She was the only Wasp class carrier built on a reduced-size version of the Yorktown class hull. She was commissioned in April 1940. In October 1940 she loaded USAAC aircraft P-40 and O-47 for deck tests. From middle of 1940 she took part in Neutrality Patrol of Atlantic Ocean. In Spring 1942 she supported British convoys to the blockaded Malta. In Summer 1942 she arrived to Pacific Ocean. In Summer-Autumn 1942 she supported Solomon campaign and operations against Guadalcanal. On September 15th, 1942 when she escorted convoy to Guadalcanal she was torpedoed by I-19 Japanese submarine and heavily damaged. When crew leave the burning ship, Wasp was torpedoed by USN destroyer and sank.
Took part in wars: Battle of Atlantic (1939-1945) Mediterranean Theatre of War (1940-1945) Battle of Pacific Ocean (1941-1945) Battle of Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal) (1942-1943)
Aircraft:
USA Great Lakes BG [ 1 2 ]; Grumman F2F/F3F/G-22/G-32/UC-103 [ 1 2 3 ]; Curtiss SOC Seagull [ 2 ]; Douglas SBD Dauntless/A-24 Banshee [ 2 ]; Douglas TBD Devastator [ 1 2 3 ]; Vought SB2U Vindicator/Chesapeake [ 2 3 ]; Grumman F4F Wildcat [ 2 3 ].
Great Britain Supermarine Spitfire [ 17 ].
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