U.S.S. BOUGAINVILLE

CVU-100 USS BOUGAINVILLE

A Casablanca-class escort carrier, Bougainville was launched and commissioned in 1944. Bougainville was part of the US Pacific Fleet and the Pacific Reserve Fleet. She participated in the Invasion of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. She earned two battle stars for her service during World War II.

Career Highlights

Bougainville began her battle career carrying aircraft to the Marshall, Admiralty and Mariana Islands. She set sail in early 1945 to Eniwetok and participated in replenishment missions in the Western Pacific, delivering planes, pilots and crews to the larger carriers. Included in this was a replacement mission to the carriers during the Iwo Jima operation. During the Okinawa operation, she provided logistical support to the 3^rd and 5^th Fleets. In the summer of 1945, she returned to Pearl Harbor, where she ferried aircraft to the Marshall and Mariana Islands.

After the War, she sailed for Okinawa to deliver planes and personnel before returning to San Diego. She made a voyage to Pearl Harbor and Eniwetok. Upon her return, she was made inactive and joined in the 19^th Fleet. She was placed out of commission in 1946. In 1955, she was reclassified as CVU-100. In 1960, she was struck from the Navy roll and sold for scrap that summer.