The history of the U.S.S. New York, BB-34

The U.S.S. New York, whose career spans a thirty-one year period embracing a volume of tradition which might well be the envy of any ship of the Fleet and whose name has been borne of six vessels of the United States Navy through 170 years of naval history, has the unique distinction of having played a noteworthy role in two world wars.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1164/thumbnail.jp

Straddled: A short history of the U.S.S. Fanshaw Bay

THE U.S.S. Fanshaw Bay (CVE 70) was commissioned December 9, 1943, at Astoria, Oregon, less than seven months after the keel was laid by Kaiser Company in Vancouver, Washington. Named for a bay in Southeastern Alaska, she is the first Naval vessel to bear that name. Like other Casablanca class escort carriers, the Fanshaw Bay was built from designs never intended for a combat vessel, yet she carried her crew through the longest operational period sustained by any escort carrier. Dedication Wherever the Fanshaw Bay shall sail again in the reminiscences of her old crew, she will carry with her the memory of those gallant men who have answered their last call to flight quarters. To the twenty-four men killed in action and to the fourteen missing airmen this history of the Fannie Bee is humbly dedicated.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1142/thumbnail.jp

Log of the U.S.S. General Leroy Eltinge (AP-154)

From The Ship and Her Travels On February 21st, 1945, the General Leroy Eltinge was comissioned at San Francisco. When we fell in on top of Hatch No. 5 for the ceremony, the band was playing and visitors were gathered in the 20mm. gun tubs. The ship was presented to Captain Wakefield and he replied with a short speech of thanks. After the chaplain gave the benediction, the commissioning pennant was run up. We were through with ceremony and ready for work. There was plenty of that -- we went across the bay and loaded stores for 48 backbreaking hours in an all hands evolution. During the days that followed there was much to be done to get things squared away in readiness for the shakedown cruise. At last, on March 4th, we got underway for San Pedro. On the way down we held speed runs, gunnery exercises, and dozens of other tests to find out everything we could about our new ship. And everything went well. After we reached San Pedro we went out for more gunnery exercises and for simulated strafing attacks and things still went well. We were ready for sea.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1146/thumbnail.jp

U.S.S. Herald of the Morning (AP-173)

From U.S.S. Herald of the Morning Log The U.S.S. Herald of the Morning built for the Maritime Commission as a C-2 cargo ship, and converted by the Navy into a medium-sized transport, spent most of her time as a Naval auxiliary in Pacific theatre amphibious operations during the war. This ship engaged in five amphibious operations, several re-enforcement runs into forward areas and was under enemy attack frequently but successfully eluded damage. Since the cessation of hostilities the Herald operated as part of the Magic Carpet and the Naval Transportation Service, evacuating Army and Navy personnel from the Pacific areas and carrying replacements to forward stations. Built by the Moore Drydock and Shipbuilding Company of Oakland, Calif., in the summer of 1943, she was named for the American sailing ship Herald of the Morning which was famous on both oceans in the second half of the 19th century as a fast and beautiful medium clipper. The new Herald made one trip to the Hawaiian Islands as a merchant cargo vessel before being taken over early in 1944 by the Navy for conversion into an auxiliary transport.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1145/thumbnail.jp

Air Attack on Japanese Carriers Kagi and Akagi, Midway Battle

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Log of the U.S.S. Richard P. Leary

At 1500 February 23, 1944, the U.S.S. Richard P. Leary (DD-664) was placed in commission by Captain R. C. Grady, USN (Ret.), in Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts. Commander Frederic S. Habecker, USN assumed command. This vessel was named for the late Rear Admiral Richard P. Leary, USN and was built at the Navy Yard, Boston Massachusetts, the keel having been laid on 4 July 1943. The launching took place on 6 October 1943.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1205/thumbnail.jp

