Ill Illll X i i E O 'Wahl gf: Vi' ML 1 ,141 J 'I' mi X S ,A 1 'Q 1- A xt il H QW s ' IHIIHHIHX KY Ulf!lll'1fhi'l7fl tba Iv s.-mf 5,141 -J'-'f' rfv--mafia Juv? -'f .-'win f :wi !5':'.'-11:51 Ftfiff ftmf. fvamqfuuf svn Iv-r, 1.-uf E-srg7' 'w w 3' X-087 mvmmu i'!a!:,ln i-'si M 35'-' frm! 'ffm .'w1r.f. Prvudh uw gafrin--'ri fxwi ami sp, .lr tin- ful Bev-160401 1N5'lKJfff'a W .:': 4 iw! hill fav-fs'-5' U , nn. 56-.f vars Ihr rl' 'IVF . l1lkfNulr 'N'i'lrfv.'-1 xrs. f.'. '2f.f Ir' lfvr, -Jnizm S. l'ir I-4 ts... 3 2 ,J V 5' 'fl 7g 7 2 6 5 , I, CAPTTOFSTIE I EEMMEN l' ' 3 CAPT. DUNCAN ICAPT. wleasn 1 4 l n.AoMmAL SHERMAN j 11- Q . A- W' in Q. 5' E 'E fa E ' L ,ai ' .C 1 C ,rs X ,E ECAPT- MATHEWS I EINE EEEIEEEE EE EEE . S. E. ESEEE CAPTAIN DONALD B. DU , , . ' ' ' f 7 Au ust 1944 to 30 June Washmgton, D. C., from 31 December 1942 to 6 November 1943 CAPTAIN RALPH A. OFSTIE, USN, of Everett, Wasbmgton, from 6 November 1943 to 7 August 1944. E X. D1ego, Cahforma, rom g 1945. CAPTAIN ROSCOE L. BOWMAN, USN, of Man- chester, Ohio, from 30 June 1945 to November 1945. CAPTAIN LAWRENCE O. MATHEWS, JR. of Ingram, Texas, from November 1945 to the Present. 7 3 S Q K s 1 2 I 1 x S E I i i i i 1 1 9 f w w, Y ,.,i..T- iii-. -E igvlx an 'NWN K e -.-' jifi Q ff 37 , ill WWNM! ez, X if At a meeting in this town, on Tuesday evening last, of those gentlemen who have subscribed to build a ship for the service of the United States, it was voted unanimously to build a frigate of 32 guns, and to loan the same to the government, and William Gray, Jr., John Norris and Jacob Ashton, Esqs., Capt Benjamin Hodges and Capt. Ichabod Nichols, were chosen a committee to carry the vote into immediate eHect. -Notice in the Salem Gazette, October, 1798. 9 1111 .S.S. The first Essex, which historical research indicates was named for Essex County, Massachusetts, was built by private subscription on the credit of the United States under the terms of the Act of june 30, 1798. Her lseel was laid at Salem, Mass. on April 13th, 1799 and she was launched on September 30th of the same year, being completed at a cost of 8139,362. Her principal characteristics were: burden, 850 tons, length, 141 feetg breadth, 37 feetg depth of hold. 12 feet, 3 inches. Her original battery consisted of 26 long 12-pdrs. and 10 long 6's, but during the war of 1812 she carried 40 32-pdr. carronades and 6 long 12's. Her complement was 274 olhcers and men. Dn December 17, 1799 she was presented to the United States and accepted by Captain Edward Preble. U.S.N. The Essex sailed from Newport for Batavia on January 6, 18W under the command of Captain Edward Preble, U.S.N. in company with the Congress. The purpose of the voyage was to escort a convoy of Ameri- can merchant ships to the United States, the United States then being engaged in a naval war with France. The Congress was dismasted six days out in a heavy storm and the Essex was obliged to continue alone. She was the first United States man-of-war to double the Cape of Good Hope, which she did on August 27th, 1800, repassing the Cape liomeward bound with her convoy. The second cruise of the Essex was made under the command of Captain Williaiii Bainbridge, in the squad- ron of Commodore Richard Dale which was the first squadron sent by the United States to the Mediterrane- an, convoying American merchantmen and bloclcading the Tripolitan ships until June 17, 1802, when she WAS sent home for repairs. She was sent baclc to the Medi- terranean under command of Captain James Barron in 1804 and attached to the Mediterranean Squadron, first under Commodore Samuel Barron and later under Com- modore Rodgers. She remained on this duty until the spring of 1806 after the conclusion of peace, and parti- cipated in the capture of the town of Derne, April 27, 1805. Under command of Captain David Porter, U.S.N. on July 3. 1812, she sailed from New York carrying a Hag inscribed with the words i'Free Trade and Sailor's Rights. She cruised first to the southward and in a short time captured several British merchantmen and a transport bearing troops to Halifax. On August 13 she was attacked by the British armed ship Alert which, after an action of 8 minutes, surrendered in a sinking condition. This was the first British war vessel cap- tured in the coniict. On December 11, the British government packet Nocton was captured with 550,000 in specie on board. Having heard that the British government had sent S. K '35 .,, 1, ,, 11111111 FEHHY-H1111 out vessels under Capt. james Hillyer with orders to take the Essex, Captain Porter sailed to the Marquesas Islands to refit, and on his way captured other British vessels. He anchored in the Bay of Nukahivah where the Essex was the first to carry the American flag, and it was named Massachusetts Bay. He assisted in sub- duing the hostile natives and on November 19, 1813, took possession of the island in the name of the United States. On March 28, 1814, off Valparaiso, Chile, the Essex was captured after an engagement of eight hours while attempting to escape a blockade by the British ships Phoebe and Cherub. The U.S.S. Essex, second of that name, was a ferry boat called the New Era, built by Page and Bacon, St. Louis, Mo. in 1856. She was purchased from Wiggins Ferry Co., St. Louis, Mo. September 20, 1861, and con- verted into an ironclad center wheel steamer of 614 tons. The Essex served in the Flotilla in Vifestern Waters which later became the Mississippi Squadron. 1862-1865, under Flag Officer A. H. Foote, Commodore C. H. Davis and Rear Admiral D. D. Porter, U.S.N. While under the command of Commander XVilliam D. Porter, engaged the Confederate gunboats near Lucas Bend, Mississippi River, January 11, 1862, and participated in the capture of Fort Henry, Tennessee, February 6th. Passed the batteries at Vicksburg and attacked the C.S. Ram Arkansas on July 22, cooperated with the army in repelling the Confederate attack on Baton Rouge, La., August 5th, Again on August 6th attacked the Arkansas which was driven ashore and destroyed by her officers and crew. Under Commander C. H. Caldwell the Essex engaged in the bombardment of Port Hudson, La. May 8 to June 26, 1863. Under Commander Robert Townsend , ,Q YE.. STEAMEH EAHHIEH she engaged the battery at White Hall Point, La. in relief of the U.S.S. Monongahela, july 9 and 10, 1863, and took an active part in the Red River expedition March 12 to April 18, 1864. She was sold at public auction at Mound City, Ill. November 29, 1865. The U.S.S. Essex, third of that name, was a woo-den screw steamer, built at East Boston, Mass. by Donald McKay and the U. S. Government. She was of 615 tons, length 185 feet, beam 35 feet, 3 inches. She was placed in commision at the Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. October 3, 1876, Commander Winfield Scott Schley commanding, and assigned to the North Atlantic Squad- ron. In 1877 she cruised to Liberia and West Coast of Africa. In 1878-1879 she was attached to the South Atlantic Squadron. Ordered to the Asiatic Station on january 1, 1883. In October, 1886, visited Ponapi, East Caroline Group, to investigate reported massacre of Spaniards and afford protection to American mission- aries. Used as an apprentice training ship until placed out of commission at the Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N. H., April, 1898. Recalled to duty on the Ninth Naval District, 1917-1926, and was loaned to the State of Minnesota, August 20, 1927, for use of the Naval Re- serve. She was striken from the Navy List on October 27, 1930, and sold December 23, 1930. The present Essex, the fourth ship to bear that name, was authorized by an Act of Congress dated 14' June, 1940, and was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Va. Her keel was laid on April 28, 1941 and she was launched at 2:46 p.m. July 31, 1942. I-Ier sponsor at launching was Mrs. Artemus L. Gates, of Locust Valley, Long Island, N. Y., the wife of the assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air. PRESIHE Till UNIT llllllll The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION To The U. 5. S. E 5 SEX and her attached Air Groups participating in the following operations: August 31, 1943, Marcus, Dctober 5-6, 1943, Wake, November 11 to December 5, 1943, Gilberts, Rabaulg January 29 to February 23, 1944, Marshalls, Trulc, Marianas: AG-9 QVF-9, VB-9, VT-91 Ma 19 to 23 1944 Wake, Marcus, June 11 to August 8, 1944, Marianas, Bonins, Y 1 September 6 to November 14, 1944 Philippines, Palau, Ryulcyus, Formosa, Luzon: AG- 15 fVF-15, VB-15, VT-15, Pm of VFN-771 December 14 to 16, 1944, Luzon: AG-4 QVF-4,VB-4,VT-41 january 3 to 22, 1945, Philippines, Formosa, China Sea, Ryukyusg February 16 to March 1, 1945, Japan, Bonins: AG-4 QVF-4, VT-4, VMF-124, VlVlF-2131. March 18 to May 24, 1945, Ryulcyus, japan, july 10 to August 15, 1945, Japan: Aces qvilsz, vBFs3, visas, viissp. for service as set forth in the following CITATION 'For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the air, ashore and afloat in the Pacific War Area from August 31, 1943 to August 15, 1945. Spear- heading the concentrated carrier-warfare in the forward areas, the ESSEX and her air . . . . . ' d groups struck crushing blows toward annihilating japanese fighting power, they provide air cover for our amphibious forces, they fiercely countered the enemy's aerial attacks and destroyed his planes, and they inflicted terriQc losses on the Japanese in Fleet and mer- chant marine units sunlc or damaged. Daring and dependable in combat, the ESSEX and her gallant officers and men rendered loyal service in achieving the ultimate defeat of the Japanese Empiref For the President, Secretary of the Navy 13 'Q-f..,..,-.Q 61 6- an 'n K p -Mil' sl. 1 SY F I-4' a . I ., ,. wi. . N . , 5-,fi A K , MA :3v.,: i ,, .1 :ww f v ug' ir' 5 .1 '!A1,,AQf,.,,, N 'A t 5.4 4 i s I x A W LF 2i'k.g, , 1-, Lk Y if 1 4 N'Y1L'1,EtZc lfflgfk . Y A V , va ,. ,. '- n 'V .,,,, if fw x , V ,1-.- ,Ju , ' f M,,,1t35 is-gif 64 - . 4' i I r - V' ,. ' ' , Q:X5T3'7i Y vu ' 1 ,' A Y .7-1. , pi ,. f M J f-.' .fn 'f l , fn...-p 3, A- Y 1. P Q Agn '-uf.-f Vr' , ' g 'ww : - + . , 1 ,Q I '1 Sfmt . My 0, ' b , J 4, 9' v- I u Y b - 1 L.-5...-,W A '- -' ' '4 '- , , V f.: - 1.--f . . N V .. .-'- -,1-. .J.i. -,T -Q-aff 4 .f'fi71W 5 1,+1f:ff -- fl, 2 V- A f ' 2 ' -V , ' ' , 5:-'51Q:?lf.. v A N- I ' A '?'f g,' 3 1 'A ,. , ..- ..- . Y- , ...,.. ,--Q, pay- -- Y,-Y -4-f 'i'- . 'A ' N , ' ' B K ,.., L i ' ' K :Q , ., ' oi '- , a 1 ' - ' -5.1.5 .Ji- ug' 1 . -,6.,qq,..-Q, , A .V1.,,w, , 1. . y W A flux ,Y A X f -? 5 Q ,- a . Q 1' , . , ,Q 5. I , . - vo H . , ' n ,rr . ,-F. - . 1 -N -. , , , .. fx .V , 2 'Q Q -we fuf 1 ., ',,. -' gd A 'i Y , v ,I v. 4 1 '5.,,2: .g,?'k xk.s , 'Q 4-:Ai ,,,'. ,Nj . .,, , , en., I'-3 I . Q s ' . . K Wg -'K' .J .1 v- , , f W, W, , , 'I' 'L , ' .,kf:f,f'g, 4114, ary' - 9-infikgfll A ,, , , +852- . , ,,. xx 1- uffab? ' -4 'I , 1 .. 1? . 3, ing, . 1. ' s gf. an x. ,,-. .ASN n w Q, . 5 u 1 . . A - I 1 , , , , , .,1:g,,,1.' sd' n'sd.gf,u,Lh,1,,-,,-,.,:p-r1lnnH:-..bnSi.vg-.r--oas -s.p1lrll-'M' .S -I-n r rs rlnofxof 'L INTHIJIIUIITIUN The U.S.S. ESSEX was the first of a new and powerful class of aircraft carriers to join the U. S. Fleet. Many of the same class have since followed her down the ways: among them the YORK- TGWN, INTREPID, I-IORNET, FRANK- LIN, TICONDEROGA, LEXINGTON, BUNKER HILL, WASP, HANCOCK, BEN- NINGTON, and SHANGRI-LA. The period from the launching of the first ESSEX on September 30, 1799 to the launching of the present ESSEX on July 31, 1942 covers a span of 133 years of American Naval History. The first ESSEX, named for Essex County, Mas- sachusetts, was a ship of 850 tons, 141 feet in length, and 37 feet in width, built at a cost of S139,362.00. The present ESSEX, fourth ship to bear the name, displaces approximately 30,000 tons, carries a flight deck 870 feet in length and 109 in width, and was built at a cost of many millions of dollars. ii-1- The present ESSEX was authorized by an Act of Cong ress dated June 14, 1940. She was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Va., and her keel was laid April 28, 1941. Her sponsor at the launching 14 months later, fjuly 31, 19421, was Mrs. Artemus L. Gates, the wife of the Assistant Secre- tary of the Navy for Air. The ESSEX was rushed to completion to bolster Navy striking power in the Pacific. Captain D. B. Duncan was given command of the ship at commissioning ceremonies on December 31, 1942, at the Norfolk Navy Yard. A man of few words, the Captain's address to the crew on this occasion was typical. This is the complete text: The only reason for the existence of the ESSEX, now and in the future, is to destroy the Germans, Italians, and 'Japanese wherever and whenever we can 'seek them out. This will require many weeks and months of unremitting toil and vigilance. Sub rf-255 -.er ject to the limitations imposed by this primary ob- jective, I shall endeavor to make you as comfort- able and as happy as may be. It is my intention and expectation that between us we shall make the name of ESSEX carry fear and destruction to our enemies, with praise of our friends, and be an everlasting credit to our coun- try and our flag. Having completed preliminary trials, qualihca Fl' Trl--3o- tion of her Air Group and her shalcedown cruise, the ESSEX sailed from Norfolk and reported to the Commander. U. S. Pacific Fleet for duty on May 16, 1943. 1-Ier record since that date is a thrilling story of our Navy's offensive action and striking power in the westward march to Japan- to final victory at Tokyo on August 15, 1946. These operations are summarized in the following pages. ff- xr!! x sf' 03' r-1N,f rf. if 'Q .'.g..,,3s. fi 4,1 - ' V -'-- 1 M.: . , . 'uvkiifz-.' - -f -2 i-t. f-fr -1':, v ff - fx, , f' za- 5 if :-, h - -5172 ' ., 4+ - ,i . 1 i. XF? ,- ef' W' -3.2 a. -. , .fggr-,fsf 1 Egfr -' p ' - 2- , .f- - I, , QF?- - 1 1'5 s i ' . LU -----.LT -.1 Cannery Blue Book MagaZi11f COMM! SSI V N I N J CEREMONY 31 HEEEMBEH 1942 ' ...Iv ' , 'f':' .4 , , ..I -V. -f -1--p..,.,,, .W-iff - -'M Ai., ,- ' ' ,, V. S 51. , ' ' M .fm-M ay 1- Ig. X 2 'x. 1 I-3 M513 ,A .M , . dp .sn . 1 3 Af- - ,P ' mf' fb T gf Wi , , ,wt T H E E A H L Y U A Y S ? U N ,JH , TE? ,. 1 ' ., .5 ,- E N' Nzlfflwl ff ,,..,u, lx 5 f LLif .L A .V . H A E . E 5 5 E X T H E F I H S T L A N U I N G Comdr. F hugh L Hill H MAHEUS ISLA H-AUGUST 31. H143 The Marcus raid had a twofold purposeg first, to train new carirer air groups and second, to disperse the Japanese forces by striking around the circumference of their outlying defenses. The raiding force, of which the ESSEX was a part, was the most formidable U. S. Force that had yet been seen in the Pacific. However, in comparison with more recent operations in the Pacihc Area, this task group was only about one third the size of task groups we employed in 1945. Marcus had been hit only once before, some eighteen months earlier when a force commanded bv Admiral Halsey struck in February 19-4l. Success of the raid depended to a large extent on attacking with the advantage of complete surprise. Avoiding Nlarcus and Wake search patrols, the ESSEX and her accompanying ships did achieve that surprise. The ESSEX air group was launched in complete dark- ness and her planes were over the target before the Hrst light of dawn came over the horizon. For the next ten hours, the island was under incessant attack by planes of this force . . . japanese planes were caught and burn- ed on the runways. XVhen retirement was begun late that afternoon. Admiral Purnell, Task Force Comman- der. was satisfied that destruction of air facilities and major installations on the island had been complete. Warm-Up Targels For Air Group 9 SRX 1 Pli- 1 Y... 'vs-. F llllll ll llfllil Ill-ill Ulllllll 55,1943 A Tlie attaclq on Wialce resemlileti :ive Xlarepis rizti. fll' iight i of ' rst dai: and were resumed at sunrise tlie was more extended. lasting two dats. and is daring I ii 4,-. -we Tfzig- t-ni-my ollered little resistance from inflicted upon tlie enemy was accordiiigiv greater. Tito me air. GF :lie ngliters wliicli attempted intercep- ESSEX was tlie rlagsliip of a large carrier tasic force rt fruit tiie a1r. several were sliot down. A larger wliicli gained inspiration for its mission from tlte l lf t nine-r iiicli made no efiort to talie nfl were destroyed stand of tlie small Marine garrison on Wake in :ne or damaged on tlie ground. Moderately intense AA and tragic days ofDeceml1er, 10-ll, Wake iiad been raided zfiaciiin- 53:1 fi!'e'. '.-. fiicli diminished as tlie attaclc pro- once previously, lay Admiral Halset' in :lie Enterprise in Felwruarv. 1942. As at lvlarcus. tlie approacli was made without de- tection. and again tlie first ESSEX air group planes were airborne during darliness to initiate a dawn attaclc. On tliis occasion tlie strilces persisted tlarougliout dat'- Agressed, nad little eldiect on the attaclcing forces. Build- ings, large and small, and otlier ground installations and lauried stores were largely destroyed or appreciably damaged wlien tlie order to discontinue tlie attack was given and tlae last of tlie attacking planes returned to tlieir slaips. 23 v . 4 .....'!i , an -1-My ' K V A , W .fwknoufs N1 5 . of' 'Fe GW 52,0 'air' -:Y I X me mga 5 A I A R Z -Agni. an . -:lr '-ug, . -n HAI FV 9 is rvfuclcd Ivy thc U.S.S. Tallulah przor to speed run or attack H on Rabaul HABAL UVEMBEH ll 1943 24 The ESSEX attack on Rabaul was unique in several ways. It was not a part of the over-all strategic plan for the advance in the Pacific. . It was strictly an attack of opportunity. The attack set the stage for the greatest carrier air battle of all time. It was the most severe blow U. S. forces had ever dealt to shore based japanese aircraft. Moreover, enemy planes failed to score a single hit or to in any way damage our ships participat- ing in the attack. Early in November, we had received information that large numbers of Japanese ships were concentrating in Rabaul harbor. The concentration was potentiallv a serious threat to our recently established beachhead on Bougainville, a vitally important operation in establish- ing complete control of the Solomons. The ESSEX, one other large carrier and one small one, and a half dozen destroyers were anchored peace- fully in an Allied harbor far to the south, when orders came in the middle of the night to proceed to a point 75-100 miles oil Rabaul and launch an attack. Augmented IYVU CllfSfrUVk'l'S l:l'Unl fill' SUlUiliUllH area, making a total of eight destroyers in all, rhi- three carriers made a not too formidahh- force tor an attack on what was then the most important and certainh th.- strongest enemy base in the South Pacific. At dawn on November ll, W43, nearlv everv plane of the ESSEX air group was on its wav to the target. Primary objectives were enemy combat ships. Because the approach was again undetected, there was reason to believe the target would not be alerted until it was too late for ships to escape from the harbor. When the attack began some ships had reached the harbor en- trance, some were franticallv getting under wav, and many were still at anchor. The ESSEX had never be- fore been presented with such a lucrative opportunitv. and in spite of determined interception bv swarms ot enemy fighters. her planes pressed home the attack with gratifying results. Sixteen planes from the intercepting group were destroyed bv ESSEX planes alone. The ESSEX personnel had waited patientlv for manv months for a chance to sink or cripple 'lap warships. and now were tremendously eager for return of the planes from the first strike. News of the chaos at Rabaul was jov- fully received. The returning planes had been rearmecl and some were already launched for a second strike when there came the first indication that a large number of enemy planes were approaching the disposition. Fortunately, all of the ESSEX fighters and most of the fighters from the 1 -sm MW., .- 4 0 1 ' 1 Ve' Q ,S ..x,,fAf- 'Lf is M 5 1, ' Q' mt- AJ, ' - A, ' ' 'N .a3 i'.,l -4. - ,ta A 1, . 'fi ,yi A g , . . - ,gr 55 0 .1.f5lEx..kg3',. J Ugg! Y K 1 Q v J ' , I 'E 1 ' 1 ll .es V D. lf tl. I L w L, I 'I h ' I I ll Q1 1 vzzig. 'ne lfSSlfX hffgan retirement immediately after Had iXifCIl talcen ahoard. Wfith exception of avoid- zzig if-arcfies of -lap torpedo planes that night, retirement ls 'racfc 'mtfiiitzt incident. and the ESSEX was then a zeterazz of three major operations against the enemy. This actznn '--was of special significance to the ESSEX rr ie'A '.-.c 1 n another wav also in that just a few days prior to receiving orders for the Rahaul attacl-Q, Captain Dun- can had he-en relic-vecl hy Captain R. A. Qfstie, U. S. . .'. v n Novemher 6, 1943. Captain Cfstie had only tive dans in which to get acquainted with the ship and ner crew before leading her into one of the most severe actions ot her combat career. His skillful maneuvering of the ship throughout the attaclc brought the ESSEX through virtually unscathed except for a few men wounded and very minor hull damage from the near misses of Japanese homhs. X 41' Smoke rises from Water where a Jap Zero crashed A N. A withering blanket of anti-aircraft fire meets the Jap planes 28 More than sixty enemy planes were shot down by our planes H Hi I If . ,3 f ' 9457 'W t, The cameraman recorded the action 29 Ullll llll ill ' l llllllllllll 1325 1943 llll lllllllll llll lll, .t , l-hi, l,k.mi,Mw: bl Z X ,g, ll-,ring this periwtl the ESSEX was Mlwhibimlx Owns , . L ke I .e get e 44 e , i rig.: gina--Lg lip' japanese torpedo planes Ryu. tn 5- U x-x- Ll,'H5,, M ' ' A xv. .2 'g-gt. LYl, il1C' tiirinzgli xitisvatlied. l H1 5fE'1ffUl'f1 NLF- V515 N - ' l:.f- - -4,-f, apaziiiii ft: rlie iiillierzs was a rugged experience fur i at-t:.i:i.szi iz: :in 1- rt if Kiii-'HSN 'K l gf Egr:EQX. lt 1'-as the first time she participated in an am- .'-tw-ifftl KWH V-M will 7 1 iiivimgs fiperatiftz. ller air grfnip made more than 700 in- lilte FSH-'X was :Ext 1 1 dividgai sr-rzies :intl drfippetl tiver 300,000 pounds of bombs. I-P3 1-'ffff Uhifli 1D?'f L Ti: 4- fl .-Xfrhfiugli Illese attacks literally' pulverized all the above-ground In 1'l'l-Ili? Wfffffi 1- 53 'Ui T-VU ' ll- 'T 352' 313733 i:'.stail:izifms nn the island they did not eliminate the .laps ill landings by destroying .2 :.1i..2.io::s sw. Q1.llrffT?iLlCEZ7Tr ' ' :heir iizidergrfinnd duguuts and they bitterly defended the Ihr' lSl1llNl ef lilflfll 011 'li-if-W-1 -li ', if- isiazid as to make the lnattle for Tarawa one of the bloodifff .