CVE-123 was named for a 20-square mile island of the southern Marianas assigned by the League of Nations to Japan as a mandate after World War I. It was captured by United States Marines after fierce fighting from 24 July to 1 August 1944.

It was from Tinian that the bombers from the 509th Composite Group carrying the atomic bombs Little Boy and Fat Man were launched against Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Parts and nuclear material to be used in the atomic bombs had been delivered to the island by USS Indianapolis (CA-35) on 26 July 1945.

NS0312304a: Memorial on the old North Field airfield, at the loading pits. Originally, the pits were constructed to load the large atomic bombs, since each bomb was too large to be loaded in the conventional manner. The planes were maneuvered over a pit with their bomb bay doors open to facilitate loading.

Miss Grace L. Woods christening the ship.

National Archives photo # 80-G-343590.

Launching of Tinian (CVE-123) at Todd Pacific Shipyards Inc., Tacoma, Washington. Bow on view of vessel passing down ways, 5 September 1945.

National Archives photo # 80-G-343591.

This is a rare photo of a ship which never commissioned, Tinian (CVE-123).

Dated 21 February 1946, and credited to Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc. (negative # 79-3), the back credit is "USN Official, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, U.S. Navy."

This is one of the few photos that could be taken of her underway (here she is steaming at 16 knots), since she went immediately into the Reserve Fleet where she stayed until stricken and scrapped.

Cropped version of photo above.

Naval History & Heritage Command photo (# NH 82150). Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1975.

Colorized version of photo above.

Starboard quarter view of Tinian (CVE-123) running trials, 21 February 1946.

Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1975.

Naval History & Heritage Command photo (# NH 82149).

Colorized version of photo above.