June 5th
We pulled out of Majuro and are on our way with one of largest task force
in the Pacific. Our objective will be Saipan. On D-4 we sent a fighter sweep
over Saipan and the AA quite heavy. D- 3 -VBs sank 60,000 tons of shipping
after searching 3 hours for them. We sent 5 strikes in over Saipan, Pagan.
My hop was the 2nd and we caught 16 ships being convoyed by 6 DDs. I strafed
and we shot rockets at a DD and set it afire with pilot. AA heavy.
Dog day was set for the invasion of Saipan - 08:30 So far so good. Lost one
plane over target. Henry and Vorhest. - got hit and blew up. Dog day at 1300
we flew to strike the Bonin Islands. We attacked Iwo Jima and ChiChi Jima.
Briefing told us a lot of twin engine Bettys and fighters on island. We lost
one plane over target - Jackson and Clement.
Photos tell us we destroyed 136 enemy aircraft. Very long mission. We got
a direct hit on running and I helped strafe enemy planes and installations.
We landed with about 15 gallons of gas. Dog + 1 day sent 4 sweeps over Iwo
Jima. I have #3. Strafed Mt. Surobachi - AA very heavy and many fighters
in the air. All the planes returned safely.
June 17, 1944
Sent strikes over Pagan. Boy am I glad to be writing this. I was the third
plane to dive on the airfield. Dropped bombs among parked planes. Just at
pullout got hit by a five inch shell-took out our tail stabilizers and elevators.
Must have shot 3 thousand feet right straight up - lost control of plane
for what seemed like an eternity.
After sweating it out and throttling back got control of plane and escorted
by fighter - got back to carrier. Came straight in - I was ready to bail
out. They found more damage and surveyed the plane. Found life raft behind
me ridded but none hit me. Took 7 Jap prisoners aboard from the Jap convoy
we sunk earlier.
Sunday, June 18
We sent a 6 hour search out to look for Jap fleet in vicinity. Carried belly
tanks. We took 5 more Jap prisoners aboard today. I went to church to thank
God that he brought us back yesterday.
June 19
We were at General Quarters all day. We sent out our fighters and bombers
as there were many bogies on radar. Our fighters knocked down 64 enemy planes
in 2hrs. Our screen of anti aircraft get 3 torpedo planes. Many more probables.
One SB2C pilot shot down a Val. Our bombers made a strike at Guam.
A Judy made a run on our ship and dropped a 500 lb bomb but missed. He got
in and got away. Our skipper, Commander McCampbell, shot down 7 enemy planes
(new record). Many VFs 4 and 5 planes apiece. We are standing by in full
gear in Ready Room all night in case of attack. Our Task Force knocked down
176 planes. We are sure of a strike tonight or tomorrow. Altogether the Japs
lost 300 planes.
June 21 and June 21
We raided Guam, Saipan and Rota. Lost one plane over Saipan. I went on a
350 mile search and nothing but bad weather. Had to fly under weather at
1500 ft. Continued to sent out ASP and more serches. We are looking for large
Jap Fleet in area - headed east. We feel we now have strength for showdown
with Jap Fleet. Our subs reported they have 7 BBs many cruisers and DDs,
4 large carriers. One of our subs sent 4 fish into a large carrier. Believed
sunk by now.
The Lex and the Enterprise (another task force west of us sent out strikes
but Japs ran. The range is too great for us. Headed east to secure the Marianas
. Will invade Guam and Tinian. Results on Jap Fleet unknown at this time.
Continued ASP and at GQ constantly. Flew 0700 ASP - clear to Guam. Had Colorado
shoot at me because I didn't have IFF on. Turned it on real quick and they
stopped.
June 23, 1944
We sent a fighter sweep into Saipan and knocked down 12 planes. I flew over
Saipan and strafed ahead of Marines. Also dropped AP bombs on Tinian. Marianas
are having it rough.
June 24, 1944
Sent out 4 strikes over Guam. I had 2nd hop and bombed airfield. Delayed
action bombs used. AA was not too heavy but they are now using 3 + 5 " shells
plus phospheroses- All returned safely but one made a water landing just
off carrier. A DD picked up Barnitz and Shelter. OK.
June 25
Sent strikes over Guam and they really bombed the installation All returned
safely except a TBF made a water landing.
June 26
We sent out a few fighters on a patrol and all returned safely. I went before
the squadron board for advancement and made my second class rating. Outside
of this not much happened.
June 27th
Day off for Air Group
June 28th
Had an ASP at 5:30 and landed at 9:30. Not such a good landing - bounced
over most cables - caught last one with hook. What a stop! Task force kept
sending out ASPs and a few strikes on Pagan by TB.
June 29th
Made a strike on Rota Island. Not a shot fired at us. We flew right down
main street at tree top level. The island is a very pretty place. All came
back safely and everything is going fine.
June 30th
Not a thing for the bombers and the TBF and VF have ASP for the day.
