World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe carrier Casablanca was originally named Ameer, then was renamed Alazon Bay. On 3 Apr 1943, two days before launch, she was renamed Casablanca for the Moroccan city invaded during the first days of the American entrance into the North Africa campaign. She was officially commissioned into the United States Navy on 8 Jul 1943, sponsored by Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the President. Casablanca joined the Pacific Fleet immediately, performing as a training ship for escort carrier crews until Aug 1944. On 24 Aug, she transported men, aircraft, and aviation fuel to Manus. She resumed training duties upon her return to Puget Sound on 8 Oct. She underwent repairs between 22 Jan and 13 Mar 1945 in San Diego, then delivered men and aircraft to Guam. Upon unloading in Guam, she continued to sail west to assume her new duty as a transport between Samar, Manus, and Palau.

ww2dbaseAfter the war, Casablanca supported the effort to redeploy men across the Pacific, including bringing men back home to the United States. Her last ferrying mission ended in Yokohama on 16 Jan 1946, and was decommissioned in Jun 1946. She was sold for scraps on 23 Apr 1947.

Escort Carrier Casablanca (CVE-55) Interactive Map

Photographs

Casablanca Operational Timeline