TASK FORCE 95

TASK FORCE 95         Vice Admiral J. B. Oldendorf

In mid July 1945 Fleet Admiral Nimitz divided the THIRD FLEET into two pieces. Admiral Halsey was at sea with the Fast Carrier Forces and was to continue raiding Japan. In the future the Fast Carrier Force was to be based at ENIWETOK. Vice Admiral Oldendorf, based at OKINAWA was given the responsibly of managing the the combat area west and south of Japan.  Specific tasks included (1) control of the EAST CHINA SEA and its western approaches (2) interdiction,  to limit the capabilities, of movement of hostile naval force and shipping in the YELLOW SEA, TUSHIMA STRAITS, and the southern part of the SEA OF JAPAN, (3) protection friendly shipping, (4) defense of allied positions in the RYUKYUS, (5) provision of air-sea rescues services, and (6) conduct minesweeping as directed by CINCPAC.

Task Groups 95.2 & 3 conducted anti shipping sweeps near the approaches to Shanghai in the South China Sea. They sortied from Okinawa 1 Aug 45 and returned 7 Aug 1945. This was the third sweep for these groups since 21 Jul 45. Heavy Cruisers SALT LAKE CITY and CHESTER were a part of Task Group 95.3 detached from Task Group 95.3 to the North Pacific on 1 Aug 45.

TASK FORCE 95                        Forward Area                          VAdm J. B. Oldendorf

            TASK GROUP 95.1        Force Flagship                      Capt Hefferman in TENNESSEE

‍            TASK GROUP 95.2        Fast Striking Force                RAdm F. S. Low, in GUAM

‍ ‍CruDiv 16

CB 2 GUAM (FF)                                      

CB 1  ALASKA                                             

‍ ‍CruDiv 12

CL 57  MONTPELIER(F)                             

CL 55  CLEVELAND                                     

CL 56  COLUMBIA                                      

CL  58  DENVER                                            

‍ ‍DesRon 25

DD 515  ANTHONY(F)                                   

DD 471  BEAL                                                   

DD 516 WADSWORTH                                 

DD 519  DALY                                                   

DD 656  VAN VALKENBURG                       

DD 527  AMMEN                                            

DD 775  WILLAR KEITH        From DesRon 66

DD 776  J. C. OWENS         From DesRon 66

DD 778  MASSEY                 From DesRon 66

            TASK GROUP 95.3        Heavy Striking Force            VAdm J. B. Oldendorf in TENNESSEE

Task Unit 95.3.1 

‍ ‍CortCarFor

CVE 93  MAKIN ISLAND (F)                                                            

CVE 94 LUNGA POINT                                                                    

CVE 109  CAPE CLOUCESTER                                                           

Task Unit 95.3.2 

‍ ‍BatDiv 2

BB 43  TENNESSEE (FF)                                                                 

BB 44  CALIFORNIA                                                                        

BB 36  NEVADA                                                                               

Task Unit 95.3.3 

‍ ‍CruDiv 4

CA 45  WICHITA (F)                                                                        

CL 49   ST. LOUIS               From CruDiv 9

‍ ‍Task Flot 1

Task Unit 95.3.4   

DD 547 COWELL (F)                                                                         

DD 757  PUTNAM                                                                              

DD 551   DAVID W. TAYLOR                                                            

DD 553  JOHN D. HENLEY                                                                

DD 544  BOYD                                                                                     

DD 545  BRADFORD                                                                          

DE  342  RICHARD SUESENS                                                           

DE  633  FOREMAN                                                                           

DE  343  ABERCOMBIE                                         

            TASK GROUP 95.4        Mine Group                        RAdm A. Sharp in BIBB

Task Group 95.4, under Rear Admiral Sharp in the Coast Guard cutter turned command ship BIBB, was responsible for clearing mines in the East China Sea. The group was based at Okinawa.

