Buffalo (CL-99) was reclassified CV-29 and renamed Bataan 2 June 1942, reclassified CVL-29, 15 July 1943 launched 1 August 1943 by New York Shipbuilding Corp. Camden, N. J.; sponsored by Mrs. George D. Murray, wife of Rear Admiral Murray, commissioned 17 November 1943, Captain V. H. Schaeffer in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

In her initial engagement with the Japanese, Bataan's planes supported the attack on Hollandia, New Guinea, between 21 and 24 April 1944. Following this action were strikes against Truk, Satawan, and Ponape (29 April-1 May 1944); Saipan, Marianas (11 June 10 August); 1st Bonins raid (15-16 June); Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June), and the 2nd Bonins raid (24 June).

Bataan then returned to the United States for repairs. Repairs completed she joined TF 58 and participated in the fleet raids in support of the Okinawa operation (17 March-30 May 1945), during which her aircraft assisted in the sinking of the Japanese submarine I-56, 18 April 1945, in 26°42' N., 130°38' E. Retiring to the Philippines, Bataan joined the 3rd Fleet for operations against the Japanese home islands (10 July-15 August).

Bataan returned to the United States, arriving at New York 17 October 1945, and was assigned to "Magic Carpet" duty. On 10 January 1946 she arrived at Philadelphia to prepare for inactivation. Bataan went out of commission in reserve 11 February 1947.

Bataan was recommissioned 13 May 1950 at Philadelphia. In July 1950 she stood out for San Diego, upon arrival loaded Air Force cargo and personnel, and departed 16 November for Tokyo Bay. She arrived in Korean waters 15 December and until June 1951 her aircraft flew strikes in support of the ground forces.

Bataan departed for the west coast 2 June 1951 and after a brief stop at San Diego steamed to Bremerton, Wash., 9 July for overhaul. She returned to San Diego 20 November and on 27 January 1952 departed for Yokosuka, Japan, and thence to Buckner Bay, Okinawa. She conducted air exercises and other training maneuvers off Okinawa until 29 April when she sailed for Korean waters. Bataan continued operating between Japan and Korea throughout the summer of 1952 carrying personnel and supplies to the fighting area and launching strikes against the enemy. She left the fighting zone 11 August for San Diego. On 27 October the carrier once again stood out for the Far East and operated off Korea until 10 May 1953 when she departed for San Diego.

She remained in the San Diego area undergoing overhaul and training until 31 July. Then she sailed via Pearl Harbor to Kobe and Yokosuka, Japan, and then back to the United States where she reported for inactivation 26 August 1953. She went out of commission in reserve 9 April 1954 at San Francisco.

Bataan received six battle stars for her World War II service and seven for her Korean service.

Squadron deployments during the Korean War aboard USS Bataan CVL-29:

16 Nov 1950-25 Jun 1951:
Squadron :Aircraft: Tail Code
VMF-212 : F4U-4 : LD (aboard 11 Dec-5 Mar)
VMF-312 : F4U-4 : WR (aboard 5 Mar-6 Jun)
HU-1 Det 8: HO3S-1 : UP

27 Jan 1952-26 Aug 1952:
Squadron : Aircraft : Tail Code
VMA-312: F4U-4/B : WR (aboard 21 Apr-21 Jul)
VS-25: AF-2S/W: SK
HU-1 Det: HO3S-1: UP

28 Oct 1952-26 May 1953:
Squadron: Aircraft: Tail Code
VMA-312: F4U-4/B: WR (aboard 9 Feb-8 May)
VS-871: TBM-3S/W : SU
VS-21: AF-2S/W : BS
HU-1 Det HO3S-1 UP

Korean War Deployments of the USS Bataan (CVL 29):
28 Nov 50-13 Jun 51
11 Feb-11 Aug 52
15 Nov 52-10 May 53
14-18 Aug 53

Engagement/ Battle Star dates:
16 Dec 50-24 Jan 51 -- Communist China Aggression: 03 Nov 50-24 Jan 51
25 Jan-22 Mar 51 -- First UN Counter Offensive: 25 Jan-21 Apr 51
31 Mar-6 Apr 51 -- First UN Counter Offensive: 25 Jan-21 Apr 51
9-15 Apr 51 -- First UN Counter Offensive: 25 Jan-21 Apr 51
19-21 Apr 51 -- First UN Counter Offensive: 25 Jan-21 Apr 51
22-26 Apr 51 --Communist China Spring Offensive: 22 Apr-08 Jul 51
1-10 May 51 --Communist China Spring Offensive: 22 Apr-08 Jul 51
19 May-3 Jun 51 --Communist China Spring Offensive: 22 Apr-08 Jul 51
30 Apr 52 --Second Korean Winter: 28 Nov 51-30 Apr 52
1-10 May 52 --Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952: 01 May-30 Nov 52
7-15 Jun 52 --Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952: 01 May-30 Nov 52
25 Jun-3 Jul 52 --Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952: 01 May-30 Nov 52
13-22 Jul 52 --Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952: 01 May-30 Nov 52
1-2 Aug 52 --Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952: 01 May-30 Nov 52
16-25 Feb 53 --Third Korean Winter: 01 Dec 52-30 Apr 53
7-15 Mar 53 --Third Korean Winter: 01 Dec 52-30 Apr 53
26 Mar-4 Apr 53 --Third Korean Winter: 01 Dec 52-30 Apr 53
11-20 Apr 53 --Third Korean Winter: 01 Dec 52-30 Apr 53
27-30 Apr 53 --Third Korean Winter: 01 Dec 52-30 Apr 53
1-6 May 53 --Korea, Summer-Fall 1953: 01 May-27 Jul 53

Korean Combat Action Reports for Bataan (CVL 29):

You will need the Acrobat Reader, downloadable free from Adobe, to view them.
Click on a link below to download a specific action report.

• Action Report for 2-15 Jan 1951 (423 kb file, download as .pdf file)
• Action Report for 15 Jan-7 Apr 1951 (1.1 mb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 8 Apr-11 May 1951 (1.4 mb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 12 May-13 Jun 1951 (794 kb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 29 Apr-11 May 1952 (448 kb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 18-30 May1952 (476 kb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 5-16 Jun 1952 (347 kb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 23 Jun-4 Jul 1952 (362 kb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 12-23 Jul 1952 (438 kb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 15-26 Feb 1953 (897 kb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 6-16 Mar 1953 (632 kb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 11-20 Apr 1953 (560 kb file, download as .pdf)
• Action Report for 27 Apr-6 May 1953 (583 kb file, download as .pdf)

Related Links:
(Click below for more information and be sure to come back here)

Photo Feature of the USS Bataan CVL-29

Do you have information regarding CVLs you would like to share? Do you have a sea story you would like to see posted on this website?
Email us at: Iron Woman Foundation

Sources: Information from DANFS, Richard Angelini, and Naval Historical Center. Photos are Official USN unless otherwise noted.

Copyright 2000, Iron Woman Foundation.