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NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive


Courtesy of CAPT Gene Oleson, CHC, USN (Ret)

Courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN   (CV-39)
(later CVA-39 and CVS-39)

U.S.S. LAKE CHAMPLAIN
Courtesy of Al Grazevich


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Tango - Charlie - Romeo
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "NIGHTHAWK"


Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: American Campaign Medal / European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal / World War II Victory Medal
2nd Row: Navy Occupation Service Medal ("Europe" clasp) / National Defense Service Medal (2) / Korean Service Medal (1 star)
3rd Row: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal / United Nations Korean Medal / Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)

Essex Class Aircraft Carrier
("Long Hull" variant, aka Ticonderoga class)
Ordered Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Stricken
7 Aug 1942 15 Mar 1943 2 Nov 1944 3 June 1945
19 Sept 1952
17 Feb 1947
2 May 1966

1 Dec 1969
Builder: Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va.

Displacement 27,100 Tons, Dimensions, 888' (oa) x 93' x 28' 7" (Max)
Armament 12 x 5"/38AA, 32 x 40mm, 46 x 20mm, 82 Aircraft.
Armor, 4" Belt, 2 1/2" Hanger deck, 1 1/2" Deck, 1 1/2" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 150,000 SHP; Westinghouse Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 3448.

Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Name
Lake Champlain
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CV-39 was named Lake Champlain after a lake in the State of New York which was the scene of Commodore Thomas Macdonough's victory, 11 September 1814, over a larger and more heavily armed British squadron in the War of 1812. (Map courtesy of Google Maps.)

NS0239aua: Macdonough's Victory on Lake Champlain, 1814, watercolor by Edward Tufnell, depicting the U.S. corvette Saratoga (left center) and sloop Eagle (right) engaging the British flagship Confiance (center) off Plattsburg, New York, 11 September 1814. Saratoga was flagship of the American commander, Master Commandant Thomas Macdonough. Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Collection, NH 51480-KN (Color).

One ship had previously borne the name:

  1. A transport acquired by the Navy in 1918.
NavSource
Battle of Lake Champlain
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Construction
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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Aerial view of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia (USA), from an altitude of 3,500 feet, on 17 January 1944. The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (92) is visible in the upper left. The ship under construction in front of Indomitable is probably the future USS Lake Champlain (CV-39), which was launched on 2 November 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-209655.

NARA,
via Chadd Smith
The Early Years
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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"1018935 Norfolk, Va., (June 3, 1945)—The aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain (CV-39), as she appeared following christening and commissioning at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Mrs. Warren R. Austin, wife of the U.S. Senator of Vermont, was the ship's sponsor. A highlight of the ceremonies was the decoration of Pacific Combat Veterans on the flight deck of the new ship. (U.S. Navy photo via International News Photos)"

Robert M. Cieri
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CV-39), starboard bow view, Norfolk Navy Yard. Official US Navy photo, serial 10742(45), 15 June 1945.

Robert M. Cieri
David Buell
Pieter Bakels
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CV-39), starboard broadside view, Norfolk Navy Yard. Official US Navy photo, serial 10743(45), 15 June 1945.

David Buell
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CV-39), starboard quarter view, Norfolk Navy Yard. Official US Navy photo, serial 10744(45), 15 June 1945.

National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) photo, # 1996.488.100.002.

Mike Green
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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Underway at sea on 23 June 1945, less than three weeks after she went into commission.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-265465).

Scott Dyben
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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"Philadelphia, Pa. 27 September 1945. The Navy's newest aircraft carrier the USS Lake Champlain CV-39 steams up the Delaware River toward the port of Philadelphia, for a week's visit. The ship's will hold open house so that the public may tour the carrier." International News Photo #C 1025571.

Robert M. Cieri
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) underway. Jack Sauter—author of USS Lake Champlain CV/CVA/CVS-39 (Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing Company, 2002)—comments: "I would guess that it was taken in the fall of '45 when CV-39 was visiting various east coast ports: NY, Philadelphia and Boston just after war's end. The fact that nearly all aircraft are on the flight deck indicates that there were no flight operations. She was rigged for sight-seeing."

Gene McCallister
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) at anchor, around 1945–46, painted in Measure 21 and fitted with only two deck-edge masts. SK-2 and SC-2 radar was fitted at this time. Two Mk-37 directors with radar Mk12/22, 4 Mk-63 and some Mk-51 directors were also fitted. USN Photo.

Robert Hurst
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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Colorized version of photo above, by Yu Chu.

Yu Chu
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) as built.

Tommy Trampp
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) as built, 1945.

