| After an overhaul at San Francisco, California, and training at Pearl Harbor, USS Cowpens (CVL-25) sailed on June 13, 1945, for San Pedro Bay, Leyte, on her way striking Wake Island on June 20. Rejoining Task Force 58 Cowpens sailed from San Pedro Bay on July 1, to join in the final raids on the Japanese mainland. Her planes pounded Tokyo, Kure, and other cities of Hokkaido and Honshū until August 15, when a cease fire was called. Remaining off Tokyo Bay until the occupation landings began on August 30, Cowpens launched photographic reconnaissance missions to patrol airfields and shipping movements, and to locate and supply prisoner-of-war camps. Men from Cowpens were largely responsible for the emergency activation of Yokosuka airfield for Allied use. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2269.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.29 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 2737 x 2137 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | July 1, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | |
| Country | Pacific Ocean |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-80-G-468977 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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