#OTD in 1944, the "Murderers' Row" of Third Fleet aircraft carriers were at anchor in Ulithi Atoll. From front to back: USS Wasp (CV-18), USS Yorktown (CV-10), USS Hornet (CV-12), USS Hancock (CV-19) and USS Ticonderoga (CV-14).
@NavalInstitute Time from keel laid to commission; Wasp 1yr 8mo Yorktown 1yr 5mo Hornet 1yr 3mo Hancock 1yr 3mo Ticonderoga 1yr 3mo TOTAL 6yr 10mo USS Gerald Ford CVN-78 7yr 9mo
@NavalInstitute ESSEX, missing from the group photo, was recovering from her November 25 Kamikaze hit. A week later she was off Leyte supporting the occupation of Mindoro.
@NavalInstitute @HardcoreHistory Just interviewed a 96 year old veteran from the carrier USS Essex who was a few miles away at the time! Video coming soon to YouTube.
@NavalInstitute @HardcoreHistory The naval power concentrated in Ulithi atoll was absolutely staggering!