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NavSource Online: Escort Carrier Photo Archive

USS CHENANGO   (ACV-28)

(formerly AO-31 and AVG-28; later CVE-28 and CVHE-28)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign
As AO-31



Negat - Fox - Baker - King
As AVG-28/ACV-28/CVE-28/CVHE-28



Negat - William - Sugar - Dog
(1957) November - Whiskey - Sierra - Delta

Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Navy Unit Commendation / American Defense Service Medal ("Fleet" clasp) [AO] / American Campaign Medal
2nd Row: European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (1 star) / Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (10 stars) / World War II Victory Medal
3rd Row: Navy Occupation Service Medal ("Asia" clasp) / Philippine Presidential Unit Citation / Philippine Liberation Medal (1 star)

Sangamon Class Escort Carrier
Ordered Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Stricken
3 Jan 1938 10 Jul 1938 1 Apr 1939 20 Jun 1941
19 Sep 1942
16 Mar 1942
14 Aug 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
SS Esso New Orleans
SS Esso New Orleans
NS0302803
51k SS Esso New Orleans. Haze Gray & Underway
SS Esso New Orleans
NS0302821
61k

Civilian tanker SS Esso New Orleans homeward bound, date and location unknown.

Photo by former Chief Engineer Ernest G. Bornheimer.

Courtesy of Auke Visser's Renewed Historical Tankers Site, via Robert Hurst
Name
Chenango
NS0302827
153k

Built as the civilian tanker Esso New Orleans, this ship was acquired by the Navy on 31 May 1941, assigned hull number AO-31 and renamed Chenango for a river, county and town in New York State (NS0302827–NS0302827a).

A previous US warship had borne the name:

  1. A Civil War side-wheel steamer.

(Map NS0302827 and photo NS0302827a courtesy of Google Maps.)

NavSource
Chenango River
NS0302827a
169k
USS Chenango — World War II
AO-31 Chenango
NS0302836
304k

USS Chenango as a Fleet Oiler (AO-31).

Jim Kurrasch, Battleship Iowa, Pacific Battleship Center
Operation Torch, November 1942
ACV-28 Chenango
NS0302815
92k

USS Chenango (ACV-28) being loaded with P-40s of the 33rd FG at the Norfolk Naval Station on 21 October 1942. NARA photo.

Gary W. Metz
ACV-28 Chenango
NS0302815a
113k

USS Chenango (ACV-28) loaded with P-40s of the 33rd FG at the Norfolk Naval Station, 21–22 October 1942. NARA photo.

ACV-28 Chenango
NS0302816
523k

USS Chenango (ACV-28) en route to North Africa in the Operation Torch convoy, November 1942, loaded with P-40Fs of the 33rd FG.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-30221.

Gary W. Metz
NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302814
223k

"Carrying 77 USAAF Curtiss P-40F Warhawks of the 33rd Fighter Group, Chenango sailed on 23 October [1942] with the Operation Torch assault force bound for North Africa and on 10 November, flew off her aircraft to newly won Port Lyautey, French Morocco."

(Quoted from DANFS.)

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo #80-G-30509.

NS0302814d: Plane numbered "90" on the lower cowling and named Janie was piloted by Lt. Robert J. Palenscar, Service # O-660187, 60th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Group. Just beyond it is 41-14365, Curtiss P-40F-5-CU Warhawk. (Source: Shark Squadron.)

NS0302814d1: Same as above, but cropped slightly differently.

Ben Katz
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302814a
95k
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302814b
441k NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302814c
56k Ben Katz
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302814d
110k
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302814d1
162k Tommy Trampp
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302814e
117k Ben Katz
ACV-28 Chenango
NS0302817
70k

USS Chenango (ACV-28) pulling into Casablanca Harbor, Morocco, after launching the P-40s of the 33rd FG on November 10th and 11th, 1942.

Gary W. Metz
ACV-28 Chenango
NS0302818
152k

This picture was in the same group as the photos of the P-40s of the 33rd FG taking off from USS Chenango (ACV-28) in November 1942, and has often been identified as such in some books. However, it is dated December 1942 and the plane rather looks like a TBF-1 Avenger. At least two Avengers, both from squadron VGS-28, were lost in December 1942 while attached to Chenango, en route to Panama: BuNo 00582 on the 11th, and BuNo 01770 on the 12th.

