KITS 08/2023

VC-80, USS Manila Bay, autumn 1944

Composite Squadron VC-80 was established on

December 16, 1943 and, after embarking on USS

Manila Bay, participated in the battles of Leyte

and Luzon. The ship operated during the Battle

of Leyte as part of Task Group TG 77.4.2 (call

sign Taffy 2) of Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump and

VC-80 contributed significantly to the success

of American forces in the largest naval battle

in history. Then, during the fighting in Lingayen

Gulf, the USS Manila Bay was hit by a kamikaze

attack at 1750 hours on January 5. It damaged her

radar and communications equipment, caused

a fire, and most importantly, cost the lives of

14 men. The resulting fire was quickly dealt

with by firefighters, and some 24 hours later

VC-80 aircraft were already beginning limited

operations from her deck. The aircraft depicted

bore the typical three-color Pacific livery, the

markings complementing the symbol assigned

to units operating from USS Manila Bay, a white

chevron on the vertical tail surfaces.

Lt. O’Neill, VC-13, USS Tripoli, spring 1944

VC-13 was established on January 3, 1944 and on

February 16 of that year embarked on the new

escort carrier USS Tripoli. The ship suffered a fire

shortly after her maiden cruise when an acetylene

torch ignited fuel that was inadvertently dumped

into the water on the starboard bow. Two seamen

were killed. After repairs, USS Tripoli departed

San Diego on January 31 for her new homeport in

Norfolk, Virginia. She arrived there on February

16 and sailed for her first mission on March 15

as the flagship of Task Group 21.15, in which she

48

INFO Eduard

was accompanied by five destroyers. The group

patrolled west of Cape Verde, disrupting the

refueling of German submarines. On April 19, an

Avenger crew spotted German U-513 awaiting her

“Milch Cow” (a refueling submarine). Subsequent

attacks were unsuccessful, and the submarine

escaped. VC-13 thus returned from the cruise

without success and was replaced on board by

VC-6 on April 29. New duty station of VC-13 was

USS Anzio (formerly USS Coral Sea), which the

squadron embarked on March 22 to engage in

support of the invasion of Okinawa. The aircraft

depicted here is from the Atlantic mission

period. Lt. O’Neill had his photograph taken with

this FM-2, but it was probably not his personal

aircraft. Interesting is the white paint extending

over the leading edges to the upper surfaces. On

either side of the engine cowling was painted the

squadron emblem, a black cat with its front paws

in an obscene gesture. It might have blue or gray

background. The decals offer both options.

August 2023