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U.S.S. MONTEREY
(CVL-26)Click to view crew list
USS Monterey (CVL-26) was converted from a light cruiser to an Independence-class light aircraft carrier in Camden, New Jersey in 1941. It was launched and commissions two years later.
WWII Operations
Her first operation was the Gilbert Islands invasion in November of 1943. Following this, she played an integral role in the following operations:
- Marshall Islands
- Japanese attacks in Central Pacific
- Japanese attacks in New Guinea
- Marianas invasion
- Battle of the Philippine Sea
- Strikes on Wake Island and the Philippines
- Battle of Leyte Gulf
- Invasion of Okinawa
Though she survived this battles and invasions, a typhoon caused serious enough damage to her that she had to sail back to the U.S. for repairs. After she was repaired and cleared for battle, she took part in the invasions that secured Okinawa and ferried veterans home from battle.
Service Between Wars
Between wars, Monterey spent her time in the Atlantic, ferrying Italian men to the United States. She was decommissioned in 1947.
Korean War
Monterey was recommissioned in 1950 for the Korean War. She acted as a training carrier in Pensacola, Florida until 1955. She joined the Reserve Fleet in 1956. In 1959, she was reclassified as transportation for aircraft. In 1971, she was sold for scrap.
CVL-26 Deployments - Major Events
Add a CVL-26 Shellback Initiation | Add a CVL-26 Deployment - Major Event | ||||
Month | Year | to | Month | Year | Deployment / Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FEB | 1941 | - | JAN | 1953 | Guantanamo Bay |
DEC | 1941 | - | Keel Date: 29 DEC 1941 at New York Shipbuilding Corporation | ||
FEB | 1943 | - | Launch Date: 28 FEB 1943 | ||
MAR | 1943 | - | JUN | 1943 | Overhaul at Bremerton 1943 |
JUN | 1943 | - | Commissioned: 17 JUN 1943 | ||
DEC | 1943 | - | Shellback Initiation - 6 DEC 1943 - Pacific Ocean | ||
APR | 1944 | - | JUN | 1945 | Middle Pacific |
JUL | 1944 | - | Shellback Initiation - 13 JUL 1944 - Pacific Ocean | ||
JAN | 1955 | - | JAN | 1957 | Naval Training Command Pensacola FL Pilot Qualifications |
JAN | 1956 | - | Decommissioned: 16 JAN 1956 |
CVL-26 General Specifications
Complement: 1 569 officers and men
Displacement: 11000 tons
Length: 622.5 feet
Beam: 71.5 feet
Draft: 26 feet
Flank Speed: 31 Knots