Gayle's father, Frank W. Stubbs, Jr., was one of Lake Champlain's plankowners.

Gayle (nee Stubbs) Nastasi
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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View of hangar deck showing progress of bunk construction aboard USS Lake Champlain (CV-39), looking aft, 9 October 1945. Bunks were made to bring troops, dependents, back to the United States.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-347986.

NARA
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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Passengers aboard USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) study their passenger regulations in their bunks. The ship was converted to a troop ship. Photograph released 19 November 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-701562.

NARA
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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Soldiers muster on docks at Naples, Italy. They are awaiting the signal to go aboard USS Lake Champlain (CV-39), which was converted to a troop ship to bring the soldiers home. Photograph released 19 November 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-701563.

CV-39 Lake Champlain
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Earl Demms, Daniel Varrisse, George Masaru and Alter J. Goetz gather to chat after boarding USS Lake Champlain (CV-39), which was converted to a troop ship to bring the soldiers home. Photograph released 19 November 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-701564.

CV-39 Lake Champlain
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U.S. Troops who would return to the U.S. from Naples, Italy, aboard USS Lake Champlain (CV-39). The ship was converted to a troop ship. Soldiers are shown filing aboard. Photograph released 19 November 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-701569.

CV-39 Lake Champlain
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Quarters are crowded aboard USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) as she was converted to a troop ship and picked up 5,000 soldiers at Naples, Italy. Photograph released 19 November 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-701570.

CV-39 Lake Champlain
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Soldiers mustered on docks at Naples, Italy. They are waiting the signal to go aboard USS Lake Champlain (CV-39). Photograph released 19 November 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-701571.

NARA
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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Large signs aboard USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) direct the men to the sections to which they are assigned. The passengers enjoy playing cards while enroute from Rome to Naples, Italy. The ship was converted to a troop ship. Photograph released 19 November 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-701573.

CV-39 Lake Champlain
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U.S. Soldiers are checked before they board USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) at Naples, Italy. The ship took aboard 5,000 soldiers for the return back to the United States. Photograph released 19 November 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-701574.

SCB-27A Modernization (August 1950–September 1952)
CV-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CV-39). Transfer of blister sub-assembly. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, 19 January 1951.

David Buell
After SCB-27A Modernization
1st Deployment, April 26-December 4, 1953 — Mediterranean - Indian Ocean - Korea
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Starboard bow view of USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) off Norfolk Navy Yard, 1 November 1952. She had just completed SCB-27A modernization. Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, photo, # NY6-9905.

National Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.100.031.

Mike Green
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) at anchor in Aden harbor, 18 May 1953, while she was en route to take part in the Korean War. Among the planes on her flight deck are a few Douglas F3D Skyknight all-weather fighters, parked just in front of the carrier's island.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 95918). Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation.

NHC
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Photos from the collection of William A. Smith, Jr, a 1951 Naval Academy graduate and eventually a Captain in the US Navy.

USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), 1953. Curran, McBrearty.

Julia C. Smith, daughter of CAPT Smith
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), 1953. Foster.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), 1953. Meggison, Turner.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), 1953. Rupprecht, Willams.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), Lisbon, Portugal, 1953. LCDR Wirsing, CDR Simonsen, Williams, ENS Macindoe.

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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), 1953. Mitchell.

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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), Lisbon, Portugal, 1953. Williams.

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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), Lisbon, Portugal, November 1953. Depron, Schlageter, Watts, Curran, Collins, Campbell.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) dockside at Yokosuka, Japan, 1953.

Photo by Charles R. Tabor.

Derick S. Hartshorn
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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At anchor, Hong Kong harbor.

A. William Beam, AO3, VC-33 Squadron
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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In port, Sasebo, Japan. USS Point Cruz (CVE-119) is in the background.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Recovering aircraft in the Sea of Japan.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Looking up through #3 elevator.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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5-inch rockets waiting to be loaded. BuNo 123351 was an F2H-2 assigned to VF-22 "Cavaliers."

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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F2H-2 Banshee on #2 elevator, off Korea.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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F4U-4 Corsairs (left) and F2H-2 Banshees being armed for sortie.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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F4U-4 Corsairs of VF-44 "Hornets" being loaded with 5-inch rockets.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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F9F-5 Panthers of VF-111 "Sundowners" on flight deck, Hong Kong harbor.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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AD-4 Skyraider of VA-45 "Blackbirds" takes off.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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VC-33 men besides an AD-4N Skyraider.

