Click for a larger image:

Sailors on the carrier's forecastle during her Commissioning ceremonies, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 17 November 1943. Note ship's jack flying at left and her starboard anchor (18,000 pound type) at right.

Captain Valentine H. Schaeffer, USN, the carrier's Commanding Officer, cuts the cake at a reception following her commissioning ceremonies, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 17 November 1943. Looking on are Philippine Commonwealth Vice President Sergio Osmeña and Miss Rosie Osmeña.

USS Bataan (CVL-29)off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 2 March 1944. She is painted in Measure 32 Design 8A camouflage pattern.

USS Bataan (CVL-29) Off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 2 March 1944. Aircraft parked on her flight deck, forward, are TBM "Avenger" torpedo planes.

Looking AFT at the USS Bataan CVL29 at the Hunters Point Navy Yard on September 29 1944.

Flight Deck full of aircraft, Bataan is seen in 1944.

Carrier Strikes on Japan, March 1945.
A Japanese Navy "Judy" (Yokosuka D4Y3) bomber passes near USS Bataan (CVL-29) during an unsuccessful dive bombing run on Task Force 58, while the U.S. ships were operating off Japan on 20 March 1945. The Japanese plane was soon brought down by anti-aircraft fire. Photographed from USS Hancock (CV-19). Bataan is the ship in the center of the view.

Officer of the Deck, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Howard W. Milke, USNR, welcomes entertainer Pascacio Alinangohan as he boards the ship in 1945. Mr. Alinangohan, a former guerrilla Captain whose stage name is "Professor Paz", led a troupe of dancers, singers and guitarists in a show for the carrier's crew. The plaque behind them features a quotation from the speech given by Philippine President Manuel Quezon at USS Bataan's launching ceremonies on 1 August 1943.

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Edward Iglesias, USNR, accompanies Miss Estefanie Veloso, grandaughter of Philippine Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña, as she inspects the cockpit of a Grumman F6F "Hellcat" fighter, while touring the ship on 10 June 1945. Bataan had just completed her tour with Task Force 58 on 30 May. The touring party comprised Mrs. Edilbertio Osmeña, daughter-in-law of President Osmeña; Mr. & Mrs. Juan Veloso, son-in-law and daughter of the President; and Miss. Veloso. Conducting the guests on the tour of the ship was Captain Ward C. Gilbert, USN. Also accompanying the party were various Philippine and United States officials.

Enemy mine layers are attacked with napalm in a Korean port, during strikes by First Marine Air Wing F4U "Corsair" aircraft flying from Bataan around 16 April 1951.

Bataan underway in January 1952 with F4U-4B "Corsair" fighter-bombers of VMF-314 on board. Bataan is working up in preparation for her second Korean War deployment.

USS Bataan (CVL-29)photographed on 22 May 1953, as she was en route to Naval Air Station San Diego, California, following a deployment to Korean waters. Note crew paraded on the flight deck spelling out the word "HOME" and an arrow pointing over her bow. Aircraft on deck include 19 Grumman AF "Guardian" anti-submarine planes and a solitary Vought F4U "Corsair" fighter (parked amidships on the starboard side).

USS Bataan (CVL-29) arrives at San Diego, California, with her crew paraded on deck, as she returns from seven months in Korean waters. Photo is dated 25 June 1951.

HMS Belfast (British Light Cruiser built in 1939) coming alongside USS Bataan (CVL-29) while operating off the coast of Korea on 27 May 1952.

USS Bunker Hill (CV-17)afire after being hit by two "Kamikaze" suicide planes off Okinawa, 11 May 1945. Photographed from USS Bataan (CVL-29).