Bunker Hill (CV 17) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 17 text:

REAR ADMIRAL JOHN J. BALLENTINE, USN ..,i,,...I Sx ji 1 A? Xxfhen Rear Admiral John Ballentine became guardian of the U.S.S. Bunker Hill, she was a rather haphazard mass of gray steel and snow Hakes lying in a wet slip at the Fore River Shipyard at Quincy. He watched her grow daily and from the first day he saw her there was a light in his eyes that set him apart from the crowd when he spoke of things to come. His one overall aim was to strike the enemy, hard and fast. He and his crew found that enemy-again N '-1 , 1' 'fam ' 'l ffl ,.zltm .3 T uk 1-ff' , , -,Q ,u -- xx Na 'x .XX x . li Nlgfgrx N .ff fffffi .Jpiff in -'N' ips .' l, fn' f .' -L, 'f , .Muay .g i 2? ' 1 11.5 ,ff pf' f.,-' ' Jiri' .iw -4' .. 1 1' ' f-523' , , ,fi f .f5fi':-f.'1','1f 2' X ' . - gum' I, ,f f If E all r9,i i .:t.' f f'. -. 'Q :A'f!f- ,.-,lt- f J -V!l:.f'fl ' fi' ,M 'Q ,J , i YI., ll ,li If - ill- :-, v' ,ff iifli lbs' r , J1 .- ' Z ,Q4:l3f.'igf H ,riff ' :iff 1' H- ' A :!l,l . J If :Mil ' --.XGA mfr. 4: .5 ff n I v, , .... If .JZ ,... lr Jogfiii Ts1.,L01'5o1s'45j ig , 1 .4 I 1 . JW ,f like .' ' ,. , . and againg his ship became a lethal Gray Ghost as the airmen took to the pre-dawn skies on attack missions that came thick and HSL In February of 1944, Captain Ballentine be- came Rear Admiral Ballentine and was named Chief of Staff to ComAirPac. A short time later, he Was decorated with the Silver Star and Legion of Merit i . . for daring and skillful leadership of a carrier Hagship in the South Pacific.

Page 16 text:

5 ff.: If I f ',Joe LU Txttorsom ' I 0 fi 1-r'f'f'i .-Jams, .r i., sAlllUaSiu-iq' REAR ADMIRAL GERALD P. BOGAN, USN ear Admiral Gerald P. Bogan, USN, who succeeded Admiral Montgomery as Flag Oilicer aboard the Bunker Hill, also became the second admiral to serve aboard from the State of Michigan. Born on Mack- inac Island, some three hundred miles north of Fort Huron, Admiral Sherman's birth- lace on Lake Huron, Admiral Bogan carved is future career from a boyhood among Great Lake sailors, although he received his appointment from Illinois, Where he was attending school in Chicago. Rugged in appearance and action, With his fighting features accentuated by a n0SC seven times broken-in and out of the line of duty-his genuine modesty and sincere distaste for personal gloriiication belies the blue storm he can turn up when properly aroused. In his scanty free moments, he Pfefers the company of his juniors in HH atmosphere of strict informality, especially there's a convenient piano which enables im to express his musical talents in the lead of some good harmony.

Page 18 text:

P 'gif I, ,EJ if W fi'- r 1 A fi 7 9 205- .riff 14 ' fl, 1 jf! CN f fviw x' ,f Sn.. ff!!! ,z ,W .1 k .lr 4 !A'--. fu, Wulf L X il-'1,f ,-,-51.-Q, 5 er.q,.f... frfvf-Lv I ,J I f 'Nz-El CAPTAIN THOM aptain Thomas P. Jeter, USN, relieved Captain Ballentine as commanding ofiicer of the Bunker Hill in February shortly be- fore the iirst fleet strike against the Japanese bastion at Truk. Returning to the Pacific from Admiral Ernest 'J. King's staff, Captain Jeter led the ship in assaults against Truk, the Marianas, Palau, and Hollandia in rapid succession. He brought with him twentv-five years of valuable Naval experience, ranging from a S P. JETER, USN post as aviation advisor to Admiral King to as asszgnlment as Naval Advisor to the N aval Aiar olege of the Argentine at BuenaS ires. As Skipper of the Bunker Hill he earned a reputation of inspiring leadersh1p, xlhich was recognized when he was awarded t efliegion of Merit for the manner of his per ormance of duty. A native of 'South Carolina, Captain Jeter ivon his commission from the Naval Academy in June of 1918.