During July and August
1944, Bismarck Sea escorted convoys between San Diego, California,
and the Marshall Islands. After repairs and additional training at
San Diego, she steamed to Ulithi, Caroline Islands, to join Admiral
Thomas C. Kinkaid's 7th Fleet. During 14–23 November 1944, she
operated off Leyte in support of the operations and later took part
in the Lingayen Gulf landings (9–18 January 1945). On 16 February,
she arrived off Iwo Jima to support the invasion.
On 21 February 1945, despite heavy gunfire, two Japanese kamikazes
hit the Bismarck Sea, first on the starboard side under the first 40
mm gun (aft), crashing through the hangar deck and striking the
ship's magazines. The fire was nearly under control when the second
plane struck the aft elevator shaft, exploding on impact and
destroying the fire fighting salt water distribution system, thus
preventing any further damage control. Shortly after, the order was
given to abandon ship. The USS Bismarck Sea sank with the loss of
318 men, and was the last US Navy aircraft carrier to be lost during
World War II. Three destroyers and three destroyer escorts rescued
survivors over the next 12 hours, between them saving a total of 605
officers and men from her crew of 923. Survivors were then
transferred to Dickens and Highlands.
According to the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,
Edmonds directed the rescue operations of the remaining hands,
saving 378 of the carrier's crew including the commanding officer,
in spite of darkness, heavy seas and continuing air attacks. Thirty
of Edmonds' own crew went over the side to bring the wounded and
exhausted carrier men to safety. |