The VT-15 group took off mid-morning and it would take about two hours to get to the Manila Bay and release the ordinance. Loyce climbed into his gun turret for the final time. Cosgrove joined his crew, Digby and Loyce, and they went topside to their plane. Cosgrove's orders were to go after the Japanese cruisers in Manila Bay. ![]() Cosgrove received tail number #93 - a new plane just acquired in Ulithi Atoll a few days ago. After breakfast, pilots attended briefings in the 'Ready Room' to get their final orders, weather conditions and the plane that was to be assigned to them. In the rear were the Avenger and Hell Diver bombers and torpedo planes. On the flight deck, the Hellcat fighters were in front so they can take off first and protect the group and the carrier. Throughout the night, the planes scheduled for the next day's mission were being prepared. ![]() Breakfast was served in the mess hall at 6:30am. "Each day, reveille was sounded on the USS Essex's intercom at 5:30 am.
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