CVE-118 was initially named Sandy Bay, for a bay in Alaska. According to Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, by Donald J. Orth (United States Government Printing Office, Washington; reprinted 1971), two bays named Sandy Bay had been reported by 1944: one on the southern coast of Baranof Island, Alexander Archipelago (also known as Peschanaia Bay and Peshchannaya Bukhta); the second on the southern central coast of Sanak Island, Aleutians (NS0311824).

Renamed Sicily, 5 June 1944 (prior to keel laying), for an island in the Mediterranean Sea separated from the Italian mainland by the narrow Strait of Messina (NS0311824a). Sicily was invaded by U.S. and British troops during World War II. D-Day was 10 July 1943, and Operation Husky, as it was known, formally concluded on 17 August.

NS0311824b: "Operation Husky, July–August 1943. U.S. Army Air Force Reconnaissance plane photograph shows part of the southeastern Sicilian coast, the day the Allies invaded. Scores of our boats can be seen mostly transports and landing craft. The smaller craft darting speedily among the large ships (indicated by their white wakes), are probably PT boats and unloading craft. In bay on the right, LCT boats for unloading tanks are discernible at the beach. Explosions in the water may be seen nearby. Note airplane near this beach, and another at the mouth of the bay. Shellbursts from land batteries can also be seen near the transports lying offshore. U.S. Army Photograph: 24195A."

Map NS0311824 courtesy of Hamstermap.com. Map NS0311824a courtesy of Google Maps Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.. Photo NS0311824b courtesy of the Library of Congress (Accession #: PR-13-CN-1971-246-10).

The future USS Sicily (CVE-118) under construction at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Tacoma, Washington. Her keel was laid on 23 October 1944 and she was launched on 14 April 1945.

U.S. Navy photo from the Sicily commissioning booklet.

Launching of the future USS Sicily (CVE-118) at Todd-Pacific Shipyards Inc., Tacoma, Washington, Saturday, 14 April 1945. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-313215.

Sicily was christened by Mrs. Julius Vanderwiele, niece of Senator E.V. (Edward Vivian) Robertson (R-WY).

US Navy photo from the USS Sicily (CVE-118) Commissioning book.

The future USS Sicily (CVE-118) fitting out at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Tacoma, Washington. Sicily was launched on 14 April 1945 and commissioned on 27 February 1946.

US Navy photo from the Sicily Commissioning book.

Preliminary Acceptance Trial pamphlet (PDF format).

Nice overhead, undated.

USS Sicily (CVE-118) at New York City, September 1947.

Courtesy of The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Va. Ted Stone Collection.

Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC) Photograph, # NH 67896.

Stern view of USS Sicily (CVE-118) at New York City, September 1947.

Courtesy of The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Va. Ted Stone Collection.

Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC) Photograph, # NH 67792.

USS Sicily (CVE-118) photographed while moored in Hampton Roads, Virginia, 6 June 1948.

Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 67896).

USS Sicily (CVE-118) dockside, date and location unknown.

Charles E. Mac Kay comments: "The image was taken in July 1948. The carrier has just collected F-80's from Panama. The picture is in the Canal Zone. A few days later she arrived here in Glasgow. The air group was commanded by Colonel Spicer."

"Load 'Shooting Star' On USS Sicily For Germany—A complete U.S. Air Force F-80 jet-propelled 'Shooting Star' of the 36th Fighter Wing, weatherproofed for ocean transport comes over edge of flight deck of escort carrier USS Sicily at Naval station pier, Balboa, Canal Zone. The 36th Fighter Wing comprised of 75 jet fighters, is being taken to Germany on the Sicily and the Army Transport [Barney] Kirschbaum. ((AP) Wirephoto)"

The Nome Nugget, Monday, 16 August 1948.

Tugs escorting USS Sicily (CVE-118) as she approaches the King George V docks in Glasgow, Scotland, to unload USAF P/F-80 fighters. August 1948.

LIFE magazine, Walter Sanders, photographer. Shared by Peter DeForest.

USS Sicily (CVE-118) arrives at the King George V docks in Glasgow Harbor, Scotland, to unload USAF P/F-80 fighters. August 1948.

LIFE magazine, Walter Sanders, photographer. Shared by Peter DeForest.

Starboard bow view of USS Sicily (CVE-118) arriving at the King George V docks in Glasgow, Scotland, to unload USAF P/F-80 fighters. August 1948.

LIFE magazine, Walter Sanders, photographer. Shared by Peter DeForest.

