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NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30)
Courtesy of Don McGrogan, BMCS(SW) (Ret.)

USS SAN JACINTO   (CVL-30)
(later AVT-5)



Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Foxtrot - Juliet - X-ray
Tactical Voice Radio Call (as of March 1945): "ROCKET"


Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons

   

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Presidential Unit Citation
2nd Row: American Campaign Medal / Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (7 stars) / World War II Victory Medal
3rd Row: Navy Occupation Service Medal ("Asia" clasp) / Philippine Presidential Unit Citation / Philippine Liberation Medal (2 stars)

CLASS - INDEPENDENCE
Displacement 11,000 Tons, Dimensions, 622' 6" (oa) x 71' 6" x 26' (Max)
Armament 24 x 40mm, 22 x 20mm AA, 30 Aircraft.
Armor, 5" Belt, 2" Decks, 1/2" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 100,000 SHP; G.E. Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 31.5 Knots, Crew 1569.

Operational and Building Data

Ordered as the Cleveland-class light cruiser Newark (CL-100). Built by New York Shipbuilding. Reordered as a carrier; redesignated CV-30, 2 June 1942; renamed Reprisal, 23 June 1942; laid down 26 Oct 1942; renamed San Jacinto 6 January 1943; redesignated CVL-30 15 July 1943; launched 29 Sept 1943, commissioned 15 Dec 1943.
FATE
Redesignated CVL 30 15 July 1943. Served with the Carrier TF during WWII. Decommissioned to reserve 1 March 1947. Redesignated as aviation transport (AVT 5) 5/59 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1970 and subsequently scrapped.


Click On Image 
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Name
Newark, NJ
NS023016a
124k

Ordered on 16 December 1940 as a Cleveland-class light cruiser, this ship was assigned hull number CL-100 and named Newark (11 February 1942), for the largest city in New Jersey (NS023016a). Newark is also the name of towns in Delaware, New York and Ohio.

Designated for completion as an aircraft carrier she was redesignated CV-30 on 2 June 1942 and renamed Reprisal, 23 June 1942, after a Continental Navy brigantine ("Reprisal" means hostile action taken in response to an offense; retaliation).

Renamed San Jacinto, 6 January 1943, after the Battle of the San Jacinto River, fought on 21 April 1836, the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the outnumbered Texas Army engaged and defeated Mexican forces led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna in a fight that lasted just 18 minutes, in present-day Harris County, Texas (its county seat is Houston, NS023016b).

NS023016: The Battle of San Jacinto, painting by Henry Arthur McArdle (1895). Courtesy of Prints and Photographs Collection, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Previous US warships that had borne the name San Jacinto:

  1. A screw frigate, one of the Navy's early screw warships.

(Maps NS023016a and NS023016b courtesy of Google Maps.)

NavSource
Houston, Harris County
NS023016b
143k
Battle of the San Jacinto River
NS023016
190k
Construction
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023004d
410k

San Jacinto sliding down the building ways at the New York Shipbuilding Corp. yard, Camden, New Jersey, after she was christened by Mrs. Jesse H. Jones, 26 September 1943.

NS023004d: Christening of San Jacinto (CVL-30) by Mrs. Jesse Jones, wife of the Secretary of Commerce.

NS023004: Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-44590).

NS023004c: Information on back of photo:
"CVL-30-17-44 U.S.S. SAN JACINTO
DATE 18 JAN 1944 [(!)]
SUBJECT Launching Ceremonies"
Official Photograph, U.S. Navy.

Handwritten note reads: "Hairy Pennington & Capt. Martin / Launching USS San Jacinto 9-26-43"

S. Dale Hargrave
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023004
122k Scott Dyben
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023004a
90k Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023004b
142k Mr. Billy G. Sullivan
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023004c
150k
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023024
95k

Information on back of photo:
"CVL-30   23   U.S.S. SAN JACINTO
DATE 18 JAN 1944 [(!)]
SUBJECT Piping First Watch"

Official Photograph, U.S. Navy.

San Jacinto was commissioned on 15 December 1943.

