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NavSource Online: Escort Carrier Photo Archive

USS MINDORO   (CVE-120)
(later AKV-20)

Ship's Patch
Contributed by Ron Reeves
Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons

   

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: American Campaign Medal
2nd Row: World War II Victory Medal / Navy Occupation Service Medal ("Europe" clasp) / National Defense Service Medal


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Charlie - Golf
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "WAYLAY"

CLASS - COMMENCEMENT BAY
Displacement 21,397 Tons (full load), Dimensions, 557' 7" (oa) x 75' x 30' 8" (Max)
Armament 2 x 5"/38AA 36 x 40mm, 20 x 20mm, 33 Aircraft.
Machinery, 16,000 SHP; Allis-Chambers, Geared Turbines, 2 screw
Speed, 19 Knots, Crew 1066.

Fate: Sold 18 June 1960 to Comarket, Inc. (GAA) for scrapping in Hong Kong BCC. (Thanks to Ron Reeves.)


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For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Name
Mindoro
NS0312028
57k

CVE-120 was named Mindoro after the seventh largest island in the Philippines by land area. The island is located off the southwestern coast of Luzon and northeast of Palawan (NS0312028). During World War II the island was the location of the Battle of Mindoro, 13–16 December 1944. US forces made an amphibious landing on Mindoro and defeated Japanese forces there. There was no significant Japanese opposition, except for kamikaze attacks on American ships.

NS0569307: USS Moale (DD-693), CDR Walter M. Foster, valiantly stands alongside the burning LST-738 (loaded with aviation fuel and ordnance) to rescue crewmembers. LST-738 was hit by a kamikaze, 15 December 1944. Note hole in LST-738's starboard side, just forward of the large "738" painted there. Smoke in the left distance may be from LST-472, which was also hit by the Kamikaze attack. Moale is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 9D. Collection of Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, USN. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photo, # NH 95259, via Joe Radigan.

Two previous US ships had been named for the island:

  • A former Spanish gunboat, acquired by the Navy in 1899, that retained her name.
  • A miscellaneous auxiliary service craft, built in Germany, purchased by the Navy in 1942 and renamed Mindoro. The name was canceled in 1945 and subsequently assigned to CVE-120.

(Map courtesy of Google Maps.)

NavSource
Battle of Mindoro
NS0569307
96k
1945–1955
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312020
520k

Mindoro (CVE-120) Launching Program, Wednesday, 27 June 1945.

S. Dale Hargrave
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312020a
265k

Mrs. Roscoe L. Bowman christened CVE-120 Mindoro on Wednesday, 27 June 1945.

S. Dale Hargrave
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312020b
217k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312020c
235k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312021
9.8M

USS Mindoro (CVE-120) Commissioning Program, Tuesday, 4 December 1945.

S. Dale Hargrave
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312008
62k

US Navy photo of USS Mindoro at anchor, date and location unknown.

David Buell
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312024
127k

Abeam image of the escort carrier USS Mindoro (CVE-120) underway as newly completed on 29 November 1945. Note the very heavy 40 mm battery, including three quad mounts (two aft). USN photo.

Photo and text from U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.

Robert Hurst
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312010
124k

Broad on port beam view of USS Mindoro (CVE-120) underway at 15 knots in Puget Sound, Wash., 18 December 1945. BuAer photo # 8625-12-45, taken from an altitude of 300 feet.

David Buell
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312014
81k

After shakedown along the west coast, USS Mindoro (CVE-120) sailed for the east coast late in January 1946 and arrived Norfolk, Va., 15 February. This is a series of photos taken from Mindoro as she was crossing the Panama Canal.

From the collection of Pearl Harbor survivor Dale Magnus,
via Carol Edgemon Hipperson, author of Radioman: An Eyewitness Account of Pearl Harbor and World War II in the Pacific.
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312014a
106k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312014b
91k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312014c
66k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312014d
107k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312014e
90k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312015
63k

Dale is not sure where the ship was when he shot this photo, circa spring 1946. The reason he took it is that he was trying to show how the mast was damaged or repaired. He was an RM1c when, according to his memory, USS Mindoro (CVE-120) sailed beneath a bridge somewhere on the west coast that was a little too low for the ship to pass under. Dale thought it was the Golden Gate bridge, but his memory is hazy on that part of the story. The main thing he remembers is the havoc it wreaked in the radio room.

Correction from Dr. James L. West, Princeton, NJ: "USS Mindoro sailed under and struck the Brooklyn bridge on Feb. 22, 1946. The accident caused extensive damage to the radar mast, and broke water mains and electrical lines on the bridge. The ship was headed to the Brooklyn Navy Yard at the time. My dad, CDR James A. West Jr., Air Officer aboard the Mindoro at the time, often recounted this incident."

From the collection of Pearl Harbor survivor Dale Magnus,
via Carol Edgemon Hipperson, author of Radioman: An Eyewitness Account of Pearl Harbor and World War II in the Pacific.
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312026
120k

Flight deck activity aboard USS Mindoro (CVE-120), circa 1946.

