ACV-13 was named for Core Sound, North Carolina.

(Map courtesy of Google Maps.)

German submarine, U-84 (Type VIIB), damaged by plane from USS Core (CVE-13), piloted by Ensign William McClane. Incident #4085, 7 August 1943. Photos released 23 August 1943.

NS0301315: Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77193.

NS0301315a: Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77194.

"Shown here is U-185 under attack from U.S. Navy aircraft. The Type IXC boat U-185 left Bordeaux on 9 June 1943 under the command of Kapitänleutnant August Maus. Five days later it encountered the Type VIIC boat U-564 in the Bay of Biscay, which had been damaged the day before by Sunderland G.R.Mk.III (DV967) of No.228 Sqd flown by Flight Lieutenant L.B.Lee from Pembroke Dock, Wales, but had succeeded in shooting down the flying boat with the loss of the crew. This damaged U-boat was being attacked by Whitley G.R.Mk. V (BD220) of No.10 Operational Training Unit, flown by Sergeant A.J.Benson from St Eval, Cornwall, but the aircraft was hit by the combined fire from the two U-boats. It turned for home but was forced to ditch; all five crew members were picked up by a French fishing boat and taken into captivity. U-564 sank with the loss of twenty-eight crew members, but eighteen men were rescued by U-185, including the commander, and transferred to two German destroyers. Continuing its cruise, U-185 sank five merchant vessels and damaged another. On 11 August 1943 it shot down an American Liberator of Anti-Submarine Squadron VP-107, while rescuing survivors from the Type VIIC Boat U-604, which had been crippled by this Liberator and an American destroyer. The end came on 24 August 1943, as shown here. It was about 800 miles south-west of the Azores when it was bombed by a TBF-1 Avenger flown by Lieutenant R.P Williams and strafed by an F4F Wildcat flown by Lieutenant M.G. O'Neill, both of Composite Squadron VC-13 from the escort carrier USS Core commanded by Captain N.B. Greer. Twenty-nine men from U-185 and fourteen from U-604 died in this attack, and two more died among the survivors picked up by the USS Core. Kapitanleutnant Maus was among those who survived to become prisoners of war. Ref: ADM 199/1408."

Photo and text from Ultra Versus U-Boats, by Roy Conyers Nesbit.

The explosion caused by depth charges dropped on German submarine U-185 by a plane from USS Core (CVE-13). The bow of the submarine protrudes from the bottom of the explosion. Incident #4082, 24 August 1943. Released 24 August 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77195.

German submarine U-185 sinking after combined attack of a TBF-1 Avenger piloted by Lieutenant R.P. Williams, USNR, and two F4F-4 Wildcats from USS Core (CVE-13). Incident #4082, 24 August 1943. Released 24 August 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77196.

German survivors from submarine U-185 in water after being sunk by a TBF-1 Avenger from USS Core (CVE-13), piloted by Lieutenant Robert P. Williams, USNR. They were in the water for six hours before being picked up by destroyer USS Barker (DD-213). Incident #4082, 24 August 1943. Released 24 August 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77198.

The German captain of U-185, Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant) August Maus, and U-604 survivors, aboard USS Core (CVE-13). They are being directed by the Master-At-Arms. Incident #4082, 24 August 1943. Released 24 August 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77199.

The German captain of U-185, Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant) August Maus, and U-604 survivors, aboard USS Core (CVE-13). CAPT Marshall R. Greer, Core's commanding officer, is questioning the prisoner. Incident #4082, 24 August 1943. Released 24 August 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77200.

Survivors of German submarines U-185 and U-604 resting on the flight deck of USS Core (CVE-13). Released 24 August 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77202.

Survivors of a German submarine sunk by a squadron from USS Core (CVE-13). A pharmacist's mate examines an injured prisoner.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77211.

The body of one of four survivors of a German submarine, sunk by a squadron of USS Core (CVE-13) being lowered into the sea from the deck of the escort aircraft carrier. He had died aboard ship. Released 25 August 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77204.

Aboard USS Core (CVE-13) survivors of a German submarine sunk by one of the ship's squadrons. Shown are prisoners in custody. Released 2 September 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-77221.

USS Core (CVE-13) underway in the Atlantic, probably on 10 October 1943. The wing of the plane from which the photograph was taken is in the foreground. Note also that the planes of her air group are painted white and gull grey to make them difficult for U-boats to see against the sky.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (#NH 106565).

Attacks on German U-boats, 1943. Aerial attack on the Type VIIC submarine U-378, Incident #4786, 20 October 1943. The U-boat was sunk (all hands lost) by a Fido homing torpedo and depth charges from Avenger and Wildcat aircraft from Composite Squadron (VC) 13, based on USS Core (CVE-13).

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-207651.

Part of a photograph album documenting the World War II service of Composite Squadron (VC) 6, that made a War Cruise aboard Core, 5 December 1943–18 January 1944.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1986.150.003.026.

General Motors FM-2 Wildcat fighter is catapulted from USS Core (CVE-13), in the North Atlantic, 12 April 1944. Taken by Photographer's Mate N.H. Seehafer.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (#80-G-269035).

