CV-9 was named Essex to commemorate the previous naval service of other US vessels that had borne the name. Essex is a town and county in Massachusetts (NS0209bc).

Previous US warships named Essex:

1. A frigate.
2. An ironclad steamer.
3. A wooden screw steamer.

(Map courtesy of Google Maps.)

USS Essex (CV-9), World War II.

Overhead plan and starboard profile meticulously drawn by John Robert Barrett.

Essex christening, Friday, 31 July 1942. Mrs. Artemus Gates, wife of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air, Sponsor.

Mrs. Gates christening Essex.

Essex sliding into the James River.

Essex just after launch, July 31st, 1942 at Newport News Shipbuilding.

Essex at inclining, 19 December 1942. Quarter port, bow. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company photo.

Essex at inclining, 19 December 1942, looking starboard to island. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company photo. Notice she hasn't had her SK and SC air search radar and Mk 4 fire control radars added yet.

Essex at inclining, 19 December 1942. Flight deck, looking forward. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company photo.

Essex at inclining, 19 December 1942. Flight deck, looking aft. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company photo.

Essex at inclining, 19 December 1942, looking forward. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company photo.

Forward 5"/38 gun mounts and island of Essex (CV-9), 19 December 1942.

Essex (CV-9) on sea trials off the coast of Virginia, December 1942.

Right after commissioning, Dec. 31st. 1942.

Essex leaving Newport News for Norfolk Navy yard, Dec. 31st. 1942.

Uncropped version of photo NS020940, above. (Please disregard what is printed on the photo.)

Official U.S. Navy photograph of USS Essex (CV-9). Aerial, broad side on port bow view taken at Hampton Roads, Va., and dated 1 February 1943. Photo from the U.S. Naval Photographic Center, U.S. Naval Station Anacostia, Washington, D.C. (serial number USN 36007).

Port broadside photo of USS Essex (CV-9) on 1 February 1943, one month after being commissioned. The ship is painted in Measure 21 camouflage scheme and is completing shakedown cruises off Norfolk Navy Yard before leaving for the Pacific War Zone.

Photo from the Naval Recognition Manual files (1943–1945).

USS Essex (CV-9) at Hampton Roads, Norfolk, VA, 3 February 1943, just one month after commissioning. US Navy photo.

Commander Fitzhugh Lee prior to first take off from USS Essex (CV-9), 16 February 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-228006.

USS Essex (CV-9) underway in the Pacific, date unknown (probably 1943—thanks to Tracy White—.) She is camouflaged in Measure 21.

Scene on the flight deck, looking aft from the carrier's island during her shakedown cruise, 20 March 1943. Planes parked on deck are F6F-3 Hellcat fighters (in foreground, with wings folded) and SBD-4 Dauntless scout bombers.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-K-698.

Underway at 1615 hrs. during May 1943, in position 37 05'N, 74 15'W, as photographed from a blimp from squadron ZP-14. Among the aircraft parked on her flight deck are 24 SBD scout bombers (parked aft), about 11 F6F fighters (parked in after part of the midships area) and about 18 TBF/TBM torpedo planes (parked amidships).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-68097).

Note: The official caption for this photo gives the location as 37 05'N, 74 15'E, which is deep inland, in the Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan. Position 37 05'N, 74 15'W puts Essex off the coast of Norfolk. (Thanks to William Stevens, who pointed out the error.)

Aerial of Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. Shown: Ship dispersal and docking areas. Photograph released 12 December 1943.

The battleship at the navy yard pier is the New Mexico (BB-40) because of the mainmast configuration. Both of her sisters had their primary air search radar sets on the mainmast at the time. The three battleships nested by Ford Island are the Tennessee (BB-43), outboard; Colorado (BB-45) in the middle; and Pennsylvania (BB-38) inboard, on the Ford Island side.

Note the two Essex-class carriers off Ford Island. They are probably Essex (CV-9) and Yorktown (CV-10), per Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft.

View from a different angle, as above.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-221096.

View from a different angle, as above.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-221097.

Three photographs of plasti-glass windows installed on MK 49 directors aboard USS Essex (CV-9). Included in "Gun Director Mk. 49 - comments on", sent by the commanding officer (CAPT Ralph A. Ofstie) to the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, January 1944.

