Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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ERNIE sNowDEN REPORTS TO THE CAPTAIN-FRANK MORRIS LISTENS xii' iVl ',s'Q,w4fj, c An target. He gives a vivid description of a big tanker blowing up after it was torpedoed, says Hames shot over a thousand feet into the air. He was flying at 1o,ooo feet at the time of the explosion, but in a few seconds the rising smoke towered several thousand feet above him, took on the shape of a giant black thunderhead cloud. fda? Ernie Snowden directed the operations of all planes over the Ralph Weymotlth says his dive bombers began the attack on the cruisers, under persistent questioning he admits he sent one torpedo directly into one of them himself. The old phrase of approval all wool and a yard widen fits Bob Iselyg there is a fine forth- rightness about him. He sees the war not as a professional job or an adventure, but as a war that must be won. He is proud of this morning's work by his squadron, yet leans over backwards to avoid overstating the case. It would be hard to tell just how much damage we did on our runs, because we didn't stick around after we unloaded! We got at least two direct torpedo hits on one cruiser and at least one on another, we also got one into the big cargo transport. We learn that Rucinski-who started out in that balky F6F, came back, got off in another plane-caught up with his outfit and shot down two Zekes over Roi. From sick bay comes good news, none of the men is seriously wounded. Two of our planes do not return. The crews are listed as missing.

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CHECKS FLAK HOLES-SOBIYRLY I2VAI.I'ATI2S THII DAMAGE hy f I- y I e a run on him from the south. Again instead ol turning into me the Zeke turned sharply away just off the runway, putting me on his tail. My guns failed to fire but I was going so fast that I carried out of his range and up to about 2,ooo', Both the Zeke and I reyersed course, recharged my guns and I made another pass at him from astern. Only one gun bred and I failed to knock him down. Again I carried on past him and gained a little altitude, and again we both reversed course putting me on his tail. I chased him down yery low in about a go' diye, fired at him, he did a sharp nose down turn from about 50' and hit the Witter about goo yds. southeast of Namur Island. Donit know whether I shot him down or chased him into the water. Other Zekes had in the meantime taken off and I considered it the better part of yalor to get the hell topside and join my own planes. So, cheerio, pip-pip, tootle-oo-P. D. Buief' 81