Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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in -. ,-n Z' f it FF' - .. A,.. . . , -........- H P- N H--M1 -1-W - a.:.pgt2aada.,-.. -..-5.4 - . 1, 14 A-6? idltkw comes alongside, we make some tricky cable and hose connections and she begins to pump a new supply of gas and oil into the carrier's great storage tanks. The weather gets rough in the strip of water between the two ships as they travel along during this refueling operation. Big waves build up, then splash over the tanker, making tough and very wet going for its crew. I try for a picture of one of these big splashes, wait and wait, eye glued to the finder, finally a big one comes and as I wind up the film Felix Stump says, So that's what you waited so long for. Smoking is forbidden during refueling operations or during the transfer of gas at any time. When the loud speakers announce, The smoking lamp is out, everybody douses his smoke, and it's no smoking until word comes, The smoking lamp is lit. The tanker refueling us is the N eoslzo. I receive a message on N eoslzo stationery, c'Noticed you on bridge with camera, if your results are good will appreciate a print so much. E. B. Chase, Lt. M.C., USNR. Makes me feel important to be recognized by a brother lens-man on another ship. Our task group now heads back toward the Marshall Islands to strike the enemy air bases and anchorages of Kwajalein, Roi, Namur, and Wotje. Detailed plans for this air operation are worked out at a joint conference by Admiral Pownall and his staff with the air group and squadron com- manders of the three carriers in task group 5o.I: the Lexington, Yorktown and the Cowpens. Comdr. Ernie Snowden, our air group's commander, is to be in charge of the attack at the target. In the torpedo squadron ward room Isely briefs his pilots. I listen in while he is talking and make a few Hash shots. Faces are set and serious, maybe the yawn is casual indifference and maybe it isn't. He tells them that there are several Iapanese cruisers and destroyers at Kwajalein atoll. Again I wonder where all of this detailed information about the enemy coines from. Tomorrow morning, December 4th at sunrise, our planes will take off to strike Kwajalein atoll and any units of the lap fleet that may be there. The air department is all steamed up over the prospect of finally getting a whack at some of the elements of Tojo's very elusive Navy. On the blackboard of the VT-16 wardroom, Bob Isely has chalked: HGET THE CRUISERS.,, J 'fi 63 32- , I

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A .mga 4 1 -fx ,wg gf Q-hal Y if-T-. vm! .ZW . N, eg If X ' lf' . A x'-9:46. U '-ga We I 4 'T'-TI ' 1 114'u T .'5m '-w MWA, M 3 f X yi X 4 f , f ,- 5 I 1 Wf , ,f ' - T T .T V ,T 1 -9- T f .wggivtz -Q, OUR CQREW WATCQHESPDECQIDES IT MUST BE TOUGH GOING ON TANKERS 65