Ordered on 9 September 1940 as a Cleveland-class light cruiser, this ship was assigned hull number CL-76 and named New Haven, for a city in the State of Connecticut (NS022430).

Designated for completion as an aircraft carrier, hull number CV-24, 16 February 1942, was reordered from New York S.B. on 18 March 1942. Renamed Belleau Wood, 31 March 1942, after Bois Belleau (Belleau Wood), near Château Thierry, France (NS022430a), scene of a bloody battle between the 4th Marine Brigade and elements of three German divisions, 6–26 June 1918. This was part of the larger Battle of the Aisne, launched on 27 May by Germany in the hopes of defeating French forces near Paris before significant American forces could arrive at the front. At the end of the battle the 4th Marine Brigade had suffered 55% casualties (over 1,000 killed), but it brought to an end the last major German offensive of World War I. In recognition of the Marines' courage and tenacity, Bois Belleau was subsequently officially renamed Bois de la Brigade de Marine (Wood of the Marine Brigade).

NS022430b: Anerican Marines in Belleau Wood (1918), illustration by Georges Scott, originally published in the French magazine Illustrations.

(Maps NS022430 and NS022430a courtesy of Google Maps.)

Belleau Wood (CV-24) going down the slipway on Sunday, 6 December 1942.

Two views of Belleau Wood (CV-24) under construction.

"CAMDEN, N.J., DEC. 6[, 1942]—NEWEST CARRIER LAUNCHED. The aircraft carrier Belleau Wood is shown gliding into the Delaware River today after being christened by Mrs. Thomas C. Holcomb, wife of the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. It was the third plane carrier to be launched in 15 weeks from the yard of the N.Y. Shipbuilding Corporation."

Stern view of Belleau Wood (CV-24) at time of inclining experiment, New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J., 27 March 1943. She was commissioned four days later.

Belleau Wood (CV-24), topside arrangement, port side at time of inclining experiment, Saturday, 27 March 1943. New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

Belleau Wood (CV-24), topside arrangement, port side at time of inclining experiment, Saturday, 27 March 1943. New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

Belleau Wood (CV-24), topside arrangement, starboard side at time of inclining experiment, Saturday, 27 March 1943. New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

Belleau Wood (CV-24), topside arrangement, port side at time of inclining experiment, Saturday, 27 March 1943. New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

Belleau Wood (CV-24), topside arrangement, port side at time of inclining experiment, Saturday, 27 March 1943. New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

USS Belleau Wood (CV/CVL-24), World War II chronology.

USS Belleau Wood (CV-24) in the Delaware river off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 18 April 1943. This view has been marked to identify SK, SC and SG radar and YE aircraft homing beacon antennas.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 64673).

USS Belleau Wood (CV-24) in the Delaware River, off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on 18 April 1943.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives (# 19-N-43702).

Another photo of USS Belleau Wood (CV-24) in the Delaware River off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 18 April 1943.

Fire control crews at work on a crashed F6F-5 Hellcat from Fighting Squadron (VF) 24 on the deck of USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), 6 October 1943. U.S. Navy photo.

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) orchestra. Photographed 6 November 1943. U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-209910.

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) orchestra. Photographed 6 November 1943. U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-209931.

Stars and Stripes on USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) as she returned from the Gilbert Islands attack. Note the signal hoists. Photographed 8 December 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-209933.

Aerial of Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. Shown: Ship dispersal and docking areas. Photograph released 12 December 1943.

See NS013843d.

The two moored carriers, slightly to the left and down from the center of the photo, are USS Cabot (CVL-28)—closer to camera—and USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24). (Special thanks to Max Stola, who checked the War Diaries to identify all carriers.)

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-221097.

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) sailors watch a Hula Girl. The sailors were on a sight-seeing tour at Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. Note Chaplain in the background. Photographed 16 December 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-209911.

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) sailors on a sight-seeing tour at Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. Sailor eating bananas. Photographed 17 December 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-209916.

Underway on 22 December 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 97269.

Underway on 22 December 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-276768.

Underway on 22 December 1943, port view. Her cruiser origins can clearly be seen in this image.

She was completed in Ms.14 camouflage, painted into Ms.33/3D in August 1944 and into Ms.21 in January 1945.

Belleau Wood's elevators (adjacent to island and amidships) are lowered. Note her small, antenna-cluttered island, separate radar mast, four small funnels, and bow and stern detail. Photo U.S. Navy.