A. William Beam, AO3, VC-33 Squadron
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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VC-33 ordnancemen loading an anti-submarine patrol AD Skyraider during Korean Cruise 1953.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Gerstel and Devaney loading 20-mm guns on Skyraider.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Gerstel loading 20-mm guns on Skyraider.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Cleaning 20-mm guns on Skyraider. Notice the painted over numbers of the aircraft. VC-33 was an all-weather, night attack squadron, hence the painted over white numbers.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Rearming anti-sub patrol. Believe it or not, that's Bill with the depth charge!

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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AD-4N Skyraider of VC-33 "Night Hawks" loaded with 265-lb fragmentation bombs. Take notice to the long rods on the ends of the bomb fuses. These are called "daisy cutters" and are used to explode the fragmentation bombs three feet above the ground to provide larger area of shrapnel!

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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VC-33 AD-4N Skyraider loaded with frags and flares.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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VC-33 AD-4N Skyraider modex SS-803, with LT J.K. Gill piloting.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain in the South China Sea.

A. William Beam, AO3, VC-33 Squadron
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) catapults a pair of F2H-2 Banshee jet fighters for her first Korean War strikes, 15 June 1953.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97440).

NHC
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"A flight of (F2H-2) Banshees streaks over the USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) in a photo taken by an accompanying destroyer of Task Force 77. The Essex-class carrier, recently arrived in the Far East, is in her first tour of Korean duty." Quoted from original caption released with this photograph by Commander Naval Forces Far East, under date of 18 July 1953.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97435).

NHC
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee jet fighters over Hungnam, North Korea. Photo is dated 26 July 1953, the day before the Korean armistice took effect. These planes are from USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39). Hungnam's port area is below the left plane. In the upper left is the mouth of the Songchon River.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-630625).

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Two F2H-2 Banshees of VF-62 "Gladiators" fly over Lake Champlain during operations with Task Force 77, 26 July 1953 (photo # USN-630627).

NHC
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Sailors crowd around [Grumman F9F-5 Panther] V134 aboard Lake Champlain in 1953. The assigned pilot was LT(JG) Rollo Young, but on 27 July BuNo 126037 was flown by LT(JG) W[illiam] A. Finlay, who dropped the squadron's [(VF-111 "Sundowners")] last bombs of the Korean War. The Panther's nose cone has been pulled forward to permit access to the four 20mm cannon (Archibald McCleish via Henk van der Lugt).

Photo and text from VF-11/111 "Sundowners" 1942–95 (Aviation Elite Units #36), by Barrett Tillman.

Robert Hurst
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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"An errant VF-111 F9F-5 (BuNo 126037, as seen above) returns to Lake Champlain during post-armistice operations in 1953. After erroneously landing aboard USS Yorktown (CVA-10), the 'Sundowners' jet received graffiti applied by its 'hosts.' [...]"

Photo and text from VF-11/111 "Sundowners" 1942–95 (Aviation Elite Units #36), by Barrett Tillman.

Bob Canchola, , BT, USS Oriskany 1971–1973
Larger copy submitted by Robert Hurst
Judson C. Davis, Jr., was a Naval Aviator in WWII and Korea. He retired as a Commander in 1964.

During WWII he flew the OS2U Kingfisher and the TBM Avenger. In Korea he flew F4U Corsairs and F2H Banshees.

He was wounded in the Battle of Tassafaronga (1942) and was awarded the Navy Cross for participating in the sinking of Japanese battleship Yamato (1945).

His son, Lipo Davis, shared CDR Davis's 35mm slides with us.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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LT Judson C. Davis, Jr.
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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LCDR Judson C. Davis, Jr.
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39).
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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HO3S-1 helicopter.
  CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Crash barrier
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Unknown
 
 
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Detonator mines aboard USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) at sea, 4 March 1954. Skid handler pushing a Mk-36 mine.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-635137.

NARA
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Detonator mines aboard USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) at sea, 4 March 1954. Stowage of mine, MK-25, in Class 1 rack in C-501-M by removing stanchions and battens on one side. Mines stow the same as a 2,000 lb bomb in this one rack.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-635146.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) underway, location and date (1954–1955?) unknown.

David Buell
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) underway with Carrier Air Group (CVG-8), circa 1954–1955.

David Buell
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) underway, circa 1954–1955.

Dan C. Guthrie, YNC, USN (Retired), for his father, Jesse J. Guthrie, who served aboard Lake Champlain as a DC, circa 1954.

CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Taxiing to the catapult, this is possibly FJ-3 Fury, BuNo 135831, C202, Fighter Squadron (VF) 33 "Tarsiers," 1954–1955. Nominally assigned to LT(JG) Fred A. Neth, who would die during the Vietnam War.

