Warbird Information Exchange

Yes, sorry it was the 1945 attack. His story that he was in the way and to get out of the way. VFM-452 is what I remember. I have his photo albums and carry a pix of him standing by his Corsair in my passport wallet...

Lynn

A big thank you to all the contributors of this very interesting thread.

Andy Scott

More 'Stuff'


SB2C-3 of Bombing Squadron Thirteen (VB-13) off USS Franklin CV-13 October 1944 (NMNA archives)


View of the carrier USS Franklin (CV 13) underway with fighting 13 October 1944 (NMNA archives)

And this was entertaining to say the least.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-X1vIB075Y

_________________
Zero Surprise!!...

Air Group 13 served from 14 June thru 30 October 1944 with 36 F6F Hellcats 36 SB2C' Helldivers and 18 TBF Avengers (90 planes total)

USS Franklin Air Group 13 KIA
Note: most lost were fighter pilots; they protected the bombers & torpedo planes

VF13 VB13 VT13

Marshall D. BARNETT LTJG October 1944
Fredrick A. BECKMAN, Jr. LTJG 24 October 1944
Eugene E. BLACK ARM2C 15 October 1944
Clarence F. BLAIR LT 24 July 1944
Robert W. BOGERT AMM3C 1 October 1944
Milton J. BONAR LT 24 July 1944
Henry E. BORJA ARM1C 4 October 1944
Richard H. BRIDGE LTJG 25 October 1944
Robert F. BROOKS LTJG 13 October 1944
Thomas B. BROOKS, Jr. ENS 25 October 1944
Walter BROOKS, Jr. ARM1C 25 August 1944
William B. BUTLER ARM2C 5 October 1944
Robert D. CHANDLER ARM2C 29 October 1944
Richard H. CLIVE LTJG 25 October 1944
Raymond B. COOK LT 24 October 1944
Norman E. DROUIN ENS 29 September 1944
Chris N. GIBBS ENS 10 October 1944
John H. FINROW LT 28 October 1944
Andrew E. HARLIN AM1C 25 October 1944
James L. HATT ARM3C 30 October 1944
Joseph L. HEINRICH LTJG 11 October 1944
Walter D. HEVEY AOM3C 15 August 1944
Carl B. HOLMSTROM LCDR 5 August 1944
Akcil C. HUDSON LT 4 August 1944
Harmon R. HUDSON LTJG 15 October 1944
Edward O. HUGHES ARM3C 19 October 1944
Benjamin L. JONES, Jr. ARM3C 30 October 1944
Robert F. JONES ENS 11 October 1944
Ruben H. KNOCKE ARM2C 30 October 1944
Joseph KOPMAN LTJG 17 October 1944
Edward W. LARKIN, Jr. LT 19 October 1944
Roger W. LE STRANGE ENS 4 August 1944
Albert D. LOENTHAL ARM3C 26 July 1944
Robert H. MARTIN ENS 19 July 1944
Eric MAGNUSSON LT 25 October 1944
Donald A. MCPHIE LTJG 28 October 1944
Benjamin J. MILES ENS 11 October 1944
Thomas G. NOREK LTJG 30 October 1944
William J. OLSEN ARM2C 11 October 1944
Grier P. OSBORNE AMM3C 10 October 1944
Jean P. PARENT ENS 24 September 1944
Leonard PICKENS ARM3C 25 October 1944
Francis J. PLOGER, Jr. ARM3C 25 October 1944
Stanley P. RAJZA ARM3C 5 October 1944
Ralph T. ROBINETTE ARM3C 25 August 1944
Harold J. SHANE OM1C 25 October 1944
Harry J. STEELE ARM3C 11 October 1944
Rupert J. WEBER, Jr. LT 19 October 1944
James D. WHITTINGHILL AMM1C 24 October 1944
William H. WINECOFF LT 29 September 1944
Warren F. WOLF LTJG October 1944

Rest in Peace

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Zero Surprise!!...

