USS Wasp (CV-18)

The USS Wasp (CV-18) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy during World War II. Commissioned in November 1943, she was named after the previous USS Wasp (CV-7), which was sunk in 1942.

Wasp participated extensively in the Pacific Theater of World War II, earning eight battle stars for her service. She took part in major operations, including the Mariana Islands campaign, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the invasion of Iwo Jima, and the invasion of Okinawa. Her air groups contributed significantly to the destruction of Japanese naval and air assets.

Following the end of World War II, Wasp was placed in reserve. She was reactivated in the early 1950s and converted into an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) carrier (CVS-18). In this role, she served in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous exercises and deployments.

In the early 1960s, Wasp was also utilized as a recovery ship for Project Gemini, a NASA manned spaceflight program. She recovered astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young after their Gemini 3 mission in March 1965, as well as astronauts James McDivitt and Ed White after their Gemini 4 mission in June 1965.

Wasp was decommissioned in 1972 and sold for scrap in 1973. Her service record reflects a significant contribution to both World War II and the early years of the Space Race.