Search the Site with

General Characteristics

Crew List

Memorabilia

Cruise Books

Embarked Squadrons

History

to end of page

USS Kasaan Bay (CVE 69)

Sorry, no coat of arms available.

USS KASAAN BAY was the 15^th CASABLANCA - class escort carrier. The KASAAN BAY decommissioned July 6, 1946, and joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. While in reserve, KASAAN BAY was reclassified CVHE 69 on June 12, 1955. She was sold for scrap on February 2, 1960, and was broken up in Germany.

back to top

go to the end of the page

back to top

go to the end of the page

Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS KASAAN BAY. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

back to top

go to the end of the page

• Click here to see which USS KASAAN BAY memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS KASAAN BAY Cruise Books:

• World War II Cruise Book 1944

back to top

go to the end of the page

Embarked Squadrons:

back to top

go to the end of the page

History of USS KASAAN BAY:

KASAAN BAY (CVE 69) was classified ACV 69 on 20 August 1942, launched as CVE 69 on 24 October 1943 by Kaiser Co., Inc., Vancouver, Wash., under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. R. W. Morse; and acquired and commissioned by the Navy 4 December 1943, Captain B. E. Grow in command.

KASAAN BAY reported for duty late in December and 8 January 1944 departed San Francisco with a cargo of planes and passengers for Pearl Harbor. Upon returning San Diego she sailed for Norfolk, arriving 28 February for overhaul and operations along the Eat Coast. On 28 May, she departed New York in company of TULAGI (CVE 72) and MISSION BAY (CVE 59) with a cargo of planes for Casablanca, returning New York 17 June with 342 survivors of BLOCK ISLAND, torpedoed 29 May.

The escort carrier departed Quonset Point, R.I., 30 June and arrived Oran 10 July. Throughout July she engaged in ASW patrol and flight operations in the Mediterranean before rehearsing for the assault on Southern France. KASAAN BAY departed Malta 12 August, and 3 days later arrived in the invasion area of the French Riviera. Planes from the carrier bombed and strafed German positions, destroying hundreds of enemy vehicles and tanks and downing two enemy aircraft over the beach. She completed her assignment 30 August and departed Oran, Algeria, 6 September, arriving Norfolk 12 days later.

Following a cruise carrying planes to Casablanca in late October, KASAAN BAY was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and arrived San Diego 2 January 1945. During January she sailed to Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Ulithi with planes and replacements for other ships of the Fast Carrier Task Force.

The escort carrier returned Pearl Harbor 14 February and immediately commenced training operations for air groups and replacement pilots. KASAAN BAY continued this duty until early June when she was assigned ASW patrols in the shipping lanes between the Marshalls and Marianas protecting the fleet's supply line during its final assault on Japan's defenses.

When hostilities ended 14 August, KASAAN BAY returned to Guam where she was assigned "Magic-Carpet" duty. She departed Saipan 13 September with her first group of returning veterans arriving San Diego 30 September. For the next 3 months she made three cruises to Hawaii and the Philippines to transport homeward bound troop. to the United States.

The escort carrier returned to San Francisco 28 December and sailed for the East Coast 29 January 1946, arriving Boston 22 February. She decommissioned 6 July 1946 and joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. While in reserve, KASAAN BAY was reclassified CVHE 69 on 12 June 1955. She was sold for scrap 2 February 1960.

KASAAN BAY received one battle star for World War II service.

back to top

Back to Escort Carrier List.

Back to Ships List.

Back to selection page.

Back to 1^st page.