Ship's Names: W

Name

Ship(s)

Source

Wake Island

CVE-65 - Casablanca-class escort carrier

"An atoll in the northern Pacific, consisting of three islands—Wake, Peale, and Wilkes—which became an American advanced base in 1941... After bitter fighting, the men of the Japanese Special Naval Landing Force managed to overcome the defending marines but not without sustaining heavy casualties. Wilkes was the last island to surrender, on the afternoon of the 23d."

Wasp

SP-1159 - Patrol motorboat

CV-7 - Wasp-class light carrier

CV-18 - Essex-class fleet carrier

LHD-1 - Wasp-class amphibious assault ship

Insect of the order Hymenoptera, known to both bite and sting. The name has been assigned to eleven U.S. Navy vessels. Both CV-18 and LHD-1 were named in honor of their predecessor.

"Any of numerous winged hymenopterus insects possessing smooth, slender bodies, and an abdomen attached by a narrow stalk. They have well developed wings, biting mouthparts, and often administer painful stings."

White Plains

CVE-66 - Casablanca-class escort carrier

"A city in, and the seat of government for, Westchester County, N.Y. After the Battle of Long Island on 27 August 1776, during the Revolutionary War, George Washington was forced to evacuate Long Island and, later, the entire state of New York. During the retreat through New York and New Jersey, contingents of American soldiers fought a series of sharp rearguard actions which held up the British forces and allowed the Continental Army to escape intact to Pennsylvania. On 28 October 1776, the second of those engagements was fought near White Plains, N.Y. Though the American troops were ultimately driven from the field, they held the British back long enough to allow General Washington's main force to make good its retreat."

Willapa

CVE-53
D79 HMS Puncher - Ameer-class escort carrier

"A bay off southwestern Washington state, adjacent to Pacific County."

Windham Bay

CVE-92 - Casablanca-class escort carrier

"A bay on the southeastern coast of Alaska off Frederick Sound."

Winjah

CVE-54
D82 HMS Reaper - Ameer-class escort carrier

"An alternative spelling to Winyah, a bay off the coast of South Carolina which serves as the estuary of the Pee Dee, Black, and Waccamaw Rivers and is located slightly above Georgetown, S.C."

Wolverine

Sidewheel Steamer

IX-64 - training carrier

"An American mammal found mostly in the northern United States. The state of Michigan is known as the 'Wolverine State.'"

Wright

AZ-1 - lighter-than-air aircraft tender

CV-47 USS Philippine Sea - Essex-class fleet carrier

CVL-49 - Saipan-class light carrier

"The first Wright (AZ-1) was named for Orville Wright; the second, CVL-49, honored both Wright brothers: Orville and Wilbur."

Dedication

Ship's Names: W

Name

Ship(s)

Source