The following biographies are part of the original Natoma Bay Logbook Project created in the 1970s and 1980s by John J. Sassano, historian and Bob Wall, editor. The current document attempts to recreate, in electronic form, that original LOGBOOK of the Natoma Bay Association. The entire Natoma Bay Online Logbook Project can be found at: http://natomabaycve62.org/logbook/LBindex.html Lucinda DeWitt (daughter of John W. DeWitt, Jr.) June 2009 Minneapolis, MN 55407 Please send any comments/corrections/updates to: DeWitt DeConstruction 2021 East 34th Street Minneapolis, MN 55407 [email protected] BIOGRAPHY CAPTAIN HAROLD LETCHER MEADOW UNITED STATES NAVY Captain Harold Letcher Meadow was born in Danielsville, Georgia, on February 16, 1901 He prepared for the Naval Academy at the Columbian Preparatory School in Washington, D.C. He entered from Georgia in 1917 and graduated with the class of 1921. The first five years after his graduation he had duty on the U.S.S. OKLAHOMA, U.S.S. STEWART, and the U.S.S. MEREDITH and in the Asiatic Station on the U.S.S. BORIE and the U.S.S. NEW MEXICO. He was attached to Flagship Division Four, Atlantic Fleet. Bio #1. Page #1. He completed flight training at Pensacola, Florida, in February 1926, and served on the cruiser, U.S.S. CONCORD, until October 1927, when he was assigned to recruiting duty in Richmond, Virginia. He returned to Pensacola in August, 1929 and was designated Naval Aviator in March 1930 . He had duty in Scouting Squadron Five attached first to the U.S.S. MARBLEHEAD, later to the U.S.S. MEMPHIS In July 1932 he was ordered to duty in the Naval Air Station, Hampton Roads, Virginia, and in June 1935, he returned to sea with duty as Aide and Flag Secretary, on Staff Commander, Aircraft Battle Force. He served as Executive Officer of Fighting Squadron 2B based on the U.S.S. RANGER from June 1936 until June 1937 when he assumed command of bombing Squadron Two, based on the carrier U.S.S. LEXINGTON. He served at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola from June 1938 until October 1940, when he was ordered to the New York Shipbuilding Co. Camden, New Jersey, to assist with outfitting a vessel. He went aboard when she was commissioned and served consecutively as Navigator, Executive Officer and in Command. Captain Meadow was assigned to Command the U.S.S. NATOMA BAY- CVE-62 which was commissioned October 14, 1943. He served as Commanding Officer on board the U.S.S. NATOMA BAY during campaigns in the Marshall Island, Kavieng, Emirau, Hollandia and Saipan. Captain Meadow was relieved of duty aboard the U.S.S. NATOMA BAY by Captain Albert K. Morehouse on August 7, 1944. Further duties and awards given Captain Meadows were not available to complete this biography Bio. #1 Page #2. AUTOBIOGRAPHY REAR ADMIRAL ALBERT K. MOREHOUSE UNITED STATES NAVY Albert Kellogg Morehouse was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 29, 1900. He served during World War I with the New York (Federal) National Guard, May 1917 - June 1918, when he was honorably discharge to accept an appointment to the U.S. Naval, Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, from the Fifth District of his native State. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on Auto-bio. #2 Page #1. June 2, 1922, he subsequently advanced in rank, attaining that of Rear Admiral March 1, 1950. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1922, he served on board the USS MARYLAND until July 1924, interspersed with six months' instruction in torpedoes, January-June 1923, at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island. Ordered to the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, he had flight training and on March 16, 1925 was designated Naval Aviator. He was assigned to Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet in July 1925 and in October of that year joined Observation Squadron ONE, based first on the aircraft carrier LANGLEY and later served as aviation unit of the USS WEST VIRGINIA. In July 1927 he, was transferred to Fighting Squadron ONE, based on the LANGLEY. During that period, he was awarded the Silver Life Saving Medal by the United States Treasury Department and received a Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of Navy for the attempted rescue of a pilot and the rescue of a radio operator after a plane crash in Hawaiian waters in 1928. Returning to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, he was an Instructor there from July 1928 until May 1931. He next served with Fighting Squadron FIVE-B, based on the aircraft carrier LEXINGTON, and in July 1932 transferred to Scouting Squadron TWO-B, based on the USS SARATOGA. The three succeedings years, June 1934- May 1937 he was in command of the Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Opa Locka (Miami), Florida. Auto-Bio #2 Page #2. In June 1937 he assumed command of the seaplane tender SANDPIPER and from June of 1939 until June 1940 was in command of Fighting Squadron FOUR, based on the USS RANGER. That squadron, under his command, participated in the exhibitions at the