USS Ommaney Bay

USS Ommaney Bay (CVE–79) was a Casablanca-class escort carrier of the United States Navy which served during World War II. Named after a bay at the south end of Baranof Island, Alaska, she was launched in December 1943 and commissioned in February 1944. She spent her early career transporting aircraft, supplies, and military passengers, after which she provided air support for the Palau Islands campaign in September 1944. During the Philippines campaign, she supported the landings on Leyte and Mindoro. Her aircraft participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October, inflicting severe damage that led to the scuttling of the Japanese cruiser Mogami. They then participated in the Battle off Samar, turning back the Japanese Center Force as it attacked Taffy 3 and delivering the coup de grace to the crippled cruiser Chikuma. She received two battle stars for her wartime service.
On 4 January 1945, while transiting the Sulu Sea to support the landings at Lingayen Gulf, Ommaney Bay was struck by a Japanese kamikaze aircraft. The attack engulfed her in flames, forcing the crew to abandon ship. She was subsequently scuttled by the destroyer Burns. Ninety-three members of her crew were killed...