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as presented by: Joseph Pires, former SK3 Supply Department - S-1 Division - 1965-1969 USS Bennington Association and Web Site Historian Calabash, North Carolina |
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- 1941 December 15 - 1944 February 26
- - 1941 Dec 15 - The 76th Congress authorized the construction of the United States Ship BENNINGTON.
- - 1942 Dec 15 - Laid down at New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn
- BOARDED LONG BEFORE LAUNCH
Eugene George Faulhaber
- - 1941 Dec 15 - The 76th Congress authorized the construction of the United States Ship BENNINGTON.
- 1944 February 26 - 1945 January 8
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1944
- - 1944 Feb 26 - Launched From New York Navy Yard by
Mrs. Melvin J. Maus, wife of Congressman Maus of Minnesota
- BENNINGTON was the 1st of the so-called "ESSEX CLASS" carriers to be built in the NEW YORK NAVY YARD and it was the first to be built totally in a "drydock"........
- (1944 Mar-1945 Jun) I Was Gunnery Officer
Lodwick H. Alford, LTCDR
- (1944 Mar-1946 Jan) Memories of Bennington
John A Savard
- - 1944 Aug 6 - Rear Admiral Monroe Kelley, USN, Commandant, Third Naval District, placed the USS BENNINGTON CV-20 in commission at the New York Naval Yard in Brooklyn, NY.
- - 1944 Aug 06 - New CO: Sykes, James B. - 1st CO
- Captain James B. Sykes, USN, of Washington, D.C., assumed command. BENNINGTON was moored starboard side to Pier K, Berth 19.
- ELMER ROY PETTIS - Elmer's Great-Grandfather (x4), Stephen Pettis fought in the battle of Bennington along with some of Captain Sykes' ancestors.
Justin Pettis, Grandson of Elmer's brother
- - 1944 Sep 1-7 - Commenced Dock Trials. Rear Admiral A.G. Robinson, USN, and the Board of Inspection and Survey completed inspection of the ship.
- - 1944 Sep 12 - USS BENNINGTON got underway for the first time. Cleared the dock and stood down East River and Upper Bay. Anchored in Berth 20, Upper Bay, New York Harbor.
Underway for dry-dock, Bayonne, New Jersey. Moored at the U.S. Naval Dry-Dock #7, Bayonne Annex, Navy Yard.
- - 1944 Sep 21-23 - Left dry-dock and moored starboard side to Berths #5 & #6.
- - 1944 Sep 24 - Underway for anchorage in Gravesend Bay, New York Harbor. Anchored in Gravesend Bay.
- - 1944 Sep 25 - Underway for Norfolk, Virginia and gunnery operations in company with USS DALLAS (DD-199) and USS BERNADAU (DD-153).
- - 1944 Sep 26 - Anchored at Berth X, Anchorage "A", Hampton Roads, Virginia. Underway for deperming crib, Lambert's Point, Norfolk, Virginia. Moored in deperming crib.
- - 1944 Sep 27 - Underway from Lambert's Point for the Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia. Moored starboard side to North Side of Pier #7.
- - 1944 Sep 29 - Reported for duty to ComInCh, CinClant, ComAirLant, ComFairNorfolk. Moored to Pier #7. Carrier Air Group Eighty-Two reported to BENNINGTON for duty.
- - 1944 Sep 30 - Underway for anchorage at Hampton Roads, Virginia. Anchored at Berth "Z".
- - 1944 Oct 1 - Underway for Chesapeake Bay and anchorage in bay off the degaussing range.
- (1944 Oct) FIRST AIRCRAFT ONBOARD THE BENNINGTON
Wayne Bengston JR
- - 1944 Oct 2 - The first aircraft (?) to land on and take off from Bennington was plane number 97 of VF-82 in Chesapeake Bay area piloted by CDR G. L. Heap, CDR of airgroup 82.
- - 1944 Oct 3 - Underway from Chesapeake Bay to anchorage off Cape Charles.
- - 1944 Oct 4 - Underway for the U.S. Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia. Moored starboard side to Pier #3 at Berths #23 & #24, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
- - 1944 Oct 5 - Moored at the Norfolk Navy Yard.
- - 1944 Oct 6-11 - Underway in Chesapeake Bay to conduct Air Operations, Gunnery Exercises and various drills.
- - 1944 Oct 12 - Moored starboard side to North Side of Pier #7, Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia.
- - 1944 Oct 13 - While moored at Pier #7, Commander Fleet Air Norfolk, Rear Admiral H.C. Read, USN, conducted an inspection of the ship.
- - 1944 Oct 14 - While moored at Pier #7, BENNINGTON loaded provisions, supplies, ammunition, fuel and received personnel for cruise to the Gulf of Paria.
- - 1944 Oct 15 - Underway for Chesapeake Bay Operations Area to land Air Group VF-37, VB-36 and VT-18. Anchored in Chesapeake Bay off Windmill Point.
- - 1944 Oct 16 - BENNINGTON's first shakedown cruise - bound for the Gulf of Paria. Commenced sortie from Chesapeake Bay en-route to Trinidad, BWI., in the Caribbean. The USS DECATUR (DD-341) and the USS ABILE (DD-733) were in company.
- - 1944 Oct 19 - Ensign T.J. Connors, A-V (N), USNR - in a "Hellcat" was the first Bennington aircraft and pilot to go in the drink. He crashed astern of the ship while making a strafing run on a towed target sled.
- - 1944 Nov 8 - With its first shakedown cruise completed BENNINGTON got underway for Hampton Roads, Virginia. The USS DECATUR (DD-341) and the USS CHAMPLIN (DD-601) were in company.
- (1944-1945)Anthony T. Karas - Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class - VF-82
Gregory J. Karas
- (1944-1945) Plank-Golden Dragon Certificates
George Humber
- (1944-1945) Bennington Fires On USS Handcock
Chalmers Reuter - Pharmacist mate 3rd. Class 1944-46
- (1944 Aug-1945 Sep)CRIPPLE SHIP
USS BENNINGTON's 1st LSO
LT. Bruce A. Bell
- - 1944 Dec 29 - Moored starboard side to Berth "K", Naval Air Station, San Diego, California.
- 1944 - How about a week aboard Bennington
OR an ATABOY Signed by the President of The United States
William Bernier, Anchorage, AK. Son of
William J. Bernier PFC USMC 1944-45
- 1944 - A Week Aboard USS Bennington - Officer's Country vs Crew's Country
Nelson Futch 1944-45
- - 1944 Dec 30-31 - While moored at Berth "K", BENNINGTON was fueled, aircraft, ammunition and provisions brought aboard. United States Marine Corps Squadrons, VMF-112 and VMF-123 reported aboard for duty, each with 18 F4U's.
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1944
- 1944 Dec 13 - 1945 Jan 29
- NEW YORK to PANAMA CANAL to PEARL HARBOR to JAPAN, DAY by DAY. -
Joe Pires
- BENNINGTON'S FIRST AIR GROUP
AND THE SINKING OF
THE BATTLESHIP YAMATO
- Chronological Narrative and History
of Marine Fighting Squadron, VMF-123
(1942-1945)
by
George (Matt) Mattimoe
- 1945 January 8 - 1945 October 21
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1945
- - 1945 Jan 8 - Arrived at Pearl Harbor
- - 1945 Jan 13 - While shifting berths at the Navy Yard in Pearl Harbor, the USS SARANNC
(that is how it is spelled in the report I have) AO-74 rammed into the stern while passing, causing
slight damage to the port side of the flight deck overhang and gun aponsons.
