USS Kitkun Bay

USS Kitkun Bay underway, 10 February 1944
History
United States
Name	Kitkun Bay
Namesake	Kitkun Bay, Prince of Wales Island
Ordered	as a Type S4-S2-BB3 hull, MCE hull 1108
Awarded	18 June 1942
Builder	Kaiser Shipyards
Laid down	3 May 1943
Launched	8 November 1943
Commissioned	15 December 1943
Decommissioned	19 April 1946
Stricken	1 April 1960
Identification	Hull symbol: CVE-71
Honors and awards	6 Battle stars, a Presidential Unit Citation for conduct during the Battle off Samar
Fate	Sold for scrap, 18 November 1946
General characteristics
Class and type	Casablanca-class escort carrier
Displacement	8,188 long tons (8,319 t) (standard) 10,902 long tons (11,077 t) (full load)
Length	512 ft 3 in (156.13 m) (oa) 490 ft (150 m) (wl) 474 ft (144 m) (fd)
Beam	65 ft 2 in (19.86 m) 108 ft (33 m) (extreme width)
Draft	20 ft 9 in (6.32 m) (max)
Installed power	4 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers 9,000 shp (6,700 kW)
Propulsion	2 × Skinner Unaflow reciprocating steam engines 2 × screws
Speed	19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Range	10,240 nmi (18,960 km; 11,780 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement	Total: 910 – 916 officers and men Embarked Squadron: 50 – 56 Ship's Crew: 860
Armament	As designed: 1 × 5 in (127 mm)/38 cal dual-purpose gun 8 × 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors anti-aircraft guns 12 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannons Varied, ultimate armament: 1 × 5 in (127 mm)/38 cal gun 8 × twin 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors anti-aircraft guns 30 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannons
Aircraft carried	27
Aviation facilities	1 × catapult 2 × elevators
Service record
Part of:	United States Pacific Fleet (1944-1946)
Operations:	Mariana and Palau Islands campaign Philippines campaign Battle off Samar Invasion of Lingayen Gulf Operation Magic Carpet

USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) was the seventeenth of fifty Casablanca-class escort carrier built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was named after Kitkun Bay, located on the southeastern end of Prince of Wales Island, which constituted part of the Alexander Archipelago, within the Territory of Alaska. She was launched in November 1943, commissioned in December, and she served in the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign and the Battle off Samar, part of the Philippines campaign. Post-war, she participated in Operation Magic Carpet, repatriating U.S. servicemen from around the Pacific. She was decommissioned in April 1946, and sold for scrapping in November. Ultimately, she was broken up in early 1947.

Design and description

A profile of the design of Takanis Bay, which was shared with all Casablanca-class escort carriers.

Main article: Casablanca-class escort carrier

Kitkun Bay was a Casablanca-class escort carrier, the most numerous type of aircraft carriers ever built, and designed specifically to be mass-produced using prefabricated sections, in order to replace heavy early war losses. Standardized with her sister ships, she was 512 ft 3 in (156.13 m) long overall, had a beam of 65 ft 2 in (19.86 m), and a draft of 20 ft 9 in (6.32 m). She displaced 8,188 long tons (8,319 t) standard, 10,902 long tons (11,077 t) with a full load. She had a 257 ft (78 m) long hangar deck and a 477 ft (145 m) long flight deck. She was powered with two Skinner Unaflow reciprocating steam engines, which drove two shafts, providing 9,000 horsepower (6,700 kW), thus enabling her to make 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph). The ship had a cruising range of 10,240 nautical miles (18,960 km; 11,780 mi) at a speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). Her compact size necessitated the installment of an aircraft catapult at her bow, and there were two aircraft elevators to facilitate movement of aircraft between the flight and hangar deck: one each fore and aft.

