USS BLOCK ISLAND (ACV-21)
(later CVE-21)
Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Uniform - Yankee - Mike
| Bogue Class Escort Carrier | |||||
| Ordered | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Stricken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (see below) | 19 Jan 1942 | 6 Jun 1942 | 8 Mar 1943 | 28 Jun 1944 | |
| Builder: Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Seattle, Wash. | |||||
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Fate: Hit by two torpedoes from German submarine U-549 at 2013, May 29, 1944. A third torpedo struck the escort carrier 10' later, and FBI ("Fighting Block Island") finally sank at 2155. During this same action USS Barr (DE-576) was hit and damaged by another torpedo, and U-549 was sunk by USS Eugene A. Elmore (DE-686) and USS Ahrens (DE-575). Six USS Block Island crewmen died during or soon after the attack, and four out of six Wildcat pilots aloft at the time of the attack could not make it to the Canary Islands, where they had been vectored. They remain on active duty. |
| Click On Image
For Full Size Image |
Size | Image Description | Contributed
By And/Or Copyright |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
 NS0302104 |
160k | A nearly complete Block Island (ACV-21) at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard, 1943. She is painted in Measure 22 camouflage scheme, in preparation for duty in the Atlantic. (U.S. Navy photo, courtesy of The Floating Drydock, from "Naval Camouflage 1914–1945: A Complete Visual Reference," by David Williams.) |
Robert Hurst | |
 NS0302101 |
40k | USS Block Island (CVE-21) underway, October 12, 1943 wearing Ms.22 camouflage. | Haze Gray & Underway | |
 NS0302102 |
135k | Shortly after leaving Norfolk, October 15, 1943, on her first anti-submarine cruise, with aircraft from Composite Squadron 1 (VC-1) on deck—9 FM-1 Wildcats (forward) and 12 TBF-1C Avengers. Position 36-54' N, 75-22' W, course 090. Photographed from a blimp of squadron ZP-14. U.S. National Archives photo #80-G-87149. |
Courtesy of Tony Drury, Royal Navy Escort Carriers | |
 NS0546302 |
103k | German submarine U-801 on the surface (directly above the aircraft wingtip), being pursued and fired on by USS Corry (DD-463), at right, on 17 March 1944. The submarine was sunk in position 16 41N, 29 58W. Photographed from a TBM Avenger aircraft of squadron VC-6, based on USS Block Island (CVE-21). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-222848). |
Fred Weiss | |
 NS0302105 |
107k | German submarine U-801 sinking with bow high, in position 16 41N, 29 58W on 17 March 1944. USS Corry (DD-463) is coming up at right. The submarine was sunk by aircraft and surface ships of the USS Block Island (CVE-21) group. Photographed from a TBM Avenger aircraft of squadron VC-6, based on Block Island. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-222850). |
Naval History & Heritage Command | |
 NS0302103 |
43k | Sinking after being torpedoed by German submarine U-549, May 29, 1944 (port side view). | Haze Gray & Underway | |
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| Crew Contact and Reunion Information | ||||||||||||||||
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| Related Links |
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Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages By Andrew Toppan. USS Block Island Association World War II Damage Report located on the NAVSEA 05P4 web site Official U.S. Navy Carrier Website Escort Carrier Sailors & Airmen Association |
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This page was created by Paul Yarnall and is maintained by Fabio Peña
Last update: 21 October 2011