World War II Database

Essex was the lead ship of her class of aircraft carriers. After her shakedown cruise, she joined the Pacific Fleet in May 1943. She launched her aircraft against Japanese positions on Marcus Island on 31 Aug 1943, Wake Island on 5-6 Oct 1943, Tarawa on 18-23 Nov 1943, Kwajalein on 4 Dec 1943, and various targets in the Marshall Islands between 29 Jan and 2 Feb 1944. On 17-18 Feb 1944, she participated in the great carrier raid against Truk, then she proceeded to the Marianas Islands to raid Japanese positions there a few days later. After spending some time in San Francisco for overhaul, she struck Marcus Island on 19-20 May 1944 and Wake Island on 23 May. Between 12 Jun and 10 Aug, she served in the Mariana Islands region in support of the landing and occupation operations. Between 6 and 10 Sep, she launched sorties against Palau Islands, Mindanao of the Philippine Islands, and Japanese shipping in the region. Between 10 and 14 Oct 1944, she struck Okinawa and Taiwan in support of the American invasion of the Philippine Islands; she remained in the area to supply direct support for the Philippines campaign. On 25 Nov 1944, she received battle damage for the first time when a special attack D4Y dive bomber piloted by Lt. Yoshinori Yamaguchi crashed into the port edge of her flight deck, killing 15 and wounding 44. Although the damage caused by the kamikaze attack was serious, she was able to make temporary repairs and remain on the front lines. In Dec 1944, Essex's aircraft supported the Lingayen Gulf landing operations both directly at Luzon and indirectly by striking Taiwan, Sakishima, and Okinawa, which were among the islands she would continue to attack until Feb 1945. During the final few months of the war she launched air strikes against Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Japanese home islands. She was decommissioned from WW2 service on 9 Jan 1947.

On 16 Jan 1951, after modernization, she was recommissioned and served in the Korean War and the Cold War. Her final decommission took place in 1969, and was sold for scrap on 1 Jun 1975.

USS Essex Operational Timeline

Photographs

Share this article with your friends:   Facebook   Reddit   Twitter   Digg   StumbleUpon   Delicious Stay updated with WW2DB:   RSS Feeds

Advertisement                    Close

Advertise on ww2db.com

Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
   21 Jun 2009 02:22:56 PM
   
   Thank you for the page with the info and photos. I found a small coconut in my late grandfather's things. He had marked in "Gilbert Island" and a date which is not longer readble. He served on the Essex during WWII and passed away several years ago at age 98. He was very proud of his service and the Essex.
2. shirley gray says:
   16 Nov 2009 04:57:50 PM
   
   my brother was on this ship in wwii .. I would like to know more
3. Larry DuBroc says:
   10 Mar 2010 07:15:26 PM
   
   My Father served on the ship during WWII. He was a radarism very seldom spoke of the War but was proud to serve on the Essex. He is no longer with us would like to know if anyone knew him.
4. Walter Vatcher says:
   11 Feb 2011 11:14:58 AM
   
   I am trying to determine which aircraft carrier my father served on in WW2. His name is Walter "Blackie" Vatcher DOB: 9-29-1920 He was a Corsair pilot in USMC during Pacific Campaign. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
5. Anonymous says:
   30 Mar 2011 11:30:35 AM
   
   My father served on the Essex in WWII as a machinists mate. He had a few stories. From what I remember Cookie Lavagetto and Dennis Day served on the ship.
6. Alan says:
   25 Aug 2011 01:23:09 AM
   
   The USMC squadron VFN-101 operated six radar-equipped F4U-2s initially from the USS Essex and later from the Hornet and Intrepid.
7. Mark says:
   12 Mar 2012 07:37:04 PM
   
   My father Mark Hill was a Corsair pilot on the Essex in 1945. Any info on him?
   Thanks
8. Thomas Broussard says:
   13 Mar 2012 02:10:18 PM
   
   My father Roy Broussard served aboard the Essex
   in WWII as part of a marine detachment.
   I know little beyond the the naval engagements
   witch were numerous. He told me before he died
   that he participated in 2 landings, but due to
   the fire in St Louis .I am not able to find this information.
   
9. Art Kinowski says:
   17 Oct 2012 05:59:46 PM
   
   Trying to find info on my father aboard USS Essex. He is AM 2nd class Edward J.Kinowski.
   Stationed in the Philipenes. Anyone with info please e-mail me at akinowski@aol.com
10. Anonymous says:
    6 Nov 2012 07:16:18 AM
    
    Hi,
    
    This is a long shot; I'm looking for an Irish ancestor who had a son born in Philadelphia. His name was Joseph John Hough - Joseph is buried in Holy Sepulchre cemetery Philadelphia. His headstone says he was born in 1909 and died 1977 He was BM2 and served in WWII.
    I have found a muster list for the USS Essex CV9 that records a Joseph John Hough. his service number is given as 708 76 37 and his rating Fc3 the muster list is dated 31st Jan 1944.
    
    Is there anyway I can identify if this is the same Joseph as my Philadelphia Joseph.
    
    I'm an Irishman living in the UK so research is not so easy from here.
    
    Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance.
    
    God Bless America!
    
    Martin H
    
11. Anonymous says:
    9 Nov 2012 09:57:31 PM
    
    My father Leroy "Bud" Walker was a Marine on the USS Essex CV9 during WW2 1943-45. He never talked much about it, but I would like to know more of what it was like. Any insight on how I can dig deeper would be appreciated. Semper Fi
12. Anonymous says:
    27 Nov 2012 10:46:38 PM
    
    My father Virgil Hue Gray served on the USS Essex, he's been gone since 2002 but I still remember the times he talked about the Great Carrier and his shipmates, I could see how proud he was to have served. I will always be proud of him.
13. Anonymous says:
    25 Dec 2012 05:14:21 PM
    
    My uncle Glenn Schrobilgen served on the Essex during WWII. He never talked to anyone about his time on the Essex he kept it tio himself. I believe he was a mechanic and a tail gunner on a dive bomber. He was also selected to go on war bond tour. Is there information available about his service or why he was selected to go on the tour?
14. Mark Bearss says:
    2 Jan 2013 01:08:42 PM
    
    My father Lt. Joseph W. Bearss, USN served aboard the Essex after it became equipped with radar. I would enjoy hearing from anyone if they have additional information about his service aboard.

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
	Your email will not be published
Your Comments
Security Code

Note: Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment.