"PORTSMOUTH, Va., Feb.18[, 1944]--USS SHANGRI LA SET FOR LAUNCHING--This is the 27,500-ton aircraft carrier Shangri La, as long as any ship ever built in the United States, on the ways at Norfolk Navy Yard where it will be launched Feb.24 by Mrs. James Doolittle, wife of Maj.Gen. James Doolittle who led the April 18, 1942, bombing raid on Tokyo. President Roosevelt, responding to a question as to the take-off site of the fliers, said it was fictious 'Shangri La.'"

APWirephoto from U.S. Navy.

USS Shangri-La (CV-38) is christened by Mrs. James H. Doolittle, during launching ceremonies at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, 24 February 1944. Rear Admiral Felix X. Gygax, the Navy Yard Commandant, is in the foreground, holding a microphone close to the sponsor's champagne bottle as it smashes into the new carrier's bow.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 75633), courtesy of James Russell.

Shangri-La (CV-38) is launched at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, Thursday, 24 February 1944.

"On October 15, [1944 ...] At precisely 11:32:15, Cdr. Wallace Sherrill, Commander Air Group Eighty-Five, piloting a TBM-3 Avenger, Buno. 23085, made the first landing aboard Shangri-La. Aboard the torpedo bomber as passengers were Lt. Cdr. C. W. Dougherty and Lt. McDowell."

The photo, taken in the Wardroom, shows the celebration of the first landing. The man cutting the cake is CDR Sherrill; CDR J. F. Wigelius, Air Boss, is standing on the left; CDR Joseph F. Quilter, XO, is standing in the middle.

(Information from Bob Ketenheim, Historian, USS Shangri-La Association. Quote from his book, "USS Shangri-La History," page 14.)

Official Navy photograph, # CV-38-221-12-12-1944.

A North American P-51D Mustang about to be launched from the deck of USS Shangri-La, November 1944, during Navy evaluation tests as to the suitability of the Mustang for carrier service (USN). There is a story about a P-51D Mustang and a Bearcat [(F8F)] taking off side by side from a standing start for a mock dogfight. The Bearcat reportedly had made two passes at the Mustang before the latter had raised its flaps and wheels.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

A Marine Corps PBJ-1H Mitchell patrol bomber landing onboard the carrier USS Shangri-La, November 1944, during Navy evaluation tests as to the suitability of the Mitchell for carrier service (USN).

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

USS Shangri-La (CV-38) underway, January 1945. BuAer photo # 307283. She was painted in Measure 33, Design 10A camouflage, which added a certain grace to the lines of the ship.

Shangri-La spent most of the month in the Atlantic, then transited the Panama Canal (24 Jan) and headed for San Diego.

USS Cahaba (AO-82) refueling USS Shangri-La (CV-38) and USS Iowa (BB-61), July 1945. Photo taken from battleship Iowa.

USS Shangri-La (CV-38), refueling underway, Western Pacific, July 1945.

Vice Admiral John S. McCain, Sr., Commander, Task Force 38, (left) with John L. Sullivan, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air, on board USS Shangri-La (CV-38), during Sullivan's visit to combat force in the western Pacific, July 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-343854).

Underway in the Pacific, with her crew paraded on the flight deck, 17 August 1945. Note use of the letter "Z" on the flight deck instead of her hull number.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-278827).

USS Shangri-La (CV-38) comes alongside USS Attu (CVE-102) to transfer personnel and supplies, 3 September 1945. Attu's cruise book claims that this was the first side-by-side underway replenishment by two aircraft carriers.

Collection of Captain Hays R. Browning, USNR.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 96051).

"Hellcats Rehearse for Operations 'Crossroads'," from the May 17, 1946 issue of "The Dry Dock," the newspaper of the San Diego Naval Hospital.

Perhaps taken at the same time as photo NS023825, below?

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, February 17, 1947.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, March 6, 1947. Bow view, approx. 45 degrees off center line. Taken in Puget Sound, off Blake Island.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, March 6, 1947. Stern view, from aft center line. Taken in Puget Sound, off Blake Island.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, March 6, 1947. Head on view. Taken in Puget Sound, off Blake Island.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

USS Shangri-La (CV-38) at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, Calif., in 1947, shortly before decommissioning. (Thanks to David Buell, Timm Smith, Joe Lewis and Bob Ketenheim for their help in identifying the photo.)

