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 3
The BISMARCK SEA had been sunk in this same area by torpedoes from enemy aircraft about dusk 21 February. The only hazard to TG 52.2.1 consisted of numerous enemy mines drifting in the operating area.
During the early stages of the engagement light winds made plane landing difficult. Consequently, there were some flight deck crashes resulting in material damage without injury to personnel. Except for two comparatively short periods when changes of front took place and caused low ceilings and reduced visibility over the target, the visibility averaged about ten miles. Adverse weather did not at any time prevent the accomplishment of the mission assigned.
During the early part of the Iwo Jima operations there was sporadic but intense AA fire over the target. On one occasion the Squadron Commander of VC-90 returned aboard from his assignment of Air Coordinator with his fighter plane so badly damaged that it had to be jettisoned. One torpedo plane piloted by Lieutenant (j.g.) Jack F. Bloomer (A2), U.S.N.R., carrying two crewmen and a Marine Observer, Captain Warren W. Wright, U.S.M.C.R., Fifth Amphibious Marine Corps, was shot down over the eastern edge of the island. All occupants lost their lives when the plane crashed into the water. This was the only fatal crash in the Composite Squadron NINETY during the Iwo Jima operation.
The only failure in the flight deck equipment during the operation occurred in the catapult when the cross head control valve cut-off linkage mechanism became slightly out of adjustment and resulted in a blow-by in the atmospheric tank. This casualty was remedied in a few hours without disrupting the flight schedule.
At the conclusion of the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima Composite Squadron NINETY had flown a total of 2223 hours, included 191 strikes over Iwo Jima and 12 strikes over Chichi Jima, 174 flights on combat air patrol over the target and 69 antisubmarine patrols in the objective area, 204 sorties on local combat air patrol and 91 sorties on local antisubmarine patrol around own formation. The squadron had expended 457 one-hundred pound bombs, 30 two-hundred-fifty pound bombs, 154 five-hundred pound bombs, 1001 HVAR 5" rockets, 8 Napalm bombs and 56,400 rounds of .50 cal. ammunition. Targets damaged included air strips, hangar areas, barracks, pill boxes, AA positions, radar stations, trucks and troops.
The Lingayen Invasion had paved the way by giving the ship and its squadron its first acid taste of combat duty; in the Iwo Jima assault the Air Department took its first long step toward maturity. The pilots and flight deck crews began to perform like veterans. The catapult interval had dropped to an average of fifty seconds. Most evolutions were performed with clockwork precision and timing as a result of experience gained since operations were conducted off Luzon. The ship was ready for the next assignment, the occupation of Okinawa.
The STEAMER BAY was detached from Task Unit 52.2.1 and departed the Iwo Jima area for Leyte in the Philippines on 7 March, in company with the EDMONDS (DE406) and the HELM (DD388), in compliance with despatch orders from commander Task Force FIFTY-ONE, (OTC, Commanding Officer, STEAMER BAY). The following day this task unit joined TU 50.7.1 consisting of the ANZIO (CVE 57), DALY (DD519), R. F. KELLER (DE419), O. MITCHELL (DE417), M.R. NAUMAN (DE416) TABBERER (DE418), and the L. C. TAYLOR ( DE415). Commander Destroyer Squadron TEWNTY-FOUR (Captain Edward C. Young, U.S.N.) in DALY then became OTC and CTU, except during actual flight operations, when the duties of OTC were delegated to the ANZIO.
The passage to Leyte was uneventful. The STEAMER BAY and ANZIO alternated in providing routine combat air patrols and antisubmarine patrols over the formation. Antiaircraft test firing of the 5" gun was conducted en route. Task Unit 50.7.1 was dissolved on 11 March and the ship anchored in San Pedro Bay, Leyte the next day.
