From: jem3@PYUXF.CC.BELLCORE.COM Subject: INF: USN Aircraft Carriers To: Multiple recipients of list WWII-L Over the years, I have had many discussions about the aircraft carrier in World War II. Many discussions have involved how many carriers we did or did not have and what if we had more or less. While reading the group's postings, I got the idea that perhaps I should go find out how many carriers we had at any particular date during WWII. My studies and results will be included in five additional messages that I am transmitting after this one. This study does not include data for the 38 escort aircraft carriers (BAVG and CVE) transferred to the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy during World War II. For this study, I listed the date and events related to aircraft carriers. These events include: 1. The date the keel of a carrier was laid down, and/or 2. The date the classification of a ship was changed to an aircraft carrier, and/or 3. The date the name of a ship was changed, and/or 4. The date a carrier was commissioned, and/or 5. The date a carrier was sunk. The carriers themselves fall into four categories, i.e.: 1. Large Aircraft Carrier (CVB). Originally classified as Aircraft Carriers (CVs), this category was established on 15 Jul 43 to apply to the five Midway Class carriers. The keels of the first three were laid down between Oct 43 and Jul 44 but none were commissioned prior to VJ Day. The remaining two were cancelled on 27 Mar 45. 2. Aircraft Carrier (CV). The large, fleet type carriers of WWII, e.g., the Essex and Ticonderoga Classes. 3. Small Aircraft Carrier (CVL). Classification established on 15 Jul 43 to apply to the nine Independence Class carriers. These nine were originally laid down as Cleveland Class light cruisers (CLs) reclassified CVs between Jan and Jun 42. All reclassified CVLs on 15 Jul 43. Also applied to the two Saipan Class CVLs whose keels were laid down in Jul and Aug 42. 4. Escort Aircraft Carrier (CVE). These ships were originally classified as auxiliary vessels and were not classified as warships until 15 Jul 43. Originally, they were Aircraft Escort Vessels (AVG) until reclassified Auxiliary Aircraft Carriers (ACVs) on 20 Aug 42. They became CVEs on 15 Jul 43. The majority (50) of these ships were the Casablanca Class. Following most dates in the listing is a status table indicating, for each ship classification, the number of ships building (BUILD) and commissioned (COMM). I hope those of you on the net find this informative. Please advise me if you find any errors and I will gladly correct the error and reissue the appropriate file. The five files of data cover the following dates: File 1: 1 Sep 39 to 31 Dec 41 File 2: 1942 File 3: 1943 File 4: 1944 File 5: 1 Jan to 2 Sep 45 ****************************************************************************** USN Aircraft Carriers 1939-41 1 Sep 39: Status of US Aircraft Carriers Warships In Commission: USS Enterprise (CV-6); USS Lexington (CV-2); USS Ranger (CV-4); USS Saratoga (CV-3); USS Yorktown (CV-5) Building: Wasp (CV-7). CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 1 25 Sep 39: Keel of Hornet (CV-8) laid down. CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 2 25 Apr 40: Wasp (CV-7) commissioned. CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 1 6 Mar 41: SS Mormacmail (MC Hull 47) acquired for conversion to Long Island (AVG-1) CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 1 AVG 0 1 28 Apr 41: Keel of Essex (CV-9) laid down. CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 2 AVG 0 1 2 Jun 41: Long Island (AVG-1) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 2 AVG 1 0 18 Jun 41: Keel of Copahee (AVG-12, MC Hull 169) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 2 AVG 1 1 15 Jul 41: Keel of Cabot (CV-16) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 3 AVG 1 1 15 Sep 41: Keel of Bunker Hill (CV-17) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 4 AVG 1 1 1 Oct 41: Keel of Bogue (AVG-9, MC Hull 170) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 4 AVG 1 2 4 Oct 41: HMS Charger (BAVG-4) returned to USN CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 4 AVG 1 3 20 Oct 41: Hornet (CV-8) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 3 AVG 1 3 27 Oct 41: Keel of Card (AVG-11, MC Hull 178) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 3 AVG 1 4 27 Nov 41: Keel of Nassau (AVG-16, MC Hull 234) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 3 AVG 1 5 1 Dec 41: Keel of Bon Homme Richard (CV-10) laid down Keel of Intrepid (CV-11) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 5 AVG 1 5 19 Dec 41: Keel of Altamaha (AVG-18, MC Hull 235) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 5 AVG 1 6 ****************************************************************************** Subject: INF: USN Aircraft Carriers 1942 1 Jan 42: Status CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 5 AVG 1 6 2 Jan 42: Keel of Core (AVG-13, MC Hull 179) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 5 AVG 1 7 9 Jan 42: Santee (AO-29) reclassified AVG-29 and begins conversion CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 5 AVG 1 8 10 Jan 42: Amsterdam (CL-59) redesignated Independence (CV-22) while building CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 5 AVG 1 9 19 Jan 42: Keels of Barnes (AVG-20, MC Hull 236) and Block Island (AVG-21, MC Hull 237) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 5 AVG 1 11 24 Jan 42: HMS Charger (BAVG-4) reclassified Charger (AVG-30) 1 Feb 42: Keel of Core (AVG-13) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 5 AVG 1 12 14 Feb 42: Sangamon (AO-28) reclassified AVG-26 and Suwanee (AO-33) reclassified AVG-27 and begin conversion CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 5 AVG 1 14 16 Feb 42: New Haven (CL-76) redesignated Belleau Wood (CV-24) and Princeton (CL-61) redesignated Princeton (CV-23) while building CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 7 AVG 1 14 25 Feb 42: Keel of Breton (AVG-23, MC Hull 239) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 7 AVG 1 15 3 Mar 42: Charger (AVG-30) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 7 AVG 2 14 16 Mar 42: Chenango (AO-31) reclassified AVG-28 and begins conversion CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 7 AVG 2 15 18 Mar 42: Keel of Oriskany (CV-18) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 8 AVG 2 15 27 Mar 42: Following CL's redesignated CV's while building: Huntington (CL-77) to Cowpens (CV-25) Dayton (CL-78) to Monterey (CV-26) Fargo (CL-85) to Crown Point (CV-27) CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 11 AVG 2 15 15 Apr 42: Keel of Croatan (AVG-25, MC Hull 241) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 11 AVG 2 16 8 May 42: USS Lexington (CV-2) sunk by aerial torpedoes in Battle of Coral Sea CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 11 AVG 2 16 18 May 42: Keel of Prince William (AVG-31, MC Hull 242) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 11 AVG 2 17 2 Jun 42: Following CL's redesignated CV's while building: Wilmington (CL-79) to Cabot (CV-28) Buffalo (CL-99) to Bataan (CV-29) Newark (CL-100) to Reprisal (CV-30) CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 14 AVG 2 17 7 Jun 42: USS Yorktown (CV-5), damaged by aircraft on 4 Jun during Battle of Midway, torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-168. CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 14 AVG 2 17 15 Jun 42: Copahee (AVG-12) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 14 AVG 3 16 16 Jun 42: Cabot (CV-16) renamed Lexington while building 3 Aug 42: Keel of Kearsarge (CV-12) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 15 AVG 3 16 20 Aug 42: All AVGs reclassified ACVs Nassau (ACV-16) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 15 ACV 4 15 24 Aug 42: Santee (ACV-29) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 15 ACV 5 14 25 Aug 42: Sangamon (ACV-26) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 15 ACV 6 13 15 Sep 42: USS Wasp (CV-7) torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-19 south of Guadalcanal. Altamaha (ACV-18) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 4 15 ACV 7 12 19 Sep 42: Chenango (ACV-28) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 4 15 ACV 8 11 24 Sep 42: Suwanee (ACV-27) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 4 15 ACV 9 10 26 Sep 42: Bogue (ACV-9) commissioned; Bon Homme Richard (CV-10) renamed Yorktown while building; Oriskany (CV-18) renamed Wasp while building CLASS COMM BUILD CV 4 15 ACV 10 9 26 Oct 42: USS Hornet (CV-8) sunk after being damaged by aircraft torpedoes during Battle of Santa Cruz CLASS COMM BUILD CV 3 15 ACV 10 9 3 Nov 42: Keel of Ameer (ACV-55, MC Hull 1092) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 3 15 ACV 10 10 8 Nov 42: Card (ACV-11) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 3 15 ACV 11 9 13 Nov 42: Crown Point (CV-27) renamed Langley while building 17 Nov 42: Keel of Anguilla Bay (ACV-58, MC Hull 1095) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 3 15 ACV 11 10 7 Dec 42: Keel of Franklin (CV-13) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 3 16 ACV 11 10 9 Dec 42: Keel of Liscome Bay (ACV-56, MC Hull 1093) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 3 16 ACV 11 11 10 