"The USS Essex and the Birth of the American
Navy"
By Frances Diane Robotti and James Vescovi.
Book,
information /reviews, on Amazon.com
Preble, Bainbridge, Stoddert, Farragut - ESSEX... Names that mean NAVY, and
the ESSEX Tradition. Capt. Porter's son commanded the second Essex, a tradition.
I served in the 4th Essex, the carrier CVA9, and know of that tradition.
I liken this book to a C.S. Forester novel, a well written book about
wooden ships and iron men. Capt Porter was brash, and some think foolish
in some of his decisions about his captured prizes of war, and the outcome
of his defeat in Valpariso by Capt Hillyar of the HMS Phoebe.
I disagree - I think he was a hero. He took the first US Navy warship into
the Pacific, He managed to re supply his ship - keep his men healthy and
free of scurvy, and practically destroy the British whaling industry in the
Pacific.
He begged for long guns before he put to sea, and instead was armed
with short range carronades. Hillyar was aware that he could stay outside
of Porters gun range and fire at will with his longer ranging guns, and do
it against a disabled ship. I have read the British account of this battle
and they make light of Porter and Essex, and tell of their heroic victory
over Essex. I invite anyone that is interested in Naval history to read this
excellant book and draw your own conclusions.
I for one remain an Essex sailor that thinks Capt. Porter set the trend for
ESSEX and Navy tradition for yet years to come. I served under 3 ship's Captains
in my tour aboard the Essex CVA9 - they were all stamped in the 'Porter mold'
All brash - all men of decision; men that were concerned with the well being
of their crews, and all seaman of that first Essex tradition
"The First Hellcat Ace"
By Hamilton McWhorter III, with Jay A. Stout
Book,
information /reviews, on Amazon.com
Book information on this website
I was prepared to like this book before I bought it. I had been in correspondence
with CDR. McWhorter in things related to Essex and about his experiences.
He has helped me with my website. I have found Mac to be a man of warmth,
with a great sense of humor. A family man, and a true shipmate. This book
is about what it was like for a carrier fighter pilot. About missing one's
family, and about squadron members and friends lost in battle, About just
getting through it.
Mac McWhorter survived three carrier deployments in World War II. He earned
a reputation as one of the Navy's deadliest fighter pilots. His memior is
not the stuff of shootouts in the air, although there is plenty of that,
as the First Pilot to ace in the Hellcat, and with 12 air victories it's
neccesary to his story. His story is of comradeship, and sacrifice, survival
and getting a job done. This is a great read. It's a story that needed to
be told and needs to be read. Lest we forget Hamilton "Mac" McWhorter and
those who served with him.
"McCampbell's Heroes"
by Edwin P. Hoyt
Library of Congress Catalog No. 82-17462
ISBN: 0-380-68841-7
The Fabled Fifteen who turned the tide in the Pacific.
Led by Cdr. David McCampbell, the fighter pilots of Air Group 15 helped spearhead
the American drive to regain control of the Pacific in World War Two.
This stirring account of the action at Marcus and Wake islands, the Mariannas,
Iwo Jima, Formosa, and Okinawa, as well as two major sea battles, takes you
along with them into deadly air combat with Japanese Zeroes. You will witness
the skill and determination of the air group known as the "Fabled Fifteen",
the most highly decorated group of the war.
This book is out of print, but I have found copies available on Alibris
Books.
"Landing Was The
Easy Part"
Author: Edward Pappert
1st Books,
Publisher
Book,
information /reviews, on Amazon.com
(Amazon.com, If book not in stock click wish list button, they'll
have one within hours)
Air Group 83 boarded the Aircraft Carrier The Essex on March 11, 1945.
They stayed till the war ended. Lt.(jg) Edward Pappert writes about life
aboard the carrier. He takes you with him on strikes against the Japanese
homeland.
He tells about his wingman, Lt.(jg) Vern Coumbe’s being shot down, spending
the night on Japanese soil and his subsequent rescue. Other true tales include:
a division of Marine Pilots that can’t find their way back to the carrier,
the sinking of the Japanese battle ship The Yamato, the invasion of Okinawa,
and others.
