As SS Esso Trenton.

One of twelve National Defense Tankers ordered on 3 January 1938, SS Esso Trenton was built to a joint Navy-Maritime Commission design. She was acquired by the Navy in October 1940 and renamed Sangamon. As a fleet oiler (AO) she would be eventually armed with four 5"/38 guns in single mounts.

Sangamon Class. From U.S. Naval Ships & Aircraft (ONI 54-R), condensed and printed for FM 30-50, NAVAER 00-80V-57 (Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels). Supplement 4 - 4 August 1943.

As above. Bottom photo shows USS Santee (ACV/CVE-29).

USS Sangamon (ACV-26) steams with her escort, USS Hambleton (DD-455), en route to Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, during November 1942. USN, courtesy Stan Piet.

From Carrier Air War in Original Color, by Robert Lawson and Barrett Tillman.

Douglas SBD-3 Dauntlesses of VGS-26 and Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats of VGF-26 being spotted on USS Sangamon's (ACV-26) flight deck during Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa in November 1942. Distance and other target information for her aircrews is chalked on the deck.

From Carrier Air War in Original Color, by Robert Lawson and Barrett Tillman.

USS Sangamon (CVE-26), 135° off centerline view, 6 October 1943. Official photo, Mare Island Navy Yard # 6941-43, now in the Mare Island Naval Shipyard Ship Files, San Francisco National Archives.

LT Wilfred B. Tatro, USNR Commanding Officer of PT-489, being transferred from USS Richard M. Rowell (DE-403) for medical treatment after being injured while rescuing a downed pilot from Jap held Wasile Bay, Halmahera Island, September 17, 1944.

Note: caption typed below photo identifies the DE as USS Raymond (DE-341). Sangamon's log, however, clearly states she was actually Richard M. Rowell.

Don Schroeder recalls: "When they brought LT Tatro aboard he had a small wrench partially imbedded in his forehead. The story was that the wrench was laying on the upper deck and when they accelerated the PT boat it flew into his forehead. We had a surgeon aboard so they brought him to us."

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"This photo was on the USS Sangamon (CVE-26) with the crew that went to Africa in 1942. When they returned they refitted and went through the Panama Canal to join the Pacific Fleet."

"This photo was taken in Efate, New Hebrides in 1942. It is a photo of Torpedo 26 (Air Group 26)."

"The engineering crew on an airstrip in Efate, New Hebrides, 1942."

"Guadalcanal, 1942. During the period from March 12 to April 25, 1943 this area was under attack by the enemy."

"Admiral V.H. Ragsdale shaking hands with Captain M.E. Browder upon departure from ship after being relieved as Com Car Div 22." (See "Flag Admirals & Commanding Officers").

Rear Admiral William D. Sample (left), Commander of Task Unit 52.1.3, is greeted by Captain Alvin I. Malstrom as he comes aboard USS Sangamon (CVE-26). (See "Flag Admirals & Commanding Officers").

LCDR Fillmore Bolling Gilkeson (later Rear Admiral) was the commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron 33 aboard USS Sangamon (CVE-26) from February 1945 to June 1945.

He was awarded the Silver Star in May 1945 during the Ryukyu Islands Campaign. Citation: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Fillmore Bolling Gilkeson, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy on 4 May 1945, while in Command of an Air Group aboard an Escort Carrier during the Ryukyu Islands campaign. Lieutenant Commander Gilkeson displayed aggressive leadership and great personal courage when his ship was seriously damaged and set afire by enemy action. At the time of the initial explosion he was present on the forward end of the flight deck where he gathered and organized air group and ship's personnel in an efficient fire-fighting team, which attacked the flames in spite of intense heat, smothering smoke and exploding ammunition. Later, on the hangar deck, he assisted actively in a very dangerous area, again exposed to peril from heat, smoke and exploding ammunition. He, in particular, incited men to more vigorous action by his complete disregard for his own safety. His efforts contributed materially to the saving of the ship. His courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

"[Lieutenant] Commander Fillmore B. Gilkeson, Commanding Officer, Air Group and Torpedo Squadron Thirty-Tree."

"Commander Fillmore Bolling Gilkeson, USN, whose home is in Orange, Virginia, was graduated from the Naval Academy with the class of 1937. His first duty aboard the USS Ranger lasted until February, 1940, at which time he started flight training at Pensacola, Florida. After winning his wings, in January, 1941, Mr. Gilkeson served for over a year as Senior Aviator aboard the USS Mississippi. He then became Commanding Officer of Scouting Forty-Three, based at Guantanamo, Cuba, at the time when the submarine menace in the Caribbean was at its height. He was sent next to Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia as Commanding Officer of the Scouting Observation Unit there, before he underwent operational training in torpedo-bombers at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Then followed his assignment as Commanding Officer of Air Group Thirty-Three in May, 1944, at Alameda, California."

"A Lieutenant Commander at the time he took over the Air Group, Commander Gilkeson received his promotion shortly before the Group returned to the States."

"Lieutenant Commander Paul C. Rooney, Commanding Officer, Fighting Squadron 33."

"Lieutenant Commander Paul Chester Rooney, USN, is a native of Haddam, Kansas. He attended Kansas State College for two years before attending the United States Naval Academy from which he was graduated in 1939. Before attending flight school at Pensacola, he served on the old Lexington for eight months, and on destroyers for two years."

"After being designated a naval aviator he took part in the invasion of Attu as a member of Composite Squadron Twenty-One. For leading the fighter support in the Battle of Attu, Mr. Rooney was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon the completion of the Attu operation, Mr. Rooney joined Fighting Squadron Six for a ten-months' tour. While serving with Fighting Squadron Six he took part in the raids upon Makin Island, Marcus Island, Wake Island, Kwajalein and Truk. He received the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in shooting down an enemy aircraft in the battle over Truk."

"In April, 1944 he took command of Fighting Squadron Thirty-Three."

Gunnery Division, USS Sangamon, World War II.

Front row, center: LCDR G.F. "Frank" Kershner.

A 20 x 20" bronze plaque is to be dedicated on May 4, 2008 (63rd anniversary of the kamikaze attack) in the Admiral Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas.

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"Steaming again as a tanker, as if nothing had happened in between..."