A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Chimu Wan Base Terminal / Tengan Pier Okinawa, Japan - The seaplane base at Chimu Wan was established in July 1945 during the buildup of forces on Okinawa for the invasion of the Japanese home islands. On 14 July 1945, VPB-208 (PBM-5 Mariners) departed Kerama Rhetto for Chimu Wan, supported by USS Hamlin (AV-15). They were followed by VPB-26 (PBM-5 Mariners) on 15 July, VPB-22 (PBM-3D Mariners) on 16 August and VPB-205 (PBM-5 Mariners) 25 on August. USS St. George (AV-16) provided additional tender support. The last wartime operational flights for the squadrons were made from the location by VPB-208 and VPB-16 on 11 August 1945. The base was disestablished after it was destroyed by typhoons in September and October 1945..." WebSite: GlobalSecurity http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/tengan-pier.htm [27APR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: USS Hamlin History "...A PB2Y-3 Coronado is craned aboard the seaplane tender Hamlin (AV 15) off Saipan, January 1945. Note the nose art forward of the national insignia. With their ability to operate over long disatances between far-flung islands, flying boats were ideally suited to the Pacific campaigns of World War II for both combat and logistical missions. Seaplane tenders provided floating homes for the crews, providing fuel, maintenance, ordanance and food that enabled the forward deployment of the flying boat squadrons - Emil Buehler Naval Aviation Library World War II Era..." Association Of Naval Aviation http://broadcast.illuminatedtech.com/display/story.cfm?bp=128&sid=8394 [02APR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VPB-208 CruiseBook Circa 1945. Page 42 and 43 - USS Hamlin (AV-15) 'Believe following a day's record in Tender maintenance X at 0645. Hoisted out C-11 (VPB-208 and took aboard F-5 (VH-3) a strike plane and removed both engines X at 1300 hoisted out F-5 and brought aboard F-4 ((VH-3) for engine change X latter completed just too late to hoist out before nightfall..." Contributed by DAUM, F. David (Deceased) and forwarded by Drake A. Daum Drake.Daum@wpafb.af.mil [03MAR2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Allied Ships Present in Tokyo Bay During the Surrender Ceremony, 2 September 1945 - USS Cumberland Sound (AV-17) and USS Hamlin (AV-15)..." http://www.usswestvirginia.org/tokyo_ships_present.htm [14NOV2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...February 25 - Aircraft from a fast carrier force, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, bomb aircraft factories and airfields near Tokyo. The destroyer USS Harrison (DD-573) is damaged in a storm south of Honshu. The attack transport USS Fayette (APA-43), attack cargo ship USS Muliphen (AKA-61) and LST 918 are damaged by collision and the seaplane tender USS Hamlin (AV-15) is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire, all in the Iwo Jima area. The motor minesweeper YMS-175 is damaged by a mine in the Carolines..." http://www.blountweb.com/blountcountymilitary/wars/ww2/timelines/1945_ww2.htm [14NOV2004]

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"USS Hamlin (AV-15) History Summary Page"

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