Greetings from a Boxer son! Attached is an AP photo of Boxer arriving in Yokosuka in February 1950. Boxer had been sent to WestPac to bolster Seventh Fleet at a tense time. Her arrival coincided with that of GEN Bradley and joint chiefs of staff to emphasize U.S. support for the region.

My father, LTJG Bob Wilson, served on Boxer from 1949-1951. This included jet trials in 1949, the January-June 1950 WestPac deployment, the July-August 1950 aircraft transport speed run, and two Korean War deployments.

Hope you can use this on the Boxer Association's fine Web site.

Andy Wilson
Arlington, TX

The following pictures were provided by Janet Berlin. The pictures were made by her father Eugene L. Stone PR3, who served aboard the USS Boxer sometime between 1950 - 1954.

Most of the following pictures were provided by Wayne W. Grant. Wayne was aboard the USS Boxer from 1959 - 1961 serving in the V-4 Gasoline Crew.

Bottom Row L-R Pappy Slagle, William Ball, Unknown, Unknown, LT. JG. Francis V. Cohen, Mattea, Unknown, Glenn Eckenrode, Unknown

Middle Row L-R Frank Johnson, Unknown, Wayne Grant, Jimmie Scoby, Unkown, Buck Cheek, Unknown, James Benson, Unknown

Top Row L-R Chief Rosenbaum, Basil Frawley, Chuck Reynolds, Bruce Ferguson, Unkown, Unknown, Ralph Prince, Don Bowers, Tom Berra, Ray Campbell, Unknown, James Holly

The following pictures were provided by Jackie Booth. The pictures were made by her father Roger A. Mathieu, Lt. (USN/RET)

Booth Pictures

Photo #: NH 56560 USS Boxer (CV-21)
Slides down the building ways, during launching ceremonies at the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, 14 December 1944.  Note banner spread across the front of Boxer's flight deck, proclaiming: "Here We Go to Tokyo! Newport News Shipyard Workers' War Bonds Help to Sink the Rising Sun".  Courtesy of William H. Davis.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

The above pictures were provided by Andrew F. Kazmierski as a tribute to his Father, Andrew P. Kazmierski, who died in 1988.  Andrew P. Kazmierski served on the USS Boxer during 1945-46 as a Ships Cook 3rd Class.  

The following 9 pictures were submitted by Ronda Gross, daughter of  C. E. Gorham Jr. 

The following picture was provided by Dee Looker, Tacoma, WA. Her Father, BRL Johnson, and his fellow Navy pilots are standing in front of a F6F Hellcat in late August 1945.  The back of the photo says "VF-93 U.S.S. Boxer - CV 21" (see below). It also lists the last names of the 38 men, except for BRL Johnson. Johnson is the first man standing on the left. Thanks Dee.

My dad, Maj Gen Leslie R Sears, Jr (now deceased) served on the Boxer as a radar repairman out of Treasure Island in, I think, 1946    He sent this card to his folks. Regards, Ray Sears

The following images were provided by the family of Shipmate Ralph Douglas Newton who served aboard Boxer in1947-48.  Many thanks for these images.    Ralph was killed in a fire in 1989. 

SHIP'S SERVICE STORE PRICE LIST

The 3 pictures above were provided by Shipmate H.C. (Tex) Sherman S-2 Div

The following picture was provided by Dee Looker, Tacoma, WA. Her Father, BRL Johnson, and his fellow Navy pilots are standing in front of a F6F Hellcat in late August 1945.  The back of the photo says "VF-93 U.S.S. Boxer - CV 21" (see below). It also lists the last names of the 38 men, except for BRL Johnson. Johnson is the first man standing on the left. Thanks Dee for the great picture.

EARLY PICTURES provided by James Ralph Carpenter (AMMH1C) from Beaumont , Texas. James is a Plank Owner having served aboard Boxer from ’45 to ’46.   The above menu proves that the "menu" never really changed.  Group "PT" is now back as modern day shipmates work to meet the Navy's rigorous physical fitness requirements. All photos circa 1945. 

  ONE OF THE FIRST CARRIER TAKEOFFS BY A JET AIRCRAFT 
These pictures, provided by Tim Leary, AF2, 1947-49, were taken Monday March 15th, 1948 at sea off San Diego.  "The aircraft never made it to regular Fleet service and ended it's days assigned to Reserve Squadrons in Oakland, CA and in Virginia Beach, VA.  Twas quite an occasion for us though, signifying a new phase of carrier aviation."
MARCH 10, 1948 – According to the Naval History web site, this date marks the first use of jet aircraft assigned to an operational squadron (VF-5A) on board a carrier. That carrier was the 
USS BOXER CV21.

