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U.S.S. MARCUS ISLAND

(CVE-77)

THE GALLOPING GHOST

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USS Marcus Island (CVE-77) was an Casablanca-class aircraft carrier built and active in World War II, for which she received four battle stars. She was part of the Pacific Fleet and played a role in the historical Battle for Leyte Gulf, specifically in the Battle off Samar, in which the US victory contributed to Japanese surrender.

Below are highlights from Marcus Island’s service:

  • September, 1944: The carrier’s planes flew strikes against Japanese forces in the Palau Islands.
  • October, 1944: Marcus Island joined “Taffy 2,” a task force unit near the Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. She launched hundreds of air strikes from this location.
  • October 25, 1944: During the Battle off Samar, her planes flew in support of Taffy 3, which was greatly outnumbered in a surprise move by the Japanese Central Force. One of her torpedo bomber planes scored a hit on a Japanese heavy cruiser; several other bombs and a torpedo met their mark while her planes shot down Japanese planes. In the aftermath, her planes helped to sink two more Japanese ships.
  • November, 1944: During the Mindoro Invasion, Marcus Island came under attack by kamikazes as her planes battled Japanese aircraft; the carrier sustained minor damage.
  • December 1944-January 1945: She joined the Luzon Attack Force near the Philippines, supporting amphibious missions.
  • March, 1945: She supported the invasion of the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa.

After the war ended, she transported veterans home as part of “Operation Magic Carpet.” She was decommissioned in 1946.

CVE-77 Deployments - Major Events

Add a CVE-77 Shellback Initiation Add a CVE-77 Deployment - Major Event
Month Year to Month Year Deployment / Event
FEB1942-DEC1945Orville Hoover was the torpedo bomber the took out the heavy cru
MAY1944-Shellback Initiation - 27 MAY 1944 - Pacific Ocean
MAY1944- Shellback Initiation - 27 MAY 1944 - Pacific Ocean
MAY1944- Shellback Initiation - 27 MAY 1944 - Pacific Ocean

CVE-77 General Specifications