World War II Database

Independence (CVL-22) was the lead ship of her class of nine light carriers. She was originally laid down as the light cruiser Amsterdam, but was converted before launching. After her shakedown cruise in the Caribbean, she sailed to the Pacific and participated in operations against operations at Marcus, Wake, Rabaul, and the landing at the Gilbert Islands. At the Gilberts she was damaged by a torpedo on 20 Nov 1943 and returned to the US for repairs. In Jul 1944 she returned to active rosters and participated in the actions at Palau in Sep 1944. She later saw actions off Philippines and Okinawa, including participating in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in Oct 1944. After a brief period of refitting, she took part in the aerial bombardment of the Japanese home islands.

After the war, she helped transporting American troops back to the United States. On Jul 1946 she was badly damaged as a target in atomic bomb tests at Bikini Islands. Her radioactive hull became a subject of radiological research and was not sunk until Jan 1951.

USS Independence Operational Timeline

Photographs

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. John G. Lambert says:
   7 Apr 2013 09:02:46 AM
   
   For more detailed information, link to a
   Non-fiction book on the ship is:
   http://www.ussindependencecvl22.com/

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