Previous ships that had borne the name:

1. A sailing frigate.
2. A British screw steamer that served under the US flag in 1917–18, as USS Arvonian and USS Santee.

NS0302953a: Santee River at the Eutaw Springs Battlefield Park.

(Map NS0302953 by Karl Musser, courtesy of Wikipedia. Photo NS032953a courtesy of Wikipedia.)

Tanker SS Seakay under construction at the Sun SB & DD Co., Chester, Pa., date unknown. Photo thanks to Frank Gerhardt.

Tanker SS Seakay, 29 March 1939, after delivery to Keystone Shipping Company by Sun SB & DD Co., Chester, Pa. Photo thanks to Frank Gerhardt.

"The new tanker Seakay is in the Sun Ship floating drydock and being readied for delivery, 10 July 1939." Acquired by the Navy she became USS Santee (AO-29).

Victor Dallin Collection 11766, Hagley Museum and Library, used for educational and non-commercial purpose.

"The new Keystone Tankship Co's Seakay is in the Sun Ship floating drydock and being readied for delivery, 10 July 1939. When acquired by the Navy she became USS Santee (AO-29)."

Hagley Museum and Library, Victor Dallin collection 11775. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose.

Tanker Seakay, one of 12 ordered by the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, underway, date and location unknown. She was later acquired by the U.S. Navy as a Fleet Oiler, renamed Santee, and subsequently converted to an aircraft carrier.

Douglas SBD-3/5 Dauntless dive bombers of Composite Squadron (VC) 29 lined up for launch from the escort carrier USS Santee (ACV-29) during operations in the Atlantic. Armed with depth charges, the aircraft will fly antisubmarine patrol over the convoy ships visible in the background. As Escort-Scouting Squadron (VGS) 29, the squadron also flew missions in support of the North Africa invasion in November 1942.

U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation, photo No. 1996.253.703.

A VGS-29 Grumman TBF-1 Avenger being brought to the flight deck on USS Santee's (ACV-29) forward elevator during August 1942, location unknown.

Photo and text from "Carrier Air War in Original WWII Color," by Robert Lawson and Barrett Tillman.

Port bow view of USS Santee (ACV-29) in the rare Measure 17 camouflage pattern. U.S. Navy photo, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., serial # 3706(42), September 11, 1942.

Port broadside view of USS Santee (ACV-29). U.S. Navy photo, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., serial # 3707(42), September 11, 1942.

Starboard quarter view of USS Santee (ACV-29). Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., 11 September 1942, serial # 3710(42).

Division of Naval Intelligence. Identification and Characteristics Section. June 1943.

Same photo as NS0302904, as used by the Division of Naval Intelligence, Identification and Characteristics Section, June 1943.

USS Santee (ACV-29), September 1942.

Division of Naval Intelligence, Identification and Characteristics Section, June 1943.

USS Santee (ACV-29) photographed on 24 September 1942, the day the first plane landed on her flight deck (according to some sources, the photo was taken on 27 September). She is wearing the subdued "dazzle" construction of the Measure 17 disruptive system. The pattern was identical on both sides of her hull (US National Archives photo #80-G-11826).

From Naval camouflage 1914-1945: A Complete Visual Reference, by David Williams.

U.S. Navy torpedo-bombers, TBF Avengers, aboard USS Santee (ACV-29), 25 September 1942. ACV stood for "Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier." She was reclassified as an escort carrier and redesignated CVE-29 in July 1943.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-30599.

Grumman TBF Avenger being hoisted aboard USS Santee (ACV-29), circa October 1942.

National Archives photo (# 80-G-469839).

USS Santee's port side showing the complete symmetry of the pattern on both sides (compare to NS0302920). US National Archives photo #19-N-34871.

From Naval camouflage 1914-1945: A Complete Visual Reference, by David Williams.

Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters parked on the flight deck of USS Santee (ACV-29), with the island in the background, circa late 1942. Note chocks blocking the wheels.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-K-15247.