Dec 42: Core (ACV-13) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 3 16 ACV 12 10 12 Dec 42: Keel of Alikula Bay (ACV-57, MC Hull 1094) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 3 16 ACV 12 11 15 Dec 42: Keel of Bennington (CV-20) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 3 17 ACV 12 11 28 Dec 42: Keel of Atheling (ACV-59, MC Hull 1096) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 3 17 ACV 12 12 31 Dec 42: Essex (CV-9) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 4 16 ACV 12 12 ****************************************************************************** Subject: INF: USN Aircraft Carriers 1943 1 Jan 43: Status CLASS COMM BUILD CV 4 16 ACV 12 12 5 Jan 43: Keel of Astrolabe Bay (ACV-60, MC Hull 1097) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 4 16 ACV 12 13 6 Jan 43: Reprisal (CV-30) renamed San Jacinto while building 14 Jan 43: Independence (CV-22) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 15 ACV 12 13 15 Jan 43: Keels of Bucareli Bay (ACV-61, MC Hull 1098) and Shangri La (CV-38) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 16 ACV 12 14 17 Jan 43: Keel of HMS Begum (ACV-62, MC Hull 1099) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 16 ACV 12 15 22 Jan 43: Kearsarge (CV-12) renamed Hornet while building; HMS Begum (ACV-62) transferred to USN and renamed Natoma Bay 23 Jan 43: Ameer (ACV-55) renamed Alazon Bay on ways; keel of Chapin Bay (ACV-63, MC Hull 1100) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 16 ACV 12 16 26 Jan 43: Keel of Ticonderoga (CV-19) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 17 ACV 12 16 1 Feb 43: Keels of Bon Homme Richard (CV-31), Didrickson Bay (ACV-64, MC Hull 1101) and Hancock (CV-14) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 19 ACV 12 17 6 Feb 43: Keel of Dolomi Bay (ACV-65, MC Hull 1102) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 19 ACV 12 18 11 Feb 43: Keel of Elbour Bay (ACV-66, MC Hull 1103) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 5 19 ACV 12 19 17 Feb 43: Lexington (CV-16) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 18 ACV 12 19 20 Feb 43: Barnes (ACV-20) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 6 18 ACV 13 18 25 Feb 43: Princeton (CV-23) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 17 ACV 13 18 8 Mar 43: Block Island (ACV-21) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 17 ACV 14 17 15 Mar 43: Keels of Antietam (CV-36) and Lake Champlain (CV-39) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 19 ACV 14 17 31 Mar 43: Belleau Wood (CV-24) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 18 ACV 14 17 3 Apr 43: Following ACV's renamed on ways: Alazon Bay (ACV-55) to Casablanca Alikula Bay (ACV-57) to Coral Sea Anguilla Bay (ACV-58) to Corregidor Astrolabe Bay (ACV-60) to Guadalcanal Atheling (ACV-59) to Mission Bay Bucareli Bay (ACV-61) to Manila Bay Chapin Bay (ACV-63) to Midway Didrickson Bay (ACV-64) to Tripoli Dolomi Bay (ACV-65) to Wake Island Elbour Bay (ACV-66) to White Plains 9 Apr 43: Prince William (ACV-31) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 18 ACV 15 16 12 Apr 43: Breton (ACV-23) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 18 ACV 16 15 15 Apr 43: Yorktown (CV-10) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 9 17 ACV 16 15 19 Apr 43: Keel of Solomons (ACV-67, MC Hull 1104) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 9 17 ACV 16 16 26 Apr 43: Keel of Kalanin Bay (ACV-68, MC Hull 1105) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 9 17 ACV 16 17 28 Apr 43: Croatan (ACV-25) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 9 17 ACV 17 16 1 May 43: Hancock (CV-14) renamed Ticonderoga and Ticonderoga (CV-19) renamed Hancock while building 10 May 43: Keel of Randolph (CV-15) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 9 18 ACV 17 16 11 May 43: Keel of Kasaan Bay (ACV-69, MC Hull 1106) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 9 18 ACV 17 17 18 May 43: Keel of Fanshaw Bay (ACV-70, MC Hull 1107) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 9 18 ACV 17 18 25 May 43: Bunker Hill (CV-17) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 10 17 ACV 17 18 28 May 43: Cowpens (CV-25) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 11 16 ACV 17 18 31 May 43: Keel of Kitkun Bay (ACV-71, MC Hull 1108) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 11 16 ACV 17 19 7 Jun 43: Keel of Fortezela Bay (ACV-72, MC Hull 1109) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 11 16 ACV 17 20 17 Jun 43: Monterey (CV-26) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 12 15 ACV 17 20 8 Jul 43: Casablanca (ACV-55) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 