A single bomb triggered a fire that devastated a rescuing cruiser
In short: The USS Princeton was a workhorse of the Pacific, earning nine battle stars before a lone Japanese dive bomber struck her deck. What followed was a harrowing rescue operation where the very ships trying to save the carrier were nearly destroyed by its internal explosions.
Originally laid down in 1941 as the light cruiser Tallahassee, the ship was reclassified and renamed the USS Princeton in early 1942. As an Independence-class light aircraft carrier, she served as a vital component of the U.S. Navy's Pacific offensive. Throughout 1943 and 1944, she participated in major operations including the occupation of Baker Island, strikes on Makin and Tarawa, and the neutralization of airfields at Engebi and Nauru. She was also instrumental in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, where her planes contributed to 30 aerial kills.
The carrier's fate was sealed on October 24, 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. A lone Yokosuka D4Y 'Judy' dive bomber dropped a single bomb that punched through the wooden flight deck and exploded in the hangar. While the initial structural damage was minor, the resulting gasoline fire quickly spiraled out of control. In a desperate attempt to save the ship, the cruiser USS Birmingham took the lead in firefighting efforts, but the Princeton collided with the assisting vessels during the chaos.
A massive secondary explosion at 15:24, likely from the magazine, devastated the Birmingham, killing 241 of her crew. The USS Irwin also suffered significant damage while rescuing 646 survivors from the water. By 17:06, the fires were deemed uncontrollable, and the USS Reno eventually scuttled the burning hulk at 17:50. Despite the intensity of the fire, the Princeton's own casualties were relatively light, with 108 men lost, while the rescuing ships bore the brunt of the carrier's violent end.
The tragedy left a lasting legacy. Captain Buracker received the Navy Cross for his leadership during the sinking, and the USS Irwin earned a Navy Unit Commendation for its rescue efforts. Interestingly, the prospective commanding officer of the Princeton, John M. Hoskins, was among those rescued but lost his right foot; he would later command the fifth USS Princeton, launched in 1945 as a replacement.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: USS Princeton (CVL-23)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/wars-uss-princeton-cvl-23.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in War and military · More in Wars & Conflicts · Latest · A–Z · All topics
