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| USN Casablanca-class escort carrier 8,188 Tons (standard) 10,902 Tons (full load) 512' 3" x 65' 2" x 20' 9" As Built 1 x 5" 38 cal DP gun 8 x 40mm AA (8x2) 12 x 20mm AA single Final Armament 1 x 5" 38 cal DP gun 8 x 40mm AA (8x2) 30 x 20mm AA single Aircraft: 27  USN October 25, 1944 |
Ship History Built by Kaiser Shipbuilding Company in Vancouver, Washington under a Maritime Commission Contract, MC Hull 1108. Laid down May 3, 1943 as a Casablanca-class escort carrier. Launched November 8, 1943 as USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) named for Kitkun Bay in Alaska sponsored by Mrs. Francis E. Cruise. Commissioned December 15, 1943 in the U.S. Navy (USN) at Astoria with Captain John P. Whitney in command. For the remainder of the month and into January 1944 underwent fitting out at Astoria then a shake down cruise off the west coast. Wartime History On January 22, 1944 arrives San Diego and continues exercises off the Channel Islands then embarks Marine Torpedo Bomber Squadron 242 (VMTB-242). On January 28, 1944 departs San Diego across the Pacific bound for New Hebrides arriving February 14, 1944. PARTIAL HISTORY On October 25, 1944 at 10:51am five Zero each armed with a bomb from the Shikishima squadron of the first kamikazes were spotted approaching Taffy 3 from the northwest. The first Zero dove on Kitkun Bay and crashed into the port side and the bomb detonated then crashed into the sea 25 yards off the port side. Aboard, one sailor was killed and four seriously wounded and twelve slightly wounded and damaged two TBM Avengers. This was the first kamikaze attack of the Pacific War. PARTIAL HISTORY Fate On April 19, 1946 decommissioned. On May 8, 1946 struck from the Navy List. On November 18, 1946 sold to Zidell Ship Dismantling Company in Portland for $12,700. During January 1947 transfered and broken up for scrap. Awards Kitkun Bay earned six battle stars for her service in World War II and shared in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to "Taffy 3" for extraordinary heroism during the Battle off Samar. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) NavSource - USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) Contribute
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