Photo #: NH 96983   Seoul, Korea
Signs welcome sailors from USS Boxer (CV-21) and her escorts to Seoul, 7 April 1950. Task Group 70.8 paid a three-day visit to South Korea during early April 1950. Taken by a USS Boxer photographer.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection--Naval Historical Center.

Seoul, Korea
Sailors from USS Boxer (CV-21) and escort (Republic of Korea Army interpreter), at Seoul, 7 April 1950.  Task Group 70.8 paid a three-day visit to South Korea during early April 1950.  Those present are (from left to right):  PN3 H.F. Brinkley, USN;  Kim Keyl, Eng. Sec. Headquarters, ROK Army; HM3 A.J. Partin, USN; and H/N C.A. Pair, USN.  Taken by a USS Boxer photographer.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.
If anyone out there can recall the home town or state of those in the picture, contact the webmaster so that we can try to find these Shipmates.

Photo #: NH 96985  Seoul, Korea
Sailors from USS Boxer (CV-21) shopping for souvenirs while on liberty in Seoul, 7 April 1950. Task Group 70.8 paid a three-day visit to South Korea during early April 1950. Those present are (from left to right): FA A.D. Crawford, FN Albert Zuniga and MM3c R.D. Williams. Taken by a USS Boxer photographer.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection--Naval Historical Center.
If anyone out there can recall the home town or state of those in the picture, contact the webmaster so that we can try to find these Shipmates.

Photo #: NH 96986   USS Boxer (CV-21)
U.S. personnel wait to board Boxer at Alameda, California, for a fast trip to Japan, circa 8-14 July 1950. On 14-22 July, the ship carried an emergency shipment of 170 Air Force and Navy aircraft, plus personnel and equipment, to the Korean War zone in a record 8 1/2 day trans-Pacific crossing. Two of the 145 USAF F-51 "Mustang" fighters carried are visible on her flight deck.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection--Naval Historical Center.

Flight deck of the USS Boxer enroute to the Korean War zone on 20 July 1950. The 151 USAF F-51 Mustangs were requisitioned from Air National Guard units, flown to California, and loaded aboard the Boxer.  Designed as a long range, high altitude fighter for WWII, the F-51 was used in Korea for low-level bombing, strafing and interdiction of North Korean rail and truck traffic, a task for which it was ill suited. Over 200 Mustang pilots died in the Korean War.  This photo was taken by 1st Lt. Jack A. Lightner, an F-51 pilot who lost his life on his 47th mission.
This photograph was supplied by his brother, Dr. Jerry P. Lightner.

Photo #: NH 97282  USS Boxer (CV-21)
With her crew spelling out her name on the flight deck, steams past the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco Bay as she returned from her first Korean War deployment, November 1950.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

   
   1950 Navy Photo 80-G-420997     Photographer "Bob Lawson"

(Left to Right) Airman William J. Ewsuk, AO2 Francis L. Diamond and Airman Joseph F. Bellina
 arm a Vought F4U Corsair of Fighter Squadron 24 on board USS Boxer CV 21.

Photo #: NH 97286   USS Boxer (CV-21)
"Deck Launch -- Visible rings of vapor encircle a Corsair fighter as it turns up prior to being launched from the USS Boxer for a strike against communist targets in Korea. Hovering to the stern of the aircraft carrier, the every-present helicopter plane guard stands by to assist if any emergency arises." Photograph and caption were released in Washington, D.C., on 20 July 1951. Planes are Vought F4U-4s. Helicopter is a Sikorski HO3S.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

The next 12 pictures were provided by John Blakesley (TEM2 - OR Div), Altadena, CA) 

