World War II Database

USS Princeton, an 11,000-ton Independence class small aircraft carrier, was built at Camden, New Jersey. Originally laid down as the light cruiser Tallahassee (CL-61), she was converted to a carrier before launching and redesignated CV-23. That hull number was changed to CVL-23 in July 1943. Princeton was commissioned in February 1943 and, following shakedown operations in the Atlantic area, arrived at Pearl Harbor in August. She covered the occupation of Baker Island in August and September and raided Makin and Tarawa later in September 1943. Princeton had a busy November, supporting the Bougainville landings, raiding Rabaul and Nauru and participating in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.

Following a quick overhaul at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Princeton helped in the conquest of the Marshall Islands in January and February 1944. Over the next four months, her planes attacked Japanese targets in the Central Pacific and supported amphibious landings at Hollandia, New Guinea. In June, Princeton participated in the invasion of Saipan and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. She continued to cover the Marianas operation in July, then joined in raids on the Palaus, the Philippines, Okinawa and Taiwan during August, September and October.

On 24 October 1944, Princeton was off the northern Philippines, taking part in attacks on Luzon airfields to support the Leyte invasion. That morning, she was hit by a Japanese dive-bombing attack and set afire. The blaze could not be contained, and in mid-afternoon a bomb magazine exploded. The after part of the ship was wrecked and severe casualties inflicted on the crew of USS Birmingham (CL-62), which was alongside helping to fight the fires. After her remaining crewmen were removed, USS Princeton was sunk by her escorts.

USS Princeton Operational Timeline

Photographs

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Ronn Owens says:
   23 Mar 2006 05:21:35 PM
   
   My mothers older brother, Russel Stevens was killed after the second explosion while fighting the fires. His wife, Katherine is still living in Des Moines. His only daughter, Janet passed away three years ago of cancer. Russell was the oldest of five boys and four sisters. Only one brother, Uncle John Stevens is still livng in Idaho. Ronn Owens Hicksville, Ohio
2. Anonymous says:
   15 Mar 2009 10:14:59 AM
   
   I dont know much about my grandfather as he passed away in 1967.I do know he was on the princeton when she was sunk and thats all i know.Where could i get more information?
3. D Knight says:
   17 Jun 2009 07:49:04 PM
   
   My grandpa was also a sailor on Princeton and thankfully survived, thanks in part to the efforts and sacrifice of the men on Birmingham. For resources you can look things up under the Freedom of Information Act, and there are some knowledgeable folks at military.com too who might help.
   God Bless
4. Anonymous says:
   25 Aug 2009 04:40:25 PM
   
   A dear friend of mine had a brother who died aboard the USS Princeton during the battle for Leyte Gulf. His name was Harold Ellison. How can I get some information for his sister, Fran. Thank you. John P
5. John Williams says:
   10 Mar 2010 06:02:23 AM
   
   My father in law, Thaddeus Manke of Bayside, N.Y., served aboard the Princeton and survived the battle in which she was sunk by a Japanese bomb attack. He had to jump off the anchor and was lucky enough to have a pilot on deck throw him a Mae West that landed right on his head. The one he had been wearing had bullet holes in it. He couldn't swim and spent the next 13-14 hours adrift in the Pacific until he was picked up by a patrol. He's 83 now, in fragile health but remembers that day as if it were today. Thank God for that pilot who tossed the life vest!!
6. john williams says:
   25 Apr 2010 04:14:48 PM
   
   As an update to my 10 March posting, my father-in-law Thaddeus Manke passed away in Bayside, N.Y. on 21 April 2010. He was a wonderful man and he is sorely missed. God bless you Dad.
7. Anonymous says:
   30 May 2010 06:59:58 PM
   
   My Uncle Joseph Bernard Flint was served aboard the USS Princeton and was rescued when it went downunfortunately I do not know any more about him or his Navy service.
8. Gary Grimme says:
   2 Jul 2010 05:53:44 PM
   
   My uncle, William K. Taylor, was an F6F plane captain on the Princeton and was topside when the carrier was attacked. He saw the plane that dropped the bomb, and watched it as it slammed thru the flight deck, and then explode below decks. He stayed aboard to help fight the fires until the ship exploded again, which sent him overboard and into the ocean. He was rescued from the sea by the DD794 USS Irwin.
   
   Anyone who desires more information about the USS Princeton and the men who served aboard the ship, can contact me at gg32068@yahoo.com, and I will gladly furnish information that will put you in contact with the remaining survivors thru the TIGER RAG & the Princeton Association.
9. Gary Grimme says:
   2 Jul 2010 06:00:43 PM
   
   With the permission of the website owner, I have a video that I made about the sinking of the Princeton during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, which can be viewed by cut/paste the following link:
   
   http://exposureroom.com/leytegulf
   
   or
   
   http://exposureroom.com/members/G8RB8R/c3666ade386240cd8841517f27b2ebdd/
   
   
10. Patrick Taylor says:
    22 Aug 2010 05:51:46 PM
    
    I made the 1968 cruise on Princeton (LPH-5) and while in Branson, MO last week, attending the reunion of the USS Goldsborough DDG 20, I crossed paths with the Princeton reunion and even met an old shipmate. How can I find out more info on the associaiton and their reunions?
11. Esther Morgan says:
    24 Aug 2011 07:26:55 AM
    
    my father was on the uss irwin.his ship picked up 646 men i think, from the princeton..my sister is doing a scrap book on our dad in the navy.what im looking for is the names of the men the irwin picked up.i have looked and looked and just cant find it. can anyone help.. thank you
12. John Windolff says:
    29 Aug 2011 05:34:33 AM
    
    I had a great uncle Eugene Richie that died while on the Birmingham helping the Princeton.
13. Greg Welch says:
    18 Nov 2011 08:56:47 AM
    
    My dad served as a gunnery officer on the Princeton. He jumped over the side before the final explosion and was nearly drowned by a ship giving aid (probably Birmingham). He blacked out and was pulled into a lifeboat where he and held a severly wounded sailor who died in his arms. The Irwin may have picked up my dad. God Bless all who served on her.
14. Anonymous says:
    23 Nov 2011 12:19:32 AM
    
    I was told my nncle David Walsh was killed on this boat. Would like to find out if this is true
15. Eric G Schloer Jr says:
    17 Jul 2012 07:26:44 PM
    
    Does anyone out there remember my father Eric Schloer? Please let me know, I'm his son and namesake. Thanks!
16. Ron Prince says:
    26 Jan 2013 10:22:15 PM
    
    Hello Eric, Jr. I knew your father very well. Our paths crossed in Pensacola, New Jersey, and California. I was a young Navy pilot when we first met. My wife was your babysitter in Pensacola. I was with your father when he made his first flight to Frankfurt, Germany. He introduced me to his family in Frankfurt(aunts and uncles). I last saw him in 1965 at NAS Moffett Field, CA. At Pensacola, I played handball with him and was handily beaten by your Dad. He was a superb athlete even though he was 15 years older than myself. He was one of the finest gentleman I met during my service in the Navy. I was deeply saddened to learn of his untimely death in 1973. Best Regards, Ron
    

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