Mr. Billy G. Sullivan
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023024a
74k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), Commissioning Ceremonies, Wednesday, 15 December 1943.

Curtis J. Vantrease
World War 2

NS023012
72k USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on 17 January 1944. She is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 7A; colors are pale gray, haze gray and navy blue, plus white under the overhangs and recesses. (Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 43506).

NHC

NS023012a
141k USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), aerial view, low altitude, bow. Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa., 17 January 1944. Photo serial # 109-44.

Pieter Bakels

NS023012b
133k USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), aerial view, high altitude, off the port bow. Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa., 17 January 1944. Photo serial # 113-44.

David Buell

NS023012c
865k

USS San Jacinto leaves the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 17 January 1944. The four portside masts supported radio antennas and were folded outboard during flight operations. The blistered hull was carried outboard of the straight-sided hangar (note the narrow flat deck area showing amidships). The flat hangar deck was built up above the original sheer of her cruiser hull. (Text adapted from from U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.)

Camouflage Design 7A, used with the colors of Measure 33, can be clearly distinguished here. The fantail at the stern increases the overall length by 12' 6" compared with the hulls of the Cleveland-class light cruisers, and, amidships, the top edge of the hull bulge can be clearly made out. The appearance of all the ships of this class was altered remarkably little throughout the war. (Text adapted from Aircraft Carriers of the U.S. Navy, by Stefan Terzibaschitsch.)

Robert Hurst

NS023012d
66k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) putting out to sea from the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 17 January 1944. She is wearing Measure 33, Design 7A camouflage scheme.

U.S. Navy photo from Naval Camouflage 1914–1945, A Complete Visual Reference, by David Williams.

Robert Hurst

NS023012e
108k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), air view, low altitude, off port quarter. Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa., 17 January 1944. Photo serial # 117-44.

Pieter Bakels
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023002
104k Starboard bow view of USS San Jacinto at anchor, January 22, 1944. Two Avengers are spotted on the forward flight deck. An aircraft handling crane was mounted immediately forward of the island. Note that her hull number is painted a dark color (navy blue?) against the pale gray of her Ms. 33/7A camouflage. USN
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023001
125k Starboard side view (22 January 1944?). Good view of the stack layout on this class. USN
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023005
128k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) underway off the U.S. east coast (position 36 55'N, 75 07'W) on 23 January 1944, with an SNJ training plane parked on her flight deck. Photographed from a Squadron ZP-14 blimp. The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 7A.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-212798). BuAer photo # 212798.

Scott Dyben
Larger copy submitted by Ed Zajkowski
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023006
112k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) underway off the U.S. east coast (position 36 55'N, 75 07'W) on 23 January 1944, with an SNJ training plane parked on her flight deck. Photographed from a Squadron ZP-14 blimp. Note destroyer steaming astern of the carrier.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-212799).

Scott Dyben
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023022
399k

Official U.S. Navy photo of USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) underway, 1944.

David Buell
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023007
83k

Lieutenant Commander Albert B. Cahn gives the "Take-off" signal to a TBM-1C "Avenger" of Torpedo Squadron 51, during exercises on 16 May 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-238772).

Scott Dyben
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023008
780k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30)—right foreground—steaming in formation with USS Lexington (CV-16) and a DD-348-class destroyer, during pre-invasion operations in the Marianas area, 13 June 1944. Both carriers belonged to Task Group 58.3.

Note: Even though the CVL in this photo is generally identified as San Jacinto, details of her camouflage paint suggest she might actually be USS Princeton (CVL-23).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-238786.

Scott Dyben
David Buell
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023029
160k

"Quarterdeck Bits from the Captain," 15 June 1944.

Curtis J. Vantrease
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023033
514k

Lieutenant Junior Grade William R. Mooney, who after being shot down by enemy flak during a raid on Guam, 16 June 1944 (before its capture by the U.S.) made his way to shore, where he spent 16 nights before being picked up by an OS2U Kingfisher. LT(JG) Mooney is showing a shipmate how he paddled to and from Guam during the daytime. Received 13 September 1944.

U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-46484.

NARA
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023018
170k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), arrangement of antennas on masts, 19 June 1944.

