About this Unit
USS Leyte (CV-32) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1946, named after the pivotal World War II Battle of Leyte Gulf. Initially serving in the Atlantic Fleet, Leyte participated in training and readiness operations before being deployed to the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet during the late 1940s. During the Korean War, Leyte was reassigned to the Pacific Fleet and conducted air strikes against North Korean and Chinese forces from late 1950 to early 1951. After her Korean War service, Leyte was converted to an anti-submarine warfare carrier (CVS-32) before being decommissioned in 1959.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Leyte (CV-32) was named after the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history, fought during World War II in October 1944.
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Class: She was an Essex-class aircraft carrier, a class that formed the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s carrier force during World War II and beyond.
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Commissioning: USS Leyte was commissioned on 11 April 1946, too late to see action in World War II, but she became an important asset in the early Cold War era.
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Korean War Service: Leyte saw active duty during the Korean War, launching air strikes against North Korean and Chinese targets and providing close air support for United Nations forces.
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First Jet Landing: In 1949, USS Leyte was the first carrier to have a jet-powered aircraft, a McDonnell FH-1 Phantom, land on her deck as part of the first Atlantic Fleet carrier qualification for jets.
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Medal of Honor: Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the Navy’s first African-American aviator, flew from the USS Leyte during the Korean War. After being shot down, his wingman, Thomas Hudner, crash-landed to try to save him and was awarded the Medal of Honor.
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Hurricane Incident: In September 1950, while operating in the Atlantic, Leyte was damaged when she encountered Hurricane Dog, but she survived with only minor damage.
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Anglo-Iranian Oil Crisis: In 1951, Leyte was deployed to the Mediterranean as part of the U.S. response to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Crisis, demonstrating American naval presence during tensions in the Middle East.
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Conversion: In 1953, Leyte was converted to an anti-submarine warfare carrier, designated CVS-32, reflecting the increasing importance of anti-submarine operations during the Cold War.
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Decommissioning and Fate: Leyte was decommissioned on 15 May 1959 and was eventually sold for scrap in 1970, ending the service of a ship that contributed significantly during a pivotal era of naval history.