U.S.S. Ticonderoga war log, 8 May 1944 to 5 October 1945

Introductory Note World War II is now history. Volumes will be written about it, covering every phase of strategy, politics, logistics. Generals, admirals, prime ministers, presidents, and historians will all have their say. But for those of us who served aboard the Ticonderoga, the war was Reveille at 0315 -- mail call 7000 miles from home -- a TBM in the drink -- two cans of beer on beautiful Mog Mog -- basketball on the hangar deck -- and 21 January 1945. The simple purpose of this book is to preserve in pictorial form the scenes, the events, and the memories of the part played by our ship and our shipmates.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1201/thumbnail.jp

U.S.S. Benson DD-421 : 1940-1946

From The Log of the U.S.S. Benson DD-421 The U.S.S. Benson (DD-421), is one a class of thirty-two destroyers, known as Benson Class of 1937-1940. The Benson is one of thirty destroyers built to Bethlehem-prepared plans. The Benson is named for Admiral William S. Benson, U.S.N., and was built at the Bethlehem Steel Company Plant, Quincy, Massachusetts -- authorized March 27, 1934; keel laid May 16, 1938; launched November 15, 1939 and first commissioned July 25, 1940. Some of the characteristics of the Benson class are: square funnel caps and bases; uneven height of stacks. Destroyers of this class are ten tons lighter and eight inches narrower than destroyers of a later class, known as the Livermore type; otherwise they are similar. Both classes have four high-pressure boilers, geared turbines and twin screws. Cruising range exceeds 9,000 miles at 15 knots. The Benson class, DD-421 to DD-428 were originally armed with five 5-inch-38\u27s, and ten tubes. A few still carry ten tubes. Light armor protects bridges and controls in all newer destroyers. Little has been written of the part that destroyers played in World War II, where they were called on to fulfill such a variety of missions that they were multi-purpose ships, engaging in any form of combat. Because we lacked suitable escort ships, destroyers were used to protect convoys, as well as to guard our combatant Task Forces. Destroyers were used to bombard enemy shore positions, and to carry bombs and aviation gasoline, and stores to Guadalcanal during the lean weeks, early in the campaign in those far-distant seas. By nature as well as by name, the purpose of the destroyer is wholly offensive Bantamweights in comparison with the great battlewagons, they pack a punch out of proportion to their size. They are triple-threat weapons, built to strike at the enemy on or over or under the sea. They are the fightingest things afloat.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1157/thumbnail.jp

Service record of the 145th Naval Construction Battalion, 1943-1944-1945

This book is uploaded into two parts to accommodate quicker download rates. From A Batt is Born (the book\u27s introduction): As the sunrise dispersed the chill early morning mists from over Camp Peary, Virginia, on the morning of 15 November, 1943, a momentous event was in the making. Old Doc Stork circled thru B-10 area, hopped into Replacement, dipped thru Ship\u27s Company area, and laboriously dumped his mountainous load with a resounding thud into Area A-7. The 145th Naval Construction Battalion was born. Little did the infant suspect the experiences on the long rough road ahead of it ... a journey that would occupy two years and would take it to Japan\u27s front door and back. And so it was with a naive and strictly Gl Here Sir that we answered our first muster at Camp Peary. It was with the enthusiasm of the uninitiated that we marched to the trains in tempo with a band, and set out on November 20, 1943.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1186/thumbnail.jp

90th USN Construction Battalion; its history and accomplishments, 1943-1945

The 90th U. S. Naval Construction Battalion was born at Camp Peary, Virginia on the twenty-fifth day of July, nineteen hundred forty-three, in the blistering hot sun, as those who were there will well remember. As an indication of what was to come later the sun, in all its glory, was appropriate; for the battalion, on its tour of duty in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, has scarcely ever found the smallest amount of shade! From Peary to lwo Jima and V-J Day our stirring saga runs. The inevitable triumph of Allied arms found us deep within the shattered inner perimeter of the Land of the Setting Sun. This, The History and Achievements of the 90th United States Naval Construction Battalion, is our LOG.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1053/thumbnail.jp