Saratoga file photo [3515]

Saratoga

CountryUnited States
Ship ClassLexington-class Aircraft Carrier
BuilderNew York Shipbuilding Corporation
Laid Down25 Sep 1920
Launched7 Apr 1925
Commissioned16 Nov 1927
Sunk25 Jul 1946
Displacement38,746 tons standard; 53,000 tons full
Length880 feet
Beam106 feet
Draft24 feet
Machinery16 boilers, geared turbines, electric drive, 4 shafts
Power Output180,000 shaft horsepower
Speed34 knots
Range10,000nm at 10 knots
Crew2,122
Armament60x40mm
Armor5-7in belt, 2in third deck, 4.5in over steering gear
Aircraft91
Elevators2
Catapult1

Contributor:

ww2dbaseSaratoga was originally laid down as a Lexington-class battlecruiser, and like her sister Lexington, she was converted to become an aircraft carrier in 1922. Because she was visually identical to Lexington, a large black stripe was painted on her funnel to help sailors differentiate her, and it led to her nickname Stripe Stacked Sara. Her conversion to carrier was completed a month before Lexington's, therefore she was the first fast carrier in the United States Navy. Her shakedown took place off Philadelphia with Marc Mitscher on board as her air officer; Mitscher was also the first pilot to land an aircraft on her flight deck. She served off Panama, in the Caribbean Sea, and in the San Diego area before WW2, contributing greatly to the development of US Navy carrier doctrine. In Mar 1938, she conducted a mock surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that was eerily similar to how the Japanese would conduct the attack three years down the road.

ww2dbaseWhen the attack on Pearl Harbor took place, Saratoga was just entering San Diego from Bremerton. With US Marine Corps aircraft intended for Wake Island, she got underway hurriedly, reaching Hawaii on 15 Dec 1941. The relief mission for Wake was cancelled on 22 Dec as Wake was already in danger of falling. She remained in the Hawaiian Islands region. On 11 Jan 1942, she was struck by a torpedo from Japanese submarine I-16; she limped back to Pearl Harbor for repairs. Her 8in guns were removed while being repairs as they were useless against enemy aircraft; they were instead installed on shore facilities.

ww2dbaseSaratoga arrived at San Diego on 22 May 1942 after repairs at Bremerton, and departed for Midway on 1 Jun. Because of the delay in loading aircraft at San Diego, she missed the action at Midway. She departed for the Aleutian Islands, but turned back after the operation was cancelled. She reached Pearl Harbor on 13 Jun.

ww2dbaseBetween 22 and 29 Jun 1942, Saratoga ferried Marine and Army aircraft to Midway. On 7 Jul, she departed for the South Pacific, conducting carrier rehearsals at Fiji at the end of the month, then participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign as the flagship of Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher in Aug 1942. On 24 Aug, at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, Saratoga's aircraft bit the bait and attacked the light carrier Ryujo, sinking her with several 1,000-lb bombs and one torpedo. Although they were able to sink Ryujo, the actual main attack in the form of aircraft from fleet carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku attacked American carrier Enterprise; Saratoga, hiding in a squall, escaped unscathed.

ww2dbaseIn Sep 1942, Saratoga was struck by torpedo from Japanese submarine I-26 and was dead in the water. Cruiser Minneapolis towed her while her crew conducted temporary repairs. She eventually sailed to Tongatabu and then Pearl Harbor for repairs.

ww2dbaseSaratoga returned to service in Nov 1942. Until mid-1943, she provided air cover for various American operations in the Solomon Islands area. On 5 and 11 Nov 1943, her aircraft conducted devastating attacks on the Japanese base at Rabaul, disabling many cruisers and lifting threat to US forces in the region from Japanese surface ships. Later that month, she supported the invasion of Tarawa.

ww2dbaseAfter overhaul in San Francisco in Dec 1943, Saratoga returned to Pearl Harbor on 7 Jan 1944. She participated in the Marshall Islands Campaign, striking Japanese garrisons at Wotje, Taroa, and Eniwetok. In Mar, she joined the British Royal Navy Eastern Fleet in the Indian Ocean. The Eastern Fleet struck Sabang, Sumatra on 19 Apr and Soerabaja, Java on 17 May, with her aircraft contributing significantly to the success of both missions. She returned to Bremerton, Washington for overhaul in Jun 1944, then trained night fighter squadrons at Pearl harbor from Sep 1944 to Jan 1945.

