The War in View #38: American Naval Power

USS Washington and USS Enterprise (CV-6) transiting the Panama Canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic, early in October 1945. They were then en route to the U.S. East Coast to participate in Navy Day celebrations.

Curtiss SBC-3 scout bomber of Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6) from USS Enterprise (CV-6) flies low past USS Mustin (DD-413), during exercises on 26 May 1940. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-1671. 

USS McCawley (AP-10) steaming with a north Atlantic convoy, circa February 1942. Note blimp overhead. U.S. National Archives 80-G-2190.

British troopship Duchess of Atholl (center) with other ships of a North Atlantic Convoy in February 1942, possibly at Halifax. Photographed from USS Philadelphia. Naval History & Heritage Command 80-G-2189. 

Convoy WS-12 en route to Capetown, South Africa, in mid-November 1941. USS Ranger (CV-4) is in the center, followed by USS Orizaba (AP-24). The next column is led by USS Quincy (CA-39), at far left, followed by USS Wakefield (AP-21), USS Mount Vernon (AP-22) and USS West Point (AP-23). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-2274.

USS Lafayette (AP-53, ex-French Passenger Liner Normandie), in right center under salvage at New York City's Pier 88, circa 1942-1943. She had burned and capsized there on 9-10 February 1942. At right is USS Seattle (IX-39). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-1971.

Damage and fires burning on Midway after a Japanese attack.

Japanese attack on Midway Island, 7 December 1941. Shell damage to the laundry building (foreground), following the raid carried out by Japanese destroyers Ushio and Sazanami on 7 December 1941. View looks about southwest, along Sand Island's southern side. This building was hit again, by Japanese air attack on 4 June 1942, during the Battle of Midway. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-2292.

Northern Atlantic Convoy, February 1942. Convoy of US Navy transports and cargo ships, with a battleship at left, seen from USS Philadelphia (CL-41). U.S. National Archives 80-G-2205.

Convoy WS-12 steaming toward Capetown, South Africa, in November 1941. USS Quincy (CA-39) leads the nearest column, followed by USS Wakefield (AP-21), USS Mount Vernon (AP-22), USS West Point (AP-23) and USS Cimarron (AO-22). The second column is led by USS Ranger (CV-4), followed by USS Orizaba (AP-24), USS Leonard Wood (AP-25), USS Joseph T. Dickman (AP-26) and USS Vincennes (CA-44). The other ships present are destroyers. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-2275.

USS George F. Elliott (AP-13) (left) and Dutchess of Atholl (British troopship) (right) loading at Brooklyn, New York, in February 1942, prior to sailing with a North Atlantic convoy to carry personnel to the United Kingdom. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-2398.

Convoy out of Brooklyn, New York, February 1942. USS Neville (AP-16) is in the foreground. Other ships visible include at least seven other transports, an oiler and a battleship. This is probably the convoy that left the east coast on 19 February 1942, bound across the Atlantic to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Photographed from a Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, blimp. Note the extensive use of Measure 12 (Modified) camouflage on these ships. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives 80-G-2411. 

Convoy out of Brooklyn, New York, February 1942. USS Neville (AP-16) is in the foreground. Other ships present include at least six other transports, a light cruiser and a battleship. This is probably the convoy that left the east coast on 19 February 1942, bound across the Atlantic to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Photographed from a Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, blimp. Note the extensive use of Measure 12 (Modified) camouflage on these ships. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives 80-G-2408.

Survivor of the Steamship Alcoa Guide is brought ashore from USS Broome (DD-210) at Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia, on 20 April 1942. Alcoa Guide had been sunk by gunfire of the German submarine U-123 on 16 April. Broome rescued 27 of her survivors on 19 April. The last survivor of the ship was not picked up until 18 May. Six of Alcoa Guide's crew lost their lives as a result of this attack. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-3882.

USS Yorktown (CV-5) anchored in a Haitian harbor, circa 1938-40. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives 80-G-5132.

Suva, Fiji: Allied warships in Suva harbor, February 1942. Photographed from USS Curtiss (AV-4). These ships are (from left): HMNZS Leander (New Zealand Light Cruiser, 1933) USS Niagara (PG-52), and USS Chicago (CA-29). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-7293.

