Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 27 text:

f H fx ' FIGHTER PILOT MANS HELLCAT squadron Hlbistol Paeliin, Airedalesf, Long harangues about the merits and skills of the various pilots lead to bets on how many planes the favorites are going to shoot down in this operation. Where We are foinft has u to the uresent been Hseuttlebutt which is Nav for rumor, s weeu- E as P l v Y I lation, and gossip. We now get the Uwordw from the Captain. Topside gets it over the 'Lbullhornn and numerous Hsqtiavvkfboxesn carry his words below to all parts of the ship. He tells us we are heading for the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, it is to be an amphibious assault on Tarawa and Makin Islands. Anti-submarine patrols are intensified. is

Page 26 text:

Q THE BOARDMAN IS DISCOURAGED Planes from the Lex and other carriers are up every day on the looliout for enemy planes or submarinesg we call our planes searchers,', enemy planes on similar missions are called snoopers.v ln addition to his routine duties this sailor is also 'iboardmanfl Planes returning from search Hights are met by the boardman as they taxi forward past the island. He holds up a blackboard on which is challied Hr-Xny Contactsw So far the pilots haye always signaled No, The boardman is discouraged, says, c'Avv nutsl ltas just another phoney warf' Plane handlers and mechanics talie a lively interest in their pilots, proudly dub the fighter 14

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