USS Essex (CV-9) en route to Kwajalein and Operation Flintlock, 25 January 1944, as seen from USS Intrepid (CV-11). Essex, Intrepid and USS Cabot (CVL-28) formed CTG 58.2, under RADM Alfred E. Montgomery.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-227113.

"Typical Ship's Schedule for Day in Combat Zone." 29 January 1944.

Air Department Plan of the Day, Thursday, 17 February 1944.

Plan of the Day, Tuesday, 22 February 1944.

Essex in San Francisco for a refit, April 15th, 1944. At this time, she had her dazzle paint (Measure 32, Design 6/10D) applied. Photo shows her loading new SB2C-3's.

Four more images of USS Essex (CV-9) after her San Francisco refit, April 15, 1944. Modifications are circled. Note that Essex had a single quad 40-mm gun mount on the fantail, left of centerline.

Port bow view of USS Essex (CV-9) underway, 15 April 1944, after refit at Hunters Point Navy Yard. She had Measure 32, Design 6/10D camouflage scheme applied during her refit.

This image is part of an album collected by CAPT Carlos W. Wieber during his command of Essex, 7 August 1944–30 June 1945.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No.1983.046.010.001.

Port broadside view of USS Essex (CV-9) underway, 15 April 1944, after refit at Hunters Point Navy Yard. She had Measure 32, Design 6/10D camouflage scheme applied during her refit.

This image is part of an album collected by CAPT Carlos W. Wieber during his command of Essex, 7 August 1944–30 June 1945.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No.1983.046.010.002.

Fresh from her San Francisco refit, USS Essex (CV-9) is seen ferrying aircraft in the Pacific, April 1944. Note the bridge had been modified by removing the island's forward 40-mm quad gun mount and extending the flag bridge.

Essex is carrying at least 36 Grumman/Eastern TBF/TBM Avengers, 14 Grumman F6F Hellcats, and 70 Curtiss SB2C Helldivers, probably to build up fleet stocks for the Marianas operation.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo # 80-G-373580.

Bombing Squadron (VB) 15 combat aircrewmen and crew, NAS Puunene, Maui, T.H., April 1944.

Standing (l to r): Fraoli, Schmidt, Shetler, Flanagan, Krueger, Cribb, Lowe, Henry, Duncan, Swihart, John, Guilbeau, Sheehan, Forrest, Whitby, Downey, Dobbie, Dwyer, Frobom, Lemieux, Graham, O.C. Adams.

Middle row (l to r): McPherson, Corey, Jackson, Rowland, McConnell, Laborde, Stienkemeyer, Penza, Hooten, Miller, Murphy, Gotsis, Hogue, Terrell, Kataja, Sharron, Dorosh, Bussy, Murray, Harris, Hammons, Fowler, Hughes, C.A. Adams.

Front row (l to r): Magel, Gledhill, Ness, Clark, Holland, Hoole, Peterson, Pate, North, Robbins, Kissell.

Aviation Radioman, Second Class (ARM2c), Stanley Nelson Whitby, USNR, of Peckville, PA, Bombing Squadron 15 (VB-15) aboard USS Essex (CV-9). ARM2c Whitby was killed in action on 13 October 1944, while Air Group 15 was conducting attacks on Formosa and the Pescadores Islands. ARM2c Whitby earned the Navy-Marine Corps Medal, Air Medal with two Gold Stars, and the Purple Heart.

Officers of Torpedo Squadron Fifteen (VT-15) aboard USS Essex (CV-9). Photo taken at Majuro Atoll sometime between 15 and 19 May 1944. Hand written id's by Bob Cosgrove (note cryptic note at the bottom). About half the men in this picture would earn the Navy Cross in October–November 1944, and at least three of them (Otto R. Bleech, Edwin S. Filipczak and Paul E. Southard, Jr.) would be killed in action in 1944–5.

Men of Torpedo Squadron Fifteen (VT-15) aboard USS Essex (CV-9). Photo taken at Majuro Atoll sometime between 15 and 19 May 1944. Hand written id's by Bob Cosgrove—his crewmen (Digby Denzel and Loyce Deen) are at the far left, rows 1 & 2.

This SB2C Helldiver of VB-15 had its rudder practically torn off over Marcus Island, 19 May 1944, but Lt(jg) James Wanner Barnitz was able to bring it back aboard Essex. Gunner was ARM3c Herbert N. Stienkmeyer, USNR.

