My employer was a pilot on the big E and he loved this ship so much that after the war he started a little business in St Louis and he named his company after his favorite ship: Enterprise Rent a Car. His name was Jack Taylor. He passed away in 2016, but he loved the Enterprise and also funded the History Channel show " Battle 360" history of the USS Enterprise in WWII.
Thank you, Jack Taylor . Great business model from the pilot who put his life on the line for his country. The Enterprise 360 series was so entertaining. Hollywood couldn't find a better drama.
"Battle 360" was epic. My 1st dive into this historic time and turned me into a Pacific war history buff. The "Big E" was history and such a bad ass! Thanks for having such a great show!
Back around 2002 while filling up my car, I noticed an old guy doing the same that was wearing a naval ball cap. I asked my son to go over and see what was printed on the cap. He came back and said 'USS Enterprise CV-6'. I immediately stopped gassing up my car and ran over to shake his hand. I got his name which I'm sorry I don't remember. I worked for the local utility and looked up where he lived. Six months later my daughter wanted to interview me for a high school class assignment. I told her I think I know someone far more interesting to interview. The next day I went by his house and knocked on the door. His wife answered. I asked if her husband would consent to be interviewed by my daughter at a convenient time of his choosing. He did agree and my daughter got an A on her assignment! He was a rear gunner on an SBD and was wounded in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. After his recovery, he trained new gunners at Pensacola. I learned so much while my daughter interviewed him. And yes, I asked him a whole lot of questions myself. So thankful I got the opportunity. Sadly no longer possible.
While stationed at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital as a Corpsman/Operating Room Tech., I met a few Midway and later battles veterans. One man was a pilot off the Yorktown and he admitted that of all the battles he was in, Midway was a battle he and many others didn't think they could win. 'Scuttlebutt' had given a pretty good estimate of what the Japanese were sending but not a good estimate of WHERE. These pilots heard scuttlebutt and thought at first that 8 or 9 carriers were being sent to Midway. Thankfully the Japanese split up into many, many fleets all widely separated.
Easy click. My father served on the Big E during the hot battles of '42, being wounded at Santa Cruz. ENTERPRISE and Halsey and Jimmy Flatley (Dad was attached to Fighting 6) were three of the pivotal entities of his life. Whenever I see combat footage from those days, I wonder if Dad is one of the sailors shown. 'His blood was in her steel; her steel was in his blood'
@@christophermancini7380 The money just was not there in the UK after the war. Those WWII ships we have left only survived because they remained in service after the war, often for considerable periods, HMS Belfast being a good example. Unfortunately the Queen Elizabeth's had been worked hard in two World Wars and they were simply worn out, there was no way the RN could keep them in service, and the new Labour Government at the time essentially shot down every suggestion the RN made to preserve her. They did try, but they were arguing with the same Government that sold Rolls Royce jet engines to the Soviets! So you can imagine the rampant stupidity that particular Government was capable of!
Thank goodness I'm 81 years old and now retired. It allows me to sit in a lounge chair and watch your podcasts without a guilty conscience. Super stuff!
Damn.., Seth, you had me crying real tears by the time you finished your heart felt prose introducing the name… USS Enterprise. She bears the Greatest name in American Naval history… your passion for the Big E mirrors everyone of us who love your pod cast. Simper Fi & Bravo Zulu Shipmates, time to man the underway detail and take our Great Lady to sea… shift colors
My uncle was a chief aircraft mechanic on the enterprise from 44 to the end of the war.His name was Howard stover.He retired with 22 yrs service.Thanks guys for all the work that you do for these great men who served during ww2.
My grandmother's brother, Eugene Burns, was the AP reporter embedded on CV-6 from just after Pearl Harbor through the Solomon Islands campaign. He authored the book "Then There Was One."
Seth and Bill, thank yo for this episode. My grandfather was Enterprise’s navigator, and then operations officer for Task force 16 through the first half of ‘42. This episode has given me a a terrific reference for who he was and what he did.
Loved it! Another Enterprise fan-boy here. I was deeply saddened when CVN65 was decommissioned, then cheered when the next Enterprise was announced. Soapbox moment: we need to STOP naming multibillion-dollar defense assets after politicians and go back to naming our carriers after famous ships or after important national ideals (i.e. "Independence")
I’m usually a podcast listener, but I wanted to stop by and express my sincere thanks for this project. All of your episodes are great, but I share Seth’s love of the Enterprise. Many thanks!
Love the episode! Like Seth I became a fanboy of the Big E at the age of 13 when I read the copy of the book The Big E that my father had in the basement. And like last week, your timing could not have been more perfect. This weekend I was at wedding in northern New Jersey and as luck would have it, the nameplate from the ship was in a park not 15 minutes from my hotel. I went, touched the nameplate and fought back the tears. Thanks guys
The thing that brings to me the grit, elan and competency of CV-6 was the sign that appeared on her hangar deck following the loss of Hornet. "Enterprise vs Japan"
Seth, finding a copy of Ted Lawson's Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo at my grandmother's house, was the book that hooked me on history! Bill, thanks for the reminder it was a submariner who conceived the raid!
My grandfather served in the Army Air Corp in England from 1942 to ‘45: he was loaned to RAF as a plane mechanic and maintained Avro Lancaster. He came home from England on the USS Enterprise, on one of her Operation Magic cruises. He told me stories about how the battle damage from the late Kamikaze attack was not fully repaired, and there were stop gap temporary repairs everywhere. The scariest he described was a pair of giant, creaking metal springs that served to keep the hull from splitting apart on the middle of the ocean. His voyage reached Bayonne, NJ on Christmas Eve 1945. Many of the crew and Magic Carpet passengers stayed on the ship an extra day and night to throw a massive Christmas party for a orphans home housing war orphans from the Baytown area.
Hi guys, I just wanted to say that this show is my most looked forward to show of all, TV, Podcast, anything. This episode on the Big E hit it out of the park! I cant wait till the next one. I am glad to see the memberships growing too, they are well deserved. I've been a member since about 400 or so. Y'all touched on the repair facilities at Pearl, and the miracles the repair yards made happen at Pearl, and in the mainland as well, made to the war effort. It is understated just how much of a difference it made, and what a monumental effort it was. well worthey of an episode or short. I've yet to really see it covered, Drac did a series on the salvage of Pearl harbor after the attack, but that is as close as I have seen.
Thank you for your detailed work on the naval history of world war two in the Pacific. It breaks my heart that the Big E was not selected to become a museum ship, she certainly earned it. Don USMC. Simper Fi
My all time favorite ship of WW2…. The Big E No other US ship did more to help win the war in the Pacific and the sailors, Marines and Naval Aviators who served on her were some of the most brave and heroic soldiers ever. Great show and keep ‘em comin’ fellas!!!!😊😊
Not surprising for Enterprise. The History Channel (back when they did history) ran an entire series just on the WWII career of Enterprise, with 10 hour-long episodes.
