USS Monterey (CVL-26)

USS Monterey (CVL-26)
Photographed by Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. · Public domain · source
Ship name	USS Monterey (CVL-26)

USS Monterey (CVL-26) was a United States Navy Independence-class aircraft carrier that played a significant role in World War II, participating in several key battles, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The ship was named after the Battle of Monterey during the Mexican-American War, where Zachary Taylor led the United States Army to victory. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) was commissioned on June 17, 1943, at the New York Navy Yard under the command of Captain Lester Thomas.

● Introduction

The USS Monterey (CVL-26) was one of the nine Independence-class aircraft carriers built by the United States Navy during World War II. The ship was constructed at the New York Navy Yard and sponsored by Mrs. Patrick N. L. Bellinger, wife of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) was designed to provide air support for amphibious assaults and to escort convoys across the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The ship's air group consisted of Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters, Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, and Grumman TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, which were used to attack enemy ships and installations during the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) worked closely with other United States Navy ships, including the USS Enterprise (CV-6), USS Essex (CV-9), and USS Yorktown (CV-10), to provide air support for Allied forces during the Pacific War.

● Design and Construction

The USS Monterey (CVL-26) was designed based on the Cleveland-class cruiser hull, with a length of 622 feet 6 inches and a beam of 71 feet 6 inches. The ship had a displacement of 11,000 tons and was powered by four General Electric turbines, which produced 100,000 horsepower. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) had a top speed of 31 knots and a range of 12,000 nautical miles. The ship's air group consisted of 30-40 aircraft, which were launched from the ship's flight deck using catapults. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) was equipped with radar and anti-aircraft guns, including Bofors 40 mm guns and Oerlikon 20 mm cannons, to defend against enemy aircraft. The ship's design and construction were influenced by the Washington Naval Treaty and the London Naval Treaty, which limited the size and armament of naval ships. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) was built by the New York Navy Yard, which also constructed other notable ships, including the USS Iowa (BB-61) and the USS Missouri (BB-63).

● Service History

The USS Monterey (CVL-26) played a significant role in several key battles during World War II, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The ship provided air support for amphibious assaults on Tarawa and Makin Island during the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) also participated in the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, where the ship's air group attacked enemy installations and shipping. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) worked closely with other United States Navy ships, including the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), USS Wasp (CV-18), and USS Hancock (CV-19), to provide air support for Allied forces during the Pacific War. The ship's crew included notable individuals, such as Admiral Raymond Spruance, who commanded the United States Pacific Fleet during the Battle of Midway, and Admiral William Halsey Jr., who commanded the United States Third Fleet during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) received several awards for its service, including the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

● Fate

The USS Monterey (CVL-26) was decommissioned on February 11, 1947, and placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet. The ship was reclassified as an auxiliary aircraft carrier (CVU-26) on June 12, 1955, and later as an aviation transport (AKV-26) on May 7, 1959. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) was sold for scrap on May 27, 1971, and broken up at the Todd Shipyards in Los Angeles, California. The ship's legacy lives on as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the United States Navy personnel who served on board during World War II. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) is remembered alongside other notable ships, including the USS Arizona (BB-39), USS Oklahoma (BB-37), and USS Utah (BB-31), which were lost during the Attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Monterey (CVL-26) is also commemorated at the United States Naval Academy and the National Museum of the United States Navy, which honor the history and heritage of the United States Navy. Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United States