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NavSource Online: Escort Carrier Photo Archive

USS SICILY (CVE-118)

Photographs from the collection of Art Zeigler

Seaman Arthur V. Zeigler is sworn in
by Captain John S. "Jimmy" Thach,
November 1950.

Submitted by his wife, Theresa Pinamonti Zeigler

Arthur (Art) Zeigler joined the US Navy at the age of 17 in 1947, from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He had basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station. After that he was stationed in Norfolk, VA and then was assigned to the USS Sicily (CVE-118.) In August of 1950, the Sicily was designated flagship of Carrier Division 15 and supported allied ground forces in Inchon and the withdrawal of Marines from the Chosin Reservoir. Art 'shipped' over for another five years while on duty, during the Korean War and was sworn in by Captain Thach. In February of 1951, the Sicily returned to San Diego. In June of 1951, Art and I met on the Island of Catalina, 27 miles from California. We married in Los Angeles, in January of 1952. Art stayed in the Navy for nine years and got out in 1956. We have three sons, Gary, Randy & Ricky and eight grandchildren. We were married 53 years when Art died on March 9, 2005. He is sorely missed by his loving family.

Click on thumbnail for larger image

*USS Sicily* (CVE-118)**
NS-03-cve118-z02 374 Kb	NS-03-cve118-z03 448 Kb This photo is believed to show a landing made by then LT Carl J. Seiberlich during an ASW exercise and tactics development session in 1949. (In 1969, then Captain Seiberlich was CO of USS Hornet (CVS-12) during the Apollo-11 and -12 recovery operations.)	NS-03-cve118-z04 269 Kb Panama Canal, 1950.

VMF-214 "Black Sheep"
NS-03-cve118-z05 192 Kb	NS-03-cve118-z06 159 Kb
Marine Fighter Squadron 214 (VMF-214), "Black Sheep," flying F4U-4B Corsairs from USS *Sicily, became the first unit of the First Marine Aircraft Wing to engage in combat operations in Korea — they carried out a rocket and bomb attack on Chinju on August 3, 1950. The "Black Sheep" had already achieved fame in WW2 as one of their pilots, Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, became the top Marine "ace" of the war, with 28 credited victories (22 while flying Corsair*s.)

The Men
NS-03-cve118-z01 (249 Kb) & NS-03-cve118-z01a (343 Kb) "SIGNS AT SEA FOR NEW HITCH — Arthur V. Zeigler, seaman, USN, of Grand Rapids, has the honor of being the only man aboard the aircraft carrier USS Sicily who can say he re-enlisted in the navy off Wonsan, Korea. He was sworn in last November [1950] by Capt. J. S. Thach of El Dorado, Ark., commanding officer of the ship. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Vance A. Zeigler, 112 Celia st., SW."	NS-03-cve118-z07 388 Kb Rev. Sullivan being transferred over to one of the British ships for a little "Afternoon Refreshment of Grog." (Thanks to Ed Smith, USS Sicily Association, who sent this information.)	NS-03-cve118-z08 201 Kb Unknown pilot (please contact the Escort Carrier Archive Manager if you can identify him.)

NAS Norfolk, circa 1947–1948
NS-03-cve118-z09 295 Kb A Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina assigned to Amphibian Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-AM-4.) That was an era of changes and the squadron was redesignated several times: Patrol Squadron 73 (VP-73) in May 1946, Amphibian Patrol Squadron 4 in November that year, and Patrol Squadron 34 (VP-34) in September 1948.	NS-03-cve118-z10 214 Kb Two Sikorsky HO3S-1. They have no squadron markings and might be brand new helicopters, just delivered to the Navy.

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This page was created and is maintained by Fabio Peña

Last update: 15 April 2007