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Photo # 80-G-633888:  USS Bataan working up for her second Korean War deployment, January 1952,

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Bataan (CVL-29, later AVT-4), 1943-1961

USS Bataan, an 11,000-ton Independence class small aircraft carrier built at Camden, New Jersey, was begun as the light cruiser Buffalo (CL-99). Converted to a carrier before launching, she was commissioned in November 1943 and assigned to the Pacific. During April-June 1944, Bataan took part in attacks on Japanese positions in New Guinea, the Caroline, Mariana and Bonin Islands and in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Following an overhaul, she participated in 1945 assaults in the Western Pacific, including the Okinawa Campaign and raids against the Japanese home islands. In October 1945, after Japan's surrender, the carrier returned to the United States and subsequently helped transport servicemen home from overseas. Inactive after January 1946, Bataan was decommissioned in February 1947.

Bataan recommissioned in May 1950, and was soon involved in transporting aircraft to the Korean war zone. From December 1950 until June 1951, her planes supported United Nations' ground operations in the embattled peninsula. She again went to the Far East in January-August 1952 and in October 1952-May 1953, taking part in Korean War actions during both tours. Following a final brief deployment to Asiatic waters in mid-1953, USS Bataan was decommissioned in April 1954. She was reclassified as an aircraft transport (AVT-4) in May 1959, but was stricken from the Navy List in September of that year and sold for scrapping in May 1961.

This page features selected views of USS Bataan (CVL-29).


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 45508

USS Bataan (CVL-29)


Off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 2 March 1944.
She is painted in Measure 32 Design 8A camouflage pattern.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 575 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 92287

USS Bataan (CVL-29)


Off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 2 March 1944.
Aircraft parked on her flight deck, forward, are TBM "Avenger" torpedo planes.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 169KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-437649

USS Bataan (CVL-29)


Arrives at San Diego, California, with her crew paraded on deck, as she returns from seven months in Korean waters.
Photo is dated 25 June 1951.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 600 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-633888

USS Bataan (CVL-29)


Underway in January 1952 with F4U-4B "Corsair" fighter-bombers of VMF-314 on board.
Photo was taken as she was working up in preparation for her second Korean War deployment.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 144KB; 740 x 590 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: NH 95808

USS Bataan (CVL-29)


Photographed on 22 May 1953, as she was en route to Naval Air Station San Diego, California, following a deployment to Korean waters.
Note crew paraded on the flight deck spelling out the word "HOME" and an arrow pointing over her bow. Aircraft on deck include 19 Grumman AF "Guardian" anti-submarine planes and a solitary Vought F4U "Corsair" fighter (parked amidships on the starboard side).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 172KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 75602

USS Bataan (CVL-29)


Sailors on the carrier's forecastle during her Commissioning ceremonies, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 17 November 1943.
Note ship's jack flying at left and her starboard anchor (18,000 pound type) at right.

Courtesy of Mr. James Russell, 1972.

U.S. Naval Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97311

USS Bataan (CVL-29)


Captain Valentine H. Schaeffer, USN, the carrier's Commanding Officer, cuts the cake at a reception following her commissioning ceremonies, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 17 November 1943. Looking on are Philippine Commonwealth Vice President Sergio Osmeña and Miss Rosie Osmeña.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-319232

Carrier Strikes on Japan, March 1945


A Japanese Navy "Judy" (Yokosuka D4Y3) bomber passes near USS Bataan (CVL-29) during an unsuccessful dive bombing run on Task Force 58, while the U.S. ships were operating off Japan on 20 March 1945. The Japanese plane was soon brought down by anti-aircraft fire.
Photographed from USS Hancock (CV-19). Bataan is the ship in the center of the view.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 605 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: NH 47859

USS Bataan (CVL-29)


Officer of the Deck, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Howard W. Milke, USNR, welcomes entertainer Pascacio Alinangohan as he boards the ship in 1945. Mr. Alinangohan, a former guerrilla Captain whose stage name is "Professor Paz", led a troupe of dancers, singers and guitarists in a show for the carrier's crew.
The plaque behind them features a quotation from the speech given by Philippine President Manuel Quezon at USS Bataan's launching ceremonies on 1 August 1943.
For more extensive information, see Photo # NH 47859 (extended caption).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 48995

USS Bataan (CVL-29)


Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Edward Iglesias, USNR, accompanies Miss Estefanie Veloso, grandaughter of Philippine Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña, as she inspects the cockpit of a Grumman F6F "Hellcat" fighter, while touring the ship on 10 June 1945. Bataan had just completed her tour with Task Force 58 on 30 May.
The touring party comprised Mrs. Edilbertio Osmeña, daughter-in-law of President Osmeña; Mr. & Mrs. Juan Veloso, son-in-law and daughter of the President; and Miss. Veloso. Conducting the guests on the tour of the ship was Captain Ward C. Gilbert, USN. Also accompanying the party were various Philippine and United States officials.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 24 August 2000
Minor additions made 7 May 2002