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| USN Independence-class aircraft carrier 11,000 Tons 622' 6" x 109' 2" x 26' 26 x 40mm AA guns 24 x fighter aircraft 9 x torpedo aircraft  USN March 27, 1943  USN October 30, 1944 |
Ship History Built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey. Ordered September 9, 1940. Laid down August 11, 1941 as a Cleveland-class light cruiser to become USS New Haven (CL-76). On February 16, 1942 renamed USS Belleau Wood. On March 18, 1942 the order was changed for an aircraft carrier. Launched December 6, 1942 as USS Belleau Wood (CV-24) named for Bois Belleau (Belleau Wood) in France sponsored by Mrs. Thomas Holcomb, wife of the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). Commissioned March 31, 1943 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Captain A. M. Pride in command. Afterwards, conducted a brief shakedown cruise. On July 15, 1943 redesignated as an Independence-class aircraft carrier CVL-24 then transits the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor arriving July 26, 1943. Wartime History On September 1, 1943 supports the occupation of Baker Island. On September 18, 1943 supports a strike on Tarawa and October 5, 1943 and October 6, 1943 strikes on Wake. Afterwards, joins Task Force 50 (TF 50) and supports the invasion of the Gilbert Islands between November 19, 1943 until December 4, 1943. Belleau Wood operated with TF 58 during the seizure of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, Marshall Islands (29 January–3 February 1944), Truk raid (16 February–17 February); Saipan-Tinian-Rota-Guam raids (21 February–22 February); Palau-Yap-Ulithi-Woleai raid (30 March–1 April); Sawar and Wakde Island raids in support of the landings at Hollandia (currently known as Jayapura), New Guinea (22 April–24 April); Truk-Satawan-Ponape raid (29 April–1 May); occupation of Saipan (11 June–24 June), 1st Bonins raid (15 June–16 June), Battle of the Philippine Sea (19 June–20 June); and 2nd Bonins raid (24 June). During the Battle Of the Philippine Sea, TBF Avengers from Belleau Wood torpedoed aircraft carrier Hiyo that exploded and sank two hours later. After an overhaul at Pearl Harbor (29 June–31 July 1944) Belleau Wood rejoined TF 58 for the last stages of the occupation of Guam (2 August–10 August). She joined TF 38 and took part in the strikes in support of the occupation of the southern Palaus (6 September–14 October); Philippine Islands raids (9 September–24 September); Morotai landings (15 September); Okinawa raid (10 October); northern Luzon and Formosa raids (11 October–14 October); Luzon strikes (15 October and 17 October–19 October), and the Battle of Cape Engaño (24 October–26 October). On October 30, 1944 while patrolling with her task group east of Leyte, she shot down a Japanese kamikaze that crashed into the flight deck to the aft, causing fires that cooked off ammunition. A total of 92 crew were killed and missing before the fires were brought under control and withdraws to Ulithi. On November 2, 1944 arrives Ulithi and undergoes repairs for nine days then departs across the Pacific bound for San Francisco. On November 29, 1944 arrives Hunter's Point for permanent repairs and an overhaul for the remainder of the year. On January 20, 1945 departs across the Pacific to Ulithi. On February 7, 1945 joins Task Force 58 (TF 58). On February 15 ,1945 joins carrier raids against Japan, Nansei Shoto and support the landings on Iwo Jima until March 4, 1945. On March 17-26, 1945 joins 5th Fleet strikes against Japan. On May 27, 1945–June 11, 1945 joins 3rrd Fleet strikes against Japan. On July 1, 1945 embarks Air Group 31 at Leyte then rejoins the 3rd Fleet for strikes against Japan July 10, 1945 until the surrender of Japan/ On August 15, 1945 before the surrender of Japan, the last Japanese planes shot down was a D4Y Judy shot down by F6F Hellcat pilot Clarence "Bill" A. Moore from VF-31 "The Flying Meat-Axe" aboard USS Belleau Wood. Postwar On September 2, 1945 during the official surrender ceremoy her planes participate in the mass flight over Tokyo. Afterwards, remains in Japan until October 13, 1945. On October 28, 1945 arrives Pearl Harbor and embarks 1,248 personnel and departs three days later for San Diego. Afterwards, conducts "Magic Carpet" duty transporting personnel from Guam and Saipan to San Diego until January 31, 1946. For the rest of the year, moored at various locations in the San Francisco area. On January 13, 1947 placed out of commission in reserve at NAS Alameda. On September 5, 1953 under the Mutual Defense Assistance Act transferred to Marine Nationale (France Navy) and renamed Bois Belleau, the French name fo Belleau Wood and steamed to France. During April 1954 departs Toulon bound for Indochina (French Indochina, Vietnam) to replace the Arromanches. On May 20, 1953 arrived at Ha Long Bay and her aircraft immediately went into action during the Indochina War. On October 1, 1960 stricken from the French Navy and returned to the United States. Fate Sold for scrap and broken up. Awards For her World War II service, Belleau Wood received the Presidential Unit Citation and twelve battle stars. References NavSource - USS Belleau Wood CVL-24 (photos) U.S.S. Belleau Wood Association of Shipmates via Wayback Machine June 3, 2003 Contribute
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