Researching the History Of The USS Wasp during the Korean War? Learn more about the indispensable USS Wasp and its history during the Korean War…
The battleship USS Wasp CV 18 was a slightly modified version of the USS Ranger that had been crafted using the design ideas followed in the Yorktown Class battleships. The USS Wasp was constructed in Bethlehem, Quincy and laid down on April 1, 1936. This vessel was launched on the 4th of April 1939 and was finished by April 25th 1940. Not only was it an active part of the World War II, the history of the USS Wasp in the Korean War is also well recognized. During World War II she actually was awarded eight battle stars for her services.
USS Wasp Services during World War II
Initially the battleship started assisting at Pearl Harbor and was joined by task group 58.6 to work in the Marshall Islands and launched the strike through its aircraft on Tinian and Saipan by extending support to the US operations in the Pacific.
During the War unfortunately in February 1945 it was struck by bombers from the Japanese Air Force and lost many crew members. The same year in April it returned to the Puget Sound Navy Yard located in Washington for massive repairs. Once the battleship was ready for service again it was shipped out to Pearl Harbor to continue its extensive support operations during the war. Following this episode the battleship was caught in a typhoon that had winds blowing at over 100 mph.
Continuing on with serious damage to the ship, she managed to support the crew and armed forces by supplying equipment and supplies to the United States prisoners of war located in Narumi.
History of the USS Wasp During The Korean War
Following this in October it went on to Boston and celebrated Navy Day on United States shores. After this the battleship was utilized in different missions during the 1950s and 1960s. One of the most notable contributions in the history of the USS Wasp during the Korean War was the assistance to the U.S. Air Force provided by the battleship. Continuing to travel along the shores of Japan and South Korea this battleship extended massive support and was considered one of the leading airplane landing battleships at that time.
End of the USS Wasp
In the early 1970s the battleship sailed across to Germany and crossing the Atlantic Ocean it went on to Scotland and Spain thereafter landing in the Norwegian Sea. The battleship finally returned to Newport News shipyard in 1972 and was scrapped in the year 1973.
Complications with The USS Wasp CV-18
The soldiers who served on the vessel USS Wasp CV-18 are considered some of the bravest and most honored American military personnel. However the men suffered from deadly diseases like cancer and lung failure due to the high level of asbestos utilized in the construction of the USS Wasp CV-18, which was a norm in that century. Veterans unfortunately had begun to develop the symptoms by the age of late 60′s and it has been recommended that mesothelioma treatments be started immediately if one is diagnosed with this problem related to asbestos poisoning.
