Block Island (CVE 106) - Naval Cruise Book

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:Ili 1 FL XLX-V I 9 I Q. il. , , A :?kvVz 4 M kg a fl X. A MEMORIAL SERVICE ON THE FLIGHT DECK TAPS Tliese Marines aboard tlie BLOCK ISLAND in San Diego on 3 February 1945 carried on extensive operational training. Not all the lieroes of this war or any war tlie in combat. Tllere are the men wlio clo tlle researcli, make tlie experiments, and risk their lives in training. Before tliis sliip enterecl tlle actual Combat eiglit of its flying personnel were lost. MAJOR ROBERT WESLEY YAUPELL. USMCR 2nd LIELTENANT CHARLES CLINTON HARRIS, USMCR 2nd LIEUTENANT ROBERT J. HAIRE, USMCR 2nd LIEUTENANT RAYMOND DHLAUGHDER. USMCR SERCEANT CUNTHER WILLIAM CUSTAY HUNRICHS, USMCR SERCEANT F. PAWLOWSKI. JR.. USMCR TECHNICAL SERCEANT JAMES WILLIAM MILES, USMC I'.F,11. EUGENE SHLTE. USMCR ' 5 ,,1, ffrah ,fs 1 , 13 gig, fy I I. 3, 5

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OPERATIO E106 COLONEL DOBBINS The carrier planes became the eyes and the fists of the Fleet. They provided the long range sea searchers, plus the long-range artillery and shifting flexible power needed to overcome the advantages of distance and geography the Japanese had in the Pacific. In the Battle of the Atlantic the escort carriers were the steel barrier on which the Nazi wolf packs finally broke their teeth. In the Pacific the big flattops took the offensive almost alone, against the spreading Japs. The Navy chose the new BLOCK ISLAND for an experi- ment. It would have an entire Marine Air Group. Commander Hood, Air Oflicer of CVE 21 would continue in that capacity but the Marines would furnish the squadrons. Marine Carrier Aircraft Service Squadron One came aboard with 13 officers and 216 enlisted Marines. These men would service and main- ,, V... ...ww .,,, ,M -'Y V. ,....., .. .,.. ...,,,,,N.. .,.Y,,,.......-.,.,,,,,...,..,.,x cf Mm- . A.. V.. , ,, . , , !,..,, ' f - ' ' K f- X V---.fm-vf.f...2fff Ski? , . ,t.f.s ww-w.f.:w , 1 ' 'i'Pi?','L1fZJf'f- A TBP OVER OKINAWA ,, COMMANDER HOOD tain aircraft. It meant that some old timers would have to go on the beach. It was hard to leave this splendid new ship with a grand old name but only 144 enlisted naval air personnel could remain aboard. Lt. Colonel John F. Dobbin, USMC, holder of a Navy Cross for the destruction of 8 Japanese planes in the Guadalcanal campaign commanded the Marines. Two powerful squadrons fought the planes. Marine Fighting Squadron 511 and Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 233. The pilots were experienced men with splendid records in Marine Aviation in earlier cam- paigns. The unusual combination of Navy and Marine aviation units require many adjustments but worked out well under the splendid leadership of cooperating officers. Four different types of missions of aircraft operated from the decks of the FBI and made its nights as busy as its days. CVE pilots flew as many as four long support missions every day, which said Rear Admiral Durgin, Hmeant nine hours ill the air of constant flying and fighting. uThat's too much, 116 added. The BI had twelve Corsairs fF4U-1D and FG-ll whiCh fought brilliantly by day. Ten HELLCATS fF6F-5Nj cou- tinued the battle into the night. Twelve Avengers CTBM-33 launched torpedoes at strategic points. A ,Q - s I ff Q. fi-nw' 1 'pq , .Q ,,. I ix: :first wit- A N F-IU wi

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