7' x 20' hole in USS KITKUN BAY (CVE 71)

U.S. Navy Photograph

from the personal collection of Gilbert J. Raynor and
the U.S.S. KITKUN BAY Association

"On the 8th of January (1945) at 0809 unidentified aircraft were closing on the formation from the north, distance fifteen miles and we went to General Quarters... At about 1857 a single plane began a suicide dive on this ship. We opened fire with all available guns, but the plane continued to dive through heavy gun fire, and dived through the side of the ship at the water line amidships on port side... All power off, we were listing to port rapidly; and the after engine room, machine shop and gyro spaces were flooding. At 0904 our list increased to 13 degree; trim, down by the stern four feet... Hole inside of ship approximately twenty feet long and seven feet high, four feet above the waterline and three feet below the waterline (between frames 113 and 121)...."

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