Good shot of VB-15 and VT-15 aircraft on the Essex, turning into the wind, May 27th, 1944 just before the Marianas campaign. The light carrier is San Jacinto (CVL-30) and the Essex-class carrier is Wasp, (CV-18).

Lt(jg) Cliff Jordan and his gunner, ARM2c Stan Whitby, from VB-15, return from a mission in support of the invasion of Saipan with damage to the right elevator and stabilizer, 19 June 1944. They shot down a Japanese Kate torpedo bomber with their SB2C-3 Helldiver in the process!

The Essex Buccaneer, Vol. 1, No. 2, April 25, 1944.

The Essex Buccaneer, Vol. 1, No. 3, May 12, 1944.

The Essex Buccaneer, Vol. 1, No. 4, June 25, 1944.

The Essex Buccaneer, Vol. 1, No. 5, July 4, 1944.

The Essex Buccaneer, Vol. 1, No. 6, August 11, 1944.

Model of USS Essex (CV-9) painted in Measure 32, Design 6/10D camouflage, as she appeared during most of 1944.

Model of USS Essex (CV-9), as she appeared during World War 2, on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. Photos taken on 13 June 2008.

TBM-1C from VT-15 aboard Essex having wounded removed, October 1944.

Japanese aircraft carrier Zuiho under attack during the Battle of Cape Engaño, 25 October 1944, part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf. Photographed from an Avenger of VT-15, Air Group 15, USS Essex (CV-9).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-47162.

Commander David McCampbell, USN, (Commander, Air Group Fifteen) poses in the cockpit of his F6F-5 Hellcat aboard USS Essex (CV-9), circa early October 1944.

Note 21 kills marked on the plane, the number credited to CDR McCampbell as of this time.

In a letter written in 1982, McCampbell said that the photographer was Joe Rosenthal.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-K-2179.

Another photo of CDR McCampbell and his F6F-5 Hellcat, probably taken on the same occasion as the photo above.

CDR David McCampbell, Commander, Air Group 15, in his F6F-5 Hellcat, "Minsi III". This photo must have been taken after October 24, 1944. On that day, CDR McCampbell shot down nine Japanese aircraft, to raise his total to 30. He became the Navy's top "Ace," with 34 confirmed air victories (plus 20 aircraft destroyed on the ground).

Commander David McCampbell, USN, (Commander, Air Group Fifteen) poses in the cockpit of his F6F-5 Hellcat aboard USS Essex (CV-9), circa late October 1944. Note 30 kills marked on the plane. (See also NS0209bx, below.)

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-K-2178.

Lt(jg) William S. Rising (right) and his radioman/gunner, ARM2c John W. Montgomery, of VB-15, were shot down over Manila Bay on 6 November 1944. They spent almost seven weeks crawling through rice paddies and avoiding Japanese forces on Luzon and Mindoro with the help of friendly Filipinos until finally picked up by PT boats on 23 December.

Bob Cosgrove giving a brief aboard USS Essex (CV-9) prior to a raid on Formosa.

Bob Cosgrove and crew in front of a TBM Avenger. From left, Digby Denzel (radioman), Bob Cosgrove (pilot), Loyce Deen (gunner).

Bob Cosgrove landing his TBM-1C Avenger, BuNo 46353, on USS Essex (CV-9), with his dead gunner, Loyce Deen, killed by an AA shell exploding in the turret while on a run on an IJN cruiser in Manila Bay, 5 November 1944.

"[T]he pilot was an expert for the plane was a wreck and barely flyable." (Philip A. St. John, USS Essex CV/CVA/CVS-9, (Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing, 1999), 40.)

Deck crewman has covered up Deen while a decision is being made what to do with the aircraft, which sustained heavy battle damage.

Deen will be buried in his plane. The service on the fantail with the chaplain standing on the wing of the plane. In attendance, RADM Frederick C. Sherman, Task Group 38.3 commander, and David L. McDonald, XO of Essex and eventually CNO (1963–1967).

TBM-1C Avenger BuNo 46353 pushed off the flight deck after the completion of the funeral service.