I just finished reading Australia's Secret Army. There are so many topics for you to cover, but I highly suggest covering the Coast Watchers story. It is inspiring. Adm. Halsey said that the Coast Watchers saved Guadalcanal and Guadalcanal won the war.
Excellent presentation Seth & Captain Toti. The "Big E" deserves the stories being discussed; truly great ship with exemplary crew. Thank you for your hard work, you are the best. Thanks again you're appreciated.
Fellowes, the town of River Vale NJ, has the original name plate of the USS ENTERPRISE displayed on top of its veterans' monument. The ship was unceremoniously being cut up in the Kearny Ship Yard when a navy veteran now a welder, knowing the sacrifice and bravery that this ship stood for, protested its demise.He was told to be quiet. He and an engineer working on the demolition, at night, went back without permission and cut out the name plate.They loaded it into the back of a pickup truck and drove it to River Vale . It now sits proudly and justly between the towns playing field and library, reflecting the teamwork and intellect that the struggle of the war demanded. May our country always have and deserve such people of honor. th-cam.com/video/Vt2t22BhY8Y/w-d-xo.htmlsi=jTV9g0BiZODS89PI
Every episode you two get better and better after an already excellent start. Your knowledge and passion are easily seen and felt and makes me look forward to every new episode. Keep up the great work and thank you for the best account of the pacific war that any platform offers!
I have a copy of the Big E. It is a very good read. I am sure you two could do not just two episodes on USS Enterprise, but an entire season on her. Where there was fighting to be done, Big E was there fighting. Being a USAF veteran and seeing this is episode 305, I am reminded of the 305th Bomb Group under Colonel Curtis LeMay. William Halsey and Curtis LeMay. What a one-two punch for America!
Seth & Captain Toti - great episode! Can’t wait for the second part. Seth brought back some memories for me. I, too, picked up the Big E book as a very young history buff. I’ve read that book more times than I can recall & CV 6 has been my favorite ship ever since. Excellent job, gentlemen,
Seth, I bought the same Big E book as a teen. One can practically learn the entire Pacific war by following CV6. There is something about the name Enterprise that embodies the American approach to life. An idea, an effort, a coming together for vigorous work and livelihood. An Enterprise. Other great names: Endeavor, Intrepid, Constitution, Constellation. I wish we would get back to these types of names for CVNs instead of a memorial to politicians. DDs, DEs, and FFs are already standardized on naming after people. My favorite is a class leading ship named for 2 metal of honor awardees. A family named after the craftsmanship of attaching feathers to arrows, keeping em flying straight. Fletcher ! And for when you’re in a ‘damn the torpedoes’ mood, Farrigate.
To me it just puts a taint on the name of the ship to name them after some politician, regardless of which side of the aisle they're on. There's enough heroes from all the wars that they would never run out of names.
I have been anxiously waiting for this episode. Anyone with a basic understanding of the US Navy Pacific battles is familiar with the USS Enterprise. In my youth I remember watching a program about the Big E and it captured my imagination. Know that this was before the TV show Star Trek brought us the starship Enterprise. Can't wait ...
The story about landing officer Robin Lindsay ignoring orders to stop bringing in aircraft reminds me of one-eyed Horatio Nelson being signaled to stop his attack and withdraw at Copenhagen, and, holding his spyglass to his blind eye, Nelson told his subordinates he couldn't see the order.
I'm so happy to come across this a couple of weeks ago.Up to 207 now I think.The Tang Okane episodewas my favourite yet I think.Don't worry about time limits when theyre that good.
Guys I really appreciate y’all giving us these awesome and informative lessons. Hope surgery goes smoothly for you Bill. I have had both my shoulders repaired from injury picked up in Ft. Campbell KY years ago.
I had the same point of entry for USS Enterprise. My brother had the "Big E" by Edwin Stafford, and I read it too. Since then I have owned several copies, as I wear them out, or lose them. I read it often, and as a matter of fact I was reading it again, when you dropped this episode. Its an easy read, and it tells the ship's story very well. I am really happy you and Bill are spending so much time on CV-6. She's my favorite ship of the war by far, and its fun to hear someone else who loves the Big E as much as i do. Keep up these great episodes gentlemen, and thank you.
The Big E 👍👍💪💪......I totally lucked up one afternoon after making a delivery in SF .....I drove past the docks and looking over saw a helicopter carrier.....swung over to see it....went to the gate where the guard told me no one was allowed on.....BUT.....the Enterprise just pulled in across the bay into Alameda Naval Air Station. 😲😲😲 I was all .....sorry....no way I'm not checkin this out. I drove across the bay.....pulled in to find there was a line of vehicles waiting to get in at the gate adjacent to her 😲😲😲....decided to test my luck....when I got to the window the guard immediately..... I'm guessing after reading the Moore's Office Supply on the side of the van asked....Are you making a delivery???....I said yes .....and he waved me on in 😲😲😲🤣🤣🤣.....I parked near her and the crew was being let off......I walked over and one of the sailors must have seen my wide eyes open mouth amazed expression.....and offered to give me a tour of the ship for $5.00 😲😲......he took me all over the place 😲😲 ended up on the frickin bridge 😲😲!!....they were blastin Led Zeppelin 🤣🤣🤣.....that was a day 😲😲🤣🤣.....I got back hours later than it should have taken me.....made some lame excuse....my boss said nothin 😲😲😲🤣🤣🤣
I cannot thank you two enough for your great and enticing documentaries! The level of detail, and with so much praise on individual efforts and their ramifications is just marvelous. While I was waiting for my wife today, I continued on with the book you two suggested - 'Battleship', the complete story of the Washington. Like the Enterprise, it had to go back to Bretherton, WA to get a new bow fitted. This is a great book, by the way! Speaking of my wife, she had her right should replaced about 6-7 years ago with a Reverse shoulder, since she could barely use that arm. It has worked out beautifully, and she can even fold her arm back onto her lower back, which has amazed Dr Hanson, a local doctor (Gilbert, AZ) who first became a mechanical engineer from college, and then became an orthopedic surgeon, who designed the device he installed in my wife's shoulder. Bill, are you having a reverse should installed? My wife is now 76 years old.
@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar Well, that's good to hear. Hopefully that goes well. I hope we see you in the next episode! You two really work well together.
First paperback book I read, maybe at about 12 years of age, by Ross S. Carter, Those Devils in Baggy Pants. Youngstown Ohio! Hello from the north side of Columbus Ohio!🍻 To this day, I can remember the Battle Flag flying over Shaikh Isa airbase the night Desert Shield became Desert Storm. I instantly knew we were at war when I saw that flag. It was an awesome, inspiring and starkly sobering sight to behold.
