ACV-72 (later CVE-72) was initially named Fortazela Bay. Realizing that it was misspelled, her name was corrected to read Fortaleza Bay, 19 October 1943. Fortaleza (Spanish for "stronghold") Bay is a bight on the southeast coast of Baker Island, Alexander Archipelago, Alaska (NS0307217a, courtesy of Hamstermap.com); the name, derived from Fortaleza Point, was given in 1923 by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS).

The ship was renamed Tulagi, 6 November 1943, after an island of the south central Solomons in the southwestern Pacific. Located south of Florida Island and north of Guadalcanal, Tulagi was the scene of the beginning of the struggle for the Solomons when Japanese forces occupied the island on 3 May 1942. It was captured by United States Marines later that year when they landed there on 7 August and wrestled control of the island from the Japanese. (Map NS0307217, courtesy of Google Maps.)

NS100300910: Brigadier General William H. Rupertus, USMC, (center) aboard USS Neville (AP-16) during the landings on Tulagi, 7–8 August 1942. BGen. Rupertus, Assistant Division Commander of the First Marine Division, was in charge of combat operations on Tulagi and the other nearby Japanese-held islands. Note landing craft moving past in the background. The destroyer in the center distance is probably USS Buchanan (DD-484). US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-31372, submitted by Robert Hurst.

Tulagi was sponsored by Mrs. James Duke Barner, wife of the commanding officer of the Astoria Naval Station.

(From "Bo's'n's Whistle," Vol. 3, No. 22; November 25, 1943; page 7.)

Commissioning ceremonies aboard USS Tulagi (CVE-72), 21 December 1943. Mrs. Barner, sponsor of the escort carrier, presents tray to ship's officers via Captain Joseph C. Cronin, Tulagi's first commanding officer. U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-207752.

Good overhead, showing starboard side AA armament. Painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 4A (thanks to Aryeh Wetherhorn.)

USS Tulagi (CVE-72) enroute from New York to Casablanca with a deck cargo of U.S. Army P-38s and P-47s. This photo is dated 31 May 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-364576).

USS Tulagi (CVE-72) enroute from New York to Casablanca with a deck cargo of U.S. Army P-38s and P-47s, 2 June 1944. USS Marsh (DE-699) is alongside. Photographed from USS Mission Bay (CVE-59).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-364378).

"Hellcats Tough On Tanks—ROME—Hellcat divebombers (sic) from the U.S. baby aircraft carriers Tulagi and Kasaan Bay destroyed more than 1,000 nazi motor vehicles and tanks in widespread missions during operations in southern France, a naval spokesman said today."

An F6F-5 Hellcat of VOF-1 takes a waveoff from LSO during a landing attempt aboard USS Tulagi (CVE-72), following an air-support mission over Southern France on D-Day for Operation Dragoon on 15 August 1944. USN photo, courtesy Russ Egnor.

Photo and text from "Carrier Air War In Original WWII Color" by Robert Lawson and Barrett Tillman.

RADM Calvin T. Durgin congratulates pilots for destroying a target, beyond the reach of Navy guns, off the coast of Southern France, August 1944. They are in the ready room of USS Tulagi (CVE- 72).

National Archives & Records Administration photo (# 80-G-305235).

Crewman loading rockets on an F6F Hellcat aboard USS Tulagi (CVE-72) for the Invasion of Southern France. Photographed by Lieutenant Wayne Miller, August 1944.

National Archives & Records Administration photo (# 80-G-468774).

A plane handler giving the signal, "Lock tailwheel," to an F6F pilot aboard USS Tulagi (CVE-72) off the coast of Southern France, August 1944.

National Archives & Records Administration photo (# 80-G-468782).

Operation Dragoon, August–September 1944. Map of France showing Mediterranean area. Received 13 September 1944.

National Archives & Records Administration photo (# 80-G-46491).

Operation Dragoon, August–September 1944. Navy Rocket — Firing Hellcats (F6F) wreck German train west of Carcassonne, France. The pilot, Ensign John A. Mooney, USNR, swooped back to take this picture following his strike. Other fliers in Navy strike group attacked immediately and left train in flames. The fighter group was based on USS Tulagi (CVE-72) which participated in the invasion of Southern France in an aircraft carrier task group commanded by Rear Admiral Calvin T. Durgin, USN. Received 9 September 1944.

National Archives & Records Administration photo (# 80-G-46497).

A port side view of USS Tulagi (CVE-72) on 30 October 1944. The ship is ferrying two squadrons of Army Aircraft to Hawaii after departing San Diego on the previous day and is wearing camouflage scheme Ms.32, Design 4A. Photo taken by squadron ZP-31.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Photo No. 80-G-286135.

Aerial view of Olangapo, Philippine Islands, showing the result of shelling from US Naval units. Taken by USS Tulagi (CVE-72) aircraft, 20 January 1945.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339193.