Photo #: NH 97281  USS Boxer (CV-21)
Four F9F-2 "Panther" jet fighters roar past the carrier, with dive brakes, landing gear and arresting hooks down, preparing to land on board after returning from a mission over North Korea, 23 June 1951.  The planes and their pilots are from Fighter Squadron 721 (VF-721), a Naval Reserve squadron formerly based at Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Photo #: 80-G-433005  USS Boxer (CV-21)
Two F4U-5N "Corsair" fighters of squadron VC-3 fly past the carrier, during combat operations off Korea. Photo is dated 4 September 1951. These planes are Bureau #s 124537 (left) and 124539. Their pilots are Lt. John D. Ely, USNR, and Lt(JG) J.G. Stranlund, USNR. 
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Photo #: 80-G-433507  USS Essex (CV-9)
Fire on the flight deck near the starboard bow, after a McDonnell F2H-2 "Banshee" jet fighter crashed into parked aircraft during operations off Korea, 16 September 1951. Photographed from USS Boxer (CV-21), which was steaming ahead of Essex.  Note other planes in the area, including a F9F at right, and plane guard destroyers steaming nearby.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Photo #: 80-G-442267
  Admiral Arthur W. Radford, USN, Commander in Chief Pacific (left)
On board USS Boxer (CV-21), during his helicopter tour of ships operating off North Korea. Also present are Captain Dennis J. Sullivan, the carrier's Commanding Officer (center), and Commander James O'Grady.  Photo is dated 28 April 1952.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Photo #: NH 97172   USS Boxer (CV-21)
"Scouts Scout Boxer -- The aircraft carrier USS Boxer, resting after combat duty off Korea, was visited by Washington Heights Boy Scouts from Tokyo while the ship lay tied up at Yokosuka harbor. The scouts ranged from very small to large, but they all enjoyed themselves. Here, trooped around Robert Fine, Seaman, USN , are (l to r) scouts Stanley Russell, Philip Conway, Louis Larson, Bernard Freeman, and Raymond Gay examining the Corsair fighter planes on the Boxer's flight deck. After a tour of the ship the scouts were served ice cream in the wardroom."  Photograph and caption released by Commander Naval Forces, Far East, 29 July 1952.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

Photo #: NH 97147   USS Boxer (CV-21)
"Practice is Important -- Commander Gordon Sherwood, commanding officer of Attack Squadron 65, hangs in parachute harness from an A frame erected on the hanger deck of the Boxer. With the help of the apparatus, he perfects the technique of getting out of the harness in the least possible time after landing. Seconds saved sometimes mean the difference between life and death to a downed pilot." Photograph and caption were released by Commander Naval Forces, Far East, under date of 1 August 1952. Boxer, with VA-65 embarked, was then operating off Korea.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

USS Boxer (CV-21) Hangar Deck Fire, 5 August 1952
Ordnancemen strip live 20mm ammunition from a damaged F9F "Panther" fighter, while firefighters bring the blaze under control. Boxer was then operating off Korea.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Photo #: NH 97287  USS Boxer (CVA-21)
Boxer Tribute -- While Panther jets rest on the catapults in readiness, officers and men of the carrier USS Boxer (CVA-21) uncover to pay tribute to pilots and crewmembers of the ship who gave their lives during the Korean War. Photograph and caption were released by Commander Naval Forces Far East under date of 9 August 1953.  Plane on the port catapult is a Grumman F9F of Fighter Squadron 151 (VF-151).
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

The following 17 pictures of the August 6, 1952 Boxer fire and the aftermath were taken by Ray Bentley aboard the USS Stembel DD 644.  63 Boxer Shipmates were trapped and forced overboard by the fire.  All 63 were rescued.  9 Shipmates were killed and 2 critically injured.  Pictures of some of the 32 shipmates rescued by the Stembel are included along the Deck Log entries.  Ray's neighbor Jeff Elder was kind enough to digitize the pictures and send them to me. Thanks Ray and Jeff. 

The following pictures were taken from the USS Ozbourn. The ship's history had only a very brief mention of the incident but the following is the personal recollection of the events by Tom Perkins, FC1 who was aboard the USS Ozbourn (1950-1953).

"It was on the 04-08 watch, Ozbourn was assigned to plane guard and I was at my Condition III watch station in the Main Battery Gun Director just above the bridge. The watch progressed rather routinely until one of the watch standers noted that there was excessive smoke drifting downwind from Boxer.  I believe this was sometime around 0600. Shortly thereafter,  we were notified by the bridge to be on the lookout for swimmers in the water and the director crew immediately commenced a visual search in the waters that separated us from Boxer. The director had 24 power optics and we very soon started to see a good deal of flotsam in the water and as the ship closed on the Boxer it was quite obvious that several men were clinging to floater nets. Our whale boat was lowered and our skipper brought the ship into the area in such a way that some of the swimmers were taken on deck directly from the water. A few of the men had lifejackets but most did not and the floater nets were their only means of floatation.   The search continued for most of the morning and we picked up a total of 18 men. I don't remember that any of them were injured and they were returned to the Boxer later in the day by highline.   I have attached some photographs of the incident that were recently forwarded to us.   Thanks again for your help. I plan to use some of your website material for the next issue of "Fireball!", the newsletter of the USS Ozbourn Association."     