Gary W. Metz
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302824
454k

USS Chenango (CVE-28), official US Navy photo, circa 1943. Off West Maui, Hawaii, just south of Lahaina (thanks to Mike Harrington).

Jim Kurrasch, Battleship Iowa, Pacific Battleship Center
John Spivey
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302830
226k

Bow view of USS Chenango (CVE-28), circa 1943. Note rust.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-K-15263.

Mike Green
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302810
171k

USS Chenango (ACV-28) at anchor in early 1943, shortly after being deployed to the Pacific for the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. Note the pair of twin 40-mm tub-mounted guns right at the stern and, further forward and below the overhanging flight deck, one of the two 5"/51s.

Naval History & Heritage Command photo, # NH 55103.

Robert Hurst
Larger copy submitted by Mike Green
ACV-28 Chenango
NS0302831
160k

The escort carrier USS Chenango (ACV-28) at anchor off Noumea, New Caledonia, 20 January 1943. Aircraft on the flight deck include seven Douglas SBD Dauntless, four Grumman F4F Wildcats in a line on the starboard side beside the rear aircraft lift, and six Grumman TBF Avengers arranged around the rear aircraft lift.

Donor: P. Couvret.

United States National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-63677.

Mike Green
ACV-28 Chenango
NS0302838
413k

USS Chenango (ACV-28), a rest extension on the flight deck for the tail wheel of a plane. Photographed 19 February 1943.

NS0302838: U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-39399.

NS0302838a: U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-39400.

NARA
ACV-28 Chenango
NS0302838a
512k
ACV-28 Chenango
NS0302838b
485k

USS Chenango (ACV-28), a rest extension on the flight deck for the tail wheel of an SBD Dauntless . Photographed 19 February 1943.

NS0302838b: U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-39401.

NS0302838c: U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-39402.

NARA
ACV-28 Chenango
NS0302838c
396k
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302840
1.19M

"Stinky," official ship's mascot, with Carpenter Collins aboard USS Chenango (CVE-28) while at Havannah Harbor, Efate. Photographed by PHOM1/c W.D. Woods, 21 April 1943.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-264950.

NARA,
via Michael Mohl
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302840a
760k

"Stinky," official ship's mascot of USS Chenango (CVE-28) on top of a U.S. Navy jeep while at Havannah Harbor, Efate. Photographed by Ensign Adams, July 1943.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-264951 .

NARA,
via Michael Mohl
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302812
188k

USS Chenango (CVE-28) crossed the Equator at 0800, 7 August 1943.

Brian Bartlett
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302805
468k Aft plan view of USS Chenango (CVE-28) at Mare Island Navy Yard on 22 Sep 1943. US Navy photo # 6654-43. Darryl Baker
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302806
468k Forward plan view of USS Chenango (CVE-28) at Mare Island Navy Yard on 22 Sep 1943. US Navy photo # 6658-43. Darryl Baker
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302807
579k Stern view of USS Chenango (CVE-28) off Mare Island Navy Yard on 22 Sep 1943. US Navy photo # 6704-43. Darryl Baker
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302808
609k Broadside view of USS Chenango (CVE-28) off Mare Island Navy Yard on 22 Sep 1943. She was in overhaul at the yard from 21 Aug until 25 Sep 1943. US Navy photo # 6706-43. Darryl Baker
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302809
520k Bow on view of USS Chenango (CVE-28) off Mare Island Navy Yard on 22 Sep 1943. US Navy photo # 6708-43. Darryl Baker
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302804
402k

USS Chenango (CVE-28) on 22 September 1943, after a Mare Island refit. The ship is going down the Mare Island Strait to San Francisco Bay.

Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum.

Darryl Baker
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302804a
86k

USS Chenango (CVE-28) after a September 1943 Mare Island refit.

