USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116)

History of the USS Baden Strait (CVE-116)

Escort carriers are a subset of aircraft carriers that the United States Navy (USN) relied heavily on during World War II (1939-1945). The ship type is smaller and slower in size than full-size frontline ships with a similar battlefield role, while carrying fewer aircraft, but these ships make up for these limitations by more economically building the numbers needed for warfare. effort. The U.S. Navy deployed several escort carriers during the war, the largest of which became the Casablanca-class (50), followed by the Borg-class (45, most in service with the Royal Navy).

Another class was also used during this period, beginning the Bay class, a group of 19 ships in total and considered the best of any escort carrier design that emerged in the war.

One of these groups was the Baden Strait (CVE-116), which was ordered during the war years and laid on 18 August 1944. USN on November 14, 1945 - even though it was too late to see combat uniforms in WWII. However, it served well in the upcoming Korean War (1950-1953).

When constructed, the USS Badoeng Straight displaces 10,500 tons under load, is 557 feet long, has a beam of 105.1 feet, and has a draft of 30.7 feet. Her installed power is conventional, including boiler units powering 2 x 16,000 hp geared steam turbines and driving 2 x axles under the stern.

The warship can travel at 19 knots.

Their overall configuration is typical of WWII-era "flat-roofed" carriers. The flight deck is serviced by two hangar lifts (one forward and the other aft) running directly from the bow to the stern. The island's superstructures were built very compactly and leaned to starboard, while they were mounted forward amidships.

There were as many as 10,772 officers and sailors on board, as well as an air force squadron of 30 or so fighter jets attached. While serving the most important role of aircraft transportation, the ship also has complete facilities for launching and recovering these weapons.

Local defense is provided by a range of weapons including 2 x 5" guns, up to 36 x 40mm Bofors guns and 20 x 20mm Oerlikon guns - all of which are critical to anti-aircraft (AA).

With the end of World War II in August 1945, there was little need for additional carriers like the Baden Strait, so her early career consisted of some maneuvers and cruises, including stops in Hawaii, and then as early as April Was commissioned to swiftly retire in 1946. Her story did not end there, however, as she returned to service the following year and was active at the start of the Korean War, when elements of the Communist North invaded and nearly conquered the democratic South.

USS Badoeng Straight was present for almost the entire duration of the conflict and was used in blockade operations due to her installation of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) equipment and launched her fighter jets in a close air support (CAS) role to support Friendly ground troops. She was instrumental in defending the "surroundings of Busan," essentially the last line of defense for United Nations forces operating on the Korean peninsula.

With the perimeter finally consolidated in November, the escort carrier was used for the brazen Incheon amphibious landing (September 1950), which helped turn the tide of the battle and drive the Communist forces back north. Before the end of the year, the ship was sent to support the armed forces that had withdrawn from the Changjin Reservoir after China's entry into the war.

All of these operations add a total of six Battle Stars to serve the ships and their crews in conflict. Also added Naval Unit Commendations.

The Korean War then ended in an uneasy truce that continues to this day (2017) as North Korea regained lost territory from the UN coalition with the help of China and the Soviet Union.

This kept USS Badoeng Strait out of the war, but she was still active for a short time. After the war, the ship was modernized and further developed to support helicopters on deck. Anti-submarine warfare equipment continued to be upgraded in response to the growing threat from Soviet submarines in the Pacific.

She has since been used in drills and training, along with several more "peaceful voyages" early in the Cold War. In January 1957, she was decommissioned (placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet) and then officially decommissioned on May 17 of that year.

Her dismantled hull was only sold in 1972, after which she was scrapped.

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