USS Bogue (CVE-9)

USS Bogue (CVE-9) was the lead ship of the ''Bogue''-class of escort aircraft carriers for the United States Navy during World War II. Converted from a Maritime Commission C3-type merchant hull, she was commissioned in 1942 and became one of the most successful anti-submarine warfare carriers of the Battle of the Atlantic. Under the command of notable officers like Giles E. Short and Joseph B. Dunn, Bogue and her embarked composite squadrons played a pivotal role in defeating the German submarine threat in the Mid-Atlantic gap.

Design and description

The design of USS Bogue (CVE-9) was based on the Maritime Commission's C3-type merchant ship hull, a common foundation for early American escort carriers. These vessels, known as escort aircraft carriers or "jeep carriers," were intended to provide air cover for Allied convoys and conduct anti-submarine warfare operations. Her flight deck measured 440 feet in length and she was equipped with two aircraft elevators and a single hydraulic catapult for launching aircraft. Armament consisted of two 5-inch/38 caliber guns for surface defense and an array of 40 mm and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. With a top speed of 18 knots, she could carry a composite air group of around 24 aircraft, typically a mix of Grumman F4F Wildcats and Grumman TBF Avengers.

Construction and career

The keel for the vessel was laid down on 1 October 1941 by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation in Tacoma, Washington. She was launched on 15 January 1942, sponsored by Mrs. W. Miller, Jr., and commissioned into United States Navy service on 26 September 1942 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard. Following her shakedown cruise off the West Coast of the United States, she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet and underwent modifications on the East Coast to optimize her for the demanding anti-submarine warfare mission in the North Atlantic Ocean.

World War II service

Bogue began her combat service in early 1943, operating from Naval Station Argentia in Newfoundland and later from NAS Quonset Point. As the flagship of Task Group 21.11 and later Task Group 22.3, she led "hunter-killer groups" into the Mid-Atlantic gap, areas beyond the range of land-based PBY Catalina patrol aircraft. Her air groups, primarily VC-9 and VC-19, achieved remarkable success. Notable actions included the sinking of German submarine U-569 in May 1943 by aircraft from VC-9, and the destruction of German submarine U-317 in 1944. In total, her groups were credited with sinking 13 German submarines, including U-1229 which was carrying a Abwehr spy destined for the United States. She also provided critical air cover during the Invasion of Normandy and later operated in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Awards and legacy

For her extraordinary service, USS Bogue (CVE-9) was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and three Battle stars for her World War II campaigns. She received the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Decommissioned on 30 November 1946 at Portland, Maine, she was redesignated as a utility aircraft carrier (CVU-9) before being struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1959 and scrapped in 1960. Bogue is remembered as a pioneer of carrier-based anti-submarine warfare tactics and a key contributor to Allied victory in the Battle of the Atlantic, her name lending itself to an entire class of vital escort aircraft carriers.

Category:Bogue-class escort carriers Category:Ships built in Washington (state) Category:World War II escort carriers of the United States