One 5 in (127 mm)/38 caliber dual-purpose gun was mounted on the stern. Anti-aircraft defense was provided by eight Bofors 40 mm (1.6 in) anti-aircraft guns in single mounts, as well as twelve Oerlikon 20 mm (0.79 in) cannons, which were mounted around the perimeter of the deck. By the end of the war, Casablanca-class carriers had been modified to carry thirty 20 mm (0.79 in) cannons, and the amount of Bofors 40 mm (1.6 in) guns had been doubled to sixteen, by putting them into twin mounts. These modifications were in response to increasing casualties due to kamikaze attacks. Casablanca-class escort carriers were designed to carry 27 aircraft, but the hangar deck could accommodate more. During the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, she carried 12 FM-2 fighters, and 8 TBM-1C torpedo bombers, for a total of 20 aircraft. However, during the Philippines campaign and Battle off Samar, she carried 16 FM-2 fighters and 12 TBM-1C torpedo bombers for a total of 28 aircraft. During the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, she carried 15 FM-2 fighters, 10 TBM-3 torpedo bombers, along with two reconnaissance planes, an FM-2P and a TBM-3P.

Construction

Her construction was awarded to Kaiser Shipbuilding Company, Vancouver, Washington, under a Maritime Commission contract, Mc Hull 1108, on 18 June 1942. She was laid down on 3 May 1943 under the name Kitkun Bay, under Frank Knox's directive naming escort carriers for "sounds, bays, and islands". She was laid down as MC hull 1108, the seventeenth of a series of fifty Casablanca-class escort carriers. She was launched on 8 November 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Francis E. Cruise; transferred to the Navy and commissioned at Astoria, Oregon on 15 December 1943, with Captain John Perry Whitney in command.

Service history

Upon being commissioned, Kitkun Bay spent the rest of December and early January undergoing outfitting at U.S. Naval Ship Yard Tongue Point, Astoria, Oregon. She then underwent a shakedown cruise down the West Coast, heading to Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. She arrived at San Diego on 22 January, and after spending a week conducting exercises off the Channel Islands, she loaded Marine Torpedo Bomber Squadron (VMTB) 242 on a transport mission bound for the New Hebrides.

Kitkun Bay arrived at Espiritu Santo on 14 February, where she took on a load to cargo, ferrying it to Efate, arriving on 18 February. On her return trip, she stopped at Pearl Harbor on 28 February, arriving back at part in San Diego on 6 March. Throughout March, she conducted pilot qualifications off the southern California coast. During April, she was moored at Naval Base San Diego, where maintenance and repairs were conducted. During this period, Rear Admiral Harold Bushnell Salada, commander of Carrier Division 26, designated Kitkun Bay as his flagship. On 1 May, she left port with her combat aircraft contingent, Composite Squadron (VC) 5 onboard. Joined by her sisters Gambier Bay and Nehenta Bay, she arrived at Ford Island on 8 May, where the carriers conducted training in conjunction with other warships throughout the rest of May.

Mariana and Palau Islands campaign

A Japanese plane is shot down as it attempts to attack Kitkun Bay, June 1944.

On 31 May, Kitkun Bay sallied forth as part of an armada escorting Transport Division 16 towards Saipan of the Mariana Islands. Kitkun Bay, along with the other carriers, launched fighter and antisubmarine patrols. On 8 June, she arrived at Kwajalein Atoll. There, she was assigned to serve as the flagship Task Unit 52.11.1. On 13 June, her fighters notched their first kill, shooting down a Mitsubishi G4M1 variant bomber at 11:05. She arrived off Saipan on 14 June, and her aircraft contingent commenced close air support in support of the landing troops on the following day.

On the afternoon of 18 June, a large formation of Japanese aircraft, estimated at around thirty to fifty planes, was detected approaching from the south. At 17:55, six planes broke through the air screen, and approached the escort carriers. One of these planes, identified as a Nakajima J1N, made a run on Kitkun Bay from her starboard bow. The aircraft was engaged by anti-aircraft fire, but still managed to release its torpedo within 100 yd (91 m) of the carrier. However, due to her hard turn, the torpedo missed Kitkun Bay by about 25 ft (7.6 m). As the plane attempted to pull out, it was further damaged, before nose-dived into the ocean. A second plane also tried to engage the carrier, but it was quickly shot down, splashing down about 300 yd (270 m) off her port quarter.

