| Original caption: “Pilots at briefing session aboard USS Lexington (CV-16) prior to the attack on Kwajalein.” United States Navy Lieutenant Kent M. Cushman (November 12, 1918 – June 19, 2007) yawns and stretches during a briefing of Torpedo Squadron 16 (VT-16) prior to Carrier Air Group 16’s attack on Roi during Operation Galvanic. On December 4, 1943, USS Essex (CV-9) and USS Lexington (CV-16) struck Roi-Namur, while USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Yorktown (CV-10) struck Kwajalein. Lexington launched 26 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters, 18 Grumman TBF Avenger level bombers, and 28 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers in 30 minutes. Lack of effective radio communication hampered efforts to destroy Japanese aircraft on the ground. Meanwhile, Carrier Air Group 16 (CAG-16)’s bombers struck shipping in Roi Lagoon. Lexington’s pilots claimed they shot down 27 Japanese aircraft. 1 F6F and 1 SBD were lost. Initially training with the Douglas TBD Devastator when called into active duty in 1940, he scouted the Orkney Islands for Nazi German Kriegsmarine (“Navy”) warships. He then retrained on the Grumman TBF Avenger. Manning was aboard when USS Wasp (CV-7) was sunk on September 15, 1942. Manning was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement during raids on the Palaus on March 30-31, 1944. On June 20, 1944, Manning was awarded the Navy Cross for action during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. His citation read: “The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Kent M. Cushman, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy torpedo plane of Torpedo Squadron Sixteen (VT-16), attached to the USS Lexington (CV-16), in action against major units of the Japanese fleet west of the Mariana Islands during the first Battle of the Philippine Sea. Leading his section in a long-range attack on major units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant Commander Cushman maneuvered his plane to evade determined fighter resistance and intense anti-aircraft fire in the ensuing action and, striking at a large enemy aircraft carrier, scored two direct bomb hits on the bow of the hostile vessel, which eventually sank. Upon completing the critical mission, Lieutenant Commander Cushman returned with his flight to his Task Group under extremely adverse conditions. His cool courage, professional skill, and leadership reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Cushman and the United States Naval Service.” During the Battle of the Philippine Sea on June 20, 1944, when VT-16 sighted the Japanese Fleet, the VT Squadron Commander initiated his glide, timing his attack to hit within several seconds after completion of the VB attack. The VT glides were initiated from 9,000 feet, and successive planes maintained a normal interval and released from 1,800 to 3,000 feet (550 to 900 meters). Their target was on a heading of 270 degrees true at the time of the VT attack, which was made from the bow along the fore and aft area of the ship. Most pilots used minimum spacing when releasing their bombs. On the basis of observations by pilots and crewmen, it was estimated that there were at least 9 hits out of 20 bombs dropped. The torpedo planes retired to the east at high speed after their drops and lowered altitude to 400 to 500 feet (a 120 to a 150 meters) after passing beyond the target’s screening escorts. They were attacked by many Mitsubishi A6M Zeroes, which continued to make runs several miles beyond the rendezvous point. Some of the Zeroes turned away when VT pilots turned into their attacks, but most of the Japanese fighters made good runs and pressed their attacks with determination. However, they coordinated their attack well, and jinking seemed to confuse the Zeroes, who did not accurately correct their aim. The TBF crewmen need excellent judgment in conserving their ammunition (only 1 plane expended all of its fire and stinger ammunition), and this gunnery was effective. 1 was destroyed, 6 were definitely damaged, and the VT crewman fired at 2 to 6 planes during the approach and retirement from the target. 10 to 12 Zeroes were estimated to make numerous attacks on the VT formation during their withdrawal. Cushman commanded Torpedo Squadron 41 (VT-41) from September 14, 1946. He retired in the mid-1960s. He was the owner of Cushman Construction Company. His medals, uniform, and other belongings were taken by his caregivers and sold online later in life, when he had dementia. The family was unable to recover his war mementoes. United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Edward Steichen (March 27, 1879 – March 25, 1973) was due to be removed from proximity to active combat duty due to his age – he was in his mid-sixties. He successfully appealed that decision and instead boarded the USS Lexington (CV-16) with Lieutenant Victor Jorgensen (July 8, 1913 – June 14, 1994) to journey from Hawaii to the Gilbert Islands for Operation Galvanic – the invasion of the Gilbert Islands and air operations to support the Battle of Tarawa. This assignment would lead to some of Steichen’s most memorable images of World War II. After the war, he compiled his photographs and written reflections from this period into “The Blue Ghost,” a photographic log documenting his tour of duty on the Lexington. Steichen was appointed director of the newly established Naval Photographic Institute 6 months before the end of the war. He oversaw approximately 4,000 combat crew photographers, in addition to his original unit. Following the declaration of Allied victory, the unit was swiftly demobilized, and Steichen concluded his active service on October 22, 1945. He was awarded the Navy’s Distinguished Service Medal. His work with the Navy formally ended the following year with the release of United States Navy War Photographs, a collection of a 100 images from his Naval Aviation Unit. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2262.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.15 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 2389 x 2487 |
| Photographer | Edward Steichen |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | December 3, 1943 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | Kwajalein |
| Country | Marshalls |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-80-G-470183 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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