Joe Pires
- - 1945 Jan 29 - Left Pearl Harbor for West Pac battle action - Japan
- (1944 Apr-1946 Nov)Bennington, VT Reunion 1995
SOUND FILE Don (Fitz) Fitzgerald
- - 1945 Feb 1-2 - BENNINGTON crossed the International Date Line
(the 180th meridian of longitude) for the first time at approximate lattitude 17-4N
- - 1945 Feb 8 - BENNINGTON drops anchor in Ulithi Atoll in the Western Pacific to
become part of Task Group 58.1.
- - 1945 Feb 12 - The USS DeHAVEN (DD-727) acting as a plane guard during exercise drill attacks by aircraft on a "towed target"
observed a TBM from the USS BENNINGTON being struck by a rocket fired from a VF aircraft which was behind it.
The DeHAVEN left her station in an effort to rescue the crew of the downed TBM.
The rescue attempt was able to locate the pilot but the two enlisted air crewmen were lost at sea.
- - 1945 Feb 16 - BENNINGTON launched her first strikes against Tokoyo
and Yokosuka from aposition of 80 miles east of the Japanese coast. As the western-most
carrier in the five Task Groups, BENNINGTON was the closest carrier to Japan at all times.
- - 1945 Feb 16 - On this day BENNINGTON lost one of its aircraft, making it, BENNINGTON's first loss to enemy action.
- - 1945 Feb 17 - An F4U-1D aircraft, assigned to VMF-123 ("EIGHT BALLS"), 2nd LT. Edward "Hugo" Rohricht,
(030191) United States Marine Corps Reserve, of 1663 Ross Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota - was last seen parachuting from his aircraft in
Upper Tokoyo Bay after engaging enemy planes in a dog-fight.........
- - 1945 Feb 18 - Robert J. Cosbie who was a pilot KIA over Chi Chi Jima February 18,1945
His story and other historic information presented by his cousin Dick Cosbie.
(So that the historic information would NOT be lost this website has been saved to preserve and present here.)
- Opens in new window
- - 1945 Feb 19 - BENNINGTON planes flew beachhead support strikes to help sustain the invasion of Iwo Jima.
- The Battle for Iwo Jima and Okinawa
Philip VonVille
- - 1945 Mar 1 - Bennington planes hit Okinawa
- One strike went as far west as the Miayko Shima
- Meanwhile Benningtons planes and pilots photographed the beaches of Okinawa and islands of Kerama Rhetto to determin what beaches offered best invasion points
- - 1945 Mar 1x - Mid March - 16 Corsairs in day's first strike - A two-engine Japanese "Betty" flew in low & several ships opened up with their guns.
The Betty was struck by one cruiser's gunfire causing one engine to catch fire. The plane turned toward Bennington's
starboard quarter in an attempt to hit the flight deck. All starboard machine guns opened up and sent plane into the water only 200 yards from the ship.
- - 1945 Mar 2x - Late March saw a Japanese plane join the landing circle aft, and was stopped just short of the fantail by 20mm and 40mm gunfire.
- (1946 Jan - 1946 Mar)- Richard H. Smith Photos From 1944-45 - First F8F landing Photos
Stephen Horvat AMM-3
- 1945 March 27 - PLANE DIVES ON BENNINGTON
Nelson Futch
- - 1945 Mar 2x - As the month of March 1945 drew to its close, Submarine USS TUNNY (SS 282) rescued one flier from USS BENNINGTON (CV-20)
and two fliers from aircraft carrier USS INTREPID (CV-11) as those ships took part in the assault on Okinawa.
- - 1945 Apr - F6F PILOT SURVIVES ODD CRASH LANDING
- 1945 Apr 7 - 'Circus' (Bennington's code name) made the first run on the Wagon
Nelson Futch - - 1945 Apr 7 - BENNINGTON Shares in Sinking of Japan's Super Battleship YAMATO
RE-LIVE THE
USS BENNINGTON
&
YAMATO BATTLE
- Bennington Maple Syrup Story
George Mattimoe
- - 1945 February 1 To May 21 - War Time Line -
Time Line by Joe Pires
- WITH -
CV20 Air Group Photos from the World War II Photograph Collection of Lt. Roy M. Huffington, USS Hornet (CV-12)
- - 1945 May - Lt. Robert Cook of VMF-112 (COWBOYS) scored the only downing of a barrage balloon by any Marine squadron during the war;
when he shot one down over Kyushu.
NOTE: A barrage balloon was used to defend against low-flying attacking aircraft.
Some balloons carried explosive charges to destroy the low incoming aircraft.
- - 1945 May 16 - From Log Of U.S.S. Indiana - Finished fueling from Task Group 50.8. A.A. practice.
0828 Sent communications plane piloted by R.V. Stanley, USNR. With U.S.S. MASSACHUSETTS rescue plane
to rescue Lt. Commander Hershel USN, U.S.S. BENNINGTON pilot forced down off Minani Daito Shima.
- Joe O'Brien - helped bring down a kamikaze fighter
This story appeared on Page A1
of The Standard-Times on May 20, 2002
- 1945 May - The Whale Tail
Bill Copeland
- 1945 - Wilbur Mowen
- as interviewed By: Matt Arnold
- 1945 June 1 - June 30
- FROM HISTORY/CHRONOLOGY
- 1945 June 5 - Damaged by a typhoon off
Okinawa, June 12 - Retired to Leyte for repairs
- - 1945 Jun 30 - New CO: Braun, Boynton Lewis USNA '21
- Boynton L. Braun, USNA 1921 died on 11/6/1980 in King George, Virginia
- - 1945 Jul 1 - Leave For West Pac Battle Action - Japan - TG 58.1
- 1945 - Engine Room Officer
Lt. Robert C. Loughlin
- 1945 July - Pilot
Commander Erwin J. (Buddy) Wagner
- MEMORIES OF A NAVAL AVIATOR - COMBAT ZONE
John Leslie by Suzy Hopkins
- - 1945 Jul 29 - BENNINGTON maneuvered to avoid contact with a submarine.
- EVENTS OF AUGUST 11 - 12, 1945 With News Paper Clips
Nancy Camp, Daughter of Ens Joseph Martin Camp
- (1944-1946)Victor J. Sansone - Plank Owner
Several Pictures Here
Janice Sansone Rathburn (daughter)
- - 1945 Sep 2 - As the Japanese departed the USS Missouri with their orders, 400 B-29s and 1,500 carrier planes, led by Bennington fighters and bombers, was the composition for a fitting grand finale to World War II.
- - 1945 Sep 19 - Sep 27 - Japan to Eniwekok, Marshall Is. trip
- - 1945 Sep 2 - Oct 21 - 2 periods. Navy Occupation Service Medal in Asiatic waters
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1945
- 1945 October 22 - 1946 November 7
- - 1945 Nov 7 - World War II Homecoming
Arrived at San Francisco
Left San Francisco, went to Long Beach, Terminal Island
- - 1946 Jan 2 - Left Long Beach after new year, went to Pearl Harbor to check out 2 air group's, on the new fighter F8F BEARCAT
- - 1946 Jan - Docked at ford island N.A.S. as flag ship of the 3rd fleet with a 3 star Adm. aboard
5 STAR ADM. BULL HALSEY relinquished his command aboard the USS BENNINGTON while the ship was docked at Ford Island.
- - 1946 Feb 1 - VADM John Henry Towers (Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet) made the USS Bennington CV-20 his Flagship.
