Prelude by Doc Snafu
USS Cabot (CVL-28/AVT-3) was an Independence-class light aircraft carrier in the US Navy, the second ship to carry the name, after the explorer John Cabot. Cabot was commissioned in 1943 and served until 1947. She was recommissioned as a training carrier from 1948 to 1955. From 1967 to 1989, she served in Spain as ‘Dédalo’ (Daedalus). After attempts to preserve her failed, she was scrapped in 2002. USS Cabot was laid down as Wilmington (CL-79), a Cleveland-class light cruiser, redesignated CV-28 on June 2, 1942, renamed Cabot on June 23, 1942 and converted while building. She was launched on April 1943, by New York Shipbuilding Company, Camden (New Jersey); sponsored by Mrs. A. C. Read. She was reclassified CVL-28 on July 15, 1943 and commissioned on July 24, 1943, with Capt Malcolm Francis Schoeffel in command.
Cabot sailed from Naval Air Station Quonset Point (Rhode Island) with Air Group 31 aboard, on November 8, 1943 for Pearl Harbor, where she arrived on December 2. Clearing for Majuro on January 15, 1944, she joined Task Force 58 to begin the consistently high quality of war service which was to earn her a Presidential Unit Citation. From February 4, 1944, to March 4, 1944, she launched her planes in strikes on Roi, Namur, and the island stronghold of Truk, aiding in the neutralization of these Japanese bases as her part in the invasion of the Marshalls. Cabot returned then to Pearl Harbor for a brief repair period, but was back in action from Majuro for the pounding raids on the Palaus, Yap, Ulithi, and Woleai at the close of March 1944. She sailed to provide valuable air cover for the Hollandia (currently known as Jayapura) operation from April 22, to April 25, and 4 days later began to hurl her air power at Truk, Satawan, and Ponape. She cleared Majuro again on June 6, for the pre-invasion air strikes in the Mariana Islands, and on June 19, and June 20, launched sorties in the key Battle of the Philippine Sea, the famous Marianas Turkey Shoot, which hopelessly crippled Japanese naval aviation. Cabot’s Air Group 31 pounded Japanese bases on Iwo Jima, Pagan, Rota, Guam, Yap and Ulithi as the carrier continued her support of the Marianas operation until August 9.
Pre-invasion strikes in the Palaus in September 1944 along with air attacks on Mindanao, the Visayas, and Luzon paved the way for the long-awaited return to the Philippines. On October 6, Air Group 29 relieved Air Group 31, and Cabot sailed from Ulithi for raids on Okinawa to provide air cover for her task group during the heavy enemy attacks off Formosa on October 12, and October 13. Cabot joined the group which screened Cripple Division 1, USS Canberra (CA-70) and USS Houston (CL-81) which had been torpedoed off Formosa, to the safety of the Carolines, then rejoined her group for continued air strikes on the Visayas, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 25, and October 26. Cabot remained on patrol off Luzon, conducting strikes in support of operations ashore, and repelling desperate kamikaze attacks. On November 25, a particularly vicious one occurred. Cabot had fought off several kamikazes when one, already flaming from hits, crashed the flight deck on the port side, destroying the still-firing 20-MM gun platform, disabling the 40-MM Mounts and a gun director. Another of Cabot’s victims crashed close aboard and showered the port side with shrapnel and burning debris. 62 men were killed or wounded but careful training had produced a crew which handled damage control smoothly and coolly. While she continued to maintain her station in formation and operate effectively, temporary repairs were made. On November 28, she arrived at Ulithi for permanent repairs.
