Essex (CVS 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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PN' , f X A r 1..-il g , : 3 .-cw- 'f. arms -g.- -syn.. -1 -gm.-s':: ,,.:,, it ji Q , H ESSEX appeared all but deserted as she lay in drydock at Puget Sound iust prior to her recommissioning. The Fightin'est Ship in the Fleet was home Home was the sailor, home from the seas. Home was the Fightin'est ship in the Fleet, her battles over, her title won, re- won, her name and her spirit famous. Home was ESSEX from the war. lt had been a great struggle, and ESSEX's efforts had been equally as great. The ship broke many new records and estab- lished many firsts. The ship was credited with more ships sunk, and more planes downed than any other ship operating in the Pacific Theatre. Her men gave of themselves all that there was to give, and then they gave some more. They participated in every major engagement ofthe war, and saw action through- out the Pacific, as the war progressed on bloody stepping stones north to Tokyo. They earned the right to call themselves the Fightin'est by their every action, and this gallantry was rewarded by their Citation from the President of the United States. But the war was over, and the fighting at an end . . . ESSEX was home, and tired. On 13 March 1946 she was towed from California to the Naval Station, Seattle, Washington and there on 9 January, 1947, she was placed out of com- mission in reserve. For two years, ESSEX lay decommissioned, exhausted by her travels, and by the intensive periods of combats she had sustained. But, in 1949, she was brought out of retirement, and was literally rebuilt by the Navy Yard at Bremerton, Washing- ton. A new 887' fiight deck was added, a streamlined island structure, and a greater displacement by several thousand tons. On 15 January 1951 at Puget Sound, ESSEX was recom- missioned. Among the distinguished guests to witness the re- birth of this great ship were Fleet Admiral Nimitz, Vice Admiral Murry and Vice Admiral Durgen. Captain Austin W. Wheelock assumed command and ESSEX departed the shipyard 6 March 1951 for San Diego, California. The world was again restless. Hostilities had broken out in Korea, in June of 1950, and the United States was deeply in- volved in this police action. Once again, the need for this mighty ESSEX was felt, and she was called to the Pacific for active duty in the Korean campaign.

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s M HJ,,..,,- ..,, M W , V, ill ,1 ' ff 7 ,f ' 1, ff':,w:w . ,M , The war in the Pacific, an exhausting series of diH:icult battles, could not dampen the spirit or hard working abilities of the crew and air group of the Fightin'est Ship in the Fleet. Despite long hours, tragic iniuries and deaths, and incredible sacrifices, their loy- alty remained constant and their efforts un- wavering. Silhouette ot destruction...ESSEX lies off the Japanese coast in preparation tor the final strikes against the home islands.

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:J 9, ,gy 'VL7' ' - '- Y ' ' f , , Q ' . ,,- , ,,, ,. ...,,-.c...: ,,,, ,L ..:-f. - 5,-1 - ,-1-.:f-mmf:-f:4v1:'1y1vis r- 34374,-' 'i- vvf .9 .'yvi5 Lr?P5-,,-31.9 ' - 'H--'f ' '- '---'- '- - -W' 1 -- - ' P-A JJ ' 1' f . rs Alffftizt'-19'-f '43l57FiWf3551i-?ir:.:2 2-?:'z 2i5'-V HEX.-Jjkf-152:52-F!'?E1' iilfffwff' I!-ZC- ff U. vs f An extensive modernization program was necessary to prepare ESSEX for active duty with the fleet again. Captain Austin W. Wheelock, sixth command- ing otificer ot USS ESSEX, assumes command of the ship at recommissioning ceremonies. True to one of the Navy's finest traditions, the recommissioning of ESSEX was celebrated with an elaborate cake.