Over 3,064,780 active members

Opening branch overview

Building the branch home surface

Loading branch highlights, featured unit context, and gallery moments.

Overview

Members

Units

U.S. Navy banner

USS Ranger insignia

USS Ranger

U.S. Navy•1,277 members

USS Ranger Homepage Photos Posts Members

Did you serve with the USS Ranger?

Find familiar faces
Explore unit photos
Share your photos

Sign up to join

New to VetFriends?

Create a free account to explore unit members and photos, and reconnect with people you served with.

Create a free account

Already a member? Log in

About this Unit

USS Ranger insignia

USS Ranger

U.S. Navy

The USS Ranger is a naval aircraft carrier that served in the United States Navy. It was the first US Navy ship to be designed and built as an aircraft carrier, entering service in 1934. The USS Ranger saw action in World War II, participating in operations in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. It was decommissioned in 1946 and ultimately scrapped in 1947.

USS Ranger insignia

About USS Ranger

About this Unit

The USS Ranger is a naval aircraft carrier that served in the United States Navy. It was the first US Navy ship to be designed and built as an aircraft carrier, entering service in 1934. The USS Ranger saw action in World War II, participating in operations in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. It was decommissioned in 1946 and ultimately scrapped in 1947.

Historical Facts

10 Interesting Facts about USS Ranger 10 Interesting Facts about USS Ranger
The USS Ranger was the first ship built as an aircraft carrier from the keel up.
During World War II, the USS Ranger served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
USS Ranger was known for launching carrier-based aircraft against German U-boats during the war.
The ship participated in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in 1942.
USS Ranger was the first U.S. Navy ship to be equipped with a steam catapult for aircraft launching.
After the war, the USS Ranger was used for various purposes, including training carrier pilots.
The ship was decommissioned in 1993 and eventually sold for scrap in 2015.
USS Ranger appeared in the 1980 film "Top Gun" starring Tom Cruise.
During its service, the USS Ranger earned 13 battle stars for its actions in various conflicts.
The ship's motto was "Sicut Aquila" which means "Like an Eagle" in Latin.