Text from "USS Shangri-La, CV /CVA / CVS-38," by Bob Ketenheim, page 29 (Turner Publishing Company, 2002):

"At 0625 on July 3, [1947] Shangri-La moored to Pier 11 at the Naval Shipyard, Hunters Point, San Francisco to begin the process of inactivation. On July 15, the ship moved into Dry Dock No. 4 to have her bottom inspected, cleaned and sealed with a new coat of paint."

[...]

"The ship remained in dry dock until September 20 when she was towed back to berths 10 and 11 in the shipyard." [...]

"At 1000 on November 7, the remaining crewmen were assembled at quarters for muster and inspection. At 1010, Shangri-La was decommissioned and placed in inactive status in reserve by Commander, San Francisco Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet. [...]"

Marine Corps Detachment, USS Shangri-La (CV-38). Photo believed to have been taken off Roi-Namur in between World War II and the Korean War.

Wally explains: "My Uncle, Louis H. Albert [NS023872a] was born in the Newark area and later resided in Lake Parsippany, NJ. He was an expert rifleman and once held the Recruit Rifle Range record at Parris Island! Needless to say I was very proud of him as it contributed to my joining the Corps in 1966." In the USMC Detachment photo Louis is in the 1st Squad, 8th man from the left.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, May 8, 1954. General view of Port side showing outward appearance of Canted Deck. Note tall mast. (Photo # NY8-11201).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, June 8, 1954. Port bow section removed for installation of bow enclosure. (Photo # NY8-11358).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, June 8, 1954. Preparation for removal of shell plating Fr. 1-23 Starboard for installation of enclosed bow. (Photo # NY8-11359).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, June 24, 1954. Starboard bow showing removal of shell plating and staging girders in place for commencement of Bow Enclosure installation. (Photo # NY8-11419).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, June 24, 1954. Bow removal is shown preparatory to installation of new Bow Enclosure. (Photo # NY8-11420).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, August 10, 1954. Bow enclosure, general view of structural work. (Photo # NY8-11566).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, October 7, 1954. New bow nears structural completion. (Photo # NY8-11773).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

A series of five photos likely taken soon after her SCB-27C/125 conversion at Puget Sound, November 14, 1952–January 10, 1955. Note a number of 3"/50 guns still on board.

The modernized Shangri-La ready for sea trials, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA, February 9, 1955. Note absence of catapult bridle arrestors (compare to photos NS023846a and NS023846b.)

This color postcard from Yale Publishing Co., San Diego, CA, shows USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) as she appeared in the late 1950s.

USS Shangri-La (CVA-38). From Our Navy magazine, 1 August 1956.

This photo was probably taken in 1956, with Air Task Group 3 (ATG-3) aboard.

"This separates the men from the boys. Having this facing you, coming in at 150 knots, at times in low visibility, high seas, and worst of all, the darkness of night puts Naval Aviators in a class of their own. Note the Landing Signal Officer on the left and the light system that aids landing." Photo appears to have been taken in the first half of the 1960s.

USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) underway at sea off Mayport, Florida, with Carrier Air Group Ten (CAG-10) embarked, August 1960. Aircraft parked on the forward flight deck include F8U and F4D fighters, A4D and AD attack planes. Photographed by PH1 R.A. Moulder.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97589).

USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) at anchor in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, possibly in mid or late 1960, shortly after she transferred from the Pacific.

Photo by Stan Johnson, courtesy of Pam Johnson.

A bow on aerial view of USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) underway off Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, June 13, 1961. Other units of the US Second Fleet participating in Operation LANTFLEX 4/61 are in the background. Photo from the ship's photo lab (#CVA-38-3098-6-61) by PH1 R.A. Moulder.

On May 30 Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo had been assassinated and a general uprising seemed about to follow. Shangri-La rendezvoused with USS Intrepid (CVA-11) and USS Randolph (CVS-15); for nearly two weeks the three carriers and their escorts patrolled the waters around Hispaniola and Puerto Rico.