HMNZS Leander, New Zealand Light Cruiser, 1933 in Suva harbor, Fiji, in February 1942. Photographed from USS Curtiss (AV-4). USS Chicago (CA-29) is in the background, at right. Note Leander's pattern camouflage, and the PBY Catalina flying boat on the water in the far right distance. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-7294.

USS Enterprise (CV-6): Scene on the ship's flight deck on 7 August 1942, as she was supporting the first day of the Guadalcanal and Tulagi landings. Men are moving large bombs forward from the weapons elevator just inboard of the island. Note that the 1.1 machine gun mount directly in front of the island has no splinter shield. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-7859. 

USS Sterett (DD-407) launching, at the Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina, 27 October 1938. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-8862. 

USS New Orleans (CA 32)underway during exercises in Hawaiian waters, 8 July 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives 80-G-10115.

USS Mustin (DD-413) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 14 June 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-10124. 

Pacific Fleet Flag Officers: At a shipboard awards ceremony, held at Pearl Harbor on 17 June 1942. The officers are (left to right): Vice Admiral William L. Calhoun, Commander, Service Force Pacific Fleet; Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, Commander, Task Force 17; Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, Commander, Cruiser Division 6; Rear Admiral William Ward Smith, Commander, Task Group 17.2; Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitscher; Rear Admiral Robert H. English, Commander, Submarines Pacific Fleet. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives 80-G-10403. 

USS Memphis (CL-13): View on deck, looking aft from the bow while the ship was underway in the South Atlantic, circa 1941-1942. Note 6/53 guns in her forward turret and casemate mountings, 3/50 anti-aircraft gun behind the turret, rangefinders and other fire control equipment on the foremast. Crewmen are wearing the short Whites popular in the tropics. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-10535.

Guadalcanal-Tulagi Operation, August 1942: U.S. Marine Corps LVT(1) amphibian tractors on the dock at Wellington, New Zealand, on 20 July 1942, awaiting embarkation on board ships of the Guadalcanal-Tulagi invasion force. Ship in the background, to the left, is USS McCawley (AP-10). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-10760. 

Damage Control Hulk No. 4 (ex-USS Taylor, DD-94) at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania on 15 July 1942. Her bow has been cleaned in preparation for transfer to the torpedoed USS Blakeley (DD-150). USS Vixen (PG-53) is astern, on the right in this photo. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11032. 

USS Vincennes (CA-44): Underway during tactical exercises in Hawaiian waters, 8 July 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives 80-G-10116.

USS Ranger (CV-4) underway in Hampton Roads, Virginia, 18 August 1942. Her after elevator is partially lowered. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-10783. 

Captain Lyman K. Swenson, U.S. Navy ashore at Fox Harbor, Newfoundland, 14 June 1942, while he was in command of USS Juneau (CL-52). He was killed in action on 13 November 1942 when Juneau was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11251. 

USS Ranger (CV-4): Underway in Hampton Roads, Virginia, 18 August 1942. Note partially lowered after elevator and flight deck identification letters RNGR still visible just ahead of the ramp. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-10786.

Guadalcanal-Tulagi Landings, 7-9 August 1942: A U.S. Marine Corps M2A4 Stuart light tank is hoisted from USS Alchiba (AK-23) into a LCM(2) landing craft, off the Guadalcanal invasion beaches on the first day of landings there, 7 August 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-10973.

Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, U.S. Navy on board USS Enterprise (CV-6), 22 July 1942. Note radio direction finding loop in the foreground. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11650.

Captain Daniel J. Callaghan, U.S. Navy photographed at South Pacific Headquarters, 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11671.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Shoreline of Makin Island, photographed through a periscope of USS Nautilus (SS-168) on 16 August 1942, the day before U.S. Marine raiders were landed. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11720.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Two U.S. Marine Raiders below decks on USS Nautilus (SS-168), ready to go ashore on Makin Island, 17 August 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11722.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Smoke from burning gasoline tanks on Makin Island, seen from USS Nautilus (SS-168) on 18 August 1942, while she was waiting to remove U.S. Marines from the island. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11725.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson, commander of the U.S. Marine Second Raider Battalion, on board USS Nautilus (SS-168) just after returning from Makin Island, 18 August 1942. He is still wearing his field gear, with a .45 caliber pistol in a cross-draw holster. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11727.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Two U.S. Marine Raiders pose with a pistol and a captured Japanese rifle on board USS Nautilus (SS-168) after returning from Makin Island, circa 18 August 1942. The Marines are Corporal Edward R. Wygal (left), who used a hand grenade to wipe out an enemy machine gun, and First Sergeant C.L. Golasewski. (Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11724)

