CVE-68 was named for a bay on the northern shore of Kruzof Island, in the Alexander Archipelago off southeastern Alaska.

No previous U.S. warship had borne the name.

(Images: Google Maps)

"Launched on October 15[, 1943] was the USS Kalinin Bay, Vancouver's 14th escort carrier. Sponsor was Mrs. Anna Mary Updegraff, mother of CAPT Wm. N. Updegraff, U.S. Navy."

(From "Bo's'n's Whistle," Vol. 3, No. 21; November 11, 1943; page 7.)

"KAISER COMPANY SHIPYARD, VANCOUVER, WA.
Launching of escort carrier U.S.S. Kalinin Bay, WWII. (OHS neg. #58783)"
Friday, 15 October 1943.

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68), wartime, port side view. Date and location unknown. U.S. Navy photo 112-17.

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) underway, with both elevators in the down position, circa 1943–1944, before dazzle camouflage.

Celebrating 1000th catapult shot aboard USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68), 20 October 1944.

(L. to R.) H.G. Blom, AMM3/c, USN; CDR R.C. Baver, USN; C. Michalski, Sl/c, USNR; R.E. Morrison, CAMM, USNR; ENS J.D. Timmerman, USNR; A.T. Bolynn, AMM2/c; R.A. Bowley, AlfiMl/c, USNR; A. Blum, AMM2/C, USNR; CAPT T.B. Williamson, USN; B.R. Hoghn, AMM2/C, USNR; W. Benzpalko, AMM3/c, USNR.

(Bottom row) CP. Iwuc, ARM3/c, USNR; ENS J.R. Zeitvogel (pilot), USN(T); and H.A. Henderson, ARM3/c, USNR.

National Archive photo (# 80-G-289859).

ENS John E. Buchanan, USN, LT Kenneth G Hippe, USNR, shaking hands with CAPT T.B. Williamson, CO, LT(JG) Roy A. Volpi and LCDR J.S. Cromwell in center background, of USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68), after air battle with Japanese planes off Leyte Is., 24 October 1944.

Buchanan, who downed three enemy bombers, would receive the Distinguished Flying Cross; Hippe, who had five bomber "kills," would get the Navy Cross. (Thanks to Tommy Trampp.)

National Archive photo (# 80-G-289860).

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington

The President of the United States takes pleasure in
Presenting the NAVY CROSS to

WILLIAM HAROLD KEIGHLEY, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER,
UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Composite Squadron THREE (VC-3), embarked from the U.S.S. KALININ BAY (CVE-68), and deployed over Samar in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. When his task force was in imminent danger of being destroyed by heavy gunfire from an overwhelming force of hostile warships, Lieutenant Commander Keighley piloted one of the first planes launched, immediately maneuvering to attack the leading heavy cruiser. In bold defiance of the enemy's devastating antiaircraft fire, he scored three direct hits. Promptly joining a group of fighting planes when his bomb load was expended, Lieutenant Commander Keighley fought gallantly in the face of terrific opposition, making four determined strafing runs which resulted in considerable damage to the cruiser and effectively diverted hostile fire from our bombers and Torpedo Planes. Lieutenant Commander Keighley's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

For the President,
/s/ James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy

USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) falls further behind her Task Group after receiving shell damage during the Battle off Samar (Battle of Leyte Gulf), 25 October 1944. Photographed from USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) while the crew watches.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-287512.

Deck scene on USS Kalilin Bay (CVE-68) as she is near missed by Japanese shells, during the battle off Samar, 25 October 1944. Japanese ships are faintly visible on the horizon. Photograph by Phi Willard Nieth.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-288132.

During the Battle of Samar, 25 October 1944, Japanese shells fall short of USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68). Japanese ships are faintly visible on the horizon. Photograph by Phi Willard Nieth.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-288133.

Men of USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) watch explosion on USS St. Lo (CVE-63) after she was hit by a kamikaze off Samar, 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270514.

Flight deck damage from the third of four airplanes that attacked USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) after the engagement of the Battle of Samar, 25 October 1944.

"At 1050 the task unit came under a concentrated air attack; and, during the 40-minute battle with enemy suicide planes, all escort carriers but Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70) were damaged. One plane crashed through St. Lo's flight deck and exploded her torpedo and bomb magazine, mortally wounding the gallant carrier. Four diving planes attacked Kalinin Bay from astern and the starboard quarter. Intense fire splashed two close aboard; but a third plane crashed into the port side of the flight deck, damaging it badly. The fourth hit destroyed the aft port stack." (Quoted from DANFS, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.)

National Archives (College Park, MD) photos:

• 80-G-270509 (NS0306807)
• 80-G-270510 (NS0306807a)

Burial at sea of the Sailors of USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) who lost their lives during the Battle off Samar.

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the

TASK UNIT SEVENTY-SEVEN POINT FOUR POINT THREE, consisting of the U.S.S. FANSHAW BAY and VC-68; U.S.S. GAMBIER BAY and VC-10; U.S.S. KALININ BAY and VC-3; U.S.S. KITKUN BAY and VC-5; U.S.S. SAINT LO and VC-65; U.S.S. WHITE PLAINS and VC-4; U.S.S. HOEL; U.S.S. JOHNSTON; U.S.S. HEERMAN; U.S.S. SAMUEL B. ROBERTS; U.S.S. RAYMOND; U.S.S. DENNIS and U.S.S. JOHN C. BUTLER

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

   "For extraordinary heroism in action against powerful units of the Japanese Fleet during the Battle off Samar, Philippines, October 25, 1944. Silhouetted against the dawn as the Central Japanese Force steamed through San Bernardino Strait toward Leyte Gulf, Task Unit 77.4.3 was suddenly taken under attack by hostile cruisers on its port hand, destroyers on the starboard and battleships from the rear. Quickly laying down a heavy smoke screen, the gallant ships of the Task Unit waged battle fiercely against the superior speed and fire power of the advancing enemy, swiftly launching and rearming aircraft and violently zigzagging in protection of vessels stricken by hostile armor-piercing shells, anti-personnel projectiles and suicide bombers. With one carrier of the group sunk, others badly damaged and squadron aircraft courageously coordinating in the attacks by making dry runs over the enemy Fleet as the Japanese relentlessly closed in for the kill, two of the Unit's valiant destroyers and one destroyer escort charged the battleships point-blank and, expending their last torpedoes in desperate defense of the entire group, went down under the enemy's heavy shells as a climax to two and one half hours of sustained and furious combat. The courageous determination and the superb teamwork of the officers and men who fought the embarked planes and who manned the ships of Task Unit 77.4.3 were instrumental in effecting the retirement of a hostile force threatening our Leyte invasion operations and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

For the President,

James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68), date (circa 1944–45) and location unknown.

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) arriving at San Diego, California on 25 November 1944 for repair of damages received in the Battle off Samar a month earlier. Photographed by Naval Air Station San Diego personnel. The ship is painted in Camouflage Measure 33, Design 10A.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (#NH 106571).

S2c R.G. Plater, USNR, is quite proud of his chin. Photograph released: 25 November 1944. USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-272927.

SF2c Henry O. Larson, who was awarded the Purple Heart, with chin adornment. Photograph released: 25 November 1944. USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-272928.

SFC Henry O. Larson receiving his Purple Heart.

Documents related to SFC Henry O. Larson, including Citations for his decorations.

Lieutenant Wilson Bennett of the Navy Chaplain Corps being transferred from USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) to USS Haggard (DD-555) to conduct services. Photograph released 28 July 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-495570.

Model of USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. Photos taken on 13 June 2008.