Escort Scouting Squadron Nine (VGS-9) / Composite Squadron Nine (VC-9)

Escort Scouting Squadron Nine (VGS-9) / Composite Squadron Nine (VC-9): The Squadron was originally established on 6 August, 1942 as Escort Scouting Squadron Nine VGS-9 at the Sand Point Naval Air Station, Seattle, WA. It was redesignated Composite Squadron Nine VC-9 on 1 March 1943. The squadron embarked the Bogue for duty, 22 November 1942 at San Diego, CA. Lt. Comdr. William M. Drane, USN, was the squadron's first Skipper. The VC-9 Squadron was detached from the Bogue 23 August 1943. The squadron, with its new skipper, Lt. Comdr. Howard M. Avery, next embarked on USS Card (CVE-11), commanded by Captain Arnold J. Isbell, 23 September.

For its action on two cruises aboard the Bogue, VC-9 received the first of its three Presidential Unit Citations.

USS Bogue (CVE-9) was the lead ship in the Bogue-class of escort aircraft carriers in the United States Navy during World War II. She was originally classified AVG-9, but was changed to ACV-9, 20 August 1942; CVE-9, 15 July 1943; and CVHP-9, 12 June 1955.

She was laid down on 1 October 1941 as Steel Advocate (hull 170) under Maritime Commission contract by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding in Tacoma, Washington. Bogue was launched 15 January 1942; sponsored by Mrs. W. Miller, Jr., wife of Lieutenant Commander Miller; transferred to the United States Navy 1 May 1942; and commissioned 26 September 1942, Captain G. E. Short in command.

After an extensive shakedown and repair period Bogue joined the Atlantic Fleet in February 1943 as the nucleus of the pioneer American anti-submarine hunter-killer group. During March and April 1943 she made three North Atlantic crossings but sank no submarines. She departed on her fourth crossing 22 April and got her first submarine 22 May when her aircraft sank U-569 at 50°40′N 35°21′W / 50.667, -35.35.

During her fifth North Atlantic cruise her planes sank two German submarines: U-217 at 30°18′N 42°50′W / 30.3, -42.833., 5 June and U-118 at 30°49′N 33°49′W / 30.817, -33.817., 12 June.

On 23 July 1943, during her seventh patrol, her planes sank U-527 at 35°25′N 27°56′W / 35.417, -27.933. George E. Badger (DD-196), of her screen, sank U-613 during this patrol.

Bogue's eighth patrol was her most productive with three German submarines sunk. U-86 was sunk by her planes on 29 November 1943 at 39°33′N 19°01′W / 39.55, -19.017. On 30 November, Avengers from Bogue damaged U-238 east of the Azores. On 13 December U-172 was sunk by her planes, along with George E. Badger, Du Pont (DD-152), Clemson (DD-186) and Osmond Ingram (DD-255) at 26°19′N 29°58′W / 26.317, -29.967. And on 20 December U-850 was sunk by planes at 32°54′N 37°01′W / 32.9, -37.017.

Bogue had a break from her anti-submarine operations during January and February 1944 when she carried a cargo of Army fighters to Glasgow, Scotland. The carrier then returned to her anti-submarine role and on 13 March her aircraft teamed with British planes, Haverfield (DE-393), Hobson (DD-464) and HMCS Prince Rupert to sink U-575 at 46°18′N 27°34′W / 46.3, -27.567.

On 5 May 1944, Bogue and her escorts departed Hampton Roads, Virginia, for a cruise that netted two more submarines and lasted until 2 July. Francis M. Robinson, of the screen, sank the Japanese RO-501 (ex-German U-1224) on 13 May and Bogue's aircraft sank the Japanese submarine I-52 at 15°16′N 39°55′W / 15.267, -39.917., on 24 June. During the next cruise, 24 July–24 September 1944, Bogue's planes sank another German submarine, U-1229, 20 August at 42°20′N 51°39′W / 42.333, -51.65.

Following her return in September 1944, Bogue operated on training missions out of Bermuda and Quonset Point, Rhode Island, until February 1945 when she made a trip to Liverpool, England, with Army planes. In April 1945 she put to sea again as an anti-submarine vessel, forming part of Captain George J. Dufek's Second Barrier Force. On 24 April success came as Flaherty (DE-135), Neunzer (DE-150), Chatelain (DE-139), Varian (DE-798), Hubbard (DE-211), Janssen (DE-396), Pillsbury (DE-133) and Keith (DE-241) sank U-546. This was the last of 13 submarines sunk by Bogue or her escorts.

With the war in the Atlantic over, Bogue moved to the Pacific, arriving at San Diego 3 July 1945. She then steamed westward to Guam, arriving 24 July. She made a trip to Adak, Alaska (19 August to 6 September 1945), and then joined the 'Operation Magic Carpet' fleet returning servicemen from the Pacific islands. She was placed out of commission in reserve 30 November 1946 at Tacoma, Washington.

Bogue received a Presidential Unit Citation and three battle stars for her World War II service.

Further info

Named for a sound off the coast of North Carolina, Bogue was commissioned on Sept. 26, 1942. She joined Atlantic Fleet operations in February 1943. She became part of a hunter/killer group assigned to track down German submarines. She made three crossing with no luck. On her fourth voyage, in April 1943, she got luckier. She sunk U-569.

On her fifth voyage in June, her planes got two more targets: U-217 and U-527. Another one was taken by one of her escort ships. She continued making crossings through the rest of the year. Her eighth voyage saw three German submarines sunk: U-86, U-172 and U-850, all by airplane fire.

In early 1944, Bogue undertook a cargo run of Army fighters to Scotland. She then went back to submarine patrol. She, along with three British planes, sunk the German submarine U-575. In May 1944, Bogue went back on the hunt and got two more submarines. The next voyage in August 1944, another submarine was found and sunk.

In September 1944, the ship went on training duty in the north Atlantic. This lasted until February when she made a run to England. In April, she was back out on submarine patrol, getting her last submarine on April 24. She then reported to the Pacific in July 1945. She helped return sailors to the west coast and was decommissioned Nov. 30, 1946.