Left to right: Bob Chaffe, Bob Cosgrove, Harry Goodwin, Jerry Crumley, Charlie Hurd, Walt Harper. All pilots in Torpedo Squadron Fifteen (VT-15). Taken early November 1944 after an awards ceremony, shortly before the air group left USS Essex (CV-9). Chaffe, Cosgrove, Goodwin and Crumley were eventually awarded Navy Crosses for action during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, 24–25 October 1944.

CAPT Robert D. Cosgrove's Aviators Flight Log Book while he was aboard USS Essex (CV-9), April–November 1944.

USS Essex (CV-9) refueling from the T2-SE-A1 oiler USS Tallulah (AO-50) in a heavy sea off Luzon, 9 November 1944.

CDR David McCampbell (see NS0209bu, above) with 34 "kill" markings on his F6F-5 Hellcat, Minsi III, with an unidentified Sailor. The photo must have been taken on or after 14 November 1944.

A Japanese kamikaze hits USS Essex (CV-9) on November 25, 1944 during naval operations under Admiral Halsey in support of US landings on Leyte. (See also NS020911.)

USS Essex (CV-9) takes a hit, as seen from USS South Dakota (BB-57).

"On 25 November 1944, for the first time in her far-ranging operations and destruction to the enemy, Essex received injury. A kamikaze hit the port edge of her flight deck landing among planes gassed for takeoff, causing extensive damage, killing 15, and wounding 44." (Quoted from DANFS.)

USS Essex (CV-9) is shown just after being crashed by a Japanese Kamikaze, 25 November 1944. Essex is camouflaged in Ms. 32/10D and destroyer USS Prichett (DD-561), left, is wearing 32/13D. This photo was taken from USS South Dakota (BB-57).

United States National Archives and Records Administration, Photo No. 80-G-270749.

Japanese Kamikaze aircraft explodes after crashing into the carrier's flight deck amidships, during operations off the Philippines, 25 November 1944. Photographed from USS Langley (CVL-27).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-273032).

(See also NS020911a.)

USS Essex (CV-9), November 1944, following a kamikaze hit. The ammo cans are visible on the bulkhead inboard of the catwalk.

National Archives photo # 80-G-270718.

(See also NS020911a.)

VF-9 "Cat o'Nines/Hellcats" patch. Painted on canvas and made by Max Berman Costume and Props of Los Angeles for RKO movie studios.

One of the longest-serving fighter squadrons of the war (aboard Ranger, Essex, Lexington and Yorktown), VF-9 was also one of the few to engage two enemy powers—Vichy French (Morocco, November 1942, from Ranger) and Japanese aircraft (March 1943–June 1945; Essex, Lexington and Yorktown). With 256.75 victories, VF-9 finished the war as the third-ranking FitRon in the Navy; top scorer was LT Eugene A. Valencia, with 23.

The Essex Buccaneer, 8 December 1944. Articles on CAPT Carlos W. Wieber and CDR David McCampbell.

The Essex Buccaneer, Vol. 1, No. 8, 25 December 1944. Christmas issue.

Fire aboard USS Essex (CV-9) after an F6F-5P's Hellcat drop tank burst on landing, 16 December 1944.

National Archives (College Park, MD) photo # 80-G-301346.

Ship's newspaper logo, circa 1944-1945.

(Poor quality) photo of a VT-83 TBM heading for a water landing after having most of its tail shot away, early-mid 1945. Tough bird!

Multi-language "I am an American aviator" pamphlet, to be used in Southeast Asia.

"I am an American aviator.
My plane is destroyed.
I cannot speak your language.
I am an enemy of the Japanese.
Kindly protect me, heal me, and lead me to the nearest Allied military office.
The government of my country will reward you."

Task Group 58.3, under Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman, departs Ulithi on 10 February 1945. Seen from USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) are USS Cowpens (CVL-25), left, and USS Essex (CV-9), center.

Task Force 58 conducted attacks against the Tokyo area (16–17, and 25 February) both to neutralize the enemy's airpower before the landings on Iwo Jima (19 February) and to cripple the aircraft manufacturing industry.

Underway, March 1945. By this time she had been repainted into Measure 21 camouflage.

A VB-83 SB2C-4 from Essex, March 1945.

USS Essex (CV-9) V-3 "Bogeys," 12 March 1945.

(Note, however, that the envelope enclosing the photo gives the date as 11 March 1945.)

