft .. M, N 4 1 I l HI got a letter I got a letter ,' O I -5 NIT! A? , .... As soon as mail comes aboard the sacks are rushed ,-v., I . sf K I Ear'-T down to the post office in the fantail for sorting. 2' . ,-J -5 J al , 5 When the postmen have Hnished, the bugler blows vw .Q h n 43 'Q the colorful notes of mail call. Cheers echo through ' 'Y' 2'ws'?:1fE?':bQf??gf1fr-QfjaiiL- 'Af,': '.'f,f357?'7l compartlnents and passageways. All divisional mail petty officers lay flown to the post office and draw your lll17iSi0ll,S mail. Unless you are a Mail P. 0. you had better uclear the deck. ltls a dangerous stampede. settle down to the usual routine. On the flight deck carpenters and ship fitters ref place slashed flight deck planks, cut by spinning prof pellers of planes which crashed the barrier. Bombs and ammunition pile high underneath the airplane crane. 'Then come more working parties to Stow those bombs, rockets, 40MM and ZOMM shells in their respective magazines deep in the hull of the ship, several decks below their present resting place. After two or three hours of handling rockets and 40MM shell cans you know you have been working, On the hangar deck the Vf2 boys wash and wax our first line of defense, the fighters and torpedo planes. fust start going over one of those big wings sometime with wax and you will soon know how ALL DNISIONAL mu. eofs LAY eetow 'ro . . much surface there is. Later they'll turn to on the deck, wash that grease and oil off and do a little painting-about 1,000 square feet. c'Riding stages slung down from above, the deck division side cleaners scrape off the green sea weed , loose paint and rust, preparing the ship from water line to flight deck for yellow zinc chromate and a new dress of paint. . Red Karr gets the Captain's gig ready, coxswains man their motor whale boats and check maps of the har-bor for the various ships they will have to make. Unique to port routine are the iw-ords' which are passed throughout the day for boats alongside, 'There is a boat alongside for the Bunker Hill' or 'There will be a boat leaving in 10 minutes for the TOP ROW: Michael E. Rhodes, Douglas Henderson, Charley Van Oote- ghen, James Crow, C. John Henry. BOTTOM ROW: Joseph Patterson, Robert Shuck, John Fentiman, Pat Gleason. Ticonder-oga, Lexington, Langley and Missouri. L'Life isn't all work and sweat while in port. Usually there is section liberty to the island with liberty boats making scheduled runs. Often there is time to relax and sun on the flight deck, or go up to the signal bridge to see if you can get hold of your brother or buddy on some other ship. The signal gangs business increases 25 96 in port, substantially due to 'chewing the rag' with signalmen on other ships. With the hangar cleared of planes, and after the working parties have struck below the flour sacks, meat 4 O-K. Bud go down and clean out 'this void YD fa lo O ' eg ff R,-,fp o 5 1 sz - f ll boxes, fruit crates, and ammunition, the basketball bankf boards come down, and interdivisional league begins. Volleyball on the elevators, badminton, and punching bags-the hangar is transformed into one long gymnasium. 'iAt night it's movies on the flight deck. Does a lot of good to see an American girl after a hard day's work. Something to dream about when youlre at sea againf, Rarely was a Hblackoutw ordered in the fleet anchorages. The darkness is speckled with a thousand lights from all the anchored ships, and the signal lamps blinking around the lagoon look like a flock of giant lightning bugs. The Fleet Reereauon Area in Ll1th1 xxl on 1 l1ttl sevrnent of the atoll knoxxn lo Mog Moe lltnd I Enwxetok lt xxas on Runlt lsltnd All these l1ttle eorrl atolls are IDODOYOIIOUS-lj 1l1ke to the l1hertx hound Vxfe pent far more t1n1e NVxC1t1IlU lf out on tle Inbertx Boat than vxe dld on the bexch After nw ter1ng and then musterlnv ag un xxe xx ent oxer the s1de 1nto some land nv eratt rswned for nur hberty party and then sxxeated 111 the sun at three knots oxer to the Fleet Reereatlon Center The reereatlon areas xxere always full of guys from the fleet and some of the high pots of the xx rr were a few hattles vxe had 111 support f cf our reputat1on 15 the flqhtrn est Z Ky CVL 1n the fleet Smce the boys on The B1 E always llked us tnd usually called us The L1ttle E xxe always came to each others support 73 JHWWQYQ 51533 md lt s 1 liet of rCeOrd that no one ex er took us 1n one ol those lrlendlx hattles The hest thlnff thout It rll was l1a1nq around under tho e prlxn trees, arfftnnq over the xxorth of the xarlous llells xxe preked up for hrreelets and necklaces then topplnff off the dav w1th a swun 111 the lagoon The coral bottom was supcrh at EIl1VxCtOli hut not so good at Mos, Nlog xxherc there xx as a xworous undertoxx, but the xx iter xxas al xx xxs eool and clear The guys looked eornlcal xx1th then' x1xh1te hathlnv trunks xxhere the sun hadnt reaehed and ff our slilll stretehed trqht IS a Hddle -tune xx1th the QllI'1Hli1IlQ effect of the Wt' silt when xxe stood mound 111 the sun to Uet drx But xxe alxx 13s returned nred and h1pp1e1 xx1th the nexx Quxs lUQgIl11Q preecs of lrxc eoral that stunk up the1r lockers for the ntxt month l l l l i A i 1 Q. F I . i 5 ur , ,s 1 , gl i I - - 1 - - l ' Vx f - - - - e. if - ,1 Q ' X , L I 3 , 1 L c ., c 1 ' 1, it Q : ' - - , ,c . , - , - , 4 F 1 K,. - :D c k , h 5 c . I1 K V K L M, L Z ' Y ' , A ' 2 f -, ' ,, N 2 - ' , ' , V , ..' f ' L X, - f - , -4 C C 1 N. I XA v 1 K Y . ' x ' x v s ,- , 4 , ' , K v ' ' ' N , ' ' C I 1 e. , L fe C3 K M 1 T . . . ,, . , 1 3 ' P e ' ' 2 C 1 K T S A I ' X ' I T ' e . . . I ,, , 3 - . . . . f 1 . f Q, . f ' . C . A-. . n , e . , ' ' f , ' . K, 1 w V s I K , Q , ' V K ' .. D K c K . . I me XV! . ' ' V K 5 - K , Q4 ,, or W , T , X K K ,, N K . D L 1. ee b , . ix ,J 1 K . L kv W V, H ,f ' F . . 3 ,VV , , I . Q: , Y , f- Y 3 Q Vs ,AW f v -. Y K W K V K - x, e. I QV ,afjfffw .5 , ' c e E ,X K - ' V gg? V ,E , - , , K - K - ' , e. ft ' ,I . s. . ' ' ,f '42 - -5 . , 3,29 . . . . , A ' , . , L , K A K K K K K .. . p K ' 3,71 7 fr 5 D ' A ' e ' e 5 . A 2 -. I ' ' ' ' T ' ' l : - use an 2 Vfff' if f . . 1 N f . ,, ,f ' .., of f, , f ff f N Q V , ,X X S e ' 'c - 5 :ljgpgg KX e e f K 4 ' A 1 K ,gp QQ 5, A f 5 ,3 I I I A K , , fr, 2' T, ff f f , Q, 1.4: - 3 1 s T f ' fl T ai, e s T, ' sf f . N t ff, , ' 465,531 'Q K' K ' L , ' s ' s T et' T t ' rx Q f ' fi' ,h If ' ' 'QM ,,',. ' ' T' Y I - sf , D - T A f sr T .. - -Q s 'Mfr -V - - - ' of K, - 2 Aga' , Qi' s j Z ' ,Q '15, Ita W K 2 - v w y 1 - j D A ' K ,Y ' - . f,',xJ,l4 V- .. , f kr I e g ' ' 3 T rf T I ,J V 5 I f. . e f f s s r ' . f if ,. i -P s 4 , . 4 ' i - - 1 f , , - , 5 . I gh a-ll' N ' K V 'L A x Q fe N Y Q' A , K ' ..., ., , . V h 5 4 ' On the tropic isle of Mug Wtcmp In the sunny southern sea, Theres no dusky, brown skin maiden Eatzng out her heart for me. On the tropie isle of Mug Wump There IS really nothing much But some sailors and some seafbees, Army engzneers and such. -G-b H h 1 ug es. T if o 4All lll' l F'f : When their ,war 15 over 1. - . Our last liberty before Victory was at Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. The Fleet Recreation Center lo' cated on Samar Island to the east of San Pedro Bay was just another Fleet recreation area . . . only with tropical jungle and dirt. The boys had a great time swapping cigarettes and pogey bait for shell necklaces and such with the natives who crowded around the area fence. But the real liberty was in Tacloban over on Leyte Island. Although regular liberty was not rated, most of us made it by hook or crook and got a real look at Philippine life. It mystified us all that the people could be 'so clean and live in such dirty surroundings. The 'Viz was W, e af 1? J kg , girls wore clean cotton dresses. All the men were in the Philippine army apparently, although we didn't see them doing anything. The people got as much fun out of the sightseers as we did out of sightseeing, and they got a great deal more profit. Everything was either Wan Dollah , 'sFi Dollah , Five Peso , Ten Peso, and we had plenty of the Philippine Dollah to spend, if we could trade in a few cigarettes. We bought everything in sight for souvenirs . . . but there was little to buy. Mostly we got wooden sandals or fans or wooden cigarette boxes. There was no food or cloth merchandise anywhere . . . most of the articles came from homes or little shops. U UTU Y El :Hx v-4 6 When we go out to hunt the Jap, to cause him grief and woe and pain, - .aah-. We sail around and up and down, and then sail back again. 4. im 5 All these circles in the sea get darned monotonous to me. f Ah'l -Gib Hughes. The excitement of action ills most of the pages of this book. However, it is erroneous to imply that most of our nautical life was spent in actual combat. In reality, the thrills were brief and far apart. Day in and day out life at sea was plain monotony. Of course there were some whose duties had a flavor of variety. No two days were the same for men involved in flight operations on the flight deck. ln spite of the deafening racket of airplane engines and annoying wind there was enough suspense connected with each landing and enough danger from whirling propellers to keep life from getting dull. There's never a dull moment on a carrier, always some thing new and different was true of flight deck country But few of us outside the airdales participated in the ex' citement of flight operations Boilers engines bulkheads decks mess halls offices and shops always lool the s me no matter what goes on above Every day x as a dupli cate of its predeces or and model for its successor reveille in the dark to sit around battle stations for an hour until sunrise launch aircraft for routine patrols which 90 per cent of the time saw nothing save air, clouds, and water, land aircraft, launch aircraft, land aircraft, three meals a day, scrub bulkheadsg swab decks, run boilers and engines, then fade out with another hour after sunset at battle stations. Relieve the watch. On deck section three. Relieve the wheel and lookoutsf' Relieve the watch-relieve the watch, day after day, week after week. The march of the hours and days and months rumbled steadily past. The sea and sky rolled endlessly by with no glimpse of land from one port period to the next, our eyes became water logged . Water has a way of looking the same wherever you are. This reaction to the life at sea was true of every ship in the fleet, not just the BELLEAU WGCD. Flight operations did give life on carriers a certain flavor which other ships lacked What battleships and cruisers did through the months to fight boredom other than keep station fstay in position is hard to understand Rare indeed was the man who did not lose all sense of time as the metronome of monotony ticked endlessly on . , , . . 7 9 7 , , L -. v . V N . ,, . . . 'Y f - 1 C '.-. 1 t. . - . . ' . . 55 . -H L, ' 1 , V . - 1 - r -'- g V -- - V - , H W ,,-............,............ f s. -- -' fi-'ef-W N - - -Ms--.'-X...-,fs g , a g .w av w p 5-V Jigga? VALLQQ-432 greg: Y V Q P . P .1 1 FIR T TOKYO Pill-GE CRUISE 12 February 10-March 4, 1945 IT was a sunny Saturday morning, january 20, 1945 when this rejuvenated carrier backed slowly into San Francisco Bay, paused while the new U.S.S. RANDOLPH pulled away from the dock at Alameda, and together with her headed out into the Pacihc. It felt a whole lot different this time to see Golden Gate fade in the distance over our fantail-much different than seeing it rise over our bow on November 29. The water of the Pacific once again stretched endlessly before us, the land we were fighting for dropped below the horizon. With our new Air Group we were heading for action. Air Group 30 had come aboard in Alameda with Lt. Cdr. R. H. Lindner, Air Group Commander and Lt. F. C. Tothill in charge of the torpedo squadron. A few hours after reaching Pearl Harbor on January 26 Captain Perry turned the command of the ship over to Captain W. G. Tomlinson, former International Schneider Cup pilot and winner of the Curtiss Marine Trophy Race, 1929. One of the pioneers of naval aviation, he instituted the Aviation Cadet Program and was responsible for the early progress of cadet training. In the early 30's as a Lieutenant, he made the Navy's first dawnfdusk trans' continental flight. The new skipper came to us from Atlantic duty where he was Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Azores.. Back in late 1942 and early '43 the admirals would have given a bushel of stars for the linefup of ships with which we departed Pearl for Ulithi on Jan' uary 29. Present were five carriers, the U.S.S. SARATOGA, BENNINGTON, BUNKER HILL, RANDOLPH, BELLEAU WOOD, the new battlefcruiser ALASKA. and seven destroyers-all reporting for duty. Sailing into Ulithi on February 7, nobody had any doubt that wherever we were going We would have plenty of company-the whole fleet was in. As yet the destination was unannounced. -..,...... as 4 s . , We could only sit around and listen to scuttlebutt as it spread throughout the ship. Brisbois up in CIC said Tokyo , the gunners on the fantail said China 3 Phillips in Aerology could think only of typhoons. But all agreed it was something important-else why had we been rushed through the yard availability at Huntefs Point eight days ahead of schedule? The quiet, calculating team of Admiral Spruance, Commander Fifth Fleet, and Vice Admiral Mitscher, Commander Task Force 58 had assumed the leadership of the striking forces. Dawn of February 10 found the lagoon astir. Vessels all over the place inched their way toward the channel leading to the open sea. Hour after hour well into the afternoon, the procession filed out, a seemingly endless column of speedy vessels-every one of which could break 30 knots. Outside Ulithi the horizon was dotted with ships. Formed into five task groups, Task Force 58 that day was an amazing affair. There had been 6 carriers on the Gil' bert raids in 1943, twice that number in uthe greatest carrier fleet ever assembled for Truk in 1944. But around Ulithi this February afternoon there were 16 floating airdromes, including the SARATOGA, ENTER' PRISE, 9 big Essex sluggers, and 5 CVL's. The BELLEAU WOOD was part of Task Group 58.1 in which were also present the reliable veterans of many previous operations: the HORNET and WASP, aug' mented by the newcomer, BEN N IN GTON. Included in our support were the INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, VINCENNES, SAN JUAN, and MIAMI. All this power and fighting potential was under the direct com' mand of Rear Admiral J. J. Jocko Clark, a man who had led us to triumph in the past, one with whom we were glad to be associated when the fighting got tough. And on across the sea spread other task groups, just as powerful as ours. The carriers in each group were: 58.2 LEXINGTON, HANCOCK, SAN JACINTO 58.3 ESSEX, BUNKER HILL, COWPENS 58.4 YORKTOWN, RANDOLPH, CABOT, LANGLEY 58.5 ENTERPRISE, SARATOGA. A look at the five convincing teams proved something big was stirring. Fifty per cent of the crew were green hands, widefeyed listeners as the older men of experience retold the story of October 30. The Kamikaze boys will go after the big ones first , Mike Schaeffer, BM1c assured. Joe Cristaldi, BM1 c, wanted to know what happens after there aren't any more big ones left. Late in the afternoon of February 14 the PA system began to hum all over the ship-then two experimental blows in the microphone. These were the signals that l a ways preceeded a talk from the captain, the skipper was 78 1 f ---. - 'e '- 8 'M ' ready to give the word. Attention, all hands, this is the Captain. We are about four hundred miles from japan. You will be interested to know that we have as our des' tination, Tokyo. Tomorrow afternoon we will start our high speed run in. At dawn the sixteenth we strike the 'lap capitol . He also stated what he expected of us and said he had faith that his expectations would be fulfilled. He closed with this appropriate phrase, We aren't send' ing a boy to do a man's job this time . It was a sober crew when he finished. Everybody was a little uneasy but at the same time proud to be in on this one. Our course was northwest. The weather became cold and the seas rough. It began to rain a dismal rain. The mission of the force: destruction of aircraft in the Tokyo area. This we later learned was to knock out Jap air power that could be used against the Marine Corps as it stormed ashore on Iwo Jima. The weather got worse. But that low dismal cloud cover was a perfect concealing canopy as we raced toward Nippon. Nothing happened on the 15th to make us sus' pect that the Japs knew our location. That night, with the distance to japan shrinking, the men in CIC kept sharp eyes on the radar for bogies. The scopes swept 'round and 'round-and happily remained clear. On the cold, blackedfout bridge, the night watches hovered over their surface radar, alert for skunks fun' identihed surface contactsj. The long night hours slowly crept by. The bridge scope remained black as the night, not an enemy craft appeared. Down in the wardroom Lt. Ben Horr and Ens. Bob Coleman broke the tension with vigorous renditions of Don't Fence Me In . At 0630 the next morning, February 16 we were 119 miles from Tokyo. Task Group 5 8.1 was the nearest to Tokyo of the five groups in Task Force 58. And in Task Group 58.1 the BELLEAU WCOD was the nearest carrier. All night long the redfhelmeted ordnance men had been securing bombs, rockets, and machine gun belts in every plane. Before the first ray of light, all was ready. Like sleeping birds with folded wings aligned on a roost, the silent dark planes awaited their pilots. Then up from the ready room came those pilots-in their weird Zoomie suits bulging at the shins and flapping on the back. Time check! Time Check! Cn the mark it will be sixf thirtyftwof' Air Officer Commander Joe Clymer's voice flooded the dark flight deck. Stand by, Mark! Stand by to start engines Stand clear of propellersn Start engines With a cough, a stutter, a pop, and a roar, those sleep' ing birds came to life. Now they were more like wild horses straining at the harness, spitting fire from the enf gine exhausts. A plane director, scarcely discernible in the darkness save for the glowing flashlight wands in 79 , . 5532.1 CLEAR Tl-IE RMI- . I 'i 'I gi' x sa- -, I ,L n j! VE'- fw 'L 2 , N , gm ,s ,, fn, ,J flirt .I M, lf' it ,f Il I' ' ff A I. ,, A dk 'K if , X ' . af f ' ' Q Z ,fad Al x If li I5 bi nhl' 1- - R I Q 'i ' 'K my each hand, signalled the first plane to unlock his wings. A dozen plane handlers leaped to push those wings for' ward into flying position. To the signals of glowing, wavf ing wands, plane after plane spread its wings and taxied up that carpet of night to the catapult. The ships turned into the wind. Airdales on the flight deck instinctively leaned far forward into the breeze to maintain balance, their loudly flapping clothes wrapped violently around them by the draft and propeller slip streams. Dodging around a crowded flight deck in the twilight amid roaring propellers and trying to keep out of the way of prop blasts requires a nimble JackfbefQuick. At 0643, long before sunrise, Hellcats and Avengers roared off our deck, orbited, joined up with other carrier planes, and turned toward Japan. We caught the Nips by complete surprise and kept pounding the airflelds of the Tokyo Plain for the next two days. It is a matter of record however that unpleasant weather conditions-especially the rain and fog-which hid the ships from discovery also hampered the offensive of our own air groups. As the Yanks stormed ashore at Iwo Jima on February 20, the Task Force took position near the Bonin Islands, commencing a series of neutralizing raids against Chichi Jima and Haha Jima, knocking them out as staging areas for Jap raids at Iwo. It was in this area that the SARATOGA was severely damaged by a swarm of Kamikazes. The unpredictable Japs, after letting us cruise unmolested so close to their homeland shores a week earlier, came way down to Iwo to sock the SARA. After a second weatherffrustrated swing at Tokyo and Nagoya, we swatted the Nansei Shoto on March 1. Six VT's attacked shipping in Sakishima Gunto, between Okinawa and Formosa. Ens. Relyea and his two crewf men, Gruett and Cherry, crashed immediately after a bombing run. Lt. Reisert was critically wounded and his plane badly damaged by AA fire after making a direct hit on a destroyer, he flew for an hour and a half to the position of a rescue submarine where he ordered his two crewmen to parachute. Both were rescued, but Lt. Reisert after his heroic performance could not be revived when picked up by the submarine. Three days later our big hook dropped into the waters of Ulithi where for 10 days Mog Mog Island was liberty grounds for the Fifth Fleet. We had delivered the first Navy blow at Japan. We had ubroken ice on the homeland. 80 W .- .,. .. . .... .. ,... -ar ........ . HYLIIHU and UHIN WA lfllll ISE I3 March 14-April 30, 1945 HERE were several reasons why Okinawa should be the next objective of our amphibious forces. By this time we had knocked the props from under the japs in the Marianas, Palau, and Iwo and had delivered a reeling blow to the Philippines. Two sides of and the air above the entire Philippine Sea belonged to us. We needed a third side to box in japan. By snatching Qkif nawa we could control this side. Prom bases in Qkinawa the Bf29's would have only half as far to go as from Saipan and Guam. Patrols could cover the Yellow Sea and much of China. Ckinawa was a must . In midfMarch Task Force 58 set out to pry off the lid and clear the way for the invasion which was coming in early April. Little did we realize as we steamed out from sunny Ulithi on March 14 that we were on the threshold of the most strenuous period of this ship's entire life. The seven weeks which followed added up to the longest cruise the ship had spent at sea and were highlighted by seven significant events: 1. The hectic action off Kyushu 2. The BettyfBaka skirmish 3. Discovery and annihilation of a convoy 4. Invasion of Qkinawa 5. Kamikaze attack 6. Turkey shoot 7. Attack on the Yamato task force We headed straight for Kyushu, the nearest to Okinawa of the major Jap islands, the home of innumerable air' fields, and the solar plexus of Japan's air force. This was the hornet's nest. For us was the job of blasting these Helds and destroying planes, paralyzing Nippon's air power. We were after planes, airborne or on the ground. Of secondary importance were field installations, repair facilities, transportation and industrial targets. The planes came first! Q15 Action off Kyushu, March 18 - 21 Shortly after midnight on March 18 enemy fliers dis' covered us. No surprise this time. The first bogey fthe first of ten single plane raidsj was picked up at 0144. Section one in CIC with Hghter director officers Jack Colter and Frank Sloan on watch vectored out night fighters from the ENTERPRISE to intercept. Splash one bogey several miles from the ship. When at 0400 a number of bogies closed the formation, the ship went to General Quarters. Up to this time enemy air attacks had been heard about but not seen by half the crew, their introduction was coming up. Platoon Sgt. Russel F. Greenleaf dashed out to his gun station on the forecastle quad 40MM mount to find the sky ablaze with clusters of flares which seemed to hang in midfair. Every ship, particularly the carriers BENNINCTCN, HCRNET, and WASP, was a perfect silhouette. At high speed the formation swung into emergency maneuvers turning sharply, churning the water furiously to confuse the enemy's attack. From CIC a continuous stream of reports flowed to the bridge, keeping the skipper posted on number, range, and bearing of the incoming raiders: Bogey at six o'clock, seven miles. Alert to the north The squawk boxes broke the eerie silence with com mands from the flag Flan speed execute now Turn Right i Turn Left. Raid Six is getting close-Nanyone with a good solu tion, let him have it. --- Suddenly off our port bow the destroyers and cruisers opened fire. Five inch bursts and forty millimeter tracers crissfcrossed in the flareflight, lighting off a brilliant, flam, ing, orange comet which streaked down into the ocean, Then all was quiet. The lazy flares gradually inched their way down, down, down, to be snuffed out in the inky sea, The darkness deepened. An hour passed. Then a roar split the night over our bow and a huge dark object fthe Marines said it was a Bettyj zoomed overhead. At the same time ships off our starboard quarf ter were opening up on still another Jap which went down in billowing flames astern All was quiet again. Another hour passed. Maybe we would be free for breakfast. But radar scopes began to blink, there were bogies in the air. It wasn't long until the ships astern opened fire. A plane was overhead. With one engine ablaze, this Jap looked like a fast moving flare which made him visible to everybody in the formation. He headed for us and was met by our forties. Veering off, he crashed in aball of flame amid a cone of ire from every vessel that could bear. At 0545 as the shrouds of night fell away, our own planes took off to join hundreds of other carrier planes rendezvousing outside the formation. For hours we had been on the defensive, beating off desperate blows in the night. Now for the offensive. The dawn patrol shot down two Zekes and an EIDHY- The 8 o'clock strike ripped Inujo airfield. The 11 o'cl0Ck Strike sank a 10 000 ton freighter in Kagashima Bay H W up five planes at Ibusuki Now the nerve center' Japan S H11 Organ1SID in both Kyushu and the whole Philippine sea arei was an expansive advanced deve P nt Ht K9-HOY21 T116 high commind ranking staff me 5 the Planlwrs the he irt of thc military commun1C , nd L6 , , C - ble ' of U Z xx I l . Y E C L L Y. c I 9 , fi Q f me , . ' . ' m' c 4 - r 1 I 9 s. . be 1- , , K 2 Y . . ' an 82 ..L'! v iz. . .. rs. 1-W. AIKQ, X mx x t 1 M t I 'Jug M A-',4 gb:-,NA A I l,l--, . gm V Q ILAF V Q .ng-AWTQTAI V V W, .. A V , .. I V L, r. g s I tions system were .ill at Kanoya. The BELLEAU WOOD made its first lunge at this important base with a series of bombing and strafing runs which destroyed two Zekcs and started fires in two hangar areas, warehouses and shops. March IS was also a strenuous day for the ships in the force. At battlc stations all day long and long past mid' night, the gunners saw more fireworks than they had ever seen before. The enemy's attacks were not coordinated groups of planes, because these were broken up by the combat air patrols miles away from the fleet. The japs that did get through to the ships slipped in one or two at a time for sporadic runs. Shortly after sunrise a lone Jap peeled off at 4,000 feet for a dive at the HGRNET. He was erased in a blinding blaze from the flagships guns. In midfmorning a George, zooming up for a getaway after dropping a nearfmiss on a cruiser, ran smack into a 5 shell from a destroyer. A blinding flame flashed for a moment and volumes of black smoke puffed out in all directions, marking in space the Jap's vanishing point. Not a visible trace of the George dropped out of that black cloud. Shortly after noon a second Nip tried to suicide the HCRNET which, master ship that she was, blew him out of the skies. Not long after, destroyers in the screen shot down another single plane. An hour after sunset more bogies appeared but only one got close enough to be seen as he plunged afire out of the darkened sky, shot down by a night fighter. At 0230 the following morning we secured from General Quarters. The sack felt good-for 45 minutes at least. At 0315, March 19 we heard that gong again. General Quarters! Just 60 miles off Kyushu the Green Hornets fKamikaze boysj were resuming their Lamplighter's Serenade with flares around the sky. But only one enemy came close and he was hit by AA fire just as he unwrapped his flares -they popped out in all directions. Our first patrol that morning covered Gita and Saeki 83 .. airields and hit a submarine in Bungo SuiClO Channel- Thc morning's lustiest wallop was directed at enemY naval units hiding in Kure Harbor where BELLEAU WQOD planes larrupped an Oyodo class cruiser with five direct hits. The afternoon strike hit the Kanoya airC11'Om6 and a seaplane base at Ibusuki. around somewhere. We lost track of the number of de, troyed planes which crashed flaming into the sea. Most thrilling were the suiciders which weren't hit until the closing seconds of their dives exploding in flames abovg their targets. Most spectacular were the knockdowns at night when the astonishing night fighters or the magic fire control of the five inchers struck blazing snoopers out of the blackened sky. Most gruelling was the continuous tension and loss of sleep as we remained alert, a few of us for over eighty continuous hours. Early in the afternoon of March 21st DeWayne Cole, studying the radar up in LIC exclaimed, We're not s I C25 The Betty-Baka skirmish Back at the ships there was trouble. A dive bomber found his mark with a bomb which pierced a small hole in the WASP's flight deck 'and plunged down through the hangar deck to explode below. Smoke and flames hlled the hangar. In a remarkably short time the fire was under control-in time for the next flight operation! Their crew had accomplished this so quickly that we judged the injury only slight. Later we learned how vast was the damage and the large number of killed and wounded. A great ship, that WASP! The Nip that got the WASP was slapped down right over the formation by a daring Hellcat pilot who risked his neck in our AA fire. After noon another desperate suicide diver on the HORNET was blown up right over the flagship. In the face of these threats the carriers kept slinging strikes and launching patrols. It was into the wind, out of the wind, all day long as the planes shot off, socked the enemy, ref turned to be refarmed, gassed up, repaired, checkedw and off again. Cn the 20th and 21st we withdrew two hundred inlcs from Kyushu. No strikes were launched against the island but a special combat air patrol was flown to assist the withdrawal of the tragically crippled, kamikazefgutted FRANKLIN several miles away in another task group. For these four days, March 18f21, nobody got much sleep. As we churned around off Kyushu, sometimes only 60 miles away, heckling attacks by snooping laps kept the ships at battle stations with few interruptions. The radar screen was seldom clear there was always 1 Jap anywhere near land are we? On the radar scope was a large blip which was large enough to be an island but was actually a traveling mass of Jap planes doing 150 knots in our direction. Approximately 60 enemy aircraft bearing 340 def grees true, 50 milesf' At the time, twelve BELLEAU WOCD fighters were cruising through space on their patrol in the vicinf ity of the FRANKLIN. Eight of these were prompt' ly ordered to dash for the bogey. What they found was 24 Bettys flying in formation sandwiched between two protecting layers of innumerable hghters. With a snarl our eight Hellcats clawed that vastly supef rior force. The fur flew. In the most vicious scrap in BELLEAU WQGD's history, 21 laps C10 Bettys, 11 Zekesj flamed and tumbled out of the sky. Five Ofh6IS broke away trailing heavy smoke. To the aid of the eight came other friendlies who helped ring up a score of 47 enemy planes that March 21st afternoon. Two Zekes blown up, two Bettys flamed-all with just 500 rounds ef ammunition and by one pilot! Using six guns, that figures out to be 20 rounds per squirt or 2 'B seconds per kill:-an Ensign named Reber shooting. Five enemy planes destroyed in the air is the requirement for Ace , Ensign Johnny Miller qualified in this one action. Eight bruised and scratched Hellcats fimped back to us that afternoon. Every single one had strings of Heat machine gun bullet holes pierced through the metal' some h id elevitors ind st ibilizers shot awaj Engines were tv 3 r Q ' r c ' 2 f , 2 ' 2 , 2 E . - ' , .- 7, ' ' e, but-ned out. They returned in the craziest Wildfwcst landings a carrier ever saw. Taxiing by the bridge the pilots grinned at the skipper and held up 2, 1, 4 lingers, They had a lot to grin aboutef-the engines of their flying seives rattled like buckets of broken glass falling downstairs. There had been something funny about those Bettys. Slung beneath the fuselage of each was a strange looking contraptionf-something like a fat midget planefwbich was jettisoned as each Betty was attacked. Little did our eight hotfshots realize that they had uncovered the Baka bomb-a midget jet propelled plane carrying a suicide pilot and a tremendous explosive charge in the nose-all to be released from the mother ship as she neared the target. Had this raid penetrated the screen, the Bakas could have raised havoc with our carriers. Such a success would have given great impetus to the laps for wider use of this dangerous weapon. Our pilots won a brilliant vicf tory which thus was doubly important. The entire episode tickled the skipper so much that he had his goodfnatured cook Zeeck, assisted by sleepyfsmiled Joe Mott, prepare a feast of everything to be served in the Captain's cabin that evening to eight special guests: Lt. Cdr. Doug Clark, Lt. Lew Behrend, Ens. Johnny Miller, Ens. Bob Reins, Lt. Harv. Sturdevant, Ens. Jim Reber, Ens. jim Ward, and Ens. Carl Foster. The old man, with business on the bridge, missed the banquet. - f-uZ 'Xg.2'L,2g,l -Jim Wilhelmsen ANU ws mites me gm Time we HAVE sunk u.s.FLsef With radio again tuned to Radio Tokyo, we heard the Nip claims of 16 American carriers sunk by a new secret weapon off Kyushu a few hours earlier. ,ss Curs was a strange sensation after fueling on March 22 to see the WASP turn out of the formation, pull away, diminish in the distance, and nnally drop over the horizon. We were saying goodbye to a wounded fighting comrade going home. To fill her place came one of our sister CVL's, the SAN JACINTO. Q35 The Jap convoy Two days later, March 24, we were 90 miles south' east of Ckinawa, and it wasn't good flying weather either. You couldn't expect a morning search to discover much. But 225 miles to the northwest, Lt. Roy Gillespie and his 1 m-....