Search the Site with

General Characteristics

Crew List

Memorabilia

Cruise Books and Pamphlets

History

Image Gallery

to end of page

USS Sicily (CVE 118)

USS SICILY was one of the COMMENCEMENT BAY - class escort carriers. Initially named SANDY BAY, her name was changed to SICILY on June 5, 1944, making her the first ship in the Navy named after the island in the Mediterranean Sea separated from the Italian mainland by the narrow Strait of Messina. Sicily was invaded by United States troops on 9 and 10 July 1943 and by British troops on 10 July. The Allies completed the conquest of the island on 16 August.

Decommissioned on October 4, 1954, SICILY's designation was changed to AKV 18 on May 7, 1959. The following year she was stricken from the Navy list and sold for scrapping.

back to top

go to the end of the page

back to top

go to the end of the page

Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS SICILY. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

back to top

go to the end of the page

• Click here to see which USS SICILY memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS SICILY Cruise Books and Pamphlets:

• Commissioning Program
• Cruise Book 1946-51

back to top

go to the end of the page

History of USS SICILY:

SICILY was laid down on 23 October 1944 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Inc., Tacoma, Wash., as SANDY BAY; launched on 14 April 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Julius Vanderwiele; renamed SICILY on 5 June 1944; and commissioned on 27 February 1946, Capt. B. W. Wright in command.

SICILY fitted out at Portland, Oreg., loaded supplies at Seattle, and then sailed for San Diego where she held shakedown training during April and May. On 15 May, she was ordered to proceed to New York, via the Panama Canal and Norfolk. The carrier entered the Brooklyn Navy Yard on 6 June and remained there until 30 September when she sailed to Argentia, Newfoundland, to conduct cold weather training.

During the remainder of 1946 and until 3 April 1950, SICILY operated with the Atlantic Fleet out of her home port of Norfolk. At that time, she was reassigned to the Pacific Fleet with San Diego as her home port, arriving there on 28 April. The carrier was scheduled to conduct antisubmarine warfare exercises during the summer, but the invasion of South Korea by the North Koreans, on 25 June, caused a radical change in her operating plans. SICILY was notified on 2 July that she was needed in the Far East; and she sailed, two days later, for the first of three deployments to Korean waters. SICILY was designated flagship of Carrier Division (CarDiv) 15 and on 3 August launched aircraft of VMF-214 on their first air strike in support of Allied ground forces. During this tour, she supported ground operations at Pohang, the Inchon landing, the advance to Seoul, and the withdrawal of the marines from the Chosin Reservoir to Hungnam before returning to San Diego on 5 February 1951. On her second tour with the 7th Fleet, from 13 May to 12 October 1951, SICILY operated on both the east and west coast of Korea. Her last tour during the Korean conflict was from 8 May to 4 December 1952, and she served with the United Nations Escort and Blockading Force. SICILY was deployed to the Far East again from 14 July 1953 to 25 February 1954.

Upon her return to the west coast, SICILY was placed in reserve, out of commission, with the Pacific Reserve Fleet. She was struck from the Navy list on 1 July 1960 and sold to Nicolai Joffe Corporation on 31 October for scrap.

SICILY received five battle stars for service in Korea.

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS SICILY Image Gallery:

back to top

Back to Escort Carrier List.

Back to Ships List.

Back to selection page.

Back to 1^st page.