Ordered on 16 December 1940 as a Cleveland-class light cruiser, this ship was assigned hull number CL-99 and named Buffalo, for a city in western New York state at the northeastern extreme of Lake Erie (NS022933). It is the seat of government for Erie County.

Designated for completion as an aircraft carrier she was redesignated CV-29, renamed Bataan and reordered from New York S.B., 2 June 1942.

Bataan is a peninsula 25 miles long and 20 miles wide at its base that forms the west side of Manila Bay on the island of Luzon in the Philippines (NS022933a). Following the Japanese landings on Luzon in mid-December 1941 and their successful advance toward Manila, General Douglas MacArthur, Commander, United States Army Forces in the Far East, ordered his forces to withdraw into the Bataan peninsula on 24 December. Just over two weeks later, on 9 January, elements of Lieutenant General Homma Masaharu's 14th Army attacked the American and Filipino troops defending the peninsula. Although driven back from their initial defensive positions, the American and Filipino troops held their secondary defensive line, forcing Homma to call off his offensive on 8 February. Japanese attempts to outflank the defensive lines through amphibious landings on the peninsula also failed.

The defenders of Bataan, however, were blockaded and isolated by the surrounding Japanese air and naval forces. Malnutrition and disease weakened the troops and, when they realized no Allied help was coming from Pearl Harbor or Australia, their morale plummeted as well. Meanwhile, Japanese reinforcements strengthened Homma's forces, and he launched a second offensive on 3 April. This attack, coming three weeks after MacArthur left for Australia, broke through the defensive lines and defeated an American counter-attack. On 9 April, in order to prevent unnecessary slaughter, the remaining 78,000 defenders surrendered. They were forced to march more than 60 miles (some 100 km) from Bataan to Capas, Tarlac, in what became known as the Bataan Death March. About 2,000 men escaped from Bataan to the fortified island of Corregidor, where they held out against the Japanese air and artillery bombardment until themselves surrendering on 6 May.

NS022933b: Fall of Bataan historical marker. Photo by Ramon F. Velasquez, courtesy of Wikipedia.

(Maps NS022933 and NS022933a courtesy of Google Maps.)

"CVL 29, launched at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 1 August 1943. . . The Maid-of-Honor, Miss Maria Osmena, daughter of Honorable Sergio Osmena, then Vice-President of the Philippine Commonwealth, and the Sponsor, Mrs. George Murray, wife of Rear Admiral George D. Murray."

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).

Commissioning Plaque:

"... no ship bears a more illustrious name. The U.S.S. Bataan commemorates a campaign that has become a symbol of the fortitude and endurance of free men in the face of overwhelming odds. It has a rendezvous with Destiny that shall not be denied ..."

Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy.

USS Bataan (CVL-29) underway, date and location unknown.

Landing Signal Officers (LSOs) aboard USS Bataan (CVL-29), sometime between 1943 and 1945.

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 History & Heritage Command (NHHC), # NH 92287.

USS Bataan (CVL-29) off Philadelphia Navy Yard, 2 March 1944. The colour demarcations of Design 8A (Measure 32) are clearly visible. As is well known, the internal decks of these ships lay parallel to the waterline, and not to the line of the main (upper) deck; the tapering section between contained empty spaces, lift shafts and stowage space. Note that the undersurfaces of overhanging parts are mostly painted white. Photo USN (A. D. Baker Collection).

USS Bataan (CVL-29) on the Delaware River near the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania, on 2 March 1944. She is painted in camouflage Measure 32 Design 8A. Bataan left for the Pacific on this day.

Official U.S. Navy from the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # NH 92286.

VF-50 "Devil Cats" made one combat deployment aboard USS Bataan (CVL-29), April–July 1944, under LCDR Johnnie C. Strange, with F6F-3 Hellcats.

Disney design, Bandit Fox riding on F6F Hellcat, flight jacket patch.

USS Bataan (CVL-29). View forward, showing alterations. Hunters Point, San Francisco, Calif., 29 September 1944. Photo # 2498-44-S8 (?).

USS Bataan (CVL-29). View aft, showing alterations. Hunters Point, San Francisco, Calif., 29 September 1944. Photo # 2499-44-S8.

USS Bataan (CVL-29). Broadside, starboard view. Hunters Point, San Francisco, Calif., 6 October 1944. Photo # 2680-44-S4.

This view shows the starboard side of her camouflage scheme (Measure 32/Design 8A) to advantage.

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

Near miss by Japanese plane on USS Bataan (CVL-29), unit of Task Force off Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. As seen from USS Essex (CV-9), 17 March 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-373773.

