Leyte Gulf - USS Natoma Bay CVE-62

to the forehandedness of Felix B. Stump and the courage of a
couple of ensigns named Gaienne and Voltz.
When the Japs turned and ran north, we continued to run
south until we had opened a comfortable 50 miles between us.
Then we turned and followed them, attacking with whatever we
had left. Our sixth strike of the day was made by 12 fighter
planes, each armed with a 250-lb. bomb slung under the wing.
They were instructed to attack only destroyers, as the bombs
they carried could hardly damage anything bigger. When I
interrogated them on their return the flight leader
sheepishly admitted that the battleships had looked so big
and inviting that they had attacked them instead. Their
damage to the enemy was slight but it shows the type of
courage these men had. No odds were too great for them.
To finish off the day we had an air attack. About 40 Jap
planes came out from the islands to knock us off. Our
fighters met them and turned them back, shooting down 26.
None got through to the ships.
That night we received a couple of messages that did us
all good. Admiral Stump, over the public address system gave
us a "well done," and, then said "I am proud to be in the
same Navy with you." The other message was from Admiral
Kinkaid, Commander of the Seventh Fleet. Paraphrased, it
read, "You have turned in the finest air support performance
on Leyte that could be desired. Your record from the first
strike on the beachhead until this morning has won my high
respect and admiration. However, for your magnificent
performance in the face of the enemy fleet my admiration is
boundless. You have accomplished a task that only larger
carrier task forces should be expected to undertake. Well
done - Kinkaid."
In one day we had done about three days flying. We had
used up all our torpedoes and heavy bombs. But we still had
personnel bombs and 50-calibre ammunition, and the next day
we returned to our assigned task, meeting our commitments,
supporting the troops on the beach. And we kept it up until
relieved on station about a week later.
50 Leyte Gulf