Ordered on 16 December 1940 as a Cleveland-class light cruiser, this ship was assigned hull number CL-100 and named Newark (11 February 1942), for the largest city in New Jersey (NS023016a). Newark is also the name of towns in Delaware, New York and Ohio.

Designated for completion as an aircraft carrier she was redesignated CV-30 on 2 June 1942 and renamed Reprisal, 23 June 1942, after a Continental Navy brigantine ("Reprisal" means hostile action taken in response to an offense; retaliation).

Renamed San Jacinto, 6 January 1943, after the Battle of the San Jacinto River, fought on 21 April 1836, the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the outnumbered Texas Army engaged and defeated Mexican forces led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna in a fight that lasted just 18 minutes, in present-day Harris County, Texas (its county seat is Houston, NS023016b).

NS023016: The Battle of San Jacinto, painting by Henry Arthur McArdle (1895). Courtesy of Prints and Photographs Collection, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Previous US warships that had borne the name San Jacinto:

1. A screw frigate, one of the Navy's early screw warships.

(Maps NS023016a and NS023016b courtesy of Google Maps.)

San Jacinto sliding down the building ways at the New York Shipbuilding Corp. yard, Camden, New Jersey, after she was christened by Mrs. Jesse H. Jones, 26 September 1943.

NS023004d: Christening of San Jacinto (CVL-30) by Mrs. Jesse Jones, wife of the Secretary of Commerce.

NS023004: Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-44590).

NS023004c: Information on back of photo:
"CVL-30-17-44 U.S.S. SAN JACINTO
DATE 18 JAN 1944 [(!)]
SUBJECT Launching Ceremonies"
Official Photograph, U.S. Navy.

Handwritten note reads: "Hairy Pennington & Capt. Martin / Launching USS San Jacinto 9-26-43"

Information on back of photo:
"CVL-30   23   U.S.S. SAN JACINTO
DATE 18 JAN 1944 [(!)]
SUBJECT Piping First Watch"

Official Photograph, U.S. Navy.

San Jacinto was commissioned on 15 December 1943.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), Commissioning Ceremonies, Wednesday, 15 December 1943.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 43506).

USS San Jacinto leaves the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 17 January 1944. The four portside masts supported radio antennas and were folded outboard during flight operations. The blistered hull was carried outboard of the straight-sided hangar (note the narrow flat deck area showing amidships). The flat hangar deck was built up above the original sheer of her cruiser hull. (Text adapted from from U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.)

Camouflage Design 7A, used with the colors of Measure 33, can be clearly distinguished here. The fantail at the stern increases the overall length by 12' 6" compared with the hulls of the Cleveland-class light cruisers, and, amidships, the top edge of the hull bulge can be clearly made out. The appearance of all the ships of this class was altered remarkably little throughout the war. (Text adapted from Aircraft Carriers of the U.S. Navy, by Stefan Terzibaschitsch.)

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) putting out to sea from the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 17 January 1944. She is wearing Measure 33, Design 7A camouflage scheme.

U.S. Navy photo from Naval Camouflage 1914–1945, A Complete Visual Reference, by David Williams.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), air view, low altitude, off port quarter. Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa., 17 January 1944. Photo serial # 117-44.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) underway off the U.S. east coast (position 36 55'N, 75 07'W) on 23 January 1944, with an SNJ training plane parked on her flight deck. Photographed from a Squadron ZP-14 blimp. The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 7A.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) underway off the U.S. east coast (position 36 55'N, 75 07'W) on 23 January 1944, with an SNJ training plane parked on her flight deck. Photographed from a Squadron ZP-14 blimp. Note destroyer steaming astern of the carrier.

Lieutenant Commander Albert B. Cahn gives the "Take-off" signal to a TBM-1C "Avenger" of Torpedo Squadron 51, during exercises on 16 May 1944.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30)—right foreground—steaming in formation with USS Lexington (CV-16) and a DD-348-class destroyer, during pre-invasion operations in the Marianas area, 13 June 1944. Both carriers belonged to Task Group 58.3.