USS Santee (ACV-29) photographed circa mid-October 1942, shortly before she participated in the invasion of North Africa. Aircraft on her flight deck include (from aft) SBD Dauntless scout-bombers, F4F Wildcat fighters and TBF Avenger torpedo planes. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 17, with yellow primer showing where the paint has worn off. Santee was the only one of her class ever camouflaged in Ms. 17, a disruptive scheme with the same geometric pattern on both sides of the ship. Ms. 17 was only applied to three ships, the other two being the heavy cruiser USS Augusta (CA-31) and fleet oiler USS Chicopee (AO-34).

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-K-436.

(Text thanks to Mike Green.)

USS Santee (ACV-29) photographed circa mid-October 1942, shortly before she participated in the invasion of North Africa. Aircraft on her flight deck include (from aft) SBD Dauntless scout-bombers, F4F Wildcat fighters and TBF Avenger torpedo planes. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 17, with yellow primer showing where the paint has worn off.

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-K-437.

(Text thanks to Mike Green.)

USS Santee (ACV-29) at anchor, 16 October 1942. Note the location of the ship's main machinery smoke stacks on the side of the flight deck aft. Santee is painted in Camouflage Measure 17.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (# NH 43508).

USS Santee (ACV-29), in foreground, with USS Sangamon (ACV-26) in the background, as seen from USS Ranger (CV-4), on 16 October 1942. Note Santee's Measure 17 paint scheme.

Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo # 80-G-16545.

Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless scout bombers and Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters on the flight deck of USS Santee (ACV-29) during Operation Torch, the November 1942 invasion of North Africa. Note the yellow Operation Torch markings visible around the fuselage stars of some of these airplanes. Also note the distance and target information temporarily marked on the carrier's flight deck. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

Some published sources state that this photo was taken aboard USS Sangamon (ACV-26). However, the camouflage pattern on her island definitely identifies the ship as Santee.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-K-15250.

USS Santee (ACV-29) with SBD Dauntless and F4F-4 Wildcat aircraft on the flight deck. Santee was en route to participate in the North African invasion, circa early November 1942. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 80-G-470022.

As seen from USS Ranger (CV-4), USS Santee (ACV-29) refuels destroyer USS Ellyson (DD-454) at sea in November 1942, during Operation Torch. Note camouflage patterns in use on the ships.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 80-G-30344.

Naval Officers playing checkers aboard USS Santee (ACV-29). Photograph released November 1942. TR-1644.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-27131.

USS Santee (ACV-29), fire-fighters in asbestos suits. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1188.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469650.

USS Santee (ACV-29), fire fighter in asbestos suite and three crewmen. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1226.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469653.

USS Santee (ACV-29), fire fighter in asbestos suit and three crewmen. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1227.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469654.

USS Santee (ACV-29) officers on bridge. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1294.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469658.

USS Santee (ACV-29), pilots relaxing in the Ready Room. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1311.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469661.

USS Santee (ACV-29), pilots relaxing in the Ready Room. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1312.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469662.

USS Santee (ACV-29), sailors release a weather balloon. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1322.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469668.

USS Santee (ACV-29), men in asbestos suits stand-by ready for any fire emergency. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1336.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469671.

USS Santee (ACV-29), lookout scanning sky from island aboard. On deck are TBF Avengers, (left), FM Wildcat (right foreground) and SBD Dauntlesses at stern. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1337.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469672.

USS Santee (ACV-29), air crewman onboard, standing by plane. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1567.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469696.

USS Santee (ACV-29), air crewman in cockpit of plane. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1575.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469699.

USS Santee (ACV-29), Joseph Haggerty (ARM) in rear seat of plane. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1576.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469700.

USS Santee (ACV-29), operation being performed on board. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1541.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469704.

USS Santee (ACV-29), pilot on board. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1592.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469705.

USS Santee (CVE-29), Captain William D. Sample talking to an officer on the bridge. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1630.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469723.

