- USS Copahee (CVE-12)
The USS "Copahee" (CVE-12) was a sclass|Bogue|escort carrier that served in the
United States Navy during World War II. Originally classified AVG-12, was changed to ACV-12, 20 August 1942; CVE-12, 15 July 1943; and CVHE-12, 12 June 1955.She was laid down on 18 June 1941, as "Steel Architect", under
Maritime Commission contract (hull 169) inTacoma, Washington byTodd Pacific Shipyards , launched 21 October 1941; sponsored by Mrs. W. M. Wells; acquired by the United States Navy on 8 February 1942; and commissioned 15 June 1942, Commander J. G. Farrell in command.Sailing from Alameda 5 September 1942, "Copahee" arrived at
Nouméa 28 September with her cargo of planes, stores and passengers. From October 7 to 11 October, she cruised towardGuadalcanal to launch 20 marine fighter planes for Henderson Field, then returned toSan Diego, California 29 October for overhaul.After training at
Pearl Harbor , "Copahee" sailed from San Diego 25 February 1943 to begin transport duty carrying aircraft, aviation stores and personnel to the forward bases in theNew Hebrides ,Fiji s, andNew Caledonia as well as islands in theHawaii an chain until 7 June 1943.Between 2 September 1943 and 19 January 1944, she made two voyages to deliver aircraft at Townsville and
Brisbane , Australia, and one to Pearl Harbor. She sailed from San Diego 10 April to ferry aircraft from Pearl Harbor toMajuro until 3 June when she began supporting the Marianas operation by supplying replacement pilots and aircraft to carriers of the 5th Fleet. On 28 July 1944 she returned to San Diego, California with a load of captured Japanese planes (13 Zekes and 1 Kate) and equipment (37 engines) to be used for intelligence and training purposes.After overhaul, "Copahee" returned to transport duty. Until the end of the war she made six voyages from Alameda, carrying her vital cargo to Manus, Majuro,
Guam ,Saipan , and Pearl Harbor. From 6 September to 21 December 1945, she operated in "Magic Carpet" duty, returning homeward-bound servicemen from Saipan, Guam,Eniwetok , and thePhilippines to the west coast. She returned to Alameda 21 December 1945, and was decommissioned and placed in reserve at Tacoma, Washington, 5 July 1946."Copahee" was redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE-12) on 12 June 1955. Stricken for disposal on 1 March 1959, "Copahee" was sold for scrap in 1961.
"Copahee" received one battle star for World War II service.
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