Cabot returned to action on December 11, 1944, steaming with the force striking Luzon, Formosa, Indo-China, Hong Kong, and the Nansei Shoto in support of the Luzon operations during the South China Sea raid. From February 10, to March 1, 1945, her planes pounded the Japanese Homeland and the Bonins to suppress opposition to the invasion of Iwo Jima. Continued strikes against Kyūshū and Okinawa in March prepared for the invasion of the latter island. After these prolonged, intensive operations, Cabot was homeward bound for San Francisco (USA) for a much-needed overhaul completed in June. After refresher training at Pearl Harbor with Air Group 32 aboard, the carrier launched strikes on Wake Island on August 1, while en route to Eniwetok. Here she remained on training duty until the end of the war. Sailing on August 21, she joined Task Group 38.3 to support the landings of occupation troops in the Yellow Sea area in September and October. Embarking homeward-bound men at Guam, Cabot arrived at San Diego (USA) on November 9, then sailed for the east coast. Cabot was placed out of commission in reserve at Philadelphia (USA) on February 11, 1947. (Source Wikipedia)
Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) Air Group Commanders were: CO James Vredenburgh (May 1, 1943 – December 6, 1943p); Lt Com Robert Alexander Winston (December 20, 1943 – June 29 1944); Lt Com Daniel James Wallace Jr (June 29, 1944 – March 5, 1945); Com Bruce S. Weber (April 1945 – October 25, 1945).
Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) Aces Cornelius Nicholas Nooy (19 aeiral victories); Arthur Ray Hawkins (14 aerial victories); John Lewis Wirth (14 aerial victories); James Seth Stewart (10 aerial victories); William Douglas Mulcahy (8 aerial victories); Robert Clark Wilson (7 aerial victories); Edward Walter Toaspern (7 aerial victories); Charles Henry Turner (6 ½ aerial victories); Harrell Henry Scales (6 aerial victories); Adolph Mencin (6 aerial victories); Frank Richard Hayde (6 aerial victories); Vincent Arthur Rieger (5 aerial victories); Dwight Beebe Galt (5 aerial victories); Daniel Borland Driscoll (5 aerial victories); Robert A Winston (5 aerial victories).
Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) Pilots Steve G. Kona (4 aerial victories); W. G. Andrews (4 aerial victories); James M. Bowie (3 aerial victories); Samuel W. Godsey (2 aerial victories); Charles W. Dietrich (2 aerial victories); James T. Anderson (2 aerial victories); Frank Hancock (2 aerial victories) KIA July 4, 1944; Richard D. Conant (2 aerial victories); Harold E. Sweatt (2 aerial victories) detached August 8, 1944; Richard G. Whitworth (1 aerial victory); Ed Free (1 aerial victory); Robert O. Zimmerman (1 aerial victory); Stewart Hedrick (1 aerial victory); William E. Duggins (1 aerial victory); Doug C. McLaughlin (1 aerial victory); Henry H. Osborne (1 aerial victory); Malcom S. Loomas – (1 aerial victory) KIA July 4, 1944; Albert Shellenberg – (1 aerial victory) assigned June 29, 1944; Jerome L. Wolf (4 aerial victories – 2 victories in another squadron) assigned September 11, 1944; Haig G. Elezian Jr KIA July 4, 1944; Martin C. Moore assigned June 29, 1944; Joseph M. Mardesich Jr assigned July 7, 1944; Tadeuz J. Kosowicz assigned July 7, 1944 MIA July 17, 1944; Maurice L. Naylon Jr assigned July 7, 1944, Bailed out Sept 21, 1944, rescued by guerrillas; Howard A. McMillan assigned August 14, 1944; John J. Arnold assigned September 11, 1944; George G. Bardin Jr KIA crash landing Sept 13, 1944.
Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) Pilots assigned December 9, 1944 Lt Cmd William A. Rubley; Lt Cmd Kenneth M. Coyne; Lt Frances X. Bushner; Lt Robert A. Lewis; Lt James H. Parker Jr; Lt George D. Shimek; Lt Relly I. Raffman; Lt John W. Kenney; Lt Donald S. White; Lt (jg) Charles W. Robison; Lt (jg) Kirk H. Summerville; Lt (jg) Edward A. Perrault; Ens Hancock Banning III; Ens Robert R. Barnes; Ens Francis R. Clifford; Ens William L. Collier; Ens Clayton J. Egli; Ens James P. Goeppinger; Ens Joseph O. A. Graveline; Ens Thomas M. Guy Jr; Ens Robert A, Karp; Ens Darwin P. Matterson; Ens Harold Mokwa, Ens Clarence A. Moore; Ens George W. Nichols; Ens Thomas T. O’Brien; Ens Frank J. Repp; Ens Joseph Rosner; Ens Werner L. Salminen; Ens Arthur F. Tarabusi; Ens William O. Blake; Ens Earl S. Vass Jr; Ens Howard H. Wicker; Ens Herbert L. Law; Ens Langdon S. Flowers.