From 5 to 10 July, Kitkun Bay replenished at Eniwetok of the Marshall Islands. On 23 July, the escort carriers turned their attention towards Tinian, with Kitkun Bay sending sixteen Wildcats and eleven Avengers to strike targets around the island. On 1 August, the escort carriers transitioned towards supporting the landings on Guam. As the marines secured the island, the escort carriers retired for Eniwetok, arriving on 7 August. On 8 August, Rear Admiral Ralph A. Ofstie took over command of Carrier Division 26, and broke his flag on Kitkun Bay. On 8 September, she escorted the landing craft participating in the landings on Peleliu and Angaur of the Palau Islands, providing close air support as they landed on 15 September. On 21 September, the escort carriers withdrew to Ulithi of the Caroline Islands. They then proceeded to Seeadler Harbor on Manus Island of the Admiralty Islands, where they prepared for the planned Philippines campaign. Kitkun Bay left Seeadler Harbor on 12 October as part of an advance contingent, escorting Rear Admiral William Fechteler's Task Group 28.2. She arrived off of Mindanao on 19 October, and commenced operations in support of the landings on Leyte starting on 20 October.

Philippines campaign

Battle off Samar

A view of the flight deck of Kitkun Bay, circa 1944.

At the time of the invasion, Taffy 3, under the command of Rear Admiral Clifton Sprague, consisted of Fanshaw Bay, St. Lo, White Plains, Kalinin Bay, Kitkun Bay, and Gambier Bay, along with an accompanying screen of three destroyers and four destroyer escorts. Rear Admiral Ofstie had responsibility over Kiktun Bay and Gambier Bay, but Sprague had authority over the unit as a whole. As the U.S. fleet gathered off the Philippines, the Japanese garrison on Suluan managed to alert their command. This prompted Admiral Soemu Toyoda to launch Shō-Gō 1, a gambit to defend Japan's access to the oil fields of Southeast Asia. On 18 and 19 October, Taffy 3 conducted strikes against Japanese bases located within Cebu, Negros, and Panay, destroying a total of thirty-eight planes, and damaging twenty-eight more. She then steamed off the island of Samar from 20 to 25 October, providing air support for U.S. forces onshore, and dropping leaflets on Japanese positions. In the meantime, Admiral William Halsey Jr. led his Third Fleet northwards, after spotting Vice Admiral Jisaburō Ozawa's diversionary Northern Force. Thus, the only ships covering the vulnerable landing crafts of Leyte Gulf were the three escort carrier task groups and their screens. Taffy 3, the northmost task group, would bear the brunt of Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita's Center Force as it swung through the San Bernardino Strait.

On the early morning of 25 October, Kurita's Center Force had already crossed the San Bernardino Strait unmolested, and was entering the open waters of the Leyte Gulf. White Plains's radar had possibly spotted the Japanese force maneuvering into position at 3:00, but this information was disregarded by the ship's command. Although World War II era surface radar was notoriously faulty, the speed and course of the spotted blip was consistent with the course set by the Center Force.

At 4:30, the escort carriers went to general quarters in preparation for another round of airstrikes and close air support. The first indication of Japanese contact happened shortly after 6:30, when Taffy 3 experienced three almost simultaneous warnings. Firstly, they began receiving unencrypted Japanese chatter. Secondly, they spotted antiaircraft fire, estimated at 20 mi (32 km) to the north, where there was known to be no Allied surface presence. In fact, an Avenger from St. Lo had stumbled into the midst of the Japanese fleet, and began radioing Rear Admiral Sprague warnings. Thirdly, Fanshaw Bay's radar operators spotted an unmistakable surface signature of unknown surface ships just 18.5 mi (29.8 km) away.

