Leyte Gulf - USS Natoma Bay CVE-62

I have often speculated as to what havoc would have been
wrought in Leyte Gulf if the Jap fleet had steamed in and
started shooting. We had all our logistic support there in
soft ships, no match for men-of-war. We would certainly have
been set back considerably. We might have been pushed off
the beachhead entirely, and the war would have been
prolonged by many months. But they didn't steam in, and it
will ever be my conviction that the CVE's saved the day.
When the battle was over the captain gave me the flag that
had flown at our masthead throughout the engagement. It is
my most prized possession. It is a little faded from sun and
rain, it is frayed in places from snapping in the wind, but
it is a glorious battle flag. Today we opened this meeting
by pledging allegiance to the Flag. It is the symbol of our
unity, of our way of life, of our dedication to liberty,
freedom and democracy. We should think of these things when
we see our Flag. But when I see the American Flag my
thoughts go even farther, and I think of a handful of flyers
who fought against overwhelming odds, who did not count the
cost, who had golden guts, and the know-how that comes from
proper training, and who were backed up by that old naval
tradition - "The Navy does the best it can with what it has
in hand."
Thank you.
(The flag referred to above was turned over to the Navy in
1966 for display in the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola.)
Leyte Gulf 51