- - 1946 Mar - With aircraft aboard, ship sailed to San Diego
- - 1946 Mar 13 - Arrived in San Diego
- - 1946 Mar 17 - With a load of PBYs, headed through the Panama Canal to Norfolk for pre-inactivation repairs
- - 1946 Jul 08 - New CO: Stone, Lester Jay USNA '34
- Captain Lester Jay Stone, USNA 1934, U.S. Navy (Ret.), passed away peacefully on July 10, 2012, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
- - 1946 Nov 7 - Departing USS Bennington for the LAST time
George Mattimoe
- - 1945 Nov 7 - World War II Homecoming
- USS BENNINGTON WORLD WAR II CREW ROSTER
- KNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES AND/OR DATES
OF USS BENNINGTON WORLD WAR II CASUALTIES
Kelle Metz whos father was:
Vernon Metz (1944-1945) - Deceased
- HISTORY OF USS BENNINGTON (CV-20)
SNAPSHOT OF WAR YEARS
- 1945 Travel Logs #1(bad copy), #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8
Judith A. Davenport and nieces and nephews of
Ralph_Mullins from Clintwood, VA. 1945
and
Richard L. Jones 1945-46
and
John Jennings - Son-In-Law of James F. Brady 1944-46
- WWII HISTORY - CHRONOLOGY 6 August 1944 To 15 September 1945
Don Fitzgerald "Fitz", MM-1
1944-1946
- WWII HISTORY - NARRATIVE 6 August 1944 To 15 September 1945
Don Fitzgerald "Fitz", MM-1
1944-1946
- CARRIER WARFARE IN THE PACIFIC
Judith A. Davenport and nieces and nephews of
Ralph_Mullins from Clintwood, VA. 1945
- World War II Overseas Aircraft Losses
Operational and Combat
- 1946 November 8 - 1950 October 26
- - Decommissioned at Norfolk. Reserve fleet
- 1950 October 26 - 1952 October 1
- - Began 1st modernization. SCB 27A at New York Navy Yard
- 1952 October 1 - 1953 December 31
- - 1952 Oct 1 - Designated CVA-20, attack carrier
- - 1952 Nov 13 - Recommissioned for service in Atlantic Fleet as CVA-20
- - 1952 November 13 - JET BLAST
Bill Connor
- - 1952 Nov 13 - New CO: Young, David B. - Deceased
- - 1952 Nov - Captain Young's MESSAGE TO THE CREW
- - 1953 Feb 16 - Lt. Colonel T.W. Furlow, skipper of VMA-211, made the
first landing on the BENNINGTON since the ship's re-commissioning. It was made in his AD Skyraider.
- - 1953 Feb 18 - Major Carl E. Schmitt, in an F9F-5 became the first pilot to
land a "jet" aircraft aboard the BENNINGTON.
- - 1953 Feb 27 - BENNINGTON undergoes eleven weeks of intensive shakedown training.
- - 1953 Mar 9 - A bizzare accident interrupted the otherwise dull routine
of this training period, when, Captain William H. Bezzell, USMC, missed the arresting wires in landing his F9F-4,
tore through the barricades and dropped down the #1 Elevator pit on top of another Panther jet of VMF-223
which had just been lowered to the Hanger Deck.
- 1953 Mar 9 - F9F-4 Dropped Down Elevator #1 Pit
as related by - Hugh W. "Skip" Burnside
and Joseph Pfeiffer
Joe Pires
- Boiler Explosion, F9F Down the Elevator, Catapult Explosion
Joseph Pfeiffer
- - 1953 Apr 11 - BENNINGTON anchors off Port-au-Prince, Republic of Haiti, for two days of R&R
- (1953-1955)Bittersweet Memories
Berry Smith
- 1953 APRIL 27 - BOILER EXPLOSION
Joe Pires
- BOILER EXPLOSION - 1953 APRIL 27
Oscar Valdez
- - Shake down lasted until May 1953
- - 1953 May 25 - BENNINGTON arrives at New York Naval Shipyard where she remained until July 12.
- - 1953 Jul 8-9 - While in New York, BENNINGTON played host to radio's
"GREAT DAY" show. All hands held a galal party at the Hotel Astor on Times Square.
- - 1953 Jul 28 - Four hundred and ten midshipmen from the 1st and 2nd
Battalions of the United States Naval Academy reported aboard for a three week training cruise
in the North Atlantic. They were to observe air operations during the cruise and a detachment from
VR-22 flew them over the Task Force, demonstrating deck launches and arrested carrier landings.
- 1953 Aug - Halifax, Nova Scotia - MINI BENNY POSTER
- - 1953 Aug 9 - Departed Halifax, Nova Scotia for Norfolk,
VA. Enroute, BENNINGTON had to ride out Hurricane Barbara
- - 1953 Aug 15 - BENNINGTON puts into Norfolk to off-load the air group and the 410 midshipmen.
- - 1953 Aug 20 - New CO: Sutherland, William A. USNA ' 27
William A. Sutherland, USNA 1927 died on 8/31/83 in Norfolk, Virginia
- - Operated along the eastern seaboard
Midshipman cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia
Bennington's Only Mediterranean cruise
- 1953 Aug - Air Boss Wanabee
Dan Butterfield
- 1953 Aug - New Daughter but I'm off to Halifax
Robert L. Nansteel ADCS(AC) U.S.N. Ret.
- 1953 Sep 16 - 1954 Jan 4 - Med Cruise - TRAVEL LOG
Joe Pires
- 1953 Sep 19-23 US NAVAL DISASTER AVERTED
Joe Pires
- 1953 Sep 19-23 - OPERATION MARINER Part 1
- Fog clears at exactly the critical minute to permit the planes to land
Joe Pires
- 1953 October 12 - Newsweek - OPERATION MARINER Part 2
Joe Pires
- 1953 - OPERATION MARINER Part 3
FROM U.S.S. HARDHEAD SS-365 Website
story by John Battick - U.S.S. HARDHEAD
- (1953-1954) Bill K Tells His Story
Bill Kaufman
- 1953 and 1954 Explosions
Edward F. Harrington
- (1953 Oct-1954 May) Run-Down of 1950-1994
Jim Weber
- - 1953 Oct 4 - OPERATION MARINER ends off Gibralter.
- - 1952 Oct 1 - Designated CVA-20, attack carrier
- 1954 January 1 - 1954 December 31
- Overturned Ammo Barge
William W. Kirk 1954-55
- 1954 Jan 04 - 1954 Feb 23 - Med Cruise - TRAVEL LOG
Joe Pires
- - 1954 Feb 6 - Assistant Secretary of the Navy (AIR) James H. Smith; Commander 6th Fleet,
Vice Admiral J.H. Cassidy, USN; Commander Battleships & Cruisers Atlantic Fleet, Rear Admiral E.T. Woodridge, USN;
and Commander Carrier Division FOUR, Rear Admiral R.K. Moorhouse, USN, came aboard "to observe day & night air operations".
- - 1954 Apr 9-24 - Operating out of Mayport, Florida
2,689 landings were made Qualifying pilots from the following units:
VA-15, VA-42, VA-45, VF-11, VF-21, VF-34, VF-41, VF-101, VC-4, VC-5, VC-8, VC-12, VC-33,
VC-62, VJ-62, VR-22 and VX-3
- - 1954 May 05 - New CO: Raborn, William F.
- - 1954 May 26 - One of Bennington's catapults exploded.
Secondary explosions killed 103 crewmen and injured 201 others.