-..- I i l i six fighters spotted a fleeing Jap convoy of 2 destroyers, 3 cargo ships, and 3 subchasers steaming northward as fast as they could go. Sent out primarily as a search mission, the planes could attack only with rockets, but with these and strafing fire they set ablaze one SC which soon disappeared. As soon as the report was flashed back to the ship, ordnancemen scrambled to break out tor' pedoes and bombs. The second strike by planes from the four carriers sank every one of the seven remaining vesf sels in ten minutes. Back on the carrier we waited for the returning strike. At length the planes appeared far out on the horizon, but as they broke off into the landing circle and dropped aboard, torpedo planes T6 and T7 were missing. Several minutes later a lone speck appeared in the distance ap' proaching the ship. It was T7 limping in. As the big Avenger lumbered to a stop on the flight deck we realf ized for the first time that the afternoon's victory had not been without cost, Radioman L. M. Parker had been struck by a fragment of antifaircraft fire and was dead by the time the plane landed. T6 never returned. Flown by Lt. fjgj Francis E. Hedges, it was hit by enemy AA and crashed, killing him and his two aircrewmen, T. F. McDavid and L. L. Burton. From Rear Admiral L'Jocko Olark: U. S. Naval Communication Service THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR SEARCH PLANES TODAY WAS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CONVOY X TO' YOUR PILOTS MY CONGRATULATIONS X WELL DONE FROM CTG 58.1 C4-D Invasion of Okinawa March 24 was an important day for another reason. Task Force 58 stationed itself east of Okinawa and comf menced a long period of sustained attacks at the island in preparation for the invasion scheduled just one week later. During the early morning of March 27 a flurry of enemy planes broke through to attack our task group. The AA opened up. One dove into the water near the BENNINGTON, two crashed near screening destroyers, and four were shot down on the horizon by the combat air patrol. A11 in a few minutes, this was one of the liveliest skirmishes we saw. ' Easter Sunday, April 1, was DfDay for Okinawa. For a week Task Force 58 had prowled up and down the Nansei Shoto from Sakashima to Kyushu sweeping for planes and busting Jap defenses For days after the Army and Marines swarmed ashore vie bombed rocketed and strafed enemy positions Our daily job while cruising 60 miles off Okinawa was supporting the occupation by attacking enemy installations and shipping all along the defense against enemy planes flying down from Kyushu This was important No Jap planes remained on Okinawa The Army in Luzon kept Formosa covered the other place from which they would come was Japan itself with Kyushu the springboard For the first few days air opposition over the island was surprisingly light. Absent was the fury of airborne resist, ance which had marked those four days off Kyushu two weeks earlier. But not for long. QSQ Kamikaze On April 6 the ,Taps threw their first big thunderous punch, a mass flight swooping from Kyushu. The Yellow Cloud split into two prongs, one pointing at Okinawa, the other swerving east at the fleet. While the BENNINGTON was conducting landing operations an enemy plane dived at her fantail. It was touch and go for several seconds as the Nip rode down a curtain of AA fire. The gunners won. Another Jap, taking advantage of the interrupted cloud cover, slipped through on a glide for our starboard side. An alert Dick Saunders on Director 3 spotted him first. Mount 3 immediately opened fire. The other mounts quickly joined. Five hundred yards from the ship the plane's engines burst aflame. Men on the flight deck and catwalks dashed fore and aft trying to escape a sure hit. It was hell on water for a few seconds. But the 40's stayed with the Nip fidentihed as a Zekej. He crashed with a violent explosion in a tremendous fountain of water SO yards from the stacks The plane must have carried a bomb for shrapnel bomb fragments and other debris shot out in all directions The propeller careened high in the air spinning and dancing across our flight deck slashing deep gashes through the deck planks and underlying metal plates directly inboard of mount 9 Paul Stubbs Slc range setter on Director 5 when asked after It was all over what range he had used merely turned his head and with excitement filled eyes replied I don t know It all happened so quick I dont know what I did . ,gt n Y ' . - ' . . ., . . , , , 3 island chain. Some planes patrolled as the first line of ' ' ' I . , ' . ' 9 9 l , . 7 u n LL 5 . 1 ! 2 1 H 54,0 2203 V ff ' f- ,-2 Q7 fy: -3- K ...Jil Q' -L. xi I -9 I 0 ' 5 -e 4 .fi 5 B in I , O Ml Q 9 0 '- Q ,xp a ...Ad gan-A ...ini Two other suiciders followed the example by crashing dangerously near the SAN JAOINTO and MIAMI- When it was all over, Everett Brinkman, Slc, second loader on mount 9, looked down to see what had been under his feet as he passed ammunition for firing at these last two japs. What he found was a heavy piece of shrapnel about IM ft. long, 6 wide, and 2 thick. Numf erous chunks of metal were found scattered around the mount tub and adjacent catwalk, Not a man was hurt. This was 'LBattling BeuIah's narrowest escape from a Kamikaze. Q61 Turkey shoot But the excitement over the fleet that day was tame compared to the drama of the skies over Okinawa where our afternoon TfCAP ftarget combat air patrolj of I4 planes had encountered a flock of bandits fenemy planesj. Attacking immediately they smote 47 japs out of the air. Of all weird jap demonstrations, this was the weirdest. The flight of the mass was completely unorganized. They flew singly trying to takeadvantage of the cloud cover. Owing to their apparent inexperience and lack of coordif nation they made easy victims. A few planes which had been thrown into the attack were uancient models and extremely slow. The Hnal box score of the Turkey Shoot was: 26 Vals, 14 Zekes, 5 Tojos and 2 Oscars. This bag of 47 in one day is one of the largest scores ever tallied by any fighting squadron anywhere, land based or carrier based, including both OV's and OVL's. I T Ensign Carl Foster had scored six of these 47. That night some wag scribbled the following couplet in chalk on the squadron blackboard: KK Never fear- When Foster is nearf'- The report to the flag concluded with CAPTAIN WANTS TO KNOW IF THIS EXOEEDS GAME LIMIT. Came the reply: NEGATIVE THERE IS NO GAME LIMIT X THIS IS OPEN SEASON X WELL DONE. That evening our weatherman, Rainmaker Igwell Riggs, issued the following weather report: Weak japanese front approaching Okinawa this . afternoon was broken up by converging F6F's, Shattered to broken japanese planes at 2000 feet lowering to sea level. Large reduction in visibility was due to rising suns falling into japanese current. WAAIR csnfipri, p , i if aaleiil Li ,-- J if I if I . . I Yi Q..-ix if - - h I i,Sf wlll' ' IH 'FLASHU OUR AIR FORCE is MISSING? C71 The Yamato task force It had been six months since the jap Navy put in an appearance. Since the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea fBattle of Leyte Gulfj our task force had roamed at will unchallenged by the enemy navy. Where's the jap Fleet? A partial answer came on the night of April 6 when the U. S. submarines THREADFIN and HACKLE BAOK reported an enemy force southeast of Kyushu racf ing toward the Ryukyus at high speed. Task Force 58 dashed north toward the approaching opponent. This was a wonderful opportunity-the chance for which we had been waiting. After a 240 mile flight the planes spied the enemy force observed to consist of one battleship, two cruisers, and eight destroyers. The battle' ship was the great YAMATO, mightiest of the jap NHVY- One of the most powerful warships in history, it boasted a main battery of over 16 guns. In the famous battle of last October she and her sister ship, the MUSASHI, had slipped through San Bernardino Strait with the shipS which had hurt our OVE's. We got the MUSASHI back there. Now at last, revenge with the YAMATO was Ht hand. As the planes began their attack, the big battlewagoll and her escorts unloosed a barrage of AA fire with every available weapon, including the heavy guns of their main batteries! But the planes dived through to score with their rockets and bombs. As the fliers of Task Force 53-1 orbitted before leaving the target, one cruiser and one DD had been sunk and the YAMATO, slowed to eight knots, had a heavy list. Twisting wakes showed their desperation in trying to avoid the heavy blows. Planes 88 Y. l l 5 l E v fl l, is 'n I gate: from the other task groups finished the slaughter. Wlicxi darkness fell only two destroyers remained afloat. Sunk almost within sight of the homeland, the YAMATO met an inglorious end before she had scarcely started on her mission. fThat mission, it was later learned, was a fantastic scheme in which these ships were a suicide fleet to run aground at Okinawa and serve as steel forf tressesj One of our torpedo planes, piloted by Lt. Qjgj Ernie Delaney, was hit by AA during his run on the YAMATO. The entire crew parachuted, but only the pilot survived. Edward J. Mawhinney and William Tilley were never seen again. For four hours by his life raft Delaney watched the drama of a dying Jap task group five miles away. A destroyer approached to within 400 yards of him-then suddenly turned away-perhaps thinking the raft was unoccupied since Ernie was in the water on the other side concealing himself. When two PBM's flew over, Delaney climbed into the raft to wave wildly for recognition. One PBM swung off, drawing the fire of the Jap force which had observed what was going ong the other landed and taxied by the raft. Fed, clothed, and bandaged by her crew, Ernie asked for news of his crewmen, but the PBM pilot, who had searched the area for some time, reported seeing no trace of the men. Low gas reserve of the rescue plane prevented further search. Back at our ships that afternoon there was sudden exf citement. A lowfflying torpedo plane heading for the BENNINGTON was checked by gunfire from the INDIANA. Another plane, apparently an inexperienced pilot, pulled up on the starboard side to become an easy target for destroyer gunfire. For the next three weeks, April 7f27, the task force maneuvered east of Okinawa just over the horizon, poundf ing the Jap defenses and lending daily air support to the Army and Marines fighting ashore. Daily strikes feaf tured napalm fire raids as well as rocket, bombing, and strafing runs on Jap Army headquarters areas, barracks, gun emplacements, warehouses, vehicles, and caves. 89 Owing to the steady recurrence of attacks from Kyushu airfields, daily intercept patrols were flown over Amami Oshima to cut off these raids before they reached Okinawa or the task group. That funnel through Kyushu had to be chokesl. In the first five days our planes on this beat caught 21 Jap aircraft. A sweep up to important Kanoya on April 15 rocketed hangars and destroyed ten planes in revetments. On the Zlst our task group moved in close to Minami Daito Shima which received a shelling from our destroyers standing just a few hundred yards off shore. This was our first glimpse of land since March 14 and was the first bombardment most of us had ever witnessed. Sporadic raids at the ships were infrequent-but enough to be annoying. During the three weeks, seven Kamikazes and snooping fighters were shot down around us. One interception at night was especially dramatic. CIO reported to the bridge, Bogey at 4 o'clock, 7 miles. Night fighter on his tail. This was passed on to the gun mounts where all hands peered out at 4 o'clock fsomewhat abaft our starboard beamj. Suddenly a brief burst of tracers streaked a short distance across the dark' ened sky. Orange flames broke out in that spot of dark' ness where the tracers disappeared. The flame grew,- plummeted down to the sea, glowed for a while- and disappeared. Occasionally the Japs revived their 'lamp' lighter's Serenade -dropping numerous flares to illumif nate the group with a weird incandescence which made each ship stand out. It was worse than daylight for we couldn't see past those flares to spot what was behind them. But every now and then the Sfinchers boomed forth and tracers ripped the sky. Once a plane roared above, and guns from surrounding ships opened up with frightening bursts directly overhead. The rockets' red glare, the bombs' bursting in air took on significant meaning. . .. .... .. .... . . . . . . . . I J .. -.-......-..............,......,. 1 2 'I i v 5 S E 5 x 3 il l 1 4 l il 4 l l ia .z l Too much cannot be said for the picket destroyers- the watchdogs and tomcats -stationed at lonely out' posts 20 miles or more ahead of the task group. Vectoring out our combat patrol planes, these destroyers directed the destruction of numerous enemy raiders. They also were havens of mercy to returning carrier planes which, shot up over the target, could not make it home. Numerous pilots were saved by waterflanding near these destroyers. Occasionally the pickets took a vicious pounding from the Nips who, hesitant to drive through to the big force, ganged up on the sentinel destroyers. One such assault occurred on April 14 when the U.S.S. S-IGSBEE, after vectoring out carrier planes to shoot down eight foes, found herself smothered under six scorching dives. The gallant little can destroyed five of them-but the sixth got her stern. With the admiration of every other ship in the group she left us for a merited rest. Floating mines were a nuisance on this cruise. Sharp lookouts detected several in the waters through which we steamed, but not a ship was struck. Each sighted mine- most of them were angry, rusty, horned affairs-was sunk by destroyer gunfire. A good percentage exploded, launching geysers of water hundreds of feet into the air. The last half of March and the entire month of April was a busy and tiring period for all hands. Probably the most bored men were the gunners who spent practically every day ffrom an hour before sunrise until an hour after sunset-and then somej at gun stations in Condif tion OnefEasy. Gunnery Department remain in Condif tion 0nefEasy came to be a clause which every gunner loathed. I miss the sight of tall corn growing, Of waving trees against the sky: Of hay Qhelcls just before the mowing And peaceful cattle wandering by. Some other things my poor heart misses Are ried eggs mil and honey 9 isses Gib Hughes After a long period at sea, Task Group 58.1 returned to Ulithi for a breathing spell. It had been a hectic seven weeks, and even the coral sands of Ulithi Anchorage looked good as the BELLEAU WUOD steamed toward her berth on the 30th of April. Since our last sight of this place, the task group had steamed over 20,000 miles, shot 528 planes out of the air Q15 4 in one dayj, destroyed 238 on the ground, bombed hangars, shops and other airfield facilities, sunk important units of the shrinking Jap fleet, taken a heavy toll of merchant shipping. AA fire of the ships had brought down 38 attackers. Cur control of the air was assured wherever we op' erated. 90 I - . V f . I l kr Y- k 1 . l , K , ,,,,, Q , . A- M-4 mm, ,,,.,,,s,,,,,,h,,,r,,,,a ..,. 2 ,W-.xx .,,, ,T mg I A ,,,,,,,,,, HYU H and ECU D Ul-QINAWA CHUI CRUISE 14 l t May 9-June 13, 1945 in the struggle for Okinawa. On May 9 task group 58.1, with the same ships as had arrived a week and a half earlier, steamed off to relieve another task group still in HUSE ten days at Ulithi were simply an intermission the battle area. We picked up where we had left off in April on the mission of intercepting and destroying aircraft, airheld facilities, shipping, and defenses in the Empire and Nansei Shoto, and providing support for the expedif tionary forces in capturing Okinawa. '1 ' 'H-- - - aww-::. 1. gk The first play called for a twofday dash on May 13' 14 at Kyushu, where BELLEAU WOOD planes struck Ohiran, Kanoya, Izumi, Sacki, Ashiya, Gannosou, Ronchifk and Tachiari fields. In sharp contrast to pref vious visits, there was scarcely any airborne opposition--- most probably because of the damaging B429 raids the previous week. There were planes on the ground but when strafed they didn't burn! Maybe the .japs were out of gas! In the photographs they didn't look like dumf mies either. Moving over to Shikoku we pasted field inf stallations and ground targets at Matsuyama, Kochi, and Kokobu airhelds. Over lMatsuyama many phosphorous bursts were observed in the AA barrage thrown up from the AA guns whose fire made the hills appear to blaze. Again there was scarcely any air oppositiong per' haps they were low on pilots as well as gas. IvIay 14 was also a busy day for the ships' gunners. At 0705 twelve Zekes were reported twelve miles away. About that moment a planed dived on the BENNINCH TON. The initial burst of AA exploded him at 2000 yards. On the horizon we could see Task Group 58.3 receiving the brunt of the attack and swatting down seven. Later in the day two more Divine Winds were extinguished in their dives at our group. if In the attack on Ronchi Airfield, the Hellcat piloted by Lieutenant Russell Stephens was hit by AA fre, began to burn, and spun towards the earth. 'Stephens was seen to bail out, his parachute opened, and he landed in the trees of a wooded hill. lNone of the other Hellcat pilots could determine his fate. The Belleau Wood heard nothing more concerning Lt. Stephens until December, 1945 when the following news item from the Chicago Sun edif ition of November ll was received: Lt. Stephens was flying a Hellcat based on the carrier Belleau Wood and was on his 55th bombing mission over enemy ter' ritory, attacking the kamikaze airfields, when his plane was brought down by antifaircraft fire on March 13, 1945. As a wing fell off, I went into a dizzy spin, but bailed out, landing in a tree, he said. A Jap sniper shot at me, but I ducked and sent a bullet t h r 0 ug h h i s h e a d. I W a s trying to make my way to a hilltop to get my bearings w h e n a b o u t 1 ,0 0 0 I a p s came out of hiding. I ran-like a fox pursued by dogs --but they dragged me down and began to beat me I thought it was all over then and said a prayer. It was answered when a civilian policeman, whom I first mistook for a priest, made them lay off. Blindfolded, his hands wired behind his back and a rope drawn tight around his neck, Stephens was marched, shoeless. over stony paths to a village jail. Civil' ians, lined up on the roadside, threw rocks at him and, after he was lodged in jail, took turns beating him with ropes and sticks and spitting in his face. One of them knocked me out, he said. When I recovered consciousness, my eyes were closed and my head was bleeding. 'This can't be happening to me,' I thought. 'It's all a bad dream. I'll wake up after a while.' But it was no night- mare. I wondered if I were going insane. Taken to the Kanoya airfield, Stephens was questioned by his captors, and from there, in ua filthy, slow train, with two guards to protect him from the enraged passengers, he was transferred to Naga- saki. There had been a big air raid that morning and two B29 men had been captured The ,laps taunted us, said Stephens, told us that all three of us were to be shot. A I spent the night in prayer, my thoughts centered on my wife and tW0 children. At dawn the other two boys were mowed down by a firing squad, but for some reason my life was sparedf, Later, at Kanoya, sword dancers gave a demonstration for his benefit, and he was told that he was to be beheaded. Bllf again the Japs changed their minds. He was flown to a small island, kept in solitary confinement for 26 days, starved and tortured. There he fell ill with dysen' tery and berifberi, but was given no medi' cal aid. We were allowed to take a bath OnCe a month-100 of us using the same water. If we killed 100 flies, we were rewarded with a cigarette. I became an expert HY catcher, but I was simply crawling with lice and fleas. Stephens and his fellow prisoners were liberated on Sept 1 by the 11th Air Borne Division r ' ' . , . . . . at I . 6 'vxifum For thc rcst ol May .ind rarly ,lnnv the Alaps' .nr opf position tapered otll, .ind they rarely disputed our conf U-01 of the air. Their niafoi' clloris had tailed and there was not much tight left in them. From May l7fjune 10 our planes continucd to roam the Nansci Shoto, scclcf ing lucrative targets and dishing out the dive homhing and rocket trcatnicnt. l-langars were wrecked and land' ing strips cratcrcd. XVhcn these were nearly repaired, we would hit them again, Small cargo hoats were caught and sunk as they tried to slip from cove to cove. While over Okinawa our planes hlasted the Nips and cracked strong points ahead of our advancing troops. A day of such action was called a strike day. Heres Ensign Dick Saunders' version of a typical strike day in june, 1945: Plan of the day: 0130 Reveille 0145 Breakfast 0230 Flight Quarters 0300 General .Quarters 0330 Start flight operations 0402 Sunrise 0900 Dinner 1615 Supper 1853 Sunset Vwlell, it's another strike day-- Reveille at the awful l'Start eng time of 0130. lt seems as though we just crawled into the sack. But welve got to get up and do it all over again. Doesn't seem like much sense to sit up there on the gun mount all day long just to watch our planes come and go, strike after strike. Breakfast is good. Helps one last the day out. Gunnery Department, Man 'Your Battle Stationsu-6 three minutes later the alarm clangs for routine dawn alert. I know itls dark as Hell topside, but they say that is the most likely time for air or sub attack. The way l feel, you'd think I was the first person in the world to be up this morning. But there you-'re wrong, for the aviation meclis have been up all night in that hot, poorly ventif lated hangar, repairing planes--preparing them for the dawn launch. The ordnance gang has been up for several hours too, arming the planes that leave before sunrise on Strike OnefAble. You've got to hand it to the ordnance- men-tliey get up before we do, work like beavers all day and get less sleep than anybody else-especially dur' ing these days of seventeen and eighteen hours' daylight. l'Stand by to start engines , the Air Ofricerls voice roars out through the darkness over the flight deck bull horn. 'Stand clear of propellersf' inesfl .- I l E 9 3 1 V -a YY,., . ,-.,,,t ,W Q. ..-1. ,.....-.r- Y,.-.-.,,.w........,.........-,,,,.., , V YM-MM Y , ,AK V 5-W -l E W Wm- mr , . ' ' ' ' ' 'Theres one heck of a racket and will be for the next twenty minutes or so as the growling engines, with flamf ing nostrils, pull the planes into position on the catapult. Squee0nk, Squeeonkn on the howler gives the catapult offlcer his gofaheadg and the first plane hurtles into the sky with a thunderous roar. Twentyftwo, twentyfthree, twentyffour. They're all off. And now, except for the aggravating whistling of the wind, a sudden quietness settles about the flight deck and the gun galleries. The planes are out there circling with the other car' riers' planes for a rendezvous. Already the ordnancernen are bringing up the born-bs for the next strike, and the flight deck crews are spotting the remaining planes. At sunrise: Secure from General Quartersl'-all except Gunnery Departrnent which remains at their guns in Condition OnefEasy all day long. It's daylight now, and we can see. Q 3 The bridge just sent word down that ive're only eighty miles off shore. fap planes make that run in about fifteen minutes. Doesnlt give the combat air patrol much time to intercept. Those low clouds up there are perfect Kamif kaze cloaks too. Over the phones from Gun Control on the bridge: 'CIC reports bogey at 3 olclock, 60 miles. Moments later, Bogey is now in to 40 miles, closing fastf' K'Set Condition One, stand by for attack! Is this fap going to suicide us, or will our guns get him first? It's a deadly game with the fap carrying the ball and God the referee. And don't think were not trembling. 'You'd have to be an idiot to be out here and not get scared. The bogies turned out to be some of our own planes coming back from the strike, thank God. Time for dinner. USend one quarter of the men to chowf' Down in the ship men have helmets and life belts handy. A few have flash cream on their faces. 'Stand by to land aircraft. Our planes are coming in. Looks like they're all back, but a couple are pretty well shot up. And brother, don't think we don't sweat those babies inl 'The pilots and crewmen are OK., thank God, but one plane has most of its rudder shot away. It's a miraculous and splendid job these pilots out here are doing-amazing the way they handle themselves and their planes. This evening they'll be painting some more Jap flags on the island structure. It's afternoon now, and the sun is boring down. We've been up here ten hours and that leaves six hours more on these rotten gun tubs. 'cCondition OnefEasyf' Hope I never hear those words again. 'You sit here with nothing to do but watcher-watch the sky and its clouds, the water and its flying fish, the planes and their markings. 'You get bored and tired, and mad and sick. All day long the ships steam back and forth, into the wind, out of the windf-leaving long wakes clear to the horizon. One's brain gets numb doing nothing but stare at the sea and the sky for 16 hours day after day. And when the action does come, it happens so quickly you are never quite ready for it. It's all over within a 95 matter of seconds and then you wait, wait, wait again for some more. Well, the sun has set. Night has enveloped us once more. At last, at long last, the -bugler sounds Secure from G. We can go hit the sack now-five or six hours, sleep before getting up again for another day exf actly like today. The succession of launchings and landings through the daylight hours keeps the airdales on the go. For each launch the planes must be parked on the rear of the flight deck to clear the forward space for takefoffs whether they be catapulted or deck run. Before each landing, the planes remaining on the flight deck are moved forward to clear the landing area. This continual shifting of planes is known as urespotting the deck and is a tiring job for plane pushers. Between flight operations there is little time for anything else. A common sight on strike day is that of weary airdales stretched out on the flight deck, grabbing catnaps at every opportunity. Down in snipe country, the enginefrooms where the light of day never penetrates, strike day is like any other day at sea--you have to keep the screws turning whether you're striking, fueling, or just plain cruising. But to most of us outside the fliers, strike days are question marks on the calendar. The planes take off and disappear into the sky. Later they come home to land. Where they go and what they do in the intervening hours-the real offensive work of the carrier-is known only to the fliers themselves and those who receive their reports. ltls a sensation peculiar to carrier life to be so near historyfmaking performances-W-and yet see nothf ing, hear little, and feel so far away from it all. For ex' ample, during the crucial Qkinawa campaign an engineer deep in the engine rooms of the ship remarked approf priately, 'iMight just as well be in the Gulf of Mexico for all I see of the war. That was true for almost every man. Except during those rare moments when the ship was actually under attack fand this was only a small 96 i I 4 I i l l i 4 l 1 l l 1 l i l i l l l 1 I 1 l mmm of timcj. tlic xxnii' svuiiiml mighty I.ii' away. R Bgfore turning iwci' tlie IIUUI mi May '27 tu Adiiiiial I it , Q, WilliZ,,11 F, Halsey QC.viiiiii4imIi'i' Tliird ldlcetj, mir Im I mirall Rziyiiiminl A. SIWI'Il.II1Ci', ECUUITIITTJIITLIUI' Fi A Qt, originated tlic llTll'TV.'IITQI LIISIMILCIIZ lI.S. Nanail lfmiiiiiiiiiivalliu Sc' THE OPERATION WHICH WE HAVE BEEN CON DUCTING FOR THE CAPTURE OF OKINAWA HAS BEEN THE LARGEST AND LONGEST ONE SO FAR UNDERTAKEN BY THE FIFTH FLEET X THE FIGHTING BY SHIPS OF THE FLEET HAS BEEN MARKED BY GREAT COURAGE AND DETERNIINATION AND HAS CAUSED US THE HIGHEST NAVAL CASUALTIES OF ANY OPERATION UP TO THIS TINIE X IN PAR- TICULAR THE DESTROYERS AND SIVIALLER TYPE VESSELS WHICH HAVE SO SUCCESSFULLY SCREENED THE TRANSPORTS AND UNLOADING AREAS AROUND OKINAWA FROIVI ENEIVIY AIR AND SUBMARINE ATTACK HAVE SET US EXAIVIPLES OF GREAT HEROISNI IN ACTIONS TOO NUMEROUS TO BE CITED INDIVIDUALLY X OUR AIR FORCE HAS ONCE IVIORE EXHIBITED ITS IVIARKED SUPERIORITY OVER WHAT THE ENEIVIY HAS HAD TO OFFER IT ...L.... Wwgiz :L A , Xe :life Mr XS AS TARGETS X I AIVI PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ASSO- CIATED ONCE NIORE WITH SO FINE A BODY OF FIGHTING NIEN AND I REGRET HAVING TO LEAVE YOU BEFORE OUR JOB IS COIVIPLETED X WELL DONE TO ALL HANDS X SPRUANCE The Fast Carrier Task Force became a unit of the Third Fleet and was designated Task Force 38, eomf manded by Vice Admiral john S. McCain who relieved Vice Admiral Mitseher. Rear Admiral J. Clark ref maimed iri elizirge of our group, new 38.1. 97 ,wif 4 , 0 jri g, . l - .... ..,,, .,.. ,,.. ...,. - ., .,,,. ..- ,,,. .,... - ....,.,.. .,.. V i vW i:Yjg iW I ix?MYT E As we fueled on June 4 the weather closed. Several messages had come in warning of a prowling typhoon O11 the loose. In ominous tones the words came over the speaker, All departments secure for heavy weather. Securing for heavy seas meant lashing down every moveable object-from airplanes to ash trays. Men worked into the night-and hoped the lines would hold. In the wee hours of the morning the storm struck. Keeping just enough speed to maintain a course into the wind, the ship pitched violently-the bow soaring high into the air and then plunging viciously downward, crashing the waves with a blasting crack which shot tons of water outward and skyward to be blown as clouds of spray down the flight deck. The violence with which that bow' slapped the water made you wonder how it kept from snapping off. Near daybreak we heard the PITTSf BURGH call the flag, Romeo, this is Barbarian. My bow just carried away and is floating down my port side. Am dropping and will back into the storm. We quit wondering and began praying-that ours wouldn't go too. For stability, the elevators were dropped to lower the center of gravity. Masses of water crashing against the ship fsome of the waves were over fifty feet highj washed two men from the flight deck down the elevator opening into the hangar. Water poured into the air inf takes, flowed through ventilators, and tumbled into com' partments below. This immediately blocked the ventilaf tion system. Nobody could sleep, it was almost imposf sible even to stay in a bunk. Extinction of fresh air supply made the air hot and foul. In some compartments water from four to six inches deep sloshed back and forth with a myriad of floating debris-books, socks, shoes, paper, and pencils. In aerology office Tony DeLuca glanced down at a book floating by entitled Hurricanesf' It had opened itself to the chapter, Typhoons of the Western Pacific. All gun watches and unnecessary watches topside were ordered below to escape the waves. A howling wind of nearly 100 knots spun the propellers of the planes to the flight deck and beheaded the waves, filling the with spray. Visibility dropped to almost zero. Ships be yond the hills of water were obscured from view. The ship was momentarily caught in the trough gf the sea and rolled heavily. A tractor broke loose on the hangar deck and went on a rampage. It cut a swath of destruction through the parked planes, tearing them loose to skid around and crush each other. 1 The few who dared eat breakfast found that the only possible position was sitting on the deck fsetting up benches and tables was actually dangerousj. But even then there was no assurance that you and your breakfast wouldn't go scooting across the deck. By noon the storm had subsided sufficiently for the ships of the task group to refform. To our surprise we discovered a fleet tug, a 'small escort vessel, and a mer' chantman had strayed into our outfit. We recovered from the furious round with the ty' phoon, received replacement aircraft from a CVE in a refueling group, and took one last crack at Kanoya on June 8. So near to the Philippines last Uctober, we still had never caught sight of the land. Stories of the guerillas, our spies, daring visits of U. S. submarines, the bitter fighting on Leyte just a few months earlier, all was fresh in our minds as we steamed past Homonhon Island on june 13 toward the new fleet anchorage in San Pedro Bay. To our nautical eyes which had seen scarcely any land since leaving Pearl Harbor in January, the towering mountains of Leyte loomed twice as high as they really were. On June 16 Air Group 30 departed for home after establishing an impressive record. Succeeding them came Commander B. S. XVeber with Air Group 31 possessing one of the best reputations in the fleet. Pictures at the extreme left and right are of the U.S.S. LANGLEY ' , . i F EU G DAY During the war the Navy developed an amazing sys tem of rnaintuning and supplying a fleet at sea so that the ships could stay on the offensixe indefinitely without returning to port Ewery fourth day or so 1 train f tankers cargo ships ammunition ships and eseort ear riers rende xoused with the fast carrier task groups who had retreated 1 safe distance from the forxvrrd area Contaet was nude in the early hours of the morning audible over our receivers Ships in need began sending their requirements and 1 sustained volley of messages filled the TB3 eh innels the rest of the day -...nisn l D L c v V I C , Q 2' ' V . f' . . M C 7 ' g . Y . 