Torpedo Squadron 31 (VT-31) Pilots CO Lt Edward E. Wood; Lt G. Packenham; Lt (jg) John Russell; Lt. D. W. Smith; Lt (jg) Avery Lauber; Lt (jg) J. T. Hunt Jr; Lt (jg) Jarrell Jenkins KIA March 30, 1944; Lt (jg) Donald Hornberger KIA August 4, 1944; Lt (jg) Rodric McChesney; Lt (jg) William Fischer; Lt (jg) E. Larkin; Ens Howard Bo; Ens Robert Shields; Ens James Jones Jr; Ens Richard Mellin; Ens L. O. Bacon; Ens C. A. Gearheart; Ens Charles Mantell KIA June 8, 1944.
Torpedo Squadron 31 (VT-31) Air Crewmen PhoM1c Howard Webster Jr; AMM1c Thomas Conlen, KIA March 30, 1944; AMM1c Dale H Gulick; AOM1c John Ellzey; AOM2c Armand Pelletier; AOM2c General L. Turner Jr KIA June 8, 1944; AMM2c Dale Brotherton; AMM2c Robert Drake; AMM2c Clifton Arwood; AMM2c Robert Anderson KIA August 4, 1944; AMM2c Gerald Berghorn; AMM2c Ira Bewley; AMM2c Thomas Wolf KIA February 3, 1944; AMM2c Arnie Johnson; AMM2c Warren Bennett; AMM2c Jack Woolsey; AMM2c Charles Leannarda
Torpedo Squadron 31 (VT-31) Radiomen ACRM Thomas Legett; ARM2c Daniel Pender Jr; ARM2c Frank Yackovich; ARM2c George Slocum; ARM2c Herman Fowler; ARM2c Leslie Walters; ARM2c Kenneth Pohl KIA August 4, 1944; ARM2c Charles Sheridan; ARM2c Lewis Sumers KIA March 30, 1944; ARM2c Keith Honey; ARM2c Cornelius Kelly; ARM2c Harold Larson; ARM2c Milton Helm KIA June 8, 1944.
Torpedo Squadron 31 (VT-31) Non Flight Members Lt Joseph Lord III; Lt W Dohme; AEM2c Murray Shumway; PR2 Ervin Brownlee.
Torpedo Squadron 31 (VT-31) Pilots assigned December CO Lt Cmd John R. Bowens II; EXO Lt Carter L Wilson; Lt Del G. Karr; Ens Robert A. Farrell; Ens John Urbanski; Ens Ervin R. Schuller; Ens J. Stanley Johnson; Ens P. H. Henderson; Ens D. F. Davis; Ens R. B. Turner; Ens R M Carroll; Ens John C. Launius; Ens C. W. Cates; Ens A. P. Rubino.
Marianas Turkey Shoot
June 19, 1944 Three divisions of 4 planes (12 aircraft total) from VF-31 were launched from the USS Cabot at 0800 to join other fighter aircraft from the 14 other aircraft carriers to fly CAP (Combat Air Patrol) over the task force and await the arrival of the Japanese panes that they knew would arrive at any day. Around 0900, one division of VF-31 was ordered to assist pilots from another carrier who encountered enemy aircraft over Guam. This division was comprised of Lt Turner, his wingmen Ens Andrews, Lt (jg) Conant, and Lt (jg) Bowie. When they arrived they could not locate any friendly aircraft but were jumped by a group of 8 Japanese Zero fighter planes. In the ensuing dog fight over the Japanese airfield the pilots downed a total of 6 enemy aircraft. Lt Turner downed 3 Zeros, Ens Andrews downed 1 Zero, Lt (jg) Conant downed 1 Zero and Lt (jg) Bowie downed 1 Zero.
