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 4
At 2130 in the evening of 2 April the Commanding Officer and OCD sighted the fluorescent wake of a torpedo approaching the ship on the starboard quarter. An immediate emergency left evaded the torpedo, which was seen to pass parallel to the ship so close aboard that it disappeared under the overhang of the flight deck catwalks.
VC-90 (click for larger image)
The first enemy plane to be shot down by Composite Squadron NINETY is credited to the Squadron Commander, Lieutenant Commander R. S. O'Neill, U.S.N. This event took place on 11 April while his flight, on combat air patrol over the formation, was vectored northwest. The plane was identified as a JUDY. Minutes later another fighter in the same direction flamed a second JUDY which vainly attempted a suicide dive on a friendly destroyer. The next day Ensign E. W. Dutton, (A1), U.S.N.R. shot down a VAL carrying a BAKA bomb between its landing gear. On 28 April, Lieutenant H. H. Epes, (A1), U.S.N.R. (Executive Officer of VC-90), Lieutenant R. P. Oleson, (A1), U.S.N.R. and Ensign C. C. Ong, (A1), U.S.N.R. each accounted for a ZEKE.
For Composite Squadron NINETY air operations in direct support of the Okinawa Campaign ended about noon 7 May when the STEAMER BAY was detached to provide air cover for the Fifth Fleet Logistics and Support Group (TG 50.8) in command of Rear Admiral D. B. Beary, U.S.N. Rendezvous was made with this group about noon the following day. From then until relieved by the LUNGA POINT on 26 May the ship provided antisubmarine and combat air patrols for protection of the oilers. Compared with air attacks on Okinawa, this duty was not very exciting from the viewpoint of the pilots, but conducting flight operations within the screen of the large compact formation provided very interesting experience in independent ship maneuvering.
Liberty party returns to the USS Casablanca (CVE-55) from Rara Island, off Pitylieu Isand, Manus.
April 19, 1945. By PhoM1c R. W. Mowday
The tour of duty on the STEAMER BAY by Composite Squadron NINETY ended when the ship arrived in Apra Harbor on 30 May for interim docking in the floating drydock, the U.S.S. ABSD-6, essential repairs to the main engines and replenishment of logistics. Composite Squadron NINETY was relieved on the same day by Composite Squadron NINETY-THREE in command of Lieutenant Commander C. P. Smith, U.S.N. VC-90 boarded the PETROF BAY for passage to the United States for a well deserved period of leave, rehabilitation and reassignment.
Composite Squadron NINETY'S contribution to the Okinawa Campaign consisted of the destruction of four enemy aircraft in the air and general destruction of air strips, dispersal areas, barges, revetments, barracks, vehicles and caves on Okinawa and Ie Shima. The squadron flew a total of 3864 hours, 251 attacks against assigned targets on Okinawa, 232 sorties on fighter patrols over the target, 428 sorties on local fighter patrols and 283 local antisubmarine patrols. Ammunition expended consisted of 3051-5" rockets, 99-5" HVAR rockets, 1467 - 100 lb. AN-M30 G.P. bombs, 95 - 100 lb. AN-M64 G.P. bombs, 30 - 250 lb. AN-M57 G.P. bombs, 37 Napalm bombs, 150,000 rounds of .50 cal. ammunition and 30,000 rounds of .30 cal. ammunition.
In compliance with orders from the Commander, Mariannas the ship got underway from Guam on 10 June in company with the BROWN (DD546) to report for duty to CTU 32.1.3 (The Fifth Fleet had been redesignated the Third Fleet) in the vicinity of Okinawa. AA gunnery firing exercises were conducted after clearing the port. Local fighter and submarine patrols were maintained while en route.
The STEAMER BAY joined TU 32.1.3 (CTU Rear Admiral W. D. Sample, U.S.N., Commander Carrier Division 22 in SUWANNEE) in the operating area east of Miyako Jima about two o'clock in the morning of 14 June. Other CVE's in the unit were the FANSHAW BAY (Rear Admiral E. W. Litch, U.S.N., Commander Carrier Division 26), BLOCK ISLAND (Rear Admiral E. Ketcham, U.S.N., Commander Carrier Division 27), MANILA BAY, SHIPLEY BAY and GILBERT ISLANDS. This Task Unit had been assigned to the neutralization of enemy air bases in ASKISHIMA GUNTO. It was believed that the Japanese had been using the air fields in this group of islands as spring boards for their attacks on our troops and ships at OKINAWA and KERAMA RETTO. Accordingly, the pilots were briefed for attacks on targets on MIYAKO and ISHIGAKI.
