She was laid down as CL-85 Fargo light cruiser, but finished as aircraft carrier USS Langley. In August 1943 she was commissioned. In the end of 1943 she sailed to Pacific. In January-February 1944 she took part in the invasion to the Marshalls. In March-April 1944 she operated in Carolines. In Spring-Summer 1944 she operated in Central Pacific, took part in operations against New Guinea. In June 1944 she took part in the Marianas operation. On 19-20 June 1944 she took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In the second half of 1944 participating in the Palaus Operation, raids on the Philippines, Formosa and the Ryukyus. In October 1944 she took part in the Battle for Leyte Gulf and supported the Philippines advance. In January-February 1945 she operated into the South China Sea and took part in the massed carrier attacks on the Japanese Home Islands and the invasion of Iwo Jima. In March-May 1945 supported Okinawa landings. In June-July 1945 she overhauled in USA and returned to the Pacific in the August 1945 when the war has over. In the end of 1945 - early 1946 she took part in the operation Magic Carpet - repatriation of American military personnel to home. In February 1947 she was decommissioned. In early 1951 she was transferred to France Navy under the MDAP and renamed R96 La Fayette.
Took part in wars: Battle of Pacific Ocean (1941-1945) Battle of Marshall Islands (1944) Battle of the Philippine Sea (1944) New Guinea Campaign (1942-1945) Liberation of Philippines (1944-1945) Allied Navy Aviation air raids on Japan (1944-1945)
Aircraft:
USA Grumman F6F Hellcat [ 3 5 ].
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