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IPTC: Caption
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While landing aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), Ensign Byron M. Johnson, flying a Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat (Number 30) of squadron VF-2 ("Rippers") skidded into the port 20mm gun gallery. His belly tank ruptured and sparks from the crash ignited the fuel. Enterprise's catapult officer, Lieutenant Walter L. Chewning, climbed up through the fire to free Johnson. Johnson and Chewning both survived; Johnson shot down eight Japanese planes while he was with VF-2. Enterprise, part of Task Group 50.2, Carrier Division 11 (with USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) and USS Monterey (CVL-25), USS Indiana (BB-58) and USS North Carolina (BB-55) and three destroyers) under Rear Admiral Arthur W. Radford, was enroute to Makin Atoll in the Gilberts to support the invasion, which occurred on November 20, 1943.
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IPTC: Copyright Notice
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Caption ©2007 MFA Productions LLC
Image in the Public Domain
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