San Jacinto (CVL 30) - Naval Cruise Book

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ing the Southern Force to meet their fate at the hands of the Seventh Fleet, mistakenly, believing that the Central Force had turned in retreat. Heavy long-range air strikes were launched at dawn and continued throughout the day as the Force maintained high speeds northward in an attempt to close the fieeing enemy force. Observation planes had reported the enemy carriers launching at dawn, but the attacking Air Groups encountered negligible airborne resistance and enemy aircraft failed to attack our Task Force. The Combat Air Patrols did encounter a group of enemy planes at extreme range, but they fled before our fighters could close. SAN JACINTO aircraft scored three torpedo hits in the Jap Light Carrier ZUIHO, plus two 500-pound bomb hits, in her upper works. VVe are officially credited with sinking her. The ZUIHO was the exact counterpart of the SAN JACINTO. Also infiicted were one torpedo hit on the SHOKAKU-Class Carrier and one torpedo hit on each of two heavy cruisers. A light carrier, a heavy cruiser, two light cruisers and three destroyers were heavily strafed, with considerable damage. Thus in this now famous naval battle, the SAN JACINTO justified the faith of her builders and the pride of her crew. She more than paid for herself on this one day alone, neatly presenting the Mikado with a bill many times over her own cost, a bill it must have hurt him grievously to pay. One of our lighter aircraft, piloted by Ensign H. E. MAT- THEWS, was lost to anti-aircraft fire fpilot is missing in actionj. One torpedo plane was also shot down in flames, but the pilot, Lt. R. B. PLAISTED and his aircrewmen W. M. TOMES -and J. S. SMITH, JR., managed to get clear. and into their life-raft. They had a miraculous escape floating through the Jap battle formation, being fired upon by a Jap destroyer, which fortunately for them was diverted from its mission of destruction by the appearance of friendly fighter aircraft. That night, American warships which had closed to finish off the cripples, fired over their heads and sank a Nipponese light cruiser. At dawn the following day they were rescued by the destroyer CAPERTON, after search planes had located them and directed her to the scene. ' Two other torpedo planes were badly damaged by anti-air- craft fire, one having the tip of the port wing shot away, the other being skillfully piloted home by Lt. BOREN, after the port elevator and stabilizer were completely shot away and the rudder riddled. Late in the morning of the 25th, word was received that the Central Force had sortied through SAN BERNARDINO STRAIT and was attacking our escort carriers off LEYTE GULF, while ships of the Southwest Pacific Fleet were en- gaging the Southern Force. One of our fast Carrier Groups and almost all of our battle line immediately turned south and sped to their assistance. The rest of us continued our north- ward pursuit until dusk, when we also turned about. Of the Northern Force, all four carriers, two light cruisers, and one destroyer were sunk, while two battleships, three cruisers, and several destroyers were damaged but escaped. For gallantry and intrepidity in action in this decisive engagement of war, Captain KERNODLE was awarded the Silver Star Medal by Vice Admiral S. McCAIN, Commander, Second Carrier Task Force. Our Task Group remained within striking distance of the area of the previous day's engagement on the 26th, while SAN JACINTO planes searched for cripples and survivors. Planes from other groups of our Task Force pummeled the Jap Cen- tral Force retiring through the VISAYAN SEA. The searches proved negative and we retired toward SAMAR to undertake a support aviation role for MacARTHUR'S ground forces on the 27th. A crippled Jap heavy cruiser was spotted in the VISAYAN SEA and sunk by planes from our Group. J On the 28th we again furnished support for the Army troops. Combat Air Patrols over the target did a thriving business, but Force patrols were negative except for a witness role played by a SAN JACINTO anti-submarine patrol plane as the destroyer HELM scored a positive kill on an enemy sub- marine skulking in our vicinity. We commenced retirement toward the fueling area onthe 29th but being advised that the Japanese were ferrying air- craft into CEBU and LOS NEGROS we reversed course at midnight and returned to the vicinity of SAMAR. On the afternoon of 30 October the screening destroyers in our Task Group were being refueled by the large carriers and battleships when a squadron of Jap planes was reported closing from the West. Fueling operations were suspended at once and all carriers began scrambling their fighters. Our Combat Air Patrol shot down four Jap aircraft but six broke through the air patrols and made aggressive suicide attacks on our ships. This was our first experience with the vicious and fanatic Kamikaze. Both the FRANKLIN and BELLEAU WOOD were hit andlarge fires started. Two enemy planes in -quick succession peeled off from their formation and-made suicide dives on the SAN JACINTO. The first began his run on our starboard beam and never varied as he plunged straight down, repeatedly hit- by our anti-aircraft fire. Our evasive turns pulled us out of his line of descent and he crashed flam- ing into the sea just forward of our portside amidship. The second plane also began his run from starboard but made a radical change of course attempting to follow our maneuvers, his final approach almost paralleled our length. Anti-aircraft fire also repeatedly hit this aircraft, causing smoke but not fiaming him. He crashed very close aboard our starboard bow. We suffered no material damage but salt water and debris showered the full length of the ship and one man was slightly wounded. Only expert handling saved the ship from the fate of its sisters. No one who witnessed 'the attack could believe we had escaped. We shot a wing off the sixth plane, as it crossed overhead' making its run on the ENTERPRISE, flaming it and causing it to fall well short of its target. For their parts in our successful repulse of the enemy, Com- mander C. S. COOPER was awarded the Silver Star Medal: Lieutenant Commanders G. M. WINNE, L. S. SWEPSTON, P. E. HARTMANN and C. L. MITCHINER, the Bronze Star Medal. Several officers and enlisted men of the Gunnery Department received Letters of Commendation from Admiral HALSEY. U D On 31 October we commenced retirement toward ULITHI. in the Western CAROLINES, arriving there on 2 November. After a three - day' period of replenishment the SAN JACINTO sortied from ULITHI on 5 November with a re- organized composite Task Group and set course for the LEYTE-SAMAR area. Adverse weather slowed our advance and, prior to our arrival, orders were received to poceed in- stead to the vicinity of SAN BERNARDINO STRAITS, where we arrived on ll November. SAN JACINTO planes flew de- fensive combat patrols, intercepting and destroying a twin- engine bomber and a single-engine torpedo tplane, while air- craft'from the large carriers were attacking an enemy convoy of four transports, a light cruiser, and three destroyers west of LEYTE en route to ORMOC BAY. All except one destroyer were either sunk or heavily damaged. On 13 and lfl November, a series of strikes were conducted against enemy aircraft, airfields, and shipping in the M ANILA BAY area. On the 13th, SAN JACINTO torpedo planes scored - -..-...,....-.-.,....-.,.,..., ,,.,,-,-.-Q.-.-W., ,, 1 , , N , , MMM, , - M, , 'Ct?1f1f'Qf:'i:?f':t cszf zrszavsiitfz --4. 5'.s2fa11Q'.-1'E's':x'F'-wir

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W1 ' rv: . r ' baefmuffd-if--faxing-F . - -- . . . .. . . .. . ' - A 1 . -. ,-is-rnnieanei, t M.- 1 v w W v Na, -,fC,,.,-,,j,,.,,,f:,..,,,.,,,, it-.-., ,,,-..v , ,.,43,,.:gg f -----, , ..... ,-. .... h .m,y,,5,,, r ,L w. L Q1 i. but Lt. fj.g.I BOREN brought it safely home. I r. if if L. y , S E Funeral services are conducted on the flight deck for the late I Lt. fj.g.l NAMES and Seaman First Class ROBINSON. 1 .E l I I r f it Even in the combat zone, Navy traditions are not neglected. Captain KERNODLE , V congratulates Ensign HILE, who got the cake for the sl1ip's 5000th landing, made f in combat off the PHILIPPINES. I Captain Michael H . Kernodle assumes command of the U.S.S. SAN IACINTO, relieving Captain Harold M. Martin. Q , . . .,.,.,,,,,.,..,,., . . . -..-,,.-.A-f-v-Q-..v..-.--v-.4-., - - ' ' ' -4-- -N .f.v--xA-.vQ.-..-.x.. -N-- f - -1. . H ' ' -f rv- .f-.qw .. . . . fm.-V fo- - .,,..,.,,,,,.,,,...,-,:,gv4'0i:xJ4:-F - fm..-., - g -.zgnng-egg-7 N -.rf .- - . - -.,V -- - - - ,. 'j v+ 'v-f-vv- - - A J -4.1-,...v.-.N M . , A A A S- A - -f-A -v-A - -q-,.v, N' Q fn. ---. 1rx':es-.':-r:-:'-:-:'-:'-------'fL'-- 3-5 -m- ' -- f - A ' ' -A x alm rf' mu '6'L'g - - '-1 .A ' ..,- --f-'-v-W 1- -M-1-MG. vw,-.-' ' f '.z.-.,-.4 v. T ' ' ' '-1 ...-s'-- s - A-- ' qi. 1, I I M '11 1 1 1 an ,4 1 This torpedo plane was badly shot up W in the attack on the Iap fleet, 3