Another fantastic discussion gentleman! I can’t wait for part 2 of The Big E. Thank you for your spent time and effort to bring us this podcast each week.
I have learned so much from these podcasts, so much I had no idea of. This is a graduate level education. Let us never forget these men and their sacrifice.
Back cause I love The Big E. On Drach's video on it, someone posted that the portholes of CV-6 commander's quarters are still on CV-80 after their years on CV-65.
I think every ship in USN named Enterprise served with distinction, one of my relatives served on CVN-65 Enterprise in 1980s and that carrier served a long and had great career during the Cold War, the Missile Crisis, Vietnam War, etc. I hope the next Enterprise is going to serve the country as well as the previous two Enterprise carriers.
Bravo Zulu guys !!! I was aboard the Big E Feb 1967 , the CVAN-65 . Flying the EA1F Skyraider designed during WW2 But operating as the only ECM aircraft the Navy had at that time on Yankee Station.
My father and his younger brother Ben were aviation mechanics VB6. Ben went on board in 39 dad 40. After enterprise came into Bremerton dad went to a CASU and Ben was a plank owner on the new Yorktown. Both came home chiefs,dad with 9 stars Ben with 12. Truly the greatest generation 💖
I too read "The Big E" as a kid. That book, and I believe "The Fighting Lady" about Yorktown, formed my early interest in the Pacific War. Great intro as always.
As a lad in the 1960's, I also read "The Big E". Fascinated, and in awe of what I was reading, I finished that big boy in no time. Truly a heroic and historic ship and crew(s) that should have been preserved. Thanks, gentlemen, for this enlightening docu. I was glued for 2 hours, can hardly wait for the next part.
Important story that needs to be remembered. As a young boy in the early 1970s, I built a model of The Big E and I still have it. The nation owes a debt of gratitude to all who served in her.
Bill Toti ! I’m 73 yo and my “Earth Suit “ is failing a shoulder replacement surgery was not an option. Like you I was able to get the “clean out”then Cortisone shots 2-3 times a year. I know what you are going through !
Years ago as a 10 year old I almost cried when I found out that the Big E had been scrapped instead of being preserved...I would now give anything to be able to walk through the decks and spaces of the ship that saved the War in the Pacific.
Loved this episode. I live in Vestal NY and love the fact you mentioned the USS Vestal. She repaired a LOT of ships and was a huge help in Pearl Harbor on 12/07/41. Can’t wait till the next episode on Enterprise.
My family lived in Vestal, NY from late 1968 to the late summer of 1971. My father was a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the Navy and his last duty station before retirement (20 years) was at the Navy Reserve Training Center in Binghampton, NY. I was 4 years old when we moved, so I remember very little of our time there. My older brothers went to Glenwood Elementary School during that time.
"The Big E" was also my intro to USS Enterprise's WW2 career. It is dated, some (IIRC, it includes Fuchida's image of Kido Butai being about to launch its second strike), but it gives the scope of Enterprise's actions in a relatively short book. Very readable, worth looking for it at libraries.
This has been my favorite show (and podcast) since episode one. Every episode has been enjoyable and informative. I've especially liked the shows with Jon Parshall. I've learned so much about the Pacific war that I was clueless about previously. And I'm grateful for it. Then to get not one, but two, episodes on the Big E is just the cherry on top. She is the legend, after all. I also liked your references in this episode to Emmerich's 'Midway". Given the director, and most of his movies (ugh), I found the movie to be surprisingly accurate. I think it's important for people to remember that there has to be SOME creative license with movies like this. Hollywood can't cater to historians (professional and amateur) by making things 100% perfect, because there just aren't enough of us to make the movies profitable. We're a very niche market. They have to punch the stories up some just to sell tickets. So if we want to see these movies, we have to be willing to accept a few imperfections. Looking at it through that lens, I thought Emmerich did a surprisingly good job. It was almost like he was really trying this time. Plus, Enterprise is front and center all the way through. What's not to like about that? Thanks for doing this guys. It's been great!
One of the problems that I think significantly impacted the performance of the early war dive bombers was another equipment failure. I’ve read numerous accounts of the dive bombing pilots suffering from their bomb sights fogging up when they hit the lower altitudes. I imagine it’s a bit more challenging when you can no longer see your target as you near your release point. I’ve never read how they corrected the fogging problem but it obviously was at some stage.
@@richardbennett1856 everyone who knows anything about the Pacific war knows about the torpedo disparity. What is almost never referenced is the early problem we had with the gun sites fogging over whenever the dive bombers transitioned from higher cold air to lower warmer and more humid air. That problem impacted numerous early battles including Guadalcanal where even slow transports were missed because the pilot couldn’t see the target anymore.
Hi Seth & Bill, I ive in NYC &have been to the Intrepid many times ... got to take my father (USAAF 499thBG Saipan1944--45) there on several ocasions.. CMDR Toti,How nice it would havebeen to run in to you there!!
For Captain Toti: My your dry dock and refit pier time be short and 100% effective!!!! Like the Big E in 1942, you are needed and now! Finally, this USAF veteran and you have something in common, slow pitch softball! I was a right fielder, pitcher and catcher. I made a few either great or darned lucky plays! Even if your playing days are done, there is a great baseball game I still enjoy by APBA. This Saturday, I will be in Slippery Rock, PA managing the 1959 Detroit Tigers in the Loveable Losers tourney. Maybe I cam get you into this game and we can meet at some tourney!!!
My left rotator cuff is gone, both the superior and inferior muscles tore, rolled up and disintegrated, Doc tried to reattach but he said they were just too gone.. You can live quite well without a proper rotator, other muscles take over, lifting objects over my head is difficult but not impossible (I also have enough Titanium in that arm to be actually worth something).
On a vaguely related note, USS Saratoga was not alone when the Big E went in for her much needed repair and refit. Saratoga was joined by Callsign Robin, nicknamed USS Robin, aka HMS Victorious. She was only there for a few months, there had been delays due to the requirement to fit US specific decoding and communications equipment aboard Victorious. That being said, despite the relatively short time Saratoga and Victorious formed Carrier Division 1 both the USN and RN learned a huge amount from each other. It was determined pretty quickly that RN Fighter direction was far superior, but the USN was much better with Strike direction, so Victorious's strike aircraft were cross decked to Saratoga, and Saratoga's fighters were cross decked to Victorious along with observers. The US learned a lot about Naval Fighter direction from the RN, and conversely the RN learned some extremely valuable lessons from the USN when it came to amassing large strike packages. Personally I think the lessons learned were more important than the relatively little combat seen by the ships, though their time was not totally quiet. In 28 days Victorious launched 614 sorties, so their time together was only 'relatively' quiet. Still, those lessons were invaluable, while the USN never directly copied RN fighter direction, and the RN never directly copied USN Strike direction, its pretty clear that both were heavily influenced by each other.