Mike Mitchell via Adam Lewis
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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FJ-3 Fury, BuNo 135796, XC94 (left), and 135795, XC93, Air Development Squadron (VX) 3, 1954–1955.

3rd Deployment, October 9, 1955-March 30, 1956 — Mediterranean
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), and USS Purdy (DD-734) refueling at sea from USS Neosho (AO-143), in the Mediterranean, 20 October 1955.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-684504.

Scott Dyben
Larger copy submitted by Robert Hurst
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain in Gibraltar with F9F-8 Cougars assigned to VF-74 "Be-Devilers."

Manuel A. Cabranes, 3rd Class radarman, USS Lake Champlain, 1955-1957
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As above.

Manuel A. Cabranes, 3rd Class radarman, USS Lake Champlain, 1955-1957
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USS Lake Champlain in Gibraltar, 1955.

Manuel A. Cabranes, 3rd Class radarman, USS Lake Champlain, 1955-1957
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) near Sardinia, Italy, November 1955.

Michael Breslin
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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"The photographer in front of the lens this time. My dad, AB3 Richard L. Kaumeier, posing with a Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever [(HU-2 "Fleet Angels" Det. 34)] aboard USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) in 1956. There would be two new stars to add to that 48-star flag before the decade was out."

Rick Kaumeier,
via Yu Chu
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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HUP-2 Retriever, BuNo 128497 (modex UR51), Helicopter Utility Squadron (HU) 2 "Fleet Angels" Det. 34.

Photo by Vincent Bellissimo.

Courtney Bellissimo
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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AJ-1 Savages, Composite Squadron (VC) 9 "Hooters" Det. 36 (redesignated Heavy Attack Squadron [VAH] 9 on 1 November 1955; nickname changed to "Hoot Owls").

Photo by Vincent Bellissimo.

Courtney Bellissimo
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) probably while conducting local operations in the Western Atlantic, November–December 1956. The plane closest to camera is an FJ‑3/3M Fury from VF-84 "Vagabonds."

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
4th Deployment, January 21-July 27, 1957 — Mediterranean
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), with Air Task Group (ATG) 182, conducting an UNREP with general stores issue ship USS Altair (AKS-32), circa 1957, during the carrier's final deployment as a CVA.

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), with Air Task Group (ATG) 182, at anchor, circa 1957.

Courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
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"On 25 April 1957 [USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39)] joined elements of the fleet in a high-speed run to the scene of tension in the Middle East, cruising in the vicinity of Lebanon and backing Jordan’s stand against the threat of Communism. The swift and firm reaction averted a near catastrophe in the Middle East." (Quoted from DANFS, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships). This aerial photo shows Lake Champlain, with Air Task Group (ATG) 182, steaming off Greece, on their way to Lebanon. Note that crewmembers are spelling out "Chaere Hellas" ("Greetings to Greece") in Greek characters.

Moris Georgios
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever helicopter (Bureau # 128533), of Helicopter Utility Squadron Two (HU-2) lowers guard mail to the foredeck of USS Salem (CA-139), during operations in the Mediterranean Sea, 29 April 1957. In the background, USS Caloosahatchee (AO-98) is refueling USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) and a destroyer.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97609).

Tom Bateman
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) anchored, probably, off Barcelona, Spain, May–June 1957.

Photo Galilea.

Jaume Cifré Sánchez
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) anchored at Cannes, France, on 17 June 1957, during her final deployment as an attack aircraft carrier. Among the planes on her flight deck are three large AJ Savage attack aircraft. Photographed by PH2 J.R. Sholar.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 97436.

NH&HC
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An AJ tanker had a wheel slip into the forward catwalk and it took the crew several days to get it back on the deck.

Manuel A. Cabranes, 3rd Class radarman, USS Lake Champlain, 1955-1957
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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As above.

Photo by Vincent Bellissimo.

Courtney Bellissimo
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) with Carrier Air Group 182, 1957.

Collection of Ray D. Bean,
via Yu Chu
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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) with an AD-6 Skyraider, 1957.

Even though the photo is dated "1967," the correct date is probably 1957, as Lake Champlain did not operate Skyraiders with 400-series side number after the latter year, and she was decommissioned in 1966.

Collection of Ray D. Bean,
via Yu Chu
CVA-39 Lake Champlain
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Magazine advertisement, 1957.

Tommy Trampp

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

Read the USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CV-39 / CVA-39 / CVS-39) DANFS History entry

Crew Contact and Reunion Information
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Related Links
Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages By Andrew Toppan.
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Last update: 20 February 2024