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| (CV-21: dp 27,100, 1. 888'; b. 147'6"; dr. 2R'7", s. 33 k. cpl. 3448; a 12 5"; cl. Ticonderoga)
The Boxer (CV-21) was launched 14 December 1944 by Newport News Shipbuildingand Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Va.; sponsored by Miss Ruth D. Ovarton daughter of the Senator from Louisiana; and commissioned 16 April 1945,Boxer captain D. F. Smith in command. Completed too late to take part in World War II,Boxer Joined the Pacific Fleet at San Diego in August 1945. From September 1945 to 23 August 1946 she operated out of Guam as flagship of TF 77 in the Western Pacific. Duringthis tour she visited Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines, and China. She returnedto San Francisco 10 September 1946 and operated off the west coast engagedin normal peacetime duty until departing for the Far East 11 January 1960.After service with the 7th Fleet in the Far East during the first half of1960, she returned to San Diego, arriving 25 June. With the outbreak of the Korean conflict she was pressed into serviceto carry planes to the fighting, During 14-22 July l950 she made a recordcrossing of the Pacific, 8 1/2 days, with1 50 Air Force and Navy planes and a thousand troops. On her return trip (27 July-4 August)she cut therecord to 7 days, 10 hours, and 36 minutes. After fast repairs she departedfor the Far East 24 August this time to join TF 77 in giving air supportto the troops. Her planes supported the landing at Inchon (15 September1950) and other ground action until November, when she departed for the west coast and overhaul. Boxer departed San Diego for her second Korean tour 2 March 1951. Againshe operated with TF 77 supporting the ground troops. She returned to SanFrancisco 24 October 1951. Sailing 8 February 1952 for her third tour inKorea, Boxer again served with TF 77. During 23-24 June her planes tookpart in the heavy strikes against the North Korean hydroelectric complexand on 5 August she had nine men killed and two seriously injured in a firewhich swept the hangar deck. After emergency repairs at Yokosuka, Japan(11-23 August), Boxer returned to duty off Korea. She arrived at San Francisco 25 September and underwent repairs until March l953. The carrier departed for the Far East 30 March 1953 and went into actiona month later. She took part in the final actions of the Korean conflictand remained in Asiatic waters until November. Since the end of the Koreanfighting Boxer has cruised off the west coast and has made three cruisesto the Far East. Boxer was reclassified CVA-21 in October 1952 and CVS-21'18 November 1955. Boxer received eight battle stars for her service off Korea. |
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