Originally named Astrolabe Bay, Hollandia was a Casablanca-class aircraft carrier that was part of the United States Pacific Fleet from 1944 to 1946. She was sponsored by Mrs. William H. Wheat and launched under Maritime Commission by Kaiser Shipyards on April 28, 1944. The carrier was renamed Hollandia May 30, 1944, after a town on the Northern Coast of New Guinea where a successful American amphibious operation secured that territory and paved the way for the invasion of the Phillippines.
She set sail on July 10, 1944 from San Diego to Espiritu Santo Island, a small island off the northeast Coast of Australia, transporting replacement aircraft. Captain C.L. Lee commanded the vessel, and her first few voyages saw her transporting supplies and passengers between the West Coast of the United States and bases in Guam, Ulithi, Manus, and the Pacific.
Hollandia boasted a 7,800-ton displacement, 19-knot speed, and 10,240 nautical-mile range. Armament included a 5”/38 caliber dual-purpose gun, Bofors 40 mm guns, and Oerlikon 20-mm cannons. She carried 28 aircraft.
USS Hollandia Highlights from WWII
Hollandia played an important role in major events of World War II. Her highlights include:
The Battle of Okinawa: on April 1, 1945, the day the Navy’s assault on Okinawa began. At the time, Hollandia was anchored near the Ulithi atoll. By the next day, she was operating off the Okinawan coast, sending fighters in support of the advancing troops.
Support in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor: exactly one month later, she arrived in San Diego to pick up cargo and passengers and transport them to Pearl Harbor.
On June 18, 1944, she began operating with the 3d Fleet’s logistic supply unit.
For the last two months of the war effort, Hollandia transported much-needed replacements to the task force carriers surrounding Japan.
As part of Operation “Magic-Carpet,” Hollandia was then converted to a passenger ship to bring thousands of American servicemen home after the war.
For valiant battle service in World War II, Hollandia received two battle stars.
After the war effort, Hollandia was anchored in Puget Sound and decommissioned on Jan. 17, 1947. In 1960, she was sold for scrap to Eisenberg & Company.
USS Hollandia bore the following hull classifications:
AVG-97
ACG-97
CVE-97
CVU-97
AKV-97