Comes with a hand-signed C.O.A.

• Original Owner: Vernon D. Stannard (handwritten identification).

• Military Branch: United States Navy.

• Rank: Seaman First Class (S1c)

• Assigned Warship: USS Yorktown (CV-10).

• Military Unit: U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet, Fast Carrier Task Force

• Warship Classification: Essex Class Fleet Aircraft Carrier.

• Significant Battles and Operations Participated in by Vernon D. Stannard & USS Yorktown:

  • Marcus Island Air Raids (August 1943).

  • Wake Island Raids (October 1943).

  • Operation Galvanic, Gilbert Islands Campaign (November 1943).

  • Marshall Islands Campaign (January to February 1944).

  • Operation Hailstone, Truk Lagoon Raids (February 1944).

  • Mariana Islands Campaign (June to August 1944).

  • Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 19 to 20, 1944).

  • Philippines Campaign (1944 to 1945).

  • Iwo Jima Campaign (February to March 1945).

  • Okinawa Campaign (April to June 1945).

  • Japanese Home Islands Air Raids (1945).

This original World War II United States Navy pocket New Testament is a historically significant artifact belonging to an American USS Yorktown sailor identified as Vernon D. Stannard, whose handwritten inscription records his service aboard the USS Yorktown, one of the most distinguished American aircraft carriers of the Pacific War.

Published in New York by the American Bible Society, an organization founded in 1816, this pocket New Testament bears the production code “4036M-43(9),” consistent with a 1943 wartime printing.

Of particular historical importance is the introductory message from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, printed under the heading “The White House, Washington.” Addressing American servicemen in his capacity as Commander in Chief, Roosevelt recommended Bible reading as a source of wisdom, strength, inspiration, and moral guidance. The message concludes with a printed reproduction of the president's signature. This presidential endorsement reflects the important role religious faith occupied in American military life during World War II and the efforts of national leaders to sustain morale among the millions of Americans serving overseas.

The USS Yorktown (CV-10), an Essex class fleet aircraft carrier, was commissioned on April 15, 1943, and named in honor of the earlier USS Yorktown (CV-5), lost following the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Built at Newport News, Virginia, the new carrier represented the tremendous industrial and naval expansion of the United States during World War II. Measuring approximately 872 feet in length, Yorktown operated a formidable complement of fighter, dive bomber, and torpedo bomber aircraft. Her crew included thousands of sailors responsible for aviation operations, aircraft maintenance, engineering, communications, navigation, antiaircraft defense, and the countless duties necessary to maintain a combat ready warship. Life aboard an American aircraft carrier involved exhausting watches, cramped living conditions, constant machinery noise, and the ever present danger of enemy attack. Personal possessions such as this New Testament offered sailors a means of prayer, reflection, and spiritual comfort throughout their military service.

USS Yorktown entered combat on August 31, 1943, when her aircraft attacked Japanese installations on Marcus Island. In October 1943, she participated in strikes against Wake Island before supporting Operation Galvanic, the American invasion of the Gilbert Islands, including Tarawa and Makin, in November. During early 1944, Yorktown participated in the Marshall Islands campaign and the devastating February 16 and 17 carrier strikes against Truk Lagoon, a major Japanese naval stronghold. The carrier subsequently conducted offensive operations throughout the Central Pacific, supporting American advances against Japanese positions in the Marianas, Palaus, and surrounding island groups.

One of Yorktown's most important engagements occurred during the Battle of the Philippine Sea on June 19 and 20, 1944. Operating with the American Fast Carrier Task Force, Yorktown participated in the decisive naval campaign that severely weakened Japanese carrier aviation and helped secure the American invasion of the Mariana Islands. Throughout the remainder of 1944, the carrier supported operations against Japanese installations on Guam, Tinian, Iwo Jima, and the Philippines. During December 1944, Yorktown also endured the devastating typhoon that struck Admiral William F. Halsey's Third Fleet, participating in rescue efforts after three American destroyers were lost in the storm.

In February 1945, USS Yorktown participated in air strikes against the Japanese home islands before supporting the American invasion of Iwo Jima. During March, the carrier continued offensive operations against Japanese airfields and military installations in preparation for the invasion of Okinawa. On March 18, 1945, a Japanese aircraft successfully bombed Yorktown, striking the signal bridge area and killing five American servicemen while wounding 26 others. Despite the damage, the carrier remained operational and continued supporting American forces. Throughout the Battle of Okinawa and the final months of the Pacific War, Yorktown conducted additional attacks against Japanese military installations, shipping, and airfields. During the summer of 1945, she participated in the final American carrier offensives against the Japanese home islands before Japan's surrender in August. For her exceptional wartime service, USS Yorktown received the Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars, recognizing her contributions to the Allied victory in the Pacific.