She proceeded to Quonset Point, R. I., to land her injured
- Memoirs of the 26 May 1954 Explosion
Richard S. Pope - HM1
- Robert John Brock - Two Explosions
Robert J. Brock BTG.3 1952-54
- Explosion 26 May, 1954
William W. Kirk 1954-55
- Explosion 26 May, 1954
Willie O. Kimble
- Explosion 26 May, 1954 - That awful day
Jim Howell
- Explosion 26 May, 1954
Bernard J. Luke 1954-55
- Explosion 26 May, 1954
Clark Winn
- Explosion 26 May, 1954
Don Hauser
- Explosion 26 May, 1954 - THE REST OF THE STORY
Don Hauser
- - - - -
- JAG INVESTIGATION REPORT
OF
USS BENNINGTON EXPLOSION
26 MAY 1954
Opens In A New Window
- Explosion 26 May, 1954 -
Awards and Commendations for Persons making rescue efforts
Joe Pires
Opens In A New Window
- Merle R. Wilson -
He -did what he was expected to do-
Opens In A New Window
- James Edward Weaver -
Overlooked for his efforts on that day
Opens In A New Window
- - - - -
- Explosion 26 May, 1954
Richard Underwood
Don Hauser
- Navy Corpsman stationed at
Chelsea Naval Hospital in Chelsea Mass.
Remembers that day in May of 1954
- Added memories of the explosion in 1954
Charles E. Whitman HM3
WILLIAM MYERS
- 1954 Explosion - The Lancaster News
Barbara Bradley
- Explosion 26 May, 1954-Letter To Friend
William W. Kirk
- My recollection of events on board the USS Bennington on May 26, 1954
Joel Schrank
VC-33
Each Opens In A New Window
GALLERY
Of newspaper stories, pictures and other items
related to the 26 May 1954 Explosion
A Memorial To The Members Of
Air Task Group 181
and The
USS BENNINGTON CVA-20
State Of
New York
Senate
Legislative Resolution
February 26, 2008
- LTjg William J. Foley, LTjg Robert F. Pickens, 1952-54
Barbara Pickens Foster Daughter of LTjg Robert F. Pickens
- 1954 Explosion
I am the son of George W. Lenz jr
Thank You!
- Too Many "Accidents" at Sea For British Navy - 4 June 1954
Stan Walker
- (1952-1954) I WAS ABOARD
Richard Donahue
- (1954)-Wade Huling Story - USMC
- (1954-1955) Capt. Raborn - a great speaker
James Brusa
- (1954 Apr-1955 Sep) Brooklyn And Bridges
Dan Mulcahy
- (1954-1955) Navy Yard.... Liberty was great
Bernard Williamson
- - 1954 Jun 12 - 1955 Mar 19 - Repairs & complete rebuild - 2nd modernization SCB-125 at New York Naval Shipyard
- July 20 & August 3, 1954 -
USS Bennington Crew Attends Two Performances Of This Is "Cinerama"
- - 1954 Aug 7 - 109 crewmembers received Navy Meritorious
Mast and
79 received Letters of Commendation for their actions during the explosion and fire on 26 May.
- Overturned Ammo Barge
- 1955 January 1 - 1955 December 31
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1955
- - 1955 Jan 15 - Mrs. Raymond F. Kennedy, Judge Advocate of
Post Number 1, Federal Employees Veterans' Association of America, presented scrolls to
the officers and men of BENNINGTON to commemorate those who lost their lives on 26 May
and to honor those who were cited for heroism.
- - 1955 Mar 19 - Repairs & rebuild complete - SCB-125 at New York Naval Shipyard
- 1955 Mar 31 - Marilyn Monroe at Ship's Dance, Astor Hotel Ballroom
- - 1955 Apr 9 - Newspaper article about the USS Bennington
Opens in new window - Close it to return here
- - 1955 Apr 22 - Secretary of the Navy Charles S. Thomas
came aboard to present medals and Letters of Commendation to 178 officers and men for their
heroism on 26 May 1954.
- CARRIER QUALS - MAY 1955
Martin Johnson
Bill Headley
- - 1955 May 28 - New CO: Foley, Paul F.
- - Operations with the Atlantic Fleet
- 1955 Spring - I certainly learned how to sew!
William Thumann
- - Mayport Florida by way of Cape Horn and arrived at San Diego
- - 1955 Aug 22 - BENNINGTON tests out new "Mirror Landing Aid" (glide path indicator).
The system was engaged in day & night evaluations by the Commander of Operational Developement Force. Pilots from VX-3 and VC-4 made a total of 536 landings without incident.
- - 1955 Aug 24 - First night carrier landing using the experimental-landing-mirror-system,
was made by LCDR R.C. MacKnight, as he put down an F9F-8 Cougar on BENNINGTONs deck.
Info provided by DuWayne Dan Szotkowski
- GABBYS OWN STORY
Raymond (Gabby) Hays (1954-56)
- I WAS CAPTAIN FOLEYS GUARD
Billy Smith (1955-56)
- 1955 September 17 - International Date Line at 0° 00'
latitude and 37° West
- - 1955 Oct 20 - BENNINGTON arrives San Diego Bay
- - 1955 Oct 31 - BENNINGTON departs for Yokosuka, via Pearl Harbor.
- 1955 Nov 11 - International Date Line at 24° 55.4' latitude
and 180° 0' East
- - 1955 Nov 17 - BENNINGTON arrives in Yokosuka, Japan.
- 1955 Nov - Flight Quarters From Fantail?
William Thumann
- - 1955 Dec 3-6 - BENNINGTON takes part in
NAVMARLEX 4-55.
This was a "support exercise" for Navy & Marine Corp landings.
- 1955 Christmas - The Night Before Christmas
Bennington Version
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1955
- 1956 January 1 - 1956 October 3
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1956
- - 1956 Feb 23 - BENNINGTON was "backed" into Dry-dock #5
at the Yokosuka Naval Shipyard Repair Facility to undergo voyage repairs and have a
"cracked" screw replaced. Her angled deck construction forced the novel "stern-first"
drydocking maneuver in order to make best use of the dockside cranes.
- 1956 Apr - Man Overboard
Jim Brusa
- 1956 Apr - Man Overboard
William Thumann
- 1956 Apr - Man Overboard - The Rest Of The Story
Lee C Lewis
- - 1956 May 31 - New CO: Jones, Robert E. C.
- - 1956 July 26 -
In addition to testing parachutes and different opening delays, the Marines were also expanding the list of aircraft they could jump from.
Their jump logs included transport aircraft from all four services. Their most important, however, was to be the TF-1 Trader.
One of the chief objectives of this testing was to expand Marine parachute capability to carrier aircraft.
The TF-1 was the primary carrier-capable transport aircraft at the time.
On July 26, 1956, the Test Unit 1 Recon Marines actually inserted from the USS Bennington by TF-1, parachuting into El Centro.
It was the first parachute insertion from a carrier.
They also conducted the first Marine parachute jumps out of a jet aircraft, in this case the two-seat F3D Skyknight,
in August of the same year.
- 1956-1957 Love's Flying Circus
Jim Stone
- 1956 - 55 gallon alcohol drum
Jim Brusa
- 1956 - Close Encounter
Jim Brusa
- - 1956 Sep 10 - The Bulk Aviation Storeroom at C-414-A
was completely flooded by an open sprinkler system valve.
- September 1956 - At Almost Age 6 Tim Smith Visits Bennington in San Diego
Tim Smith
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1956
- 1956 October 3 - 1957 December 31
- - 1956 Oct 3 - 1957 May 23 - West Pac
- 1956 October 5 - Almost Saved 'em
Fred Flores
- (1955-1958) Sure do miss Big Benn!
Irving E. Schneider
- 1957 - Hello Sasebo
Jim Brusa
- WE CROSSED THE EQUATOR ON APRIL 24, 1957
Ron Nybakken
- - 24 April 1957 - Crossed the equator on on our way to Sydney
- 1957 - Australia in the spring
Leslie K. Anseth
- 1957 Visit to Sydney
Terry Yung
- 1957 May - Sydney Australia - GQ
Gary May
- - Leaving Sydney, we sailed north up the international
date line (180 deg longitude) until on 11 May 1957
where we veered to the northeast and Hawaii
- THE CAP - Chief Aviation Storekeeper F.D. "Flip" Monigold
Vaughn Monigold
- 1957 May 8 - BENNINGTON LEAVES SYDNEY
Joe Pires
- (1957 May 12)Sydney Sun-Herald USN Hoax View
Joe Pires
- - 1957 Jun 24 - New CO: Ryon, William M.
