USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73)
Biography
The USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) was a Casablanca-class escort carrier commissioned on December 28, 1943. The carrier provided air support during key operations such as the invasions of Saipan and Leyte. Her most notable engagement occurred during the Battle of Leyte at the Battle off Samar on October 25, 1944, where the aircraft faced a larger Japanese fleet led by Admiral Takeo Kurita. Despite being heavily outgunned, the USS Gambier Bay and her crew fought valiantly until she was sunk by enemy fire, making her the only American aircraft carrier lost to surface gunfire during the war.
The USS Gambier Bay was awarded four battle stars for her service.
The USS Gambier Bay was initially classified as an aircraft escort vessel (AVG-73) on August 20, 1942. When construction began, it was designated as an auxiliary aircraft carrier (ACV-73). On July 15, 1943, the ship was reclassified as an escort aircraft carrier (CVE-73), which remained its designation until it sunk.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
James W. Cockrell Collection
The James W. Cockrell Collection, 1940 – 1957, consists of black-and-white photographs, a journal, an oversized map, United States Navy documents, newsletters, a certificate, and correspondence. This collection contains materials related to James W. Cockrell’s military service onboard the USS White Plains (CVE-66).
USS White Plains (CVE-66) and Philippine Campaign, Undated.
Contains 32 black-and-white photographs taken from the USS White Plains (CVE-66) during the battle of Leyte and the United States’ campaign in the Philippines. A large portion of these materials focuses on the sinking of the USS St. Lo (CVE-63) and the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73). Additional photos include wide-angle photographs of the USS White Plains and the Japanese kamikaze attacks on United States Navy ships.