This WWII Aircraft Carrier Served The US Fleet For Nearly 50 Years

The U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier is the USS Gerald R. Ford. This well-equipped marine vessel departed Virginia on June 24, 2025, likely aiming to position itself near the Middle East amid rising tensions in the region. The conflict involved U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, followed by Iran’s retaliation on an American base located in Qatar. The massive aircraft carrier contains 4,500 crew members, alongside a number of fighter jets and destroyers.

Today’s aircraft carriers might be more advanced than those of the past, but the impact of naval aircraft carriers deployed during conflicts like WWII cannot be understated. From the time these boats were first conceptualized in the early 20th century to now, aircraft carriers have helped naval forces launch (and recover) planes. After the USS Langley’s launch in 1927, the US Navy depended on aircraft carriers to project air power farther than ever before.

Aircraft carriers have been integral components of the United States Navy and have only increased in importance and firepower over the years. Their distinct history demonstrates how the Navy has continually redefined nautical warfare since World War II, which is when the importance of these ships became evident.

In response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Enterprise played a pivotal role in the Pacific War as the most decorated ship in the U.S. Navy. The era also saw the introduction of the Essex-class carriers, which formed the backbone of the U.S. naval fleet in the Pacific. (See the most highly decorated U.S. Navy ships of WWII.)

Using archives from the U.S. Navy and other sources, 24/7 Wall St. listed all 33 aircraft carriers from our Navy’s early history, including when they were commissioned and how long they remained in service. Carriers are listed in order of hull classification symbols.

This post was updated July 3, 2025 to include news of the USS Gerald R. Ford’s recent deployment.

Why We’re Covering the US Navy History

Prior to, and throughout, World War II, the United States used naval power to gain a strategic advantage over enemies. The Navy aircraft carriers allowed for farther-reaching attacks. Soon, the entire world saw the power of the US Navy, positioning us as a world leader in armed forces. US Navy aircraft carriers have evolved over time but remain important for shaping military strategy – and even addressing humanitarian needs worldwide.

Check out the 33 aircraft carriers that kickstarted US naval history.

1. CV-1 Langley

Class: Langley
Commissioned: March 20, 1922
Service Life: 19 years, 11 months, and seven days
Status: Scuttled and sunk south of Java

2. CV-2 Lexington

Class: Lexington
Commissioned: December 14, 1927
Service life: 14 years, 4 months, and 24 days
Status: Sunk in the Battle of the Coral Sea

3. CV-3 Saratoga

Class: Lexington
Commissioned: November 16, 1927
Service life: 18 years, 8 months, and 12 days
Status: Sunk in nuclear test target near Bikini Atoll

4. CV-4 Ranger

Class: Ranger
Commissioned: June 4, 1934
Service life: 12 years, 4 months, and 14 days
Status: Scrapped in 1947

5. CV-5 Yorktown

Class: Yorktown
Commissioned: September 30, 1937
Service life: 4 years, 8 months, and 8 days
Status: Sunk in the Battle of Midway

6. CV-6 Enterprise

Class: Yorktown
Commissioned: May 12, 1938
Service life: 8 years, 9 months, and 5 days
Status: Scrapped in 1960

7. CV-7 Wasp

- Class: Wasp
- Commissioned: April 25, 1940
- Service life: 2 years, 4 months, and 21 days

Status: Sunk during the Guadalcanal campaign

8. CV-8 Hornet

Class: Yorktown
Commissioned: October 20, 1941
Service life: 1 year and 6 days
Status: Sunk in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands

9. CV-9 Essex

Class: Essex
Commissioned: December 31, 1942
Service life: 26 years, 5 months, and 20 days
Status: Scrapped in 1975

10. CV-10 Yorktown

Class: Essex
Commissioned: April 15, 1943
Service life: 27 years, 2 months, and 12 days
Status: Preserved at the Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum–Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

11. CV-11 Intrepid

Class: Essex
Commissioned: August 16, 1943
Service life: 30 years, 6 months, and 27 days
Status: Preserved at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum–New York, New York