7-10-16
The Task Force (TF58) left the anchorage at Majuro (Marshall Islands) on 6/6/44, beginning operations to take the Mariana Islands from Japan. They focused on Guam, Tinian and Saipan, bombarding strategic targets and supporting the landings. By mid June, the activities of the American ships triggered a defensive plan that pitted the bulk of the IJN (Imperial Japanese Navy) in a defensive counter-strike against the Task Force that culminated on June 19 in the “First Battle of the Philippine Sea,” aka “The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot.”
After spending 4 days in anchorage at Eniwetok (Marshall Islands), Boston, a unit of Task Group 58.1 departed for the Bonin Islands. Japan was using Iwo, Chichi and Haha Jima to send planes and reinforcements to Guam, Tinian and Saipan. On July 3, TG58.1 and TG58.2 launched massive airstrikes against the Bonins, damaging and sinking transport ships and planes on the ground. (Two months later, George H Bush, an Avenger pilot on the San Jacinto, was shot down over Chichi Jima.) From July 6 to July 21, Boston’s task group pounded Guam with airstrike after airstrike, supporting the landing that day (and for 20 more days of bombing.) The men saw plenty of action and plenty of manning their battlestations (General Quarters) until they left the area on Aug 6, arriving at Eniwetok for an extended anchorage.