Photo #: NH 67430  USS Boxer (CVA-21)
In port, 18 November 1953. Probably taken in San Francisco Bay, California, 
upon her return from the Far East.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Photo #: NH 97283  USS Boxer (CVA-21)
Crewmembers spell out "Boxer 75,000 Landings" on the flight deck to commemorate reaching that milestone in her career. The landing was made on 19 November 1955 by Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Charles R. Smith, and his crewman, Roland W. Parker, flying an AD "Skyraider" of Composite Squadron 35. The original photograph was released by Commander Naval Forces Far East on 28 November 1955.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Photo #: NH 97288  USS Boxer (LPH-4)
U.S. Marine Corps HUS-1 helicopters lift off Boxer's flight deck, during operations off Vieques Island with the Tenth Provisional Marine Brigade, 8 March 1959. Photograph by Grantham.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Photo #: NH 97285  USS Boxer (LPH-4)
At Mayport, Florida, in August 1965, just prior to departing for Vietnam with elements of the Army's First Cavalry Division on board. She carried 1200 personnel, 205 helicopters and 6 OV-1 airplanes to the combat zone.  Aircraft on her flight deck include 6 OV-1 (dark colored-forward); 4 CH-54 (white-just forward of island); 56 CH-47 (dark colored-amidships and aft) and 36 UH-1 (white-amidships/forward). The remaining 109 helicopters are stowed on Boxer's hangar deck.
Official U.S. Army Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

The above picture of V1 Div. "Fly 3 Crew" Aft-Starboard was provided by Mac Rouse ABH3.  Standing (L-R) is  Mac Rouse, Ken Kociuba, Andre Kaas, Ronald Grimmett, "Smith".   Kneeling (L-R) is Melory Napier, "Roberts", Steve Collins, Joe Pavone, Richard (RJ) Hawkins.

May 8th. 1964 during Boxer's shakedown cruise to Gitmo.  

Repair 8 - Standing (L-R) is Bill Axtell, Bobby Stinson, John Lightener, -?-, Doug Farquar, George Wilson, Lavern Dasher, Jim Varnadoe,   Kennedy, 

Kneeling (L-R) Neitemeyer, Ed, Herb Brooks, Sam Notaro, and  Jack Duratz.   Contact Bill at wdaxtell@brainerd.net

THE TATTOO -  (L-R)  Carmine A. Nobile, Tom Deacon, John Lightner (Tattoo), ? (White Hat), Bobby Stinson (Back Of Head), Ron Ervine, Gerald Lightner.

This 1964 picture shows V-1 Division--Section 3 Aft. From left to right in the back row: Frank Zornick; Al "Graz" Graziosi; R. Hawkins; Larry Miller; Andy Kaas; Robert Henry; Charles "Chuck" Cooper; and Richard .L. "Smitty" Smith. Left to right front row: Henry L. Johnson; Jim Neitermayer; Steve Collins.  This picture provided by Henry Johnson.  Contact Henry Johnson at HenJoh26@aol.com .

Photo #: NH 97284  "Carib 1-68 Patrol"
"Caribbean Ready Group steams in formation as it patrols the Caribbean Sea. Commanded by Capt. J.B. Drachnik, USN, Commander Amphibious Squadron Four, its mission is the promotion of peace and goodwill and the protection of U.S. citizens and property ashore in time of crisis. Homeported in Norfolk, Va., the Group has been deployed since March. Ships of the Ready Group are: (l-r) Attack Cargo Ship, USS Rankin (AKA-103); Dock Landing Ship, USS Fort Snelling (LSD-30); Amphibious Assault Ship, USS Boxer (LPH-4); Tank Landing Ship, USS Graham County (LST-1176); and High Speed Transport, USS Kirwin (APD-90)." Photographed by PH2 A.P. Gonthier, Jr. The original photograph and caption was released by USS Boxer in 1968.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

The following information pertains to the deployments during the Korean War.  The information was obtained from The Naval Historical Center.

Boxer (CV 21) deployed with CVG-101 (2 Mar 1951-24 Oct 1951)

Boxer (CV 21) deployed with CVG-2 (8 Feb 1952-26 Sep 1952)

Boxer (CVA 21) deployed with ATG-1 (30 Mar 1953-28 Nov 1953)

Boxer (CVA 21) deployed with CVG-12 (3 Mar 1954 - 11 Oct 1954)

The following pictures were provided by Jackie Booth, daughter of  Roger A. Mathieu, LT (USN-RET).    JPBOOTH99@COX.NET