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NavSource Online: Escort Carrier Photo Archive

USS SANTEE   (ACV-29)

(formerly AO-29 and AVG-29; later CVE-29 and CVHE-29)



Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Whiskey - Tango - Papa

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: China Service Medal (Extended) / American Defense Service Medal ("Fleet" clasp) [AO] / American Campaign Medal
3rd Row: European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (2 stars) / Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (7 stars) / World War II Victory Medal
4th Row: Navy Occupation Service Medal ("Asia" clasp) / Philippine Presidential Unit Citation / Philippine Liberation Medal
(More info)

Sangamon Class Escort Carrier
Ordered Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Stricken
3 Jan 1938 31 May 1938 4 Mar 1939 30 Oct 1940
24 Aug 1942
-- --- 1942
21 Oct 1946

1 Mar 1959
Builder: Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Chester, Pa.

Specifications
(1942, as Converted)
Displacement (design): 11,400 tons standard; 24,275 tons full load
Dimensions (wl): 525' x 75' x 30' 7.5" (full load)  /  160 x 22.9 x 9.3 meters
Dimensions (max.): 553' x 114' 3"  /  168.6 x 34.8 meters
Armor: None
Power plant: 4 boilers (450 psi); 2 steam turbines; 2 shafts; 13,500 shp (design)
Speed: 18+ knots
Endurance: 23,920 nm @ 15 knots (with 4,780 tons of oil fuel)
Armament: 2 single 5"/51 gun mounts; 4 twin 40-mm/56-cal gun mounts; 12 single 20-mm/70-cal gun mounts
Aircraft: 25
Aviation facilities: 2 elevators; 1 hydraulic catapult
Crew: 830 (ship's company + air wing)

Click on Thumbnail
for Full Size Image
Size Image Description Source
Name
Santee River
NS0302953
45k

Built as the civilian tanker Esso Seakay, this ship was acquired by the Navy on 18 October 1940, assigned hull number AO-29 and renamed Santee for a river, formed by the confluence of the Congree and Wateree rivers in central South Carolina. It flows southeast across the state for some 150 miles before emptying into the Atlantic at Santee Point (NS0302953).

Previous ships that had borne the name:

  1. A sailing frigate.
  2. A British screw steamer that served under the US flag in 1917–18, as USS Arvonian and USS Santee.

NS0302953a: Santee River at the Eutaw Springs Battlefield Park.

(Map NS0302953 by Karl Musser, courtesy of Wikipedia. Photo NS032953a courtesy of Wikipedia.)

NavSource
Santee River
NS0302953a
337k
Civilian Service
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302962
230k

"The new tanker Seakay is in the Sun Ship floating drydock and being readied for delivery, 10 July 1939." Acquired by the Navy she became USS Santee (AO-29).

Victor Dallin Collection 11766, Hagley Museum and Library, used for educational and non-commercial purpose.

John Chiquoine
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302942
67k

Tanker Seakay, one of 12 ordered by the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, underway, date and location unknown. She was later acquired by the U.S. Navy as a Fleet Oiler, renamed Santee, and subsequently converted to an aircraft carrier.

Robert Hurst
World War II
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302903
49k Port side view. USN
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302940
161k

Douglas SBD-3/5 Dauntless dive bombers of Composite Squadron (VC) 29 lined up for launch from the escort carrier USS Santee (ACV-29) during operations in the Atlantic. Armed with depth charges, the aircraft will fly antisubmarine patrol over the convoy ships visible in the background. As Escort-Scouting Squadron (VGS) 29, the squadron also flew missions in support of the North Africa invasion in November 1942.

U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation, photo No. 1996.253.703.

Robert Hurst
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302936
110k

A VGS-29 Grumman TBF-1 Avenger being brought to the flight deck on USS Santee's (ACV-29) forward elevator during August 1942, location unknown.

Photo and text from "Carrier Air War in Original WWII Color," by Robert Lawson and Barrett Tillman.

Robert Hurst
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302904
98k

Port bow view of USS Santee (ACV-29) in the rare Measure 17 camouflage pattern. U.S. Navy photo, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., serial # 3706(42), September 11, 1942.

David Buell
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302904a
110k

Port broadside view of USS Santee (ACV-29). U.S. Navy photo, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., serial # 3707(42), September 11, 1942.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302904b
226k

Starboard quarter view of USS Santee (ACV-29). Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., 11 September 1942, serial # 3710(42).

Division of Naval Intelligence. Identification and Characteristics Section. June 1943.

