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USS Princeton CVL-23

Originally laid down as the light cruiser Tallahassee (CL-61) in 1941, the USS Princeton was an 11,000 ton Independence class small aircraft carrier. She was built by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation at Camden, New Jersey. Converted to a carrier before launching, her hull number was re-designated CV-23. Renamed Princeton in March of 1942, she was launched in October of 1942 and was sponsored by Margaret Dodds. Mrs. Dodds was the wife of the president of Princeton University, Harold Dodds. The USS Princeton was commissioned in February of 1943 following shakedown operations in the Caribbean, under the command of George R. Henderson. Princeton was reclassified to CVL-23 in July of 1943 prior to embarking for the Pacific.

Arriving at Pearl Harbor with Air Group 23 in August of 1943, Princeton served as flagship during the occupation of Baker Island. While providing air cover during the occupation and for the construction of a new airfield, her planes downed Japanese Emily Reconnaissance planes. Completing her mission at Baker Island, Princeton conducted strikes against enemy installations on Makin and Tarawa before returning to Pearl Harbor. November of 1943 proved to be a busy month for Princeton, supporting the Bougainville landings. Conducting strikes against airfields at Buka and Bonis to diminish enemy aerial resistance during the landings at Empress Augusta Bay, Princeton then raided Rabaul and the airfield at Nauru. After providing cover for garrison troops en-route to Makin and Tarawa, the Princeton returned to Pearl Harbor and the west coast.

In January and February of 1944, USS Princeton was active in the conquest of the Marshall Islands. Her planes were kept busy over the following four months attacking Japanese targets throughout the Central Pacific and in supporting amphibious landings at Hollandia, New Guinea. Strikes against Wotje and Taroa were to support amphibious assaults on Kwajalein and Majuro. Princeton went on to the demolition of the airfield at Engebi and then provided air cover for the assault on Eniwetok. After replenishing in Espiritu Santo in March of 1944, USS Princeton was engaged in actions against enemy installations and shipping in the Carolines and New Guinea. After striking Palaus, Wolea and Yap, Princeton provided air cover for the Hollandia operation and then crossed back over the International Date Line to raid Truk and then Ponape on the first of May, 1944.

Princeton next participated in the invasion of Saipan, sending her planes against targets in Guam, Rota, Tinian and Pagan. Sent to intercept a Japanese fleet rumoured to be on the way to Marianas from the Philippines, the Princeton played a major part in the ensuing Battle of the Philippine Sea in June of 1944. Her planes contributed 30 kills and her guns another three, to the devastating toll inflicted on the enemy's naval air arm. Continuing to cover the Marianas, she then joined in operations on the Palaus, the Philippines, Okinawa and Formosa through August, September and October.

Following the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the USS Princeton replenished in Pearl Harbor and returned to the Marianas. Once again striking Pagan, Rota and Guam, she then provided air cover for the assault and occupation of Guam and Tinian. Replenishing in Eniwetok, Princeton sailed for the Philippines, striking against the Palaus on her way. In September she struck against airfields on northern Mindanao and the Visayas before leaving to support the Palau offensive. Returning to the Philippines once again, Princeton struck Luzon, concentrating on Clark and Nichols fields. USS Princeton retired to Ulithi in October of 1944 and then targeted enemy installations and shipping in the Nansei Shoto and Formosa areas in preparation for the invasion of the Philippines.

While taking part in attacks on Luzon to support the Leyte invasion on October 24, 1944, the USS Princeton was struck by a bomb from a Japanese plane. Crashing through the flight deck and hangar before exploding, the resulting fires caused further explosions and could not be contained. While being assisted by the cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62) and USS Irwin, Birmingham was damaged and suffered severe casualties as the result of an explosion of one or more bombs on Princeton. Irwin rescued 646 men and later received a Navy Unit Commendation award for her actions. USS Princeton was sunk by her escorts after her remaining crewmen were removed.

The USS Princeton carried a complement of 1,569 officers and men and its armament consisted of 22 Bofors 40 mm guns, 16 Oerlikon 20 mm cannons and 45 aircraft. Her length was 622.5 feet, a waterline beam of 71.5 feet and her extreme beam was 109.2 feet. The USS Princeton earned 9 battle stars for her actions in World War II.

If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Princeton CVL-23, 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

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