General Motors FM-2 Wildcat fighter flies near USS Core (CVE-13), during operations in the North Atlantic, 12 April 1944. Plane has its landing gear and tailhook down, in preparation for landing on board.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (#80-G-269036).

USS Core (CVE-13) wearing camouflage Measure 32, Design 4A, 31 August 1944. Colors are Pale Gray, Light Gray, Haze Gray and Navy Blue.

United States National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Photo # 80-G-269136.

Photo of a photo of USS Core (CVE-13) ferrying aircraft. The escort carrier has just steamed under the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, en route to Alameda. Date is possibly 3 September 1945.

A Japanese Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka ("Baka") flying bomb on the deck of USS Core (CVE-13) as part of a shipment of Japanese warplanes being loaded in Japan, 21 November 1945. Note that this is a two-seat training glider version of the "Baka." Plane in background is a Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryu ("Peggy") Army bomber.

Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # 80-G-269248.

Chicago (CG-11), undegoing conversion to a guided missile cruiser, photographed in Berths No. 15-16 outboard of the "running pier," San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard Hunters Point, mid-to-late 1960. USNS Core (T-AKV 41) appears in berth No. 13 beyond. A seaplane tender, either Pine Island (AV-12) or Salisbury Sound (AV-13), can be seen in dock No. 3.

Undated picture of USNS Core (T-AKV 41) at anchor, possibly in South Vietnam. Note armed guard in foreground. Photographer unknown. Military Sealift Command (MSC) photo.

USNS Core (T-AKV 41) in Saigon, 1960s.

LIFE magazine photo.

USNS Core (T-AKV 41) arriving in Saigon, 11 December 1961.

LIFE magazine photo.

USNS Core (T-AKV 41) arriving in Saigon, 11 December 1961, with her deck full of aircraft.

LIFE magazine photo.

USNS Core (T-AKV 41), docked in Saigon, 11 December 1961.

"U.S. CARRIER ARRIVES SAIGON—The converted aircraft carrier USNS Core arrived in Saigon, Dec. 11[, 1961], carrying helicopters and U.S. Army pilots and ground crews, to begin a joint U.S.-South Vietnamese effort to stamp[?] out the Communist Viet Cong. The arrival of the helicopter companies marks the first time U.S. personnel will be flying actual missions against the rebels. Note security guard in foreground as the Core tied up. (AP WIREPHOTO via radio from Hong Kong)"

Aircraft ferry USNS Core (T-AKV 41) docks at Saigon harbor, South Vietnam.

Although the photos are dated March 1962, they appear to have been taken on 11 December 1961, when Core arrived in Saigon transporting 32 Boeing Vertol (formerly Piasecki) H-21C Shawnee helicopters and 400 soldiers of the US Army's 8th and 57th Transport Companies. (Compare to photo NS0301311.)

Aircraft ferry USNS Core (T-AKV 41) docked at Saigon harbor, South Vietnam. Possibly taken on the same occasion as the photos above.

The cargo ship and aircraft ferry USNS Core (T-AKV 41) in Saigon harbor, 1962, with two large cranes added on deck to handle cargo aircraft. Her deck load includes a TF-9J Cougar, which the Marines used in the gunfire spotting role during the Vietnam War; three USN Grumman HU-16C Albatross amphibians; and a cocooned Vought F-8 Crusader fighter.

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

The aircraft ferry ship USNS Core (T-AKV 41, ex-T-CVU 13, ex-CVHE 13, ex-CVE 13, ex-ACV 13) dockside, with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft (most of them "cocooned") on deck. USN/MSTS photo.

Wayne Mutza comments: "[This] photo would have been taken in September 1962. Aboard are 15 'cocooned' Bell HU-1A Huey helicopters destined for the Army's airmobile evaluation unit (UTTCHO) at Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam."

USNS Core (T-AKV 41) at Vancouver, BC, 15 June 1964.

Source: City of Vancouver Archives.

NS0301313: Photo No. AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-4100.2, by Walter E. Frost.

NS0301313a: Photo No. AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-4100, by Walter E. Frost (14? June 1964).

NS0301313b: Photo No. AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-4100.1, by Walter E. Frost.

USNS Core (T-AKV 41) approaching a berth in Saigon Harbour, 17 June 1965, with more than 70 Douglas EA-1F Skyraiders for the Vietnamese Air Force.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.032.007.

Navy Skyraiders (at least some of them A-1H's) crowd the deck of USNS Core (T-AKV 41) berthed in Saigon Harbor at an unknown date. Core delivered more than 70 warplanes under heavy security. This is the same dock where USNS Card (T-AKV 40) was sunk on 2 May 1964.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.253.3109.

Under strict security conditions, an A-1G Skyraider is swung off USNS Core (T-AKV 41) onto a waiting barge at an unknown date. Core is berthed in Saigon Harbor.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.253.3110.

USNS Core entering San Francisco Bay. Time frame is possibly 1966–1967.