Tommy Trampp
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302904c
243k

Same photo as NS0302904, as used by the Division of Naval Intelligence, Identification and Characteristics Section, June 1943.

Tommy Trampp
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302904d
327k

USS Santee (ACV-29), September 1942.

Division of Naval Intelligence, Identification and Characteristics Section, June 1943.

Tommy Trampp
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302902
85k

USS Santee (ACV-29) photographed on 24 September 1942, the day the first plane landed on her flight deck (according to some sources, the photo was taken on 27 September). She is wearing the subdued "dazzle" construction of the Measure 17 disruptive system. The pattern was identical on both sides of her hull (US National Archives photo #80-G-11826).

From Naval camouflage 1914-1945: A Complete Visual Reference, by David Williams.

Robert Hurst
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302957
1.01M

U.S. Navy torpedo-bombers, TBF Avengers, aboard USS Santee (ACV-29), 25 September 1942. ACV stood for "Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier." She was reclassified as an escort carrier and redesignated CVE-29 in July 1943.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-30599.

NARA
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302939
191k

Grumman TBF Avenger being hoisted aboard USS Santee (ACV-29), circa October 1942.

National Archives photo (# 80-G-469839).

Robert Rocker
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302929
53k

USS Santee's port side showing the complete symmetry of the pattern on both sides (compare to NS0302920). US National Archives photo #19-N-34871.

From Naval camouflage 1914-1945: A Complete Visual Reference, by David Williams.

Robert Hurst
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302920
219k

USS Santee (ACV-29) photographed circa mid-October 1942, shortly before she participated in the invasion of North Africa. Aircraft on her flight deck include (from aft) SBD Dauntless scout-bombers, F4F Wildcat fighters and TBF Avenger torpedo planes. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 17, with yellow primer showing where the paint has worn off. Santee was the only one of her class ever camouflaged in Ms. 17, a disruptive scheme with the same geometric pattern on both sides of the ship. Ms. 17 was only applied to three ships, the other two being the heavy cruiser USS Augusta (CA-31) and fleet oiler USS Chicopee (AO-34).

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-K-436.

(Text thanks to Mike Green.)

Don Schroeder,
USS Sangamon
Larger copy submitted by Robert Hurst
Larger copy courtesy of NARA,
via Michael Mohl
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302901
94k

USS Santee (ACV-29) photographed circa mid-October 1942, shortly before she participated in the invasion of North Africa. Aircraft on her flight deck include (from aft) SBD Dauntless scout-bombers, F4F Wildcat fighters and TBF Avenger torpedo planes. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 17, with yellow primer showing where the paint has worn off.

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-K-437.

(Text thanks to Mike Green.)

Robert M. Cieri
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302938
378k

USS Santee (ACV-29) at anchor, 16 October 1942. Note the location of the ship's main machinery smoke stacks on the side of the flight deck aft. Santee is painted in Camouflage Measure 17.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (# NH 43508).

Naval History & Heritage Command, via Robert Hurst
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302938a
147k

USS Santee (ACV-29), in foreground, with USS Sangamon (ACV-26) in the background, as seen from USS Ranger (CV-4), on 16 October 1942. Note Santee's Measure 17 paint scheme.

Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo # 80-G-16545.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302960
209k

Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless scout bombers and Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters on the flight deck of USS Santee (ACV-29) during Operation Torch, the November 1942 invasion of North Africa. Note the yellow Operation Torch markings visible around the fuselage stars of some of these airplanes. Also note the distance and target information temporarily marked on the carrier's flight deck. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

Some published sources state that this photo was taken aboard USS Sangamon (ACV-26). However, the camouflage pattern on her island definitely identifies the ship as Santee.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-K-15250.

Mike Green
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302960a
207k

USS Santee (ACV-29) with SBD Dauntless and F4F-4 Wildcat aircraft on the flight deck. Santee was en route to participate in the North African invasion, circa early November 1942. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 80-G-470022.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961
643k

Naval Officers playing checkers aboard USS Santee (ACV-29). Photograph released November 1942. TR-1644.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-27131.

NARA
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961a
895k

USS Santee (ACV-29), fire-fighters in asbestos suits. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1188.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469650.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961b
680k

USS Santee (ACV-29), fire fighter in asbestos suite and three crewmen. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1226.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469653.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961c
468k

USS Santee (ACV-29), fire fighter in asbestos suit and three crewmen. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1227.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469654.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961d
699k

USS Santee (ACV-29) officers on bridge. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1294.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469658.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961e
717k

USS Santee (ACV-29), pilots relaxing in the Ready Room. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1311.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469661.

