USS Mindoro (CVE-120)

• Namesake: USS Mindoro (CVE-120) was named after the island of Mindoro in the Philippines, which was the site of a significant amphibious campaign during World War II. • Class: USS Mindoro was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier, the last class of escort carriers built for the U.S. Navy. • Late War Build: The ship was launched on November 2, 1945, just after the end of World War II, and thus did not see combat in that conflict. • Service Entry: USS Mindoro was commissioned on December 4, 1945, and served primarily in the post-war era. • Atlantic Fleet Operations: The ship operated mainly with the Atlantic Fleet, serving as a training carrier and participating in anti-submarine warfare exercises. • Cuban Crisis: During the early years of the Cold War, Mindoro played a role in U.S. naval operations in the Caribbean, including patrols during the times of unrest in Cuba. • Aircraft Types: The escort carrier operated a variety of aircraft, including Grumman F6F Hellcats, TBM Avengers, and later anti-submarine and utility planes. • Training Role: Mindoro often served as a "qualifier" carrier, enabling new naval aviators to practice and qualify for carrier landings. • Decommissioning: USS Mindoro was decommissioned on August 4, 1955, after less than a decade of service, as jet aircraft and larger fleet carriers made escort carriers less essential. • Final Fate: The ship was sold for scrap in 1960, marking the end of her brief but important service in the early Cold War U.S. Navy.