The USS Tulagi (CVE-72) was a Casablanca-class escort aircraft carrier constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. Laid down on June 7, 1943, in Vancouver, Washington, by the Kaiser Company, Inc., she was initially designated Fortazela Bay (ACV-72), later renamed Fortaleza Bay, and finally rechristened Tulagi on November 6, 1943. She was launched on November 15, 1943, and commissioned on December 21, 1943, under the command of Captain Joseph Campbell Cronin. The vessel measured approximately 512 feet in length with a beam of about 65 feet and a draft of around 20 feet. As a Casablanca-class carrier, she was designed for versatility and rapid deployment, serving primarily as an escort and support vessel. Her service record began with ferrying supplies, aircraft, and personnel to Hawaii, followed by training exercises along the U.S. West Coast. Tulagi then transited through the Panama Canal to Norfolk, Virginia, where she underwent overhaul and carrier qualification testing. During her deployment in the European theater, Tulagi participated in the invasion of southern France (Operation Dragoon), launching aircraft in support of the landings on D-Day. She flew 68 missions and 276 sorties, targeting enemy gun emplacements and railway facilities. Her aircraft also contributed to the retreat of German forces, and she engaged in combat operations including downing enemy aircraft and attacking convoy targets. In 1944, Tulagi shifted to the Pacific Theater, supporting operations in the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. She provided crucial air support, antisubmarine patrols, and air strikes against Japanese positions. Notably, she endured kamikaze attacks, including the sinking of the USS Ommaney Bay and damage inflicted by Japanese aircraft, which she actively engaged with anti-aircraft fire. Her operations were vital during the intense battles at Okinawa, where she shot down attacking Zeros and provided air cover for ground forces. After the war, Tulagi returned to the U.S., underwent overhaul, and was decommissioned on April 30, 1946. She was struck from the Navy List shortly thereafter. Throughout her service, USS Tulagi earned four battle stars for her contributions during World War II, marking her as a significant vessel in the naval operations of the Pacific and European theaters.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.