[Homer_J_Simpson]

U.S. ships. led by the USS Langley, entering Ulithi Lagoon in column, 12 December 1944.

[EternalVigilance]

What an amazing picture.

[henkster]

Most, if not all, of the ships in that photo have been in commission less than three years.

[alfa6]

FWIW the USS Langley CVL-27 was commissioned in August of 1943.

Other than the USS Saratroga CV-3 and USS Enterprise CV-6 every fleet and light carrier in the Pacific was commissioned after 31 December 1942.

By 31 January 1944 the US Navy had brought 9 of the light carriers and 5 of the Essex class carriers on line. By the time that picture was taken there were 12 of the Essex class carriers in service!!!

One final comment, this pic is a far cry from late in 1942 when the USS Enterprise was the only fleet carrier available to the US Navy in the Pacific.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}