During World War II, nations on both sides of the conflict hurried to expand their naval fleets, leading to the production of many naval vessels that are now iconic. This story delves into the most-built U.S. military ships used in the war. (also see: these are the most expensive warships in the US Navy fleet today.)
To determine the most mass-produced American military ships used during the second world war, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed warship production figures from Military Factory, an online repository of military equipment data. We exclusively considered ship classes that served in WWII and had a minimum production of nine units during the class’s lifespan. The classes are ranked by their total production count, including those built before or after the war. Additional information regarding type, notable ships, crew, and year of service also originated from Military Factory. Ships within the same class often exhibited distinct crew complements.
A substantial number of entries on this are destroyers, vessels used by the Navy to serve a variety of functions: convoy escort, anti-aircraft screening, and anti-submarine warfare. The Fletcher-class destroyer, introduced in 1942, constituted the majority of the U.S. Navy’s destroyer force in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Armed with five main guns, 10 torpedo tubes, and two anti-submarine weapon depth charge racks, this destroyer class produced a total of 175 ships, actively participating in numerous naval encounters in the Pacific Theater. (Also see, a battle with Japan during WWII was the largest in U.S. naval history.)
In addition to destroyers, this list has patrol boats, amphibious assault vessels, and aircraft carriers.
The Essex-class aircraft carriers significantly influenced the Pacific’s turning point. The swift production pace and rapid deployment of these ships played a vital role. The class’s flagship, USS Essex, was finished in just 20 months, underscoring the urgent need for carriers at that time. Equally impressive is the fact that not a single Essex-class carrier fell victim to enemy action throughout the war. (Here is the fate of every US aircraft carrier during World War II.)
These ships, which represent a diverse array of functions and capabilities, served as crucial elements in determining the outcomes of numerous engagements and, ultimately, the course of the war itself.
Here is a look at the 29 most produced military ships of World War II:
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
29. Independence-class
> Number produced: 9
> Type: Conventionally-powered light aircraft carrier
> Notable ship(s): USS Independence (CVL-22), USS Cabot (CVL-28), USS Cowpens (CVL-25)
> Year USS Independence (CVL-22) entered service: 1943
> USS Independence (CVL-22) personnel: 1,569
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Source: national_museum_of_the_us_navy / Flickr
28. Sims-class
> Number produced: 12
> Type: Destroyer
> Notable ship(s): USS Wainwright (DD-419)
> Year USS Wainwright (DD-419) entered service: 1940
> USS Wainwright (DD-419) personnel: 192
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
27. Fargo-class
> Number produced: 13
> Type: Light cruiser
> Notable ship(s): USS Fargo (CL-106)
> Year USS Fargo (CL-106) entered service: 1945
> USS Fargo (CL-106) personnel: 1,255
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
26. Baltimore-class
> Number produced: 14
> Type: Heavy cruiser
> Notable ship(s): USS Fall River (CA-131), USS Saint Paul (CA-73)
> Year USS Fall River (CA-131) entered service: 1945
> USS Fall River (CA-131) personnel: 1,142
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
25. Mahan-class
> Number produced: 18
> Type: Multicole destroyer
> Notable ship(s): USS Downes (DD-375)
> Year USS Downes (DD-375) entered service: 1937
> USS Downes (DD-375) personnel: 158
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
24. PT 95
> Number produced: 18
> Type: Motorized torpedo fast boat
> Notable ship(s): Huckins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo)
> Year Huckins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo) entered service: 1942
> Huckins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo) personnel: 11
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
23. Rudderow-class
> Number produced: 22
> Type: Destroyer escort
> Notable ship(s): USS Rudderow (DE-224)
> Year USS Rudderow (DE-224) entered service: 1944
> USS Rudderow (DE-224) personnel: 221
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
22. Essex-class
> Number produced: 24
> Type: Conventionally-powered aircraft carrier
> Notable ship(s): USS Essex (CV-9), USS Hancock (CV-19), USS Franklin (CV-13)
> Year USS Essex (CV-9) entered service: 1942
> USS Essex (CV-9) personnel: 2,600
Source: national_museum_of_the_us_navy / Flickr
21. Cleveland-class
> Number produced: 29
> Type: Light cruiser
> Notable ship(s): USS Cleveland (CL-55), USS Oklahoma City (CL-91), USS Wilkes-Barre (CL-103)
> Year USS Cleveland (CL-55) entered service: 1942
> USS Cleveland (CL-55) personnel: 1,255
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
20. Benson-class
> Number produced: 30
> Type: Destroyer
> Notable ship(s): USS Laffey (DD-459)
> Year USS Laffey (DD-459) entered service: 1942
> USS Laffey (DD-459) personnel: 208