-Xt dawn on the znorniztg of Xovernixr 15th. planes :rig-rn the 511 thf hlff0YP' 'lf the Afmfd FUTCES Of the United STIHCS- ICSSEX arrived over Tarawa .-Xtoil and made their irsr attack The training in amphibious operations which the ESSEX fe' on Bititu Island. For several days prior to and during the eeived in the Gilberts was of great assistance to the occupati0l1 amphibious operation, planes from the ESSEX kept the island later of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshalls. 30 S y llllll lli llWllllll -lllllllllllll 4, lllll Thff Kwaialcin falfl 'ff llffffmbfif 4. 1943 Wir mllfff il' 1 'TCTYTK-i 'HPPEYIL flwxt oz thaw plain-5 xscrc left untlzlnmgt-tl. clufling protective mea-:irc for the wf'f gp3tifwft ff th: Gif?f: x, .Xgxiiz ll Nzzcccwtazl ftrikc rcxzftrd. .mtl mmm ihipf in the nurthcrn Enemy air hasta in the vmthcrr. Nlarxhali grwzj had Nui rf .tid wtgthqrtt plrt- .tg j3lQ,,i,:: MN ACR. Funk 0, so-t.rl.l5. Pfalfdlf' fiffflfillfll flllflfli-C mf fiilbfff lffffri' 5 if lr Eff mf il-lfnlllill 55 F55lfX plstrtx ,vii 1-f.t tN TTUIU other cairrit-rs parti- heart and renter of the Mar-lprtii tlcftfr. C NL had rw: .t -' igniting 2:1 :Ex .zt:.1tw. I hit. As u rc-ult, then: uufzrc zz Surg: :.'.m?vt:r wr tificmfv plant- -' w Q lmuwcl there uvuilzihlc fur riut.ti:w-cff r:ir.:'f,r1:cmc:tt uf wgthrrz. ' 13 Nizirwhzill air lime--, :tml girtfltlivr ftfmfzitrgttifiz. 'gltgfv KX'Q'g ' ' :rx UA gwup lwggln R., -hipping hzitl lice-rt rt-purrfvrl iii tlw- f::ttc:fi'.t: 1Ligv,m,, H Vt ,UZ -H mmioun uhh um MCH A scrrmtl purpn-ef um :inn Qiffwrrxpfi-lictl in th.tt '.,t1 .11 f. gr b Zvi' V glut- Ewzixhtxx tittt-tl tor xllfff' f'UflflIliNSZlIlf'lf pirturrfx mfn- fllltiimtl wr tht: :tmph ' I . 4 r E iw - X ttt.t.-12-lxt-tl cututut with tht- ings uhir-h we-rt: to ml-te: plan- tht- tUllf1uit.,grttfiftri., ' HQ X ' , 4 H M .kqx,m,l ,mtg lhcn hrgtln thx. XVith run rarricr -tril-.ing Lfl '1'l1lN tgmlf-r .Xtlrtiiri lk, .V J '-'T -1---2-N -if ilu Nxlt to tl.1tc. l-'wr with the ESSEX fl' fling-hip ut' ffm' uf thfsm, th: L1f,g,f,t'E. - t ' il .xx t:i:x pf.l-'tw ut-it t'Ulilillll.lllX prun- :ngain rnzulr nutlf-tfzrt-rfl, lhv- l',SSl'.X grmtp mxif i,i'g:.- hai ' 4 Al 9 l5fliX ptzmzxztt-Q it-xn.1im'tl :tt lntttlc stations tlzmn, :mtl arriv.-tl mt-r tht- tptrgl-r lwfrwrff tht: :um wi- X VXA flif WU f11 1HlflPl-llllllml IWW!!!-Iviii' lwur- :nlt-rtrfl. lmir rm-tm fight'-rx uhhh hifi .trtrtrlptrrl In ir.tf:z't K N 1 4 H 'm 'N li fllf lull our g.u,,4Lif,g l,1.,,,.-. W,-W tl,.,f t1t,,,,, yimhf, m,,f, WHS ,N ,Xgim zzz: lf55l'X tyimc tlirmzgli t1ml.un.1gul gmtl gxlmtlit-1 mln- wrve-tl HH Ihr grmmrl lm! nehnriimli .t- rlif- g.rtti1,ir'. nfl'-' up if gym: up Ltjiult,tyl1liH-,-M-Llx 31 THE IIEUUPATIU HF THE MAHSHALLS ll Ullll ZH FEBHUAHY3 1944 The occupation of the Marshalls was the second amphibious operation in which the ESSEX parti- cipated. The operation was of special significance in that it marked the first time than any land area owned by them before the war had ever been taken away from the Japanese. It was the first time in history that the sons of the Rising Sun had actually lost japanese soil in battle. The ESSEX good luck still continued and again by carefully selected route and by careful timing of the approach, the Task Group of which the ESSEX was a part launched a surprise attack of Roi and Namur lslands, Kwajalein Atoll in the pre-dawn hours of -lanuarv QQ. 1944. The initial attacks were so devastating that hx' noon that day' every enemv plane in the air or on the ground at this base. the strongest in the Klarshalls. had been destroyed bv ESSEX planes and planes from the two other carriers operating with her. For the next two das' prior to the main landings on Roi and Namur. it was simply' a question of reducing the installations on both islands to a shamble. Wfhen the area was officially announced as cap- tured, and when this major striking force was no longer needed, retirement was affected. 5. bla 'Q V wt , , , , M V 1 , ' W L -1 M. Sfxamifff' ,, We -A Q Xin-FX! W , it , A we- Q wiv' N I 1 ui ,Q- , f M- ' . W . 53' 'X , J fy, at Q4 ' O an ,, ,av 'Q M Q Q, N.f'Q,1,,, H Q gg' A, A ,Q sv ni . ,,f Si' ' 'f V' 1'!4wa! y ...Vx W - A f -if ,hah W J , 1.4 -'-3 vw V i . -- 'vm f W. x ,qx-.M , ,- f, M , W f-,,g,,,.a . . f Q -I 51- fVV1,an ' 4 X ' ' ' .Iv -fm, . 7f5.,1y1,', A ,K h K., 'K , W' Hr! L, 'f f ' 7 'f Ig' 2- W 4 7 'mf 'gy ' ., h f y iq t A ' C' Qs, N 'im' A 1 ' 1. .a Y . gb . , ff mfd' 'Hx - Q ' fl' 5 4 - s Am M .Q 5 1 N. 1 A ., I ef M if, --fc 3 14 '. 3'V w a rf QQ 1, w 1, MR, yvf3 K E PHE NIEHT FIGHTER TAKIU UFF Q 3 'K Till ESSEX LISTE The following is a transcript of conversation between tank crews heard via radio during occupation of Roi- Namur. It was copied down by one of our officers. Feb. 1, 1944, Occupation of Roi-Namur . . . All aftemoon was spent in the Wardroom listening to the airborne spotter describing the progress of our troops, but half the time we could hear clearly the light and med- ium tanks talking back and forth to one another. Both tanks and spotter were on the same frequency. The tank talk was a scream and certainly was enjoyed by us listeners for it wasn't a description-it was the real thing. The first tank landed about 1300 and four of them steamed ahead of everyone. This was before their platoon or squadron commander landed, for we heard him take over later. We could hear the hum of their motors, grinding of their gears the roar of their cannon, and the staccato rat-tat-tat of their machine guns, but their conversation outshone even these authentic sounds of warfare. They must have driven 200 to 300 yards ahead of every- thing we had at the time and had cornered a group of Japs behind a burning truck in a clump of bushes in front of an AA mound or revetment. There were three medium tanks named Killer, Champ and Kiel-:aboo and a light tank named George I wish I could have recorded all I heard, but their con- versations ran something like this: NVhere in hell are all those Japs we was told were here abouts? Damned if I know. There are some over there behind that burning truck. I saw 'em move. Fire a tracer so I can see. There they go behind that clump of green bushes to the left. Rat-a-tat-tat Pause. Kickaboo, this is Killer. Let's move up closer. Cant Killer' my batteries are low. Okay, Kickaboo, move her in slowly manually. NVhat the hell! If I go in there slow, those Nips'll swarm all over me like flys. There goes a Jap. Rat-a-tat-tat Run over the sons o' bitches. Killer, this is George. Cover me and I'll go in and get 'emf' Note: George was so calm and unexcited it seemed he must be somewhere safe directing operations instead of advancing alone against an unknown objective. Hey, Killer, don't use your 75's or you'll be minus one light tank. Okay George I think I'll use my flame thrower on 'em, Killer Okay, go ahead. Boys, watch George, He's going to flame. Well see how it works. Later. Hey Killer, I got a gas truck down here in some bushes and put three shells in 'er, but she won't catch afiref' Use your flame thrower. George. That ought to touch it off. Don't get too close. About this time Congo, the tank commander, landed and came in on the radio. Killer, Kickaboo, this is Con- go. Where in hell are you? Over. Congo, this is Killer, We've got some Japs cornered over here by some bushes to the east. Over. Killer, this is Congo. Over near the AA Mound. Over. Congo, this is Killer. Yes sir. Hey, Killer, if you see them bastards, fire a tracer at 'em. Okay, George. And on it went all after- noon.. Finally the tanks became organized and launched coordinated attacks in conjunction with the infantry. In the air the spotter was having trouble getting his information through because of this interference. Most of his information was describing where the points of resistance were, where our front line markings were, and what our troops were doing. Occasionally there would be something besides routine coming in. Christ-ln Pause. 'iJenkins, this is Jacky. There has been a hellava explosion just south east from the center of Camallouge lNamurJ. It looked like the whole damn island blew upf' There were several such explosions during the day. Probably from underground ammunition dumps hit by the battleships as they put up a barrage ahead of the landings. Jenkins, this is Jacky. There are seven men sitting on the beach on the seaward side of the seawall in the north east corner of Burlesque lRoiJ. Jacky, this is Jenkins. Can you identify them? Over. Jenkins, this is Jacky. Wfait-I'll go down and take a look. Hey, Jenkins, this is Jacky. They're Japs. One of them is waving a Jap swordf' Roger, keep me posted. Over. Jenkins, this is Jacky. XVe have some light and medium tanks over by the seawall. They haven't seen the Japs yet. There goes a light tank around the seawall now. Just then the tank conversation cut in again. Hey, Hank, this is Murph. I see some of 'em back of this here sea wall. Come on over and help mef' Then the spotter cut back in. Jenkins this is Jacky. I didn't get your last transmission. Over. Jacky, this is Jenkins. I say again. I say again. XVhat is the situation behind the sea wall? XVhat is the situation behind the sea wall? Jenkins, this is Jacky. The tanks have seen the Japs now and soon there will be no more Honorable Japs. Roger, Jackyf' Pause. Jacky, this is Jenkins, How are the 7 Japs now?', Jenkins, from Jacky. Only 2 remain sitting up-others horizontal. There go the other two. And on it went. About an hour and a half later: Jenkins, this is Jacky. Our troops are in area 856 and 861. There is a large concentration of men in an anti- tank trench in the northern part of 862. Jacky, this is Jenkins. Are they our men? Are they our men? Can you identify them? Wait, Jenkins, I'll go down and take a look. Pause. Jenkins, this is Jacky. They are Japs. XVe were fired on by rifles. I think we'll make a strafing run on them. Pause. Boy, those twin 50,5 sound like music. How are you Jacky? Come in Jacky. This is Jenkins. How many did you get? Pause. We just made another run on them. Later. Get me outta here. For my money you can't get me back down there. Look at that hole in the port wing near the slot. Pause. My seat armor was hit. And so it went, as I've said before, all afternoon. It was more interesting than a football game. , OP' 661. D' . Aaeyipxgbb 30 Hx 69' rf't'?s'Zf20i fi '55 . VAN. ,df N fy ix ,.,,r.... . T 2 area N-XA, ,Q , 0 ilk? -x THE Hllll ll Tllll FEBRUARY 15-17, 1944 The ESSEX did not long remain inactive fol- lowing che Marshall ocupation. During the second week in February, she joined with other ships to form the most formidable carrier striking group in the history of U. S. Naval warfare. Never before had such a force of carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers been gathered together under one command. Apparently. the Truk raid was something beyond the realm of possibility in the Japanese mind. for well over one hundred U. S. planes were airborne and on their way to the target before the enemy had any idea of what lay in store for them during the next day and one half. Truk had been feeding the South Pacific for many months with ships, planes, men and supplies. The Truk raid, therefore, was a severe blow to enemy South Pacific support and served not only to make more secure our advance in the Central Pacilic, but also to precipitate the shakeup of the Japanese high command which immediately follow- ed it. Strike after strike was launche ESSEX until noon the second day. Planes were d from the tie' a is 5 f 6QQe,KlWl6i-.NMDNN7-A , W Q gee: Yer .. 465 N ,QQP-NQmv11-N0,,,6MkN W , wg Claws te'-ee X lff f-S will swf' ,,.,-.-,,,?... 6 041l!s 5-..,-...Tags-fx' ,,,., -..--.ff Cmtgnf O'Ne1v Snug, J, ,L Q I gcgijzigpfq 4 v t 3 . -5 refueled and rearmed immediately after return from each flight, the last planes landing just be- fore darlc. So efficient and devasting were the at- taclcs from the ESSEX and other carriers that not once during daylight hours was any one of our ships brought under attack. The ESSEX air group again made a substantial addition to a rapidly growing combat record. des- troying 36 enemy planes in the air. mann' more on the ground. sinlcing 4 ships. and damaging Q- others by bombs, torpedoes, or by strafing, Cn the night of February 16, the ESSEX made further additions to her experience with night tor- pedo plane attacks. The ship went to battle stations at about nine oicloclc that night when the disposition was nrst brought under attack. The attacks continued until shortly after midnight. but again bn' a co tbination of good luck and good zttanagettieri the ESSEX remained undamaged. ESSEX fi, s eoittzntleti their .ittaclis until N in. when high speed retirement segizn anti giccoinplislieti without incident. t '9' g ,, i 'Ah ,Y Q - ,- i i f ' J! ws: ' XVith the japanese rocked back on their heels by a succession of staggering blows, and with the possibility that another link in the Empire supply line to the Central and South Pacific could be brought under successful attack. the ESSEX and another carrier striking force started for the Mari- anas as soon as the ships could be refueled follow- ing the attack on Truk. This time the approach was marked by an in- cident which might have had serious consequences. Early in the afternoon of the day preceding the attack, an enemy search plane popped out of a 38 A I D U N . , 5 S A I P A N cloud close enough to see our attacking force spread out below, and jumped back into the clouds again to disappear before our fighters could knock him down. It meant that for the first time after seven at- tacks on japanese bases, the ESSEX would have to Aghr her way to the launching point. Shortly after sundown that night, the ship went to battle stations, and with the exception of short intervals as the night progressed, had enemy planes attack- ing until well after daylight of the next morning. As luck would have it, most of the attacks were concentrated on the Task Group of which the ESSEX was flagship. Throughout the night and even during launching in the early morning light, plane after plane attempted to get through the murderious AA fire put up by ships of her screen. By morning ships of the screen had made flaming torches of 13 enemy planes and sent them crashing into the sea. Shortly after sunrise, the remaining japanese planes either withdrew or were destroyed by our fighters. The ESSEX and other carriers launched their air groups for the attack. Planes from the ESSEX disposition concentrated on the airfield at Saipan, the prinicipal Japanese base in the harbor. Planes from other carriers covered Tinian and Guam. A large number of planes were destroyed on the ground. and what few planes were found in the air over Saipan were promptly shot down. Cnly two strikes were launched following which our attacking force retired. So completely had the Japanese air facilities been smashed that not a single enemy plane appeared to disturb a quiet withdrawal from the area. wfk . ,Q A Y .9 Q A t, MH I S aipan-the target if Z- W' .K , f 4 ',, Q 1 1 ,Q iff' ha' W in Jfxx ,1-, jag J V ' - 42' -. V x h, D xx l ., , T ml 'J 'u I h I! X 4 :JP I .' x V W ' K 'fl ' . fi! fa X1 I X Barrage of antzazrcraft fire from the 3 x ' t U 1 X ' I ' e Jap's defense of Saipan. 3' '5i ' f Q, 1 vu xx . N , x I'wQ., 'sSk, ,l ggx xe Q. . . K4 'lr V7 N.-' Nga -4- I - :ir xx Q! sgs ' .xx A iii 3 'I -.- Q lkl'f ',. R '.ip.:N, M - I.-7 -Mi n ' u .3 I fl Connery of Blur See-Q .U.:g.':iru+H.:-:mga G-fm 40 I 5 l 4 x R 54,2 , 2 . gl 9: ' Lf k u..: 'Q .S . .. L., ef 1 ' .I , 41.19. ,Z A , , 5 , ,. gm, A , , jiehgzlf if if - - I ' N 'i'QJ.': , J A 44, 199 f ' Jr, Lpfaf, 'fu rm VW, ti, , , ' qv f, to r, 1-, ,,,UMN5,1 Md- X .13 ' Y '23:f'm-s'35- 'fq,,w H -fu4Cm.,., L ,M..., .Y LJ Nj, -IQJYM3, Wh f..f . Q J-H Mg- , ff , . v 'O fm. 'T 'f ,Jim 'S --1' - A 5 ' QA -, v-.g,-,1,g,'J..4e:1s15gy-.fvA' -1 ff- -x ,gym ' wx- l3'4. 'l , - 'A ' g W- ' '5- '-A1110-W -W '--- -.' 3, - ,.,,,-m-Q f -.. ': ,,,, -5-bww-3 hg.k,gl,,.45, '-.L My. W ww-11 . I -Q enzvbx wx -. , ...w.:A, I U h . -. 1 - ... -Tag.-fl' ' .Neff f m.'s'l',-lg ...CJ m.a-I-swgfh x 2 -. ,, A QV- . --1' ,, W.. , , ,, . ., ,, A 1 .-- - ,K - . , .. fu-3'-:H fm 3. -ffm,-.f , A W.. '-Q-P b -1 - . . - - .., t'.Zq1g,. A '- ' ,- gm Q.. f ::':':....'-uf asf, - . , uw... , V.- W . A ,' .Qu W ,f , 4 ,,,f-'-14-YJ'-M ,A - vs Q .,,3b:-Q... t 5' 1.x A - -, K 'JYQ . V ,V ' :Ek-'T' ' 5.9 4' Q 7 V .- A-Q - - ' . - ,M ... m ' - r-1.3, if .. 4. ' th- i' L. lf we -5 .Q- -My al' ' -. I ' , I . ' . f' ,,, l Q., vi On Z3 February ESSEX set course for Majuro where she stayed for only two days before return- ing to the West Coast for Navy Yard availability. On 10 March the ship anchored in San Francisco Bay where she remained until 16 April having work done at Hunters Point and at the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company yard. ir After returning to Pearl Harbor with FIFTEEN embarked and after conducting train ing exercises in the Hawaiian operating area ESSEX departed for Majuro, arriving there 8 i iiii May, 1944. ii E ir ir f 4 L I 5, l l ll x ii flifilx . lf x 'P-31' 'M Cnxvtlfjl EIS! -K!-:S,,pU J From commissioning in December 1942 until September 1945 this was the only occasion on which the Essex was in drydock. The U.S.S. Essex at Hunter Point, California, Drydock l Primarily to destroy enemy aircraft and installa- tions and to destroy enemy shipping in the area, a task group consisting of ESSEX, WASP, and SAN .IACINTO with five cruisers and I2 de- stroyers got underway to conduct a two-day strilce against Wfalce Island. An important secondary objective for this operation was to alford combat experience to new air groups in all three of the carriers. Strikes were conducting against Marcus on I9- 20 May and against Wfake on 23 May with con- siderable damage inflicted against land targets Wfhile this operation cannot be considered an im portant lunge forward in the war in the Pacific its training value was important. The next operation in which the ESSEX parti- cipated was in support of the occupation of the Nlarianas-an action which lasted from 6 June until 13 August, interrupted for an inadequate period of only four days to replenish partially at Eniwetolc. 44 -M., B A T T I. E H A T I II N 5 6-11-44- Time out for e a ti n g is short W h C 71 battle opera- tions are in progress. During this sustained operation 3078 sortiCS were Hown and ESSEX and her air group had an opportunity to participate in one of the most significant actions of World War II. This operation involved attacks against the Marianas and the Bonins as well as against ,I3Pa' nese conbatant and merchant shipping- During the two month period the air group destroyed 104 planes in the air and 136 on the ground OI' in the water, sank 22 ships ftotaling aPP1'0Ximate1y 30,000 tonsj and probably sank or damaged an additional 38 ships festimated 37,000 tonsi- This was in addition to the tremendous damage inflicted on land targets and in close support of landing operations. Upon completion of this operation, ESSEX fe' turned again to Eniwetok this time for 21 Period of two weeks, to prepare for the operation in SUP' port of the occupation of the Palau Islands. Ji V kg! f K :V we V 2' , . 1 x .,x.W.! Y :'T s QV ' 5 .- 'A .W , dw , 4. D, , -,nz-' ' ' 1-. 1 . ' ,,.'.v.:w- , ' ' . -, 1, 1. -v- aiu! . -1 'Af ,P -nu HELLHIVEH5 BUSH TU - B AM On 7 August Captain OFSTIE was relieved by Captain Carlos W. WIEBER, USN. On 29 August ESSEX sortied with Task Force 38 to participate in the operation against the Palau Islands. The air plan anticipated extensive opera- tions against the Japanese Air Force, but early elimination of enemy airborne opposition in Min- danao and the evacuation of practically all of the enemy's remaining operational aircraft made it pos- sible to shift the emphasis to anti-shipping. With this reduction in the effectiveness of the Japanese Air Force it was even possible to provide sweeps and strikes over the Visayas and as far EL' X 2 north as Manila Bay where considerable enemy shipping was destroyed. 1 Upon completing this last operation retirement was made to Kassal Passage, Palau Islands, and then to Ulichi Atoll where preparations were made for the next month's operations. During con- templated six-day replenishing period at Ulirhi, however, it was necessary to put out to sea on 3-4 October to ride out a typhoon. On 6 October TF 38 sortied from Ulirhi and set course for the Ryulcyus area. Between 10 October and 14 November strikes were launched against Nansei Shoto, Formosa, and the Philippine Islands culminating in the 13-14 November strikes which virtually annihilated the remaining shipping in Manila Bay-an effective anti-climax to the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea. During this operation, which lasted something in excess of one month, a total of 1829 sorties were flown and 138 planes were destroyed in the air and 117 on the ground. Five warships and 22 other ships were sunlc while a total of 71 other ships were probably sunk or damaged. :n3F... ,, 407' f ,,r- -- . t' Counexy Blue Book M in r wh, an 4 1- - K . -1 I gy: I A ,Z 'U-ang fww- :afwwH.x,fff ef -- X -,VM ,,T, 1 'JP SYN-uv . ,. .5 xx 3 X Qt- ., , ' 4, '. VIH! Vr xux .5 . -Z ' ..'-:4 - W K -f,' .gl 'fa Mfr,-3-445, 1.3-W J , ,buf H -. K ' : ' ' nw :fe-, . ,..., N K V- .Ht . :1 . 2:--f J 1 ,Ae s . I 1 Z, 'qffj A -. '-'25 sn , ww ww 1 , ' i,ff 'L :Q v ,.' i ' T 4. rv H4 Q14 Q 5 x ., , , , 2 ,h ' . 41S1, .,,.Mv mm,M uf 4, ,N V ' .Liv ,wwf '. 1, 1 T' In--11-vi. .Mrs .V f - ' -K A s . Q Q I s - M'-M?k,7v'k,j -- f -,-. x t u -f . .. ,,, 4, A 9 3 , ,Ou-,K .,,- , - . un- 1 v ' -Q y . li A - A .fl u ,i ,4 .,h ' A ... - .--1, 4., ,. , -. M Q v . fljqmj' 4,31-' -Lpiurwf T - ?':,q,,,- - , F A . ' 7. . 4 as ?,,.,.,VAL aff 1 . 'J ww -V. nmfq ,Q ' www w ' L' 'vm , . , f ' V . . . - ,,. , , A A fi I' A 1 f'2'f:f1f ?2 X -Y 1 V -f W ...ls-l.l,Qn'il'- ,-. ...fu ,P fb ,. 'f ' -, V., - :-QQ --fu-we-'4r J 'viz , 1- -V.. , . 5 ' ' 'A ' 'M' ,- 4' ' phvlrqgtilwlg . AQ , f- , - X.. , 'y'fm2- . r - '--f V .-1... , Af'-3 1-vuzm 4 ' he f - A -3 ' ' ' I 1' - -v . . 75' XJ ,. , ,- 5' , f k. . , qg-4. , , 1 H, , ' mf V , .,,,, V, - . , wr , Vu. , - - J . , - 1 , .xv- , Q , . ' - . ' -V . 1 , J fuk.-', f. 2'?::,'-1 ff,-H , ff A , +,wf.+vm ' ..w' faMwNw,wM.i'Q Q ' V Q,-., ' 1 M , x ' ' ,M ' hc! is.. --, 3? f f 1 W6 sazqrlclglgzld -- 51.121901 111541 p.Jzu.w JJJ5Sf1 zum! st-hull : tltllifl ,lJl1lllJll!JxS' ll! IILIJJJ .'J.1.UL1lf' if r' ' .sig fir - .Ax A , .Ri ., i V ,LA.A . The Imperial Navy under attack by Essex planes-Second Battle of the Philippine Sea -04 A ' Jap 4.4 failed to save their Ships. SEEU HHHTLE UF PHILIPPI ESM D 1fll!7l 7' I' ns I . 