Photos WW2 US Forces
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USS Massachusetts fires the very last 16 inch shells of WW2 at Honshu. USS Indiana is in the foreground.
USS Pompano (SS-181), a United States Porpoise-class submarine. Her keel was laid down on 14 January 1936 by the Mare Island Navy Yard in California. She was launched on 11 March 1937, sponsored by Mrs. Isaac I. Yates, wife of Captain Isaac I. Yates, manager of Mare Island Navy Yard. The boat was commissioned on 12 June 1937
Pompano left Midway on 20 August, bound for Hokkaidō and Honshū. She was never heard from again, and when she failed to return, was presumed lost. The Japanese knew she was in her area, however, for two ships fell to her torpedoes during September: Akama Maru on 3 September, and Taiko Maru on 25 September. The enemy made no anti-submarine attacks during this period in Pompano's area, so newly-laid mines in the vicinity, not known to U.S.Navy intelligence until after she sailed,[probably sank her. Pompano was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 12 January 1944.
The official version is that she was lost while patrolling off the coasts of Hokkaido and Honshu, probably to Japanese mines. The date usually given (27 September) is an approximate one. However Japanese records show that a submarine was sunk on 17 September by air attack off the Aomori Prefecture near Shiriya Zaki
USS Langley (AV-3) sinking as sailors from USS Whipple (DD-217) watch, Feb 27, 1942
USS Pompano (SS-181), a United States Porpoise-class submarine. Her keel was laid down on 14 January 1936 by the Mare Island Navy Yard in California. She was launched on 11 March 1937, sponsored by Mrs. Isaac I. Yates, wife of Captain Isaac I. Yates, manager of Mare Island Navy Yard. The boat was commissioned on 12 June 1937
Pompano left Midway on 20 August, bound for Hokkaidō and Honshū. She was never heard from again, and when she failed to return, was presumed lost. The Japanese knew she was in her area, however, for two ships fell to her torpedoes during September: Akama Maru on 3 September, and Taiko Maru on 25 September. The enemy made no anti-submarine attacks during this period in Pompano's area, so newly-laid mines in the vicinity, not known to U.S.Navy intelligence until after she sailed,[probably sank her. Pompano was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 12 January 1944.
The official version is that she was lost while patrolling off the coasts of Hokkaido and Honshu, probably to Japanese mines. The date usually given (27 September) is an approximate one. However Japanese records show that a submarine was sunk on 17 September by air attack off the Aomori Prefecture near Shiriya Zaki
USS Langley (AV-3) sinking as sailors from USS Whipple (DD-217) watch, Feb 27, 1942
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Soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Division, New York Army National Guard prepare a defensive position at their log and dirt bunker near Kauffenheim, France. January 8, 1945. The Soldiers, assigned to Company I, 242nd Regiment, held off the German offensive in Alsace, France, called Operation Nordwind without the division’s artillery or support elements.
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USCGC Spencer (WPG-36) depth charging U-175 during the Battle of the Atlantic. She would see action in both Atlantic and Pacific theatres during WWII, then again off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. She was decommissioned in 1974
Spencer launched two salvos of charges and the second one damaged the sub but U-175 didn't explode catastrophically; her hull was ruptured and damage was done to her motors and batteries. The batteries started to emit poisonous gas and she was forced to surface.
Of the 54 men aboard, 13 were killed and 41 rescued by Spencer and USCGC Duane.
Spencer launched two salvos of charges and the second one damaged the sub but U-175 didn't explode catastrophically; her hull was ruptured and damage was done to her motors and batteries. The batteries started to emit poisonous gas and she was forced to surface.
Of the 54 men aboard, 13 were killed and 41 rescued by Spencer and USCGC Duane.
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USS Augusta (CA-31) underway, Dec 10, 1942.Note that she is painted in the seldom used Camouflage Measure 17.
USS Iowa (BB-61) inside floating drydock ABSD-2, Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 28 Dec 1944,
USS New Jersey (BB-62) bombarding Tinian Island, Marianas, 14-15 June 1944.
USS Iowa (BB-61) inside floating drydock ABSD-2, Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 28 Dec 1944,
USS New Jersey (BB-62) bombarding Tinian Island, Marianas, 14-15 June 1944.
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An American soldier killed by German shooters in Leipzig, 1945.
