CV-40 was named Tarawa after an atoll in the north central Gilbert Islands, located some 90 miles north of the equator and two-thirds of the way along a diagonal drawn from Hawaii to Australia (NS024061). It was the scene of a bitter and bloody battle from 20 to 24 November 1943. The Marines' assault upon the atoll was one phase of Operation Galvanic, the first jump in the Navy's leap-frog sweep to victory through the Central Pacific.

NS0310719b: "Marines storm Tarawa. Gilbert Islands," photo by WO Obie Newcomb, Jr., November 1943. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 127-N-63458. 1st LT Alexander Bonnyman, Jr., USMCR, is the 4th man on the right at the top of the bunker (denoted with a faint arrow)—he was posthumously awarded a Medal of Honor.

(Map courtesy of Google Maps.)

Stern view of Tarawa (CV-40) shortly before her 12 May 1945 launching at the Norfolk Navy Yard.

U.S. Navy photo.

Mrs. Julian C. Smith, wife of Lieutenant General Julian C. Smith, USMC, who commanded the 2d Marine Division at Tarawa (November 1943), christened Tarawa (CV-40) on Saturday, 12 May 1945.

USS Tarawa (CV-40) goes down the ways at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, after she was christened by Mrs. Julian C. Smith, 12 May 1945.

Copied from typescript History of the Norfolk Navy Yard in World War II, page 169. The original volume is in the collections of the Navy Department Library.

U.S. Naval Historical Center photograph (# NH 96330).

USS Tarawa (CV-40) in a photo apparently taken soon after commissioning. U.S. Navy photo.

USS Tarawa, date and location unknown.

USS Tarawa (CV-40), Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, 1946. Postcard.

"Here is a picture, that was taken in Cuba, this is the carrier [USS Tarawa (CV-40)]. Lower part of the picture is a spot light from my ship as we were coming into the harbor from Puerto Rico. April 27, 1946."

"Here is another shot, this time were a little closer, the carrier was all set to get underway as we came into the harbor, notice, you can still see a little of my ship. There is the spot light, and our [aerial], (radio antenna) it makes a line across the picture. Well, this is really a big ship, six times as big as the one I'm on. April 27, 1946."

Four F4U-4 Corsairs assigned to Bomber-Fighter Squadron (VBF) 4, deployed aboard USS Tarawa (CV-40), operating from Naval Air Base Kobler, Saipan, in August 1946.

VBF-4 was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 4 for a deployment to the Western Pacific, 1 August 1946–29 April 1947.

Photo from Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 1, "The History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP and VFA Squadrons," Chapter 2.

Two U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3E Avenger torpedo-bombers of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 4 "Valions" positioned on the catapults aboard the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40) in 1946–1947. VT-4 was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 4 aboard Tarawa for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 1 August 1946 to 29 April 1947. During that cruise U.S. naval aviation units were redesignated on 15 November 1946: CVG-4 became CVAG-1 and VT-4 became VA-2A. The Avengers still carry their VT-4 side numbers, 4-T-99 and 4-T-97.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.1079.

With Attack Carrier Air Group (CVAG) 1 aboard, USS Tarawa (CV-40) passes beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, June 1947.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.101.005.

CAPT Josephus A. Briggs, CO, and CDR Lowell W. Williams, with officers and crew of USS Tarawa (CV-40), 16 August 1947. From the collection of CAPT Lowell W. Williams. Donated by Louis Umlauf.

Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) photo, # UA 571.73.

Aerial view of USS Tarawa (CV-40) underway, circa 1946–1947.

Robert L. Lawson Photo Collection. US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1996.488.101.001.

Eleven Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver dive bombers of VA-1A "Tophatters" over Tinian Island, Marianas, in 1947. VA-1A (formerly VB-4, redesignated on 15 November 1946) was deployed as part of CVAG-1 (formerly CVG-4, redesignated on 15 November 1946) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40) to the Western Pacific, from 1 August 1946 to 29 April 1947. U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News, September 1947 issue.

