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USS Boxer (CV-21)
Encyclopedia
USS Boxer (CV/CVA/CVS-21, LPH-4) was one of 24 s built during World War II
for the United States Navy
. She was the fifth US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for a British ship captured by the Americans
during the War of 1812
. Boxer was commissioned in April 1945, too late to serve in World War II, but saw extensive service in the Korean War
, for which she received eight battle stars. She was reclassified in the early 1950s as an attack carrier (CVA), then to an antisubmarine carrier (CVS), and finally to an amphibious assault ship
(LPH), carrying helicopters and marines. Unlike most of her sister ships, she received no major modernization, and thus throughout her career retained the classic appearance of a World War II ship. As an LPH she served the Atlantic/Caribbean and in the Pacific, sometimes serving as an aircraft transport. She was the prime recovery vessel for the early Apollo AS-201
mission, and would have been the prime recovery vessel for Gemini 8
, had the spacecraft not made an emergency landing in the Pacific instead.
She was decommissioned in 1969, and sold for scrap in 1971.
and Dry Dock Co. at Newport News, Virginia
. The ship was launched on 14 December 1944 sponsored by Ruth D. Overton (daughter of John H. Overton
, Senator from Louisiana
). She commissioned on 16 April 1945, with Captain
D. F. Smith in command.
, Boxer joined the Pacific Fleet
at San Diego in August 1945. From September 1945-23 August 1946, she operated out of Guam
as flagship
of TF 77 in the Western Pacific. During this tour, she visited Japan
, Okinawa, the Philippines
and China
. She returned to San Francisco on 10 September 1946 and operated off the West Coast engaged in normal peacetime duty.
Flying the North American FJ-1 Fury, squadron VF-5A
conducted the Navy's first all-jet operations at sea aboard Boxer on 10 March 1948. After service with the 7th Fleet
in the Far East during the first half of 1950, she returned to San Diego, arriving on 25 June.
, she was pressed into service to carry planes to the fighting. From 14–22 July 1950, she made a record crossing of the Pacific, 8½ days, with 150 Air Force
and Navy planes and a thousand troops. On her return trip (27 July–4 August), she cut the record to 7 days, 10 hours, and 36 minutes. After fast repairs she departed for the Far East on 24 August, this time to join TF 77 in giving air support to the troops. Her planes supported the landing at Incheon
(15 September 1950) and other ground action until November, when she departed for the west coast and overhaul.
Boxer departed San Diego for her second Korean tour on 2 March 1951. Again she operated with TF 77 supporting the ground troops. She returned to San Francisco on 24 October 1951. Sailing on 8 February 1952 for her third tour in Korea, Boxer again served with TF 77. On 23–24 June, her planes took part in the heavy strikes against the North Korean hydro-electric complex
.
On 6 August 1952, a fire broke out on the hangar deck of the Boxer at ~0530 hours when a fuel tank of an aircraft caught fire while the ship was conducting combat operations in the Sea of Japan
. The blaze was extinguished after a four to five hour fight. The final total of casualties was 8 dead, 1 missing, 1 critically injured, 1 seriously burned and some 70 overcome by smoke. Of the 63 who had gone over the side, all were rescued and returned to the ship. Eighteen aircraft, mostly F9F-2 Panther
s, were damaged (by fire and saltwater) or destroyed.
After emergency repairs at Yokosuka, Japan (11–23 August), Boxer returned to duty off Korea. She arrived at San Francisco on 25 September and underwent repairs until March 1953.
The carrier departed for the Far East on 30 March 1953, and went into action a month later. She took part in the final actions of the Korean War and remained in Asiatic waters until November. After the Korean Warr, Boxer cruised off the West Coast and made three cruises to the Far East. Boxer was reclassified CVA-21 in October 1952.
_1956.jpg)
Later in 1957, Boxer operated briefly as an experimental assault helicopter aircraft carrier, an indication of things to come for her, the Navy and the Marine Corps. In 1958, she was flagship for Operation Hardtack I
, a nuclear weapons test program in the Central Pacific. Late in that year, she was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet
as an "interim amphibious assault ship
" and was formally redesignated LPH-4 on 30 January 1959.