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

Robert Hurst
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302839
698k

Battle of Tarawa, November 1943. Oblique of Bititu Island, Tarawa, during the invasion of U.S. Marines. Shown: South of taxi runway close to ammunition dump, bomb proof shelter in foreground still housing men. Photographed with K-20 camera by planes from USS Chenango (CVE-28), 22 November 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-202838.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302839a
632k

Battle of Tarawa, November 1943. Oblique of Bititu Island, Tarawa, during the invasion of U.S. Marines. Shown: Enemy stronghold in southern part of island under fire from Marines from north and U.S. cruiser to south. Enemy shown in foreground. Photographed with K-20 camera by planes from USS Chenango (CVE-28), 22 November 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-202839.

CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302839b
561k

Battle of Tarawa, November 1943. Oblique of Bititu Island, Tarawa, during the invasion of U.S. Marines. Shown: The southeast tip of the island is under fire from U.S. forces. The turret guns, tank and trunk revetments are still in enemy possession. Photographed with K-20 camera by planes from USS Chenango (CVE-28), 22 November 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-202845.

CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302839c
730k

Battle of Tarawa, November 1943. Oblique of Bititu Island, Tarawa, during the invasion of U.S. Marines. Shown: South west tip of island showing gun emplacements and trenches. Photographed with K-20 camera by planes from USS Chenango (CVE-28), 22 November 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-202847.

CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302834
464k

Arthur "Harpo" Marx entertaining aboard USS Chenango (CVE-28), December 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-322792.

Tommy Trampp
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302811
319k

USS Chenango (CVE-28) operating in the Pacific, circa 1944. She is painted in what may be Camouflage Measure 33, Design 10A.

Collection of Vice Admiral Dixwell Ketcham, USN (Retired).

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph (# NH 95703).

Robert Hurst
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302837
92k

USS Chenango (CVE-28) operating in the Pacific, circa 1944.

Tommy Trampp
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302828
205k

Four SBD-5 Dauntless bombers fly over the northern part of Eniwetok Atoll, 18 February 1944. Large island below is Engebi, captured on 17–18 February. Photographed from a USS Chenango (CVE-28) plane.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-218609.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302813
64k

CDR Frank Malinasky was the Landing Signal Officer (LSO) aboard USS Chenango (CVE-28) from shortly after her commissioning until May 1944.

Bill Gonyo
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302835
113k

USS Chenango (CVE-28) refueling USS John Rodgers (DD-574), 24 June 1944. From mid to late June they both operated in Task Group 53.1, one of the amphibious troop sections intended to land on Guam. The Guam operation was postponed and in late June the vessels were brought back to Eniwetok. Air cover for that TG was alternately day to day from Chenango and USS Sangamon (CVE-26).

NS0557496: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-321638.

NS0557497: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-321639.

Tommy Trampp
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302835a
113k
CVE-28 Chenango + DD-574
NS0557496
181k Rick Davis & John Chiquoine
CVE-28 Chenango + DD-574
NS0557497
146k
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302833
80k

Fighting Squadron (VF) 35 patches (Walt Disney patches).

VF-35 derived from Composite Squadron (VC) 35 at San Diego in July 1943 and deployed to the Pacific only four months later. In one of the longest continuous assignments of WW II, VF-35 spent 13 months aboard USS Chenango (CVE-28)—October 1943–November 1944. The squadron flew F6F-3 and -5 Hellcats and was credited with nine victories, shared by 11 pilots. (Text adapted from U.S. Navy Fighter Squadrons in World War II, by Barrett Tillman.)

Tommy Trampp
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302841
560k

Natives from beach sent S.O.S. by mirror to a plane that relayed it, and they were picked up by destroyer. Photographed by USS Chenango (CVE-28), 22 July 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-242178.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302841a
616k

US Amphibious forces south of Agaps town, Guam, in the Mariana Islands. Photographed by USS Chenango (CVE-28), at approximately 1,000 feet, on 22 July 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-242191.

CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302842
612k

Crew of TBM Avenger, the first American plane to land on Orote Peninsula, Guam, in Mariana Islands. Aboard USS Chenango (CVE-28). Left to right: ARM3C William E. Genry, USNR; Lieutenant Junior Grade E. Lerias, Jr.; ARM2C Clark T. Schoonmaker, USNR; Captain V.T. Wills, USNR. Photograph released 30 July 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-248292.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302829
255k

USS Chenango (CVE-28) in January 1945, dry-docked in Seattle, still wearing camouflage 33/10A.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-322216.