- 1957 July 15 - Exit
Jim Brusa's story
- - 1956 Oct 3 - 1957 May 23 - West Pac
- 1958 January 1 - 1958 December 31
- - 1958 Jul 03 - New CO: Compton, James R.
- (1958-1959) - I was put in charge of the letter "I"
Ronald Hall AE3
- - 1958 Jul - Victoria, British Columbia for the Canada Centiennial Festival
- - 1958 Aug 21 - Dec 3 ------- Deployment for Taiwan service
- - 1958 Aug 21 - Dec 3 - VC-35/VA(AW)-35 Deployment
- VAN Team - #59
- LTR - (K)
- CAG - ATG-4
- CARRIER - Bennington
- SQD - VA-216
- OUT - 08-21-58
- HOME - 01-02-59
- O in C - Lcdr M. Pollkowske
- (1957-1959) - Elevator Fell Into The Sea
Travis Dyson NW3
- (1958-1961) - ELEVATOR #3 FELL INTO THE SEA
&
I WAS ON THE TUGBOAT THAT TOWED BENNINGTON TO PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON
Robert lee ROCKY Crockrell
- (1958-1959) - Lost Elevator And Airplane
Bob Martinez SM2
- (1958 October) - Elevator Fell Into The Sea
Jim Wind AO3
- 1958 Nov 21 - Build New Elevator For Carrier
Joe Pires
- I have been a carpenter for over 30 yrs
Doug LaFriniere (Frenchie)
- Discharged July 1960, I went back to New York
Terry Lynch
- - 1958 Jul 03 - New CO: Compton, James R.
- 1959 January 1 - 1959 December 31
- - 1959 Feb - Jun 30 - Refit & major overhaul at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard
- - 1959 June 30 - Redesignated as CVS-20 an ASW carrier
- - 1959 Aug 28 - New CO: Wampler, French Jr.
- (1959-1961) - I retired from civil service at Kelly AFB
Ray Frazier
- (1959-1963) Those 4 years some of the best of my life
Terry Oquinn
- (1959 Apr-1960 Jun) Almost knocked down that Big Crain
Bob Morelli
- (1959 May-1962 Sep) Animal House To Naples
Jon Easley
- Glenn Edward Barnett - 1959-1963
Max E. Hoagland - Older Brother
- - 1959 Feb - Jun 30 - Refit & major overhaul at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard
- 1960 January 1 - 1960 December 31
- 1960 Aug 4 - SEAFAIR 1960 - Seattle
- 1960 Aug 11 - Destroyer, Collision Off San Francisco - PHOTOS HERE
Joe Pires
- 1960 Aug 11 - USS Edwards and USS Bennington Collision
Terry Farley
Photos from Wayne_Buescher
- 1960 Aug 11 Collision - 1960 Dec Subic Bay Recall
Jim Strickler
- - 1960 Sep 21 - New CO: Ware, Robert M.
- (1959-1961)MAN OVERBOARD - At The Pier?
Ed Chancholo
- - 1960 Oct 1 - Deployment - 4th West Pac, South China Sea, LAOS Crisis
- Carrier Division Fifteen - CVSG-59 Formed for deployment
CVSG-59 PDF Pages of group descriptions
Pat J. Ruth 1958-62 QM-2 [QMC Ret.]
- (1959-1962)Collisions and Minor Mishaps
Jon Easley
- (1959-1962)Wackiest ship in the army
Jon Easley
- (September of 1960 - December 31, 1960)
Prepare for SHOW OF FORCE
Forrest (Maynard) Gillispie
- (December 31, 1960 and after)
Prepare for SHOW OF FORCE
Dale W Wise ABE-3
- (December 31, 1960 and after)
Prepare for SHOW OF FORCE
Terry Oquinn GM-2
- 1960 Aug 4 - SEAFAIR 1960 - Seattle
- 1961 January 1 - 1961 December 31
- - 1961 January 1 - SHOW OF FORCE
Following the Pathet Lao capture of strategic positions on the central plain of Laos, the Seventh Fleet Forces (USS BENNINGTON, USS LEXINGTON AND THE USS CORAL SEA) were "immediately ordered" to the South China Sea.
After the situation in Laos was stabilized, the units were directed to withdraw on 1/6/1961.
Joseph L. Pires - USS Bennington Historian
- Happy New Year's 1961!!!
William E. Bauer PhD CRC
- Happy New Year's 1961!!!
T.C. Ford ABF-3
- - 1961 April 6 - Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (Light) HMR(L) -161
arrived in the Philippines on 5 April 1961 And on the 6th they boarded BENNINGTON (CVS-20) Bound for
Marine Corps Air Field (MCAF) Futema, Okinawa.
- - 1961 May 2 - Return from West Pac
- WELCOME ON BOARD BOOK
30 PDF Pages of USS Bennington Information
Pat J. Ruth 1958-62 QM-2 [QMC Ret.]
- - 1961 Sep 29 - New CO: Ferguson, John A.
- (1961-1962) Airtraffic Controller
Ronald W. Morgan
- (1961-1965) Duty in Vietnam as a River Parol Boat sailor
Charles White
- (1961-1965) BENNINGTON WAS MY HOME
Charles H Sturkey
- - 1961 January 1 - SHOW OF FORCE
- 1962 January 1 - 1962 December 31
- - 1962 Jan 6 - CVSG-59 embarked BENNINGTON Aircraft Tail Code NT
- - 1962 Jan 6 - BENNINGTON left San Diego for 7th extended deployment
- - 1962 May - July - BENNINGTON conducted CARQUALS
- WestPac 1962 - USS Radford DD 446
Mike Casey
- Learning the life of a Carrier Sailor
Charles J. White
- (1961-1964)The world of Suzie Wong
Doug Madison
- (1962 May-1963 Sep)Veteran's Essay
Joe Scotti
- - 1962 Sep 6 - The Operations & Weapons Departments won the Navy "E" Award for Excellence
- - 1962 Sep 6 - The Supply Department received the COMNAVAIRPAC Supply Award
- - 1962 Sep 28 - New CO: Healy, Charles E.
- - 1962 Sep 14 - 1963 Mar 31 - 6 month, 3rd Fleet Rehabilitation and Maintenance Overhaul
FRAM II @ Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington.
New sonar equipment increased BENNINGTON's ASW capability
(PHOTO provided by Lee Andreas)
- - 1962 Jan 6 - CVSG-59 embarked BENNINGTON Aircraft Tail Code NT
- 1963 January 1 - 1963 December 31
- - 1963 Jan 7 - The Operations Department was awarded the Navy Battle Efficiency "E"
For outstanding performance during anti-submarine warfare exercises.
The Combat Information Center (CIC) was the major contributor to the Final grade given. (PHOTO)
- - 1963 Feb 11 - Most of the day was devoted to the "testing" of the newly acquired "bow anchor".
- - 1963 May 1 - After refresher training in San Diego
USS Bennington arrived in her new homeport of
Long Beach, California
- - 1963 Aug 5 - Aug 30 - Seattle, Juneau and Kodiak, Alaska Cruise
See the Photo in the PHOTO GALLERY
- August 1963 - We sailed to Seattle (20 Navy ships in company!) for the annual Seafair Week festivities (with photos)
Ens. Tony Ward-Smith
- August 1963 - SEAFAIR - Seattle, WA - Photos and News Clippings
Jacob A Mory and Lee Andress
- USS Bennington and USS Benner Arrive in Kodiak - AUGUST 1963
Jacob A Mory Provided Kodiak Mirror News Paper
- CVS 20 PISTOL TEAM - 1963
Bob Hadley
- THAT COLD NIGHT IN ALASKA - 1963
Richard York
- ANOTHER ALASKA STORY - 1963
Jarl Fossum
- EVEN ANOTHER ALASKA STORY - 1963
John Francis
- - 1963 Sep 27 - New CO: Hill, John S.
