About this Unit
USS Wasp (CV-7) was a United States Navy aircraft carrier commissioned in 1940. She played a vital role in the early years of World War II, notably delivering British Spitfire fighters to Malta during Operation Calendar and Operation Bowery in 1942. After joining the Pacific Fleet, Wasp supported the Guadalcanal campaign, providing crucial air cover for Allied operations. On September 15, 1942, USS Wasp was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-19 and, after catastrophic fires, was abandoned and scuttled, resulting in the loss of 193 crew members.
Historical Facts
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Unique Design: USS Wasp (CV-7) was a one-of-a-kind aircraft carrier, built to maximize capabilities within the weight restrictions imposed by the Washington Naval Treaty.
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Commissioning: She was commissioned on 25 April 1940 at the Boston Navy Yard, with Captain John W. Reeves, Jr. in command.
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Size Compromises: To stay within treaty limits, Wasp was smaller and had less armor and protection compared to her contemporaries, which later impacted her survivability in combat.
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Early Operations: Prior to the U.S. entry into World War II, Wasp operated in the Atlantic, participating in Neutrality Patrols and training exercises.
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Delivering Spitfires: In April and May 1942, USS Wasp famously ferried British Spitfire fighter planes to the beleaguered island of Malta during Operation Calendar and Operation Bowery, earning praise from Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
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Transition to Pacific: After her Malta missions, Wasp was transferred to the Pacific Theater to help offset losses from earlier battles, such as the sinking of USS Lexington at Coral Sea and USS Yorktown at Midway.
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Guadalcanal Campaign: USS Wasp played a key role in supporting the Guadalcanal landings in August 1942, launching air strikes and providing crucial air cover for Allied forces.
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Sinking: On 15 September 1942, while escorting a convoy to Guadalcanal, Wasp was struck by torpedoes from the Japanese submarine I-19, resulting in catastrophic fires that led to her sinking.
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Casualties and Rescue: Of the approximately 2,200 crew aboard, 193 were lost, but the majority were rescued by escorting destroyers and cruisers.
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Wreck Discovery: The wreck of USS Wasp was discovered in January 2019 at a depth of over 14,000 feet in the Coral Sea by a team from Paul Allen’s research vessel, RV Petrel.