12 15 ACV 18 19 10 Jul 43: Keel of Gambier Bay (ACV-73, MC Hull 1110) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 12 15 ACV 18 20 15 Jul 43: All ACV's reclassified CVE Following CV's reclassified CVL's: USS Independence (CV-22) to CVL-22 USS Princeton (CV-23) to CVL-23 USS Belleau Wood (CV-24) to CVL-24 USS Cowpens (CV-25) to CVL-25 USS Monterey (CV-26) to CVL-26 Langley (CV-27) to CVL-27 Cabot (CV-28) to CVL-28 Bataan (CV-29) to CVL-29 San Jacinto (CV-30) to CVL-30 CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 11 CVL 5 4 CVE 18 20 20 Jul 43: Keel of Nehenta Bay (CVE-74, MC Hull 1111) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 11 CVL 5 4 CVE 18 21 24 Jul 43: Cabot (CVL-28) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 11 CVL 6 3 CVE 18 21 7 Aug 43: Liscome Bay (CVE-56) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 7 11 CVL 6 3 CVE 19 20 16 Aug 43: Intrepid (CV-11) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 10 CVL 6 3 CVE 19 20 17 Aug 43: Keel of Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75, MC Hull 1112) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 10 CVL 6 3 CVE 19 21 27 Aug 43: Coral Sea (CVE-57) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 10 CVL 6 3 CVE 20 20 31 Aug 43: Corregidor (CVE-58) and Langley (CVL-27) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 10 CVL 7 2 CVE 21 19 2 Sep 43: Keel of Kadashan Bay (CVE-76, MC Hull 1113) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 10 CVL 7 2 CVE 21 20 13 Sep 43: Keel of Boxer (CV-21) laid down; Mission Bay (CVE-59) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 11 CVL 7 2 CVE 22 19 14 Sep 43: Keel of Valley Forge (CV-37) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 22 19 15 Sep 43: Keel of Kanalku Bay (CVE-77, MC Hull 1114) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 22 20 23 Sep 43: Keel of St Joseph Bay (CVE-105) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 22 21 25 Sep 43: Guadalcanal (CVE-60) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 23 20 27 Sep 43: Keel of Kaita Bay, CVE-78, MC Hull 1115) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 23 21 5 Oct 43: Manila Bay (CVE-61) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 24 20 6 Oct 43: Keel of Ommaney Bay (CVE-79, MC Hull 1116) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 24 21 14 Oct 43: Natoma Bay (CVE-62) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 25 20 15 Oct 43: Keel of Petrof Bay (CVE-80, MC Hull 1117) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 25 21 23 Oct 43: Midway (CVE-63) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 26 20 24 Oct 43: Keel of Rudyerd Bay (CVE-81, MC Hull 1118) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 26 21 25 Oct 43: Keel of Sunset Bay (CVE-106) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 26 22 27 Oct 43: Keel of Midway (CVB-41) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 26 22 31 Oct 43: Tripoli (CVE-64) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 27 21 1 Nov 43: Keel of Saginaw Bay (CVE-82, MC Hull 1119) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 27 22 6 Nov 43: Following CVE's renamed on ways: Fortezela Bay (CVE-72) to Tulagi Kaita Bay (CVE-78) to Savo Island Kanalku Bay (CVE-77) to Marcus Island Nassuk Bay (CVE-67) to Solomons 7 Nov 43: Wake Island (CVE-65) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 28 21 8 Nov 43: Keel of Sargent Bay (CVE-83, MC Hull 1120) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 28 22 15 Nov 43: Keel of Shamrock Bay (CVE-84, MC Hull 1121) laid down; White Plains (CVE-66) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 29 22 17 Nov 43: Bataan (CVL-29) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 8 1 CVE 30 21 21 Nov 43: Solomons (CVE-67) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 31 20 22 Nov 43: Keel of Shipley Bay (CVE-85, MC Hull 1122) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 31 21 21 Nov 43: Solomons (CVE-67) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 32 20 24 Nov 43: USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) torpedoed and sunk by I-175 off Gilbert Islands; Wasp (CV-18, ex Oriskany) commissioned. CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 31 20 27 Nov 43: Kalanin Bay (CVE-68) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 32 19 28 Nov 43: Keel of Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86, MC Hull 1123) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 8 12 CVL 7 2 CVE 32 20 29 Nov 43: Hornet (CV-12) commissioned; keel of St Andrews Bay (CVE-107) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 1 CV 9 11 