4 , 4 . e ' g . ' f f . 'L ' 1' o , U .M . . . a I g I . Z Y J V. 1 C . V g .t C yt . Tc U g A y V I . C 1 . K when TBS transmissions in the fueling group began to he . . , K I M . V t z Q I . - 4..,1.,,,, ,- ..., M .a.,.r , rr,, , o ruouu ,r..,..,- A , . Ai gwvxwmi gl, .N-.....1n As far as most of us were concerned, the primc qucsf tion to ask tankers was, Have you any mail for us? The reply usually was so many bags for the entire group which set off immediate calculation and prediction as to the number for us. Upon meeting the tankers at dawn our ships fell out from the circular cruising disposition of 5fRoger and lined up in ranks astern. One by one we took our turns in drinking from assigned oilers. Man all stations and communications for fueling from tanker, starboard side. As the ship ahead of us finished, we crept up abreast the slowly moving tanker and shot lines across for hauling back fuel hoses. Soon the two vessels were linked by a towing pendant, distance line, provisioning lines, hoses, and telephone lines. As the ships rolled from side to side these connecting sinews al' ternately sagged low to decapitate frothing waves gush' ing between the hulls, then stretched taut as the vessels rolled apart. The hauling on these hose lines, bight lines, and provision whips required veritable tugfoffwar teams on the flight and hangar decks. If the day was calm fueling wasn't so tough, but in rough seas special vigilance was required to maintain the same speed as the tanker and remain at the right distance from her. Quartermasters were 'gmadel' at times like this. . johnson, Condon, and Hanson handled our wheel through the months at this ticklish job of keeping close to the tanker so the hoses wouldn't part, yet far enough away to prevent collision. Men whose orders had come rode across on the trolley lines to board the tanker for her return trip to port. Fref quently the tanker' had new men for us. It was usually two hours before the oil king said, Enough and the tanker ceased pumping. Engineers broke the hose connections, the hoses, phone lines, and whips were retrieved. We slowly pulled away. The smoking lamp is out while alongside ammunition ship. I i,,xN+, ,simwwg 'Nunn Working Party Sllueen report to Lt. Stevens on the forward elevator. . Ammunition, bombs, rockets, and accessories came across via the airplane crane. One couldn't help wonder as he studied that ammunition ship a few feet abeam, What if the Japs should come in now 2211 Fortunately none did. Occasionally we went alongside an AK Qcargo shipj for stores and fresh provisions. Being assigned to work' ing parties on this detail wasn't so bad, for inevitably a few crates of oranges and apples broke apart. The one flight operation was for nflyable dudsi- planes damaged in preceding days--to fly to the escort 4 , 4 ,,.f. ,,., carrier in exchange for new replacements. For afternoon gunnery exercises the ships took stations in firing column. lnvariably there would be only one or two towing planes for the entire column which meant that the men on the guns sat idle most of time awaiting their tiring turn. Fourth Division stand by to receive destroyer for transfer of4U.S. mail brought cheers and whistles throughout the ship! Usually the mail for the entire vrou arrived on one tanker. From her, destroyers D P ' Qblessemj then distributed the specified bags around the task group. The cans acted not only as mail men but also as messengers, distributing publications from the flagf ship and delivering reports from all ships to the flag. Fueling day, which for us was somewhat of a rest, was nothing more than a ratfrace for the cans. Too little has been said for the meritorious performances of these little Hworkfhorses of the Pacific. Fueling day marked an oasis in the ocean g it meant a retreat from enemy territory, interruption of strikes, a release from battle stations, and a chance to relax. The day was complete when at sunset Captain Tomlinson inf structed the 0. 0. D. to have the word passed, There will be no routine General Quarters this evening, if the alarm sounds, it will be the real thing. i it q... ., 2 4 2 I 1 . . -- 1 gg is .fn pw Q . X f SQ QA. :Nw Q1 EYES - w 102 The E P11115 CRUISE 15 july 1-September 10, 1945 refs Fl-ask Group 38.1 left San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf the morning of July lst. Commanded by Rear Admiral T. L. Sprague, it was the largest task group in which we had ever served. At the heart were live carriers: BENNINGf TON, LEXINGTON, HANCOCK, SAN JACINTO, and BELLEAU WOOD, supported by a wall of battle' ships and cruisers: SOUTH DAKOTA, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, ATLANTA, AMSTERDAM, OKLAHOMA CITY, SAN JUAN, TOPEKA, and DAYTON. Around all was a seven mile wide circle of 20 destroyers. With 34 shipsfthis task group alone was larger than an entire task force at the start of the war. The powerful outfit steamed northward from the Philip' pines. Our sights were on Japan. 2 1 Through the months the same story had been repeated time after time-the story of the Task Force striking into enemy territory ahead of the amphibious forces to clear the way for one invasion after another. With the conquest of each new base the carriers received an anchorage that much nearer Japan. They could then strike that much deeper into enemy waters. The seizure of Iwo Jima and Ukinawa brought us to Japan's front door. Continuous carrier strikes and B429 raids could now be maintained over the homeland. The handwriting of the amphibs was on the wall. Japan was next. For us was the job of clearing the way, keeping sus' tained pressure on the harried Japs, and delivering cripf pling blows where they counted most. . It was on july 9, as we bored in towards Tokyo, that the following transmission came over the TBS: 'sBull Durham, this is Lefty. I have a mine close aboard to port The flag promptly dispatched a destroyer to sank the mine with gunfire It wasnt long until sharp lookouts on another ship spotted a second mine Each time a ship reported a mine the quartermaster on our bridge scratched a chalk mark above the formation data board At sunset there were 13 marks Cpening day this time was July 10 with drives at air' fields on the Tokyo Plain. Strike Baker destroyed seven and damaged ten 'planes parked on Kumagaya field. Strike Charlie ran into a torrent of AA fire along the coast and had to detour south on their way to Irumagawa where they destroyed four and damaged seven aircraft. Strike Easy got five more on Kumagaya in addition to obtaining complete photographic coverage of three fields and the Kasumigaura aircraft plant. Strike Fox skirted the foot' hills of Mt. Fujiyama to reach Kodama Field. The day'S score was 14 and 20, destroyed and damaged, all on the ground. Not a single airborne Nip had been encountered. Withdrawing northeast of Tokyo the following day the formation again sifted through 13 mines. Each was sunk or exploded by cans from the screen. For the three days of July 1345 we plowed through fog off Hokkaido, waiting for the weather to break. The soup was so thick that other ships were frequently ob' scured from view Flight operations were curtailed With prime airfield targets closed in our strikes destroyed two freight trains a roundhouse and warehouses in Shiranuka Village About 'SO sixty foot barges were blown up at Kushiro On the 14th our blttleships moved in off Kam aishi to stretch and exercise their sixteen inchers this waS the first helvy shelling of japin I X 4 - . . . , x . . c , . . V C 3 ' 1 - . . . . . , c 3, Z c - . , . . . H . . , ' C . . e Q D . . Q . f , . , , . c . f 7 C D ' ' r d J - ' X v A . 4 . . 7 p . 8 . ' - x I ' 3 . . E ' 2 , - .g r M , l , , ...,. .... - -........ .W -- . ...... ...ie . .. . A A A . .- - - ' Y trl e Blk r the lkllltlwlll IIIOYIIIIIQ wipe out lveo Tonys eovereel w1th brlnehes neu As llllglkvl ind then blew up ten swrtehlng lOeOIllOf1VL.S Str1ke Chxrhe the same Il1OI'I11I1g ne1rly obl1ter1ted Nemuro tovxn vuth w1ther1nU hre lt warehouses and small f1etor1es By m1d july only a handful of Sh1pS rernamed of the once proud Imper1al Fleet Qnly three or four eould offer a threat to allled supremacy of the seas Une was the blt tlesh1p NAGATC t1ed up at the Yokosuka Naval Base Kure Naval Base many m1les to the westward ln the Inland Sea sheltered the cru1ser AOBA and the hybrrd battlesh1p carr1ers ISE and HYUGA each ve1th an abbre v1ated fhght deck on It s fantall On the 18th of july the BELLEAU WOOD launched a str1ke of elght fighters and n1ne torpedo bombers to part1c1pate w1th other Task Force a1reraft 111 a coordmat ed attack on the NAGATO Photographrc mtelhgenee showed th1s target to be well camouflaged at a Yokosuka dock Smce th1s ent1re area was a hotbed of AA pos1 t1ons the torpedo planes were loaded w1th 2603 frav mentatlon bombs for neutrallzxnff the ant1a1rcraft pOS1 t1ons wh1le the fighters were to bomb the sh1p w1th 1000195 bombs The Beulahs planes went 1n on the th1rd wave By th1s t1me planes were eom1ng 1n from all d1rect1ons and smoke from the explodlnff bombs had completely ob scured the NAGATO Ant1a1rcraft fire as expected was 1ntense and necess1tated v1olent evas1ve tact1cs What w1th dodgmg fr1endly planes duckmg enemy AA and try1ng to bomb through smoke as th1ck as pea soup, the p1lots couldn't be assured of much accuracy nor could they afford to stay around to eheck the results The m1ghty battlewagon d1d not recerve a fatal blow, nor 1n fact as severe damage as was or1g1nally reported Snps rt Kure veexe lnt I week llter Our hrst stu e took off It 0749 on Iuly 74 and jorned the fllght at flLl'i1IIg the ISE As mn the NAQATO 1tt1eks the VT s vxent after the AA emplaeemcnts whlle the fighters bombed the sh1p They reler ed fllell' bnmbs It 2000 feet lfter 1 11 700 foot d1ve 1nd seored three d1rect h1ts one n th boxx one ll111dSll1pb and one on the starboard beam s Vx aterlme When our p1lots lcft the area the ISE w Is surrounded by 1 spreadxnff o1l sl1ek md had 1 sharp l1 t to port For nearly a month we had plowed up and down off Henshu sW'1tt111U the home 1slands from I-lokkaldo to Shrkoku Pr1mar1ly the txrvet were urplanes w1th the except1on of the two punches it anchored fleet un1ts When no planes eould be found the fl ers went after sup port1ng our fae1l1t1es locomot1ves trams 1ndustry sh1p pmfr or any target of opportunlty To our astomshment we had dxseovered an abrupt ehanve of a1r pol1cy on the part of the japs Surpr1s1ngly few plane took the a1r avalnst us The a1rf1elds were spotted w1th planes but many were dumnues surrounded by nests of AA guns Operauonal planes had to be sought out w1th metleulous 1nspect1on Some d1stance from the a1rf1elds 1nd1v1dual planes were hldden 1n tree clumps under bushes between v1llaGe bu1ld1ngs under trees along streams or beneath haystacks 1n the fields Even when heav1ly strafed these grounded planes refused to burn 1nd1cat1nG that they had been dramed of all gasollne W1th plenty of planes why d1dn't they come after the fleet as we coasted unmolested off shore? No gas? No p1lots? Or sav1ng everyth1ng to throw at the land1ng forces wh1ch soon m1ght storm japan 1tself7 ' , f ' , ' - -1 - . - - Ska .Q - I lu f el -1 a 1, if K ee . . N 3 x -- - ,. ,,. . ., ' . , , 3 , ' 1 1 ' ' 3 ' , , 1 1 L an 1 A , ' H Q ' 1 ' Y . A ' ' . Q , Q ' ' N v- w - e e . - V , , , W , , e .. - - 1 1 , L 1 , I 2 3 7 rl 7' 1 H S ' -5 h ' ' sf x- 1 A - ' . , ' ,,, , ' , , D K g L 1 w s . 1, s its u i K ' N 1 T' T I wp 1 Q 3' 1, . I 1 c , L , N D 1 . I 1 1 g ' Q ' If L. I, , T e , n bc ,Q gk s l fs x ' ,, ' - a ,.. . , , . . 1 A ' '. ,I , , , K C L K C D Q , s y k ,s 1 s f N . -. ' e , '-. . l ,' ' at ' , e 1 bas , ,Z , ' - ,-1 . - l 4 K v . A , 1 . , l K Le - .,- . . , .. , , , , D9 - , -. ,' F, N, x - - , - L . D . . , I 5 - . . c C, ' , - , , fe, ' - a - 1 , . a T .T I l T . f 7 ' 1 ' , . a D s f 5 ' , . . . . - N D 1 a f ' a e ' , , 7 D ' I I D 1 , . . a f D , 1 ' a 1 a a Y On this cruise the three task groups of Task Force 38 had been joined by a carrier group from the British fleet. When maneuvers brought us near the Limeys the soft accent of British pronunciation filtered over the TBS. Towards the end of july more and more grounded planes began to burn when strafed, and additional planes took the air against us. It was early Wednesday morning, july 25th that two divisions of fighters led by Lt. jim Stewart and Lt. Connie Nooy started a strafing run on Yokaichi airfield. They were jumped by 15 Franks and Tonys sweeping out of the cloud cover. In the dogfight BELLEAU WOOD planes destroyed five Franks and two Tonys. One Hellcat had a headfon collision with a Frank, destroying both planes. After the remaining japs had pulled away and our divisions had joined up, two addif tional fighters were unaccounted for. Radio calls and a search of the area were unavailing. Later, Ens. Thomas M. Guy, jr. returned to the ship with his plane badly shot up. Early in the fight a bullet had exploded in his fuselage igniting the radio equipment. His landing gear had been hit, dropping the wheels which would not come up. All the instruments were out of order except the turnfandfbank indicator. In this condition he dodged the japs by ducking in and out of the clouds until he reached the southern shore of Honshu where some alert HANCOCK fighters noticed his plight and shepf herded him home. The second missing Hghter piloted by Ens. Herb Laws: was never seen again. X Six months later the BELLEAU WOOD learned what had happened to Law. Here is his own story of that experience: I was shot down the morning of july 25. It was about 0600. There were I0 Hellcats in my flight. I was num' ber four man of the lead division. My plane was all right except my radio which was 'dead' from the time of take' o-ff. Our original targets were three airhelds north of Nagoya, but we didn't hit these because of too much cloud cover. We were south to southwest of Nag-oya when Stewart, my division leader, came down through the overcast and picked out some installations as targets. We each had rockets, a bomb, and the usual six guns. We had the usual fun straying and rocketfhring. After hitting a couple of targets we closed up and went up the valley to an airfield. I had expended my rockets but was saving my bomb for a juicy target. We came to the airfield and made several passes. I remember several training planes on the ground plus hghters and bombers. The place looked like the usual deserted place. The ceiling over the field was low, about 1500 to 2000 feet. I remember several planes burning on the ground. Bill Moore, my section leader, and I made a strajing run separately but fairly close up. It was a very shallow dive with not too much speed. Before going into this dive I saw only one other of our planes climbing into the clouds. Evidently the others were above the clouds and we were making an extra pass. just as we were pulling out at low altitude and turning left, bullets began hitting my plane. My first thought was that it was AA. Much to my surprise, to put it bluntly, th'ere was a jap plane directly behind me in the saddle hitting me it seemed with every bullet he fired. Where the hell he came from I'll never know. I dropped my droppable tank and bomb instantly. My instruments checked OK except for my oilfin temperature which read zero. I was hit in the left leg with what felt like a fivefinch shell. I pushed over 'while doing all this and turned to the right. He turned left and climbed. I moved out wide and started climbing. The jap did a wingfover and came back directly at me. And then my engine cut out completely. I had no power, and he got in some more gunnery practice while I looked for a place to land. I was too low to bail out. He was hitting me terrijically. It sounded like hail stones. My plane was smoking violently. I couldn't even see the instrument panel. I had to open the canopy to see and to keep from choking. My hydraulic system was gone, so I had to land whee.ls up, but more important-flaps up. I didn't have much choice of landing fields, but I landed fairly well. I got out of the plane w-hich was still smoking heavily. It was riddled with holes. He must have been firing 20 milf limeters. I sat on the wing and looked at my leg which was bleeding profusely. I put on a 'bandage which I car' ried on my person. just then a jap woman ran out from the bushes and fired at me from about thirty feet with a pistol. She missed and ran away. The japs had me within ten minutes. They disrobed me and bound me. I was taken to several places and ended up in Osaka that night. The treatment was terrible. I had no food or water for three days. I was beaten with clubs, fsts, leather strapS, and used as a judo guinea pig throughout every day and night. I had lighted cigarettes put to my lips plus 0thC'f forms of torture. I don't know how I stood it. It is sur' prising what a man can take and still live. Two weeks later Law was flown to Tokyo and con' fined in Omori prison camp. He was liberated on August 19, was a passenger on the first plane to leave japan for Guam, and reached the States in midfSeptember. 106 lffg, ff in fvf- -- '- -- V The same day a few of these revived Jap fliers dared come at the fleet, but all their raids were intercepted by our CAP. On the horizon near the Limeys we saw two plumes of smoke marking Jap funeral pyres. A followfup swat at Kure on July 28 hit the ISE with seven bombs and the cruiser AOBA with three. Although beaten and mangled, the ISE's guns still fired. Waves were seen washing over the main deck of the HYUGA, target of other planes. Strike ThreefEasy on July SO consisted of six torpedo planes and seven fighters launched at O732 for bombing and strafing runs on the airfields at Kagamigahara where they burned seven revetted planes and damaged over a dozen. The return flight to the carrier was over a section of the Tokyo Plain where a hawkfeyed fighter pilot spotted several camouflaged planes at a new location. After escorting the bombers back to the tomcat 'I4 de- stroyer, the fighters reversed course and headed for the discovered planes fat Mikatagaharaj to strafe and burn 'Ftomcat-'nickname for a sentinel destroyer stationed ahead of the task group. all five of them. Wheli the report of this flight was flashed to the task group commander, he replied: U.S. Naval Communication Service FROM CTG 38.1 TO BELLEAU WOOD INFO TG 38.1 THE FLASH REPORT ON YOUR C-3 STRIKE WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE X THE RETURN OF YOUR FIGHTERS TO THE FIGHT AFTER SHEPHERDING THEIR BOMBERS TO THE TOMCAT SET A HIGH STANDARD OF AGGRESSIVENESS X THE COM- PLETENESS OF YOUR REPORT INDICATES THE PILOTS INVOLVED KNOW THAT CAREFUL RECON- NAISANCE IS NECESSARY IN DESTROYING REVETTED AND CAMOUFLAGED AIRCRAFT X AGGRESSIVENESS AND THOROUGHNESS ARE MAKING POSSIBLE THE HIGH TOLL YOUR AIR GROUP IS TAKING OF .IAP PLANES X PLEASE EXPRESS MY WELL DONE AND ADMIRATION TO YOUR PILOTS Y ..... -.., --,.- -..a-I -,ln On the 6th we received word of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima-a fantastic story which seemed incredible. Out on the horizon Task Group 38.4 was under attack. It was the afternoon of August 9, and a gust of Divine Wind was buffeting our teammates. One big Essex carrier shot down a Kamikaze in brilliant flames off her bow. Later 'we learned that this was the WASP shooting down what turned out to be the last Jap of the war splashed within our visual range. The 9th also was a redfletter day for the second atomic bomb-on Nagasaki. The combined pounding of the Bf29's, of the Navy, of the atomic bombs, and the recent entry of Russia into the war were telling on the Japs. It was in Radio Central, of course, that the Hrst trickle of news came through- Friday night, 2100, August 10. The Japanese government had asked for peace terms through the Swiss legation. The news spread quickly throughout the ship. Men sang and drank toasts to each other, to the end of the war, and to Home fall in coffeej. Think we will be home for Christmas? Any more news come in? Think the Japs will accept the terms? In berthing compartments groups of men sat around and happily considered the news. Nobody got much sleep. But in the Jap statement was a joker which had been overlooked. In part they had said, . . with the underf standing that facceptance of terms of the Potsdam conf ference does not prejudicej the prerogatives of His Ma' jesty as a soverign rulerf' Should the Japs be allowed to keep Hirohito? Many thought the same as the sailor who said, Let them keep him. He's only a Hgurefhead any' way. I want to go home. But our sober conviction was that we should make the defeat decisive and not let the little men add any if's, conditions, or qualifications to the surrender. The Task Group stayed a few score miles off Hon' shu and sent up routine CAP's. During the twelfth we heard that the United Nations' reply to the Japs' anf nouncement had started on its way through diplomatic channels: They could keep their Emperor, but he would be subject to the orders of the Allied Supreme Commanf der. Ships in the group began organization and training of landing parties for the occupation of Japan. Warplanes shared the flight deck with squads of marching men. We were within easy striking distance of Tokyo on the 13th but no one was certain whether we would strike or not. Operations were cancelled and reordered twice that morning before the first flight was inally launched at 0415. As the strikes returned they reported more Jap planes on the ground than at any recent time. Several burned promptly when strafed, indicating that they were gassed up and ready for action, which had not been the case for several weeks. Perhaps the Japs intended to em' bark on one last angry gesture before giving up. Fighter sweeps that day reaped the largest airplane har' vest in weeks by destroying 45 sitting ducks and dafnagf ing 45 more on Tsukuba West, Ishioka, Hokoda, and Kasumigaura airelds. A few of our fighters were shot up, two of them so badly that they could not land aboard. Ensign Tarabusi was forced to make a water landing at a destroyer about fifty miles away, while Lt. Shimek got back within the screen before ditching off our port beam. Things weren't dull aboard ship either. We were at GQ. all day for bogies which kept running on and off the radar scopes. One snooping Myrt was tallyhoed by our fighters but escaped into the clouds. We still had a war on our hands. While eating supper that night between 2100 and 2200, everyone agreed that if this had been the final day of the war it had surely ended in a burst of action. The N ips lost ten or twelve planes in the immediate vicinity of Task Force 38, although none got through to our group. It was drizzly and cloudy the morning of August 15 off Tokyo. The onfagain, offfagain aspects of the situation were wearing. Was the surrender proposition a wily Nip trick, a stall for time? It had been four days since their surrender offer. At any rate three flights were launched on time that morning. The first ran into some excitement east of Tokyo where fifteen Jap fighters were caught diving on six British torpedo planes. Along with four SAN JACINTO Hghters, Lt. Parker's division started swinging and flamed five Zekes and an Oscar while their running mates got an equal number. Lt. Toaspern thought he saw one Jap pilot wave a white flag from the cockpit and had a momentary doubt about firing. A couple of squirts settled the matter. 5 At 0635 the Flag cancelled remaining strikes. All planes in the air were ordered to jettison their bomb loads and return to base. The ship was at battle stations in Condition OnefEasy. A light mist was falling, and HS landing planes taxied forward their tires left streaks up , 1 ,. 51 .-1 3 L99 ,1. 5221. .- wwalfiirf the wet flight deck. At 0900 came Radio Guam with the announcement which the world had been waiting years to hear. The ,laps had quit. There was no exhibited enthusiasm on the BELLEAU WUOD. The precious word had come as a late antif climax to the happy surprise of last Friday night. Any' how, most of us were so plain tired that there was no pep left. The SAN JACINTO let go a few rockets and hoisted a strange huge flag beneath the national emblem. When we asked her what it was, she replied that it was the flag of the State of Texas which was glad to have been of help to the Allies in this war and that if they ever got in trouble again to be sure to call on her. Throughout the day we remained at General Quarters- just to be sure. Later in the morning a few Jap diefhards indicated they hadn't gotten the word, a special CAP from the BELLEAU WQOD shot down a Judy thirty miles away. At 1300 Admiral Halsey broadcast a typical stirring message to all hands, summing up the task completed and that still ahead. Even while we listened at battle stations to his address, bogies were closing and CAP's were inf tercepting. With Secure from General Quarters at dusk, we ref laxed and hoped that had been the last G.Q. of our lives. In most hearts there was a thankfulness that God had given us the power and spirit to defeat an enemy that had threatened our existence. The holocaust that had rocked the world for so long had ended. The world was at peace. Morning of August 16th dawned with a what are we supposed to do now atmosphere. On the carriers, landing forces marched up and down flight decks. Routine pa' trols and gunnery exercises seemed out of place on this first day of peace, yet we recalled that the Japs had been talking peace one December 7 not so long ago. On August 19th our Marine detachment was trans' ferred to the APA GARRARD to join other forces of the naval occupation force. For a week we just steamed around marking time. Movies on the hangar deck were a welcome change in the routine. On August 22nd planes from the entire Task Force participated in a mass flight over the surface vessels. At noon on this day all four task groups fthree United States and one Britishj--each a formidable fleet in itself'-maneuvered into a tight formation with only a mile between the contracted screens. Every ship in the armada was clearly visible as the clouds of planes droned over' head. Never before had such a large and powerful array of warships been assembled in so small an area of open sea. Frequently, between August 25th and September ith, we flew prisonerfoffwarfmissions, parachuting reading material, medical supplies, and food to camps approprif ately marked. White markings on a number of previously unreported camps were discovered. 109 On August 30 all routine G.Q.'s were cancelled, it was reveille at 0600 instead of 0400-a dream come true. On September 2 a mass flight of Task Force planes proceeded over the Imperial Palace in Tokyo before covering the signing of surrender documents on the U.S.S. MISSCURI in Tokyo Bay. Five days later the marines returned. Having received no word since theirdeparture, we were interested in hear' ing of their experiences at Yokosuka where they had gone ashore. Preceding movies on the hangar deck that night First Lieutenant Graham informed and entertained the assembly with an account of Leathernecks in Japan. A few years ago one of the melodies being whistled and hummed around the town was When The Lights Go On Again All Cver The World . On the evening of September 8 the lights did come on again-all over the fleet. At sunset during war months ships at sea had covf ered every ray of light leaking outside. But at sunset of this happy day the lights were all turned on-masthead lights, truck lights, red and green running lights, stern lights. Air ports remained open. Carriers left their roller curtains up-each illuminated hangar deck from a distance looking like a city block of business district with glowing show cases As the darkness deepened the lights of the ships sparkled in all directions The whole fleet s l1t up For three weeks we had steamed off Honshu marking time as one by one several ships had been detached from M the formation-the SAN JACINTO had gone home, others had proceeded to Tokyo Bay. After having been at sea since July 1, seeing little but sky and water, we wondered when our turn was coming. Word then came that we were among the ships remaining in the Pacific on surveillance duty . A lot of the ships which had left the States long after us were going home hrst, and all the new mighty battleships were scheduled to go back to pa' rade for Navy Day in October. There were caustic com' ments about 16finch oilers, practically every one of which was going home. But then orders came to proceed to Tokyo Bay. At last we would see Japan. Shortly after dawn on September 10 the ships formed a column for navigating Sagami Wan. The sky had a thin clouded skirt which reduced our visibility, we could not see Fujiyama. But most of the shore of the channel was visible, and as all free hands milled around the flight deck, Lt. Graham, over the PA system, pointed out items of interest which the Marines recognized: the forts, Yoko' suka, the NAGATO. Entering Tokyo Bay the BELLEAU WCOD nudged her way deliberately through the many floating logs to berth F 73 where at 1050 on her 72nd consecutive day at sea the anchor chain rumbled across her forecastle and thc long blast of the bugle marked the dropping of the hook Cur goal was reached We had come to the end of the road that long long road from Camden the Road to Tokyo The stmnge object across the bow m the opposite picture is a floating log 110 f . I f . . . . N , . ,, h - . C , c ' ' c ' ' ' 1 c 5 ' ' as 11 9 9 C M' K . l I l t . -wx 1 5 :Rx wx A ff f 1 A QQ lfefy ' X wgififam lx w ya- sw x x ,N Q95 sg X LX.. , ' XQEQPZ A 5 Q f. ' S. X Wg9Qx-,wwfx - TT-QR X. A X f x EXT: K 5 ,fi L X f .,,XW, kVX is XX ,, . h, xA ' x Q4 E xiff fgf U A ssh iQgQLiQE5 K 7 5 M ' Q ix 1551 ' ' qfvggh L. , ' V 462. 1 'HMV fg' ,Ml ff! , qw ff: 4: M17 ZW ,457 ff WW. -x 1 , yu ' f .W W'-IK ,mfwfvwfow Je' w ix 5 2 gif, 125 f f , f f , f::'f f , 6 ' 1s'1-ffl? ' ffl' 0 M If ' , 4.2 , . --,aw A v' F R .eng . I X . 1r .f,.Y' LL ' ' 470, xx f f' f xx x X x... 1 f X x at Ulithi War Cruise Y Number i0I3t0l'll3i'i 9i9aa40 Ordered as U.S.S. New Haven, CL-76 '16, 1942 hssslclixga NCW York Shipbuilding Co., Camden, NJ igzarfligls 1943 Commissioned 33' Departed Plliladelpliia MRF' 29'M2lY 31 Anchored off Annapolis June 2-June 9 at Norfolk ,lune 14-,lune 28 ,lulv 3--July 21 July 26-july 28 August 9-August 25 September 1-September 18 1 September 23-October I October 5-October 6 2 October 11-November 10 November I9-December 4 3 December 9--January 16, 1944 January 29-February 4 4 February 4-February 12 February 16-February 22 5 February 26-March 7 March 11-March 15 March 20-April 1 6 April 6-April 13 April 21-May 1 7 May 4-May 13 May 14-June 6 June 11-June 24 8 June 19-June 20 July 2-July 22 July 29-July 31 August 2-August 10 9 August 13--August 28 September 6--September 18 10 September 21--September 24 October 10--October 30 11 October 24-October 25 November 2-November 11 November 21-November 23 November 29 January 20, 1945 January 26--January 29 February 7-February 10 February 16-March 2 12 March 4-March 14 March 18-April 27 13 April 30-May 9 May 12-June 10 14 June 13-July 1 .luly 10-August 15 15 August 15-September 10 September 10, 1945 Operating in vicinity of Trinidad at Philadelphia at Balboa, Panama at Pearl Harbor BAKER and TARAXVA at Pearl Harbor WAKE at Pearl Harbor MAKIN and IQWAJALEIN at Pearl Harbor TAROA and KYVAJALEIN at Majuro TRUK, SAIPAN, and TINIAN at Majuro at Espiritu Santo EMIRAU, PALAU, ULITHI, NGULU, anal WOLEAI at Majuro HOLLANDIA, TRUK, and PONAPE at Kwajalein at Majuro GUAM, ROTA. BONIN ISLANDS. IW'0 JIMA, and PAGAN FIRST BATTLE OF PHILIPPINE SEA at Pearl Harbor at Eniwetok GUAM at Eniwetok PALAU, SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES, CELEBES, and MOROTAI at Seeadler Harbor, Manus Island OKINAWA, FORMOSA, PESCADORES, LUZON, and LEYTE HSECOND BATTLE OF PHILIPPINE SEA at Pearl Harbor Arrived San Francisco Departed San Francisco at Pearl Harbor at Ulithi TOKYO, IWO JIMA, CHICHI JIMA, and OKINAWA .1 Ulithi IICYUSHU, WESTERN HONSHU, and the NANSEI SHOTO at Ulithi KYUSHU, SIIIKOKU, and the NANSEI SHOTO in San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf Final Strikes against the JAPANESE HOME ISLANDS Operations incident to the surrender of Japan Anchored in TOKYO BAY. Cruise -12151 Pearl Harbor Cruise i152 Pearl Harbor Cruise H33 I ffffffffffffffffffffl - at Jw VZQ in POF5 This graph indicates the increase in tempo of carrier activity in the last year of the Pea,-1 Ha,-bm. !Z77!!!77!!Wl!!!!g Ll Cruise ii'4 Majuro Wm Cruise 4i5 , Majuro, Espiritu Santo VIIIIIM Cruise i256 I Majuro ill Cruise if7 Kwajalein, Majuro Cruise 3258 YIZIIA YIZIZIIIIIIZH war. Through August of 1944 Cpreceding cruise 91101 the BELLEAU WOOD spent half of her Pacific duty in pOft. Pcarl Harbor, Eniwetok 7 Thefeaftef the Pf0P0ftl0n Sf Cruise i9 time spent in port was conspic' Eniwetok Wllll uousiy small. Cruise 177510 Q Manus Island Z Cruise JH-'11 Cruise 21312 Ulithi Ylllllld Cruise ii'13 Ulithi Vfffl Cruise ii'14 LQ,-tc Gulf Wlllllllllllllh Crlllic 1 ' ' ' ' I i I I , i 4 I I i u I o 2 4 6 5 I6 .24 sz oAvs4o 48 56 64 72 . The peacetime log of Magic Carpet duty is on page 190. 'Q ' valve 1 .. ...H . 49:5 1-A .Mg V ' U5 34 Q 1 f Wd., 3 5 ff an 4 z x I 5 3 z f 1 X 1 ELET E -ST II L DY 1 53S TE' ff ah 5 : 5: 2 ... 4.