"Ross" Jolley was a Photographers Mate, third class, aboard Wasp during WW II. His family contributed these images in to share with us all and as a memorial to him. The notes and captions are based on comments made by Ross.

Vernal (Ross) Jolley

 

Click these pictures to see a larger, uncut version of each image.

	No Caption.
	On 18 June 1944, during Naval operations against Saipan and Guam, an American submarine reported to the Third Fleet (then near Guam) that it had contacted a powerful Japanese naval force moving in the direction of our units. We were ready for them. They kept their units beyond the range of our planes, and managed to strike the first blow by flying to Guam, refueling, then continuing their flight to attack us from here. Our radar spotted their approaching planes about 150 miles from our task force. Fighters went out to intercept, but about 100 Japanese planes got through to attack us. However, not many got back to tell about it. This photograph, taken from the USS Cabot, shows a Japanese aircraft making a dive-bombing run on Wasp. Black puffs of smoke from Our anti-aircraft guns litter the sky. Phosphorous bombs (right center) were dropped, setting small fires on our ship, but were quickly put out. Our planes struck back at the Jap fleet, inflicting heavy damage, and forcing it back to it's bases. The Japanese lost about 550 planes; our losses, 100, were due mainly to running out of fuel. This battle has been known to American pilots as "The Mariannas Turkey Shoot".
	This picture was taken at about 1424 on 19 June 1944, during a dive bombing attack on USS Wasp. The photo shows a Japanese plane plunging into the sea ahead of Wasp. Picture by USS Cabot.
	Heavy anti-aircraft fire with phosphorous bombs exploding over Wasp.
	A Marine fighter comes in for landing. Missing the hydraulic cables with it's tail hook, it knocked down three barriers and overturned on a group of parked planes. The pilot was recovered uninjured.
	USS Wasp and Hornet accompanied by cruisers and destroyers sail along in Task Group 38.1.
	A small portion of Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet rendezvous in preparation for mass aerial attack on Japanese occupied territory.
	More of Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet at rendezvous.
	Hundreds of Third Fleet carrier planes group together under a low cloud ceiling in preparation for strikes against Iwo Jima.
	Japanese planes burning on southern airfield, Iwo Jima. Photo taken on strike Baker 4 July 1944.
	A low flying Japanese torpedo plane (Betty) is hit by battleship anti-aircraft fire. Despite the fact that it was fiercely burning, this plane managed to glide in and explode a few yards from our starboard beam.
	On 18 March 1945, a Japanese bomb explodes dangerously close to the bow of the USS Hornet. Disgusted because he missed, the plane (right center) gains altitude and attempts a kamikaze suicide attack on us.
	No caption - The Japanese plane begins its attack.
	Our gunners gave the Japanse aircraft a quick finish. He burned with a bright orange flame and crashed 100 yards astern the ship.
	The plane swerves and burns fiercely as it comes nearer to us.
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	With it's fuel burned, the plane crashes aft the ship. The following day a Japanese bomb hit the USS Wasp, killing 108 of our crew and injuring 200 more.
	No caption - but this photo shows damage from the bomb.
	An explosion aboard the USS Franklin.
	USS Franklin in trouble.
	No caption.
	No caption - This looks very much like a closeup of Wasp in a photo taken at Ulithi with several other Essex Class carriers.

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