1 x 0,4 CNl1.1pIa5n attending noundcd after sfrafing attack, October 24, 1944. N l 1'lI L Q X 1-urn W VX -' - 1 , ,rv LPHIII x-X-' - x X , -1-rw vim-- X- V .ifl-V Tiif'I'4' . ' , .mf ff!'iZZ!4 X . 'K N Q 1 yu-rffwxrl X A f '?.4-ff- 511111 X . :ini gr-t!irzL - X x. ,J A tx -. 'mf-: Smmf 12 I X X ' -1- :lsrf-111. f :, V, ,jss MIT, I'l'f1m tllf , Q X 1, So :nr nizhm fixhtcrh A A , i 5 J4f'rLi1's. I 'T f, 'A zz, fifhlHIl !' 11,211-nf .X X ,i ' A x V X H:-Fi INV.. T115 iS Vuluulhus XX 1' ' ' IU 2' 1- SIX :ix-im: zlwrn H . TLA- is :lieu nzltionzzl HU' 'H x ,N FI:5 1PH'r on Un' rlI'3' SVU-Sh' K 1A .' , A 1 v .-- ..c, rug k. ...L sa.. --, i tri.-J flzxgr , ,Kb The? -USL HIT V 'A' two n,u.eS 0 11 miles away. fr-V Z,---4 - ' J 'A JI 1111 ' .-c1. .6-. 52 T EIMI IIIIIPIIIIII PIII IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIII IIIIIIH 'II ' I .L .- . .- - :- n I' ' Ix'II ' I' ,LD .sn .LI. 4-.. -.,. ,..- l'l'-'- 'I'II- .'l- --In -- 1 IIl::'. XXv- III ,I --I ,I : I lf'IlI'I SIIII I IlI'I- -If-'-- I I--. I IMI- X'. ' , -11.1 II. I :NUI II-Ii- --I. II 4.1' , I' I 1I,. HIIIH- llllv' I-II-I II'-' -I- I - Ir XXIII-II III-I II- :Ir 'JIIIIT l'nlnI u-I I Ill I I- I- .1 I I Nfl!!-I :mu I'-.urn-I --nm --un I-1---N -I I .Lx I1-ul--, 1'lPIII 'I'Iu--lv I -I II ,III IIII, I , I Ill!-11.1 I--In I v-lin'--.I IL-1-I ,. jujn I,l,I I-I---ll --II I Lwv. Lp- II-,-' II--, I I1,I1Il-I ,--..ln--I. IX-. III I' I-g -' -I Xu:-II ur- --luv-'. --I--I I--I - I '--I I-lvl:-' all-I Imp QIVLI ll--Lgvwv ,uv 'I ul- I- vm I I- I-' III-In M- I-I---I! I pl- I: II -.- I 1-- I 2011 NI-gh! II,.gII'-I -X-II-an -In I---L -- julf- I 1v--:I-Ilx IIIQIII ll.,l-v.- II-I-I--A I'---, ' --n. 'l'IxII I----Luv -IH --I I I1 -,-. MII' II IILQIII- I' 11' I-- -In I--1 MI- I,-5: .I I-I -- If Iuuvn -II-I II-: --' IZ- - 'I I---,-In In--xx :UPI II--Ikglv II IIIII- 1 vf-X .X I- - --'I llu- --In II--I I--- II I' -:l.ulI---ul-I I----nn 'I'I 1'- - , , IIIIIIIII,---Il '-sv-f-'I- uf- ZTIIIH IIIVXX IIIIIIQ ll-I-'I--- -1' IZ.- :IIII 'I'!nlI-I '--IlI4'II'1r'. I' 'I 2015 ,X Ill--lu-IIs tI,II'-I -X '-' X ll:-I.,--I I-I--' f-- I'- .'IIIll I-'IIZIII-I ,III-I I 'f-- - I I tlll-IIIII, Qtlfnli IZULUZII' I-2 I:--xx ZI 'Il I- u I I I4 JI.,-III I II I- rv -' ' I Qufd I-'II-u-lIx IIIXLIII I-.AI '- 3 X, INDI- 'I'Iu- IIIIIII Ii,II'-I -I I ,- Imam IIl'l11 '--' '1, ' I I I--x ru I,I1v ri gI-'- 1- I' -'. - pnvmk- XX- III.-- I .uxXxXu,IIx-xl--Iux I ' :Inn 'l'Iu'l1' - -rl1- I I I--' 11:--'Iv-' AI :1 ll II--gglv IfIl1I'-- - .I-'- V LIIII 'l'IIvl- I-. -.-un X X ru- I In - IQ: Il+u.:ul-- IIIIXX II III!.- - -!- I-I If- :III .X,X lI!'v,u-7-:II I--'..' 1 illllv ll--Igntv In--xx N mal-- urv Iizmq .--Luna. I -vk'lxx--xx Ii.u-I I 2127 SIIII N2-'Ill-' IIIIIILL .I.:.1L, - II- QIIIU XX'-- Imu- I --I Q' I---ggw -I--'a - ' 211313 .X.X lin .Isl-ll: I:--xx f'z 1- - .X.X III'-I .XXII In 1- Im. r.-- :ITT 'I'Iwr-- iw nu m--x- X X nw- -.. :,- mx IIRS lhnlvln- :LSI--zu .-I' In I.-'XX 1 T rzz XX :XIII llupzgu- nn I---rl nltxyif-I' ,N ru Z- - :III II01:gI-- .In I---rr -g:x.L1:--r a- rn-.xx IN z-. I- I- lflll Nun haha- I-ugglr ,ny --ul -'x: - -1 H -Ir-'I-I---1 1 1: II,-----, Elf-I If-vm-:xt-r :mu .Lx LIL! lull-4 -If--gw xp, I!-IA - :I--. Illau'--Q num- z--mg --un I1--xx XX-- l.,I--- L --'Y --00 bv-'nrv tr--zu :vu-xxml -gmxwr--I'-, , . Il-'rr-I :- A In mln- Gunn--ry I'--3-.ulrm--xml. N0'lfl'.t TIIIS xl-'S--I-15-U-ly- uns ---1-I--.1 I-5 -'--zu-If XILNIIVKII UIII-Avr. :Ls sp.-I,-Xxx, XIxh..I::I1 :hp fizzg 2200, XIUHHIUS Xu-rv In th, U,,,- -K 1 -I -- III-'Il' IISXI'-'S. until Iixmllv gr. sux--IW N 1'---zz u.mf ma- llflvr rlarrk. 1'-un-lr. XI-'I..I.lI2l1IIIX Ny- Inf -I:-2 :z--: UI' ll' Sm- :lm slr--xx umxl nI1-- :mall IlwLII'v --I 1 nz'-vunxl nu tm- sun-kv 5.5 . V, .,- ggi- --II II- III- I I 'I' I'- ,-- --1. .. ug u LI - My 4---A TI1-- 222.413 -1-- liulilc 2 ulft-r Ivri-Ig--I :IL :mu-5 lu- ': zz: ,...,,- mnfkxsi I I H -x15,i -' 'AI-, , , 'VE :,w,-,as rm ' 1' v ia H Enemy submarine hits a tanker an- chored in Ulithi lagoon. V- aff' ,r ,onA r, .v,,-w T110 Essvx fights OH an attack wlzilv landing N' mt ' that the PILIIICS. . l 0. fvarricfs arc up for flu' mir! landing. l'l1c Esscx wfzavls Left: Jap plane tentatively identifed as a Judy as it Was about to pass over the radar a few seconds before it crashed into the flight deck and 20-MM. battery of the USS ESSEX. Below: The USS ESSEX bursts into flames when hit by Kamikaze. fi 'Sq A if -S il 33, Va, Q :J ,S 'F s -S s, S , .S we v N US' nge ,-x M514 ' g, Su- rib ' V 'Wi S L S S S 15' E fix-5.42Q, ,S fSQ,i'frf 'Z' f Q ' .fy . -,wp LQ' -512. - 'fi' .fa7f 1N3f-. H5 4: ,Q li f . for ,QQ L ,Ni Sw ya' Q35 eff F ,4s+' X-X ' , uf QM W ,.,. '1 - , 1 3. ...-A -f I .YN f -H x 7.51 1:.., w 'iff lllflrll L 'IifU!i11Iil 'i., 'fHi'lW.Ii'1i 4lllJH'Il'I' flmli ?'.1fi'x 'f'l Z' I HIUT fliWlK'l' Il Cif'iqi'l- Till. iiiir 1.15 iimii '.'. f-rv fiiiii'i'ig:1s-wni Nowiiiiwi' .iixi 't i ffiifl' fdf. iiiiiv iiiziiiv I iixoii isi,1!MEINi.lL'ZX - fitgiii iiwi' Ylllfwl ini'- qili Aiihi xii-,iypy jiiy fy K ,i .Ti'i+!' Villl'-,IIJNLQ fl i7H'g1'gIlSU- iivsu .iii tiuirc i'u:fi.11i :g . 'ff V :mii wriiimiccii 44 pines. . AMI. GNU, IJQL 'K' m,k, 2i,.i S- I 1,4 1:1 A wig? f-rin damage control, Imsmu fwuiw 1-fggi-fxq Af i iifilkfiflgf' tri Fl minimum and min' Qiaiics iii time .iff .inf sit Q Qi' .- A 731555 dcclf imdf in Ulm' slklpmww. AFEHI-Lmfliy-Q Qu , Q -- ii' rtijiziitcs. H-1895 fhfii' i1iI'C!K1T.T TO -1 E'-igii 1 .QI'.g ifklm iiit ESSEX remained in rm UCSF- .ft of igzzcm for apprfn:-gimatciy a week, :Xt .iiioixt 1500 on tit., i .. N . .ig Lfiithi :fi cfiect more pn-riimiicm rc- 5LlSfL1iI'lCQi its oiiix' hir--Qi xzzcikfc ra, . fzigiiif f tiiai ctfj I Q ITXEIVZC VV 'iw 'iii' -. . , irwminpaiiv. V ,g-aff , WE C, 6, I 1 v ' diff ja ., 'mfaf' N. r ,X NX bl . P, ' 1 1 M Wwg., . ..... X W , 1' gpr' ,, ' I N? ff X ' ,g y 'nf In X . 5 fy vf f'-- A . , - 5 , ..,,,,...,.---f K' I V , . -, A -xxx xkAk U x'.x A I V W , Y - ' ws, ,.,. .,.,. ,, .---fix-i'7'ilggrrtfbzwb 3 f , 1 M A ,, . .-- W ' . 1 ayyym y . ' , -,L..-ff-W . . .uv . Tf.,fML,2:L,n',,.,.- WN X ' Q. 1 . P I Y! , Ia 1 K Z' 4' 5 k , s V ' .Q -W' 1 x A I 'i .Q ,Z a , , ' if af 1 K1 . 5 ,f V . L? I J ,N N . W5 5 . xi' ' r 1' l '. 1 S' . xv , l Afdl. I new .nf .4 . my - ,. 1, 4 in -V 'QS' . xx 'S xx x ,f 1, ,ggi Ng f MV' , 1-wx 4. 'fr '- oc Adi Ye '.,, I fm , x 3 Wi - K 'iv XY ,im J a f V ff' 7 M x. , if x k u Y .atm X 5 ' ' 1 ex 5- 7 Aw., 72 f Q .....-,...,,....-f-- , ..,. ' 1, .,:' , Mr- .,.X11Q.Xff.N'4 X x ,VXA - ,-v.z.g..,Xa .. xxx. M nr., A -+21 A W :,,.,,- ,N:.,YL. I , ., w,,W-.wr P ,,,,,,m,w ' ' ' x ,, EA . 1 F uma ' 14 ' 'MU Q Nl.. Jgwu, . 7 1. ' A -un 'Qi -1 haw On l l Deeenmlmer the Third Fleet departed from Ulitlmi to lme in position lmv 14 Decenmlver to launch strikes tor gm period ot 3 davs against Luzon in support ot tlme oeeupatioi of Xlizmdoro. Priimmnrilx' gms a resu of time suicide attack doc- trine ot time hl.mp.mnese. time air groups conmplenment was elmaimged to F YB, F YT and f3 YF, The group operated with tim! toznpieinent for onli' this one operation when anotimt. change was made, In preparation for the operation in support of the occupation of Luzon the hwnmhi t t t ing squadron was detached and VNU: 124 and VMF 123 W6fC assigned to the ship, the Hrst Marine units to fight fronm ACY. This change resulted in the follow- ing esmpitmaie seven ssvr, and is VT. In preparation for the landing in Lingayen Gulf strikes were launched against Formosa, Salcishuna Gunto and as far north as Qlcinawa Gunto as well as against air fields and installationS on Luzon. Inclenment weather, however, limited air operations from time to time. X ,X 86771 yE4R. No Za' 153111 ONOLCZQ I-Mu, Tue f S 0043'b 5 2f f8 ' U 3 N 0 N Q 95N H 1' Gages 411,1,g.4?fNa '75 4, .0 .:,.2zg,gfm,,U es AQFI. okI71Ze.Zl4p1.C4hQ of 4 h o-.bu., 4110 8 5 M bmw .,,Z 'H.,, had 'f?fZ,:4., vkw 4w.L 'ff' LL Q' auf QQ qi! g U10 'M 805, but 'MVC we of comb. , 'Url essgxw' lhm Q94 Quflo. Flew' 8 '0nfb4 ,,.,f'le ww. of 'r1,,,: 1z 'ra,,:., 051- wa1,,,,'jb2f- of s., gb 'O' the the! 5 'bb H Q Q uv' f0 ov: cl. 5-qztlbqlge mm' of 'ini' lb' Q' N? O! Q' ll h.?, Q .,iuZ,P5gg33::.ev.:1,0, '+, we- b...-f4, Z.':g'.,g',,,'gf fri?-., u,ffg'-,'g:'uZ' 23' gf'-f 'R'-f. ,Mid by-ctw? 'ver s W ti! DQ. M: Rh 'J0I' Jqpp, desmmuofi to Pvt., ' 4 cat 1 .Nd hind? 3 ..U 'Ny of 'UGA M Rabaul to N hi 'zmhlhold fromy' 91.1, gopfrfeue of Ulf lgqa byukih N 41, Q.. 010 QP lb ftgdbwhl. 'ft' 5fh0t0, months. r at ,JI-805 mah lhbzvs Q Q QM R and Group DMI. W0 lu- erouhxd. Un. p.cI.h:'d3 ,lip Q 3 where vhe ,Ml pxgdll' C,-Quo Iaxsmcif made 'buh 'Var ZQqQ..Sm lh.:f 'qu fl. Q.l?'1!m1ldjUg, Mmlb wilgmt Wgf lhjqulon 0 Hffbor on her first' ffkrfcej, .ad W gllhl' guqk wa K 'or 83393 ho. I, '1uf- 22, 1942 th I HvJ'Uru, M. ' QI ak. 'sw N ' ,' Of ,Pay ben, in lhe lol-eh-0 ff Ka went N. Rlflbpzrggq ,GNL o 'O E Q51 Q rum I Gun. ,703 .vez r Indo' enlllemem 4, nf fllanqd . nk' 35020 m,:mo l' 'Gd Q MQ Cer Inf-lhahce for cg,-ner iflqg-L, an gi lil-'C'3d0l',.' Heruk-,U I U Ugg. 5 M' 0 vategmzk S Dhcqcally I ,V zfruk, 31, I C bf 'la, Maru, ur 1 anew lqqq. Q R' 9 ,f,20U:1.':'.:.g f5'g,g32j,Lg .,:4:,mcQi' 1531222,Z,Z1Eg10f8074f37i-.,A xfg'gZ?? ,,i:f'f'P'7o -' N 'boi Ublvn In In of planes' but fllllbd Fstwdorel UQ-9 ' 1. iq ffeltqg 0905.25 day, and the enemy bqswi OC' ICQ .cuba U70 0 '3'5Ei. -I. .,, -1-1 -mm of will W' alaoofm. ro Ofubcu . ,Planq . b1f vau ,: Q ' fgbleug '-. uiifgnrd numb' '31 'bo lqmdowr' 0mblq:u ' '-'vnvof ' 77:0 te ' ml!! h h:n,:::' ,'bi:ii::gv?:.::'wIb MGE zfffu, wud o 'V '70 4'-I 'Iq- Utlhr . N .QQ hm fa fho jgylzg' tiki? I 'lbw ' 'lh. , M: ,gj-'ffi-? fz:.h',:,'Ef,db-,. hi', 1n,,,u ,,,,', 'f, ez'-v'f..1i 4 ':Q' U' N. C352 mg, 'JZ M by laura gh Q I ,,, ww., vu. hon, be'1p3Zh s.,'17Ig,f'Z' 'ff fb-'J' . .-,. I 'gran In '51, .219 lv' ,Uh vw., Om MZ? sf-23 th ss f I 1 a,t',f f' Qf oflnfu the 'g'0 b, comp M-A-.J5:' ff-'Q M:,f.'1':'.Z'g,-'2. E'4-'- A-1- 'b 5 ,gm MLM 01' 0a Pay I fho 11:-2, 0 Juno 19, 4 ' of su' '1'qa.lzI' or tb' phlllbgugt . MUUQQQJ In 'Wo or- .,,,, ,M 1, ..,5',gf,,,g3- A.'f'.'05'i ,g:1'g3fb'1 ?.t,,1'gg,'f,go -1- -f'iJ 'w,. 7 4, ., 'X-,a.,,, 'Q '34 '5'f?.?:,,'f!','fg' .,,, 'ww '1.?:1 UQ '5 3 '.Z,,, C.':: b-wi. Ji' '71 1n. Z ',: '-mn I ' . I' O g I. Pl . , fb- -f'1:, ',,.fC:,'fmf,ff f1..,,5?.'g-.J-., Mb.. .'.':f-:,fffff-1.x :':'.'?.',- Z, 'fw '4Z 'Wm .fu Z'Qm.,,q.,b, , v4vof 'W' na.. .,.,, :-1 ff1.fkf':, f14',g,'if'w..., .:'1C.,,,? 0'l': ,-T'-',g,,-.,'1 -f if-..., 'of fffi fI':'f'f,,'j'f 'f ' 'P If ' 'f if ' I , Q M' 'ff'-h ,5e,,':-gt. ::4'sg.33,gg.TWw8-g3,,,5, ,,.,,.',.2. -4.12. f., ahh? ayfgf-?,1,'5,af2i:c f:,g.5f'1'h, . . M Nqkbwl ag, W ' 1: .QT Wm gn W h'u'..b', IEV -, If. ,5'gf hZ'f'ghfhE ,j!'. -.1'f5f'., -Tg3'F2 -,g,-b- g,g'gf f '.:-,,-:fgf ',5, 4-r. ' - 0'-ff'-'iowa 'mf-f 'W fr- 'M. '-., 'fo vw. H' hhtuqfqmumgmvu WWMQQQM ,,, ' any Q s,, .L5 ,. ' -lv -'1f ,:'7.:. 'd 'egff'-ai' i.,'f'f,f'+ 5'?7 ,'Q1+.,,'P 'g ' fif.-..zf .. '1:g -wa. -2'Qif -Q-21'fhZi1's,'17 -w-'S' MXN? I It mt. V Q. mf N-..:.., L V Lx A235 ' N it , - x 'X aa, 'Wir ,pw X w,Xm,,m.Ww, , ,.,. v ,, , g ,my X V ,4:.4iV1 4' , . ., X. . w ,Q f , - f , ' , 1 X, x , ' .N , 'sx X' v X' X -vw , N-M. I- . 1 k Q X....x V 3 X M N ,, 5 xws..,,,?. J , 7 ' 'Num . wa-'N ,. 4. .Q-vw 1 'm nn .6-A W f V mm QM -ma... ,, -.1 an v n ,v f., r rl pi. Mf.,,., V, .an nf QF 'F' ,Hn a I .fv- .yg W ,W 4!' ,fm-, On 9 january when the landings had been suc- cessfully made the task force entered the South China Sea via Bashi Channel and effective strikes were made against Japanese shipping in the Saigon-Camranh Bay area. Air facilities and shipping on the Island of Hainan and along the China Coast from Swatow to the Luichow Penin- sula, including the Hong Kong area, were struck ., .,, . X .ip X. X- H x 1 ,- -9 L' ' 1 at is N .K Q. 1 A 5 -':'QiIi, - x . 'Q A Qi',-wF 'ng,Q-far, lQL u.2Q , ,V X l ., 'Yf'.1 If fi:'s.S,iz1tx,.r' . -' f' '- 'f ' -, . .- . ,fl .fi:,A,X Jft . 17. t' :-P46-.' . 'N f-..w'Y- . if-'fm '11 -- 4 .-,,-Q ' - we yjih Lf .,,.q:. ,N ,X w,1.kv.- . .A . mg' Q . 'wr'-Q '7. '...w,,,L, . P- -fx -N v ef' 7' i iw u4'r7'4: i 1- W-quasi'-.,.:4r sg' Y ' 'H Y , . 's s , Q ...K . W N , sw -,- '. .wx .fi , t 5 -f, , . , , -4 ,' ', nv. M ..n. , K -an ,yu ,gx-'L'h?,Qi'xkx?.?NH'V. ,. FSQk'w:n,.x,tt-al, Q 1 5, ,,whN,1N,X 5,,vl,v..lm,.,x.,, M ,L .M ' H'u'sW'- ' A. N' 'q x't- - ,fevfxf Q as , s - X . n., -r .. ,xHA,..,.,,,. , ,W .4 .I Nw ..uQ:..'S,,,A,,,.,,..4.,.,. if ' 4, ' fu--1-Q., 'NK' .1I, ,Aj 'Qp M ' km K I -i f '3 '2i'x -fxrf's-.as ,QQ-'E' ' fx ' W -f N 0' 1 d'.'fg'X v i..f,,3-N'-Q-'.,1.'.' 4 'W 'tv - VT-f' . l vb- K r,gm-tgzlsk'-'v.,p,xQ,k:,kv0L.x ,,i,,afa- jklixg Y Y. R, G, Swisgs lxqhif . ' A Y -.V ' fr , s W I, M ,Q 4 -hgh: -.feta-.,',N.'wtw'.',,5,. y-' gp,-' Q- 4- Mm.. ix '. ff 5, . -toms, f, --I ,slag . 4 r, ,, M u -.,. tk, Q, m.. Q w,.. . . 'FQ'--' :x.,5,'H, 5K-P 4.1 ,..f,1.Mf 'vqv We 1' ish, ., ' If V 9'!--'fr-1-r..s fww- fe rw. 1 -rw' .. , , i rv-'mtg X91 .. '27 M' A N fa-,sa k s.,,, rg, ' X. L k . v. V., Q, 9, , . , .K 1. , , V .,g.x:u,'i'jXbN1.jg.xbN Mmm T. pn, N wx fin , ygltpiv. . ,L Vu i '4 Q4 -57 Y'-4 , .' '3t, u Wg'A',,,N,,,' XXI in x kj, .QSM :E 1 .G rn . . QQ! gs. eswwyi J Q ' gm, KP- .A My in x M1.Q'w, 'xxw-,:t,, l mu, x,xx.-,x..xi - Kg! ki ,Ld A QQ!! V Nxlskxx-f-,.Nxx1 Q QQ: R t 5,1 A... , KW ,, - . 4 ,, 0-,Y , wa, jmlw. 3-'mt ,, N. SN 1 QNQ -N. O' 'ibm is-. ..i Q3N eff 'Y Rf E '- ik if s-.ass , rx-Y -' Nw- Q-New '-me X., ii hx i' r 1 Q L. X v'f5,? ,f .1 ' A 'L3,1JN-159 fr,.,'-we-wht-s.+.f,.. Y., x 1 iq, . L, V wwnho 5- 2.3.5, Nqr -W ,,ix.,xtT-,,..! .,ky...,gx f:, mx. - - K U. f P 1 . f . , . ' ,I v.,,sW5 YN ,,qaQ,'s.ff ,wks Jxxb .,:1a,y NM ,. 5 ,xgpklj X sr 3-Z, 'fbi xi: -.3--flak Vg ' 1 1. Fmt. K -fx, N nqyxyx-..g V1 vg at, 5.317-X -wi ru, kk agx-QXP-e-K -kQtsq'lb.-Lg. 'RW' txt 5, 1. ,ba - , 1--. 1. - ,. -. ..-1 t'-- - .- '-M, s - -1 X X' 'K N... , ,Xu Z xxx .Q X-J-. , i' 1 .Y X. 'f vf i' 'ix X lwxiljimt' rx, N, f -Q'3fif -tx' Q- NQQS' x5-122. Xiu etxxxxw' f-s'2ff,'7'- - 1 -- '-.TT Nix, .a.s-5-gov --.. ...,-,ftc 'fQvq?fXw,, xt t -.y P -VX' Nw oss-, -3.5-1, -.. , 1 QQ.el .u Q. ,as-xx' nfwa X' Qs. 2 .X .. ,'f ,,x' -., 'K - . - ' - . ' , A W f ' . K, K X, K. wtxghqwx .N ., f..X?x'::-Q ' wig, t '.?'kxx4g -' N N ' - ff. .,f so 0 1 X, . '-V , .- , 1 X LRNL, .xfgxuix , ' . x vs., I .. 14. 1 x x 1 'i.x.. N ' sis 3' t Q, R t . ' N -N F 6 January 1945 - Attack on Lapo Bm, L - , N on 15-16 January. Again, however, high winds and heavy seas reduced the eilectives of our air operations. Then, on the night of 20-21 January, after riding out another typhoon, TF 38 entered Balin- tang Channel, leaving the South China Sea to re- turn to Ulirhi after a two day strike against For- mosa, Sakishima Gunto and Okinawa Gunto. 8 . . MOH ote odd combination of smoke ring from initial bomb cxploszon and its shadow on the wafer, ., .W , K. , , A, . 4, , . , We 1, wg: - . W, A , . mm--w-,,, , ,-ffvf-n W - . ,- . - M1 Z',fei.7' d...Q:.?i'.....- 1 '-'s.Q..ff'j.',y5gi.,.' ' -iv: 32' M fxiilila... .assaaai , 7 f' V .R A 'l 5 ww 904 LOW' 'TFT' 'U- A 'ffinsfn-ItrAr T 3 n-K C Wana A ' 'OUQWV' Jf i' Wm vm, PM J' f A f , 4. im m-x.. , .nf ,,.,.g'x - 'N ni A .,'.v.a:. A I ,pu-. if ' 'Q i' x-' 3 1' .A ILL fy- if 7 w 'ly' E f , Q-V. f !i ' 7 .x ,I x W v Q- 1' 1 Y 1, xi 'ul 'f 1 ,': N fx. 'fi t 5' f fi' x :N I: Q. 5 . , Q takin on f I 1 ,f I N X X K Wx fx! gx' gr? xxx Cf' Y A--Q. XV'- -Wc- I ca- N ,..- f X +4 54 'Y M 'H 4 'A-In in agq , . N . 1 I NX Y 1MA Y ' A 'Nic N E x r . H124 rm: A X hw! ' . .X -. Q5 N... -, -3,5 'Q X '. N I A Q X !5 1 gl 1' : K . I 1 A' Iii I .5 :O X L L 66 1 1 X , 1,1 'f r!! X 1 , K V -f Q., . fzrc f ' 'fi g , , 1 . ,25.:.f'- , 1 'ff '. ff ,.,1 1 ,qw N :. ',' . g ,. ,iii 1 . f H ' 1. ' X ' 1' ,Wx -I' -11' 1' I .Aj I , J . I Q I UT Blur Book Nlagazinr ff M L 1 S X I G ll A. v4 , ., f., K gf,,3,,. V fe' x , ..' ' Flnilff N f au' 4, , A Y 1 Wg On 10 February ESSEX , as a unit of Task k ey units of the domestic ' aircraft manufacturing . . ' ' f th ' Force '58, departed from Ulithi to conduct the first lndustry to fesfflcf ur er Japanese an Power' U Foul weather closed in much of the target area of several attacks against the Tokyo area to neu- d cralize the enem y's air force in preparation for the Marine landing on Iwo Jima. A secondary, but important ob 'ecti f , 1 ve o these attacks was to bomb an probably explains th enemy reprisals Wl1'l made i 1 e continued incl t necessary to aband e complete absence of ement weather on the contem l p ated st 'k ' ri es against the Nagoya area. Th CSC HYSI .fl Jap plan d' e wing at the E55 it .2 3 Q 7s Q- O Q W rn. if Q. fb Q 3 sc G 'C Q Us :r- mfs mx gn gi? No LW QV: 39. 'So- mo tu-5 oo- 1-Q. ': V1 V1 o :Zn Us Ft R T' ti t gi 1, Z, S 5 we il tiki cart - i ioiiicign ful . in snppo onli' one rio minus 45 i the Iandinw b it r task f ninutes. UFC ' L Nfflii 'N . l .IQQJIH v xt me limi rv-tx. .V mki T - i Mi, Willit illSl0I'lt', ut'I't' !'t'i1 M1 UU LI. rt ot the s the fast se SLIQFOYI ini actual ian ii D ' 7 tiring aim inin carrier task t ssion was tim-ui . g , . x-N tiinvs on imo i'i'u P I . CQIJYCU' eric' i Iii-Emi OFCC MHS CID- l'lir I'.Ni..Ni. liwrx it fvicfiarrrl lien' during Ilia' affirm nf ,Klart-li. 111-15. 1 ..,1 1 ,tht t. fI'1IN.1I f' ii. in .1 stnntihx' cnpnfitx' launching Xirwiatw .'ng,1ii:eNt fjhifhi .Inna anti other neighhoring ixfiiritix. Tin- fm: phnxt- of this operation consisted of one-tina' etrzke againrt 01-cinawa Gunto with heavy g - 1 - . . eznpziafie being placed on aerial mapping photo nights. ESSEX then returned to Ulirhi where she re- plenished between 4 March and 13 March and made preparations to support the occupation of Okinawa Jima-that action beyond which all else was anti-climax. For a period of 79 days- between 14 March and 1 June the ship was con- stantly at sea, setting what is believed to be an un- precedented record for participation in sustained and intense combat. During this operation Air Group 83 flew a total of 6460 sorties while expending, for example, 1041 tons of bombs and 1,126,905 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition and consuming 1,366,100 gallons of aviation gasoline. x 1 wg I -an- as 1.- v- W..-.4 Japanese suicide plane after lacing hit by AA fire from the Essex. 517' Q C Aerial attack on U.S.S. Essex by Jap bomber, -Kure, Kobe raid. 'U ' 7 an gi' This N ip came close Our 5-inch guns shoot down enemy planes off Kure Base. 4 G Q s , G . , , ' x ,Q wi ' 552 13 Essex and U.S.S. Baltimore fueling during Okinawa campaign. .Year miss mn A Q 4 'U'-1 t nv. 5 , , x . hw -1 m,,.,, -. N, . 94 fit left, reading from top.to bottom: Re- . f . lax, men. He mzssedf, - Okinawa Cam- paign. Jap plane attempting to crash on the Essex off Okinawa. AA fre from Essex during attack off Okinawa. f' , , . HIit2.:AT ffm: S 5 il -Y SYS P SEXAJESEOUONTHEQROUN' INT 12 6 PLANES DEsnzoYED STILK DAHAG E D 2 cfmmsns 2 4 BATTLESHWS 0 J, cnwsens 2 17 36 ,.,, DESTROYERS 5 , .... sues 0 124 nuxnmmis 49 UKINAWX KXHPAIGN This was the famous Fancy Dan. He had us cold turkey but c0uldn't crash. HYUKYUS -sr 4, r ., ' 'uv , 5 aw Q 5 W Q a .,. I uv -4. t 5, Y W nv n V V' f it fi 1:2 X 'swf 'W 4 4 Jap aerial attack on ships 0 Task Group 58.3 of Oki nawa in Ryukyus. Anti-Aircraft fire shoots down plana' which nearly hits thc U.S.S. Essvx. Q V 3 N n if 1 f 'lr i r 1 ,mf ,Q Our AA got him before he could crash us 2 U.S.S. Essex guns arc trained skyward for tracking drill 'T sfggg,-A. K - asf-W l 1 A J 5 Vi? 1 ,lx 5 i Q ...MM ...Ln , Jap suicide attack on L'.S.S. Essex taken by U.S.S. Cabot Suicide attack on CV 9 as scan from tlzv Calm! is iwff' V ,V 1 r V The suicide attacks continued on the Essex Essex partially obscured by smoke from furious firing by her AA guns Jap aerial attack off Okinawa as seen from the L'.S.5. Alabama ifalmt pcrsmzrzvl tvrzwlx natclz fn wc' if Ifiwx n-ill In' if 1 E, 5 U 1 1 GRN K... Nh' ' ,-. 1, - gn. , K 'X The words all hands nelcomed: f'Starzd by to receive destroyer on port quarter to transfer United S10 mailf' my .1 5 , ,kg '-a 4, ' 'K 4. 0, ,JN gy f ' , S ' -3 54 1, sn, K. . I S'- Ns 43, -l '3 ,Mffff , I ,, , 1 ' 'f H C ' f W fa, ' 4 f 0 ' ' f ffffwQ,'f,w4,ff,,, , 1.5! Sf J ff A ,fwfr ,ffwl ,fm 1, f -I 4 X ' f ,ff yf'ff7,ff,7fyWf,Cg,4 ,a ff ' ,gf 1,51 -f ,i ,A V Jie? 9 W' f 4 ' T ' 4 f 'f ,Ui f wrtpwL4?'7'77'z'ff2 .' 'f V f f 1' 5 :e ww p L f at at iy,5wqgf'M', fy I f ' f ff , 1:',ssv.x'-11.15641 TB.U's and SBZCY n H11 Fujiyama in Japan, in Ivaclegrourza' K So. on 10 Xlax' course was se or lewte Gui? l,. HOXY'fXf1AN.USNJZSSEX sortied from Leyte e lfl. where 90 days ptzncttzazeef or 1 01:7-Sax 0 parzieipate in strikes against the Japanese home truuing perioi. were spent oz N L snziient . lslantfs. I'CCl'Ci1Yl0I1- During this period from 2 July until 15 August Un I Julv. time Jax' after Captain Carlos XY. ESSEX aircraft few 2595 sorties and in addition l XVIEBER. USN was relieved lax' Captain Roscoe to sinking approximately 24,300 tons of Japanese .'.rse ,.. 'W -' e'sf-s 1 merchant shipping damaged the N A G A T O QBBJ , a TONE Class CA and one other unidenti- Hecl CA, a KUMA-NATCRI Class. the KAIYQ QCVEJ, the TUKllVlA fCM-ly , 5 DDS and 5 DE's besides a total of 34,000 tons of merchant shipping. Vfith the cessation of hostilities target sorties became routine flights lout defensive combat patrols continued to he flown on a comlwat lmsis until 3 SCPVCITWCF when ESSEX set course for lircmcrton. XX asliington roi' her long over-due period of nzlvx' ward 11x'ailalHilitx'. Planes circling U.S.S. Essex in landing circle uniting to roost aftcr their Tokyo E.x'prvs5 flight '-u. ...Wx 1 ni 1 eu .V , ,. ,, I W , 1 I I' sv Q Whis- , fa-'U mln H F ' .1 'Q ,.-'. V F... . Te . , A G I O Q Q! , - W , 'iw 7' 3' '51 'H' fr- .. -- ' .- -f-x....V, .. alvlg i 9 1' 'QU 'D L. sm if 5 N.. ppm 1:1 4 I-5,3 .,.. , ..q. +1 iw '40 V K 1 rf J . 1' , Q y. , - 3? , IM' - .fm-,.. , W4 V Y , ,V . A .Q 44, fp -W. .V ,,:fQ5,:j,y 4 If A. V' 'iiglxfifp Qgffl 48. ' W 1 : V , 4 V' ' 2 , I t ,K . ,, ,,.., L fx , ,' ,. - 'v.. Q Q D 4i-if ,QNX . ,vww wj ' ,F FA- -1 -' f A-qi. . . - . ,.-,,T - ,gj ' as - 5. . ,- I b V , A .. .Q 2- Q- mx Hs my V A may ' me .mn f 1hrw'w -M W V b R-W1 A 'T' V ,, Q ,YY ,U I g l' W'-1 '--... if Q.- y --A ' v N . ' -v f - I - . K - t 1 A 4 - M ,, . . . , t A Env-M,,.w. my W A V ik ,-:L 4- I I ,A x K r i K M A K ,MA N A . A 4 V7 wr'--0 fs. '---,RW ,- i -LB- 'QLQL . S ik pn 45: , 1 i ,114-5-I Probably the only time a CV ever nent alongside a battleship. September '45. The U.S.S. lVisconsin transferring personnel to Essex for passage back to States. ,,.gg,,4:. i,,.' Mr img J' ja' may , -fyl L ,,,, I 5 4 xv fe' ' ,K ,D ,J 7 yy- KF r,L ' , Vi, 1 E ,, Q 5. ,M 1. an , my - wg. M. V , , . 