African Americans on board the USS Intrepid

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Creator:

United States Navy.

Date Created:

unknown

Format:

Still image

Genre:

black-and-white photographs

Extent / Dimensions:

08.85 x 10.89 inches

Note:

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Description / Abstract:

Verso: BUAer 334029. File number: 334029, hold for release until 8 PM (ext) July 29, 1945. A four-time victim of Jap air action the USS Intrepid has again returned to the thick of the Pacific battle. Four times the USS Intrepid has been battered into flames by Jap air action, and four times the big Essoe-class carrier has returned to rain more destruction upon the enemy. In 15 months of combat operation, the Intrepid's guns and planes have sunk 80 ships and destroyed 650 aircraft. That she is the most frequently hit carrier in the U.S. Navy makes this record even more incredible. The Intrepid was first hit off Truk by an aerial torpedo during the initial raids on this stronghold, February 16, 1944. Back in action off Luson, October 29, the flattop took one of the first successful suicide hits. Again on November 25, two Jap kamikasee rocketed into her flight deck to turn the big carrier into a blasing gasoline-fed inferno. Even though 'abandoning' seemed the only logical answer, the crew battled heroically for two-and-one-half hours to save their ship. In action again for the Okinawa campaign, Intrepid pilots helped send the 45,000-ton battleship Yamato to the bottom. Then on April 16, while her airmen were carrying the war to Japan's home islands, the Intrepid was his for a fourth time by one of five attacking suicide planes. Her battle damage repaired for a fourth time, the Intrepid lives up to a proud name. The 'ghost' of many Jap 'sinkings' has long since rejoined the fleet. Six Negro steward's mates aboard the Intrepid who manned their 20mm anti-aircraft guns during the action October 29 until an attacking Jap suicide plane fell in flames on their gun position were awarded Bronze Star Medals for 'heroic and meritorious service in connection with operations against the enemy'. The awards went to Johnell Copeland, 19, Steward's Mate, 2c, P.O. Box 1363, Haines City, Fla.; Que Gant, 22, Steward's Mate 1c, 132 Centre Street, Atlantic City, N.J.; Harold Junior Clark, 25, Steward's Mate 1c, 916 1/2 Fourth Street, West Palm Beach, Fla.; James Eddie Dockery, 38, Steward's Mate 1c, 28 Barclay Street, Newark, N.J.; Alonso Alexander Swann, Jr., 19, Steward's Mate 1c, 353 Christian Street, Steelton, Pa.; and Eli Benjamin, 20, Steward's Mate 2c, 734 Jefferson Street, Norfolk, Va. The six men, who volunteered to man antiaircraft guns when and if their ship should be attacked, were cited as follows. For distinguishing himself by heroic and meritorious service in connection with operations against the enemy, while serving aboard an aircraft carrier on October 29, 1944. When a Japanese dive-bomber attacked from the starboard side of the ships he continued to operate his portside gun in its fire over the flight deck although it became apparent that the enemy plane was headed directly for his gun tub. His gun fired until the Japanese plane crashed into his tub. The courage and skill he displayed were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. Credit line - official U.S. Navy photograph