"My father flew air reconnaissance A-26's with the 45th Recon. Squadron out of Furstenfeldbruk, Germany in 1947–48. [...] [These photos] were taken 9 August 1948 at the King George V docks in Glasgow Harbor, Scotland. The ship at the center of the images is USS Sicily (CVE-118). Aircraft (P/F-80s) of the 36th Fighter Group are being offloaded, assembled and towed to the nearby RAF station where they are to be flown to Germany. This Fighter Group was being transferred from Panama to Furstenfeldbruk Airfield to support the Berlin Airlift."

NS0311820b: Photo by Walter Sanders, courtesy of LIFE magazine (used for educational and non-commercial purposes).

Main deck view of USS Sicily (CVE-118) moored at the King George V docks in Glasgow, Scotland, to unload USAF P/F-80 fighters. August 1948.

LIFE magazine, Walter Sanders, photographer. Shared by Peter DeForest.

USAF P/F-80 fighters being unloaded at the King George V docks in Glasgow, Scotland, August 1948.

LIFE magazine, Walter Sanders, photographer. Shared by Peter DeForest.

Dock scene of the King George V docks in Glasgow, Scotland, with USS Sicily (CVE-118) moored in August 1948. USAF P/F-80 fighters are being unloaded off the stern of the escort carrier.

LIFE magazine, Walter Sanders, photographer. Shared by Peter DeForest.

U.S. Air Force Lockheed F-80A/B Shooting Stars of the 36th Fighter Wing aboard the U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Sicily (CVE-118), circa August 1948. As a result of the Berlin Blockade and other Cold War tensions in Europe, the 36th Fighter Wing was reassigned to United States Air Forces Europe from Howard Air Force Base, Panama Canal Zone. Sicily loaded the F-80s at Balboa, Panama and ferried them to Glasgow, Scotland (UK), arriving at the King George V dock on 9 August 1948. The aircraft then flew to their new home base, Fürstenfeldbruck in (West) Germany.

U.S. Navy photo from the Sicily 1946–1951 Cruise Book.

Season's Greetings aboard USS Sicily (CVE-118) at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, December 1948.

Courtesy of picryl.com

"K-125 operations aboard USS Sicily (CVE-118) during the recent maneuvers in the Caribbean. As the blimp descends, the flight deck crewmen take hold of the handling lines and bring her to rest on the deck of the ship." Photo released on 6 April 1949.

U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-707078).

Note: the image is curved.

(See also photos NS0311811, NS0311816 & NS-03-cve118-z03.)

"K-125 operations aboard USS Sicily (CVE-118) during the recent maneuvers in the Caribbean. Flight deck crewmen hold the blimp down until lines are secured to the deck, and the blimp then is refueled and rearmed." Photo released on 6 April 1949.

U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-707079).

Note: the image is curved.

(See also photos NS0311811, NS0311816 & NS-03-cve118-z03.)

USS Sicily (CVE-118) underway, 12 April 1949, location unknown. The chevron-type deck markings are believed to be associated with airship (blimp) trials and were designed to show a landing pilot the centerline of the flight deck (USN photo, now in the collections of the National Archives, #80-G-438017.)

(See also photos NS0311822, NS0311816 & NS-03-cve118-z03.)

A K-type blimp lands on USS Sicily (CVE-118), circa April 1949.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum,Photo No. 1996.488.035.045. Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection.

(See also photos NS0311822, NS0311811 & NS-03-cve118-z03.)

USS Sicily (CVE-118) at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, July 1949. See below for more information.

U.S. Navy photo from the Sicily 1946–1951 Cruise Book.

A Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver is about to be catapulted from USS Sicily (CVE-118) off Piraeus, Greece, in August 1949. The escort carrier loaded 49 Helldivers (42 of them flyable, the rest for ground training and spare parts) at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, for delivery to the Hellenic Air Force. She left Norfolk on 30 July and reached her destination by 19 August.

Twenty-three planes were catapulted from the ship and flown ashore by crews from Sicily due to unusually bad weather and limited port facilities at Piraeus; CAPT Duerfeldt, skipper of the Sicily, piloted the first Helldiver off his ship.

U.S. Navy photo from the Sicily 1946–1951 Cruise Book.

A Vought F4U-4 Corsair of Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 322 "Cannon Balls" crashes after a fouled-up landing attempt aboard the U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Sicily (CVE-118) on 14 October 1949. Note the Landing Signal Officer (LSO, with the paddles) and his assistant (with the notepad) running to the opposite side of the flight deck.

U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News, November 1978 issue, p. 2.

USS Sicily (CVE-118) in the Panama Canal, probably in April 1950. Official photo U.S.A.F., Caribbean Air Command, Albrook Field, C.Z.

USS Sicily (CVE-118) on transport duties at the time of the Korean War. (USN photo.)

