A Glance Back into History and Memories

USS HAMLIN (AV 15) Seaplane Tender

Hamlin (AV-15) was launched by Todd Pacific Shipyards Inc., Tacoma. Wash., 11 January 1944, sponsored by Miss Constance Taffinder, daughter of Rear Admiral S. A. Taffinder; and commissioned 26 June 1944, Captain G. A. McLean in command.

Hamlin conducted shakedown drills off California until 16 August 1944 when she departed San Pedro for the Pacific. Arrived Pearl Harbor 24 August, the ship loaded aviation gasoline and supplies and got underway 29 August for Eniwetok. She unloaded cargo and passengers there and continued to recently won Saipan, arriving 11 September to take up her plane-tending duties. During this period, seaplanes tended by Hamlin were making important contributions to the Pacific fighting by engaging in reconnaissance, hunter-killer operations against submarines, and air coverage of fleet cripples. She moved to Ulithi 11 October and back to Saipan anchorage 29 December 1944, all the time continuing her vital support of plane operations. Hamlin's aircraft protected the cruisers Houston and Reno, damaged 14 October off Luzon and flew photographic missions and rescue flights as the Navy pressed home the ever-mounting attack on Japanese held territory.

The operation next on her schedule was Iwo Jima, necessary to safeguard lines of communication and provide a base from which fighters could protect B-29's in bombing missions over Japan. Hamlin proceeded 15 February to Guam for fuel oil and two days later departed for Iwo Jima. She arrived 2 days after this historic and bitterly contested landing had begun, and with two other tenders established a floating seaplane base from which search and rescue missions were performed.

Debris and off-shore gunfire prevented the establishment of the seadrome until 24 February, and Hamlin worked under the handicap of large swells and congestion of' the sea areas around Iwo Jima. The ship also experienced numerous air raids during this operation, but suffered no damage. She got underway for Saipan 8 March 1945 and after another voyage to Guam, she returned to prepare for the Okinawa operation and the largest seaplane tending job of the war.

Hamlin sailed 23 March from Saipan for Okinawa, the first step prior to the home islands in the long campaign across the Pacific. Her commander wes designated Commander, Seaplane Base Groups. The tenders arrived Kerama Retto, west of Okinawa, 28 March, the day after it had been secured and 4 days before the main landings on Okinawa. During the operation, Hamlin's planes provided long-range search, antisubmarine patrols, and airsea rescue services, even providing aviation gasoline and luboil to battleships and cruisers. Her work was performed amid nearly constant air attack by Japanese suicide planes, and, though many ships in the anchorage were damaged by repeated attacks, Hamlin fought off all attacks without injury.

The tender group shifted its base of operations to Chimu Wan Okinawa, 11 July. After the surrender of Japan, Hamlin and other tenders got underway to assist in the occupation 16 August, anchoring in Yokosuka harbor 30 August. She began tending seaplanes on patrol over Japanese home waters 2 September, and was anchored in the harbor when the historic surrender was signed on board Missouri.

Hamlin returned to California following a short period in Japan and decommissioned at San Diego 15 January 1947. She went to reserve with the San Diego Group and remained there until September 1962 when she was transferred to the Maritime Administration, under Navy ownership, and placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Calif. She was struck from the Navy List 1 July 1963.

Hamlin received three battle stars for service in World War II.

You may be wondering why I have a photo and history of a US Naval Vessel on my Blog. You see this particular vessel has, shall we say, special meaning to a certain person in my family; MY FATHER. So why is it on the Blog? Well, there are two different reasons. The first being that this is the month (actually started in February) that Iwo Jima was declared secure after a fierce last ditch attack by the Japanese took place on March 25. The second reason is that my father served on this ship during the Battle at Iwo Jima, he was a mere child of 19 or 20, but before the war would end he would be a man in more ways than one.

My father, and the Hamlin also went on to take part in the battle for Okinawa, and was anchored in Yokosuka harbor when the surrender was signed on the USS Missouri ending the war with Japan. I know that this is not Veterans Day or any "special" day, but with him having his place in history as being a member of the "Greatest Generation", I felt compeled to at least post something.

I have shared many conversations with my father about his service in WWII, and 'Nam. But the experience that affected him the most was the battle of Iwo Jima. He lost many a friend during this assualt on volcanic ash, in the middle of the pacific. Many good men died pushing back the Japanese before their surrender, but this is the only battle that he has ever recalled that has brought tears to his eyes. My father served a little over 30 years in the Navy. Retired and now lives in Ohio, he has been interviewed by a local newspaper regarding his contribution to the war effort and that article will be published in the near future.

Although I am centering this piece on my father and a ship that he served on, I want to honor all the brave men and women of the Greatest Generation. For if it weren't for them I would either be speaking Japanese or German right now, and living under tyrants like the ones we are facing in the Middle East. So if you know a vet (from any war) give him or her a tip of the hat the next time you see them or pass them on the street, for this I can say without prejudice, they have definitly earned it. Shake their hand and let them know that you appreciate their sacrifice for this great country of ours.