She was originally built as Oriskany but renamed Wasp in honour of CV-7 Wasp sunk in September 1942. In November 1943 she was commissioned. In the first half of 1944 she was tested and trained. In May 1944 she arrived to the Marshalls and operated in this region, attacked Markus, Wake. In June-July 1944 she attacked Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima, Guam, Rota. She operated in West Carolinas area and strikes against Palau, Bonin, Volcano Island. In September 1944 she operated at Southern Philippines and also strikes Palau. From October 1944 to January 1945 she supported landing to the Leyte, attacked Ryukyus, Okinawa, Amami, Miyakim Luson, Formosa. In February-March 1945 she supported landing to the Iwo Jima and attacked Japanese home islands. On March 17th, 1945 she was seriously damaged by bomb and sailed to the USA for repairing. In July 1945 she returned to Pacific. To the end of the WW2 she strikes against Wake, Eniwetok, attacked targets around Tokyo, including Yokosuka Naval Base. From the end of 1945 to the early 1946 she took part in Operation Magic Carpet troops transporting to USA. In 1947 she was decommissioned to reserve. In 1948-1951 she was modernized to allow of using of jet planes. In September 1951 she was recommissioned. In April 1952 she collided with destroyer minesweeper USS Hobson, which is lost 176 crewmen. In November 1952 she was reclassified as attack carrier CVA-18.
Took part in wars:
Battle of Pacific Ocean (1941-1945)
Battle of Marshall Islands (1944)
Liberation of Philippines (1944-1945)
Allied Navy Aviation air raids on Japan (1944-1945)
Aircraft:
 USA
Curtiss SB2C Helldiver/A-25 Shrike [ 3 ];
Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger [ 6 ];
Chance Vought F4U Corsair [ 9 11 ];
Grumman F6F Hellcat [ 5 7 11 ].
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Type: Aircraft carriers
Type: Attack aircraft carriers
Type: Anti-submarine warfare support carriers