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V- ff A f . . -m:Q,,mQQ,geiJszw:VrV' ' M1111 .S.S.1SS 11118 FHUM THE 111111 EX 4111 Dare ship was commissioned 31 DQ-qgmbgr 1942 Date ship reported to CinCPac for dun' IS May 1943 Date ship 1ast departed Yfesr CNS! after 34 dai' vard ai.'ai1aiai1irv 16 April 1944 Date thrs hs: of information was termi- nared 15 August 1945 Number of ' mini' operations against the enema' 63 Number of planes destrovrd bv ESSEX guns 32 Number of encznv p1anes destrovcd hx' ESSEX .-Xzr Groups 1,531 Numher or enemv p1anes shot down in one dafs action Number of enemv p1anes prohah1y de- stroved hx' ESSEX .-Xir Groups Numher of comharant ships sunk hx' ES- SEX .-Xir Groups 'I' iciflffleflf Nurczi-er .nf non-comhazant ships sun1t hx' 1-SSEIX Ax Groups 13 'fin iefvf N,.:zf1-'r 5-zzxi-.izaizr shps t1.l111.'1gt'x1 1w 1551Tx .-X17 kir.1t:px 1 1 'f H Nazchf-' it :w-:z .4--:x:xi:.1i1t ships d.iiii.1gi'i1 Y. 15S11X .-Xzr iirwups 1 :':ti.gr 11-vii :mfr-.iw-r nr shsps sunk nr damaged 115' 1SS1'X .-Xxr Cir-iups 11111711.11- Nzzrrffw --ti piinrs 1.111t1f'L1 :11m:1rd ESSEX Nuff r pfiirirs ianiicd a1vv1rd ESSEX -:wc 1'i fX?1T1i 1'1-5-3 N-1l 'i't'T .if mrvvhar wrrirs f1nwn frfim 17SS17X Yam-if-fr -if 'nmiwt sorties f1own from VSSFX srfrc 16 .-Xpr11 1944 11.wnra 'Z ri FSSEX Air Groups: N: Crimp N1NF 25,453.3 -'Yr 63551192 1i1P'T-EEN 23,307.0 fx-f Group 1f01'R 13.4901 -X Gffizf FIGHTY-THREE 36,841.2 111:11 Hours fin'-vn ESSEX Air Groups sznce ciammissi-'inirig Nunrhrr of :ons of hnmhs dropped snce commzssznnzrig Nizntrwr of :ans of hnrnhs dropped since 15 .-'xprzi 194-4 . y - Numwr of rockets Fired since commission- in.: , , . Number of rockets hred since 16 April 1944 Number of torpedoes 1aunched since com- missioning .,... , ...... , Number of torpedoes launched since 16 April 1944 . 9 ,. 9 fContinued on page 1091 70 S00 25 109,700 86 250,070 1 1 3 679,150 195 644,390 419 1,692,310 31,015 22,517 22,260 19,712 99,091.6 4,143.2 3,581.2 8,412 8,412 125 83 4. Vx 1 l ' 4 I I N M E M U s i H Y 1 i i, ,fi- J' .YR ' vs, V !fQ'N f af Q win -7-Xa? 1 NJ, ...V .H My , -we ,fgihg-5' .i:iKYX W 1 nb , www 51:4 ywgui-QQ W' 4 viii' . Jin. . ' I -4 -, , , gk h mm..,,, . . A 1, Q N ,,,,,,-...as ff- 'Q N -f x M , g,,...p .rv 'al' '4' f V ' ' '1 , A 'lf' 'fm ' P' .W ' . . k N X lyk M A , LL. , M N- K. K P W -K g 'fm -U'-I' ' A ' , ' V. 1 ' . uglihlfif' HW ' . R- f - ' - - .1 , Y Q f 'UQIA K z 1 -QE Q .AK - -on aww, ,,n-1:38, ., I M 'fl K .H -1 p V I U W Y . , , , w A , ,, '5,,,,,.,,,. Q 'Lu' Q.,-..-....mf,,,,,,,,,,,..n .3 5. 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W' .1 1 ' fn .M .V :,q,w1px'!,S' YEA' , ...K ' ' . , 75' My nywgleg V L ,T ir . ,- 1 ', E tim'-'E ' wh ,Y V' 5 siL4L-11' 'ff 5' A 1 -f +4 i f f N-' - Q V' r A Jus - 'BV is 4 U pity- wt q rv K 2 - Q- -1-----,.- - ww. ,wg W g'w.w,,34 Hr Q 1. 1- ' - 'Q 'd Yi' ' AXA , ,xr at 5. 153 if A - L , , t ' V, 327, tixqj,,7 EL Q55 'V 1, L . 3 .. A 2, A ' A! it 31 :jf V 2' A ., A , Q , E, , Ki -- -' 4' ' - 'X - 'fi -. fe, W A H J A ' ' . . ' Q' Sw-Q' as-.1 f - , 1 A Z . -fl! 1 ' Xfq 4 ,. ,Q 'y 'YI' ' gf'Q-,Aim , SHE W, fi V ' ff wi' 4.491 113 A ' . i. 4:4 2 b M 1 AV In NW Al gt i ,' fig. -39... fQ?'u Q y - . 'fhv E , Q. Mega, If as Nm an ' . v g-,-3155, 2 2 .ar A... H H me fr' -h in I J ,. A x T: Pix, W f,i'i , -vii. Q, V1 , Q X .,., , ve, 5 ,V U , ,V YM , ,Ki l Hi 1 , . , S ,,V'?i1 .Ji 'f Wk 1, - -if 'A F Us ,J 3 Lf- ' V, , I , 5.1. E. 1, cms In ' , . ,E +4 'x wg .f -, , 1 , 1 i ' .M 3. Q Since her commissioning, the U.S.S. ESSEX Date Attached 31 Dec. 1942 ....... THA SFEHS FHUM ll ECIHVIMANH T01 IITHE Command To Which Attached Commandant Norfolk Navy Yard Commandant Fifth Naval District Date Detached 15 Mar. 1943 15 Mar. 1943 ,,e,e.. CTF 28, CTG 28.19 17 MaY1943 17 May 1949 -bwbbhm odoou, C TF 52, CTG 52.5 30 May 1943 30 May 1943 ------- ----.-, Q TF 50 -,,---,T,,,,-,,,,,,, 10 June1943 19 June 1943 ---v-- ,,-,--- C TF 59, CTG 59.15 ....... ----.m-- 9 July 1943 9 July 1943 ----9,- CTF 59, CTG 59.16 ........ ....... 1 7 July 1943 17 July 1943 ,,,.... CTF 59, CTG 59.15 24 Aug- 1943 24 Aug. 1943 2....1. CTF 15, CTG 15.5 8 Sept. 1943 9 sept. 1943 ...,,,, CTF 59, CTG 59.18 24 SeP1' 1945 24 Sept 1943 ..1,... CTF 59, CTG 59.19 29 Sept. 1943 29 Sept. 1943 ..,1 2 1,1.. CTF 14, CTG 14.12 21 Oct-1943 21 Qcf, 1943 ,1,,,,, CTF 53, CTG 53.3 7 Nov- 1943 7 Nov. 1943 ,... .... CTF 50, CTG 50.3 ....... ------- 2 0 Def-1941 20 Dec. 1943 .,..... CTF 19, CTG 19.15 10 Jan-1944 10 jan. 1944 , ,,,,., CTF 19, CTG 19.16 ...... ........ 1 6 Jan-1944 16 Jan. 1944 -, 1 CTF 58, CTG 58.2 ........ 6 Mar-1944 6 Mar. 1944 .,.1,,. CTF 19, CTG 19.16 24 Apr. 1944 24 Apr. 1944 ..,..., CTF 19, CTG 19.2 ...,. .... 3 MEIY1944 3 May 1944 ..,..., CTF 12, CTG 12.1 ,.,.,,. ....,,. 1 5 May1944 15 May 1944 ,,..,, CTF 58, CTG 58.6 ,1,,11, ....... 3 1 May1944 31 May 1944 ..1.1,. CTF 58, CTG 58.4 1,,,11 .,.1.. 2 9 Aug- 1944 29 Aug. 1944 ,,,,,,, CTF 38, CTG 33,3 ..,--,. ,,,-,,, 1 0 Feb-1945 10 Feb- 1945 ...... CTF 58, CTG 58.3 -.,-,.,-,,..- 1 ,-,,,,1,,,.,.,.. 28 May1945 23 May 1945 . ..... CTF 38, CTG 38.3 ,,1,.,.,,1 ,11,.,1,....... 20 Aug 1945 20 Aug 1945 CTF 38, CTG 38.4, until end of hostilities 011 15 111 11111 1111 111 1 11919451111 To date there have been no significant changes in the function of this ship. ESSEX was author- ized, designed, launched and commissioned as a combatant aircraft carrier and has been employed as such throughout her naval career. She has served continuously as a unit of fast carrier tasks groups embarking air groups, NINE, FIFTEEN1 FCUR and EIGHTYTHREE. ESSEX has - f never functioned as a transport for replacemen aircraft and has engaged in training 0I1lY to the . . . :- extent of exercising her sh1p's company and 3 tached air groups. 94 PHYSICAL MUVEME T Apr. 1941 28 Keel Laid an Lhv- N--2'-'porn N S3121-Emil-11111: .grid Ifry Dorzk f1m'nDat1y, Nv:u.'pn-mr: V4 .luly 19-I2 31 If.S.S. ESSEX lmzm-h.-'I :LL Hui, Dec, 1942 31 ll-HJ Ifnflu-FN- 'f1yf-p!'l1fvw--Z'-11 In Nuff-JHYL N.L'.:f' Y.z:.1, Portsrrmulh, Va. :xml mvwr'---1 lu iw--r J, 13.-mi, 33 at 1525. 1105 ESSEX 1'wru!'nlfmfftn-1-i. 1710 Cuplnln Imnzmi-1 H. Irul.-sm. USN, 1 xuzxx-H: . 11,- mnnrl. lfl-I Thu- wIx.l1'lx 'mlm A-ff. Duff. 1912-W-Jzm. limi! 31-T Munn-fl tn Pl:-r Nu. 5, H--Nh Iii N4,1:'H,l-g 3511: 11,41 A Purlnmulh, Yu. Jim. 1943 8 Chl um!--rwaly, prn--.lf-nl-A-1 yu, .xml H11-'14-1! -1151? 2-g 5.4, L Nfrrfulk Navy Y.nrfl, I'-,rv-m-muh, Vu. fl-17 lm hlfwkra In 1ll'5'1!wli N-1. L N-nfullc Nguy Xlrni, l'f,1:L.1- mnurh, Vu. 16 In-p:u'te'ul vll'y1lH-'ii Nu 4 :mul I'4'U.AI'Il 'l lu f'll'X' N-r, .1 Hvrth 35, Nurlhilz, Yu. 17-31 Mawr'-rl In Pi-'r Nu. 5. I! :th 113 Nunf-,111 Ning. Yami. l'lll'lHIllHlllH, Vu Fvb. 1942 l 111.1 um!-frwuy, pn...-.-.if-S rf, Nvvli, N-.1:-.ll-., V., 1 ' nllH llIl'I'll tn H:-Nh H,Xi+Ll'IlZ, ll -lngvlm lim'-lm Y.x, 2 Alnrlu-1'---I In li-'Uh iikifllill, H rump'-,la livfx-ls, V1 lI.sm ll-.1 unruly-:nu .rn-I mx -.1 1-. l'.-'x N1 1 li-'rin U NHH, Nulfwll-., Vx 3-3 AIUUITII In Vlvt' Nu ff, H--IVY: ffl 5:-'11, fn-ul'-AH., xx fl-I3 l'ml:-ruuy, lun.--w..rl1.-: .uni flrnlinmz, x.:Al ,U la. Ln Az, 'll'1allH'nlliv' ILU, ll Hvlllllxwl Yu H-llll liNhlllf, H.Lru!f -I. lin.:-if, X n I5 AIll'Ylrvl'v'fl ln Hvllh HXHIIIII H ulnlvffxl ll-L-1, XX lf.Il.5 lim 1mvIx'.s,ax, pw.-..'-1.4 r.. .r1..l .u.r:!1:--I 1 l'h0-'4.1pv.ll.- li rw ll? HI l'lnln-I'-.w..nx, lnmu--ua--xmri .uni .lr1ll4n-7, A-1,-I ln' :fum HI ln--mp--,mlm Imx. IT lmlllu-'lla-ml nm! Inmlf-ll SVI 1 IH YH UNT' Ifxlwcl l.LIf.v-nfl' IIHIII Hu-' I 51.4 II.-C-?l'I'x I0 llvlllllwll In H-'HPI ILXKIIIZ. il-lllllrfvzll l :mf1--, Xl 21 .Xllllmrv-1! lu Hwnlh I1XKlIlLm It .mg.v,.n ICH:-1, Xu 22 Ile-pultwl fur .lull nu' In-,z---I IH VI.-' sp' L1L-- lim, 33-UT' l'lnl-wwvny, :num-ua--rumg mf! 1IrsIlm.4, u,.l .' .mlslw-1 'll 1'h---4.-nl---:Lv Hwy, 125 l'l'm-vw-slvvl IH :Llxfl .mln-l ,xlnlmv-'-I mu Xulmgv'fl.' ll-.n' Md. 27 .Xllrllulvll ill Xlnlmg-UI:-1 llmrflvx, Xlyl 28 l'l'uv'v-wlml In ,mul .xl1- lm:---l IH 1-wrrh X, II :mg-'vm Ilwxvl Nur. IDIS! I Blur. I9 IL! 'J u -v .- 'I Ev-T 8 9-I5 15 16-20 lvl If IS I9 'in 21-Rl Apr. 1943 1-3 4-9 4 ., WF. Yu., IN-p:nr'V--:I ll--HI: .Xl2l.l4I, Ilnlnprv-11 ll:-I-!'-, Xe --: nm no-un-1-: in UI.nn!x- U1 vnu 8lNlll'll'vv'lIIIlf in Xrllmnv v-:Ill Hu' N11-EMU. xxxfh H.. wh'-lflwvyo-I-I NIICLXVK. lxl'INl'l1I h, ,mul l.l lI.i.I. H. Illll P3lllYIll1lllIlI' :wav---lltnug -at-nw-114 llvlllrns-nl In I1-Qrvh Xl!I.l'I H l!1lp?.xl1 llwull, Y- I'-'pau'l 1l l'vt'!h Nl!l.l-Z, H.uup!-fn llfxx-H, Yu, :nr HHH' npvl'.nInmu-1 in rhv- l'lx---:ups-ni.-' I- xx .Xl ulnin-1 :us-! un-I-wa.:-., --m.l1n-Nm: tl-gh' up-:vi -' null x.ni.n1xQrlx'll4, IH 1'lu-Q,11v.-sl,.- link l'l'nrgn1ln'4I in llnl lilflwlv-'I fn l'1f'l' Nu 'u IL-VYI1 S4311 Nol'fuUx, YA Mnmwwl to '-sul--H4 Vu--14. NUM, xfws'-vlk, Yv 13130 K'H1lvl uN.Xy mr 34112, 'Vninu-lui, I!r:':4h XX'-Q' lruflrvl linrnutn- NNN. 'l'llui-l.ul, IIXX I mu ,nmvxrw -.-.wh rr-- wlveflr--yvlw lClNlIHI.l', l!lIXI.lfZ, :UM .41'IlI1 l-Zlvrjl' --rr 2'llfl-'ilhlllikfllll' 4-ro--'mxut Kimi,-1.-1 SU I' X ill I-ISS!-Ik 35-'ISNL '39-ITXV. 25-IDN: '35-MMV. 21--5235: Bl-IQXV, I5-SSN: 55-ZIXY. 12-OSX: '30-SEXY. lf-56 .Xlll'hI1f'l'41 in Cult' nr 121111, Puxf --x' S1-my T:xr.i-L1-1 British W1-st Imlxvs, .Xt unvhur zm-1 xxmi-'runy in 'iuls' na' l'.u':-, IH-rr Spnin. 'l'riniml:ul, Nrniilx W-+t In-tum nirh ww- 41' 41.4-1 i!l:I.Xl.l'I :xml PGI., 531132 .1-1 -If-wrf .unl 1-Luz-W mmf-E nnnlur-Um: INLINE ul---r.mti-mi, gurm-ry -x-rfi-my ,ua-I vnrluus Jrzlls. .M nnchur :uni umlorxuxy in lh-- Gulf of I'.xri:1. PNY of Spain. Trinidad. Hriush Wvsn In-li--fx xxzth rhf- 11-N- troyer BEALH and UGG' S3332 an f.f,mp:1ny zu nw-wr! und plane guard cl-luluvzim: flxzhv. up--r.mznnQ. gumz-Yrg vxcrclscs und xxxrlmxs drills. Enroute NOR, Norfolk. Va., in forixruuxy with thv rivi- lr0y0l'S DYSOY, JOHN ROGERS and HE-ZAIJ-1 nn nntlf submarine screening stations nonducting Flight opwrn- gglgixguunery exercises, and various drills. SOFA lu S. S. ESSEX All positions are 1200 LCT, x 8 n ll lx ,luxu- I 5 1.1 ll IZ li 14 lf, Lv, RT ls 'a N O 'I 1 . fl lf- K1 ll ll IZ it 15 . f., 26 12-IJSNQ IT-MXL Z6--.--JN: 19-LIN: Q38-IBN 1.,. 00-SZXX' 5T-SSXV, H- 'J - 4 ff XY r, .CB '. -JB B10 Tl f STH' A.-XXX. A -K' s' vi XL' T. NON. Norfolk, Yu. i':'-- -1-L ' :vu .u.-Q Xixu ru! in Pwr Nu li--rlhs 23 and Ii A-wr.-LL. A,v.g- Yuri, I ,-rtpzzwutkx, Y.r 'fx-4 ZH 1'-x!' Nu I-, lhzllza 23 and Zi, Xurfolk XNYQ' X .:.1A IV,-1 Z' 11131. X11 51:.1'--t 1- E 1-. 1, ki-zzlns 211 .uni Qt, N.-rtnlk Navy XA:-1 ! :'x::.-utl. X.. x1..,,: Ii lv lm--1 Nu .1 1:.::!.x g .md Ss. Nm-mlk Navy X.LIlf Q ',xI !:.f1..!!., X 1 NIH:--'l '-X V111 N-f 13. lhxrixs Il! .xlxd Ii, Xurlnlk Navy X41-1, lk: Nm--ulh, YJ M: l'1.si-'1'-no IL-z AUM, X-All--HL, YJ. 10:11 Slwuivxl lu Pxvl' Xu. fl, lxvflll 51, NKNU. Nurfmllli, XXL NIL'-.-1--11 lu Vi-:A Xu. S, Ihr!!! ful, NON, Nuriolk, Yu, l'.hlL-Lil L':1X1-lltnll, Uunzxl Zum- in rw-xxxpnlxy with tho -irlfzx'-.yum .xN'l'llUNX', UIAIXXI-I'l 1' und ROE on unli- nulvxxnnlllxc :um-xxlxxg slguluxxs. OTC in ESSEX. Z3-4TN: Tl-IQJXY. -U-QIJXQ U'-CUNY. LU-UBN, LI -SUNY ll-LIN, 9-IGH li-l.IN, fLJ'U'JXX ll il' M...-x. -l 1-1 lm: A.. s,nx1f!-,l+uI,luu.nl Zum-, . HM-U +mmm.-x..r.t xmmxl --r l'.un.mm num! 1 .- Q.,--l i..nll H.. lM.u!x.u1-lrnl-1.11 lmllmx llaulr-ul. JH-'L Blau.:-yt zr- V.-1 NU ll-. li.rllw:n, m'.uml Zum- Xl-vfvl Q1 Y-1 l'I1l N-' U' liqllvnggl x'.ull.ul Zulhg HU , l'1.1!-In rx I-I l'.nn.'xu.x ILM lx,,1.rn,m Hx l'.u,.m..r lux -'x--:-umm: lu 1--lnpsuny ulllx 'rw vl- f.'-X-r- XNIHHNX .uf-1 lil-QNX!-2'l l'. UTP lu I - LX 1'.t. l'41fi. .iv lwlxlulu- num Imp. Mala Light. Lu.:-'uh I'- ul llnllr--x, 'I' ll. In nulllvlllll' Xkllh Ulu' rt' -rn wr: . .XX'l'H NX .md lil1NNlI'l 1' nn llllll-NlllPIlHIl'llll' f xluluxng -ml:--x 1 HTK' In IQFHICX , 'HN ' -'IJXK Y mgx, ur, 1-xxx 1.11-NN' lmnqnyy if JJY, INT-IDN ILHIN, ll 1'-XX ll IZN l'.1fllXX l'- XIX, I 1-HXX' In IIN 1 NNY ITTIN IT '--X I I I .- AU Y'-IXX' IIN .lvvllavwl izvlr I--I u .-I' -f'- r .-' I 'l'l f-H, ulrh thu- uh-r4Ilu51'l'x4 l'Zl.I.l-Z'l', 1. tlxll H NN'l'llHNX, I!l2NNl'Z'l I', HI-ZAl,l'Z. l.AHIINI'2H mul ll Nl I I rn 'nu ul muln- fu--mm M ullunu ull :ul ..:'4-: -'f' I: uf. q'l'l4' 'H 4 'l'X null H'l'41'l in XX':uf-luiluutuln 3. 1.1. Mm.:--! 1-1 l'I1-I ll-IH, l',:uw lillllvlll, l.Il Xf.,..1..1 q.. l'i..r l .1nA l ..p,1 I-Qluml, l'o-url llnllvur. 'l'.Il. sim'--I num-rwnx: hr l Yv'rnshx6: Vivr, ll'-rlcnnlllil Vvllll. uhm TH Ni....1.fl 'U lw-1'-rmlvu: l'lo-r. Ihfkflililill Vulnl, f7llllll, 'l',H. - - ' vnu' uilh Hu- :Ia-uvruw-ru l4l KLl IH-.. I 'whrxnuy un vf-lug, V t H .. XNTHHYY :Q-nl IH-INNlf'l T' nv zuvfrunlznlfv HHN VTG , v, q v 7 1' Hx'-rin if-nr plan I-52 nf . .lllnv 1.41, UT4' Illlvl 'TH IH V 'SICK 11' N,l .-N' XY, ,f.,-.,,,iy., U, T15 39,12 in ch: Hnssnilzm Trulnlmz Ars-n H1 ...xm'.u1p xxirh fl.-rnuyvrs HI-1.Kl.E. ANTHHN8 und HIINNETT 1-n .milk-ul-rmarim' wr'--v-nina' rfulmlw JN. I-I 1112 M0 Shlffrwl HY I.-.XX aw arm! ff. If--rch lf., IU-5-:rld lim-ln, Navy Yard, Vvarl Hnrhnr. T H, mfmxmr rf. I4--rvh 15. lu-pnir Hnsin. Navy Yurd, TYHQT. T ll. I'--.url Hn 1. I:-nh li., I:-pair Husain, Navy Yard, P1-arl Mfmrml Y Hnrvmr, T II. v-v,,,Q I'U ...,1 TH. fl--rung-' t-v Ghz!! mrmrhm, .. M fr'-fl rf. Pi'-r F-10. Ford If-lltmrl, Pearl Harbor, ru v in Vi--r F-10, Ford Island, Pvarl Harbor. 'I'.H. fn.-. l'n-lo-rnny ff-r Hnwnllnn training area in com- r-M1:-' wth thc- df-5-:rays-rs ANTHONY, BENNETT and l..x!:IlN!-Il: in mfr-rrlnnfie with Comflarlllv 2 Opera- tions Plan 2-43 of 23 June 1943. SHN: ISTXY Xf1'n'nI 'l Str-nmlng ln thr- Hawaiian Training Area. with the destroys-rs ANTHONY, BENNETT and LARDNER on ami-submarine screening stations. 20Ni ISTYV. 5 Moored to Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, 21 144 T.H. H 28-30 Moored to Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T. . I 1943 JUIX7 Moored to 'Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 7 1045 Underway in TG 59.15 for exercises in the Hawaiian Training area and annual military inspection with CindPac, 'ComDesPac, CAFPAC, and C.O., U.S.S. ENTERPRISE and his inspecting party aboard. 17?-il Moored to Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T. . 21N' 157W. 8-9 Moored to Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 9 0626 Underway in accordance with ComCarDiv 2 OD- Order 5-43 in company with the ENTERPRISE and the destroyers ANTHONY, BENNETT, J?HNb ROD- GERS, DORSEY and LARDNER in an 1-su marine screening stations. 9 20Ng 159W. l 10-12 Exercising in Hawaiian Training area in company with the ENTERPRISE and the destroyers LARDNER, ANTHONY, BENNETT, JOHN RODGERS, and DOR- SEY in anti-submarine screening stations conducting night flight operations, qualifications landing and var- ious drills. OTC in ESSEX. 10 20Ng 160W. 11 20Ng 159SV. 12 21Nl 1581V. 1558 Moored to Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 13-17 Moored to Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 17 1019 Underway in accordance with ComCarDiv 2 OD- Order 6-43 in company with the destroyers ANTHONY, BENNETT and HALFORD on anti-submarine screen- ing stations. OTC in ESSEX. 20Np 160W. 18 Steaming in TG 59.15 in company with the destroyers BENNETT, ANTHONY and HALFORD on anti-sub- marine screening stations conducting night qualifica- tllorn landing and various drills. OTC in ESSEX. L '1 1.1 X . 19 11,151 Moored to 'Pier B-3, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, 20-31 Moored to Pier B-3, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, T.H. August 1943 1-3 Moored to Pier B-3, Navy Yard Pearl Harbor, T.H. 3 0810 Underway ln accordance with ComCarDiv 2 op- Plan 7-48 with the destroyers McKEE, DASHIELL and SCHRODER on anti-submarine screening stations. 20-MN: 157-SSW. -I-G Steaming in TG 59.15 ln llawaiian Training area in company with the destroyers l'iASlflIEl..L, McKEE and St'IIl'ROl'lD1'Ill on anti-submarine scrccning stations. UPL, is L0lllC0.l'I7lV 2 in 1-ESSEX. -I 20-SSN: 157-3-IW. 6 19-HN: 157--NEW. lmlepomlvm-tw with th- l'-at '--,- 1-'U1,1,,.x,M 'FERIQY joined tho TIl8litl I1lft':'.T FMUN and 6-I Srttranilng ln 'PG 59.15 in company with the INDEPEN- IENCEQ and tht!1tlPSt.l'0j't'l'S TICRRY, SCHROEDER, 1-1-Nsllll'-LL. Mvlxl-,E'aml I-'ULLAM on anti-submarine screening stations. OFC C0lllL'1lI'l.1lY 2 in li 19--ITN: 157-ZISW. T 20--IBN: 157--ITXY. M00 d 10 P91111 B-3. Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, S-iii Moored to Berth B-3, Navy Yard 'Pearl Harbor T H 111 Shifted mooring to Berth F- Fvorl Isl xl Y ' 0 l hor. 'r.i-I. ' 2 am' Pearl Hal 5'2 1? 1301111 F-2, Ford Island. Pearl Harbor, T.H. - - morwray in accordance with C mC D' ' 12 0 - X 4 v 1 1 . y 1 '-- ' Stirggxmgl Stations. 011 anti submarine 2 --.-': 57-uw, 33 Steaming in TC 511 15 in q-amp-,m xi .-44 .- . . 'tl tl dst gfhmvtfv-Sggxlgllgnwgtwniiz. and nixcaoifn :Jil Sfidfgtfif ESSEX' 11111111 stations. Lon1LarD1v 12 OTC in 0333 licmlezvoused with TF 13 2:1-sax: 160-49112 2441 510111111112 ill TF 15 enroute initiil ' . , 3 , ' 1 laui 'l ' - g215lGEl:F3R.Q.gaiIist Marcus Island, CTF: l1ggi5m81'1'tCf?,L 2-1 27-tix: 1isa-a7w 25 29-SSN: 174-OHV Ri-six: 17s-ass. 2' 112-KSN: 173-421-Z. :az-ssxz 170-41E. L- 33-HN: 11:4-mis. 30 30-31N: 159-ME. 31 QEIOTN: isa-4912. l. 4 Task For-1 1- . x W , agtxrrk the Japanesedieldnilgi-:susdlsggnldlchmg planes to 5- Last attack group landed aboard. l Sentenxber 19-I3 1-7 Steaming in Tl-' 15 .nr t, ,M 01-C is CTF 15 in gIOR1:if1,.g:g1 Harbor, T.H. 1 30-ZGN: 160-531-I. 2 31-HN: 167-5112. 3 31-IGN: 17-1-SSE. 4 30-42N: 17S-30111 5 28-33Ng 171-58W. 6 25-46Ng 165-45W. 7 21-40N: 158-32W 1700 Moored to Pier F-9, Ford Island, Pearl T.H. 3-9 Moored to Pier F-9, Ford Island, fPearl Harbor, T,1-1, 9 1511 Underway in accordance with ComCarDiV 12 patch orders in company with the YORKTOWN. the destroyers RINGGOLD, DASHIELL, STEVENIS, McKEE on anti-submarine screening stations ' 2030 destroyers left the formation. . 10-12 Steaming in TG 59.18 in company with the YORKTOWN enroute Naval 'Supply Depot, Oakland, California. , 10 25-25Ng 150-41W. x 11 30-04Ng 140-55W. 12 34-20N: 131-12W. 13 Anchored in Berth 2, San Francisco, California. 1215 Underway for Naval .Supply Depot, Oakland, Calif- fornia. 1302 Moored to Berths D and E, Pier 4, Naval Supply Depot, Oakland, California. ' 14-15 Moored to Berths .D and E, Pier 4, Naval Supply Depgt, Oakland, Californla. 15 1404 Underway in accordance with orders of ComCar- Div 12 in company with the YORKTOWN. 16-18 Steaming in TG 59.18 in company with the YORK- TOVVN enroute 1Pearl Harbor. ComCarDiv 2 OTC in ESSEX. 16 35-07Ng 132-11W. 17 30-56Ng 141-56W. 18 26-OSNQ 150-35VV. 19 0716 Destroyers HULL, PHELPS and DALE joined and assumed anti-submarine screening stations. 19 1246 ,Moored to Berth B-22, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 20 Moored to Berth B-22, 'Pearl Harbor, T.H. 1142 Underway to shift berth. 1251 Moored to Berth F-2, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 21-24 Moored to Berth F-2, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 24 0825 Underway in accordance with CincPac despatch orders in company with the YORKTOWN, COWPENS and the destroyers HULL, DALE, BOYD, MURRAY, CONNER, BURNS, BULLARD an-d -CI-IAUNCEY on anti-submarine screening stations. 20-38Ng 157-07W. 25-26 Steaming in TG 59.19 in company with the YORK- TOVVN, COVVPENS, and the destroyers HULL, DALE, BOYD, BURNS, BULLARD, MURRAY, CONNER and CHAUNCEY on anti-submarine screening stations. 25 20-13Ng 159-55VV. 26 20-28Ng 158-21VV. 16? Moored to Berth F-2, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T. . 27-29 Moored to Berth F-2, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 29 1529 Under in TF 14. 30 Steaming in TF 14 enroute initial launching point for strikes against Vifake Island. OTC is CTF 14 in ESSEX. 18-59Ng 162-19VV. October 1943 1-4 Steaming in TF 14 enroute initial launching. point f0l' strikes against Vifake Island. OTC is CTF 14 in ESSEX. 1 19-06Np 169-30111. 2 19-42N3 176-56VV. , 1330 TF 14 split into two cruising groups. ESSEX now steaming in TG 14.12 with CTF 14, ComCarD1V 12' and CTG 14.12 aboard. second cruising gi-qun 10 miles SVV with ComCarDiv 11 and CTG 14.13 in the LEXINGTON. 3 20-16Ng 178-11E. ' 4 20-17Ng 173-32E. 5-6 Steaming in TF 14.12 off VVake Island launching 1119-1195 to attack Japanese held XVake Island. . 5 20-3-IN: 167-43E. . 6 20-48Ng 167-58E. T-10 Steaming. in TG 14.12 enroute Pearl Harbor. OTC IS CTF 14 111 ESSEX. TG 14.13 10 miles to north 011 3 parallel course. T 20-5-iN: 173-13E. S 20-42N: 179-34E. 9 20-02N: 173-21XV. ' 2?Sr0o0mTG's 14.12 and 14.13 joined to form single Task 10 21-16N2 164-45YV. ' 11 E023 Moored to Pier F-13, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, li?-21 Moored to Pier F-13, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T-H-TG 3' 9952 Undwway in TU 53.3.1 1 ac' rdance with C 03,3 0DPl'an 1-43 in companynwitlt10BUNKER HILL- Q INDEPENDENCE and a destroyer screen. -2-31 Steaming in TG 53.3 enroute Pallikulo Bay. OTC is CTG 53.3 in TENNESSEE. '33 17-49Ng 161-OGYV. 33 12--l6N3 164-OSXV. 24 7-45N: 166-59TV. 25 3-OTN: 168-50W. 26 1-21Sg 172-15YV. -'37 6-3132 173-IITV. 23 8-SSSQ 177-IIYV. 29-30 11-59S: 179-55E. 01 12-SGS: 179-4012. . rw,-.,. 1 1 6 . ...I November 1-5 1 2 3 4 5 6-7 7 8 0-10 9 10 11 12- 12 lfl lf! lf!-ll Ifl lf. I.. lf, ll. IT u' I5-.J IX 10 20 0 4, .1 n .nl . 1 J.- .n A ,ln YN .9 ilu Inns I-.l L:-A if ll ': 3 9 -I-130 1943 Steaming in TG 53.3 enrouu: Pullil-zulu Huy. Expirltu Santo, OTC is CTG 53.3 in TENNESSEE. 14-025: 178-5012. 17-0633 176-06E. 19-023: 172-22E. 18-313: 17-i-3-IE. 16-123: 168-QTW. 1636 .-Xnchonfd in B1-rrhs 2-3 an-I Zh, Pgillil-culo Bgiv, Esplritu Sanm Inland, New H.-I-rifl--5. h Anchorfrd in Bertha 26 an-1 23, Prillil-zulu Hay, Espirinu Santo Island, Nun' Hr-lfri-les. .Xt HHH, 'Z N--fnvzriil.-r' Captain Ralph A. Oisnie r--li.-x-.ffl 1':.y.r..:r1 i'..uni.l R hum-ar. in gif-1-r,rrl:i.rime muh Vin' i':1-- ffl'-if-r-. 1710 Ifrulffrwzxy in u-'-ux'-ian-.- with -'Thi 50,12 .ll-i'..l-ll uTl'Hl'l5 nr' Novffmher 19l3 in furnpringr with the IiL'XKi-ji: HILL. I NDPlPENlJi'fN4.'H :uni :L 111-.-lr-.yr-r sfrvg.-yi -Um. pos.-cl of KIDD, IiL'I.l.AItiv :in-l 1,Til.xI'N4'E'x'. SU-amllig ln TH Smit in I-,mp:my with mln- I'il'NKI-ll: HILL, INIJI'Il'I:IXl1I'IN1'l-I :uni :L ll--.-rr'-A--1' --r--v-'1 -'-rx -, , .V hos:-d nf lin- Kllril, liL'I.I..