-'-T-'Q 5- :er a- A 9 3 2 -1, , - The BELLEAU W'OOD won eleven battle stars to be worn on her Asiatic-Pacific campaign ribbon: 1 943 1. Pacific Raids C'I'arawa and Wakel 2. Cilbert Islands Operation 3. Marshall Islands Operation 1944 4. Asiatic-Pacific Raids CTruk, Palau, Marianas, Ulithi, Woleai, Ponapel 5. W'estern New Guinea Operation 6. Marianas Operation 7. Western Caroline Islands Operation 8. Leyte Operation 1945 9. Iwo Jima Operation 10. Okinawa 11. Third Fleet Operations against Japan On her Philippines Liberation canlpaign ribbon the BELLEAU WOOD rates two bronze stars, one for engagement with the enemy, and one for 30 days in the delimited Philippine area. After the war the ship was recommended for a Presidential Unit Citation. The Navy's decision on this recommendation had not been received by the time this book went to press. Following is the summary of known damage inflicted on the enemy and ordnance employed by him. Much damage was inflicted upon airfields, installations, industrial plants, and other ground facilities which was difficult to assess because of smoke from attack and the lack of small detail in photographs. It is impossible to summarize this damage because of the many different types of these targets. Number of days in action .................... 174 Total sorties-including defensive C.A.P.'s . . . 6,993 Bombs dropped on target Ctonsl ....... . . . 961.5 Rockets fired at target .............. .... 5 ,413 Ammo fired by aircraft Croundsj . . . . . 1,170,882 Aircraft destroyed: In the air ...... . . . 208 285 On the ground . . . . . . By ship's glllli . . . . . 9 Total . . . . . 502 Ships sunk: Heavy... ---12 Light ...... . . . 36 Ships damaged: Heavy .......... . . . 19 Light ............ . . . 64 20 Locomotives destroyed . . . . . . . . . Nautical miles steamed, March 31, 1943 to September 2, 1945 .................. 216,682 This is slightly more than 10 times the circumference of the earth at the Equator. Q gx . 'S Tl 5 x 3 x.Xh. 5 fl XXX? X A Xi . . NKQ Q X -' Q XX ORGANIZATION H 4, X ww f- QS .fxx Q 4 E 54 NW 1 CX W Ns WRX ,ff 1 .1 3 ,Q , .1121 M gi' .f 7, ,L .JM , Hifi? aww' , 54 V l'-X259 7 if ' ' L55 , 4.52, - 41 4 f s A If ? Vs . 'x X Q . X , ,Q JK., V7 , v I A A 5, ,- .m.g4. f, .,,,-Q., . W : Q-7 W pg- 'M ' -U 49,15-1.1, V kg P5 , ya M , Af, ff 1 'Q A4 4 Q H 5 Q 'U If M me Q: .. 1. , J fb 1 f www fa 7 f, if X ff! 1 on L flrfw , iw, ,Q -f :f W W f f xW 'ff - 1 , ff H' v iii: w. I A D ,1 41 4 9 f iv li , 4 QV Qs, X' 6 we A ' iw Q A X' Exif? R ...- X ,,,, 1 is Q 44.1 is 'QF ,31 1 . ,X k Q R S Q . ffqff ff' WW fl XXX A warship of any type is a complex machine built to adminis- ter the maximum amount of destruction to the enemy and to pro- vide the maximum amount of protection for the destructive element. The men who man such a vessel must be trained and accomplished in work remote from and more demanding than the routine tasks of civilian life from which they went to war. In order to segregate these varied tasks and make them work for each other, the Navy long ago devised the departmental and divisional system of organi- zation. On our ship there are several departments each of which embodies from one to six divisions. The men in each division work as an integral part of their department which, in turn, acts as one of the governing elements of the ship. The preceding pages have told the story of the BELLEAU WOOD -her life, her actions, her accomplishments. The following pages present by departments and divisions the men who made that story, the men in the line-up, the crew who fought and won with the BELLEAU WOOD. The Commanding Officer The Executive Officer The Departments and Divisions Air V-1-A, V-1-B, V-2, V-3 Gunnery 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Engineering A, B, E, M Supply S-1, S-2 Communication K Hull R N Navigation Medical H Executlve Alr Groups 24 21, 30, 31 H - X ff V .Vi v,G.,,-r -V ,,p mmf' . - uf ff,-7 ',, '- 1-.wn45aL4t2:Q1xAf-s.Af- x5 Xiggxhgqli-Nj, K Q. x Q -3 C , 5.NSk:xhx - X X x ix QQ . A Q94 X X X QXQQ .xxx Q Q, xx .f X fx . . - X x M- X NX Nw QN , xxNs NO U X . xv QS Q -f X5 .X fx X X x X TOP RONV: Lt. R.. R. Daniel, Lt. J. NV. Colter, Lt. fjfll R. G. Knapp, Lt. H115 G. E- Harley. Lt. tjgl R. H. Dahlstrom. MIDDLE RONlV: Lt.. tjgj R. E. Fehr, Lt. tial F. K. Sloan, Lt. Cjgl C. G. Coleman, Lt.-Cnidr. E. L. Kubacki, Lt. A. C. Patton. BOTTOM ROW: Lt. S. Hokuf, Lt.-CIULll'. L. P. Riggs, Cmdr. J. F. Cly- mer, Lt. T. NV. G. Richartlson, Lt. J. R. Stevens. The functions of the Air Department are: 1. operation of all aircraft assigned to the ship, 2. maintenance, service, and repair of these aircraft, 3. operation of machinery, apparatus, and equipment asf signed to the department, and 4. maintenance and repair of departmental spaces, mate' rial, and supplies. The organization of the department is as follows: 1. Air Officer in charge of flight control and tactics, 2. Assistant Air Officer in charge of personnel and flight operations, .. V l Divisions in charge of flight deck, landing signals arresting Gear catapult gear, flight deck aircraft handling and servicing bomb and ammunition loading, gasoline and lube oil systems, utility unit, and flight deck fire fighting, 4. V 7 Division in charge of hangar deck, hangar deck aircraft handling and servicing, flight gear aviation shops and storerooms, aircraft upkeep and overhaul, aircraft logs, and hangar deck fire fighting, and 5. V J Division in charge of CIC aircraft air control intelligence work, Air Plot, Aerology, and Photo Labora tory. FOI ROVV: llflach. K. R. R.iCl'al'tl Lt. fjyl W. lf. Cleary Lt. D. X . Krl sev Ch. Bosn. R. C. Pantcr Lt. fjisl W. 5. Patterson. DIE ROVV It H Y Roncy lt fju W C 'lraquair D S. . . MID I . . . . , . . Qimmons. Ln: W. O. Blakt Lt ljisl A. I. l ichfy. I' l OM RONV: Lt. T. D. Phillips f. H. T. Brunn .t.-Crntlr. F. . - la. : . . . . 1-no ,t. D. f.I xstln . l2 'IOP ROW C F 'VIcGu11c G E Cook C NV Stucns A R fcmil D l 1 c imc -. I' S I D S Ilrmltr-,rn A I Motal R W Btndu S Harbl L W McDamcls F Lficley J P G1 iybcil 1' R bpiuill M D Xmluson B B Pals' I N Sou uri R C Mathis I W Robcrts W C Biandfoid W A Larry H VN Picicc R L MUlSCh J W Bcll THIRD ROVV F Paul A J Hebeit N S Finst J imstionxa R L Rout I W lllnrd I c R D Pugh D Smith I A Mayock V .I Iuechle V Mlllei V C Haglund G Palkci W V K cnyon L u uc 1 0 Smchak QECOND ROVV J G Williams L E G1 A V G IIHLS aldiclo L H Biondml B FCl1lIlbll I LaMonta5.,uc M L Ros O L Bracy R R Amos Lt R I' Dfmicl Lt D G Eastbuzn R B Mclxown W J Milonc R W Bcmeis L Olgafllbldl. D A Olsen R A Layman H I' Io tc I M D fJllVLIld A BOTTOM RONV N F Landis C I Hcnely M D Mock B Rydcl D All R I ISOII L VlllSOIl Brown H F FIOY R F Hoopci R C Beckci R H Kllby L C AINILISOII C 1 Ia! Flight Quarters for launching and landing aircraft' Hundreds of men man their stations on and about the flight deck ready to perform the numerous yobs that en able fighter, bomber, and torpedo planes to fly from the flight deck and to land safely home The plane directors attired in yellow helmets and Jersies so that they may be easily seen by the pilots, the green clad catapult and ar resting gear crews, the plane pushers in blue, the ire fighters in traditional red, and the few men who man the sound powered phones or assist the LSO.: all are part of this team which is responsible for eflicient flight deck operations. The planes are spotted aft, close together with folded wings, ready for the first hop. Wooden chocks slid in around the wheels keep the planes from sliding around the deck. The pilots come from the ready rooms and climb into the cockpits. Soon the bull horn bellows with the word from the bridge, 'gStand by to start engines- stand clear of propellers-start engineslv An immediate coughing, sputtering, and roar follows, and in a few 'These are the green capped airdales who operate -'ffl barrier Momcz T 1' Donohue J P bmithce F H Bradford lcntim I Kovlowskx E W Privett P 1 ui tado L1 mctta A A Cludali C I Decllcr J R H L Qhaffcl moments the entire after cnd of the flight deck is alive with whirling props and roaring engines, impatiently marking timc in the mitiil step of a combat mission The engines are warmed up FOX is two blocked on the yard arms, and the ship is beginning to turn into the wind Plane handlers remove the wheel chocks from the first row of planes A plane director in front of the first parked plane wiggles his palms, signalling the pilot, di recting him in slowly and carefully moving his plane Out from the closely packed spot. As soon as the plane has taxied forward to an opcn area the wings are spread. Avenger wings operate mechanically. Hellcat wings how' ever must be pushed into position by the plane handlers. As the pilot releases the wings from folded position, four airdales in blue grasp the trailing edge of each wing, run ahead with it and shove it forward until it is locked in flying position. With wings spread, each plane taxieS up the flight deck towards the catapult, constantly obey' ing the signals of the plane directors moving forward in front of it. Tractor jockeys exchanging the latest word -n - DIVISIU The plane directors and the plane handlers working together follow the same procedure with each of the other planes until as many as possible are strung out behind the first one in single file with wings spread, ready for the takeoff. The planes have been brought forward and the first two stand ready on the catapults. The bridles and tail retainers are hooked on the planes by the catapult crews. The ship is now heading into the wind. The Yokel sounds, and the white flag replaces the red one at Fly Control, giving the signal to start launching. The catapult ofhcer raises his arm, hesitates briefly as the plane revs upn then suddenly throws his arm forward. A second later the plane on the starboard catapult is shot off into space. The same procedure is repeated for the plane on the port catapult, and in quick succession other planes take their places on the slingshots and follow suit until all are on their way for a strike or patrol. The BELLEAU XVOOD launches most of her planes by cataf pult. Only occasionally does she deck run them. For such a launch the planes move out of their parked positions one at a time and unfold their wingsg but instead of taxiing up to the catapult, the pilot awaits the uplifted arm signal to Hrev up from the flight deck officer standing nearby. If the engine sounds OK. and he is ready to take off, the pilot cuts his hand across his neck, the flight deck officer sweeps his uplifted arm forward, and the roaring plane starts slowly forward and gradually gathers speed. After a 45Offoot run it slides into space over the leading edge of the flight deck. Qccasionally a plane sags low out over the water in its struggle for flying speed. However, usually they climb steadily and slowly and roar out toward the rendezvous. Hours later the planes return from their mission. Any air' craft remaining on the flight deck are put below or are spotted forward while the after end of the flight deck is made ready for landing operations. The ship again turns into the wind, the planes buzz the ship, and the command comes over the bull horn, Stand by to land a already at their stations along the after catwalks, raise the wires which stretch across the flight deck four inches above the ircraftf' The arresting gear crew, Plane directors spot fighters on the catapults Plane handlers brace against the Hellcats propwasli On the markftail retainer is adjusted A'Let 'er go! 123 planksg they also raise the three barriers athwartship half way up the flight deck. The fireffighting crew is on the job, one man dons an asbestos suit should it be necessary to rescueapilotfrom a burning plane. The planes are now breaking formation and approach the ship in thc landing circle. The Yokel Sounds and the white flag appears on the bridge. The first plane nears the stern of the ship, responding to the L.S.0.'s red paddles as if by remote control. It is in the groove and just above the ramp, the L.S.O. gives the cut, and the plane makes a three point landing on the deck as the tail hook catches a wire. Im, mediately an arresting gear man in green helmet springs up from the catwalk and dashes out to the plane which, after a short roll, is jerked to a stop. The man in green releases the hook, and the plane taxies forward past the barriers, which are depressed for his passage, and creeps ahead to be spotted near the bow. Seconds later the second plane hits the deck and follows the Hrstg then the third, and so on until the last plane has landed. The iivefman firefighting crew is conspicuous in red helmets. It is to their credit that the fireffighting equipment has never failed in the many fires that the BELLEAU WOUD has ex' perienced on her flight deck. The plane directors are the quarterbacks of the flight deck team. It is their cool judgment in directing the pilots during taxiing operations that prevents serious damage to the planes or injury to personnel on a crowded flight deck. Many times they are subjected to a personal risk when it is necessary to stand within reach of a deadly whirling prop and at the same time strain to brace their feet against the slip stream from planes forward. They direct planes through tight spots and past stationary aircraft or other gear with only inches to spare. They are also responsible for'the operation of the tractors, Kerry Krane, airplane crane, and other moving equipment O11 the flight deck. They supervise the cleaning and maintenance of the flight deck and adjacent spaces. The plane handlers are the line of the flight deck team. Wings have to be spread and folded, chocks must be pulled, planes often have to be moved manually-pushed, pulled, lifted -these are the jobs of the plane handlers. Between flight Op' erations they scrub the deck, chip and paint catwalks and other metal surfaces, and in general perform the manual labor nec' cessary for the proper maintenance of the flight deck. After each day's final landing they lash down the planes, securing them for the night with lines or cables to the flight deck Hfingerplatesf' The flight deck team would not be complete without the few men who man the phones and assist the L.S.O. They are the communications of flight operations. One is on the bridge near the Air Officer, another at the base of the island structure, Spotting forward CMI Hoolqman releases the tail lzoolq Hellcat spreads its wings 124 a third aft in the Si.ll'lWtl.ll'Ll catwalk, while two otlir-rg UC ncxt ' go the L.S.O. platform. We :irc one of tht- two largcst divisions on the ship VD being the only division with more incn than Vf1,A. ' lv. X - -1 s . ...ws i A .5 , f ., sk. ,ALJ ' K in 5 0 A , ,W--.s T l' Q' . I-2 , . I .5 5 ,Q iy A 8 K 'l F . , ,ll XY Kg i X ' f if 4 X ' l i E V ' I mf is f f .f Z' Z Tl: 4, 2-1. Q Q 1. -Qi ' f 5 T i- . av ii, ' ' time TOP ROW: I6t.grriilEMf3iMIji'P1'ickett, Lt. P. F. Greenberg, Lt. J. A. Harper, Lt, BOTTOM ROW: Lt. J. O. Birr, Lt. D. Kolb, Lt. W. F. Wujcik. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken. When these members were aboard there was a single V-l Divisiong V-1-A and V-1-B had not been separated. For this reason the list of men is divided alphabetically between V-1-A and V-1-B. OFFICERS: Ens. R. VV. Alexander, Lt. figl V. M. Burkman, Lt. ljgl W. A. Byerley, L. ljgl F. R. Childs, Lt. tjgl D. A. Innis, Lt. B. C. Kinney, Cmdr. R. F. Mahchek, Lt. G. F. Markham, Lt. F. J. Miller, Lt. G. P. Svendsen. MEN: Avery W. Abram, Calvin E. Adams, Clyde F. Adams, Berthold J. Ah- Mann, Cecil E. Alexander, Philip S. Anderson, Carl F. Anglin, Joseph D. An- tonelli, Carmine Antoniello, Eugene Arthur Ash, Joseph Austie, Frank S. Ayers. Billy M. Babin, Michael Bader, Roy Bailey, Robert B. Baker, Wilson A. Baker, Stanley S. Barcichouski, Paul R. Barker, Robert L. Barnes, Michael J. Barrows, Richard F. Bates, Harold W. Baugher, Oscar J. Beauregard, James N. Beck, Harold S. Berg, William F. Bcvin, Louis H. Biondine, Albert A. Biron, Lilliard Bishop, Grant V. Bjerke, Willie D. Blair, Alonzo J. Boulanger, Jr., Robert F. Bourque, Eugene W. Boyer. Ebbie O. Badham, Darwin W. Brainard, Elmer C. Brake, Richard Gordon Bremmer, Ernest E. Brakeman, Charles V. Breslin. Theodore A. Bryan, Louie Bucco, Preston L. Bunch, Benjamin F. Butler, Sam- uel Cardone, Albert E. Cartwright, Joseph E. Castro, James Earl Carr, Anthony J. Cetrone, Arthur E. Chapman, Robert B. Childs, Boyce H. Chunn, Paul W. Ch l J hn R. Coakle , Ralph E. Coffin, Charles L. Goggins, Gordon G. Cooke. u ow, o y Jr., Joseph P. Cropin, Frank E. Crecden, Joseph P. Curtis, John H. Dahms, Peter P. Damato, John VV. Davie. Cecil F. Davis, Walter F. Derrah, William W. ' l d C J. Evans. Douglas, Joseph William Duflield, III, James F. Edwards, Gay or . Bob F. Feryruson, William R. Fields, Anaclito G. Fernandez, Joseph T. Fournier, Joseph R. Franko, Thomas B. Finucane, Isadore C. Flaherty, Joseph T. Forman. Bill T. Foster, Raymond B. Franklin, Gerald B. Frost. Roland S. Gagne, Richard H. Gause, Charles F. George, William L. Gerhardt, Robert L. Gnau, Philip Golino, Robert K. Gordy, Alexander S. Gorski, Henry Graham. Leo B. Grass, Edgar S. Graveline, William H. Green, Jr., Dale Kennedy Greenlaw, Thomas Grum- bllflg, Jr., Eugene A. Guzy. James E. Hamby, James W. Harrington, Edward W. Ha ' L th G. Hartmon, John F. Hayes, Jr., Merrall T. Hildreth. Roy F. ITIS, U QI' H.iT1k, Ray C. Hoeiier. Floyd W. Hoffman, Carl Hughes Holden, Leroy W. Holl, Timothy C. Holland, Peter Homiak, Lawrence N. Huff, Neil A. Hunt, Phillip D. Jernigan, Harold Jochem, Hamilton L. Johnson, Paul E. Jolhnson, Cllailrk P. ' J as Jones, John S. Kalmar, Bruno Kapinos, Eugene J. Karwacins 1, osep - DQR Jr., Charles A. Kedy, Michael Keegan, Roderick O. Kimball, Warren E. Kimball, Glennon E. King, Edward R. Koehl, John A. Kopera, Nicholas Kopsky, Louis M. Kral, Jerome M. Krim, William J. Kunz, Joseph J. Labodzinski. Fred J. Lackey, Lester D. LaFont, Laurier H. Lemay, William Lenhart. Jr., Francis J- Leon, John L. Leopard, Walter H. Lockard, Edward J. Loftus, Floyd K. Lysne, Walter H. MacLean, Richard W. Maddock, Walter J. Malone, Charles E. March Bernard S. MarcinKiewicz, Charles F. Marquis, George Marres, Kenneth E. Marsland, Henry C. Martensen, Francis B. Martin, Leon Rudolph Martin, Leopold P. Marszalski, James D. Mason, Marcus W. Maxwell, Rayburn H. May. tContinued with V-1-B Divisionl Bos'n Panter Co. hold field day Amos, Hansen, Walter- VflfA's work is not always on aircraft-replen' ishments are hauled over from the supply ship Arresting gear maintenance 125 1-u. '. - . J. . k i -, L, C, E -1, R, J, R f' -h, R. C. I fl 1. O. E. Bruno -n, J. O. Vkfilson, R. HV. Gentry, I.. Smith, P. E.Lagerstedt, TOP ROW' iii iii.lciici1i.ssc0ck, fi.lJ.Mi11e.-,o.il.L5.ParriS0nfdAiE. Regan, .1.i1.E11is, D. ww-sl 15. R. Hay.-k, M. sclark, F.J.s.-ma, K.R. Bolen, J. E. Carr. L. F. Holden. - 1 ' . . M : .l , G. R ', M. R. K kj l' ll. H. VV. Sh - 'ill, K. W. Sult, I-I. Kaplan, M. D. Stanton. J. D. Stephany, J. W. Don- THIRD Rowaldgdhigiiibiifsffiitxli. Hfislciiywatsorifxg. E. Lee, JLiyL.UCi'dw, E. R. Kodlil, W. C. Parks, C. I.. Tyler. J. E. Bc.-acom, H. A.I-lansen, D. D. Stem- bach. SECOND ROW: K. J. T ' 'k, R. W. Wh'tt' g'h'll, R. H. Cole, J. E. Ochsenhirt. J. A. Flack, .l. E. Hamliy. VV.tH. Lockhard, C. E. Bloir, R. Zettler, R. J. SDe?1setim'TI.vA. Murphy, Lip. R.lStevens, Gun. R. L. Garrison, Mach. K. R. Rickard. A. E. Curtis, E. L. barter, F. A. Jowers, .G. L. Munstedt, P. Golino, L. M.Kral, A. G. Fernandez, B. Mamuzich, O. D. Burns, E. H. Tommo. BOTTOM ROW: H. A. Murphy, H. A. Sheely, W. M. Eckhart, D. Boone, R. H. Hissam, O. A. Culp, J. M. Egan, A. F. Giorla, R. C. Wendzicki, L. R. Gauvin, R. P. Bryant, T. R. Craig, J. Cummings, J. D. Ramey, F. E. DeDonato. J. E. Stillman, H. G. Johnson. R. L. Dixon, W. G. Allen, O. E. McNally, E. Norris. A strike is due to go off just before dawn. Reveille for the Air Department will sound in a quarter of an hour, but already there is activity on the flight deck. Lookouts and gun watches on duty see men hauling big bluntfnosed objects from the elevator back to the planes spotted aft. They smell highfoctane gasoline and hear the swishing of thepumps which bring it up from below. It is the beginning of a long day, and it will be late in the evening before these men hit the rack again. Bombs of all sizes are loaded on the planes, and rockets are slung under the wings. Both are checked and ref checked to be sure that there are no duds. The first strike goes off-then a patrol. There's a few minutes' rest before' loading the next group of planes. Another flight goes off and the first returns. More rockets, more bombs, more fuel. The bombs and rockets have to be hauled up from below and rigged and loaded for the next hop. It is already noon, hardly time for chow, for there's more ammunition for the guns. They decide to use bigger bombs on the next hop, since there is an enemy ship in the harbor. Unload those on the planes and bring Gassing operations com' Baird up the big ones. Bomb drill! The gasoline gang are busy all this time fueling planes on the flight and hangar deck. After the Hrst flight leaves, duds are brought below, the second group of plaI16SiS fueled, and the pumps are reversed to defgas those re' maining on the hangar deck. An enemy hit would be dis' astrous if fuel were left in those planes. Far below the flight deck the pump men work steadily to keep things going. Fueling is complete for a short while until the first flight returns. The planes return and land, refueling begins again, and as it is completed, degassing follows OH those planes sent to the hangar deck for checks and re' pair. In the pump room below it seems like a continuOUS operation. J Thus the days go by and the two sections of the serv' icing division work along with the rest of ship'S COIUPHHY carrying out their highly important job of loading and fueling the real guns of the modern Carrier Task Force. Navy fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes, in order YO deliver death blows to the enemy, require skilled, hard' working men to handle their bombs, rockets, torpedo6S, I e ammo requires hours' Ordnance Officer CPLCCSS 'mence as a launch zmpends loading for seconds' shooting thc B,XV.'s Calling Car S -l-ll Ill ISIU ammunition, and fuel. Routine divisional work is accomplished in between times when operations are not so heavy or when the ship is in port. Spaces, magazines, and compartments must be properly stowed, kept clean, and painted. As a typical day of combat draws to an end and the last planes are landed and secured for the night, the Vf1fB Division starts preparing for the next day, Guns are replenished, bombs not used are struck below and secured, planes topside are ref fueled, and those below degassed again. . X N Q ' , 44 X Q 6 t r it 'fr . f s . V 2 r' 2. D W of M My 4 D L Lt. R. D. Jones, Lt. Qjgb T. R. Rinfr. ChGunner R. L. Garrison, Mach. R. E. Connel. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: lContinued from V-1-A Divisionl Howard S. Merchant, Merle J. McClain, Darrel A. McConnell, James M. McCros- key. Randle J. McDaniel, William P. McGregor. James E. McGuf'lin, Leroy Ayer Mehan, Juan Melendez, John E. Mellon, George D. Meredith, Daniel Metz, Har- old J. Millet, Earl Minton, Felix A. Mirando, Jr., Israel McKinney, Clarence H. Moore, Leon Morris, William J. Morrison, Augustine E. Motal, Chester R. Lake, Leon A. Laramy, Norman C. Larsen. Oliver VV. LeMaster, Clyde N. NeSmith, Edward M. NeSmith, Edward Norris, John P. Nowhitney, Thomas Olszewski, Walter A. Ortego, Ralph H. Parkes, Randolph F. Parks, William C. Parks, Jay T-' Payne, Walter F. Peitrzak, Donald D. Pittman, Benjamin A. Pomiehomv- ski, Troy Fletcher Powers, Delbert E. Quin, Robert P. Quirk, John H. Ranger, Harold E. Renchan, Earl VV. Richardson, Lcgrand Richardson, Joseph F. Riley, Leo Wilfred Robidoux, William A. Robishaw, Andres T. Romas, Harry E. Rouse, H S eau Francis I Schu- JOSBDI1 P. Satery, Roscoe J. Spease, Norman . avagx , . . . machffr, John Henry Shelton, Harry C. Sinline. Joseph Sinchak, Barney G. Smart. Gewin F. Smith, Robert J. Steele, John Stevenson, Harry A. Murphy. Irvin Gerald Murray, Gail O. Morningstar, James R. Neighbors, Elmer L. Stiner, Basil O. Stone, Shannon Stone, Firman F. Summers, John A. Talmadae, Odies H- Taylor, George Waitkevitch, Jr., Ralph M. NValters. Robert S. VVaterman, Jr.. Estfon T. Webb, Edward F. VVild, Howard J. Wilkinson. Jr.,- J. Willey, James F- WilS0H. John Henry Wodzynski, Charles E. VVyatt, Joaquim Vieira, Stanley L. Yeaker. Edward Zajaczkouski, Frederick W. Zimmer. Easter eggs for Olqinawa -I strictly fresh from the ammunition ,ship alongside Ordrtanceme-ft quickly reservice wing guns in preparation for next strike IOO proof for thirsty fighters 127 Y ' .1 .A ......... E. 4 . Q , Q if x, 6, Q, MQ l V P B ll'nghausen, K. E.Ruppe TOP ROW: K. P. Finroch, H. P. Stoess, R. C. Bratcher, R. E. Garrison, VV. D. Kane. J. Vf. Koinsky, E. J. Kovari i. . . e 1 , W. L. Swift, F. C. Kapusta, R. VV. Cline, E. H. O'Day, C. R. Bayless, F. A. Hill, H. J. Hammond. H- C- Maltm. R- Castle. G C M VV b ld, C. H. Cornell, G. H. Kellem, C. H. Tubbs, R. E. THIRD ROVV: L. Lipson, R. J. Boedecker, J. E. Wilson, J. T. Hutchinson, J. A. ure, . . am o l Wallis, VV. W. VVard, I. E. Mazurak, T. B. Griffin, G. E. Shell, R. C. Hays, G. T. Huckaby, E. Shahinian, A. C. Chezll-:, SECOND ROW: R. W. Gamble, A. J. Bowland, R. N. Lindley, C. L. Blair, T. D. Purdom, S. A. Mazor. O. O. Davis, Lt. T. VV. G. Richardson, Lt. A. C Patton, R. L. Lowder, R. C. O'Donnell, W. A. Blacketter, M. W. Wilson. R. J. Vliitzel. VV. G.Conn, F. NV. Hanifan, C. H. Blackwell, W. C YVebb. BOTTOM ROVV: R. A. Stembler, J. V. Potts, J. C. Carr, J. Misany, C. E. Fox. S. Juricic, E. J. O.Bl'll'H, R. L. Cline. C. H. Pipes, YV. T. VV0lV01'f0I1 A. E. Dean, F. S. Kozer, J. E. Sanchez, M. P. Underwood, R. T. Brown, M. R. Graf, R. H. lngraham. TOP ROW: E. D. Bowers, D. R. Walker, A. V. Miller, R. Stockton, E. E. Barbee, L. XV. Hall, H. H. Angell. THIRD ROW: M. J. Massar, E. O. Manley, R. J. Morman, S. J. Canova, J. I. Carson, D. G. Moser, VV. Szewczyk. VV. Smith, R. C. Barker, VV. L. AHCI1 W. J. Welsh, D. J. Stelly, E. C. Huffman, E. R. Renfro, R. Allen, VV. H. Cohen, C. M. Kirkland. M. R. Burns. SECOND ROW: C. A. Bailey, C. C. Cheathem, E. E. Baker, A. J. Mattox, J. D. VVelis, L. F. Laine, B. K. Ball. L. Johnson. J. E. Austin. Lt. T. W. G Richardson, Lt. A. C. Patton, R. A. Behnke, C. J. Moscona, D. J. Kampman, K. J. Bransford, J. R. Sweet, D. D. Brown, J. W. Welsh H. M. Stogner. n BOTTOM ROW: M. F. Austin, C. H. Kestelle, R. Manus, M. R. Wright, E. Robinson, D. VV. Clarcy, E. Schell, A. F. XVhitt. S. Sciabica, R. A. Hiclima W. D. Chiles, S. Cutino, W. Sanders, A. B. Dern, H. E. Abbott, C. Sidelingier. , , fu N x . , , . , , f M ,.,. .5 ,- 1 5 111 M 1 all tp but who wuts foi tht 51111 L clflltl flttt p 1111 xx 111115 up on tht c1t1pult tht U10 11 ts his 1NfNLLUl1Ll luck Then w11 mg' The clttpult o Q he firt rudci into 1111 111 Stun minutcs l1tt1 111 5cl1cdL1c planes circle oxc1l11 1d Bt 11c 1tl1 thc bridge the maintcn inte and fhcrht d lx ofhctis g1t11 r in 1 huddlc The pl1nc crews lW11t 1011115 Fighter l is 1 dud strike it below comes the hrst order A coxsvv 1111 blows his wh15tlc M111 Fighter lu' he 5houts At thc foot of the clcv 1tor 1 dollyman waits To the commands of To the starbo 1rd To the port and Hold that you NVTHIIE1 break '1 wing? the hangar deck crew pushes the dud in spot Chock it up the coxswain order5 and while two mechanics roll up a stand undeneath the engine 1 trouble shooter jumps into the cockpit Black book in hand 1 chief mechanic Jots down pertinent notes hesitates briefly and says Okay men you ve got twenty minutes to fix her up let s get going Pacing down the hangar then he supervises a11 engine change Meantime in the engine overhaul shack the nerve ce11ter of V 7 drills drone and grinders grone A metalsmith beats out a dented surface and an electrician frowns over a complicated relay. From the dope sheet hung on the bulkhead the hy draulic specialist learns there is a faulty oleo on Torpedo 8- the instrument man discovers there is a damaged Uyro in Fighter 15 ' and the prop repairman growls Well I gotta get a new prop for Fighter 12-d ........ barrier crashes anyway! The chief O11 duty directs a man to get stop nuts and safety wire from Ready ob. On the deck just above in the radio their s the Issue Stores for a detail j chnicians with wizard like deftness attend to the repair shop te ills of that mysterious air borne radar. Bugle notes pierce thru the ship. Its Flight uarters again. Topside plane captains scurry from their lockers underneath the flight deck and with hands shielding their eyes from the sun search among the returning raiders for their planes. Elec tricians metalsmiths mechanics and radiomen suddenly appear from down under and stand by to check the landing aircraft. i forward. At the cutf Une by one the planes land and tax throat signal to kill engines, plane captains climb up the wings and hand the pilots the familiar yellow checkfoff sheets. As Stowage is a problem ea wing goes up to the hangar overhead Maths worked avoimd the clock to maintain a Hfflean XbU!'I'P'fl1llA'71, fore and aft f 129 difficult flight schedule H 320 feel of hangar Clerk the pilots retire to the Ready Rooin, the captains take charge uf the planes. The maintenance men dash from plane to plane consulting with technicians, and the engineering officers parley with the chiefs as they size up the repairs to be made. Mean' while, another launch impends, another landing waits. Below in the parachute loft a rigger lays out a silken ehute inspecting it for the slightest injury. Another inflates a life raft. Still another dexterously patches flying suits for the pilots or makes a flimsy negligee for his wife. Around the dial Vf2 aircraft maintenance never stops. Day in and day out, night in and night out, there is always work to be done. Hangar deck crews working in shifts arise before dawn, secure long after dark, push planes all day, sweep down the deck, scrub, chip, paint, load life rafts, sling wings and belly tanks to the overhead, man elevators on the double, secure long after dark. Stack smoke, sharp orders, heavy seas, dark nights, long hours-plane is up, plane is down! Why don't they make up their mindsf' Firel Fire on the hangar deck! The danger is great due to the enclosed space, the planes, the gas, and sometimes the bombs and ammunition placed there. All work stops, men dash to their fire stations breaking out foam and hoses and manning comf inunication circuits. A shower of water pours from the overf head as Conflag turns on the hangar sprinkling system. The men of Repair 8 race to the repair locker to break out lights, rescue breathing apparatus, and form rescue teams to aid ship' mates who may be overcome by smoke or burned by the flames. The plane captains man their planes so that they can be moved from the danger area. Fortunately fires were few and far be' tween. With approximately 135 men V51 Division is the shipiS largest division. . .Q , X ,U X 3 , s sv at ' Ll' R-f1Hff 1l1 1, lfl- ll- lf- -lilvolvs. IA. D. lizmson, lit. M. R. Kullnmn. Hcllcalx get f-lim-IU-41 mil-, ,H Vp vm, 6 171 rf'fjigl1l1'ng lvrmi rlfzllx for puff,-f,',,,, NPIAP prop 1.x lH'olgc'n ou! lim- f,pl,H',- ffm, U,m.l,1 ,I Iy,U,g'f'y Srilrty mlm r'l1r'f'lg.s will: lflltlllll Gump! lwforc lf:14,1pq-mp ,IW fm-H,l,,,f ,.l,,,,'l,W 130 ' Lt. A. J. Baker, Lt. tial R. G. Barr, Lt. thigh R, W, Zimm,V.,.m,,,,. The following members of tile Division were delaelled before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lf. A. M. Bona, Lt. H. J. Kumi.