The USS Yorktown is most famous as the "Fighting Lady." From December 1, 1941 to the end of World War Two, her crew, aircraft and air crewmen launched over 11,000 missions against the enemy, shooting down 458 enemy aircraft with the ship's guns shooting down 14 enemy aircraft, sunk 119 ships and damaged 329. But the USS Yorktown "has taken lives and she has saved lives..."
US Navy Press Release 29 December 1958
Aboard the USS Yorktown (CVS 10) anchored off Amami O-Shima Island of the Ryuku chain...
At first light today helicopters and boats of the Seventh Fleet Aircraft Carrier Yorktown were launched on a mission of mercy to the fire ravaged village of Koniya, Japan. Expertly maneuvered by Captain Porter F. Bentel, her commanding officer, the Famed "Fighting Lady" was brought to the closed possible anchorage to this hitherto unknown village. For twenty three hours this hamlet of 8,000 people had burned 1,437 homes, many shops and small factories. During Koniya's day long agony the wind driven fire was aided and abetted in it destruction by water and electrical system failures. Today, 29 December 1958, all that remains of over three quarters of Koniya are piles of ashes, twisted tin roofing, the 5,900 uninjured but homeless inhabitants and a miraculously spared pig pen with a sow and three piglets sitting in the center of the devastated area.
At the edge of this fire blacked desert hope and help came today in the form of US Naval Task Group 70.4 consisting of the Yorktown, six destroyers and one submarine under the command of Rear Admiral Edward E. Colestock, who's flag ship is the USS Yorktown. At this moment, tons of desperately needed food, clothing, tents, bedding and medical supplies are steaming ashore from the ship boats of the Task Group. Yorktown helicopters of Helicopter Squadron Two are continuously shuttling loads of the most vitally needed equipment ashore. An emergency landing force consisting of Yorktown Marines and Sailors under the command of Marine Captain Craig S. Smith of Long Beach California has set up communication and disaster relief headquarters ashore. This shore party, working rapidly and efficiently in cooperation with Japanese authorities, has set up distribution centers where the means of health and comfort, US Navy supplies are being placed in the eager hands that need them. Task Group 70.4 and the Yorktown will stay as long as they are needed and will long be remembered by the people of Konikya as symbols of America's good will.
LCDR G Bordelon USS Yorktown CVS 10 US Navy Photograph photo and press release provided by James Cosmano
Dale Kaiser VS 37 1958-1959, remembers when they were asked to give assistance to the small Japanese Island of Amami-Oshima during his cruise. The village had been leveled by fire and with the very cold weather it was evident that the citizens were suffering greatly. The Yorktown crew donated their blankets, food and gave medical aid and one S2F pilot, LCDR Ernst, made a dangerous dead in the water take off from within the harbor and flew to Japan for medical supplies.
Another incident involved the Yorktown steaming into the Japanese port of Beppu, the first US warship to enter that port since World War Two ended. Tension was so thick one could slice it with a knife. But after a while, tensions eased and the crew of the USS Yorktown became "Goodwill Ambassadors" for the United States with Japan.
In 1960, the "Fighting Lady" went to the aid of the stricken British Freighter SHUN LEE and rescued her fifty two man crew, grounded because of a typhoon. From the Department of the Navy, Naval Historical Center, Washington D.C. "8 June 1960 - Helicopters from USS Yorktown (CVS-10) rescue 54 crewmen of British SS Shunlee, grounded on Pratus Reef in South China Sea." HS-4 Helicopter Squadron.
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