FIRSTS
AND RECORDS
Served as an active aircraft carrier longer than
any other carrier in the world (1943-1947; 1955-1991)
First foreign aircraft carrier to enter Tokyo Bay
in 1945.
First aircraft carrier to hold the CVT (Navy
Training Carrier) Designation.
First aircraft carrier to hold the AVT (Auxiliary
Aircraft Landing Training Ship) Designation.
First ship in U.S. Naval history to have women
stationed aboard as crew members (18 August 1980).
Recorded more arrested landings (trap's) than any
other carrier in the world.
First ship in the U.S. Navy to establish a
seagoing high school (21 September 1967).
WAR RECORD
AWARDS, CITATIONS and BATTLE STARS
Presidential
Unit Citation
11
Battle Stars on the Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal
Pacific Raids
Tarawa, 18 September 1943
Wake Island, 5-6 October
1943
Gilbert Islands Operation
19 Nov - 4 Dec 1943
Marshall Islands Operation, Mili
Atoll
18 March 1944
Hollandia Operation
21-24 April 1944
Asia-Pacific Raids
30 March - 1 April 1944
29 April - 1 May 1944
Mariana Islands Operation
11 June - 5 August 1944
Western Caroline Islands Operation
6 September - 24 October
1944
Leyte Operation
10 - 21 October 1944
Luzon Operation
6 - 22 January 1945
Iwo Jima Operation
15 February - 4 March 1945
3rd Fleet Operations against Japan
10 July - 15 August 1945
Philippine
Liberation Medal
China
Service Medal
2 - 22 September
10 October - 3 December
1945
American
Campaign Medal
7 December 1942 - 31 March
1946
World
War II Victory Medal
2 September 1945
Navy
Occupation Service Medal (Asia)
2 - 22 September; 10
October - 3 December 1945
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