Photo and partial text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

Fighting Squadron (VF) 6 pilots aboard USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), last quarter of 1943.

Courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Four views of a collision between USS Dunlap (DD-384) and USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), 7 January 1944. Source is National Archives II, CINCPAC: Secret and Top Secret General Administration Files, 1941–44.

Carrier Raids on the Marianas, February 1944. USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) during Operation Cherry Tree, a carrier strike at the Marianas, 22–23 February 1944. Note the Japanese aircraft which appears as a dark rectangle just above the horizon line near the right hand edge of the photograph. (See also NS022408.)

From United States Destroyer Operations in World War II, by Theodore Roscoe.

Carrier Raids on the Marianas, February 1944. A Japanese bomber explodes as it crashes into the sea near USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), during an attack on Task Group 58.2 off the Marianas Islands, 23 February 1944. Photographed from USS Essex (CV-9). (See also NS022408a.)

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-218422.

"I believe these photos were taken on the Belleau Wood about June 1944. My father, PhoM 2/C Paul D. Guttman, was a U.S. Navy combat cameraman during World War II, and was on the Belleau Wood at that time. He took part in just about every campaign from New Guinea to Okinawa, was on several carriers, and saw action with every branch of the service except the Coast Guard. He was finally invalided home from an Army field Hospital on Okinawa after being wounded in combat while serving with the 77th Infantry Division. His decorations included the Silver Star (for service with the Marines during the invasion of Saipan), the Purple Heart with Gold Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Presidential Unit Citations (for USS Yorktown and USS Hornet) and the Submarine Combat Pin (for a patrol on USS Spot [SS-413])."

"The first photo shows an F6F pilot attempting a tricky landing in rough weather. At first glance it appears as if the pilot is banking way too far the right, but actually it is the ship which is rolling! The angled structure at left appears to be the type of funnel found on an Independence-class carrier, of which the Belleau Wood was one. That type of carrier was built on narrow a light cruiser hull, so it wouldn't be surprising if they rolled a great deal."

"I have no idea what the men were doing in the second photo, but I believe it was taken on the Belleau Wood because that crane looks like the type sited [forward of] the island on the CVLs."

"In the third picture, showing a TBF[/TBM-1C Avenger] taking off, the hull number is clearly visible painted on the flight deck."

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) at Pearl Harbor, July 1944.

From the ship's War History, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), center, and USS Franklin (CV-13), right, afire after they were hit by Kamikaze attacks off the Philippines on 30 October 1944. Photographed from USS Mugford (DD-389), whose port midships 20mm guns are in the foreground.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (photo # 80-G-273074).

USS Franklin (CV-13), at right, and USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) afire after being hit by Japanese kamikaze suicide planes, while operating off the Philippines on 30 October 1944. Photographed from USS Brush (DD-745). Note "flak" bursts over the ships.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-326798).

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) burning aft after she was hit by a Kamikaze, while operating off the Philippines on 30 October 1944. Flight deck crewmen are moving undamaged TBM torpedo planes away from the flames as others fight the fires. USS Franklin (CV-13), also hit during this Kamikaze attack, is afire in the distance.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (photo # 80-G-342020).

Another view, as above.

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) showing fire on flight deck following a kamikaze attack on 30 October 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-342004.

USS Helm (DD-388) assists USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) after the latter was hit by a Kamikaze, while operating off Luzon, Philippines, on 30 October 1944. Ninety-two crewmen died and eleven Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats of Fighting Squadron (VF) 21 were destroyed. Helm is painted in Camouflage Measure 31, Design 1D.

U.S. Navy photo from the Belleau Wood 1943–1945 Cruise Book.

A series of four photos taken at Hunters Point on 18 January 1945, showing alterations.

Island, looking aft.

Island, looking forward.

Stack view.

Plan view forward.

Landing Signal Officer, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Walter F. Wujcik, bringing in a plane, circa 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-K-5186).

Seaman 1st Class A.D. Allison and Seaman 1st Class J.W. Roberts reading a letter on the carrier's flight deck, circa 1945. An F6F Hellcat fighter is behind them.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-K-5188).

Port bow view of USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) at anchor on 19 January 1945, off Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No.1996.488.058.003.

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) underway off Iwo Jima, 26 February 1945.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No.1996.488.058.017. Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection.