And even more 'stuff'


Part of Task Force 38 during strikes on the Japanese Fleet off Cape Engano, 25 October 1944 (NMNA archives)


Japanese ISE class battleship and a destroyer in action during the Battle off Cape Engano, 25 October 1944. Photographed by a damaged TBM from USS San Jacinto (NMNA archives)


Battle off Cape Engano, 25 October 1944. Japanese fleet maneuvers to meet US Navy air attacks (NMNA archives)


Japanese aircraft carrier Zuiho under attack during the Battle off Cape Engano, 25 October 1944 (NMNA archives)


Japanese Ise class battleship aircraft carrier (either Ise or Hyuga) in action during the Battle off Cape Engano, 25 October 1944 (NMNA archives)


Japanese “Matsu” class destroyer firing at planes as a carrier in the background is bombed, during the Battle off Cape Engano, 25 October 1944 (NMNA archives)


Japanese Carrier Zuiho in action during the Battle off Cape Engano, 25 October 1944 (NMNA archives)


Battle off Cape Engano, 25 October 1944. Artwork by John Hamilton shows carrier aircraft attacking Japanese carrier Zuikaku (NMNA archives)

_________________
Zero Surprise!!...

Not just "more stuff", more GOOD stuff.

Thanks for posting these, Mark. And I second your RIP.

Mac

_________________
WWII Naval Aviation Research - Pacific
https://www.ww2nar-pac.com/

I believe the skipper of VB-13 was Charles Skinner.
I have his logbook, Navy Cross, and some other
articles..........

Correct you are ...

Order of Battle
The Battle off Cape Engaño
20-25 October 1944
Contributed by Eugene Cammeron
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


United States Forces

THIRD FLEET (TASK FORCE 38)

TASK FORCE 38
VADM M. A. Mitscher

TASK GROUP 38.1
VADM J. S. McCain

CV-18 WASP—CAPT O. A. Weller
CVG-14 Embarked—CDR W. C. Wingard
VF-14—LCDR R. Gray
33 F6F-3
3 F6F-3N
2 F6F-3P
14 F6F-5
1 F6F-5N
VB-14—LCDR J. D. Blitch
25 SB2C-3
VT-14—LCDR H. S. Roberts
5 TBF-1C
1 TBF-1D
11 TBM-1C
1 TBM-1D
Total: 96 A/C

CV-12 HORNET—CAPT A. K. Doyle
CVG-11 Embarked—CDR F. R. Schrader
VF-11—LCDR E. G. Fairfax
11 F6F-3
2 F6F-3N
1 F6F-3P
21 F6F-5
2 F6F-5N
3 F6F-5P
VB-11—LCDR L. A. Smith
25 SB2C-3
VT-11—LCDR R. Denniston
1 TBF-1C
17 TBM-1C
Total: 83 A/C

CV-19 HANCOCK—CAPT F. C. Dickey (attached from TG-38.2 from 10/22 to 10/26)
CVG-7 Embarked—CDR J. D. Lamade
VF-7—LCDR L. J. Check
37 F6F-5
4 F6F-5N
VB-7—LCDR J. L. Erickson
30 SB2C-3
12 SB2C-3E
VT-7—LCDR C. B. Marshall
18 TBM-1C
Total: 101 A/C

CVL-26 MONTEREY—CAPT S. H. Ingersoll
CVG-28 Embarked—LCDR R. W. Mehle
VF-28—LCDR Mehle
21 F6F-5
2 F6F-5P
VT-28—LT R. P. Gift
9 TBM-1C
Total: 32 A/C

CVL-25 COWPENS—CAPT H. W. Taylor
CVG-22 Embarked—LCDR T. H. Jenkins
VF-22—LT L. L. Johnson
25 F6F-5
1 F6F-5P
VT-22—LCDR Jenkins
9 TBF-1C
Total: 35 A/C


Cruiser Division 6
RADM C. T. Joy
CA-45 WICHITA—CAPT D. A. Spencer (to TG-58.4 10/21)

Cruiser Division 10
RADM L. J. Wiltsie
CA-69 BOSTON—CAPT E. E. Herrmann
CA-70 CANBERRA—CAPT A. R. Early (damaged, detached 10/15)
CL-81 HOUSTON—CAPT W. W. Behrens (damaged, detached 10/15)
CL-53 SAN DIEGO—CAPT W. E. Mullan
CL-95 OAKLAND—CAPT K. S. Reed

