U.S.S. STEAMER BAY (CVE-87)
This page is dedicated to all who served on and from the U.S.S. Steamer Bay
4 December 1943 - 28 September 1945
War History, U.S.S. STEAMER BAY
Page 2
Morale:
During the first few months of operation as a transport carrier the morale of the Air Department was not as high as desirable. The flight operations in the Hawaiian Area in August, even though far from combat nature, were a great stimulus. The morale and physical contentment of the ship's company were maintained at high levels by:
(a) A continuous training program which kept everyone busy during uneventful cruising between operations.
(b) An excellent commissary department.
(c) General allotment of time and facilities to organized and impromptu physical exercise and sport aboard ship and at recreation beaches.
(d) A daily summary of news including local and world wide war summaries, U.S. domestic news and ship's activities, presented in the style of a professional radio program.
USS Steamer Bay at Manus
Photo courtesy of Thomas Dougherty
On 5 November 1944 the STEAMER BAY departed from Ulithi Atoll in the Western Caroline Islands for Pearl Harbor, in company with the U.S.S. NASSAU, U.S.S. TENNESSEE and three screening vessels consisting of the destroyers, BACHE, BEALE, and MULLANY. On 10 November the STEAMER BAY was detached from the formation to proceed at best possible speed to Pearl Harbor, in accordance with dispatch orders from the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet.
The ship moored at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard on 15 November to commence a six day availability period for cleaning boilers, and accomplishing urgent repairs and alterations. During this time the Air Department was augmented with additional personnel and equipment necessary for becoming a combat carrier.
The ship's first squadron, Composite Squadron NINETY, consisting of 49 officers and 53 enlisted men in command of Lieutenant Commander Robert A. O'Neill, U.S.N., reported aboard for duty on 23 November, 1944. The ship got underway on 24 November for a four day air training period in the Hawaiian Area, during which time Composite Squadron NINETY made 34 catapult launchings, 119 fly-away launchings and 163 landings. The air exercises included radar intercept problems, rocket firing, and 34 night landings. The night landings were successful in every instance except one, in which a TBM crashed on landing and went over the port side without injury to the pilot.
Click on the picture for a larger image (121kb)
Photo compliments of Jim Kirkpatrick
Upon completion of the air operations the ship returned to Pearl Harbor and was inspected on 28 November by an inspection board from the Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet, consisting of Senior Member, Captain R. E. Jennings, U.S.N., various staff officers of the Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet, and assisting officers from the U.S.S. BATAAN. As a result of this inspection the STEAMER BAY was deemed to be in all respects ready for duty as a combat carrier. Nevertheless, this vessel's first experience as a combat carrier in the Lingayen Gulf Operations later revealed that the period of air training had been too short to embark on its first mission as a full fledged combat carrier. The commanding officer and the Task Unit commander displayed remarkable perseverance and patience in their understanding and realization in the shortcomings of the inexperienced Air Department personnel.
The ship got underway on 5 December for Seeadler Harbor, Manus Island, in company with the Kitkun Bay (OTC), the EDMONDS (DE406), and the BUTLER (DE339). Upon arrival on 17 December, the commanding officer reported to duty to CTG 77.4 (Rear Admiral C. T. Durgin, U.S.N., in U.S.S. MAKIN ISLAND) for assignment to Task Unit 77.4.2 (Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump, U.S.N. in U.S.S. NATOMA BAY).
While anchored in Seeadler Harbor, the ship's present commanding officer, Captain Joe B. Paschal, U.S.N. reported aboard for duty on 24 December as relief for Captain Steadman Teller, U.S.N. However, in view of the impending Lingayen Gulf Operations, the actual transfer of command did not take place until the ship anchored in Mangarin Bay at the southern tip of Mindoro Island on 21 January 1945 for replenishment of fuel and ammunition. Captain Teller bid farewell and the new commanding officer got the ship underway about dark in a strange harbor during an air attack on the adjacent Mindoro beach. That night the Chaplain said a prayer for the safety of the "STEAMER MARU" and its gallant crew. As may be seen later, the prayer paid dividends.
During the Lingayen Gulf Invasion the ship participated as part of Task Unit 77.4.2, consisting of the escort carriers, NATOMA BAY (Flagship), OMMANEY BAY, MANILA BAY, WAKE ISLAND, SAVO ISLAND, and STEAMER BAY. The mission of this task unit was to provide air cover and support while escorting major fleet units until the objective area was reached, and then to provide combat air patrol, anti-submarine patrol, fighter sweeps, bombing and rocket missions and direct air support to the San Fabian (Northern) attack forces.
While en route to the objective area through the Sulu and South China Seas the Tank unit was subjected to numerous air attacks by Japanese suicide planes. The OMMANEY BAY was sunk just two hours after she had exchanged stations with the STEAMER BAY; the MANILA BAY and SAVO ISLAND were damaged. Fortunately, thanks to the screen and the own ship's gunfire, the STEAMER BAY came through unscathed, despite several very persistent Kamikazes who attacked on the starboard bow and port quarter. Gunfire from the STEAMER BAY accounted for the destruction of two enemy planes.
