|
Following an abbreviated
shakedown off the west coast, Prince William reported for duty with
the Pacific Fleet’s air arm to ferry planes and transport personnel
to forward areas. Redesignated CVE-31 on 15 July 1943, she operated
between the west coast and such places as New Caledonia, Canton
Island, Samoa and Espiritu Santo until the spring of 1944.
Then, a brief assignment at San Diego, training and qualifying
pilots, preceded her return to ferrying duties in mid-April 1944.
She completed a run to Townsville, Australia, 7 May 1944, and, on
her return to San Diego, was reassigned to the Atlantic Fleet.
Unloading aircraft and cargo at Port Everglades, Florida, 21 June
1944, she continued on to Norfolk where new navigational equipment (LORAN)
was installed. During July and into August, she qualified pilots in
the Chesapeake Bay area, then, on 24 August 1944 , resumed plane and
personnel ferry services with a run to Casablanca. Returning with
worn airplane engines and parts, she moored at Norfolk 26 September
1944 for availability. Prince William returned to training duties in
mid-October 1944.
Until 26 January 1945, she qualified pilots in the Narrangansett Bay
area, then shifted to Key West. There she continued to carry out her
mission as a training carrier until returning to Norfolk in May. On
2 June 1945, the CVE got underway for the Panama Canal and on the
8th rejoined the Pacific Fleet. Again assigned to ferrying duties,
she transported planes and personnel between the west coast and
Hawaii for the remainder of World War II.
After the cessation of hostilities, Prince William was assigned to
“Magic Carpet” duty and for the next seven months returned military
personnel and equipment to the United States. Completing her last
run at San Diego, 21 March 1946, she was ordered to the Atlantic
Reserve Fleet and on 8 April 1946 got underway for the Panama Canal.
Arriving at Norfolk on 23 April 1946, she continued on, two days
later, to Philadelphia where she decommissioned 29 August 1946.
Reclassified CVHE-31, 12 June 1955, Prince William remained a unit
of the Philadelphia Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet until struck from
the Naval Register 1 March 1959. She was sold for scrap in Japan in
March 1961. |
