USS Monterey (CVL-26) was converted from a light cruiser to an Independence-class light aircraft carrier in Camden, New Jersey in 1941. It was launched and commissions two years later.
Her first operation was the Gilbert Islands invasion in November of 1943. Following this, she played an integral role in the following operations:
Marshall Islands
Japanese attacks in Central Pacific
Japanese attacks in New Guinea
Marianas invasion
Battle of the Philippine Sea
Strikes on Wake Island and the Philippines
Battle of Leyte Gulf
Invasion of Okinawa
Though she survived this battles and invasions, a typhoon caused serious enough damage to her that she had to sail back to the U.S. for repairs. After she was repaired and cleared for battle, she took part in the invasions that secured Okinawa and ferried veterans home from battle.
Between wars, Monterey spent her time in the Atlantic, ferrying Italian men to the United States. She was decommissioned in 1947.
Monterey was recommissioned in 1950 for the Korean War. She acted as a training carrier in Pensacola, Florida until 1955. She joined the Reserve Fleet in 1956. In 1959, she was reclassified as transportation for aircraft. In 1971, she was sold for scrap.