Two previous ships had been named Suwanee, an alternate spelling:

1. A double-ended, iron-hulled, side-wheel gunboat.
2. A freighter-transport that retained her civilian name.

(Map NS0302736 by Karl Musser, courtesy of Wikipedia. Photo NS032736a courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey.)

National Archives & Records Administration photo, # 19-N-24296.

National Archives & Records Administration photo, # 19-N-24297.

National Archives & Records Administration photo, # 19-N-24298.

National Archives & Records Administration photo, # 19-N-2429?.

There are currently no images of USS Suwannee (AO-33) available at NavSource.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-30228.

A Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat (nicknamed "Rosenblatt's Reply") aboard USS Suwannee (ACV-27), circa late 1942 or early 1943. The plane bears traces of the yellow Operation Torch marking around its national insignia. Photographed by Ensign Barrett Gallagher, USNR. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-K-15634.

Port quarter aerial view of USS Suwannee (CVE-27) underway, March 1943. Electronics on mast have been censored.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # USN 470158.

Flight deck poster made by an AMM, B.L. Thomas, of the crew. Artwork details the dangers of propellers. Photograph: 7 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-39315.

Flight deck poster made by an AMM, B.L. Thomas, of the crew. Artwork details about crossing the flight deck during launchings. Photograph: 7 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-39316.

Flight deck poster made by an AMM, B.L. Thomas, of the crew. Artwork details about crossing the flight deck during landings. Photograph: 7 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-39317.

Flight deck poster made by an AMM, B.L. Thomas, of the crew. Artwork details about sitting on flight deck during flight operations. Photograph: 7 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-39318.

Photographed from USS Baltimore (CA-68).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command, # NH 106578.

This propaganda leaflet was saved from a batch that was being air dropped by VT-60's Avengers on 22 October 1944. The leaflets were dropped on the Japanese installations located on the Visayas Islands, Philippines, in advance of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Prepared by the Army Psychological Warfare Branch. Leaflet 3-J-1. The Japanese text reads in part: "Before you reach this miserable state, which is more than men ought to endure so far from home, we want you to keep something in mind. Those who choose to come to an honorable understanding with us will find that we treat them as human beings, not as enemies. We shall hold it as a duty to see that are given clothing, food, shelter, and medical care."

This leaflet was aboard the carrier the moment she was hit by the Mitsubishi Zero (Mitsubishi A6M5 Navy Type 0 – Carrier Fighter Model 52), piloted by Tamisaku Katsumata, during the first Kamikaze attack in history (Battle off Samar, Battle of Leyte Gulf, 25 October 1944). It was kept as a souvenir by the USS Suwannee flight deck air traffic controller, Albert L. Tomsic, (Serial Number 618 10 62), to remember the horrible battle.

Smithsonian Channel.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270624.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270625.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270626.

Naval History & Heritage Command photo, # NH 71524.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo (# 80-G-270662).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270660.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

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

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270693.

(1) As a returning American torpedo bomber (lower plane) approaches deck for landing, a Japanese suicide plane streaks out of clouds in an 80-degree dive.

Photo taken from USS Sangamon (CVE-26).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270609.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270610.

National Archives and Records Administration facility College Park, MD., # 80-G-270673.

Text from Fire From the Sky, by Robert C. Stern.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) # 80-G-270674.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) # 80-G-270689.

(1a) As a returning American torpedo bomber (lower plane) approaches deck for landing, a Japanese suicide plane streaks out of clouds in an 80-degree dive.

Photo taken from USS Sangamon (CVE-26).

Photo taken from USS Sangamon (CVE-26).

Photo taken from USS Sangamon (CVE-26).

Photo taken from USS Sangamon (CVE-26).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270613.

Photo taken from USS Sangamon (CVE-26).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270615.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270614.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-270617.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-270618.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-270619.

Photo taken from USS Sangamon (CVE-26).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo # 80-G-270690.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

                COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT PRIORITY No. 4

  Pursuant to Section III, Circular No. 39, War Department, 1943,
Class IV priority for transportation by air withing [sic] the
continental United States during the period 18 December, 1944
to 10 January, 1945 is authorized for
ACMM   Albert L. Tomsic   618 10 62
subject to the provision of existing air priority directives
and War Department Circulars pertaining thereto.

                                  Signed E.A. Savage
                                  Rank Lieutenant USNR
                                  Organization U.S.S. SUWANNEE

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Photo and text from U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349398.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349218.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349414.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349221.

