|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

USS Badoeng Strait CVE-116 (K)

The USS Badoeng Strait was an escort aircraft that was named after the Badoeng Strait, the location of a World War II battle. She was originally christened the San Alberto Bay, but was renamed the USS Badoeng Strait in 1945. After she was renamed, she joined the Pacific Fleet, operating from Naval Base San Diego. During this time she made one cruise to Hawaii, and was decommissioned in early 1946. The USS Badoeng Strait was a Commencement Bay class escort ship.

Commencement Bay ships were different than earlier aircraft carriers, because they were designed and built to be aircraft carriers from the ground up. Prior to the development of Commencement Bay ships, aircraft carriers had been converted warships. The Commencement Bay ships had a limited lifespan. Developed toward the end of World War II, by the time the first aircraft carriers came off the line, the war was nearly over. The aircraft carriers saw duty in the Korean War, and many were updated for duties such as anti-submarine warfare or helicopter or transport carriers. By the end of the Korean War the jet age was underway, and the Commencement Bay class of aircraft carriers were not able to safely land the larger planes.

The USS Badoeng Strait was recommissioned in 1947. As a part of the Pacific Fleet, she was used for various anti-submarine assignments, such as testing equipment and participating in exercises aimed against enemy submarine. She also participated in training runs with her crew. She was given the honor on several occasions of being the flagship for her division. Her time on the Pacific Coast was preparation for the intense battle she would see when she headed overseas to the Korean War.

In 1950, she participated in the first of her three missions in Korea. While on active combat duty in Korea, she was a part of the anti-submarine group and provided escort services for other ships. The pilots who operated from her base offered ground support in the early days of the war. During her time off the coast of Korea, she not only provided a landing base for her own anti-submarine planes, but also Marine fighter-bombers as well.

During her time in Korea, the USS Badoeng Strait participated in several major battles, including the Inchon Invasion and the Hungnam Evacuation. The Inchon Invasion was a strategic maneuver to push the North Koreans out of Seoul. An enormous military presence, including some from South Korea, the Marines, the Army and many Navy warships gathered in the area. After two days of ship to shore bombardments, the Marines went ashore for battle. The Marines regained control of an airstrip in the area and began moving relief supplies in while they continued to advance on Seoul. After 16 days, Seoul was back under the control of the South Koreans.

The Hungnam Evacuation involved the withdrawal of United Nations forces from eastern North Korea. It took two weeks for more than 100,000 personnel, over 17,000 vehicles and 350,000 tons of cargo to be removed from the area. It was a complete withdrawal from the area, with the US taking even broken down vehicles and equipment. The operation also removed over 90,000 refuges, although this was only a small percentage of those wanting to leave the area. During the withdrawal, cover was provided by air and ship.

The USS Badoeng Strait completed her last tour in Korea in 1953 and then returned to the United States for overhaul. At the completion of her modernization, she was once again assigned to the Pacific Fleet, where she was a part of training exercises, development of additional anti-submarine warfare and worked with the Marines in combined exercises. In 1956, she was back in the Marshall Islands, where she participated in Operation Redwing, a nuclear weapons test.

In early 1957, she headed to Puget Sound Naval Yard in Bremerton, Washington. She was decommissioned in 1957. For the next fifteen years, the USS Badoeng Strait laid in port. In 1959, she was given a new hull and classified as an aircraft transport vehicle. She provided transport services for the remainder of her career. The USS Badoeng Strait was removed from the Naval Vessel Register in 1970, and sold for scrapping in 1972. For her service during the Korean War, the USS Badoeng Strait received six battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation.

The men of the Navy who fought and served on ships and aircraft carriers, as well as those who worked in the navy yards provided a valuable service to our country. Even for those who returned from battle safely may still be in danger. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Badoeng Strait CVE-116 (K), or have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, Asbestos.com offers a free packet with more information. Enter your contact information in the form in the right column and we'll send a copy immediately.

Aircraft Carriers Index

USS America USS Antietam CV 36 K USS Antietam CV 36 USS Badoeng Strait CVE 116 USS Bairoko CVE 115 USS Bairoko CVE 115 USS Belleau wood CVL 24 USS Bennington CV 20 USS Bon Homme Richard CVa USS Boxer CV USS Bunker CV USS Cabot CVL 28 USS Constellation CV USS Coral Sea CV USS Corregidor CVE 58 USS Sable ix USS San jacinto CVL USS Saratoga CV USS Saratoga CV3 USS Shangri La

USS Cowpens CVL 25 USS Enterprise CV 6 USS Enterprise CVN USS Essex CV 9 USS Forrestal CV USS Franklin CV 13 USS Hancock CV 19 USS Hornet CV 12 USS Hornet CV 8 USS Independence C1 USS Independence CVL 22 USS Intrepid CV 11 USS Kearsage CV 33 USS Kearsage CV USS Kitty Hawk USS Sicily CVe USS Sitkoh bay USS Tarawa CV USS Ticonderoga CV USS Valley forge CV

USS Lake Champlain CV 39 USS Langley CV 1 USS Langley CVL 27 USS Lexington CV 16 USS Lexington CV 2 USS Leyte CV 32 USS Midway CV USS Oriskany CV USS Phillipine Sea CV USS Point cruz CVE USS Princeton CV USS Princeton CVL USS Randolph CV USS Ranger CV USS Rendova USS Wasp CV 18 USS Wasp CV 7 USS Wolverine IX 64 USS Yorktown CV 10 USS Yorktown CV 5

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone Number:

Email:

Diagnosis:

Select... Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Asbestosis Severe Asbestosis Unknown

Comments:

Show Your Support

Free Wristbands
Get an Asbestos Awareness Wristband. Read More

VA Claim Help

Support Book

Cancer Support Book
Get a Free Copy of Lean on Me - Cancer Through a Carer's Eyes. Read More

In Your Area

Asbestos Exposure
Learn about asbestos exposure and legal options in your area. Read More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: Verify Here.