According to the Wikipedia entry about the film "Diver Bomber", it wasn't Errol Flynn specifically. Halsey was unhappy the ship was given over to a film production for a week, so he got extra snarky at the end when time was up.
Around about 23:00 in the discussion about the Enterprise's whereabouts on the morning of December 7th, I just had a thought, probably not original, but the whole argument about Nagumo's failure to initiate a second strike and why it is a black mark on his leadership is called into question by the fact that the Japanese expected both the Enterprise and Lexington to be in port. If you have two rogue USN CV's unaccounted for, maybe a mini-Midway could have happened with the IJN both launching and recovering aircraft in a small time-window just like what happened 7 months later. I can't remember what you guys discussed in the Pearl Harbor episodes since I last watched them within a few months of this channel starting up.
You bring up a good point I have never thought of. The great question for many post WWII Presidents are, "Where are the carriers?" For Nagumo, if not in Pearl Harbor, where the H(% are they? The longer he didn't know had to raise ever increasing doubts that he had overstayed his welcome and needed to leave or be attacked.
You two gentlemen and Jon always present an outstanding and historical account of one of my favorite subjects, the Pacific war. I am not a war monger by all means, but I understand it and why it's waged. I myself have always had a love affair with aircraft and specifically, naval aviation. That was part of my life for 21 years of service, U.S.N./U.S.N.R. as an aviation machinist mate. Your documentary on my favorite ship the " Big E " was spot on .
Appreciate y’all. When either of you or any guests give 1st hand accounts from your friends is so powerful. This work you’re doing will last a very long time. Can’t rewrite history but filling in the blanks is insanely awesome. I only can wish people like you can, put in the work to hear the real story on other fronts, no matter the year or theatre. Keep it up, very much respect. Thank you!
It is my understanding that the Yorktown class is the ship they had to build. The Essex class was essentially the ship they wanted to build. Ultimately they got to build them with the addition of war lessons.
Greetings Gentleman. BY far my favorite historic channel. Been a fan since season 1. Seth much like you my interest in naval history stems from a book I bought from the scolastic book club in 6th grade. The book is The Mosquito Fleet. It is the story of the PT boats in WWII. Being a native New Orleanian at this age I did not know of the connection. I read this book many times. My family knew of my love for this book and through my moves in my life including a move to and from Tennessee I lost my copy. For my 50 something birthday MY family had a copy reproduced for me as the original 50 years later is no longer in print. What a great gift! You also know a great friend of mine. Michael Valentino who just recently visited you. I was supposed to go on that trip with him. Unfortunatlly I was in the middle of radiation treatments and could not go... I'm hoping if he goes back up there I will be able to go. I'd love to meet you in person. I also have a younger brother who was on a fast attack sub. Maybe you can make sure Bill will be there.... lol I can dream can't I. You guys are the best! Keepit going and GOD BLESS.. Savasge Joe
Im an old Jarhead. Thanks for the podcast I liked it from the get-go, but I think you are getting better, plus Captain Toti grows on you. I am sure his command was ship shape.
Like many here I first learned about Enterprise in an excellent and thorough book, “The Big E.” As a naval office on a Fram I WW2 vintage ship, the US Agerholm DD826 in the mid 70’s, I recall worrying about the nite landings as we did Plan Guarding behind various carriers I recalled the book. We were in the Tonkin Gulf coming out one morning and expecting the Enterprise to come into the gulf. I spotted it as a tiny dot on the easterly horizon, informed the Captain, then watched in amazement as the Big E approached and passed us close at a relative speed of 50knots? With 4000? sailors; absolutely huge and incredible!
Seth, I can identify how you fell in love with the Big E at the age of nine due to a book on the carrier. For me, a similar book was Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. You'll never convince me that the three turning points of WWII in the Pacific were not The Doolittle Raid (yes, mainly for its affect on both the US and the Japanese public morale), Midway and Guadalcanal.
My employer was a pilot on the big E and he loved this ship so much that after the war he started a little business in St Louis and he named his company after his favorite ship: Enterprise Rent a Car. His name was Jack Taylor. He passed away in 2016, but he loved the Enterprise and also funded the History Channel show " Battle 360" history of the USS Enterprise in WWII.
I always wondered, thanks
Thank you, Jack Taylor .
Great business model from the pilot who put his life on the line for his country.
The Enterprise 360 series was so entertaining.
Hollywood couldn't find a better drama.
"Battle 360" was epic. My 1st dive into this historic time and turned me into a Pacific war history buff. The "Big E" was history and such a bad ass! Thanks for having such a great show!
That's one of several reasons why I always rent from Enterprise
Amazing thank you for sharing, Enterprise rent a car is where I buy used cars because of the name. before I knew your story.
Back around 2002 while filling up my car, I noticed an old guy doing the same that was wearing a naval ball cap. I asked my son to go over and see what was printed on the cap. He came back and said 'USS Enterprise CV-6'. I immediately stopped gassing up my car and ran over to shake his hand. I got his name which I'm sorry I don't remember. I worked for the local utility and looked up where he lived. Six months later my daughter wanted to interview me for a high school class assignment. I told her I think I know someone far more interesting to interview. The next day I went by his house and knocked on the door. His wife answered. I asked if her husband would consent to be interviewed by my daughter at a convenient time of his choosing. He did agree and my daughter got an A on her assignment! He was a rear gunner on an SBD and was wounded in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. After his recovery, he trained new gunners at Pensacola. I learned so much while my daughter interviewed him. And yes, I asked him a whole lot of questions myself. So thankful I got the opportunity. Sadly no longer possible.
Great story
While stationed at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital as a Corpsman/Operating Room Tech., I met a few Midway and later battles veterans. One man was a pilot off the Yorktown and he admitted that of all the battles he was in, Midway was a battle he and many others didn't think they could win. 'Scuttlebutt' had given a pretty good estimate of what the Japanese were sending but not a good estimate of WHERE. These pilots heard scuttlebutt and thought at first that 8 or 9 carriers were being sent to Midway. Thankfully the Japanese split up into many, many fleets all widely separated.
You are lucky my ex girlfriend pap was in band of brothers I got a history lesson like you would belive
Easy click. My father served on the Big E during the hot battles of '42, being wounded at Santa Cruz. ENTERPRISE and Halsey and Jimmy Flatley (Dad was attached to Fighting 6) were three of the pivotal entities of his life. Whenever I see combat footage from those days, I wonder if Dad is one of the sailors shown.
'His blood was in her steel; her steel was in his blood'
Thanks for sharing.
Interestingly, fighting 6, bombing 6, etc were featured in the miniseries The Pacific.