Note: Even though the CVL in this photo is generally identified as San Jacinto, details of her camouflage paint suggest she might actually be USS Princeton (CVL-23).

Lieutenant Junior Grade William R. Mooney, who after being shot down by enemy flak during a raid on Guam, 16 June 1944 (before its capture by the U.S.) made his way to shore, where he spent 16 nights before being picked up by an OS2U Kingfisher. LT(JG) Mooney is showing a shipmate how he paddled to and from Guam during the daytime. Received 13 September 1944.

U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-46484.

Attempted Japanese air attack on Task Force 58 intercepted by carrier-based planes west of Guam Island in the Mariana Islands. Shown is an attack on USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). Photographed from USS Healy (DD-672), 19 June 1944.

TBM-1C "Avenger", of Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51), takes off from USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) for a raid on Guam, 28 June 1944. The catapult operator is at right.

Portrait montage of squadron officers of VT-51 and senior officers of its parent carrier, USS San Jacinto, circa mid-1944. The ship's Commanding Officer, Captain Harold M. Martin, is seen in the upper left. Officer second from right, second row from bottom, is George H.W. Bush, who was President of the United States from 1989 to 1993.

Officers seen in this view include (based on names given on photo, plus consultation with 1944 Navy and Naval Reserve Registers):

Top row, left to right:

Captain Harold M. Martin, ship's Commanding Officer; Commander Henry H. Hale, USN, and Lieutenant Commander Albert B. Cahn, USNR.

Second row, left to right:

Lieutenant Commander Donald J. Melvin, USNR, Commanding VT-51; Lieutenant Legare R. Hole, USNR; Lieutenant Martin E. Kilpatrick, USNR; Lieutenant Forrest H. Daniels, USNR; Lieutenant (Junior Grade) William G. White, USNR; and Lieutenant (Junior Grade) R.G.(Richard B.?) Plaisted, USNR.

Third row, left to right:

Ensign Douglas H. West, USNR; Ensign Howard G. Boren, Jr., USNR; Ensign Francis M. Waters, USNR; Ensign Louis J. Grab, USNR; Ensign George H.W. Bush, USNR; and Ensign Jack O. Guy, USNR.

Bottom row, left to right:

Ensign Stanley P. Butchart, USNR; Ensign Milton G. Moore., USNR; Lieutenant Roland R. Houle, USNR; Ensign John J. Raquepau, USNR; Ensign Carl H. Woie, USNR; and Ensign William M. McCarter, USNR.

Torpedo Squadron (VT) 51.

Paul Bensman (5th from left, front row) was a tail gunner. He flew with future President Bush three times before he was shot down and killed on the island of Peleliu (TBM-1C Avenger, BuNo 45676, 15 September 1944). This is a photo Paul sent home that has him and President Bush.

(Larger copy available on demand.)

Torpedo Squadron (VT) 51.

LT(JG) George H.W. Bush's flight crew, US Navy. Left to right: ARM2c John "Del" Delaney, AO2c Leo W. Nadeau, and Bush. Delaney would die on 2 September 1944, when Bush's plane (TBM-1C Avenger BuNo 46214) was shot down during an attack on Chi Chi Jima.

LT(JG) George H.W. Bush's flight crew, 2 November 1944. Left to right: radioman Joe Reichert, Bush, and turret gunner Leo W. Nadeau.

LT(JG) George H.W. Bush, USNR, in his TBM Avenger torpedo-bomber, 1944.

US Navy pilot George Bush in the cockpit of an Avenger, 1942–1945.

(Read about LT(JG) George H.W. Bush, USNR, at the Naval History & Heritage Command website.)

"The men and women of the United States Navy ... will keep America safe in the century ahead as they have in the century now coming to a close."

Remarks at the United States Naval Academy Commencement Ceremony in Annapolis, Maryland, May 27, 1992.

George Herbert Walker Bush, Forty-First President, United States of America.

