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NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive

USS BELLEAU WOOD   (CV-24)
(later CVL-24)




Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Foxtrot - Golf - November
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "BENGAL"


Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons

   

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Presidential Unit Citation
2nd Row: American Campaign Medal / Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (12 stars) / World War II Victory Medal
3rd Row: Navy Occupation Service Medal ("Asia" clasp) / Philippine Presidential Unit Citation / Philippine Liberation Medal (2 stars)

Independence Class Light Aircraft Carrier
Ordered Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Stricken
9 Sep 1940(*)
18 Mar 1942(**)
11 Aug 1941 6 Dec 1942 31 Mar 1943 13 Jan 1947 1 Oct 1960
Builder: New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.
(*) As a Light Cruiser (CL-76), see below
(**) As an Aircraft Carrier (CV-24), see below

Specifications
(As built, 1943)
Displacement (design): 11,000 tons standard; 15,100 tons full load
Dimensions (wl): 600' x 71' 6" x 26' (max)  /  182.9 x 21.8 x 7.9 (max) meters
Dimensions (max.): 622' 6" x 109' 2"  /  189.7 x 33.3 meters
Armor: 5"-3.25" belt (2" belt over fwd magazine); 2" protective deck(s); 0.38" bridge; 5"/3.75" bhds; 5" bhds, 2.25" above, 0.75" below steering gear
Power plant: 4 boilers (565 psi, 850°F); 4 geared turbines; 4 shafts; 100,000 shp (design)
Speed: 31+ knots
Endurance (design): 12,500 nautical miles @ 15 knots
Armament: 2 quad 40-mm/56-cal gun mounts; 8 (soon 9) twin 40-mm/56-cal gun mounts; 16 single 20-mm/70-cal guns mounts
Aircraft: 30+
Aviation facilities: 2 centerline elevators; 1 hydraulic catapult (H 2-1)
Crew: approx. 1,560


Click On Image 
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Name
New Haven
NS022430
91k

Ordered on 9 September 1940 as a Cleveland-class light cruiser, this ship was assigned hull number CL-76 and named New Haven, for a city in the State of Connecticut (NS022430).

Designated for completion as an aircraft carrier, hull number CV-24, 16 February 1942, was reordered from New York S.B. on 18 March 1942. Renamed Belleau Wood, 31 March 1942, after Bois Belleau (Belleau Wood), near Château Thierry, France (NS022430a), scene of a bloody battle between the 4th Marine Brigade and elements of three German divisions, 6–26 June 1918. This was part of the larger Battle of the Aisne, launched on 27 May by Germany in the hopes of defeating French forces near Paris before significant American forces could arrive at the front. At the end of the battle the 4th Marine Brigade had suffered 55% casualties (over 1,000 killed), but it brought to an end the last major German offensive of World War I. In recognition of the Marines' courage and tenacity, Bois Belleau was subsequently officially renamed Bois de la Brigade de Marine (Wood of the Marine Brigade).

NS022430b: Anerican Marines in Belleau Wood (1918), illustration by Georges Scott, originally published in the French magazine Illustrations.

(Maps NS022430 and NS022430a courtesy of Google Maps.)

NavSource
Bois Belleau/Belleau Wood
NS022430a
158k
Bois Belleau/Belleau Wood
NS022430b
253k
Construction
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022416
67k

Belleau Wood (CV-24) going down the slipway on Sunday, 6 December 1942.

Robert Hurst
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022416b
1.32M From Flight Quarters: The War Story of the USS Belleau Wood.
Donated by Dave Avery, M/Sgt USAF (retired)
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022444
1.26M

Two views of Belleau Wood (CV-24) under construction.

From Flight Quarters: The War Story of the USS Belleau Wood.
Donated by Dave Avery, M/Sgt USAF (retired)
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022416a
61k

"CAMDEN, N.J., DEC. 6[, 1942]—NEWEST CARRIER LAUNCHED. The aircraft carrier Belleau Wood is shown gliding into the Delaware River today after being christened by Mrs. Thomas C. Holcomb, wife of the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. It was the third plane carrier to be launched in 15 weeks from the yard of the N.Y. Shipbuilding Corporation."