Two of the F6F Hellcat fighter aircraft were so badly damaged that all 4 of the returning aircraft were taken aboard the USS Cabot as soon as they returned. Once they were safely on board and below decks the remaining 8 aircraft that were still flying Combat Air Patrol were ordered to return so that they could be replaced in the air by 12 freshly fueled and piloted aircraft. Before any of the fighter aircraft could be launched General quarters sounded as radar had picked up the approaching group of several hundred Japanese aircraft approximately 100 miles in the distance. Only 11 aircraft of the second three divisions was launched while the 8 undamaged aircraft that returned were being refueled in the hanger deck below. Racing to get the remaining aircraft into the air before the enemy planes got within range, each plane was launched as it was ready. First off of the deck was Lt (jg) Nooy who did not try to gain altitude but flew across the water to avoid being shot down as the fleet had opened up on the arriving Japanese aircraft with massive AA fire. Second off of the catapult was Lt Cmd Winston who joined up with Nooy out of the range of the Task Force AA fire. They were later joined by the other 6 Hellcats to form up in two divisions once again.
Shortly after the second group of two divisions formed up they spotted a flight of what appeared to be 12 Japanese dive bombers. Upon approaching closer it was discovered that they were a flight of Dauntless SBDs that had been launched from one of the larger fleet carriers to get them off of the ship before the Japanese attacked. The group of 8 fighters were ordered back to guard the task force and did not locate any enemy aircraft during the remainder of their time in the air. They were brought back aboard USS-Cabot and waited for the return of the first three divisions to return that were launched earlier and who had engaged the approaching enemy aircraft. The 11 planes of the first three divisions of VF-31 had better luck as they were engaged with the approaching enemy even before the second group of fighters left the deck of the USS-Cabot. At 1047 the 11 Hellcats dove into a flight of over 50 Zero fighter planes which kept them busy until they had downed 22 of them, combined with the 6 earlier in the day the total shoot down for VF-31 was 28 enemy aircraft without a single loss. Lt Stewart downed 3; Lt Mulcahy downed 2; Lt (jg) Hawkins downed 3; Lt (jg) Wirth downed 4; Lt (jg) Hayde downed 3; Lt (jg) Galt downed 1; Lt (jg) Driscoll downed 1; Lt (jg) Scales downed 2; Lt Kona downed 1; Ens Godsey downed 1 and Ens Dietrich downed 1. For the day, 395 Japanese aircraft were shot down and only 20 US aircraft were lost in combat: 6 F6Fs, 10 SB2Cs and 4 TBMs.
After all of the aircraft were recovered, Task Force 58 set out in pursuit of the Japanese fleet which was around 800 miles distant. This was too far to launch an attack so the distance needed to be shortened before aircraft could be launched and return safely.
June 20, 1944 Dawn brought no word of the whereabouts of the Japanese carrier fleet. The TBMs were spotted on the USS-Cabot flight deck, their engines kept warmed up by the plane captains, fully loaded with armor piercing bombs, their fuel tanks were topped up every time the engines were shut down to ensure a full load of fuel would be in each aircraft at takeoff. The Japanese fleet was located at 1548 by scout planes about 400 miles due west of the task force and it was decided that an attack would be launched for a late evening raid rather than waiting for sunrise the next day. Many of the ships in the task force, especially the destroyers, were low on fuel and could not have continued to pursue for another day. The distance from the task force to the Japanese carrier fleet was at the very extreme operating range of the bomber and torpedo aircraft but it was decided that the opportunity to catch and destroy the remaining enemy carriers was worth the risk. All of the fighter aircraft of VF-31 were held back in reserve in case the Japanese launched a counter strike or if Japanese land based aircraft attacked.