- 1963 Nov 22 - Shipmate Shot By Sniper
Bill Copeland
- - 1963 Dec 16-18 - Hosted new Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Paul Nitze, when he visited the West Coast.
- - 1963 Jan 7 - The Operations Department was awarded the Navy Battle Efficiency "E"
- 1964 January 1 - 1964 December 31
- 1964 - DECK LOGS FOR 1964
Joe Pires
- - 1964 Feb 19 - Sep 11 - 6th West Pac Cruise
- 1964 - Huk Ster - TWENTY YEARS OLD
Ron Plywacz
- (1963 Apr-1966 Sep) Does anyone remember?
Dan Vernon
- (1964-1967) Trains and Flower Garden
Steve Jacobson
- (1963 - 1966 Jul) From Boston to Bennington, and Back
Bill Copeland
- (1964) Left with orders to Hong Kong
Nick Lutz
- - 1964 Sep 29 - New CO: Barnett, Marvin E.
- - 1964 Oct - Operation HARDNOSE
- 1964 Nov - Flying drone for gun practice lost control
- Pick Up Whoever Was Flying That Drone
Bob Fitzgerald
- - 1964 Dec 24-30 - Assisted Eureka, California flood disaster (102 relief missions)
- 1964 Dec - DISASTER RELIEF MISSION
USS BENNINGTON ASSIST DURING
EUREKA FLOODS - Part 1
John P. Szotkowski, Catherine Mace and Jeanette Carey
- 1964 Dec - DISASTER RELIEF MISSION
USS BENNINGTON ASSIST DURING
EUREKA FLOODS - Part 2
John P. Szotkowski, Catherine Mace and Jeanette Carey
- 1964 Dec - Humboldt County California Floods
Bruce Forman EN2
- 1964 Dec - EUREKA REMEMBERS!
Mark Nelson, AA6DX
- 1964 Dec 30 - MERCY SHIP BENNINGTON DUE TODAY
Joe Pires
- (1964 Oct-1966 Dec)High Places, Seas & 3ft. egg
Lonnie Whittaker
- (1964-1967)3ft. Eggs and a splash
Steven D. Jacobson
- (1964 Oct-1966 Dec)HOOKED AND HANGIN'
Lonnie Whittaker
- (1964-1967)A4 HOOKED AND HUNG
Steven D. Jacobson
- (1964-1967)A4 HOOKED AND HUNG
Dave Orozco
- 1965 CO's WELCOME ABOARD LETTER
Joe Pires
- 1964 - DECK LOGS FOR 1964
- 1965 January 1 - 1965 December 31
- - 1965 - Feb 12 - Dependent's Cruise
- - 1965 - Feb - Operation SILVER LANCE
- - 1965 Mar 22 - Oct 7 - West Pac , Vietnam War
- - 1965 March 27 Arrived in Pearl Harbor
- - 1965 April 22 - LONGITUDE 180° LATITUDE 24° - 50' 00"N
- - Yokosuka - Sasebo - Bangkok
- - Hong Kong - Subic Bay - (Ship's Crew Party on Grande Island,
They used launches to get us back and forth and they had a
softball feild, pavilion, concrete beer / soda coolers and an ok beach. Football and
Rugby game with Australian Crew of HMS Melbourne )
- - South China Sea
- - 1965 Sep 23 - Left Yokosuka, Japan
- - 1965 Oct 7 - Arrived Long Beach, CA
- - 1965 Oct 12 - New CO: Howell, Wiley B.
- 1965 October 31 - OPEN HOUSE Off Long Beach
Kurt S. Smith (guest as a child)
- 1965 October 31 - OPEN HOUSE Off Long Beach
Bruce Forman, Charlie Betz and Bob Holmes
- (1965-1969) Storekeeper To Historian
Joe Pires
- (1965) FRA National President
Marvin Johnson
- (1965-1967) Sears Robuck for 25 years
Carmen Romano
- - 1965 Nov 15 - 1966 Apr - Dry dock - Long Beach Navel Shipyard
- (1965 Nov-1966 Apr) Dry Dock, Long Beach, Naval Shipyard
Joe Pires
- - 1965 - Feb 12 - Dependent's Cruise
- 1966 January 1 - 1966 December 31
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1966
- - 1966 May 6 - May 18 - CARQUALS & ORI off San Diego.
- 1966 May 18 - XC-142A Tested Out By Carrier Bennington
Joe Pires
- -1966 May 18 - The first carrier landings of VTOL (Vertical Take-off & Landing Aircraft) were conducted
- 1966 Sep 6 - Operation Cool-It In Poverty War
Joe Pires
- 1966 - I saw that band perform on Sunset Strip
Paul Trombetta
- (1966-1969) - Bennington, LST-838, back to Bennington
John Howe
- (1966 Jul - 1969) How I became a flight deck crewman
Stu Hirschfield
- (1966 Sep-1969 Jul) Syracuse 1942 To Now
Mike Ponto
- 1966 July 15 - Exit
Bill Copeland
- - 1966 Oct 28 - New CO: Graffy, Richard
- - 1966 Nov 4 - 1967 May 4 - West Pac , Vietnam War
- - 1966 Dec 2 - USS NICHOLAS (DD-449) collides with the USS BENNINGTON CVS-20 while refueling, west of the Hawaiian Islands.
- 1966 Dec 15 - Bennington Called for Rescue
Joe Pires
- 1966 Dec 2? - Letter From Captain Richard Graffy
Joe Pires
- Captain Richard Graffy Letter - I Typed It
Wayne Hughes
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1966
- 1967 January 1 - 1967 December 31
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1967
- - 1967 Jan 6 - ATN3 William J. Duggan, USN, was received via helicopter from the USS
GRIDLEY. Duggan died as a result of wounds received while performing duties as a crewmember aboard GRIDLEY's UH-2 helicopter.
His remains were transferred from BENNINGTON to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Subic Bay, for disposition.
- - 1967 Jan 9 - An SH-3A crashed on the flight-deck during take-off.
Crewmembers received minor injuries only.
- 1967 Jan 11 - SH3A Helicopter Down - Gulf of Tonkin
Joe Pires
- I can remember Admiral Aurand - Part-1
Commander Al Rowley - Supply Officer 1966-1967
- My fine Naval Academy classmate Admiral Aurand - Part-2
Lodwick Alford, LCDR (Now Captain) - Gunnery Officer (Plank Owner) - 1944-1945
- Many Personal Remembrances of Admiral Aurand - Part-3
Dave Orozco, LCDR USNR-R
- As an E-3 I was impressed with Admiral Aurand - Part-4
Steve Jacobson, ABHAN, V-1 Div. - 1964-1967
- - 1967 Jan 12 - An SH-3A from BENNINGTON struck the water and sank at sea during night
operations. The following casualties were received aboard: LT(jg) William
L. Finkenhagen, USNR and AX2 Roberto B. Reed, USN, were transferred to Subic
Bay for further care. LT(jg) Charles B. Stella, USNR and RD1 William T. Smith, USN, were treated and retained aboard. AX3 Clayton Kemp, USN and AX3
Wayne C. Reinecke, USN, were declared dead after an extensive, fruitless
air-sea search following the accident.