CGG 31  BIBB (F)

DMS 1  DORSEY

DMS 10  SOUTHARD

DM 18  BREESE

‍ ‍MinRon 3

‍ ‍MinDiv 7

DM 23  ROBERT H. SMITH

DM 24  THOMAS E. FRASER

DM 25  SHANNON

‍ ‍MinDiv 8

DM 29  HENRY A. WILEY

‍ ‍MinDiv 9

DM 33  GWIN

‍ ‍MinRon 4

‍ ‍MinDiv 10

AM 315  CHIEF

AM 316  COMPETENT

‍ ‍MinDiv 11

AM 319  GLADIATOR 

AM 323  TRIUMPH

AM 324  VIGILANCE

‍ ‍MinRon 5

‍ ‍MinDiv 13

AM 109  REQUISITE

AM 110  REVENGE 

AM 111  SAGE

‍ ‍MinDiv 14

AM 126  TOKEN

AM 127  TUMULT

AM 62  SHELDRAKE

‍ ‍MinRon 5

‍ ‍MinDiv 16

AM 107  PREVAIL

AM 341  DEXTROUS

‍ ‍MinDiv 17

AM 116 SPEED

AM 117  STRIVE

AM 118  STEADY

AM 119  SUSTAIN

‍ ‍MinRon 7

‍ ‍MinDiv 18

AM 128  VELOCITY

AM 131  ZEAL

AM 120  SWAY

AM 122  SWIFT

AM 123  SYMBOL

AM 124  THREAT

‍ ‍MinRon 8

‍ ‍MinDiv 24

AM 375  POCHARD

AM 383  SURFBIRD

AM 387  TOUCAN

‍ ‍MinRon 11

‍ ‍MinDiv 38

AM 251  INFLICT

AM 266  NIMBLE

AM 273  PHANTOM

AM 276  PIVOT

AM 275  PIRATE

AM 277  PLEDGE

‍ ‍MinRon 12

‍ ‍MinDiv 35

AM 306  SPECTER

‍ ‍MinDiv 36

AM 308  STRATEGY

AM 310  SUCCESS

AM 311  SUPERIOR

‍ ‍MinRon 14

‍ ‍MinDiv 40

AM 218  DENSITY

AM 219  DESIGN

AM 220  DEVICE

AM 238  GARLAND

AM 239  GAYETY

‍ ‍MinDiv 41

AM 221  DIPLOMA

AM 267  NOTABLE (Under Repair at Okinawa)

