The USS Antietam (CV-36) was a long-hull Essex-class aircraft carrier constructed during World War II, with her keel laid on 15 March 1943 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Launching occurred on 20 August 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Millard E. Tydings, and she was commissioned on 28 January 1945 under Captain James R. Tague. Although built for wartime service, she was completed too late to participate actively in WWII. Antietam measured as a "long-hull" Essex-class carrier, retaining much of the classic WWII design, but notable for being the first ship to feature a true angled flight deck. In 1952, she was fitted with a port sponson to facilitate this modification, marking a significant development in aircraft carrier design, allowing for safer and more efficient aircraft operations. Throughout her service, she largely maintained her original Essex-class appearance, with only this major modernization. She served in the Pacific theater shortly after her commissioning, participating in occupation duties following Japan's surrender, and operated in the Far East for over three years. During her deployment, she supported Allied occupation efforts in North China, Manchuria, and Korea, and conducted surveillance missions amid the Chinese Civil War. Decommissioned in 1949, she was recommissioned in 1951 for Korean War service, earning two battle stars. During her Korean deployment, she participated in four cruises with Task Force 77, flying nearly 6,000 sorties in support of UN forces, engaging in combat air patrols, reconnaissance, and antisubmarine missions. In the early 1950s, Antietam was redesignated multiple times—first as an attack carrier (CVA) and later as an antisubmarine warfare carrier (CVS). She became the world's first carrier with a true angled deck, enabling more advanced aircraft operations. Post-Korean War, she primarily operated in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean, including service with the 6th Fleet. From 1957, she served as a training carrier out of Florida, training Navy pilots and testing new aviation systems, including the Bell automatic landing system. In 1961, her deck was the launch platform for a record-setting stratospheric balloon flight. She also provided humanitarian aid after hurricanes in 1961. Decommissioned in 1963, she remained in reserve until her name was struck in 1973, and she was sold for scrap in 1974. The USS Antietam remains significant for her contributions to naval aviation development and her service during key post-WWII conflicts.

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