-1-, Lt. new L. H. xr....1.,.y MEN: XVilliam R. Achud, Ben B. Adams, Robert G. Aunt-r, Carmelo Alaimo Edward G- Albert. Bruno AlC.lHDfl1'0. Georsc A. Allen, John P. Anderson, Alton J. Anderson, Joseph Andrechyn, Jr., Stephen A. Avata, David W. Armstronu. Willis E. Artlip, XVilliam M. Askins, James T. Austin, Brison F. Ayers, Gerald M. Bachman, Boyd K. Ball, Jackob B. Ballard, Jr.. Robert L. Bankert. William T. Barnes, Billy C. Barnes, Robert O. Bass, George E. Batehelder. Louis Battae- lia, Roy E. Bearden, Samuel L. Beasley, Emilien Beaupre, Thomas W. Bell. Frank J. Benedek, Claborn Berry. Palmer D. Berthelson. Gerald R. Biron, James E. Bishop, Eugene D. Black, VVilliam A. Blaekketter. Beryl J. Blake, Annol Blanksenshi Lewis E Blanton Elmer A. Blaser Xrthur C. Blatehford Eu-rene D. . . . . , . . , 5 C. Blewett, Kenneth F. Boober, Louis D. Bombardier, Louis D. Boucher, Elmer Borreson, Laurent J. Bougie, Claude XV. Bounds. Jr., James XX'. Bowers, Manley W. Bradshaw, Ellis T. Bray, Richard P. Brennan, Brantford F. Brown, .I r.. George J. Brown, Robert L. Brown, Marshall L. Busby, Cornelio Cano, Calvin W. Carlson, Wilmer F. Carney, Jack D. Carroll, James A. Casperson, Albert V. Challet. John B. Cherven, Daniel Chino, George XV. Christie, Donald E. Clausen, Vincent L. Cogxliano, George F. Colxvell, Alfred W. Compton, Thomas A. Connor. Charles R. Cooper, Joseph S. Crockett, Jr., David L. Davenport, John L. Davis, Odis O. Davis, Ralph Davis, Sr., XX'illiam A. Davis. Jr.. Horace R. Derringzton, Joseph F. Devlin, John H. Dickinson, Lester A. Dowdall, Thomas L. Duffy. James Debaby, William J. Deberry, Leon J. Delaney, Floyd A. Degraloff, Robert E. Egeert, Walter L. Eener, Donald H. Elder, Carlton E. Emery, Walter R. Enrrland, Jr., XVilliam R. English. Samuel T. Eshoo. Joseph E. Estock. Arthur E. Farr, Ross E. Feeser. Jr., John A. Flematti, Elgin Fletcher, Frank J. Fletch- er, Frederick D. Foss. Edward H. Foster, John Freitas. Donald R. Fristo, Car- lyle J. Fuprlie, Altino J. Furtado, James R. Gardner. Charles XV. Garnhun. Law- rence E. George. LaVerne O. Gillett. Arthur H. Goyette. Harry C. Hannaman. Keefee B. Harrell, Lawrence M. Hazouri, Robert 0. Hankel, Fred XV. Hensley. Robert H. Heyer, R. C. Hushey, Harold A. Hutchinson, James T. Hutchinson. Paul L. Iman. Constantino C. Intrevado, Joseph F. Inzatari, John J. Ippolito, David C. Isaacks, Henry J. Ivie, Jr., Fred Jaiva, XVilliam O. Johns, Elmo John- son, John F. Joyce, Harlod A. June, Harvey V. Kalbfleisch, Frank C. Kapusta, XValter Karezna, Francis J. Keller, James E. Kelly, Carmen V. Kennedy, James J. King, Arthur H, Kinsman, Jr., Alfred XV. Knies, Hohn XV. Korab, Neil A. Ko- selke, Edwin J. Kovarik, Tony O. Kroll, Frank E. Kurdziel. Ernest. O. LaPanne. Richard H. Lassen, Norman Lavoie, Thomas S. Leidy, Henry XV. Lemay, Wil- liam C. Lenhof, James Leonard, George W. Lesko. Richard R. Lindemann, Tom N. Lund, Herbert A. Lynn, Russell F. MacNeil, Arthur R. Main, Henry G. Mar- shall, Arthur J. Martin, Sam C. Mascarella, XValter C. Mahler, John E. Martin. Asa J. Massey, Augzust J. Mathais, Ezra M. McCracken, Stanley A. Mazor, Mar- vin I. McDaniel, Willard W. McFarland, William R. McGoey, Edward E. McMa- han, Melvin H. McNeil, Alton E. Miller, Robert E. Miller, Arthur M. Moreland. Vernon P. Mortise, Charles A. Moyer, Roy D. Mullins, Thomas E. Noah. Robert G. O'Connell, Ernest P. Osterhout. William Q. Parker. Dominick Pasquin, Ar- thur H. Pippin, Thomas J. Pethieal, Joseph F. Pietrucki, Raymond J. Pijanow- ski, John F. Powers, Ted D. Purdom, Fred H. Rauscher, Garland H. Rock, XVil- liam H. Roland, Edgar M. Rollins. Richard E. Ruhlie, Kenneth E. Ruppe, Har- old F. See, XVilliam J. Schaefer, James D. Schmid, Arthur J. Schnell, Jr., XX'il- liam C. Schwark, Adolph L. Scott, Richard B. Short, Francis G. Sebute, Vincent F. Sherrick, James Skoch, James W. Smith, Richmond H. Smith, Arnold Snow- bertcr, Jr.. Lawrence W. Solomon, Edward L. Spitler, Jr., Peter M. Steel, Jr., Arthur Steinman. Franklin H. Stuart. Joseph A. Tessmar, Bernard G. Thaner. James H. Thomas, Elmer C. Tighe. Raymond J. Tremblay. Myron R. Tursky. Rf'-lDh 0. Ulrcy, Linn R. VV. Vonder, Paul B. VValker, Raymond O. XX'allaee. GPOY'2e M. Wambolt, Jr., Ed XVare, Georxre H.Weber. Jr., Robert C. XV:-eks. Nor- man O. Weersinsz, Robert M. Weissman, Lester R. XVeitzel. Jr.. Oliver XV. XX'est. James A. White, Carlton E. Whitehurst, Leland E. Wichliffe. Charles XV. XVilker- Son. Bernard V. XVilliarps. Ernest C. Williams. Sidney N. XVilliams. Henry C. Wilson, Jr., Raymond M. Wood, Charles V. X'Vri,frht, XVilliam M. XVriy1ht, Jr., Norman Wuerth, Sam Wysowski, Kenneth B. Yandow, Frank J. Youngs. Precision acljustmcnt of a carburetor that feeds 2000 horses Parachute riggcrs carefully clieclq lifcfsavi-ng equipment Catapult operator tcnscly awaits signal to are 131 ' . . . G 'dr , K. Hoffman, A. W. Jenevein, L. LeMoine, R. L. Wicke, F. J. Zadory. N. R. Lynn, L. C. Wasson, TOP ROW. gmlgslilvelili Vll'eoTkslieci'clyL.TF.JPelRlf:lt, yW. J. Hutchings, S. Meyerson, R. L. Coleman.. W. C. Honefrger, G. W. Williamson, J. G. Proios. THIRD ROW: R. E. John, C. E. King, C. NV. Kohler, W. Lundstrom, L. Lindquist, J. P. Miklosi, R. H. Odum, E. Rosendale, A. R. Hall, M. Sha- piro, R. L. Shuck, C. K. Williams, F. J. Peterson, E. S. Webber, C. E. Phillips, G. M. Tuttle, R. H. Turpin, R. T.'F1tz,f:eralc.l. SECOND ROW: A. C. Lee, Ens. R. B. Fe-hr,, Lt. ljgl A. L. Lundin, Lt.-Cmdr. E. L. Kubacki, Lt. Ugj C. G. Coleman. Lt. CJK? A. I. Lichty, Lt. H. B. Roney, Lt. W. E. Rench, Lt.-Cmdr. L. P. Riggs, Lt. J. W. Colter, Lt. fjgb F. K. Sloan, Lt. D. Y. Kelsey, D. E. Hatter, A. J. DeLuca, R. L. Harvey, N. C. Newman, J. T. Brisbois, P. C. Brennan, H. T. Janes, M. Mayeaux, T. E. Hansen. . BOTTOM ROW: J. Hardridge, H. E. Garlitz, H. A. Sandkuhler, J. E. Simon, J. A. Wren, K. G. Kempson, J. J. Smith, V. J. Stoneburner, G. A. Shan- non, V. C. Black, R. Borngen, G. D. Hughes, S. D. Schroeter, F. J. Schey, D. W. Shearon. Vf3 Division consists of four parts performing the inf dicated duties: AEROLOGY collects and disseminates weather inforf mation and advises Fly Control of flying conditions. Aerographer's mates note and record barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, wind direction and velocity, sea conditions, and sky conditions to anticipate and piece to' gether the everfchanging vagaries of the weather and use them to our advantage. PHOTOGRAPHY shoots pictures about the ship and processes film for navigational charts, familiarization photos for reconnaissance, and photographic interpretaf tion. AIR OFFICE handles all administrative duties for the Air Department, compiling data on aircraft records, disf position of aircraft, and their status. CIC. There are four distinct functions performed by CIC: CAD Control all our own aircraft both in combat finf tercepting raidsj and on daily routine patrols. We keep Serious business in CIC- Bogies closinglw a constant watch for enemy aircraft 24 hours a day even in port. Along with our fighter direction we keep such fingerftip information as number of our planes airborne, their division numbers, what patrol they are flying, the pilots' names, the planes' side markings and tail identificaf tions, any troubles that pilots report, time of takefoif, time of landing, and what radio channels the plaH6S are on. CBD Track allusurface contacts, getting the courses and speeds. Plot the nearest land and positions of other task groups. Along with this we keep track of our own ship's course and speed, plots on the nearest land, and positi0HS of the other task groups. The D. R. I. fDead Reckoning Indicator, is an ingenious machinc which registers the ship's courses and speeds and from these maintains a conf stant upftofthefminute computation of the ship's latitud6 and longitude. QCD Assist in navigation or station keeping, informing the Officerfofftheflleck of our ship's position relative to other ships in the Task Group. At night thc O. O. D- is This small lzoto lab has p1'QCC555d almost all tzc pictures in tlus bovli ---uni., x . we X , we ' -X f- - ,. M.. .wN.........sssmmxw-wss ,www V I L, . , p V K A X .- .wma -.f.-.via b DI ISIU dependent up on us for returrte range md bearmg to the oulde rlthouqh ht usurlly ern dettrmme these approxrmately from hrs radar on the budge The same 1S true for fog y or stormy drys when he ls unable to get a range wrth hrs ,tadnneter QD, Communreatrons Radro Contact 1S mamtamed wrth strrke planes, patrol planes, search planes, and rescue planes We ard the Communrcatron Department 1n handlmg traflit over many c1rcu1ts from the flag rece1v1ng tourse and speed thanffes, formatron maneuver orders, battle orders, and adm1n 1strat1ve d1reet1ons N TOP ROW Lt A D Parker Lt F G Mullon Lt C C Foster Lt H A Sel lery BOTTOM ROW Lt L Hugh Lt B G Lerghton Lt J R Rrggs Lt G N Ray lhe followrnv members of the DIVISION were detached before the group prcture was taken OFFICERS Lt VV W Baldyxm Lt Cmdr R J McCullough Lt L E Mrller Lt C A Potts Lt Ugb D R Roberts Lt NV C Harrrngton MEN Wrllram L Alexander Joseph L Anderson V1ncentN Austad LyleV Bates GreggD Bennen Davrd F Blaszeyk Paul Brennan John D Brrgham J JohnT Brrsbors RobertD Callagee JamesA Calalano DeWayneJ Cole RobertL Coleman DonaldA Cruse Prent1ssCh1lds JtsseR Depee GeorgeP Doppman LeonardP Fox GeorgeE Fox MartrnF Garey Charles F Goh mann LyleD Hanson DonEHatter RoyL Hawey IohnE Hayes RayH Henderson Peter J Iannuzzo John J Jenet Walter A Kehoe Robert P Keo h HenryD Krug, HowardR Koenders John Koncewrcz Lazarus Kraus HaroldR Kronrtz Alf1edC Lee Jr Wrllram J Lepsch VV1ll1am H Lorenzo Franc1sM Lucas NormanR Lynn ErmanE Mannm LeoK Mannrng Mor ree Mayeu Jr Carness S McAdams RobertL McGowan LmusA Mrlls John L Mrlton EdwardJ Monahan JohnW Murray Nolan C Newman Wrllram M Nrcholson Jr Ernest Oaks John F Oertell JamesR Osborne JohnJ Pais lrarr RodneyF Peterson ErnestW Qurst James W Ranlxrn ElWoodC Read PaulA Rrchardson JamesK Roberts Jr Manuel J Rodrrguez BrunoA Rut kowslxr Andrew Seck Lawrence L Snow ArthurG Straley AntonJ Traub Leonard S Tremont Vrtold F Wallace Junror R VValton Leroy E Watson Meyer Wernstern RaymondE Wrnch Ronald NVoodward Iohn A Wren Vrn tent J Year beck Vertical plot shows clearly the azrcra t srtuatron both mend and oe Photo mterpretatron and mtellzgence play an zmportcmt part m arrcra t offenswe operatzons Soundmg balloon rs a major actor m predrctmg the weather 133 UI! I I Q 5 1 V l 1 e 'POP ROWI EHS- R. F. Blessing. Ens. J. C. Schneider, Eng. F. H. Moi-- Qan, Ens. D. P. Dakos, Gunner R. G. Allen. MIDDLE ROW: Ens. E. S. Isenmann. Ens. A. C. O'Neal, Lt. U25 R. L. bal1r1de1'S, Lt. tjgj M. E. LaLonde, lst Lt.J. W. Graham. BOTTOM ROW: Iat. J. W. Alexander, Lt. E. A. Simon, Lt.-Cmdr. W. J. HCHHIHEI, Capt. J. B. Clapp, Lt. R. B. Krogfoss. Throughout the war many hours of target practice and replenishment of ammunition, long periods of wait' ing and working, preceded and followed each encounter with the enemy. Never was the training or the work of the Gunnery Department completed, and seldom were tangible rewards received. There were times of action, heroics, long periods of waiting and suspense, comedy and tragedy. The Kamikazes required all guns to be manned and crews alert from an hour before sunrise un' til an hour after sunset when we were within striking distance of the enemy. The Gunnery Department also includes that very real but not integral unit-the deck force. The deck force performs the jobs commonly accorded a sailor plus sevf eral more: the painting and cleaning of the hull, the care and use of the anchors, the upkeep and maintenance of the boats and rigging. The gunner's mates, fire control' men and torpedoemanis mates have the responsibility of keeping the guns, directors, and torpedoes ready. The Gunnery Department consists of six divisions: First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth. 1.. . A. . f. .. 1 4 +1 T3 I 7 Y 4. 2, TOP ROW: Lt. R. A. Martin, Lt. W. B. McVeigh, Capt. L. J. Dulacki breaith. BOTTOM ROW: Lt. Cjgb J. Strohlein, Ens. G. W. Elliott. Ens. C. R Smith. Lt. fig? G. C. Blount, Gunner F. W. Stoner, Ch Torp. J. O. Towles. 135 Lt. J. S. Alexander, Lt. K. M. Frazier, lst Lt. D. W. Gal- . nn- , , Babe, R. O. Hudson, E, J. Tucker, J. M. McDonough, ll. H. Analerson. J. I . lfarrell, W. T. Ward, J. D, TOP ROW' EhaTi'.oiiilTIii'VX?.I-Dhiiiziliixtiil,Gi3APSaltmarsh, L. S. Montgomery. VV. B. Zirkle, A. Tollett, A. .I. Balto, W. T. Tumlinson, L. VV. Disney. THIRD ROW: J. E. Miszewski, E. L. Richardson, D. E. Moody, VV. E. Potorf, A. liloeker, L. V. Carnes, J. H. Smith, T. L. Baker, F. J. Madden, J. B. Ash, J. C. Langlay, G. W. Vollmers, B. Jansen, T. G. Hurst, E. F. Paker, Ii. J. .Iwont-s, lt. L. Look. i i w SECOND ROW: R. E. Kelley. M. E. Uptain, H. L. Gill, D. R. Gonzales, C. G. Matehani, M. 11. Cl7l'l'l'lIl, A. lu. Mother-shell, bins. L. 5. Isenman, Lt. tjgl R. L. Saunders, D. E. Harper, J. E. Jensen, M. G. Snufiin, M. C. Wood. J. 15. Beazley, R. A. lit-ntsen, lt. L. Karr, I-L W. Ellis, G. V. Stokes. BOTTOM ROW: D. R. Weaver, T. L. Mote, J. F. Karg, G. K. Neely, E. L. Fatillmer, D. lk. Carroll, IC. tl. Klein, tl. W. Nlesser, L. R. Upshaw, D. E. Meredith, B. Perron, W. Janda. S. Batchelor, J. R. Carver, D. l'. Pt-tt-rson, IJ. Sellers. The First Division's area of responsibility is the for' ward part of the ship. Our military duties are manning the 40MM guns, mount 2 and mount 4 on the port side and mount 3 and mount 5 on the starboard side. Cn April 6, 1945 mount 3 and 5 saved the ship from serious damage by splash' ing a Jap suicide plane only 30 yards off the starboard beam. We furnish gunner's mates and gun strikers to service these four mounts and keep them ready for action. In regular sea routine QCondition Three, the various watches throughout most of the ship are stood on a onefinffour schedule. This means that a watchfstander is on watch oneffourth of the time. Each watch is four hours long except for the two dog watches between 1600 and 2000 which are each only two hours long. Like all other divisions in the Gunnery Department, most of us stand our watch on the 40MM guns. In Conf Grooming the Captains gig-one of the first signs that the ship is heading for port dition Three we man mounts 2 and 4. A few men how' ever stand their watches at other stations: one tends the incinerator, and four are on duty on the bridge as DO2lfSVJ3.iI1iS'lD2ltC'Of'lllC'XN11lCll, helmsman, lee helmsman, and OiiicerfoffthefDeck messenger. QA lee helmsman is a seaman under instruction learning to handle the helm.l The four sections of this fourfman detail on the bridge are rotated through the tirst four divisions in the Gun' nery Department, we are section one , Second Division is section two , etc. The division sends men on the fire details, the firef andfrescue party, searchlight detail, fog watch, and t0 man overboard stations. li Habandon ship should be ordered, we would be part of the ships rescue party. Wlieii men are not on watch they turn ton at their cleaning stations. Antl when they are through cleaning they are on their own time .unless the .laps are around- Qur cleaning stations are in the tore part of the ship-' During rough tlPt'7'1'UU7'lS one doesntfnd niiteli time to relax and write home lil DI lflll fforecastle, oiheers country, .ind our own living compartment in A,.1.ll7fl.., keeping the p.iss.igew.iys and washrooms trim and shipshape, Un the toreeastle are the anchors, anchor chains, and windlasses. A phase of torecastle duty is the rig' ging and handling ot towing gear when towing other ships for replenishing fuel, ammunition, and supplies. This work requires real skill and seamanship. We maintain and tend the forward mooring lines when mooring to a dock. A less glamorous duty is the removal of rust by scraping and chipping from all exposed surfaces. lt is a job which can never be completed for as soon as one compartment or space is done there is always another to do. The upkeep of the surf face of the outside of the ship falls on the sidefcleaners and forecastle detail. We operate the Captains Gig. lt is one of the ways by which we try to bring credit to the ship. A ship can usually be judged pretty well from the appearance of her gig and the gig crew. Working parties in port are something we are used to as are all the other divisions. These are continually being called away from the moment we enter port till the time we leave. Ammunition, food, and stores are brought aboard and stowed below quickly, because time in port is short. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt. A. K. Leichtrnan, Lt. F. F. Woleslagel. MEN: Bennie J. Abbott, Jaspen N. Absten, Eddie E. Adams, Walter L. Adkins, K C Alexander, Clarence Allen, Glen E. Allen, Harry L. Allen, Paul H. Ander- SOH, Raymond J. Annan, William R. Arnett, John B. Ash, .Joseph A. Augusta, ' ' l h A. Bentsen, Russell E. Blazer, Thomas M. Brodie, Richard Charles E. Bryant, Louis J. , Herbert L.Carr, Byron W. Manuel F. Correia, Lyondon Alfred J. Bailargeon, Edward N. Beach, Ra p Anthony V. Bosco, Willard Bovee, Teddy S. Bozek, H. Brown, Edwin I. Brownfield, Richard W. Bruen, Buccini Alexander U. Calcagni., Leroy V. Carnes Chandeir, Edward F. Chapman, James H. Chappell, C. Cullen Richard A. Cyr, Joseph A. Czarnota, Edgar B. Davis, Joseph DeJes- sie, Frank P. Digiaimo, Hower W. Dyer, James F. Farrell, Edward L. Faulkner, Anthony N. Federico, Harold O. Franks, Henry R. Franks, Jr., Marlin J. Frommelt, Thomas E. Gaughan, David R. Gonzalis, Peter A. Goras, Kenneth R. ' ' h IW H'befo1d, Claude Gustfson, Donald E. Harper, Herbert T. Haitfortd, Hers e . i ' L-,H0dZ!QS, Peter Howachyn, Ralph B. Howell, Elmer C. Hysell, William H. Ivine, Herman J. Jones, Mavis A. Jones, James F. Karg, Ronald L. Karr, Charlles W. Kiehn, Harold A. Kelly, Michael J. Kendra, Robert E. Kildow, Paul W- Klux, Elwood C Krapf, Robert Laderoot, John P. Lamora, Bruce .F. Ibaw- son, Hubert J. Leaaissie, Wesley G. Lemon, Paul R. Leonard, Evan Lewis, on- All E Mothershed James F Mc- ald G. Mancini, Leonard E. Matalavage, en . . - - Ciarthy, Jimmie R. Mixon, Grady C. Moore. George K. Neely, Cl90tl'lS E- Nuttelx Daniel P. O'Brien, Kenneth W. Rassman, NVilliarn Potorf, Lee W. Pratt, Melvin Procell, Leonard V. Reinheart, Emil F. Rhode, Kenneth L. Richgnond, Rorgtld ' ' ' i - of - rr r v ay , Rflwland, P red A. Rubatino, Michael W. Schaefer , Hu,,h P. ciuhsss 5UYf1GI', John A. Soma, George J. Stoessel, Georgie W. Tollett, Richard M. Tur- Qeon, James R. Van Gelden, Alfiw.-tl T. Vancher, Peter J. Viola, Kenneth Walker, Mike Weter, Gerald M. VVickt-ns. Many long hours of gurmery practice like this paid off in the pinches Chipping and painting on the weather' beaten forecastle is endless routme work Ewen the 18,000 pound anchors get close attention 137 hwigg . ..f,g,of.,, Q rs.. i fi N. M ' ,.,,7..,Z. . in lxfefi. 'fwfr ' 4W4fZ'f. y N ,E ,X ,q,,,M,s 1 I 1 X fi., M It x ,f ef I fa X V7W,,,w, , f x s , . 1. 14, ,. , ,f.,, . 4 ,M 2 y , 1 X , f .f .Wa 'cf . N . ,46w,W'rX nada., l fp. V f ,,, TOP ROW: L. W. Butler, C. M. Baclsman, A. D. Mauldin, J. M. Boatw1'ig:ht,R. VV. Gunn, D. D. Stewart, C. E. Kern, J. C. Vklallaee, L. A. Amons, H.M. Harrison, P. D. Arnold, E. Brinkman, C. Leathers, C. B. Waldhoff, M. 'Willti.nson, H. D. Kyle, T. B. Wisdom, R. Umbarger, J. E. Simpson. THIRD ROW: M. P. Ponville, C. E. Bramlett, E. P. Cody, E. K. Vermillion, E. A. Remender, C. R. Jarman, C. L. Varney, E. G. Van De Hey, J. T. Ken- nedy, R. L. Killian, W. L. Marlin, S. Tomaszewski, J. Linn, R. Boneff, E. H. VVarren. I . Kirkland, A. G. Dahlstrom, C. Niemeyer, E.Cis- neros, VV. G. Laughlin, E. A. Koliboslti. SECOND ROW:D. H. Richardson, O. R. Fjetland, E. L. Staley, L. Hansen, L. S. Council, C. T. Simpson, O. Doran, M. E. Rhodes, Ens. A. C. O'Neal, ' Lt. J. W. Alexander, Ens. F. H. Morgan, J. Klaus, H. P. Bowers, S. A. Klimczak, R. H. Chappell, E. O. Sweat, W. Winger, W. J. Bulczak. BOTTOM ROW: M. L. Wantuck, V. E. Haynes, J. M. Krnetz, W. R. Berndt, A. Napier, D. E. Christmas, A. H. Reynolds, W. J. Keck, G. Lopez, C. W. Vassar, J. Simon, F. Mulli.ns, R. S. Seigel, J. Hall, D. P. Kenney, R. C. Murphy, H. G. Karow, J. L. Jones. Our primary job is managing four twin 4OMM antifaircraft mounts. General quarters stations are on the after starboard mounts 9 and ll, and after port mounts 8 and 10-in stack gas country , amidst the deafening din of plane engines warming up, and along the landing strip with the arresting gear. From our gun tubs we have a worm'sfeye view of every landing. The gunner's mates service the four mounts-lubricatf ing, replacing barrels and breech locks, checking, etc.- The quad mount on the fantail which formerly belonged to us tas mount 111 was assigned to Fourth Division as Mount l3 after a new 11 was installed on the starboard quarter at Hunter's Point in San Francisco. Regular Condition III watches are stood on mounts 10 and ll where at sea we spend one out of every four hours watching the sea and sky wander by for hour after hour. Through the months, without interruption, Maintenance work on the 40's never stops-gunners mates remove a barrel .- ..... Y.. the watch has been regularly relieved to the cadence of the bosun's mate's voice over the P.A. system: Ref lieve the watch. Un deck section 2 Q3 or 4, or lj, ref lieve the wheel and lookout . A new section takes over on the mounts, the mount captain designates one man to wear the soundfpowered telephones connected with the other mounts and the bridge, and the rest of the men lean on the tub shield, sit in the pointer's and trainer's seats--and start the fourfhour shift tunless it'S one of the welcome twofhour dog watchesj. Besides the regular Condition Ill watches on the gun mounts we supply a boatswain'sfmatefoffthefwatch, Off HcerfoffthefDeck messenger, and two helmsmeng all OH the bridge or island structure. Also, one man standS watch at the incinerator, dumping in the trash Wl1iCh has been brought down by compartment cleaners. This is 51 boring job except when some thoughtless individual l1HS Seamanxhip is picked up fast on the borlf plflffvfms Qnrl DlVl.'lll tossed gi round ol' lixc ainnninili-in in the ill can which is ln-, ing emptied. Whcli the ship fuels at sua me man the alter fueling staf tion ljust forward of the .illicit clcxatorj to bring across the after fuel hose. As the tucl llows ilirougli the hose we tend the lines obeying the licax'e 'roundn and the slack oil of the bosun's mate. The daily routine at which we spend most of our time is janitor workg scrubbing bulkheads, swabbing and painting decks, Qvvhich usually involves a tussle with the paint czar in the First Lieutenant's otlice, trying to get him to sign our paint chit and assuring him that the surfaces are properly preparedl and dusting the maze of cables and beams of the overhead in compartment Cf'20lfL and main street -the port passage on the second deck. Topside we have the port blister, port boat platform, ten life rafts, and monkey lines. In port we are responsible for the port gangway, the 5552 motor whaleboat, receiving barges along the port side, and sidefcleaning the port side from water line to catwalk, from paravane platform to the boat platform. This requires conf Stant rigging and unrigging of stages and bosun's chairs, dodgf ing the water outflowing from scuppers, hanging on when waves bounce us around, scraping off the green weedy sea growth and loose paint, applying the undercoat of yellow zinc chromate, and finishing off with dark blue. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt. tjgj A. N. Lasater, Ens. J. S. Jefferies, Ens. E. T. Shanks. MEN: Robert E. Abrahins, Francis T. Acton, Frank T. Alderson, Jesse W. Allen, Lonnie Allen, Charles H. Allman, Hillard Allmond, Sibastion A. Alois, lgester A. Amons, George H. Baldwin, William R. Berndt, Roy Bonaff, Robert C. Jrown, Albert H. Brunelle, Stanley A. Brzozowski, Joe Bullington, Jr., Walter -Blish, JOSeph.Butchko, David B. Carrol, Jr., John Chenosh, Jr., Edward D. Christmas, Emilio Cesneros, Frank G. Clifford, James M. Collins, Carmelo Cris- taldi, Edward D. Crowley, Leslie R. Darsey, Edgar B. Davis, Marcus L. Dawson, John E- Dayberry, Robert D. Derricott, Vincent Dipalma, Richard F. Dunkelber- 5913 Henry H..Elledge, John C. Ferbert, James H. Gailey. Carl T. Gardiner, Hobert W. Gentile, John J. Hammann, John Harnaga, Edwin Hartley, Vance E. HaYI19S, John F. Hoffenpradel, Emil J. Hubner, Wilfred J. Hull, Donald J. J ine- Stephen P. Hunts-The-Enemy, Clyde R. Jarman, Joe L. Janes,. Ralph H0 RWD, Herbert G. Karow, William J. Keck, J C Kelly, Robert H. Keith, Ennis Til lllebrew. Joseph J. Klaus, Charles Arthur T. Kitchell, Walter M. Kochanski, L if-,mas J. Koziel, John Kudella, Philip W. Kuntz, John M. Lamanna, Arthur La rade,. James P. LaPatina, William G. Loughlin, Grimoldo Lisa, James H. kong- Gllbeff Lopez. John G. Luster, Daniel J. Mallinowicz, Boleslaus Man- Jusv Walter L. Marek, Russel W. Martin, Joseph Martini., Robert McVe1fI.h, Jr.. Namlffs E- Nahas. Arthur Napier, John Pashkowsky, Ralph H. Pearsall, .Wendell Rilodeck, Anthony J. Pelosi, Paul R. Price, Albert H. Reynolds, Michael E. Rob, 931 Jr., .Donald H. Richardson, VVilfred C. Riley, Frank S. Riolo, David V. Sh lxnson, Richard.E. Rohloif, Fredrick M. Runyon, Carrol B. Rushing, Sam D. A QWOYI. Leo J. Smith, John Syczyk, Harry B. Ulrick, James E. Vogel, Sherman ' alkefi Elmo F. Weathers, Edward L. Well, Lewis A. Woodsworth. Port routine calls for sideecleaning Keeping a full bag of clothing in a small locker is a difficult task Still at ir Rigging the port gangway on one of our infrequent visits to port 139 X X x '64 K is-A. dim .. ... . A if , ,, S 'th W J Clailx N N Varney D Moreno H J Mavis E. L. Fursman, F. K. Carter, TOP ROW: M. D. Clark, J. A. Walton, D. J. Beaver, D. D. mi , . . . . , . , 3 .. , 1 L. A. Willis, K. T. Vickers, M. R. Bowman, T. J. Bryant, L. A. Pendergrass, A. England, B. D. VV1ll1ams, J. T. Wings. THIRD ROW: R. R. Louis, D. J. Golden, W. H. Smith, L. P. Ham, W. W. Malone, H. R. Todd, R. K. Bloomfield, J. W. Benson, R. D. Mace, E. Perez, A. L. Mitchell, L. H. Luethje, C. Berry, W. B. Allen, D. J. Brewer, R. Stewart, R. W. Whalen. SECOND ROW: A. Cooper, C. R. Sanders, J. W. Guthrie, O. C. Kennon, W. G. Bethune, W. E. Van Dyne, C. E. Smith, Lt. R. B. Krogfoss, Lt. E. A. Simon, Lt. Qjgj M. E. LaLonde, G. A. Francey, F. Heller, C. W. Overall, J. W. Floyd, G. E. Kohl, R. G. Anderwald, D. K. Ebarb, D. L. Collins, E. F. Orosco. BOTTOM ROW: A. L. Toombs, K. B. Henderson, C. W. Hentzen, V. R. Wilkins, J. D. Webb. J. E. Heston, P. D. Breaux, W. P. Pfannenstiel, S. L. Woodfin, A. L. Haynes, C. P. Hendrix, P. I. Gravel, M. H. Hines. V. J. Varela, M. Hovivian, E. J. Ball. We are the Lookouts. A sharp lookout is of major iber machine guns which were strung around the im ortance even now with the hi h eificienc of radar. catwalk. P g Y During Condition Three from Turn to until Knock off ship's work our topside sailors are engaged in the Also, due to the everfpresent menace of floating mines and other navigational hazards, all lookouts must be vigif lant, wide awake, and at all times 'ion the ballw. A maintenance and upkeep of the starboard ladder leading highfranking oflicer in the naval service once said, A to the flight deck, the starboard blister and gangway, the good ship can often be judged by the alertness and efii' starboard boat platform, the Fil motorfwhaleboat, the ciency of the lookouts . We have tried to do our part lookout stations, division gear locker, and ten starboard in making the BELLEAU WOOD a good ship. life rafts, When that au't00'famih3f 80113 S0UUdS to Call US YO Below decks our men 'iturn to daily on compartment General Quarters, the Third Division stations lookouts Cf202,L, the incinerator Compartment, and the Gunnefv at Cash 40MM difecwf and mount and at the f1V9 1OOk' Ciiice passageway. Qther duties and special assignments out stations: the mast and each corner of the flight deck. are Supplying Coxswains for the boatswamg mate Watches Our second role in the Gunnery Department is manf in pmt and at Sea during G-Q. and drills, seamen for ning 4OMM mount number 6 which Was taken OVCI' the 0.C.D. messenger and anchor watches, and tWO from the Second Division in June, 1945 While the SMP helmsmen. Gut division also opcratcs and maintains the was at Leyte. Prior to this time we manned the .50 calf 56751 mmm Whuleboatv Mast lookout has something out there Mmifls lwlli rv lr'df11 friend from foe ......,. 3rd iii ifio At each refueling Tliiixl Division lends the forward fueling hose and coininunicatioii stations located at the forward elef vator. lf conditions necessitate the topping oil' of a destroyer, We fig and handle the .ifler fueling hose. Whcii the longawaited day for entering port arrives, our special sea details rig and lower the starboard gangway and the lil motor whaleboat. As invariably happens during those too few days in port, a great deal of the time is taken up in replenishing supplies, ammo etc. We take alongside all craft that make our star' board side, operate the starboard provision whip, and join the less fortunate souls in stowing supplies, a job that comes unf der the title of Workiiig Parties . Preparing the ship for the next operation requires the . H . d breaking out of scrapers, wire brushes, paint, stages, an ref d stuff from her outside surfaces. The l cerned usually constitute the moving all rust an sidecleaners and personne con entire division-ten petty officers and sixty seamen. Regular classes in recognition and lookout training ers of the Third Division. The Division Oiiicer or the junior Division Qfficer displays models of all planes and ships both friendly and enemy which we may exf pect to encounter. He describes and points out peculiar chaif ach and then flashes on a screen pictures of the planes or ships taken from various angles for us to identify. l nd ovvered telephones, are conf ducted for memb acteristics of e Instruction in care of binocu ars, sou fp and relaying of information is also included in our lookout training. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt. J. P. Miller, Lt. fjirl J. L. Poucher. MEN: Edward G. Adamczyk, John F. Allard, William O. Allen, Elmer C. Bar- ham, Robert L. Bednar, Michael V. Bellonte, Waymon G. Bethune, David Bohan- an, Albert J. Boudreau, Willie R. Bradner, Earl Branstetter, Theodore H. Brown. Dennis J T Brewer, T J Bryant, Marvin R. Bowman, Robert S. Cardarella, Al- ' Thomas R. Clymer fred C00per', Jr., Michael A. Cercone, Marion J. Clayton, . R b tJ Flick CharlesA Frechette, Mar- Kenneth Downes, Alvin England, o er . . - tm T- Gllllilan, Alfred R. Gonsales, Wilbur H. Green, Stephen R. Gennison, Al- ma Hamilton, Gilbert Hayes, Dennis H. Hugzes, Thomas P. Higrh, Alvin Hignite. Dean C. Hill, William C. Hopkins, William N. Jumper, Edward A. Kiczek, R. K hn, John Charles Lacroix. George J' K0DCak. Joseph V. Kotyuk, Arthur ro Charles E. Leon, Ivan R. Liddell, Max J. Lobato, Rober't R. Louis, William H. Mansfield, James J. McKee, John R. Molta, Vincent F. Ortega, William Osland- GV, Ralph H. Paulson, Harry S. Pink, Wallace John Pluta, Emmett E. Poncier. Cornelius PYYIIGI, Jr., John R. Sellers, Charles E. Smith, LaVerne H. Severtson. ' ' ' 'd R. Thompson, Anthony A. Tom- lltarold F. Shimp, XVill1am O. Standefer, Davi iaunas. Hoyt C. Tucker, William E. VanDyne. VVilliam A. Voldbriek, Jr., An- OHY J. Walsh, Robert W. Washom, Gene F. Wiley, Herbert E. Wiltse, James J. Winters, Edward J. WVolf, Robert R. VVood. Eyes of the ship concentrate intently on recognition drill Away the number one motor whaleboatlw Boatswairrs mate strains on the 60fSecond chow pipe down 141 TOP ROW: F. Sypniewski, G. F. Metheney, R. J. Bourgeois, R. Alexander, D. Harrison, D. E. Wood. A. M. Daley, J. F. Arms. E. L. White, N. G. Dar- tez, A. W. Trawick, M. Zimmerman, H. P. Marti, E. Borree, W. R. Ingham, W. E. Thompson. THIRD ROW: M. C. Ellena, B. G. Becker, D. E. Meyers, O. T. Swiger, B. C. Harris, R. D. Foster, W. C. King, A. J. Belanger, D. R. King, D. G. Fish, J. W. Snyder, F. L. Lane, G. Thomas, R. A. Cowden, E. V. Kolzun, C. N. Kokonas. SECOND ROW: R. J. Miller, R. D. Bick, W. Higgs, J. J. Clark, J. L. Ellington, V. J. Roelofs, A. J. Jusczyk, Ens. J. G. Schneider, C. R. Corson, J. R. Sesher, F. Heller, D. A. Leuer, L. Hatala, H. M. Rosenblum, C. A. Lipanovich, F. P. Pauley, L. M. Wardlow. BOTTOM ROW: E. Delaney, L. R. Kipler, J. R. Jensen, D. O. Graves, F. Stockinger, O. R. Marshal, E. J. Phaelan, C. J. De Armond, E. E. McKenzie, H. T. Brannon, J. C. Collins, C. C. Justice, F. A. Meyers, M. Pennucci, J. R. McQuillian, D. Crain. Fourth Division, stand by to receive destroyer, port quarter fantail, for transfer of guard and Uncle Sugar Mail. That's not our voice. It's a long, long way to the fan' tail and our joyous Aye, Aye for Uncle Sugar mail and our strong Aw, Hecki' for heavy freight can't quite reach the brains of the ship against the wind and noise. When a ship comes alongside for the transfer of personnel or material we rig and man the trolley lines and hauling lines for handling the transfer. Our record for a day's work stands at nine destroyers and one AA cruiser, a total of ten ships received alongside. Old Beulah, we've been on your bouncing end through many storms, battles, heat, rain, strikes, and Kamikaze attacks. How many times have you been back to see us? We can remember one happy occasion. You guessed it. When the hospital ship came alongside. Upon entering port we clean the fantail-scrape the sides and see that they are freshly painted. Our area of the sidefcleaning is everything between the flight deck and water line aft of the whaleboat platforms. We man the rearming boat, one of the few means o transportation the ship can offer when at anchor. Al' though the BELLEAU WOOD has not had too many occasions to dock, when she does we handle the moot' f ling lines from the fantail to the dock. Our hardest workouts are during refueling days. We rig and man the provision whip amidships. During thosfi combat days in Condition One, wc would retreat to rc' fuel only to find the Supply Officer at thc provision Whip Saying, We are to rcccivc 'Zi drums of aviation oil today plus the regular routinc provision. That IHC?-Ut First Marine returns from 'Yo' 'iFourtl1 Division, stand by- . kosuka via hoatswainis chair A downed pilot comes home FieldDavonrlit-fc111ff1fl 4111 1 lll Ifllli l10Lll'S11li pulling 1111 11111 l1111'- lllll 11111 planes 111'1'1le1l oil, dllkl thc Fliurrli lJlXlSlUI1 ll.lxl to get ll .1l111.111l yvhm the ship is 111 l1Ul'lll.1l e1111tl1111111 ol it-,irlim-ee, t'Q,mdi, tion Tlnecu. the 1511111111 l51x1s1o11 s1.1111111s .1 w.11cl1 on 111o1111t jafr of llklllllxfl' 4 stack. S111111' ol our 111011 st1111d il ulookout watch taking their place lll ro1.1t1oi1 with sections of Third Division. The Fourth l51x'1s1o11 bridge w.1tcl1es are si111il11r to those stood by the First, Second, .111d Third Divisions: boatswainlsf niatefoffthc'watch. l1el111sn1.111, lee l1CllUSIUll11, klllel Ofhcerfof' thefDeck nicssenger. Vflicn the word is passed, l'Relieve the watch, o11 deck section four , we take over. Our battle stations are two -W Mlxfl mounts: the quad on the fantail tmount 135 and mount 7. The gunner's mates and their strikers keep our two gun mounts in operating condition. After our visit to Tokyo after Vfj Day the gunner's mates overhauled Japanese rifles, machine guns, and pistols for their shipmates. But the most distinctive of our duties is still the rigging and manning of the lines to other ships taken alongside for the transfer of material or personnel. You, the men who came and left while we were at sea, will remember the first and last voice you heard on the BELLEAU XVUQDE-the Voice of the fantail. The following members of llie Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt. tjgJ A. C. Sherrard. El I A llcv Rob1rtF 'Xlford George NV Allison MEN: Joseph H. Aceto, mer . . c 1 - . 1 , . . , GEOTZG J. Aramini, Nicholas J. Barnett. John Barys, Earl VV. Beattie. Norman L. Bedle, Donald G. Becker. Richard M. Bell, Janus J. Baron, Normand G. Bau- rassa, Howard G Bower, Harvey T. Brannon, George L. Burlett, Cornelius C. ' f . h E. C.'Callahan, Clarence J. Campbell, Doris Campbell. Andre S. Casavant, Jo n Click, John J. Clark, Anthony R. Coppola, Jr., Roland R. Cote, Theodore Cox, -Jay C. Collins, John J. Cronin, George A. Cromer, Lawrence P. Curry, Edward L D ' Clarence Debold W'allace A Deck- F-Cl1Sl1iI1x3,', Joe W. Darnell, .Johnny . avis, - , . 1212 Leroy E. Deneault, Andrew J. Diamond, Jr., Paul V. Doehla, Clarence J. F D avan Robert D9aVmOY1d, Jr., Elmo Delaney, Nelson J. Dortez, Jr., George 4. on' , . E- DWYQF. Clyde Emery, Jr., Clarence R. Gaumond, Michael Gaverick, Daniel J. Gaynor, Foster L. Gibson, Norman E. Gilman, Charles E. Golba, Douglas E. Gor- fl0n, Dale O. Graves, Adolph J. Juscyzk, George B. Hayden, Louis H. Hatala, lgiillas M. Hatton, Roy E. Helt, Franklin Henfllingx, James T. Hungrelmann, Al- Ifert L. Hunt. Kenneth Kaminsky, Caleb J. Karam, Harding T. Keene, .John J. cially, Charles E. Landry. Edward T. Majka. Herman P. Marti, Leo J. Melcer, I aience Moulton, Donald E. Myers, Albert F. Napoli, Charles W. Norris., Har- 'fy W. Olive, Walter E. Olson, Walter E. Peets, Joseph Pzik, Mario Pozzi. Ver- non J. Roelofs, Thomas B. Ryan, Edward J. Rhelan, Harold B. Ketchum, Kamn- hey B. Sahm. Chester Sakiewics, Franklin Sypuicwski. William J. Taylor, 'Ed- Ward S. Tracy.. Milton R. Vonderlinde, Warren G. NValker, Carl W. Wicbllflal. Clifton G. Williams, Donald E. VVoods. The voice of the fantail r teams are madegtlie Fourth How tug o' wa handles o provision wlnp on fueling days 'lSl1ove off coxsruain, carry out your orders! A sure sign the war is over 143 TOP ROW: K. W. Franklyn, D. H. Fogarty, G. J. Matthews, J. N. Matheson, H. W. Daneri, C. J. Geiger, C. R. Massey, R. M. Per kins, H. E. Wammack, . . ' . . b'l, H.W.B , L.S.H d, H.D.Wood. ' Q MIDDLE ROS?JV?NL'?iIg?rlWl.EGElb11?e1ailtl1, J. L. Wilfiiallias, J. Freli?.ilT1i1n, R. F. Greenleaf, J. J. Milmorc, L. T. Jenkins, lf. G. Kutch, N. M. Forbes, L. L. ' . . ' , R. C. Ell' tt, R. E.W l t, Lt. J.W. Graham. , BOTTOM ROIWXIM. lyllvclvailsighlin, W. Bird, H. Vllqlllllsnroe, S. Matesich, R. A. Gearing, M. Budelovich, G. F. Busch, N. B. VVaters. J. R. Ritz, P. L. Brewbaker, K. Williams, J. J. Deckert. Fifth Division is the Marine Detachment. lt is com' prised of 41 enlisted men and two officers, all of whom have graduated from the highly touted Marine Corps Sea School where we learn about ships, shipfboard life, AA gunnery, recognition, and the general duties of Marines afloat. Usually dubbed Seafgoing bellfhopsw, the Marines have a place on every major warship of the U. S. fleet. In wartime the Marines are chiefly concerned with manning their share of ship's guns Qforecastle quad 4OMM and the ZOMM batteryj and providing orderlies for the Captain and Executive Cflicer. In port the Marine gangway sentry checks the idenf tification of credentials of all persons coming aboard or leaving. A Marine is on duty at the brig, the laundry, and the galley. Marine field musics take their turn on the bugle watches. The Corporal of the Guard assists the CfficerfoffthefDeck should a police force be needed. The detachment has its own office, keeps its own rec' Leatherneclgs are always preparing for inspection . . . and inspection always ords, submits its own reports, and generally functions as a separate entity. The Marine storeroom is not only stocked with additional clothing and training manuals but also with field equipment, so that a properly equipped landing force may be disembarked if necessary, which brings us to the story of our landing on japan. We learned on August 18, 1945 that we would com' prise part of an emergency landing force in japan. Pre' liminary to receiving the final word, we underwent in' tensive training on the flight deck, brushed up on our combat hand signals and rudiments of the combat fir? team, and actually fired off the fantail. At 0530 on August 19 the destroyer JOHN d her to be transferred to the HENRY GARRARD QAPA 841. Then and there began a period of teriffic boredom' RCDGERS drew alongside, and we went aboar HVWQ ill quarters that were practically unbearable due to the heat and congestion. And again there was much . e Tfzvsc' t'UHlfWil7'l1lIt'7li t'lt'Ll7lt'l'S llflflffll 'HSSP Come-9 ilu' Marim' q1u1r'l4'v's tile' tlvancsr 011 rw ' th Dwi J I ii schooling,-map reading and working out on the cargo nets with full packs. The GARRARD joined other transports and menfoffwar and steamed through the waters of Sagami Wan and into Tokyo Bay. August 30 dawned bright and clear in Tokyo Bay. At 0630 we were in the LCM's and LCVP's. Finally at 1130 we took off in a straight shot for the beach with BELLEAU WOOD planes overhead. The beach in this particular inf stance was a seaplane ramp at the Yokosuka Naval Air Base. The landing Went off very smoothlyg our Company C of the lst Battalion formed and took off for the airfield about 1200 yards further on to set up a perimeter defense around the runways and hangars with gun squads in strategic spots. The first night proved uneventful. But on the second and third days it rained and poured, and within a matter of minf utes makeshift shelters sprang up under planes and partially completed buildings. We were moved into some Japanese barracks at the northern end of the airfield. Despite the bed' bugs, lice, and roaches, our guard was running smoothly. Yokosuka was strictly out of bounds, but a few did manage to elude the sentries and get over to the town. On September 6 we left the Naval Air Base in our landing craft and went directly to the LEXINGTCN at anchor in Tokyo Bay. A day and a night run brought us in sight of good old Beulah--what a welcome sight! Then to a destroyer via the inevitable bosun's chair, thence home by way of the fantail. A The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: William C. Albertson, Robert VV. Baldwin, Glenn E. Bankston, Jerome V. Burns, Joe C. Christian, Charles W. Cook, Vincent D. Dannemiller, Stephen J.Dolnack, Robert W. Donnely, George M. Dubyak, Robert K. Farrar, Edward L. Folker. Douglas M. Hamblin, John G. Harwood, Jr., Phillip J. Hassan, Roland C. Hubi- regtse, Harry F. Kittridge, Samuel C. Kelson, Joseph Komarnacki, Grover H. Lands, Herman M. Leray, Fred E. Marshall, Severio J. Martino, Jack R. Mauck, Joseph P. Miealtowski, Donaald McGuire, James F. Moran, Louis W. Noeker, Wallace D. Paraham, James E. Phillips, Francis E. Porter, Warren E. Powell, Ralph A. Ramano, Carl L. Richart, Casper L. Roeder, Patrick X. Ryan, George P. Sauterre, Lawrence B. Scott, Norman C. Scott, Leonard Sezov, Andrew H. Stephenson, Alfred L. St. John, John W. Suba, Jr., William B. Thomas, Jr., James J. Totero, Edwin H. Ulanowicz. Frederick F. Vering, Vernon L. WQl'Sl91', Douglas M. Williams, Edward E. Yourick. Marine quad piles up empty brass on a long target practice run Carrier flight declq makes an excellent drill ground 2O's manned and ready Captairfs Ordefly 145 ?, D V J W Ro , T. E. Fulton, H. H. Heaton, H. A. Daflin, W. A. Miller, TOP ROW: W. Laughlin, E. F. Flego, O. C. Wofford, G. Kravec, C. H. e oe, . . y W. T. Jimmerson, D. Casolari, R. La Barge, L. S. Strawn, R. P. Gleason. l THIRD ROVV: F. F. Ford, P. Feyh, R. R. Atkisson, D. Barelor, P. Delgado, R. L. Bowling, J. J. Jaworowsky, C. R. Harpool, F. J. Mahalik, F. P. Matis, P. A. Stubbs. D. O. Chapin, D. L. Stickney, C. R. Sapp, R. F. Reilly. I i a SECOND ROW: P. Boycan,, L. R. Blinke, D. L. Krainski, J. A. Dowdall, P. G. McKenna, L. C. Heighes, Lt. K. M. P razier, Gunner R. G. Allen, J. A. Matusek, M. Lara, R. J. Koch, I. A. Neugart, J. G. Weigel, W. G. Tippett. BOTTOM ROW: D. A. Ulm, C. G. Swanner, P. D. Maloney, D. F. Trimmer, D. L. Murch, S. N. Douville, G. E. Mosman, L. Valdez, J. K. Folven, T. L. Kosier, J. W. Ryan, G. F. MacDonald. All hands, man your battle stations! Men of the Sixth Division doubleftime to their directors which conf trol the movements and the rate of fire of the 4OMM gun mounts. The director crews consist of five men: the Director Cfiicer, Pointer, Spotter, Phone Talker, and 3rd Division lookout. The Director Officer gives the firing ordersg the Pointer tracks the target with the director and closes the firing circuit which fires the gung the Spotter puts in corrections for range and deviation in elevation and deflectiong and the Phone Talker relays firing orders received -from the Director Officer to the mount and reports any mechanical casualties incurred in Bring. Breaking out torpedo warheads Besides manning the directors at General Quarters, we also stand Condition Two and Three watches on them while in or near enemy waters. In Condition Two only one half the crew is on watch at a time changing off at four hour intervals. In Condition Three we man three starboard directors and two port directors. We have three different gangs in the division: QU The fire controlmen keep up the maintenance Of the directors and the electrical apparatus on the mounts. The mount must follow cvcry movement of thc director in order to hit the targct. In action two men stand by t0 make emergency repairs. QQ The gunner's mates arc in charge of the maga' 4OMM firing moans lircalqing out ammo from the mag fumes f Gill DIVI S IU zines and the Ship's Armory, where small arms are kept and repaired. When ammunition is taken aboard these men supervise its stowage and check the magazines daily to insure safe temperatures. They man linefthrowing guns when we are ordered alongside tankers, ammunition ships, and supply ships at sea. GQ The torpedomen maintain aerial torpedoes. Their cxf pression for this is making sure the 'fish' will have a hot, straight, and normal run. Routine weekly and monthly checkfups and adjustments include the oiling of working parts, preservation of exterior surfaces, and charging with proper air pressure. They are rather proud of the fact that once they prepared eight fish for the enemy in something like two hours' notice. We also furnish the ship's Guard Mail Petty Officer. In port it is his job to call for and deliver oiiicial mail to the Fleet Post Qfiice and other ships in the Fleet. We have two men on mess cook duty changing off approxif mately every three months. The newest seaman usually starts out as a mess cook. Also on the line are the compartment cleaners who are assigned in the same manner as the mess cooks. They keep our living quarters in Afl shape which inf cludes the scrubbing and painting of decks and bulkheads. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt. Cjgj D. A. Rudisill. MEN: Robert L. Adams, Nelson D. Bac-orn, John J. Bajor, John P. Bareika. Bruce O.Barnes, Georfre I. Bell, Matthew Belovarac, Eugene L. Berfl, Anthony H. Bordone, Raymond L. Bowler, Everett B. Breck, Jr., Herbert F. Brodie. James Brown, Albert H. Brunelle, Evan WV. Busse, William Campbell, Joseph A. Ca1'r, Dante Casolari, Francis A. Cassady, Richard J. Casfrriff, Charles R. Clay- ton, Leonard Cohen. James B. Crawford. Victor Devarney, Robert L. Dohenty. John A. Dowdall, John Ernerich. Jr.. Arthur W. Felton, Euirene H. Fueere. Raymond A. Fuller, Anthony R. Gallovich, Carl A. Carey, Sam Greco, Rowland R. Greene, Donald F. Gulelius, John Hanna, NValter V. Harrington, Harvey H Heaton, Fred W. Hensley. Charles G. Higbee. Richard K. Hunt, Joseph J. Ja- warowsky, Benton W. Johnston, John Karol, Donald E. King, Harold F. Kooken, William P. Koschuch, Rodney XV. Kuhn, Sr., Chartes E. Kushmeder, Harvey A. LaFosse, John Charles E. La Croix, William G. Lewis, John Mazurkiewicz, George R. McCoun, Joseph G. McDonald, Paul G. McKenna, Walter P. Miller, Charles W. Mooney, Santo S. Nardi. Bernard Nowak, Kenneth J. Peltier. James B. Powers, Michael Putira, Jr., Avery C. Putman, George Pyrch. VVarren C Reinecher, Robert E. Rennae, John Rhodes, Jr., Willard J. Rogers, Joseph VV. Roy, Bernard J. Salernoy, Eugene W. Scott. James W. Sheridan. Sidney L. Smith, John E. Sondey. Charles J. Solomon, Robert G. Spencer. John C. Stone, Daniel E. Story, Joseph R. St. Pierre, Max J. Strausberger, Frank L. Tucker, John G. Weigel, Solomon T. Williams, Melvin Young. On target Tin fshu gets routine maintenance in torpedo workshop Everything from bush knives to tommy guns-Armory Gunners mate shoots linefthrowing gun at destroyer 147 f M77 fm, fff ff A f , ff 1 ff Wfwjlf 4 f ,AMW fff 72 'f ffffd ' My W W f W f 1 W ' ffm I, . ,fm ff Y M W! C' X f OQZQZQZW f f ffzffn' Cf?4ff7f5 f 4' ff44777z ff! !2QMjf4 ff 1 fffffy 'f f , ff A f , f, f fn Q5 'ff W Q 92 W M W4 f , Mfg V4 40 wg H 'fffffffl gf 7 ,wf , ,ff Cn W .a , :,.,:5T, -Qc 1:.14zx-wig, -, ff ,, ,, ,ff ,.,, ! f ff ffff ,f fx' 172. ,132 A994 15+ K X Q i , . fkfg, via W 'Q . .K 11 'K' 'whim mamma . fs. - 1 3 f nfl.. 6 'Y' 42 ,,. ,. ,Wm wg , 2 X W TOP ROW: ChElec. G.Bzii'nes, Lt.. tjg5T. C. NVitte. ChMach. A. G. Ed- wards. Lt. ijgl R. B. Rathbun. Lt. tjfxl R. B. Tyler, Mach. D. J. Brussard. BOTTOM ROXV: Lt. tjgl B. NV. James. Lt. H. B. Vincent, Lt.-Cmdr. C. XV. Tippett, Jr., Lt. O. L. England, Lt. ijirb R. K. Reich. The Engineering Department is made up of four divif sions: A, B, E, and M, with a total wartime complement of about 230 men. These machinists, electricians, metalf smiths, watertenders, and their firemen strikers make up the third largest department aboard ship. The engineers' operational and maintenance duties range from the steer' ing engines aft to the anchor windlasses forward. The real job of the engineers is to keep the screws turning--operating the boilers, turbines, and auxiliaries that provide the main propulsion power of the ship. They kept the ship going during the two and a half years of wartime service, accumulating a mileage record of some 230,000 miles of steaming-over ten times around the world. In midf1945 occurred our longest cruise, a 72fday stretch in which the screws never once ceased turning. Over fifty percent of the original Engineering Depart' ment had never been to sea before. Few were qualified to take over the new watches they were required to stand, but the few experienced hands aboard taught their lessons well. The end of the war found these same ex' civilians holding down the top positions of chief, first class, and second class petty ofhcers. They are now the old hands who are passing their hardfearned knowlf edge on to the latest group of newcomers. N M ff ff x . ef as f-is 1, 'K .51 , .Y Y,,, , t -1 .I H ' 'H' f ' X, ,,.4, 1 :l..--.,.. . TOP ROW: Lt. A. E. Schooley, Lt. K. Shoemaker, Lt. N. S. Stafford, Lt. Cjgb R. W. Cummings, Ensl T. J. Scalese. BOTTOM ROW: Lt. fjgl W. C. Kenney, Jr., Lt. fjgj M. W. Hjalmar- son, Ens. M. Such, Mach. J. R. Martin. Mach. M. F. W. Donlon. 1 49 Q 2 2 3 isa' -Q we S xxx M WW y M Y-M-MQW-.mx Xxwv Q. N...-5-..x.,+-A 5 7 Zf if 24 Z ff ff? fy k Aff? , , wmv ' 1 fn 4 L5 ww W, ,fm va' f, ,f,,.,,.W,,f, , , ? f f,.,,, ,. ,M U f,,.,WW , W.Ww,. AW, W.,f,,fffMM,M,,,,,,f,0w.,40yWM H X K , f f ,4f'f,w,wfW,f.Wf,,f-fW.,fwvw.mMw.wM,.v. 4 Wwa vW,,Wf, f, , ,,.,Ww,,,,,,0 www, W ,f,., f ff f f 4 ax-Q38 x i xg, , :mg x My ax if sf w . ww b gk .mi W X gx 'ki Wir. X NNN N x Nix Y S ,ft 5 Q il 'S 3' ,F 'Q 3: X XqksQ!ij far? W if 5 N P 'ex , '- .I 'Q- f wh. fx' ' ' effl- f , - .w Q AR Q. x Q 552 a DI ISIU cooking, and cleaning purposes. Withriut this fresh water, it is obvious that the ship would not be an independent unit and would depend solely on water obtained from bases ashore or tankers. The motor machinists of the division take care of all Diesel engines. These engines are the source of power for the emerf gency generators. The motor whaleboats also have Diesel engines. While the ship is underway, the boat engines are removed, cleaned, and repaired, so that upon anchoring they are in operating condition and capable of rendering service at the forward area fleet anchorages. The division also boasts several refrigeration specialists who attend the ice machines and airfconditioning equipment. The ice machines produce the refrigeration for the huge ice boxes in which are stored fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats. Bef cause of these machines the oiiicers and men aboard the ship can enjoy good wholesome food of a wide variety while hunf dreds of miles at sea. The airfconditioning on board is kept in good operating condition by these specialists who conf stantly check and condition the equipment installed in Sick Bay, Ready Rooms, CIC, and other vital points. There have been in the A Division many specialists who, in civilian life, were among the best in their respective trades. These men have fallen in line with skilled regulars in forming a division whose efficiency and technical knowledge are typif cal of the presentfday Navy. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt. J. F. Bronson, Lt. Cjgl H. E. Hastings, Mach. B. C. Koegler, Mach. J. L. NVhitted. MEN: John W.Ahlgren, John J. Albrecht, Peter A. Aleck, Lyle L. Allen, Merle A. Anderson, John R. Armbruster. Melvin VV. Beaver, NVoodrow P. Beauchanys, Howard W. Belt, William S. Bennett, NVilliam E. Biddle, Edwin S. Bork, NVil- liam J. Browler, Melvin L. Bradshaw, Zilgnund V. Brazailis, Thomas P. Byrnes, William C. Carey, Jr., Curtis T. Christian, Jr., Earl O. Clymer, Samuel Danco, George C. Davidson, Linus G. Dauberger, Jr., John E. Davis, William R. Derr, Clarence L. Dimmick, Leonard G. England, Oscar L. Fritzwater, Robert F. Gar- land, Rothwell E. Gervais, John R. Humphreys, Thomas H. Jones, Carl B. Ho- gan, Ben Kimbriel, John C. Kitson, Donald V. Lucas, Frank J. Marchewka, Charles Marino, Alexander J. Martinkus, Ernest L. Maxfield, Joseph NV. May, Harold Albert Moeller, NVilliam O. Parker, Harmon B. Peal, William J. Pinkus, James A. Prin 'le Robert L. Ross Golden O. Seals Jose h F. Shays, James F. 8 , , i D Smith, Lee S. Sprinkle, Kenneth William Steadman, Bill Jay D. Talbert, Rich- ard W. Taylor, Michael F. Tiburzi, Paul James Trotta, Jr., Harry XValker. Johnny Walker, Hurbert Walsh, Robert M. VVeir, Perry NV. Wilson, Wul .I. Wise, Some of the finest machine precision worlq in the Navy is turned out in this shop Welding and hrazing are machine shop .sidelines One of the evaporators which supply all the fresh water for the ship Forward elevator gets its power from this hydraulic pump room 151 TOP ROW: G. V. Humm, G. W. Sisson, L. C. Zastoupil, J. R. Elliott, A. E. Kirchdoefer, J. E. Seaman, K. E. Burkert, H. Gutowski, S. A. Thompson H. E. O'Brien, H. Wilson, M. E. Bugg, H. G. Bartenhagen, E. F. Burgwald, N. B. Rosato. MIDDLE ROW: R. O. Kriss, N. L. Bailey, V. T. Hamlin, E. E. Estep, K. Schaffer, C. W. Parks, J. T. Penland, Mach. J. D. Brussard, Lt. Cjgl T. C Witte, Lt. Cjgl W. C. Kenny, A. L. Lynch, D. D. Rogers, L. E. Ortiz, A. R. Sprncer, L. D. Anderson. D. R. C. Snell. BOTTOM ROW: J. F. Floyd, F. Dreitlein, W. H. Boswell, J. F. Sharpe, W. F. Neidinger, W. V. Sevitts, G. R. Morgan, W. F. Rediske, I. F. Wenger W. B. Walker. TOP ROW: W L. Tong, J. C. Parker, Jr., W. D. Bradley, J. A. Williams, J. Ferguson, Jr., A. F. Newell, D L. Harris, J. L. Borst, A. S. Butler. Jr.. G. W. Johnson, R. L. Kaufman, M. V. Bolin. MIDDLE ROW: K. H. Rzesutek, J. E. Russell, J .D. Gueck, J. R. Sherbondy, J. T. Walkup, C. W. Parks, Lt. fjgl T. C. VVitte, H. J. Randall, D. S. Gardner, M. W. Waskul, H. R. Gicker, V. Henik. BOTTOM ROW: H. C. Schnupp, J. E. Zajac, R. G. Waters, J. J. Giardini, O. E. Craig, J. A. G.ramrnar, J. W. Ott, E. K. Haynes, S. Polmounter, R. A. Chadwick, P. A. Lomaglio. . 1 DlVlfIll. B Division is responsible for the care, maintenance, and operation of the boilers and associated auxiliaries. It might be said that the B stands for beginning, as all other units of the ship depend upon the initial energy originating from our boilers. Under way the watcrtenders and firemen stand watches on a four hour basis-four on and eight off. The iireroom perf sonnel stand by their gauges, pumps, regulating valves, and other stations, sometimes without a glimpse of daylight for a week or more during a tough operation. The operation and maintenance of the turbofgenerators provide power for electric lights, ventilation blowers, comf munication circuits, and the steering machanism. When the ship fuels, B Division rigs and connects fuel hoses, distributes the fuel oil, and then maintains the proper trim of the ship. In port, the idle boilers still hot from continuous use are torn open, and firemen wriggle through the small openings and manfholes to the insides of the firebox or steam drum. Then, in poor conditions of light and ventilation, these men proceed with the thankless ordeal of washing the steam drum, punching tubes, or scraping superheater tubes. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt. fjgl R. S. Chase, Ch.Mach. R.J. Giband, Lt. fjgl F. G. Watson. MEN: Dominic J. Abbatiello, Jacob J. Adolph, Lyle L. Allen, Thomas J. Am- brose, Oran L. E. Anderson, William J. Asble, Robert T. Babcock, James E. Bailey, Kenneth E. Ball, George J. Benetti, Julio Benitez, Andrew George Blair, Peter C. Bohenek, Merle V. Bolin, John L. Borst, Edward H. Brunnelle, Lyn- wood H Burch, Kenneth E. Burkett, Robert C. Callow, Jessee M. Carter, Rodolfo P. Castorena, Antonie J. Chavez, Sterling L. Cochran, Jr., Oliver E. Craig, John Cromwell, Harry R. Darde, Francis Drutbin, Marzilio D. Fantigrossi, Raymond F. Flower, Joseph A. Fritzi, Richard C. Goebel, George W. Gould, Harry Gutow- ski, Eugene G. Hanley, Thomas B. Hardt, Robert H. Healy, John Albert Hender- son, Elroy H. Hill, Cecil R. Hobbs, Edward J. Hodus, Ernest W. Huntley, Ewing Aubrey Jackson, Joseph W. Janes, Stanley J. P. Jenesky, Michael Jurich, Her- man Kaplan, Joseph B. Komosa, Richard O. Kriss, Chester E. Krieder, Jr., Mearl V. Lefller, Arthur Linn, Paul A. Lomaglio, Leonard F. Littlefield, Fernando A. Luizzi, George MacKerron, Joseph R. Martin, Grady W. McCarty, David May, Edgar B. McDaniel, Louis Mitnick, Tony F. Olivieri, Cyrus H. Osier, Frank W. Page, James T. Penland, Howard E. Pillman, Stanley Polmounter, John E. Preece, Gerald V. Pryor, Jr., Albert R. Spencer, Charles J. Spencer, Fred C. Rackley. James H. Ramsey, Paul L. Ramsey, Hans A. Rasmussen, Clarence Rei- mer. Laurence S. Rhodes, Jr., Roy H. Ring, Eugene F. Robertson, George B. Robbins, Everett Rodriguez, George F. Rogingski, Frederick P. Roland, George W. Sanchez, Jr., Willie R. Scaief, Frank B. Schmitt, William J. Schweizer. Joseph F. Sikora, Fernando B. Stevens, Simon W. Stewart, Gilbert J. Styskal, John W. Sutton, Byron B. Taylor, Howard Franklin Thompson, Samuel W. Thornhill, Michael A. Tomaino, Claudio A. Valitutto. John Vega, Tra M. Vlck. Jr., Raymond Gerard Waters, William P. Whitley, John A. Williams, Joseph Edward Zajac, Delbert E. Dyer. Air, fuelfoil, and burner control are main factors in boiler operation Checlqman controls water level in boiler with valve and gauge glass Pumping fuel oil to the boilers is a far cry from the coal and shovel hreroom days An exhausting watch schedule justihes sack duty for these engineer? Firernen punching tubes inside boiler during short visit to port 153 TOP ROW: J. F. Campise, C. T. Conroy, L. C. McCabe, J. W. Carroll, R. A. Schneider, D. E. Reinhardt, M. A. Schaeffer, C. R. Tillman, S. C. Suswal, J. W. Conroy, T. F. Ryan. THIRD ROW: T. B. Benson, F. J. Bomkamp, H. E. Howell, C. E. Sigler, J. T. Waldrop, G. B. Heath, J. B. Knoll, W. V. Aughavin, R. A. Taskinen. J. A. Kircher, J. V. Shanks. SECOND ROW: H. L. Searfoss, D. C. McDonell, A. Tellez, E. W. Israel, C. B. Harris, G. H. Wallen, ChF.lect G. Barnes, G. E. Sheard, J. F. Schneider. H. N. Howard, F. C. McDougle, L. J. St. Pierre. BOTTOM ROW: A. V. Taranto, C. W. Hughes, N. M. Gomba, B. W. Baity, S. R. Johnson, I. L. Hall, R. C. Titmus, S. H. Sefern, J. B. Erb, E. Humes. W. F. Misiewicz. The personnel of E Division are the ship's electrif cians. Their work includes the operating, maintenance, and repair of all electrical equipment with the excepf tion of radios, radar, and airplanes. This work brings the E Division in contact with every other division. i'Sparktricians'l know intimately almost every foot of the BELLEAU WOOD's 600ffoot length and nine deck levels with its hundreds of miles of wiring cables stretch' ing to every corner and compartment and the thousands of switches, motors, telephones, and other specialized equipment. The division is divided into four gangs, each with its special duties. fab The distribution gang operates and repairs the 4 main generators, the 2 distribution switchboards, and the 2 emergency Diesel generators. From these points Recharging batteries at the ' ci Taking ground rea ings battery charging switchboard Movie machines-number one morale builder on electrical circuits DIVISIU which produce the initial electrical power the electrician on watch controls the power output to the ship and distributes the current at 440 volts or llO volts to the thousand and one points where it is used. In addition these men are responsible for the various electrical equipment in the enginerooms and firerooms. fb, The I. C. gang takes charge of the ship's interior comf munication circuits. These include the ship's dial telephone system, the soundfpowered battle telephones, the announcing systems. It also takes care of the allfimportant navigation circuits and the gyrofcompasses. These functions are of parf ticular importance in wartime with the ships of the fleet op' erating in tight formations and in the dark of night. fcj The power gang, working from the Electrical Shop, maintains most of the ship's electrical circuits, motors, and other heavy machinery such as the airplane elevator motors, the steering engines, the boat winches, anchor windlass motors, catapult motors, and even the motors on the hundreds of fans throughout the ship. fdj The lighting gang work from the Battery Locker near the fantail. Their job is to keep the ship's thousands of lights burning and maintain a constant check on the various lighting controls which prevent light from showing at night during darkened ship . These men operate the flight deck landing lights when planes have to be brought aboard after sunset. The night of the Philippine Sea battle was one of the few times when landing lights were employed. In addition, as the name of the locker implies, the men keep the ship's and aircraft batteries charged and in repair. The following members of the Division were fletaclied before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Ens. R. E. Cutchin. MEN: Leon J. Adamski, Robert J. Ahern, Junior W. Arthur, Burgin W. Baity, Harry Bender, Junior L. Benson, Flarian J. Bomkamp, Thomas C. Brooks, Joseph Bubenick, William R. Clements, Coleman T. Conroy, John W. Conroy, Jr., William E. Dalton, John E. Dawson, Thomas H. Duncan, Roy O. Evans, Alfred H. Fenton, Ross E. Fesser, Jr., Nicholas M. Gomba, Kenneth C. Green, Charles E.. Hanson, Calvin B. Harris, Lyman C. Harris, Jim T. Hight, Raymond bJ. Hirsch, Eugene W. Israel, Sven R. Johnson, John M. Jones, Henry A, Klein, Harold M. Knight, John G. Knoll, William G. Lefferty, Russell E. Leighton. Joseph M. Martins, Albert B. McKie, John Nichiporchik, Chester A. Oss, Thur- man G. Pendelton, John J. Porwet, Daniel C. Reinhardt, J., Werner T. Reimen- Schneider, David G. Sachs, William A. Sauls. Marion A. Schaeffer, Hugh D- Qeckifliielz James T. Shannon, Gilbert E. Sheard, Maurlin R. Smith, Edwin G. Steller, Stanley C. Suswal, Berry L. Taylor, William H. Taylor. James Thane. 2-Sera H. Wallen, Richard A. Ward, Quetman E. Ward, Roman Yurek, Richard J. if e . Electrician distributes power from an electric control panel Testing cells in the Battery Locker Air-conditioned I.C. Room is liomevof all ship' board telephone and communication systems 155 W..-. MW.. MW-w,., -'wow f,.,,......-W wwf' UQLMWW ' wmWM4yM.f4wfw,wffw-Wf 1 10 1 ff,,,,,f,Mn,mWm,,,.,,,, ,,A.f,,,f,,ff f m.Ww.m.W,W fff www wwwww 52 M-,W-.W Y 1 J A, 1 J, 4 ,Q , ' Q, -- N Q xx ,I ,, Wgvz, , 5 if M, 4 my , . A ix f C , f 7' ,Af-fff kff,,?,9 , Lui 'f'i'f:-1' 5 F , W A Q ,X ' A W L1 f f' Z, , - :f - f f-1 4 9 f , ,Q I i 1 A . . .Q 5 ,f ,fx ,Ax ,Q ,LQ ,., x , ,XL . , X X x x X , - L.mf'fsMi- -, X 1 1. ,: 43 ,ffii,:'?, ? - -13-,. 56.394 3. 1 M - . . 2 fjjfjf-Qf ' 5- Y' ' 4- yfgfwkkyf, mfr' vm f-xfffgp 4 Ii va!-af , fp X 1- f 1 X V - -- X - .4.V,, , -.f,.?3 1. K E. , - V V - ' ,i-ff-.,x..l-gzwggg , '3,QN,: Q- Y .Ll L K , Q f ' ff Q ggf.,ff12.wx,f?g:g5 ' 2 ,is..s:f- Q V-ww , , 4 f 5, .qfvij rgxlx , ,5,, M .,lQ-,L Q WH-Q ..,... .. ,.,.,, . ,. ,... . N. , .,A,.. ...X , f ffm, f WWW! A.Wf..9.W,,.......Xw..,-ff-hw-0 xx .,,..-YN- DIVISIU lvl Division is charged with thc duty of operating and maintaining the ship's four main engines, their reduction gears, shafts and screws, and the various auxiliaries located in the engine rooms. The main engines consist of four turbine elements: the high pressure and low pressure turbines, the astern turbine, and the cruising turbine. These are operated by the throttleman who opens and closes the throttle valves, adjusting the speed of the shafts to the exact speed requested on the revolution indicator fcontrolled from the bridgej. Auxiliary equipment supplies water to the boilers, oil to the bearings, and maintains fire main pressure. Low pressure compressors supply air for various uses throughout the ship, and high pressure compressors build up pressures of SOOO pounds used in catapulting planes and charging torpedoes. There are approximately 60 machinist's mates and firemen divided into three groups standing four hours on watch and eight off around the clock, when at sea. Battle stations are in two groups: the engineroom watch and the repair party. The steaming watch in the enginerooms at times endured grueling conditions. Engineroom temperatures rarely dropped below 110 degrees in the Pacific, and many times these men had little or no relief for periods exceeding 30 hours. Two decks above each engineroom was stationed the repair party stand' ing by with special tools and equipment to take over in case of a casualty below. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt. Qjgj R. L. Helleekson, ChMach. A. E. Freeman. MEN: Roland H. Archamboult, Edwin F. Ambrose, Morris D. Auciello, Duffie M. Arnot, Elmer H. Ayers, Michael Baboval, Albert G. Barbato, Jack C. Bassler, John T. Bennett, Duane E. Berry, Henry T. Bever, Eugene I. Bergen, Winston C. Brown, John J. Brewer, Leo E. Burden, Edward P. Butler, George O. Can- field, Ross D. Carey, Charles F. Cotton, Frank J. Cimeno, Frank Collins, John A. Chassa, Frederick S. Clark, Alfred V. Conte. John P. Corwin, Leo R. Duddley, George A. Goders, John Havootunian, Daniel F. Hennessey, Arthur G. Heritage, James H. Hewitt, Walter Hilgers, Herbut E. Hillier, Edwin J. Hoffman, Glenn W. Houston, Rubel V. Hughes, VVilliam 'E. Ketchum, Anthony Kirechuck, George M. Klesch, John L. Kotlinek, Chester B. Laub, Carl F. Lepore, Paul E. Lewis, Edward L. Lockhart, Georgre VV. Maddox, Clarence F. Meskan, Wavil C. Nelson, Roger B. Nutter, George Pack, Dominick Paglione, James W. Patrick, Richard E. Rapp, William Reddick, Russell R. Reynolds, Morris Rose, Joseph A. Ruf, Harlod VV. Russel, Jr., Reynold W. Sapp. John J. Schreiner, Jr., Harry E. Scott, Joseph F. Sharp, Dalton D. Sheets, Russel M. Silance, Aleck F. Smith, Freeland L. Smythe, John J. Szajko, Sr., Robert T. Thomas, Maynard W. Wemes, Alfred N. Westerman, Elmer J. Wurthner, Jr., Henery S. Yahne, Frank E. Zygnerski. Chief machinists mate and helper take periodic gauge readings on one of the main engine turbines Speed of the ship is controlled from these main throttle valves Forward engine room air compressor gets close attention It takes two men on the main steam valves 1 1 ' H' .7 .,,,. M ,. .,,,,,,,. tiff, :- 'Vi ,P fi f Q! 17,-, . ii fu' 'I 1-M 21 f xg: , ,,.' vywfig ff V. ,gm , ' ' f ' M.- .g 1 -.gfaf ,af ,J V A gm ff' ' . U n-'ff-'.f if x .A A TOP ROW: Lt. ljgl E. NV. Muir, Lt.-Cmdr. J. D. H. Czirrnichacl, Ll. U25 B. VV. Johnson. BOTTOM RONV: Ens. L. M. XVhite, ChT'C A. 1-'v1'uncz. The Supply Department of a ship is the final link in a vast supply system, both civilian and military, that has accomplished near miracles in supporting combat forces. There was a day when a ship could replenish alongf side a dock. As the war progressed there were no docks, instead, stores were obtained from supply barges an' chored in a lagoon and transferred to the ship in a Higf gins landing craft. A good supply man soon became a good boatswain as well. In the final drive toward Victory, there was no time for a return to port. There then evolved the bumming technique of supply. Nonfcombatant cargo ships came to enemy waters to bring us food, clothing, and ship's store stock. Requisitions were made by dispatch, and we went alongside the supply ship to haul across our needs. This method of replenishment enabled our task group to operate off Japan for 72 consecutive days from july 1 to September 10. The function of supply does not stop with the obtain' ing of the stores aboard. There is food to prepare, and personal services to render. This requires a complement of six officers and more than 125 men, divided into two parts, the Sfl and SQ Divisions. is g fx , f Q rf.,-A' ' QQ 3 i ' !5x...Al - T4 Cla ci I t ' I Ci imes Lt S M Hess Lt. E. W. rm '. 11- USU -. lr' . - - ' - Lt. ijgj R. S. Coleman, Lt. 1.125 R. W. Braucr. 159 TOP ROW: J. J. Boasso, E. M. Thompson, C. W. Wesson, VV. L. Curry, .l. C. I-ini-dy, A. tf. Olwrli--s l A lit-ex-il A W I-' i er' ' I ,, , , . . .ll s, KN. Bone, F.H.Otf0, . , . 4 . Patterson, C. A. Fintllt'y,.l. l..'l'olln1rt, .l. A. t'linppt-llt-, t'. liniiwl, .l. l'. Cheney. THIRD ROWI1? ifiiiif Eiin1iihFi0Xi,EC. v. Immbtii-t, L. is. ixtmtliii, if. i.. xiao,-.-ii. .i. ic. cai., .i. ty xw '.- fi' fVT'WS 'm11n' G'J'Va Sant, W. W. Swinney, L. T. Beam, A. Iezzi, R. M. Knott, .l. W. Blalock, ll. ll. lloovt-r, .l. A. liizulrslinvt, W. 'l. llnwlons, H. P. Cater. I 1 SECOND ROW: A. Pastorello, D. P. Conley, R. A. Mitschke, R. D. Grnnath, .l. Outlaw, t'. .lon--s, S..l. .I uri-Avi it-v.. l'. A. th-nizis, M. Leonardi, Lt. Ui B. W. Johnson, Lt. tjgj E. W. Muir, Ens. R. W. Brauer, CPC. A. li't-rr-nt-v., S. A. li:il'lu'll, tl. ll. llielt, lt. W. Contlrn, A. tt. Carstens, G. - Dixon, W. T. Caffall, J. T. Masoner, D. N. Gandolfo. 