Near miss by Japanese plane on USS Bataan (CVL-29), unit of Task Force off Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. As seen from USS Essex (CV-9), 17 March 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-373774.

USS Franklin (CV-13) "lost all steering control and came to a halt. The list to starboard increased to about 13 degrees and the ship started to turn in that direction—directly at the Bataan. CDR Atkinson recalls putting the Bataan to right rudder and flanking speed to keep the Franklin from ramming the Bataan."

Carrier Strikes on Japan, March 1945 — A Japanese Navy Judy (Yokosuka D4Y3 Suisei ["Comet"]) 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 and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-319232.

"March 20, 1945: Under attack off Okinawa, the U.S.S. Bataan CVL-29 escapes damage from a 500-lb. bomb dropped by a Japanese Judy, which was subsequently shot down."

USS Bataan (CVL-29), 11 April 1945. Japanese aerial attack on Task Group 58.3, altitude 1400. Shown: Splashed by anti-aircraft fire near miss. Photographed from USS Bunker Hill (CV-17).

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-317421.

USS Bataan (CVL-29), 11 April 1945. Japanese aerial attack on Task Group 58.3, altitude 1400. Shown: Splashed by anti-aircraft fire near miss. Photographed from USS Bunker Hill (CV-17).

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-317422.

An F6F-5 Hellcat rests on the flight deck of USS Bataan (CVL-29) as Marine and Navy Honor Guards prepare for a burial at sea off Okinawa, 18 April 1945.

An Honor Guard carries the flag-draped body of a shipmate from the deck elevator. There is a rifle detachment ready for the ceremony of burial at sea.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

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 Aldebaran (AF-10) re-supplying USS Oakland (CL-95) and USS Bataan (CVL-29) on the morning of 26 July 1945. Task Group (TG) 38.3 ran with the fleet train of TG 30.8 all day past dusk.

George Silk, LIFE magazine, hitched a hop in a USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) Air Group 87 DCAP flight to shoot the forces' activity. Photo used for educational and non-commercial purpose.

"Pilots of Fighting Squadron Forty-Seven 'Fighting Cocks' receive the news in their ready room aboard USS Bataan (CVL-29) that Japan has surrendered. Pilots in the picture are:

Front Row: LT Vlada D. Bursik, USN and LT(JG) Rudolph Sykora, USNR,
Second Row: LT(JG) Theodore I. Veiock, Jr. USNR; LT Max C. Replogle, USNR; one hidden, and LT Marion O. Marks, USNR,
Third row: ENS William D. Lamborn, USNR; LT Donald R. Begin, USNR; LT Claude B. McCurry, USNR; LCDR Albert H. Clancy Jr., USN, Air Group Commander; LT(JG) Glenn E. Avery, USNR; ENS William H. Elder, USNR, and LT Stanley F. Wear, USNR,
Back row: LT(JG) James J. Carpenter, USNR; LT(JG) Frank Powers, USNR, (a ship's officer); LT(JG) Banjamin A. Duvall, USNR; ENS James J. LaCave, USN, and LT(JG) Tony R. Royster, USNR." US Navy Photo now in the collection of the National Archives, College Park, MD." (Photo # 80-G-345727).

"CVL-29 Bataan's island showing the record of her last air group in World War Two and ship's guns. Air Group 47 was embarked on Bataan from March 1 until August 21 of 1945. US Navy Photo now in the collection of the National Archives in College Park, Maryland." (Photo # 80-G-345728).

USS Bataan (CVL-29), with planes spotted on her flight deck, heads into the Panama Canal, 8 October 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, Lot 10625-3.

Aerial view, as above. This photo, colorized, appeared as the "Picture of Week" in LIFE magazine, October 22, 1945 issue.

Overhead view of USS Bataan (CVL-29) in the Miraflores Locks while transiting the Panama Canal, 9–11 October 1945.

LIFE magazine, Thomas Mcavoy photographer.

Starboard quarter view of USS Bataan (CVL-29) exiting locks while transiting the Panama Canal, 9–11 October 1945.

LIFE magazine, Thomas Mcavoy photographer.

Starboard bow view of USS Bataan (CVL-29) in the locks while transiting the Panama Canal, 9–11 October 1945.

LIFE magazine, Thomas Mcavoy photographer.

USS Bataan (CVL-29) in the Panama Canal, October 9–11 1945, en route to New York.

Close-up starboard bow view of USS Bataan (CVL-29) in the locks while transiting the Panama Canal, 9–11 October 1945.

LIFE magazine, Thomas Mcavoy photographer.

Overhead view of USS Bataan (CVL-29) and USS Mississippi (BB-41) in Limon Bay, after transiting the Panama Canal, 11 October 1945.

