USS Munda

USS Munda (CVE-104) was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier of the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for the Battle of Munda Point, a land battle on New Georgia Island in the Solomon Islands campaign.

Munda was launched on May 27, 1944, by Todd-Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Tacoma, Washington; sponsored by Mrs. Charles E. Taylor; and commissioned on July 8, 1944, Captain W. L. Rees in command.

After shakedown, Munda steamed to the Pacific, reporting to Commander, Carrier Division 27. Her primary function was providing air support for amphibious operations and anti-submarine patrol. She participated in the Lingayen Gulf landing in January 1945, providing close air support for troops ashore. Later, she supported the invasion of Okinawa in April 1945, suffering damage from a kamikaze attack on April 13th. She returned to the United States for repairs and the war ended while she was undergoing this work.

After repairs, Munda was used for Operation Magic Carpet, transporting troops back to the United States. She was decommissioned on January 8, 1947, and placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Munda was reclassified as CVHE-104 on June 12, 1955, and as AKV-26 on May 7, 1959. She was struck from the Navy List on September 1, 1964, and sold for scrap on June 15, 1965.

She received two battle stars for her World War II service.