Escort Carrier Sargent Bay (CVE-83)

Sargent Bay

Country	United States
Ship Class	Casablanca-class Escort Carrier
Hull Number	CVE-83
Builder	Kaiser Vancouver Shipyard
Laid Down	8 Nov 1943
Launched	31 Jan 1944
Commissioned	9 Mar 1944
Decommissioned	23 Jun 1946
Displacement	7,800 tons standard; 10,400 tons full
Length	512 feet
Beam	65 feet
Draft	22 feet
Machinery	2 Skinner uniflow 5-cylinder engines, 4 285psi boilers, 2 shafts
Power Output	9,000 shaft horsepower
Speed	19 knots
Range	10240nm at 15 knots
Crew	860
Armament	1x127mm DP guns, 8x2x40mm Bofors guns, 20x20mm Oerlikon cannons
Aircraft	28
Capacity for Air Crew	50-56

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseOriginally allocated for Lend Lease for the United Kingdom on 11 Nov 1942, USS Sargent Bay was reallocated back to the United States Navy on 21 Jun 1943. After commissioning on 9 Mar 1944 and the subsequent shakedown, she ferried aircraft to the Central Pacific, and the joined the US Navy 3rd Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, United States on 17 Aug. On 18 Aug, she departed Pearl Harbor for Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands and Manus in the Admiralty Islands. On 6 Nov, she departed to ferry aircraft to the Philippine Islands area, then remained in the region (operating out of Ulithi in the Caroline Islands) to support fleet carriers until 27 Jan 1945. On 16 Feb 1945, she was dispatched for Iwo Jima, Japan to cover the landing operations, remaining there until 11 Mar. On 16 Mar, Captain William Rassieur, who had been her commanding officer since commissioning, was relieved by Captain Richard Oliver. Between 25 Mar and 20 Jun, she operated off Okinawa, Japan to support the operations on that island, though between 7 and 18 Apr she was called away to support the Logistics Support Group and between 15 May and 2 Jun she was at Guam, Mariana Islands to receive repairs. On 23 Jun, she arrived at Leyte, Philippine Islands for upkeep, and then sailed for San Pedro, California, United States for overhaul, arriving on 9 Aug. When the overhaul completed, the war was already over. She made four trips for Operation Magic Carpet to bring American servicemen back to the United States. On 23 Mar 1946, she arrived at Boston, Massachusetts for inactivation. On 28 Mar, Captain Oliver was relieved by Commander Milton Worley, who oversaw the inactivation process. She was decommissioned on 23 Jun 1946 and placed in reserve on 23 Jul. She was sold to the J. C. Berkwitt Company on 30 Jul 1959, which scrapped her in Antwerp, Belgium in Sep 1959.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Apr 2010

Escort Carrier Sargent Bay (CVE-83) Interactive Map

Photographs

Broadside view of Casablanca-class escort carrier Sargent Bay shortly before commissioning, Vancouver, Washington, Mar 1944.

Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay at San Pedro, California, United States, 30 May 1944 in her new Measure 32, Design 15A paint scheme.

Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay underway 26 Oct 1944 300 miles east of the Philippines as part of an underway replenishment group.

Near collision between two Casablanca-class escort carriers at Ulithi, 6 Nov 1944. USS Bismarck Sea broke loose from her anchor and drifted to within 15 feet of USS Sargent Bay (foreground) before regaining control.

See all 6 photographs of Escort Carrier Sargent Bay (CVE-83)

Sargent Bay Operational Timeline

8 Nov 1943	Casablanca-class escort carrier Sargent Bay was laid down at the Kaiser Shipyard, Vancouver, Washington, United States.
31 Jan 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier Sargent Bay was launched at the Kaiser Shipyard, Vancouver, Washington, United States.
9 Mar 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay was commissioned at Astoria, Oregon with Captain William T. Rassieur in command.
31 Mar 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Astoria, Oregon bound for Bremerton, Washington, United States.
1 Apr 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton, Washington, United States.
7 Apr 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Seattle Washington bound for Alameda, California, United States.
10 Apr 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Alameda Naval Air Station, Alameda, California, United States.
12 Apr 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Alameda, California bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with a cargo of 45 replacement aircraft.
18 Apr 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
21 Apr 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii bound for Alameda, California with 16 aircraft as cargo and 307 personnel as passengers.
25 Apr 1944	While transiting from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to Alameda, California, a sailor on Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay was washed overboard during a storm at sea. An hour-long search revealed nothing.
27 Apr 1944	While transiting from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to Alameda, California, an officer on Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay became critically ill and emergency medication was dropped onto the carrier from a PBY Catalina aircraft 275 miles off the Golden Gate.
28 Apr 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Alameda Naval Air Station, Alameda, California, United States.
30 Apr 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Alameda, California bound for San Diego.
2 May 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at San Diego, California,
6 May 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay shifted to San Pedro, California.
1 Jun 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay shifted from San Pedro to San Diego, California.
3 Jun 1944	Men and airplanes of Composite Squadron 79 (VC-79) came aboard Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay at San Diego, California.
6 Jun 1944	The first aircraft landings and take-offs aboard Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay took place off San Diego, California.
13 Jun 1944	After exercises at sea, Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at San Diego, California. Composite Squadron 79 (VC-79) disembarked.
16 Jun 1944	At San Diego, California, Composite Squadron 80 (VC-80) came aboard Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay for qualification exercises.
24 Jun 1944	Composite Squadron 80 (VC-80) completed training and departed escort carrier USS Sargent Bay by air and returned to San Diego. Sargent Bay moored at San Diego.
27 Jun 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed San Diego bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with 69 aircraft as cargo and 267 personnel as passengers.
3 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
6 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii bound for Eniwetok, Marshall Islands with USAAF's 333rd Fighter Squadron aboard along with their P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft.
10 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay crossed the 180th Meridian for the first time.
14 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Eniwetok, Marshall Islands.
15 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Eniwetok, Marshall Islands bound for Saipan, Mariana Islands.
18 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived off Saipan, Mariana Islands, launched all 43 aircraft of the USAAF's 333rd Fighter Squadron for transfer to Isley Field, Saipan, and then reversed course for Eniwetok, Marshall Islands.
21 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Eniwetok, Marshall Islands.
22 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Eniwetok bound for Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.
23 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.
26 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Kwajalein bound for Majuro, Marshall Islands with 244 Japanese prisoners of war on board.
27 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Majuro, Marshall Islands.
28 Jul 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Majuro, Marshall Islands bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, still with 244 Japanese prisoners of war on board.
1 Aug 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 85 passenger-patients were transferred to the Naval Hospital. 234 Japanese prisoners of war were disembarked, ten having died during the passage and were buried at sea.
16 Aug 1944	Men and planes of Composite Squadron 79 (VC-79) came aboard Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
17 Aug 1944	USS Sargent Bay joined US Navy 3rd Fleet at Pearl Harbor.
18 Aug 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii bound for Eniwetok, Marshall Islands.n
25 Aug 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Eniwetok, Marshall Islands.
26 Aug 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Eniwetok, Marshall Islands as part of a logistics replenishment group consisting of twelve fleet oilers and escorts.
30 Aug 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay crossed the equator for the first time.
31 Aug 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Manus, Admiralty Islands.
6 Sep 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Manus along with her logistics replenishment group bound for the refueling grounds near Palau.
15 Sep 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Manus, Admiralty Islands.
8 Oct 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay returned to Manus, Admiralty Islands after three weeks at sea providing air support for a logistics and replenishment group.
2 Nov 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Ulithi in the Caroline Islands.
25 Nov 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Ulithi in the Caroline Islands to resume her support of the replenishment group.
8 Dec 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Ulithi in the Caroline Islands.
29 Dec 1944	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Ulithi in the Caroline Islands to resume her support of the replenishment group.
3 Jan 1945	When coming alongside Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay, destroyer escort USS Robert F. Keller collided with the carrier's starboard side amidships resulting in a 16-inch hole in the hull. There were no injuries.
27 Jan 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Ulithi in the Caroline Islands.
4 Feb 1945	While at Ulithi, Composite Squadron 79 (VC-79) rotated off USS Sargent Bay and Composite Squadron 83 (VC-83) came aboard.
10 Feb 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay was reassigned from logistics support to a task force of escort carriers tasked with providing close air support for ground units during the upcoming landings on Iwo Jima. Sargent Bay and the task force departed Ulithi for rehearsals near Saipan.
13 Feb 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay stopped briefly in Saipan's inner harbor to hoist aboard two OY-1 Sentinel light observation planes.
16 Feb 1945	Aircraft from USS Sargent Bay made their first attack of Japanese positions on Iwo Jima on Day D -3.
14 Mar 1945	After more than a month at sea and in intense combat at Iwo Jima, Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived back at Ulithi in the Caroline Islands.
16 Mar 1945	At Ulithi, Captain William T. Rassieur was relieved of command of escort carrier USS Sargent Bay in order to take an assignment on the staff of Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Ernest King in Washington D.C. Captain Richard M. Oliver assumed command.n
21 Mar 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Ulithi, Caroline Islands bound for operations in the Okinawa area.
25 Mar 1945	USS Sargent Bay arrived in Okinawa, Japan.
1 Apr 1945	As the landings began on Okinawa, aircraft from escort carrier USS Sargent Bay resumed their close air support missions supporting the ground forces.
7 Apr 1945	USS Sargent Bay departed Okinawa.
8 Apr 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay was reassigned from close air support and returned to screening duty for a logistics replenishment group supporting the fleet around Okinawa.
18 Apr 1945	With escort carrier USS Sargent Bay's rotation with the replenishment group completed, she shifted back to close air support at Okinawa.n
15 May 1945	USS Sargent Bay departed Okinawa, Japan and arrived at Guam for repairs.
23 May 1945	USS Sargent Bay completed repairs and arrived in Okinawa, Japan.
20 Jun 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed the Okinawa area bound for Leyte, Philippines.
23 Jun 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived in San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippines.n
20 Jul 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippines bound for Guam, Mariana Islands.
23 Jul 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Apra Harbor, Guam, Mariana Islands.
24 Jul 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Guam bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
2 Aug 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
3 Aug 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii bound for San Pedro, California.
9 Aug 1945	USS Sargent Bay arrived at San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, United States for overhaul.
1 Oct 1945	After the installation of bunks throughout the hangar deck, Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed San Pedro, California bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as part of Operation Magic Carpet.
7 Oct 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay stopped at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii briefly before shifting to Kahului Harbor, Maui, Hawaii.
8 Oct 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Kahului Harbor, Maui, Hawaii bound for San Diego, California with 900 officers and men of the 24th Marines.
15 Oct 1945	After exercises at sea, Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at San Diego, California.
16 Oct 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed San Diego bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
22 Oct 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
23 Oct 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii bound for Alameda, San Francisco Bay, California.
30 Oct 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii arrived at Alameda, California.
31 Oct 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay shifted to Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California.
6 Nov 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard bound for Eniwetok, Marshall Islands.
18 Nov 1945	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, embarked 1,000 officers and men from the Navy, Marines, Army, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine before departing for San Pedro, California.
28 Nov 1945	While at sea, Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay was re-routed to San Diego, California.
23 Mar 1946	Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay arrived at the Boston Navy Yard in Massachusetts to begin her deactivation overhaul.
5 Apr 1946	Commanding officer Captain Richard Oliver of USS Sargent Bay was relieved by Commander Milton Worley.
23 Jul 1946	Casablanca-class escort carrier Sargent Bay was decommissioned at Boston Navy Yard and placed in reserves.
30 Jul 1959	Casablanca-class escort carrier Sargent Bay was sold and ultimately scrapped in Antwerp, Belgium two months later.