ww2dbaseOn 29 Jan 1945, Saratoga set sail from Pearl Harbor for Iwo Jima. After landing rehearsals with Marine aircraft on 12 Feb off Tinian, her aircraft struck the Japanese home islands on 16 and 17 Feb. Her aircraft attacked Japanese positions on Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima. On 21 Feb, six Japanese aircraft scored five hits on Saratoga, damaging her flight deck and starting several fires. A second wave of attack two hours later scored another hit. By 2015 that evening, the fires were under control, and temporary repairs to the flight deck allowed it to function again. She returned to Bremerton for repairs in Mar.

ww2dbaseIn Jun 1945, Saratoga trained pilots at Pearl Harbor. She remained there until the end of the war.

ww2dbaseAfter the war, Saratoga participated in Operation Magic Carpet that brought American servicemen back to the United States; she brought home 29,204 men, more than any other ship in the operation. As she became obsolete after the war, she was used as a target at Bikini Atoll for the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. She survived the first blast on 1 Jul 1946, but the second test conducted on 25 Jul sank her.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Apr 2007

Aircraft Carrier Saratoga Interactive Map

Photographs

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Saratoga Operational Timeline

16 Nov 1927 Saratoga was commissioned into service.
23 Jan 1929 Starting on this date and lasting through 27 Jan 1929, the US Navy aircraft carriers USS Lexington and USS Saratoga participated in their first exercise. Sailing with the opposing forces of Fleet Problem IX, Saratoga was detached on a southerly sweep against the Panama Canal, where she arrived undetected, and launched 69 aircraft on a mock dawn raid.
2 Nov 1931 US Marine Corps Squadrons VS-15M and VS-14M embarked in the aircraft carriers USS Lexington and USS Saratoga respectively, the first US Marine squadrons to be assigned to carriers, as part of the organisation in Aircraft, Battle Force. They were to remain carrier-based until late 1934 giving US Marine Corps pilots necessary experience in a realm of naval aviation which, previously, had been largely denied to them.
13 Jun 1939 The US Navy carrier USS Saratoga completed a two day trial of underway refueling tests with the fleet tanker Kanawha. These sea replenishment techniques greatly extended the range of the US carrier force and proved invaluable for later operations in the Pacific War.
8 Dec 1941 USS Saratoga departed San Diego, California for Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
15 Dec 1941 USS Saratoga arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
16 Dec 1941 USN Task Force 14, centered around USS Saratoga, departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii to relieve Wake Island.
25 Dec 1941 Carrier USS Saratoga launched F2A Buffalo aircraft of Marine Fighter Squadron 221, originally intended to relieve Wake Atoll, to Midway Atoll. They became the first fighters to be based in Midway, and they immediately began a daily patrol schedule.
27 Dec 1941 USS Saratoga arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
31 Dec 1941 US Navy Task Force 11 with USS Saratoga departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii for patrol.
12 Jan 1942 USS Saratoga was damaged by a torpedo from Japanese submarine I-6 about 500 miles southwest of US Territory of Hawaii; she returned to Pearl Harbor under own power.
19 Feb 1942 USS Saratoga arrived at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for more extensive repairs following being damaged by a torpedo.
22 May 1942 USS Saratoga departed Puget Sound Naval Shipyard after repairs from torpedo damaged.
1 Jun 1942 USS Saratoga departed San Diego, California for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
7 Jun 1942 USS Saratoga transferred aircraft to Enterprise and Hornet so that they could sail north to reinforce the Aleutian Islands.
13 Jun 1942 USS Saratoga arrived at Pearl Harbor.
