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| A "plank owner" is an individual who was a member of the crew of a ship when that ship was placed in commission. In earlier years, this applied to a first commissioning; since then, it has often been applied to one who was part of a recommissioning crew as well. Full size |
CVE-111
Displacement: 11,373 t.
Length: 557’1”
Beam: 75’
Extreme Width: 104’
Draft: 32’
Speed: 19 k.
Complement: 1,066
Armament: 2 5”; 36 40mm; 24 20mm
Aircraft: 34
Class: COMMENCEMENT BAY
The designation CVE was first assigned July 15, 1943. Prior designations were AVG August 31, 1941 and ACV August 20, 1942.From 1941 to the end of 1945 there were 108 of these vessels built, 22 of which were transferred to the Royal Navy.Several of the Commencement Bay class were built but never commissioned. The CVE designation went out of use when the remaining escort carriers were reclassified AKV (Aircraft Ferry) on May 7, 1959.
In searching the www I have found precious little about CVE-111, a ship my father served on. With the assistance of Thomas L. Wilson who served on Vella Gulf for her entire but brief active existence.We have compiled this document to aid in the preservation of the history of CVE-111.
The ship took part in air strikes on the Marianas islands in July of 1945
She also took part in the initial occupation of Japan.
The ship generally carried 16 FG-1 Corsair fighters
14 TBM torpedo bombers and 2 F6F fighters
that also did photo reconnisance work
October 1, 1945 southwest Pacific Ocean. Five days after picking up 650 U.S.Army soldiers in Okinawa for transport home. Arriving in Oakland California October 13,1945
TBM-3E Torpedo Bomber in background
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| USS VELLA GULF crewman Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Bill Wright 2nd from left |
The ship was named for the Battle of Vella Gulf, a naval engagement in the Solomons campaign of World War II. This engagement was historically significant because it was the first time that destroyers were allowed to operate independent of the cruiser force during the Pacific campaign. The battle was fought between the islands of Vella Lavella and Kolombangara on the night of 6 August 1943. In the battle of Vella Gulf, six American destroyers - DUNLAP (DD 394), CRAVEN (DD 392), MAURY (DD 401), LANG (DD 399), STERTT (DD 407), and STACK (DD 406) - engaged a group of four enemy destroyers attempting to reinforce Japanese troops on Kolombangara. The American warships closed the enemy undetected with the aid of radar and fired torpedoes which sank HAGIKAZE, ARASHI, and KAWKAZE with no damage to our ships.
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| Marine Squadron support crew Lance Corporal Jerome W. Queeney fourth from right |
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This Aircraft
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