Essex (CVA 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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,, 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.

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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