The American Warspite: A ship that should have been saved.
Both USS Enterprise and HMS Warspite both being scrapped were both crimes against humanity.
Drach would love that title.
Enterprise and Warspite, two great ships which certainly deserved to be preserved.
@@christophermancini7380 The money just was not there in the UK after the war. Those WWII ships we have left only survived because they remained in service after the war, often for considerable periods, HMS Belfast being a good example.
Unfortunately the Queen Elizabeth's had been worked hard in two World Wars and they were simply worn out, there was no way the RN could keep them in service, and the new Labour Government at the time essentially shot down every suggestion the RN made to preserve her. They did try, but they were arguing with the same Government that sold Rolls Royce jet engines to the Soviets! So you can imagine the rampant stupidity that particular Government was capable of!
Attempts were made! Unfortunately, the timing was bad. It is a great shame.
Good luck with the surgery, Captain Toti. Getting old truly sucks, but it’s much better than the alternative. Get well soon!
Thank goodness I'm 81 years old and now retired. It allows me to sit in a lounge chair and watch your podcasts without a guilty conscience. Super stuff!
What a shame that the Enterprise CV-6 isn't a museum. No disrespect to those existing museum ships, but CV-6 should certainly be among them.
11:29 I believe it was Drach who once referred to the scrapping of Enterprise (CV-6) as a “peace crime.”
I would say 'Enterprise' fits in well with names like 'Bonhomme Richard', 'Constitution', 'Monitor' and 'Nautilus.'
And "Tang" too.
Should have been saved.
Obviously, she couldn't be saved but let's not forget Mush Morton and the Wahoo!🇺🇲🙏💖⚓️💯👍
@@Jakal-pw8yq We need to mention USS Barb. Sank a train.
The men of Enterprise are an inspiration for generations.
Damn.., Seth, you had me crying real tears by the time you finished your heart felt prose introducing the name… USS Enterprise. She bears the Greatest name in American Naval history… your passion for the Big E mirrors everyone of us who love your pod cast. Simper Fi & Bravo Zulu Shipmates, time to man the underway detail and take our Great Lady to sea… shift colors
My uncle was a chief aircraft mechanic on the enterprise from 44 to the end of the war.His name was Howard stover.He retired with 22 yrs service.Thanks guys for all the work that you do for these great men who served during ww2.
My grandmother's brother, Eugene Burns, was the AP reporter embedded on CV-6 from just after Pearl Harbor through the Solomon Islands campaign. He authored the book "Then There Was One."
Great book
I cry that it’s not a museum ship today
She didn’t die, she got reincarnated as CVN-65 and continued her outstanding career. Looking forward to having her back as CVN-80.
Seth and Bill, thank yo for this episode. My grandfather was Enterprise’s navigator, and then operations officer for Task force 16 through the first half of ‘42. This episode has given me a a terrific reference for who he was and what he did.
Well said Bill ( and all ) , and let us all -- Never Forget - The Name Enterprise !!! .
Loved it! Another Enterprise fan-boy here. I was deeply saddened when CVN65 was decommissioned, then cheered when the next Enterprise was announced. Soapbox moment: we need to STOP naming multibillion-dollar defense assets after politicians and go back to naming our carriers after famous ships or after important national ideals (i.e. "Independence")
Hear, hear!!
Aye, Aye, sir!
Tough ship, she was as hated by IJN as much as Hornet.
I’m usually a podcast listener, but I wanted to stop by and express my sincere thanks for this project. All of your episodes are great, but I share Seth’s love of the Enterprise. Many thanks!
Bill, I hope your surgery goes well and the recovery is smooth. Your physical therapists are your friends.
Even though they feel like your torturer, you need them to heal properly!
Wow!!! I wasn't expecting the Enterprise to get a whole episode. This will be fun.
This is only Part 1 of 2 parts.
Richly deserved. Go Big E!
Love the episode! Like Seth I became a fanboy of the Big E at the age of 13 when I read the copy of the book The Big E that my father had in the basement. And like last week, your timing could not have been more perfect. This weekend I was at wedding in northern New Jersey and as luck would have it, the nameplate from the ship was in a park not 15 minutes from my hotel. I went, touched the nameplate and fought back the tears. Thanks guys
The thing that brings to me the grit, elan and competency of CV-6 was the sign that appeared on her hangar deck following the loss of Hornet. "Enterprise vs Japan"
Seth, finding a copy of Ted Lawson's Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo at my grandmother's house, was the book that hooked me on history!
Bill, thanks for the reminder it was a submariner who conceived the raid!
Bill and Seth are doing our country a great service with these podcasts. Thank you.
My grandfather served in the Army Air Corp in England from 1942 to ‘45: he was loaned to RAF as a plane mechanic and maintained Avro Lancaster. He came home from England on the USS Enterprise, on one of her Operation Magic cruises. He told me stories about how the battle damage from the late Kamikaze attack was not fully repaired, and there were stop gap temporary repairs everywhere. The scariest he described was a pair of giant, creaking metal springs that served to keep the hull from splitting apart on the middle of the ocean. His voyage reached Bayonne, NJ on Christmas Eve 1945. Many of the crew and Magic Carpet passengers stayed on the ship an extra day and night to throw a massive Christmas party for a orphans home housing war orphans from the Baytown area.
Hi guys, I just wanted to say that this show is my most looked forward to show of all, TV, Podcast, anything. This episode on the Big E hit it out of the park! I cant wait till the next one. I am glad to see the memberships growing too, they are well deserved. I've been a member since about 400 or so. Y'all touched on the repair facilities at Pearl, and the miracles the repair yards made happen at Pearl, and in the mainland as well, made to the war effort. It is understated just how much of a difference it made, and what a monumental effort it was. well worthey of an episode or short. I've yet to really see it covered, Drac did a series on the salvage of Pearl harbor after the attack, but that is as close as I have seen.
Thank you for your detailed work on the naval history of world war two in the Pacific. It breaks my heart that the Big E was not selected to become a museum ship, she certainly earned it.
Don USMC. Simper Fi
My all time favorite ship of WW2…. The Big E
No other US ship did more to help win the war in the Pacific and the sailors, Marines and Naval Aviators who served on her were some of the most brave and heroic soldiers ever.
Great show and keep ‘em comin’ fellas!!!!😊😊
Part 1? Sorry I just started watching and I thought the two-hour show would be enough for the Big E's war record. Obviously, I was delightfully wrong.
Not surprising for Enterprise. The History Channel (back when they did history) ran an entire series just on the WWII career of Enterprise, with 10 hour-long episodes.
I just finished reading Australia's Secret Army. There are so many topics for you to cover, but I highly suggest covering the Coast Watchers story. It is inspiring. Adm. Halsey said that the Coast Watchers saved Guadalcanal and Guadalcanal won the war.
