Leyte Gulf - USS Natoma Bay CVE-62

At 1256 this ship launched its fifth strike against the
Japanese task force, 4 VT planes each loaded with 4 500pound
GP bombs. One plane developed a gasoline leak and
returned without making an attack, making an emergency
landing on USS MANILA BAY. The other three planes pressed
home an attack at about 1355, scoring 2 hits on a light
cruiser of the NATORI class and 2 near misses on the same
ship. This attack was made just prior to an attack by a
group of planes from the USS WASP. The Wasp planes were
picked up on this ship's radar at about 1300, bearing 015°,
distance 85 miles, on course 240°. The planes continued on
this course until about 1315 when at a distance of 60
miles from this ship they were given a vector of 310°, 50
miles to intercept the enemy force, retreating up the
coast of Samar Island, toward San Bernardino Strait. VHF
contact was maintained with this flight until they had
sighted the enemy. They then moved into position to
attack, following closely after our fifth strike. At 1508
our sixth and last strike of the day was launched, using 4
VT and 12 VF, the latter loaded with one 250-pound GP bomb
each, slung under the left wing. The VT were loaded as
follow: 1 plane with 4 500-pound SAP bombs, 3 planes with
2 500-pound GP bombs, and 8 HE 5" rockets. The use of
fighter planes as bombers to attack the fleeing enemy was
permitted upon the urgent recommendation of Lt. Comdr. R.
C. Barnes USN, Squadron Commander of VC 81, that the
planes could take off under prevailing wind conditions,
and could inflict damage at least on cruisers and
destroyers, and that his fighter pilots were entitled to a
"crack at the Jap fleet". On the way to attack the enemy
forces in retreat this strike passed over an enemy cruiser
and destroyer dead in the water from earlier attacks, and
made for the vessels underway. One hit was scored on a
destroyer, 2 near misses were noted on a KUMA class light
cruiser, and 2 near misses causing visible damage were
scored on a NATORI class light cruiser. On this strike
Lieut. (jg) L. S. Conner dropped his bombs on the first
run, then made a second run to fire his rockets. He was
not seen again. At about the time this sixth strike was
launched, radar on this ship picked up a strike group from
USS HANCOCK, coming in on course 240°, distance 60 miles.
Vectors to the retreating enemy forces were given and
receipted for.