| The U.S.S. Essex CV 9 and her crew had been in combat for two years, from August of 1943 through August of 1945. During the last 17 months of that period, CV 9 operated continuously in a combat zone, longer than any carrier. The Essex's combat longevity entitled her crew to be among the first to return home.
During the voyage home the atmosphere aboard ship was relaxed. No threat of enemy attack, no calls to General Quarters. But for the crew, the trip seemed endless. The war was over. Jack was thinking about his family and Kitty. As the Essex and its crew crossed the Pacific for the last time, Jack and some friends in the C.I.C. convinced a naval passenger to take their photos. The eleven photos were taken on deck, some in front of the 40 mm. ant-aircraft gun mounts. Dents in the mounts from earlier enemy aircraft attacks are clearly visible. The trip ended as the Essex docked at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington on September 15. |
|
| Sept. 3, 1945 | U.S.S. Essex was ordered to Bremerton Washington - Puget Sound Navy Yard. | |
| Sept. 5, 1945 | U.S.S. Essex CV 9 left the waters southeast of Tokyo and set sail for home with the U.S.S. San Jacinto CVL, the U.S.S. Massachussetts BB-59, the U.S.S. San Diego CL-53, the U.S.S. Astoria CL-90 and two destroyers. | |
| Sept. 10, 1945 | C.I.C guys took photos on the deck. | |
| Sept. 15, 1945 | Docked in Puget Sound Navy Yard. | |
 Jack McKnight |
Jack McKnight Jack Flattery |
 Joe Smith Bill Schmidchen |
 Jack McKnight Ralph Jones |
 Dick Sreb |
Bill Schmidtchen  Jack Flattery Richard Nichols Ralph Jones |
 Jack Flattery Dick Streb |
Richard Nichols Ralph Jones  Joe Smith Dick Streb Bill Schmidtchen |
 Richard Nichols Bill Schmidchen |
 Ralph Jones Dick Streb |
 |
Richard Nichols Jack McKnight Joe Smith Dick Streb Bill Schmidchen Jack Flattery Ralph Jones |
| Last Page |  |
Next Page |