Kitkun Bay prepares to launch Wildcat fighters during the opening maneuvers of the Battle off Samar. In the background, White Plains is coming under heavy fire.

Upon coming to an understanding of the severity of the situation, Sprague ordered Taffy 3 to steam eastward, in hopes of being shielded by a passing rain squall. Kitkun Bay swung to 70°, into the wind to aid in launching planes. At 6:55, Kitkun Bay went to flight quarters, "on the double", launching a set of eight Wildcats from 6:56 to 7:03.. At 7:10, Kitkun Bay sent out six Avengers, each armed with four 500 lb (230 kg) semi-armor piercing bombs. At 7:11, another Wildcat was dispatched. Sprague also radioed for assistance from Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf, the commander of Task Group 77.2, which had just defeated the Southern Force in the Battle of Surigao Strait. Unfortunately for Sprague, Oldendorf was at least three hours sail away, Task Group 77.2 was scattered over an immense distance because of the previous night's battle, and it was low on both fuel and ammunition. Taffy 3 would have to confront the Center Force by itself.

White Plains photographed being straddled by shellfire from the flight deck of Kitkun Bay.

Although Kitkun Bay was located towards the west of the formation, it was shielded by Fanshaw Bay and White Plains, which bore the brunt of the opening salvoes from the Japanese fleet, which at the time was about 16.6 mi (26.7 km) away. The Japanese were firing dye-marked shells to gauge their aim, and Fanshaw Bay and White Plains were quickly bracketed between plumes of color, much to the concern of their command onboard. The officers would certainly be more concerned if they were able to correspond the color of the dyed water to that of a particular Japanese ship, as the pink dyes corresponded to the Japanese battleship Yamato, with its 18 in (460 mm) guns, the largest ever manufactured, and the yellow dyes corresponded to the Japanese battleship Kongo, with its 14 in (360 mm) guns.

As the Japanese fleet approached closer, Kitkun Bay began to jettison some of her armaments at hand, while continuing to frantically emit smoke. At 7:35, Sprague ordered the escort carriers to begin engaging with their 5-inch guns, and by the end of the battle, Kitkun Bay had expended 120 of the 180 rounds available. At 7:59, one of her shells impacted what was possibly a cruiser, starting a fire in the fore. At 8:03, Kitkun Bay launched a further three Wildcats, to join the eight launched earlier. To avoid the Japanese cruisers Chikuma and Tone, the escort carriers set a southwesterly course, which brought Gambier Bay and Kitkun Bay in the crosshairs of the Japanese force.

After Gambier Bay had been thoroughly damaged by shells, setting the ship ablaze, the Japanese turned their attention towards Kitkun Bay, as she peeked out of the smoke. The Japanese gunnery gradually adjusted their aim, and starting from their first salvo at 8:28, creeped up to within 500 yd (460 m). Even while the cruiser Chōkai exploded, crippling the vessel's handling, Tone had closed the distance to within 12,000 yd (11,000 m) of Kitkun Bay, with its salvo straddling the fleeing carrier on both sides. As a parting shot, a volley passed Kitkun Bay's side by only 20 yd (18 m). However, at this point, Admiral Kurita, discouraged by the resistance he was facing, and uncertain about the intelligence provided to him, convinced himself to withdraw. At 9:25, to the bewilderment of Rear Admiral Sprague, the Japanese fleet turned around and retired. Remarkably, Kitkun Bay, despite several near-misses, suffered no significant damage during the engagement, and only a few casualties from flying fragments.

"Taffy 3" continued harassing the Japanese as they withdrew. At 10:15, six Avengers were launched from Kitkun Bay, five of them outfitted with torpedoes, joining four more Avengers to attack the retreating Japanese fleet. Proceeding north, one of the Avengers was forced to break off due to mechanical issues. The remaining strike force sighted Chikuma, and in the ensuing action, scored two torpedo hits on the Chikuma's portside, severely damaging it. Shortly afterwards, Chikuma was finished off by aircraft from Ommaney Bay and Natoma Bay.