NARA
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961f
700k

USS Santee (ACV-29), pilots relaxing in the Ready Room. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1312.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469662.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961g
701k

USS Santee (ACV-29), sailors release a weather balloon. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1322.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469668.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961h
822k

USS Santee (ACV-29), men in asbestos suits stand-by ready for any fire emergency. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1336.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469671.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961i
626k

USS Santee (ACV-29), lookout scanning sky from island aboard. On deck are TBF Avengers, (left), FM Wildcat (right foreground) and SBD Dauntlesses at stern. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1337.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469672.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961j
182k

View of flight deck showing Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, circa November 1942. Note markings of plane, and island visible in background, beyond the plane.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469848.

Robert Hurst
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961k
318k

Crewmen exercising on the flight deck, en route to North Africa to take part in Operation Torch, November 1942. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, USNR.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469691.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302961l
226k

Crewmen checking Mark XVII 325-pound depth bombs on the hangar deck of USS Santee (ACV-29), at the time of the North Africa Operation, November 1942. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR. Note bomb carts, and Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat and TBF-1 Avenger aircraft.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-470028.

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302959
927k

Lieutenant Commander John T. Blackburn receiving his coffee at his plane, aboard USS Santee (ACV-29), 7 November 1942.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-30604.

NARA
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302950a
873k

Transfer of rescued aviator from USS Monadnock (CM-9) to USS Santee (ACV-29). Photograph released 11 November 1942.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-30609.

NARA
CVE-29 Santee + CM-9
NS11060909
228k

Lieutenant Commander John T. Blackburn, USN, Commanding Officer of Escort Fighter Squadron (VGF) 9 being transferred by breeches buoy from USS Monadnock (CM-9) to USS Santee (ACV-29) during the North Africa Operation. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR. Photograph released 11 November 1942.

Blackburn was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1933. He became a double Ace, with 11 Japanese kills to his credit while in command of Fighter Squadron (VF) 17. He was awarded the Navy Cross (1943) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (1943). He eventually went on to become commanding officer of USS Midway (CVA-41), June 1958–May 1959, and retired as Captain.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-469688.

Mike Green
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302950
145k

Lieutenant Commander John T. Blackburn, Commanding Officer of VGF-9, being transferred by breeches buoy from USS Monadnock (CM-9) to USS Santee (ACV‑29) during the North Africa Operation, circa 11 November 1942. He had spent 64 hours in the ocean awaiting rescue after his plane crashed. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-469688.

NARA
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302952
78k

The Stars and Stripes flies from the mast of escort carrier USS Santee (ACV-29), as she prepares to launch a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger aircraft, November 1942. A destroyer is turning in her wake, astern.

Photo by Lieutenant Horace Bristol USNR.

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-361481).

NARA
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302930
122k

Port broadside view of USS Santee (ACV-29) in Measure 14 (Ocean Gray) camouflage. U.S. Navy photo, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., serial # 4378(42), December 21, 1942.

David Buell
ACV-29 Santee
NS0302930a
123k

Port quarter view of USS Santee (ACV-29). U.S. Navy photo, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., serial # 4379(42), December 21, 1942.

ACV-29 Santee
NS0302909
60k

USS Santee (ACV-29) silhouetted against the Atlantic while escorting convoy UGS-10 to North Africa, June 1943 (National Archives photo # 80-G-74762).

USN
Sangamon class
NS0302623a
343k

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.

Gerd Matthes, Germany
Sangamon class
NS0302623b
289k

As above. Top photo shows USS Sangamon (ACV/CVE-26).

Sangamon class
NS0302958
275k

As above.

ONI 54-CV. Division of Naval Intelligence—Identification and Characteristics Section, 11-43.

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302954
450k

Sailors playing football on the flight deck of USS Santee (CVE-29). Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202725.

NARA
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302954a
468k

Gun director on 40mm mount during gunnery drills, USS Santee (CVE-29). Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202729.

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302954b
418k

A TBF Avenger prepared to take off from the flight deck of USS Santee (CVE-29). Note pilot in cockpit. Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202759.

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302954c
456k

A TBF Avenger taxies up the flight deck after recovering aboard USS Santee (CVE-29). Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202760.

NARA
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302954d
563k

Aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), Air Operations officers plan sector searches from plot of submarine reports coming in by radio, from Commander in Chief and Admiralty. Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202807.

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302954e
540k

Aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), ordnance men will load a TBF Avenger with the depth charges that go up to the flight deck. Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202811.