22 Jun 1942 Saratoga departed Pearl Harbor. US Territory of Hawaii to ferry aircraft to Midway Atoll.
25 Jun 1942 Saratoga delivered 25 P-40 Warhawk fighters and 18 SBD Dauntless dive bombers to Midway Atoll.
29 Jun 1942 USS Saratoga arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii after ferrying aircraft to Midway Atoll.
7 Jul 1942 Saratoga departed Pearl Harbor for the South Pacific.
18 Jul 1942 Frank Fletcher was promoted to the rank of vice admiral. He broke his flag aboard USS Saratoga.
7 Aug 1942 Aircraft from USS Saratoga flew several strikes against targets on Guadalcanal and in support of landings on Tulagi in the Solomon Islands. Pilot Lt(jg) Charles Tabberer was one of five out of eight pilots to go missing over Tulagi.
31 Aug 1942 Japanese submarine I-26 damaged USS Saratoga by torpedo 240 miles east of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, leaving her dead in the water. There were no casualties from this attack. She would be out of action for next three months for repairs.
26 Jul 1943 Rear Admiral Frederick Sherman of Task Force 36 broke his flag aboard USS Saratoga.
1 Nov 1943 USS Saratoga launched two sorties against Japanese positions on Bougainville, Solomon Islands in support of the landings.
2 Nov 1943 USS Saratoga launched two sorties against Japanese positions on Bougainville, Solomon Islands in support of the landings.
27 Mar 1944 HMS Cumberland met US Task Group 58.5 (Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga and destroyers USS Cummings, USS Dunlap, and USS Fanning) SW off Cocos Islands with ships of Eastern Fleet.
31 Mar 1944 USS Saratoga, HMS Cumberland, USS Cummings, USS Fanning, USS Dunlap, and ships of the Royal Navy Eastern Fleet arrived at Trincomalee, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
19 Apr 1944 Admiral Sir James Somerville's new Eastern Fleet launched a devastating raid on the oil refinery at Sabang in Sumatra, Dutch East Indies with aircraft flown from the carriers HMS Illustrious and USS Saratoga escorted by HMS Cumberland, HMS Renown, USS Cummings, and others.
17 May 1944 The oil refineries at the Wonokromo district of Surabaya, Java, Dutch East Indies and the nearby Braat Engineering Works were struck by British and American carrier aircraft struck by carrier aircraft of the Royal Navy’s Eastern Fleet made up of carriers HMS Illustrious and USS Saratoga escorted by HMS Cumberland, HMS Renown, USS Cummings, and others.
17 Jun 1944 USS Saratoga arrived at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for an overhaul.
14 Sep 1944 USS Saratoga departed Puget Sound Naval Shipyard after overhaul.
21 Feb 1945 The Japanese Army and Navy launched a combined tokko attack, dispatching 4 and 21 suicide aircraft, respectively. The fleet carrier USS Saratoga and escort carrier USS Lunga Point were hit and damaged, while escort carrier USS Bismarck Sea was sunk.
16 Mar 1945 USS Saratoga arrived at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for repairs of extensive damage following being bombed off Iwo Jima.
22 May 1945 USS Saratoga departed Puget Sound Naval Shipyard after repairs.




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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. MANDY MOORE says:
21 Sep 2007 09:11:43 AM

MY GRANDFATHER WAS LAWARNCE E. MOORE (LARRY) I WOULD LOVE 2 HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO KNEW HIM 2 CONTACT ME WITH ANY INFO. HE AND ANOTHER MAN TREADED WATER, SHARING A LIFE JACKET UNTIL THEY WERE RESCUED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANY STORIES THAT U MIGHT HAVE OF HIM. HE DIED IN 85 SO I WOULD LOVE 2 LET MY KIDS KNOW MORE STORIES.
2. Anonymous says:
28 Jan 2010 10:29:48 PM

My grandfather was also on the Saratoga and lived, He passed when I was 6, and I am now 27. I'm doing a report on the Saratoga and in the next few weekd will be interviewing my grandmother. Maybe I will get some good informnation and stories.
3. Ellen says:
11 Mar 2010 02:10:46 PM

Here's some great photos taken aboard the Saratoga: http://todayspictures.slate.com/20100311/
4. Jon Sneddon says:
17 Apr 2010 04:32:02 PM

My uncle William Harlan "Simp" Brady was pilot and died 2/2/1943. He supposedly was flying off airfield instead of USS Saratoga.
5. Ray Montee says:
16 Jul 2010 10:13:14 AM

My brother Robert Earl Montee, QrtrMstr First Class, was on the Sara throughout the heavy south Pacific campaignes.....when she was torpedoed and hit by Japanese Aircraft. He joined the Navy at age 18 after graduation from Newberg, Or., High Schoo.
6. Anonymous says:
31 Mar 2011 12:53:53 PM

my uncle edford northern was on the us saratoga he was stationed in hawaii if anyone knew him please send me an e-mail .
7. Stephanie says:
20 Jul 2012 05:51:13 AM

My grandmother told me that my grandfather served on the Sara during WWII. I don't know dates or what he did, and I would love to know. If anyone has any information, please email me. My grandfather's name was Raymond Gremillion.
8. Jimmy D. Smith says:
23 Jul 2012 03:04:32 PM

My brother, Henry was killed FEB. 21 1945 on the Saratoga. I was only 4 Yrs. old at the time. Anyone who knew him send me an e-mail.
9. Linda says:
11 Sep 2012 10:11:59 AM

My Grandfather was a FC2 (Fire Controlman) on "Sara". Always heard rumors he was injured during 21st Feb 1944, Kamikaze attack. But like many of the Greatest Generation, he never spoke of it, would only say he was a sailor in WW2. His name was Frank B.Cole of Pittsburgh PA area. I'm his oldest Grandchild & would love to learn more about his adventures during WW2, no I need to know, his other Grandchildren & now Great & Great-Great Grandkids need to know what this generation sacrificed in order for them to have the privelages they so take for granted.
10. David Woods says:
14 Apr 2013 01:53:07 PM

Please tell me if you knew Frank Inzana who was a sailor on the Saratoga. Thank you. Write:
Shadowlandhawk@yahoo.com
11. Jennifer Thomas says:
12 Aug 2013 08:52:54 PM

My grandpa was on the Saratoga in WWII he told me he was up in the look out tower (maybe called birds nest) His name is James Thomas, he never said much about it just that he was there and there, I lost him last week Aug. 9th and looking at his keepsakes i seen the "victory" menu from there dinner and book that was stamped when he left port. so many neat things.
12. David Brown says:
1 Oct 2013 11:04:27 AM

My uncle Burgess Brown served on the Saratoga in ww2
I beleive he was a gunnery mate. anyone knowing of him,please respond.
Thank You,
David Brown
13. Gregory Rapier says:
23 Oct 2013 06:30:13 PM

My father served on CV 3 somewhere around1942to 1945 not sure. If there is anyone that knew Joseph L Rapier would you contact me. My father told me that he was injured on Midway Island I think 1945 when an Australia bomber that was shot up came in to land as they were taking off. The plane my father was in crashed he lived ( good for me) the pilot and bottom gunner did not. Me father spent the next ten months in a body cast in Bremerton Washington. Hope someone out there remembers him.
14. William Thompson says:
23 Nov 2013 01:32:44 PM

My uncle, William, (Bill), Beck from Chicago was on the Saratoga during WWII. He passed in 1982.
Any old timers that served with him, I sure would enjoy an e-mail.
Sincerely,
Bill Thompson
15. Chris Cornelius says:
9 May 2014 01:46:31 PM

Hello, my dad and uncle were on the Saratoga in WWII. Until the Sullivan brothers were killed. Then they were separated and went on different ships. Uncle went aboard a torpedo launching ship and dad was aboard USS Barton599 at Guadalcanal. Had 5 battle stars and went down with 47 survivors. Uncle is still alive at 94, dad passed away in '09. Would appreciate anything because either one talked much about their experience in the war.
16. rachel booker says:
19 Aug 2014 01:22:26 PM

My brother James Edward Heck was one of the survivors on the Saratga ship during wwii. I was looking for any information.
17. Devon Groom says:
27 Nov 2014 03:06:00 AM

My Grandfather Donald Dick Groom from Steuben Wisconsin was on the Sara through out the pacific campaign. I only have on photo of him on the Sara. I would really love to hear stories or see other photos of day to day life at war on the sea. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
18. Morris Thomas Darby says:
9 Dec 2014 12:19:41 PM

My dad served on the Saratoga throughout the pacific arena. His story is that it was so hot down below that he could not sleep. So he took his gear up to the flight deck to sleep. That night is when the Sara was hit by a torpedo and it came though his cabin killing over 30of his buddies. I am sur he knew your grand dad, they were closer in war times than in peace times. My dad now is 92 and we put him in hospice last week and waiting each hour to of his passing. Those guys were tough cookies back then.
19. Gloria says:
11 Dec 2014 05:29:13 PM

My dad sailed on the Saratoga from San Francisco around the end of 1943 to Pearl Harbor and returned home around early 1946. His name was Raymond L. Arrington. Does anyone know of him? He passed unexpectedly in 1972 and I can't remember him talking much about it.
20. Anonymous says:
18 Jan 2015 09:11:34 PM

My father was wounded on USS Saratga as it left Pearl Harbor ,43 or 44.Anyone remember a J Swait?
21. Jeanne (St. Denis) Davis says:
24 Jan 2015 08:56:37 AM

My father also served on Sara from early 42 until the end of the war. He rarely spoke about the war. I believe it was because some of his friends were badly injured or killed. WWII was a dark time in his life, though he was proud to serve his country and would do it again. His name was George A. St. Denis Jr. He died at the age of 79 in 1998. As all the young men who served...he is a hero for giving so much to keep us all safe.
22. Morris Darby says:
27 Jan 2015 01:55:41 PM

It is with sadness that I report my father, Thomas A. Darby, passed away this past December 12, 2014...three days after my last post. He was 92. There are not many of these great warriors left.
I would like to say I appreciate all these men posted. The families have all felt the same about their loved ones. We have a lot in common to share the history of the men who fought or lost their lives in that pivotal war. Blessings, Mo.
23. Andrew Flanagan says:
4 Mar 2015 06:11:41 AM

My Dad was a F6F Hellcat pilot on the Sara. He died back in 1975 at the age of 54. He would not speak about the war much, but I have many of his flight info and maps. His name was Sylvester T. Flanagan Lt.jg, nicknamed " Flatbush" from Brooklyn, NY.
24. Anonymous says:
12 Mar 2015 07:25:15 AM

My dad joined the navy at age 17 and served in the fire room aboard the Saratoga from 1940 -1943 when he left for sub school in Groton, New London CT. He loves to tell stories about his time in the Navy. He left the sevice in 1946 and went on to serve as a police officer in his home town. He is still passing on his stories at age 92.
25. Lee Goslin says:
19 Aug 2015 08:57:40 PM

My dad, Charles Wayne Goslin, was a Machinists Mate on the Sara, and went to Ceylon on her among other places. We had souvenirs from there, made of ivory, at home when I was growing up. I loved him very much and still miss him. He passed in January, 1986.
26. Dennis McAlinden says:
12 Nov 2015 10:18:26 PM

My dad, James McAlinden served in the fire room on the Sara from 1943-45....he passed away in 2011 at the age of 85
27. Al says:
17 Feb 2016 02:54:58 PM

My Uncle Frank Ferguell served on the Saratoga CVA-60 during the 60's. Did many tours to the Mediterranean and always talked proudly about his service. He did 20+ years with the Navy. WW2 through Vietnam.
If anyone knew him I would love to hear about him. He was from Kingston, NY.
28. c.s.nerison says:
4 Mar 2016 09:05:43 PM

my three brothers were all on the USS Saratoga at the same time, first brothers to be togethor on an aircraft carrier since the sullivan brothers.
;)
29. tim Holston says:
11 Mar 2016 09:11:11 PM

My uncle Jerry Holston, was on the Saratoga. He was a machinist mate and also did other jobs, he told us of a night when he went up on deck and a torpedo hit and it killed a lot of his buddies, who were rooming with him.
Tim Holston
30. Anonymous says:
27 May 2016 05:07:30 PM

My dad served in Honolulu in the Sea Bees after Pearl Harbor was bombed. As a re-enlistment. Prior to the bombing my brother told me that dad had served on the USS Saratoga. I had no knowledge of this. I wonder if I could get crew logs from the Navy? Anyone know?
31. hugh perryman says:
29 May 2016 12:49:35 PM

Did the Sara fight at the battle for Okinawa? My father Hugh Perryman was wounded by Kamakasi fighters firing their machine guns, which set off ammunition on the port fwd elevator while fighting fires on the flight deck, thought he said at Okinawa.
32. Commenter identity confirmed David Stubblebine says:
29 May 2016 02:03:20 PM

Hugh Perryman:
The Saratoga did not make it to the Battle for Okinawa. The attack you describe was probably the attack off Iwo Jima on 21 Feb 1945. In that attack, six Japanese aircraft landed five bombs on Saratoga’s flight deck, starting several fires. She was further damaged two hours later in a second attack. Saratoga sailed for Puget Sound for repairs and spent the rest of the war in Hawaiian waters in a training role, which overlapped the Battle for Okinawa.
33. Lois J. Bown says:
5 Jul 2016 03:11:58 PM

Hugh Perryman: At this time I am researching and writing all I remember of my uncle, Donald Lewis Johnson's WWII experience on the USS Saratoga from Dec. 1941 to Dec. 1943 when he was transferred to the USS Hancock. The Hancock was at Okinawa in April 1945 taking heavy attacks from the kamikazi. My uncle was fatally injured when he and 60+ others were blown overboard by explosions and fire.
34. Amber Sramek says:
28 Aug 2016 06:43:22 PM

I have an album that was my husband's grandfathers book from WWI. He was on the USS Saratoga. I have dozens of pictures and some of the men signed the book. I will list the names here. I am hoping to share this book with the families of these men.
H. Coffey Charter Oak California
Bubah Giffs Leslie Arkansas
Holmes Prescott Kansas
Kelly San Antonio Texas
Daughty Tullas Louisiana
Blaisdell Sea Brook NH
Thompson Oakland CA
BJ Green MA
Fincher Irondale Alabama
EH Cotton Leslie Arkansas
Riggle Ontario California
Setzer WI
Anthony Kulfa
John Joseph Lally CT
35. Anonymous says:
2 Nov 2016 01:26:06 PM

My grandpa Edward Rose was on the ship when it was hit by a Japanese torpedo. If anyone knows him and would like to tell me stories about him from your time together I would love to hear them. I have war stories of my own from Iraq and Afghanistan.
36. Jeff Baxter says:
19 Nov 2016 11:12:59 AM

My Grand father was on this ship up to the day they sank it, his name was Marvin Lee Mosier.
Is there any way to buy a copy of this?
37. Jody Skaggs says:
22 Nov 2016 05:07:47 AM

Anyone remember Jack Givens from Tennessee? I am his grandson.
38. Carl Eric Renzi says:
7 Dec 2016 03:01:39 AM

My father, Michael Francis Renzi, served on the Saratoga during WWII. He told me he was taking a shower along with several other seamen when the ship was hit on its way to Pearl Harbor. He said that everything that was not necessary had to be ditched over board, but they made it to pearl.
39. John workman says:
22 Dec 2016 05:12:19 PM

Does anyone know my great grandfather Jake Workman from Houston. He died before I was born and I am trying to find information about him. My father told me he stayed in the Navy after the war and retired at the position of Mechanics Master Chief.
40. Commenter identity confirmed David Stubblebine says:
22 Dec 2016 05:52:25 PM

Mr. Workman (above):
Saratoga World War II Muster Rolls do not list a Jake Workman or a Jacob Workman but they do list a John Biglow Workman, service number 355 91 01, who enlisted 15 Jan 1935 in Dallas, Texas and reported aboard Saratoga 11 Jun 1935. The best way to learn about your great grandfather’s service is to request his service record. See: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records.
41. Kathleen says:
5 Jan 2017 05:53:01 PM

I am trying to locate my Uncle "Charles E Kopf" He was a radio man on one of the three carriers that were not a Pearl that morning. He said something once about being on the way to Alaska.

