The Move to Okinawa
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Window 4 · VMF‑323, Third Posting · Leg 1

The Move to Okinawa

Transferred a third time — to VMF-323, the "Death Rattlers" — Hack crosses the Pacific once more, boarding the escort carrier USS White Plains for the final push into Okinawa.

4legs
14days, Manus→Kadena
~5,500n. miles
130°E 150°E 170°E 170°W 160°W 30°N 20°N 10°N EQ. N JAPAN PHILIPPINE SEA CAROLINE ISLANDS PACIFIC OCEAN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS 1 · reasoned track, c. late March 2 · Mar 26–30 3 · Apr 2–6 4 · Apr 9 EWA, OAHU MCAS · transfers to VMF-323 SEEADLER HARBOR, MANUS boards USS White Plains · Mar 26 ULITHI ATOLL fleet anchorage · arrives Mar 30 OFF OKINAWA holding position · Apr 2–6 KADENA AIRFIELD 64 Corsairs land · Apr 9, 1945
Schematic map, not to navigational scale — the opening Hawaii-to-Manus leg (teal) is the author's reasoned bridge for Hack's own transfer, undocumented in the sources; the three legs from Seeadler Harbor onward (gold) follow USS White Plains's confirmed movements. Tap or hover any marker for details. Drawn from 01_Hack_Timeline.md, DANFS (USS White Plains, CVE-66), and the U.S. Marine Corps University's official history of VMF-323.
Confirmed track (USS White Plains — DANFS / USMCU squadron history)
Author's reasoned track (Hack's own transfer, undocumented)
Stop / position

Full itinerary

#RouteNotesDateDistance
1 Ewa, Oahu → Seeadler Harbor, Manus Author's reasoned route — no documented itinerary c. late March 1945 ~3,490 nm (schematic)
2 Seeadler Harbor → Ulithi Atoll Aboard USS White Plains (CVE-66), with VMF-322 Mar 26–30, 1945 ~860 nm
3 Ulithi → off Okinawa (holding) With USS Hollandia (CVE-97); early kamikaze attacks near, unengaged Apr 2–6, 1945 ~950 nm
4 Off Okinawa → Kadena Airfield All 64 Corsairs of VMF-322 & VMF-323 launch and land safely Apr 9, 1945 ~245 nm