CVL 7 2 CVE 32 21 1 Dec 43: Keel of Coral Sea (CVB-42) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 7 2 CVE 32 21 4 Dec 43: Kasaan Bay (CVE-69) commissioned; keel of Steamer Bay (CVE-87, MC Hull 1124) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 7 2 CVE 33 21 9 Dec 43: Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 7 2 CVE 34 20 11 Dec 43: Keel of Cape Esperance (CVE-88, MC Hull 1125) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 7 2 CVE 34 21 15 Dec 43: Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) and San Jacinto (CVL-30) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 35 20 16 Dec 43: Keels of Takansis Bay (CVE-89, MC Hull 1126) and Vermillion Bay (CVE-108) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 8 1 CVE 35 22 21 Dec 43: Tulagi (CVE-72) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 8 1 CVE 36 21 22 Dec 43: Keel of Thetis Bay (CVE-90, MC Hull 1127) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 8 1 CVE 36 22 28 Dec 43: Gambier Bay (CVE-73) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 8 1 CVE 37 21 29 Dec 43: Keel of Makassar Strait (CVE-91, MC Hull 1128) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 8 1 CVE 37 22 ****************************************************************************** Subject: INF: USN Aircraft Carriers 1944 1 Jan 44: Status CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 37 22 3 Jan 44: Nehenta Bay (CVE-74) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 38 21 5 Jan 44: Keel of Windham Bay (CVE-92, MC Hull 1129) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 38 22 10 Jan 44: Keel of Willapa Bay (CVE-109) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 38 23 11 Jan 44: Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 39 22 12 Jan 44: Keel of Makin Island (CVE-93, MC Hull 1130) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 39 23 18 Jan 44: Kadashan Bay (CVE-76) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 40 22 19 Jan 44: Keel of Lunga Point (CVE-94, MC Hull 1131) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 40 23 26 Jan 44: Marcus Island (CVE-77) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 9 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 41 22 31 Jan 44: Franklin (CV-13) commissioned; keel of Alikula Bay (CVE-95, MC Hull 1132) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 10 CVL 9 0 CVE 41 23 3 Feb 44: Savo Island (CVE-78) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 10 CVL 9 0 CVE 42 22 4 Feb 44: Keel of Salamaua (CVE-96, MC Hull 1133) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 10 CVL 9 0 CVE 42 23 7 Feb 44: Keel of Salerno Bay (CVE-110) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 10 CVL 9 0 CVE 42 24 11 Feb 44: Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 10 CVL 9 0 CVE 43 23 12 Feb 44: Keel of Astrolabe Bay (CVE-97, MC Hull 1134) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 10 CVL 9 0 CVE 43 24 18 Feb 44: Petrof Bay (CVE-80) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 10 CVL 9 0 CVE 44 23 19 Feb 44: Keel of Bucareli Bay (CVE-98, MC Hull 1135) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 10 CVL 9 0 CVE 44 24 21 Feb 44: Keel of Crown Point (CV-32) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 44 24 25 Feb 44: Rudyerd Bay (CVE-81) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 45 23 26 Feb 44: Keel of Chapin Bay (CVE-99, MC Hull 1136) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 11 CVL 9 0 CVE 45 24 1 Mar 44: Keels of Kearsarge (CV-33) and Tarawa (CV-40) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 45 24 2 Mar 44: Saginaw Bay (CVE-82) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 46 23 3 Mar 44: Keel of Didrickson Bay (CVE-100, MC Hull 1137) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 46 24 7 Mar 44: Keel of Totem Bay (CVE-111) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 46 25 9 Mar 44: Sargent Bay (CVE-83) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 47 24 10 Mar 44: Keel of Dolomi Bay (CVE-101, MC Hull 1138) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 47 25 15 Mar 44: Shamrock Bay (CVE-84) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 48 24 16 Mar 44: Keel of Attu (CVE-102, MC Hull 1139) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 48 25 21 Mar 44: Shipley Bay (CVE-85) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 49 24 22 Mar 44: Keel of Alava Bay (CVE-103, MC Hull 1140) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 49 25 28 Mar 44: Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 50 24 29 Mar 44: Keel of Munda (CVE-104, MC Hull 1141) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 