‍ ‍MinDiv 42

AM 283  RANSOM

AM 284  REBEL

AM 285  RECRUIT

AM  361  DUNLIN

‍ ‍MinRon 15

‍ ‍MinDiv 44

AM 269  OPPONENT

AM 223  DOUR

AM 232  EXECUTE

‍ ‍MinDiv 45

AM 240  HAZARD

AM 286  REFORM

AM 287  REFRESH

‍ ‍MinRon 20

‍ ‍MinDiv 59

DMS 19  ELLYSON

DMS 20  HAMBLETON

‍ ‍MinDiv 60

DMS 27  JEFFERS

DMS 28  HARDING

DMS 30  GHERARDI

‍ ‍MinRon 104

ACM 8  PICKET

YMS 177       

YMS 276       

YMS 286       

YMS 371       

YMS 376       

YMS 398       

YMS 81         

YMS 99         

YMS 343       

YMS 372       

YMS 426       

YMS 449       

YMS 362       

YMS 147       

YMS 311       

YMS 319       

YMS 390       

YMS 418       

YMS 415       

YMS 461       

YMS 388       

YMS 467       

YMS 323       

YMS 430       

YMS 478       

‍ ‍MinRon 105

ACM 2  PLANTER

YMS 105       

YMS 412       

YMS 327       

YMS 342       

YMS 401       

YMS 443       

YMS 93         

YMS 410       

YMS 434       

YMS 271       

YMS 341       

YMS 283       

YMS 468       

YMS 299       

YMS 331       

YMS 243       

YMS 475       

YMS 471       

‍ ‍Net Tenders

AN 23  MAHOGANY

AN 41  BARETTA

AN 42 CLIFFROSE

AN 56  WINTERBERRY

AN 58  ABELE

AN 60  CATCLAW 

AN 66  PINON

AN 67  SHELLBARK

AN 69  STAGBUSH

‍ ‍Support Vessels

ARG 9  MONA ISLAND

LST 804       

LST 494       

LST 617       

YOG 10         

YNg 28         

YNg 30         

AMc 203  MEDRICK

AMc 88 LOYALTY

AMc 86  INDUSTRY

CGC 289  WOODBINE

ATF 73  MENOMINEE

ARS 9  SHACKLE

SC 645       

SC 759       

SC 1034    

SC 1036    

PGM 9           

PGM 10         

PGM 11         

PGM 16         

PGM 19         

PGM 20         

PGM 21         

PGM 23         

PGM 24         

PGM 25         

PGM 26         

PGM 29         

PGM 30         

PGM 31         

PGM 32         

TASK GROUP 95.5        Base Covering Group (Okinawa) RAdm K. H. Cobb

Task Group 95.5 provided radar pickets and local antisubmarine defense for Okinawa. The units listed were identified based on their monthly war diaries. It is likely that this is not a complete list.

DD 491  FARENHOLT (F)

DD 569  AULICK

DD 570  CHARLES AUSBURNE (F)

DD 572  DYSON

DD 511  FOOTE

DD 509  CONVERSE

DD 793  CASSIN YOUNG

DD 794  IRWIN

DD 795 PRESTON

DD 558  LAWS (F)

DD 561  PRICHETT

DD 748 HARRY E. HUBBARD (F)

DD 752  ALFRED A. CUNNINGHAM

DD 754  FRANK E. EVANS

DD 755  JOHN A. BOLE

DD 758  STRONG

DD 780  STORMES

DE 438  CORBESIER

DE 408  STRAUSS

DE 409  LA PRADE

DE 410 JACK MILLER

DE 411  STAFFORD

DE 440 MCCOY REYNOLDS

APD 39  BARR

APD 50  SIMS

APD 51  HOPPING

APD 52  REEVES

APD 70  PAVLIC

APD 103  TOLLBERG

APD 124 HORACE A. BASS

APD 126  GOSSELIN

            TASK GROUP 95.6        OKINAWA Logistics Group          Commo T. J. Keliber

            TASK GROUP 95.7        PHILIPPINE Training Group      RAdm L. D. McCormick

CVE 27 SUWANNEE

‍ ‍ BatDiv 3

BB 40  NEW MEXICO

BB 41  MISSISSIPPI

BB 42  IDAHO

‍ ‍BatDiv 4

BB 45  COLORADO

BB 48  WEST VIRGINIA

‍ ‍BatDiv 5

BB 33  ARKANSAS

BB 35  TEXAS

CA 33  PORTLAND 

CL 63  MOBILE 

CL 86  VICKSBURG 

DD 705  COMPTON

DD 706  GAINARD

DE 142  WALTER C. WANN

APD 45  LEE FOX

APD 57  BARBER

APD 75  WEBER

APD 77  FRAMENT

APD 81  TATUM

APD 85  RUNELS

APD 94  JOHN Q. ROBERTS

APD 125  WANTUCK

APD 133  BURDO

            TASK GROUP 95.8        Escort Carrier Force          RAdm C. T. Durgin in MAKIN ISLAND

Rear Admiral Durgin served as the Commander for Task Unit 95.3.1, Task Group 95.8, and Escort Carrier (CVE) Force, Pacific Fleet.  In the third role he administered all the Escort Carriers devoted to combat roles.  This included the rapidly growing number of COMMENCEMENT BAY class carriers (eight would be available for the beginning of OLYMPIC), the three SANGAMON class carriers in the Pacific, and twenty-two CASSABLANCA class carriers.  These combat roles included support of amphibious invasions, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) (Task Groups 94.16 & 17)., providing air cover for surface action groups (Task Force 95), and providing air support for the service squadron (Task Group 30.8).