7 BOTTO ' ' M ROYV. J. W. Causey, P. J. Aulwes, R. G. Cullman, VV. B. kt-lley. M. Pt-ninic-i, .l. CT. Nletloi-rl, M. la-one, ll. M. liiirton. J. C. Sehwellenbachi R. L. Moore, W. F. Elmore, R. L. Massuei, T. J. Comer, C. N. W -'fnt-r l' Iiwilt-x' I 4' W ' ' ' ' The Sfl Division is composed of a widely diversified number of rates and billets. A glance at the divisionis complement shows nine distinctly different rates: general storekeepers, disbursing storekeepers, laundrymen, taif lors, barbers, ship's cooks, butchers, and bakers. Most men wonder what similarity these jobs have that they should all be assigned to the same division. SERVICE is the answer-all these rates claim service as their bond of unity, service to the rest of the ship. A modern aircraft carrier requires a vast quantity and assortment of materials if it is to remain at sea in Hghtf ing trim for long periods. Provisions for a h must be available in sufficient cause men need re lacements in their sea ba s an ' -f g , a e quate supply of clothing and small stores . . . for varied climates . . . must be on hand. Shipis store activities ungry crew quantity and variety. Bef -the store gedunk stand l, ,h , , tai or s op, barber shop, and laundry contribute to the crew's health and welfare. Barbers fmd it a full time job . 1 - ta , . . ,, .. l . . nilvuiix, x's.1s.loisi.'tt-it-v.. All oflicers and incn incct the Supply Department OH PAY DAY! lt takes care ol' allotments, life insurance and Vxfar Bonds deductions as well as arranging payment for materials coming aboard. - Storekeepers are assigned to a wide variety of duf16S such as supervisor of storerooins containing thousartdS of articles ranging from rags and cleaning polish to in' trieate instruments and engine accessories: Pfflpfletor of Clothing and Small Stores: Ships Serx'iCC Operator? proprietor of the Fountain. Some storekeepers are YCSPOU' sible for property and monetary accounting in the Sup' ply and Disbursing oflices. The cooks, butchers. and bakers ply their trades on All twentyffourfhour basis, serving watch standers and Cllgl' necrs at midnight as well as regular memes. Prepafulg chow for over litltl men is a hard task, especialll' mud humid working conditions in the tropics. O11 21 Wplcal day the cooks and bakers use l2tlti pounds of 111033 1125 t, x .. - . - Q-I 1 ,'iess14'l1? to ,geep 1500 men wellfgroomcd .Sl-' 1 - ' . ' ' 'N A mm nd ,lit ltr xlitvf tltrt it HMI MP5 COOK-S -Slww fill -wma .wiiiory liriiitliworlg ll,.- --ei ir :ww M10 LITOU N llIVIfI0 pounds of bread, 1000 pounds of potatoes, 200 pounds of coffee, and 470 pounds of sugar to turn out three nutritious meals for a hungry crew. The Shipis Laundry maintains continuous roundfthefclock watches to provide the men in Beulah's life with clean clothes and uniforms. Professional haircuts are given by the five barbers, four in crew's shop and one in oilicers' shop. Pressing, mending, and uniform remodeling are handled by the Tailor Shop. The business in this activity usually skyf rocketed whenever the uniformfoffthefday was changed or port liberty was anticipated. Each member of the division has his place at General Quarf ters, be it a talker on a phone, a lookout, a member of a gun crew, or a standby man to make emergency issues during battle. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt.-Cmdr. H. T. Bierer, Pay Clerk J. R. Eikenberry, Lt. lj!! R. A. Felthaus, Pay Clerk J. E. Grove, Pay Clerk V. M. Hunter, Lt.-Cmdr. F. M. Ram- say, Pay-Clerk J. K. Richards, Lt. tie? E. H. Sore. MEN: Frank P. Acevedo, Jr., James E. Adams, Merwin L. Allirire, Guy S. An- gilella, Paul J. Avlives, Ray H. Barber, Stephen A. Barkett, James M. Barney, Russell N. Barnhardt, Jr., Charles A. Bauers, Richard Boone, John Botelho, Jr., Charlie O. Bouye, Sr., Hellis M. Burton, James B. Bush, James D. Byers, Jus- tave A. Carlson, Arthur C. Carstens. Joseph NV. Clark, Cornelius F. Cleary, Aime W. Coache, Henry H. Coager, Joseph M. Cook, NVilliam I. Corkum, John F. Costa, Verne W. Cowan, Michael YV. Cwikla, Robert D D'AQastiino, Thomas Daniels, Willis P. Davis, VVilliam F. Dee, Francis P. Defeo, Louis G. DeFilippo, Joseph D. DeLucco, Alexander O. DeMarco, James M. Dempsey, NVilliam W. Dimmett, Jr.. William C. Dirsch, Jr., Frank D'Orsie, Carl Dorris, Arthur D. Dudley, Anthony L. Durso. Robert S. Edwards. John R. Eikenbeiry, Irving T. Esty, Fred Exoo, Melvin H. Ericksn, Rene A. Taivee, Alfred M. Falese, Jack O. Fell. Nicola Ficara, Tony Garafalo, Henry J. Garrov, Joseph Goodie, Dominic Golini, Jack R. Gordon, Malcolm E. Greenleaf, Gene C. Guasconi, Donald D. Hamberger, Bernard M. Hanson, Harley P. Haskell, Frederick Heiser, Thomas M. Helton, John E. Houlehan, Vincent M. Hunter, Roy C. James, John J. Judge, Marvin J. Kamesh, John J. Kileullen, Ralph V. Kissell. John S. Koyla- kiewicz, Charles L. Krumm, William B. Kosciewicz, Joseph G. Landwehr, John F. Lasko, Mariano Leonard, Matteo Leone, Henry J. Lerczak, Robert V. Leveseau, Harry M. Lewis, Stanley C. Lorger, Lockett A. Lawrence, Earl J. Martine, Elton M. Matthis, James B. McBain, Francis J. McCullough, Herman A. Meyer, Paul Michaleson, Edwin F. Morgan, Gordon H. Murray, Jr., Roy F. Neilson, Michael H. O'Mara, Joseph J. Pacillo, James F. Papa, Anthony Pas- torello, Ellis J. Pender, Leo Penkaski, Anthony C. Pollio. John A. Prendergast. Anthony R. Qualtiere, Michael L. Robak, Frank X. Ruppert, Joseph Scan- dura, Jr., Roger W. Simmons. Anthony J. Skwarkowski, Hobart Slinn, Michael J. Small, William G. States, James C. Sunderlander, Charlie W. Thompson, Wil- liam E. Tierney, William L. Unger. Floyd J. Vernum, John E. Vint, Jean R. Weldy, Carl S. Wells. Ruben N. NVestrum, James L. White, William S. Wiley, John J. Woods, Robert J. Wright. All men desiring to be paid Small Stores has what Shipfs Service hasnt Launclryeeanother free service for the crew These bakers malqc plenty of dough fto eat! A --1127 pounds of hread are consumed daily 'iflcdiuilg' .stand one of the pleasant advantages of a large .ship 161 'F' T .5 . vi V . .al ...slr 4 G ,-,-...,...i-?- V..V,.V,,, . fix .,.,.3g: 'azz s ' TOP ROW: J. S. Melrose, E. L. Randolph, M. A. Hayes, C. Johnson, M. King, E. R. Jones, E. Morris, H. L. Jon es, R. Johnson, O.Clendenning, A. L ' g, C. J. F ld , J. R. H k' , M. J , W. E. McClure, T. E. Hawkins, R. L. Reid. THIRD 'RONV:0ll-'ll1Corpo1-al, eL.eTl'1'anklin, 2JllvD1.nCroon, Wafif, W. C. Cockrell, S. O. Smith, C. E. Clem, R. W. Johnson, VV. R. Joyner, W. J. Jones, J. T. Lunn, C. Murray, R. L. Lagway, R. F. Johnson, M. Jennins. I 1 SECOND ROW: S. Evans, H. L. Robinson, G. K. King, O. Mott, J. F. Johnson, C. F. Johnson, Lt. fggl R. S. Coleman, S. Scott, H. Washington, L. Warner L. Williams, C. Calhon, T. Jones, J. Johnson, Jr., C. Smith. BOTTOM ROW: U. 'G. King, R. M. Johnson, S. Charles, T. Chavis, R. Harrison. We are the men who serve the men who fly the planes. The Sf2 Division prepares and serves chow to the officers. The Wardroom Mess is an entirely separate unit aboard ship, divorced from the General Mess and the CPC Mess. Vv'e have our own galley and pantries, one for the warrant officers on the third deck, and one for the commissioned officers on the main deck next to the Wardroom. Cne of our stewards personally serves the Captain from his own special pantry. We have our own cooks and bakers who prepare everything from Spam to steak and soup to nuts in the Wardroom galley for the routine meals, plus special Captain's dinners, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and even Mog lvlog outings. The Sf2 entry was one of the most spec' Cur second most important routine task is that of taking care of the officers' rooms. Each of us is assigned about three rooms to clean and take care of the occupants' laundry. Cn strike days the SQ Division serves breakfast as early as 0130 and dinner as late as 2030. Although W6 don't actually fire any guns, we all have stations as' signed to us for battle. A nucleus of the division re' mains in the Vv'ardroom to prepare and serve battle rations and to keep coffee going. Cf course, being all fenced in by closed hatches, we often wonder what is going on topside and wish we could be of more direct help to gun crews and the airdales. The remainder of us are assigned to repair parties and battle dressing sta' tions to help 'ibutton up the ship felose watertight do0rS and hatchesl and to stand by as stretcher bearers. Thy laws ltllgcd this one- 1J l . w - . ' . v acu ar teams m the volleyball tournament C,uL1,171g LLC yfrfgfppfy, 1m,d,ml Mkt. lm Ulmmgt. m the ptmm mf. .fr .gi 1, i . i l i l l l l l l l 1 3 W6 DliISlll Like every other division aboard ship we have watches to stand. The watch boy maintains fresh coffee in the VV'ardroom and keeps the Wardroom tidy, the dishes washed and cleared away, and the tables set for the next meal. Usually one or two stewards mates are assigned to run the Cigar Mess under the supervision of the Cigar Mess Treasurer. The Sf2 Division has many other incidental tasks and duties such as keeping the Wardroom clean, carrying food or coffee up to the 0HicerfoffthefDeck, and, of course, keeping our own living quarters ready for inspections. Our boxing team claims some of the best fighters on the ship in the different weight classes. -3- Y- 'fir ug-3X p -' lgife-ia-auf.--af lAQ'g,,,: ' -' J W Tv- 11,1 gt, I 'I sei -z' ' rl, - x U' s1 'T 1 i 1 sw, Waae cg .pa. g'wffQQa.i N is i, ,-, ' C' ' 4-JS, f i f I Tw .1 or 5 ., nffQJ dfxmwii . c ,, , gfigliw, . Q X X ,LN fy H 1- Q - 'Q l .U M. 'il X !.!..7L.37 tgps 3 2. f TQ' N 'N ' 'by-V317 AL I V f , I, .QT d,mtgAJl5kpfL,w f v f7!f if 'ffff cv f l 'lfi' X39 ' by Robert NV. Johnson, Stewarcl's Mate lc The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: Thelbert F. Allen, John H. Alston. Peter Badie, Jr., Central E. J. Barra, Charlie Barrett, Hatson Brewer, William M. Brooks, Colbert Calhoun, Willie H. Calhoun, Joseph M. Clark, Charles E. Clem, Otis Clendeningf, Otis Collins. Sexto Custaflo, Robert Brayton, Rocky V. Finch, Lonnie Flemming, Anthony Fontes, NVilly, L. Fowler, Arthur Gibson, Andrew Glosson, Clifton J. Gully. James NV. Helm. Chester F. Johnson, Melvin S. Johnson, Samuel Johnson, NVillie R. Jones, Durral A. Hanna, William A. Harvey, VVill Hasting, Jr., NVilliam N. Hurd, Alex M. Kendrick, Mettie R. Keyes. George King, Jr., Ulysses G. King, NVillie D. King, Frank B. Laws, Thomas Mack, Hubert McAfee, Charlie McDaniel. John Mc- Vaughn, Edward Morris, Vernon P. Mortise. Wendell W. Moss, John H. Mot- ley, Cyrus Napier, Will M. Noles, Willie B. O'Neal, Robert L. Reid, Luke Rich- burg, Henry L. Robinson, William N. Rozier, Jr., Alfred Sharp, Solomon Sim- mons, Dorsey Smith, Henry Washington, John A. Wells, Willie Howard NVi5I- srins, Jr., Arthur Williams, Clarence Williams, Fred W'illiams, Jr., John Alfred Williams, Roy A. Williams, Soleman N. Williams, James NVilson, Joseph Wilson, William R. Wilson, Joe C. Winder. Picnic on the Isle of Mog Mog johnson-eboss in the wardroom When the Air Group is aboard, the wardroom has to cope with two sittings at each meal ' Stewards mates relax on the side porch Over this serving table goes the food prepared in the wardroom galley 163 wwyw f A . ., . - ' V ' -. A I ,L:,.L., , A ,. , , V . -Q . 5 , 1 . w . . 1v,?,Q.,3'y: 'g ' v 5 2 ' I f . ,.y.-- . .4 -hun -P 2 :?S',:?4:. , 1:5 rf: AI ' Nm 1..' ww. .W , l 3 in I D 135. I I W nr jf , X + Q g,fQQ5w.,:gQg:1 'V '- ' , ' 6 2 5 . 1 vt ' n ' C ,Sli . 2 55' .0 4 3 . v. rn.. ,. .lf . .gl M ' '1 ' Y 4 1 ,Q Q 'Q 0 s T ' ,+ , y.. if ' . .u.s.cvn.,.., ,fu-'f.a,,.:.:.uL-4g.u.-1-. , A.. e...,41-fc' ' w..ff'n'!s?'1.r-'Q' if A TOP ROXY: Rus. L. Morrison, Lt. tjgj N. J. Matihecs, Ens. C. M. Lotti-ill, Ens. J. Kelley, Ens. H. C. Green, Rdolfllec. J. R. Lovett. BOTTOM RONY: Lt. kjgb R. R. Cook, Lt. Ljgl I .-X.1 1'anz, Lt.-Cmdr. J. H. Allen, Lt. V. C. Horr, Lt. G. J. Braun. The Communication Department is divided into two groups: Radio and Visual Signals. Radio is the link the ship maintains with all other ac' tivities ashore and alloat. On a carrier, radio plays an important part in maintaining contact with the ship's aircraft. The radioman on this important circuit must he alert at all times, for just one garbled word can some' times mean serious trouble. ln addition to the radiof men who guard the circuits, there are radio technicians who keep the equipment in working shape. The signal force while under way is responsible for visual communication with the Task Group and in port for communication with the shore activities and all the ships in the harbor. This is done hy flashing light, flag hoist, and semaphore. The signalmen are excellent look' outs and aid the OfiiccrfoffthefDeck as such in addition to their signal duties. All activities of the department function under a Communication Watch Officer, this duty being rotated among olhcers assigned to the Department. Each officer is a specialist in communications, having completed a training course period prior to duty afloat. These off iicers encode and decode the ship's highly classified traH'ic. 4 . . 'W .. H f C ,ge , ,yzzw ,MQ ,vw lv ,,9,M, My I. ,Wy . .,,, , Wig' , . -1 T ' ,, 5 , Z f -. .-3 11 4 ,. ' V bffuf We f f A 'lf' ' ' 1 2041 fifuf f' 1 ,,,.'.f 'Z'zW7iL M, Ha, f-.f . ,V , ,,, , !,.,,,.,,W77W,,QW7 .,,,,2 ,,f7Z. ,, ,.y.,,,,,,.,,Z1,.,,.!7,7 7. fn, .,,.7,,,Y77yyWW ,MX f Z4 , 4 'f.,f,,ogf7f!f' 4 fa . f f f if wwf any 44, ff,ZfQf 4 ww, I W, ff myf . 3 ' ' r f f Wff Z',f'9fff .4 'Y' '4 A X! f -,' L f fp '!'!! l f ' 4 f 24 ' F2519 'VXI' 9 W f.. f' 2 '. f 5? do 3,.ff :.w fy 7' if f , 5 f .- fam fm 2 , , 0 Q, ,,,! f .. , ,,., , ,, , , K J ,y Z ffm 4 . aff T TOP ROW: Lt.-Cmdr. V. T. Low, Lt. C. R. Cambron, Lt. R. J. Nolan Lt. S. G. Gallu. BOTTOM ROVV: Lt. fjgzj H. F. Schwartz, Rd0Elcc. G. A. Nelson, Rdo- Elec. E. T. Maguire. 165 ., . semi '14 TOP ROWV: E. Kelljcheain, J. Molina, D. T. Jack son, C. D. Bailey, H. E. Vaughn, L. L. Douglass, G. R. Gordon, R. T. Kennedy, B. E. Behrends, R. C. Jones, R. M. Canibell, A. D. Marsden, G. B. Ferrick, W. B. Modra ck, T. K ll MTDDLEROVV: J. P. McDonald, S. N. Lawent, R. V. Rush, B. J. Beuchter, C. E. Lindne C. L. Stapleton, Lt. fjgl R. R. Cook, D. WV. Mitchell, A. C. Wal- sted, A. F. Hines, R. E. Mills, A. V. Vasen en, R. J. Chronister, A. G. Cata ch, B. H. Huytt. d BOTTOM ROVV: M. VV. Kennedy, P. W. Junda, P. E. Dannehold, J. P. Brown, E. E. B rlcs, G. R. Porter, M. L. Lunceford, H. L. Schneider, R. S. Rob- inson, VV. L. Lyons, E. L. Solada, B. G. Duke THE COMMUNICATION OFFICE IS THE ONLY LINK WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD X THE RADIOMEN COPY THE MESSAGES AS THEY ARE BROADCAST IN MORSE CODE AND MANAGE TO SEPARATE THE DOTS AND DASHES FROM STATIC CAUSED BY ALL KINDS OF ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS AND ENEMY INTERFERENCE X EQUIPMENT IS KEPT IN OPERATING CONDITION BY THE RADIO TECHNICIANS X OF ALL THE EVERYDAY ROUTINES THAT WE HAVE COME TO EXPECT AND RESPECT RADIO THREE'S MUSIC RATES A PLACE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST X THE FREE HOURS FEW AS THEY MAY BE HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH A SWELL VARIETY OF MUSIC PROVIDED BY OUR TECHS AND PIPED THROUGHOUT THE SHIP X THEY OCCASIONALLY PICKED UP RADIO TOKYO AND CUT THEM INTO OUR CHANNEL X THE WORLD SERIES FOP ROW: D. A. Hawkins, R. W. Cross, L. G. Nolen, R. E. Martin, B. R. Jackson, C. J. Gary K. G. Wallace, J. Sakmary, K. Daniels, A. B. Hamilton, R. L. McSherry, R. Daley, W. P. Cowhey, W. R. Prigel, R. W. Nard, J. Hill. MIDDLE ROW: VV. Wade, J. B. Brugman, F. R. Christ, R. E. Bagnoli, S. A. Ballinger, L. C Kxllhani, W. L. Cook, Ens. E. J. Kelly, J. F. Myers, V. J. Mikulski I. J. Lazar R. VV. Schneider C. D. Baile G. E. Hafren C. L. Malia G. F. Adam I I I yr C- 1 Y- S- BOTTOM ROW: Hubert Hall, E. B. O'Donnell, Homer Hall, A. W. Schenfield, A. Richek, M. D. Huntress, C. Varga, R. N. Chambers, C. B. Bryant. W. J. Hogan, F. H. King, J. A. Kilroy. D. H. Crews, P. J. Lochert. l I I l I 1 . I . fwwnnw.. sl .aw 5 w,z,.w,,aa. a. ,.....g. DIVISID. AND OUTSTANDING FOOTBALL GAMES WERE PICKED UP DIRECT FROM THE STATES X THE FULL TIME OF AT LEAST ONE MAN IS DEVOTED TO OUR DAILY NEWS PRESS X ALTHOUGH OUR QUOTE DAILY DISAP- POINTMENT UNQUOTE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ANY COMPETITION FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES FEW PAPERS WERE EVER MORE AP- PRECIATED OR MORE THOROUGHLY READ X ANOTHER PART OF K DIVISION IS THE SIGNAL GANG X THEY WORK TOPSIDE IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER AND ARE DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO ENEMY ATTACK X THE CORRECT READING OF FLASH- ING LIGHT AND THE PROPER INTERPRETATION AND ANSWERING OF FLAGHOIST SIGNALS ARE IMPORTANT IN MANEUVERS OF A TASK GROUP X ON THE DAYS WHEN THAT LONG AWAITED FOR UNCLE SUGAR MAIL ARRIVES THE NAVY MAIL CLERK IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR MEN ABOARD SHIP X THE MAIL CLERK CANNOT REST UNTIL IT IS ALL DISTRIBUTED AND THE SHIP'S MORALE HAS BEEN INCREASED 100 PER CENT X The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt.-Cmdr. V. J. Cheek, Lt. G. B. Fazzi, Lt. A. E. Magrish, Ens. R. E. Good, Ens. R. T. Kesncr, Ens. R. M. Steele, Ch. Radio Elect. L. R. Over- street, Radio Elect. W. P. Miller, Ship's Clerk A. A. Sanfillip. MEN: George F. Adams, Jr., James C. Allen, Blayne L. Asher, Francis J. At- tardi, Clarence R. Baldwin, William P. Bancr, Maurice H. Banes, WValter F. Bau- man, Bernard E. Behrencls, Gerald G. Bennett, Stanley E. Bergenin, Ralph K. Bernhardt, Norman E. Biladeau, Charles A. Binkowski, VVilliam R. Boardman. Lawrence J. Bois, Aubrey H. Booth, John NV. Box, Bruce Brake, Howard I. Bur- ton, Arthur G. Catanach, Rocco Cavaleri, Joseph J. Chille, Andrew C. Clark. Clifford E. Cobb, James E. Collins, Breck Combs, Arturo Corral, Ralph G. Cox, Charles E. Cupstid, Hershel Daley, Gerald H. Day, Joseph L. De Fina, Albert P. De Gutis, Carlo De Marco, John P. De Vivo, Martin Edelheit, NVelton Esk ridge. Gerald M. Feeney, Donald Follett, Melvin H. Gieser, Joseph W. Grygarewicz, Harvey F. Gurley, Homer Hall, James P. Hartnett, Clarence E. Hash, David A. Hawkins, Austin,F. Hines, William J. Hogan. Harry L. Howard, Polete L. Hoyt, Bobbie R. Jackson, Edward Kelljcheain, Matthew W. Kennedy, Joseph A. Kilker, Jr., John H. Klinger, Edgar F. Knapp, Robert E. Kohles, Lawrence E. Kohler, Richard V. Krippens, Thomas Kurilla, William C. Lane, Kenneth M. Larsen, August L. Lavenstein, Samuel N. Lawent, Adolph Lewin, Ivan R. Lid- dell, Albert F. Lutz, Arthur D. Marsden, Reginald E. Martin, Edward E. Mayo, George J. McGovern, Robert E. McKenna, Robert V. Miles. Julius C. Mingarelli, Oral W. Mitchell, Harold A. Moeller, James J. Moynihan, Theodore W. Myers, Jr., Robert W. Nard, John J. Osterman, Victor Paolini, Peter F. Paul, Clyde C. Pearce, Jr., Casimir J. Potutkiewicz, Raymond B. Prell, Cecil A. Rams- dell, Frederick H. Ringer, Donald D. Ripley, Alan D. Roberts, Robert C. Robin- son, Arthur A. Roy, Earl D. Ruff, Vernon 0. Ruff, Walter J. Sarnicki, Alvin W. Schenfield, Harry L. Schneider, William A. Schreck, Stanley Schultz, Donald E. Seefried, Clarence E. Setchell, Edward H. Shaw, Marcus A. Shellenberc. Webb Simmons, John S. Sladick, Donald L.Smith, Philander B Stiles, Alvin E. Swan, Alfred B. Swanson, Louis Szalkowski, Irving Tarchis, Richard W. Teague, Theodore M. Tucker, William E. Van Gelder, Wayne E. Vanselow, Wil- liam J. Wade, William J. Walker, Herbert L. Wallenbeck, Jr., Page C. Warfield. George H. Warren, Jr., William T. Waters, Edward A. Zaleski. Signal gang relays a message from the flagship by blinlqer Radio III turns out music for the ship day and night 'The most important communications of allf Post Office clistributes Uncle Sugar mail Execute!', Signal flags snap down from the yardarm Radio Centralgstaff of radiomen work 24 hours a day .sending and receiving 167 HULL Nw Q . . fi' J. r 5 if .' X A FOP RONY: Ens. S. B. Lailil, Ens. J. F. Mellon, Ens. .I. R. XYilhv.'lm, Ens. D. NV. Kennedy. Chliosn G. l.. 'l'hon:ps.m. ciill'll. C. E. McLean. BOTTOM RONV: Lt. ljgl S. R. Alexzinder, Ll. C. E.G1-een, Umilr. l . li. NVexel, Lt. A. N. Krueger, Ens. H. R. Chandler. The functions of the Hull Department are threeffold: QU General maintenance and repair work is accom' plished under the direction of the First Lieutenant by the members of the R Division, supervised by the Repair Off iicer and the Ships Carpenter. In the Shipiitters and Carpenters Shop anything from ventilation ducts to air' plane wheel chocks are fabricated. In addition to the manufacture of items there are many jobs such as: ref pairing leaks in piping systems, the flight deck, voids, and tanks, maintaining auxiliary iire pumps, the anchor windf lass, and other auxiliary machinery, and the inspection and cleanliness of ventilation systems. Q21 Damage control. Fire is the greatest threat to carf riers, and a complete knowledge of all types of firefiightf ing equipment and techniques is necessary. It is the job of damage control organization to determine limits be' yond which water and damage will not pass and to grad' ually push back these boundaries. Complete knowledge of the location, use, and function of all doors, hatches, valves, and lines is vital for security. Q31 The coordination of routine sliip's work by all departments includes the supervision of the ship's ap' pearance with regard to cleanliness and preservation, seamanship and rigging, the selection of working parties, responsibility for life saving equipment, the care and operation of ships boats, the supervision of fresh water rationing, the berthing of all oflicers and men, and the allocation of stowage space to the various departments. , ,WC ,l . KN ' f ' ' f f Qi. ' Eff, f 3 ' ,r ,f X' 'ff' ' f, N ff lv if yn'-. ' ,r Q I . MV, 1 Q., V 7 .5 1 f ' ,f 2, Y 1 I .f Wh., . , fi , 755471-. ,f 1 441' , ,ep mf-6 1 ,pf ,. f 14-fy . X l ill j t f , 'fi 92 ' X l eff' ff QM 1- f 4' y':effg21 rf., fig, f , f M. 4 f f, - 1 , .. ffwwff f, fe . , . imzi A' . 'T y f if .3 ,f ' - 1' I A -0532 I 575, 27 ,gg . 55 if if, , 5 . L5 , , , 1 4 I I- ,. 4, ,f f ' Y ' . E istein. Ens. N. E. Leach, Lt. tjrrl J. VV. Dismukos, Lt. W. F ut. E. I. r . Gutter, Lt. tjgrp W. O. Parr, Carp. R. Beasley. TOP ROW: L. H. Sammons, C. E. Burke, M. D. Rogers, C. Miles, H. Hall, L. R. Clark, T. E. Alford. R. D. Williams, E. R. Barker, G. L. Hill, D. A. McClure, J. A. Jacobs, T. P. Nordloh, E. J. Ham, O. C. Philips. MIDDLE ROW: W. M. Midkiff, V. D. Rice, E. J. Kuehn, B. A. Nave, W. Chadwick, E. A. Whitman, K. T Keller, W. A. Varnell, R. O. Sprague, R. A. Mills, A. B. Mitchell, F. Read, C. L. Atkins, M. Mitchell. BOTTOM ROW: V. Rogers, J. G. Ha R. D. G ' E yes, uyei, . C. Powlowski, P. Lanza, W. C. Brady, A. Blanchette, Ens. H. R. Chandler, Ens. J. R. Wil- helm, Carp. G. E. McLean, C. R. Kristanic, A. F. Corn, A. R. Tarpley, H. Washington, L. G. Weist, K. Hatfield, G. O. Osmun. The men in Rv Division are the carpenters, painters, plumbers, Welders, and general handymen of the ship. Each man in his daily routine builds gear boxes, brackets for new pieces of equipment and many other gadgets which make somebody's Work a little easier. The Boatswain's Locker, destination for all who need line, canvas, blocks, tackles, chain, and other items ref quired for fueling, scraping, and painting is part of R Division. The Paint Locker is in charge of the ship's painter. A small but essential compartment is the Carbon Dioxide Transfer Room where a man on full time duty checks and refills the hundreds of hand fire extinf guishers placed at handy intervals throughout the ship. Watertight integrity is maintained through constant Deck crash requires patchingfup job by the carpenters checking by R Division men who stand security watches. A regular patrol moves through the ship to inspect hatches and fittings in search of leaks and cracks, this patrol also checks on the condition of repair lockers which are scattered throughout the ship making tools of every description, fireffighting equipment, shores, blocks, and lines easily accessible for emergency repair work and firefighting. Reports of leaking water mains, defective pumps, venf tilation blower failures in the fan rooms, casualties to flushing systems in the heads, light leaking out at night, broken ladders, doors, or hatches: all such reports are made to Central Station where a man is always on watch to take the reports and see that they receive the prop' er action. Central Station--damage control is directed from here with the aid of diagrams, charts, and indicating devices .6-,- NSW. .Kiwi 1 UIVIQIU As general rcpairmcn R Division members turn to at all hours of the day and night to unstop a drain, repair a leak in a tire main, weld a broken brace or damaged catwalk, or seal a light leak which is betraying the ship on a dark night. Wheiiex'er a plane makes a nosefover landing there usually are several planks on the flight deck for the carpenters to replace. During Ceneral Quarters the First Lieutenant an sistants are in Central Station and are responsible for mendf d his asf ing and controlling damage occurring in battle. They are in constant communication with the bridge and other parts of the ship. This station is a maze of controls, including telef phone switchboards, fire signal boards for all magazines, conf trols for flooding these magazines, and a few instruments of navigation such as the main gyro compass. Battle stations of R Division men are the repair lockers, each of which has a squavvkfbox connected with Central Station and the other repair lockers. Damage is reported to Central Station which notifies the nearest repair lockers and directs the firefighting and damage repair by the repair locker parties. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Cmdr. R. R. Lyons, Lt. T. L. Horner, Lt. H. Kaye, Bosn. S. J. Le- narski, Lt. G. W. McFetridge. MEN: Bivin O. Abbott, NVilliam P. Ahern, NVesley L. Arwood, Charles R. Bal- lard, Linwood R. Barlow, Thomas B. Barnes, Sidney S. Basinger, Burl T. Bates, George Blankenship, Melvin F. Bullock, YVilliam M. Cagenek, William A Cargile, Joseph Carlucci, Joseph H. Cascarino, Armand E. Blanchette, Wesley C. Brady, William E. Chadwick, Clarence V. Clark, Jr., Everett F. Coers, James M. Collins. James B. Cowart, Sr., Albert C. Cox, Cincent J. Cupuwich, Peter Delliquanti, James W. Dodd, Michael G. Fannick, Laverne S. Farncomb, Frank C. Forsyth, Frederick J. Fox, Fred K. Frantz, Horace G. Freeman, Robert D. Gale, Thomas J. Gallagher, Anthony Gambelli, Charles H Gartner Lawrence J Gill N . . , . ey, as- cienzio M. A. Grande, Robert D. Guyer, Sandy G. Halbedier, Douglas Hill, Thomas? Hilo J I H if . s n, ames . u man. C. C. Hughes, NValter E. Jaques, Martin J. Jarosz, Louis J. Johnell, Jr., Arthur W. Johnston, William S. Jones, Walter J. Kazerierski, Russel E. Kelley, Gerald P. Keagh, George M. Kennedy, David M. Kingery, James P. Koisa, Philip Lanza, George F. Lawrence, John W. Laycock, Thomas A. Littlejohn, Jr., Clyde A. Lucore, Otto E. Mangless, Frank D. Man- ning, Edmund J. Markt, Jr., George J. Mainick, Clarence C. Martel, Melvin E. Mess, Jared C. Millan, Samuel NV. Miller, Jr., Milton E Missman, Carleton H. Moffit, Horison O. Moore, Joseph Myzykowski, Louis Gi Nanio, Bruce A Nave, Arie O el K th P ' ' p aar, enne ayton, Edward C. Pawlowski, Raymond E. Parnell. Wilfred C. Riley, Carl Rodatto, Lyman A. Shelton, John J. Skelton, Peter S. Smerno, Cecil Smith, Sidney Sommer, Stanley J Swiecki Howard B Swing, Eugene F. Taylor, William O. Terrill, Anthony Pi Versage, William Ward fhomas F. Weaver, Charles S. West, Herbert A.NVigg'ins, Myron D. WVright, l The Boatsiuairfs Locker Cruise boxes and storage cabinets are turned out daily in the Carpenter Shop Sliipftter Shop blaeksmitl1s forge a piece of round stock One of the jive repair lockers located stratef igirally Lliroicglmut tlie ship for damage control l7l TOP ROW: S. M. Cann, E. V. Rosenthal, S. Frye, M. T. Enright, D. G. Hanson. D. D. Condon, H. L. Kendall. MIDDLE ROW: R. G. Kennedy, L. Reedy, J. Harper, W. J. Foran, J. F. Gaughan, Ens. VV. W. Baines, Lt. G. Creyke, G. D. Morrison, R. B. Martin, F. Klayda, D. W. Welsh. BOTTOM ROW: R. L. Jones, W. Dcniston, J. P. Mahoney, P. J. Bower, A.T. Trujillo, H. Ferguson, J. D. Baker. The Navigation Department is one of the ship conf trol departments, the other being the Engineering Def partment. lt can be said that the Engineers give the ship mof tion, and the members of the Navigation Department give direction to the motion. The Navigator, the head of the department, is im' mediately responsible for keeping the Captain informed of the ship's position and, when the ship is operating singly, for determining and recommending to the Cap' tain the track to be followed, noting aids and hazards to navigation. This is one of the smaller departments or divisions on the ship in number of personnel, consisting of but twenty men: quartermasters, quartermaster strikers, two ship's buglers, and a yeoman. For hundreds of years the sextant has The smile can mean only one thing- The Navigator- been used to determine ships' positions quarterrnaster plots course to Uncle Sugar Lt.fCmdr. R. E. Patterson D IVI S I U The Assistant Navigator is the Division Cfiicer. First, to all land lubbers, a quartermaster in the Navy is not in charge of storerooms, refrigeration, or issue of underf sides stand watches. However assisting the Oflicer offthef Deck as a quartermaster of the watch is the most imporf tant job. We keep a watch notebook in which we record course and speed changes, routine reports, temperatures of the magaf zines, fuel and water consumption, weather conditions, engineering data and unusual occurrences. From this note' book the Ofiicer of the Deck gets his information for writing the smooth log. The quartermaster on watch also keeps the zigzag plans and steaming data board up to date supplies lights for the pelorus, a flashlight or a stadimeter for the Gfiicerfof thef Deck, and keeps the conning bridge in a tidy condition. The steaming data board referred to is located on the bridge and carries information on who the guide ship is, the base course N L C3 C, . wear. And secondly, to you salts , we do a few things be' , , 3 3 and speed, cruising disposition, formation axis, time of sun' rise and sunset, time of moonrise and moonset, direction and force of wind, and miscellaneous facts of importance. And it is the quartermaster of the watch who stalks around in the wee hours of the morning with a flashlight waking up the watchfstanders' reliefs. But the one detail of our daily work which has higher value than any other is performed by the strikers in the divif sion. All the credit in the world to those who have conf tinually kept gear in the Auxiliary Chart House for our inf dispensable CfOfFfFfEfE ! The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: OFFICERS: Lt. tjgb T. E. Hackett, Lt. fjgl C. W. Meshier, Ens. R. E. Burgin. MEN: Charles R. Bagrlin, Donald E. Bourane, George M. Branton, Lawrence H. Canfield, Jr., Donald D. Condon, John M. DeFusco, Edward P. Fiocco. Raymond E ' F n Albert S Gillian lack R Hai ei John F Gau han, . Fox, William J. ora , . , - - 'D '. - 3 Thomas F. Hill, Albert D. Imperati, Martin R. Jankoski, Jr., John J. Johnston, Frank Klayda, Jr., Alfred J. Laime, Jr., Richard W. LaLonde, Richard P. Lane, Elwood F. Littlejohn, James P. Mahoney, William G. Marandola, Robert D. Ma- son, Charles R. Nugent, Harris L. Pair, Warren G. Price, Maxwell H. Robb, Theodore W. Thannhauser, William H. Turner, Vaughn C. Watson. Colors Steaming close alongside a tartlqer requires great skill on the part of the lielrnsman Quarterniasrer on watch checks the cllidudc on the conning bridge 173 fm EDIC fx , 2 Wwfmm W , ,' 152 I fx, fMf m.,l , ,W 1 f' K vc , fA,wQ:-- we 1, 21' .f,.,,.0.,,,,Ww,.,,,,,.,,, fum1fw,Lm0wf,f,,ww1 1,0 ' ' MM 1 1 W, ,,,, 4, L if I B 2 ri . L ffffffvff ff' HW ff.-,WH ff WW W WywfffwfmwWWW,,,f,,,f, ,f,,,,, ,,, , WW ,,,,,WWWWWaf.,,,.W,,.,,N,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,.,,,W,Wm.W,fmffff.,W,,,.,W,.,,WW,,,,,N,,,,,,,,,,,,,.,,,,.v,f,..W, ,W ,f,.,, Mm ,,M,,y.,f,w,.N,,.,,-W, M,.,,,,,,,f,-f,,,,,fWW1WWw,,f,,,.,,, ,,,f,,.0,,f,.wf V , , f MMM fff- f ff- fwfffwv Ww,,ww,W,,,,WA.,.W,4,fwf,,' MM ,,W,,Wf.,, ,.,, , f, W f my 1 ,M ,.,,f,..,,f,.w,,N,.V,.,,,,,,f ,,.,N.,,,,.,.,,,,W,,,,,,, .WA W, W,f,f,.,f,wm.,M.vAmfZvw, '4 ' ' L? 5' f qw., L , F 6 sent to the Laboratory for analysis to aid the doctor in makf ing a correct diagnosis. All necessary clerical work is per' formed by the Cilice' supplies furnished each section are ob' tained from the well stocked Storeroom which carries on hand such items as whole blood blood plasma, and penicillin. Any type of tooth disorder is cared for by the well equipped and efliciently operated Dental Oilice. The Medical Department supervises and advises in matters of hygiene and sanitation: berthing, ventilation lighting handling of food, disposal of Waste, and maintaining water supplies used for drinking, cooking, and bathing. L U IVI ' I ll to prepare for surgery. Specimens fblood, urine, etcj are D The Medical Department daily and unobtrusively carries out the slogan of the Bureau of lwledicine and Surgery: Keep as many men at as many guns as many days as possible. l s. A A A ff f 1 9, gp y g .. M' W? N 'I 51 Z i f I , , X. 1' A ,V I p g., f V ,5f,4fQ 9 if , 3 .. ' . ,HAWWA gf! fw fr Cmdr. H. E. List, Lt. R. C. Benson, Lt. W. VV. Evans, Lt.-Cmdr. J. L. Biedcr- fnaflfl The following members of the Division were detached before the group 'picture was taken. OFFICERS: Cmdr. H. E. Gillcspiir, Lt. J. H. Kimber, Lt. W. J. Paine, Lt. P. A. Ratcliff, Lt. ljill C. R. Law, Lt. ljsrl J. R. McShanc. MEN: Raymond E. Bard, Donald R. Campbell, John F. Carr-y, William H. Cobb, Carl J. Donlon, Jr., Kvnm-th I.. M. Evans, Kenneth R. Farzus, Jost-nh W. Gart- land, Hvrbc-rt W. Gifford, John H. Grcr-nmi-yor, Jr., Samuel H. Grogan. Jr., L. D. Hvin, .lack l . Hill, Ulin M. Hopkins. Harold C. Kitchen. Henry E. Lanc, Man- uel Laws, John ll. livarrlio, Orr-l I.. ln.