USS Bogue
The USS Bogue (404) CVE 9 was the lead ship in her Bogue-class of escort aircraft carriers during World War II. The ship was originally classified as AVG-9 but was changed to ACV-9 on August 20th, 1942 and CVE-9 on July 15th, 1943 and CVHP-9 on June 12th, 1955. She was officially laid down on October 1st, 1941 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding in Tacoma, Washington, later renamed Todd Pacific Shipyard. The USS Bogue was launched on January 15th, 1942 and was sponsored by a Mrs. W. Miller, Jr. who was the wife of Lieutenant Commander Miller. The ship then transferred to the U. S. Navy on May 1st, 1942 and was finally commissioned on September 26th, 1942 under the command of Captain G. E. Short.
The Bogue joined the Atlantic Fleet in February of 1943 as the center of the brand new American anti-submarine group. Between the months of March and April of 1943 she had made three separate North Atlantic crossings although she sank no submarines during that time. The ship left and began her fourth voyage on April 22nd and ended up singing her first submarine on May 22nd when her planes sank the U-569. While on her fifth North Atlantic voyage her pilots were able to sink two German submarines. The USS Bogue's eighth patrol was by far her most vigilant and productive where she sank three German submarines. The German U Boat the U-86 was sunk by her aircraft on November 29th.
While on her next voyage from July 24th until September 24th, 1944 the USS Bogue's aircraft were able to sink another German submarine the U-1229 on August 20th. Afterwards upon her return in September of 1944 the USS Bogue conducted training missions between Bermuda and Quonset Point, Rhode Island. With wartime in the Atlantic ceased, the Bogue transferred to the Pacific and arrived at San Diego July 3rd, 1945. Then she headed west towards Guam and arrived on July 24th. The USS Bogue took a trip to Adak, Alaska where she then joined in "Operation Magic Carpet" fleet ferrying servicemen from the Pacific islands. She was decommissioned on November 30th, 1946 at Tacoma, Washington. She was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and three battle stars for service in World War II.
The USS Bogue CVE 9 and her crew fought bravely for their country. However, they were unwittingly exposed to the hazards of asbestos during their time at sea. She was constructed during an era when the threats involved with asbestos were not well understood, and the material was commonly used as an insulator throughout the vessel. Now we’re aware that veterans are at risk of developing serious respiratory conditions as a result of their time aboard ships such as the USS Bogue. Diseases including a type of deadly cancer called mesothelioma are a dangerous risk for retired veterans, and any crewmembers who are concerned that they may have been exposed to asbestos while aboard the Bogue or any other ship should consult with a doctor and begin mesothelioma treatment if deemed necessary.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
