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