-Kill' .nhl il.Xl.'Nf'l-IY. UTC is l'r1nif':1rlvxx 12 in I-lfsl-IX. Stuaxrilnp: in TG for Alrikuffs nqnln:-L Ilalmul lu fmiinzmy muh th.. HUN- S'!,f5 v-hl'ouiv ll.lll:i.l l.u1l.-Ning llmlif KI-HL HILL, INIIIGPI-ZNlvl-IN l'l :ui-l .1 -l---if-lg..-i' --1 '--- 1. H-UGS: lvlfi-IHPI. 12-5932 ISD-1-lid. l'nrxi11i-'nfs-fl lilllIlllllIlLf :ur Jflnllll- rl. wllli-.-' ..g.1r.-' linhsiul. fl-Zlrlg ISI!-Lil-I. Slvilllllllkf ln Tc: 3n,Zi .-nz'-.uw l':.1l.l-Jil., i1..5, rlxlmii. Smile. lnlznul. UTI' 1-1 4 .rn .u'I'lx ll in l-1.4.41-LX ll-19:83 ILT-ELI-I Li-3u,,.g: pill-finl-L llllll .Kllc'hul'o-ul ln li-'Allin Ill .nh-! I1 .ll l'.lllll.LAlw 15.15. l'l:4pll'llli Sunil., N:-us ll.-ln'lfl-'-1 Alnvhnl'--ll In HI'l'!ll-1 IC ,nhl It l'.Lllll.i.Z.. lmy, I-I-pxxiiu Hilllln, Nvw Hl'l1l'lllv'1. lnnl l'u-l-'xl.s.l5 lu .i.l..rwl.i.i.-.- ulrh I l'12 .Zu 'Z .iv-l...u.li l.i,'LJL!lU -.1 Nun lfvlli in lllllllhtlly muh ilu- iLl'Niil'IlZ llll.l., lNlll.l 1.5-l LN' L .u.+l.x1l--llflw--l -.A l 1'll Hlmullll . ' '2 ' AI. f ', A 1'--. un., - .. .. ... . , , ..- .g.- -.. .-. ...yn ...-.. IL, lll ll 'I will! Ill llXlxll lllll IN lll1l'slPI'YI'l' llnl L I-lil: I 1 ll ll I ilu- lil l.l.kI.l', hllvlf .uni 1'll HN- Ili' .m..ul--ir.lil.-1 l lllllllligl lm 1 I -Hill -1 .rm 1 1.1. . ill ' ' ru 'u' .V Y .-1 H .'.. Il-I.-nrlg lil ...I-Z lurk-I lIlH'.l'll l-ml. ff f. linux ws-LI-ri, ITT-ill-1 U-ulrlg 174 :UI-L -I-fllrig lfl-l.llA2 Pllvilllllllbf In T12 5.111 lim.-l.li.,g -milk.. ..p.ur..r 'l li. In-IINQ lTl-full-I n-!.3rl, ITL!-L!-ll-2 I-INN' ITI-lluld uv-GDN, I l VY' l ..l-SL!-Z ...-l..l'. ll-GSNL 1712-IL!!-I Hlvllllllllhl ln TH Ln I 1-nnfurv IH-.lil llsulmi 'l' ll INN. ITL-Ili-I I-l5Yg lTf!-2'il'I ll-ZZIN, 17.1-Nl-2 1.u'4N, X711 :wit I IIIN. 175-lll'I IITNQ ITU-LIN D-GRN, ITT 0911 9- u 0 '21 on 211 24 -23 -25 Sfvllllllllll lu ll. .-H... viii--unlv mimi! I-wiivlluvlg 5-will Ml -alrlke-.-1 1u:.iln-1! K xx.il.i!f-lla l l'v' an l'I.4fl'2X Ili-DIN. lTi-lik! ll-2955, ITT-lll'l ll-GZZNL III-2211 Slvninling in 'VH Im 1 l1lIll l'llll 0115.0 In Ill'-' Kwnjulf-nn ll 'WY' l'iil H'-l'. I-ESSEX, ll-IDN: lb-LSGNL 17-UNK: 19-2551. Hlvllllllllti in ll. .HI --in-4-wif-' l'-ml lflllwvl 4 l'f' lv- lTl-5.1!-I IIT-.AMX lTl llil .muh .MAX H911 xllulrvil hi lllvl If IU. l w-i-I INIJIHI, Vvttll ll-lil-U? 'l'.ll. Munir-I lu pl-I ll'-I . I-'1-Ill l4l.u1.l. I'-.url Il.4rl--.v. 'l'.ll. 0803 l'nsl--mx.u an .1-lm-l.ili-v with 1'nmKlll':1f -l'rl'f1 ll uf 13 lv.-.1-ml..-r lull! In ...my-.m3. v-lfli llHl.l.lAIXl XYQNIIL und gg srrvg-li gnlupvwvnl Hi' illv' ll -lliHX'fl'q UWYHN, MAVIKY. HIPKUX. 1'.Kl..kil.XN .xml 'ZlIll'I-1 H1 -'IHA-W' Ill rurrlvr qxmllll--ntluiw nr' Vi-'-1? ,u-.I wri--uw -infl- 20-XTN1 IGS-25112 Slvzunlng ln Tl? 19.118 in tin- ll.1u.1i1.ui 'l'mlni:.: Uh- lu vmupany with lh.- Ili-Zi.i.l-Ixl' wewi' .md flu- 1l--- trnyurs OXVFIN, M,kI'l!Y. IIIVKHX. V.XI..XllXX .xlhl GRIULY. 19-SIN: 159-25112 20-DTN: 159-35XX'. 20-SSNC 157-KIXV. 1653 Mom-.141 in l'Ivr I-'-10, I-'nrll I-lnml. IH-:xrl llarl.--r. '1'.H. Mammal In Pl,-r I-'-lil. I-'lard Islnn-l, P.-:irl ll.xrl'l..r. T ll. 29 QQ lj D. my 31 .ln.u. 1 .1 1.. ll ll 11 X.. 1 l . lf lx lb gl. ' l 1 1 .l .Iii ll I l K . l. ls lr. lv. l T lb 1' 31 194-1 1. il.1xiU i '.'+ 9 Underway in acconlaxice with CTU 19,15.5 0pPlan 2--13 oz' 29 December 1943 in company with COWPENS .md I1 destroyer svreen KOIIIDOSGK1 ol' the OWEN, MIL- LER and THE SULLIVANS to conduct training exercises and quuliti Quinn Iliglus in the Hnwuiitlll Training Arun.. Slflllllirlg in Tl' 1915.5 in the Hnwaiin Training area. 19-SUN: 159-32111 19-UN: 160-22W. Mu.:-red tu Pi.-r if-10, i-Rini island, Pvnri lim-hor. 51'J'.'fv:x1 lil Pi.-r Viv, I-'uni lslzuui, 1'f:mrl llzu'lmr. 'I'.H. 'win' l'mirrn.iy 1:1 Li ---- ur.inm'.f with CTG 19.16 Op Phill V44 H1 C1-111i-.nlry huh zln- UUWl'l-INS. GIUDLY. CRA- VHN. MAl'llY. 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A Mil-vin-1 wI.'u1iu'gu'l'.u'l in YUliK'l'UXN'N. 5l -llllllii-I in 'ill 35,2 .nr.luh- lllilllkl luuurhing pulnl im -lfiiur LLQ-Z.klIlNl ilu- xi.-rel..-in ishuuls ul' Kxsujul.-ni Atoll. IN-If-N1 1'I1-BMV. 111-LBXQ 1'.-L--ISXX' lt'-Lit-N, his-2JXX vi-LLBNQ ITLS-usXK 3-lL2Ng lfu-IIXX 1'-198, lfa-lUXN --HS, if--Ullf 1lTr, III.-21412 l'l S-wi: xulzfl.-!llil.1 an ilu- SUl'l'll ll.XliU'I'A, ALA- IIXNIX NlllL'l'll 1'.klLHl.lN,X, S'l'l-Ililll-I'l l', S'l'.-XCR llllil l.XN1l J-+.il-ll lli- '1'.l'lxlilUllIl 21183 lil--llil'I. 4 ...N iii A-I: NJ lfxlll XR Xl'Hl.l4 xsllli l'.lliu'n-lll'4u' jullwnl ills- allw- I-will--ll l'L'N, l'-N I-.lf . lx . , A , 11- T--1' Hp. z.uu..- in 'i'4I In I in ilu- xl-muy nl lixxnjula-In Alnll l.xllil- lszllig Elll my ilu! ilu In lllllll Ibl Ill I N..mui 1-1 liu..1..l-lu .Xwlln ..--- 4 . '- - il - ,gg in lini- N-I'.'T-. llw JIII U f- N, iw.-lC,5lI. 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N1-xt lllullvl' ...lil-lun 1- I l'l-' Iv . View Aflmlrul li. A. Hpllmlim- lll NIIW .ll-ZIZSIIY. 'l'4G lw --ml-ulr fu-llnu l'1'lIllI'Zk'HllF. sz-anim: lil TH 5-w 3 vrlmuiv fu--lim: wlulvzx-nun. If'-IIN, 11.6-ISIC. -..m1-if-l--ll fuflinr: .U MJT 1 i'l G0 :mul l'ulnfJunl'n': Yi-H Avlmirnl IZ. A. Fllllllllllll Hn NICSX' Jl'ZlCHl'2Yl. CTC. v-...la rhf- guiwlv ,ind we .f.uw.f fur lnllinl luuns,-lllng ,mint ff-r 5lfl.l' ks mi Truk I5-JUN: 1011-ISIC sr-.mlinu in T12 LH 2 4'Yll'HlHl' lnitlul luunf-hlng point for .um-l.: -.ii Trnl: IJ-HHNQ if-T-19111. l 'Y-lfillil in T15 F-w 2 ir. flu- Lifllllly nf 'i'ruk launching -rril.-M mgnlriifl Trula 3- 2Ng ILT!-2 .I'l. 'I-FUN: 151-HH. ,xr 'fl'-el IT mf- lNTI:l-2i'ilv v.-me wry..-mlm-al and departed an Tl' 312 C ln 'UYIIIPXIIIQ' ullh thc CAHUT. SAN FRAN- visvu, Wi-'ill'lZX. UW!-IN. S'I'i'li'HEN I'f.l'l'TlSlC, THE Sl'i.IQlVANH mul STl'2MI5I-JI. fur the vlc-lnlty of EN!- uf-ln , .Ui 1113517 thi- r--mrilnrlc-r of TG 58.2 f-omhlned wlth TH :-Mi. HTH nov. HTG 58.1 in I-ZNTEIQPILISE. .U llli fmnrm-m-ml rr-tlrcrm-m. in-nmlxu: in TG 582 vomllim-fl with TG 58.1 enroute .A-rn-:L SW nf I-Znlwc-tok Atnll. 3-JON: loin-SDH. '5 19 20 21 22 23-25 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 March 1944 1-3 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7-9 7 S 9 10 11 12-18 19 20-31 April 19-1-1 1-12 13 16 17-20 17 18 19 20 21-23 21 - 25-2 1 25 26 27 28-30 1 TG 582 combined with TG 581 in area Operating ln - I TG. were reorgaiized, TG SW of Emwetok Atol. S A' E. M nt- b8.2 composed of ESSEX tRear Admiral i 10 M. rd YORKTOWN tRear Adm ra iomliastsgmqezq CIT? 5,8 and CTG aboardl. BET-I-E5-'EP WOOD, SANTA FE MOBILE, BALTIMORE, BIEONG- OAKLAND, HEALY DORTCH, BQCNSCN. GAT 585 KNAPP. INGERSOLL, and CAPERTON. .TGS - and 58,3 form TF 58 for raid on Saipan-Tlnla-Il area- 10-07Ng 160-2sE. f E t t k 'n TG 58.2 enroute area NW o 1 IllWe 0 it3t?llTlmiIjABAMA and SOUTH DAKOTA Joined TG 1721540 set course for initial launching point for Saipan-Tinian Raids. 15-56Ng 158-51E. Steaming in TG 58.2 enroute initial launching point for Saipan-Tinlan Raids. 15-31Ng 153-29E. , i i t f ' ' TG 58.2 enroute initial launch ng D0 fl QF gg?3gxET:gia,n Raids and operating in the vlcinty Sai- pan and Tinian launching strikes against these islands. 14-55Ng 147-38E. Steaming in TG 58.2 retiring from Saipan-Tinian area enroute vicinity of Majuro Atoll. f 14-52Ng 154-16E. 14-13Ng 160-43E. 12-03N, 167-28E. 0941 Anchored in Berth A-14 Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands. Anchored ln Berth A-14 Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands. 0821 U d ' i rdance with CTG 58.2 Movement Order l1-4?4rvl,g5corrl1p2Yr1J3' with the CABOT, SAN FRAN- CISCO, WICHITA, SAN DIEGO, OVVENS, THE SUL- LIVANS, HUNT and HANCOCK. OTC and CTG 58.2 is Rear Admiral A. E. Montgomery CComCarD1v 121. 11-19N: 177-07E. 11-19Ng 177-07E. Steaming ln TG 58.2 enroute Pearl Harbor. CTG 58.2 OTC ls Rear Admiral A. E. Montgomery CComCarD1v 121 ln ESSEX. 13-51N3 176-281V. 16-12Ng 170-001V. 18-19532 163-09112 .?'tHl007 moor.d to Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Moored to Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 1057 Roar Admiral F. C. Sherman tComCarDiv IJ and his staff rams- ah ard. 1330 Read Admiral A. E. Montgomery CComCarDiv 125 shifted his flat: to the BUNKER HILL. 1023 Underway In accordance with ComAlrPac despatch 050352 ol' March 19-ll in company wlth the MERTZ and MELVIN as TU I9.16.l, CTU 19.l6.1 and ComCar- DIV 1 is Rear Admiral l-'. C. Sherman in ESSEX. 205 MERTZ and MELVIN completed duty and departed. 21-IIN: 157-56112 Steaming um-srortc-d as TU 19.16.1 enroute San Fran- cisco, California. 27-39N: 150-2111'. 32-27N: 140-43112 36-2SNg 131-4311! 1603 Anchori d in Berth G-2, San Francisco, California. 1333 Entered the drydock of Hunters Point, San Francisco, California. Drydocked at Hunters Point, San Francisco, California. 0805 Underway. 1007 Moored at Pier 7, Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company Yard, San Francisco, California. Moored at Pier 7, Bethlehem Shipbuilding Yard, San Francisco. California. Moored at Pier 7, Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company Yard. San Francisco, California, 1615 Underway to shift Mooring. 1730 Moored to Naval Air Station Dock, Alameda, California. 1605 Underway for Pearl Harbor ln accordance with Com11'estSeaFront Movement Ox der 127-CR. Enroutc Pearl Harbor, T.H. 35-25Ng 130-25112 30--l7Ng 141-35111 25--ITN: 150--17112 0615 NORMAN SCOTT and BENNION joined and took screening stations. 20-22N: 158-54111 lrlig Moored to Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Moored to Pier F-10, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T,H, 065-1'Underwa5l in accordance with CTG 19.2. fRear fdm'Fi W- K- Harrill- C0mCRrDi1' 11 ODPlan 1-44 35 x:'inS 0'lD and ship training exercises in Hawaiian v 'P - It areas in company with the SAN JACINTO EH!-5545-, BDENHAM. xonnsw SCOTT ' do-xx: hsqasw. 4 and MCNAIR. Exercising wit areas to further combat readiness. g 20-ZGX: 159-2-l11'. 20-ISN: 159-1T11'. 20-ETX: ISS-32111 111.731 Moored to Pier F-2, Ford Island h TG 19.2 in the Hawaiian Operatin i . . Pearl Harbor, Moored tc Pier F-2, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor T H May 1944 1-2 3 4-8 4 5 6 7 8 9-14 15 16-18 16 17 18 19 20 21-22 21 22 .,3 24- 24 26 26 27-30 31 June 1 2-5 6 7-11 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1944 Moored to Pier F-2, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, d ay for Majuro Atoll, giigrtligmcirvzvith CTG 12.1 0pP1an In company with the WASP, SAN DIEGO, RENO and two destroyers. OTC is Rear Admiral W. K. Harrill in ESSEX. 20-10Ng 158-09W. Steaming in TG 12.1 enroute Majuro Atoll, May-Shan Islands. 1 16-5ONg 163-34W. . , 14-09Ng 169-52W. ' 12-06Ng 175-14w. 9-44Ng 177-49W- 0800 DesDiv 23 Joined the formation. -5gNg 172-o6E. 1449 Anchored in Berth X-11, Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands. Anchored in Berth X-11, MaJUl'0 A-13011. Marshall Islands. 0756 Underway in accordance with CTG 58.6 0p0rde1- 7-44 of 12 May 1944 in company with the WASP, SAN JACINTO, BOSTON, BALTIMORE. CANBERRA, SAN DIEGO, RNOS and 12 destroyers. CTG 58.6 is Rear Admiral-A. E. Montgomery CC0mCarDiv 31 in ESSEX. 7-45Ng 170-42E. Steaming in TG 58.6 enroute initial launching point for strikes against Marcus Island. 11-05Np 164-41E. I 15-51Ng 159-57E. TU 58.6.5 composed of SXHUYIKILL, SARANAC and 3 destroyer escorts. 18-37Ng 158-08E. TU 58.6 5. departed to proceed independently. TU 58.6.4. composed of SAN DIEGO CFJ SAN JACIN- TO and 4 destroyers departed to proceed independent- ly. Operating in TG 58.6 near Marcus Island launching Air attacks against that Japanese Base. 22-54N: 153-28E. Operating in TG 58.6 near Marcus Island continuing air attacks against that Japanese Base. 1100 Operations complete-d. Course set for Initial launching point for strikes against Wake Island. 24-10Ng 156-29E. Steaming in TG 58.6 enroute initial launching point for strikes against 1Vake Island. 0842 TU 58.6.4 rejoined the disposition. 22-56Ng 158-17E. 17-50Np 160-49E. Operating in TG 58.6 near Wake Island conducting air operations against that Japanese base. 1740 Operation completed. TG commenced retirement Majuro Atoll. 18-32Ng 166-29E. Steaming in TG 58.6 enroute Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands. 13-22Np 167-41E. Put clocks ahead 24 hours. 8-02Ng 169-55E. 1411 Anchored in Berth X11, Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands. ' Anchored in Berth X-11, Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands. 0616 Underway for training exercises at sea in accor- dance with CTG 58.4 opordei- 1-44 of 29 May 1944 In company with the LANGLEY, COWPENS, SAN DIEGO. and 7 destroyers. CTG 58.4 is Rear Admiral H. K- Harrill, ComCarDiv 1, in ESSEX. 7-25Ng 171-44E. Operating in TG 58.4 engaged in training exercises H5 sea in accordance with CTG 58.4 OpOrder 1-44 of .2 May 1944 in company with the LANGLEY, COWPEINS. SAN DIEGO, RENO, and 7 destroyers. CTG is Real' Admiral H. K. Harrill ,ComCarDiv IJ in ESSEX- 7-12Ng 171-ISE. Anchored in Berth X-11, Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands- 1010 Underway in accordance with ComFIFTHFLT OP Plan CEN1o-44 of 12 May 1944 ih company with the CO1VPENS, LANGLY, and 8 destroyers. VINCENNES. HOUSTON, MIAMI, SAN DIEGO, RENO, and 6 des- troyers of Des Rohs 12 and 23 are on temporary 'WU' with TG 58.7 CTG is Read A-dmiral H. K. Harrill 400m CarDiv IJ in ESSEX. 7-26Ng 171-11E. 1600 Joined TF 58 58.4, and 58.7. CTF 58 is Vice Admiral M. A. Mltschel' tComFast Car Task Forcel in LEXINGTON. Steaming in TG 58.4 enroute initial launching IWW' for strikes against Saipan and Pagan. 8-17Ng 166-56.E. 11-3-IN! 161-uliE. 1600 VINCENNES, HOUSTON, MIAMI, SAN DIEGO- RENO and 6 destroyers of DesRon 23 joined formatlvll- 15-26Ng 159-54E. 15-O0Ng 154-31E. 13-43Ng 148-50E. 1300 commenced launching air strikes against SaiD8U- Operating with TG 58.4 conducting air strikes on S81- Dan, Pagan and a Japanese convoy bearing 2430- 100 miles from Pagan. ' 16-16Ng 146-34E. Ollerting with TG 58.4 conducting further strikes 011 Saipan and remnants of the above Japanese convoY- 16-OSN: 146-48E. comprising TG's 58.1. 58-2' 58'3' l K fi 1 5 14 ?5g8IIlg:lg QIETG 58.4 enroute fueling rendezvous about 24 Qpf-rutlug with TG SS.-I about 50 miles SE of Tillltlll UI, es A of Saipan. turnxshing air support mlmions against Tinian, Guam 17-255: 147f43E. and Rota. gg ggmplctlon of fueling TG 58.4 in ftompany with 14-0533 145,071.3 .1 . ' . . ' r -1- - - . . ' ' attacks rixefwcojxirae for! lnrltlitlll -:jtunf-hing po mon fur -J-2. upergttltlg wgth TG 55.4 about 100 miles E 01' Guam . 0 0 ma an L I 'ma' fllflllihlllsr tnr support missions for our H0098 011 0181 15 24-453: 1-H-021'-Z. Island. Opefatlng with TG 58.4 rnndu- ting air operations 23 ISJGY, 146 MH against Iwo Jima. TG 55.1 has IJFO-gkcfltfi northward ,,. N :fj -1 - and ls attacking Chichi Jlrna. - 1-v--165: Ha-oSE. 18 Operating with TG 58.8 f-ontinulnq air operations 5- ISBQDN: 146-301-Z. agagnst Iwo Jlma- A ls-. Prove:-tllng to A-tit-an wxth 2 destroyers ns escorts. 234251 142-0421 it Ant-huretl in Berth A-27. Salt-:ut llnrbor. rvplonlshlng 17 Operating with TG 58.4 prow-wllng to rl-n-l-'zv-.us wlth lfypjb fl-xnuly. 1 TF 58 and rronrlurrtlng :tn ttt'tv:rnu-an striklf on Pztgnn. IN- lU1h'l'N21Y I0 Y-'Jwlx TG 55.4 with 2 dvstroy0rS RS 18-4-iN: 1-I3-4512. '5U'fYS- I8 Operating wlth TG 55.4 :la Iinttlf- Lim- varrlvr Gr-,up 1940 vf'f11U12s: With Tm: 55.4 ut-t-ut 50 miles E of Guam gf TF 58 fn and 51,0111 333 mum, yygyy of gnpan -'I-nduutlug itll' up.-tutlults lil suppurt tu! ground fol'cv.-s on :searching fur umm or tlnf Jatpnn.-av fleet 1-.-purtml tu the Ulm, westward. Ib ll-ZSNQ 145-LMI, I9 fJ!peq.sitln5tQ tflth TG als,-linttliti Lung: Ru-rlgfr Group Zu 14.5355 111,151.31 n ' n :troftt :smut L.-IU ru -As S ' U Sill-rl, - U , , . , , . Under attack frtm lufru-lllu. .thuut llvu lttutlulli:-1 M l:LllItlt:llilbt.x?N'willfulltd-L -To-Ku Wu mugs kno! :quam -4 fighters tu attm-k --n--my plum-H llylng lu lluttm. 'fhlfn -vin thx: 1-ltntl J annul! ,mamma 'or xm roops . prof-f-s-clml to Iuellng r--utllfzxuun l-:mt ul Sttlpatn. il-,,,,,Q, H-is-F A, 14-2-IN: H3-391-Z. ' ' ' 20 Op:-rating with TG Sm! prm-1-ffllutg tu tuvlttftg rvn- M, .u,, WH 15 tlazvoun nlmut aiu mlhfx --:mt uf S.ti1,.tn. ESSEX 5 R ' Q3 lnunvhul ntrlku- nuztlnnt Guam :tml lintu. l-lu U1-.-xutlxtg null T12 its l, In' to ltlt' lllllt'h I-2 or titmm fur- -4' 21 Opt-rntlnu ulth TH SH.-I Q-sl-urrlrug lamk-'rx rl, tw-nll--z-..,u- lglrlllliel -LH rUl'l'vr'l -lb I--1111-Tl-.ml rl-y l', S. Ut-rutlputlutl 7 wlth TI-I SH and :nnrlu--tint: zur up.-rzttmnn atwtm-t lluultl l, '5 ' '1' 'l 'f ' Huh K H' 35-4, l 'liU' EU- PM -- nn!! In ,,um,,,r1 of lmhl, ,,,,,.,,,u,,,,,, ,m SMI,-Lu. -.l. , Jun.-. ltllyl, rl.-.tty Jxtltnttttlx t.. l-. llotztux. t tnuuur- 15.53N: 143,405.11 lux l lu Lark-.X ls tilt ttnml t lt.. 22 Ups-rntlng with TH 58.-I ruva-ring tank'-ln ulllh- unlt- I l'5 :33 H mE nf TF' 58 fuoele-cl, 3 12-4352 146-U1l'1 I5-IHS: lil!--lb!-J. .1 1:-lug, 145-455 ' 23-25 Upcfrntlm: with TG 534 ln un-lt about loo tml--3 u.-at 1 11455: 1.15.3315 1 ut rlnlpnn vontluutlnx ln-utrztlnznmg mr Uplfratwns ttguamt . 13 ,yn H. VB S Ummm mul Itnta and xlung ull' support lu tr-wp: ur ' 'Wk' 'flir- , sulpan. 'Q 13-52.2 turn I - 1, r 1. JH: 1000 TG 554 wtrrl-:ztlllzt-ti. Now colupust-tl of ESSEX f 23 ' Lf- H3 'I' tt-w, mf:t.t.l:.xt' wutm, 1..txG1.r:x'. tux DIEGO und 24 lt.-on.. Ill-Ill-.. .5 ,,,.,,,,,H.,, 26 lf:-IUNL IH-YZH. 13.HNL 113,111.21 26 Nlvlllllllllf ln Til Lil .llmuz Im mtl.-1 l-J.-qt nl' s.tl1l.ul 1Q 'AV-ll'l-Ill' K, W- Wll'l 'l'. VSN. I'-'llN'vkl Uullllllll IL l lH'vll-'llllf Im-l .tml l'!'llllll'0'lll0'lll .un mn. .X 1 llnlw. ISN. an txumlmtuillll-I Ulllf-'II I5-IIN. IU?-SIE. Q 1:z.::N. las-t-al-I 27 Up'-rntlm: wnh TH 3-.5 ..l...ut lllr mr- 1 .mln nr sul. -, 15.115, llf, 5.31-3 HIIIA'nl'aisLl:lr'ltlltaint: ll llllqlllllluq lull' ..I,..y,lrml..4 .ublin-I lu I -' w'l 5'.I4: E l3.::N. Hxlwr: I.,-fl ln .A 1 Ml ...tn-v lun lunuu-Ink, Mun-lmll lulundn. 28 Uxwmtlnw mm 'Fu .14 I .nmut T3 nur... tw.: ..r f.l1t...l. 'I 'J ': l ' ' 'VW - l 1 -' l'3llHH'l N. MHIHIHIII IH- vomluvtlm: atlr np.-r.ltl-nu ltumrl-an lkttgun ' ' l xr.-sax. ln-:rl-1 ll li wx 1--' 343 29 Upurntlmg with 'l'Il Jil .tl-nut lun null-1 Xkrext ..r sul- ll ll WN. U7 - 'l3 :'illQuj'l3ll1l:Ii':ISIIFNII'H1--'I'-lllwlr-1iuwllwl ISHN li 1--:1 xn.z,..l..l lu luttn ml I-:mlm-1-.lt Amll, Murnlmll -- n 1 - .. l.1,.g,,1-. l500 ll:-nr Aalmlrxtl XV, ll. ll.tkQ-r 4-'1-uwlul-I-. lla -.ln -- . . . uhuurll lunl llrbvlllllu-ll Illlln--4 nl' u'I'n' .tml l l'1Z Qt I nf- U 'K Ml' ,mljllt in MNH. WI l'nuU'mk 'Mull' Mumhun himndn' llvul' zxtlllllflll WY. K. llurrlll who lx.t1ul-v-:ul-llunit! -5 WV l l 'W'5 lll Hl'illl5' Null llll' I-EXINUTON. 5 1500, l.xMil.l'.l, l'l:lN-'lf2T115 :tml 9 :lm-tmyt-an ln nvvural- . , J . . , . A .. . . .ln-f tkllll 1 l'1i Ilhil ?'1'lll'l lllnllnlvll 270430 of AUKUNK ,lo tirltlflmtltlltt, mm rn ..4.5 nlnm I..-I null'-4 NNN --1 mu :tml nu-mtl-r I-H nr 135 AllHllNl 1044. CTU lu 'H-30, 'ln .MF ll--,lx Mlmllul I-'. 1' Slu-rnmn H'uln1'ul'lllv lj in ESSEX. ' ' 'l'l-' Ill Ill YIM- Allllllflll M. A. XlllNl'hl'I' Ill IEXIVLI- July IQQJ 'FUN T13 Zu Il l-4 lu anllllllllly wlllt 'I'll'n4 38.1 alll' 55.2. lu HN, lu! lilli. I-2 tltn-rntlmt wltln 'l'll I-Nl nl:--'nt lm mul.-a :XXX --x' Supln . , ,Q A, , .. . , , , . .. l'0lIlhll'UIlll' llll' lilly-Fllllllflhl lll Pllllvlllllf tif ulll lnnlllnllllrll in -ll 'fix'bHv1l1'::l11h.lnl fn:-hu-i:x ln.,':'T,.ix'::::xjnnb with qt... and uf Snlpnn. ' , --X .11 VI. n 13-GDN: nw-:xxx-1, j jf'j ',- 'f f':' j' 2 14-xxx. 1111.441-:. ' -1-'N' 4 3 Ulwrllllllk with TH SY! fllvlllll nt -wn sllmll! Ln mill'-1 , mutt uf rlulpun. s ' mu l5.2flNg 14':.g:v3l-:M I su-.mmu: In 'l'll JS Il Vllltlllfl' fllvllllll ru-nah-zvoun ut ll!!! l245 Sv! rourm- rm- ldnlswmk, Mm-tlmll I-4l.m.l.. l'H f' Y'-lttlwrfllli-'Il' Nllllllllll ilu- l'nlnu lnlandn. , .. . I , I . s W ' ---:-Is, 50-w-2. 4-G In nl. 'mum' hnhnmk UNH' HM' 'l'l-' IN r--ml-zv--uw-tl with Tfl'n 30.7 and 30.8 about . 'aww I-SLIP' lwvvv mil..-l sl-2 uf l'ul:tu lnluntln and rut-lcd on SE -.M L -1 - .. .mnfv 8 12-ISN: l5l4f30l-2. H-JIS, 15 -591-2 -, 5 1015 ,y,,,.p,,,r,..1 in gh.,-11, 11. 13,,i,,,.1,,k 1,,,,,' 1,m.i,,,m 5:--nljnivmzg lln Till ITHLII 1-nrnutv lnltlnl lnunr-hlng point for H 1,,mmg,.. -1 ru '---1 'ra nu P .una R, 7-N Am-ht-rml ln lla-rlln ll, Hvnwvt-tk .tr-lll. hl.1r..p,,,H 14l.m.l,l, 3 'WNl l5l 3'U'3- N H24 Utnh-rwny ln nwuralntnl- wltlx FTW Sit npylnn ' 33N5 '47-395 l-H of 2 June-19.45 In fmutmny with thu' l,,yN4pl,p-gy, :.4v5N5 ln-555-1, PRffL l xU5', xlal hsxhb' ,nnl SNIA' Mfxml- S-xx 1 limo l,:1unfhwl lnltlnl strlkr- mmln:-t the Palm: lnluntln if Dll'.b0 mul h llvnlr--yn-rw. It-'ur A-lmlrltl lu l'. ll--run fr:-m :t t-fwlrlfm nlmut 265 mile-se HI-2 of nmno. 1. tCotnL'urlllv In ls VTU mul UT-.'. 4.53153 1151.231-2, V W-4952 U': 'l ' ' s llpwratllur ln TG 354.3 ln urs-A about G5 mllell SBYV of 15-lT Steaming In T12 55,8 vnruute lnltinl lnunthinz Dolut fur Palau IPIMHIH wllllflvillir RIF Mlhffkfl Mlhlnlt thou In- f strlkvs ugnlnnt Guam. lnnllfl. Q 15 ll-258: 158-298. 6-HSN: 134-UPI. Q to 12-lax: ls:-:au - H-HN: 133-225- ' .. - .. . . In mn- nrt:-rnnf-n n--t course- for llllllhl launching polnt .0 52 wil' HT35:',l, N 4 I I J H strlk n nlmlnst Mlmlnlmo, Phlllpplnc Islands. V -- peru nk ll 1 at. nmu 61 Ill vs SE nf tiumu .4 1 I 4- -gg, 3 I , 1 5 Funchlsgf alrtuttlx-:ks ln prvpamtmn ut' lmusinn or J In '.:g:'1g:: fggunphlg utriksr: l?::l?Yl:lu:?l:lf.Eg8:225? E 0' Mm- . is nllllhl 3 us? Fllolilkt 5. T-Rss: 127.33131 z 134'-U' U '42 -- 1., mms: 1:-sm. .N 19 13-265: H6-0.E. In --nrly ant-rnonn net course- for fueling rendezvous. 20 13-0351 H5-055 ll Su-nmlnz ln TG 38.3 In area about 300 mlles E of if 1 31 Opemtlng wltlx TG 55.4 wndut-tlng air np'-ratlunn ln llindnnnl r..fm.1mg and rect-lvln8 rvplnctment aircraft ' 4 support of our troop lamlltxgs on Guam. MN fnmhll Hll'CNfWl- . I I!-SYN: 1-I5-ME. T-HN: 131-403. 'I 23 Operating with TG ss.4 turning ut S.-tt fnmut 1:5 milw, lf' W 'ff wjlffe f0f Initial lavnchlnz win! SE of Guam- fnr strikes against the Central Phlllpplne Islands. K 1:-omg 145-545, 1:-za Qpf-rating ln 'rc am ln area about so miles E of gg Opemuns with TG 55.1 conducting Mr opumuum, iztgrigao Straus launchlnz strikes against the Central figf-. lklllllst Tinian ln prvpamtlon for the assault and ln- mpphws' '-ffl. v-'nsxon of that Island 13 104531 13543- 1... . . - . ., . jg? Z4-HIS: 146-:n9E. l3 10-345: 126-50. f,..ev. f 99 .fQ,,bif7vSig+ L Y ,254 '5' 18 22 30 - 114- 126-45. ' . , ig ?a.te'a.fternoon set course for fuelmg refldezvoub- t Steaming in TG 38.3 in company Wlth 38.2 emoum fuling renggzvous. 