- - 1967 Jan 25-31 - While BENNINGTON was inport at Subic Bay,
Philippines arrangments were made by Port Services to have 45 men from Subic Bay
assist in the painting of the ship. The cost for the four days for the 45 men was seven hundred dollars.
- 1967 Family Gram - 8 Pages - Read while load
Paul Trombetta
- (1966-1967)I Remember - Days Of West Pac
Richard Choitz
- 1966-1967 West Pac Memories #1
Paul Trombetta
- 1966-1967 West Pac Memories #2
Paul Trombetta
- 1966-1967 West Pac Memories #3
Paul Trombetta
- 1966-1967 West Pac Memories #4
Paul Trombetta
- 1966-1967 West Pac Memories #5
Paul Trombetta
- 1966-1967 West Pac Memories #6
Paul Trombetta
- - 1967 Mar 12 - BENNINGTON's Medical Department performed emergency surgery
on SN Robert Paszkiewicz, USN, for a ruptured urinary bladder. Surgery was successful and he was
transferred to Subic Bay for care.
- Henry Fonda Visits Bennington
R. Graffy, Capt, USN (Ret.)
- - 1967 Apr 19 - Seaman Ronald H. Johnson was injured when he was
caught between a railing and Radar Director 51. Johnson subsequently died on 28 April
while being treated in the U.S. Naval Hospital, Subic Bay, Philippines.
- - 1967 Apr 23 - BENNINGTON crosses the Equator
- - 1967 Apr 29 - May 4 - SYDNEY AUSTRALIA
- (1967 April 29-May 4)-Sydney Morning Herald Articles
Joe Pires
- (1967 April 29-May 4)-Sydney 10 Year Flash Back
Joe Pires
- (1967 April 29-May 4)-My Reflections on Sydney
Paul Trombetta
- (1967 April 29-May 4)-More on Sydney (Picture)
Dwayne Carroll / Jerry Hampton
Tom Ganse / Stu Hirschfield
And Others
- - 1967 May 23 - BENNINGTON arrives Long Beach after being deployed for 170 days.
BENNINGTON also receives letters of appreciation from the Oceanographic Office of Ocean
Bottom Surveys for work (surveys) performed on 20 January, 15 May and 23 May.
- 29 May 1967 - BENNINGTON's (RAV)
at Long Beach Naval Shipyard
- - 1967 Jun 5 - Following an emergency request for blood from the U.S. Naval Hospital, Long
Beach, BENNINGTON provided nine type O+ blood donors.
- - 1967 Jun 30 - BENNINGTON is called on by the American Red Cross for more blood donors.
BENNINGTON personnel donated 167 pints of blood on this day.
- - 1967 Aug xx - BENNINGTON's Medical Department attained a score of 93 per-cent during
underway training. This is the "highest" score ever given to any Medical Department.
- - 1967 Aug 24 - Two E-2A type aircraft completed 10 arrested landings and 10 catapult
assisted launches with newly installed nose launch system. They were the first launchings of this class aircraft from
an H-8 Catapult.
- - 1967 Sep 13 - Airman Somerville of V-1 Division, fell overboard from the undercarriage of
elevator number three. He was recovered by the HS-8 plane guard without injury.
- - 1967 Sep 13 - BENNINGTON's 100,000th arrested landing was made by Lieutenant Commander
H.J. Strasler, Officer-in-Charge of Detachment 20, Airborne Early Warning Squadron 111 (VAW-111) in a E-1B "Willy-Fudd".
- - 1967 Oct 24 - Enroute to the operating area for the Apollo 4 Recovery Mission, Airman R.L.
Walter was killed on the flight-deck. Walter slipped and fell while moving a helicopter and was ran over.
The accident occured at 0825 hours and Walter died at 0830 hours.
His remains were transferred to Tripler Army General Hospital for preparation, encasement and transportation.
- (1967 Oct-Nov) BENNINGTON CATCHES IT'S OWN WEATHER BALLOON RADIO
John Carobine
- 1967 Nov 9 - U.S.S. Bennington Recovery of Apollo 4
NASA
- 1967 Nov 10 - U.S.S. Bennington Recovery of Apollo 4 News Release
PDF Document
- - 1967 Nov 27 - CVS-20 was awarded the "Meritorious Unit Commendation Award" (ribbon), for the recovery of the Apollo 4 Space Capsule Operation
- - 1967 Nov 20 - New CO: Murphy, Daniel J.
- (1967 Jul-1968 Dec) Galveston To Birmingham
Hadden Smith
- (1967 Mar-1970 Jan)Fireman To Fire Inspector
Tom Ganse
- (1967 -1970 Jan) Parts Manager and ....
Tim Hogan
- - 1967 Dec 12 - An E-2A aircraft snapped an arresting wire and plunged over the angle deck
while attempting an arrested landing. Both the pilot and co-pilot were rescued by helicopter.
Both received minor injuries and the aircraft was lost (sank).
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1967
- 1968 January 1 - 1968 December 31
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1968
- - 1968 Jan 2 - FN Ray R. Archer was placed in the
ward for severe hypoxia. Archer had gone into #10 Fire Pump Void and passed out. He was
ressuscitated on the scene and subsequently placed in the ward overnight for observations.
- - 1968 Jan 24 - BENNINGTON's 104,000 Th landing was made by LCDR W.C. Rook of VA-125. On Rook's next attempt that evening, his A4D Skyhawk, struck the round down, exploded and skidded off the port side of the flight deck. His body was not recovered.
- - 1968 Feb 8 - An "experimental" E-2A aircraft snapped the number 4 arresting cable and plunged over the port side of the flight deck. The entire crew was rescued. The fixed-wing plane floated for approx. 14 hours and was finally sunk in deep water after unsuccessful salvage operations.
- - 1968 Mar 26 - Accident with a helo from HS-8 (in the water). Co-pilot, Cornelius Shea, was found uninjured. Lost in the accident, LCDR J.R. Griffiths, AX3 George N. Penniman II and Airman Apprentice E.C. Sowell, Jr.
- - 1968 May 1 - Nov 9 - Last West Pac , Vietnam War
- REMEMBERING EVENTS OF MY TIME ON BENNINGTON
Maurice Covert - 1965-68
- (1967-1969) - Stories
Bill Thomas MM3
- (1967-1969) - MIXED SIGNALS
Bill Thomas MM3
- 1968 May 23 - Golden Dragon Certificate
Bill Thomas
- - 1968 May 29 - May 31 Yokosuka, Japan
- 1968 May 29 - Joint Antisubmarine Warfare Training
- - 1968 Jun 10 - Jun 21 Sasebo, Japan
- 1968 June 21 - BRIGHT HOT FLASH IN THE CHOW LINE
John F. Dowd, Jr.
- - 1968 Jun 21 - EM2 Donald J. Prince was working on an
electrical panel and shorted two circuits. Prince received second degree and third
degree burns of the face, second degree burns on both hands and a second degree burn of
the cornea. Prince was transferred to the Yokosuka Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan.
- - 1968 Jun 29 - ABE3 James Jorgenson was injured on the
flight deck. The catapult misfired and struck Jorgenson. He suffered a contusion to his
right foot and bruises to his right elbow.
- - 1968 Jul 21 - BENNINGTON crossed the Equator
at 105 degrees 30' E
- 1968 July 21 - Shellback Initiation...Crossing the Equator
James D Nantz MM1 1967-1970
- - 1968 Jul 29 - BENNINGTON receives the
Admiral Flatley Memorial Award
- - 1968 Aug 7 - Aug 19 Sasebo, Japan
- - 1968 Aug 23 - Typhoon Shirley & BENNINGTON cross paths
- - 1968 Aug 24 - Paul Trombetta's assertion thaqt HC-7 having
served on the Bennington is confirmed in its 24 August 1968 Deck Log pages.