War photographer Robert Capa took this iconic photo of an American soldier shot and killed by a German soldier in the battle for Leipzig on April 18, 1945. The soldier became known as the ′′ last man to die′′ in WWII after the picture appeared in Life's Victory Parade magazine.
During the final days of the war, a machine gun squad entered a Leipzig building in search of positions to establish cover points that protected soldiers from the 2th U.S. Infantry advancing across the bridge. Two squad members found an open balcony that commanded an unobstructed view of the bridge, and set up their firing position there. It was there that a German bullet found the GI.
War photographer Robert Capa climbed the apartment through a window of the balcony to photograph the dead, who was lying on the open door, with a luftwaffe lamb skin helmet on his head.
′′It was a very clean death, somehow very beautiful and I think it's what I remember most about the war", Capa recalled two years later in a radio interview.
The soldier has been identified as Raymond J. Bowman, 21, born in Rochester, New York. In January 1944, he was sent abroad to the UK in preparation for Operation Overlord. Bowman served in France where he was injured in action on 3 August 1944, and later in Belgium and Germany.
Life magazine article did not identify the soldiers in photos by name, although Bowman's family recognized him by the small pin (which featured his initials) that he always wore on his collar.
The images were published in the Victory edition of Life magazine on May 14 with the caption ′′The Picture of the Last Man to Die". It would become one of the most memorable images from World War II.
In July 2015, Leipzig, Germany voted to name the street (formerly called Jahnallee 61) in front of the building where Bowman was killed as ′′Bowmanstraße′′ in his honor. The name change took place on April 17, 2016. The building now contains a small memorial with Cover photos and information about Bowman.
War photographer Robert Capa took this iconic photo of an American soldier shot and killed by a German soldier in the battle for Leipzig on April 18, 1945. The soldier became known as the ′′ last man to die′′ in WWII after the picture appeared in Life's Victory Parade magazine.
During the final days of the war, a machine gun squad entered a Leipzig building in search of positions to establish cover points that protected soldiers from the 2th U.S. Infantry advancing across the bridge. Two squad members found an open balcony that commanded an unobstructed view of the bridge, and set up their firing position there. It was there that a German bullet found the GI.
War photographer Robert Capa climbed the apartment through a window of the balcony to photograph the dead, who was lying on the open door, with a luftwaffe lamb skin helmet on his head.
′′It was a very clean death, somehow very beautiful and I think it's what I remember most about the war", Capa recalled two years later in a radio interview.
The soldier has been identified as Raymond J. Bowman, 21, born in Rochester, New York. In January 1944, he was sent abroad to the UK in preparation for Operation Overlord. Bowman served in France where he was injured in action on 3 August 1944, and later in Belgium and Germany.
Life magazine article did not identify the soldiers in photos by name, although Bowman's family recognized him by the small pin (which featured his initials) that he always wore on his collar.
The images were published in the Victory edition of Life magazine on May 14 with the caption ′′The Picture of the Last Man to Die". It would become one of the most memorable images from World War II.
In July 2015, Leipzig, Germany voted to name the street (formerly called Jahnallee 61) in front of the building where Bowman was killed as ′′Bowmanstraße′′ in his honor. The name change took place on April 17, 2016. The building now contains a small memorial with Cover photos and information about Bowman.
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Waist gunner wearing typical body armor for a standing crewman—unlike the seated type, the apron was larger and the back was armored. It weighed about 25 lbs.
A 1942 study determined that relatively low velocity projectiles such as deflected flak fragments or shattered pieces of aircraft structure caused 70% of bomber crew wounds. Body armor and helmets helped protect against this threat and saved thousands of bomber crewmen from injury or death.
B-17E Bomber En Route To England, 1942
B-25 Mitchell bomber production line at the North American Aviation plant, Inglewood, California, October 1942. The plane's outer wings have yet to be added, which enables the two side-by-side assembly lines to be closer together. The outer wings will be attached outdoors, in the "sunshine" assembly line.
A 1942 study determined that relatively low velocity projectiles such as deflected flak fragments or shattered pieces of aircraft structure caused 70% of bomber crew wounds. Body armor and helmets helped protect against this threat and saved thousands of bomber crewmen from injury or death.
B-17E Bomber En Route To England, 1942
B-25 Mitchell bomber production line at the North American Aviation plant, Inglewood, California, October 1942. The plane's outer wings have yet to be added, which enables the two side-by-side assembly lines to be closer together. The outer wings will be attached outdoors, in the "sunshine" assembly line.
