The U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation Collection: Lee D. Teal Papers contains materials documenting service aboard two U.S. Navy escort carriers during World War II: the USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) and the USS Hollandia (CVE-97). Items include a narrative history of the Kitkun Bay with an accompanying photograph of Lee D. Teal (1943–1945) and a program from a Divine Worship Service held aboard the Hollandia in 1944.
Lee D. Teal: Lee D. Teal was born on June 21, 1921, in Pennsylvania. He was a Lieutenant Junior Grade for the USNR and served on the USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71).
USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71): The USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) was a Casablanca-class escort carrier of the United States Navy, commissioned on December 15, 1943. Constructed at the Kaiser Shipbuilding Company in Vancouver, Washington, the vessel was named after Kitkun Bay in Alaska. Designed primarily to provide air support for amphibious operations and protect convoys, Kitkun Bay played an active role in several major Pacific campaigns during World War II.
The carrier participated in operations supporting the Mariana Islands campaign in 1944, providing close air support during the invasions of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. Later that year, she took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history. On October 25, 1944, Kitkun Bay was part of "Taffy 3," the small task unit that faced overwhelming Japanese surface forces off Samar. Although sustaining damage from shellfire, the carrier survived the battle, and her aircraft contributed to repelling the Japanese advance.
Following the war, Kitkun Bay was decommissioned on April 19, 1946 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1959.
USS Hollandia (CVE-97): The USS Hollandia (CVE-97) was a Casablanca-class escort carrier of the United States Navy, commissioned on June 1, 1944. Built by the Kaiser Shipbuilding Company in Vancouver, Washington, the vessel was originally laid down as Alava Bay but renamed Hollandia in honor of the Allied landings at Hollandia, New Guinea, in April 1944.
Designed to provide air support for amphibious operations, convoy escort, and anti-submarine patrols, Hollandia operated extensively in the Pacific Theater during the final year of World War II. She supported operations in the Mariana Islands, the Philippines, and Okinawa, launching aircraft for combat air patrols, ground support, and fleet defense.
Following Japan's surrender, Hollandia assisted with occupation duties and the repatriation of American servicemen during Operation Magic Carpet. She was decommissioned on January 17, 1947 and placed in reserve. The ship was eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1960 and sold for scrap.
The collection is composed of two items representing the wartime service of Casablanca-class escort carriers in the Pacific Theater. The first is a history of the USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71), covering the period from her commissioning on December 15, 1943, through October 1, 1945, and including a photograph of crew member Lee D. Teal. The second is a printed program for a Divine Worship Service held aboard the USS Hollandia (CVE-97) on November 5, 1944.
The materials are arranged in a single series and housed together in one folder.
Gift of Mr. John Teal
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.