| USS Cowpens (CVL-25) Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters warming up on the flight deck, while the carrier was operating with Task Group 58.3 during raids on the Marshall Islands. USS Cowpens was assigned to Task Group 58.3 on January 25, 1944, under Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman (May 27, 1888 – July 27, 1957). Task Group 58.3 conducted strikes against Japanese-held Kwajalein and Eniwetok Marshall Islands during January 29 – February 2, 1944. On January 29, torpedo aircraft from USS Cowpens made 1 bombing strike on Kwajalein Island. Carrier Air Group 25 delivered 39 fragmentation cluster bombs and 6,800 pound (45 kilogram) general purpose bombs on Kwajalein. On January 30, torpedo aircraft made 2 bombing strikes on Engebi Island. Fighters staged 2 strafing passes. Carrier Air Group 25 delivered 3,300 pound (226 kilogram) general purpose bombs, 9,600 pound (45 kilogram) general purpose bombs, and 32,000 rounds of 50 caliber Browning machine gun ammunition. The next day, torpedo aircraft made 2 bombing strikes on Engebi Island. Fighters strafed Engebi as well. Carrier Air Group 25 delivered 4,900 pound (226 kilogram) general purpose bombs and expended 6,000 rounds of 50 caliber Browning machine gun ammunition on Eniwetok. On February 1, torpedo aircraft made 1 bombing strike. Fighters staged 2 strafing passes. Carrier Air Group 25 dropped 36 incendiary clusters, 3,600 pound (45 kilogram) general purpose bombs, and expended 6,600 rounds of 50 caliber Browning machine gun ammunition, and 500 of 30 caliber Browning ammunition on Engebi. On February 2, fighters strafed Eniwetok and torpedo planes bombed Engebi. Carrier Air Group 25 dropped 2,900 pound (226 kilogram) general purpose bombs and expended 4,000 rounds of 50 caliber Browning machine gun ammunition on Eniwetok. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1854.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.73 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5000 x 3872 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | January 1, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | |
| Country | Marshalls |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | 80-G-K-100 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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