Ron Reeves
Tommy Trampp
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022404
142k

Stern view of Belleau Wood (CV-24) at time of inclining experiment, New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J., 27 March 1943. She was commissioned four days later.

Pieter Bakels
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022404a
144k

Belleau Wood (CV-24), topside arrangement, port side at time of inclining experiment, Saturday, 27 March 1943. New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

Pieter Bakels
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022404e
119k

Belleau Wood (CV-24), topside arrangement, port side at time of inclining experiment, Saturday, 27 March 1943. New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

Pieter Bakels
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022404b
119k

Belleau Wood (CV-24), topside arrangement, starboard side at time of inclining experiment, Saturday, 27 March 1943. New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

Pieter Bakels
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022404c
151k

Belleau Wood (CV-24), topside arrangement, port side at time of inclining experiment, Saturday, 27 March 1943. New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

Pieter Bakels
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022404d
131k

Belleau Wood (CV-24), topside arrangement, port side at time of inclining experiment, Saturday, 27 March 1943. New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

Pieter Bakels
In U.S. Service
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022442
2.16M

USS Belleau Wood (CV/CVL-24), World War II chronology.

Donated by Dave Avery, M/Sgt USAF (retired)
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022411
72k

USS Belleau Wood (CV-24) in the Delaware river off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 18 April 1943. This view has been marked to identify SK, SC and SG radar and YE aircraft homing beacon antennas.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 64673).

Naval Historical Center
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022412
82k

USS Belleau Wood (CV-24) in the Delaware River, off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on 18 April 1943.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives (# 19-N-43702).

Naval Historical Center
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022411a
100k

Another photo of USS Belleau Wood (CV-24) in the Delaware River off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 18 April 1943.

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022403
57k As seen from USS Minneapolis (CA-36) on October 5, 1943. USN
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022426
202k

Fire control crews at work on a crashed F6F-5 Hellcat from Fighting Squadron (VF) 24 on the deck of USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), 6 October 1943. U.S. Navy photo.

Pieter Bakels
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022428
197k

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) orchestra. Photographed 6 November 1943. U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-209910.

NARA
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022428a
653k

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) orchestra. Photographed 6 November 1943. U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-209931.

NARA
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022407
624k

Stars and Stripes on USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) as she returned from the Gilbert Islands attack. Note the signal hoists. Photographed 8 December 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-209933.

NARA
Pearl Harbor
NS0209bia
870k

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

See NS013843d.

The two moored carriers, slightly to the left and down from the center of the photo, are USS Cabot (CVL-28)—closer to camera—and USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24). (Special thanks to Max Stola, who checked the War Diaries to identify all carriers.)

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

NARA
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022440
553k

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) sailors watch a Hula Girl. The sailors were on a sight-seeing tour at Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. Note Chaplain in the background. Photographed 16 December 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-209911.

NARA
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022402
475k

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) sailors on a sight-seeing tour at Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. Sailor eating bananas. Photographed 17 December 1943.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-209916.

NARA
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022401
270k

Underway on 22 December 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 97269.

NH&HC
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022401a
303k

Underway on 22 December 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-276768.

Scott Dyben
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022401b
74k

Underway on 22 December 1943, port view. Her cruiser origins can clearly be seen in this image.

She was completed in Ms.14 camouflage, painted into Ms.33/3D in August 1944 and into Ms.21 in January 1945.

Belleau Wood's elevators (adjacent to island and amidships) are lowered. Note her small, antenna-cluttered island, separate radar mast, four small funnels, and bow and stern detail. Photo U.S. Navy.

Photo and partial text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

Robert Hurst
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022439
391k

Fighting Squadron (VF) 6 pilots aboard USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), last quarter of 1943.

Courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Bill Gonyo
CVL-24 Belleau Wood + DD-384
NS0538428
116k

Four views of a collision between USS Dunlap (DD-384) and USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), 7 January 1944. Source is National Archives II, CINCPAC: Secret and Top Secret General Administration Files, 1941–44.