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302954f
732k

TBF Avengers aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-426864.

NARA
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302954g
784k

TBF Avenger skims over other TBFs parked on the deck of USS Santee (CVE-29), November 1943. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Charles Jacobs.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-418195.

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302945
240k

Sailors sleeping on the catwalk and netting underneath the LSO platform on USS Santee in the Atlantic Ocean, November 1943.

National Archives photo, # 80-G-469593.

Tracy White,
Researcher @ Large
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302934
407k

USS Santee (CVE-29). Photo believed to have been taken at Casablanca, 13 November 1943.

Gerd Matthes, Germany
Courtesy of Jim Kurrasch, Battleship Iowa, Pacific Battleship Center
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302955
414k

USS Santee (CVE-29) on convoy duty in the Atlantic. A TBF Avenger on guard. Photograph released 22 November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202735.

NARA
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302956
388k

Aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), sailors exercise every morning and Thanksgiving Day (25 November 1943) is no exception. Note the life preservers. Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202778.

NARA
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302956a
489k

USS Santee (CVE-29), Thanksgiving Day, 25 November 1943. Ship's Officers also had their turkey dinner. Here, the mess attendants make the final preparations. Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202796.

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302908
90k

General Motors FM-2 Wildcat fighter on combat air patrol over USS Santee (CVE-29), during the Leyte Invasion, 20 October 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-287594).

Scott Dyben
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302951
140k

A U.S. Navy Avenger from Torpedo Squadron (VT) 26 over Panaon Island, Philippines. VT-26 was assigned to the escort carrier USS Santee (CVE-29) in 1944 and in July–August 1945.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo (# 1996.253.1357).

Robert Hurst
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302910
131k

At 0740, 25 October 1944, during the Battle of the Leyte Gulf, a Japanese plane made a suicide dive on the Santee, crashing through the flight deck and stopping on the hangar deck. Santee was the first ship to sustain a kamikaze hit: the plane tore a 30-foot gash into the flight deck, killed 16 men, wounded 27 others and started several fires. At 0756, a torpedo from a Japanese submarine (several sources credit I-56, but this is in doubt) struck the ship, causing flooding of several compartments and a 6-degree starboard list. Emergency repairs were completed by 0935.

Charles Erlandsen
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302910b
157k

USS Santee (CVE-29) being hit by torpedo at 0756, which caused flooding of several compartments and a six degree list, just after being crash dived, 25 October 1944. Photo taken by USS Petrof Bay (CVE-80) Air Department.

Naval History and Heritage Command, Catalog No. NH 71526.

Mike Green
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302910a
349k

USS Santee (CVE-29) is hit by a Japanese kamikaze, at 0740 on 25 October 1944. Bright orange flames fed by burning avgas billow above Santee's flight deck as fragments of the Zeke, probably piloted by PO1c Kato splash to either side. Santee survived, but had to return to the U.S. for permanent repairs to battle damage and general overhaul. The escort carrier was back in the Philippines in March 1945.

Photographed from USS Suwannee (CVE-27). National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270667.

Robert Hurst
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302928
114k

Fires rage after the ship was hit by a Kamikaze at 0740 hours on 25 October 1944, during the 2nd Battle of the Philippine Sea (aka the Battle of Leyte Gulf.) Official US Navy photograph.

Robert M. Cieri
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302918
25k

Kamikaze strikes USS Santee (CVE-29), 25 October 1944.

National Archives photo (# 80-G-273453).

Tracy White
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302913
143k

Santee radio shack, Battle of Leyte Gulf: makeshift arrangements needed to monitor all circuits. Note spare parts boxes proping up a typewriter.

Charles Erlandsen
CVE-29 Santee + DD-472
NS0547201
116k

USS Guest (DD-472) comes alongside USS Santee (CVE-29) in April 1945. Both ships were off Okinawa and about to exchange mail. NARA photo (80-G 335565).

Rob Rielly
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302946
86k

USS Santee (CVE-29) at Formosa, 18 September 1945.

Tommy Trampp
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302914
30k

Air Groups attached to USS Santee.

Source: "History of USS Santee," by ENS Jaquelin S. Holliday, USNR.