The carriers came about to head east into the wind to launch the 204 aircraft that would make up the first assault. The Cabot launched 4 TBM Avengers at 1605. Once the last aircraft was off the decks the task force turned west again and proceeded at full speed to reduce the distance between the carriers and the target for the pilot’s return. A second scheduled attack was canceled so that the task force could proceed on its westerly course to reduce the distance between the two fleets so only one strike group was launched to attack the Japanese fleet. The 4 TBMs from the Cabot did not circle to join up with other aircraft as was normal but immediately after launch set course for the Japanese carrier fleet, joining with TBMs from other carriers on route. At 1823 a radio report was heard ‘Ships ahead!’. This first sighting turned out to be 2 oilers with 6 destroyers who were waiting to refuel. The main target of the attack group were to be the Japanese aircraft carriers so the oilers were passed over and the attack force continued west to keep looking for the main body of ships. A little over 20 minutes later, at 1845, the main body of the Japanese fleet was spotted. It consisted of 3 groups of ships: in the main group were 2 Hayataka class fleet carriers, 1 light carrier, 2 Kongo class battleships, 4 heavy cruisers of the Tone and Mogami class, 4 light cruisers and 6 destroyers. The northern group of ships consisted of 1 Shokaku class carrier, 4 heavy cruisers and 6 destroyers. The third group of ships was about 60 miles further west and were not identified or attacked.
Two of the TBMs from VT-31 flown by Lt Wood and Lt Russell attacked the Japanese light Shokaku class carrier Chiyoda in the northern group of ships, sitting it on fire. The other two of Cabot’s TBMs flown by Lt Smith and Ens Jones attacked one of the Kongo class Battle ship in the main group. Ens Jones is credited with striking this battleship with 3 bombs. After their successful attack the pilots and aircrew of the Cabot’s TBMs joined up and settled in for the long flight back to the task force in the dark, leaning out their fuel mixture to squeeze out the last drop of gas so that they would make it back. On the way to the target the attack force had a tail wind which assisted them but on the return flight they were flying into a head wind which made for more fuel consumption. All the way back the radio was busy with messages from pilots saying that they were ditching their battle damaged aircraft or that they were running out of fuel and sitting down in groups of 3 and 4 planes so that they would be more easily spotted by rescue planes the next morning.
The first group of aircraft to return to the task force did not arrive until 2030 and attempted to make night landings without the aid of any lights on the carriers and many crashed on the decks, fowling them and slowing down the recovery. Admiral Mitscher realized that if the carriers would not turn on their lights that most of the returning aircraft would have to land in the sea in the dark. He gave the order at 2050 that all ships should turn on their search lights so that the pilots could easily find the task force. At 2058, another order was given that all planes should land on any carrier that they can find. Lt Russell and Lt Wood landed safely back on the Cabot, Lt Wood having less than 5 gallons of fuel in his last tank which would have given him less than 3 minutes flying time remaining. Seven more aircraft from other carriers were also taken aboard the USS-Cabot that night, including an SB2C from the Bunker Hill which had to be pushed over the side as they did not have folding wings and could not be taken below the small CVL carrier. Ens Jones landed on the USS-Bunker Hill but missed the arresting wires and his TBM crashed into the barrier and caught fire. He and his crew suffered burns as a result of the crash and fire. Ens Smith ran so low on fuel that his TBM was forced to make a water landing among the ships of the task force. Ens Smith and his 2 crewmen, Arm1c McGrath, and Amm3c Van Blaircum were picked up safely two hours after crashing by the Destroyer USS-Hunt (DD-674) as they floated in their life raft. The Hunt returned the pilot and crew to the USS-Cabot on June 22.
Of the 204 aircraft launched to attack the retreating Japanese carrier fleet, 70 had to ditch among the task force upon their return as they did not have sufficient fuel remaining to circle in the landing patterns for their turn to land. All told for the task force 80 aircraft were lost and 49 pilots and air crewmen did not return. Many pilots and crew were rescued in the following days as they floated in the ocean. (Source: VF-31.com)
Archive NW-54487 – Battle of the Philippine Sea June 1944.