Official US Navy photograph of USS Shangri-La (CVA-38), taken in the Mediterranean Sea on her 4th Med Cruise and 9th overseas deployment, February 15–September 20, 1965. The Air Wing embarked was CVW-10, tailcode "AK."

U.S. Sixth Fleet ships at anchor in Augusta Bay, Sicily, on 17 March 1965. The smaller carrier, at left, is USS Shangri-La (CVA-38). The larger carrier, at right, is USS Saratoga (CVA-60). Other U.S. Navy ships visible include two guided missile light cruisers (CLG), two guided-missile frigates (DLG), six destroyers (DD), two oilers (AO) and other auxiliaries. There are also several merchant ships present.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1111048).

Extensive damage to Shangri-La's starboard bow shows above her waterline after the collision with USS Newman K. Perry (DD-883), August 27, 1965. Some damage was also sustained below the waterline. Photo by PH2 Jack Weir. (See USS Shangri-La Reunion Association website for further info).

View of the island structure, circa 1966.

A crewman paints one of the carrier's hausepipes, while supporting himself on anchor chain, 4 May 1966. Photographed by PH2 Jack Weir. Note the position of this man's safety line, passing under his chin. This is not healthy!

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97590).

Right front view of VA-81 "Sunliners" A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 150125, AJ-402, as the deck crew hooks her up to one of the Shang's catapults, circa 1966–1967.

USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) refueling from USS Aucilla (AO-56), circa 1967.

Format: Audio Video Interleave (.AVI)  Duration: 1' 46"  Size: 720 x 480

Aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 landing on USS Shangri-La (CVA-38), sometime between late 1966 and mid-1967. Three A-4E Skyhawks of VA-81 "Sunliners;" a C-1 Trader, the ship's Carrier On-board Delivery (COD) plane; the last two aircraft appear to be an F-8E Crusader of VF-13 "Night Cappers" and an RF-8G of VFP-62 "Fighting Photos."

Format: Audio Video Interleave (.AVI)  Duration: 1' 24"  Size: 720 x 480

Aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8. F-8D Crusaders from VF-13 "Night Cappers" and VF-62 "Boomerangs;" A-4E and A-4B Skyhawks from VA-83 "Rampagers," VA-81 "Sunliners" and VSF-1 "War Eagles;" and RF-8G Crusaders from VFP-62 "Fighting Photos." Sometime between late 1966 and mid-1967.

Format: Audio Video Interleave (.AVI)  Duration: 1' 48"  Size: 720 x 480

Friends and relatives crowd the gangways to welcome home their loved ones as the carrier returns to Mayport, Florida, following an eight month deployment with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. About 1600 people were waiting on the pier to greet the ship. Photograph dated 20 May 1967.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97591).

Right side in-flight view of VA-81 "Sunliners" A-4C Skyhawk formation. Clockwise from top: BuNo 147829, AJ-401; BuNo 145076, AJ-403; BuNo 149531, AJ-412; and BuNo 149646, AJ-410. Circa 1967–1968.

On 25 June 1968 the U.S. Sixth Fleet celebrated its 20th anniversary with a close formation, an air power demonstration, a 20-gun salute and a pass-in-review. The crews of (top to bottom) USS Independence (CVA-62), USS Sylvania (AFS-2) and USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) spell out "POWER FOR PEACE", Sixth Fleet's motto.

USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) at Genoa, Italy, Saturday, 29 June 1968. This was the carrier's sixth, and second to last, Med Cruise (15 November 1967–4 August 1968). Air Wing was Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8), tail code "AJ."

Vought F-8C Crusader jet fighter (BuNo 146956), assigned to VF-62 "Boomerangs," in flight over USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) in December 1968.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 71870).

USS Shangri-La (CVS-38) cruises toward Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, on 11 February 1970.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# K-81800).

During her last voyage down to New Zealand, November 1970.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) William Belden ejects from his Douglas A-4E Skyhawk attack aircraft (Bureau # 150117) as it rolls into the carrier's port catwalk after suffering a brake failure following recovery, 2 July 1970. LtJG Belden ejected safely and was rescued by Shangri-La's helicopter.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 90350).