High-resolution, full color images available online
Search, browse, read, and print yearbook pages
View college, high school, and military yearbooks
Browse our digital annual library spanning centuries
Support the schools in our program by subscribing
Privacy, as we do not track users or sell information
Page 156 text:
“
S ' lATISIIC ' S 14 May 1944 14 May 194J Liiriga Puiiil Xaulical engine miles steamed 74 746 Statute miles steamed 86,075 Gallons fuel oil consumed 5 o94 945 Gallons Diesel oil consumed (Galley only) 8,203 Gallons Fresh water used (Grew and Laundry) 8,191,366 Pounds provisions consumed i ,572,699 Number items carried in GSK 4 772 Ship ' s store sales 896,094.07 Clothing and small store sales $31,827.01 Rounds of ammunition exf)endcd 166,891 Jap planes shot down 5 Sqi ADRON Sorties flown 4)875 Gallons aviation gasoline consumed 635,000 Pounds irf bombs dropped 31 9,250 Pounds of rockets fired i 307,270 Roundsof. ammunition expended 41 7,965 Nunlber of landings on ship 4)672 Number of catapult launchings from ship 3)249 Number of fly-ofi launchings from ship 1,626 Jap planes shot down 11 Jap destroyers sunk i Barges and small craft sunk 23 Barges and small craft damaged 49 Buildings destroyed 71 Buildings damaged 43 Military trucks destroyed 53 Militar)- trucks damaged 38 Gun emplacements destroyed 22 Gun emplacements damaged 21 Ammunition dumps destroyed ' 7 Fuel dumps destroyed 5 Tanks destroyed 6 Supply dumps destroyed 8 Bridges destroyed 2 Enemy planes destroyed on ground 3 152
”
Page 155 text:
“
To this the Squadron added its bit by daily un- loading tons of bombs and scores of rockets on the enemy strongholds. Where the Marines called for bombs, VC 85 put them. The fighters fanned out to Chichi Jima to the north and spread destruction there. Photographic planes from the Scjuadron handled all the photographic duties rcc|uired at the objective. Under extreme weather conditions rocket and bombing attacks were executed with gratifying results. When the island was secured and land-based aircraft undertook the protection of the ground forces, the ships turned toward Ulithi again, with the satisfaction of knowing they had left behind a job well done. Wars are necessarily run on schedule and schedules cannot always take ships and pilots into consideration. So it was that, instead of a lengthy recuperative period following the Iwo Jima operation, the ship loaded day and night for nine days, readying itself for the next mo e. The .Squadron made the most of those nine days, short as they were, and felt ready to go when the order came. There had been no leaks of information prior to this sailing and scuttlebutt ran high as to the next objective. The air crewmen ' s ready room, spawning bed of scuttlebutt, proved especially fecund and produced at least one good story per day. But the truth was not long hidden. The night of departure from Ulithi all pilots were called to the ready room and there on the bulkheads they saw the map of a long, twisting island — Okinawa. It was generally agreed later that Okinawa was the hardest operation engaged in by the Scjuadron. Certainly the Hak was heaviest. At Iwo Jima the planes drew small caliber fire which was not readily seen. But here the strike groups ran afoul of the ugly black puffs that blossomed so menacingly out of thin air. They returned day after day, anti-aircraft fire or not, and carried out attacks in the face of it. The list of destruction at Okinawa makes a formidable box score on paper. It looked even better from the air as the huge columns of smoke arose from blasted ruins. Ten enemy aircraft were bagged by the Squadron planes during the operation, proving that all they had to do was see ' em. In these encounters, not one X; 85 plane was damaged by a Jap aerial gun. Routine anti-submarine patrols and combat air patrols were launched whenever called, and photographic and propaganda planes performed all missions creditably. Word had been passed that relief was due around 20 April, but that date came and went and the operation continued. At the end of April the ship was ordered to a fueling area to provide air cover for the tankers. This served as a welcome respite for the weary pilots; they flew shortened patrols, not too frequently. At last the long awaited dispatch came ordering the ship to Guam to pick up a new group. It meant that the cruise was over, finished. It meant a great adventure had reached its con- clusion. There is little that need be said about a group of men who, thrown together by chance, have organized themselves and perfected their skills into a smoothly working team. Their record stands and speaks for itself. If you were to ask one of the pilots vshat factor pushed VC 85 above the average, he would probably say, We were lucky — we drew a good ship. Yes, she is a good ship. The Squadron hadn ' t been long aboard when that became evident to all its members. And the Squadron Officers and men are proud to call the officers and men of the Lunga Point Shipmates. Fast friendships were formed that will continue long after the shooting stops and many of the reserves go back to civilian life. To the officers and men of the ship, the Squadron says, So long, good hunting, and God bless vou !
Are you trying to find old school friends, old classmates, fellow servicemen or shipmates? Do you want to see past girlfriends or boyfriends? Relive homecoming, prom, graduation, and other moments on campus captured in yearbook pictures. Revisit your fraternity or sorority and see familiar places. See members of old school clubs and relive old times. Start your search today!
Looking for old family members and relatives? Do you want to find pictures of parents or grandparents when they were in school? Want to find out what hairstyle was popular in the 1920s? E-Yearbook.com has a wealth of genealogy information spanning over a century for many schools with full text search. Use our online Genealogy Resource to uncover history quickly!
Are you planning a reunion and need assistance? E-Yearbook.com can help you with scanning and providing access to yearbook images for promotional materials and activities. We can provide you with an electronic version of your yearbook that can assist you with reunion planning. E-Yearbook.com will also publish the yearbook images online for people to share and enjoy.
