USS ESSEX

USS Essex (CV-9) was a highly decorated aircraft carrier used in World War II and the Korean War. She was built in 1942 and was a key player in many victorious battles. She was the first carrier in her class, the Essex class.

World War II Highlights:

• Carrier operations and attacks against Marcus Island, Wake Island, the Gilbert Islands, Kwajalein, the Marshall Islands, Truk, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. These successful operations took place in less than one year, from August 1943 to February 1944.
• She and her force were attacked from above by Japanese airplanes without sustaining notable damage during their operations in February 1944.
• During the rest of that year, she was active in attacks against/occupation of: the Marianas, Palau Islands, Mindanao, and struggles with Japanese over strategic locations such as the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Formosa (Taiwan), and various points in the Philippine Islands.
• November 25, 1944: Essex received a kamikaze hit to her port side flight deck; 15 were killed and 44 injured.
• Withstood several typhoons.
• Essex played a major role in the fall of Okinawa and missions against Iwo Jima.

Korean War Highlights:

Essex was modernized and readied to support US and UN troops in the Korean War. She toured the West Pacific and supported missions as far as the Yalu River on the border of China and Korea.

Essex received an extraordinary 17 battle stars, Presidential Unit Citation, and Navy Unit Commendation.