Submitted by ABCS Walter E. Skeldon
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302941
92k

Escort-Scouting Squadron (VGS) 26 was established on 5 May 1942. Equipped with SBD Dauntlesses and TBF Avengers, VGS-26 operated from USS Sangamon (ACV/CVE-26) between October 1942 and September 1943, with a short stint operating from Guadalcanal (March–April). It was redesignated Composite Squadron (VC) 26 on 1 March 1943, and again redesignated Torpedo Squadron (VT) 26 on 15 November 1943. VT-26 embarked aboard USS Santee (CVE-29) in February 1944 and, now equipped solely with TBF or TBM Avengers, operated from the escort carrier until the end of the war. The squadron was disestablished on 13 November 1945.

Disney patch.

Tommy Trampp
The Crew
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302923
216k

Recife, Brazil, February 1943.

Robert Boggess, son of R.C. Boggess
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302921
234k

Image of most of the USS Santee's E Division personnel. This picture was taken during the summer of 1944 somewhere in the South Pacific. There were approximately 30 EM's aboard at the time, but some who were standing watch are not included in the pic. The Division Officer in the center was Walter T. Poole.

Stephen J. Birckhead, Sr.,
Electrician's Mate,
USS Santee, early 1944-early 1945
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302911
217k

Officers and Chief Petty Officers, K Division, October 1944.

Front row, left to right:ENS Walsh (Publications Officer); LT(JG) Parsons (Ship Secretary); LT(JG) Edson; LT(JG) Stevens; LT Edward Joseph Clarke (Communications Officer); LT Roberts (Radio Officer); LT(JG) McCue (Division Officer); LT(JG) Funke (Signal Officer); CRE Clifford (Warrant Officer).

Rear row, left to right: Nichols, Chief Yeoman; Charles Erlandsen, Chief Radioman; Daly, Chief Signalman; Kiawaja, Chief Yeoman.

Charles Erlandsen
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302917
188k

Officers and Enlisted men, K Division (Communications Department), October 1944.

Charles Erlandsen
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302912
198k

Left to right: Henry Menke ACMS; Chief Mallette holding the fish he caught in Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides; S. Waller, CBM; and the chopped hair in the back groud is C. Erlandsen, CRM.

Charles Erlandsen
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302924
129k

V-2 Division, date unknown. Official US Navy photo.

Robert Boggess, son of R.C. Boggess
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302925
174k

V-2 Division, Engineering crew, date unknown. Official US Navy photo.

Robert Boggess, son of R.C. Boggess
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302926
135k

R.C. Boggess and shipmates, date unknown. Official US Navy photo.

Robert Boggess, son of R.C. Boggess
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302915
174k

Top: Flight deck crew catching some well needed rest in the safety nets alongside the deck.

Bottom: Aviation Painter Third Class, Jerrold E. Thomas posting the score of Jap kills. (Thanks to Dianne Goode, daughter of J. E. Thomas).

Charles Erlandsen
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302922
106k

Frank J. Bennett (right) with two friends aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), shortly before the kamikaze attack. Frank was wounded, but his friends were killed...

Carol Hamel, niece of Frank J. Bennett
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302937
164k

Fighting Squadron 26 (VF-26).

This photo belonged to the collection of Ross Belford Jolley (1906–1946), USN (Ret.). [Detail of photo NS0302937.]

Daniel E. Jolley, grandnephew of Ross Belford Jolley
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302937b
228k

Fighting Squadron 26 (VF-26), USS Santee (CVE-29), 3 December 1944.

This photo belonged to the collection of Ross Belford Jolley (1906–1946), USN (Ret.). [Detail of photo NS0302937b.]

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302937d
259k

Fighting Squadron 26 (VF-26) sailors. It is likely, but not certain, that this photo was taken aboard USS Santee (CVE-29).

This photo belonged to the collection of Ross Belford Jolley (1906–1946), USN (Ret.). [Detail of photo NS0302937d.]

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302932
45k

Torpedo Squadron 26 (VT-26), May 1944.

ENS George J. Baldini is on the extreme right, second row.

Ana M. Betancourt, niece of ENS George Joseph Baldini
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302932a
47k
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302963
2.11M

USS Santee (CVE-29), Escort Carrier Air Group (CVEG) 24, composed of Fighter Squadron (VF) 24 and Torpedo Squadron (VT) 24, January–August 1945. (CVEG-24 was established as CVLG-24 on 31 December 1942, became CVEG-24 on 15 August 1944, and was disestablished on 20 September 1945.)

AOMT3c Jerry Estes Deckard, VT-24. Artist: Dan McMillan.

Ken Mattox
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302963a
1.41M

USS Santee (CVE-29), Torpedo Squadron (VT) 24, Aircrewmen, 1944.

AOMT3c Jerry Estes Deckard, VT-24.

