USS Bataan ( CVL - 29 ) USS " Bataan " ( CVL - 29 / AVT - 4 ) , originally planned as USS " Buffalo " ( CL - 99 ) and also classified as CV - 29 , was an 11 , 000 ton " Independence " class light aircraft carrier which was commissioned in the United States Navy during World War II . Service history . World War II . " Buffalo " ( CL - 99 ) was reclassified CV - 29 and renamed " Bataan " on 2 June 1942 , reclassified CVL - 29 on 15 July 1943 ; launched on 1 August 1943 at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden , New Jersey , sponsored by Mrs . George D . Murray , wife of Rear Admiral Murray ; and commissioned on 17 November 1943 , with Captain V . H . Schaeffer in command After shakedown , she reported to the Pacific Fleet . In her initial engagement with the Japanese , " Bataan ' s " planes supported the attack on Hollandia ( currently known as Jayapura ) , New Guinea , between 21 April and 24 April 1944 . Following this action were strikes against Truk , Satawan , and Ponape ( 29 April – 1 May 1944 ) ; Saipan , Marianas ( 11 June – 10 August ) ; 1st Bonins raid ( 15 – 16 June ) ; Battle of the Philippine Sea ( 19 – 20 June ) , and the 2nd Bonins raid ( 24 June ) . " Bataan " was then returned to the United States for repairs . Repairs completed , she joined TF 58 and participated in the fleet raids in support of the Okinawa operation ( 17 March – 30 May 1945 ) , during which her aircraft assisted in the sinking of " Yamato " on 7 April 1945 and " I - 56 " on 18 April 1945 , in . Retiring to the Philippines , " Bataan " joined the 3rd Fleet for operations against the Japanese home islands ( 10 July – 15 August ) . " Bataan " was assigned to Rear Admiral Gerald F . Bogan ' s Task Group 38 . 3 ( TG 38 . 3 ) built around " Bataan " , " Essex " , " Ticonderoga " , " Randolph " , and " Monterey " ) . " Bataan " returned to the United States , arriving at New York 17 October 1945 , and was assigned to " Magic Carpet " duty . On 10 January 1946 she arrived at Philadelphia to prepare for inactivation . " Bataan " went out of commission in reserve on 11 February 1947 . Korea . " Bataan " was recommissioned on 13 May 1950 at Philadelphia . In July 1950 , she stood out for San Diego , and upon arrival she loaded Air Force cargo and personnel , and departed on 16 November for Tokyo Bay . She arrived in Korean waters on 15 December , and until June 1951 her aircraft flew strikes in support of the ground forces . " Bataan " departed for the west coast 2 June 1951 and , after a brief stop at San Diego , steamed to Bremerton , Washington , on 9 July for overhaul . She returned to San Diego on 20 November , and on 27 January 1952 departed for Yokosuka , Japan , and thence to Buckner Bay , Okinawa . She conducted air exercises and other training maneuvers off Okinawa until 29 April , when she sailed for Korean waters . " Bataan " continued operating between Japan and Korea throughout the summer of 1952 carrying personnel and supplies to the fighting area and launching strikes against the enemy . She left the fighting zone on 11 August for San Diego . On 27 October the carrier once again stood out for the Far East and operated off Korea until 10 May 1953 , when she departed for San Diego . She remained in the San Diego area undergoing overhaul and training until 31 July . Then she sailed via Pearl Harbor to Kobe and Yokosuka , Japan , and then back to the United States where she reported for inactivation on 26 August 1953 . She went out of commission in reserve on 9 April 1954 at San Francisco , California . She was stricken from the Navy List on 1 September 1959 , and was sold for scrapping in May 1961 . Awards . " Bataan " received six battle stars for her World War II service and seven for her Korean War service .