USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116)

• Namesake: USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116) was named after the Battle of Badoeng Strait, a naval engagement during the early stages of World War II between Allied and Japanese forces near Bali, Indonesia, in February 1942. • Class and Type: She was a Commencement Bay-class escort aircraft carrier, designed to provide air support for amphibious operations and convoy protection. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 14 November 1945, just after the end of World War II, and thus missed combat operations during that conflict. • Korean War Service: USS Badoeng Strait played a significant role in the Korean War, providing close air support, anti-submarine patrols, and ferrying aircraft and supplies for United Nations forces. • Helicopter Operations: In 1952, Badoeng Strait became one of the first U.S. Navy carriers to conduct extensive helicopter operations, supporting amphibious assaults and troop movements. • Medical Contributions: The carrier's medical staff treated wounded soldiers and pilots, sometimes taking on casualties directly from the frontlines during Korean War operations. • Anti-Submarine Warfare: After the Korean War, Badoeng Strait was converted to specialize in anti-submarine warfare, reflecting Cold War priorities against the Soviet submarine threat. • Hollywood Appearance: The ship appeared in the 1954 Howard Hughes film "The Caine Mutiny," serving as one of the shooting locations for the movie's naval scenes. • Awards: USS Badoeng Strait earned two battle stars for her service during the Korean War. • Decommissioning and Fate: The carrier was decommissioned on 17 May 1957 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1960. She was sold for scrap in 1961, ending her naval service.