USS Monterey (CV-26) underway in the Delaware River, circa June 1943, soon after she was commissioned.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-173719).

Mike Green notes that "wartime censors have erased her radar antennas from this photo."

Ship's gunnery officers, October 24, 1943.

Pictured second from right in first row is LT Gerald R. Ford Jr., who later became the 38th President of the United States (1974-1977) (see NS027805a).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-366872).

LCDR Gerald Ford, who later became the 38th President of the United States (1974–1977) in uniform, 1945. Ford received his commission as an Ensign in the U.S Naval Reserve on 13 April 1942 and later participated in many actions in the Pacific aboard the fast aircraft carrier USS Monterey (CVL-26) (see NS022607). He was eventually released from active duty under honorable conditions in February 1946. President Ford, 93, passed away on 26 December 2006 at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. DOD photo (# 061227-N-0000X-003).

Ships of Task Force 50 en route to the Gilberts and Marshalls to support the invasions of Makin and Tarawa, 12 November 1943. Ships are (l-r): USS Alabama (BB-60); USS Indiana (BB-58), in distance, camouflaged; and USS Monterey (CVL-26). Photographed from USS Lexington (CV-16).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-204917).

Maneuvers to recover planes planes during operations in the Bismarcks-New Guinea area, March 1944. Photographed from USS Santee (CVE-29). Bow of USS Erben (DD-631) is in the foreground. Note details of her forward 5"/38 gun mount and crewmen lounging on her foredeck.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-247064).

Navy crewmen aboard USS Monterey (CVL-26) bringing an F6F Hellcat to the flight deck on elevator, June 1944. National Archives photo # 80-G-414667.

USS Monterey (CVL-26) catapults an F6F Hellcat fighter during operations in the Marianas area, June 1944. Note flight deck numbers, crewmen with catapult bridles, plexiglass bridge windscreen and pelorus.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-416686).

Lieutenant Commander Roger W. Mehle, Commander Air Group 28, reports the results of an air strike on Tinian to Captain Stuart H. Ingersoll, Commanding Officer of USS Monterey (CVL-26), in one of the carrier's ready rooms, 11 June 1944. Note LCdr. Mehle's shoulder holster (marked "U.S.") and revolver.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-427309).

Marianas Operation, June 1944 — TBM "Avenger" bombers prepare to take off from USS Monterey (CVL-26) to attack targets on Tinian, June 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-432851).

Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 1944 — Lieutenant Ronald P. "Rip" Gift relaxes with other pilots in a ready room on board USS Monterey (CVL-26), after landing on her at night following strikes on the Japanese fleet, 20 June 1944. Note admonition "Get the Carriers" on chalk board in the background. Photographed by Lieutenant Victor Jorgensen, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-474791).

At anchor in Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands, on 24 November 1944, during a break from operations off the Philippines. Note F6F-5 fighters of Light Carrier Air Group 28 (CVLG-28) parked aft on her flight deck. Photographed from USS Wasp (CV-18).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-290628).

USS Monterey (CVL-26) flies an extra-large U.S. Ensign on the day news was received of Japan's surrender, 15 August 1945. Monterey was then operating off Japan. Note antennas on the carrier's foremast, including a "YE" homing beacon antenna at the masthead.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-366832).

USS Monterey (CVL-26) underway 12 October 1945.

Air Groups that served on USS Monterey (CVL-26) during World War 2.

USS Monterey (CVL 26), 1951. With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, Monterey was recommissioned on September 15, 1950 and proceeded to Pensacola, Fla., where she operated for the next four years under the Naval Training Command. Note SNJ training aircraft on deck.

"Old Glory snaps in the wind and signals halliards 'belly aft' as the aircraft carrier USS Monterey (CVL-26) turns up the knots on a cruise out of Pensacola, Fla., with visitors on board."

(From "All Hands" magazine, June 1951.)

"700 men of USS Monterey (CVL-26) spell out a welcome to New Orleans, La."

(From "All Hands" magazine, July 1951.)

USS Monterey (CVL-26) underway in the Gulf of Mexico on 28 August 1951, while serving as a training carrier. An SNJ training plane is on her flight deck, aft. Photographed by Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97451).

"Light Aircraft Carrier Independence."  (From a Russian publication).

This drawing actually shows Monterey as she appeared in July 1952. Note the longer port catapult, new radar antennas and reduced 20-mm battery.

USS Monterey (CVL-26) underway in the Gulf of Mexico, 29 January 1953, with her crew spelling out "Mardi Gras 1953" on her flight deck. Note that all her guns have been removed. She was then serving as training carrier, operating out of Pensacola, Florida, a duty she performed from January 1951 until June 1955.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97452).

"An unusual feat is accomplished at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard when two carriers are placed in one dry-dock. Shown are the USS Kula Gulf (CVE-108) and the USS Monterey (CVL-26)." From a Philadelphia Naval Shipyard booklet, late 1950s.