Tracy White, Researcher @ Large
CVL-24 Belleau Wood + DD-384
NS0538427
116k
CVL-24 Belleau Wood + DD-384
NS0538429
90k
CVL-24 Belleau Wood + DD-384
NS0538426
95k
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022408a
162k

Carrier Raids on the Marianas, February 1944. USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) during Operation Cherry Tree, a carrier strike at the Marianas, 22–23 February 1944. Note the Japanese aircraft which appears as a dark rectangle just above the horizon line near the right hand edge of the photograph. (See also NS022408.)

From United States Destroyer Operations in World War II, by Theodore Roscoe.

Robert Hurst
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022408
100k

Carrier Raids on the Marianas, February 1944. A Japanese bomber explodes as it crashes into the sea near USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), during an attack on Task Group 58.2 off the Marianas Islands, 23 February 1944. Photographed from USS Essex (CV-9). (See also NS022408a.)

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-218422.

Scott Dyben
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022432
44k

"I believe these photos were taken on the Belleau Wood about June 1944. My father, PhoM 2/C Paul D. Guttman, was a U.S. Navy combat cameraman during World War II, and was on the Belleau Wood at that time. He took part in just about every campaign from New Guinea to Okinawa, was on several carriers, and saw action with every branch of the service except the Coast Guard. He was finally invalided home from an Army field Hospital on Okinawa after being wounded in combat while serving with the 77th Infantry Division. His decorations included the Silver Star (for service with the Marines during the invasion of Saipan), the Purple Heart with Gold Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Presidential Unit Citations (for USS Yorktown and USS Hornet) and the Submarine Combat Pin (for a patrol on USS Spot [SS-413])."

"The first photo shows an F6F pilot attempting a tricky landing in rough weather. At first glance it appears as if the pilot is banking way too far the right, but actually it is the ship which is rolling! The angled structure at left appears to be the type of funnel found on an Independence-class carrier, of which the Belleau Wood was one. That type of carrier was built on narrow a light cruiser hull, so it wouldn't be surprising if they rolled a great deal."

"I have no idea what the men were doing in the second photo, but I believe it was taken on the Belleau Wood because that crane looks like the type sited [forward of] the island on the CVLs."

"In the third picture, showing a TBF[/TBM-1C Avenger] taking off, the hull number is clearly visible painted on the flight deck."

Robert Guttman
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022432a
171k
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022432b
100k
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022445
203k

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) at Pearl Harbor, July 1944.

From the ship's War History, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

NARA
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022409
92k

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), center, and USS Franklin (CV-13), right, afire after they were hit by Kamikaze attacks off the Philippines on 30 October 1944. Photographed from USS Mugford (DD-389), whose port midships 20mm guns are in the foreground.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (photo # 80-G-273074).

Scott Dyben
CV-13 Franklin, CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS021308
76k

USS Franklin (CV-13), at right, and USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) afire after being hit by Japanese kamikaze suicide planes, while operating off the Philippines on 30 October 1944. Photographed from USS Brush (DD-745). Note "flak" bursts over the ships.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-326798).

Scott Dyben
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022410
112k

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) burning aft after she was hit by a Kamikaze, while operating off the Philippines on 30 October 1944. Flight deck crewmen are moving undamaged TBM torpedo planes away from the flames as others fight the fires. USS Franklin (CV-13), also hit during this Kamikaze attack, is afire in the distance.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (photo # 80-G-342020).

Scott Dyben
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022410a
208k

Another view, as above.

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
This is a set of views of USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) and USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) underway in TG-38.4, 30 October 1944. Belleau Wood, in the background, has a major flight deck fire after being hit by a Zero kamikaze. Seen from USS South Dakota (BB-57) in the formation, while operating east of the Philippines. Photos by S. Zalkind, PhoM1c.

Photos submitted by John Chiquoine and Mitch Zalkind.


CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS022410b
352 Kb
CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS022410c
357 Kb
CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS022410d
357 Kb
CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS0224106
332 Kb
  CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS022410f
295 Kb
CVL-24 + CVL-30
NS022410g
294 Kb
 
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022410h
247k

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) showing fire on flight deck following a kamikaze attack on 30 October 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-342004.

NARA
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022410i
89k

USS Helm (DD-388) assists USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) after the latter was hit by a Kamikaze, while operating off Luzon, Philippines, on 30 October 1944. Ninety-two crewmen died and eleven Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats of Fighting Squadron (VF) 21 were destroyed. Helm is painted in Camouflage Measure 31, Design 1D.

U.S. Navy photo from the Belleau Wood 1943–1945 Cruise Book.

Robert Hurst
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022422
110k

A series of four photos taken at Hunters Point on 18 January 1945, showing alterations.

Island, looking aft.

Pieter Bakels
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022422a
33k

Island, looking forward.

CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022422b
27k

Stack view.

CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022422c
159k

Plan view forward.

CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022413
75k

Landing Signal Officer, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Walter F. Wujcik, bringing in a plane, circa 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-K-5186).

Naval Historical Center
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022414
75k

Seaman 1st Class A.D. Allison and Seaman 1st Class J.W. Roberts reading a letter on the carrier's flight deck, circa 1945. An F6F Hellcat fighter is behind them.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-K-5188).

Naval Historical Center
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022423
124k

Port bow view of USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) at anchor on 19 January 1945, off Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No.1996.488.058.003.

Mike Green
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022424
100k

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) underway off Iwo Jima, 26 February 1945.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No.1996.488.058.017. Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection.

Mike Green
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022441a
767k

USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), splash resulting from crash of a Japanese Zero near the carrier off Okinawa, Japan. Note the air bursts from anti-aircraft batteries and several friendly planes visible above the ships. Photograph from USS Miami (CL-89), CPhoM M.R. Openshaw, S1/c M.H. Viola, released 6 April 1945.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-324441.

Note: the photograph is curved.

NARA
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022441
1.07M

Commander Kenneth John Dahms (17 June 1922–14 October 1978) served in the US Navy for 28 years (1942–1970) and became a World War II Ace, credited with shooting down seven enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal during WWII.

Navy Cross Citation

For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY (VF-30), during action against enemy Japanese forces at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 6 April 1945. Flying target combat air patrol, Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign], Dahms pressed home determined attacks against hostile aircraft and, in a single engagement, destroyed two enemy fighters and three enemy dive bombers and assisted in the destruction of another fighter. By his superb airmanship, he assisted materially in breaking up a large-scale enemy air attack on units of our Fleet engaged in landing operations on Okinawa. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Dahms and the United States Naval Service.

Fighting Squadron 30 (VF-30), USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24).
Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0620 (July 4, 1945).

Bill Gonyo
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022421
99k

A photo of USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) taken in Tokyo Bay on October 15, 1945. It was taken by a US naval officer — it's not an official US Navy photo.

David Buell
CVL-24 Belleau Wood
NS022431
82k

Model of USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24).

Courtesy of the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, via Ron Reeves
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022433
146k

"The crew members of a ship at her time of commissioning are known as 'plankowners.' We had several who were with the ship from commissioning day to the surrender of Japan. Pictured above are our plankowners who were aboard 'from start to finish.'"

Rose Schneider
CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022433a
99k

Harry Louis Schneider became a Shellback and a trusty Dragonback as he crossed over the 180th meridian and the equator.

CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022433b
409k

Harry Louis Schneider, notice of Honorable separation from the U.S. Naval Service.

CV-24 Belleau Wood
NS022433c
577k

Harry Louis Schneider, Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy.

In French Service


BOIS BELLEAU   (R97)

Name
   

In French service, Belleau Wood was named Bois Belleau, which is the French, original name of the wood near Château Thierry, France, where the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood was fought.

NavSource

NS022443
423k

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking aft from starboard. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2272-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741495, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147326" (note ship's name is misspelled).

