Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War

United States Navy — Aircraft carrier

USS Essex (CV-9) — service history

This is the full service history. For the vessel's particulars, photograph and specifications, see the entry.

In the words of the US Navy. The account below is reproduced verbatim from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command — a work of the United States Government, in the public domain, and the only text on this site not written here.

Second World War 1939–1945

1941

The fourth Essex (CV-9) was laid down on 28 April 1941; by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., at Newport News, Va.; launched on 31 July 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Artemus L. Gates, wife of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air; and commissioned on 31 December 1942, Capt. D.B. Duncan in command. She was reclassified to an attack aircraft carrier (CVA-9) on 1 October 1952, and an antisubmarine warfare support aircraft carrier (CVS-9) on 8 March 1960.

1943 Tarawa

Following her shakedown cruise Essex sailed to the Pacific in May 1943 to begin a succession of victories which would bring her to Tokyo Bay. Departing Pearl Harbor, she participated with TF 15 in carrier operations against Marcus Island (31 August 1943); was designated flagship of TF 14 and struck Wake Island (5-6 October); launched an attack with TG 50.3 against the Gilbert Islands where she also took part in her first amphibious assault, the landing on Tarawa (18-23 November). Refueling at sea, she cruised as flagship of TG 50.3 to attack Kwajalein (4 December). Her second amphibious assault delivered in company with TG 58.2 was against the Marshalls (29 January-2 February 1944).

Essex in TG 58.2 now joined with TG 58.1 and 58.3, to constitute the most formidable carrier striking force to date, in launching an attack against Truk (17-18 February) during which eight Japanese ships were sunk. En route to the Marianas to sever Japanese supply lines, the carrier force was detected and received a prolonged aerial attack which it repelled in a businesslike manner and then continued with the scheduled attack upon Saipan , Tinian and Guam (23 February).

After this operation Essex proceeded to San Francisco for her single wartime overhaul. She then joined carriers Wasp (CV-18) and San Jacinto (CVL-30) in TG 12.1 to strike Marcus Island (19-20 May) and Wake (23 May). She deployed with TF 58 to support the occupation of the Marianas (12 June-10 August); sortied with TG 38.3 to lead an attack against the Palau Islands (6-8 September), and Mindanao (9-10 September) with enemy shipping as the main target, and remained in the area to support landings on Peleliu . On 2 October she weathered a typhoon and 4 days later departed with TF 38 for the Ryukyus.

For the remainder of 1944 she continued her frontline action, participating in strikes against Okinawa (10 October), and Formosa (12-14 October), covering the Leyte landings, taking part in the battle for Leyte Gulf (24-25 October), and continuing the search for enemy fleet units until 30 October when she returned to Ulithi, Caroline Islands, for replenishment. She resumed the offensive and delivered attacks on Manila and the northern Philippine Islands during November. On 25 November, for the first time in her far-ranging operations and destruction to the enemy, Essex received injury. A kamikaze hit the port edge of her flight deck landing among planes gassed for takeoff, causing extensive damage, killing 15, and wounding 44.

1945 Iwo Jima

USS Essex (CV-9)
A Japanese Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Kamikaze fighter before crashing into the sea after trying to hit the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) off Okinawa, in 1945. Note the Cleveland -class light cruiser in the background. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.242.089 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

This "cramped her style" very little. Following quick repairs we find her with 3d Fleet off Luzon supporting the occupation of Mindoro (14-16 December). She rode out the typhoon of 18 December and made special search for survivors afterwards. With TG 38.3 she participated in the Lingayen Gulf operations, launched strikes against Formosa, Sakishima, Okinawa, and Luzon. Entering the South China Sea in search of enemy surface forces, the task force pounded shipping and conducted strikes on Formosa, the China coast, Hainan, and Hong Kong. Essex withstood the onslaught of the third typhoon in 4 months (20-21 January 1945) before striking again at Formosa, Miyakp Shima and Okinawa (26-27 January).

During the remainder of the war she operated with TF 58, conducting attacks against the Tokyo area (16-17, and 25 February) both to neutralize the enemy's airpower before the landings on Iwo Jima and to cripple the aircraft manufacturing industry. She sent support missions against Iwo Jima and neighboring islands, but from 23 March to 28 May was employed primarily to support the conquest of Okinawa .