USS Santee (CVE-29), Lieutenant Mike Erschaler cuts his birthday cake. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1674.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469739.

USS Santee (CVE-29), pilots relaxing in Ready Room, playing cribbage. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1685.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469743.

USS Santee (CVE-29), lunch time on board. The men wade into sandwiches. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-2292.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469745.

USS Santee (CVE-29), pilots check navigation charts in Ready Room prior to taking off. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-7859.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469776.

View of flight deck showing Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, circa November 1942. Note markings of plane, and island visible in background, beyond the plane.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469848.

Crewmen exercising on the flight deck, en route to North Africa to take part in Operation Torch, November 1942. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, USNR.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-469691.

Crewmen checking Mark XVII 325-pound depth bombs on the hangar deck of USS Santee (ACV-29), at the time of the North Africa Operation, November 1942. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR. Note bomb carts, and Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat and TBF-1 Avenger aircraft.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo 80-G-470028.

USS Santee (CVE-29), radioman on bridge. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1340.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469674.

USS Santee (CVE-29), seaman beside rangefinder. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1342.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469675.

USS Santee (CVE-29), lookout at post on island. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1365.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469678.

USS Santee (CVE-29), sailors in formation. Note covered SBDs on right. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1434.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469680.

USS Santee (CVE-29), man being transferred by breeches buoy from tanker. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1532.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-469683.

USS Santee (CVE-29), enlisted men in Ready Room en-route to Africa. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1539.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 80-G-469685.

USS Santee (CVE-29), enlisted men having lunch on board. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-1550.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 80-G-469692.

Lieutenant Commander John T. Blackburn receiving his coffee at his plane, aboard USS Santee (ACV-29), 7 November 1942.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, 80-G-30604.

Transfer of rescued aviator from USS Monadnock (CM-9) to USS Santee (ACV-29). Photograph released 11 November 1942.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-30609.

Lieutenant Commander John T. Blackburn, USN, Commanding Officer of Escort Fighter Squadron (VGF) 9 being transferred by breeches buoy from USS Monadnock (CM-9) to USS Santee (ACV-29) during the North Africa Operation. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR. Photograph released 11 November 1942.

Blackburn was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1933. He became a double Ace, with 11 Japanese kills to his credit while in command of Fighter Squadron (VF) 17. He was awarded the Navy Cross (1943) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (1943). He eventually went on to become commanding officer of USS Midway (CVA-41), June 1958–May 1959, and retired as Captain.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-469688.

Lieutenant Commander John T. Blackburn, Commanding Officer of VGF-9, being transferred by breeches buoy from USS Monadnock (CM-9) to USS Santee (ACV‑29) during the North Africa Operation, circa 11 November 1942. He had spent 64 hours in the ocean awaiting rescue after his plane crashed. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-469688.

The Stars and Stripes flies from the mast of escort carrier USS Santee (ACV-29), as she prepares to launch a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger aircraft, November 1942. A destroyer is turning in her wake, astern.

Photo by Lieutenant Horace Bristol USNR.

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-361481).

Official caption: "USS Santee (CVE-29), airplanes operating in the Pacific, flying in formation, TBF and F6F. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-5632."

However, this cannot be correct, since in November 1942 Santee was in the Atlantic and did not operate F6Fs.

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-469756).

Official caption: "USS Santee (CVE-29), airplanes operating in the Pacific, flying in formation, TBFs. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Horace Bristol, November 1942. TR-5633."

However, this cannot be correct, since in November 1942 Santee was in the Atlantic.

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-469757).

Port broadside view of USS Santee (ACV-29) in Measure 14 (Ocean Gray) camouflage. U.S. Navy photo, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., serial # 4378(42), December 21, 1942.

Port quarter view of USS Santee (ACV-29). U.S. Navy photo, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., serial # 4379(42), December 21, 1942.

USS Santee (ACV-29) silhouetted against the Atlantic while escorting convoy UGS-10 to North Africa, June 1943 (National Archives photo # 80-G-74762).