"1412 Commenced transfer of HC-7 from USS Constellation to USS Bennington via SH3A 70 and SH3A 47.
1520 Transfer complete."
- - 1968 Oct 23 - Oct 27 Yokosuka, Japan
- - 1968 Nov 9 - Bennington returns home from 11th WetsPac cruise. - Begain six-month yard period.
- - 1968 Dec 19 - BT-3 David L. Clemmer suffered first and
second degree burns on his back and shoulders from a broken steam line.
- - 1968 Dec 20 - New CO: Barrow, William B. Jr.
- (1967-1968) - I joined the Mississippi National Guard
Larry Ausborne
- 1968 - We Went To Singapore
Stu Hirschfield
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1968
- 1969 January 1 - 1970 January 15
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1969
- - 1969 Jan 1 - Apr 22 - Inport Long Beach Naval Shipyard
for regular overhaul.
- - 1969 Jan 7 - Delayed by emergency repairs required by the Bonny Dick,
BENNINGTON entered Drydock #1 and during this period the ship's voids received a thorough sandblasting and painting,
the hull was chipped and painted and the flight deck was reworked.
- - 1969 Mar 19 - BENNINGTON leaves drydock.
- - 1969 Apr 4 - BENNINGTON was awarded the
Meritious Unit Commendation for her role in direct combat-support operations in
Southeast Asia during the period 21 June - 27 October 1968.
- - 1969 Apr 22 - BENNINGTON's first day at sea in 1969.
This and several other at sea periods through 16 May were spent conducting sea trials.
- - 1969 May 16 - BENNINGTON leaves yards.
- - 1969 May 26 - Began refresher training
- - 1969 Jun 2 - Personnel from Fleet Training Group,
San Diego, embarked for the commencement of REFTRA (refresher training).
- - 1969 Jun 13 - BENNINGTON received an overall REFTRA grade of excellent
and the highest rating ever achieved by any carrier crew in the history of the Fleet Training Group.
- - 1969 Jun 13-23 - In-port Long Beach
- - 1969 Jun 16 - Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Group
Three, Rear Admiral Norman C. Gillette, Jr., USN, broke his FLAG.
- - 1969 Jun 25 - BENNINGTON's 112,000th arrested landing
was made by Lieutenant Commander Lowe of VA-125.
During the night of the 25th, four minute after a catapult launch, LT(JG) Victor A. Demick of VA-125 reported a loss of gyro in his A-4 aircraft. He was told to use the stand-by gyro, level his wings and climb.
Lieutenant Demick reported his aircraft was stalling and 10 seconds later, with the aircraft approximately 6 nautical miles away, radar contact was lost.
An extensive search was conducted yielding only aircraft debris.
Also, during these CARQUALS, BENNINGTON became the first ship to qualify the TA-4F aircraft for carrier landings.
- - 1969 Jun 28 - CARQUALS ended and BENNINGTON returns to Long Baech.
- - 1969 Jul 7-10 - BENNINGTON conducted AIR OPERATIONS at sea.
- - 1969 Jul 11 - BENNINGTON's Dependents Day Cruise.
- 1969 Jul 11 - BENNINGTON's Dependents Day Cruise Program
Tim Hogan FTG3 1968-70
- - 1969 Jul 22-25 - CARQUALS were again conducted at sea.
During this period LT McKinney of VA-125 made the 113,000th arrested landing.
- - 1969 Jul 30 - Anti-Submarine exercise HUKASWEX 7-69.
BENNINGTON, CVSG-59, USS RAMSEY (DEG-2), USS DAVID (DE-1040) and USS O'BRIEN (DD-725)
simulated wartime operations with USS CUSK (SS-348) and USS SCAMP (SSN-558) acting as
aggressor forces. HUKASWEX 7-69 was completed on 7 August. BENNINGTON returned to
Long Beach and remained in-port until 21 August.
- - 1969 Aug 6 - BENNINGTON celebrates her 25th Anniversary
by a cake cutting ceremony on the flight deck and in the ward-room.
- - 1969 Aug 11 - BENNINGTON experiences its second
tragedy of the year when Seaman Apprentice Michael E. Jaggers was fatally injured by a
falling hatch cover he was trying to close.
- - 1969 Aug 11-13 - BENNINGTON given an Administrative
Inspection directed by Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Group THREE and including
officers and men from from his staff as well as members from the following commands:
Commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, Fleet Air San Diego and USS
HORNET (CVS-12). BENNINGTON received a grade of excellent with a numerical
grade of over 92%. BENNINGTON received notice of her selection for the CVS
1969 Admiral Flatley Memorial Award for superior performance in aviation.
- - 1969 Aug 26 - BENNINGTON off-loads ammunition and the
shifting of the Flag of Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Group THREE to USS HORNET (CVS-12) on 30 August.
- - 1969 Oct 09 - New CO: Callaghan, William M. Jr.
- Last USS Bennington Commanding Officer
- - 1969 Oct 10 - USS BENNINGTON goes to sea for the last time
in the transit to Bremerton, Washington where final de-activation steps were taken prior
to decommissioning.
- - 1969 Oct 13 - Mothballing program Bremerton, WA
- (1969-70)A big Thank You
William H. Runyan
- 1969 November - Last Big Deal Meal for Thanksgiving
Tim Hogan
- CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR 1969
- 1970 January 15
- - Decommissioned
- LAST OOD SIGNS OFF DECK LOG
L. L. Edmunson
- (1968-70)Decommissioned Her
Joe D. Pierce
- I WAS THE LAST ONE TO LEAVE THE SHIP
LeRoy L. Smith (1968-70)
- Not So Pretty Anymore
Jon Easley
- 1971 December 5 - Press Enterprise - Mothball Fleet
Provided by Jacob A Mory
- - Decommissioned
- 1989 September 20
- - STRICKEN - to be scrapped
- At Mooring E - Puget Sound Yard -
- - 1989 September - First Bennington Reunion - Pittsburgh, Pa.
- - STRICKEN - to be scrapped
- 1994 January 12
- - Sold for scrap
- - Sold for scrap
- 1994 September 13
- - Towed from Puget Sound for 1st scrap at Port Angeles
- (1958-1961) - ELEVATOR #3 FELL INTO THE SEA
&
1994 - I WAS ON THE TUGBOAT THAT TOWED BENNINGTON TO PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON
Robert lee ROCKY Crockrell
- - Towed from Puget Sound for 1st scrap at Port Angeles
- 1994 December 07
- - Towed to Alang, India for complete scrapping
See Photo Gallery:
Some of the last pictures ever taken of the
Bennington 1994 November - December 7
- December 7, 1994 US Post Office Stamped Envelope
Lonnie Whittaker
- December 7, 1994 was a very sad day for me
My company completed the clean
up of the USS Bennington
Jack R Billings
- SEE THE STORIES - SHIPBREAKERS
HOW THE BENNINGTON WAS DISMANTLED
- Last Days - Final Notes & Thoughts
Joe Pires
- - Towed to Alang, India for complete scrapping
- Notes After That -
- - For All Time
- Now Days
Paul Trombetta
- Bennington Still Lives
Jim Stemle
- - For All Time
- Notes From Friends of USS BENNINGTON -
- A friend in Bennington Vermont is overwhelmed
- E-Mail to Bill Kaufman from Barry Cruikshank from Gene McCarthy
- A friend in Bennington Vermont is overwhelmed
- E-MAIL From
USS BENNINGTON Site Visitors -
If you have ANY HISTORY Information that
you would like to see added to this site,
or if you are trying to find information not found here,
Please contact:
Joe Pires694 Iredel Court
Calabash, North Carolina 28467
jkpires@uss-bennington.org
1 September 1999
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