Post-war 1946–1949

1947

USS Essex (CV-9)
U.S. Navy ships at Seattle, Washington (USA), on 9 January 1947. Three aircraft carriers are at Pier 91, USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) and USS Essex (CV-9). USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) is at Pier 92. The battleships USS Indiana (BB-58) and USS Alabama (BB-60) are moored opposite of the Ticonderoga . USN — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-373247 from the USS Essex (CVS-9) 1967 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

In the closing days of the war, Essex took part in the final telling raids against the Japanese home islands (10 July-15 August). Following the surrender , she continued defensive combat air patrols until 3 September when she was ordered to Bremerton, Wash., for inactivation. On 9 January 1947 she was placed out of commission in reserve.

Korean War period 1950–1953

1951

USS Essex (CV-9)
Two U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee s (BuNo 124954, 124969) of Fighter Squadron 172 (VF-172) "Blue Bolts" returning to the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9). VF-172 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5) aboard the Essex for a deployment to the Western Pacific and Korea from 26 June 1951 to 25 March 1952. Note: All other aircraft of CVG-5 had the tail code "S" during that deployment, but VF Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 97270 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Modernization endowed Essex with a new flight deck, and a streamlined island superstructure, on 15 January 1951 when recommissioned, Captain A. W. Wheelock commanding.

After a brief cruise in Hawaiian waters she began the first of three tours in Far Eastern waters during the Korean war . She served as flagship for Carrier Division 1 and TF 77. She was the first carrier to launch F2H "Banshee" twin-jet fighters on combat missions; on 16 September 1951 one of these planes, damaged in combat, crashed into aircraft parked on the forward flight deck causing an explosion and fire which killed seven. After repairs at Yokosuka she returned to front-line action on 3 October to launch strikes up to the Yalu River and provide close air support for U.N. troops.

1953

On 1 December 1953 she started her final tour of the war, sailing the China Sea with the Peace Patrol. From November 1954 to June 1955 she engaged in training exercises, operated for 3 months with the 7th Fleet, assisted in the Tachen Islands evacuation, and engaged in air operations and fleet maneuvers off Okinawa.

Cold War 1954–1963

1955

USS Essex (CV-9)
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVA-9) underway. Essex , with assigned Carrier Air Group 2 (CVG-2), was deployed to the Western Pacific from 3 November 1954 to 21 June 1955. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Essex (CVA-9) 1954-1955 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

In July 1955 Essex entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for repairs and extensive alterations, including installation of an angled flight deck. Modernization completed, she rejoined the Pacific Fleet in March 1956. For the next 14 months the carrier operated off the west coast, except for a 6-month cruise with the 7th Fleet in the Far East. Ordered to join the Atlantic Fleet for the first time in her long career, she sailed from San Diego on 21 June 1957, rounded Cape Horn, and arrived in Mayport, Fla., on 1 August.

1958

USS Essex (CV-9)
330-PS-9118: “Gas Station at Sea.” USS Allagash (AO-97), center, refuels, USS Essex (CVA-9) and USS Fiske (DDR-842) during training exercises at sea. Awaiting their turn to take on fuel are two sister ships of the Fiske which will move alongside the Allagash when the others complete their refueling process, August, 27, 1958. (11/5/2014). Unknown author — National Museum of the U.S. Navy — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

In the fall of 1957 Essex participated as an antisubmarine carrier in the NATO exercises, "Strike Back," and in February 1958 deployed with the 6th Fleet until May when she shifted to the eastern Mediterranean. Alerted to the Middle East crisis on 14 July 1958 she sped to support the U.S. Peace Force landing in Beirut, Lebanon, launching reconnaissance and patrol missions until 20 August. Once again she was ordered to proceed to Asian waters, and transitted the Suez Canal to arrive in the Taiwan operational area where she joined TF 77 in conducting flight operations before rounding the Horn and proceeding back to Mayport.

Essex joined with the 2d Fleet and British ships in Atlantic exercises and with NATO forces in the eastern Mediterranean during the fall of 1959. In December she aided victims of a disastrous flood at Frejus, France.

In the spring of 1960 she was converted into an ASW Support Carrier and was thereafter homeported at Quonset Point, R.I. Since that time she has operated as flagship of Carrier Division 18 and Antisubmarine Carrier Group Three. She conducted rescue and salvage operations off the New Jersey coast for a downed blimp; cruised with midshipmen, and was deployed on NATO and CENTO exercises. In November she joined the French navy in Operation "Jet Stream" and since that time has continued her widespread activities in protection of freedom and peace.

