Note - this document was picked up from a now-defunct FTP site several years ago. The introductory material has been edited and clarified, but the content itself has not been modified, and we ARE NOT making corrections or changes to this document. We are aware of a small number of minor errors, but for the most part the material is accurate and very useful.
This document lists US Navy carrier force levels throughout WWII, and a
timeline of carrier construction. The following specific dates and
events are listed:
1. The date the keel of a carrier was laid down
2. The date the classification of a ship was changed to an aircraft carrier
3. The date the name of a ship was changed
4. The date a carrier was commissioned
5. The date a carrier was sunk
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.
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
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
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
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
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