Sunset over Ommaney Bay

Ensign Douglas S. Adams of composite squadron VC-75 lowers the landing gear on his FM-2 Wildcat (BuNo 55410) in preparation for one of the last landings of the day aboard USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79).

On 4 January, 1945, while in the Sulu Sea, Ommaney Bay was struck by a Kamikaze aircraft. A chain of explosions and fires rippled among the fully loaded aircraft on the hangar deck. The crew battled the intense flames and detonating ammunition for many hours before the the order to abandon ship was given.

A total of 95 men were lost. The ship was finally sunk by torpedoes from the destroyer USS Burns (DD-588).