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Photo # 80-G-59314:  F6F fighters landing on USS Enterprise after strikes on Truk, 17-18 February 1944

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Enterprise (CV-6) --
Combat, On Board and Miscellaneous Views


This page features selected combat, on board and miscellaneous views related to USS Enterprise (CV-6).

For selected overall views of USS Enterprise, see:

  • Enterprise (CV-6), 1938-1958.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: 80-G-41686

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6) TBD-1 aircraft are prepared for launching on USS Enterprise (CV-6) at about 0730-0740 hrs, 4 June 1942. Eleven of the fourteen TBDs launched from Enterprise are visible. Three more TBDs and ten F4F fighters must still be pushed into position before launching can begin.
    The TBD in the left front is Number Two (Bureau # 1512), flown by Ensign Severin L. Rombach and Aviation Radioman 2nd Class W.F. Glenn. Along with eight other VT-6 aircraft, this plane and its crew were lost attacking Japanese aircraft carriers somewhat more than two hours later.
    USS Pensacola (CA-24) is in the right distance and a destroyer is in plane guard position at left.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-10458

    Guadalcanal Invasion, August 1942


    Ordnancemen of Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6) load a 500 pound demolition bomb on an SBD scout bomber on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CV-6), during the first day of strikes on Guadalcanal and Tulagi, 7 August 1942.
    Note aircraft's landing gear and bomb crutch; also bomb cart and hoist.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-17489

    Battle of the Eastern Solomons, August 1942


    A Japanese bomb exploding on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CV-6), just aft of the island, on 24 August 1942.
    Note: According to the original photo caption, this explosion killed the photographer, Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Robert F. Read. However, Morison's "History of U.S. Naval Operations in World War II" (volume 5, page 97) states that Read was killed by the bomb that had earlier hit the after starboard 5"/38 gun gallery, which can be seen burning in the upper left. Morison further states that the bomb seen here exploded with a low order detonation, inflicting only minor damage.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 149KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-20989

    Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, October 1942


    U.S. Navy ships firing at attacking Japanese carrier aircraft during the battle, 26 October 1942. USS Enterprise (CV-6) is at left, with at least two enemy planes visible overhead. In the right center is USS South Dakota, firing her starboard 5"/38 secondary battery, as marked by the bright flash amidships.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 129KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-30198

    Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, October 1942


    A Japanese bomb explodes off the port side of USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the action, 26 October 1942.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-74510

    USS Enterprise (CV-6)


    F6F "Hellcat" fighters taxiing forward on the flight deck, during training exercises, 2 July 1943. Another F6F is in flight overhead, with its landing gear and tail hook extended.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-205473

    USS Enterprise (CV-6)


    Crash landing of F6F-3, Number 30 of Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2), into the carrier's port side 20mm gun gallery, 10 November 1943. Lieutenant Walter L. Chewning, Jr., USNR, the Catapult Officer, is climbing up the plane's side to assist the pilot from the burning aircraft. The pilot, Ensign Byron M. Johnson, escaped without significant injury. Enterprise was then en route to support the Gilberts Operation.
    Note the plane's ruptured belly fuel tank.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-59314

    Carrier Raids on Truk, February 1944


    Grumman F6F-3 "Hellcat" fighters landing on USS Enterprise (CV-6) after strikes on the Japanese base at Truk, 17-18 February 1944. Flight deck crewmen are folding planes' wings and guiding them forward to the parking area.
    The original caption gives date as 16 February.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-K-1590 (Color)

    USS Enterprise (CV-6)

    TBM "Avenger" torpedo bombers warming up on the after flight deck during operations in the Pacific, circa May 1944. An F6F "Hellcat" fighter is on the midships elevator, in the foreground.
    The original Kodachrome color transparency was received by the Naval Photographic Science Laboratory on 29 May 1944.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 570 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-319008

    USS Enterprise (CV-6)


    Landing Signal Officer, Ensign R. J. Grant, guides in an F6F "Hellcat" fighter, during flight operations on 13 March 1945.
    Taken by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class W.T. Stillman.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-463357

    USS Enterprise (CV-6)


    Insignia of the carrier's air group, circa the late 1930s.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 81KB; 700 x 675 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     

    For selected overall views of USS Enterprise, see:

  • Enterprise (CV-6), 1938-1958.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 29 March 2000
    Coding updated 5 May 2009