The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Bataan Death March - Feb 20th, 2003

http://home.pacbell.net/fbaldie/In_Retrospect.html ^ | Maj. Richard M. Gordon (USA Ret.)

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the link.

[aomagrat]

Today's classic warship, USS Bataan (CVL-29)

Independence class light aircraft carrier
Displacement. 11,000 t.
Lenght. 622'6"
Beam. 109'2"
Draft. 26'
Speed. 32 k.
Complement. 1569
Armament. 24 40 mm, 16 20mm.

Buffalo (CL-99) was reclassified CV-29 and renamed Bataan 2 June 1942, reclassified CVL-29, 15 July 1943 launched 1 August 1943 by New York Shipbuilding Corp. Camden, N. J.; sponsored by Mrs. George D. Murray, wife of Rear Admiral Murray, commissioned 17 November 1943, Captain V. H. Schaeffer in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

In her initial engagement with the Japanese, Bataan's planes supported the attack on Hollandia, New Guinea, between 21 and 24 April 1944. Following this action were strikes against Truk, Satawan, and Ponape (29 April-1 May 1944); Saipan, Marianas (11 June 10 August); 1st Bonins raid (15-16 June); Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June), and the 2nd Bonins raid (24 June).

Bataan then returned to the United States for repairs. Repairs completed she joined TF 58 and participated in the fleet raids in support of the Okinawa operation (17 March-30 May 1945), during which her aircraft assisted in the sinking of the Japanese submarine I-56, 18 April 1945, in 26°42' N., 130°38' E. Retiring to the Philippines, Bataan joined the 3rd Fleet for operations against the Japanese home islands (10 July-15 August).

Bataan returned to the United States, arriving at New York 17 October 1945, and was assigned to "Magic Carpet" duty. On 10 January 1946 she arrived at Philadelphia to prepare for inactivation. Bataan went out of commission in reserve 11 February 1947.

Bataan was recommissioned 13 May 1950 at Philadelphia. In July 1950 she stood out for San Diego, upon arrival loaded Air Force cargo and personnel, and departed 16 November for Tokyo Bay. She arrived in Korean waters 15 December and until June 1951 her aircraft flew strikes in support of the ground forces.

Bataan departed for the west coast 2 June 1951 and after a brief stop at San Diego steamed to Bremerton, Wash., 9 July for overhaul. She returned to San Diego 20 November and on 27 January 1952 departed for Yokosuka, Japan, and thence to Buckner Bay, Okinawa. She conducted air exercises and other training maneuvers off Okinawa until 29 April when she sailed for Korean waters. Bataan continued operating between Japan and Korea throughout the summer of 1952 carrying personnel and supplies to the fighting area and launching strikes against the enemy. She left the fighting zone 11 August for San Diego. On 27 October the carrier once again stood out for the Far East and operated off Korea until 10 May 1953 when she departed for San Diego.

She remained in the San Diego area undergoing overhaul and training until 31 July. Then she sailed via Pearl Harbor to Kobe and Yokosuka, Japan, and then back to the United States where she reported for inactivation 26 August 1953. She went out of commission in reserve 9 April 1954 at San Francisco. She was stricken from the navy list on 1 September 1959 and scrapped.

Bataan received six battle stars for her World War II service and seven for her Korean service.

[aomagrat]

PS. The USS Bataan was the first ship to be named after a WWII battle.

[SAMWolf]

The USS Bataan was the first ship to be named after a WWII battle.

Thanks. Filed away in my trivia memory.

[Jen]

FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

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[Jen]

Hi there new FReepers! You're invited to come check out the FReeper Foxhole and meet some great FReepers who hang out here.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Jen.

[Rocko]

Bump.

[Jen]

Hey Sam! I gotta grab a cup of coffee (or 3) so I can wake up enough to read this wonderful thread. Thanks for your dedication to the Foxhole!

[SAMWolf]

I hope Feather left some this morning.

[Future Snake Eater]

My God...and people wonder why I'm so against letting the Japanese have nukes...

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[Jen]

Hi Rocko! Thanks for dropping in to the Foxhole today. It's nice to meet you.

[Jen]

Just 5 !'s instead of your typical 6. Are you feeling OK today?

Good to see you!!!!!!

[Jen]

Howdy! And thanks for your classic warship post each day.

[Jen]

1966 Chester W Nimitz US Admiral (WWII), dies at 80

Admiral Chester Nimitz and Admiral William Halsey onboard the USS Curtis during WWII

<=== Click

Visit the National Museum of the Pacific War, including the Admiral Nimitz Museum

[harpseal]

The battle of the Phillipines in 1941-1942 was perhaps Douglas McAurthur's worst plan. Had he taken the time and troops to move the rations and ammunition left to the Japanese onto the Battan penninsula before withdrawing the troops there it is concievable they could have held out till at least the summer of 1942. There were at least a years woth of rations that did not make it onto the penninsula. How many Japanese combat troops would have been tied up in this campaign is anyone's guess. Would it have materially affected the war in America's favor again the argument can be made both ways. The Island hopping campaign McAuthur later developed was brilliant and the return of American forces to the Phillipines did liberate them.

[SpookBrat]

How depressing. Yikes! A good reminder that evil is important to defeat every time.

[SAMWolf]

The U.S. was not prepared and any plans for the relief of the Philippines went down the drain with the Fleet sitting on the bottom of Pearl harbor.

[harpseal]

This may very well be what your new grandfather went through, son...

If AZ Flyboy's new grandfather was in the PI in 1941 and 1942 he went through pure hell. Being a prisoner of the Empire of the Sun made being in German concentration camp seem not all that bad. Prisoners were sometimes subject to live dissection without benefit of anethesia. Murder of prisoners was commonplace and sometimes done for sport. All American troops either became prisoners of the Japanese, guerilla fighters orr somehow mangaed to escape via unconventional and very dangerous means. Those that wound up in supposedly neutral French Indochina were turned over to the tender mercies of the Japanese Army by the French troops there. camp O'Donnell is one of those places that every American should always remember.

Those who engaged in guerilla activity tied up a large number of Japanese troops without much support or recognition.