Excellent presentation Seth & Captain Toti. The "Big E" deserves the stories being discussed; truly great ship with exemplary crew. Thank you for your hard work, you are the best. Thanks again you're appreciated.
Fellowes, the town of River Vale NJ, has the original name plate of the USS ENTERPRISE displayed on top of its veterans' monument. The ship was unceremoniously being cut up in the Kearny Ship Yard when a navy veteran now a welder, knowing the sacrifice and bravery that this ship stood for, protested its demise.He was told to be quiet. He and an engineer working on the demolition, at night, went back without permission and cut out the name plate.They loaded it into the back of a pickup truck and drove it to River Vale . It now sits proudly and justly between the towns playing field and library, reflecting the teamwork and intellect that the struggle of the war demanded. May our country always have and deserve such people of honor.
th-cam.com/video/Vt2t22BhY8Y/w-d-xo.htmlsi=jTV9g0BiZODS89PI
⚓️🇺🇸❤️
I've seen it several times. I had relatives who lived in River Vale who we used to visit fairly regularly.
Every episode you two get better and better after an already excellent start. Your knowledge and passion are easily seen and felt and makes me look forward to every new episode. Keep up the great work and thank you for the best account of the pacific war that any platform offers!
I have a copy of the Big E. It is a very good read. I am sure you two could do not just two episodes on USS Enterprise, but an entire season on her. Where there was fighting to be done, Big E was there fighting.
Being a USAF veteran and seeing this is episode 305, I am reminded of the 305th Bomb Group under Colonel Curtis LeMay. William Halsey and Curtis LeMay. What a one-two punch for America!
Fantastic! I've probably heard every story there is about the Big E, but it never gets old. Bill, good luck with your surgery, and speedy recovery!
Seth & Captain Toti - great episode! Can’t wait for the second part. Seth brought back some memories for me. I, too, picked up the Big E book as a very young history buff. I’ve read that book more times than I can recall & CV 6 has been my favorite ship ever since. Excellent job, gentlemen,
Same here !
Seth,
I bought the same Big E book as a teen. One can practically learn the entire Pacific war by following CV6. There is something about the name Enterprise that embodies the American approach to life. An idea, an effort, a coming together for vigorous work and livelihood. An Enterprise.
Other great names: Endeavor, Intrepid, Constitution, Constellation. I wish we would get back to these types of names for CVNs instead of a memorial to politicians.
DDs, DEs, and FFs are already standardized on naming after people. My favorite is a class leading ship named for 2 metal of honor awardees. A family named after the craftsmanship of attaching feathers to arrows, keeping em flying straight. Fletcher !
And for when you’re in a ‘damn the torpedoes’ mood, Farrigate.
To me it just puts a taint on the name of the ship to name them after some politician, regardless of which side of the aisle they're on. There's enough heroes from all the wars that they would never run out of names.
I have been anxiously waiting for this episode. Anyone with a basic understanding of the US Navy Pacific battles is familiar with the USS Enterprise. In my youth I remember watching a program about the Big E and it captured my imagination. Know that this was before the TV show Star Trek brought us the starship Enterprise. Can't wait ...
The story about landing officer Robin Lindsay ignoring orders to stop bringing in aircraft reminds me of one-eyed Horatio Nelson being signaled to stop his attack and withdraw at Copenhagen, and, holding his spyglass to his blind eye, Nelson told his subordinates he couldn't see the order.
I'm so happy to come across this a couple of weeks ago.Up to 207 now I think.The Tang Okane episodewas my favourite yet I think.Don't worry about time limits when theyre that good.
Enjoy.
This is addictive
Good Stuff, Maynard
Guys I really appreciate y’all giving us these awesome and informative lessons. Hope surgery goes smoothly for you Bill. I have had both my shoulders repaired from injury picked up in Ft. Campbell KY years ago.
I had the same point of entry for USS Enterprise. My brother had the "Big E" by Edwin Stafford, and I read it too. Since then I have owned several copies, as I wear them out, or lose them. I read it often, and as a matter of fact I was reading it again, when you dropped this episode. Its an easy read, and it tells the ship's story very well. I am really happy you and Bill are spending so much time on CV-6. She's my favorite ship of the war by far, and its fun to hear someone else who loves the Big E as much as i do. Keep up these great episodes gentlemen, and thank you.
Thanks for this unexpected but great episode about the Big E.
I hope Bill had a successful surgery and wish him a speedy and complete recovery.
The two greatest travesties after the war was the scrapping of both Enterprise and Warspite
Yup.
Oh Hell yeah. What a damned shame. Warspite definitely deserved to be saved.
The Big E 👍👍💪💪......I totally lucked up one afternoon after making a delivery in SF .....I drove past the docks and looking over saw a helicopter carrier.....swung over to see it....went to the gate where the guard told me no one was allowed on.....BUT.....the Enterprise just pulled in across the bay into Alameda Naval Air Station. 😲😲😲 I was all .....sorry....no way I'm not checkin this out. I drove across the bay.....pulled in to find there was a line of vehicles waiting to get in at the gate adjacent to her 😲😲😲....decided to test my luck....when I got to the window the guard immediately..... I'm guessing after reading the Moore's Office Supply on the side of the van asked....Are you making a delivery???....I said yes .....and he waved me on in 😲😲😲🤣🤣🤣.....I parked near her and the crew was being let off......I walked over and one of the sailors must have seen my wide eyes open mouth amazed expression.....and offered to give me a tour of the ship for $5.00 😲😲......he took me all over the place 😲😲 ended up on the frickin bridge 😲😲!!....they were blastin Led Zeppelin 🤣🤣🤣.....that was a day 😲😲🤣🤣.....I got back hours later than it should have taken me.....made some lame excuse....my boss said nothin 😲😲😲🤣🤣🤣
Best wishes for a successful surgery Bill. Thank you both for another outstanding episode.
I cannot thank you two enough for your great and enticing documentaries! The level of detail, and with so much praise on individual efforts and their ramifications is just marvelous. While I was waiting for my wife today, I continued on with the book you two suggested - 'Battleship', the complete story of the Washington. Like the Enterprise, it had to go back to Bretherton, WA to get a new bow fitted. This is a great book, by the way!
Speaking of my wife, she had her right should replaced about 6-7 years ago with a Reverse shoulder, since she could barely use that arm. It has worked out beautifully, and she can even fold her arm back onto her lower back, which has amazed Dr Hanson, a local doctor (Gilbert, AZ) who first became a mechanical engineer from college, and then became an orthopedic surgeon, who designed the device he installed in my wife's shoulder. Bill, are you having a reverse should installed? My wife is now 76 years old.
No, just rotator cuff reattachment.
@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar Well, that's good to hear. Hopefully that goes well. I hope we see you in the next episode! You two really work well together.