Except for two days of underway training for the forthcoming Okinawa Gunto engagement, the STEAMER BAY remained at anchor for routine and essential repairs to the boilers and main engines, and the replenishment of stores, provisions, fuel and ammunition. The aircraft of Composite Squadron NINETY were temporarily based at Guiuan, Samar in order to participate in rehearsals of the Okinawa operation. They were landed aboard on 19 March at the completion of the brief air training period underway. Adverse weather conditions had caused the cancellation of many of the air exercises. The Commanding Officer of the STEAMER BAY was the acting CTU 51.13.3 from the time this unit was formed on 15 March until relieved by Captain J. V. Peterson in the SANTEE on his arrival 24 March.
One L-4 and two L-5 Army type observation and spotting aircraft with three pilots and three observers were loaded at Leyte. It was necessary to disassemble the wings of these planes to avoid crowding the hangar deck area required for operating the aircraft regularly attached to the ship. Twenty tons of emergency air delivery supplies for Marines in the field were also loaded, with a maintenance crew of four enlisted Marines.
The ship got underway from Leyte for the Okinawa Area on 27 March as part of TU 51.13.3. Three days later this task unit was dissolved and became part of TU 51.11.3 (Rear Admiral W. D. Sample, U.S.N. in the SUWANEE (CVE27) OTC). While en route to the objective area the CVE's provided air cover for the transport groups, although many flights had to be cancelled because of high winds, rough seas and reduced visibility.
In one instance it was necessary to cancel scheduled TBM flights for the remainder of the day when the catapult tow cable parted at the socket joint in the middle of the afternoon of 31 March. Since it had been impossible to obtain a spare cable in the forward area, the ship had no spare. Admiral Sample very graciously provided a spare cable from his flagship, even after one spare cable from another ship had been lost overboard while trying to transfer it from one of the escort vessels.
There was a shadow of gloom over the STEAMER BAY until the spare cable was obtained, for without a catapult the ship would have been seriously handicapped. The catapult crew worked all night and had the catapult ready for the operations at dawn the next day. Thereafter, the catapult functioned like a Swiss watch for the entire Okinawa Campaign.
On 31 March, the day before the landings on Okinawa, TU 51.11.3 was dissolved upon leaving the transport groups, to become TU 52.1.1 (Rear Admiral C. A. F. Sprague in FANSHAW BAY, CTU). The MAKIN ISLAND (CVE93) CTG 52.1'S (Rear Admiral C. T. DURGIN, U.S.N.) flagship was also in this unit. Direct support groups over the landing area, antisubmarine and combat air patrols (both local and at the target) were launched according to schedule. The long awaited landings on Okinawa had begun.
Throughout this engagement the STEAMER BAY operated either with CVE Group ONE, TWO or THREE, except for the periods of ammunition replenishment at Kerama Retto or fuel replenishment from the oilers in the fueling areas. The CVE's were usually refueled about every nine days.
Later in the Okinawa Campaign the operating CVE's were given a rotation of duty in providing air cover for the Logistics Replenishment Group. This duty usually lasted about nine days. The flight schedule was less strenuous than at the objective ad thereby gave the pilots a chance for a well earned rest.
On 2 April (L - 1 Day) the Army observation planes embarked at Leyte were flown with their pilots and observers to the captured air strip on IE SHIMA for the duty with the 419th and 420th FA Groups. The emergency air delivery items were never called for by the Marines ashore, so this gear, with the four maintenance men, was transferred in Kerama Retto to the CHANDELEUR (AV10) when there was no further need for it.
April 2 was marked by two other events in the history of the STEAMER BAY. In the afternoon Ensign Robert J. Unversay, (A1), 363593, U.S.N.R., while taking a wave-off after a faulty approach in the FM-2 he was flying, "spun in" off the port quarter. The INGRAHAM (DD694) made an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the pilot, who sunk with the plane.
Dr. George Sullivan VC-90
Photo Compilments of John Cato
Sign My Guestbook 
View My Guestbook
Like my page? Let me know! All feedback is welcome.
Next Page