In this book Ed describes what it's like living aboard. He talks of late
evening snacks of hot chocolate and toast with strawberry preserves and playing
Acey Duecy. About take offs and landings, about flying in miserable weather;
Friends shot down, flying combat air patrol and air strikes. The book is
written in a diary format, and reminiscing and reflections, the way it was
for a fighter-bomber pilot. I enjoyed this book - a very good read.
The book can be ordered from any book store or from www.amazon.com, "Flying
Was the Easy Part", I don't think it will be stocked. It is a publish on
demand book, or you can get it from the Author:
Copy $21.25 from:
Edward Pappert
5400 Challisford Lane
Charlotte, N C 28226
"Life And Death Aboard the USS Essex"
Author: Richard W. Streb
ISBN 0-8059-4605-5
Dorrance Publishing Company
643 Smithfield Street
Pittsburg PA 15222
On November 25, 1944 a Kamikaze hit the port edge of the Essex flightdeck
seriously wounding 44 of the crew, and killing 16. The death and wounded
count was much higher on many other ships. What makes the Essex tragedy different
was the fact that eight of the men were black and eight of the men were white
- brothers in death.
The Kamikaze hit into the 20mm gun batteries. The black men on Essex were
manning those guns, and for a very practical reason; there was a shortage
of men. Even though they were on those guns, they could not get a rating
as gunner's mates. Those rates were reserved for white men. Navy policy towards
blacks, from 1893 through World War II was that blacks were not regular Navy;
they had different pay scales and were restricted to messmen/stewards ratings.
Mr. Streb explores this policy and also explores life as it was for all the
crew during these trying times. He conducted over 390 interviews with ship's
personnel on topics that deal with everyday life. Their responses include,
religion; loneliness and fear, watching ships sink; death and destruction;
the importance of letters; gambling; fighting; going on liberty. Every aspect
of life aboard ship.
This is a well thought out and very well written book. The biographies and
the stories told by the crewmembers themselves, give a true and gripping
look at how it was. In my opinion, one of the best books on World War two
and the men who served.
Book is available from the author at:
Richard W. Streb
4 S. Lewis St.
Lexington VA 24450-2710
540-463-9370
Samuel Eliot Morison
History
of United States Naval Operations in World War II 15 Volume Set
This spectacular fifteen-volume series that charts the U.S. Naval operations
during World War II with an insider's perspective. Morison, a Harvard professor,
was given a special rank and writing post by FDR. He had active duty aboard
eleven different ships, allowing him to witness many crucial battles in both
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
"Leyte: June 1944-January 1945"
(History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume 12)
Author: RADM. Samuel Eliot Morison
Book,
information /reviews, on Amazon.com
Volume Twelve recounts the greatest naval battle of all time, the Battle
for Leyte Gulf in the western Pacific. Filled with many maps and file
photographs.
"Gunship Sailor"
Author: M. Edward Arnold
1st Books,
Publisher
Written by a friend and a Navy shipmate. During my time at sea in Essex,
Ed Arnold's ship the Destroyer USS Cowell DD547 could often be found off
our port or starboard beam, or following behind in our plane guard. I had
on occasion been at my duty station - station one in hangerbay 1, or on the
fantail at station seven where I fired over the shotline to hook our ships
up for refueling, or highlining mail, movies or prospective shipmates and
even on occasion Flag officers from the destroyer to Essex.
I was always amazed to see how the much smaller ship would pitch and roll
in the turbulence caused by the ship's being in close proximity. The
'tincan' would be wallowing in water with her decks, and line handling crew
sometimes submerged. On Station seven our fantail would drop, and the highlined
destroyer would come bow up, you could see her keel half-way back - it looked
like she was coming aboard our ship. In Essex I was at sea, but the real
sailors were on those destroyers.
Coming Alongside
The story of a 17 year old boy from Seattle joining the Navy during the Cold
War. His adventures and misadventures. His experiences with tragedy, "The
Perfect Storm", and the wonders of the sea.
At present it is available only through the author. The price is $25. which
includes S/H, and you will get an autographed copy. Be sure to provide your
correct mail address. Please checks or money orders only.
M.E. Arnold
3235 Ames Ave
Kingman, Az 86401
1(928) 692-9190
piasa@citlink.net