First paperback book I read, maybe at about 12 years of age, by Ross S. Carter, Those Devils in Baggy Pants. Youngstown Ohio! Hello from the north side of Columbus Ohio!🍻 To this day, I can remember the Battle Flag flying over Shaikh Isa airbase the night Desert Shield became Desert Storm. I instantly knew we were at war when I saw that flag. It was an awesome, inspiring and starkly sobering sight to behold.
I was a young kid back in the 70s and that book made a huge impression on me also.
Another fantastic discussion gentleman! I can’t wait for part 2 of The Big E. Thank you for your spent time and effort to bring us this podcast each week.
I too have the book and have had it over 40 years! The videos and podcasts are great. Thanks to you and Bill.
I have learned so much from these podcasts, so much I had no idea of. This is a graduate level education. Let us never forget these men and their sacrifice.
Back cause I love The Big E.
On Drach's video on it, someone posted that the portholes of CV-6 commander's quarters are still on CV-80 after their years on CV-65.
The Big E’s stern nameplate is supposedly on display at the River Vale Veterans Memorial in River Vale, NJ.
I think every ship in USN named Enterprise served with distinction, one of my relatives served on CVN-65 Enterprise in 1980s and that carrier served a long and had great career during the Cold War, the Missile Crisis, Vietnam War, etc. I hope the next Enterprise is going to serve the country as well as the previous two Enterprise carriers.
Bravo Zulu guys !!! I was aboard the Big E Feb 1967 , the CVAN-65 . Flying the EA1F Skyraider designed during WW2 But operating as the only ECM aircraft the Navy had at that time on Yankee Station.
Outstanding running commentary by you both Gentlemen! An amazing story of extraordinary valor. Thanks as always. Can't wait for part 2 !!!
Great chronicle of the “BIG E”. I’m learning lots! Thanks guys…
Thanks Seth and Bill, as usual perfect for winding down my evening…..
My father and his younger brother Ben were aviation mechanics VB6. Ben went on board in 39 dad 40. After enterprise came into Bremerton dad went to a CASU and Ben was a plank owner on the new Yorktown. Both came home chiefs,dad with 9 stars Ben with 12. Truly the greatest generation 💖
I too read "The Big E" as a kid. That book, and I believe "The Fighting Lady" about Yorktown, formed my early interest in the Pacific War. Great intro as always.
From a current B-25 pilot, thanks for mentioning the Doolittle Raid. 😀
As a lad in the 1960's, I also read "The Big E". Fascinated, and in awe of what I was reading, I finished that big boy in no time. Truly a heroic and historic ship and crew(s) that should have been preserved. Thanks, gentlemen, for this enlightening docu. I was glued for 2 hours, can hardly wait for the next part.
Important story that needs to be remembered. As a young boy in the early 1970s, I built a model of The Big E and I still have it. The nation owes a debt of gratitude to all who served in her.
Another great episode, guys !! I love your series on the Pacific War and all the little-known tales you provide.
Bill Toti !
I’m 73 yo and my “Earth Suit “ is failing a shoulder replacement surgery was not an option. Like you I was able to get the “clean out”then Cortisone shots 2-3 times a year. I know what you are going through !
Years ago as a 10 year old I almost cried when I found out that the Big E had been scrapped instead of being preserved...I would now give anything to be able to walk through the decks and spaces of the ship that saved the War in the Pacific.
I had the same experience !
Loved this episode. I live in Vestal NY and love the fact you mentioned the USS Vestal. She repaired a LOT of ships and was a huge help in Pearl Harbor on 12/07/41. Can’t wait till the next episode on Enterprise.
My family lived in Vestal, NY from late 1968 to the late summer of 1971. My father was a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the Navy and his last duty station before retirement (20 years) was at the Navy Reserve Training Center in Binghampton, NY. I was 4 years old when we moved, so I remember very little of our time there. My older brothers went to Glenwood Elementary School during that time.
From another naval historian on TH-cam, a guide to the USS Vestal: th-cam.com/video/6_Rbel4uJS0/w-d-xo.html
"The Big E" was also my intro to USS Enterprise's WW2 career. It is dated, some (IIRC, it includes Fuchida's image of Kido Butai being about to launch its second strike), but it gives the scope of Enterprise's actions in a relatively short book. Very readable, worth looking for it at libraries.
Too bad Fuchida's description is a total lie.
This has been my favorite show (and podcast) since episode one. Every episode has been enjoyable and informative. I've especially liked the shows with Jon Parshall. I've learned so much about the Pacific war that I was clueless about previously. And I'm grateful for it. Then to get not one, but two, episodes on the Big E is just the cherry on top. She is the legend, after all.
I also liked your references in this episode to Emmerich's 'Midway". Given the director, and most of his movies (ugh), I found the movie to be surprisingly accurate. I think it's important for people to remember that there has to be SOME creative license with movies like this. Hollywood can't cater to historians (professional and amateur) by making things 100% perfect, because there just aren't enough of us to make the movies profitable. We're a very niche market. They have to punch the stories up some just to sell tickets. So if we want to see these movies, we have to be willing to accept a few imperfections. Looking at it through that lens, I thought Emmerich did a surprisingly good job. It was almost like he was really trying this time. Plus, Enterprise is front and center all the way through. What's not to like about that?
Thanks for doing this guys. It's been great!
One of the problems that I think significantly impacted the performance of the early war dive bombers was another equipment failure. I’ve read numerous accounts of the dive bombing pilots suffering from their bomb sights fogging up when they hit the lower altitudes. I imagine it’s a bit more challenging when you can no longer see your target as you near your release point. I’ve never read how they corrected the fogging problem but it obviously was at some stage.
Torpedoes were the greatest disparity in the Pacific War.
We took forever to fix ours and took half the war to realize how deadly theirs were.
@@richardbennett1856 everyone who knows anything about the Pacific war knows about the torpedo disparity. What is almost never referenced is the early problem we had with the gun sites fogging over whenever the dive bombers transitioned from higher cold air to lower warmer and more humid air. That problem impacted numerous early battles including Guadalcanal where even slow transports were missed because the pilot couldn’t see the target anymore.
IKR, I think I read something somewhere about them being coated with something later that took care of the problem, but it's been awhile.
CV-6 , CVN-65 and CVN-80 all named the BigE,
but CV-6 was the best one that I think
Hi Seth & Bill, I ive in NYC &have been to the Intrepid many times ... got to take my father (USAAF 499thBG Saipan1944--45) there on several ocasions.. CMDR Toti,How nice it would havebeen to run in to you there!!
Highlight of the week for me...every week
For Captain Toti: My your dry dock and refit pier time be short and 100% effective!!!! Like the Big E in 1942, you are needed and now!