Hand-tinted photo of USS Sicily (CVE-118) at the time of the Korean War. Aircraft aboard appear to be attached to Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 22.

A U.S. Marine Corps Vought F4U-4B Corsair from Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 214 "Black Sheep" launched from the U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Sicily (CVE-118) during the Korean War, 1 August–13 November 1950.

U.S. Marine Corps photo from the USMC publication Corsairs to Panthers, U.S. Marine Aviation in Korea, p. 5.

Inchon Landing, September 1950. Captain Howard J. Mickey Finn, USMC, celebrates first anniversary as member of famous "Black Sheep" Squadron (VMF‑214) aboard USS Sicily (CVE-118) in Korean Waters, 19 September 1950.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-420283.

Cake for 7,000th landing aboard USS Sicily (CVE-118) made by Lieutenant Roland Heilman, USMC. Shown (l to r): Lieutenant Colonel Walter E. Lischeid, USMC, (killed during war); Lieutenant Heilman, USMC; Captain John S. Thatch, USN, CO; and Commander Lester Stone, XO, off Inchon, Korea, 19 September 1950.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-420381.

Commander Lester Stone, Executive Officer aboard USS Sicily (CVE 118) off Inchon, Korea, paints aircraft carrier in action, 19 September 1950.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-420382.

Lieutenant Robert L. King, flight surgeon, stands in readiness on flight deck of USS Sicily (CVE-118) during all take-offs and returns of planes from Korea, 20 September 1950.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-420383.

USS Sicily (CVE-118) launches a U.S. Marine Corps OY-2 Sentinel spotter plane during operations in the Yellow Sea, off the west coast of Korea, 22 September 1950. Sicily was then supporting the campaign to recapture Seoul.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-420239).

"Dawn Alert. U.S. Marine Corsairs at the alert just prior to the invasion amphibious landing at Wolmi-Do adjacent to Inchon, Korea. These World War Two fighting machines from USS Sicily (CVE-118) of Task Force 77, so spearheaded the landing which moved ashore, casualty free, with the dress rehearsal regularity of a peace-time war game." Photograph released 29 September 1950.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 330-PS-707 (USN 710016).

"Captain John Smith Thach, USN, naval aviators and U.N. war correspondent chat during the pre-dawn attack on board USS Sicily (CVE 118)." Photograph released 29 September 1950.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 330-PS-707.

"The Red, White, and Blue over the Yellow Sea. In the Yellow Sea, off Inchon, Korea, the Stars and Stripes rule proudly over a jeep aircraft carrier under the command of Captain J.S. Thach, whose Marine Corsair fighter pilots have been providing effective close air support for their brothers in arms, the Leatherneck ground troops of First Marine Division." Released 17 October 1950.

National Museum of the US Navy (NMUSN) photo, # 330-PS-771 (USN 710037).

"Captain John S. Thach and [1st] Lieutenant J[ohn] V[ernon] Hanes, USMC, on board USS Sicily (CVE-118) during Inchon Invasion. Lieutenant Hanes is a member of VMF-214 and is from Santa Monica, California." Thatch commanded Sicily during the Korean War.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-420280.

U.S. Marine Corps F4U-4B Corsair fighter-bomber receives final checks to its armament of bombs and 5-inch rockets, just prior to being catapulted from USS Sicily (CVE-118) for a strike on enemy forces in Korea. The original photograph is dated 16 November 1950, but was probably taken in August-October 1950. Note battered paint on this aircraft.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-419929.

Pilots of VMF-323 pose in front of an F4U-4 Corsair aboard USS Sicily (CVE-118), 1951.

Photo courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum (# 1996.488.006.012).

U.S. Marine Corps Vought F4U-4 Corsairs of Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 323 "Death Rattlers" are lined up on the flight deck of the escort carrier USS Sicily (CVE-118) in waters off Sasebo, Japan, 1951. U.S Navy photo.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.7159.014.

U.S. Marine Corps Vought F4U-4 Corsairs of Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 323 "Death Rattlers" armed with bombs, napalm tanks and HVAR rockets are launched for a mission from the flight deck of the escort carrier USS Sicily (CVE-118) off Korea, in 1951. U.S Navy photo.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.7159.034.

The aircraft carrier USS Sicily (CVE 118) enters San Diego Bay on her return from her first deployment to the Korean War zone, February 5, 1951. Her crew spells out the ship's name on the flight deck.

Korean War. Major General Christian Frank Schilt, USMC, Commanding General of the First Marine Air Wing visits the "Death Rattlers" Squadron (VMF-323) aboard USS Sicily (CVE-118) off the coast of Korea. General Schilt observes the last flight of the day from the carrier with, left to right: First Lieutenant G.H. Brady, USMC; Captain Robert C. Simons, USMCR; Captain Charles Whipple, USMCR; and Captain Charles Whitehead, USMCR. Schilt received the Medal of Honor in 1928 during the Nicaraguan campaign. Photograph received on 25 September 1951. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-433466.

