Aircraft Carriers in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941

On December 7, 1941, the United States Navy maintained a relatively extensive fleet of aircraft carriers. These vessels played crucial roles not only in naval operations but also in the lead-up to, and during, the historic attack on Pearl Harbor. Here, we explore the whereabouts of each aircraft carrier on that fateful day in December 1941.

USS Langley (CV-1)

USS Langley, the first aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, had a unique history. Prior to December 7, 1941, she had already been reclassified from an aircraft carrier to a seaplane tender. At the time, she was centered in Manila as part of the Asiatic Fleet, a position she would not hold for long. In February 1942, Langley was engaged in the transportation of aircraft and met a tragic end, being sunk while performing this task.

USS Lexington (CV-2)

Lexington was another carrier at play, but at the time of the attack, she was on a critical mission to Midway Island. After the surprise strike, her fate would become entwined with the USS Yorktown in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The result of this battle was not in favor of Lexington, as she was sunk on May 8, 1942.

USS Saratoga (CV-3)

Saratoga, after completing her recent repairs at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard, was returning to Pearl Harbor when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. This carrier was slated to play a vital role in the relief effort for Wake Island, though this mission was recalled due to the fall of Wake Island. Miraculously, Saratoga would remain operational through the entirety of World War II, eventually meeting her end in 1946 during nuclear arms testing at Bikini Atoll.

USS Ranger (CV-4)

For the entirety of the war, Ranger was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. This carrier had significant strategic value in the Atlantic theater, remaining within the Atlantic until the conclusion of the conflict.

USS Yorktown (CV-5)

Yorktown was based in Norfolk, Virginia, as part of the Atlantic Fleet. Her immediate involvement in the attack on Pearl Harbor was limited, but she was later transferred to the Pacific Fleet, where she participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea alongside Lexington. Despite suffering heavy damage, she managed to sail and joined Enterprise and Hornet in the Battle of Midway, where she, unfortunately, was sunk on June 7, 1942.

USS Enterprise (CV-6)

The Enterprise, the closest carrier to the action, was en route from Wake Island to Pearl Harbor. She was 8 hours away from her port of origin when the attack commenced. In the following days, she experienced friendly fire over Ford Island, losing several aircraft. Despite participating in numerous battles, she survived the war to be scrapped in 1958.

USS Wasp (CV-7)

Wasp, initially assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, was later transferred to the Pacific Fleet. She met her demise on September 15, 1942, when she was sunk in combat by torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-19. She was scuttled, ending her operational career.

USS Hornet (CV-8)

Hornet was commissioned in October 1941 and was undergoing training in Norfolk. She joined the Pacific Fleet right from the start and became a pivotal force in the Doolittle Raid. Though she survived, she was sunk in the Battle of Santa Cruz on October 27, 1942.

On the one hand, the Enterprise was the closest to the situation and operational under the command of Admiral Halsey. Prior to the attack, she was already in a state prepared for active combat. Post-attack, she attempted to locate and destroy the enemy fleet, fortunately, without success. If Halsey had been successful, Enterprise and her escorts likely would have faced a formidable enemy force consisting of at least six aircraft carriers along with their escorts. It is evident that such an encounter would have resulted in a grave defeat for the Enterprise and her escort ships.