Sangamon Class. From U.S. Naval Ships & Aircraft (ONI 54-R), condensed and printed for FM 30-50, NAVAER 00-80V-57 (Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels). Supplement 4 - 4 August 1943.

As above. Top photo shows USS Sangamon (ACV/CVE-26).

As above.

ONI 54-CV. Division of Naval Intelligence—Identification and Characteristics Section, 11-43.

Sailors playing football on the flight deck of USS Santee (CVE-29). Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202725.

Gun director on 40mm mount during gunnery drills, USS Santee (CVE-29). Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202729.

A TBF Avenger prepared to take off from the flight deck of USS Santee (CVE-29). Note pilot in cockpit. Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202759.

A TBF Avenger taxies up the flight deck after recovering aboard USS Santee (CVE-29). Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202760.

Aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), Air Operations officers plan sector searches from plot of submarine reports coming in by radio, from Commander in Chief and Admiralty. Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202807.

Aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), ordnance men will load a TBF Avenger with the depth charges that go up to the flight deck. Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202811.

TBF Avengers aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-426864.

TBF Avenger skims over other TBFs parked on the deck of USS Santee (CVE-29), November 1943. Photographed by Lieutenant Commander Charles Jacobs.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-418195.

Aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), flight deck crewmen race to retrieve the bridle from a Grumman TBF Avenger that has just been catapulted, November 1943. Photographed by Lieutenant Charles Fenno Jacobs, USNR.

National Archives and Records Administration photo, # 80-G-469882.

Sailors sleeping on the catwalk and netting underneath the LSO platform on USS Santee in the Atlantic Ocean, November 1943.

National Archives photo, # 80-G-469593.

USS Santee (CVE-29). Photo believed to have been taken at Casablanca, 13 November 1943.

USS Santee (CVE-29) on convoy duty in the Atlantic. A TBF Avenger on guard. Photograph released 22 November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202735.

Aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), sailors exercise every morning and Thanksgiving Day (25 November 1943) is no exception. Note the life preservers. Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202778.

USS Santee (CVE-29), Thanksgiving Day, 25 November 1943. Ship's Officers also had their turkey dinner. Here, the mess attendants make the final preparations. Photograph released in November 1943.

US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-202796.

General Motors FM-2 Wildcat fighter on combat air patrol over USS Santee (CVE-29), during the Leyte Invasion, 20 October 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-287594.

A U.S. Navy Avenger from Torpedo Squadron (VT) 26 over Panaon Island, Philippines. VT-26 was assigned to the escort carrier USS Santee (CVE-29) in 1944 and in July–August 1945.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo (# 1996.253.1357).

At 0740, 25 October 1944, during the Battle of the Leyte Gulf, a Japanese plane made a suicide dive on the Santee, crashing through the flight deck and stopping on the hangar deck. Santee was the first ship to sustain a kamikaze hit: the plane tore a 30-foot gash into the flight deck, killed 16 men, wounded 27 others and started several fires. At 0756, a torpedo from a Japanese submarine (several sources credit I-56, but this is in doubt) struck the ship, causing flooding of several compartments and a 6-degree starboard list. Emergency repairs were completed by 0935.

USS Santee (CVE-29) being hit by torpedo at 0756, which caused flooding of several compartments and a six degree list, just after being crash dived, 25 October 1944. Photo taken by USS Petrof Bay (CVE-80) Air Department.

Naval History and Heritage Command, Catalog No. NH 71526.

USS Santee (CVE-29) is hit by a Japanese kamikaze, at 0740 on 25 October 1944. Bright orange flames fed by burning avgas billow above Santee's flight deck as fragments of the Zeke, probably piloted by PO1c Kato splash to either side. Santee survived, but had to return to the U.S. for permanent repairs to battle damage and general overhaul. The escort carrier was back in the Philippines in March 1945.

Photographed from USS Suwannee (CVE-27). National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270667.

Japanese suicide plane attacking USS Santee (CVE-29), hitting after end of flight deck off Leyte Gulf, 25 October 1944.