-pine, Richard R. Loomis, Robert A. Mac- Donald. Roy IJ. Mcllowvll, Murray W. Mclar-vs. MYVOU E- Mmm' Donald C' Nf1l'Ckl'l', Vincvnt, E. Paladino, Cadmus M. Robbins, Harlod .l.Spcars. Clyde E. Thomas, Gordon I.. Tilbury, Arnold l.. Wt-inkauf, M1-rlv R. Wllllfi. Wllllam F- Woolfolk. f,f7CTdll'Yl,Q room is wall equipped for most any type Of -WVKCY3' Many lirmflrrds of prcscriptirms have lirmi filled in this modern labomtory Tins may lmrt a little lvilf--fi l7i .bi QE ROW E F Knapp O L Violette J.B.Dornan, J.M. Vinyard. R. TOP : . . , . . , W. M. Williams, C. Christaldi BOTTOM ROW: C. R. Henderson, C. R. a e Carbone, A. E. Wheatley. SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL . . . REf STRICTED . . . SI'IIP'S POLICE FORCE . . . RUM' BLING PRINTING PRESSES . . . MUSCLE MAN . . . it's all there, all packed into a compact complement of 24 men, and with such duties it couldn't be called anything else hut MXM Division. Because it is the newest division on the ship and its personnel did not change The since it was formed, we are giving you our names. XP Division is under the direction of the Ship's Secref tary, Lt. E. J. Applewhite. Twelve yeomen in the ship's administrative offices make up the hulk of the division. In the Captain's Off fice, Sheldon Heidemann, CY, Rohert Padgett, Y2c, and Arthur Whezitley turn out Oflicers' Qualification jackets, prepare htness reports and orders for ofhcers, and handle The Chief Master At Arms and his men are ships police force D l , G. T. Shaughnessy, F. Gena. Lt. A. Padgett, J. J. Eagan, C. C. Van Ooteghen. R. B. Nutter, D. Tucker, -Cmdr. E. J. Applewhite, G. B. Bere, E. M. Larsen, R. D. Fread, A. V. the restricted and unclassified mail addressed to the Commanding officer. The EXec's Office handles the records of enlisted men and is often referred to as the Personnel Office. Dwight Johnston, Ylc, is in charge, with Doyle Tucker, Yle, Fidel Cena, Y2c, Eugene Larson, Y3c, and Richard Fread, Y3c, assisting. In the Ship's Secretary's o ce, e 3 Vinyard, Y2c, and O. L. Violette, Y3c, assist the Ship's Secretary with the Secret and Confidential Mail, inelud' ing Operational Plans and Orders, Task Group and Force Instructions, guard mail, and Officer Ixdessengei ffl th V Bo fs, Jim Mai . and james Eagan, Y3e, in the First Lieutenant and A I Crirlvmic, Nultrr, l.7mld, Bere, Crixtaldi, Dale, ,Hendrrwvl lab , ,Q l Divisional lwlaek sheep are Gerald Shaughnessy. YN, Clf 4 l V -gre-.-Q.. .b--..- DIVISIU PI Cflices formation--Photographic Interpretation. Also in the division are the Arms Staff under George C. Bere, CBM. T respectively. ACIfPI stands for Air Combat In seven men of the MasterfAt he John Lawsl responsible for the do's and dont's of this com act little floi P N gt, 3 fx fs i,., reg: ing city are pictured at the bottom of the opposite page. V Three ship's printers, Edgar Knapp, PrtrfI.Jlc, john Dorf nan, Prtr fMj2c, and NVillis Willianis action reports, log room forms, navigational information, AlNav bulletins, the Ship's Newspaper, and the Daily News press, incorporating thre ki d and mimeograph. Specialist A Charles Van Coteghen, the muscle builder e n s of printing: multigraph, otiset, for 1400 men, is in charge of the sports programs, arranges for games and workouts, and issues athletic equipment. He also performs yeoman duties for the Chaplain and is Ships Librarian. In addition to being the X Division ofiicer, the Ships Secretary prepares and condenses classified information for the eye and signature of the Commanding Officer. As Pub' lie Relations Qfiicer he prepares and releases news about the ship and supervises the preparation of home town news stories by John Dornan, ships enlisted correspondent. He is Awards Officer, handling administrative details in connecf tion with battle stars, medals, citations, and other awards earned by members of ship's company and the Air Groups. The X Division has aptly been called the 'SNerve Cen' teri' of the ship. Through this division all important data pertaining to the ship's life, at sea or port, must be routed and carefully Bled. Not a propeller turns, not a gun is fired, not an ounce of high explosive may find its mark, until it first has been accomplished on paper. The following members of the Division were detached before the group picture was taken: Lt. A. F. Barbieri, Sheldon L. Heidemann, Dwight L. Johnson. Shipls Secretary's Ojice handles the highly' classiyied paper work for the Captain Chaplain F. X. Ryan, Chaplain F. Pegnalm, Lt. H. A. Patrick, and Ship's Clerk E. L. Scroggins Enlisted rnen's records and orders are handled in the Executive Officers Office Officers' records and orders are handled in the Captc1ir1'S Office 177 , Prtr3c, print the ships 'rx t..-at-rs. 'av is Q s 'E X X. Mx X I IR GR UP xx .,f 1 L , .A Af5 24 , 3U ww ' 8 Jag, ' 2 ,V ,, - J ,qw M X ,is , scsi 2 wr ' , 'Mr ,, , , sau' -+1 .I tx K . .i gk t D R gi J AG?-4 91 l G30 AG 31 May, 1943-June, 1944 Baker and Howland Gilberts Wake Marshalls Carolines New Guinea Bonins Marianas First Battle of Philippine Hayataka Class Carrier Sea june, 1944-December, 1944 lVIarianas Westerii Carolines Celebes Formosa Philippines Halmahera Nansei Shoto Second Battle for Battle of Leyte Gulfy of Philippine Sea January, 1945-June, 1945 First Navy Raid on Tokyo Honshu Bonins Kyushu Shikoku Nansei Shoto Okinawa Turkey Shoot Baka YAMATO june, 1945-September, 1945 Honshu Kyushu Hokkaido ISE and AOBA Shikoku Fighting Squadron 24 TOP ROW: L. Marshall, V. Sipe, G. W. Freeman, W. G. Rogers, E. Holmgaard, R. C. Tabler, V. Christensen, L. E. George, R. E. McKeeby, G. R. Tolen. THIRD ROW: J. H. Hluboky, E. R. Strang, R. L. Richardson, M. H. Barr, A. Hillner, G. L. Kelley. I. Mayer, C. J. Bennett, J. C. Endres, A. E. Waite, P. L. Atwood, W. J. Dekett. C' L' l R P R C. I. Oveland C. N. Quinlan E. E. Ben SECOND ROW: W. T. Chafiin, R. S. Felt, D. L. Berry, B. McLaughlin, W. H. Sours, E. M. in i, . . oss, , , - nett G. F. Markham, J L. Lowe. BOTTOM ROW: I. L. Smith, I. J. Snowden, J. P. Herr, T. S. Chuhak, L. Mariani, Spitler, C. E. Blackman, R. H. Thelen, L. E. Graham, J. C. Gibson. NO PICTURES OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS: J. C. Boyd, L. E. Byrer, R. G. Carlson, J. R. Clem, K. G. Crothers, J. O. Curtis, D. E. Fleisher, E. R. Hardin, Jr., W. A. Harvey, E. C. Houck, W. R. King, T. C. Lackey, F. L. Lamb, R H. Odem, R. L. Parker, J. R. Powning, O. O. Provosty, C. W. Rusteberg, W. A. Smalligan, W. P. Van Buren. Il R G R U H P Q 4 The BELLEAU WOODS 'first air group was formed December 1, 1942 at Floyd Bennett Field, N.A.S., New York. The organization was commanded by Commander Massey and operated 30 aircraft: 9 TBF's of VTf24, 9 SBD's of VCf24, and 12 FM's of VFU24. In May, 1943 Air Group 24 moved down to Phila- delphia to board the BELLEAU WOOD for the shake- down cruise to Trinidad and the Gulf of Paria. After the ship's return to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the group stayed at N.A.S., Willow Grove. It was there that the FM Wildcats were exchanged for the new F6F I-Iellcatsw. The group's first mission against the enemy was,furf nishing air coverage for the occupation of Baker Island and a one day strike at Tarawa and Makin Islands. However the group was now much changed, consisting of its original 12 VF and 9 VT augmented by 12 VF from fighting 22 which had replaced the SBD's. The SBD's of four CVLis had been united to form a separate Bofplane bombing squadron. It was oil Tarawa on September 16, 1943 that VFf24 180 Torpedo Squadron 24 TOP ROW: J.M.Barbour, J. G. Flohill, .D. r , . . , . . , . . . , ' , Massey, V. A. Nolte, F. Lambil E. V?l'EMllVlollJd,JRrllEiixlllItz?rIfke1l3 ?IElt5mfEh,MVlPvI5nOiiJ1iirkl3 Iiiirligge, GK.PO.BOi?cTt2er5 Ci-l1.aOBlg?ovIe.Agar' F' MIDDLE ROW: R. Murphy, J. Gotch, R. J. Dorr, J. F. Siwicki, R. E. Ranes, J. H. Teixeira., T. Hayatake, E. L. York, J. Broome, P. Delaney, M. D. Fuson, E. C. Babcock, A. Carter, F. L. Woolcott, P. E. Whiting, T. A. Connor, S. Sustarsic, R. Ernest. BOTTOM ROW: R. A. Reichart, A. Sistzcki, W. Pruitt, J. Rosic, J. E. Prince, F. A. Odom, G. H. Platz, C. L. Butler, R. Balfrey, J. Peters, R. M. Vance, R. Wagenknecht, V. W. Shields, R. V. Spicker, J. R. Dobbs, J. A. Brookbank, F. Laurenroth. drew its first blood, a Betty shot down by Bob Ross and Buck Rogers. The first serious deck crash occurred when the VF skipper, Lt. Cdr. Johnny Curtis, crashed through the barriers and went over the side. All efforts failed to find him. After the next fWake Islandj raid the 12 VF of Fighting 22 were exchanged for 12 from Air Group 6 which remained aboard for the occupation of the Gilbert Islands and the strike on the Marshalls. Returning to Pearl the group flew off to the island of Maui to refform and take on new pilots to make up a 24fplane fighting squadron. From here the group shot and bombed their way across the Pacific through the following operations: oc' cupation of the Marshall Islands, strike on Truk, strike on the Marianas, occupation of Emirau Island, strike on the Palau Islands, occupation of Hollandia on New Guinea, occupation of the Marianas including the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Bonin strikes. Most outstanding was their part in the Philippine Sea Battle which started with the great Jap air attack on 181 June 19. Gn the morning patrol jack Thelen's fighter division knocked down 10 and 3 probables out of 20 Zekes that jumped them over Guam. The afternoon proved fairly dull-our group having the backfstop CAP, while the other groups held field day on the .lapaf nese naval air force. Late the next afternoon the order came to launch a strike against the ,lap Fleet. To the torpedo pilots went the greatest glory: Omark, Tate, Luton, and Brown went in to drop their fish at a Hayaf taka class carrier. Brown was hit badly by AA and caught fire, although he went on to score a hit. Gmark and Tate also scored hits on the crippled carrier, sending her to the bottom. Although Brown was severely inf jured and his bomb bay doors were jammed open, he joined up and tried to fly back. Repeatedly the others had to force him back on course, but in the growing darkness his plane fell off and he was never found. While the ship was in the yard at Pearl Harbor in July, Air Group 24 was relieved by Air Group 21. Aboard from May, 1943 to july, 1944, they established the longest tour of duty on record. Fighting Squadron 21 F TOP ROW: M. J. Johnson, J. D. Santacroce, W. J. Steinmacher, W. R. Myers, C. VV. Cox, R. Beach, F. L. Clark, E. E. Pease, W. E. Schindler. FOURTH ROW: H. A. Massey, R. E. Wunner, E. L. Cox, G. F. Smith, R. W. Emerson, C. K. McChesney. THIRD ROW: H. H. Hassenfratz, J. R. Wilson, D. P. Hull, J. A. McConnell, C. O. Roberts, W. L. Keely, H. A. Perry, W. D. Biggers, T. S. Rice, G. B. Turner, R. P. Gotch, L. B. Dunham. SECOND ROW: M. U. Mead, R. D. Eadie, K. W. Lynn, C. M. Arnold, F. Lynch, E. M. Mahoney, J. J. F. Gale, G. F. Boyle, G. H. Durand, E. R. Boeck, J. H. Drake, M. P. Cleboski. BOTTOM ROW: H. P. Cottrell, A. W. Berberich, R. F. Thomas, R. E. White, P. Rippa, H. J. Tate, H. C. Dixon, J. R. Conner, J. D. Nellis, J. M. Mc- Fadden, R. O. Yancey, J. E. No-rthrup. NO PICTURES OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS: T. W. Attridge, J. E. Greenwood, A. J. Manger, N. E. Maxwell. l H G R Q U P Q 1 In June, 1944 Air Group 21, under the command of Commander Casey, relieved Air Group 24 while the ,, 2 ,,, , V' V ship was at Pearl Harbor. Lt. Cdr. R. A. Kennard was s.i. sBr I if VT skipper. A irisli ZII The first combat missions were air support sorties for our troops engaged in a moppingfup expedition on A A Guam. Next came the initial strikes at Palau and the Philippines. Fighter pilot Meade and torpedo pilot Ev' 2 ,....i , is erett with his crew Arrance and Davidson were lost ilk 1 ...sp. over Ivlindanao. Flights were flown to cover the land' ings at Morotai and Palau. ln October strikes were launched at Ckinawa, For' mosa, Luzon, and Leyte. Prior to the invasion of the Philippines at Leyte, the group hit Jap installations on the Islands. Early on the morning of October 25th the VF and VT took off on the first strike in the Second Battle Of the Philippine Sea and struck the northern Jap f0rC6 182 . MA, 9 .nr X -.. '. ' 4' ' 1 if l'. ev . . ff aw Q J ' 8 s 1 A J. s.s. , , f,.,,.,.fy4 ., J, , Z ... .mzolfifv AL..xysydwfsc,-a'al1.4zesz.Z.fQ.-Q ..J..u f. Torpedo Squadron 21 TOP ROW: J. B. Stevens, L. B. Saunders, XV. H. Junk, B. L. Hotalingr. THIRD ROW: C. D. Smith, D. Cowan, B. H. Dye, C. A. Hooper. Jr., SECOND ROW: L. W. Posson, H. B. Davis, Jr., H. D. Crowley, E. R. Mason. BOTTOM ROW: A. F. Clapp, C. Zeimuntz, J. Everett, J. T. Hyland. NO PICTURES OF THE FOLLOVVING OFFICERS: R. L. Lucas. MEN: L. Arrance, R. J. Barlow, L. E. Christie, C. P. Crump, R. B. David, O. M. Davidson, XV. T. Eschuck, J. TOP RONV: G. L. Allen, E. L. Nawroelii, N. E. NVaters, J. E. Nvagxoner, NV. J. Zeitz, S. E. Castor. THIRD RONV: C. A. Gelvin, J. F. Uprichard, unidentified, D. A. Marsh, J. F. Tottinghum, E. A. Haufschild, J. J. Miller, F. J. Russell. SECOND RONV: B. M. Shelton, G. XV. Marsh. C. L. Pichard, G. G. Brown, D. E. Erwin, R. F. Drake, VV. NV. MacKay, W. H. Robinson, unidentified. BOTTOM ROXV: R. Soouist. J. M. Martin, J. P. XVall, unidentified, B. J. Nitzel, H. H. Logsdon. P. Gorman, C. R. Green, O. C. Lockett, G. C. McClease, F. F. Scirgova, N. J. Shellenberger, J. R. Te-are, R. E. Traynor. which consisted of four carriers and two battlewagons surrounded by screening cruisers and destroyers. VF21 pilots shot down two Zekes over the formation and made strafing and rocket attacks on two cruisers and a battleship. Two VT planes scored hits on one BB, while two other VT put fish in the starboard quarter of a Shokaku class carrier. The other torpedo planes struck two CVL's, putting two ish in a Zuiho class and ossible hit in a Chitose class. Out of eight torpedoes dropped, four were hits. All of our planes returned safely. After the first attack was over, Lt. Claude Roberts of VFf2l, remained over the Jap Fleet in direct communif cation with Admiral Halsey himself and did a good job of keeping the Admiral informed of the movements of 313 the enemy. On the 30th of October when the suicide plane hit, Lt. Keely was killed manning his plane at the spot where the Nip plunged into the deck. Twentyfthree 183 VTf2i crewmen in the after ready room were lost in this tragedy. 1 1 . 3 !................M.. get YZ' ' Pl 215 ' z g 3 r Qs Ev Ht . 'li 13 :ll .iq i, 4 -e 1 'E .I if fs? S211 .ru ,,' 335 Efie E tif 1 l D: 1 ,. i l I 1 1 I Fighting Squadron 30 TOP ROW: O. J. Merz. K. W. Curry, H. A. Lee, D. J. Smith, R. L. Rhodes, D. L. Kirby, C. Duggins, B. R. Kyler, T. J. Ryzin, J. Welle, A. I. Lunder, ' ' ' A. L. Ol n. VV H Smith, R. B. Carlson, W. Gundaker, R. H. Baldwin, L. M. Cobb, W. R. McAllister, D. E. Reynei, W. H. ogers, se FOURTH ROW: K. B. Rowley, R. P. Tunstill, R. O. Burns, J. W. Ward, R. E. Parker, E. J. McNulty, M. A. Mazzocco, J. E. Pixbon. THIRD ROW: F. L. Peterson, R. S. Bennett, J. W. Pooley, W. J. Cummings, W. N. Thomas, A. S. Yesensky, G. J. Tracy, J. V. Reber, L. J. Behrend, D. P. Philips, A. G. Bittner. O. J. Fronek. J. F. Gerkin, E. J .Easter, R. P. Buis. SECOND ROW:R. C. Anderson, R. G. Doherty, J. J. Noel, W. S. Huckins, C. H. Carey, C. C. Foster, R. L. Reins, J G. Miller, K. J. Dahms, F. R. Gil christ, J. L. Watson, C. C. Spataro. BOTTOM ROVV: H. V. Haney, C. C. Tovar, P. P. Korkey, Harrison, L. G. Rygh, F. E. Green, H. W. Sturdevant, R. H. Lindner, D. A. Clark, R. F. Gil- lespie, E. A. Evenson, J. R. Blanton, J. Q. Ward. NO PICTURES OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS: R. G. Berenson, C. D. Mclver, R. L. Mosher, H. J. Wescott, R. L. Young. lil GROUP 30 Air Group 30 was commissioned April 1, 1943 at Rio Grande, New Jersey. On August 1 they reported aboard the U. S. S. MONTEREY, CVLf26. Their first action against the enemy came on November 19 with strikes against Makin Island. May 11, 1944 terminated this iirst tour of duty when the group was detached from the MONTEREY at Pearl Harbor. The second edition of Air Group 30 was organized under Lt. Cdr. Robert Lindner in June, 1944 at N.A.S. Seattle. Lt. Frederick C. Tothill skippered the torpedo squadron. The air group was then transferred to N.A.S., Pasco, Washington for training in gunnery, straff ing, bombing, and combat hops. From Pasco the air group flew to San Diego and boarded the CVE, U. S. S. TAKANIS BAY for carrier qualification. After a few weeks of held carrier landings at Brown Field, San Diego, Air Group 30 reported to the BELLEAU WOOD in Alameda on january 18, 1945 shortly before her departure for the combat area. Initial contact with the enemy came on February 16 -the first Tokyo strikes. Lt. fjgj Eric Candy Even' son shot down two Jap planes while on a CAP tO break the ice . 184 vi ff' fwf' Torpedo Squadron 30 TOP ROW: J. M. Tuttle, E. L. Howe, R. N. Lahann, A. E. Louis, R. E. Regan, L. L. Hailey, YV. J. Duffy, B. D. Kent, F. R. Foster, O. I. Ford, W. C. Mosley, E. C. Kress, T. A. Turgeon, R. W. Richardson, G. Fabyanic, J. J. Carroll, NV. E. Flenniken, C. E. Brandt, H. Hardee, J. W. Grie- ner, C. A. Conner, F. J. Kendlehart. THIRD ROW: J. Zalewski, R. E. Dodson, R. B. Smith, D. E. Guhse, P. W. Lycan, NV. E. Delaney, YV. H. Mosey, F. C. Tothill, J. M. Reisert, B. Bailey, L. W. Tedesco, W. R. Willert, R. O. Ytzen, J. J, O'Neill, R. C. Atwood. SECOND ROW: Hetrick, E.. J. Bury, E. L. Hubbs, B. A. Woolever, G. C. Spear. H. F. Cornelius, D. H. Klunk, NV. M. Parker, C. R. McCall, H. N. Haney, L. H. Girompmy, J. E. Simmons, A. C. McCarty, H. B. Jacques, N. J. Cooney, T. S. Hinshaw, W. Tilley, L. C. Bailey. BOTTOM ROW: R. L. Eychaner, D. D. Yoho, J. N. Sherbon, Menco, J. A. Fahey, E. J. Mawhinney, A. Dadamo, E. C. Ness, C. H. Jones, C. R. Callo- way, J. S. Bunor, C. R. Gammon, R. L. Sweeney, W. P. O'Shea. H. G. LeBlanc. NO PICTURES OF THE FOLLOVVING OFFICERS: F. E. Hedges. C. D. Relyea. MEN: L. L. Burton, J. Cherry, E. A. Gruett, T. F. McDavid. Shortly after the first Tokyo operation, Lt. Cdr. On April 6 fourteen Hellcats of VFf30 ran into a Lindner was shot down over OhifOhi Jima and declared large mass of Jap aircraft over Okinawa. They shot missing in action. Another black day came a few down 26 Vals, 14 Zekes, 5 Tojos, and 2 Oscars-a to' tal of 47 Nip planes. Ens. Carl Foster took scoring honors this time with six planes to his credit. The group left the ship in Leyte Gulf in June, 1945. In their four months of combat they had capitalized on golden opportunities to destroy 110 Jap planes in the air-a record for BELLEAU WOOD air groups. days later when, on March 1, seven pilots and air crew' men were lost on a strike in the Nansei Shoto. On March 21 the combat air patrol engaged an ex' tremely large group of Jap bombers QBettysj and fighters headed toward the Task Force on what was evidently a suicide mission. Ens. Jim Ward was the first to dis' cover the Baka bomb, attached to the underside of each Betty. In the ensuing engagement 47 laps were splashed, Air Group 30 fighters accounting for 11 Bettys, 12 Zekes, and 1 Tony. Ens. Johnny Miller personally destroyed five. Ens. Jim Reber got four. Two weeks later a striking force of fighters and torf pedo planes from the air group played a prominent part in the sinking of the super battleship, the YAMATO, along with most of its supporting ships. Torpedo pilot Lt. Ernie Delaney had a memorable experience in this operation when he was shot down in flames in the mid' dle of the Jap task force and rescued a few hours later by a PBM. His crewmen, Edward Mawhinney and Wil' liam Tilley were never found. 185 X X X Fighting Squadron 31 . TOP ROW: H. J. Barker, R. G. Austin, D. E. White, H. Z. Penzinski, R. W. Schilling, R. C. Woodford, J. C. Lund, E. L. Leland, R. E. Boyer, A. M. Melton, F. P. Hallowell, R. L. Blythe, F. P. Tighe. SECOND ROVV: T. M. Guy, D. P. Matteson, J. J. Arnold, C. W. Robison, H. H. Wicker, VV. L. Collier, J. P. Goeppinger, H. Banning, F. R. Clifford, C.J. Egli, H. Mokwa, J. Rosner, W. Salminen, R. A. Karp, C. A. Moore, E. S. Vass, J. O. A. Graveline, R. A. Lewis. BOTTOM ROW: J. W. Kenney, G. W. Nichols, L. S. Flowers, J. L. Wolf, E. A. Toaspern, D. S. White, K. H. Somerville, W. A. Rubly, C. N. Nooy, G. D. Shimek, B. S. Weber, J. S. Stewart, F. X. Bushner, J. H. Parker, A. F. Tarabusi, J. T. O'Brien, H. A. McMillan, F. J. Repp, R. R. Barnes, NO PICTURES OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS: W. B. Hall, E. H. Caywood, H. L. Law, E. R. VVhite. l R G R Q U lp 3 1 Air Group 31 was born as VCf17 on May 1, 1943 at N.A.S., Atlantic City, New Jersey. Flying from the U. S. S. CABOT, CVL28, the group got its first taste of action on January 29, 1944 in an attack on Roi Island in the Marshalls. On October 3, 1944 they were de' tached from the CABOT after establishing a record for CVL air groups: 147 enemy planes destroyed in the air and 46,000 tons of Japanese shipping sent to the bottom. Air Group 31 refformed at Alameda, California, De- cember 9, 1944 with only ten veterans of the original group returning to join 45 new pilots under Commander Bruce S. Weber as commanding oiiicer and Lt. john Bowen in charge of the torpedo squadron. After extensive training at Hollister, California, Fal-' lon, Nevada, and Arcata, California, the group took their carrier qualification on the CVE U. S. S. MATAf NIKAU. Additional training was emphasized on the MONTEREY which carried the Group to Hawaii. On June 16, 31 became the BELLEAU WOOD air group in Leyte Gulf. Operations in the combat Zone began on July 10 with sweeps and strikes against Kuma' gaya airfield in the Tokyo Plain area. At Hokkaido, the land of clouds and rain, strikes were launched against inland airiields, ports, and railroad facilities. They returned to the Tokyo area in a series of strikes on the old battleship NAGATO, docked at Yokosuka. 186 Torpedo Squadron 31 TOP ROW: G. E. Bates, T. R. Legett, VV. M. Seager. THIRD ROW: N. W. Scharf, H. C. Sjoberg, R. VV. Olcott, J. J. Ditullio, W. H. Vlfingard, J. H. NV -'g:ht, M. V. T- '- , C. L, H 1- F, B, M C J. D. Rauiff, W. H. Vogt, M. R. Vander-Meer, E. o. Tefwilligei-, N. R. Reames, H. E. iillen, H. W. Bffrifiiii K. C. Bea?t?5iiUF. W. Going. amy' SECOND ROW: J. Urbanski, W. H. O'Dell, A. H. Casey, R. M. Carroll, H. O. Fox, J. T. Owens, D. G. Karr, C. W. Wilson, J. R. Bowen, R. P. McChes- ney, R. A. Farrell, J. S. Johnson, C. W. Cates, R. B. Turner, J. C. Launius, D. F. Davis, A. P. Rubino, E. R. Schuller. BOTTOM ROW: C. A. Peterson, B. E. Emery, C. L. Arwood, R. C. Pettit, WV. H. Zimmerman, L. A. Dallas, NV. H. Peterson. H. C. Turner, A. E. Still- well, A. LaR0cca, H. L. Lashbaugh, J. J. Hylant, C. J. Kirgan, J. M. Allan, VV. F. Martin, C. E. NVhetzvl, D. A. Vineyard. NO PICTURES OF THE FOLLOVVING OFFICERS: P. H. Henderson, V. J. Morton. MEN: W. K. Hall, J. C. Holland. The NAGATO strike was a warmfup for the mission on July 24 against the Japanese Fleet units in Kure Harbor. Air Group 31's specific targets were the ISE and the AOBA. The torpedo pilots inflicted serious damage on the AOBA and on AA positions. The fighters scored five direct hits on the ISE fBBfXCVJ. One week later a fighter sweep on airfields and factories in the Nagoya area was jumped by 15 Jap fighters. Our group knocked down eight Japs. A return visit to the ISE and AOBA at Kure on July 28 produced 12 more hits on the ISE and three on the AOBA. The five day period after announcement of Jap peace' feelers on August 10 was one of strain and tension be' cause of the possibility of the war's ending at any mo' ment. Sweeps and strikes were sent out during these days: in fact strikes were launched against a very heavily defended target, the electronics industry at Kawasaki, 12 miles below Tokyo. On the morning of August 15 a division of fighters was launched at 0400 and upon reaching the coast enf countered and shot down six Jap fighters. Thirtyffive minutes later all planes were recalled as World War II came to the official end. That same day shortly after lunch our CAP shot down a visiting Jap plane in ace cordance with Admiral I'Ialsey's instructions. 187 After the cessation of hostilities, flights were flown over prisonerfoffwar camps which the Japs had been ordered to mark clearly. Reading material, medical supf plies, andfood were parachuted. On one such mission of mercy Ens. Paul Henderson was killed. In his effort to hit the camp and still not injure the prisoners, he flew low and too slow-his plane lost flying speed and crashed. I r A ' f - ,li .Eiga 4 ff ' ' The crew members of a ship at her time of commissioning are known as planlQowners. We had several who were with the ship from commissioning day. to the surrender of Japan. Pictured above are our plankowners who were aboard Mfr-om start to finish. TOP ROW: T. Kurilla, J. R. Harper, M. R. Bell, F. Sypniewski, J. Sinchak, F. A. Drietlein, J. E. Seaman, C. B. Laub, J. A. Ruf, H. L. Schneider, P..G. McKenna, A. R. Spencer, N. B. Rosato, K. E. Ball, W. F. Kuss, A. J. Martinkus, J. A. Williams, G. V. Humm, P. C. Brennan, P. A. Lo- maglio. THIRD ROW: J. E. Zajac, S. R. Johnson, D. E. Reinhart, C. B. Harris, F. J. Bomkamp, A. E. Kirchdoefer, J. C. League, C. W. Parks, A. L. Lynch, P. Boycan, E. Wilson, G. E. Sheard, C. T. Conroy, J. W. Conroy, M. M. Gomba, A. E. Blanchette, J. F. Karg. SECOND ROW: J. F. Sharp, J. G. VVeigel, J. J. Klaus, M. L. Wantuck, L. M. Kral, S. A. Mazor, W. C. Brady, Lt. T. W. Richardson, Lt.-Cmdr. R. E. gaggezglsoni Cmdr. F. E. Wexel, Lt. K. M. Frazier, A. T. Trujillo, M. F. Correia, E. B. Davis, M. F. Archambault, J. J. Chasse, R. D. Guyer, . . ay or. BOTTOM ROW: F. J. Lackey, C. Christaldi, P. Golino, P. J. Aulwes, A. Pastorello, J. J. J oworowsky, F. G. Kutch, J. J. Milmore, L. L. Lewis, L. T. Jenkins, R. W. Vest, W. E. Van Payne, L. Mitnick, G. W. Sisson, W. J. Foran. The following shipmates were detached several months before the division pictures were taken. Records do not indicate the divisions to which they were attached. BAILEY, Edgar BEAM, George E. BELENSKI, Michael BRADY, Joseph J. BRYANT, Harold L. BRYZINSKI, Thaddeus CHACE, Malcot COERS, Everett F. COLE, Augustus L. COOK, George E. COX, William P. CRONO, Jerry A. CROSS, Dumas V. CURRIER, Albert J. DAVIDSON, George C. DEQUASIE, Daren P. DIMMETT, William W. DONLON, Carl J. DUNBAR, John P. DURKEE, Miles E. EDINGER, George M. FARR, Donald C. FLOYD, Daniel R. GREEN, Manuel E. HADDON, James W. HAGEMANN, Morse E. HANSON, Robert L. HAYDON, George B. HOBBS, Cecil R. HYSELL, Elmer C. JACKSON, Alfred H. JAMIESON, Robert J. JARRETT, Gomer F. JEWELL, Walter J IAVA, Fred JORDON, Robert L. KEELY, Thomas A. KENNEDY, Roy G. KING, James J. KMON, Felix KUNSTER, Matthew LEO, Joseph L. LEON, Francis J. LOOTS, Leo E. LOWE, John L. LOWEN, Carl W. MacNEIL, Russell F. MAY, David MARTIN, Norman J. MQCRACKEN, Ezra M. MCGUFFIN, William D MEGARD, Raymond M. MILLER, Philip A. NELSON, Albert R. NORMAN, Joseph H. ODELL, Robert J. OVERGARD, Harold PALMER, Edward J. PARKER, William O. PEARSON, Lucelius PETRILLA, John QUANTE, Clyde W. V SCHOEWE, Julius A. SHIELDS, Vincent W. SIMPSON, Roger C. SMITH, Robert C. SOLOMON, George D. STEWART, Emmett D. STULL, Roy E. SUGGS, John K. TRAVER, Frank J. 188 E! .af any Stmgglevs o TOP ROW: F. L. Costanzo, C. W. VV0bber, E. Johnson, R. D. Morris, J. H. VVolfc, A. G. McInnes, B. Medley, B. E. Wilkins, K. E. Ball, F. W. Ingrham, VV. W. VValter. SECOND ROVV: J. A. Alonzo, J. E. Etchison, G. M. Crammond, J. C. Crisel, H. G. Russell, M. T. Ragsdale, S. Pichurcho, F. B. Walker, E. C. Fick, G. W. Elger, W. B. Rhodes, R. C. Doles. BOTTOM ROW: H. R. Lambert, J. H. Baldwin, A.J.Thompson, J.E.M2fDU..' , J. G.C' s.J.A t o.H . P s h H N B '1 J.L.Nei1, F. H. Dunkin, S.E.Tipton, R. Thompson, J. W. Robertsiin Iuse' ugusus' won' ' CWS' ' ' amy' TR GGLER There was once an oooold lion, King of the jungle. In fact, he was so old that he decided to abdicate in favor of his son, a young and energetic lion. Now the new King of the Jungle was not only young and enerf getic, he was progressive. And as soon as he became King of the jungle he instituted many reforms. Chief among these was the abolition of the old jungle Law. No longer were the jungle folk to battle and eat each other . . . no more survival of the fittest. Instead the birds and beasts were to live and play together like kittens on the kitchen hearth. And indeed, it was a fine new Jungle Law the new King had instituted. It was with happiness and pride that he stalked about in the fields and forests watching all the little birds play- ing with the great big snakes and all the gazelles caper' ing about the great big tigers. All the jungle folk greeted the new King with loud 'hosannahs' wherever he went. Even the hyenas laughed less loudly. But one day as the young King stepped into a jungle 189 clearing, a little mouse squeaked and scampered for his nest . . . just as in the fearful days before the old jungle Law was repealed. The young King was greatly dis' pleased, and when the little mouse cautiously poked his head from his nest, the lion growled, 'What do you mean by running from me? Have you not heard that the old jungle Law has been repealed?', And the mouse answered, 'Well, yes, your majesty, I had heard of the new law. But I served two hitches in the U. S. Navy . . . and there is always some sonofa gun who doesn't get the W'ord '. The smiling faces you see before you on this page are the representatives of that ancient and honored Society of Tail-End-Chai-lies of the U.S. Navy. Some of them, no doubt, had good reasons for not attending when their division pictures were taken. Some might have even gone so far as to have been WORKING at the time. But nevertheless, here they are: . . . they just didn't get the word. As the sun set on BELLEAU WOOD's warftime service, she bowed out as a fighting carrier and departed Tokyo Bay to enter magic carpet duty--returning servicemen to the United States. All her planes, spare parts, and accessories were removed at Pearl Harbor. The arresting gear cables were detached, the hangar deck was stripped, and a forest of bunks in tiers five high was installed. A permanent life line was rigged around the flight deck. CVL24 became a transport. PU T LUG September 10 - 15, 1945 September 19 September 23 - October 7 October 13 - 20 October 28 - November 1 November 6 - 10 November 25 - 26 December 10 - 17 December 23 January 2 - 3, 194-6 January 3 - 15 January 16 Tokyo Bay Saipan Eniwetok Tokyo Bay Ifor passenger load Pearl Harbor SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA Guam -ffor passenger load Sfi2l SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Pearl Harbor Guam Saipan Guam .ffor passenger load 951232 gill Jallllary 31 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA -ffor decommissioriingl OUR GALLANT LADY fwith apologies to Oliver Wendell Holmesj Aye, fence her rolling flight deck in! XVell did her eagles fly! Her pilots' eyes have danced to see that haven from the sky. Upon her rung the battle shout and burst the Hellcat's roar! The Empress of the Sea and Air shall sweep the clouds no more, Her deck once red with heroes' blood where crashed the diving foe While Kamikazes met the flood of antifaircraft's blow No more shall feel the Cc-rsair's tread or cast Avengers freeg The conqueror's mien has vanished from the Guardian of the Sea! O bitter fate! Her hangar deck once shelter for her flocks Shall harbor now a thousand bunks with troops to dump on docks Weld to her decks these iron sacks: her crew and gear revamp. Reduce her rate for valor great to 'LMagic Carpet Tramp. --Commander W, W. Hollister. 'Img-,4 3'1- N x , N.. . X . f 1 ass :Aff NF g QL '- 4 , . ,av ' XI'25T1'Tif'-?-'N-'if X - , Q. X f - r. , . xg. 'X . - . '1 '91 ' -x ' .. -f ,,.,., . , ,M f. , .. ,+ ,f wwf- f ' ,.-1 -1.4.,s. I 13. , , A x ,, M , ,T . . af, ' ,- -, x Wyn- , .Q ,. -QV ,V - - P , - .Q ., ,I Q, ,-A ,Q X , AM-W M.- -,. ' 335-Q Mx-:j - . 1.. .A ,-5'---fn V.: .., ' ,J - - . ' - -zgilkug? 1:77 fir, .415 . R. 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Flower St. Los Angclcs 15' California Designed by Ki-iN Honmas 1 A l P A E Y , ' -. 2 f s 5 , , , I D 5 z i if 4 5? Us lii 59 Eg 51 ! r I I , 1 , L rl I E, f x 2 fa 52 S' i I ki 1 L , .gi E if :Edt H 2 f Y E 1 I I ii ' 5 5 5 r S i I bl 4 fl PLscadorcs I I2 Luzon M I nd Sulu D ' 5 1 War Cruise Number , .lallllary 20. 1945 Departed San Francisco 3 -IHIIIIIYY 26-.I!llllll'Y 29 at Pearl Harbor Q February 7-February 10 at Ulithi I February 16-March 2 12 TOKYO, IWO JIMA, CHICHI JIMA, and OKINAWA ' March 4-March 14 at Ulithi - Mareh,l8-April 27 13 KYUSHU, WESTERN HONSHU, and the NANSEI SHOTO April 30-May' 9 at Ulithi May 12-.lnne 10 14 KYUSHU. SHIKOKU, and the NANSEI SIIOTO .Ilme 13-.Il-IIY 1 in San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf ' .Iuly I0-August 15 15 Finial Strikes against the JAPANESE HOME ISLMDS August 15-September 10 Operations incident .to the surrender of Japan , September 10. 1945 Anehmd in TOKYO Bn. - e 40 Only war cruises are plotted. Magic Ca September 10 - 15, 1945 September 19 September 23 - October 7 October 13 - 20 October 28 - November I November 6 - 10 November 25 - 26 December 10 - 17 December 23 January 2 - 3, 1946 january 3 - 15 January 16 January 31 rpet Duty Tokyo Bay Saipan Eniwetok Tokyo Bay ,Pearl Harbor SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA Guam SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Pearl Harbor Guam Saipan Guam SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 5 Midway Q C It I Q O o s ' ' .10 1 Q HAWAIIAN IS. . I Oahuga O ' . i or zo' I o I I. . luiwetok Bikini . . 0 . ' ' C' ,ff . . . - ' e B no Q Kwagalem It Us MARSHALL Is. ' Q3 'S f? f ' Maiuroqfb 4 ii Q Q V fhiakin Rrawao GILBERT IS. . 00 -E Q . 1 L R 5984! 9 o U Q 6 O ' l , . V . . 0 0 5 o l
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