During the week of air operations over targets in Sakijima Gunto the pilots found the AA fire sporadic, but very intense and accurate. One flight could fly low over Miyako for close scrutiny of targets without drawing a single burst of AA fire, whereas the planes of the next flight over the same area would all return with flak holes in them. In some cases one or two would not return. Three fighters and one pilot were lost through AA fire. On the last day the Squadron Commander was shot down for his second time (first time while attached to the PETROF BAY) and rescued by a lifeguard submarine (HACKLEBACK (SS295)), where he remained for about three weeks until the submarine was relieved on station to proceed to Guam.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Dougherty
The pilots of Composite Squadron NINETY-THREE were a well seasoned group of experienced combat veterans. They had established a good record while attached to the PETROF BAY before being transferred to the STEAMER BAY. They were jolly, rough and ready, and not afraid to press home their attacks. Moreover, they were inspired by the indomitable courage and fortitude of the Squadron Commander, a patient teacher and very capable leader. This squadron had rocket-equipped FM-2 type fighters, having been one of the first to receive FM-2's so equipped.
During air operations against SAKISHIMA GUNTO Composite Squadron NINETY-THREE flew a total of 1406 hours consisting of 444 sorties of all types, including 137 strikes by fighters and 91 torpedo planes, 3 photographic missions, 121 local combat air patrols and 92 local antisubmarine patrols. Ammunition expended included 87-500 lb. Bombs, 566 - 100 lb. Bombs, 1333 - 5" H. E. rockets and 153,840 rounds on .50 cal. Machine gun ammunition. Targets destroyed included two aircraft on the ground, dispersal areas, runways, gun positions, vehicles, barges and troops. For his leadership, skill, courage, and gallantry in the SAKISHIMA GUNTO neutralization the Commanding Officer of the STEAMER BAY recommended the Squadron Commander for the Silver Star Medal. Lieutenant (j.g.) J. M. Wells, (A1), U.S.N.R., the squadron photographic pilot, was recommended for the Navy Cross for his excellent photographic work and devotion to duty in the face of intense, accurate enemy AA fire.
For the period of the Sakishima Gunto operation Rear Admiral Sample was in command of TU 32.1.3 until his departure in the SUWANNEE on 16 June, at which time that function was transferred to Rear Admiral E. W. Litch, U.S.N., (Commander Carrier Division 26) in the FANSHAW BAY. On 20 June TU 32.1.3 was dissolved and this ship became part of TU 32.1.1 in command of Rear Admiral H. M. Martin, U.S.N., (Commander Carrier Division 23) in the HOGGATT BAY. On 22 June the STEAMER BAY and SHIPLEY BAY were detached to proceed in company with the escort vessels, DENNIS (DE405) and TILIS (DE748), en route to Ulithi, Captain A. W. Wheelock, U.S.N. in SHIPLEY BAY OTC. The ship anchored in Ulithi Harbor on 26 June, and the Commanding Officer reported for duty to CTG 30.8, Rear Admiral D. B. Barry, U.S.N. in DETROIT.
For the next operation the STEAMER BAY was to operate with the Fifth Fleet Logistics Support Group (TG 30.8) in the fueling areas off the coast of Japan. At this stage of the war Japanese surface ships were becoming far and few between, but the tempo of the Kamikaze attacks had increase, in one last desperate attempt to save the Empire from her inevitable fate. Consequently, the ship very wisely decided to transfer the torpedoes to anyone who would take them. There had been a directive to remove them, but the problem lay in finding someone to receive them. At last, the Marine unit on the island of FALOLAP agreed to take them.
On 3 July, 1945 the ship got underway with the Logistics Support Group for operations in support of the Fifth Fleet against Japan. This operation was to be a bold venture. It took the STEAMER BAY closer to the mainland of Japan than any other CVE had ever been before. It culminated in the beginning of the end of Japan. The STEAMER BAY's task was to provide air cover for the fuel, supply and ammunition ships.
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