A recent trip to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery inspired this post. Coming from Portland, Oregon, I knew of the massive efforts provided by the Kaiser Shipyards on behalf of the American war effort in World War II. My grandfather served as a foreman in the Portland – Swan Island -yard. I also knew of the old slips which can still be seen on the north – Vancouver – shore of the Columbia River nearly opposite Portland’s international airport. I knew of the battle of Leyte Gulf and the sacrifice of two escort carriers and three ships from their destroyer screen but did not realize the escort carriers came from the Vancouver shipyard. In fact, some fifty carriers were built there between 1943 and 1946. All of the escort carriers off the island of Samar fighting totally outclassed on 25 October 1944 came out of those same shipyards.