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Members of the U.S. Marine Second Raider Battalion on board USS Nautilus (SS-168) after returning from Makin Island, 18 August 1942. The Marine in the foreground holds a Japanese rifle, which he used to shoot and kill a Japanese soldier after he captured it (quoted from the original 1942-era photo caption). (Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11728)

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Wounded Marine officer (probably Second Lieutenant Wilfred S. LeFrancois) on board USS Nautilus (SS-168), after he had been evacuated from Makin Island, 18 August 1942. This appears to be the submarine's wardroom. Note bookshelves at right, communications equipment and clock on bulkhead, and rack of magazines (containing at least two copies of Esquire). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11726.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Marines and Sailors on board USS Nautilus (SS-168) as she entered Pearl Harbor after the Makin Raid, 25 August 1942. One of the men, in second row, left center, is holding a Japanese rifle captured on Makin. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11729.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN, Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet (center, left side to camera) talks with other senior officers, during ceremonies on board USS Nautilus (SS-168), welcoming her back to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after the Makin raid, 25 August 1942. Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson, USMC, who commanded U.S. Marines during the raid, is partially visible at left, wearing a garrison cap. USS Sperry (AS-12) is in the center background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11733.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Conversation aboard USS Nautilus (SS-168) after her return to Pearl Harbor from Makin Island, 26 August 1942. Those present are (from left to right): Lieutenant Commander William H. Brockman, Jr., Commanding Officer, USS Nautilus; Commander John M. Haines, Commander, Submarine Division 42, and Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson, USMC, Commander, Second Raider Battalion. Note .45 caliber M1911A1 pistol worn by LtCol. Carlson in a cross-draw holster. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11737.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Crew member paints a Japanese flag and hashmark on one of the 6/53 guns of USS Nautilus (SS-168), representing the two enemy vessels she sank with gunfire during the Makin Raid. Photographed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 25 August 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11730.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Part of the crew of USS Nautilus (SS-168) stand in formation on her after deck, upon her return to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, following the Makin raid, 25 August 1942. The Japanese flag flying from the muzzle of the 6/53 gun (right center) was captured on Makin Island. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11735.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: USS Argonaut (SM-1) docks at Pearl Harbor upon her return from the Makin raid, 26 August 1942. (After the raid, the Nautilus and Argonaut sailed from Makin Island to Pearl Harbor independently, thus the different dates of their return.) Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11742.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: USS Argonaut (SM-1) docks at Pearl Harbor upon her return from the Makin raid, 26 August 1942. Marine Raiders and members of the submarine's crew are on deck. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11740.

USS Argonaut (SM-1): Crewmen reading their mail, after returning to Pearl Harbor from the Makin Island Raid, 26 August 1942. The gun behind them is a 6/53. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11741.

Makin Island Raid, August 1942: Discussion on board USS Argonaut (SM-1) after she returned to Pearl Harbor from Makin Island, 26 August 1942. Those present are (from left to right): Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson, USMC, Commander, Second Raider Battalion; Major James Roosevelt, USMCR, Executive Officer, Second Raider Battalion; and Lieutenant Commander John R. Pierce, USN, Commanding Officer, USS Argonaut. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11736.

Lieutenant Commander Creed C. Burlingame, U.S. Navy, Commanding Officer, USS Silversides (SS-236) wearing foul weather gear and smoking a corncob pipe on board his boat, during a 1942 war patrol. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-11902.

Captain Ralph W. Christie, U.S. Navy, Commander Task Force 42 and Submarine Squadron Five (left) congratulates Lieutenant Commander John R. Moore, USN, Commanding Officer of USS S-44 (SS-155), as he returned to this South Pacific base after a very successful week of patrol activity (quoted from original World War II photo caption) . The original caption date is 1 September 1942, which is presumably a release date. S-44 returned to Brisbane, Australia, on 23 August 1942 at the end of a war patrol in the Solomon Islands, during which she sank the Japanese heavy cruiser Kako. The photograph was probably taken at about that time. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-12171.