Pieter Bakels
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023018a
543k

Attempted Japanese air attack on Task Force 58 intercepted by carrier-based planes west of Guam Island in the Mariana Islands. Shown is an attack on USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). Photographed from USS Healy (DD-672), 19 June 1944.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-239292.

NARA
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023009
72k

TBM-1C "Avenger", of Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51), takes off from USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) for a raid on Guam, 28 June 1944. The catapult operator is at right.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-238783).

Scott Dyben
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023010
1.02M

Portrait montage of squadron officers of VT-51 and senior officers of its parent carrier, USS San Jacinto, circa mid-1944. The ship's Commanding Officer, Captain Harold M. Martin, is seen in the upper left. Officer second from right, second row from bottom, is George H.W. Bush, who was President of the United States from 1989 to 1993.

Officers seen in this view include (based on names given on photo, plus consultation with 1944 Navy and Naval Reserve Registers):

Top row, left to right:

Captain Harold M. Martin, ship's Commanding Officer; Commander Henry H. Hale, USN, and Lieutenant Commander Albert B. Cahn, USNR.

Second row, left to right:

Lieutenant Commander Donald J. Melvin, USNR, Commanding VT-51; Lieutenant Legare R. Hole, USNR; Lieutenant Martin E. Kilpatrick, USNR; Lieutenant Forrest H. Daniels, USNR; Lieutenant (Junior Grade) William G. White, USNR; and Lieutenant (Junior Grade) R.G.(Richard B.?) Plaisted, USNR.

Third row, left to right:

Ensign Douglas H. West, USNR; Ensign Howard G. Boren, Jr., USNR; Ensign Francis M. Waters, USNR; Ensign Louis J. Grab, USNR; Ensign George H.W. Bush, USNR; and Ensign Jack O. Guy, USNR.

Bottom row, left to right:

Ensign Stanley P. Butchart, USNR; Ensign Milton G. Moore., USNR; Lieutenant Roland R. Houle, USNR; Ensign John J. Raquepau, USNR; Ensign Carl H. Woie, USNR; and Ensign William M. McCarter, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-265727).

Scott Dyben
Large copy submitted by David A. Warta, grandson of Arthur L. Warta
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023010a Names
NS023010a
224k

Torpedo Squadron (VT) 51.

Paul Bensman (5th from left, front row) was a tail gunner. He flew with future President Bush three times before he was shot down and killed on the island of Peleliu (TBM-1C Avenger, BuNo 45676, 15 September 1944). This is a photo Paul sent home that has him and President Bush.

(Larger copy available on demand.)

Jim Bensman, nephew of Paul Bensman
CVL-30
NS023010f
119k

Torpedo Squadron (VT) 51.

Tommy Trampp
CVL-30
NS023010c
240k

LT(JG) George H.W. Bush's flight crew, US Navy. Left to right: ARM2c John "Del" Delaney, AO2c Leo W. Nadeau, and Bush. Delaney would die on 2 September 1944, when Bush's plane (TBM-1C Avenger BuNo 46214) was shot down during an attack on Chi Chi Jima.

Courtesy of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
CVL-30
NS023010d
230k

LT(JG) George H.W. Bush's flight crew, 2 November 1944. Left to right: radioman Joe Reichert, Bush, and turret gunner Leo W. Nadeau.

Courtesy of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
CVL-30
NS023010e
190k

LT(JG) George H.W. Bush, USNR, in his TBM Avenger torpedo-bomber, 1944.

Courtesy of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
LT(JG) George H.W. Bush
NS027706a
248k

US Navy pilot George Bush in the cockpit of an Avenger, 1942–1945.

(Read about LT(JG) George H.W. Bush, USNR, at the Naval History & Heritage Command website.)

Photo courtesy of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, via Bill Gonyo.
George H.W. Bush quote
NS027706b
32k

"The men and women of the United States Navy ... will keep America safe in the century ahead as they have in the century now coming to a close."

Remarks at the United States Naval Academy Commencement Ceremony in Annapolis, Maryland, May 27, 1992.