Cruiser Division 5
RADM A. E. Smith
(CruDiv 5, DesRon 4 formed TG-30.2 on 10/6, joined TG-38.1 10/16)
CA-24 PENSACOLA—CAPT A. P. Mullinnix
CA-25 SALT LAKE CITY—CAPT L. W. Busbey
CA-27 CHESTER—CAPT H. Hartley


Destroyer Squadron 46
CAPT C. F. Espe
DD-589 IZARD—CDR M. T. Dayton
DD-581 CHARRETTE—LCDR G. P. Joyce
DD-582 CONNER—CDR W. E. Kaitner
DD-587 BELL—CDR J. S. C. Gabbert
DD-588 BURNS—CDR J. T. Bullen
DD-651 COGSWELL—CDRR. E. Lockwood
DD-650 CAPERTON—CDR G. K. Carmichael
DD-652 INGERSOLL—CDR A. C. Veasey
DD-653 KNAPP—CDR W. B. Brown
DD-544 BOYD—CDR U. S. G. Sharp
DD-547 COWELL—CDR C. W. Parker
DD-546 BROWN—CDR T. H. Copeman

Destroyer Squadron 12
CAPT W. P. Buford
DD-488 MCCALLA—LCDR E. Vinock
DD-435 GRAYSON—CDR W. V. Pratt
DD-460 WOODWORTH—CDR C. R. Stephan

Destroyer Squqdron 4
CAPT H. P. Smith (TG-30.2)
DD-384 DUNLAP—LCDR C. R. Welte
DD-385 FANNING—CDR J. C. Bentley
DD-370 CASE—LCDR R. S. Willey
DD-365 CUMMINGS—LCDR W. J. Collum
DD-372 CASSIN—CDR V. J. Meola
DD-375 DOWNES—CDR R. S. Fahle


Task Group 38.2
RADM G. F. Bogan

CV-11 INTREPID—CAPT J. F. Bolger
CVG-18 Embarked—CDR W. E. Ellis
VF-18—LT E. J. Murphy
36 F6F-5
5 F6F-5N
3 F6F-5P
VB-18—LCDR M. Eslick
28 SB2C-3
VT-18—LCDR L. W. VanAntwerp
18 TBM-1C
Total: 90 A/C

CV-17 BUNKER HILL—CAPT M. R. Greer (Detached for Major Overhaul 10/23)
CVG-8 Embarked—CDR R. L. Shifley
VF-8—CDR W. M. Collins
27 F6F-3
14 F6F-5
4 F6F-3N
4 F6F-5N
VB-8—LCDR J. D. Arbes
17 SB2C-1C
3 SBF-1
SBW-1
VT-8—LCDR K. F. Musick
17 TBM-1C
2 TBM-1D
Total: 88 A/C

CVL-28 CABOT—CAPT S. J. Michael
CVG-29 Embarked—LCDR W. E. Eder
VF-29—LCDR Eder
3 F6F-3
18 F6F-5
VT-29—LT J. H. McPherson
1 TBF-1C
8 TBM-1C
Total: 30 A/C

CVL-22 INDEPENDENCE—CAPT E. C. Ewen
CVG(N)-41 Embarked—CDR T. F. Caldwell
VFN-41—CDR Caldwell
3 F6F-3
2 F6F-5
14 F6F-5N
VTN-41—LCDR W. R. Taylor
8 TBM-1D
Total: 27 A/C

Battleship Division 7
RADM O. C. Badger
BB-61 IOWA—CAPT A. R. McCann
BB-62 NEW JERSEY—CAPT C. F. Holden

Cruiser Division 14
RADM F. E. M. Whiting
CL-64 VINCENNES—CAPT A. D. Brown
CL-89 MIAMI—CAPT J. G. Crawford

Destroyer Squadron 52
CAPT J. P. Womble
DD-536 OWEN—CDR C. B. Jones
DD-535 MILLER—LCDR D. L. Johnson
DD-537 THE SULLIVANS—CDR R. J. Baum
DD-538 STEPHEN POTTER—CDR L. W. Pancoast
DD-539 TINGEY—CDR J. O. Miner

Destroyer Division 104
CAPT W. T. Kenny
DD-673 HICKOX—LCDR J. H. Wesson
DD-674 HUNT—CDR H. A. Knoertzer
DD-675 LEWIS HANCOCK—CDR W. M. Searles
DD-676 MARSHALL—CDR J. D. McKinney