Fighting Fifty-One (VF-51). Carrier Air Group 51 was assigned to San Jacinto in August 1943 (before the ship was launched) and operated from her until November 1944.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) rolling heavily and pitching in rough seas, while en route to raid Okinawa with Task Force 58, 6 October 1944. TBM Avenger torpedo planes of Torpedo Squadron 51 are parked at right, with landing gear well-lashed to the deck. Note "palisade" wind-break in elevated position across the flight deck, forward of the planes.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) rolling heavily, October 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-284708).

Battle off Cape Engaño, 25 October 1944 — Pilots of Torpedo Squadron 51 return to USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) after attacking the Japanese carrier force. One of VT-51's TBM torpedo planes is in the background.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA, # 80-G-284707.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-328521.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), 24 March 1945. AOM3/c S.O. Wilcox and S1/c W. Barry loading rockets on F6F Hellcat plane. Photographed by PHoM3/c W.E. Castner.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-316345.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), 24 March 1945. CTM Kirpatrick preparing torpedoes for planes that were to take part in strike against Japanese convoy. Photographed by PHoM3/c W.E. Castner.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-316349.

Operation Ten-Go. Japanese suicide splashing after being hit by anti-aircraft fire from Task Force 58 off the bow of USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). Note the part of the airplane in flight over the bow. Photographed from USS Hornet (CV-12), 6 April 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-331605.

Photos and charts from the album of LT(JG) Robert R. Tillay, Jr., Fighter Squadron (VF) 49.

Air Group 49 (Fighting 49 [VF-49] and Torpedo 49 [VT-49]) operated from USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) between May and August 1945. Ship and Air Group were jointly awarded a Presidential Unit Citation.

Torpedo Squadron (VT) 49 patch.

Harold F. Willeford, AMM2/c (left) and Harold T. Furstenberg, ARM3/c (same picture used for Squadron photo).

ARM3/c H.T. Furstenberg (left), ENS C.F. Millburn (center), and AMM2/c H.F. Willeford.

AMM2/c H.F. Willeford and ARM3/c H.T. Furstenberg.

Naval Air Station, Alameda, California — Four aircraft carriers docked at the Air Station's piers, circa mid-September 1945. The ships are (from front to back): USS Saratoga (CV-3), USS Enterprise (CV-6), USS Hornet (CV-12) and USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). Note PBY amphibians parked at the far left.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-701512).

Note that four, out of five, classes of fast Aircraft Carriers that fought in the Pacific (only the one-ship class Wasp is missing) are represented in this photograph.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). Frames for bunks are installed on the hangar deck for conversion to a troop-ship at U.S. Naval Drydocks, Hunter's Point, San Francisco, California. Photograph received November 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-353727.

Maintenance on Pacific Reserve Fleet units. The decommissioned San Jacinto (CVL-30) is in drydock at Bethlehem Steel, Potrero Point, CA., 24 August 1954.

(SS President Grant at left in photos NS023044b and NS023044c.)

NPS-FMS-17162-p82. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose.

Ex-USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), antenna arrangement (partial), view from 010° (midship area). San Francisco Naval Shipyard, NY1-1693-(G-S)-9-3-54 (3 September 1954).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, ARC identifier: 24741691; local identifier: "19-NN - CVL-30 San Jacinto - 149592"; box 1585, Folder 374.

Ex-USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), antenna arrangement, view from 190°. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, NY1-1694-(G-S)-9-3-54 (3 September 1954).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, ARC identifier: 24741693; local identifier: "19-NN - CVL-30 San Jacinto - 149593"; box 1585, Folder 374.

Ex-USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), antenna arrangement (partial), view from 150°. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, NY1-1695-(G-S)-9-3-54 (3 September 1954).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, ARC identifier: 24741695; local identifier: "19-NN - CVL-30 San Jacinto - 149594"; box 1585, Folder 374.

