| USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) at sea while participating in strikes on the Palaus. She is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 6A. On March 27, 1944, USS Hancock sighted United States Navy heavy cruisers USS Boston (CA-69) and USS Baltimore (CA-68). They joined Task Group 58.2 for the upcoming strikes on Palau islands. On March 28, 1944, a Curtiss SB2C-1 Helldiver crashed on landing approach, hitting the gun gallery on the port side. 2 gun directors were destroyed, and 2 oerlikon 20 millimeter (.78 caliber) guns and 41 millimeter (1.57-inch) gun were damaged. The sights for several guns were knocked overboard. The crew of 3 were rescued by USS McDermut (DD-677). On March 30, 1944, United States Navy 5th Fleet Task Force 58 (TF-58) under the command of Vice Admiral Marc A. “Pete” Mitscher (January 26, 1887 – February 3, 1947) with 11 carriers, launched a series of attacks on Ulithi to eliminate opposition to the landings at Hollandia, New Guinea and to gather photo intelligence for future campaigns. In strikes on Angaur Island in the Palau chain that day, 1 Grumman TBF-1 Avenger and 2 Grumman F6F-3 Hellcats failed to return. The Avenger’s crew crashed in the water astern of USS Hancock and was rescued by USS Lewis Hancock (DD-675). Ensign Robert J. Hanzal (December 16, 1920 – March 30, 1944) of Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8) landed 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Peleliu. He was never seen again. Lieutenant Warren L. “Bud” Gibbs (April 12, 1919 – April 2, 1991) was picked up by USS Balao (SS-285). On April 1, 1944, Task Force 58 launches raids against Woleai and Yap. Ensign John R. Galvin (April 21, 1920 – March 9, 1994) of Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8) was shot down while strafing Woleai Airfield. Able to bail out with injuries, he is unable to swim out to the lifeguard submarine, USS Harder (SS-257). 3 of Harder’s crew use a raft on a tow line to swim out to the beach and rescue him, despite a SOC Seagull landing and severing the tow line. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1914.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.59 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5784 x 3830 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | March 27, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | |
| Country | Palaus |
| Archive | Naval History and Heritage Command |
| Record Number | 80-G-K-1560 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
Author of the World War II Multimedia Database