Jim sent me the following pics ….

“I was recently entrusted with a collection of photos that were taken by Chief Photographer’s Mate Paul Madden while onboard the USS Essex during WW2. The pics of Madden are for a little background. The first pic is of him, the second is of him after returning from an air mission where he was wounded (shrapnel in the head)”

“The third pic is what happened to the Jap Zero that wounded him. The fourth is the Purple Heart he got for that wound.”

Jap diving on Essex missed.

“Below are some Jeep photos(attached) on board the Essex, which is the main reason for this post.”

Flight deck – Essex
Jeep towing dive bomber

Repositioning TBM’s
Essex (11)

Planes in Position for “Launch. Essex