For the next decade, Boxer and her "main battery" of Marines and transport helicopters were vital components of the United States' amphibious warfare capabilities. She mainly operated in the Caribbean area, including participation in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
and the 1965 Dominican Republic
intervention. She deployed to European waters in late 1964 to participate in Operation Steel Pike
. In mid-1965, Boxer served as an aircraft transport, carrying more than two hundred Army helicopters and airplanes to Vietnam
as part of the deployment of the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). She was the prime recovery vessel for the AS-201
mission, the first flight of the Apollo Command and Service Modules
, which was recovered on 26 February 1966. Boxer was also on station in the West Atlantic and scheduled to be the prime recovery vessel for the Gemini 8
mission in March 1966. This opportunity was missed, however, when Gemini 8 had an in-flight emergency and landed in the Western Pacific instead. She then made a second trip to Vietnam, this time carrying Marine Corps aircraft.
Boxer decommissioned in December 1969 and was sold for scrapping in February 1971.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. She was the fifth US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for a British ship captured by the Americans
Capture of HMS Boxer
The capture of HMS Boxer in 1813 was a naval battle of the War of 1812, in which the United States Navy brig USS Enterprise defeated the Royal Navy brig HMS Boxer. The ship was sold at auction and continued for at least a decade as a merchantman...
during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. Boxer was commissioned in April 1945, too late to serve in World War II, but saw extensive service in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, for which she received eight battle stars. She was reclassified in the early 1950s as an attack carrier (CVA), then to an antisubmarine carrier (CVS), and finally to an amphibious assault ship
Amphibious assault ship
An amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault...
(LPH), carrying helicopters and marines. Unlike most of her sister ships, she received no major modernization, and thus throughout her career retained the classic appearance of a World War II ship. As an LPH she served the Atlantic/Caribbean and in the Pacific, sometimes serving as an aircraft transport. She was the prime recovery vessel for the early Apollo AS-201
AS-201
AS-201 , flown February 26, 1966, was the first unmanned test flight of an entire production Block I Apollo Command/Service Module and the Saturn IB launch vehicle. The spacecraft consisted of the second Block I command module and the first Block I service module...
mission, and would have been the prime recovery vessel for Gemini 8
Gemini 8
-Backup crew:-Mission parameters:* Mass: * Perigee: * Apogee: * Inclination: 28.91°* Period: 88.83 min-Objectives:Gemini VIII had two major objectives, of which it achieved one...
, had the spacecraft not made an emergency landing in the Pacific instead.
She was decommissioned in 1969, and sold for scrap in 1971.
Construction and Commissioning
Boxer was one of the "long-hull" ships. She was laid down on 13 September 1943 by Newport News ShipbuildingNorthrop Grumman Newport News
Newport News Shipbuilding , originally Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company , was the largest privately-owned shipyard in the United States prior to being purchased by Northrop Grumman in 2001...
and Dry Dock Co. at Newport News, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
. The ship was launched on 14 December 1944 sponsored by Ruth D. Overton (daughter of John H. Overton
John H. Overton
John Holmes Overton was an attorney and Democratic United States representative and U.S. senator from Louisiana...
, Senator from Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
). She commissioned on 16 April 1945, with Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
D. F. Smith in command.
1945-1956
Completed too late to take part in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Boxer joined the Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
at San Diego in August 1945. From September 1945-23 August 1946, she operated out of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
as flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of TF 77 in the Western Pacific. During this tour, she visited Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Okinawa, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. She returned to San Francisco on 10 September 1946 and operated off the West Coast engaged in normal peacetime duty.
Flying the North American FJ-1 Fury, squadron VF-5A
VF-51
VF-51, Fighter Squadron 51 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy known as the "Screaming Eagles". The squadron established in 1943 and retired and its personnel reassigned in 1995.- History :...
conducted the Navy's first all-jet operations at sea aboard Boxer on 10 March 1948. After service with the 7th Fleet
United States Seventh Fleet
The Seventh Fleet is the United States Navy's permanent forward projection force based in Yokosuka, Japan, with units positioned near Japan and South Korea. It is a component fleet force under the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with...
in the Far East during the first half of 1950, she returned to San Diego, arriving on 25 June.
Korean War
With the outbreak of the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, she was pressed into service to carry planes to the fighting. From 14–22 July 1950, she made a record crossing of the Pacific, 8½ days, with 150 Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and Navy planes and a thousand troops. On her return trip (27 July–4 August), she cut the record to 7 days, 10 hours, and 36 minutes. After fast repairs she departed for the Far East on 24 August, this time to join TF 77 in giving air support to the troops. Her planes supported the landing at Incheon
Incheon
The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...