Action on January 5, 1945 shows the Steamer Bay under
attack with a kamikaze shown flying past her stern
NavSource Online:Escort Carrier Photo Archive
In the Lingayen Gulf Invasion the ship's only squadron flew a total of 1343 hours consisting of 227 sorties over San Fernando, Malasiqui, Rosario, Bagaio, San Manuel, Nangulian and Tarlac, in the area adjoining Lingayen Gulf. 117, 000 rounds of .50 cal. Ammunition, 560 five-inch rockets, 48 three-inch rockets and 71 tons of bombs were released over enemy targets, destroying 1 Val, 24 trucks, 4 light tanks, 4 oil dumps, and damaging 3 bridges, 31 landing barges and 11 light tanks.
Lingayen Gulf served as a proving ground for the STEAMER BAY and Composite Squadron NINETY, of which few personnel had had very little experience beyond operations training. In the squadron only the Squadron Commander, two other pilots and one enlisted man had had any previous combat experience. The ship's Air Officer had gained practically all of his carrier experience aboard this ship. The STEAMER BAY was the Landing Signal Officer's first assignment. Several barrier crashes occurred in the early part of the operation. There were delays in flight deck procedure. The tour of duty as a transport carrier and the short period of indoctrination as a combat carrier were a serious handicap. Although there was definite improvement as the operation progressed, the Lingayen Operation proved that a longer period of indoctrination was necessary before sending a new carrier and squadron on a combat mission of such magnitude.
PO3/c Stevison on the left, William F. Frothingham, Ens.AV(N) in the middle, and PO3/c Jones on the right.
Photo compliments of Ens. Frothingham's brother.
The Allied Air Forces assumed responsibility for air cover over the Lingayen Area on 17 January, and the Seventh Fleet was relieved. The STEAMER BAY then became part of Task Group 77.4 (Rear Admiral Felix F. Stump in NATOMA BAY, OTC) whose mission was to operate with the Luzon Covering Group (Task Group 77.3, Read Admiral R. S. Berkey, U.S.N.) to engage any surface forces Japan might send to aid her beleaguered forces on Luzon. No enemy air or surface forces were encountered.
From 29 to 31 January the STEAMER BAY, in company with Task Group 77.4 provided air cover for the amphibious invasion at San Felipe and San Antonio in the Zambales Province of Southwest Luzon, the object of which was the capture of Subic Bay and the isolation of Bataan Peninsula. No enemy air activity was encountered.
Upon completion of landing operations in Zambales Province on 31 January the ship departed with Task Group 77.4 for Ulithi, and anchored there on 5 February. Thus came to an end the operation in the Philippines, as far as the STEAMER BAY was concerned.
The next operation in which the STEAMER BAY participated was that involving the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima. The Commanding Officer reported for duty to the CTU 52.2.1 (Rear Admiral C. A. F. Sprague, U.S. Navy in the NATOMA BAY (CVE62)) on 8 February 1945, in compliance with dispatch orders from the Commander Fifth Fleet.
Logistic replenishment, except for bombs and rockets which were later loaded at Saipan, was completed on 9 February. On 10 February the ship sortied from Ulithi Atoll with Task Group 52.2 (Rear Admiral C. T. Durgin, U.S. Navy in MAKIN ISLAND (CVE93)), which consisted of Task Units 52.2.1, 52.2.2, and 52.2.3. The STEAMER BAY, PETROF BAY, WAKE ISLAND, SARGENT BAY, and NATOMA BAY comprised Task Unit 52.2.1. Throughout Iwo Jima engagement the STEAMER BAY operated with the task unit to which she was originally assigned, although the assignment of the other vessels in this task unit changed from time to time as the tactical situation required.
On 12 and 13 February air support activities were rehearsed over the beaches of Southwestern Tinian in the Marianas. Bombs and rockes were loaded at Saipan, and on 14 February the Task Unit proceeded north en route to the assigned operating area about fifty miles west of Iwo Jima, arriving there on 16 February, three days before the planned amphibious invasion of that island.
The specific mission of Task Group 52.2 until D Day was the neutralization of possible staging bases for enemy surface craft and aircraft in the islands of the Nanpo Shoto group north of the objective area. Thereafter, TG 52.2 was to provide air cover and air attacks in direct support of the landings and troop operations in the conquest of Iwo Jima. Air cover over the ships of the Task Group and the Gunfire and Covering Force was also provided.
Air operations were conducted as scheduled without interruption by any serious threat of enemy counter-measures, except for a few large raids by enemy aircraft from the north during the nights of 24 and 25 February when the ship was operation with TG 52.2.1 in the general area northeast of Iwo Jima to intercept any enemy air raids approaching from that quarter. Although these raids approached within about five miles of the formation and the engines could be heard by personnel topside, they did not attack.
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