Photos WW2 US Forces

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Consolidated PBY Catalina photographed from USS President Jackson APA-18 during the Rendova Landings - July 1943
LIFE Magazine Archives - William C Shrout Photographer

 

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Apra Harbor Guam as USS Balao SS-285 arrives to be tied off alongside other submarines - April 8, 1945
LIFE Magazine Archives - Carl Mydans Photographer

 

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B-17C #40-2049 from the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron. The aircraft was piloted by 1st Lt Robert H. Richards & it crash landed at Bellows Army Airfield on Oahu’s windward coast during the attack on December 7, 1941.

 

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American pilot and Commander of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (or WAFS, which was later absorbed into the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP) Nancy Harkness Love (1914 - 1976) carries her helmet, goggles, and parachute as she walks across the tarmac of an unidentified airfield in England, September 1942. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images)

 

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Consolidated PBY Catalina operations somewhere in Leyte Philippines, December 1944
LIFE Magazine Archives - Carl Mydans Photographer

 

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Retired US Army General Walter Krueger, looking at his collection of Japanese swords at his residence in San Antonio Texas - November 1949
He is best known for his command of the Sixth Army in the South West Pacific Area during WW2
Krueger’s retirement was marred by family tragedies;
His son James was dismissed from the Army in 1947 for conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman
His wife's health deteriorated, and she died of cancer in 1956
His daughter Dorothy stabbed her Army Colonel husband to death in Japan in 1952 (She was later released from prison by the Supreme Court and went to live with her father)
He died from pneumonia at the age of 86 on August 20, 1967, and is buried in Section 30 of Arlington National Cemetery
His papers are in the Cushing Memorial Library at Texas A&M University
LIFE Magazine Archives - Joe Scherschel Photographer

 

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Kadashan Bay (AVG-76) was launched 11 December 1943 by Kaiser Co., Inc., Vancouver, Wash. and commissioned 18 January 1944 as CVE-76. After shakedown Kadashan Bay made two cruises to Espiritu Santo, transporting 154 aircraft. After repairs and training, she joined a carrier division that sailed for Tulagi in preparation for the Palau operation.
Kadashan Bay departed Tulagi 6 September and six days later her air group launched a preinvasion air attack against enemy positions on Peleliu.
Arriving at Leyte 21 October she immediately commenced raids and strikes in support of troops ashore. Four days later one of her patrol planes, piloted by Ens. Hans L. Jensen, sighted the Central Force of the Japanese fleet off Samar and launched an unsupported attack against the leading cruiser, beginning the famous Battle Off Samar. The carrier's air group launched three fighter and three torpedo strikes against Kurita's force.
As the action in the Philippines continued, Kadashan Bay's air group accounted for 11 planes in encounters with the enemy during mid-December. Preparations were now underway for the Luzon landings and the escort carrier rendezvoused with the main force 3 January 1945.
She arrived off Luzon 5 days later and commenced an early morning air attack. That same morning a kamikaze aimed his death dive at Kadashan Bay. Despite repeated hits the enemy plane plunged into the ship amidships directly below the bridge. After an hour and a half of feverish damage control effort, fires and flooding were checked, and the escort carrier returned to Leyte 12 January for temporary repairs before returning to San Francisco 13 February for complete overhaul.
Kadashan Bay sailed for Pearl Harbor 8 April, arriving 14 April. She then commenced ferrying aircraft and passengers among the Pacific islands. During July the escort carrier was assigned as a replenishment carrier for the 3d Fleet and was on her way from Pearl Harbor to begin her new duty when news of Japan's collapse came.
Kadashan Bay joined the "Magic Carpet" fleet at Guam in September and arrived at San Francisco 26 September with her first group of veterans. For the next 3 months the escort carrier made runs from Pearl Harbor, Guam, Okinawa, and China to return battle-weary Americans home.
She arrived in San Pedro 22 December from her last Pacific cruise, and departed San Diego 10 January 1946 for Boston. Kadashan Bay arrived at Boston 29 January, decommissioned 14 June 1946, and was placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet there. She was reclassified CVU-76 on 12 June 1956 and scrapped 13 August 1959.
Kadashan Bay received two battle stars for World War II service.

 

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