(15 September 1950) and other ground action until November, when she departed for the west coast and overhaul.
Attack on the Sui-ho Dam
The attack on the Sui-ho Dam was the collective name for a large series of air attacks by United Nations Command air forces on thirteen hydroelectric generating facilities that took place June 23 and June 24, 1952, during the Korean War...
.
On 6 August 1952, a fire broke out on the hangar deck of the Boxer at ~0530 hours when a fuel tank of an aircraft caught fire while the ship was conducting combat operations in the Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
. The blaze was extinguished after a four to five hour fight. The final total of casualties was 8 dead, 1 missing, 1 critically injured, 1 seriously burned and some 70 overcome by smoke. Of the 63 who had gone over the side, all were rescued and returned to the ship. Eighteen aircraft, mostly F9F-2 Panther
F9F Panther
|-Popular culture:The Panther played a prominent role in the 1954 movie Men of the Fighting Lady . The F9F was featured in the flying sequences in the 1954 movie The Bridges at Toko-Ri, although in the 1953 James A...
s, were damaged (by fire and saltwater) or destroyed.
After emergency repairs at Yokosuka, Japan (11–23 August), Boxer returned to duty off Korea. She arrived at San Francisco on 25 September and underwent repairs until March 1953.
The carrier departed for the Far East on 30 March 1953, and went into action a month later. She took part in the final actions of the Korean War and remained in Asiatic waters until November. After the Korean Warr, Boxer cruised off the West Coast and made three cruises to the Far East. Boxer was reclassified CVA-21 in October 1952.
1956-1969
Converted to an anti-submarine warfare aircraft carrier (CVS) in early 1956, she made a final Western Pacific tour in that role during 1956-57.Later in 1957, Boxer operated briefly as an experimental assault helicopter aircraft carrier, an indication of things to come for her, the Navy and the Marine Corps. In 1958, she was flagship for Operation Hardtack I
Operation Hardtack I
Operation Hardtack I was a series of 35 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1958 in the Pacific Ocean.Operation Newsreel was a series of three high-altitude nuclear tests conducted as part of Hardtack I. The individual tests in the series were Orange, Teak and Yucca.-Test Blasts:-...
, a nuclear weapons test program in the Central Pacific. Late in that year, she was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet
United States Fleet Forces Command
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
as an "interim amphibious assault ship
Amphibious assault ship
An amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault...
" and was formally redesignated LPH-4 on 30 January 1959.
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
and the 1965 Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
intervention. She deployed to European waters in late 1964 to participate in Operation Steel Pike
Operation Steel Pike
Operation Steel Pike was the largest peacetime amphibious landing exercise in history, conducted by the United States Navy and Marine Corps and taking place on the coast of Spain in October to November 1964....
. In mid-1965, Boxer served as an aircraft transport, carrying more than two hundred Army helicopters and airplanes to Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
as part of the deployment of the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). She was the prime recovery vessel for the AS-201
AS-201
AS-201 , flown February 26, 1966, was the first unmanned test flight of an entire production Block I Apollo Command/Service Module and the Saturn IB launch vehicle. The spacecraft consisted of the second Block I command module and the first Block I service module...
mission, the first flight of the Apollo Command and Service Modules
Apollo Command/Service Module
The Command/Service Module was one of two spacecraft, along with the Lunar Module, used for the United States Apollo program which landed astronauts on the Moon. It was built for NASA by North American Aviation...
, which was recovered on 26 February 1966. Boxer was also on station in the West Atlantic and scheduled to be the prime recovery vessel for the Gemini 8
Gemini 8
-Backup crew:-Mission parameters:* Mass: * Perigee: * Apogee: * Inclination: 28.91°* Period: 88.83 min-Objectives:Gemini VIII had two major objectives, of which it achieved one...
mission in March 1966. This opportunity was missed, however, when Gemini 8 had an in-flight emergency and landed in the Western Pacific instead. She then made a second trip to Vietnam, this time carrying Marine Corps aircraft.
Boxer decommissioned in December 1969 and was sold for scrapping in February 1971.
See also
- List of aircraft carriers
- List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy
- List of World War II ships
External links
- USS Boxer Veterans Association
- Navy photographs of Boxer (CV-21)
- USS Boxer in drydock at Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard