AFTER PEARL HARBOR, A WAR HAD TO BE WON AND THE US NAVY NEEDED MANY SHIPS. The FIRST Cabot was originally a 14-gun brig, purchased in Philadelphia during November 1775 and used in the Revolutionary War. She was named for John Cabot (1450-1498). the Venetian navigator who discovered the North American continent in 1497 while sailing for King Henry VII of England. The Cabot was, in fact, the first Continental naval ship to be seized by the British. In 1777, she was forced ashore in Nova Scotia, but the captain and crew escaped the British, who took the brig and refitted her for service in the Royal Navy. The SECOND Cabot (CVL-28) has a much more impressive record. It was first laid down as a Cleveland-class cruiser called Wilmington (CL-79). But in 1942, with the loss of four fast carriers and only one left in working order, the Navy was desperate. Also aware of the problem, President Franklin D. Roosevelt advised the Navy to convert some of the cruisers to carriers. As a result, nine cruiser hulls were converted in record time, all were commissioned in 1943, and some even saw action that year. So it was that the Wilmington (CL-79) was renamed Cabot on 23 June 1942, converted while building, and launched on 4 April 1943, reclassified CVL-28 on 15 July 1943 as an Independence Class Aircraft Carrier and commissioned finally on 24 July 1943, Captain M. F. Shoeffel in command. Combat Awards: Presidential Unit Citation, Nine Battle Stars. It was never in the limelight as many other carriers were during the war due to the secret nature of many of its missions with the other fast carriers of the third and fourth fleets. But its war record is outstanding!

My dad, George Noel deLange was assigned to the Cabot on its first voyage into battle as her Aviation Chief Ordnanceman. That makes him a "Plankowner". Dad served on the Cabot throughout all of her Great Battles during WW II. It was only through the valient efforts of her brave men and the grace of God that he survived the war. I have put this page together to honor my dad and the other brave men who served to make it possible for us to enjoy the many freedoms that we have. Dad passed away on October 6, 2003. Just two days before he passed on he was commenting about how much he missed his shipmates. God Bless Them All! Follow The Blue Links Below: to learn about more the USS Cabot and to see actual combat photos of the USS Cabot in action!

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USS Cabot In Combat Page.

USS Cabot Ernie Pyle's, USS Cabot Story Page.

USS Cabot History Page.

USS Cabot, Ernie Pyle Page.

USS Cabot In New Orleans, Returns Home.

Crew Of The USS Cabot Page.

Aviation Chief Ordnanceman, George Noel DeLange's Navy Service Page.

Back To DeLange Home Page.

USS Cabot CVL-28 Association.

History Of Air Group 31 Web Page