Stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1966, Bunker Hill served as an electronics test platform for many years in San Diego Bay. Bunker Hill and Franklin were the only Essex-class ships never recommissioned after World War II. While in reserve the vessel was reclassified as an attack carrier (CVA), then an antisubmarine carrier (CVS) and finally an Auxiliary Aircraft Landing Training Ship (AVT), but was never modernized and never saw active service again. mainland and was still under repair when hostilities ended.Īfter the war, Bunker Hill was employed as a troop transport bringing American service members back from the Pacific, and was decommissioned in 1947. After the attack, Bunker Hill returned to the U.S. These were the second heaviest personnel losses suffered by any carrier to survive the war, after Franklin. Casualties exceeded 600, including 352 confirmed dead and an additional 41 missing, with 264 wounded. While covering the invasion of Okinawa, Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikazes in quick succession, setting the vessel on fire. Commissioned in May 1943 and sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations, the ship participated in battles in the Southwest Pacific, Central Pacific and the drive toward Japan through Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and air raids on the Japanese homeland. The ship was named for the Battle of Bunker Hill in the American Revolutionary War. USS Bunker Hill (CV/CVA/CVS-17, AVT-9) was one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during World War II for the United States Navy. 1.5-inch (40 mm) STS top and sides of pilot house.1.5-inch (40 mm) hangar and protectice decks.4 × single 5-inch (127 mm) 38 caliber guns.She came close enough that men trapped on the catwalks jumped to her main deck as other men jumped into the sea to get away from the fires.14,100 nmi (26,100 km 16,200 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h 23 mph) Light cruiser USS Wilkes-Barre closed on the burning carrier as her crew broke out fire hoses and turned them on. Seitz ordered a hard turn to port in an attempt to clear some of the worst of the burning fuel and debris.īelow, the fires spread and Bunker Hill fell out of formation. As fire spread from the wrecked ready rooms to the hangar deck, firefighters sprayed water and foam on the planes to keep them from exploding. The fire sent backdrafts of flame into the narrow passageways of the island and up the access ladders. Moments later, his bomb exploded in Air Group 84’s ready rooms at the gallery level above the hangar deck, killing many. Owada’s Zeke crashed into the island where it exploded and started a second fire. Thirty seconds later, Ensign Owada, also on fire, dropped his bomb it struck forward of the island, penetrating into the spaces below. Photo of USS Bunker Hill, taken during the attack. Yasunori hit the deck a moment later, destroying several aircraft and causing a large fire as his burning Zeke careened through several aircraft before it went over the side. The 550 lb bomb struck near Number Three elevator, penetrated the flight deck, then exited the port (left) side at gallery deck level before it exploded in the ocean. When he realised he might not crash the carrier, he pulled his bomb release. Yasunori was hit, but still came on as his Zeke caught fire. Crewmen manning the 20mm guns edge opened fire. They had a matter of seconds to mount a defence. Corsair fighter ace Archie Donahue pulled to the side and exited his aircraft quickly. The men aboard Bunker Hill suddenly became aware they were under attack when Yasunori opened fire and strafed the deck. Ensign Ogawa closed on his leader and followed him in his dive. Suddenly, dark puffs of anti-aircraft explosions surrounded them and one plane fell away on fire. Lieutenant Yasunori’s formation broke into clear skies to find before them the American carriers, white against the blue sea. The USS Bunker Hill in 1945, before the attack. Radar operators in Bunker Hill’s CIC strained to get returns in the stormy skies, but their work was made difficult by a sudden downpour, which reduced their ability to spot inbound attackers. The assault on Bunker Hillīunker Hill, flagship for Admiral Marc Mitscher, began landing eight VMF-451 Corsairs, with the two VF-84 divisions inbound. The Corsairs turned to head back to Bunker Hill. Ensign Ogawa was concerned about the clouds, since he had no skill at flying blind, but Yasunori was successful in evading interception.Īt the same time, eight VF-84 Corsair pilots on patrol spotted and surprised 30 kamikazes, shooting down 11. Lieutenant Yasunori spotted the dark silhouettes of American fighters and led his flight into the clouds, where they managed to evade the defenders. If the standout documentary from our East Meets West season, 'WW2: China's Forgotten War' has left you wanting more then don't miss this companion interview with Rana Mitter, Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China at the University of Oxford.
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