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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 Wasp (CV-7), 1940-1942

USS Wasp, a 14,700 ton aircraft carrier, was built at Quincy, Massachusetts. She was commissioned in April 1940 and spent the next two years in the Atlantic area, taking part in exercises, Neutrality enforcement, "short of war" operations and early World War II tasks. In April and May 1942, Wasp assisted the British Home Fleet in the North Atlantic and twice entered the Mediterranean Sea to deliver Royal Air Force aircraft to Malta.

Wasp was dispatched to the Pacific in June 1942 to reinforce U.S. Naval forces there in the wake of the carrier battles of Coral Sea and Midway and in preparation for offensive operations in the Southern Pacific. In early August, she participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal. The remainder of her service life was devoted to the effort to hold that vital island in the face of Japanese attempts to recapture it. On 15 September 1942, while steaming well to the southward of Guadalcanal, USS Wasp was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-19. Uncontrollable gasoline fires forced her abandonment, and she was sunk by torpedoes from an escorting destroyer.

This page features selected views of USS Wasp (CV-7).

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 43463

USS Wasp (CV-7)


Anchored in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, while "dressed with flags for Navy Day, 27 October 1940.
Note the old flush-deck destroyer in the right distance.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 620 pixels

 
Photo #: 19-N-27320

USS Wasp (CV-7)


Off the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, on 8 January 1942, following overhaul.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

 
Photo #: NH 91119

USS Wasp (CV-7)


In Casco Bay, Maine, circa early 1942, with SB2U and F4F aircraft on her flight deck.
Wasp is painted in a Measure 12 (Modified) camouflage pattern.

Courtesy of the Aviation History Office (OP05D2), 1980.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 625 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-12240

USS Wasp (CV-7)


Entering Hampton Roads, Virginia, on 26 May 1942.
An escorting destroyer is in the background.

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

Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 600 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 80-G-K-447 (Color)

USS Wasp (CV-7)

In port in June 1942, with a motor launch coming alongside.
Probably taken in San Diego Harbor, California.
Planes on deck, some with wings folded, include SB2U scout bombers and F4F-4 fighters.

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

Online Image: 161KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 80-G-K-687 (Color)

USS Wasp (CV-7)

Lieutenant David McCampbell, Landing Signal Officer, bringing in planes, circa late 1941 or early 1942.
Behind him is the Assistant Landing Signal Officer, Ensign George E. "Doc" Savage. In the catwalk in the lower center are Len Ford (enlisted man) and Lieutenant Hawley Russell.

Caption details were provided by Capt. David McCampbell, USN(Ret), in 1982.

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

Online Image: 98KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 80-G-K-763 (Color)

USS Wasp (CV-7)

Captain Forrest P. Sherman, ship's Commanding Officer, inspects her Marine detachment. Taken at San Diego, California, in June 1942.

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

Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 600 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 80-G-K-811 (Color)

USS Wasp (CV-7)

King Neptune and his party stride down the flight deck after "arriving" on board for Equator crossing ceremonies, circa July 1942.

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

Online Image: 135KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 80-G-7083

USS Wasp (CV-7)


British Royal Air Force Spitfire V fighter takes off from the carrier, after a 200-foot run, May 1942.
Probably taken during Wasp's second Malta aircraft ferry mission.

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

Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 80-G-16864

USS Wasp (CV-7)


Scene on the carrier's port bridge wing, during operations off Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942.
Among those present are (from left to right, in the right center) Commander D.F. Smith (hatless); Captain Forrest P. Sherman, Commanding Officer (wearing helmet); Rear Admiral Leigh Noyes, Commander Task Group 61.1 (facing camera); and Lieutenant Commander Wallace M. Beakley, Commander Wasp Air Group, who is making his report to RAdm. Noyes.
Note SBD-3 scout bombers (one with a rather small National star painted on its fuselage) on the flight deck and .30 caliber machine gun mounted on the bridge bulwark.

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

Online Image: 117KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 80-G-16331

USS Wasp (CV-7)


Burning and listing after she was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-19, on 15 September 1942, while operating in the Southwestern Pacific in support of forces on Guadalcanal.

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

Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 585 pixels

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

 


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


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10 April 2000