90 DAYS, SAME OLD SPLASH

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Betty Burns
(816) 679-4074

Pat Frew, Director of Communications
859-655-4163
E-Mail: Pressroom@nkycvb.com | www.nkycvb.com

90 DAYS, SAME OLD SPLASH

Covington, KY/September 5, 2006—In the good old days of World War II, if you can coin such a phrase, the assembly line mentality ruled the day in the construction of aircraft carriers. The multi-ton flotillas carrying three dozen planes, torpedo bombers and fighters were constructed quickly even if they moved slowly at sea. A pre-fabricated unit took only 90 days to assemble in the Northwest. This turnaround was needed to support the US cause in the Pacific. The USS Salamaua was one of those vital warships.

That efficiency in construction carried over in its work in battle, and its spirit will be celebrated in story after story during the 17th Annual USS Salamaua/VC87 Military Reunion September 21-23 at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel, Covington.

The Salamaua was a Casablanca class escort carrier in the US Navy. It was in operation for only two years yet earned three battle stars. Highlights of its tour of duty included:

Protection for the Army and Marines in the Philippines in early January, 1945. Her planes blasted enemy positions in the Lingayen Gulf, providing Allied ships and later for troops landing on assault beaches. A kamikaze carrying two 250 kilograms bombs crashed the Salamaua’s flight deck killing 15 men, injuring over 80;

Escort assistance in supporting landing operations in Okinawa (May 1946). Its use the rest of the campaign was limited after sustaining damage in a typhoon;

Completion of three so-called “magic carpet” convoy protection runs through late 1946. She was privileged to be anchored next to the battleship USS Missouri for the signing of the Japanese surrender, ending World War II.

Approximately 45 visitors from all corners of the United States (Seattle, San Diego, Maine) will be in town for the three-day reunion.

The mission of the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau is that of an aggressive sales, marketing, service and informational organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact the Northern Kentucky economy through conventions, meetings and visitor expenditures. The direct economic impact of visitors’ spending in Campbell, Kenton and Boone Counties in 2005 was $255 million.