Finally, this USAF veteran and you have something in common, slow pitch softball! I was a right fielder, pitcher and catcher. I made a few either great or darned lucky plays!
Even if your playing days are done, there is a great baseball game I still enjoy by APBA. This Saturday, I will be in Slippery Rock, PA managing the 1959 Detroit Tigers in the Loveable Losers tourney. Maybe I cam get you into this game and we can meet at some tourney!!!
My left rotator cuff is gone, both the superior and inferior muscles tore, rolled up and disintegrated, Doc tried to reattach but he said they were just too gone.. You can live quite well without a proper rotator, other muscles take over, lifting objects over my head is difficult but not impossible (I also have enough Titanium in that arm to be actually worth something).
in honor of our newest fast attack submarine, SSN 795 the "Hyman G Rickover"
Thank you
Nicce
On a vaguely related note, USS Saratoga was not alone when the Big E went in for her much needed repair and refit. Saratoga was joined by Callsign Robin, nicknamed USS Robin, aka HMS Victorious. She was only there for a few months, there had been delays due to the requirement to fit US specific decoding and communications equipment aboard Victorious.
That being said, despite the relatively short time Saratoga and Victorious formed Carrier Division 1 both the USN and RN learned a huge amount from each other. It was determined pretty quickly that RN Fighter direction was far superior, but the USN was much better with Strike direction, so Victorious's strike aircraft were cross decked to Saratoga, and Saratoga's fighters were cross decked to Victorious along with observers. The US learned a lot about Naval Fighter direction from the RN, and conversely the RN learned some extremely valuable lessons from the USN when it came to amassing large strike packages.
Personally I think the lessons learned were more important than the relatively little combat seen by the ships, though their time was not totally quiet. In 28 days Victorious launched 614 sorties, so their time together was only 'relatively' quiet. Still, those lessons were invaluable, while the USN never directly copied RN fighter direction, and the RN never directly copied USN Strike direction, its pretty clear that both were heavily influenced by each other.
According to the Wikipedia entry about the film "Diver Bomber", it wasn't Errol Flynn specifically. Halsey was unhappy the ship was given over to a film production for a week, so he got extra snarky at the end when time was up.
I also find it astonishing that the Big E wasn’t saved. Perhaps someone or a group of talented individuals could make a virtual Enterprise online?
Love the podcast. I read The Big E back in high school in '72 or '73 and have loved Enterprise ever since.
Around about 23:00 in the discussion about the Enterprise's whereabouts on the morning of December 7th, I just had a thought, probably not original, but the whole argument about Nagumo's failure to initiate a second strike and why it is a black mark on his leadership is called into question by the fact that the Japanese expected both the Enterprise and Lexington to be in port. If you have two rogue USN CV's unaccounted for, maybe a mini-Midway could have happened with the IJN both launching and recovering aircraft in a small time-window just like what happened 7 months later. I can't remember what you guys discussed in the Pearl Harbor episodes since I last watched them within a few months of this channel starting up.
You bring up a good point I have never thought of. The great question for many post WWII Presidents are, "Where are the carriers?" For Nagumo, if not in Pearl Harbor, where the H(% are they? The longer he didn't know had to raise ever increasing doubts that he had overstayed his welcome and needed to leave or be attacked.
You two gentlemen and Jon always present an outstanding and historical account of one of my favorite subjects, the Pacific war. I am not a war monger by all means, but I understand it and why it's waged. I myself have always had a love affair with aircraft and specifically, naval aviation. That was part of my life for 21 years of service, U.S.N./U.S.N.R. as an aviation machinist mate. Your documentary on my favorite ship the " Big E " was spot on .
Appreciate y’all. When either of you or any guests give 1st hand accounts from your friends is so powerful. This work you’re doing will last a very long time. Can’t rewrite history but filling in the blanks is insanely awesome. I only can wish people like you can, put in the work to hear the real story on other fronts, no matter the year or theatre. Keep it up, very much respect. Thank you!
I think it might be second account now that I think on it. Appreciation is no different whatever the answer.
Personal anecdotes is what makes these videos fun. Keep them coming.
It is my understanding that the Yorktown class is the ship they had to build. The Essex class was essentially the ship they wanted to build. Ultimately they got to build them with the addition of war lessons.
Amazing stories. Thank you for all your hard work in bringing history alive.
I found The Big E at around the same age and now at 63 I still have it. I read it around once a decade.
I love how fired up the fellas are for this one.
Excellent show, she's my favorite ship too
Great show gentlemen.
Thank you Bill and Seth.
Greetings Gentleman. BY far my favorite historic channel. Been a fan since season 1. Seth much like you my interest in naval history stems from a book I bought from the scolastic book club in 6th grade. The book is The Mosquito Fleet. It is the story of the PT boats in WWII. Being a native New Orleanian at this age I did not know of the connection. I read this book many times. My family knew of my love for this book and through my moves in my life including a move to and from Tennessee I lost my copy. For my 50 something birthday MY family had a copy reproduced for me as the original 50 years later is no longer in print. What a great gift! You also know a great friend of mine. Michael Valentino who just recently visited you. I was supposed to go on that trip with him. Unfortunatlly I was in the middle of radiation treatments and could not go... I'm hoping if he goes back up there I will be able to go. I'd love to meet you in person. I also have a younger brother who was on a fast attack sub. Maybe you can make sure Bill will be there.... lol I can dream can't I. You guys are the best! Keepit going and GOD BLESS.. Savasge Joe
----- Maybe they should make a "Medal of Failure". They could call it the "Stanhope Ring".
That's a good one
Just stopping by to click the like and add to my watchlist. Gotta give this the attention it deserves and I’ve got to much going on today. 😎
Im an old Jarhead. Thanks for the podcast I liked it from the get-go, but I think you are getting better, plus Captain Toti grows on you. I am sure his command was ship shape.
Great show, as always. Thank you both.
Like many here I first learned about Enterprise in an excellent and thorough book, “The Big E.” As a naval office on a Fram I WW2 vintage ship, the US Agerholm DD826 in the mid 70’s, I recall worrying about the nite landings as we did Plan Guarding behind various carriers I recalled the book. We were in the Tonkin Gulf coming out one morning and expecting the Enterprise to come into the gulf. I spotted it as a tiny dot on the easterly horizon, informed the Captain, then watched in amazement as the Big E approached and passed us close at a relative speed of 50knots? With 4000? sailors; absolutely huge and incredible!
Fun fact.A navy sailor who served on the big E started the car rental company called enterprize.We will pick u up!
Seth, I can identify how you fell in love with the Big E at the age of nine due to a book on the carrier. For me, a similar book was Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. You'll never convince me that the three turning points of WWII in the Pacific were not The Doolittle Raid (yes, mainly for its affect on both the US and the Japanese public morale), Midway and Guadalcanal.