National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio, in September 1939. After an assignment at the Naval Air Station, San Diego, California, which extended to March 1941, he had brief duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. , prior to reporting in August as Assistant Naval Attache and Assistant Naval Attache for Air at the American Embassy, London, England. His designation was changed to Special Naval Observer on September 9, 1941, and he was detached on December 2l, shortly after the United States entered World War II, to return to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He served in the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, from February 1942 until April 20, 1943, when he was detached for sea duty. He proceeded to the Twelfth Naval District, San Francisco, California, reporting to Headquarters on May 18, and assumed command of the seaplane tender CHANDELEUR on May 21, 1943. In November of that year he was detached and assigned to the staff of Commander Aircraft, South Pacific Force, as Plans Officer. For meritorious service in the above assignment, which extended to May 1944, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and cited in part as follows: During this period (November 20, 1943 to May 1, 1944) he supervised and directed Auto-Bio #2 Page #3 the preparation of the master plans for air operations in the occupation and development of bases on the strategically located Green and Emirau Islands. On several occasions he served as Chief of Staff, performing these duties in a highly efficient manner ... " Following temporary duty with Fleet Air, West Coast, San Diego, California, he commanded the USS NATOMA BAY CVE-62, August 7, 1944 to March 1, 1945, during which period that carrier escort engaged in the Marianas operations. He was awarded the Navy Cross for "distinguishing himself by extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the USS NATOMA BAY . in the Battle of Samar Island between three groups of escort aircraft carriers and major units of the Japanese Fleet, consisting of battleships, cruisers and destroyers on October 25, 1944. He handled his ship at all times in a highly expert and seamanlike manner ... " He was also awarded a Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and is entitled to the Ribbon for, and a facsimile of the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the USS NATOMA BAY. The citation for the Legion of Merit is quoted in part as follows: "For exceptionally meritorious conduct as Commanding Officer of the USS NATOMA BAY in action against enemy Japanese forces during the landing of our troops at Leyte, Mindoro, Lingayen Gulf and Zambales, from October 12, 1944 to February 5, 1945 ... " On March 4, 1945, he reported as Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander of Carrier Division FOUR. He is entitled to the Ribbon for, and a facsimile of Auto-Bio #2 Page #4. the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the USS SANGAMON. In October 1945 he became Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida, and in January 1947 reported as Chief of staff and Aide to the Chief of Naval Air Advanced Training, Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. He assumed command of the USS MIDWAY in August 1947 and while under his command that aircraft carrier operated in the Atlantic and later in the Pacific. In April 1948 he reported as Chief of Staff to the Commander Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and continued to serve in that assignment until May 1950, when he became Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander Naval Forces, Far East. "For exceptionally meritorious service . (in the latter capacity) from June 25, 1950 to January1,1951 . ." he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Legion of Merit with Combat "V". The citation further states in part: "Discharging his many responsibilities with great diligence and ability, Rear Admiral Morehouse directed coordination of the naval effort from the commencement of hostilities in Korea. laboring tirelessly to effect liason between all organizations involved during a crucial period when his efforts were vital to organizing the tremendously expanded Naval Force in the Far East. As personal representative of his Commander, he made frequent visits to combatant elements in Korea and adjacent waters to give first hand knowledge of their circumstances and requirements. His unusual professional ability and application to Auto-Bio. #2 Page #5 his demanding duties were responsible for the smooth functioning of the staff of Commander Naval Forces, Far East, while his judgement and initiative materially contributed to the success of the Korean effort..." He became Chief of Naval Air Advanced Training, with headquarters at the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, in July 1951 and in May 1953 reported as Commander Carrier Division FOUR Designated in July 1954, Commander Fleet Air, Alameda (California), he continued to serve in that capacity until September of that year, when he transferred to command of Naval Forces, Continental Air Defense Command.