Can you help with this?
42. c. Evangelista says:
16 Feb 2017 11:56:38 AM

We are trying to locate Fast Eddie Bishop, who was a pilot on the USS Saratoga in 1972.
43. Mary Jo says:
31 May 2017 10:55:11 AM

My Uncle, Eugene Rybacki, was on the USS Saratoga in 1942 & 1943. I recently read letters he sent home to my Grandmother from the ship. My family said he was hurt during combat; something about a fire and he hung on to the side of the ship until rescued. Is there any record of something like happening? Thank you.
44. Chuck says:
14 Jan 2018 10:14:46 PM

My father edford northern was on the USS Saratoga in 1945 when it was struck by kamikaze planes looking to get some information about him and his role on the ship any help would be greatly appreciated
45. don says:
5 Jul 2018 11:02:32 AM

my grandfather, Morris Farris, served on the Saratoga from 1929-1944(?)
do you have any records or other info on his service?
thank you
46. douglas l anderson jr says:
1 Dec 2018 03:54:24 PM

my dad served after June 1943 he married my mom June 1st his plane was shot down while landing on the deck of the Saratoga he was an radio operator about this aircraf
47. Anonymous says:
19 Dec 2018 07:16:07 AM

The Saratoga was at Iwo Jima in Feb 1945 providing air cover for the USMC invading forces. It survived two waves of kamikaze attacks that left a hole in the hull, killed 100s (many missing), and was put out of action as a result. My father Jack A. Fitzgerald was on Gun #19 and served as a member of the band playing trumpet. He continues to play taps at veterans funerals in the Madison WI area and speak to HS students about his WW2 experiences.
48. Anonymous says:
30 Dec 2018 05:32:41 PM

My grandad Richard Lonnie Cash was on Sara til February 11 1945.. anybody know of home? He was an aviation Machinist mate 3rd class sv-6..
49. anonymous says:
6 Jan 2019 04:18:10 PM

My dad was in the US Coast guard from 7/6/42 till 10/10/45. I do know he was stationed at pier 11 in Honolula and said he was on the Saratoga for a period of time. He did not talk about it much. He was overseas for 2 years.
50. VWK47 says:
8 Jan 2019 12:14:35 PM

I am trying to find out the date my dad was on the Saratoga. He went in on July 6, 1942. He was in the US Coast guard. Does anyone know where and how long basic training was during that time?
51. Anonymous says:
5 Apr 2019 03:48:25 PM

My grandfather Henry White was a Gunner on the Saratoga during the war not sure of the tour dates though
52. sharon shelley says:
15 Apr 2019 02:27:03 PM

trying to find out if my uncle robert thomas Schulte was on the saratoga in 1945
53. George Briney says:
26 Apr 2019 05:02:17 PM

Surprised no mention was made that Sara was the only carrier to conduct flight ops while under tow. Aug 31 Sara hit by Japanese Sub I26 torpedo yet conducted F/O. Hornfisher book Neptunes Inferno pg 121
54. Paul says:
27 Oct 2019 08:47:12 AM

I am looking to find any public record of my father William (Bill) Capozzoli on the Saratoga from 1943 - 1945
55. Commenter identity confirmed David Stubblebine says:
27 Oct 2019 11:58:45 AM

Paul (above):
Saratoga Muster Rolls say Seaman William Paul Capozzoli, service number 822 86 71 who enlisted 29 Jul 1943 at Altoona, PA, was received aboard Saratoga on 14 Dec 1943 from Shoemaker receiving barracks (Dublin, Calif) while Saratoga was at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. He appears in Saratoga’s quarterly Muster Rolls until he was transferred off on 7 Sep 1945 for temporary duty with Fleet Air Wing 2 at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The Muster Rolls do not say how long he was there or where he went next. The best source of information about his service is his service record. See https://ww2db.com/faq/#3.
56. Jim Brown says:
19 Nov 2019 08:47:43 PM

Is there public record of my father, Melvin Rolland Brown who was on Sara during WWII?
57. Commenter identity confirmed David Stubblebine says:
20 Nov 2019 03:46:00 PM