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), splash resulting from crash of a Japanese Zero near the carrier off Okinawa, Japan. Note the air bursts from anti-aircraft batteries and several friendly planes visible above the ships. Photograph from USS Miami (CL-89), CPhoM M.R. Openshaw, S1/c M.H. Viola, released 6 April 1945.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-324441.

Note: the photograph is curved.

Commander Kenneth John Dahms (17 June 1922–14 October 1978) served in the US Navy for 28 years (1942–1970) and became a World War II Ace, credited with shooting down seven enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal during WWII.

Navy Cross Citation

For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY (VF-30), during action against enemy Japanese forces at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 6 April 1945. Flying target combat air patrol, Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign], Dahms pressed home determined attacks against hostile aircraft and, in a single engagement, destroyed two enemy fighters and three enemy dive bombers and assisted in the destruction of another fighter. By his superb airmanship, he assisted materially in breaking up a large-scale enemy air attack on units of our Fleet engaged in landing operations on Okinawa. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Dahms and the United States Naval Service.

Fighting Squadron 30 (VF-30), USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24).
Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0620 (July 4, 1945).

A photo of USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) taken in Tokyo Bay on October 15, 1945. It was taken by a US naval officer — it's not an official US Navy photo.

Model of USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24).

"The crew members of a ship at her time of commissioning are known as 'plankowners.' We had several who were with the ship from commissioning day to the surrender of Japan. Pictured above are our plankowners who were aboard 'from start to finish.'"

Harry Louis Schneider became a Shellback and a trusty Dragonback as he crossed over the 180th meridian and the equator.

Harry Louis Schneider, notice of Honorable separation from the U.S. Naval Service.

Harry Louis Schneider, Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy.

In French service, Belleau Wood was named Bois Belleau, which is the French, original name of the wood near Château Thierry, France, where the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood was fought.

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking aft from starboard. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2272-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741495, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147326" (note ship's name is misspelled).

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking forward from starboard. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2273-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741497, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147327" (note ship's name is misspelled).

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking to starboard from center of ship. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2275-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741501, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147329" (note ship's name is misspelled).

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking aft from centerline of island. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2276-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741503, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147330" (note ship's name is misspelled).

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, elevation looking to starboard. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2277-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741505, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147331" (note ship's name is misspelled).

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking to starboard from port. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2279-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741507, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147332" (note ship's name is misspelled).

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking to starboard from port. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2281-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741509, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147333" (note ship's name is misspelled).

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking forward from centerline of island. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2282-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741511, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147334" (note ship's name is misspelled).

Undated picture of Aeronavale Chance Vought F4U-7 Corsairs aboard the aircraft carrier FRS Bois Belleau (R97), location unknown.

Photo Marine Nationale.

Undated view of the French aircraft carrier FRS Bois Belleau (R97) being refuelled underway, location unknown. Note Grumman TBM-3W or TBM-3W-2 Avenger parked forward.

Photo Marine Nationale.

French aircraft carrier Bois Belleau, formerly USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) is moved to a berth at the Norfolk Naval Base to load aircraft in December 1953, shortly before her departure for France. Among the ships in the background are USS New Jersey (BB-62), USS Albany (CA-123) and USS Casa Grande (LSD-13).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (# NH 89299).

French carrier Bois Belleau, formerly USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), at Saigon, early 1950s.

Bois Belleau around 1954, shortly after being loaned to the French Navy. SPS-4 radar is fitted half way up the mast, with YE at the head; SK-2 is fitted between the pairs of funnels. Note that quad and twin 40mm Bofors gun mounts are fitted as well.

Bois Belleau (ex-USS Belleau Wood) underway circa 1954, loaded with various types of aircraft.

The French light carrier Bois Belleau (R97) anchored circa 1955 at an unknown location. The carrier appears much the same as her U.S. Navy WW2 configuration with the SK-2 radar dish prominent between her funnels.

Source: Australian War Memorial, Photo No. 302382.

Bois Belleau (ex-USS Belleau Wood) dressed overall in the mid-1950s, location unknown. Note the new radar mast fitted with the French DRBV-22 air search radar forward of the third funnel.

The French aircraft carrier FRS Bois Belleau (R97) underway with a tug alongside, circa 1956, location unknown.

Photo Marine Nationale.

Bois Belleau circa 1957, with SP radar on the bridge and the French DRBV-22 antenna on the mast further aft. Location unknown.