World War II Database

USS Copahee was originally laid down as the civilian ship Steel Architect under Maritime Commission contract. On 8 Feb 1942, due to war demands, she was acquired by the United States Navy, and was converted into an escort carrier, commissioning in Jun 1942 with Commander J. G. Farrell in command. She reached the South Pacific in late Sep 1942, carrying with her aircraft, cargo, and passengers. Between 7 and 11 Oct, she cruised toward Guadalcanal, delivering 20 United States Marine Corps aircraft to Henderson Field. She spent the remainder of 1942 in overhaul in the United States. Upon completion of the overhaul, she participated in training exercises at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, United States, then returned to San Diego, California, United States briefly. On 25 Feb 1943, she departed San Diego for a transport run that would last until 7 Jun, carrying aircraft, cargo, and personnel to the Hawaii, New Hebrides, Fiji, and New Caledonia. Between 2 Sep 1943 and 19 Jan 1944, she made one transport run to Pearl Harbor and two transport runs to Townsville and Brisbane, Australia, delivering aircraft. Between 10 Apr and 3 Jun, she ferried aircraft between Pearl Harbor and Majuro, Marshall Islands. In Jun and Jul 1944, she supported the Mariana Islands Campaign by transporting replacement aircraft and airmen to the US Navy 5th Fleet. On 28 Jul 1944, she arrived at San Diego with 13 captured Japanese A6M Zero fighters and 1 captured B5N torpedo bomber, along with 37 engines, for further research. After a period in overhaul, she resumed transport duty, embarking on six voyages in the Pacific before the end of the Pacific War. Between 6 Sep and 21 Dec 1945, she participated in Operation Magic Carpet, transporting military personnel from the Mariana Islands, Gilbert Islands, and the Philippine Islands back to the United States, arriving at Alameda, California on 21 Dec 1945. She was decommissioned at Tacoma, Washington, United States on 5 Jul 1946 and entered the reserve fleet. In 1955, she was reclassified the helicopter escort carrier CVHE-12 in reserve, but never fulfilled that role. She was stricken for disposal in 1959, and was sold for scrap in 1961.

USS Copahee Operational Timeline

Photographs

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Clayton Courville says:
   9 Dec 2011 05:42:51 PM
   
   My Grandfather, Claude Courville was on the USS Copahee, does anyone know of where the crew list may be found. His great grand daughter is studying WW II and made a trip to the New Orleans museum.
2. Keri Davies says:
   19 Jun 2012 11:38:28 AM
   
   I would also like this info. Also, does anyone know how to get a book about the Copahee? My dad sailed on this ship.
3. Keri Davies says:
   19 Jun 2012 12:31:29 PM
   
   Ancestry.com has a crew list for the USS Copahee.
4. Al lindseth says:
   3 May 2013 01:24:50 PM
   
   A friend of mine said his Dad served on the USS Copahee CVE 12 during WWII and would like to know if there any reunion groups or any surviving ship mates who might know his Dad. His last name was Feathers and he was from Arkansas. His son Bill has som memoribelia that belonged to his father. Any info will be helpfull.

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