Battle for Iwo Jima, February–March 1945. Bomb damage to Iwo Jima from Composite Squadron (VC) 92. Image taken by Photographer's Mate E.W. Peck from USS Tulagi (CVE-72).

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339199.

Bomb damage to Iwo Jima from Composite Squadron (VC) 92. Image taken by Photographer's Mate E.W. Peck from USS Tulagi (CVE-72).

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339209.

Battle for Iwo Jima, February–March 1945. Bomb damage to Iwo Jima from Composite Squadron (VC) 92. Image taken by Photographer's Mate E.W. Peck from USS Tulagi (CVE-72).

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80‑G-339242.

Avenger torpedo-bomber over Iwo Jima, 1 March 1945. Photographed from aircraft from USS Tulagi (CVE-72).

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339196.

Battle for Iwo Jima, 1 March 1945. Bomb craters on Iwo Jima Volcano Island caused by bombs of VC-92. Photographed by K-20.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339207.

Two TBF Avenger planes in flight over Iwo Jima, 2 March 1945. Photographed from USS Tulagi (CVE-72) aircraft.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339198.

Battle for Iwo Jima, February–March 1945. Bomb craters on Iwo Jima Volcano Island caused by bombs of VC-92, USS Tulagi (CVE-72). Photographed by K-20, 2 March 1945.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339201.

Battle for Iwo Jima, February–March 1945. Bomb craters on Iwo Jima Volcano Island caused by bombs of VC-92. Photographed by CPhoM E.W. Peck, K-20, 2 March 1945.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339212.

Two TBF Avenger planes in flight over Iwo Jima, 2 March 1945. Photographed from USS Tulagi (CVE-72) aircraft. Photographer: Chief Photographer's Mate E.W. Peck.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339214.

Aerial of Chichi Jima, Bonin Islands, 3 March 1945. Image taken by USS Tulagi (CVE-72) aircraft.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339221.

Aerial of Chichi Jima, Bonin Islands, 3 March 1945. Image taken by USS Tulagi (CVE 72) aircraft.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339224.

Aerial of Chichi Jima, Bonin Islands, 3 March 1945. Image taken by USS Tulagi (CVE 72) aircraft.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339226.

Aerial of Chichi Jima, Bonin Islands, 3 March 1945. Image taken by USS Tulagi (CVE 72) aircraft.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339233.

Japanese suicide plane attack on USS LST-447 in action at Kerama Retto, Ryukyu Islands. Photographed by Photographer's Mate First Class C.C. Lecmill, 6 April 1945, based aboard USS Tulagi (CVE-72).

From Tulagi's War History: "Numerous reports of approaching bogies received during morning and proceeded with replenishing as rapidly as possible. At 1622 Flash Red was ordered, catapulted planes to aid C.A.P. and began preparations for getting underway. Opened fire on enemy plane closing starboard quarter. Plane turned away and though hit by our fire succeeded in crashing an LST which exploded and was left dead in water."

LST-447 had completed unloading on 3 April, but, as a result of this attack, capsized and sank at 1615, 7 April 1945.

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-339258.

S Division, USS Tulagi (CVE-72). Grand Harbour, Valletta, Island of Malta, August 5, 1944.

Fritz O. Maass, SM3, is in the middle, top row. He served from 23 October 1943 until 23 December 1945, and according to his memoir was aboard USS Tulagi (CVE-72) from 17 June 1944 (two days after he turned 19) until 23 December 1945.

Fritz was Hayden's grandfather.

Photo NS0307211, uncropped. Larger copy available on request.

The photo appears to have been taken in Grand Harbour, Valletta, Island of Malta. Date migh be 5 August 1944 (see NS0307205).

Steward's Mate Second Class Miles Davis King carries a loaded magazine for a 20mm machine gun, as USS Tulagi (CVE-72) steams through the Mediterranean Sea en route to the invasion of Southern France. Photographed a few days prior to 15 August 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-417623.

Richard Salter, CK3/c, a talker of a gun station, aboard USS Tulagi (CVE-72) off the coast of southern France, August 1944.

National Archives & Records Administration photo (# 80-G-468780).

Officers aboard USS Tulagi (CVE-72), planning the attack against southern France as the escort carrier nears the shore for the 15 August 1944 invasion. TR-11106-C. Photograph received 11 December 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-313133.

Unidentified Tulagi's crew members, sometime in 1945.

Original Caption: "Medal presentation ceremony by the CO Capt. Joseph C. Cronin, USN aboard the USS Tulagi (CVE-72) with all hands assembled on the flight deck. Left to right in front row are: Lt. Ralph K. Andrist and Lt. Edward H. Hudson both Bronze star medals; and Gregory Szellak, ACMM, Gerald A. Donato, AMM2c, Irving R. Miller, AMM2c, Daniel W. Hiller, AEM1c the latter four commendation ribbons."

Photo is dated 27 March 1945 but was possibly taken 15–20 March, while Tulagi was anchored at Ulithi, Western Caroline Islands.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo.