USS Wasp (CVA-18). From Our Navy magazine, First of March, 1954.

Photo was taken circa 1951-1952, just after SCB-27A modernization, with Carrier Air Group 1 (CVG-1) aboard.

Four U.S. Navy aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 1 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) in 1951–52. The first and last aircraft are Douglas AD-4 Skyraiders, the first being the personal aircraft of the Carrier Air Group Commander ("CAG") while the other aircraft are the planes of the squadron commanders (front to back): next to the AD-4 of the CAG flies a McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee of Fighter Squadron (VF) 12 "Flying Ubangis;" then a Vought F4U-4 Corsair of VF-14 "Top Hatters;" finally an AD-4 of Attack Squadron (VA) 15 "Valions."

Photo from U.S. Navy publication Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 1, The History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP and VFA Squadrons; Chapter 2, Attack Squadron Histories for VA-1E to VA-23.

USS Wasp (CV-18) underway with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 1 embarked, 1951–1952. USN photo # 442111.

This McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee (BuNo 125019, modex F210) of Fighter Squadron (VF) 62 "Gladiators" mistakenly recovered aboard USS Wasp (CV-18), circa 1952. It was common practice during the Korean War years to paint a visiting aircraft with comments—it was all done in fun but the poor pilot had to return with his new "markings" to the ribbing of his air group.

VF-62 was part of Carrier Air Group (CVG) 4 aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, 19 April–12 October 1952. Wasp deployed to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, 24 May–13 October 1952.

Courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum.

On April 26, 1952 Wasp collided with destroyer minesweeper Hobson (DMS-26) while conducting night flight operations in the Atlantic, en route to Gibraltar. Hobson was cut in two and sank. Rapid rescue operations saved 61 men, but Hobson lost 176 of her crew, including her skipper. Although Wasp sustained no personnel casualties her hull was severely damaged, with a 30 x 50-foot bite gouged out of the bow. With the carrier urgently needed for duty in the Mediterranean, preparations for repairs were begun immediately.

Wasp carefully proceeded to Bayonne, N.J., entered drydock there on 8 May and her damaged bow was cleared out with blow torches. The following day, the bow of aircraft carrier Hornet (CV-12) —then undergoing conversion in Brooklyn, N.Y.— was cut off and floated by barge across the bay. It was fitted into position under Wasp that afternoon, with steel plates to close any remaining gaps, and workers began round-the-clock welding operations. This remarkable repair task, which including replacing 61 lifeboats and refitting the carrier's anchor chain, was completed in only 10 days, enabling the carrier to get underway on 21 May. Shifting south to Norfolk, the crew spent a short three days preparing for deployment and Wasp sailed east across the Atlantic on 24 May.

(NS021896) Wasp entering New York Harbor on 6 May 1952 after her collision with Hobson on 26 April 1952. Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum (# CVA 18 130X2-5-52).

(NS021896a) Survivors of Hobson being transported aboard a Navy launch on 6 May 1952. Left to right on stretcher are CSC Gene St. Martin and RMSN David D. Sanford. Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum (# CVA 18 130X4-5-52).

(NS021896b) Survivors of Hobson on the flight deck of Wasp on 6 May 1952. Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum (# CVA 18 130X6-5-52).

(NS021696c) Being assisted and maneuvered by tugs, USS Wasp (CV-18) approaches the dry dock at Bayonne, New Jersey, in May 1952 for bow replacement and repair. LIFE Magazine Archives, Ralph Morse photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

(NS021696d) Yard workman at Bayonne, New Jersey, with flag, used to properly center and line up USS Wasp (CV-18) in the dry dock. LIFE Magazine Archives, Ralph Morse photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

(NS021696e) Initial inspection of the damaged bow of USS Wasp (CV-18), before emptying the dry dock so repairs can begin. LIFE Magazine Archives, Ralph Morse photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

(NS021863) Damaged section of Wasp's bow is shown as water drains from Bayonne drydock. Naval History & Heritage Command photo # NH 97512.

(NS021663d) Bow view of the damage on Wasp after her collision with Hobson on 26 April 1952. LIFE Magazine Archives, Ralph Morse photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

(NS021863b) View of the damaged bow of Wasp on 9 May 1952 in dry dock in Bayonne shipyard. Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum (# CVA 18 130X6-5-52).

(NS021663e) The bow of Hornet is being lowered into the dry dock for installation on Wasp. LIFE Magazine Archives, Ralph Morse photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

(NS021663f) Close up starboard side view of the new bow being fitted onto Wasp. LIFE Magazine Archives, Ralph Morse photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

(NS021863a) Cradled Hornet bow is moved into position under Wasp just before the "welding ceremony." From "All Hands" magazine, July 1952 issue.

(NS021663c) The new bow section, removed from USS Hornet (under SCB-27A modernization at nearby New York Navy Yard), is being fitted into position on Wasp. Wasp was urgently needed for operations in the Mediterranean, so the preparation and work proceeded immediately. LIFE Magazine Archives, Ralph Morse photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

(NS021663g) Dock-level view of the new bow being fitted onto Wasp. LIFE Magazine Archives, Ralph Morse photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

(NS021663h) Overhead view of the new bow being fitted onto Wasp. LIFE Magazine Archives, Ralph Morse photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

(See also NS021294.)

USS Wasp (CV-18) with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 1, 9 July 1952.

Photo by Marius Bar, Toulon, France.

USS Wasp (CVA-18) circa 1953.

Official U.S. Navy photo from Jane's Fighting Ships 1958–1959.

USS Wasp (CVA-18) underway during her World Cruise, Norfolk to San Diego, 16 September 1953–1 May 1954, with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 17.

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-4W Skyraider of Composite Squadron (VC) 12 Det. 38 is readied for launch from the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CVA-18). VC-12 Det. 38 was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 17 aboard Wasp for her around the world cruise from 16 September 1953 to 1 May 1954. The squadron was redesignated Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 12 on 2 July 1956.

National Archives and Records Administration photo, RG 330-PS series, photo USN 449381.

USS Wasp (CVA-18) at sea in the Far East, 5 January 1955, at the time of the Tachen Islands evacuation.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97508).

USS Wasp somewhere in the Pacific, 1955. We were on board from K-3 [airfield] Korea on way to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Our squadron VMC-1, USMC was relocating. The carrier was headed to San Diego, then to San Francisco to get a canted deck [1]. This is a shot of the Marine Gun Detachment practicing. I remember when we landed in Hawaii I thought the whole island moved when we docked.

[1] Archive Manager note: Wasp returned to San Diego in April 1955, then entered the San Francisco Naval Shipyard in May for a 7-month conversion and overhaul that included installation of a "canted" flight deck (as it was known at the time) and a "hurricane" bow.

USS Wasp (CVA-18) underway in the mid-1950s. Postcard.

USS Wasp (CVA-18) at San Diego in 1956.

A U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee (BuNo 127529, modex H204) of Fighter Squadron (VF) 152 "Fighting Aces" after recovering aboard USS Wasp (CVA-18). VF-152 was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15 aboard the aircraft carrier for a deployment to the Western Pacific, 23 April–15 October 1956.

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8B Cougar from Fighter Squadron (VF) 153 "Blue Tail Flies" on the catapult of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CVA-18), 1956. VF-153 was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15 aboard Wasp for a deployment to the Western Pacific, from 23 April to 15 October 1956. U.S. Navy photo from Wasp 1956 Cruise Book.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) underway in a photo probably taken in the late 1950s, early in her CVS career, location unknown. Note the early-type landing area markings on her angled deck area.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) departing New York, late 1950s-early 1960s.

Quonset Point, RI, October 1957.

Quonset Point, RI, October 1957. Seen from USS Tarawa (CVS-40).

Quonset Point, RI, October 1957.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) off Beirut, Lebanon, August–September 1958.

"On 15 July, the carrier put to sea to patrol waters off Lebanon. Her Marine helicopter transport squadron left the ship five days later to set up camp at the Beirut International Airport. They flew reconnaissance missions and transported the sick and injured from Marine battalions in the hills to the evacuation hospital at the airport. She continued to support forces ashore in Lebanon until 17 September 1958 when she departed Beirut Harbor, bound for home." (Quoted from DANFS.)

Photo by Ron Schafer, who was serving aboard USS Fort Snelling (LSD-30) at the time.

"CVS-18-7180-6-8-59 Atlantic Ocean (August 19, 1959)—Burned helicopter being jettisoned overboard after an explosion and fire in Hangar Bay #1 of USS Wasp (CVS-18)."

Note:
"USS Wasp is heavily damaged by an explosion and subsequent fires when a helicopter engine explodes while being tested in hangar bay number 1. The fires and reflashes take over two hours to control. At the time of the accident the Wasp was carrying nuclear weapons. In the first 30 minutes as the fires burned out of control and the forward magazines were flooded, preliminary preparations also were made to flood the nuclear weapon magazine. It was not flooded, however, and 30 minutes later the nuclear weapon magazine reported no significant rise in temperature."

"CVS-18-7183-L-8-59 Atlantic Ocean (August 19, 1959)—A view showing the fire damage to Hangar Bay #1 aboard USS Wasp (CVS-18)."

"CVS-18-7185-L-8-59 Atlantic Ocean (August 19, 1959)—Another view of the fire damage to Hangar Bay #1 aboard USS Wasp (CVS-18)."

USS Wasp (CVS-18) being assisted by tugs at the Boston Navy Yard on 19 August 1959 (see above).

Boston Public Library, Brearley Collection.

USS Miller (DD-535) comes alongside USS Wasp (CVS-18) for a refueling demonstration during the carrier's family day cruise, 16 April 1959. Some of Wasp's crew members and their families are observing the evolution.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) and the destroyer USS McCaffery (DDE-860) underway at sea, in 1960. Wasp, with assigned Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group (CVSG) 52, was deployed to the Atlantic Ocean from 11 June to 11 August 1960.

U.S. Navy photo from the Wasp 1960 Cruise Book.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) underway, first half of the 1960s.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) underway in the 1960s, location unknown.

Aerial view of Boston Navy Yard, looking Southwest, 1 April 1960. Photo taken by a helicopter from Naval Air Station South Weymouth.

Ships and Craft present:

U.S. Navy photo, Boston NHP Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-10111).

USS Wasp (CVS-18) departs Boston on 22 November 1960.

Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum (# CVA 18 322X1-11-60).

USS Wasp (CVS-18) in formation with destroyers and aircraft of Anti-submarine Task Group Bravo, in the Mediterranean Sea, 19 August 1961. All escorts are Gearing-class DDEs. Planes overhead include ten S2F and two AD-5Ws. Two HSS-1 helicopters are flying just above the ships.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1057640).

USS Wasp (CVS-18), with embarked Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 52, toward the end of the Cuban missile crisis in late 1962, as she pulls away from the Soviet freighter off her starboard quarter, which had displayed on deck the missiles it was removing from Cuba. Official U.S. Navy photograph.

USS Wasp Commanding Officer, CAPT Edward Robinson Fickenscher, Jr., lighting candles and ready to carve a turkey in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the carrier's commissioning, November 1963. U.S. Navy photo, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-14667.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) is seen in Dry Dock 3 at the South Boston Annex of the Boston Naval Shipyard on 6 January 1964 during her FRAM overhaul. U.S. Navy photo, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-14630.

Stern quarter view of USS Wasp (CVS-18) conducting sea trials out of Boston, March 1964. The carrier had just completed her FRAM overhaul (fall 1963–March 1964) at the Boston Naval Shipyard.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.053.017. Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection.

The ASW aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CVS-18) underway circa 1964, location unknown. Note A-4 Skyhawk and S-2 Tracker aircraft on her flight deck. Wasp is shown leading two of her escorting destroyers.

Official U.S. Navy photo from Jane's Fighting Ships 1964–1965.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) underway with Task Group Bravo.

Photo taken in the summer of 1964 in the Caribbean (thanks to David A. Rutherford, CAPT, SC, USNR (Ret), for this information.)

Wawasee (YTM-367) and USS Wasp (CVS-18) underway in Boston Harbor, 7 September 1964.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 52, 13 November 1964.

Photo by Marius Bar, Toulon, France.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) in her later years, location unknown.

Gemini IV Space Flight, June 1965 — The Gemini IV space capsule is lifted aboard USS Wasp (CVS-18) on 7 June 1965, after completing a 62 revolution flight around the Earth in 97 hours and 56 minutes. The spacecraft, crewed by Astronauts James A. McDivitt and Edward H. White, landed about 48 miles short of its target and some 400 miles east of Cape Kennedy, Florida, at 12:12 PM Eastern Standard Time on 7 June. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Gemini IV mission covered over 1,600,000 miles in the longest multimanned space flight yet flown.

Caption information comes from the original NASA caption.

Official National Aeronautics and Space Administration Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97511).

USS Wasp (CVS-18) recovered Gemini 6A on 16 December 1965. The spacecraft and crew, Walter Schirra and Thomas Stafford, were brought aboard at 1132.

Astronauts Wally Schirra (left) and Thomas Stafford talk to crew aboard USS Wasp (CVS-18).

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo, identifier S65-61825.

Astronaut James A. Lovell Jr., pilot of the Gemini 7 spaceflight, is hoisted from the water by a recovery helicopter from USS Wasp (CVS-18), 18 December 1965, in the Atlantic Ocean. Astronaut Frank Borman, command pilot, waits in the raft to be hoisted aboard the helicopter, an SH-3A Sea King (BuNo 149006, modex AS56) from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11 "Sub Seekers," part of Anti-Submarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 52.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo, # S65-61828.

Crewmen of USS Wasp (CVS-18) gather on deck to watch the recovery of the Gemini 7 spacecraft and astronauts. Note the signs hanging from the railings which say "Seasons Greetings from WASP" and "Spirit of 76".

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo, identifier S65-63644.

Astronauts James A. Lovell Jr., (left), pilot, and Frank Borman, command pilot, are shown just after they arrived aboard USS Wasp (CVS-18). Greeting the astronauts are Donald Stullken (at Lovell's right), Recovery Operations Branch, Landing and Recovery Division; Dr. Howard Minners (standing beside Borman), Flight Medicine Branch, Center Medical Office, Manned Spacecraft Center; and Bennett James (standing behind Borman), a NASA Public Affairs Officer.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo, identifier S65-61830.

Surrounded by NASA dignitaries and members of the crew of USS Wasp (CVS-18), Gemini 7 astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovell arrive aboard the aircraft carrier following their recovery on 18 December 1965. The astronauts were picked up from the Atlantic Ocean, following successful splashdown after two weeks in orbit, by helicopter SH-3A Sea King, BuNo 149006, modex AS56, from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11 "Sub Seekers," part of Anti-Submarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 52.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo, identifier S65-63646.

Gemini 7 (left) and Gemini 6A spacecraft meet up once again, this time at Mayport Naval Station near Jacksonville, Florida after unloading from USS Wasp (CVS-18), 20 December 1965.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo, identifier s65-65948.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) returns to Boston—"On 24 January 1966, Wasp departed Boston for fleet exercises off Puerto Rico. En route, heavy seas and high winds caused structural damage to the carrier. She put into Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, on 1 February to determine the extent of her damages and effect as much repair as possible. Engineers were flown from Boston who decided that the ship could cease 'Springboard' operations early and return to Boston. The ship conducted limited antisubmarine operations from 5 to 8 February prior to leaving the area. She arrived at Boston on 18 February and was placed in restricted availability until 7 March, when her repair work was completed." (Quoted from DANFS.)

UPI photo, 19 February 1966.

EA-1E (formerly AD-5W) Skyraider ("Guppy"), BuNo 139598, modex GD877, VAW-33 "Night Hawks" Det. 18, aboard USS Wasp (CVS-18) with Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group (CVSG) 52, somewhere in the West Atlantic, January–May 1966.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) approaches the [Gemini 9] spacecraft of Astronauts Thomas P. Stafford and Eugene A. Cernan [, 6 June 1966, ] after their three-day space mission. Frogmen, flown to the floating capsule by helicopter, have already attached flotation collars to the capsule (NASA photo).

Photo and text from "Aircraft Carriers," by Norman Polmar.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) in her Mercury-Gemini recovery configuration, returning to Boston in June 1966 after recovering Gemini 9A.

NS021873b: Note the two space capsules painted on the side of bridge from previous missions (Gemini 4 and the combined Gemini 6A-Gemini 7 mission).

NS021873d: Note the large communications "dish" on the flight deck.

NS021873e: Close up of the large communications "dish" antenna installed on the flight deck.

From the Boston Public Library.

Astronauts James A. Lovell and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. are welcomed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CVS-18) after their Gemini 12 spacecraft splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean, 15 November 1966.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo, # GPN-2000-001356.

Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King modex AS66 (BuNo 151556), assigned to HS-11 "Sub Seekers." As of mid-2008, this helo was at the American Helicopter Museum, West Chester, Pa.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) and USS Forrest Sherman (DD-931) refuel from USS Severn (AO-61), in the background. Photo taken on 8 December 1966.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) underway, circa early 1967. This photograph was included with a 11 February 1967 USS Wasp press release, concerning her appearance at New Orleans' Mardi Gras festivities.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97509).

This photo was also used for the official US Navy Press Kit Photograph covering the Large Scale Maritime Exercise Silver Tower, September 16–27, 1968: "USS Wasp (CVS-18) (Antisubmarine Warfare Carrier) Flagship Silver Tower ASW Carrier Group One, Rear Admiral Thomas R. McLellan U.S. Navy." (Thanks to Robert M. Cieri.)

"Fire aboard the Wasp in Drydock at the Navy Yard in So. Boston[, 10 September 1967]—Photo shows firefighters tearing down fibreglass insulation which smouldered in the Combat Information Center of the Carrier when welder's torch started small fire...This is only picture we could get as was not allowed in area until fire was secured...." Photo by Ray Lussier.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) at GITMO during ORI, 1968.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) at sea in the Atlantic, with two SH-3 Sea King helicopters flying by in the foreground, 9 May 1969. Photographed by Ph2 Stabe.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97510).

USS Wasp (CVS-18), October 1969, Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

Ted was stationed in Davisville, Rhode Island, (Seabees) awaiting orders to Vietnam.

Grumman S-2E Trackers of Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 22 warming up their engines aboard USS Wasp (CVS-18), circa 1969–71, location unknown. Photo courtesy of David Bacon, via The World's First Grumman S-2 Tracker Website.

The antisubmarine warfare support carrier USS Wasp (CVS-18) departs May 1970 from the Naval Air Station, Quonset Point, R.I., for a European cruise. US Navy photo by E. F. Capece (# K-83571).

Aerial view of the Carrier Pier at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, 23 September 1970. It shows USS Intrepid (CVS-11), left and USS Wasp (CVS-18), right.

Official US Navy Photograph (# USN-1151462) by PH3 James Phillips.

USS Wasp (CVS-18) and USS Intrepid (CVS-11), Newport, Rhode Island, 1971.

"BOSTON, JULY 10[, 1972]–THE CARRIER WASP HEADS FOR SCRAP HEAP—The USS Wasp, famed aircraft carrier, built in Quincy, Mass., in 1944 is towed into Boston from Quonset, R.I., on it's [sic] final voyage. She will be sold at public auction for scrap. The ship had an impressive record in World War II in the Pacific taking part in major battles at Iwo Jima, Guam, Wake Island and the Philippines. (AP WIREPHOTO) (fcc21650U.S.Navy)"

"Stung on Arm By a Wasp—A barge passes beneath slightly raised railroad bridge in Newark Bay yesterday after the [former] aircraft carrier Wasp slammed into span. Because of the collision the bridge could not be fully lowered. Impact toppled vessel's radar mast and ripped a portion of railing. The Wasp, which earned eight battle stars in the Pacific during World War II, was being towed to Kearny, N.J., to be scrapped. No one was injured."

Daily News, Tuesday, 19 June 1973.

Ex-USS Wasp (CVS-18) arriving at Kearny, New Jersey, for scrapping, 18 June 1973.