CVE-29 Santee
NS0302933
39k

ENS George J. Baldini (#299269, left), Higginbothan and Iannucci, Torpedo Squadron 26 (VT-26).

ENS Baldini and his crew were killed when their plane, a TBF-1C Avenger (BuNo 48019), crashed on Morotai, Moluccas Islands, 26 September 1944.

Ana M. Betancourt, niece of ENS George Joseph Baldini
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302943
133k

"Charbonnet Jr. 10,000 Landing." Left to right: CAPT John V. Peterson, Santee's commanding officer; LT (later VADM) Pierre N. Charbonnet, Jr., Fighting Squadron (VF) 24; ? ; ?. Date should be circa February–July 1945.

If you have any additional info, please let us know.

Paul Pelfrey
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302944
128k

USS Santee (CVE-29), 1945.

If you have any additional info, please let us know.

Paul Pelfrey
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302935a
257k

"Tito" Puente, Sr. (1923–2000), born Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr. "He went to boot camp in June of 1942 and joined [Santee] in August 1942 for the shake down prior to the Morocco Invasion and remained on the ship throughout the war."

"'Tito' was one of the ship's buglers and also a co-leader of the ships band."

"'Tito' was an acclaimed Latin music percussionist/arranger orchestra leader who formed his first big band following the war. He grew to becoming an icon in the field of Latin jazz with eight Grammy's to his credits, including television specials, movies, compositions and numerous awards."

(Quoted text courtesy of Josephine Powell.)

NS0302935b: USS Santee band ("Tito" kneeling). The officer with a saxo appears to be the famed "Sonny" Burke (Joseph Francis Burke), arranger and composer of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and a host of luminaries; if you can identify him, please let us know.

Photos courtesy of Josephine Powell
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302935b
133k
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302935
113k Photo © Raul Rodriguez, Jr., licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302947
402k

Cres explains:

"[T]he photo is identified on back as Torpedo Group, USS Santee".

"Owner of photo, William Creswell Keys who was a Torpedo Man's Mate Second Class on the USS Santee. He is the second from the left in the middle row (sitting) and is my father. [...] He retired from Robins AFB in Warner Robins, GA in 1976 as Director of the Budget and was the second highest rated civilian employee on RAFB at the time of his retirement."

"The only other person that I have been able to identify is Joseph Leo Klein, who is the first on the left in the back row (standing). Joseph was a TMM 3C and was killed by the Kamikaze attack on 25 Oct 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. [...] I was able to identify Joseph after an extensive search for a family member that was found this week. A niece [...] was able to identify Joseph in this photo because of a family photo of him. Joseph was a WWII friend of my Dad and I was fortunate to find members of his family and share information with them."

Cres Keys
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302948
136k

Bill Keys operating anti-aircraft gun aboard USS Santee (CVE-29) during WWII.

Cres Keys,
son of Bill Keys
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302949
158k

USS Santee (CVE-29), F Division, 25 July 1943, at sea.

(Larger copies available on request.)

Cres Keys,
son of Bill Keys
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302949a
112k
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302916
74k

Shipmates lost due to enemy action.

Source: "History of USS Santee," by ENS Jaquelin S. Holliday, USNR.

Submitted by ABCS Walter E. Skeldon
Memorabilia
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302927
169k

"Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep."
"Ancient and Sacred Order of the Golden Dragon."
"Royal Order of Purple Porpoises."

R.C. Boggess, USNR, enlisted as a CMM (Chief Machinist's Mate) July 2, 1942 and was honorably discharged as an AM/1c (Aviation Metalsmith 1st class) on October 1, 1945.

Robert Boggess, son of R.C. Boggess
Ex-USS Santee
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302905
71k In reserve, "Mothballs" at South Boston Naval Annex, (Left) 1959. © Richard Leonhardt
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302906
55k In reserve, "Mothballs" at South Boston Naval Annex, 1959. © Richard Leonhardt
CVE-29 Santee
NS0302907
59k In reserve, "Mothballs" at South Boston Naval Annex, 1959. © Richard Leonhardt

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

Read the USS Santee (ACV-29 / CVE-29 / CVHE-29) DANFS History entry

Crew Contact and Reunion Information
Contact: Mr. Richard H. Wilson
Address: 230 Martins Lane, Media, Pa. 19063
Phone:  
E-mail:  
Web site:  
Remarks:  
Contact: Mr. Pete Mitchell
Address:  
Phone:  
E-mail: pjmitch@aol.com
Web site:  
Remarks:  

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Last update: 7 February 2029