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

"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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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).