Evening star., 1945-06-15
1913 Lost on Carrier Saratoqa>
Badly Damaged in Battle For Two
1872 Also Wounded
In Suicide Attacks;
Ship Back in Action
Pictures on Page A-3.)

The Saratoga, oldest and, for
a long time, the largest aircraft
carrier in the United States
Fleet, was severely damaged
with a loss of 1913 lives during the
early stages of the battle for Two
Jima, the Navy disclosed today.
The attack occurred on February
Il, two days after the invasion of
Two Jima, when the venerable car
rier was hit seven times by Japa-
nese bombs and suicide planes while
providing air cover for Marine
ground forces storming the island.
1t was the first time the Saratoga
suffered any damage from enemy
planes in more than three years OF
gallant service, although she was
twice laid up for repairs after sub
marine torpedo attacks.
In addition to the 1913 men who
were listed as killed, missing or
dead from wounds, 1872 men were
wounded. The Navy did not
identify any of the casualties.
Now Back in Action. 4
Despite the heavy damage, the
40000-ton vessel remained af1oat
and was able to reach a nearby base
for temporary repairs before pro-
ceeding to the Puget Sound Navy
Yard at Bremerton, Wash, for a
complete overhaul. The job was
completed in the record time of less
than two months, and the Saratoga
is now back in action. the Navy said.
THE Saratoga was the most ex-
tensively damaged vessel the Puget
Sound Navy Yard has received,
the hull superintendent said. She
received more varied types of dam
age all at once than any ship we've
seen since Pearl Harbor."
The vessel, under command of
Capt. L. A. Moebus of Lima, Ohio,
now on duty in the office of the
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
for Air, was cruising with fast4
carrier task group northeast of IW9
Jima when the attack came. At 81
o'clock in the afternoon, while the
Saratoga was launching her planes,
nine or ten Jap bombers, all appar-
emily bent on suicide missions,
closed in.
Four Crash on Ship.
Four of the suicide planes were
knocked down by antiaircraft bat
teries on the carrier. Four others
crashed on the ship, and their ex-
ploding bombs tore gaping holes in
the craft, destroyed airplanes, cata-
pults and guns and spread roaring
fires along the decks.
Another enemy plane was knocked
down just as it was about to strike
the carrier. 1t fell, caromed off the
water and exploded, tearing large
hole in the Saratoga's side. A bomb
from one of the other planes blew
a large hole in the side of the ship
below the waterline, smashing fuel
oil lines. Water poured in and the
craft took on siX-degree list.
The forward part of the flight
deck was battered beyond use. One
of the Jap planes penetrated into
the hangar deck, below the flight
deck, and exploded making the place
an inferno. Fires were started in
other parts of the ship as bombs
exploded and wreckage was scat
tered. The crane forward of the
bridge, the catapults and many guns
were battered during the attack.
Many Acts of Heroism.
Many acts of heroism prevented
further damage and loss of life, the
Navy said. In one instance, an Of
ficer and two enlisted men were low
cred over the side of the ship to fight
the flames. They managed to cut
down the draught feeding the flames
while the ship was proceeding at 25
knots and brought the fire under
control. Nevertheless, there still was
considerable danger from the flames,
which were eating away the hangar
deck.
About an hour and half after
the first attack, while the Saratoga
was trying to run to safety, more
Jap planes appeared. Just. as darRse
ness was closing in. One OF
planes planted another bomb on s
carrier before being knocke @ aas
the sea and created more mero
Nevertheless, new fires and dehris
brought under coptro. -