7-55g 131-0 . . . - 'les SW of t ln TG 38.3 m area about 1.15 ml , gigs gzieiving fuel and replacement axrcraft and com bat aircrews. 5-16NZ l33'33E- b t 60 miles W of O erating in TG 38.3 in zjzrea a ou - Pglau supporting troop 1a.nd1ngS OD that Island' 7-35-Ng 133-28E. 7-27Ng 133-2SE. ' Op rating in TG 38.3 in area about 275 m1les NW of Palau Is ands refueling. 11-29Ng 132-46E. . . . Steaming in TG 38.3 ergroute initial launchmg DOIN fm strikes against the Manila area. 14-OSNQ 128-52E. . f Operating in TG 38.3 in area about 175. m1les NE 0 Manila launching strikes against the Mamla area. 15-14Ng 123-32E. 15-40Ng 123-06E. I Operating in TG 38.3 in area about 350 1111195 SW of San Bcrnadino Strait refueling. 11-19Np 130-19 . , . About 2000 set course for initial laurgchgng p01Hi f0F further strikes against the Central Phil1DDfI'1eS- S Operating in TG 38.3 in area ahbout 90 .m1les E of an Bc-rnardino Strait launching strikes agamSt the Central Philippines. 12-49Np 125-57E. Steaming in TG 38.3 enroute fueling rendezvous. 11-43Ng 130-34E. Operating in TG 38,3 in area about 140 miles NW of Pulau Islands refueling from units of TG 30.8. S-28Ng 132--19E. Set Course Kassal Passage. Palau Islands. 0730 Anchored in center of Bertljns 3, 9. HFC? 10 at Kassal Passage, Palau Islands, loadmg ammuumon. Anchored in center of Bn-ths 3, 9, gud 10 ag Kassal Passng, Palau Islands during daylight loadmg am- munition. Uncle-rway to retire to the eastward ear-h nlght at sunset, returning to previous berth at dawn. Ovtober 1944 Anchored in cc-ntor of Bvrths 3, 9, and 10 at Kassal Passage, Palau Islands. 1722 Underway for Ulithi Islands. Steaming in TG 38.3 enrout: Ulithi Islands. 10-02Ng 138-SSE. 1638 Am-horeml in Berth 1-l7, Ulithi Islands. Underway ln TG 38.3 to ride out lyphoon wvnthur ut sen in urvn uhnut 120 mils-s SE of Ulirhi. 9-DSN: 140-1315. Returned mul um-hmm-d In R1-rth 147, Ulithi Islands, Anchorcd ln B4-rtlx I-17. Uilthl Islands. Umh-rwny ln TG 3x3 in 4-mnyuuxy, with the LEXING- TUN. LANGLI-EY, PRIN1'E'I'OX. WASHINGTON, MAS- SAUHUSET'l'S. ALABAMA, :OUTH DAKOTA, SANTA FE MOBILE, :xml 17 d six-myers for further operations nunlnst tho un--my. TG 38.2 in C1 mpany. FTC is Vicg Admiral M. A. Mitschr-r 1Comll'nstCar Task Forceb in l.I2X!NGTON, CTG in Ih-au' Awlmix-al F. C. Sherman, k'nmCurDiv 1 in ESSEX. Su-nmlng' In TG 38.3 1-nrouto fu-ling rvndezvous. Op- l5l'Klt'l''l'0IllE'lll'IWiV 1 Nu. 3144 l'fft'l liV0 this date. I3-1.135 105-2.18. Up rating in TG R33 in arm about 500 miles West of the Mnrizmus refueling, 13-HN: 138-ZIZZE. Stuqmingr 38.3 4-nr-unto initial launching point for Strikes ugzunst Okinawa Jima. 21-DIN: 13-1-SRI-I. Ow'r:xEim: in TG 38.3 about 123 miles SE of Okinawa, 25-0052 129-IDE. Qpernting In T.G RSS in area about 375 milgg E of Formosa rvfuvllllil 31111 I'0Ci'iVil1g replarxment aircraft and combat uircrews. 19--ISN: 127-0413. Operating in'TG 3S.f1b01lf. 75 miles E f F o ormosa launching strikes nzmnst Formosa and the pescadores Islands. 22--I-lN:122-HE. ODFPRUIXK fllwut GO miles E nf Formosa continuing air 351131215znpigglgglg-'ox'x11os:1 and the Pescadores Islands, Operating about 100 mil s 'E of Formosa ti ' air nttzwus ngainsm that Jam nose base. con numg 23-15N: 123-2612. About noon set course for fueling rendezvous, Iiffueling in nrwn about 350 miles SE of Formosa : so rec-:ivod roplaccnu-nt aircraft and co b '- - - ' lshosxz Us-SSE. m at ancxxwxs. About 2054 set comme to northward to sw -1 :xjtack units ot' the Jnpanesv Fleet reportgdrizlsgor and Kansai Shoto Isinnds. Op rating about 375 miles E of of the Form osa searching s',s ',:Q'2,e for of the mt. - 2 -.,- LE. In lute afternoon located ICV, EBB about 300 miles to :ho northeast.. before dark. . ICA, 2CL, and SDD T00 12119 to attack Oberming 'xbout 330 rnilec E of Formoea Q - - 3 ' x N - hmf' In ruin for units wi' Japqu X51 F16 at -' 1 earc 2' 21-IGN3 12:-255. I ' k Mgned me mm' Refueling and recoivinf' re lacem- r ' - . nbout.3T5 miles E of L1?zon,p en an-Craft In area 13-00N: 1:29-SQSE. Cperating about 'F50 milev E oi Luzon ' ' . - - on Intercept any Japanese surface forces attenuplrfslugg hs? trrfer with pre-invasion activities in Visayas. a IT-UN: 126-52E, erating about 200 miles E of 20 OP searches for Japanese surface units. Invasion of Philippines commenced this 15-16Ng 126-52E. 21 Operating about 200 . miles NE Straits launching strikes against Gulf, and Southern Luzon to cov..r our ings. 13-58Ng 125-14E. ' 22 Refueling in area about 350 miles NE of San. nardino Strait. 14-14Ng 130-30E. Y 23 Operating in TG 38.3 'about 250 miles NE 0 Bernardino Strait covermg out Visayas landings searuhing' for units of the Japanese Fleet Search results negatlve. , 14-04N: 128-54E. 24 Operating in TG 38.3 about 200 miles off the east c of Luzon launching strikes against the Manila area and a. Japanese Task Force reported south of Mindanao and a Search to the -N and NW to 300 miles and re: p lling enemy air attacks. 15-32Ng 123-28E. 25 Operating in TG 38.3 in company with TG's 38,2 38.4 and TF 34,350 mues NE of Luzon, and All units attacking a Japanese Task Force about 100 miles to the north. , TF 34 and TG 38.2 departed about ncon for San Bernardino Strait to intercept a Japanese Task Force reported in that area. ' 17-39Ng 126-35E. 26 Op rations in TG 38.3 in area about 300 miles NE of San Bernardino Strait refueling, Launched morning search to the N and W to 300 miles. Results negative. 15-5SNg 128-27E. 27 Operating in TG 38.3 about 100 miles E of San Ber- nardino Strait, launched morning and afternoon searches to the N and NW to 300 miles. Results negative. 12-3ONg 126-24E. 28 Operating with TG 39.3 about 300 milfls E of San Bernardino Strait. 1130 Set course for Ulithi Islands. 13-22Ng 129-42E. 29 Steaming in TG 38.3 enroute Ulithi Islands, 11-21Ng 136-05E, 30-31 Anchored in Berth 26, Ulithi Islands, replenishlnll around the clock. November 1944 1 Anchored in Berth 26, Ulithi Islands. 1620 Underway for Manuq, Admiralty Islands in com- pany with the LEXINGTON, LANGLEY. WASHING- TON, RENO, SANTA FE, MOBILE, and 16 destroyers in accordance with CTG 38.3 dfspatch 232215 of Octob 1' 1944. OTC and CTG 38.3 is Rear Admlral F. C. Sher- man CComC'arDiv 19 in ESSEX. Steaming in TG 38.3 enroute Central Philippines area. under modifid orders to intercept reported eneml' forces. 10-36Ng 134-39E. 3 Operating m TG 38.3 refueling, about 500 miles E of Leyte, Philippines Islands, 0148 TICONDEROGA, ALABAMA, and MASSACHU- SETTS joined TG 38.3. 2327 Reno hit by torpedo or struck mine. I 2335 F lt underwater explosion close aboard starboarf side of ESSEX. 3 12-26Ng 133-33E. 4 Operating in TG 38.3 in company with fI'G'.s 38.1 ang 38.2 about 400 miles E of Central Phi1lD'DlIl9S. C091 IS Vice Admiral J. s. Mccain KCTF 387 ln WA-Pfn TG 38.3. MASSACHUUSETTS and ALABAMA left OI' TG 38.1 and SOUTH DAKOTA joined TG 38.3. 16-16Ng 129-4313. 5 Opeqatingjn TG 38.3 about 100 miles E.of Luzon C1111 ducimg alr operations against targets ln the Maxim area. A suicide bomber diving on the ESSEX was S down by ESSEX AA well clear of the shlp. 16-17Ng 123-38E. 5 OD ,rating With TG 38.3 as before continuing air attack!! against the Manila area. 16-24Ng 124-18E. 7 Refllelilflg in area about 300 miles NE of Phe Cents! Ph-lllppmes. LEXINGTON departed for Ulxthl f0I' paxrs and transf'er of wounded. - 1-Q-27Ng 129-50E. tra, S Rlqlflgput a typhoon about 600 miles NE ,of Cen nd Phlllppm s in TG 38.3 in company with TGs 38.16191- 38..4. OTC is Rear Admiral F. C. Sherman fC0m Dlv 13 in ESSEX. 15-40Ng 132-OZE. 9 Operating in TG 38.3 about 600 miles NW of Guam- 1T-40N: 137-36E. I 10 Steaming in TG 38.3 about 600 miles NE of Centra Philippines enroute to intercept a. Japanese Task FDFCP FGDOHGG aproaching Leyte from the SVV. 15-11Ng 135-04E. U Operating wiph TG 38.3 about 100 miles E 0f,San Eg nglrdlpo Strait conducting air operations against 5 Dmg IH Ormoc Bly, Leyte, Philippine Islands. 13-26N: 125-40E, 12 Igfefqihng in area about 200 miles E of San Bernardino ral . ' 13-4SN2 128-20E. 13 OD rating Wiigh TG ss.3 about 150 miles NE of Mauna lquncllmg strxkes against the Manila area. 1a-ssh: 123-45E. H I 14 ODe,ting with TG as.3 in same area launching Sffgfgi Ira . C' 3 - AS m ' 15-12N: 124-Oziic 'un CCTF SJ 111 W X if-16 Steaming in TG 3s.3 enroute Ulithi Islands. 10 15-SSN: 12s-42E. 16 11-5SNI 15-13E. 17 0653 Anchored in Berth 27, Ulithi Islands. I Y. i 11-1- 18-21 Anchorecl in Berth 27. Ulithi Islands riplenishing. 22 0526 Underway with TG 38.3 in accordance with CTG 38.3 despatch 292215 of October 1944. 10-09Ng 138--ITE. 23 Steaming In TG 38.3 enroute rlnd-. ' h units of TF 38- 1. zxous nlth ot er 13-39N'g 133-1-IE. 2-I Fueling .in area 250 miles E of Philippine Islands, TG 38.3 ID company with TG 3S,2, 1-I-12Ng 12S-22E. 25 Operating in TG 38.3 about 100 miles E of Luzon launching strikes against shipping and land targets in the Manila area. 1256 ESSEIS hit on the port edge. of the flight d,ck an 21361533.69-10 by a Japanese suicide torpedo aircraft 1326 Flight Operations are resumed. 16-NN: 123-30E. 26 Refueling in area about -lou miles E of Philippines, 27-29 Op--rating with TG 351.55 in areas about 400 miles E or Philippine Islands condur-ting AA practice. 21 13-26N: 131-IOE. 28 13-4TNp 130-2-IE. 2:1 13-26N: 131-2513. 311 Refueling in area about 4110 miles E of I,IIIIIlIIJI11r Islands. 14-49N: 131-16E. December 1944 1-2 Steaming In TG 35.3 1-111-oute lflithi Islands. 1 13--IINQ 131-5151. 2 9-5551: 139-00111. 1705 llf10l'aflI 1.0 111111 SIIIQ: UI' JXIQAX III Ba,-PIII NO. II Ulithi I:-1I:1n1Is. 310 Moorcd to port sirli- of AJAX In B rth No. 12, UIILIII Irllzlnfls ri-11le11i:-11111114 and 1'1f11aI1'i111,: ship. 11 0736 U1llI1'l'W!1y in TG 38,3 in aczi-111-tlzixicv with CTI! 38.3 cle-:-ipatf-I1 1111111110 In compuiiy with tht- TICUN- IJIGILUGA, SAN .I.1CIN'l'1J, I..XNf1I.1f1Y, NUHTII CAIQU- I,IN.-X. XV.-XSIIINHTON, SUIITII IJ.XKO'I'.l, S.XN'I'.X I I-I. MIJBILI-I, IIIIJJXI, U.-XKI..XNIJ zinrl I-I tl:-511-1.51-ls, HTH IH R1-ur Aflruilrul I . C, 5111111111111 ttFo111f?u1'I1iv 11 in I0-LZNQ ISS-5013. 12 Stn-urnlng III TG 38,3 f-111'-nite I4 IlIIl'Zl.'llLli with TWV, 35.1 :intl 38.2. Il111I1-zvoum-11 :tt 121111. UT17 is V11'-- Aclmirnl J. S. BII'l'ilIl1 1171111511112 tfgir Tn.-If I-'11111-1 111 IIANCTQLCK in 'FII 312. .X1l111i1z1l XV. I , II:1l-1.-y 1131111 'I'IIIItD I Itl in NI'11V.lI'IILSI'2Y III 'I'fi fIH.Z.E. 15-MNQ 132-I11I'l. III I u1-lint: nt :wrt in Til XYZ: In uri-11 111111111 C1311 111111-.-1 I-I 111 IIIIZUII. I7-IIHNQ 1231-0816. ll-Ili H111-1'11tI111.: In TG 155,21 with TI-' IZ! In ?lI'v'.l 111111111 17111 IIIIINPI IC III. I.11z1111 111z1i11t11i11i111.: 1'1111t1111111u-1 1114111111- 1-11111 11V1'r .Iltpztlln-so Airtlalfls 1111 I.11Z1111 111 1'11v1-1' li. S. In- Vuslon I Ul'1'I'H Iitllllilli 1111 Mi111l111'11. I-I I5-43312 1211-0I1IC. Iii lil-02Ng 1:11-1711-I. 113 17-02Ng 121-MIC. IT Fm-ling :tt sn-11 in ll1'l'2l, 111111111 Slit! 111111-4 IG IPI, tht- I'I1iIi1111ln1- Islrtntls. lt-STN: 129-51116. 1325 S1-1, 1'Ulll'Ht' to Wvstwnlwl to 1-rn-:111v Illl :111p1'nzir'i1l111: typhoon, IS Ilicling out I1 set-onri ty11l1111111, 1VIlIl'Il haul 4111111-111'-111 13311 mile-an to the SI-I In uri-11 z1I11111t 3511 111111-N Ii nl' th.- 1'1-ntrnl I'hillp11i111-s. 111 I ut-ling nntl r1-c Iv1n1: I't'11IiU't'I1lt'IlI nlrrrzift In IIII l'1li0'.l nhuut 250 nillcia Ii ot' tht- IIt'IlII'JlI I'I11IIi11i11v-S. I1II.l.II1t'Ilt'fI un III-It'I'lIUUIl Nt'l1I't'Il for sl1':11:1:li111: ships .11111 HIl'VIV1lI'S ot' 2-1111115 that I.llllIl1Il'I'l'II lIIII'iIII.I ty11I1m111. 12-SIN: 128-2216. 20 Operating: In TG 38.11 111'111-111-111111: to st-:11-1-11 for survivors fri' vur4scIs1 tinnt 11111111111-rwl 1IllI'II'I,LI th t5p1111f111. 16-2NN1 128-13210. In Intl- llI'Il'l'Ilfl11II sl-t 1'0llI'Ht' for initial Iziunvhing point for cumtltiiin-tl strllus namlnst I.11z-111. 21 Operating In TG ZlN.3 111-111-1-1-tllnt: to tuvllnc rvtitlf-zvmns und ewztm-111111: for ty11111111n sllrvixors 1-11r1111t1-, Strilc-H t't1l11'1'IIt'tl lw1':tl1Sc 111' 1Vl'lLIIll'I'. I5-GUN: 127-LINE. 22 FIIPIIIIK nt sun In 111-1-:1 111111111 44,111 mil-'s I-I ot' tho f'1'IllI'IlI I'hiII1111im-s UHIIIIIIIIIIIK sv-1111-h for I:v'11Il0Ull s111'vix'111's. 15-I-IN: 11111-11815. I11 into afternoon st 4'll1lI'S0 for lilithi Islands. 23 Sta-ztnilnp: In TG 38.3 t'III'Hllit' Ulithl Islands. I2-SGNQ 1115-31:1-Z. 25-29 Ancliori-tl In In-rth 11, Ulithl Islands nt II-I0. 30 L?n1lg-rwny 11500 ln n1'co1'd:1111'e with CTG RYII d1'sp:it1'l1 280515 in t'0lIlllllIlfv' with tho Tl1'tlNIlIiI!tN3.1. LXNH- LEY. S.-KN .l.x1TIN'I'O, XV.XSlIING'I'11N. NHHTII VAR11- LINA. SANTA FIC, BILOXI, VINVIGNNI-IS, MIAMI. FLINT :init 1T 111-stray.-rs. CTG R1-:ir .X1.I1nir41l F. V. Slwrxnatn uforn Cnr Div 11 in I-JSSI-IX. 11-01Np 11311-21513. 31 Steaming in TG 38.3 as part of Tl' 38 enroute fucllnk rendi zvous. 1-I--IGN: 135-5-IE. January 1945 1 Steaming in TG 38.3 In TG 38 enroute fueling ren- dezvous NE Luzon. 18--HN: 130-SSE. li Operating with TF 38 with TG 38.3, fueling :tt sea about 350 miles NE of Luzon. 20-22Ng 12S-1213. 374 Operating In TG 38.3 about S0 miles E of Formosa v launching air strikes against Formosa and Okinawa Jlma. to cover invasion forces approaching LUZOU- 1-.I 3 -l 5 15 5 1 b '1 I0 Il 12 I3 I I 15 Ivi lv. Is 111 ll - 1 I '1 1,- ...1 I-1' 10 II II I2 I3 Il I5 I6-I1 IG I7 1,,,,1 22-WN: 122-471: 22-59N: 123-sos. M ffm 111111 receiving replacement aircraft lu 'I I LI 19-24NgOig7f1QI.gm S AE Qperatins in TG 'S of Luton. N U f -1 .3 in area about 150 miles E of kongpfl Luzou launching strikes against targets in -- - ern Luzon to vm-.r our approaching forces. 1--MN: 124-1-JE. 17-OSX: 1:4-osx-:. Su-'unin-' in TC Y -up Sf Lu 1 35.3 iln urea about 255 miles NE of -A K zon rt1u int' :ini rvfivi ' -- -- if mnriutb V 1 s 1 ut 115 11111111111 mnt - ' w- -t - IE'-.MRI lla--1.11-.. It 1 ' ' - ' Q -- .. . . ifuiurjlllllls lull 'lib ov..-xiii :irvat 2.1 miles I-I ot' I1'orn1os.1 .tunt 11115 si:-zltts .iggiznst I 0l'l!1uS1l, Miynlao Jima :intl LIRIIILIXYLL J11111 :J-1:51 1:1:-1:.1:q -fttcr tiurk st: ci-iirsc tor 12.15111 t'l1g11111t-I lu Inter the 1. Illlltt at .1, 011--1'-1l111g 111 rt. .-so III 11 iv KGIIIIIA S1-41 nhullt 200 Illllcs -.-:' I.,Lll4,t5tll Gul: SI.LIlkIlI1g by 1,1 51,pp,,,l Um- gn- iiitilyjut wYH Hi Leiiflw -11111 st-gin-111111: the nr n -120 W5 L' 11' Q ll-I-1. . for t'111t.' 1 111. 51. L : . 1-,.-.,1xp 119.1111-3. ' N 0 K wmv' UW 'lp-ixitixigz III TG Liyl: in .i1'1.1. ul-out 2311 mljrs yy' of I.:1.gu3t-11 Liuli' st-.uchiiig LLIXLI lu Xxx' and SW fm. units I' ..It1LlI 1, Iitnl It J.tI1u .1. 5- -'--, I-I-u.1N, 11.1--I.-I-., . suits Ilt :.111x 1.-. ',I'l'I'AlIIIIli Ill 'lil' 1IN'I Ill 1111.1 lllu 111 511 11111.-5 E of 1 , 1 ... 1..':11111'4111I1 Ugly. l 1't-111-I1 1111111-01111111 11111111-111111: 511-lk.-3 atgztin-t Lillllllktllil Buy J111-.ixitsc Ngixuil units, 111111 S1111-:1-11 illltl Sl'lll'k'IlIlll1Z for lltsulls ot si-uri-h 111-1-zntivv, 12-MN: 11.19-3515. Iletueling 111 TG 38.3 i11 1ll'x'Ll nbout 450 111111-s 11' DI' Luzon. 1-I-3-IN: 11-I-1121-I. 1.111111111111115 Illcllllg 0111-r'1t11111s In nrin nhout 250 milvs 11' 111' I.uz1111. IT-IINQ 111.1-Ill-I. 411-1-1'.11111g III lt. .1s,.1 Ill 411-111 111111111 lf-0 milfs SW ot 11'-11111.1s41. luiinrliing strikes .IgLtlIlSI SIIHPIWIIIH llrlll' Swu- tnw LIIIKI I-'111111---.1 .intl ill -I-IWNL 111-11112 llim his ull I-'111-1111-sn. 111111.11111,, In 111 .1M.1 Ill 1111-11 nl-out ISI- 111111-5 SI-I 111 II11llIQ11l1g.Z ltllll II11lll.1ll. I -'HXQ III-'171If I'u1l1:1.g All s-.1 .mil 1-.1-111111155 1111141111111-111 nlri-11111 in .111.1 2-H1 IIIII s X1 1.1 1.11z1111, 111-.1lX, II'1 1111- 1.11111y 111 Il. .-'.1.lIn11Il lM1,111l11-s W1-1 I.11z11n. FII .nu 31, M1.1,1-.11111 .IIIII 1111111 5.1-.ln 1111-xvllh-al rnlllillllillk Illm 111114 ..11.1.1111111- li-,:11N. Ili Qt-I-I I1'u-I111g.1t -1-.1 III illlil 1311111111-rf XX' 111 I.nz1111, I...1mN, IIN-lIl1I'I. SIILIIIIIIILI 111 '1'v: TiN II 1-111--111-1 II'lIIIIIi1lII11 l'Il:1llllI'I n111'1l1 .11 I.l.7llI1, 1-1 11.1-s 1111111 I'IlIIl:l S1-11 111 IIII' l':11'l1l1- th- nn. 111-SHN, ll -llI'I 1111111111115 with 'I'Ii 21821 1111--111 litn nnllvr- I-I III' I-'111'111111+:1 IRIIIIIIIIIIILQ .'-111I.11- .IKLIIIINI I 1-111111:-11 111111 5:1111 SIIIIIIII 121111111 1211-HHN, 132.11112 11111-111111111 In 'IWC ftNii l1-e- 'I'I4'I'Nl1I-IIUNLK. I I.INT. IllI.' XI. :111.l 1'1NlSWI'II.l., in :111:1 :1l111111 TI1 IIIIIFH SIC 111 llI1I1l,lXIJl IIIIIIIII 1:11111-111111: e-tlilus 1114111111-1 IIIQIIIIIXVII 191111111 ff.-IHGNQ IIN-YZSIC. I1'111-111111 .11 111111 in :nn 111-:1 ilillblli I1f1l1 IIIIIUH Ii nl' I.1lz11l1. 4I1l1lII11lfII'Ii :111-I 1 11' .A 111111111111 for Ullthl Ifflnntln f I'43 now tl'I'l', 241.INN. IST-If-Ii. sr--.1111i111: in T41 Ilxfl 1-11r1111t1- l'lI1I1I IFIIIIIIIH. IT-SSN. 133-2115. lj-MZNQ lfili-f-IIC ,.,- . 1XIl'IllII' fl un ll-1111 -.1, lllthl IHIIIININ. I'I'liIl'llIHIlIIIK. 11'11'11x' l I1 ,1111111,r1-.I 111 ltrrth 23' Vilthi If-l:1111Ir4, 1'v11Iv'lliHI1Il1l-Z. I'IItI'I'x!'IIy 111 11022 uhh 'VH 7.1-.It nf 'I'I' F111 In llf'l'0l'lIIllll'U tt-,111 1 1'1: mf: 111-1411.11.11 11511125111 111111 f'0IllI'llT'I7IV I H11- 111-11-r 2-13, UT is Yin- .I'IIIl. M. A. Mite- l1f'r in ltI'NIiI-ll! IIII.I., 1 I'4i ie lt1:1r .X'IIll, I-', V. S111-11111111. 11'111nf'.11I1iv I1 in I-IFSIQX. ItI'NKI'IIi IIII,I. tI I l 1'111Y1'1-INS. NI-IW .Il-11151-JY. 54 Ij'l'II I1AIiH'I'.1, I'Al-iA- 111-:xx .1sTf11:1..x, w11.141:s, 11.111111-3 111111 111111111 111 f'HIIIIl.IIIQ'. F171-ISN. 135'-71215. S11-:gluing 111 TfQ 25.2 1-Ilrullir f111'IlI'li: y'1'lllI1-ZVYAIIH, II 'QY' II' F -.1.. , .1-.r. 1. II-SYN: IIT-31115. Fu ling in groin nhnnt -Ulf' milf-11 NE nf Snipnn. Aflm. li. A. Spruniifl-. III INDIANAPOLIS, joined TG .19.fI. Q0-DSN: IIS-1315. 1'f1n1ln111ns: fm-ling ops-r:1tlons ln urea about 600 miles N1-1 nf Sfiitriirl. 23-MINI II9-HIC. In Intv- :1ft1rn11f1n set course for Initial launching point. SIC of T'lk5Af!. CI' of Tfxliyfl. '-SONL I-Ui-QIE. . faminz ln TG 38.3 enroute lnltlal launching point SE Opf-rating: In TG 58.3 In area about 125 mII'a SE .of Tokyo launching strikes against the Tokyo nrea. 3-I-IGN: 141-IOE. 34-USN: I-I2-OTE. I 1 i 1 1 . i 1 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Z5 26 27 28 March 1945 1 0 1 3 -I 5-13 1-I 1h 16 17 18 19 30 21 22 23 24 25 26-27 26 87 Operating in TG 58.3 retiring to the southward. 35 DDs sunk two Japanese picket boats. 28-37Ng 140-30E. , , Operating in TG 58.3 about 75 miles NVV of Iwo Jima launching strikes in support of our landings there- 29 29-4-iN: 140-29E. . Refueling, rearming, and receiving replacement aircraft in area about 100 miles SW of Iwo Jima. 1 23-45Ng 139-54E. 30's Operating in TG 58.3 in area about 75 miles W of Iwo Jima launching strikes against Iwo Jima, Haha Jima and Chichi Jima in support of our forces on Iwo 33 Jima. 3 25-14N: 140-00E- April 1945 Operating in TG 58.3 in area about 75 miles 'XV of Iwo 1 Jima., Weather prevented effective air operations. 24-33N: 140-00E. ' Fueling and receiving replacement aircraft in area about 200 miles E of Iwo Jima. ' f 25-32N3 145-03E. , Steaming in TG 58.3 enroute initial launching D0lUt SE of Tokyo. 29-33Ng 146-34E. Operating in TG 58.3 in aria about 175 miles SE of 3'4 Tokyo launching strikes against the TokY0 area- 34-07N: 142-40E. 3 Retiring to southward. Scheduled strikes against 4 Nagoya, Kobe, and Osaha cancelled' when .high seas 5 prevented reaching a favorable launching position. 29-38Ng 139-10E. Fu' ling and receiving replacement aircraft in area about 100 miles SXV of Iwo Jima. 6 23-08Ng 140--l1E, Steaming in TG 58.3 enroute initial launching point SE of Oklnawwa Jima for air attacks against the same. 23-00Ng 134-4013. 7 Operating in TG 58.3 about 75 miles SE of Okinawa Jima launching strikes against enemy installations on Okinawa Jima. 25-43Np 128-56E. Steaming in TG 58.3 enroute fueling area XV of Mari- 8 anus. 21-26Ng 132-51E. 9 Fueling and rccflving replacement aircraft in area about 500 miles YV of the Marianas. lil-2lNp 136-ODE. 10 Steaming in TG 58.3 vnrouts- Ulithi lslzxmls. 10-SSNQ 138-IZGE. Anchorcd ln Berth 26, Ulithi Islands, 11-13 0R20 Underway in TG 58.3 as part of TF 58 in accord- nnco with ComCnrDiv 1 Op, Order 5-45 in company with 11 nubrknn HILL mm, CABOT, SOUTH DAKOTA. 12 NEXV JERSEY. P.xs.iDnN.x. ASTORIA, YVILKES 13 BARRE. SPRINGFIELD and 17 DDS. OTC is Vice 14 Adm. M. A, Mltschcr CCTF 581 in BUNKER HILL, CTG ls Reur Adm. F. C. Sherman fComCarDiv 11 in ESSEX. 10-37N2 139-SOE. Steaming in TG 58.3 enroute fueling rendezvous con- 15-17 ducting air group training exercises. 14-NN: 138-56E. 15 Fueling and receiving replacement aircraft in area 16 about 300 miles SXV of Iwo Jima. 17 26-15N: 13-l--STE. 18 Steaming in TG 58.3 enroute initial launching point for strikes against Kyushu. 28--ISN: 13-l-ITE. 19-22 O-perntlng in TG 58.3 in aroa about 100 miles SE lxyushu launching strikes against Kyushu. 19 30-HN: 133-OQE. 20 0DN'8tif1g 'n TG 58.3 in area about 150 miles E of 21 lkytiggue-launching strikes against Japanese fleet units 22 32-1oN: 134-2215. 23 Operating in TG 58.3 retiring southward f tl IXFIISHU, area and covering the I-Qti,-Cmeutrog? U12 24,26 FRAk1xLIY' which was ui de t ' so-22N: 1313-0912. 1 F ou' Opcrating in TG 58.3 retiring from th 1 -5 toward the fueling rendezvous. e Q ushu area 26 211-Ohh: 134--l2E. 27 24 0 Roplfflishing with bombs. fuel and replacem- t ' Ovwlring in TG ss 3 in urea Q0 niilgs S - 2 f' . , - 1 , E f Ok . S-50 ggfilgg-?llTSg1jg1igEi1ir attacks against that Islangl. mama 28 O i . -. mtg:-rgnnkg about 60 miles SE of Okinawa Jima attack- gg as-usp 12s-401-3, Rt:-fueling 1-farming and ,ecemn Ma 1945 1 ' g repl ' ' y ln area 2:10 miles S of Okinawa Jima acement alrcx-aft 1 23-15X: 12s-oss. ' Operating in TG 58.3 about 75 miles NE of Qkinawa Jima launching strikes against th F - t 2-5 ZSJDN: 129-22E. a Japanese base. 36-SON: 129-22E. ' 2 102 Refueling, rearming and receiving replacement and aircraft in area about 250 mllcs E of Jima. 25-00Ng 131-50E. . I Operating in TG 58.3 about 125 miles S of attacking that island to support our invasion approaching Okinawa Jima. 29-16N: 131-54E. Operating in TG 5'8.3 about 75 miles E of Qkinawa Jima furnishing air suDDort for U. S, forces invading Keramo RGUO- 26-13Ng 129-34E. 26-30Np 129-36E. Operating in TG 58.3 about 60 miles E of Okinawa Jima furnishing day and night air support for U, S, forces invading Okinawa Jima this date. 1 26-41N: 129-23E. Refueling and receiving replacement aircraft and flight personnel in area about 300 miles SE of Okinawa Jima. 23-18Ng 132-01E. Operating in TG 58.3 between 60 and 100 miles E of Okinawa Jima furnishing day and night air support for our invasion forces on that Island. 