We had just come back into SF Bay following one of the largest post WW2 exercises in 1948. The total number of ships included all the West Coast carriers, Boxer, Antietam, Valley Forge, Princeton, and Tarawa. Boxer, Valley Forge, and Tarawa went into SF the others into San Diego. Our force attacked the West Coast from Hawaii, the other force was defending.

USS Tarawa (CV-40) underway, circa 1948.

Stern view of USS Tarawa (CV-40) at anchor at an unknown location, circa 1948.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.101.005.

Two Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat fighters aboard USS Tarawa (CV-40) in 1948. Side number 106 is from VF-15A "Fighting 15A," and number 205 is from VF-16A "Copperheads." Both squadrons were assigned to Attack Carrier Air Group (unofficially, CVAG) 15.

VF-15A and VF-16A became VF-151 and VF-152, respectively, on 15 July 1948. CVAG-15 became CVG-15 on 1 September 1948.

Photo courtesy of Robert L. Lawson.

Summer 1948, Midshipman cruise. San Diego inner harbor, berthed carriers and destroyers moored.

Summer 1948, Midshipman cruise. San Diego inner harbor, USS Tarawa (CV-40) and destroyers.

A Grumman F8F Bearcat fighter landing on board the carrier at sunset, 4 November 1948, during operations in the western Pacific area.

This appears to be the photo sequence of the loss of TBM-3E Avenger, BuNo 91556, aboard USS Tarawa (CV-40), 17 December 1948, in the Western Pacific, during the carrier's World Cruise.

USS Tarawa, with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background. Photo is dated "sometime in the 1950s."

This AD Skyraider had trouble recovering aboard USS Tarawa, most likely in the first half of the 1950s.

"Guppy" Skyraider, possibly in the early 1950s.

The decommissioned Tarawa (CV-40) at Bayonne, NJ, on 2 February 1950.

Herb Gehr, Life Magazine Archives. Used for non-commercial, educational purposes.

Crewmen on the flight deck spell out "Connecticut", 16 July 1951.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97598).

Vought F4U-5 Corsair fighters from USS Tarawa (CV-40) fly in formation over the Mediterranean, 15 December 1951.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-443068).

Official US Navy photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97596).

Original caption from the NHC: "Underway in the Mediterranean Sea, north of the Straits of Messina, Sicily, on 18 December 1952. She has F2H Banshee jet fighters on her catapults."

Note: Dewie Gaul comments: "it is impossible that this picture was taken on the day listed, since that is the day I boarded the Tarawa in Newport, Rhode Island. There is no doubt about this, since I have my diary which so shows. She left for the Med on Jan. 7, 1953 and I was on her". Mr. Gaul was a Seaman when he came on board the Tarawa on December 18, 1952. He became a third class petty officer in May 1953 and left the carrier in July 1953.

Note: Bob Atkinson, Historian, Editor "Tradewinds," USS Tarawa Veterans' Association, adds: "The picture was taken on 18 December 1951, a year earlier, during the Tarawa's 1951-1952 Med Cruise. I used the picture as the centerfold of that trip's cruise book."

A drawing based on the photo above. Author unknown.

USS Tarawa (CV-40) underway, probably in the Mediterranean Sea (see above).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97597).

USS Tarawa (CV-40) and USS Macon (CA-132) anchored during a Mediterranean cruise, circa 1952.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.101.016.

Lieutenant Commander Wyckoff inspects a radarscope on board the carrier, 1 February 1952.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97599).

Two views of USS Tarawa (CV-40), possibly taken in 1951–1952.

Bob Atkinson, Historian, Editor "Tradewinds," USS Tarawa Veterans' Association, comments: "Noting the crewmen in whites and the landmass in the distance, I wouldn't be surprised if they were taken either while we were entrering or leaving Narragansett Bay, to or from Quonset Point."

"Crewmen make final adjustments on radio-controlled drone on flight deck of USS Tarawa (CVA 40) before drone is launched as target for ship's guns." All Hands magazine, February 1953 issue.

USS Tarawa (CVA-40), with embarked Carrier Air Group (CVG) 10, at Barcelona, Spain, April 1953.

Fleet oiler USS Monongahela (AO-42) can be seen in the left background in photo 024081a.

A large crowd lines the pier at an unidentified port to visit USS Tarawa (CVA-40) during her World Cruise, 12 November 1953–6 September 1954, with embarked Carrier Air Group (CVG) 3.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.101.008.

USS Tarawa (CVA-40), with embarked Carrier Air Group (CVG) 3, Yokosuka, Japan, February–April 1954, during her World Cruise.

USS Tarawa (CVA-40) approaches the Pedro Miguel Locks, while transiting the Panama Canal on 31 August 1954. The carrier was en route back to the Atlantic in the final stages of her September 1953 - September 1954 World cruise. Note Grumman F9F Panther fighter in the right foreground. Most of the other planes visible are swept-wing F9F Cougar fighters.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97600).

USS Tarawa (CVA-40) transiting the Panama Canal, August 31, 1954.

A band welcomes the carrier to Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island, at the completion of a nearly one-year-long World cruise, 6 September 1954.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97601).

USS Tarawa (CVA-40). From the World Cruise, 1953–54, Cruise Book.

A North American T-28B Trojan (BuNo 138187) assigned to Naval Air Test Center (NATC), Patuxent River, Maryland, recovering aboard USS Tarawa (CVS-40), in November(?) 1955. This aircraft was built as a standard T-28B without arrester hook, but had been converted to North American Model NA-225, designated T-28C and fitted with a hook. It was manufactured at NAA Ingleside, California, plant and flown to NATC for trials.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.162.071.

Starboard bow view of USS Tarawa (CVS-40) underway off Guantanamo, Cuba on 14 July 1957. Parked forward on the flight deck are F2H-2 Banshees from VA‑172 "Blue Bolts," Det. 38, and an HSS-1 Seabat from HS-1 "Seahorses." Abaft the island are S2F Trackers from VS-32 "Norsemen."

National Naval Aviation Museum, Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection, # NNAM.1996.488.101.025.

Two U.S. Navy Douglas AD-5 Skyraiders (BuNo 133905, modex GC-46; and BuNo 133924, GC-48) from All-Weather Attack Squadron VF(AW)-4 Det. 38 "Nightcappers" in flight in 1957. VF(AW)-4 Det. 38 was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CVS-40) for a deployment to the Atlantic Ocean in the second half of 1957.

U.S. Navy photo from the Tarawa 1957 Cruise Book.

(BuNo 133905 was later transferred to the U.S. Air Force (USAF, as A-1E Skyraider s/n 52-133905) and served with the 602nd Air Commando Squadron, 56th Air Commando Wing in Vietnam. It was shot down during an SAR mission by gunfire from a North Vietnamese Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 over Hoa Binh province, North Vietnam, on 19 April 1967 (20° 42'N, 105° 32'E). The pilot, Maj. John S. Hamilton, was killed.)

Men of the Sixth Marines ride up on the carrier's deck-edge elevator prior to boarding helicopters of Marine Air Group 26 to take part in a practice landing as part of the 1958 Atlantic Fleet Amphibious Exercises. Photo bears the rubber-stamped date 24 March 1958.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97602).

USS Tarawa (CVS-40) in 1958, operating as an antisubmarine carrier with Grumman S2F Trackers on her deck. She still mounts her original battery of 5-inch guns and most of her 40-millimeter AA guns.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1046501).

On Sunday, 12 January 1958, USS Tarawa (CVS-40) was steaming from Quonset Point, R.I., to participate in Operation Springboard. At 1956 AD-5 Skyraider BuNo 132451 (modex GC33), All-Weather Fighter Squadron (VF(AW)) 4 "Nightcappers," crashed on flight deck and fire resulted. Pilot, LT(JG) Gordon L. Stephens, USN, sustained burns, condition good. At 2000 fire was extinguished. Minor damage to flight deck and 02 level office spaces, frame 100 to 103, centerline, resulted.

At 0940 the following day the aircraft was thrown overboard at position 20° 04' 5" North, 65° 00' 5" West, in 3,503 fathoms of water, and sank.

(Most of the above information comes from the ship's deck log.)

Left to right: John Hanna, Jack Rice, Allyn Howard, Aviation Electronic Technicians and ASW aircrewmen. Late 1950s.

Good general layout of this class.

Allyn Howard, VS-32 & VS-22, 1957–1960, comments: "The picture [...] had to be taken in Aug–Sep 1958 during the cruise below the equator [...] Project Argus. Note the truck in front of the forward big guns on the flight deck. That truck was there with 'US Air Force' painted on it."

Operation Argus was a series of nuclear weapons tests and missile tests secretly conducted by the Defense Nuclear Agency in the South Atlantic during August–September 1958, in conjunction with the Explorer IV mission. Task Force 88 staff, aboard Tarawa, was in overall command of Operation Argus. The commanding officer of Tarawa served as Task Group 88.1 commander. Tarawa carried Air Force MSQ-1A radar and communications vans for missile tracking and gathering scientific data. VS-32 aircraft (19 S2F Trackers) flew search and security missions as well as scientific measurement, photographic, and observer missions for each shot.

Two S2F Trackers of VS-32 "Norsemen" fly by an iceberg during Tarawa's August–September 1958 cruise to the South Atlantic.

Allyn Howard comments: "I was an Aircrewman abord one of the S2F's [in this photo]. We were going out on a routine flight and we were directed to fly by the iceberg for pictures. [...] The iceberg was a beautiful blue green color [...]" Tarawa herself can barely be seen in the left background.

A glimpse of everyday life aboard USS Tarawa (CVS-40), and Pollywog Initiation, written by a then (1958) 24-year old sailor with no writing experience.

James humorously comments: "I'm fully aware of the poor spelling and melodrama accompanying this, but chose not to re-write it for historical reasons (if that's appropriate)."

"Since the 'Sullivan Act' in 1911 it has not been possible for brothers to be aboard the same ship while in the military. The photo was taken in 1958 and is of 3 brothers aboard the ship, 'USS Tarawa'. Those in the photo are: William, Don and Dave McKee of Cheyenne, Wyoming." (Cheyenne Times.)

Note: Reference to a "Sullivan Act" in connection with family members serving in the same ship/unit is a popular misconception. The Sullivan Law of 29 May 1911 is a New York State Law dealing with firearms. Although proposed after the death of the five Sullivan Brothers, no "Sullivan Act" was ever enacted by Congress related to family members serving together. Similarly, no President has ever issued any executive order forbidding assignment of family members to the same ship/unit.

Starboard view of USS Tarawa (CVS-40) on the Delaware River. Photo by Dominic Ligato, dated 14 January 1960.

Courtesy of Temple University Digital Collections, George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs.

"( PX2 )PHILADELPHIA, MAY 13[, 1960]—TARAWA DECOMMISSIONED—Flag on the fantail of the aircraft carrier Tarawa, beneath the flight deck of the craft, is hauled down today at Philadelphia Navy Yard before ship is placed in the mothball fleet at the yard."

USS Okinawa (LPH-3) drydocked at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in February 1963. Ships in the background appear to be USS Long Beach (CGN-9) and the decommissioned, unmodified Essex-class aircraft carrier ex-USS Tarawa (AVT-12, formerly CVS-40).

US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Photo, Identified # 18497387. A US Navy photo from the Public Affairs Office, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

USS Hake (AGSS-256) tied up pierside at Philadelphia, May 1964. Note the aircraft carrier at the other side of the pier, which is most likely Tarawa, as she appears to be the only unmodified Essex berthed in Philadelphia at the time.

Two views of ex-USS Tarawa (AVT-12), believed to have been taken at Philadelphia Navy Yard on 28 March 1968.

USS Tarawa (CV-40).

USS Tarawa (CVS-40).

USS Tarawa, CV - CVA - CVS 40, 1945–1960, Gone but Not Forgotten

"COMMANDANT COMMISSIONS CARRIER—Rear Admiral W. L. Ainsworth, USN, commandant of the Fifth Naval District, addressed the officers and men of the USS Tarawa during commissioning ceremonies yesterday afternoon at the Navy Yard."

The Portsmouth Star, Portsmouth, Virginia, Sunday, December 9, 1945.