"At 1042, Thursday 24 May 1945 TBM-3 [Avenger] Bureau Number 68368 exploded on flight deck immediately after coming to a stop following normal landing on board. The accident apparently was caused by the explosion of a 100# bomb in the bomb bay." (Quoted from the "Report of Damage Incurred from Explosion of a 100 Bomb in the Bomb Bay on an Aircraft which Had Completed Landing Procedure," USS Suwannee CVE-27, Serial 065, 29 May 1945.)

The pilot, LT(JG) Obed F. Slingerland, was killed instantly. ARM1c James Joseph Joyce was critically wounded and died from injuries during transfer. Other 14 officers and men were also injured.

Air Raids in the Pacific, 1 July 1945. Explosion in the background resulted from a carrier-plane strike on Balikpapan, Borneo. Photographed by USS Suwannee (CVE-27) aircraft.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349247.

Air Raids in the Pacific, 1 July 1945. Carrier plane strike on Balikpapan, Borneo. Photographed by USS Suwannee (CVE-27) aircraft.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349248.

Air Raids in the Pacific, 1 July 1945. Carrier plane strike causes huge oil tank fires at Balikpapan, Borneo. Photographed by USS Suwannee (CVE-27) aircraft.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349249.

Aboard USS Suwannee (CVE-27), Lieutenant Edward P. Looney, a Catholic Chaplain, listens to confessions of a crew member. Photograph released 4 August 1945.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349243.

Activities aboard USS Suwannee (CVE-27). Pilots waiting for summons, (left to right): Lieutenant Robert I. Roth, USNR; Lieutenant Junior Grade John E. Benson, USNR; Ensign Vincent J. Calo, USNR; Lieutenant Robert M. Hunt, USNR; and VT-40 Executive Officer, Lieutenant Junior Grade Albert A. Lee, USNR. Photograph released 20 August 1945.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349430.

Pilots of Figther Squadron (VF) 40 "Flying Boars" scoring "kills" for record of USS Suwannee (CVE-27). Left to right: Lieutenant Commander James C. Longino, Jr., USNR; Lieutenant Junior Grade Levi Monteau, USNR; Lieutenant Junior Grade Joseph Coleman, USNR; Ensign Raymond L.J. Lebel, USNR; Lieutenant Earl E. Hartman, USNR. Monteau points to trophy flags. Photograph released 20 August 1945.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349434.

Aboard USS Suwannee (CVE-27), Rear Admiral William D. Sample, USN, presents Bronze Star to Lieutenant Commander James C. Longino, who also received the Distinguished Flying Cross with two stars and Air Medal with seven stars.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-349435.

                 THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
                         WASHINGTON

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

                  UNITED STATES SHIP SUWANNEE

and her attached Air Groups participating in the following operations:

      CAG-27 (VGS-27, VGF-27), North Africa, November 8 to 11, 1942;
      VGF-28, North Africa, November 8 to 11, 1942;
      VGS-30, North Africa, November 8 to 11, 1942;
      CAG-27, Rennell Island, January 29 to 30, 1943;
      CVEG-60, Gilbert Islands Operation, November 20 to December 8, 1943;
      CVEG-60, Marshall Islands Operation, January 31 to February 24, 1944;
      CVEG-60, Palau, Yap, Ulithi, Woleai Raid, March 30 to April 1, 1944;
      CVEG-60, Western New Guinea Operation, April 22 to May 5, 1944;
      CVEG-60, Marianas Operation, June 23 to August 1, 1944;
      CVEG-60, Western New Guinea Operation, September 15 to 25, 1944;
      CVEG-60, Leyte Operation, October 12 to 28, 1944;
      CVEG-40, Okinawa Gunto Operation, March 27 to June 4, 1945;
      CVEG-40, Borneo Operation, June 26 to July 6, 1945,

for service as set forth in the following

      CITATION:

	    "For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy forces
in the air, ashore and afloat.  Striking fiercely at her targets in
the face of frequent and sustained hostile air attacks, the U.S.S.
SUWANNEE and her attached aircraft squadrons caused extremely 
heavy losses to the enemy in warships, aircraft, merchant shipping
and shore installations destroyed or severely damaged.  Twice hit
and severely damaged by Japanese suicide planes during the his-
toric Battle for Leyte Gulf, the SUWANNEE had fought her guns
and her planes aggressively against tremendous odds and had con-
tributed to the destruction of the enemy's combatant vessels and
to his complete rout.  Continuously at sea from March 27 to June
19, 1945, she furnished powerful air support for our Okinawa as-
sault and land offensives and covered our ships during their advance
and retirement.  The SUWANNEE's valiant record of combat achieve-
ment reflects the highest credit upon her courageous officers and
men and upon the United States Naval Service."

                                      For the President,

                                     /s/ John L Sullivan

                                      Secretary of the Navy