Essex received the Presidential Unit Citation, and 13 battle stars for World War II service; 4 battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for Korean war service.

Other photographs

Held for this vessel, and not tied to any part of the account above.

USS Essex (CV-9)
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) is hit on the flight deck amidships by a Japanese Kamikaze, during operations off the Philippines, 25 November 1944. U.S. Navy, photographed from USS Langley (CVL-27). — =Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-273032 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVA-9) underway. The Essex , with assigned Carrier Air Group 11 (CVG-11) was deployed to the Western Pacific from 16 July 1956 to 26 January 1957. USN — U.S. Navy photo [1] available at Navsource.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
Aft view of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVS-9). On deck are aircraft of Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 60 (CVSG-60). U.S. Navy — In: Utz, Curtis A., Cordon of Steel: The U.S. Navy and the Cuban Missile Crisis , U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, Department of the Navy, Washington , D.C., 1993, ISBN 0-945274-23-8 , p. 17. from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
On 22 October 1968, the Apollo 7 crew is welcomed aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVS-9), the prime recovery ship for the mission. This was the first Apollo splashdown and, therefore, the first three person 'landing' for NASA . Left to right, are astronauts Walter M. Schirra Jr. , commander; Donn F. Eisele , command module pilot; and, Walter Cunningham , lunar module pilot. In lef NASA — NASA Image of the Day — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
Four Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk (BuNo 144894 in front) from Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) "Blue Blasters" in flight. VA-34 Det.45 was assigned to Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 60 (CVSG-60) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVS-9) for a short deployment to the Caribbean from 3 to 29 April 1961. The aircraft flew sorties over combat areas during the Bay of Pigs Invasion, Cuba, on 17–19 April 1961. Robert L. Lawson — Photo [1] from U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian: The Bay of Pigs Invasion and its Aftermath, April 1961–October 1962 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Amerikaans vlootbezoek aan Rotterdam Datum : 21 december 1961 Locatie : Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland Trefwoorden : vlootbezoeken Fotograaf : Koch, Eric / Anefo Auteursrechthebbende : Nationaal Archief Materiaalsoort : Negatief (zwart/wit) Nummer archiefinventaris : bekijk toegang 2.24.01.04 Bestanddeelnummer : 913 Eric Koch for Anefo — http://proxy.handle.net/10648/a9f1dbe4-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84 — CC0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Bureau of Ships. 9/18/1947-5/1/1966 — This file was contributed to Wikimedia Commons by National Archives and Records Administration as part of a cooperation project. The donation was facilitated by the Digital Public Library of America , via its partner Digital Public Library of America . Record in source catalog DPLA identifier: 48dbc0f3228b31da183c77f4b51066a4 National Archives Identifier: 7578119 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
United States Navy Bureau of Aeronautics Special Services Division self-instruction ship silhouette recognition card for the aircraft carrier USS Essex United States Navy Bureau of Aeronautics — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
Yokosuka D4Y3 (Type 33) "Judy" in a suicide dive against the USS Essex (CV-9) , 1256 hours, November 25, 1944. Flaps are extended, the burning non-self-sealing port wing tank of the Yokosuka "Suisei" is trailing smoke. Unknown author — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
The Dutch cruiser Hr.Ms. De Zeven Provinciën (C802) and the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVS-9), visible in the distance, underway at sea in 1967. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Essex (CVS-9) 1967 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
A Douglas F4D-1 Skyray of Fighter Squadron 13 (VF-13) "Night Cappers" approaching the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVA-9). VF-13 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) on Essex ´s last deployment as an attack carrier to the Mediterranean Sea from 7 August 1959 to 26 February 1960. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News September 1960 [1] ; U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. NNMA.1996.253.7325.006 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
Four U.S. Navy Douglas F4D-1 Skyray fighters from Fighter Squadron VF-13 Night Cappers flying over the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVA-9) which is engaged in recovering aircraft. VF-13 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) aboard the Essex for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 7 August 1959 to 26 February 1960. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.242.067 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-2 Panther (BuNo 123469, nicknamed "Papasan") attached to fighter squadron VF-71, Carrier Air Group Seven (CVG-7) , on the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) flies over Task Force 77 engaged operations against North Korean targets on 1 August 1952. The carriers were USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) , USS Essex (CV-9) (right) and the USS Princeton (CV-37) . USN — U.S. www.defenseimagery.mil photo no. HN-SN-98-07207; NARA file no. 80-G-480645 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Essex (CV-9)
A U.S. Navy Grumman F8F-8P Cougar (BuNo 144421) of Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron VFP-62 Det.45 Fighting Photos in flight. VFP-62 Det.45 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVA-9) for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 7 August 1959 to 26 February 1960. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.253.7406.058 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

References

Every work this entry draws on. There are no numbered markers in the text above: what we hold is the provenance of the page — this history, this article, these photographs.

