Jim Rimmer
03-29-2011, 8:31 PM
Interesting video of WWII Carriers. My Dad was on what they called "Baby Flattops". They were commandeered oil tankers that were retrofitted with flight decks and sent out. Primary mission was to transport new planes to the fleet but they ended up being involved in most of the major operations. Their transport duty also got them the name Jeep carriers. He was on the USS Santee, the first American ship to be hit by a kamikaze, Santee's sister ships were the Sangamon and the Suwanee, previously owned by Esso, now Exxon.
Another comment, early in the video you will see a close up of a sailor wearing one of the "Dixie cup" hats but it is blue rather than white. My Dad told me they washed them with their dungarees to dye them blue so they wouldn't show up at night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9dR3h2HdnBQ
Another comment, early in the video you will see a close up of a sailor wearing one of the "Dixie cup" hats but it is blue rather than white. My Dad told me they washed them with their dungarees to dye them blue so they wouldn't show up at night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9dR3h2HdnBQ