"'The navy needs this carrier,' says the sign facing Hull 317, the USS Kitkun Bay, scheduled to be one of the '18 or more' to see service by the year's end."

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

"Mrs. Edgar A. Cruise, wife of CAPT Cruise of the Seattle Naval Air Station, christened the USS Kitkun Bay, on November 8. Mrs. Viola Cruise, left, mother of CAPT Cruise, was matron of honor. The captain suggested during launching ceremonies, 'Your slogan now is '18 or more by '44.' I'd like to add 'Double the score in '44'."

(From "Bo's'n's Whistle," Vol. 3, No. 22; November 25, 1943; page 7.)

Transporting aircraft in the Pacific, 10 February 1944. Camouflaged in Measure 14.

Japanese plane shot down as it attempted to attack a group of escort carriers, near Marianas Islands, June 1944. Photo taken from USS Kitkun Bay (NARA photo # 80-G-238363).

FM Wildcats begin their launch from the escort aircraft carrier USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71), the only means the escort carriers had to defend themselves. TBM Avengers line the flight deck to starboard, bomb doors open, awaiting ordnance. In the background the escort carrier USS White Plains (CVE-66) dodges shell splashes from a Japanese cruiser visible as a smudge on the horizon, 25 October 1944. Photo from NARA (National Archives and Records Administration), College Park, MD.

Battle off Samar, 25 October 1944 — USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) prepares to launch FM-2 Wildcat fighters during the action. In the center distance, Japanese shells are splashing near USS White Plains (CVE-66).

USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) as seen from USS White Plains (CVE-66) is hit on her port catwalk, just forward of her bridge structure, by a Shikishima unit Mitsubishi A6M5 Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 52 Zeke. Photo from NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) facility in College Park, MD.

Photo and text from Fire From The Sky, by Robert C. Stern.

Taken a moment later [this picture] shows a dense smoke cloud above the crash site. Photo from NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) facility in College Park, MD.

Photo and text from Fire From The Sky, by Robert C. Stern.

The fire at the port edge of Kitkun Bay's flight deck quickly burnt itself out, so that even as the fire, rescue and repair crews converged on the damaged catwalk, there was no more to be done. The damage was limited to a small area, leaving the flight deck and the Grumman Avenger parked in the foreground intact. Only one sailor was killed. Kitkun Bay headed for Pearl Harbor the next day on an already-scheduled visit to replace her air group. Photo from NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) facility in College Park, MD.

Photo and text from Fire From The Sky, by Robert C. Stern.

Seen smoking after kamikaze hit, 8 January 1945.