History of the USS Ranger (CV-4) - Air Group 4
My late Uncle, Rear Admiral Arthur Gavin, USN, Ret., Deceased during 1978, was the 1004th US Naval Aviator Commisioned in 1918. In this history of US carriers Internet site about the USS Ranger, the first US carrier built as a carrier from the keel up Captain Arthur Gavin, USN, is found taking command of the carrier USS RANGER in 1944...narrative is just above picture of US flag flying from the bridge at sea of the Ranger... Rear Admiral Gavin retired from the US Navy in 1952, having served in WW I, WW II, with a bunch of crated up P-38s on the decks and below decks headed to Casablanca in 1944. Uncle Art served in WW I, WW II, both in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters, and during the Korean War.
Uncle Art (this is of course a family brag point) was awarded the Navy Cross, second only to the US Congressional Medal of Honor, for safely sailing his flotilla/the Ranger to Casablanca in 1944 where the approx. 200 P-38 fighter bombers on board we disembarked, assembled, and quickly flown in the on going OPERATION TORCH, ie, the Battle of North Africa.
A partial quote from this Internet site about now deceased Rear Admiral Arthur Gavin, USN:
Quote:
On January 2, 1944, the Ranger proceeded to Quonset Point Naval Air Station arriving the following day. During January, February, March, and the early part of April, she did carrier qualification work, operating from Quonset Point under Commander Fleet Air. March 30, Admiral Dayo left the ship with his flag. On 19 April, the ship proceeded to Staten Island, New York where on 22 April,1944 Captain Arthur Gavin relieved Captain Rowe as Commanding Officer.
On 24 April, the Ranger cast off from Staten Island for Casablanca with a cargo of US Army P-38 airplanes, plus a passenger group of Allied service personnel. Captain Gavin was in tactical command as Commander Task Group 27.1.
P-38s spotted on flight deck of USS Ranger. April 1944
The ship remained in Casablanca from May 4 to May 7, casting off on the later date with 19 war-torn US Army airplanes, plus a passenger group of Allied service personnel. Upon arrival at Staten Island, New York, May 16, the ship discharged her cargo and passengers, Task Group 27.1 was dissolved, and Captain Gavin reported by dispatch for duty to Commander Fleet Air Norfolk.
See the Internet site for actual photos which will not copy and paste here otherwise.
This post relates to modern day Pakistani Navy events related to aircraft carriers. Carriers are among the world's best "peace keepers" bar none, and I say this as a retired USAF officer (06). The carrier is also a good ship and base to use to provide help and relief operations to nations whose infrastructure and transit systems have been overcome by floods, earth quakes and related storm caused natural disasters.