Avenger, side number F82, launching. A damaged Corsair, side number B117.

From the collection of Gerard Nicolais, Charlie's father-in-law.

Charlie Miller.
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312026a
180k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312026b
141k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312026c
167k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312025
184k

The escort carrier USS Mindoro underway on 20 September 1947, little changed. The postwar image shows many 20mm positions empty, the result as much of low manning levels as of a loss of confidence in the weapon. USN photo.

Photo and text from U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.

Robert Hurst.
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0584120
128k

Operations in 1949, as seen from USS Noa (DD-841).

Ray Pass
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312011
94k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312011a
84k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312030
89k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), 1950s.

Tommy Trampp
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312023
46k

With a K-class blimp from ZP-1 Squadron on deck, sometime in the first half of the 1950s.

Bob Palmersheim ETCS USNR Ret
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312003
91k Underway, circa 1950 (postcard). Richard Leonhardt
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312005
89k USS Mindoro (CVE-120) underway, 28 April 1950, as blimp K-69 leaves her. K-69 was a non-rigid patrol airship used in ASW operations (USN photo). Robert Hurst
Larger copy submitted by Tommy Trampp
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312022a
148k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120) loading Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldivers for delivery to Italy at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, in September 1950. Mindoro transported 42 Helldivers and a number of North American F-51D Mustangs to Brindisi, Italy.

U.S. Navy photo from the Mindoro 1950 Cruise Book.

Robert Hurst
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312022b
261k

Grumman TBM-3E Avengers of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 22 "Checkmates" aboard USS Mindoro (CVE-120). VS-22 was assigned to the escort carrier for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from September to November 1950.

U.S. Navy photo from the Mindoro 1950 Cruise Book.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312022c
119k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120) transporting aircraft to Italy, in September 1950. The escort carrier transported 42 Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldivers and a number of North American F-51D Mustangs to Brindisi, Italy. The Italian Air Force received 170 Mustangs between 1947 and 1951.

U.S. Navy photo from the Mindoro 1950 Cruise Book.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312022
93k

September 18, 1950—U.S. PLANES ARRIVE FOR ITALY—Forty U.S. warplanes for Italy under the Atlantic pact arrive in Italian port of Brindisi, Sept. 16, aboard the U.S. carrier Mindoro. In ceremony on deck of the carrier, U.S. Ambassador to Italy James C. Dunn turned the craft over to Italian Defense Minister Randolfo Pacciradi. (AP Wirephoto)(jd21730stf-rome.)

Gerhard Mueller-Debus
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312036
323k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), 1952.

Dave Schroeder
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312031
303k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120) photographed 30 April 1952. F.L. 6 3/8", port bow alt. 150 feet.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-442342.

Mike Green
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312029
48k

The "heavies" of the Carrier Support Force, as seen from aboard HMS Theseus (R64); HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) and USS Mindoro (CVE-120), 15 September 1952. These ships, and others, were participating in the eight power naval Exercise Main Brace.

Imperial War Museums, Admiralty Official Collection, Photo # ©IWM (A 32292).

Mike Green
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312006
51k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120) underway circa 1953, location unknown.

Robert Hurst
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312007
166k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120) underway with Marine Corps HRS transport helicopters on deck, October 1953, location unknown. Note flight-deck markings employed by US carriers at this time.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, Robert L. Lawson Photo Collection (# 1996.488.035.049).

Robert Hurst
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312033
148k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), Boston Naval Shipyard, June 1953. Antenna rigging photo NY2-1275-6-53, bow view.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. National Archives Identifier 24741457. Local Identifier 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 145861.

NARA
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312033a
141k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), Boston Naval Shipyard, June 1953. Antenna rigging photo NY2-1276-6-53, bow quarter port.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. National Archives Identifier 24741459. Local Identifier 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 145862.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312033b
154k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), Boston Naval Shipyard, June 1953. Antenna rigging photo NY2-1278-6-53, mid starboard.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. National Archives Identifier 24741461. Local Identifier 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 145863.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312033c
243k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), Boston Naval Shipyard, June 1953. Antenna rigging photo NY2-1279-6-53, stern quarter.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. National Archives Identifier 24741463. Local Identifier 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 145864.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312033d
219k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), Boston Naval Shipyard, June 1953. Antenna rigging photo NY2-1280-6-53, stern view.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. National Archives Identifier 24741465. Local Identifier 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 145865.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312032
162k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), possibly at the Boston Naval Shipyard, July 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. National Archives Identifier 24741447. Local Identifier 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 143385.