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5-inch fin stabilized rockets being launched from the USS LSM(R)-190 Landing Ship Medium (Rocket) . Armament visible is an enclosed 5”/38 gun, two quad 40mm; one forward of the bridge and one at the extreme bow. The 40mm mounts have pipe guards to keep the guns from firing on the ship.
May 4, 1945 Radar Picket Station 12 off the coast of Okinawa, as reported by Lt.(jg) George T. Harmon, Executive Officer. The attack on LSM(R) 190 began at 0808 with a Dinah flying over the stern dropping a bomb which missed. This plane was hit by our automatic weapons. Thereupon the plane turned over, returned and dived into the 5"/38 mount, setting it on fire. Shrapnel resulting from the plane crash severely injured the CO, Lt. Richard J. Saunders USNR, rendering him prostrate and immediately killed the Gunnery Officer, Ensign Stuart C. Bjorklund. As their wounded skipper slipped in and out of consciousness, the LSM(R) 190 continued steaming under the last order given to the helm prior to the crash—full right rudder at flank speed. Reacting quickly, Radioman William J. Nuber, standing Phone Talker watch on the bridge, took over the Wheelhouse and conned the ship until relieved by the wounded Communications Officer Ensign Lyle Tennis. The 5"/38 mount was practically knocked off its foundation and set on fire that spread to the Handling Room and After Storage Space. The sprinkler system to the magazines and the after rocket assembly room were ordered turned on and fire hoses broken out from amidships and played on the 5"/38 mount. However, as the fire mains had been ruptured, pressure was negligible, and the Damage Control Parties commenced breaking out lines from the auxiliary fire pump.
A second kamikaze attacker approached low above the water from the port beam, then crashed into the upper level of the engine room. Wreckage of this plane remained stuck into the side of the ship. Fires broke out in the engine room and the crash disabled the auxiliary fire pump. Smoke was so thick that it was impossible to see engine controls. Lt.(jg) Engineering Officer Gordon Etter, remained in the engine room until and permission was granted to abandon the area as fires turned it into a virtual blast furnace. A third Japanese plane came after the LSM(R)190 about 0824 as the ship attempted evasive maneuvers and zigzagging at flank speed. The twin engine fighter crossed from port to starboard about mast head height, it dropped a bomb that missed widely by some 700 yards. By now the ship was all but defenceless with every gun out of action except the starboard abaft 20mm. Two minutes later a fourth plane attacked in 'sneak' fashion releasing a bomb which hit the Mk. 51 Director tub. A fifth plane, a Val, dove from a considerable height pursued by Corsairs of the CAP which arrived on the scene. This plane crossed from port aft of the starboard 20mm causing no damage.
As the fires were now beyond control and ship had developed a decided port list it was decided to abandon ship. The body of Ensign Bjorklund and the wounded CO were carried down from the Conn by officers Etter and Tennis and placed in life rafts. Twenty minutes later (0850) approximately the ship went down. As the abandoned, burning LSM(R)190 sank beneath the waves those in the water felt the violent explosions from the rocket ship.
USS LSM(R) 190 Lost 14 killed and 18 wounded was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, for meritorious service in action against enemy Japanese Kamikaze aircraft. Operating on the advanced flank at Okinawa on radar picket stations, heroically repelled numerous suicide attacks, being responsible singly for the destruction of several enemy aircraft. It participated in the rescue of survivors from sinking ships to a total of one hundred eighty. When finally succumbing to Kamikaze attacks, which directly hit the ship, fought gallantly until she sank. Her courageous determination and effort were keeping with the highest traditions of the US Naval Service.
