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Commencement Bay
class Aircraft carriers of the US Navy, USS Commencement Bay, USS Block
Island,
USS Gilbert Islands, USS Kula Gulf, USS Cape Gloucester, USS Salerno Bay, USS
Vella Gulf, USS Siboney, USS Puget Sound, USS Rendova, USS Bairoko, USS
Badoeng Strait, USS Saidor, USS Sicily, US Point Cruz, USS Mindoro, US
Rabaul, USS Palau and USS Tinian. All launched and commissioned into the US
Navy
in 1944-46. These escort aircraft carriers were the only escort carriers
to be considered capable of operating post war.
Displacement: 18,908 tons, Full load 21,397 tons. Speed:
19 knots.
Compliment: 1066 Armament: two 5ins guns, thirty six 40mm guns, and
twenty 20mm AA guns. 33 aircraft. |
| USS Commencement Bay (CVE105) |
9th May 1944 |
Used as a pilot training ship stationed in the Pacific.
Reserve fleet in November 1946 she became a helicopter carrier in June
1955 as CVHE. Designated as AKV37 in May 1959 before scrapping after 1971. |
| USS Block Island (CVE106) |
10th June 1944 |
Served in Pacific in 1945, became a school-ship after
1946. Served in the Atlantic in 1951 until put into reserve in 1954. Sold
for breaking in 1959. |
| USS Gilbert Islands (CVE107) (Later USS Annapolis) |
20th July 1944 |
Took part in Okinawa landings and served with the Pacific
Fleet until 1945. Taken out of reserve in 1951 to serve in Korean War
operations. Reserve in 1955, she was converted to a communications relay
ship in 1961, renamed Annapolis. Served in Vietnam from 1965 -1969. Marked
for scrapping in October 1976. |
| USS Kula Gulf (CVE108) |
15th August 1944 |
Served in Pacific until end of WW2. Used for transport
and training in 1950 during the Korean War. Served as anti submarine
carrier in the Atlantic from 1953-55. Taken out of reserve and used as
aircraft transport ship during Vietnam War. Scrapped in 1971. |
| USS Cape Gloucester (CVE109) |
12th September 1944 |
Served in Pacific in July 1945. Put into reserve in 1946,
became CVHE in June 1955. Marked for scrapping in 1971. |
| USS Salerno Bay (CVE110) |
26th September 1944 |
Used for aircrew training but put into reserve in 1947. Became
an anti submarine carrier in 1951 until 1954. Became AKV10 in May 1959
before being sold fro scrap in 1961. |
| USS Vella Gulf (CVE111) |
19th October 1944 |
Used as a training ship and placed in reserve by August
1946. Designated CVHE108 in 1955, then AKV11 in May 1959. Marked for
scrapping by 1970. |
| USS Siboney (CVE12) |
9th November 1944 |
Served in Pacific at end of WW2. Reserve in 1947 but used
as a transport ship in 1948. Removed from reserve in 1951 to serve in
Korean War as anti submarine carrier. Served in Atlantic and the Med.
Reserve by 1956 and scrapped in 1971. |
| USS Puget Sound (CVE113) |
30th November 1944 |
After a short operational career, she was put into
reserve fleet, becoming CVHE in July 1955 then AKV13 in May 1959. Scrapped
1962. |
| USS Rendova (CVE114) |
28th December 1944 |
Used as a training ship in the Indian and Pacific oceans
and saw service during Korean War. Scrapped in 1971. |
| USS Bairoko (CVE115) |
25th January 1945 |
Served in the Korean War and took part in hydrogen bomb
tests. Scrapped in Hong Kong in 1961. |
| USS Badoeng Strait (CVE116) |
15th February 1945 |
Took part in Navy trials for anti submarine carriers
during 1945-1951. Served during Korean War. Scrapped c.1971. |
| USS Saidor (CVE117) |
17th March 1945 |
Used for studying photographic reconnaissance during
Bikini Atoll tests. Scrapped in 1971. |
| USS Sicily (CVE118) |
14th April 1945 |
Served in Korean War 1950-52. Reserve fleet in early
1960s then sold for scrap. |
| USS Point Cruz (CVE119) |
18th May 1945 |
Used as a transport carrier in Vietnam War 1965-1970.
Reserve fleet from 1947-51. Served in Korean War in 1953 before being
scrapped in 1971. |
| USS Mindoro (CVE120) |
27th June 1945 |
Used as a training ship and anti submarine carrier from
1946-1955. Became AKV20 before scrapping in 1960. |
| USS Rabaul (CVE121) |
14th July 1945 |
Placed in reserve upon completion, becoming CVHE in 1955
and AKV21 in 1959. She was scrapped in 1972. |
| USS Palau (CVE122) |
6th August 1945 |
Served in Atlantic with 6th Fleet and also as a transport
ship. Scrapped in 1960. |
| USS Tinian (CVE123) |
5th September 1945 |
Placed in reserve upon completion, becoming CVHE in 1955
and AKV23 in 1959. She was scrapped in 1971. |
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USS Mindoro |
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USS Mindoro (CVE120) |
The Flight Deck of USS Mindoro (CVE120). Thanks
to Patrick Gerry |
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Naval Historians, Crew & Family
Noticeboard
Photographs and information on historical events about this
aircraft carrier class requested for this new
website. If you have any information you would like to send us including
photographs of crew members serving on these carriers and also photographs of the ship please
USE
OUR MESSAGE FORM
MESSAGES
USS MINDORO.. HAROLD (WHITEY) MULLEN.. My father served on USS
Mindoro in WWII. He was a medic I think. Also served with him was Woody
Purcell. Anyone have any more information contact me at sheilaobrien@sbcglobal.com
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE USE
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