NARA
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312032a
194k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), possibly at the Boston Naval Shipyard, July 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. National Archives Identifier 24741449. Local Identifier 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 143386.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312032b
170k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), possibly at the Boston Naval Shipyard, July 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. National Archives Identifier 24741451. Local Identifier 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 143387.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312032c
214k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), possibly at the Boston Naval Shipyard, July 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. National Archives Identifier 24741453. Local Identifier 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 143388.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312032d
166k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), possibly at the Boston Naval Shipyard, July 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. National Archives Identifier 24741455. Local Identifier 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 143389.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312009
94k

A series of photos of anti-submarine aircraft operating from USS Mindoro (CVE-120) in the second half of 1953.

S2F-1 Tracker taking off.

Carl Musselman
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312009a
81k

S2F-1 Tracker landing.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312009b
103k

S2F-1 Tracker.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312009c
113k

AF-2S Guardian, VS-30 squadron, taking off.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312009d
82k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312009e
88k

AF-2S's Guardians, VS-30 squadron, landing.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312009f
109k
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312009g
122k

AF-2W Guardian, VS-30 squadron, taking off. Note the ventral radome, housing an APS-20 radar.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312012
22k

Navy blimp (K-ship) dropping down for refueling, 1954.

Tom Smith
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312012a
31k

Navy blimp ZL-5 approaches USS Mindoro (CVE-120) for refueling via gasoline bladder, 1954.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312012b
18k

Navy blimp ZL-5 being refueled by gasoline bladder from USS Mindoro (CVE-120), 1954.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312037
373k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), Gibraltar, 30 May 1954.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-677178.

Rick Davis and John Chiquoine
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312013
108k

Undated picture of USS Mindoro (CVE-120). On the flight deck are AF-2S/AF-2W Guardian aircraft. Note also what appears to be a Piasecki (Vertol) HUP-2 Retriever on her forward lift. Photo from Skyfotos, from "Jane's Fighting Ships," 1956–1957 edition.

Robert Hurst
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312004
125k

"Training Cruise." USS Mindoro (CVE-120) operated with Reserve ASW blimp units during the 1950s off the East coast. This painting by Wayne Scarpaci (size 18"x24") depicts such an ASW HUK (Hunter-Killer) group conducting flight ops.

©Wayne Scarpaci
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312017
10.8M

"Night Patrol,", Cold War memories of CAPT Charles Wright, USN (Ret.)

USS Mindoro (CVE-120) and Squadron VS-22 Mediterranean Cruise, July–November 1950.

©CAPT Charles Wright, USN (Ret.)
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312018
799k

The Wings of Darkest Night: Death in the Atlantic, Cold War memories of CAPT Charles Wright, USN (Ret.)

©CAPT Charles Wright, USN (Ret.)
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312019
1.54M

Short Stories About Naval Aviation, Cold War memories of CAPT Charles Wright, USN (Ret.)

©CAPT Charles Wright, USN (Ret.)
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312034
145k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), antenna rigging photo bow view, May 1955. Boston Naval Shipyard, # NY2-191-5-55.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), National Archives Identifier: 24741467, Local ID: 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 152324.

NARA
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312034a
178k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), antenna rigging photo bow quarter view, May 1955. Boston Naval Shipyard, # NY2-192-55.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), National Archives Identifier: 24741469, Local ID: 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 152325.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312034b
209k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), antenna rigging photo broadside, May 1955. Boston Naval Shipyard, # NY2-193-5-55.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), National Archives Identifier: 24741471, Local ID: 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 152326.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312034c
188k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), antenna rigging photo stern quarter view, May 1955. Boston Naval Shipyard, # NY2-195-5-55.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), National Archives Identifier: 24741473, Local ID: 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 152327.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312034d
198k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120), antenna rigging photo stern view, May 1955. Boston Naval Shipyard, # NY2-196-5-55.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), National Archives Identifier: 24741475, Local ID: 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 152328.

CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312035
250k

USS Mindoro (CVE-120).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), National Archives Identifier: 24741477, Local ID: 19-NN - CVE-120 Mindoro - 160062.

NARA
"Mothballed"
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312027
195k

"Uncle Sam's aeroplane carrier tied up at South Boston Navy Yard—from Commonwealth Ice & Cold Storage building." October 1956.

Mindoro's island, with her hull number ("120") can be easily seen in the center-left, middle distance. Other ships that can be identified in the original photo are the light cruiser ex-Dayton (CL-105) and many escort carriers, among them ex-Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75), ex-Rudyerd Bay (CVE-81), ex-White Plains (CVE-66), and ex-Nehenta Bay (CVE-74).

Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312001
80k In reserve, South Boston Naval Annex. May 1958. ©Richard Leonhardt
CVE-120 Mindoro
NS0312002
241k

Ex-Mindoro last voyage: being towed to scrap from South Boston Naval Annex, 18 June 1960.

©Richard Leonhardt

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

Read the
USS Mindoro (CVE-120 / AKV-20) DANFS History entry
Crew Contact And Reunion Information

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Related Links
Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages by Andrew Toppan.
The Crew's Log, USS Mindoro, CVE-120, by Howard Gregg
Escort Carrier Sailors & Airmen Association

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Last update: 11 April 2024