The Mighty Intrepid
March 18th, 1945
by
Marii Chernev
As the U.S.Navy aircraft carrier Intrepid prepared to launch strikes against the Japanese home islands, a Japanese twin engine "Betty" bomber broke thru the curtain of defensive anti-aircraft fire and turned toward the Intrepid and exploded within 50 feet of the forward boat crane. Despite being showered with flaming gasoline and aircraft parts, the crew of the Intrepid rapidly extinguished the fires and the ship was able to remain on station. Later, aircraft from the Intrepid joined other Naval aircraft in attacking the Japanese anchorage at Kure, damaging sixteen enemy naval vessels, including the super battleship Yamato and the aircraft carrier Amagi.
The USS Intrepid survived the war and with subsequent upgrades, participated in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Today, the Intrepid is berthed at Intrepid Square on the Hudson River and is now designated as the
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum.

Original Oil Painting
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