As the kamikaze passed over the island of Kitkun Bay and exploded, it showered fragments of itself across the flight deck, including this section of its tail.

At 10:51, five kamikaze Zeroes were spotted approaching "Taffy 3" from the northwest. The carriers and their escorts were caught out of position, and by the time concentrated anti-aircraft fire could be brought to bear, the kamikazes were nearly on-top of the formation. The first kamikaze to strike set its sights on Kitkun Bay, diving from her port side. As it approached the carrier, the kamikaze changed the angle of its dive, aiming directly for Kitkun Bay's island, but at the last second, perhaps due to the incapacitation of the pilot, it streaked over the island, tore through the port catwalk, bringing 15 ft (4.6 m) of it along, and detonating its 550 lb (250 kg) bomb onboard, before plunging into the ocean 25 yd (23 m) from her port. The bomb showered fragments throughout the flight deck, puncturing more than 100 holes, and breached the gasoline lines, forming a puddle within a a gun sponson, which was washed overboard. One crewman onboard was killed, four were seriously wounded, twelve were slightly wounded, and two Avengers were rendered inoperational from the attack.

At 11:10, a group of fifteen Yokosuka D4Ys was detected approaching by Kitkun Bay. At 11:23, one of the bombers made a run on the carrier, but both of its wings were torn off by anti-aircraft fire, and it plunged into the ocean 50 yd (46 m) off her port bow, detonating upon impact and showering the flight deck with seawater. On 26 October, "Taffy 3" was instructed to retire to Manus for replenishment and repairs, arriving there on 1 November. There, Captain Albert Handly took over command of the vessel. Transiting eastwards, VC-5's planes were detached to Ford Island on the morning of 18 November, and the squadron's pilots were unloaded at Pearl Harbor later that day. She was put into dry dock for repairs, being discharged on 29 November, when she took on Composite Squadron (VC) 91 as her air squadron. Entering Manus on 17 December, Ofstie put on Kitkun Bay again as his flagship. At Manus, preparations were made for the planned landings on Luzon. Kitkun Bay was assigned as the flagship of Task Unit 77.4.3, the Lingayen Protective Group, along with her sister Shamrock Bay.

Invasion of Lingayen Gulf

On 31 December, the American fleet set out from Seeadler Harbor. En route, until 8 January 1945, when the American fleet arrived within the Lingayen Gulf, the task unit's aircraft contingent provided an air screen for the Task Force 79, under the command of Vice Admiral Theodore Stark Wilkinson, which included landing craft, as it transited towards the invasion site. During the latter half the transit, the American fleet was bedeviled by kamikazes, which sunk Ommaney Bay and damaged both Manila Bay and Kadashan Bay.

On the evening of 10 January, Kitkun Bay was still screening Task Force 79, when at 18:06, a group of Japanese aircraft was detected approaching some 20 mi (32 km) from the southwest. The fighters of Kitkun Bay and Shamrock Bay, which had been conducting air patrols at the time, were diverted to intercept the planes. However, two of the kamikazes evaded the screen, and at 18:55, soon after the sun had set, one of the kamikazes started its dive upon Kitkun Bay. Undeterred by intense flak, it leveled off slightly at around 3,000 yd (2,700 m), before smashing into her port side, carving a 7 ft (2.1 m) by 15 ft (4.6 m) hole in her hull, part of which extended below the waterline. Fortunately for Kiktun Bay, the kamikaze's bombs proved to be duds, although the explosion of its fuel tank killed four men and ignited a fire. In addition, leading up to impact, a 5-inch round fired from one of her fellow ships burst near her bow under a gun sponson, killing thirteen and sending a crewman into the water, where he had to be rescued.

Kitkun Bay quickly acquired a list of 13° to port, and and she was down 4 ft (1.2 m) by her stern. Furthermore, water enveloped the engineering compartments, forcing the crew inside to evacuate, and smoke filtered throughout the belowdecks. Spurred by this serious situation, the entirety of the crew was ordered onto the flight deck, where the aircraft at hand were repositioned towards the starboard side in an attempt to correct the list. All non-essential crew were transferred off the ship onto her screens, and Rear Admiral Ofstie ordered all confidential documents onboard to be destroyed, before transferring himself and his complement to the destroyer Smith, which ferried him to Shamrock Bay.

The flames were extinguished by 19:10, and by 19:47, the Abnaki-class fleet ocean tug Chowanoc was on standby to take Kitkun Bay under tow when it was safe. Pumping checked her list down to 4°, and repair parties entering the engine room were able to restore partial power. At 20:42, Chowanac secured a line to her, where they proceeded towards Santiago island. On the morning of 9 January, she was able to make steam under her own power, and all personnel sans the wounded returned later that day. Limited flight operations were even resumed, although she was ordered to retire on 11 January as part of a convoy. Making stops for limited repairs at Leyte Gulf, where she transferred her aircraft off, Manus, and Pearl Harbor, she returned to the United States by late February.

Moored at Terminal Island for repairs and refitting, Kitkun Bay would not set sail again until 27 April, when she underwent a transport mission to Peral Harbor, where it was discovered that additional repairs were required. After conducting some exercises, she departed on the morning of 15 June for Ulithi, stopping at Guam. There, she reported to Task Force 30.8, the Third Fleet, forming Task Unit 30.8.23 along with her sister Steamer Bay. The two carriers provided screening and antisubmarine patrols for the fast carriers, which launched strikes all along the Japanese islands, and conducted replenishment missions in support of the rest of the fleet. On 11 August, Captain John Francis Greenslade took over command of the ship at Eniwetok. At Eniwetok, on 15 August, the crew of Kitkun Bay received word of the Japanese surrender.

Post-war

Kitkun Bay formed Task Unit 49.5.2, turning out on 16 August for Adak Island. There, she joined a bevy of other warships headed towards Mutsu Bay, where Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher accepted the surrender for Japanese forces in northern Honshu and in Hokkaido. Then, she steamed southwards into Tokyo Bay. There, she joined the Operation Magic Carpet fleet, which repatriated U.S. servicemen from around the Pacific. In her maiden Magic Carpet voyage, she picked up 554 troops in Japan, and ferried them to San Francisco. She conducted additional trips to Pearl Harbor and Okinawa, entering San Pedro on 12 January 1946. She then proceeded up the West Coast, entering Puget Sound on 18 February.

There, Kitkun Bay was decommissioned on 19 April, and struck from the Navy list on 8 May. She was sold on 18 November to Zidell Ship Dismantling Company of Portland for $12,700. She was transferred in January 1947, and scrapped sometime in early 1947. Kitkun Bay received six battle stars for World War II service, and along with the rest of Taffy 3, received the Presidential Unit Citation for conduct during the Battle off Samar.

Sources

Online sources

• "Kitkun Bay (CVE-71)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 12 September 2019. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
• "Kaiser Vancouver, Vancouver WA". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 27 November 2010. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
• "World Aircraft Carriers List: US Escort Carriers, S4 Hulls". Hazegray.org. 14 December 1998. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
• "A Report on Policies and Practices of the U.S. Navy for Naming the Vessels of the Navy" (PDF). history.navy.mil. 2013. p. 35. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.

Bibliography

• Chesneau, Robert; Gardiner, Robert (1980), Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946, London, England: Naval Institute Press, ISBN 9780870219139
• Y'Blood, William (2014), The Little Giants: U.S. Escort Carriers Against Japan (E-book), Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, ISBN 9781612512471

External links

• Photo gallery of USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) at NavSource Naval History