How Many Aircraft Carriers Did the U.S Have in WW2?
Introduction
The United States entered World War II with a modest fleet of aircraft carriers, but by the war’s end, it had become the dominant force in naval aviation. The country’s aircraft carrier fleet played a crucial role in the war, providing air support for ground troops, sinking enemy ships, and launching devastating air raids. In this article, we’ll explore the number of aircraft carriers the U.S. had during World War II and how they contributed to the war effort.
The Early Years: 1941-1942
When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, it had a total of six aircraft carriers:
• USS Lexington (CV-2): The Lexington was one of the two U.S. carriers that survived the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first major naval engagement in which aircraft carriers played a decisive role.
• USS Yorktown (CV-5): The Yorktown was also present at the Battle of the Coral Sea and went on to play a significant role in the Battle of Midway, a pivotal naval battle that turned the tide of the war in the Pacific.
• USS Enterprise (CV-6): The Enterprise was the most deployed U.S. aircraft carrier during World War II, earning the nickname "The Big E" due to its numerous battles and accolades.
• USS Saratoga (CV-3): The Saratoga was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served in World War I, and played a key role in the Pacific theater during World War II.
• USS Ranger (CV-4): The Ranger was a smaller carrier that was commissioned in 1934 and saw action in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters.
• USS Wasp (CV-7): The Wasp was a newer carrier, commissioned in 1940, and was involved in several battles, including the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway.
Expansion and Losses: 1942-1943
The U.S. expanded its aircraft carrier fleet throughout 1942 and 1943, with new carriers being commissioned and older ones being repaired and modified. By the end of 1943, the U.S. had a total of 14 aircraft carriers:
• USS Hornet (CV-8): The Hornet was commissioned in 1941 and played a key role in the Battle of Midway, where it was heavily damaged and later sunk.
• USS Essex (CV-9): The Essex was the lead ship of a new class of aircraft carriers and saw action in several battles, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
• USS Intrepid (CV-11): The Intrepid was another Essex-class carrier that was commissioned in 1943 and played a significant role in the Pacific theater.
• USS Langley (CVL-27): The Langley was a smaller carrier that was converted from a light aircraft carrier and played a supporting role in several battles.
• USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24): The Belleau Wood was another small carrier that was converted from a USS Langley-class escort carrier.
• USS Bataan (CVL-29): The Bataan was an escort carrier that was commissioned in 1943 and played a supporting role in several battles.
Peak Strength: 1944-1945
By the middle of 1944, the U.S. had reached the peak of its aircraft carrier strength, with a total of 24 carriers:
• USS Franklin (CV-13): The Franklin was commissioned in 1944 and played a significant role in several battles, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
• USS Ticonderoga (CV-14): The Ticonderoga was an Essex-class carrier that was commissioned in 1944 and saw action in several battles.
• USS Randolph (CV-15): The Randolph was another Essex-class carrier that was commissioned in 1944 and played a key role in several battles.
• USS Hornet (CV-12): The Hornet was commissioned in 1943 and played a significant role in several battles, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
Losses and the End of the War
The U.S. suffered significant losses of aircraft carriers during the final years of the war, with a total of seven carriers being sunk or written off:
• USS Wasp (CV-7): The Wasp was sunk on September 15, 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
• USS Hornet (CV-8): The Hornet was sunk on October 26, 1942, during the Battle of Santa Cruz.
• USS Lexington (CV-2): The Lexington was sunk on May 8, 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
• USS Yorktown (CV-5): The Yorktown was sunk on June 7, 1942, during the Battle of Midway.
• USS Langley (CVL-27): The Langley was sunk on February 27, 1944, during the Battle of the Java Sea.
• USS Bataan (CVL-29): The Bataan was sunk on April 11, 1945, during a kamikaze attack.
• USS Intrepid (CV-11): The Intrepid was heavily damaged on August 16, 1945, during a typhoon and was later retired.
Conclusion
In total, the United States had 24 aircraft carriers during World War II. These carriers played a crucial role in the war, providing air support for ground troops, sinking enemy ships, and launching devastating air raids. The U.S. suffered significant losses, but its aircraft carrier fleet emerged from the war as the dominant force in naval aviation.