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. ...,. , . '....,- -.,-. .,- :'1',:'zEv','f15-,e-14 21.3-g5..,g.,.. asf.: --'- 4.12111-:: - v e' Le '7:': ,.,, ..2. :.' -..:'f 's-, -1 four hits on a floating drydock just north of CAVITE, sinking it in forty-five feet of water. They also bombed a cargo vessel and caused a large explosion at the CAVITE Naval Base. On the 14th, our planes assumed the group patrol duty and shot down an enemy torpedo plane. We cruised well clear of the area from the 15th through the 18th, but returned to attack MANILA on the 19th. Targets were scarce but our Avenger located a Jap destroyer escort off MORON and set it afire with a 500-pound bomb hit. Other aircraft subsequently attacked it, and the vessel appeared to be either sinking or beached. Our fighters on patrol shot down three enemy twin-engine bombers. On 20 November our Task Group commenced retirement toward ULITHI, making experimental Napalm drops in un- opposed strikes on YAP en route. We arrived at ULITHI on 22 November for a week's replenishment period and the op- portunity to give the crew some rest and much-needed recrea- tion. WVe also had the sad duty to perform of conducting mass Memorial Services for those of our pilots and aircrewmen who had made the supreme sacrihce. The tribute included those missing in action as well as those definitely killed. The services were performed on Thanksgiving Day, 23 November, Chaplain CORDES officiating. The entire crew attended and thecolors were at half-mast. ' On 29 November, the SAN JACINTO sortied, under escort of two destroyers, to proceed to APRA HARBOR, GUAM, to effect the relief of Air Group FIFTY-ONE by Air Group FORTY-FIVE. We dropped anchor in APRA HARBOR on the morning of 30 November, the- first light carrier' to visit that port since the recapture of GUAM. We bade adieu to Air Group FIFTY-ONE, which had been aboard since commissioning, and had established itself as one of the foremost Air Groups of the Fleet. It exactly matched its numerical designation by shooting down fifty-one airborne enemy planes. It sank the ZUIHO, two destroyers, two cargo vessels, and three armed trawlers, plus numerous lesser craft. It destroyed and damaged many aircraft on the ground and heaped destruction on enemy airfields and ground installa- tions. Its pilots and crewmen had won six Navy Crosses, one Silver Star, 28 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 49 Air Medals, 2 Purple Hearts. WVe embarked Air Group FORTY-FIVE fCommanded by Commander G. E. SCHECTER, USNQ, and sortied on the afternoon -of 30 November to effect a rendezvous with other units of the Fast Carrier Task Force in the area north of ULITHI at dawn on 2 December. A week's intensive training for the new air group and ship's company followed. We re- entered ULITHI on 8 December to commence preparations for return to sea. X . . . The Iapanese Light Carrier ZUIHO, exact counterpart of the SAN IACIN TO, sunk by our planes on 25 October 1944. zawa.www,,,xvW N ,.,,,. . . Anxious moments for the SAN IACINTO. ICP Plane Phmging down on-us' , We escape miraculously with one kamikaze hitting water on each side. ,. . , -- .-.-.V-.va .-.-.-, U Y XA V I V WNV, W.- RAM,-is --N - .. . .N-. .a---,-,-V., ...,v-.f.-.Q- A,-,.,,.,- .- -.S .--V -v --L-N ,.,., .,.,.,,, ,,H,,.,,.,.,, - ,,,,,.,,,,nh MN- h A. -X .N--- - nv. . ,-.ta-, .,..a,.,.,,-,..,.,--..-w.-t5...,-,ANL.-c-,.- ,-.--..-ffm, 3, . .-.,.-..,.,.-.-.-f--f-a-.-,...N..,.,. N,.,.,,.,..-..f...-.,..x-P..- f-.-X-, aa h.-, ,.,.,,,, ,, , N, 7 ' -'N --fx-ye -N-Av.-.. .. .....--....,w-.Ave-.-f-,.... . wx- --X-,Q --- V .....-.ffl-v-..-.-.-. M-wa-,-v-M.-,fy:.l.:1.:31,.:1LI,7':,.,.7,l,,3-5,111,323-51.3, 9-50- .,.....-...--.- -.... 5. ..... ,..':f1 ,,. :nz-T. .,'5?-'.:'xa2r::x1.r::at:L': n...:-z:1':- '--- - '--I-' - '---'- -- --- - ' -' K