USS Casablanca (CVE-55)

USS Casablanca (CVE-55)

The USS Casablanca (CVE-55) (also ACV-55) was a United States Navy escort aircraft carrier, lead ship of her class, named after the city of Casablanca, Morocco.

Casablanca has borne three names and three type designators. Originally assigned the name Ameer and the designator AVG, she became ACV-55 on 20 August 1942, and was renamed Alazon Bay on 23 January 1943. She became Casablanca on 3 April 1943, and CVE-55 on 15 July 1943. Casablanca was launched on 5 April 1943 by Kaiser Shipbuilding Company, Vancouver, Washington, under a Maritime Commission contract, sponsored by Eleanor Roosevelt, acquired by the Navy on 8 July 1943, and commissioned the same day, Commander W. W. Gallaway in command. She then reported to the Pacific Fleet.