Changes

After four weeks of replenishment and training, the light carrier sailed on 10 November for the Gilbert Islands to participate in Operation Galvanic--the seizure of Makin and Tarawa Atolls. Joining the Northern Carrier Group in TG 50.2, she supported Enterprise (CV-6) and Monterey (CVL-26) in strikes on Makin Island on the 19th. Fighter sweeps over the Gilberts, in conjunction with bombing raids by "Avengers," continued through 26 November when the islands were declared "secure."

After four weeks of replenishment and training, the light carrier sailed on 10 November for the Gilbert Islands to participate in Operation Galvanic—the seizure of Makin and Tarawa Atolls. Joining the Northern Carrier Group in TG 50.2, she supported Enterprise (CV-6) and Monterey (CVL-26) in strikes on Makin Island on the 19th. Fighter sweeps over the Gilberts, in conjunction with bombing raids by "Avengers," continued through 26 November when the islands were declared "secure."

The light carrier's crew spent the next five weeks either repairing and replenishing the warship or conducting brief flight and gunnery training exercises out of Pearl Harbor. On 16 January 1944, Belleau Wood departed Hawaii in company with Enterprise and Yorktown (CV-10) in TG 58.1 to participate in Operation "Flintlock"--the seizure of Majuro, Kwajalein, and Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. On 29 January, TG 58.1, along with nine more carriers in three other task groups, began launching raids against the Japanese airfields on Kwajalein, Wotje, and Maloelap Atolls. Although Belleau Wood's planes mainly flew CAP and ASP sorties, she did launch one fighter sweep over Taroa airfield, losing two fighters to ground fire. For the next five days, the light carrier's planes flew raids against Kwajalein and Ebeye islands in support of Marine Corps and Army troops ashore, losing another three aircraft to antiaircraft fire.

The light carrier's crew spent the next five weeks either repairing and replenishing the warship or conducting brief flight and gunnery training exercises out of Pearl Harbor. On 16 January 1944, Belleau Wood departed Hawaii in company with Enterprise and Yorktown (CV-10) in TG 58.1 to participate in Operation "Flintlock"—the seizure of Majuro, Kwajalein, and Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. On 29 January, TG 58.1, along with nine more carriers in three other task groups, began launching raids against the Japanese airfields on Kwajalein, Wotje, and Maloelap Atolls. Although Belleau Wood's planes mainly flew CAP and ASP sorties, she did launch one fighter sweep over Taroa airfield, losing two fighters to ground fire. For the next five days, the light carrier's planes flew raids against Kwajalein and Ebeye islands in support of Marine Corps and Army troops ashore, losing another three aircraft to antiaircraft fire.

After refueling on the 26th, TG 38.4 spent the next four days providing air cover for ground operations on Leyte and launching air strikes against enemy shipping. Raids also hit airfields around [[Manila]] to destroy Japanese reinforcements being flown in from the north. In response, Japanese pilots began flying suicide missions--kamikaze attacks--against the American ships in the Philippines. On the 29th, a kamikaze hit TG 38.2 and damaged Intrepid (CV-11). At around 1400 the next day, as Belleau Wood's task group operated near Leyte, five [[kamikaze]]s eluded CAP by closing the warships at an altitude of 18,000 feet. Antiaircraft fire splashed three, but one crashed into Franklin, killing 56 men and seriously wounding 14 others. The fifth plane, identified as a Mitsubishi A6M3 "Hamp" carrier fighter, first dropped a bomb on Franklin and then, at 1427, pulled up and dove on Belleau Wood. The Japanese fighter plunged into the light carrier's flight deck, striking among 11 fully loaded "Hellcats." Several explosions started extensive fires that took three hours for damage-control teams to get under control. With her flight deck holed and casualties numbering 92 men killed and 97 wounded, Belleau Wood retired to the Carolines.

After refueling on the 26th, TG 38.4 spent the next four days providing air cover for ground operations on Leyte and launching air strikes against enemy shipping. Raids also hit airfields around [[Manila]] to destroy Japanese reinforcements being flown in from the north. In response, Japanese pilots began flying suicide missions—kamikaze attacks—against the American ships in the Philippines. On the 29th, a kamikaze hit TG 38.2 and damaged Intrepid (CV-11). At around 1400 the next day, as Belleau Wood's task group operated near Leyte, five [[kamikaze]]s eluded CAP by closing the warships at an altitude of 18,000 feet. Antiaircraft fire splashed three, but one crashed into Franklin, killing 56 men and seriously wounding 14 others. The fifth plane, identified as a Mitsubishi A6M3 "Hamp" carrier fighter, first dropped a bomb on Franklin and then, at 1427, pulled up and dove on Belleau Wood. The Japanese fighter plunged into the light carrier's flight deck, striking among 11 fully loaded "Hellcats." Several explosions started extensive fires that took three hours for damage-control teams to get under control. With her flight deck holed and casualties numbering 92 men killed and 97 wounded, Belleau Wood retired to the Carolines.

Belleau Wood resumed Okinawa operations on 12 May and replaced Bunker Hill (CV-17)--heavily damaged in a kamikaze attack the previous day--in TG 58.3. Along with those of Essex, Hancock (CV-19), and Cabot (CVL-28), her aircraft commenced several more weeks of grueling air attacks on Okinawa and Kyushu. During these operations, the light carrier's pilots claimed a [[Nakajima Ki-84]] "Frank" fighter and a [[Mitsubishi G4M|"Betty,"]] at a cost of one torpedo bomber lost to antiaircraft fire. Although the start of the summer typhoon season canceled flight operations in early June, one strike slipped through to hit Okinawa on the 7th. Nevertheless, continued heavy weather finally drove the carriers off station and, on 10 June, they steamed south to the Philippines, anchoring in San Pedro Bay on the 13th.

Belleau Wood resumed Okinawa operations on 12 May and replaced Bunker Hill (CV-17)--heavily damaged in a kamikaze attack the previous day—in TG 58.3. Along with those of Essex, Hancock (CV-19), and Cabot (CVL-28), her aircraft commenced several more weeks of grueling air attacks on Okinawa and Kyushu. During these operations, the light carrier's pilots claimed a [[Nakajima Ki-84]] "Frank" fighter and a [[Mitsubishi G4M|"Betty,"]] at a cost of one torpedo bomber lost to antiaircraft fire. Although the start of the summer typhoon season canceled flight operations in early June, one strike slipped through to hit Okinawa on the 7th. Nevertheless, continued heavy weather finally drove the carriers off station and, on 10 June, they steamed south to the Philippines, anchoring in San Pedro Bay on the 13th.

Belleau Wood received 12 battle stars for her World War II service.<ref>Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b4-list.htm]</ref>

Belleau Wood received 12 battle stars for her World War II service.<ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b4-list.htm Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]</ref>

See also [[Belleau Wood-II]].

See also [[Belleau Wood-II]].