Sailors on the carrier's forecastle during her Commissioning ceremonies, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 17 November 1943. Note ship's jack flying at left and her starboard anchor (18,000 pound type) at right.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 75602), courtesy of Mr. James Russell, 1972.

Captain Valentine H. Schaeffer, USN, the carrier's Commanding Officer, cuts the cake at a reception following her commissioning ceremonies, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 17 November 1943. Looking on are Philippine Commonwealth Vice President Sergio Osmeña and Miss Rosie Osmeña.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97311).

USS Bataan (CVL-29) off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 2 March 1944. She is painted in Measure 32 Design 8A camouflage pattern.

USS Bataan (CVL-29) off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 2 March 1944. Aircraft parked on her flight deck, forward, are TBM Avenger torpedo planes.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 92287).

USS Bataan (CVL-29) in October 1944, probably ferrying aircraft to Hawaii. Note her camouflage, Ms. 32 Design 8A.

Carrier Strikes on Japan, March 1945 — A Japanese Navy Judy (Yokosuka D4Y3) bomber passes near USS Bataan (CVL-29) during an unsuccessful dive bombing run on Task Force 58, while the U.S. ships were operating off Japan on 20 March 1945. The Japanese plane was soon brought down by anti-aircraft fire. Photographed from USS Hancock (CV-19). Bataan is the ship in the center of the view.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-319232).

Officer of the Deck, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Howard W. Milke, USNR, welcomes entertainer Pascacio Alinangohan as he boards the ship in 1945. Mr. Alinangohan, a former guerrilla Captain whose stage name is "Professor Paz", led a troupe of dancers, singers and guitarists in a show for the carrier's crew. The plaque behind them features a quotation from the speech given by Philippine President Manuel Quezon at USS Bataan's launching ceremonies on 1 August 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 47859).

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Edward Iglesias, USNR, accompanies Miss Estefanie Veloso, grandaughter of Philippine Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña, as she inspects the cockpit of a Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter, while touring the ship on 10 June 1945. Bataan had just completed her tour with Task Force 58 on 30 May. The touring party comprised Mrs. Edilbertio Osmeña, daughter-in-law of President Osmeña; Mr. & Mrs. Juan Veloso, son-in-law and daughter of the President; and Miss Veloso. Conducting the guests on the tour of the ship was Captain Ward C. Gilbert, USN. Also accompanying the party were various Philippine and United States officials.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 48995).

USS Bataan (CVL-29) arrives at San Diego, California, with her crew paraded on deck, as she returns from seven months in Korean waters. Photo is dated 25 June 1951.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-437649).

Underway in January 1952 with F4U-4B Corsair fighter-bombers of VMF-314 on board. Photo was taken as she was working up in preparation for her second Korean War deployment.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-633888).

Of note are the arrester wires that have been fitted as far back as the midships section of her flight deck; the port side hull bulge, utilised as a side deck, is clearly visible. SPS-6 and SP radars, and YE aircraft homing beacon are carried. (Thanks to Robert Hurst).

USS Bataan (CVL-29) photographed on 22 May 1953, as she was en route to Naval Air Station San Diego, California, following a deployment to Korean waters. Note crew paraded on the flight deck spelling out the word "HOME" and an arrow pointing over her bow. Aircraft on deck include 19 Grumman AF Guardian anti-submarine planes and a solitary Vought F4U Corsair fighter (parked amidships on the starboard side).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 95808).