Photographed from USS Suwannee (CVE-27). National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-270663.

Fires rage after the ship was hit by a Kamikaze at 0740 hours on 25 October 1944, during the 2nd Battle of the Philippine Sea (aka the Battle of Leyte Gulf.) Official US Navy photograph.

Kamikaze strikes USS Santee (CVE-29), 25 October 1944.

National Archives photo (# 80-G-273453).

Santee radio shack, Battle of Leyte Gulf: makeshift arrangements needed to monitor all circuits. Note spare parts boxes proping up a typewriter.

USS Guest (DD-472) comes alongside USS Santee (CVE-29) in April 1945. Both ships were off Okinawa and about to exchange mail. NARA photo (80-G 335565).

USS Santee (CVE-29) at Formosa, 18 September 1945.

Air Groups attached to USS Santee.

Source: "History of USS Santee," by ENS Jaquelin S. Holliday, USNR.

Escort-Scouting Squadron (VGS) 26 was established on 5 May 1942. Equipped with SBD Dauntlesses and TBF Avengers, VGS-26 operated from USS Sangamon (ACV/CVE-26) between October 1942 and September 1943, with a short stint operating from Guadalcanal (March–April). It was redesignated Composite Squadron (VC) 26 on 1 March 1943, and again redesignated Torpedo Squadron (VT) 26 on 15 November 1943. VT-26 embarked aboard USS Santee (CVE-29) in February 1944 and, now equipped solely with TBF or TBM Avengers, operated from the escort carrier until the end of the war. The squadron was disestablished on 13 November 1945.

Disney patch.

Recife, Brazil, February 1943.

Image of most of the USS Santee's E Division personnel. This picture was taken during the summer of 1944 somewhere in the South Pacific. There were approximately 30 EM's aboard at the time, but some who were standing watch are not included in the pic. The Division Officer in the center was Walter T. Poole.

Officers and Chief Petty Officers, K Division, October 1944.

Front row, left to right:ENS Walsh (Publications Officer); LT(JG) Parsons (Ship Secretary); LT(JG) Edson; LT(JG) Stevens; LT Edward Joseph Clarke (Communications Officer); LT Roberts (Radio Officer); LT(JG) McCue (Division Officer); LT(JG) Funke (Signal Officer); CRE Clifford (Warrant Officer).

Rear row, left to right: Nichols, Chief Yeoman; Charles Erlandsen, Chief Radioman; Daly, Chief Signalman; Kiawaja, Chief Yeoman.

Officers and Enlisted men, K Division (Communications Department), October 1944.

Left to right: Henry Menke ACMS; Chief Mallette holding the fish he caught in Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides; S. Waller, CBM; and the chopped hair in the back groud is C. Erlandsen, CRM.

V-2 Division, date unknown. Official US Navy photo.

V-2 Division, Engineering crew, date unknown. Official US Navy photo.

R.C. Boggess and shipmates, date unknown. Official US Navy photo.

Top: Flight deck crew catching some well needed rest in the safety nets alongside the deck.

Bottom: Aviation Painter Third Class, Jerrold E. Thomas posting the score of Jap kills. (Thanks to Dianne Goode, daughter of J. E. Thomas).

Frank J. Bennett (right) with two friends aboard USS Santee (CVE-29), shortly before the kamikaze attack. Frank was wounded, but his friends were killed...

Fighting Squadron 26 (VF-26).

This photo belonged to the collection of Ross Belford Jolley (1906–1946), USN (Ret.). [Detail of photo NS0302937.]

Fighting Squadron 26 (VF-26), USS Santee (CVE-29), 3 December 1944.

This photo belonged to the collection of Ross Belford Jolley (1906–1946), USN (Ret.). [Detail of photo NS0302937b.]

Fighting Squadron 26 (VF-26) sailors. It is likely, but not certain, that this photo was taken aboard USS Santee (CVE-29).