26-38Ng 130-02E. 26-20Ng 129-13E. Refueling rearming and receiving replacement aircraft in area about 150 miles SE of Okinawa Jima. 23-36Ng 128-SOE. Operating in TG 58.3 about 60 miles E of Okinawa Jima furnishing air support for our forces there. 26-42Ng 129-28E. Operating in TG 58.3 about S0 miles E of Okinawa Jima furnishing air support for our forces there. 0823 ESSEX search plane reported a Japanese naval unit consisting of IBB, 2 CL, and 10 DD at 30-44Ng 129- 10E. This force was later attacked and almost com- pletely annihileted. 0 27-08Ng 129-46E. Operating about 70 miles E of Okinawa Jima fur- nishing air support for our forces there. 26-26Ng 129-18E. Rearming, refueling and receiving replacement alr- craft in area about 350 miles E of Okinawa Jima. 24-38Ng 133-43E. Operating E of Okinawa Jima. Unfavorable weather prevented air support operations. 26-30Ng 130-44E. 2 Operating ln TG 58.3 about 100 miles E of Okinawa Jima furnishing air support for our forces there. 26-58Ng 130-56E. 26-31Ng 129-47E. 26-38Ng 129-37E. Rcfueling, rearming and receiving replacement air' craft and pilots in area about 300 miles E of Okinawa Jima. 24-14N9 133-06E. Operating in TG 58.3 in area about 100 miles E of Okinawa Jima furnishing air support for our f0I'C9' there. 26-36N3 129-58E. 27-26Ng 130-03E. 27-03Ng 130-18E. Reflleling, rearming and receiving replacernent alr- craft in area about 325 miles E of Okinawa Jima- 24-46Ng 134-06E. Operafillg from 50 to 100 milfs E of Okinawa Jima furnishing air support of our forces there. 25-39N: 128-30E. 25-56Ng 128-57E. 26-46N2 129-50E. 26-39Ng 130-04E. Refllelillg, rearming and receiving replacement air' craft in area about 225 miles E of Okinawa Jima. 24-56Ng 131-30E. Operating .betwein 40 and 100 miles E of Okinawa Jima furnishing air support for our forces there- 27-12Ng 129-39E. 26-48Ng 129-OGE. 26-27N1 129-3OE. . W' Refllelillg. rearming, reprovisioning, and receivmF :va Placement aircraft in area about 200 miles E of Okma Jima, 24-56NZ 131-ITE. 0pe1'ati11g.in TG 58.3 about 100 miles E of okinawa -ggi1EZIglE1r?gsJhiJrQgE.air support for our forccs there. 26--IONQ 129-31E. 26-40N: 129-59E. Refueling. P63-l'!T1iHE.'. and receiving 1'eD1acf?mengE4i5 Craft and Dersonnel in area about 250 miles , Okinawa Jima, 23-12N: 131-2-QE. Operating in TG 58.3 in ei-ee between 60 and 125 'Piles E of Okinawa June furnishing air support for or forces thcre. 25'37N: 129-a4E. ' I -u Z 20 Underway at ossr with 'rc ss.a ln accordance wma ,' '- C0mCarDiv 4 Exerclse Order 1-45. 5 26-IKNQ 129-DIE. 10,41N: 1:6-DSE 6 Refueling, rearmlng, reprovislc-ning, and receiving re- 21-32 Opfrming in ass with! ,oo mile radius of placement aircraft in arm about :So miles SE of suluan Island conducting wurilac: and air tactical and ihip and aircraft gunnery exercises in accordance with ESTERPRISE joined TG 55.3. 'kfzimiaff-73' -I Exercise Order 1-45. OTC is Rear -7-9 Operating in TG 55.3 between '50 and 125 miles E 31 mvzizssf 11's F' Bngan iC0mCU'Dh' 0. nf Okinawa Jima furnishing alr support for our forces 22 linrgr 125-355. th're. ' ' ' ' ' 7 36-HN: 1:-,QJSED 33 ikorlgill-Jrtitl ln Barth -VJ, San Pedro Bay. Lvflo, P. I- If 9'- r '- 0 gr- ' Z 2440 Anchor'-d lll llvrlh 42. San Pedro Huy, lu.-ytv. P. l. re- ' V V l'l1'niSY1Ulz-1 :tn-,l l'l YP.lTlUK for zxcllnn nxzuust thc enemy. lo Rdufflinz' r 'Lrm'm'7' 'fpr V'F Jn'ng and 'f H'n: L Un 30 Jun, CLKIVIAIII R l.. Bmwmlxx rrlivvvd CIIDUUU plnrtffm-'rlt :llrrmft rn :lr-'rt frbffllf 330 m1l S SE 5 fi W. Wx.-lv r 115 fxllllllllllldlllbl Olllccr 17.8.5 ESSEX. Okinawa Jlmzt. Jun, 1345 ' ' '23-SDN: 131-IHFI. ' . ,U ll Operating ln TG 55.3 about T5 mlllfs I-I -ll' oklnnu-.t I :,Tl:?w:xlAy .i.l:L.gS1,g:.iL-T u3R::l:iV:l.:3:.h tlgex-1-iixit .lima lurnlahlnnz :llr support for our for-:--5 lh.r.A. NUI:-1-H' ,N.'U:dl'xN'A. 'ixi.Jx!':-xg!-x xlf.-is X ij ENR: 3'5 N1 13f 03ff-' Sl'lilX1il-'ll-II.l', .txs'rwlll.x NYll.liliS lunllrt. TITSON. Slnrw: th.. I5U5l'-ER HILL wus hlt by lwu Kxlmr 1l.Xlil..XND .llltl 15 ,l,.,U.,3,.,-3 of Dvsnons 45 and 5: In knzls, VIH: Adm. M. A, Mltsfh r HJTF JU trglmllf--rr'-ll m.t.V,,dMh.V. muh K-Um.-M.1,n, 4 on Ord.-r R45 or Juno his flap: tfnthu: EN'I'HRl'lilSl'I. 13.41, UTL- 1, K-Tp 35 X-Nl, Admhm J' sh Mccmn I2 flpvratlng ln TG 58.3 :thout '30 milf-el E ni wkln.lu.t .1'.V.ms,.,Qur'1',,cl4FurlV CTG is HKU Admk G. F' Rogan .llmn furnlnhlmq ulr num-url for our for-if-5 th--r--. 4L',.u,y,lf1Nn- 41 ln lQ,XXlN1l,1'll. 25-SSN! ll!!!-5115. l'. 3lX3 123-OTE. 1344 Ul 'l'fHlnK ln TG 59.3 about 100 mll-we-l E lil-'UhllLl, Su-.lmlng ln TG 35.3 l'UhllU1'flllK ahlp and all' Group lnunuhlru: ulr ntlztvks nl-:MINI HI'-my Ulf'fl'Plf' H101 1-ll Ifdllllllg t-xvrt-ist-s whllv enroutx- ful-ling rvndoxvoun vrnft lrmtatllntlnlm th-'rr-. .tr :5-4l,lN3 1454.401-:V 13 an-sax: 122-Ulf' - 13-max. 1:9-neu, ll 30-IYNQ lflf-SIE, lr 13,3cN: 133,061.1 I5-I6 lla-fue-lln5:, l'i'ill YlllllLf, I'l'llll1Vl'!llllllllS, un-l l '.l't1lYlflK rw .H 1500 Th--0XDER0GA dl.pm.h.d for Guam ln com, h 'm ' 4 ur' MU' mgm ' Mm a ' lulnl' muh thrw d.-stmyl-rs In rvlmlr n umln reduction 200 rllllvn SIC of Uklllrtw 11 Jllllix gear- '5 3 3N1 '30 '3 5' l 11-ssxg 137.155, 16 :bmw l39 7E' .. la-mx' 140-OSF IT Vt:-of Adm, M. A. Ml'-4-'har shifted his Hug to the V M-VY' Hxvllr ltANl1fll.l ll mm-., I-:N'l'r:nl-lzlsrz mfr rm-ll my ny A 'f 'J V' V j slulflrl plum- nn thu lllll A 534901 U '5kL' 17-lil Up rnung lu Trp 36, jg ,,y,,,,H gn milf! H H5 ,,1,-l,m..l 1 livfln-llllg ln nu-.l :llmlll 120 mllvs E uf Volrnlln lnlnnsln. Jlfllil fllflllilllllkf nlr 'fllllfllll' fm' nur for--11 vl..r. 34'5:N. U :'u':' I7 25-LLNL 1271-lfll-Z. ' Sluttllllllq ln 'l'4l Zi! 3 uullall lznnu-htm: point ful' ntrlkvn 194 35.11351 133.321-:V .sL:.llll-I Hnllrllll lf! Hvfllvlllllz, lAl'tll'llllllLf, l'-lvl'nll-llwllllxg tllhl r' -'-- l's'lIl5f l--- . ' ITN, llT-Htl-I, mil,-,.,,,,.,,, ,,,r,.,-M, ,,, ,,,f,.,, ,,p,,,,,f finn mil... ,pg ..1 l0 l1w't.lllllg ln T12 :lx Il ln mln lllllllll 170 lllllvll SSI-I of qyklymwn ,y5,,mV 'l'-'Inu lnuxlrhlug f-:alll-n lllllllllhl nlrlla-lalu lu the Tokyo 22-IINZ 130.231-1V llzlx' lll'4'il. 20-U2 Up:-rntllu: ln TH INR nl-out 'UI mllvs H nf lll:lll.ns.l 35'-3952 U3'7'H': .Hum furumllinbf mr nnl'l-nrt for our fur'--n thru- un th' ll Flvlllllllll: lll 'VH ZlN.!l rvllrllu: ll0l'llll'lll4lN'lll'l1 townrd 20th, l'llfzlvnl'.lh'v ww-nth'-r pw-x'-Arun-ll .luv -mg-gl--1-1 lll'l 'lZ l 'l'l'7l UH llllfihllli un fha- 3117 zllul 152ml 3f 3'7NL 149:515- L - :vl.lvlN, l',:1u.lll-I li ll-fu ling: mul lu'I'l'lYllH! ll'llllIll'll1l'nl nlrcrnft In nrvn ,-H ,DZJHNI II.,-53,44 HIP lllllla li uf N llll uf lllvllnllll, 2: ze-xxx. li! -lwlfl. 'N1 1: 3 :- 03 llufllvllllil fl'llf'llllllK Nllfl rv-'v-lvlni! lkV'blfll'l'lTlPl'lY nlr- I3 HI rn'H'K In TH :un in mum' mmm 200 mum' E or N ' V V ' V A. . V V V up of llnnshu, All nlrlk-'n vunu-lh-el hcvnum- nf hnd T,:'.x.lg'-I I:g21'jlx::'lHll lm mn N Ii' or Ukumwd 'hum wr .ulu-1 ln tzulqa-I lll'l'll. llc-llrml ln 1-mslwnrd nt H0011- 2'l-25 'Vl 'l'lHlllK lu TH fvifl in ur--A 'Ut-125 null:-Q H :mtl HE ml'-'N' HWQH: nl flklvmwn Jlmn fllllllilllflc nlr avllvlmrr for our fore -1 H U'm'nHHg In TH M3 In nw Hn mn R SE or S up tho-rn as w--.llho-r ru-rrnltn-fl, Hokknl-lu lmlnf-him: strike-n nfmlnnt nlrllclds ln northnrn 2. 2,6-MN: 1:9-HE. llflunhu nml rnllr--nfl ff-rrlf-n nml shipping In Tnuunrn 25 '25-ISN. l'.!1l-SSE, Stull!! nrvn,l I ze ::.-HN. ITU-lffli. : N' 'U' 95' 27 llc-fuvlluu mul rf --'-- lvlnlz rv:-lzlfvrnf-nt nlr-'mfs ln nf... 15 Fcvnmlns: In Tri Ilxfl ln nrvn nhnul 180 mllcn ESE of , , V N up f-f llnnshu lnunrhlng nlrlk'-nu nlnlnut alrllflds In nlmllt .HW null n N uf Hknmua Jlmn. cbwxt I,:,,4wE norllwrn Ilnmhu and llllppllll In tho Tnugaru Strnltn At 2100 lhv llvslhnmtlunn uf Tl f-H nnfl T42 Cx . war' TEFL IH -,F Vhllllfllll tn Tl 33 ltllll TV? 25.3. , ' .J ' ' , ZF Hu--rmlm: an Tl: :wx llrmlle .an mllvs Sr: of fWkln:uwn 'G mf ' ' nn ' au' ' HE 0' I' up 0' .lllllll fllrnlnhlns: stir '-nppnrt for our fulvfvs th--rc ymgfzl' H- NH. ::...z:N. II?-Ill-I. ' up l . ru-ll.-v.-.l lr,-m vl .1.. ,mn-. .r s, Al.-mlm ln sluxulzx l.x mlm- 'T R 'Z ' T an ' ' ' 'M' mn EW S-'1'l untL'nrT.xskl-'vvrl':u'l rvliv-vw! Hfnml-'rlstl-'nav''.xrTns:k THKDQ xi.lL.:-'xtlgng-,rg:,,::anN::Zt:lM:l:l: kncsqlngzrsg Q , . Q - - , p I f 'I ' I V , Furl nm mf 1 Th,3'T'. H It N 'xdm',M' 'lx' MHS' h' F I nlrfl-'lflq wfvrf- rrnmullf-rl he-cnmur of wcntlu r. 2.0-.ll ht--unllng HI Th JM3 vnroull- run P-'rim Hay, lmyn-V MIMNV N1-ME4 39 gthx: In-,mm l5 St-'naming as l-1-ff-rv ln TG 38.3 ln area 130 mllcs SES 30 lswolmh IZSAUEQ or Tokyo lnunfhlng atrlkcs against the BB ISAGATO , , , . - nnfl nlrnc-lfls In thu' Tokyo Buy are-a. 31 l.l-lhki l'2k-LHP.. :HJZNL H:-:NPL June 1935 lf- Su-:amlnz in TG 35.3 an h.fore ln area about 300 mllel l I-:mt-rl-tl sun P.--lm Bay. l.:-ytc, Pl. nml .xnrhm-.-fl ln ESE nf Tnkyn 1-nrnutre fueling rendezvous. Bm-rth I2 ut 0925. NLZFN: 145-425. 3-19 Anchurvd ln B1-rth I2 San P1--lrn Bay, Lf-ytc. Pl H ltr-plc-nlshlng with hunk:-r fuel and avlatlon Ualollne rcnlonishlng and pn-parlng fur furth-'r nprrntlons and rf-relvlng rs-placement aircraft ln area about 600 ugninst the vnem:-'. milf! E95 of Tokyo. At 0500. IS June L'omCn.rDlv 1 livnr Admiral F. C. 30--HN: 150-STE. Sherman hauled clown hls llng' and was roller-ed na Zl Flepltnlshlng wlth bombs, rockets, and ammunltlon in CTG 38.3 by Rear Admiral G. F. B-'funn l1T'omCm-Div 41 area about 450 mlles SE of Tokyo. I'n RANDOLPH. 29-SIN: 147-IZE. 1 1,1 ff? llonshu and shipping in the Tsugaru Straits area. R plonisiiingin area abbut.420 miles SSE 'ot Tokyo. e 4 , - - 143-47E. , SZ in TG 38.4 in area. about 420 miles S Of Toigyo enroute initial launching point for strikes agalllsl Kun, Naval Base and Kyushu airfields. 28-41Ng 139-38E. , Operating in TG 38.3 as before in area about 120 miles S of S tip of Shikoku launching strikes against enemy Naval vessels in Kure anchorage and airfields on Kyushu. 30-57N: 135.-13E. , Steaming as before in TG 38.3 in area about 160 miles SE of S tip of Honshu launching strikes against enemy naval vgsselg in Kure anchorage and airnelds on Kyushu. 31-34Np 136-.28E. . u Refueling, rearming, reprovisionsing. and receiving re' placements aircraft in area about 460 miles SE of S tip of'Kyushu. I 31-28Ng 134-4SE. Receiving replacement aircraft in area about 200 mileS S of S tip of Kyushu. At noon set course for 28 July launching position. 28-OONQ 138-31E. Operating in TG 38.3 in area about 110 miles 'SE of S tip of Shikoku launching strikes against enemy naval vessels in Kure anchorage and airfields in Kyushu. 31-27Ng 134-3813. Operating in TG 38.3 in area about 320 miles SE of S tip ot' Shikoku, Flew two CAPs in afternoon over TU 34.8.1 which was enroute night bombardment area. 30-26Ng 138-OUE. Operating in TG 38.3 in area about 150 miles SSW of Tokyo launching strikes against airfields in the Tokyo Bay area. 32-48Ng 138-3813. I Steaming in TG 38.3 in area 300 miles S ot' Tokyo enroute fueling rendezvous. 28-32Ng 137-56E. Conducting gunnery exercises and receiving replace- ment aircraft in replenishment area 460 miles SE of S tip of Kyushu. 26-25511 137-3412. Operating ln TG 33.3 in area 570 miles SE of S tip ol' Kyushu conducting gunnnery exercises. Scheduled strikes against nirtllds on Kyushu and shipping in the Fusnn tlioroal urea were cancelled because of typhoon in lannvliing area. 2-I-DDNZ 138-1315. llefm,-ling and receiving replacement aircraft in area 5-10 mil s ot' S tip of Kyushu. 12-I-RTN: 137-3512. Steaming in TG 38.3 in area 320 miles ESE of S tip nl' Kyushu Conducting gunnery exercises. Typhoon now rentorcd over Central Korea. ST-SSN: 135-BOE. Steaming as before in TG 38.3 in area 360 miles S ol' Tokyo. 30-lflN: 142-MTE. Steaming in TG 33.3 as before in area 360 miles S of Tokyo. Flew one exercise night on the morning and one in tho afternoon. 34-ZTNZ 1-ltl-39E. ltr-fueling and r0C0iVlIlS replacement aircraft in area about 3110 miles SE of N tip of Honshu, Launched a wt-zitlior search. a TG CAP and an ASP during the afternoon. RT-MIN: 147-2213. Operating in TG 38.3 in area 160 miles SE of N tip of Honshu. All scheduled flights were cancelled be- cause of bad weather. 39-BTN: 145-OSE. Uliernting in TG 38.3 in area 275 miles SSE of N tip of Honshu launching strikes against airtields in northern 37-NN: 144-OSE. Ullvflllllls in TG 38.3 in area 220 miles SSE of N tip 0' umlshu 1f1U1'1ChiHs strikes against airiields tranc- Y ls0l'i1ltio11.. and fuel storage in northern Honshu and shipping in Tsugaru Straits area. SS-05Ng 1-H-1212, Retuehng and receiving replacement ai,-craft in area about 400 miles SE of N tip of Honshu an-41N: its-432. ' 1 Operating in TG 3Q3 in .,,... 4 . N t. , 0 , . of Tonshu. Scheduled strikgsa asaoingllg-SISE of L UD 8 r S 0 il 0 Bay area were cancelled. ' - . 4 -0 Q. Y T5 Dhoon xt as centered appi-ommateh. 5 miles SSTS of the disposition. 37-21NI 148-05E. . , 13 14 '15 16 16 17 18 18 19 20 Z1 za 24 25 26 21 23 29 29 fm no R1 2-1 17 19 -28 30 Opel-ating in TG 38.3 in area 160 miles E of Tok Bay area. launching strikqs against airfields inthe Toykto Bay area. Primary targets were weathered in and strikes attacked targets of opportunity, 35-10Ng 142-56E. Refueling and receiving replacement aircraft in area 320 miles SE of Tokyo. 31-47Ng 144-26E. qparating in TG 38.3 in area about 125 miles SE of Tokyo, Launched two strikes against the Tokyo Bay aroa, Both were ordered to jettison their bombs and return aboard because of the announcement by tho President of the United States of the unconditional surrender of the Japanese Empire- 33-31Ng 142-44E. Steaming in TG 38.3 in company with TG's 38.1 and 38.4 in arca bounded by 35N, 32N, 142E, and 14515, and passing through 32-45N, 142-20E at dawn each morning awaiting developments incident to the sur- render of the Japanese Empire. 32-10Ng 142-59E. 32-12Ng 142-21E. Refueling at approximately 31N 144E, maintaining a position approximately 200 miles SE of Honshu. 31-08Ng 143-59E. 31-08Ng 144-02E. Replenishing as before, During the afternoon watch the WASP joined TG 38.3 and took the station regular- ly assigned ESSEX. Pursuant to ComThirdFleet orders ESSEX was detached from TG 38.3 and Joined 38.4 which comprised the MISSOURI with Adm. W. F. Halsey C'omThird Fleet embarked, SHANGRI-LA with Vice Adm. J. S. McCain CTF 38 and ComSecTaskFor embarked, YORKTOWN with Rear Adm, A. W. Rad- ford CTG 38.4 and ComCarDiv 6 embarked, HMS DUKE OF YORK with Vice Adm. Rawlings, RN, CTF 37 em- barked: the BON HOMME RICHARD, COWPENS, INDEPENDENCE, WISCONSIN, FLINT, QUINCY. BOSTON, CHICAGO, ST, PAUL, ATLANTA, DAYTON. HMS NEYVFOUNDLAND, HMS GAMBIA, 18 U. S. destroyers and 3 British destroyers. A typhoon was located 300 miles SE of the disposition. 30-58N: 144-OEE. Refueling and replenishing as before, the typhoon has moved to a position 180 miles NNE of the disD0Sif-foil and an inter tropical front lies over the disD0SlU0ll on a NE-SW line, 31-06Ng 143-09E. t Steaming in same general area in TG 38.4 transterrins: F617 spare parts to MERRIMAC for further transfer to the SHANGRI-LA. 'rho typhoon had passed well clear to a position 550 miles north of the dispoSiti0I1- 31-36Ng 142-34E. Third Fleet reorganized and reformed in accordance with ComThird Fleet Op. Orders. 10-45, 11-45, and 12-45 to conduct Operations in support of the occulw' tion of Japan. The following units were detached from TG 38.4 HMS DUKE OF YORK, KING GEORGE V. NENVFOUNDLAND, GAMBIA, VVELT, NIZAN, NAPIER. the U.S.S. MISSOURI, COXVPENS, QUINCY, BOSTUN' ST. PAUL, and ll destroyers, Six destroy9I'S joined TG 38.4, The Task Groups of TF 38 pY0C99dCd to operate independently, TG 38.4 to an area about 120 miles SE of Najimo Saki on SE Honshu. 33-33Ng 144-08E. Steaming in TG 38.4 in an area 100-150 miles SE Of tho sn tip of Honshu conducting air ope1'aU0f'S, ' SUDDOrt of the occupation of Japan. Operations ln' eluded Airneld Reconnaissance Missions, Prisoner of XVIII' Camp Searches, Target CAPs over Atsugi. Tffkyo Bay. and Sagami Bay. an TG CAPS. 35-15N 144 02E 34-57N 142-OSE 34-33Ng 142 09E 34-27N 141 5913 34-24N 141-56E Refllelillg and reprovisioning in area bounded DY 5 3oN, 142E, and 144E, Also ti-ansfei-i-ed replavcmeu' planes to other carriers of TG 38.4. i Commenced receiving personnel from ShiDS of TG 384 for transportation to U. S. 31-53Ng 142-53E. 31--15Ng 142-4SE. Operating in TG 38.4 in area about 100 miles SE of Tokyo Bay conducting air operations in support of the occupation of Japan, Launched Airneld Reconnaissance Missions, Target CAPs over Atsugi, TOKYO Bay and Sagami Bay, patrols, searches 'and TG CAPS. Con' tinued receiving personnel for transportation to the United States. 34-32NZ 142-ITE. 1?- lllllll Sl Wllllll lillllll Raid on Marcus Island, 31 Aug. 1943. Raid on VValtc Island, 5-6 Oct. 1943. Raid on Rabaul, New Britain, 1 1 Nov. l'514j. Invasion of Tarawa, fiilhvrt l1la111l1. IH-2? N111. V943- Raid of Kwajalein Atoll, XIz1r1l1all I5lLlll1l5, 4 D1-1'. '943' Invasion of Roi-Na11111r, K1k'RjCIll?Ill Atoll. XI:1r1l1:1ll Islands, 291311. 11144-3 Feb. 104-11- Raid on Truk Atoll, 16-17 Feb. 11144. Rai1l on Saipan and 'I'i11i:1r1, 1I:1ri1111z11 l1., 21 l 1-h. 1944- Raid o11 Marcus l1l:111d, 111-211 May H144- Raid o11 XVakc Island, 215 May 11144. Rai1l on Saipan a111l l':1g:111 lI:1ri:111:11 I1 11144- Attaclcs 1111 ,l:1p:1111'11- l l1'1't C11111111. 11111 XI1l1-1 X11-11 of Pagaii, I2-lj .l11111- 11144. Iwo -Iilllil, li'lf-P GI11111' 11144. I':111:111, I7 -lllllt' 11144. Iiattlc- of l'l1ilippi111-5111, 111 .l.1.11- 11144. Raid 1111 Rai1l 1111 First Raid 1111 Raid 1111 Raid 1111 Raid 1111 Raid 1111 Raid o11 Support Rota, 211-21 .l11111' 11144. fillillll, 241721 J11111- 11144. Iillillll :1111l Rout, .E-I-23 -I11111' 11144 fillillll illlll Rota, 17 .I11111- 11144. I lagan, 28 llllllf' 11144. Rota, 211 -llllll' 11144. 1Iis1io111ior Sillpilll l111:11i1111, 1 2 Il11l1 11144. l111.':11io11 of Ii11:1111, Iii-2I .l11l1 11144. IlIViISil1ll of 'l'i11i:111, lj-24 .l11l1' 11144. Support llissiom for li11:1111-'l'i11i:111 l111.11i1111 i'l4Il'I't' 25-27 July 11144. Support XIisaio11s for Ii11:1111-,Fi11i.111 l111q11i1111 l 11r11-1, 211-311 july' 11144. Support hiiswiom for Ii11:1111-'l'i111:111 IllKJlxIl1ll l 11r1'1-1. 1-111 Aug 11144. I111-a1i1111 Raid o of l':1l:111 lsl:1111l-'11-S 51-111. 11144. II Rlilltlillliltl, 11-111 51-pf, III44, Raid on C1-1111. liohol, :1111l Nvqro l1lr1111l1, Q11-11tr:1l Phulipincs, 12-14 S1-pt. 11144. Rai1m on Xlanilzi. 21-22 511111. 11144. Raic Raic Rai1m Livhll, 24 S1-pt. 11144. on cJRillZlXVZI ,li111:1, 111 Uct. 11144. on l'1'sca1l11r1r1 lsl:1111l1, 12-1-1 U1-1. 11144. Rai1 on For111os:1, 12-14 Orr. 11144. St'C0111l Iiilttlt' of l'l1ili1141i111' 5111. .24-.Zi Oct. 11144. Raic 1111 lianila, 1-11 N111-, 11144. Rilili Oll Ormoc Ray Sl1ippi11g, 1 1 N111. 11144. Raid o11 Manila, 13-14 N111-. 11144. Raic on Manila. 25 Nov. 11144. Invasion of Mi111l11r11, 14-111 Dec. 1944. Raid on Raid 011 Raid on Formosa, Miyako -H1113 and Okinawa .lima 9 jan. 1945. Raid on Camranh Bay, Cape St. jacques. and Saigon French Indo China, I2 jan. 1945. Raid on Swatow and Fommsa, IS jan. 1945. Raid Hainan and Hong Kong, 16 Jan. 1945. Formosa illlli Okinawa jima, 3-4 jan. 1941. Northern I.11zo11, 6-7 jan 1945. 11-li I11111' 45 -l-'I R11 31 2 1 N Y R4 11 1f1 QT 15 S11 ik 1. f1l 112 fig 014 iii 'Ill ip' 1 415 I111 'Il 1 , I -1 ,- Ti 74 75 711 77 75 7'1 911 S1 S2 S3 84. 85 86 87. Raid on I or111os:1 and Saki Shima Gunto, Zl jan. I9-ii Raid 1111 Olziiiawa Ii1111t11, 22 jan, 11145. R11i1l1111'l'11k111, I6-If F1-b. 11145. l111:1si1111 of Iwo tlilllll, 111 Ffh. 11145. Raid 1111 Iwo .li111:1, lclgiha .li111:1. :1111l Chichi glima, ll F1-h. lLl.4i. Raid 1111 'I'11k111, li l cl1. ll14i. R11i1l1111 IilllllllXN'l1.lllIlLl, 1 hlnr. Ill.4i. R1111l1111 ll1111l111, 15 XILIIA. 11141. Raid 1111 l l1-1-t I'11its 111 K11111-, 111 M111-. 11145. Raid 1111 Uki11:111':1 .li11111, .lj-24 hlar, 11145. Raid 111 Ul4i11:111':1 -li111:1, 211-27 Blair. 11145. Raid III Ryualiu, 211 Blair. 11145. I1111111i1111 111 l'Rl'l'lllll1l Rvtto, 3ll'3l liar. 1945. I111111i1111 111 Ul1i11:111':1 -Ii111:1, 1 Apr. 1945. Raid 1111 lc 5l1i111:1, 5-4 .-Xpr. 11145. Raid 1111 Rikai 5l1i111:1, I1 .-Xpr. 11145. .-X1111il1il:1ti1111 of Y:1111:1t11 'l':1sl: Iiroup, 7 .-Xpr. 11141. R:111l1111ULi111111'11.li111:1.5 .'X111'. 11141. 511111111 Xli111o111 i111 Ul4i11:111':1 .lima lIlNlI5l1lll l 111'1'1'1 ll1l4i.hl11. 11141. 51111111111 XI1-1111111 1111 IilIllIIlXK'Jl .li111:1 l111:1si1111 f 111'1'1's 11-17 Jhllf, 11141. 51111111111 Nli11111111 1111 ULi11:111 il -Ii111:1 l111':11io11 l1 111'1'1-1. 111 22 .-1111. 11141. 1 . . . 1 1 1.1 5llIll1l1II NI111111111 1111 11l1111:111':1 .I1111:1 l111':1s11111s l'0I'k'l'5, .24-211 .-1111. l'l4i. 51111111111 Kli11i11111 1111' lll1i11:111':1 - i111:1 l11v:1si1111 l'i0l'l'l'S, 25 411 11111. 11145. 51111111111 Xli1-i1111-1 itll' Hl1i11:111':1 .lilllil l111':1sio11 . or1'1'S. 2 1 Klux 11141. 51111111111 Hi--i11111 11111 Ul1i11:1w:1 .lima lm-:1si1111 ? 11r1'1'1, 7-11 hlny 11141. 51111111111 Xli11i11111 1111 Ul1i11:111':1 A'i111:1 l111':1sio11 '.0l'I'Ch ll-III him' 11141. Raid llll K1115l111 for Uki11:1w:1 .'i111:1 l11vasi1111 Forces 13-14 Hay 11141. 51111111111 KIi5Sif1ll1 for I,lill1IlXK'I-I .lima Irivasion Forces. I7-IS May 11141. 5llIlIN1I'i XIl55lflllS for f,RillIlXVIl .lima Invasion Forces 211 Hay 11141. 51111111111 Kliwioos for Olciimwa .lima l111'asio11 Forces, 211-26 Xlay 1945. 51111111111 Xli11i1111s for Ulcinawa .ima Invasion For1'1's, 28 May 1941. Raid on 'l'11lsyr1 for Ukiriawa -lima Invasion Forces, 111 july 11145. Raid on lioklcairlo a11d Northern Honshu, I4-IS July 11141. Raid 1111 Tokyo, 13 july 1945. Raid on Kurt' Naval Base, 24-25 july 1945. Raid o11 Kurc Naval Baie, 28 july 1945. Raid on Tokyo, 30 Aug 1945. Raid on Hokkaido and Northern I-Ionshu, 9-10 Auf! 1945- Raid on Tokyo, 13 Aug 1945. Raid on Tokyo, I5 Aug 1945. Q ' 111' , .1 If 131. -1 - -111.2 g - A, . .'-Tgrf-. M A , 1 ,,..,f11f1 ,. . All HHUUPS lllllllll Tll THE ESSE The following Air Groups have been attached to the ESSEX since her commissioning. Date Attached Air Group Attached Date Detached I3 March 1943 . Air Group NINE . . 27 Feb. 1944 29 April 1944 . . Air Group Fifteen and a six plane VFQNQ-77 detachment ..... 25 SCDY- 1944 25 Sept. 1944 . . Air Group Fifteen . . 18 Nov. 1944 I8 Nov. 1944 . . Air Group Four . . . 27 Dec. IQ44 28 Dec. 1944 . .Air Group Four less VB-4 plus VMF I24 and VMF 213 . . IO March 1945 The aircraft complements of the various Air Groups attached to the ESSEX since commissioning are indicated below. 1. From I3 March 1943 to 27 February 1944 Air Group NINE was aboard the ESSEX consisting of squadrons: VF-9 37 F6F-3 VB-9 32 SBD-4 fof which at least 4 were triced to the hangar deck overhead at all times? VT-9 IQ THF-1 Cincludes ACC's planej ln the fo11r day period commencing I3 October 1943 all SBD-4's were replaced by SBD-5's. TBF-1C's began replacing TBF-1's during the latter half of this period. 2. From 29 April 1944 to 25 September 1944 Air Group FIFTEEN and a detachment of six planes of VIFQND-77 were aboard. Air Gro11p FIFTEEN com- prised the following squadrons: VF-I5 37 F6F-3 Cincludes AGC's planel VB-15 30 SB2C-1C VT-15 18 TBF-IC On or about 29 August, the complement of VB-15 was reduced to 25 SB2C-1C's and that of VF-15 was in- creased to 49 F617-3lS. The complement of VT-15 re- mained unchanged. llost of the F6F-5's were equipped with water-injection engines. Receipt of replacements for lost planes and tlyable duds resulted in a gradual, partial conversion to F6F-5's and TBM-1C's in the latter half of this period. VF KD,-77, which had not received replacements for lost planes and had but 4 F6F-3QnYs during the greater part of the above period was decommixioned and assigned to VF-15 on 25 September 1944 as night fighting unit. 3. From 25 September 1944. to November 194.4 Air IO March 1945 . Air Group Eighty-Three . .present 1, Although Air Group Nine was detached at Majul-0, and its planes were left at Pearl Harbor on 4 March 1944, its personnel remained aboard the ESSEX as pas. sengers, disembarking at San Francisco on IO March 1944, 2. VF CND-77 detachment was decommissioned on 25 September 1944 and assigned to VF-15. 3. VB-4 was transferred to Orote, Guam for temporary duty on 27 December 1944. 4. Forward echelons of Marine Fighting Squadrons 124 and 213 came aboard for duty December 1944.. , Group F IFT EEN remained aboard with the follow- ing aircraft complement: VF-15 '49 Per-5 and 4 F6F-54115 VB-15 25 SB2C-IC VT-15 18 TBM-1C 4. From 18 November IQ44 to 27 December 1944 Air Group FOUR, whose aircraft complement is tabulated below, was on board. VF-4 49 F6F-5 and 4 F6F-5fnj VB-4 25 SB2C-3 VT-4 18 EBM'IC Immediately prior to departing from Ulithi on ll December 1944, the number of SBZC-3,8 and TBM- IC,S was reduced to 15, and the complement of VF-4 was increased to 69 day fighters and 4 night fighters. OH 27 December 1944, VB-4 was transferred to Orotei Guam, for temporary duty and on 28 December 19445 the forward echelons of Marine Fighting Squadrons 124 and 213 reported aboard. 5. From 28 December 1944 to IO March 1945 Alf Group FOUR less VB-4 plus VMF-124 and VMF' 213 served aboard the ESSEX. Their complements were as follows: VF-4 50 F6F-5 and 4 F6F-5CnJ ' VT-4 I5 TBM-3 VAIF-124 18 F4U-1D IVTVIF-213 18 F4U-1D 6. From IO March 1945 to present. Air Group EIGHTY-THREE is currently attached to The ESSEX. Its aircraft complement follows: VF-83 33 F6F-5 and 4 F6F-5CnD VBF-83 36 F4U-1D VB-83 I5 SB2C-4 VT-83 I5 TBM-3E IT HAS BEE Sllll From: ComCruDiv 17 25 November 1944 To: ESSEX Congratulations on your splendid recovery. My most sincere admiration to the Old Girl for licking her wounds and getting back into the fight so quickly. From: SOUTH DAKOTA 19 March 1945 To: ESSEX Sincerely admire today's performance by ESSEX gunners. It is a pleasure to be with such a good shooting ship. From: ENGLISH 8 August To: ESSEX What do you mean, ESSEX class ? She is a class by herself. Following the action beginning 24 Oct. 1944 fthe Battle for Leyte Gulf, this message was received by the ESSEX and other members of Task Group 38.3 fa com- ponent of Task Force 383: You and your group have done a fine job today. Iam proud to ride with Task Group 38.3. Mitscher. I, too, am thrilled at the efficient performance of this Task Group and honored to be its commander. F. C. Sherman. The following was received upon our return to the States, 13 September 1945: The magnificent record of the ESSEX will live long in the annals of naval war- fare. Her performance has been outstanding through long months of service and many an arduous campaign. It is fitting that in the climactic stages of the war she should be teamed with a brilliant air group whose combat work wrought havoc with Japanese military aviation. Isalute the ESSEX and CVG 83 and address to all hands a hearty well done. Admiral A. E. Montgomery Com Air Pac 107 1 1 1 l I i l Of the entire number of Japanese planes and ships des- troyed by Naval Aviation in the Pacific War, ESSEX aircraft destroyed the following percentages. This does NOT in-clude the 33 planes destroyed by ships batteries. 15,106 Jap planes destroyed by Naval Aircraft. I53I Jap planes destroyed by ESSEX Aircraft. 10.3W of all Jap planes destroyed by ESSEX A.G.'s. 87 major Jap warships sunk by Naval Aircraft. 8 major Jap warships sunk by ESSEX Aircraft. STATISTICS 1111 THE HEEUHHSJIIF 111 1111 5 major Jap ship sunk for which ESSEX Aircraft fe- A ceived partial credit. 5.74W of all major Jap ships sunk for which ESSEX Aircraft received partial Credit- I4.Q3W of all Jap ships sunk for which ESSEX A.G.'s received full or partial credit. Figures of total Jap Planes destroyed and total major Jap vvarships sunk by Naval Aircraft quoted from Oct. 1, AGLIMPSE ill llllllllll Wil The ESSEX dropped her hook after being under way in combat operations for 79 consecutive days in support of the Okinawa operation. The magnitude of the operations of just one ship in action of this kind is shown hy the fact that her aircraft flew 6,460 sorties, her pilots flew 26,103 hours, her VF pilots averaged 186 hours during this period. The ship expended over 2,000 X 5-inch projectiles, l6,000-40-111111. and 14,000-2th min. Her aircraft expended a million and quarter rounds of .50 cal., nearly 4,000 rockets, over a thousand tons of bombs, and IS torpedos. She steamed 33,865 miles during this period. To further fill in a typical picture of carrier action, the air group destroyed I7 ships and damaged 57, shot 220 Jap planes out of the air, destro' d S h ye 7 on t e ground and probably destroyed or damaged more than 100. The cost was 30 planes lost in combat and 69 operationally. The nature of the ship's operations is reliected by the fact that, in the jl hours ending 2400, IQ lllarch, the formation encountered 44 night raids and 42 day raids. During this period of 51 hours, only I8 hours and 46 minutes were free from enemy attacks. For the whole 79 days period a total of 357 raids were encountered. 183 days and 174 night. In addition to the above the ESSEX believes that she either was the first ship, or a unit in the first task group to accomplish the following. The Hrst CV of her class to be commissioned. The first CV of her class to transit the Panama Canal. The first CV of her class to enter Pearl Harbor. The first CV of her class to cross the equator. The first CV of her class to anchor in Majuro, Saipan, Kassal Passage, Ulithi, and Leyte Gulf. The first CV of her class to land and launch planes with destroyers alongside both port and starboard quarters and tanker along starboard side. The first CV of her class to carry U. S. Marine Sqllafl' rons in combat. A unit of the first task group to strike with carrier- Tokyo Okinawa Iwo Jima Formosa Swa tow Rabaul based planes: Pescadores Hong Kong Hainan Saigon Camranh Bay Kyushu Luzon Guam Saipan Truk Hokkaido Q 2 . ..,.........s............ , 1113111111111 1111111111 111 1111 11. S. S. ESSE1 1S1-Sl fccmtinued from page 9Il Number of rounds of ammunition hred since commissioning: Target Practice At Em-mv 5 38 8,375 QQSS4 40-MN1. 116,836 11,040 Z0 MM. 105,160 :egos Number of rounds of ammunition tired since 16 April 19-1-11 Target Practice At Enemy 5 38 4,707 2,875 4o-MM. 82,696 17,596 Zo.MM. 131,827 21,105 Engineering machinery casualties since coinniissioning None Number of gallons of fuel oil used since coininissioning -41,353,705 Number of galons of gasoline use-1 since coinmissioning 0,708,220 Number of ga lons of lube oil used since coininissioning 19,740 Number of gallons of fuel oil expended since 10 April 19-H 26,093,944 Number of ga lons of fresh water distilled per day laveragel 84,925 Number of ga lons of fresh water made and expended since lo April 194-1 51np's use 19,150,000 -A Boilers 9,640,000 Number of times relueled from tanlcers lat seal since 16 April 1944 88 Number of destroyers refueled lat seal since 16 April 1944 II7 Number of destroyers received alongside while underwav for transfer of freight, personnel, mail per monlli since 16 April 1944 faveragel 37 May 1945 Highest 160 Number of ships received alongside in any one day lat seal 23 Number of miles steamed since commissioning 233,419.75 Number of miles steamed since 16 April 194-1 152,909.75 Number of times in dry-doclc since departing East Coast 10 May 19-13 I Number of times in dry-dock in past 18 months 0 Longest continuous period underway' in combat area 79 days Number of miles steamed during this period 33,865 Number of hours underway since commissioning 13,2449 Number of hours at anchor since commissioning 7,539,6 Number of hours underway since 16 April 1944 8,568,4 Number of hours at anchor since 16 April 1944 3,1583 Number of times at anchor since 16 April 1944 23 Number of times alongside dock since 16 April 1944 1 ICQ SHIPHUAHH 'VW 4 , ,fwn-N im 1' -, p,?'mil ' x 3. 'A 5 'if fm, I V K ff' ' uhgf- x an-1: . YH L 4 F 2 Tilly lifting TBP-I on the Essex The L.S.O. remarked, He looked OK when he passed H' HMM washing and cleaning SBZC during Field Day. .l4'4'pS llillillg nllc'U4'd!s In !uL'4'-off fwnitinu Hvlmr. Rvuding from lvft In riglrf: I-'ll' lwirxg fuadvd Will: ruclcvfv on fl' U prior tn strike on vmvny. Strclclrrr parm wfamiing lu flu' pilot has thumb up, indicating plum- ie UK. if ---.,,, 5 4 ' - wr M 3 1 , mv ,- , ,N . ww :W ' A W f , . g A . g ., . . --1-- v-f 'x ' . ,. w.,- 4- ' L r 4 ' . ' ' ' Wa , 1, K. ff. ' ' 'T 7' . ., 'f....',4 ,..,.7.Y.:..A.,YhA-.3ugx:,.wL.f....4Is- , 5 . Ya.. . .V ,M ,H f .t , 4- ,A M L-., 5 N V an A 4 Jfjuggs. 4 Y- ,, , . , - ,4 , ... - -3 , . I - . ' ., fs Vx ' al Y lf'-' I Q 4' ft 4 'I cf 3-'S ' 1 ' 15 'xi-,-. 'ik' .,. S, .Z ' x 5 xffuw .al X 1- + : 5 l. ij B' A4-L.. 2' uh' 3 I - fu - P 'nv-W s M ' ' xl s' ,b ' s Y m .... A 'nh A 5, 9 ff yall- X . . I , .J .3..3iL.? ' V9' Q 'I' , 1 I I -fr-1 F l V- -' , QJQUIT. 2'-H. f -M I I K I .Lp Ng ,, N Q u 1' AL, . he '-- 7' 6,, F 'T' - - S 1 4' W' F 5 , guquv-.A .143 K. h ' - Q I , ,v if - .tw imp. ln.- ,, f..s .f...ba.n .. v- .-A ,, v ..,,.:m4-r.wq+a- b + ' J' K 5'-uf rs? 1' 'N' 2 N-4.,f,f 3 .. Q. -.. rw? g E m..,..m,,,..,,..M,.,. ,h,. . v,,. ,W,,,,,i,m,, . U Y 1 SQ ,Y fl, ' '58 :mme .4 - v Plane' lzancllrrs rr-sputtirzgu tfzu da ck l'. .:':u fz.1m1fu1 s .11 nurk I X ! I X i v f 'k i' 'kit Loading torpcdocs into bomb bay ' X ir 'K ak Preparing a 2,000 lb. Block Buster 'ir nl' ir Handling of bombS Sailors perform their duties J rg: , ,,,, ,, 11-. ag 4,1 . ,g-wx: , J Q, ., X .V .fv,,k,,,x,, K 5 1 A N Q haf: r. g , A r W ' 'N 'xma- Ordnance man arming 50 cal. gun S 011 rv! Iuenxg Ifmdfd with 50 caliber sllvlls rw .-.QQ w kr, Qva' , .G1'r w,f4'f jg 8- ,I ff? rv-,,,, A Q qutM,wM,A.,1, .30 rx A, l nnnlalung, anxsrmu, DD!! ?--ii Ds 'WL 4 ' 1 N. n El Q' 5, if 991 ,E if 0' mr J' , X L s, . .gk .M 1 F' v , pq., 1 in rg ,, K wk W K? K , t V ' '-W -- ..-.,,, . - 5 3M 4 if 1 , . ,. .N ., Ar tif? 6.5.5, ' 'Q , V ' , ' A 1 I ' I 2 -wr QI , -7' N S+ 3 1 E 4 . ff .ft I e X K A ' 1 Q, Q X v. X 1 '-. X. ,K Q .,,Am, . in V Z. li 'N' mdk g.1'2y.,,W,,,,4?A- ui .f- 's lb' 1 I 2 T5g..........,...., 'pan L. Sl nv' ., ,., . -SCS:-OQCS-4 QQ? W., me- , Od- .Qfrf-M --........,..,,.Q-,,,,,.,,,mm ,, Q ,X ,......s!2' 3: 'ft titzzry-M,f',:f ff?g3gg4wm,,Q.A.,, 02.1. ,7,T,..-,, . -1. ' s ii 'a 'W mn Y ,Q 'YW x i 3 ,',b 1: - . V- 'N-'? ' 1 Ak . 44 Q. Q . xg 1 gg. H . X tk xg I t - IW w .ng-5 W- ' 1 I Pi A M-f-.W M Q 5 ' ' g-iff 5 3 : O 'Bi ' x,.. ff' af? 1 I 5 - 1 ,S r,.vv A sigh K. M Q gEsm,..i , E - f' W-fax k -.Q av? wi wr . .s, 3,,1,t.jL.'- - we x..Xx1-,gif -Fx ,g K 5 . Reading from top to bottom: .Uakirzg pics in slzijfs bakvrlv. Sunday' vvcrzirzg Bflvlc C law. .1-if .Jn , 3 , E r f I I , AU X. if E., U A q... ii 7 if f mg 1 ,f ,A E' .fu 1' -4-w.,h I 'vs - '-qi Q ww., N - .3---. ,.,.-v ii F' , Hz f. , u .-J,-f 4..f,- ...f s. V 1 bg.-V I. 4 qgmliiclnv' ' , , . v . , Q . Q vf 1.gr!. ,,. V ' . . ! . , 1 j.q 'I , Q Q N , j , n u ' ' ' ' L,,44..c3r.a1v-'K ,a w ' . - .1 1u'5'f:iru.u'r-l. . . . 1 , b , I, ' ' I ,lf . af ? - A f- f Q H 2 -A ' - A' M f ' ' 17: . E, . ,Q :xg :4 .V if! 4 , , A: X , - 5 ' dp, I g' 1 ' 3 Q g,l,,4.Qi+Wf'7 7 ' ' ' b V, , , . 3' I . 2.1. ml' WE ag- v ' ,. , H had I n , ,. A .ii Q fi 1 I fl. 3 , 1 1.-55, . .E gn 1 I -: '4- UHHISTX1lSUlXHH UX THF HXNMXH Ukfllx i. 40 -rr' Ev . ,,,. , ,YW x... gr-'f ,J ' fi . .px s A ,,,, ,W 'lfx' 1 O am., , Pliaff XX, on .,.x x , H5114 lf ul' 5 I' .nl ? l n -P 0 n '45 . Dental Lab on the U.S.S. Essex Men holding Field Day aboard CV 9 Hangar declz being loaded with f00d SHPPI A Im is Ima: scz:a'iv:f s1?11C5Sn1g6 -4 to a near-by battleship ,- u A:,x 1 '5 f - 1 1 1, u,,,gL A 0 a gwf , i ,f 4 Rs , I IQ M, H' .- 3' . ,Q , 1 , Wa, . shy. , z ,, -L, P 4 ' 4. ' 4 v an ,if 5 'W- al-'. .. ,X 3 , ' 1, x , Q, V A X4 1 'tie 'fn-5. .l '., .-an ... ,. Q.. 'r S4 'u an ', i , . as Y' i K.. , 4 ,. if 1 f-w 9 '. 4 Law ' -Cu' .5 .,.' ann., . H' 1 1+ ,bm . I' X . 'Q , .5 7'...f' . F' Q .,, yi 5 , ' www ,xi-dw -- ' N x , I fi v . n Q v ,1 ,,,, 14 it , in, , L 2 Q, Y, 1 'K mi ' if 6 W' V I ' .. 5 F , . Q' .v.pM-'--- 'im' K. Rfb. , ? 44,,' U ' g ' v 3 w ., I V ,,,,,,Mre-rf-vj'53' f Wiz , . Y 'Kr I V , ' M -P A- W SIMM HHIHM UN HH l H 9 UHMXIH i n I v P is .f wma W n. M f 1 :-W' W 1- M- 1' , '- CT 1:21, ,f 1' . -. V 1 '+,'?ig,e'Nmip -,' ' A , , ,, , V . , , , . -w ' ' 'fr Y I -'v'1 'm1.' -J r . 1 -- , .,. . K fx- , , V ,Y ,-, 4, ' , - Q, ,-17 . , .1 ff . - f 1,33 , ,.a.,i3,,.,, A , f,.:-,.-4. A Q 'ilrv -- 3 N rv i . an if 1 - . Q 9 gf X ' Nr -t ,,.,,... S V, - .--. ,. Q. I, ,, Q, Th 'JZ 1' 4 L . 'Q S W - M M N E E A L L A T M A J I H U N . gf K 91 I Q f 4 I i ff 5 ,I ,1 .X , C' 1 1 ' aa , an 'N 1 l 4 10 I , 4 , 1 4 L 1 .V H vhsq. . X , W X ., If-,X A Av V A in- N . .5 ,L 4 1,-gif 1 I ' xyQQ-.iii A , ,N 1 A X viva. .M 7 ' 12.41 1 AQ.. 1 M 1 f-wx ' my HQ ig? ,K 1 if Mr Z' P A if , f f f fi iwlfi 3 Q-5' - -if -ws ,, Q x ' ltr . I A ,- .4 pq -Q-A' . 4 I m N' f 2 w , L 31-M' 41,8 ' . Q S' M . 4 df M M -. Q . Y whf. :X y. f v ,Qi,IQat'H,:,, 'ix' r ...M mwfw-f'-M mf-f - N-5-g L , 0 :'fr I . Tm 'K I x R 'X us i A S ici i ,M . 1 I ..,. x M, . G . bkxgt .v,,. - Q. . ' A k V My 7.3, mam A , a 4+ H ix. Q4 . ' Y T' ' 5 1-V .,,, H J, iam B, .M ,lf M -I V . NRL ' 1, v. A 'YQ my b ' .' 11.-.v 'f ' '4-f-' ! 4 Y, 4 . .,.,., K. 4741 Z-eww :QQ . ,. I' x W ., QA YK X s-me f The smoker on the U.S.S. Essex 'li' 1 ik! Just some fellows passing cz medicine ball lfn' mfm-fs ruff: :I 1'Vr'V. Nuff..- fll4'fL1fflHl mrlf:1is1.1-I, Slziffi Service' Soda Fmuxtain aboard CVT' 0 'Nt 0 1 k 1 2 I J w x z i x i E 5 2 1 I I l 1 wg H l ii ra 333 ill M 3 '4 i l 1 i l vu, 14, 1 :Q ,, as-, ELL 'W 5 3 ei A . .?' ,N 5-J if . ifr Q1 51 in 14' gunna' 1.41 Qui sf? Offcers' Mess and Christmas trees Services for the men of Air Group 9 ,, ,,,, ig 1- 't' A . ,- ' 'L f N 1 R 'if-'-, 'f g- ' fn. . .- fl S X ' ' .' - 'I 'BQ ...fag ' 4 J, ' 'fb' ' ', ' 'f - 'X 'ff 'xv . g A , A 4 IM. .0 f'-g bin.. 1 . Q N Q ,I -o-, ,- 5 2,-, ,.. 'H ,. J , 3 li . . X . 'S ! , I M. N 5 - -t , aw, I . . . . .1 R as Q . H, ., ,I V Ae .V , , 1- ,- 4- I . .1 A.-sl.. ,- .v.l.i-3. ,Q ., E aw- X fx ' Q' ,V , f' vw ., yt ' M X Ax' X v J ' - . Q af ' ' ' 5 ' -At? 'v 'b'1! J 1 Q K 'nj 1,0 M Q I Q A., r W 4.5 X2 X any ' 1 ' qt' 'xx K f 4 4 '-Z- ' -551' I' 'Q-p X I. . l I, A 0 -' ' I x '.. '+V hj.'u ' f.ll 4 my I1 x rainy. M L vc- - ' 'I f '- I' -S , -'I' 'V P 1 5' K- t J 'J' T W. W! 'xfn 0 :Q , Q wiv ,P X' Zi. , -'fx fl, :nf 1X:!'kwl1 ' ' Jfxff ' -up fr' L RV Q if-41: ,L Q J . ' ll - to T '. ' ' V A . X 'L . Y 1 I bl Yi,se 2 i :Rai y .M 48 --'TJ yy ', gui' F ' his My Q V' Q, , 1-V4 Q K W l 5 U fav 'x, V. 1 w , . a - Q , ' Q , W I q ,W . ' -C r, J ' C 1, 1 , . A I - 6 ' ft . -' x N D Q., f , , . ' Ag-r: A K b W , 1 U . 1 I , A11 1 'v y L M 5: 1 I 1 iq X Wa Q. ' R 1 'gf Z ,Ex , V If I is N ,411 W' x ' ' 1 Y X 1 l M' , , 'W 4 ls. ' 1 . Q 'L . X N kb 1 ,. 'Q f f X ' ,Q vw -x 'VX -L' I 1 4 x, 1 V J. .NA . 's- - ,few ! Q- I z P 4 , .ll UHUSSI U v pk W! Z is A THELIE... W M ii P I fi 3. V3 3 . we ,,, EQ 1 E E1 ij W! x 5 3 i i X , li ? Q X i 5 I 4 5 s 5 ,no ' W . Le - ! I 1 I 'H -,. if 1 W I ii, :sv- 446' Cie, ' ,P .Lay ' 'M xi 1 4 N 1, 4 ff N1 5? i K K . fry .. 'K .V wg Q.. - , , ' P K mfr 8 Q 'wg F2177 li. LW-Q Q5f'5iA , 'V,,A 2ffsvxwr i4 ., ' f A'A- A Q 14, , , 4 A 1 P .M.-Af-I-41' U- i,- s , u D 0 I-A 1 ,,, I as EWAR ... ,S .K. W , M V , I ' mwv- M af. 1-w.. 5:2 - . .4 :U-.av , - - '- if A w I X 5 4 Q 1 w i 1 1 I 1 4 I l . 2 . 1 1 I P If la 1 3 a X i 4 3 2 A X i PQI' nV'h ,gi ,gg-ve-'ff' K ,uv-,-7.-'.. ,,....,1-v-f ,..x,.,........q V--in 'ff 1 ,,. at 714, 'f I 5 f bi 'Kfffif Q'-s. ,M f .f-.y Ta., :L Zig 5 K f 1 1 6 J. we-9-an-. I Q S sl 22 3 ,,, -Qi .f-4- H , - -ni: f Qxf 11 'A is ff' x Q Q M. U' n 5 ' . f W .-,iv 1-,qff Q , , W -' f- v' 'K - 1 .5 'vi I 4 9 Qing, 'ff PEHSUNNEL 'U'-al A fn? VI ip, ' V 'f , ., J f y ' -035733125 V ' ' use visit ' ' ' V y 2, 'Q' 1 ff Plankowners - April, 1946 Q COMDR. S. L. WARD, JR., USN Chief Engineer nv '. X W' '-'za G S. nv, Lis 1 an 1 A F' XE --. 5' I 1 - , r 1 11' MI1k.Ij.Hm'..H,!. llf,lIlI'.,H-' fU11'f f ' ljlff I 3'w1!' fzrfnwfnhff NMS Qi arf' ir----. J KN kUHZ'A.H.I.URlAHI Wh VNNR l , , ., P--:1:.x.1.n.... 0 i 'iff' I f tqpf' 1 ' f M Captain Wieber presenting awards aboard the U.S.S. Essex. , 4 5 Survivors of U.S.S. Princeton on flight deck of U.S.S. Essex HQ Www -K A2 i 1, 1. fl., E? WSF: Q ., y ,031 -1. V..-aw ' J Q- Y I D 'TY L X 4-Q. r 1 c,Id!?fg1lH HQ,-ly.-f my-Hx .nn .1-nrvrmml' fu 1 .1f't.11r1 K l.lfU1HlldH 1 1 3 K F xr, A 0' .f Q x V U , , , f 1 1' Off cr, and Comdr. Filzhugh Lee Rt-ddiilg from lfft to riglxl: Cumdr. D. L. .HcDom1ld. L LN. Excfutxn- Lt. Crfrrzdrlf. 5. ,Y fngxcigfgjdtflcx igndiizs on Uisis' Essex- OffCl'fJ and Comdr. David .Ucfam bell. LEX. Cvfflflldfldmg -4 Cfnmf' ' Ir mary P . 15 and the top Navy Acc with 34 planes to his crcdxl. V Reading from left to right: Chaplain A J. McKelway and Comdr. W. W. Whit. side, Jr., KSCQ USN, Top Side Re. porter, August 1943-November 1944 Presentation for awards to Air Group 9 .....,. -..M M... .., -11 Ii' , 4 ff Divisimz E S I1.llgi!H't'I'illlQ l7a'jn1rfnn'nt I Nunn rx In Ib? ijt , v .A . if ,YZ Q 5? 11570 ' , 1 ' N-,ffl fi: bg fyiffzyw f V ff ' V 42,1 , 'f mf ,of ,fy f fff Q44 iff Uyf' ffw ,f,QfZ74Q , ff , ff76gfQ , , ff , f, Wff of f 7f' ,, ,f fff i 4 J ff , X 11ff:iffHff-v4 l2.pJf:m.-if-ls laws.-H if 11-'-5'3j'g',22+'i,,,,. ... 5' .1-'f'-5-iii .5 ' .'L'S'. V ifi ?ffT4Jff ' '5' 51' ' fr' 52'2V5f'73ixif Eff 1 f 1:1 ,Q f ug 5: .M 1,52 QiLi:fii,1'1'L! fif T27 Fi ' 5 Y WW? rmifxfy .iii .f 'ai an .xii-M-'s,'f.'Qi 4-mQ! f 1 Engineering Department-E Division 1 ,..x.,.,,...,.,... ,4.,.,.....4.,.. 1 N ? H Division WW QU DQ Qt at 5,81 an-3 N :NNW vm. Y I nw x X X IX eg? KR Division 'Q 1 Q fi L , iw x Y f , 9 I s 3 F V if I 'slr' A X uw' K 1 f X Q 1 i , Kiwi Y V ,. Z- iv'-ii' ' qv ii i L 1 M: : fy -i X .- Y iq . if 'gi L rw 4 'W in I Q v ' 'Y N A S' an M fig, I -Q. 1 i if gi i M lx N l,IB!Nl4'l iid Ti I Q Y Q14 'Q -Q 1,9 if I ,gf 6 fy -. i .lf f Nl' '-T xiii-it if Nur KY Division , if M Division if iv for v v FX 1 L bl Q, - f 4 V ' V . '-,,, , , Dx-J, V. V , VXVVA f5gj,gTl.3iL Y D D in i ' 2 ff 'rf Y V 6 V X I ,f 7 ' v y. 1 E ,,qZ,,AQ ,D N Division .. fs! fu ' f ' if-., ' if gg My it fi Q 3 . ' N ' 5 I X -- ' ' Q ' A D H 1 v , , , f , 2 f- + f ' , V ' v v 1, 'Y I V ' ' , H. fwqff, Y W7 sg Q ur ' u?.'l fi ,.j I X . 7 V' ' 15 R-1 Division wg R QIN 'iii A nh X7 Xb K .Tl Rl. K A Q t X Q 'Q' ' ' NY 'gt A'v7 'xAae? P' '?,, ff? f X ,WZ 'W ,rzfiyii 225 ' 7 1 - X pq14?,'f' UR gflffvf?- 5 'ir R-2 Diwisimz X Q X 5 N Q. Q. 5 1 ' ' I Nuff' 17:1 rx: Hr S-2 Division-Officers and Chiefs V ii if f ,M,, S-2 Division gf1me,.: :nc .YM , U, x . ', W 7 Bixigfn . . ,ki ' ' ' ' 1 ,...g 4 1 -5 My iff?-gg, wiigimjfffiwgfiwi Kg W 5 is aah W .,, -si V-1 Division if 1 J 3? 5 a k fsgigi as V-2 Division 1 os'lQ, CN by 4' ' i 1 6 Viibl' E 23 1'f'-+:f-'1 - ..-sw C Us , 1 rv' 5 ,rg .-f,1fE':J'1 f'1Z'5f 4'..4ifg5fEiv5,7 .335 Y I -NVQ, iff? fs V-3 Division I Q' V-4 Division S Q, .1 8 F-' n 1 ,PV . Q36 s 4 ,V 1 I-'E ff 21: vw. sf - A 3 fat 'V x, r NV 1 is P ,-'N A' ' wif ivQ Ex . W 4' C41 Q 1 :. N o T Q, s o an QA 4 l 141 of X .0 X f ' s is 1 5 1' wifi ' ., Q '4 D. ssi , Qigrf M, N ,VAVV M vow wwf 5 f Li aw K 4 it ffwxf sfsifxf 4' AN 1124 ,.-W, ,ff .J Q. X DNN f mf? Ewa s 1 :W n s v Q Q f - b s-.- QQ-4 N! i g x yf' A 5 ? fa V-1 -E Division ! I 3 64 1 L 1 ,J W ng . xi sv up sn! .Y L L-,gg Af., T13- Q ,ob i,., no Q his ,ig , XX a Wi M msn 5 s mf I ,,,11 WX 'Cf 6' 'B W I Y SA, V 1 A 5,4 me y 4 J 5352 QQ f 3 nf We 4 1 X 1 ' f ! X First Division 9 2 9 Mjjf 777 5 Urn VW ici? iziiyvi FTW f1F.Mf17iEg?5gx'5' 51 an Hgf? N N YA 1,4 ' 9 S ing? 3, la ll Gunnery Department e een e , -NAP? V 4 U M ,X m - 1, A'-. if-1 4 - KM' 'N' f 3 3 II The .Marines-Sixth Division I 5 E rl 5 w , 6 1' MQ' 5 M U ' , 4 - ,. L , :ws - , . '-ff ... f: -- f f : - f .V , L1 1 4 as Q Y k , ivan I-gf' 1.4 ,W ,. '?'y n in 4 mv? Y E' E ' fi? V' , !1!'f'! 1-voir v 1 , V X Y Q fi-' 4 ri '15 . x X N 1 A .An fi. 3 8 Y fl ,1 53.4 X X 'mi f E V . - X .mi Z VM A A ! wr V 1 XX , 5. ir-is--um ' , 6 x 4 K A L ? ..q' x' m Q m I ' N -' ' M If W W' I W J , v jk' 1 U9 Sn s 2 va -ly.- J4'-. 4 I 'nal V tv, V VA A Xgiftgg J X 1 ' Q . 0 n , 5 V Q, t , Q 9 . K 1 t Q 1- I 4, 4 4 y I I , W . gf F' , -, f , H 4 yn! - , A g , s ,. . yt . .. 'I . ' r U i u v ' ir. a ' Ya I' + 'fs 'R s ?Wvq F.i.iv..ff-7. Q i'.gX.h 5, . - w f: ff fin:-:1 -: , gf . si' 0' Ri X Air Department Officers 3 ptr.,-ng, ' as: -'Lf ffl ff 'Y G-.Z ' F3 'Fif nEi i vw , ,. L. ty Q J V l,lZgl7Ilf'fll!g !jLAfHl f, I !Nfr.f XILH Y if Q 'ff 3' .ffgzdi l:,l'- ,- , ., s,1,, sf: 2? H? flrrestirzg Gear and Catapult Gang wg! Repair 8 Pl10f0 LabU Crew 8 5 5 8 6 8 9 f Q ' 1 Mg, Q ' wg X xy X X xx lx xx X , Q f x iw' X A, A '? 'J'?ff' gi iw? X xf. , V .fi D XX 3 xx Z f 3 1. ,, Q X , ' 'va ' . ' 5--Q ,, 5 K 4 1 1. 1 6 4 398P'SQff iff Gans V ig 1 13 e ,2 2 5 v S f .v A ,U 2, A se ? A s .f s ru H, 1 fi ww X' ,Y V, Q2 5 ,X 9173 2. A 2 i ,JB 5 w 1 1 l 0 3 'v vs 4't.L 4 5 2 ,
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