THE U.S.S. MAKIN ISLAND
CVE-93
"GUNG HO!"
Named for the island in the Gilbert Island Chain where Carlson’s Marine Raiders made their fame, the ship was authorized on 6/18/42 and built by the Kaiser Co. at their Vancouver, Washington yards. A four leaved clover was embedded in the first piece of steel laid for good luck that was to grace the ship, time and again throughout World War II.
The 39th of 50 Escort Carriers, Casablanca Class, it became the flagship for the Escort Carrier Fleet. The ship’s crew were awarded a Navy Unit Commendation for Outstanding Heroism in Action Against Japanese Forces. The ship received 5 Battle Stars and was involved in such notable engagements as Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Displ: 10,902 tons full load
Dim: 490 x 65 x 19.75 ft
Extr: 498 x 108 x 19.75 ft
Prop: Reciprocating engines, 4 285 psi boilers, 2 shafts, 9,000 hp, 19 knots
Crew: 764
Arm: 1 single 5/38, 4 dual 40 mm AA, 12 20 mm AA, 27 aircraft
Built as escort carriers from the keel up, all built at Kaiser, Vancouver, WA. Built on
modified-design merchant hulls, some intended for transfer to England, but the second
batch of Bogue class ships was transferred instead. Final AA armament was 8 twin 40 mm, 30
single 20 mm. Many of these ships served as transports during the war, assuming combat
duties for major offensives. Some ships discarded soon after the war, generally because
they needed repairs or overhauls. The others were retained postwar for possible use as
helicopter ships.
DOWNED OR DESTROYED ENEMY AIRCRAFT: 39 (These were simply the confirmed -there were others)
AIRCRAFT LOST TO ENEMY ACTION: 3
SORTIES FLOWN IN COMBAT: Almost 4000
SHIPS DAMAGED OR DESTROYED:
LAUNCHED: 4/5/44
COMMISSIONED: 5/9/44
DECOMMISSIONED: 4/19/46 AT PUGET SOUND
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