May 4, 1945 Radar Picket Station 12 off the coast of Okinawa, as reported by Lt.(jg) George T. Harmon, Executive Officer. The attack on LSM(R) 190 began at 0808 with a Dinah flying over the stern dropping a bomb which missed. This plane was hit by our automatic weapons. Thereupon the plane turned over, returned and dived into the 5"/38 mount, setting it on fire. Shrapnel resulting from the plane crash severely injured the CO, Lt. Richard J. Saunders USNR, rendering him prostrate and immediately killed the Gunnery Officer, Ensign Stuart C. Bjorklund. As their wounded skipper slipped in and out of consciousness, the LSM(R) 190 continued steaming under the last order given to the helm prior to the crash—full right rudder at flank speed. Reacting quickly, Radioman William J. Nuber, standing Phone Talker watch on the bridge, took over the Wheelhouse and conned the ship until relieved by the wounded Communications Officer Ensign Lyle Tennis. The 5"/38 mount was practically knocked off its foundation and set on fire that spread to the Handling Room and After Storage Space. The sprinkler system to the magazines and the after rocket assembly room were ordered turned on and fire hoses broken out from amidships and played on the 5"/38 mount. However, as the fire mains had been ruptured, pressure was negligible, and the Damage Control Parties commenced breaking out lines from the auxiliary fire pump.
A second kamikaze attacker approached low above the water from the port beam, then crashed into the upper level of the engine room. Wreckage of this plane remained stuck into the side of the ship. Fires broke out in the engine room and the crash disabled the auxiliary fire pump. Smoke was so thick that it was impossible to see engine controls. Lt.(jg) Engineering Officer Gordon Etter, remained in the engine room until and permission was granted to abandon the area as fires turned it into a virtual blast furnace. A third Japanese plane came after the LSM(R)190 about 0824 as the ship attempted evasive maneuvers and zigzagging at flank speed. The twin engine fighter crossed from port to starboard about mast head height, it dropped a bomb that missed widely by some 700 yards. By now the ship was all but defenceless with every gun out of action except the starboard abaft 20mm. Two minutes later a fourth plane attacked in 'sneak' fashion releasing a bomb which hit the Mk. 51 Director tub. A fifth plane, a Val, dove from a considerable height pursued by Corsairs of the CAP which arrived on the scene. This plane crossed from port aft of the starboard 20mm causing no damage.
As the fires were now beyond control and ship had developed a decided port list it was decided to abandon ship. The body of Ensign Bjorklund and the wounded CO were carried down from the Conn by officers Etter and Tennis and placed in life rafts. Twenty minutes later (0850) approximately the ship went down. As the abandoned, burning LSM(R)190 sank beneath the waves those in the water felt the violent explosions from the rocket ship.
USS LSM(R) 190 Lost 14 killed and 18 wounded was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, for meritorious service in action against enemy Japanese Kamikaze aircraft. Operating on the advanced flank at Okinawa on radar picket stations, heroically repelled numerous suicide attacks, being responsible singly for the destruction of several enemy aircraft. It participated in the rescue of survivors from sinking ships to a total of one hundred eighty. When finally succumbing to Kamikaze attacks, which directly hit the ship, fought gallantly until she sank. Her courageous determination and effort were keeping with the highest traditions of the US Naval Service.
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January 3, 1940: Hornet CV-8 under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Newport News, Virginia
USS Arkansas (BB-33) off New York City, Sept 23, 1942
Escort carrier USS Kasaan Bay (CVE-69) off Gould Island in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island (USA), 16 September 1944.
USS Arkansas (BB-33) off New York City, Sept 23, 1942
Escort carrier USS Kasaan Bay (CVE-69) off Gould Island in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island (USA), 16 September 1944.
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The lead boat of the Balao-class submarines, USS Balao.
USS Ranger replenishes from USS Housatonic, July 17 1942
USS Topeka (CL-67) at anchor in 1945, showing the classic Cleveland class profile. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 21.
USS Saint Paul (CA-73) underway in Massachusetts Bay, 15 March 1945
USS Ranger replenishes from USS Housatonic, July 17 1942
USS Topeka (CL-67) at anchor in 1945, showing the classic Cleveland class profile. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 21.
USS Saint Paul (CA-73) underway in Massachusetts Bay, 15 March 1945
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U.S. Navy ships firing at attacking Japanese carrier aircraft during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 26th October 1942 . USS Enterprise (CV-6) is at left, with at least two enemy planes visible overhead. In the right center is USS South Dakota, firing her starboard 5/38 secondary battery, as marked by the bright flash amidships. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Gun crews aboard USS South Dakota man their 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, 26 Oct 1942
Battle of Rennell Island
USS Chicago (CA-29), at left, under tow at five knots by USS Louisville (CA-28) on the morning of 30 January 1943. The damaged cruiser had been torpedoed by Japanese aircraft on the previous night. A tug, probably USS Navajo (AT-64), is alongside Louisville.
USS Houston (CL-81) off the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, 11 January 1944
Gun crews aboard USS South Dakota man their 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, 26 Oct 1942
Battle of Rennell Island
USS Chicago (CA-29), at left, under tow at five knots by USS Louisville (CA-28) on the morning of 30 January 1943. The damaged cruiser had been torpedoed by Japanese aircraft on the previous night. A tug, probably USS Navajo (AT-64), is alongside Louisville.
USS Houston (CL-81) off the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, 11 January 1944
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Pfc. Henry J. Latanski of the 3rd Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 24th Infantry Division of the US Army is credited with shooting 25 enemy soldiers with his Browning automatic rifle during the Japanese attack of 21 October 1944 on Leyte Island, Philippines.
A boxing match on the quarterdeck of USS Iowa while the ship was in port awaiting the Marianas campaign, June 1944. (original color photo)
A boxing match on the quarterdeck of USS Iowa while the ship was in port awaiting the Marianas campaign, June 1944. (original color photo)
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19 Jun 1945. U.S.S. Ocelot. Leyte. Lt. Steingart (Navy dentist) referred to M&Ms by the family nickname, "Vitamin Pills." He wrote: I am … feeling much better than I did last night. I doped myself with Codeine, APCs, and some Black and White mixture. Had a good night's sleep and awoke with my cold practically gone…
worked all morning. After lunch four of us got a boat and went over to the hospital ship to see Jim Lyons. He is doing nicely and certainly is in good spirits. He should be evacuated soon. We had a rough trip back. It took an hour and the spray soaked me down pretty well. Had a shower and then I censored mail until 5:30 when I dressed for dinner.
After dinner we played cribbage until 7:30 and then went to the movies. We had "Without Love" with Hepburn and Tracy. It was very good …
By the way I took a box of those "vitamin pills" over to Lyons. I still have another full box so you can see how much candy I eat. I also have a full box of salt water taffy that my mother sent…
Goodnight my Sweet, I'm just dreaming of our happy days together in the not too distant future.
My dad kept his promise and wrote over 500 daily letters to my mom during WWII. I blog them along with photos and other memorabilia. If I include the link to the blog, Facebook blocks the post as "spam not conforming to community standards." To read the letters, Google the words: WWII Navy Dentist.
worked all morning. After lunch four of us got a boat and went over to the hospital ship to see Jim Lyons. He is doing nicely and certainly is in good spirits. He should be evacuated soon. We had a rough trip back. It took an hour and the spray soaked me down pretty well. Had a shower and then I censored mail until 5:30 when I dressed for dinner.
After dinner we played cribbage until 7:30 and then went to the movies. We had "Without Love" with Hepburn and Tracy. It was very good …
By the way I took a box of those "vitamin pills" over to Lyons. I still have another full box so you can see how much candy I eat. I also have a full box of salt water taffy that my mother sent…
Goodnight my Sweet, I'm just dreaming of our happy days together in the not too distant future.
My dad kept his promise and wrote over 500 daily letters to my mom during WWII. I blog them along with photos and other memorabilia. If I include the link to the blog, Facebook blocks the post as "spam not conforming to community standards." To read the letters, Google the words: WWII Navy Dentist.
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The sun sets on the US Pacific Fleet anchored at Lahaina Roads Hawaii - Summer 1940
LIFE Magazine Archives - Carl Mydans Photographer
LIFE Magazine Archives - Carl Mydans Photographer
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USN Ace Alexander Vraciu and his Grumman F6F Hellcat on USS Lexington CV-16 in July 1944
Admiral Marc Mitscher can be seen in the last picture.
LIFE Magazine Archives - J R Eyerman Photographer
Admiral Marc Mitscher can be seen in the last picture.
LIFE Magazine Archives - J R Eyerman Photographer
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Guaranteed to be the centre of attention in such a male-orientated environment!
A group of US Navy Nurse Corps nurses pose for the camera on Guam, August 1945.
(LIFE / Eyerman)
A group of US Navy Nurse Corps nurses pose for the camera on Guam, August 1945.
(LIFE / Eyerman)
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It's anyone's guess what this Marine is saying or demonstrating. Whatever it is has amused some of his buddies!
USMC base camp, Guam, summer of 1945.
( LIFE / Eyerman)
USMC base camp, Guam, summer of 1945.
( LIFE / Eyerman)
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