About this Unit
USS Ranger (CV-4) was the United States Navy's first purpose-built aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1934. During World War II, she primarily operated in the Atlantic, providing critical air cover for convoys and participating in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa in 1942. Ranger also conducted air strikes against German shipping and installations along the Norwegian coast in 1943. After serving as a training and transport carrier later in the war, USS Ranger was decommissioned in 1946 and sold for scrap in 1947.
Historical Facts
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First Purpose-Built US Aircraft Carrier: USS Ranger (CV-4), commissioned in 1934, was the first American aircraft carrier designed and built as such from the keel up—not converted from another type of ship.
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Size Constraints: Ranger was smaller than later carriers due to treaty limitations (Washington and London Naval Treaties), displacing about 14,500 tons, which limited her operational range and air group size.
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Early Carrier Innovations: Ranger introduced several features that became standard on later carriers, such as an island superstructure and a full-length flight deck.
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Atlantic Operations: Unlike many US carriers, Ranger spent most of World War II in the Atlantic, providing vital air support for operations in North Africa and anti-submarine warfare.
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Operation Torch: In November 1942, Ranger launched 496 combat sorties in support of the Allied landings in North Africa, helping secure the beaches around Casablanca.
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Wolfpack Encounters: Ranger participated in hunting German U-boats in the Atlantic, providing air cover that helped deter submarine attacks on Allied convoys.
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Royal Navy Cooperation: In 1943, Ranger ferried Spitfire aircraft to the British base at Gibraltar, demonstrating critical Allied cooperation.
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Training Role: Later in the war, Ranger was used as a training carrier for new pilots, helping prepare aviators for combat on newer, larger fleet carriers.
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Never Fought in the Pacific: Although built for the Pacific, Ranger never deployed there for combat, due to her relatively small size and limited speed compared to other carriers.
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Decommissioning and Legacy: USS Ranger was decommissioned in 1946 and sold for scrap in 1947, but her pioneering service helped shape the development of US naval aviation.