Ex-USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), antenna arrangement, view from 270° (aft area). San Francisco Naval Shipyard, NY1-1696-(G-S)-9-3-54 (3 September 1954).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, ARC identifier: 24741697; local identifier: "19-NN - CVL-30 San Jacinto - 149595"; box 1585, Folder 374.

Ex-USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), antenna arrangement, view from 240° (aft area). San Francisco Naval Shipyard, NY1-1697-(G-S)-9-3-54 (3 September 1954).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, ARC identifier: 24741699; local identifier: "19-NN - CVL-30 San Jacinto - 149596"; box 1585, Folder 374.

Picture of the Pacific Reserve Fleet at San Diego, California, in July 1969. The crowded docks play host to a who's who of WW II and later warships including the Korean War veteran Philippine Sea (AVT-11, formerly CV-47, CVA-47 and CVS-47), lower left; and San Jacinto (AVT-5, formerly CVL-30), left center. Moored next to San Jacinto are the light cruisers Amsterdam (CL-101) and USS Astoria (CL-90).

Photo from the Larry Cote collection.

Documents related to LT Arthur Leon Warta, USNR, who was attached to Fighting Squadron (VF) 51 aboard USS San Jacinto (CVL-30).

Presidential Unit Citation, Air Medal citation, Distinguished Flying Cross citation, etc.

Photo and papers of John Henry Craig, Electrician's Mate First Class USNR V-6.

(Partial) Muster Rolls, 15 December 1943 and 27 June 1944; Honorable Discharge Certificate.

AMM2/c Frank Paoletti in cockpit of torpedo plane flown by George Bush.

Merry Xmas, Happy New Year, Torpedo Squadron Forty Nine

"Smoker and Happy Hour" featuring "Boxing, USS San Jacinto vs. USS Cabot"

"Welcome Aboard," 1943–1945.

"Welcome Aboard," Operation Magic Carpet.

"San Jac Sun," Volume 6, No. 57, Monday, 10 December 1945.

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) underway, 21 June 1945. Visible in the foreground is a 40mm quadruple Bofors AA gun on USS Lexington (CV-16).

Australian War Memorial, Photo No.302729.

"New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J., Launching U.S.S. San Jacinto," 26 September 1943.

Cornelius M. Shanahan, "Mike," USMC, served aboard USS San Jacinto December 7, 1943–September 15, 1945. "Mike" is in the center of this photo, with two friends. Can you identify them? Please contact us, Mike's family would love to hear from you.

Joe Berkle identifies the man on the right as PFC Kahl "Charles" Berkle, his late father (he signed his last name "Berkle" on the photo; he was a 40mm gunner, Marine attachment).

Stuart Heermans says: "My dad served on the USS San Jacinto he was a rear tail gunner on a[n Avenger] torpedo bomber. Radio man too. He is now 91 living here in Colorado."

The man in the center with his arm around the woman is John Henry Craig. The other men might be from USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). If anyone knows who the other men are or where they might be please contact us.

Jennifer Hermes comments: "I am not positive, but I think the man immediately to the left (my left looking at the photo) with a bicycle, the third bicycle from the left may be my grandfather, Scott S. Bailey. He served on the San Jacinto from when it was comissioned until the end of the war. He was an aircraft mechanic. AMM3c [Aviation Machinist's Mate] is what his rank was listed at."

Thomas J. Reynolds served aboard USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) during World War II. His squadron was VT-45. If there is anyone who also served with that ship and/or squadron and knew him, please contact us.

NS023027: Flight log, March 1945. The pilot, LT Floyd J. Bertoglio, USNR, was awarded a Silver Star:

"[...] for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as pilot of a carrier-based Torpedo Bomber in Torpedo Squadron FORTY-FIVE (VT-45), in action against enemy naval units in the vicinity of Honshu on 19 March 1945. He skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a bombing attack against units of the Japanese Fleet, including aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked an enemy aircraft carrier in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore batteries, scoring a direct bomb hit which materially damaged the vessel. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

NS023027a: Flight log inside front cover.

NS023027b: Service summary.