Destroyer Squadron 50
CAPT H. B. Jarrett
DD-686 HALSEY POWELL—CDR S. D. B. Merrill
DD-797 CUSHING—CDR F. L. Volk
DD-658 COLAHAN—CDR D. T. Wilber
DD-687 UHLMANN—CDR S. G. Hooper
DD-796 BENHAM—CDR F. S. Keeler

Destroyer Division 106
CAPT B. F. Tompkins
DD-683 STOCKHAM—CDR E. P. Holmes
DD-684 WEDDERBURN—CDR C. H. Kendall
DD-540 TWINING—CDR E. K. Wakefield
DD-541 YARNALL—CDR J. H. Hogg


Task Group 38.3
RADM F. C. Sherman

CV-9 ESSEX—CAPT C. W. Weiber
CVG-15 Embarked—CDR D. McCampbell
VF-15—LCDR J. F. Rigg
22 F6F-3
3 F6F-3N
2 F6F-3P
23 F6F-5
1 F6F-5N
VB-15—LCDR J. H. Mini
25 SB2C-3
VT-15—LCDR V. G. Lambert
15 TBF-1C
5 TBM-1C
Total: 96 A/C

CV-16 LEXINGTON—CAPT E. W. Litch
CVG-19 Embarked—CDR T. H. Winters
VF-19 LCDR F. E. Cook
14 F6F-3
2 F6F-3N
2 F6F-3P
23 F6F-5
1 F6F-5N
VB-19—LCDR R. McGowan
30 SB2C-3
VT-19—LCDR F. C. Perry
18 TBM-1C
Total: 90 A/C

CVL-23 PRINCETON*—CAPT W. H. Buracker
CVG-27 Embarked—LCDR F. A. Bardshar
VF-27—LCDR Bardshar
18 F6F-3
7 F6F-5
VT-27—LCDR S. M. Haley
9 TBM-1C
Total: 34 A/C

CVL-27 LANGLEY—CAPT J. F. Wegforth
CVG-44 Embarked—CDR M. T. Wordell
VF-44—CDR Wordell
19 F6F-3
6 F6F-5
VT-44—LCDR E. F. Craig
9 TBM-1C
Total: 34 A/C

Commander, Battleships, Pacific Fleet
VADM W. A. Lee CTF-34 when formed
BB-56 WASHINGTON—CAPT T. R. Cooley (to TG-38.4 10/23)

Battleship Division 8
RADM G. B. Davis
BB-59 MASSACHUSETTS—CAPT W. W. Warlick

Battleship Division 9
RADM E. W. Hanson
BB-57 SOUTH DAKOTA—CAPT C. B. Momsen (to TG-38.4 10/28)
BB-60 ALABAMA—CAPT V. R. Murphy (to TG-38.4 10/23)

Cruiser Division 13
RADM L. T. DuBose
CL-60 SANTA FE—CAPT J. Wright
CL-63 MOBILE—CAPT C. C. Miller
CL-62 BIRMINGHAM—CAPT T. B. Inglis (damaged, detached 10/24)
CL-96 RENO—CAPT R. C. Alexander

Destroyer Squadron 50
CAPT C. R. Todd
DD-668 CLARENCE K. BRONSON—CDR G. Scull
DD-669 COTTON—CDR P. W. Winston
DD-670 DORTCH—CDR R. E. Myers
DD-671 GATLING—CDR A. F. Richardson (detached 10/24)
DD-672 HEALY—CDR J. C. Atkeson

Destroyer Squadron 55
CAPT A. E. Jarrell
DD-682 PORTERFIELD—LCDR D. W. Wulzen
DD-792 CALLAGHAN—LCDR C. M. Berthof
DD-793 CASSIN YOUNG—CDR E. T. Schrieber
DD-794 IRWIN—CDR D. B. Miller (to TG-38.4 10/23)
DD-795 PRESTON—CDR G. S. Patrick

