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NavSource Online: Escort Carrier Photo Archive

USS CARD   (ACV-11)
(later CVE-11, CVHE-11, CVU-11 and AKV-40)



Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Uniform - Zulu - Romeo

Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons

 
 

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Presidential Unit Citation / American Campaign Medal (1 star)
2nd Row: European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (2 stars) / Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal / World War II Victory Medal
(More info)

Bogue Class Escort Carrier
Ordered Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Stricken
(see below) 27 Oct 1941 21 Feb 1942 8 Nov 1942
16 May 1958 (*)
13 May 1946
10 Mar 1970

15 Sep 1970
Builder: Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Seattle, Wash.
(*) Under MSTS control (see below)

Specifications
(As commissioned, 1942)
Displacement: 7,800 tons standard; 15,700 tons full load (design)
Dimensions (wl): 465' x 69.5' x 23.25'  /  141.7 x 21.2 x 7.1 meters
Dimensions (max.): 495' 8" x 111.5'  /  151.1 x 34 meters
Armor: None
Power plant: 2 boilers (285 psi); 1 steam turbine; 1 shaft; 8,500 shp
Speed: 16.5 knots
Endurance:
Armament: (ultimate) 2 single 5"/38 (initially 5"/51) gun mounts; 10 twin 40-mm/56-cal gun mounts; 26 single 20-mm/70-cal gun mounts
Aircraft: 24
Aviation facilities: 2 elevators; 2 hydraulic catapults
Crew: 890

Click on Thumbnail
for Full Size Image
Size Image Description Source
Name
Card Sound
NS0301158
49k

ACV-11 was named for Card Sound, a continuation of Biscayne Bay, south of Miami, Fla.

(Map courtesy of Google Maps.)

NavSource
USS Card, 1942-1958
The Ship
CVE-11 Card
NS0301162
162k

USS Card (CVE-11), island, date and location unknown.

Photo from the collection of Roy (Swede) Moore, who was commissioned in April 1945 as a pilot and flew TBF Avengers and Helldivers, as well as Corsairs postwar.

HS1 Steve Martin, USCG (Ret.), nephew of Roy Moore
CVE-11 Card
NS0301152
114k

USS Card (ACV-11) underway in February 1943.

Naval History & Heritage Command photo (# NH 55051).

Mike Green
CVE-11 Card
NS0301101
129k

Off Norfolk Navy Yard on March 26, 1943, still not complete after her November 8, 1942 commissioning. Her HF/DF antenna is not installed, necessary for her Atlantic area anti-submarine duty.

Original photo submitted by Mike Green.

Larger photo submitted by David Buell.
CVE-11 Card
NS0301102
277k

The auxiliary aircraft carrier USS Card (ACV-11) is shown newly completed off Norfolk Navy Yard on 26 March 1943. Although Card served as an ASW carrier in the Atlantic, at this time she had not yet been fitted with HF/DF, the essential sensor. Unlike the Long Island, she had a hangar deck running most of her length. The deck's sheer, which presented a problem to aircraft handling, is indicated by the galleries built out on both sides. Note the fuel lines brought outside the hull to reduce fire hazard. The air search radar is an SC.

Text from U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.

Photo: Division of Naval Intelligence, Identification and Characteristics Section, June 1943.

Original photo submitted by Mike Green
Robert Hurst
Tommy Trampp
CVE-11 Card
NS0301139
232k

USN photo of USS Card (ACV-11), also dated March 26, 1943 (see NS0301101 and NS0301102). Via US Naval Air Station, Hampton Roads, #13801.

David Buell
CVE-11 Card
NS0301136
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USS Card underway, date and location unknown.

Robert Hurst
CVE-11 Card
NS0301142
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USS Card (CVE-11) fitted with longer hangar.

From Navies of the Second World War, by H.T. Lenton (Doubleday & Co., 1968).

Derick Hartshorn
CVE-11 Card
NS0301137
100k

USS Card underway circa 1943, location unknown.

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
CVE-11 Card
NS0301169
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A U.S. Navy Landing Signal Officer (LSO) aboard USS Card (ACV-11) guides a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of Composite Squadron (VC) 1 to recovery aboard the ship. In 1943 the Navy combined the former VGS (Escort-Scouting Squadron) and VGF (Escort-Fighter Squadron) into one.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.1061.

Robert Hurst
CVE-11 Card
NS0301170
138k

"Ninety-seven men are assembled in this photograph, taken aboard the U.S.S. Card somewhere in the Atlantic, demonstrating the sizeable crew necessary to keep one TBF Avenger operating against the enemy. The picture is one of the first made aboard a vessel converted into an aircraft carrier, the Card being an escort carrier. When the TBF takes off from a carrier's deck it has in it only the pilot, radio man and turret gunner, but a lot of others are 'sweating it out' aboard ship till the plane returns to its flight deck again."

Naval Aviation News, 15 January 1944 issue.

Robert Hurst
CVE-11 Card
NS0301143
149k

USS Card (ACV-11) underway in the Atlantic on 15 June 1943, with seven TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bombers and six F4F-4 Wildcat fighters of Squadron VC-1 parked on her flight deck.

Photographed by a plane of Utility Squadron 4.

Courtesy of Tony Alter, via Bill Gonyo
U-66
CVE-11 Card
NS0301166
671k

German U-boat incident #3949. First German submarine, U-66, sighted by a TBF Avenger from USS Card (CVE-11) on 3 August 1943, at approximately 1830. Piloted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Richard L. Cormier, USN. U-66 was later sunk by depth charges, gunfire and ramming by Avenger and Wildcat aircraft from Composite Squadron (VC) 55, operating from USS Block Island (CVE-21) and USS Buckley (DE-51), 6 May 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-79396.

NARA
U-66 & U-117
CVE-11 Card
NS0301151
158k

"Shown here is the oceangoing submarine minelayer U-117 under attack from U.S. Naval aircraft. The Type XB boat U-117 left Bordeaux on 22 July 1943, commanded by Korvettenkapitan Hans-Werner Neumann, and came to the rescue of the damaged Type IXC boat U-66 on 6 August 1943, about 330 miles west of the Azores. Oberleutnant zur See Frerks went aboard to take command from the wounded Markworth. On the following day the two U-boats were spotted together on the surface by a TBF-1 Avenger flown by Lieutenant (jg) A.H. Sallenger of Composite Squadron VC-1 from the escort carrier USS Card. He dived down against intense flak and dropped two depth charges with 25 feet settings as well as a Mark 24 mine (actually a[n] acoustic homing torpedo) with a contact fuse, as shown here. This was followed by attacks from two more Avengers and two F4F-4 Wildcats. U-117 was destroyed, probably by a homing torpedo dropped by one of the Avengers. There were no survivors from the crew of sixty-two. Ref: ADM 199/1408."

Text and photo from Ultra Versus U-Boats, by Roy Conyers Nesbit.

(See also "U-Boat 117" on the Submarines Sunk of Attacked by USS Card (CVE-11) page.)

Robert Hurst
CVE-11 Card
NS0301151a
819k

German U-boat incident #3979. Plane attack on 7 August 1943, on two German submarines, U-66 (escaped) and U-117 (sunk) by Lieutenant Charles R. Stapler, USN, from USS Card (CVE-11). U-117 was damaged by Lieutenant Junior Grade Asbury H. Sallenger, USNR, and unable to submerge. Believed sunk after four successive attacks, the large U-boat, a 1600-ton minelayer supply boat, remained on the surface and soon two TBFs, piloted by Lieutenant Stapler and Lieutenant Junior Grade Junior C. Forney, USNR, and two F4Fs, piloted by Lieutenant Norman D. Hodson, USN, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Ernest E. Jackson, USNR, arrived and continued the attack on it.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-79395.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301151b
1.03M

German U-boat incidents #3978 & #3979: Attack on two German submarines apparently just prior to an attempted refueling by the "Milch-cow" on the left. Lieutenant Junior Grade A. H. Sallenger, USNR, in a TBF-1, made the two attacks single-handedly, 7 August 1943.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-79398.

CVE-11 Card
NS0301151c
884k

German U-boat incidents #3978 & #3979: Attack on two German submarines apparently just prior to an attempted refueling by the "Milch-cow" on the left. Lieutenant Junior Grade A. H. Sallenger, USNR, in a TBF-1, made the two attacks single-handedly, 7 August 1943.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-79399.

U-262
CVE-11 Card
NS0301165
515k

Ensign John Franklyn Sprague, USNR, missing in action since his Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat, #16, crashed into the water under the heavy anti-aircraft fire of Nazi submarine U-262, 8 August 1943. In patrol from USS Card (CVE-11) with Lieutenant Asbury H. Sallenger, USNR, he attacked two surfaced U-boats, U-262 and U-664. He had strafed both submarines according to Sallenger's report. Apparently seeing Sallenger's plane (TBF-1 Avenger, #9) go down, Sprague persisted in his attack. Sallenger and his gunner, AMM3c James H. O'Hagen, Jr., were rescued several hours later by USS Barry (DD-248), but their radioman, ACRM(a) John D. Downes, and ENS Sprague were killed in action. Photograph released 3 December 1943.

Photo from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-43640.

U-262 had to return to base and U-664 was sunk the following day.

NARA
U-664
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146
762k

"Shown here is U-664 under attack from U.S. Navy aircraft. The Type VIIC boat U-664 left Brest on 21 June 1943 for a fifth war cruise, under the command of Kapitanleutnant Adolf Graef. On 8 August it was at a rendezvous west of the Azores with the Type VIIC boats U-760 and U-262 when it was attacked by a F4F-4 Wildcat and TBF-1 Avenger from the Composite Squadron onboard the escort carrier USS Card, commanded by Captain A.J. Isbell. The combined fire from U-664 and U-262 brought down both aircraft and the U-boats escaped immediate damage. U-664 met its end later on 9 August 1943 when attacked by three more aircraft from the escort carrier Card. This took place in clear weather under broken cloud. The first was a TBF-1 Avenger, flown by Lieutenant (jg) G.G. Hogan, which dropped two 500-lb depth bombs with contact fuses in two separate attacks. Between these attacks Lieutenant N.D. Hodson in his F4F-4 Wildcat raked the U-boat with gunfire. Then Lieutenant (jg) J.C. Forney dropped another depth bomb from his TBF-1 Avenger. He refrained from dropping the other when he saw the crew abandoning the U-boat. Eight of the crew were killed but forty-four were picked up and taken prisoner by one of the destroyer escorts. Kapitänleutnant Graef was one of the survivors. The Swordfish emblem on the conning tower of the U-boat was that of the 9th Flotilla at Brest. Ref: ADM 199/1408."

Text from Ultra Versus U-Boats, by Roy Conyers Nesbit.

Photo from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-43638.

(See also "U-Boat 664" on the Submarines Sunk or Attacked by USS Card (CVE-11) page.)

Robert Hurst
Larger copy courtesy of NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146o
784k

German U-boat incident #3992, 9 August 1943: Plane attack on the U-Boat, U-664, by Ensign P.M. Rockett, USNR, from USS Card (CVE-11). Crew can be seen on the conning tower making ready to abandon ship which is going down by the stern for the last time. Insignia on a conning tower is a "smiling swordfish." Forty-four survivors were picked up by destroyer USS Borie (DD-215) and transferred to Card.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79387.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146p
1.04M

German U-boat incident #3992, 9 August 1943: Plane attack on the U-Boat, U-664, by Ensign P.M. Rockett, USNR, from USS Card (CVE-11). Crew can be seen on the conning tower making ready to abandon ship which is going down by the stern for the last time. Insignia on a conning tower is a "smiling swordfish." Forty-four survivors were picked up by destroyer USS Borie (DD-215) and transferred to Card.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79388.

CVE-11 Card
NS0301146a
696k

German U-boat incident #3992, 9 August 1943. Type VIIC German submarine U-664, sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade G.G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11). Note the German sailors on conning tower.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79389.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146b
1.33M

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943, on German submarine U-664, by Ensign P.M. Rockett, USNR, from USS Card (CVE-11). Crew can be seen on the conning tower making ready to abandon ship which is going down by the stern for the last time. Insignia on conning tower is a "smiling sawfish." 44 survivors were picked up by a destroyer and transferred to Card.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79390.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146c
704k

German U-boat incident #3992, 9 August 1943. German submarine U-664, sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade G.G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE 11). Note the German sailors on conning tower ready to abandon ship.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79391.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146d
1.20M

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade G.G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79392.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146e
764k

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on Type VIIC German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade G.G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79393.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146f
1.26M

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on Type VIIC German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade Gerald G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11). The crew are taking to life rafts as bomb scores near miss. The submarine was already damaged as can be seen from the oil slick in her wake.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79400.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146g
762k

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on Type VIIC German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade Gerald G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11). The crew is in life rafts. The submarine was already damaged as can be seen from the oil slick in her wake.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79407.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146h
896k

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on Type VIIC German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade Gerald G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11). This view was taken by another aircraft during the attack.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79408.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146i
976k

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on Type VIIC German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade (LT(JG)) Gerald G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11). This view was taken by another aircraft during the attack, piloted by LT(JG) Charles G. Hewitt, USNR. Original photograph is fading.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79409.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146j
924k

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on Type VIIC German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade (LT(JG)) Gerald G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11). This view was taken by another aircraft during the attack, piloted by LT(JG) Charles G. Hewitt, USNR.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79410.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146k
1.02M

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on Type VIIC German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade (LT(JG)) Gerald G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79411.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146l
1.00M

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on Type VIIC German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade (LT(JG)) Gerald G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11). Note the oil slick from the sinking submarine.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79412.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146m
874k

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on Type VIIC German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade (LT(JG)) Gerald G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11). Note the oil slick from the sinking submarine and survivors in the rubber rafts.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79413.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301146n
1,000k

German U-boat incident #3992. Plane attack, 9 August 1943 on Type VIIC German submarine U-664. The submarine is shown sinking after an attack by Lieutenant Junior Grade (LT(JG)) Gerald G. Hogan, USNR. Forty-four survivors were picked up and taken aboard USS Card (CVE-11). This view was taken by an aircraft piloted by LT(JG) J. B. Thompson, USNR.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79414.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301148
110k

USS Card (CVE-11) sank U-664. Original press photo. Card wears camouflage Measure 22.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-74187.

Tommy Trampp
U-508
CVE-11 Card
NS0301163
1,015k

German U-boat incident #4127: Plane attack on German submarine U-508 (Kapitänleutnant Georg Staats), 27 August 1943, by Lieutenant Junior Grade Gerald G. Hogan, USNR, Composite Squadron (VC) 1, from USS Card (CVE-11). U-508 escaped.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-79415.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301171
528k

Survivors of USS Borie (DD-215) on the flight deck of USS Card (CVE-11) during memorial services for the three officers and 27 men of Borie's crew who were lost with their ship on 1–2 November 1943.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-85287.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301140
722k

The Presidential Unit Citation flag, awarded to USS Borie's crew for their 1 November 1943 battle against the German submarine U-405, is examined by some of the officers involved, during awards ceremonies held on board USS Card (CVE-11) on 10 November 1943. Those present are (from left to right): Lieutenant Commander Herbert D. Hill, Commanding Officer, USS Barry (DD-248); Lieutenant Commander Howard M. Avery, Commanding Officer, Squadron VC-9; Lieutenant Charles H. Hutchins, Commanding Officer, USS Borie (DD-215); and Lieutenant Commander Hinton Ira Smith, Commanding Officer, USS Goff (DD-247). Lieutenant Hutchins had just received the Navy Cross for his part in the action. The other three officers had received the Legion of Merit.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-43652.

Naval History & Heritage Command
CVE-11 Card
NS0301140a
553k

"Lieutenant Chas H. Hutchins, USNR, on the flight deck of USS Card (CVE-11) as Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll, USN, Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet, pins on his chest the Navy Cross. Hutchins commanded the heroic USS Borie (DD-215), sinking German submarine U-405 on 1 November 1943. The award was made recently at an East Coast port on the occasion of the conferring of the Presidential Unit Citation on the Card, her air squadrons and her escorting destroyers." Photograph released 10 November 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-43654.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301140b
534k

Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll, USN, Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet, pins the Legion of Merit on the chest of Lieutenant Commander Howard M. Avery, USN, CO, VC-9, of the USS Card (CVE-11). The occasion was the conferring of the Presidential Unit Citation to Card, her three escorting destroyers and her air squadrons for their anti-submarine activity. The scene was on the flight deck of Card, which was then at an East Coast port. Photograph released 10 November 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-43653.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301168
318k

"Life on One of America's Baby Flattops... With the Lads Who Keep the Atlantic Free"

From PM daily newspaper, New York City, 29 November 1943.

Tommy Trampp
CVE-11 Card
NS0301164
608k

USS Card (CVE-11) takes care of the survivors of USS Leary (DD-158) which was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-275, 24 December 1943. Shown: S2c Stanley C. Rogoynski coming aboard as a Yeoman takes his name. Photograph released 25 December 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-205352.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301164a
513k

Sunday communion services on USS Card (CVE-11) for All Hands. Shown, left to right: Chaplain Sheridan W. Bell; CBM H.L. Collier. Photograph released 25 December 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-205355.

NARA
CVE-11 Card
NS0301160
344k

Christmas Dinner Menu, 1943. CAPT A.J. Isbell, CO; CDR E.J. Drew, XO.

Francis R. Hauer was aboard USS Leary (DD-158) when she was torpedoed and sunk on 24 December 1943. Survivors were picked up by her sister ship USS Schenck (DD-159) and then transferred to USS Card (CVE-11).

Bill Hauer, for his father, Francis R. Hauer
CVE-11 Card
NS0301104
95k

Two versions of the same photo. USS Card (CVE-11) in dazzle camouflage, circa 1944.

Caption on back reads: "Aerial photo of Card taken by Bailey, D.T., ARM 3/c, USN." Taken from blimp K-20 from squadron VC-55. BuAer photo # 218112.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301104a
218k David Buell
CVE-11 Card
NS0301106
18k

Some one was always running into us. Once on starboard bow and once head on.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301107
22k
CVE-11 Card
NS0301153
88k

USS Card (CVE -11) on 19 March 1944.

Courtesy of The Mariners' Museum, Newport News, Va. Ted Stone collection.

Naval History & Heritage Command photo (# NH 66328).

Mike Green
CVE-11 Card
NS0301167
93k

German submarine U-233 was sunk by Card's Hunter Killer group destroyer escorts USS Thomas (DE-102) and USS Baker (DE-190) on 5 July 1944 (see also Sinking of U-233). The U-boat commanding officer, Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant) Hans Steen, was among the survivors, but he was severely wounded and died aboard USS Card (CVE-11).

Kapitänleutnant Steen was buried at sea on 6 July 1944. (Narrative by Chaplain, LT Sheridan Bell, ChC.)

NS0301167a: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-366270.

Via Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVE-11 Card
NS0301167a
332k
CVE-11 Card
NS0301167b
95k
CVE-11 Card
NS0301108
28k

Atlantic hurricane. September 1944.

Bottom: rudder and screw out of water.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301109
29k
CVE-11 Card
NS0301145
103k

Rough seas! (1945.)

Harold Ryan
CVE-11 Card
NS0301110
65k

A painting of the Card by Anton Otto Fisher, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard. A calendar for General Electric promoting the G.E. turbines installed in the Card.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301111
88k

Scale model of the USS Card (CVE-11) camouflaged in Measure 32, Design 4A, built by Joe Macchia.

Joseph Macchia
Air Mishap, December 9, 1942
ACV-11 Card
NS0301112
31k

TBF-1 landing mishap aboard USS Card, December 9, 1942.

Read the Commander Fleet Air, West Coast; Pilot; and LSO reports.

Source: Seattle Branch of the National Archives and Records Administration. Record Group 181; 13th Naval District Central Subject Files; (Entry PSNS-3) 514936-54, CVHE11.

Tracy White
ACV-11 Card
NS0301113
37k
ACV-11 Card
NS0301114
62k
ACV-11 Card
NS0301115
36k
ACV-11 Card
NS0301116
52k
ACV-11 Card
NS0301117
54k
The Crew
ACV-11 Card
NS0301118
19k

CAPT James B. Sykes (R), first commanding officer (November 1942-April 1943), being relieved by CAPT Arnold J. Isbell (L).

(Note: Both Sykes and Isbell held the permanent rank of Commander, with date of rank 1 November 1938 (Sykes) and 1 July 1940 (Isbell). Both held the temporary rank of Captain, with date of rank 17 June 1942 (Sykes) and 20 June 1942 (Isbell).)

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301119
28k

Captain Arnold J. Isbell, second commanding officer, April 1943-March 1944. He was killed in action aboard USS Franklin (CV-13) on March 19, 1945. Destroyer DD-869 was named after him.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301120
27k

Captain Rufus C. Young, third commanding officer, March 1944-March 1945.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301121
24k

Captain Paul L. Dudley, fourth commanding officer, March 1945-February 1946.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301122
20k

Rev. Bell (L) being relieved by Father Considine (R), 1943.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301126
75k

The crew getting briefed.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301123
130k

Ship's company, 1944.

Joseph Macchia
Air Groups
ACV-11 Card
NS0301124
56k

VC-1 pilots and crew, 1942-43.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301125
41k

VC-9 pilots, 1943.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301127
37k

VC-55 pilots and aircrew, 1943.

Joseph Macchia
CVE-11 Card
NS0301128
26k
CVE-11 Card
NS0301129
57k

VC-12 pilots, 1944.

Joseph Macchia
VC-12
NS0301138
96k

VC-12 Squadron flight jacket patch, USS Card, summer 1944 .

Miles Gordon Porter, LT(JG) USN Aviator, 1943–1945 from Minnesota.
Member of VC-12 and CASU-23.

Via his son, Bill Porter.
CVE-11 Card
NS0301130
73k

VC-8 complete squadron, September 1944.

Joseph Macchia
USNS Card, 1958-1970
USNS Card
NS0301141
190k

USNS Card approaching the locks in Bremerhaven, Germany. Believed to have been taken in the summer of 1962. Note the former US tugs, then the North German Lloyd's tugs Hercules and Sirius, pulling the carrier to the berth. Card and several of her sisters transported US military aircraft to Germany in those days.

Gerhard Mueller-Debus
USNS Card
NS0301105
35k

USNS Card, date and place unknown.

Hazegray & Underway
USNS Card
NS0301131
43k

The Card as she looked while serving in VietNam. She carried mobile homes, trailers, planes and helicopters and crews to Nam, returned with damaged planes, etc.

Joseph Macchia
USNS Card
NS0301149
152k

Undated pic of the cargo ship and aircraft ferry USNS Card (T-AKV 40) underway at sea with seventeen cocooned USAF F-102A Delta Dagger fighters. Deck cranes have been installed opposite the island and on the starboard side aft. U.S. Navy photo.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

Robert Hurst
USNS Card
NS0301161
607k

USNS Card (T-AKV 40) in a Vietnamese port, in the 1960s. Note RVNS Da-Nang (HQ-501), formerly USS Maricopa County (LST-938) to the right, alongside Card.

Gerhard Mueller-Debus
USNS Card
NS0301150
24k

The cargo ship and aircraft ferry USNS Card (T-AKV 40) in Saigon on 2 May 1964, after she was attacked by Viet Cong commandos of the 65th Special Operations Group. Photo taken by Charles J. Skiff, USN.

Robert Hurst
USNS Card
NS0301132
143k

"Publication of this North Vietnamese stamp was a bit premature, but it has shown up —illegally, we are told by collectors— on correspondence coming from North Vietnam. Canadian stamp collector Arthur W. Mears, sent Sealift a copy of his stamp with a description of the colors: blue-gray background; black hull; white border and stamp value; conning tower and flag are both black and white. The flag, at least, is accurate in position, anyway. The Card was in distress that day. Legend across top and down right hand side is loosely translated: 'Aircraft carrier of America sunk in harbor of Saigon.' Translation was obtained by telephone with a patient and obliging employee of the Embassy of Vietnam, in Washington."

"Thanks to: Mr. Arthur Mears,,Canada"

Sealift Magazine, November 1966.

Joseph Macchia
USNS Card
NS0301132a
60k

"(NY 70-May 1) CREWMAN WHO KNOCKED [sic] BY EXPLOSION THAT SANK SHIP—Second mate Raymond Arbon, 45, stands next to the engine room of the U.S.S. [sic] Card where he was standing when an explosion hit the aircraft transport and knocked him down. He was unhurt. The explosion set by Viet Cong guerrillas knocked a huge hole below the ship's waterline and caused it to sink in 25 feet of water in Saigon harbor ealy Saturday morning. It was the first time a major U.S. vessel had been sunk in the battle against the Viet Cong guerrillas. Arbon is from New Orleans. (AP Wirephoto via radio from Saigon)(See AP wire story)(nw[?]0035rca)1964"