50 25 1 Apr 44: Keel of Frosty Bay (CVE-112) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 50 26 4 Apr 44: Steamer Bay (CVE-87) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 51 25 9 Apr 44: Cape Esperance (CVE-88) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 10 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 52 24 15 Apr 44: Hancock (CV-19) and Takansis Bay (CVE-89) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 11 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 53 23 21 Apr 44: Thetis Bay (CVE-90) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 11 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 54 22 26 Apr 44: Following CVE's renamed before commissioning: Alava Bay (CVE-103) to Roi Bucareli Bay (CVE-98) to Kwajalein Chapin Bay (CVE-99) to Admiralty Islands Didrickson Bay (CVE-100) to Bougainville Dolomi Bay (CVE-101) to Matanikau Frosty Bay (CVE-112) to Siboney St Andrews Bay (CVE-107) to Gilbert Islands Totem Bay (CVE-111) to Vella Gulf Willapa Bay (CVE-109) to Cape Gloucester 27 Apr 44: Makassar Strait (CVE-91) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 11 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 55 21 1 May 44: Keel of Oriskany (CV-34) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 11 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 55 21 3 May 44: Windham Bay (CVE-92) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 11 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 56 20 8 May 44: Ticondroga (CV-14) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 56 20 9 May 44: Makin Island (CVE-93) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 57 19 12 May 44: Keel of Hobart Bay (CVE-113) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 57 20 14 May 44: Lunga Point (CVE-94) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 58 19 16 May 44: Alikula Bay (CVE-95) renamed Bismarck Sea before commissioning 20 May 44: Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 59 18 26 May 44: Salamaua (CVE-96) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 60 17 29 May 44: USS Block Island (CVE-21) torpedoed and sunk by U-549 northwest of Canary Islands CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 59 17 30 May 44: Astrolabe Bay (CVE-97) renamed Hollandia before commissioning 1 Jun 44: Hollandia (CVE-97) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 60 16 5 Jun 44: Hobart Bay (CVE-113) renamed Puget Sound 7 Jun 44: Kwajalein (CVE-98) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 61 15 13 Jun 44: Admiralty Islands (CVE-99) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 62 14 15 Jun 44: Keel of Rendova (CVE-114) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 62 15 18 Jun 44: Bougainville (CVE-100) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 63 14 24 Jun 44: Matanikau (CVE-101) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 64 13 30 Jun 44: Attu (CVE-102) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 12 CVL 9 0 CVE 65 12 1 Jul 44: Keel of Reprisal (CV-35) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 65 12 5 Jul 44: Sunset Bay (CVE-106) renamed Block Island while on ways 6 Jul 44: Roi (CVE-103) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 66 11 8 Jul 44: Munda (CVE-104) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 2 CV 12 13 CVL 9 0 CVE 67 10 10 Jul 44: Keels of Coral Sea (CVB-43) and Saipan (CVL-48) laid down; St Joseph Bay (CVE-105) renamed Commencement Bay while on ways CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 12 13 CVL 9 1 CVE 67 10 25 Jul 44: Keel of Bairoko (CVE-115) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 12 13 CVL 9 1 CVE 67 11 6 Aug 44: Bennington (CV-20) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 13 12 CVL 9 1 CVE 67 11 18 Aug 44: Keel of Badoeng Strait (CVE-116) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 13 12 CVL 9 1 CVE 67 12 19 Aug 44: Keel of Wright (CV-47) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 13 13 CVL 9 1 CVE 67 12 21 Aug 44: Keel of Wright (CVL-49) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 13 13 CVL 9 2 CVE 67 12 7 Sep 44: Keel of Valley Forge (CV-45) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 13 14 CVL 9 2 CVE 67 12 15 Sep 44: USS Coral Sea (CVE-57) renamed Anzio; Shangri La (CV-38) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 14 13 CVL 9 2 CVE 67 12 20 Sep 44: Keel of Saidor (CVE-117) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 14 13 CVL 9 2 CVE 67 13 9 Oct 44: Randolph (CV-15) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 15 12 CVL 9 2 CVE 67 13 10 Oct 44: USS Midway (CVE-63) renamed St Lo 23 Oct 44: Keel of Sicily (CVE-118) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 15 12 CVL 9 2 CVE 67 14 24 Oct 44: USS Princeton (CVL-23) sunk after being damaged by aircraft bombs east of Luzon during the Battle of Leyte Gulf CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 15 12 CVL 8 2 CVE 67 14 25 Oct 44: Following ships lost off Samar, Philippine Is during the Battle of Leyte Gulf: USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) by gunfire USS St Lo (CVE-63) by aircraft CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 15 12 CVL 8 2 CVE 65 14 21 Nov 44: Valley Forge (CV-37) renamed Princeton while building 26 Nov 44: Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 16 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 65 14 27 Nov 44: Commencement Bay (CVE-105) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 16 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 66 13 4 Dec 44: Keel of Point Cruz (CVE-119) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 16 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 66 14 30 Dec 44: Block Island (CVE-106) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 16 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 67 13 ****************************************************************************** Subject: INF: USN Aircraft Carriers 1945 1 Jan 45: Status CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 16 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 67 13 2 Jan 45: Keel of Mindoro (CVE-120) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 16 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 67 14 4 Jan 45: USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) sunk by kamikaze south of Mindoro, Philippine Islands CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 16 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 66 14 28 Jan 45: Antietam (CV-36) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 17 10 CVL 8 2 CVE 66 14 29 Jan 45: Keels of Iwo Jima (CV-46) and Rabaul (CVE-121) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 17 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 66 15 5 Feb 45: Gilbert Islands (CVE-107) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 17 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 67 14 12 Feb 45: Wright (CV-47) renamed Philippine Sea while building 19 Feb 45: Keel of Palau (CVE-122) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 17 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 67 15 21 Feb 45: USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) sunk by kamikaze off Iwo Jima CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 17 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 66 15 5 Mar 45: Cape Gloucester (CVE-109) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 17 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 67 14 20 Mar 45: Keel of Tinian (CVE-123) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 17 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 67 15 2 Apr 45: Keel of Bastogne (CVE-124) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 17 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 67 16 9 Apr 45: Vella Gulf (CVE-111) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 17 11 CVL 8 2 CVE 68 15 16 Apr 45: Boxer (CV-21) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 18 10 CVL 8 2 CVE 68 15 20 Apr 45: Keel of Eniwetok (CVE-125) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 18 10 CVL 8 2 CVE 68 16 1 May 45: Keel of Lingayen (CVE-126) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 18 10 CVL 8 2 CVE 68 17 8 May 45: Coral Sea (CVB-42) renamed Franklin D Roosevelt and Crown Point (CV-32) renamed Leyte while building 12 May 45: Kula Gulf (CVE-108) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 18 10 CVL 8 2 CVE 69 16 14 May 45: Siboney (CVE-112) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 18 10 CVL 8 2 CVE 70 15 19 May 45: Salerno Bay (CVE-110) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 18 10 CVL 8 2 CVE 71 14 22 May 45: Keel of Okinawa (CVE-127) laid down CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 18 10 CVL 8 2 CVE 71 15 3 Jun 45: Lake Champlain (CV-39) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 19 9 CVL 8 2 CVE 71 15 18 Jun 45: Puget Sound (CVE-113) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 19 9 CVL 8 2 CVE 72 14 16 Jul 45: Bairoko (CVE-115) commissioned CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 19 9 CVL 8 2 CVE 73 13 12 Aug 45: Construction of following ships canceled: Bastogne (CVE-124) Eniwetok (CVE-125) Iwo Jima (CV-46) Lingayen (CVE-126) Okinawa (CVE-127) Reprisal (CV-35) CLASS COMM BUILD CVB 0 3 CV 19 7 CVL 8 2 CVE 73 9