Destroyer Division 110
CDR M. Van Metre (to TG-38.4 10/23)
DD-558 LAWS—CDR L. O. Wood (to TG-38.4 10/23)
DD-559 LONGSHAW—CDR R. H. Speck (to TG-38.4 10/23)
DD-560 MORRISON—CDR W. H. Price (to TG-38.4 10/23)
DD-561 PRICHETT—CDR C. T. Caulfield (to TG-38.4 10/23)

Task Group 38.4
Rear Admiral R. E. Davison
CV-13 FRANKLIN—CAPT J. M. Shoemaker
CVG-13 Embarked—CDR R. L. Kibbe
VF-13—CDR W. M. Coleman
1 F6F-3
1 F6F-3N
30 F6F-5
1 F6F-5N
4 F6F-5P
VB-13—LT C. A. Skinner
31 SB2C-3
VT-13—LCDR L. C. French
18 TBM-1C
Total: 86 A/C

CV-6 ENTERPRISE—CAPT C. D. Glover
CVG-20 Embarked—CDR D. F. Smith
VF-20—LCDR F. E. Bakutis
35 F6F-5
4 F6F-3N
VB-20—CDR M. E. Riera
34 SB2C-3
VT-20—LCDR S. L. Prickett
19 TBM-1C
Total: 92 A/C

CVL-30 SAN JACINTO—CAPT H. M. Kernoodle
CVG-51 Embarked—CDR C. L. Moore
VF-51—CDR Moore
14 F6F-3
5 F6F-5
VT-51—LCDR D. J. Melvin
7 TBM-1C
Total: 26 A/C
CVL-24 BELLEAU WOOD—CAPT J. Perry
CVG-21 Embarked—LCDR V. F. Casey
VF-21—LCDR Casey
24 F6F-5
1 F6F-5P
VT-21—LCDR R. A. Kennard
9 TBM-1C
Total: 34 A/C

CA-32 NEW ORLEANS—CAPT J. E. Hurf
CL-80 BILOXI—CAPT P. R. Heineman (to TG-38.2 10/22)

Destroyer Squadron 6
CAPT V. D. Long
DD-401 MAURY—CDR J. W. Koenig
DD-380 GRIDLEY—CDR P. D. Quirk
DD-388 HELM—CDR S. K. Santmyers
DD-400 MCCALL—LCDR J. B. Carroll

Destroyer Division 12
CAPT K. F. Poehlman
DD-389 MUGFORD—CDR M. A. Shellabarger
DD-386 BAGLEY—CDR W. H. Shea
DD-392 PATTERSON—LCDR W. A. Hering
DD-390 RALPH TALBOT—L CDR W. S. Brown

Destroyer Division 24
CAPT A. J. Greenacre
DD-441 WILKES—LCDR F. E. McEntire
DD-442 NICHOLSON—CDR W. C. Bennett
DD-443 SWANSON—LCDR W. K. Ratliff

NOTES:
Ships designated by ADM Halsey as to form the Battle Line TF-34 under VADM Lee in a message sent 0240 25 October: BB IOWA, NEW JERSEY, WASHINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, SOUTH DAKOTA ALABAMA; CA WICHITA, NEW ORLEANS; CL VINCENNES, MIAMI, BILOXI, SANTA FE, MOBILE; DD CLARENCE K. BRONSON, COTTON, DORTCH, HEALY, PORTERFIELD, BAGLEY, PATTERSON
The run south to San Bernardino Strait was made by the following ships: BB IOWA, NEW JERSEY; CL BILOXI, VINCENNES, MIAMI; DD OWEN, MILLER, THE SULLIVANS, TINGEY, HICKOX, HUNT, MARSHALL, LEWIS HANCOCK.
Surface actions executed by RADM Du Bose’s TG-30.3: WICHITA, NEW ORLEANS, SANTA FE, MOBILE, CLARENCE K. BRONSON, COTTEN, PATTERSON, BAGLEY, DORTCH, HEALY, COGSWELL, CAPERTON, INGERSOLL, KNAPP.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JAPANESE MAIN BODY (NORTHERN FORCE)