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
19. Tolland-class
> Number produced: 33
> Type: Attack cargo ship
> Notable ship(s): USS Alamance (AKA-75)
> Year USS Alamance (AKA-75) entered service: 1944
> USS Alamance (AKA-75) personnel: 395
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
18. Bogue-class
> Number produced: 45
> Type: Escort carrier / aircraft carrier
> Notable ship(s): USS Bogue (CVE-9)
> Year USS Bogue (CVE-9) entered service: 1942
> USS Bogue (CVE-9) personnel: 890
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
17. Lapwing-class
> Number produced: 49
> Type: Minesweeper
> Notable ship(s): USS Lapwing (AM-1)
> Year USS Lapwing (AM-1) entered service: 1918
> USS Lapwing (AM-1) personnel: 78
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
16. Casablanca-class
> Number produced: 50
> Type: Escort carrier
> Notable ship(s): USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68), USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56), USS Shamrock Bay (CVE-84)
> Year USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) entered service: 1943
> USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) personnel: 860
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
15. Allen M. Sumner-class
> Number produced: 58
> Type: Destroyer
> Notable ship(s): USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692), USS Laffey (DD-724), USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774)
> Year USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) entered service: 1944
> USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) personnel: 336
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
14. Crater-class freighter
> Number produced: 62
> Type: Cargo ship
> Notable ship(s): USS Serpens (AK-97)
> Year USS Serpens (AK-97) entered service: 1943
> USS Serpens (AK-97) personnel: 206
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
13. Gleaves-class
> Number produced: 66
> Type: Destroyer
> Notable ship(s): USS Gleaves (DD-423), USS McCalla (DD-488)
> Year USS Gleaves (DD-423) entered service: 1940
> USS Gleaves (DD-423) personnel: 276
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
12. John C. Butler-class
> Number produced: 83
> Type: Destroyer escort
> Notable ship(s): USS John C. Butler (DE-339), USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413)
> Year USS John C. Butler (DE-339) entered service: 1944
> USS John C. Butler (DE-339) personnel: 186
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
11. Edsall-class
> Number produced: 85
> Type: Destroyer escort
> Notable ship(s): USS Pillsbury (DE-133)
> Year USS Pillsbury (DE-133) entered service: 1943
> USS Pillsbury (DE-133) personnel: 209
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
10. Gearing-class
> Number produced: 98
> Type: Destroyer / submarine hunter
> Notable ship(s): USS Gearing (DD-710), USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884)
> Year USS Gearing (DD-710) entered service: 1945
> USS Gearing (DD-710) personnel: 336
Source: national_museum_of_the_us_navy / Flickr
9. Admirable-class
> Number produced: 123
> Type: Minesweeper / anti-submarine warfare vessel
> Notable ship(s): USS Improve (AM-247)
> Year USS Improve (AM-247) entered service: 1944
> USS Improve (AM-247) personnel: 104
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
8. Clemson-class
> Number produced: 156
> Type: Destroyer
> Notable ship(s): USS John D. Ford (DD-228), USS McCalla (DD-253), USS Reuben James (DD-245)
> Year USS John D. Ford (DD-228) entered service: 1920
> USS John D. Ford (DD-228) personnel: 122
Source: national_museum_of_the_us_navy / Flickr
7. Fletcher-class
> Number produced: 175
> Type: Destroyer / anti-submarine warfare platform
> Notable ship(s): USS Fletcher (DD-445), USS Stoddard (DD-566), USS The Sullivans (DD-537)
> Year USS Fletcher (DD-445) entered service: 1942
> USS Fletcher (DD-445) personnel: 273
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
6. Higgins PT Boat
> Number produced: 199
> Type: Patrol boat / motor torpedo boat
> Notable ship(s): N/A
> Year entered service: 1942
> Personnel: 11
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
5. PT 103-class
> Number produced: 326
> Type: Patrol boat / motor torpedo boat
> Notable ship(s): N/A
> Year entered service: 1941
> Personnel: 14
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
4. Landing Craft Infantry (Large)
> Number produced: 923
> Type: Amphibious assault ship
> Notable ship(s): N/A
> Year entered service: 1943
> Personnel: 24
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
3. Landing Ship, Tank MkII (LST2)
> Number produced: 1,051
> Type: Amphibious assault transport vessel
> Notable ship(s): N/A
> Year entered service: 1942
> Personnel: 265
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
2. EC2-S-C1-class (Liberty Ship)
> Number produced: 2,751
> Type: Cargo ship vessel
> Notable ship(s): SS John Brown B4611
> Year SS John Brown B4611 entered service: 1942
> SS John Brown B4611 personnel: 87
Source: Robert Sargent / Archive Photos via Getty Images
1. Higgins Boat LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel)
> Number produced: 20,000
> Type: Amphibious assault landing craft
> Notable ship(s): N/A
> Year entered service: 1941
> Personnel: 39
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