George Herbert Walker Bush, Forty-First President, United States of America.

Tommy Trampp.
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023010b
1.02M

Fighting Fifty-One (VF-51). Carrier Air Group 51 was assigned to San Jacinto in August 1943 (before the ship was launched) and operated from her until November 1944.

David A. Warta, grandson of Arthur L. Warta
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023011
69k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) rolling heavily and pitching in rough seas, while en route to raid Okinawa with Task Force 58, 6 October 1944. TBM Avenger torpedo planes of Torpedo Squadron 51 are parked at right, with landing gear well-lashed to the deck. Note "palisade" wind-break in elevated position across the flight deck, forward of the planes.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-284859).

Scott Dyben
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023015
98k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) rolling heavily, October 1944.

National Archives, College Park, Maryland, via Dwayne Day

NS023028
146k "NEAR MISS—A geyser from an exploding Jap bomb showers high astern of an American carrier off the Philippines Oct. 24. The plane seen as a blur above the carrier is not identified. The U.S. vessel apparently suffered no damage. (A.P. Wirephoto)"

Curtis J Vantrease

NS023013
95k Battle off Cape Engaño, 25 October 1944 — Arming a Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) TBM torpedo bomber on USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). Probably taken before the squadron's planes attacked the Japanese carrier force. Torpedo is a Mark 13, fitted with wooden water-entry shrouds around its nose and tail.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-284708).

NHC

NS023014
106k

Battle off Cape Engaño, 25 October 1944 — Pilots of Torpedo Squadron 51 return to USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) after attacking the Japanese carrier force. One of VT-51's TBM torpedo planes is in the background.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA, # 80-G-284707.

Naval History & Heritage Command
This is a set of views of USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) and USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) underway in TG-38.4, 30 October 1944. Belleau Wood, in the background, has a major flight deck fire after being hit by a Zero kamikaze. Seen from USS South Dakota (BB-57) in the formation, while operating east of the Philippines. Photos by S. Zalkind, PhoM1c.

Photos submitted by John Chiquoine and Mitch Zalkind.


CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS022410b
352 Kb
CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS022410c
357 Kb
CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS022410d
357 Kb
CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS0224106
332 Kb
  CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS022410f
295 Kb
CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS022410g
294 Kb
 

NS023041
466k F6F Hellcat on fire and trailing smoke after being hit in error while chasing Japanese Zeke during enemy attack on Task Group 58.2 operating off Kyushu, Japan. Photographed by Lieutenant R. M. Austin from USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), 20 March 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-328521.

NARA
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023038
769k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), 24 March 1945. AOM3/c S.O. Wilcox and S1/c W. Barry loading rockets on F6F Hellcat plane. Photographed by PHoM3/c W.E. Castner.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-316345.

NARA
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023038a
575k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), 24 March 1945. CTM Kirpatrick preparing torpedoes for planes that were to take part in strike against Japanese convoy. Photographed by PHoM3/c W.E. Castner.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-316349.

CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023042
373k

Operation Ten-Go. Japanese suicide splashing after being hit by anti-aircraft fire from Task Force 58 off the bow of USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). Note the part of the airplane in flight over the bow. Photographed from USS Hornet (CV-12), 6 April 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-331605.

NARA
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023043
8.83M

Photos and charts from the album of LT(JG) Robert R. Tillay, Jr., Fighter Squadron (VF) 49.

Molly Tillay Johnson,
daughter of LT(JG) Tillay

NS023020
290k

Air Group 49 (Fighting 49 [VF-49] and Torpedo 49 [VT-49]) operated from USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) between May and August 1945. Ship and Air Group were jointly awarded a Presidential Unit Citation.

Jeffrey P. Oves, grandson of LT John H. Livingston, XO of VT-49

NS023020a
213k

NS023020e
215k

Torpedo Squadron (VT) 49 patch.


NS023020b
33k

Harold F. Willeford, AMM2/c (left) and Harold T. Furstenberg, ARM3/c (same picture used for Squadron photo).