This photo belonged to the collection of Ross Belford Jolley (1906–1946), USN (Ret.). [Detail of photo NS0302937d.]

Torpedo Squadron 26 (VT-26), May 1944.

ENS George J. Baldini is on the extreme right, second row.

USS Santee (CVE-29), Escort Carrier Air Group (CVEG) 24, composed of Fighter Squadron (VF) 24 and Torpedo Squadron (VT) 24, January–August 1945. (CVEG-24 was established as CVLG-24 on 31 December 1942, became CVEG-24 on 15 August 1944, and was disestablished on 20 September 1945.)

AOMT3c Jerry Estes Deckard, VT-24. Artist: Dan McMillan.

USS Santee (CVE-29), Torpedo Squadron (VT) 24, Aircrewmen, 1944.

AOMT3c Jerry Estes Deckard, VT-24.

ENS George J. Baldini (#299269, left), Higginbothan and Iannucci, Torpedo Squadron 26 (VT-26).

ENS Baldini and his crew were killed when their plane, a TBF-1C Avenger (BuNo 48019), crashed on Morotai, Moluccas Islands, 26 September 1944.

"Charbonnet Jr. 10,000 Landing." Left to right: CAPT John V. Peterson, Santee's commanding officer; LT (later VADM) Pierre N. Charbonnet, Jr., Fighting Squadron (VF) 24; ? ; ?. Date should be circa February–July 1945.

If you have any additional info, please let us know.

USS Santee (CVE-29), 1945.

If you have any additional info, please let us know.

"Tito" Puente, Sr. (1923–2000), born Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr. "He went to boot camp in June of 1942 and joined [Santee] in August 1942 for the shake down prior to the Morocco Invasion and remained on the ship throughout the war."

"'Tito' was one of the ship's buglers and also a co-leader of the ships band."

"'Tito' was an acclaimed Latin music percussionist/arranger orchestra leader who formed his first big band following the war. He grew to becoming an icon in the field of Latin jazz with eight Grammy's to his credits, including television specials, movies, compositions and numerous awards."

(Quoted text courtesy of Josephine Powell.)

NS0302935b: USS Santee band ("Tito" kneeling). The officer with a saxo appears to be the famed "Sonny" Burke (Joseph Francis Burke), arranger and composer of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and a host of luminaries; if you can identify him, please let us know.

Cres explains:

"[T]he photo is identified on back as Torpedo Group, USS Santee".

"Owner of photo, William Creswell Keys who was a Torpedo Man's Mate Second Class on the USS Santee. He is the second from the left in the middle row (sitting) and is my father. [...] He retired from Robins AFB in Warner Robins, GA in 1976 as Director of the Budget and was the second highest rated civilian employee on RAFB at the time of his retirement."

"The only other person that I have been able to identify is Joseph Leo Klein, who is the first on the left in the back row (standing). Joseph was a TMM 3C and was killed by the Kamikaze attack on 25 Oct 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. [...] I was able to identify Joseph after an extensive search for a family member that was found this week. A niece [...] was able to identify Joseph in this photo because of a family photo of him. Joseph was a WWII friend of my Dad and I was fortunate to find members of his family and share information with them."

Bill Keys operating anti-aircraft gun aboard USS Santee (CVE-29) during WWII.

USS Santee (CVE-29), F Division, 25 July 1943, at sea.

(Larger copies available on request.)

Shipmates lost due to enemy action.

Source: "History of USS Santee," by ENS Jaquelin S. Holliday, USNR.

"Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep."
"Ancient and Sacred Order of the Golden Dragon."
"Royal Order of Purple Porpoises."

R.C. Boggess, USNR, enlisted as a CMM (Chief Machinist's Mate) July 2, 1942 and was honorably discharged as an AM/1c (Aviation Metalsmith 1st class) on October 1, 1945.

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

• Commanding Officers of USS Santee (ACV-29 / CVE-29)
• Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons
• A Model of USS Santee, by Bill Waldorf
• Bruno A. Demko Photo Collection