USS Leyte (CV-32)

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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.