MOBILE FORCE
VADM J. Ozawa

Carrier Division 3
VADM Ozawa

Combined Air Groups:
80 A6M5 Zero
4 B5N Kate
25 B6N Jill
7 D3Y Judy

CV ZUIKAKU*—RADM Takeo Kaizuka*
struck by seven torpedoes and nine bombs
843 dead, 862 survivors
CVL ZUIHO*—CAPT K. Sigiura
hit by at least two torpedoes and six bombs, plus many near misses
CVL CHITOSE*—CAPT Y. Kishi
sunk by air attack with 903 dead
CVL CHIYODA*—CAPT Eiichiro Jyo*
crippled by four bombs, finished off by gunfire
1470 dead—all hands

Carrier Division 4
RADM C. Matsuda
No Aircraft Embarked
BBCV HYUGA—RADM T. Nomura
negligible damage from near misses
BBCV ISE—RADM N. Nakase
negligible damage from near misses
CL OYODO—CAPT Kakuro Mutaguchi
minor damage from two rockets and a near-miss bomb
8 dead, 12 wounded
CL TAMA*—CAPT G. Matsuda*
damaged by aerial torpedo, sunk by three hits from submarine JALLAO
all hands lost

Escort Squadron 31
RADM Hyotaro Edo
CL ISUZU—CAPT G. Matsuda
slight damage from air attack, 13 dead

Destroyer Division 61
CAPT Shigetaka Amano*
DD HATSUZUKI*(F)—CDR Kanematsu Hashimoto*
sunk by gunfire, all hands lost
DD AKITSUKI*—CDR Tomoe Ogata
sunk by an aerial torpedo
DD WAKATSUKI—CDR Yasuatsu Suzuki

Destroyer Division 41
CAPT Kiichiro Wakida
DD SHIMOTSUKI (F)—CDR Kenji Hatano

Destroyer Division 43
DE MAKI
DE KIRI
DE KUWA
DE SUGI

Second Supply Force
DD AKIKAZE—LCDR Nitaro Yamazaki
Escort Vessel 22
Escort Vessel 29
Escort Vessel 31
Escort Vessel 33
Escort Vessel 43
Escort Vessel 132
AO JINEI MARU*
AO TAKANE MARU

*Sunk or lost in this action

Sources:
History of U. S. Naval Operations in WW II: Vol 12, Leyte by S. E. Morison
The Battle of Leyte Gulf by C. Vann Woodward
The Fast Carriers by C. G. Reynolds
Admiral Halsey's Story by W. F. Halsey and J. Bryan
Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy by Paul S. Dull
Nihon Kaigun web site
Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War by Lacroix and Wells

_________________
Zero Surprise!!...

Forgot to post this photo. Quite a shot that I'm sure we all have seen, but still impressive.


Carrier Zuiho damaged during Battle off Cape Engaño, 25 October 1944 (US Navy War Photographs)

_________________
Zero Surprise!!...

Does anyone have any insight on what the tarps covering the Zeros were used for?

Shade! ... More than likely to keep the cockpits cooler and out of the sun rays. You can see in the photo where most all personnel are sitting under the wings as well. Must have been quite hot that day. That's my guess.

_________________
Zero Surprise!!...

Very cool thread!!

Many thanks for posting!!!!!!!!!

I just now happened across this message board, because I was searching for my father's name. Yes. Charles Allen Skinner was commander of VB-13 in the Leyte Gulf when the Franklin was crippled. After the war, he retired to Florida, met Joyce Bush, and was a father to her 8 kids, then adopted the youngest daughter's first born son. Me. Dad didn't talk too much about the war, but he did talk about Leyte. When he was going down the elevator to get below deck, he narrowly avoided being hit by a kamikaze. The wreckage flew over his head, and he lived. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his service there.

Greetings!!! ... Here's a video of the October 30, 1944 kamikaze hit. Your dad dodged a big one that day.
http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... ing-planes

I would also suggest if you have an interest that you contact Mr. JOMiller above and see if there's a possibility you can recover your father's Logbook, Navy Cross etc.

So let me get this straight? Your grandfather adopted you from your mother? his daughter? and you became his son as opposed to his grandson? Or both? Is that correct? No matter you are kin and that's all that matters.

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Zero Surprise!!...

PLEASE HELP ME FIND "OKUMA". I can't keep Skinner's
stuff. It needs to be with the family. OMG, TWO days
from the battle anniversary. Reach out to me guy.....
I need documentation. I'm headed to look for the stuff........

Owen