Corsairs from VBF-83 flying from the Essex in March of 1945. Essex had the first F4U-1D/FG-1D's deployed on a fleet carrier. Note that the ship's fighter squadron, VF-83, was equipped with F6F Hellcats.

VB-83's SB2C-4's Helldivers during the Okinawa Invasion, 1 April 1945.

"Captain Hugh N. Batten was born in Huntington, West Virginia on October 17, 1923. He entered the Naval Aviation Cadet program in 1942 and received his wings and commission in December 1943. Batten checked out in F4F Wildcats and F6F Hellcats and in December 1944 joined Fighting Squadron 83 (VF-83) which would go aboard the USS Essex in early 1945, as a part of the famed Carrier Task Force 58."

"Batten flew his first combat mission on March 19, 1945 and as the formation passed over Kure Naval Base 25 to 30 enemy fighters were sighted. Batten and his wingman, Lt. (j.g.) Samuel Brocato, tied into a formation of Jack fighters and using mutual support tactics managed to down two of them apiece. His next action came on April 6, 1945 off Okinawa. While on defensive patrol, Batten and his wingman got into a formation of Zekes headed for the fleet. Using the tactics that had proven so successful previously, he and his wingman Brocato each downed four of the enemy fighters earning a Navy Cross for both pilots. Final combat came for Batten and Brocato on July 28th when they teamed to destroy two Tonys over an airfield in central Kyushu, Japan."

"Hugh Nash Batten was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery, section 64, site 767."

Navy Cross Citation reads: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Hugh Nash Batten (NSN: 0-326456), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VF-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against the enemy on Combat Air Patrol over our Task Force operating in the vicinity of Okinawa on 6 April 1945. During this flight Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Batten initiated an attack against nine enemy fighters and shot down four of them. His courage and skill in pressing home an attack against forces greatly superior in number was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

A Corsair just about to plow through a wave breaking over the bow with full flaps, full up elevators and full right rudder.

F4U Corsairs and F6F Hellcats of Air Group 83 aboard USS Essex (CV-9), during the Okinawa Campaign.

A Marine Corps F4U-1D Corsair comes in for a landing aboard the carrier USS Essex (CV-9). Photo USN.

From Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

Partial view of USS Essex (CV-9) flight and hangar decks, looking down elevator shaft. Photo by Paul Madden CPHOM.

USS South Dakota (BB-57)—background—firing, as seen from USS Essex (CV-9), during the occupation of Okinawa. USN photo.

Anti-aircraft bursts from Task Force 58 as a Japanese plane is hit and explodes just beyond USS Essex (CV-9), in an action off Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 11 April 1945. Photo taken from USS South Dakota (BB-57). USN photo.

USS Essex (CV-9) receiving provisions via highline from USS Mercury (AK-42) on 27 April 1945, while operating off Okinawa. Essex crewmen in the foreground are stacking bags of flour. Note man on Mercury's forward hatch, directing the hoisting of another load from her hold.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-373777).

As seen from USS Essex (CV-9), USS Astoria (CL-90), USS Randolph (CV-15), and other units of Task Force 58 steam in the Pacific, circa May 1945. Carrier in the background might be USS Bunker Hill (CV-17).

Underway at sea during the Okinawa Campaign, 20 May 1945. Note that her air group contains both F4U Corsair and F6F Hellcat fighters.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80‑G-373816.

TBM Avengers and SB2C Helldivers from Essex Air Group 83 dropping bombs on Hakodate, Japan, July 1945.

Men of USS Essex posed in front of the ship's scoreboard, mid-1945.

Men of Engineering Department (?), B Division (?), USS Essex (CV-9). Owen Charles Candler is third from right, front row.

Roster of Officers, 22 August 1945.

The Essex Buccaneer, Vol. 2, Nos. 5 and 6, August and September 1945.

"Essex-class aircraft carrier." (From a Russian publication).

This drawing shows the appearance of a "short hull" Essex late in the war, with two lattice radio masts, island structure modified with an extended flag bridge and one quad 40-mm gun mount removed, and up to 18 quad Bofors gun mounts (16 visible here plus one or two on the bow, hidden by the flight deck). Essex herself, however, carried her original five lattice radio masts through the entire war and had no more than eleven 40-mm mounts: one on the bow and one on the stern, one on each 5" sponson, two on the (never fitted) hangar deck catapult's port side extension, three on the island and two on the starboard quarter.