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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

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

USS Valley Forge (CV-45), 1946-1971 --
Actions and Activities, 1946-1949

After commissioning in November 1946, Valley Forge made a Caribbean shakedown cruise in January-March 1947. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet, she transited the Panama Canal in early August and spent the rest of the year in training off the West Coast and in the Hawaiian area. In January 1948, she steamed west, bound for Australia in a voyage that was extended into a World cruise lasting into mid-year. Upon her return, Valley Forge carried out routine exercises in Eastern Pacific and Hawaiian waters. These included a number of aircraft transportation missions between Pearl Harbor and San Diego, brief demonstration cruises for visiting citizens and participation in the Autumn 1949 Operation "Miki".

This page features views of many of Valley Forge's activities during the later 1940s, and provides links to other photographs taken during this time.

The following pages provide images of other Valley Forge actions and activities during 1948 and 1949:

  • USS Valley Forge -- 1948 World Cruise and
  • USS Valley Forge -- Participation in Operation "Miki", Autumn 1949


    For links to additional views related to USS Valley Forge, see:
    USS Valley Forge (CV/CVA/CVS-45 and LPH-8) -- Selected Views.

    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 95364

    USS Valley Forge (CV-45)


    Underway at sea, while transporting aircraft, 26 April 1949.
    Planes on deck forward include R4D, PV, F7F, SNB/JRB and SNJ types, all normally based ashore. Those aft are carrier types: F4U, F8F and SB2C.

    Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photo Collection, 1984.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 123KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-K-9904 (Color)

    USS Valley Forge (CV-45)


    View of the carrier's island, with members of the American Ordnance Association visiting on board, while the ship was operating near Long Beach, California, 27 April 1949. An F8F-2 "Bearcat" fighter is parked alongside the island.
    Note large SX radar antenna atop the tripod mast, and many onlookers standing on the island walkways.

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

    Online Image: 124KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: NH 95745

    USS Valley Forge (CV-45)


    Vice Admiral Gerald F. Bogan, Commander, First Task Fleet, with officers and visitors during a demonstration cruise for members of the American Ordnance Association, off Long Beach, California, 27 April 1949.
    Those present are identified in Photo # NH 95745 (Complete Caption).

    Collection of Vice Admiral Dixwell Ketcham.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 112KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 96935

    USS Valley Forge (CV-45)


    Rounds Diamond Head, Oahu, while en route from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to San Diego, California, on 17 May 1949.
    She was transporting the headquarters of Rear Admiral H.B. Sallada, Commander, Air Force, Pacific Fleet, from Pearl Harbor to San Diego, and carried a deck load of flying boats and land-based planes.
    Aircraft types visible on her flight deck include one PBM, six PBY and 2 F4U parked aft. Those visible amidships include one R4D, one P2V, seven JRB/SNB and seven SNJ.

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

    Online Image: 142KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-427668

    Grumman F8F-2 "Bearcat" fighters


    Prepare to take off from USS Valley Forge (CV-45) in September 1949. This appears to be a VIP demonstration, as there are a large number of civilians watching from the island walkways.
    The two F8F-2s in front are Bureau #s 121746 (first plane) and 121722.
    Note men standing by the wheel chocks, and flight deck tractors standing by at left.

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

    Online Image: 147KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

     

    The following pages provide images of other Valley Forge actions and activities during 1948 and 1949:

  • USS Valley Forge -- 1948 World Cruise and
  • USS Valley Forge -- Participation in Operation "Miki", Autumn 1949


    For links to additional views related to USS Valley Forge, see:
    USS Valley Forge (CV/CVA/CVS-45 and LPH-8) -- Selected Views.


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


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 13 September 1999
    Coding updated 7 October 2001