Courtesy of C. Lee Johnson, usndazzle.com,
via Mike Green
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302819
111k

USS Chenango (CVE-28) at anchor in January 1945. The only changes shown here are improved electronics (indicated by the circled mast area) and a whaleboat amidships. USN photo.

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

Robert Hurst
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302844
1.05M

USS Chenango (CVE-28), 3-inch rocket motor stowage, released 12 May 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-264872.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302847
1.56M

Nagasaki, Japan, aerial view of the bomb damage from 9 August 1945. Altitude of 300'. Photographed by USS Chenango (CVE-28) aircraft on 15 October 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-264929.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302847a
1.06M

Nagasaki, Japan, aerial view of the bomb damage from 9 August 1945. Altitude of 300'. Photographed by USS Chenango (CVE-28) aircraft on 15 October 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-264932.

CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302825
954k

Japanese Surrender, August–September 1945. V-J Flag flying from USS Chenango (CVE-28). Photographed by crewmember of Chenango, released 19 October 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-264868.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302845
945k

USS Chenango (CVE-28), APS-4 radar (air-to-air and air-to-surface search), port-side aft, released 27 August 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-264873.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302832
718k

The escort carrier USS Chenango (CVE-28) at anchor in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, Japan, 31 August 1945. Grumman F6F Hellcats are parked on the flight deck. Chenango was used to carry liberated allied prisoners of war (POW) from Fukuoka No 2 Prisoner of War Camp at Nagasaki to Okinawa after the fall of Japan. Chenango left Nagasaki Bay 13 September 1945 and the POWs were disembarked on Okinawa on 18 October 1945.

Donor: P. Couvret.

United States National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-264877.

Mike Green
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302843
940k

Japanese surrender, August–September 1945. Street scene in Tokyo, Japan, showing Ginza Street/Theatre. Photographed by USS Chenango (CVE-28), released 24 October 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-264827.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302823
369k

Nagasaki, Japan, aerial view of the bomb damage from 9 August 1945. Altitude of 300'. Photographed by USS Chenango (CVE-28) aircraft on 15 October 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-264930.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302823a
1.27M

Nagasaki, Japan, aerial view of the bomb damage from 9 August 1945. Altitude of 300'. Photographed by USS Chenango (CVE-28) aircraft on 15 October 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-264899).

CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302846
1.08M

Japanese aircraft carrier Junyo and her component parts. This view shows a Japanese barrier stanchion, port side looking forward. Photographed by crew from USS Chenango (CVE-28), 16 October 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-264914.

NARA
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302846a
721k

Japanese aircraft carrier Junyo and her component parts. This view shows forward part of flight deck, forward elevator, dimensions, 45' 10" x 45' x 10" (13.97 x 13.97 m). Control in pit under open hatch, built-in chocks. Photographed by crew from USS Chenango (CVE-28), 16 October 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-264919.

CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302846b
1.13M

Japanese aircraft carrier Junyo and her component parts. Radar Antenna on Flying Bridge is shown. Photographed by crew from USS Chenango (CVE-28), 16 October 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-264924.

CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302820
1.36M

"Ship's Victory Party. USS Chenango (CVE-28). Meadowbrook Gardens, Culver City, Calif. Nov. 26, 1945"

Carol Cipolla
Memorabilia
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302822
70k

"Imperial Domain of Golden Dragon" Certificate for LT(JG) Hubert R. Cornwell, USNR (crossing the 180th Meridian, 5 November 1945).

Courtesy of U.S. Militaria Forum, via Tommy Trampp
Ex-USS Chenango
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302801
41k In reserve, "Mothballs" at South Boston Naval Annex, 1959. © Richard Leonhardt
CVE-28 Chenango
NS0302802
91k Todd Shipyard, New Jersey, September 1961. Just prior to being scrapped. © Richard Leonhardt

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

Read the USS Chenango (ACV-28 / CVE-28 / CVHE-28) DANFS History entry

Crew Contact and Reunion Information Web Sites
U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Crew Contact
Date:  
Place:  
Contact:  
Address:  
Phone:  
E-mail:  
Web site:  
Remarks:  

Related Links
Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages, by Andrew Toppan.
Escort Carrier Sailors & Airmen Association
usschenango.com, by R. Fischer

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Last update: 7 September 2024