Nina Willeford Campbell, daughter of Harold F. Willeford

NS023020c
34k

ARM3/c H.T. Furstenberg (left), ENS C.F. Millburn (center), and AMM2/c H.F. Willeford.


NS023020d
29k

AMM2/c H.F. Willeford and ARM3/c H.T. Furstenberg.

CV-3, CV-6, CV-12 and CVL-30
NS020632
116k

Naval Air Station, Alameda, California — Four aircraft carriers docked at the Air Station's piers, circa mid-September 1945. The ships are (from front to back): USS Saratoga (CV-3), USS Enterprise (CV-6), USS Hornet (CV-12) and USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). Note PBY amphibians parked at the far left.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-701512).

Note that four, out of five, classes of fast Aircraft Carriers that fought in the Pacific (only the one-ship class Wasp is missing) are represented in this photograph.

NHC
CVL-30
NS023040
963k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). Frames for bunks are installed on the hangar deck for conversion to a troop-ship at U.S. Naval Drydocks, Hunter's Point, San Francisco, California. Photograph received November 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-353727.

NARA
CVL-30
NS023044
367k

Maintenance on Pacific Reserve Fleet units. The decommissioned San Jacinto (CVL-30) is in drydock at Bethlehem Steel, Potrero Point, CA., 24 August 1954.

(SS President Grant at left in photos NS023044b and NS023044c.)

NPS-FMS-17162-p82. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose.

Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
CVL-30
NS023044a
321k
CVL-30
NS023044b
272k
CVL-30
NS023044c
346k
Ex-CVL-30
NS023039
355k

Ex-USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), antenna arrangement (partial), view from 010° (midship area). San Francisco Naval Shipyard, NY1-1693-(G-S)-9-3-54 (3 September 1954).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, ARC identifier: 24741691; local identifier: "19-NN - CVL-30 San Jacinto - 149592"; box 1585, Folder 374.

NARA,
via Michael Mohl
Ex-CVL-30
NS023039a
352k

Ex-USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), antenna arrangement, view from 190°. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, NY1-1694-(G-S)-9-3-54 (3 September 1954).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, ARC identifier: 24741693; local identifier: "19-NN - CVL-30 San Jacinto - 149593"; box 1585, Folder 374.

Ex-CVL-30
NS023039b
448k

Ex-USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), antenna arrangement (partial), view from 150°. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, NY1-1695-(G-S)-9-3-54 (3 September 1954).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, ARC identifier: 24741695; local identifier: "19-NN - CVL-30 San Jacinto - 149594"; box 1585, Folder 374.

Ex-CVL-30
NS023039c
276k

Ex-USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), antenna arrangement, view from 270° (aft area). San Francisco Naval Shipyard, NY1-1696-(G-S)-9-3-54 (3 September 1954).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, ARC identifier: 24741697; local identifier: "19-NN - CVL-30 San Jacinto - 149595"; box 1585, Folder 374.

Ex-CVL-30
NS023039d
244k

Ex-USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), antenna arrangement, view from 240° (aft area). San Francisco Naval Shipyard, NY1-1697-(G-S)-9-3-54 (3 September 1954).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, ARC identifier: 24741699; local identifier: "19-NN - CVL-30 San Jacinto - 149596"; box 1585, Folder 374.

'Mothball' Fleet
NS023021
110k

Picture of the Pacific Reserve Fleet at San Diego, California, in July 1969. The crowded docks play host to a who's who of WW II and later warships including the Korean War veteran Philippine Sea (AVT-11, formerly CV-47, CVA-47 and CVS-47), lower left; and San Jacinto (AVT-5, formerly CVL-30), left center. Moored next to San Jacinto are the light cruisers Amsterdam (CL-101) and USS Astoria (CL-90).

Photo from the Larry Cote collection.

Robert Hurst
Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
The Crew
Papers of LT Arthur L. Warta, USNR
NS023031
7.83M

Documents related to LT Arthur Leon Warta, USNR, who was attached to Fighting Squadron (VF) 51 aboard USS San Jacinto (CVL-30).

Presidential Unit Citation, Air Medal citation, Distinguished Flying Cross citation, etc.