Jim Brown (above):
There are several public records of your father serving aboard Saratoga, unfortunately the best ones are not on the internet. Sara’s Muster Rolls can be viewed at Fold3.com but the very best source of information would be his service record, which is still a paper document stored at the National Archives (see https://ww2db.com/faq/#3 for a link on how to order a copy). The Muster Rolls, however, showed Storekeeper 2nd-class Melvin Roland Brown, service number 663 62 12, came aboard Saratoga 22 Oct 1942 at Pearl Harbor and transferred off 13 Jul 1945 also at Pearl Harbor.
58. Anonymous says:
23 Nov 2019 08:32:30 AM

My father Jack B Mulkey (b 10/30/1926) served on the USS Saratoga. I’m wondering if you can tell me the date she served on this ship.
Thank you kindly,
His daughter,
Terry
59. CRAIG DOUGHERTY, STATE SURGEON says:
14 Feb 2020 06:33:44 AM

DATED: FEBRUARY 14, 2020

THIS IS VFW STATE SURGEON CRAIG DOUGHERTY PASSING ALONG A MESSAGE FROM POST COMMANDER JOHN GIFFORD SENT TO ALL HANDS OF OUR STATE OF WASHINGTON. CONTACT INFORMATION IS INCLUDED AND ALL MATERIAL YOU MAY HAVE CONCERNING CONTACTS AND SERVICE MEMBERS IN OUR REGION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. COMMANDER GIFFORD IS THE POST COMMANDER OF POST 239, BREMERTON, WASHINGTON

PLEASE PRINT THIS EMAIL IN IT'S ENTIRETY !!!!!!

DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, STATE SURGEON
CRAIG DOUGHERTY


From: John Gifford
Subject: Looking for Saratoga Sailors or Family Members

Please Help me get the word out, Thank you all!

VFW Post 239 is looking for Saratoga Sailors or Family Members to attend and possibly participate in our Memorial Day service at Ivy Green. There is a Marker for Sailors who were previously Unknown but 30 years ago this year, the Military turned over the 61 names of the service members who were buried there.

In Comradeship;

John T Gifford
Commander VFW Post 239
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60. Cathi Jones Buchanan says:
20 Feb 2020 07:10:38 PM

I know my grandfather served on the Saratoga during WWII - I think as a Lieutenant. His name was Parker Tefft Jones Jr. His oldest son, my father Parker Tefft Jones III was nicknamed Skipper because of this and was born in Sept. 1944. He passed away this past April. I don't know which actions he was involved in during WWII. If anyone has any info, I would appreciate it.
61. Jeff Cleary says:
14 Apr 2020 09:18:03 PM

My Father , Joseph Cleary served on the Saratoga during Pearl Harbor. Thank you for this site!
62. Doris Neptune says:
9 Jul 2020 04:58:04 PM

My grandfather Harold Melvin Smith served on the Saratoga. He retired from the Navy and went into the Coast Guard the same as his son. My grandfather served in World War I and World War II and my father served in World War II
63. Anonymous says:
2 Oct 2020 04:49:53 PM

Hello, does anyone know the exact number of aircraft destroyed on the uss Saratoga when it was damaged from kamikaze attacks?
I need this information for an essay I’m writing about aircraft carriers, thank you
64. Gary Foral says:
29 Jan 2021 02:53:17 PM

trying to find my uncle, willon Foral, served on USS Saratoga around 1945 ? any help would be nice

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More on Saratoga
Personnel:
» Fitch, Aubrey
» Jack Kleiss
» Gene Lindsey
» Miles, Milton
» Ring, Stanhope
» Turner, Richmond
» Vorse, Albert

Event(s) Participated:
» Guadalcanal Campaign
» Solomon Islands Campaign
» Gilbert Islands Campaign
» Marshall Islands Campaign
» Operation Cockpit and Operation Transom
» Battle of Iwo Jima

Document(s):
» US Aircraft Carrier Functions
» US Aircraft Carrier Operational Status By Month
» US Carrier Time Operational

Aircraft Carrier Saratoga Photo Gallery
Saratoga
See all 115 photographs of Aircraft Carrier Saratoga


Famous WW2 Quote
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. You win the war by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country!"

George Patton, 31 May 1944


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