Independence

Independence-class aircraft carriers were built for the United States Navy during the years of 1941 to 1942. The first of the 9 built was constructed on the hull of a Cleveland class cruiser.

Independence-class aircraft carriers  served between the years of 1942 to 1956

Preceded by: N/A

Succeeded by: N/A

Independence-class aircraft carriers Were considered light aircraft carriers, and later dubbed CVL instead of CV. The Independence-class ships arrived at a critical time in the Pacific war and were immediately put to work. The USS Independence was paired with the newly arrived Essex-class carriers USS Essex and USS Yorktown and for much of 1943 conducted hit and run raids to deplete Japanese airpower throughout the pacific. The second ship of the class, USS Princeton arrived in February 1943 and was paired with the elderly USS Saratoga to carry out a devastating raid on Rabaul Harbor that neutralized the threat of a Japanese heavy cruiser squadron. All nine ships were delivered to the U.S. Navy before the end of 1943 while only two Essex-class carriers were added. The 270 aircraft that these small carriers could field between them saw the U.S. Navy through to 1944 when the Essex-class carriers arrived in bulk. There were 8 of the 9 present at the Battle of Midway, providing 40% the fighter aircraft, and 38% of the torpedo bombers.