USS Casablanca (AVG/ACV/CVE-55) was the first of fifty Casablanca-class escort carriers built for the United States Navy during World War II.

The ship was launched in April 1943, commissioned in July, and served as a training and transport carrier throughout the war.

The ship had a cruising range of 10,240 nautical miles (18,960 km; 11,780 mi) at a speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

The escort carrier was laid down on 3 November 1942 under the name Ameer, with the original plans calling for her transfer to the Royal Navy under the lend-lease program.

[1][8] On 23 February 1943, it was determined that her sister ship Liscome Bay, the second Casablanca-class carrier to be constructed would be transferred under lend-lease in Casablanca's place.

[1][8] Upon being commissioned, it was discovered that Casablanca had a propeller defect, handicapping her speed and handling, which rendered her completely unsuitable for frontline or even transport service.

Therefore, the Navy used her as a training vessel, operating in the Strait of Juan de Fuca to provide pilot certifications.

The Navy also used Casablanca as a ship to gather data on how the escort carriers fared during prolonged periods at sea, measuring her material readiness and the ability of her equipment.

[8][10] Casablanca returned to sea on 13 March, and with her repairs completed, she proceeded westwards for another transport mission.

[8][10] After a brief period in which Casablanca yet again served as a training carrier providing pilot qualifications off of Saipan in August, she was retrofitted into a troopship, and joined the Operation Magic Carpet fleet, which repatriated U.S. servicemen from around the Pacific.

At Pearl Harbor, she made her second run, stopping at Espiritu Santo and Nouméa, repatriating servicemen to the West Coast.

[8][10] Casablanca left San Francisco harbor on 23 January, proceeding to Norfolk, Virginia, arriving on 10 February.