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Thursday, 17 May 2007 11:31

In Honor Of A War Veteran

More than sixty years ago, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, plunged the United States deeply into the Second World War.  This act of aggression brought an end to the era of "isolationism" the citizens of the United States had enjoyed since the end of the First World War.  While some will claim that the US government had prior knowledge of this attack several days beforehand, vital US naval resources and lives were seemingly sacrificed to rally the American people in support of going to war.  The deep-rooted and cavalier "isolationist" attitude of this country during the opening years of the twentieth century brought about a false sense of security. 

It was during the First World War that many people in this country felt that the oceans isolated and protected them from "The Great War" half a world away.  The war that began with a single assassin's gunshot in Sarajevo prompted many Americans to disregard the need to become involved.  There was no need to meddle in a war between other countries on the other side of an ocean.  But the United States finally became involved and we remember the gallant "Doughboys" who served during this Great War along the Western Front in France. 

Much the same sentiments were felt when Nazi Germany rose up and its war machines rolled across Europe with paralyzing success during the fall of 1939.  Here in the United States, many felt safe and uncommitted - choosing to stay isolated and separated from the war by a mere few thousand miles of ocean.  After all, the war in Europe did not directly threaten any interest in the United States - on American soil.  The attack on Pearl Harbor changed and our sense of isolated security when we realized that the enemy could bring the war to us.  Our isolated security, as Americans, was shattered forever on that Sunday morning.

After the 60th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 07 December 2001, I am pausing to reflect and honor my father and all servicemen that willingly accepted their call to duty in defending this country.  As the Second World War raged in both Europe and in the Pacific, my father enlisted in the US Navy during 1943 at the age of 15.  Assigned to the USS Baltimore, he served for the next three years of his young life fighting to defend his country in the Pacific Theatre.  Like his shipmates, my father participated in operations that earned well deserved recognition and honor.

Since I was young, my father told me only bits and pieces of his life during the Second World War.  He only spoke of small personal reflections and remembrances like how old he was, when he got his tattoos, the ship he served on and a few places he had been.  All seemed like a generation and world away to me.  With my eyes glazed over and my mind numbed, I watched the scripted reenactments (with special effects) of "war movies" that Hollywood churned out over the years.  It never really occurred to me that my father lived in and experienced this period of time.   Something was lost and my prying mind urged me on. 

Seemingly absent from my father's account was the details of his personal views and experiences during battle in that war.  It took me many years to understand why.   Rather than glorify his role in this effort, he quietly remained humbled by his life changing experience and avoided offering up specific details.  Some things are best left unsaid.  Still, this did not satisfy my curiosity.  Often, as a young boy, I would anger my father with innocent, yet deliberate, intrusions into a part of his life he would have rather kept to himself than explain.

Over the years, my father was never willing to discuss his service during that war.  It has only been recently that he has been open to directly discuss his experiences.  With that, he has parted with a few items of memorabilia such as a sword he acquired in China and the 30 caliber M-1 Carbine he was issued.

In focusing on my father's ship, I can at least piece together what he might have seen and experienced during those years of his youth - where he became a man.  His ship has a historical record that many will relate only as much as they are willing to openly discuss.  Below is the history of the USS Baltimore during the Second World War.  The information was derived from several sources.

USS BALTIMORE (CA-68)

(Nicknamed: "The Big B")

Below are three archive images of the USS Baltimore (CA-68) taken during the Second World War.  As seen, the USS Baltimore was an impressive ship of war that was bristling with guns.  It was on the deck of this ship that my father lost most of his hearing when he came up on deck under one of the main guns of the USS. Baltimore when it fired.  The US Navy contracted the construction of the "Baltimore Class" Heavy Attack Cruiser (CA designation) early on during the Second World War and before the attack on Pearl Harbor.  The USS Baltimore (CA-68) and others of her class became a formidable presence in the US Pacific Fleets during the Second World War. 

In the middle image, the USS Baltimore is shown in its special camouflage.  This paint scheme made it difficult for submarine captains to determine the size, shape and direction of the target ship.  This paint scheme changed from ship to ship and was used in both the Pacific and European Theatres.  This was an effective defense as direct visual contact was essential for submarine captains to accurately "target" a ship. 

Click on each image to view a larger view.  This will open a new browser window to display the larger image.  Simply close that window to return to this page.

The below table relates the specific particulars about the USS Baltimore and the "Baltimore Class" Heavy Attack Cruisers.  The basic dimensions and fitments of the "Baltimore Class" are similar among other ships of her type.  During the war, some later ships of this class were refitted with unique features (i.e. Conning Towers).

The USS Baltimore had a very active career during the Second World War as did other ships assigned to the US Navy's Third and Fifth Pacific Fleets.  The Big "B" was involved in 19 operations in both the Third and Fifth Fleets during the Second World War.  Below, you will see a table of the operations The Big "B" participated in during the Second World War.

Fifth Fleet 

Fleet Commander Admiral Raymond A. Spruance onboard the USS Indianapolis

Fifth Fleet consisted primarily of the landing forces ("Joint Expeditionary Force") under Vice Admiral R.K. Turner, the fast carriers and their escorts (Task Force 58) under Vice Admiral Mitscher.  The amphibious force was the ultimate target of the Japanese operation, but in the event it was not engaged in the battle, which consisted of a struggle between the Japanese carrier forces on one side, and Mitscher's Task Force 58 (and the American submarines) on the other. 

 KEY - CV = Fleet Carrier / CVL = Light Fleet Carrier / BB = Battleship / CA = Heavy Cruiser / CL = Light Cruiser / DD = Destroyer 

Task Force 58
(Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher commanding from  carrier USS Lexington)

Task Force 58 consisted of 7 fleet carriers (CV), 8 light fleet carriers (CVL), 7 battleships (BB), 8 heavy cruisers (CA), 12 light cruisers (CL), and 67 destroyers (DD).  Task Force 58 was organized into four carrier groups, plus Vice Admiral Lee's Battle Line, as detailed below.