USS Manila Bay (CVE-61) was a Casablanca-class escort carrier of the United States Navy.
USS Manila Bay (CVE-61) underway whilst operating as an attack carrier in the Pacific, circa 1944.
Casablanca-class escort carrier
The Casablanca-class escort carrier was a series of escort carriers constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. They are the most numerous class of aircraft carriers ever built. Fifty were laid down, launched and commissioned within the space of less than two years – 3 November 1942 through to 8 July 1944. Despite their numbers, and the preservation of more famous and larger carriers as museums, none of these modest ships survive today. Five were lost to enemy action during World War II and the remainder were scrapped.
USS Guadalcanal, 1944
Casablanca-class escort carriers fitting out, circa April 1944.
USS Lunga Point
USS Gambier Bay under fire at Samar, 1944