David A. Warta, grandson of Arthur L. Warta
Papers of John Henry Craig
NS023023
11M

Photo and papers of John Henry Craig, Electrician's Mate First Class USNR V-6.

(Partial) Muster Rolls, 15 December 1943 and 27 June 1944; Honorable Discharge Certificate.

Mr. Billy G. Sullivan, great grandson of John Henry Craig
AMM2/c Frank Paoletti
NS023045
841k

AMM2/c Frank Paoletti in cockpit of torpedo plane flown by George Bush.

Todd Paoletti,
for his grandfather Frank Paoletti
Memorabilia
VT-49, CVL-30
NS023026
115k

Merry Xmas, Happy New Year, Torpedo Squadron Forty Nine

Jeffrey P. Oves, grandson of LT John H. Livingston, XO of VT-49
CVL-30
NS023030
128k

"Smoker and Happy Hour" featuring "Boxing, USS San Jacinto vs. USS Cabot"

Curtis J. Vantrease
CVL-30
NS023035
124k

"Welcome Aboard," 1943–1945.

Allan Harden
CVL-30
NS023034
1.49M

"Welcome Aboard," Operation Magic Carpet.

Allan Harden
CVL-30
NS023036
210k

"San Jac Sun," Volume 6, No. 57, Monday, 10 December 1945.

Allan Harden
CVL-30 San Jacinto
NS023037
169k

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) underway, 21 June 1945. Visible in the foreground is a 40mm quadruple Bofors AA gun on USS Lexington (CV-16).

Australian War Memorial, Photo No.302729.

Mike Green
CVL-30
NS023032
87k

"New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J., Launching U.S.S. San Jacinto," 26 September 1943.

Tommy Trampp
Can You Help Us?
Can You Help Us?
NS023017
191k

Cornelius M. Shanahan, "Mike," USMC, served aboard USS San Jacinto December 7, 1943–September 15, 1945. "Mike" is in the center of this photo, with two friends. Can you identify them? Please contact us, Mike's family would love to hear from you.

Joe Berkle identifies the man on the right as PFC Kahl "Charles" Berkle, his late father (he signed his last name "Berkle" on the photo; he was a 40mm gunner, Marine attachment).

Stuart Heermans says: "My dad served on the USS San Jacinto he was a rear tail gunner on a[n Avenger] torpedo bomber. Radio man too. He is now 91 living here in Colorado."

Timothy D. Shanahan, proud son of "Mike" Shanahan
Can You Help Us?
NS023025
715k

The man in the center with his arm around the woman is John Henry Craig. The other men might be from USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). If anyone knows who the other men are or where they might be please contact us.

Jennifer Hermes comments: "I am not positive, but I think the man immediately to the left (my left looking at the photo) with a bicycle, the third bicycle from the left may be my grandfather, Scott S. Bailey. He served on the San Jacinto from when it was comissioned until the end of the war. He was an aircraft mechanic. AMM3c [Aviation Machinist's Mate] is what his rank was listed at."

Mr. Billy G. Sullivan, great grandson of John Henry Craig
Can You Help Us?
NS023027
252k

Thomas J. Reynolds served aboard USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) during World War II. His squadron was VT-45. If there is anyone who also served with that ship and/or squadron and knew him, please contact us.

NS023027: Flight log, March 1945. The pilot, LT Floyd J. Bertoglio, USNR, was awarded a Silver Star:

"[...] for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as pilot of a carrier-based Torpedo Bomber in Torpedo Squadron FORTY-FIVE (VT-45), in action against enemy naval units in the vicinity of Honshu on 19 March 1945. He skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a bombing attack against units of the Japanese Fleet, including aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked an enemy aircraft carrier in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore batteries, scoring a direct bomb hit which materially damaged the vessel. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

NS023027a: Flight log inside front cover.

NS023027b: Service summary.

Paul T. Reynolds, son of Thomas J. Reynolds
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NS023027a
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NS023027b
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For more photos and information about this ship, see:

Read the USS SAN JACINTO (CVL-30 / AVT-5) DANFS History entry

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Last update: 10 February 2024