NARA

NS022443a
352k

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking forward from starboard. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2273-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741497, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147327" (note ship's name is misspelled).


NS022443b
409k

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking to starboard from center of ship. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2275-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741501, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147329" (note ship's name is misspelled).


NS022443c
277k

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking aft from centerline of island. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2276-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741503, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147330" (note ship's name is misspelled).


NS022443d
406k

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, elevation looking to starboard. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2277-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741505, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147331" (note ship's name is misspelled).


NS022443e
442k

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking to starboard from port. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2279-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741507, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147332" (note ship's name is misspelled).


NS022443f
513k

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking to starboard from port. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2281-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741509, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147333" (note ship's name is misspelled).


NS022443g
462k

Ex-USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) the day before she officially became FRS Bois Belleau (R97). Antenna arrangement, looking forward from centerline of island. San Francisco Naval Shipyard, photo # NY1-2282-(G-S)-9-4-53, 4 September 1953.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, N.A. Identifier 24741511, Local Identifier "19-NN - CVL-24 Beeleau Wood - 147334" (note ship's name is misspelled).


NS022435
51k

Undated picture of Aeronavale Chance Vought F4U-7 Corsairs aboard the aircraft carrier FRS Bois Belleau (R97), location unknown.

Photo Marine Nationale.

Robert Hurst

NS022438
47k

Undated view of the French aircraft carrier FRS Bois Belleau (R97) being refuelled underway, location unknown. Note Grumman TBM-3W or TBM-3W-2 Avenger parked forward.

Photo Marine Nationale.

Robert Hurst
FS Bois Belleau
NS022405
770k

French aircraft carrier Bois Belleau, formerly USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) is moved to a berth at the Norfolk Naval Base to load aircraft in December 1953, shortly before her departure for France. Among the ships in the background are USS New Jersey (BB-62), USS Albany (CA-123) and USS Casa Grande (LSD-13).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (# NH 89299).

Joe Radigan

NS022429
23k

French carrier Bois Belleau, formerly USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), at Saigon, early 1950s.

Ron Reeves
Belleau Wood / Bois Belleau
NS022417
60k

Bois Belleau around 1954, shortly after being loaned to the French Navy. SPS-4 radar is fitted half way up the mast, with YE at the head; SK-2 is fitted between the pairs of funnels. Note that quad and twin 40mm Bofors gun mounts are fitted as well.

Robert Hurst
Belleau Wood / Bois Belleau
NS022418
37k

Bois Belleau (ex-USS Belleau Wood) underway circa 1954, loaded with various types of aircraft.

Robert Hurst
Belleau Wood / Bois Belleau
NS022427
137k

The French light carrier Bois Belleau (R97) anchored circa 1955 at an unknown location. The carrier appears much the same as her U.S. Navy WW2 configuration with the SK-2 radar dish prominent between her funnels.

Source: Australian War Memorial, Photo No. 302382.

Mike Green

NS022406
69k Circa 1950s © Joe Radigan
Belleau Wood / Bois Belleau
NS022419
63k

Bois Belleau (ex-USS Belleau Wood) dressed overall in the mid-1950s, location unknown. Note the new radar mast fitted with the French DRBV-22 air search radar forward of the third funnel.

Robert Hurst

NS022415
37k French aircraft carrier Bois Belleau (R97). Haze Gray & Underway

NS022437
39k

The French aircraft carrier FRS Bois Belleau (R97) underway with a tug alongside, circa 1956, location unknown.

Photo Marine Nationale.

Robert Hurst
Belleau Wood / Bois Belleau
NS022420
70k

Bois Belleau circa 1957, with SP radar on the bridge and the French DRBV-22 antenna on the mast further aft. Location unknown.

Robert Hurst

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

Read the USS Belleau Wood (CV-24 / CVL-24) DANFS History entry

Crew Contact and Reunion Information
Date:  
Place:  
Contact: Mr. Richard D. Fread
Address: 9249 Glen Moor Lane,
Port Richey, FL 34668
Phone: (727) 848-5409
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Last update: 27 August 2024