IMHO the whole (mis?)interpretation of a USN shipboard spotting plane loss stems from the USS Tuscaloosa report of the Cherbourg bombardment.
See item (k) here:
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/78556548?objectPage=4
Again IMHO the 'Tuscaloosa's spotting plane' was not an OS2U or SOC (which were parked at Lee-on-Solent), but an a/c of one of the FAA/RAF/VCS squadrons that took part for artillery spotting, and working for that USN ship.
Report speaks of "weaver", or wingman, more pointing to a fighter effort.
Also see 1145 on this page, with location of crash:
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/78556548?objectPage=8
Location "9828" = vicinity La Hague, somewhat west of Cherbourg (French Lambert Zone 1, vN9828 on the Echodelta.net coordinates translator).
Ship's report also does not mention any loss of 'own' aviators.
Regards, Leendert