By Commander Robert A. Winston, USN
Commander Winston, who was commander of the VF-S1 and Air Group 31 on the USS-CABOT, participated in operations at Kwajalein, Truk, Hollandia, Saipan and several other points in the Central Pacific. He describes chiefly the Battle of the Philippine sea on June 19-20, 1944. Commander Winston a graduate of Indiana University, was employed on the New York News for five years before becoming a Naval Air Cadet. Later he was a test pilot for Brewster and went to Finland as an instructor for the Finnish Government which had purchased some Brewster Buffalos. While there he married a Swedish girl. This was during the Russo-Finnish War 1939-1940. He saw the German occupation of Brussels (Belgium), and Paris (France), and got back to this country on one of the last clippers to leave Lisbon (Portugal). After a tour of duty in the Bureau of Aeronautics in Washington (USA), he opened the Aviation Section in the Office of Public Relations on Armistice Day 1942. He left to join the fleet in March 1943, returning in July 1944 to Buaer after the Saipan Operation of June 1944.
Narrative
Regarding the Saipan engagement of June 19 and June 20, our carrier, the USS-CABOT, was off Saipan on the morning when the big Jap carrier attack was launched. Evidently the Japanese came to within about 500 miles of Saipan and launched upwind, the trade winds out there being predominantly from the east. The carriers all had combat air patrols in the air. I was on one of the first combat air patrols and we were called down to refuel just as the Japanese started their attack. My relief combat air patrol consisting of 12 fighters from Fighting Squadron 31, got into a large bogey of about 50 Japanese airplanes. They told me later that these consisted of Judys (Yokosuka D4Y Suisei – Dive Bombers), the single engine, very fast glide bomber, with a cover of Zekes (Mitsubishi A6M Zero Fighter). They also said that these Zekes were using weaving tactics which appeared similar to ours. They went down through these Zekes, the top cover of Japanese planes, shooting some of those down and also some of the Judys. Those 12 planes accounted for 21 fighters with no loss to themselves.
In this particular action, the pilots of Fighting Squadron 31 accounted for 45 Japanese airplanes with no losses. As a matter of fact this squadron had no losses, either operationally or in combat during the time I was with them in the Pacific from the Kwajalein action in January, until I was detached the first of July 1944, after the Saipan Battle. It was known as the Meataxe Squadron because its insignia was a flying winged meat cleaver, and also for the way they went down through these Jap formations. Their motto was ‘Cut them down’. They did that on this day.
There was one peculiar atmospheric condition which I noticed while I was sitting on the deck of the USS-Cabot watching the incoming Jap formations in the distance. We could tell how far they were, rather how close they were, not only by listening to our radios while we were being refueled, but also because there was a peculiar atmospheric condition which made vapor trails down at a very low altitude. These vapor trails are ordinarily formed at altitudes, much higher, but on this day they were down at 20.000 feet, and the Japanese formations as they came in were clearly visible; that is their position was clearly indicated by these very thick vapor trails. We could sit there on the deck and watch the vapor trails of the Japanese planes with our own attacking fighters merging with them and see the smoke and flames of Japanese planes being shot down. Our pilots told us later that at one time they saw about 15 Jap flamers in the air and then, eight or nine Jap parachutes at the same time. That will give some idea of how the Navy fighters went through those incoming Jap formations.
I was catapulted a short time later just as a couple of Jap glide bombers, I believe they were Judys, got through our combat air patrol. I was at a low altitude and I looked up and here came these two flamers. One of them tried to ram the CABOT and he was beaten off again by our own AA fire. They were first hit by the destroyer and cruiser AA fire from our part of the task force. Task Force 58, was divided into 58.1, 58.2, 58.8, and 58.4 and each task group of the task force was separated by 15 or 20 miles at that time, but there were only two Japanese planes which penetrated the combat air patrol and got through to the screen, and they were immediately shot down by the AA guns of the group. There was a lull then for awhile and later that afternoon some others came in. At one time I saw five Judys get past the combat air patrol and make a dive on our task group. They made runs on the USS-Wasp and the USS-Bunker-Hill. Three of these were shot down before they could drop, and the other two made inaccurate drops and were shot down by the fighters after they got through. Those seven planes were all I saw of Japanese planes that did get through close enough to attack – and they were all eliminated. On this day, the carrier planes shot down about 353 Jap airplanes. I believe 18 of the total was downed by the AA guns of the ships. That was the first phase of this operation.
