CVE-95 was initially named Alikula Bay, for an estuary east of Egg Harbor, on the NW coast of Coronation Island, Alexander Archipelago, Alaska (NS0305766). The name is derived from a Haida Indian word meaning "night," because "this bay is so clear it may be readily entered at night." The name was given in 1924 by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS).

Renamed Bismarck Sea, 16 May 1944, after a body of water located northeast of New Guinea, scene of an Allied naval victory during World War II.

On 28 February 1943, in an attempt to augment their forces on Papua, a Japanese convoy consisting of eight transports (Aiyo Maru, Kyokusei Maru, Oigawa Maru, Shinai Maru, Taimei Maru, Teiyo Maru, Kenbu Maru, and Nojima) and eight destroyers (Shirayuki, Shikinami, Uranami, Tokitsukaze, Yukikaze, Asashio, Arashio, and Asagumo) departed Rabaul. Foul weather could not hide the convoy for long; and, on 1 March, one of Lt.Gen. George C. Kenney's planes sighted it and began tracking it. By noon of 2 March, the Allies had attacked, sinking one transport and damaging two others. On 3 March, Allied bombers and PT boats demolished most of the remaining ships. From the entire convoy, only four destroyers escaped (Shikinami, Uranami, Yukikaze, and Asagumo).

NS120514318: PT-143 (photo) and PT-150 torpedoed Japanese transport Oigawa Maru, previously damaged by air attack, during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, 3 March 1943.

(Maps courtesy of Google Maps Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.).

A photo of the future USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) finishing construction at Kaiser Shipyard, Vancouver, Washington, just before commissioning on 20 May 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo from the Bureau of Ships, # BS 95527.

USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95), probably in Puget Sound just after commissioning on 20 May 1944. She is wearing camouflage Measure 32, Design 16A.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo from the Bureau of Ships, # BS 95528.

Vaughn Ruppert's uncle served aboard USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) during World War II. Vaughn shared some of his uncle's photos with us. He has his own website and has posted his uncle's album under a specific portfolio. Vaughn wrote: "I invite anyone interested in the USS Bismarck Sea who may wish to view his file to visit my site if they like. I would share any copies of the photos with interested parties. Although my photo site is an ecommerce site my uncle's photos would be free for historical education purposes as long as it would not be for profit by someone."

USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) loading Douglas SBD Dauntless scout bombers from a barge, circa 1944.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph (#NH 78142), courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1973.

USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) underway, 24 June 1944, taking it green, seen from an altitude of 500' (152 m). Location unknown. USN photo now in the collections of the National Archives (NARA), # 80-G-240135.

Photo of Composite Squadron (VC) 86 officers, taken aboard USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95), 20 October 1944, en route from San Diego to the Pacific war zone.

USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) flight deck photo taken on 19 December 1944. An FM-2 Wildcat aircraft (N-27), coming in for a landing, either missed or broke an arresting hook and crashed into planes parked on the bow. Here N-27 has crashed into N-33 pushing it over the bow. N-27 also went over the bow. Ensign Woods, pilot of N-33, is seen lying on the deck amid flying wreckage of planes.

Naval History & Heritage Command (NHHC) photo NH 69351.

Large explosion on board USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) during the night of February 21, 1945. She was struck by two Kamikazes within two minutes of each other, while she was taking part in the Iwo Jima operation. She sank as a result of her damage. Photographed from USS Saginaw Bay (CVE‑82).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (NARA), # 80-G-335103.