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Dana Rossow says:
7 Jan 2016 09:21:22 AM

My dad served on the USA Sargent Bay. We lost him on 5/13/14. He served from commission till discharged after the war. Would appreciate any correspondence from heroes that served with him. His name is Roy Sidney Rossow.

2. Laura Fenley says:
30 Aug 2016 10:54:33 PM

My grandfather Raymond August Fielitz served on the USS Sargent Bay. He passed away in 2006, I am still looking for anyone who served with him or photos of him during his time in service, as I have located none so far. Thank you.

3. Jeff Bond says:
19 Dec 2016 05:32:08 PM

My uncle Francis Bond was a pilot
on the U.S.S Sargent Bay. Does anybody remember him ?

4. David holland says:
30 Dec 2016 04:14:46 PM

My grandfather served on the uss Sargent bay as well. He passed away march of 2005. His name was John Boyer

5. Anonymous says:
23 Apr 2017 08:05:35 AM

My father served on Her as a Yeoman. Looking for any personal pics of the ship or crew of tHE Sargent Bay.

6. Joshua says:
15 May 2017 10:19:22 AM

Loren Early. He was an aircraft mechanic abosrd the USS Sargent Bay, and later my Grandfather. Always looked up to folks like Francis Bond (for their occupation, never heard the name before.) Any info or links to info are appreciated.

7. Anonymous says:
25 Jun 2017 09:40:31 AM

My Dad was the ship's dentist in 1944-45 - Lt Cmd Charles H. Miller. He was from Louisiana & died in 1992.

8. Eric says:
25 Oct 2017 12:39:14 AM

My dad, Henry Zasacky, was a machinist mate aboard. He was from Bayonne, NJ. He is 92 and still going strong.

9. Scott Wittmier says:
31 Aug 2018 07:13:23 PM

My grandfather, Daniel Wittmier, was a gunner on this vessel. He never said anything to us grandkids about his service, but my dad told us some of the stories later. You can understand how these Service men and women built this country into what it was in the 50’s with the experiences they had during the war. It hardened them and made them better. Much respect to those who experienced this.

10. Eric says:
12 Sep 2018 02:02:18 AM

RIP dear father: Henry Zasacky
1-30-1925 ....... 9-1-2018

Machinist Mate 1943-1945

11. Bruce Hunt says:
8 Jul 2022 10:08:24 PM

My father, Bruce Harper Hunt, flew Hellcats & Wildcats with VC-83 on the Sargent Bay at both Iwo and Okinawa. Went on to fly many more years at Glenview NAS.

12. Mike says:
29 Dec 2023 02:44:33 PM

My father, William Harold Hill, was a radio operator on a TBF avenger onboard and spent his combat time on the Sgt Bay. I am trying to find anything about him I can. I know he received 3 bronze stars for Asiatic pacific liberation, but little else. I have his separation form, but am not able to decipher some of the abbreviations on it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,

13. Ben Burgeson says:
4 Jan 2024 01:04:10 PM

My Grandfather likely Bruce. William "TEX" Burnett also flew in the VC-83. I'm currently looking for the patches they might have worn.

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