Originally she built as battle cruiser but, finished as aircraft carrier. In September 1927 she was commissioned. During 1930's she operated in Atlantic and Pacific. She was used for assisting in the development of fast carrier tactics. She became ùne of fourteen USN ships to receive the early RCA CXAM-1 RADAR. On January 11th, 1942 800 km South-West from Ohau she was torpedoed and damaged by Japanese submarine I-6. The she sailed for repairing. In June 1942 she must took part in operations against Aleutians, but operation was cancelled. In August 1942 she operates against Guadalcanal assault and covered US landings. She sank Japanese carrier Ryujo and damaged Chitose. However she was damaged by I-26 submarine and sailed for repairing to the New Orleans. In November 1942 she returned to Pacific. From December 1943 to May 1943 she operated in Eastern Solomons area providing air cover for minor operations. In November 1943 she operated against Bougainville, Rabaul, Gilbert Islands, Nauru, Makin and Tarawa. From December 1943 to January 1944 she overhauled in USA. In the second half of January 1944 she supported operations in the Marshall Islands. In February 1944 she strikes Eniwetok and covered landing troops. In March 1944 she jointed British Eastern Fleet in the Indian Ocean. In April-May 1944 she operated against Sumatra, Soerabaja, Java. In June-September 1944 she repaired in USA. In the second half of 1944 she trained night fighter squadrons at Hawaii. In February 1945 she strikes Japanese home islands. On February 21st, 1945 during patrolling in Chi-chi Jima area she was hit by Japanese bombers six times (!) and seriously damaged. From March 1945 to June 1945 she was repaired in USA. She never took part in combat then. From September to the end of 1945 she actively took part in the returning of US troops to home - Operation Magic Carpet. In July 1946 she took part in A-bombs tests twice at Bikini Atoll. She was sunk during the second explosion on July 25th, 1946.
Took part in wars:
Battle of Pacific Ocean (1941-1945)
Battle of Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal) (1942-1943)
New Guinea Campaign (1942-1945)
Battle of Marshall Islands (1944)
Allied Navy Aviation air raids on Japan (1944-1945)
Aircraft:
 USA
Chance Vought SBU-1/SBU-2/V-142 [ 1 2 ];
Curtiss SBC Helldiver [ 1 2 4 ];
Martin BM-1/BM-2 [ 1 2 ];
Martin T3M [ 1 ];
Martin T4M [ 2 4 5 6 7 ];
Boeing F2B [ 1 ];
Boeing F3B [ 1 ];
Boeing P-12/F4B [ 2 3 4 ];
Boeing PW-9/FB1/FB4/FB5 [ 2 ];
Curtiss-Wright Hawk II/III/Goshawk/P-6/F11C/BFC-2/BF2C [ 2 3 ];
Grumman F2F/F3F/G-22/G-32/UC-103 [ 1 2 3 ];
Douglas SBD Dauntless/A-24 Banshee [ 2 3 ];
Douglas TBD Devastator [ 3 ];
Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger [ 2 ];
Vought SB2U Vindicator/Chesapeake [ 1 3 ];
Brewster B-239/339/F2A Buffalo [ 1 2 ];
Grumman F4F Wildcat [ 2 ];
Grumman F6F Hellcat [ 10 ];
North American Texan/Harvard/Wirraway/BT-9/BT-14 [ 2 ].
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Type: Aircraft carriers