Twenty-five escort carriers of the CASSABLANCA and earlier classes were assigned to the Carrier Transport Squadron, whose role was to deliver army and navy aircraft and personnel from the United States to the combat area.  In addition, on 1 August four of these Transport Squadron CVEs were shuttling aircraft from Guam to the fast carriers of the THIRD FLEET. 

Eleven escort carriers were being used in training roles on both coasts, mainly giving pilots practice in carrier landings. 

Because there were no active amphibious operations on 1August 1945, several of Durgin’s escort carriers were assigned to transport and training roles. 

Prior to Soviet entry in the Pacific war, the ships moving lend lease war materials between Alaska and Siberia were moving under the “neutral” Russian flag.  In the middle of 1945, these materials were required to support the prospective Soviet invasion of Manchuria.  Vice Admiral Fletcher, Commander, North Pacific Area, was given the assignment of protecting that shipping lane following Soviet entry into the war, and on August 1 the PACIFIC FLEET was rushing to reinforce NORPAC.  Six of Durgin’s CASSABLANCA class carriers as well as three heavy cruisers of CruDiv 5 and several destroyers were moving north.  Details regarding the 1 August activity of all Durgin’s CVEs and the air groups and squadrons embarked are provided below.

As a result, CVEs to planned for OLYMPIC had been reduced to three SANGAMONs, seven COMMENCENCEMENT BAYs, and six CASSABLANCAs in the amphibious support role.  Four CASSABLANCAs were to lead for anti-submarine groups.  The service squadrons serving the THIRD and FIFTH FLEETS would be assigned three CASSABLANCA and one COMMENCEMENT BAY class carriers to provide cover for the fleet train, which would include six CVEs from the Carrier Transport Squadron.

‍ ‍CarDiv 22

CVE 26  SANGAMON                                               Norfolk Navy Yard, repairs not completed

CVE 27  SUWANNEE               CVEG 40     Leyte, Task Group 95.7

CVE 28  CHENANGO              CVEG 33     Leyte to Ulithi to Task Group 30.8 to replace CarDiv 23 units moving to NORPAC

CVE 29  SANTEE                      CVEG 26     Guam

‍ ‍CarDiv 23

CVE 71  KITKUN BAY                VC 63     Task Group 30.8, to NORPAC 24 Aug 45

CVE 75  HOGGAT BAY           VC 99     Leyte to Eniwetok to NORPAC 18 Aug 45

CVE 74  NEHENTA BAY           VC 8       Task Group 30.8, to NORPAC 18 Aug 45

CVE 84  SHAMROCK BAY, San Diego Naval Repair Base, Scheduled Availability 10 Aug

CVE 101  MATANIKAU, Carrier Transport Sq., San Diego to Roi, VC 65 embarked 30 Aug in Hawaii

CVE 57  ANZIO                        VC     13     Task Group 30.6, VC 66 replaced VC 13 22 Aug 45

‍ ‍CarDiv 24

CVE 77  MARCUS ISLAND, Carrier Transport Squadron, Guam to Pearl Harbor to Alameda

CVE 85  SHIPLEY BAY, Carrier Transport Sq., Pearl Harbor, to San Diego Naval Repair Base, 9 Aug

CVE 87  STEAMER BAY, Carrier Transport Squadron, Guam to San Diego Repair Base, 10 Aug

CVE 69  KASAAN BAY            VC      72     Task Group 94.16, ASW Patrol

‍ ‍CarDiv 25

CVE 82  SAGINAW BAY, Carrier Transport Squadron, Pearl Harbor to Guam

CVE 62  NATOMA BAY, Carrier Transport Squadron, Pearl Harbor to Roi

CVE 80  PETROF BAY, San Pedro to Hawaii 13 Aug 45, VC 4 embarked 28 Aug 45

CVE 81 RUDYERD BAY, Carrier Transport Sq., Alameda to Guam, to Leyte, VC 33 embarked 6 Sep

CVE 83  SARGENT BAY, Carrier Transport Squadron, Guam to Pearl Harbor, to San Pedro 9 Aug

CVE 72  TULAGI, San Diego Naval Repair Base from 25 Jun 45 to 5 Sep

‍ ‍ CarDiv 26

CVE 93  MAKIN ISLAND          VC      41     Task Group 95.3

CVE 70  FANSHAW BAY          VC      10     Okinawa to Guam for NORPAC 24 Aug 45

CVE 61   MANILA BAY              VC      71     Eniwetok for NORPAC 18 Aug 45

CVE 78  SAVO ISLAND            VC      3       Alameda, VC 3 4 Aug for NORPAC 14 Aug 45

CVE 94  LUNGA POINT            VC     98     Task Group 95.3

CVE 96  SALAMAUA                VC  70     Task Group 94.17, ASW

‍ ‍ CarDiv 27

CVE 109  CAPE GLOUCESTER MCVEG 4      Task Group 95.3

CVE 107  GILBERT ISLANDS    MCVEG 2       Leyte to Ulithi to Task Group 30.8 to replace CarDiv 23

CVE 106  BLOCK ISLAND         MCVEG 1       Guam

CVE 111 VELLA GULF                MCVEG 3      Guam, Pilot Training

CVE 108  KULA GULF                CVEG(N) 63 San Diego, Depart 5 Aug, CVEG 63 embarked 30 Aug

CVE 112  SIBONEY                     CVEG 36     San Diego,  CVEG 36 embarked 7 Aug, Depart 8 Aug

‍ ‍CarDiv 28

CVE 110  SALERNO BAY             MCVEG 5      San Diego, Depart 19 Aug for Pearl Harbor

CVE 113  PUGET SOUND        MCVEG 6      San Diego Shakedown, Depart 8 Sep for Pearl Harbor

           TASK GROUP 95.9        Fleet Air Wing ONE (Okinawa) RAdm J. Perry

AV 10  CHANDELEUR                                                        

     AV 11  NORTON SOUND                                                 

     AV 12  PINE ISLAND                                                          

     AV 14  KENNETH WHITING                                             

     AV 15  HAMLIN                                                                   

     AVP 13  MACKINAC                                                             

     AVP 32  YAKUTAT                                                                 

     AVP 34  BERING STRAIT                                                     

     AVP 38  DUXBURY BAY                                                       

     AVP 39  GARDINERS BAY                                                   

    AVP 40  FLOYDS BAY                                                           

     AVP 48  ONSLOW                                                                 

     AVP 52  SHELIKOF                                                                

     AVP 53  SUISUN                                                                    

LAND BASED SQUADRONS, AIRCRAFT TYPE AND OPERATING BASE

INCLUDING MARINE UNITS ATTACHED TO FAW 1 FOR OPERATIONS                     

     VPB 118   PB4Y-2                           YONTAN                        

     VPB 123     PB4Y-2                           YONTAN                        

     VPB 124     PB4Y-2                           YONTAN                        

     VPB 109     PB4Y-2                           YONTAN                        

     VMB 612    PBJ                                  CHIMU                           

     VMTB 131   TBM                                 AWASE                          

     VMTB 232  TBM                                 AWASE                          

   SEA BASED SQUADRONS, AIRCRAFT TYPE, AND ASSIGNED SHIP                                                                                                                

     VPB 13  PB2Y                             KENNETH WHITING  

     VPB 21  PBM                               CHANDELEUR              

     VPB 26  PBM                               NORTON SOUND       

     VPB 27  PBM                               AVPs                            

     VPB 208  PBM                           HAMLIN                        

     VH 3  PBM                            PINE ISLAND                

     VH 4  PBM                                PINE ISLAND                

     MTB 31  PT BOATS                   MACKINAC                  

‍ ‍‍ ‍