USS Gambier Bay was a Casablanca-class escort carrier operated by the US Navy during world War Two. Launched on 22 November 1943, she was commissioned on 28 December 1943.
Her first voyage took troops to Pearl Harbour and replacement aircraft to the Marshall Islands. She then ferried damaged planes to San Diego where she undertook pilot qualification training. In June 1944, USS Gambier Bay covered the landing on Saipan. She continued to provide close air support until to Saipan and later to Tinian and Guam until the End of August.
During the invasion of the Philippines, Gambier Bay and other escort carriers were attacked by a powerful Japanese surface fleet which included 4 battleships, six heavy and two light cruisers as well as supporting destroyers. During the following Battle of Samar, Gambier Bay was hit by at least 15 heavy shells, primarily from the battleship Yamato. A total of 147 crew were killed when she sank, while around 800 survivors were rescued over the next two days.
USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73)USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73), two days after commissioning at Naval Station, Astoria, Oregon, 30 December 1943USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) in port, April 1944. The ship is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 15ABow view of USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) in April 1944, showing her Measure 32, Design 15A camouflage patternUSS Gambier Bay (CVE-73), 23 November 1944USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73)USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73)Captain Hugh H. Goodwin, USN, Commanding Officer of USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) on the navigation bridge, 20 February 1944Radar antennae on USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) YE (top), SG (middle), and SK (bottom). Photographed on 14 January 1944
Aircraft Operations
Grumman F6F Hellcat
Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat on USS Gambier Bay CVE-73Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat taking off during the Marshall Islands Campaign 21 February 1944Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat taking off during the Marshall Islands CampaignGrumman F6F-3 Hellcat landing on USS Gambier Bay CVE-73Grumman F6F Hellcats, with folded wings, on USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) en-route to the South Pacific, 12 February 1944
Armament
Five-inch gun of USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) 3 March 1944Starboard battery aboard USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) in action during the Marshall Islands Campaign, 15 February 1944Gun crew receiving instructions in anti-aircraft gun-firing aboard USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73), 14 January 1944
Battle off Samar
USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) bracketed by shellsUSS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) bracketed by Japanese shells while making smoke, during the battle off Samar, 25 October 1944USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) another escort carrier and two destroyer escorts making smoke. Photo from USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68)USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) is straddled by gunfirePossibly USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73), attacked by Japanese surface units, as seen from USS White Plains (CVE-66)Gambier Bay burns rich mixture of fuel oil making smokeGambier Bay making smoke as shells from Japanese surface forces splashing down beside heUSS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) another escort carrier under attackUSS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) straddled by gunfireUSS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) making smoke and under attackGambier Bay burning as shells from Japanese surface forces splashing down beside herUSS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) is seen on fire after being hit, viewed from on board her sister-ship USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71)Gambier Bay burning as shells from Japanese surface forces splashing down beside her. A Japanese cruiser is circledUSS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) on fireShelling gets close to the Gambier Bay as the Kitkun Bay sends off planes. A Japanese cruiser is circled on the horizon