  1. History Essex IV (CV-9) Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Naval History and Heritage Command. A work of the United States Government, in the public domain — the only text on this site reproduced verbatim.
  2. Facts USS Essex (CV-9) Structured facts only — dates, dimensions, armament and fate. No wording is taken from it. Harvested 1 August 2026.
  3. Photograph USS Essex CVS-9 June 1967 Photographer: PHCS Jackman, U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.242.072 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photograph USS Essex (CV-9) is hit by a Kamikaze off the Philippines on 25 November 1944 U.S. Navy, photographed from USS Langley (CVL-27). — =Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-273032 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photograph USS Essex (CVA-9) at sea c1956 USN — U.S. Navy photo [1] available at Navsource.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  6. Photograph Aft view of USS Essex (CVS-9) underway c1962 U.S. Navy — In: Utz, Curtis A., Cordon of Steel: The U.S. Navy and the Cuban Missile Crisis , U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, Department of the Navy, Washington , D.C., 1993, ISBN 0-945274-23-8 , p. 17. from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  7. Photograph The Apollo 7 crew is welcomed aboard the USS Essex NASA — NASA Image of the Day — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  8. Photograph 330-ps-9118 15727541202 o Unknown author — National Museum of the U.S. Navy — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  9. Photograph A4D-2 Skyhawks of VA-34 in flight over USS Essex (CVS-9) during the Bay of Pigs Invasion in April 1961 Robert L. Lawson — Photo [1] from U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian: The Bay of Pigs Invasion and its Aftermath, April 1961–October 1962 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  10. Photograph A6M before crashing near USS Essex (CV-9) 1945 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.242.089 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  11. Photograph Aircraft carriers at Seattle in January 1947 USN — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-373247 from the USS Essex (CVS-9) 1967 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  12. Photograph Amerikaans vlootbezoek aan Rotterdam, Bestanddeelnr 913-3342 Eric Koch for Anefo — http://proxy.handle.net/10648/a9f1dbe4-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84 — CC0 — Wikimedia Commons
  13. Photograph Bow view of USS Essex (CVA-9) underway c1955 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Essex (CVA-9) 1954-1955 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  14. Photograph CV 9 Enex - DPLA - 48dbc0f3228b31da183c77f4b51066a4 Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Bureau of Ships. 9/18/1947-5/1/1966 — This file was contributed to Wikimedia Commons by National Archives and Records Administration as part of a cooperation project. The donation was facilitated by the Digital Public Library of America , via its partner Digital Public Library of America . Record in source catalog DPLA identifier: 48dbc0f3228b31da183c77f4b51066a4 National Archives Identifier: 7578119 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  15. Photograph CV Essex silhouette United States Navy Bureau of Aeronautics — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  16. Photograph D4Y Yoshinori Yamaguchi col Unknown author — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  17. Photograph De Zeven Provincien en USS Essex (1967) U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Essex (CVS-9) 1967 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  18. Photograph F2H-2 Banshees of VF-172 fly by USS Essex (CV-9) off Korea, circa 1951 (NH 97270) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 97270 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  19. Photograph F4D-1 Skyray of VF-13 approaching USS Essex (CVA-9), circa in 1959 (NNMA.1996.253.7325.006) U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News September 1960 [1] ; U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. NNMA.1996.253.7325.006 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  20. Photograph F4Ds VF-13 over USS Essex (CVA-9) 1960 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.242.067 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  21. Photograph F9F VF-71 over TF77 1952 USN — U.S. www.defenseimagery.mil photo no. HN-SN-98-07207; NARA file no. 80-G-480645 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  22. Photograph F9F-8P of VFP-62 over USS Essex (CVA-9) in 1960 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.253.7406.058 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons