John Thomas Blackburn is transferred from USS Monadnock (CM-9) to USS Santeee (ACV-29) during the North African Operation, 11 November 1942 (80-G-30610)

U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander John Thomas Blackburn is transferred from the minelayer USS Monadnock (CM-9) to the escort carrier USS Santee (ACV-29) during the North African Operation, 11 November 1942. Blackburn with other Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats of Escort Fighter Squadron 29 (VGF-29) had taken off from Santee on 8 November 1942. They could not find their target, and poor weather and damaged homing equipment aboard Santee forced them to ditch or force-land their Wildcats. Blackburn then floated adrift in a liferaft for three days before being rescued.