USS Hollandia

[4] By the end of the war, Casablanca-class carriers had been modified to carry thirty 20–mm cannons, and the amount of 40–mm guns had been doubled to sixteen, by putting them into twin mounts.

[4][5] The escort carrier was laid down on 12 February 1944, under a Maritime Commission contract, MC hull 1134, by Kaiser Shipbuilding Company, Vancouver, Washington.

[7] She was launched on 28 April 1944; sponsored by Mrs. William H. Wheat; transferred to the United States Navy and commissioned on 1 June 1944, with Captain Charles Loomis Lee in command.

Shakedown continued as she underwent a transport mission, carrying a load of replacement aircraft and military personnel.

As U.S. forces began their landings, beginning the Battle of Okinawa, Hollandia joined the Special Escort Carrier Group as its flagship.

She, along with White Plains, Sitkoh Bay, and the Bogue-class escort carrier Breton, transported Marine Air Groups 31 and 33 to land bases captured on Okinawa.

After departing on 2 April, the destroyers Kilty, Manley, George E. Badger, and Greene provided a screen for the carriers.

[8][9] The escort carriers managed to safely arrive at Okinawa on 6 April, although the destroyers dropped depth charges to deter a suspected submarine en route.

On 9 April, she launched her planes to the hastily expanded Kadena Air Base, where the aircraft began operations.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, transported aboard the escort carriers, would go on to become the highest-scoring air unit participating in the Battle of Okinawa, claiming 124.5 Japanese planes.

Finally, her hull was struck from the Navy list on 1 April 1960, and sold sometime in July 1960 to Eisenberg & Co. of New York for scrapping.

A profile of the design of Takanis Bay , which was shared with all Casablanca -class escort carriers.
Hollandia anchored at San Diego, July 1944. Passengers are waiting to board the ship.
Gunnery practice onboard Hollandia , circa 1944.
F4U Corsairs of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 prepare to take off from the flight deck of Hollandia , April 1945.
The hangar deck of Hollandia during a Magic Carpet run, circa 1945.