The helicopter carrier USS Sicily underway as she cruises off Inchon harbour, circa 1952.

AF-2W Guardian, #17, of Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 931—later VS-20—that landed on the USS Sicily (CVE-118) at night with the tail hook up, circa 1952. The plane was piloted by LCDR Arthur Hoorshead.

NS0311821: US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.253.6139.

NS0311821a: US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.253.6138.

USS Sicily (CVE-118) at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, after her second Korean tour, 20 January 1952.

NA LB15662 Riverside.

One of the ships in the left background appears to be USS Aventinus (ARVE-3).

USS Sicily (CVE-118), launches U.S. Marine Corps HRS-1 helicopters during Operation Marlex-5 off the west coast of Korea in the Inchon area. This was the first time that Marine Corps landing forces had moved from ship to a foreign shore by helicopter. Photo is dated 1 September 1952. Nearest HRS-1 is Bureau # 127798. It wears the markings of squadron HMR-161.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-477573).

U.S. Marine Sikorsky HRS-2 helicopters operating from the escort carrier USS Sicily (CVE-118) underway, location unknown, circa 1950s. U.S. Navy photo.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

"A year ago these battle tactics of setting up an 'airhead' ashore by helicopter from a CVE offshore in Korea were secret. But today they can be talked about. In Operation Marlex 5 in Korea, [(see photo 0311802, above)] the CVE Sicily and HMR-161 'assaulted' Chak Tak island."

Photo and text from Naval Aviation News, June 1953 issue.

USS Sicily (CVE-118) underway, with the AF-2S and AF-2W Guardians of VS-931.

These photos were probably taken in October 1952, en route to Hawaii, during Sicily's Korean War deployment, 19 October–4 December.

VS-931 (tail code "SV") was a Reserve Antisubmarine Squadron called to active duty on 1 March 1951.

The Grumman AF Guardian was the first purpose-built antisubmarine carrier-based aircraft to enter service with the U.S. Navy. It operated in two-plane ("Hunter/Killer") teams, one plane carrying the sensors and the other the weapons. The AF-2S was the "killer" production variant, the AF-2W the "hunter," with a search radar in a ventral radome.

LT(JG) Philip Nelson (hometown of Tulsa, OK) was a Communications Officer aboard USS McNair (DD-679).

USS Sicily (CVE-118) photographed at the Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, circa February 1954, with USS Yorktown (CVA-10) at right and eleven LCM landing craft in the foreground. Grumman AF Guardian anti-submarine aircraft are parked on Sicily's flight deck. Douglas AD Skyraider attack planes are parked aft on Yorktown's flight deck.

The original caption, released by Commander Naval Forces Far East on 18 February 1954, reads: "Twins, Almost — The Essex-class carrier USS Yorktown (CVA-10) and her smaller counterpart, the escort carrier USS Sicily (CVE-118), rest side by side during a recent in-port maintenance period at the Yokosuka, Japan, Naval Base".

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97318).

USS Sicily (CVE-118) underway with F4U aircraft parked aft, April 1954.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97317).

USS Sicily (CVE-118), Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California, first half of the 1950s.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photos.

NS0311833: NARA identifier 24741411. Local identifier: "19-NN - CVE-118 Sicily - 139691".

NS0311833a: NARA identifier 24741413. Local identifier: "19-NN - CVE-118 Sicily - 139692".

NS0311833b: NARA identifier 24741415. Local identifier: "19-NN - CVE-118 Sicily - 139693".

NS0311833c: NARA identifier 24741417. Local identifier: "19-NN - CVE-118 Sicily - 139694".

NS0311833d: NARA identifier 24741419. Local identifier: "19-NN - CVE-118 Sicily - 139695".

Ex-USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86), with ex-USS Sicily (CVE-118) moored across the pier, at the Hunters Point (San Francisco Group) Inactive Ship Facility in the mid-1950s. Special attention was paid to the wooden decks of the carriers, and they were periodically sprayed with preservatives. Still, the ravages of weather took their toll. In the foreground are the cruisers ex-USS Vincennes (CL-64) and ex-USS Amsterdam (CL-101). Note the metal "igloos" fitted over the ships' light AA mounts.

Extract from the USS Sicily (CVE-118) Cruise Book, 1946–1951.

"This is the U.S.S. Sicily CVE-118. A Good Ship Is a Happy Ship." Personal Information Booklet.