LIFE magazine, Thomas Mcavoy photographer.

"I think this was taken after Bataan's reactivation for Korea. She still has the WW2 configuration of four smokestacks; later these were consolidated into two."

USS Bataan (CVL-29) during gunnery practice in the early to mid-1950s. She is firing at KD2R drone target planes launched from LSM-546.

USS Bataan (CVL-29) circa 1951, location unknown.

Official U.S. Navy photo. It appeared in the 1954–1955 issue of Jane's Fighting Ships.

Marine Corps Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsairs being readied aboard USS Bataan (CVL-29) for a strike against enemy supply routes during the Korean War. Photo U.S. Navy, Official.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

A direct hit on enemy mine-layers is scored by a U.S. Marine Corsair with a napalm (or white-phosphorus?) bomb, during close-air support by the First Marine Air Wing flying from USS Bataan (CVL-29) to support UN ground troops in Korea, 16 April 1951.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-429631.

A direct hit on enemy mine-layers is scored by a U.S. Marine Corsair with a napalm (or white-phosphorus?) bomb, during close-air support by the First Marine Air Wing flying from USS Bataan (CVL-29) to support UN ground troops in Korea, 16 April 1951.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-429656.

Australian destroyer HMAS Bataan (D191) screening USS Bataan (CVL-29) off Korea, 17 April 1951.

Naval History and Heritage Command photo.

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 and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-437649.

Photo of USS Bataan (CVL-29) possibly taken on the same occasion as the one above.

Same as above, except that a Douglas C-47 Skytrain is visible, parked at her stern. She retains a quadruple 40mm mount at the bow and stern.

Starboard quarter view of USS Bataan (CVL-29) showing her uptakes and bridge supports clearly. A quadruple 40mm mount is visible directly astern. Date and location unknown.

"NY8-5810   Puget Sound Naval Shipyard   December 10, 1951
U.S.S. Bataan (CVL 29)
Radio/Radar Antenna Arrangement & Rigging
Stern View (180°)
(Per BuShips Manual Chapter 67-44)"

NARA Local Identifier: rg19nn-b1585-002-001

"NY8-5811   Puget Sound Naval Shipyard   December 10, 1951
U.S.S. Bataan (CVL29)
Radio/Radar Antenna Arrangement & Rigging
Bow View (000°)
(Per BuShips Manual Chapter 67-44)"

NARA Local Identifier: rg19nn-b1585-002-002

"NY8-5812   Puget Sound Naval Shipyard   December 10, 1951
U.S.S. Bataan (CVL29)   Radio/Radar Antenna Arrangement & Rigging
Stbd. View (045°)
(Per BuShips Manual Chapter 67-44)"

NARA Local Identifier: rg19nn-b1585-002-003

"NY8-5813   Puget Sound Naval Shipyard   December 10, 1951
U.S.S. Bataan (CVL 29)   Radio/Radar Antenna Arrangement & Rigging
Stbd. View (135°)
(Per BuShips Manual Chapter 67-44)"

NARA Local Identifier: rg19nn-b1585-002-004

"NY8-5814   Puget Sound Naval Shipyard   December 10, 1951
U.S.S. Bataan (CVL 29)   Radio/Radar Antenna Arrangement & Rigging
Stbd. View (090°)
(Per BuShips Manual Chapter 67-44)"

NARA Local Identifier: rg19nn-b1585-002-005

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).

Another aerial view, apparently taken at about the same time as the photo above.

Captain William Miller, USN, accepts clothes collected by the Brownies of Coronado, California, for delivery by USS Bataan (CVL-29) to the needy of South Korea, 4 June 1952.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-442881.

Starboard side view of USS Bataan (CVL-29) at anchor, August 1952. The view is from HMAS Bataan (D191), which is entering the anchorage as part of the United Nations Fleet. Note that Bataan is configured with two deck edge stacks, losing two in a rebuild after her first Korean deployment.

Source: >Australian War Memorial, Photo No. HOBJ3395.

Marine Attack Squadrom (VMA) 312 "Checkerboards," under the administrative control of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12, and operating for short periods at K-6, maintained the wing's leg at sea and was based primarily aboard the carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29).

TBM-3 Avenger of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 871 launching from USS Bataan (CVL-29), 1953. VS-871 was called to active duty in May 1951 and deployed to the Korean War zone in October 1952 aboard Bataan, returning home in February 1953 aboard USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116). VS-871 was redesignated VS-37 in June 1953.

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 History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) Photograph, # NH 95808.

USS Bataan (CVL-29), as she appeared in the 1950s.