Tommy Trampp
USNS Card
NS0301132b
88k

"(NY 67-May 1) VIET CONG TERRORISTS SINK U.S. AIRCRAFT TRANSPORT—This is a stock picture [(NS0301142)] of the U.S.S. [sic] Card, a 9,800-ton military aircraft transport, that was sunk in the Saigon harbor early Saturday morning by an explosion set by Viet Cong terrorists. It was the first time a major U.S. vessel has been sunk in the battle against Viet Cong guerrillas. None of the 73-man civilian crew was reported injured. The Card had a cargo of old helicopters for return to the U.S. and had been scheduled to sail later today. (AP Wirephoto)(See AP wire story)(nw62335fls(1964"

USNS Card
NS0301132c
94k

Top right: "US imperialism has been devastated in southern Vietnam. The commander of the US aggressor army, Haquans [Paul D. Harkins] (left), and the former US ambassador to South Vietnam, Lodge (right), were all replaced. They gathered together with the dog (Qing Qing) and they couldn't do anything about it."

Bottom left: "This large American ship named 'Carl' [(?)] was blown up by the Vietnamese southerners in the early morning of May 2 this year."

Vietnam War Chinese propaganda poster, #20 (approx. 9.8x14.4"—24.89x36.58 cm). China not only sent people and material to aid North Vietnam, but also published numerous leaflets, posters, books, and other propaganda.

USNS Card
NS0301154
203k

Water pouring over the side as 6-inch submersible pumps discharge from USNS Card (T-AKV 40) in Saigon, Vietnam.

Image scanned from Mud, Muscle, and Miracles: Marine Salvage in the United States Navy, by Captain Charles A. Bartholomew, USN and Commander William I. Milwee, Jr., USN (Ret.).

Robert Hurst
USNS Card
NS0301155
149k

"(NY 68-May 1) U.S. SHIP IN HARBOR WHERE IT WAS SUNK—Children on the shore watched as the [U.S.N.S.] Card docked in Saigon harbor last July 4 with a load of helicopters for use in the battle against the Viet Cong guerrillas. An explosion below the waterline of the 9,800-ton aircraft transport early Saturday morning [(2 May 1964)] caused it to sink in the Saigon harbor. The explosion was set by communist terrorists. All of the 73-man civilian crew were reported safe. (AP wirephoto)(See AP wire story)(nw62350fls) 1964"

Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR (Ret.)
USNS Card
NS0301156
114k

USNS Card (T-AKV 40) was sunk in the port of Saigon, shortly after midnight on 2 May 1964, by two commandos from the 65th Special Operations Group.

Card was refloated, repaired, and returned to service by 11 December 1964.

Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR (Ret.)
USNS Card
NS0301159
398k

The refit USNS Card in February 1965. She is seen loading cargo into her enlarged cargo elevator.

US Naval Institute, via Ron Reeves
CVE-11 Card
NS0301144
97k

USNS Card (T-AKV 40) near Gibraltar in 1966, seen from the ST London Valour.

©David Meare,
formerly Radio Officer, British Merchant Navy
CVE-11 Card
NS0301147
58k

USNS Card (T-AKV 40) underway in 1966, location unknown.

Naval Photographic Center photo # 1120576.

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
AKV-40 Card
NS0301157
434k

USNS Card (T-AKV 40) in Saigon, 1968. Among the cargo being offloaded are housing trailers, several T-6 Texan training aircraft, and what appears to be an F-1 (formerly FJ-3) Fury jet fighter, probably bound for the South Vietnamese air force as military aid.

Gerhard Mueller‑Debus
CVE-11 Card
NS0301103
67k

The photo was taken in 1969, at the dock in Subic Bay. F-4 Phantoms are seen in cocoon wrap on the deck. These were destined to Vietnam.

© William P. Jones, M.D
The Scrapping
Ex-Card
NS0301133
27k

Ex-USS Card being cut up in Clatskanie, Or., 1970.

Joseph Macchia
Ex-Card
NS0301134
31k

For more information and photos of this ship, see:

Read the USS Card (ACV-11 / CVE-11 / CVHE-11 / CVU-11 / AKV-40) DANFS History entry

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Last update: 15 January 2024