USS Wasp (CV-18)

USS Wasp (CV-18) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy that served with distinction during World War II and the Cold War. Commissioned in late 1943, she was the tenth *Essex*-class ship and the second to bear the name, honoring the previous *Wasp* (CV-7) lost in the Pacific War in 1942. Throughout her career, *Wasp* participated in major campaigns across the Pacific Theater, was modernized for jet aircraft, and later served in critical Atlantic Fleet roles during the Cold War.

Construction and commissioning

The ship's keel was laid down on 18 March 1942 at the Fore River Shipyard of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Quincy, Massachusetts, under the name *Oriskany*. Following the loss of *Wasp* (CV-7) at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, the Navy Department renamed the hull in her honor on 13 November 1942. Sponsored by Julia M. Walsh, the sister of a Medal of Honor recipient from the previous *Wasp*, the new carrier was launched on 17 August 1943. She was finally commissioned into active service on 24 November 1943 at the Boston Navy Yard, under the command of Captain Clifton A. F. Sprague.

Design and description

As a "long-hull" *Essex*-class carrier, *Wasp* featured design improvements over earlier units, most notably a lengthened bow known as the "clipper bow" for better seakeeping. Her standard displacement was approximately 27,100 tons, with an overall length of 888 feet. Propulsion was provided by eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers driving four Westinghouse geared steam turbines, enabling a top speed of 33 knots. Her flight deck and hangar deck could accommodate an air group of 90 to 100 aircraft, which evolved from World War II-era Grumman F6F Hellcats and Curtiss SB2C Helldivers to later jet aircraft like the F9F Panther. Defensive armament initially consisted of a battery of 5"/38 caliber dual-purpose guns, numerous 40 mm and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns, which were later reduced and modified during post-war modernizations.

Service history

Following shakedown in the Caribbean, *Wasp* joined the Fast Carrier Task Force of the Pacific Fleet in mid-1944. She provided crucial air support during the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the subsequent Marianas and Palau Islands campaign, including strikes on Guam and Palau. In 1945, her aircraft supported the invasion of Iwo Jima and the Okinawa campaign, where she was severely damaged by a kamikaze attack on 19 March 1945, suffering heavy casualties but remaining operational. After repairs, she launched raids against the Japanese home islands until the Surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay. Decommissioned in 1947, she was modernized under the SCB-27 and SCB-125 programs, receiving an angled flight deck, a steam catapult, and a reinforced hull. Recommissioned in 1951, she served extensively in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea with the Sixth Fleet during the Cold War, including operations during the Suez Crisis and the Cuban Missile Crisis, and recovered Mercury and Gemini space capsules.

Awards and legacy

For her World War II service, *Wasp* was awarded eight battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation. Her post-war contributions were recognized with five additional battle stars for operations during the Cold War. After final decommissioning on 1 July 1972, she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register and sold for scrap on 21 May 1973. The name *Wasp* was later carried forward by amphibious assault ships, including the current *Wasp* (LHD-1), continuing a proud lineage in U.S. Naval history.

Category:Essex-class aircraft carriers of the United States Navy Category:Ships built in Quincy, Massachusetts Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United States Category:Cold War aircraft carriers of the United States