>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 

(1969) Vol. 2, pp.28-29.





CAPE GLOUCESTER



CVE-109

Displacement:  11,373 t.

Length:  557’1”

Beam:  75’

Extreme Width:  105’2”

Draft:  32’

Speed:  19 k.

Complement:  1,066

Armament:  2 5”

Class:  COMMENCEMENT BAY



	CAPE GLOUCESTER (CVE-109) (name changed from WILLAPA 

BAY, 26 April 1944) was launched 12 September 1944 by 

Todd-Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Tacoma, Wash.; sponsored by 

Mrs. R. M. Griffin; commissioned 5 March 1945, Captain J. W. 

Harris in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.



	After operational training at Pearl Harbor, CAPE 

GLOUCESTER arrived at Leyte, P.I., 29 June 1945 to join the 

3d Fleet.  Her planes flew combat air patrol, fighting off 

Japanese suicide planes attempting to attack minesweepers 

operating east of Okinawa from 5 to 17 July.  They then took 

part in air raids and photographic reconnaissance of 

shipping and airfields along the China coast until 7 August.  

During this time, her aircraft shot down several Japanese 

planes, and aided in damaging a 700-ton cargo ship.



	After a period covering minesweeping along the Japanese 

coasts, and aiding in the recovery of Allied troops from 

prison camps on Kyushu, CAPE GLOUCESTER made four voyages 

returning servicemen from Okinawa and Pearl Harbor to the 

west coast.  The escort carrier returned to Tacoma, Wash., 

22 May 1946, and was placed out of commission in reserve 

there, 5 November 1946.  Still in reserve, she was 

reclassified CVHE-109 on 12 June 1955, and further 

reclassified AKV-9 on 7 May 1959.



	CAPE GLOUCESTER received one battle star for World War 

II service.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com