June 8th marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the remarkable day when over 150,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. Occurring on June 6, 1944, it was the largest seaborne invasion in military history. Although the war would continue for another 11 months, the events of D-Day led to the liberation of France as it pushed the German forces to the east. On D-Day, Allied forces sent 7,000 naval vessels (4,000 landing craft and 1,200 warships) across the English Channel to reach Normandy, which was under the control of the Nazis. Sending this massive armada to France was made possible by the U.S.’s continued efforts during the war to build navy ships. When WWII began in 1939, the U.S. Navy had only 394 active ships. By the end of the war in 1945, that number had grown to 6,768. (These are the 15 most highly decorated American ships from WWII.)
During the war, the U.S. sent a variety of vessels, including cruisers and aircraft carriers, to help bring about victory for the Allies. Many of these vessels had only recently been built during the war efforts. However, many more of the ships were much older and needed significant upgrades.
24/7 Wall St. has identified the warship classes of WWII by analyzing data from the World War II Database, an online collection of data regarding the people, events, equipment, and ships of WWII. We’ve ranked the list in order of the date the ships were first launched. Not every ship is listed, we’ve included aircraft carriers, cruisers, and battleships. We’ve also added supplementary information such as ship classes, type, crew, aircraft capacity, and armament. The data came from the WWII Database and third-party military and historical sources.
The New York-class battleships, represented by the USS New York (BB-34) and USS Texas (BB-35), played an important role despite being older vessels. Commissioned before World War II, these ships were originally launched in 1912 but underwent upgrades and modernization to remain effective in combat. With the addition of anti-aircraft weaponry and enhanced firing systems, they proved to be crucial assets for the U.S. Navy.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Casablanca-class warships were some of the newest additions to the fleet in WWII, entering service in 1943. Among them, the USS Shamrock Bay (CVE-84), was the largest series of carriers in the Navy, with a total of 50 vessels constructed from 1942 to 1944. Distinguished by smaller size compared to traditional fleet carriers, these ships played supporting roles in various situations. Their adaptability allowed them to engage in operations such as anti-submarine warfare, convoy protection, and air support for amphibious assault landings.
Interestingly, the ships with the highest production numbers on this list were built in the later years of the conflict. This group included mostly larger vessels, such as aircraft carriers and cruisers, the production of which was restricted under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty. In contrast, battleships tend to occupy older positions on the list, having been primarily used during WWI. With technological advancements and the rise of aircraft carriers in naval warfare, battleships gradually became less relevant.
Here are the oldest and newest classes of U.S. warships used in World War II:
Why Are We Covering WWII Ships?
WWII was the deadliest conflict in human history, with somewhere between 50 to 85 million people losing their lives. The outcome of the war had lasting effects on our world today. The U.S. Navy and its rapid technological advancements during the war played a critical role in the Allied victory.
30. Indiana-class battleship
29. New York-class battleship
The New York-class battleship was launched in 1912 with only two ships built. With a crew of 1,042, the armament on the ship included 5 x 14 in twin guns, 21 x 5 in single guns, and 4 x 21 in torpedo tubes.
28. Nevada-class battleship
The Nevada-class battleship was launched in 1914 with only two ships built. With a crew of 864, the armament on the ship included 10 x 14 in/.45cal guns, 21 x 5 in/.51cal guns, and 4 x 21 in torpedo tubes.
27. Pennsylvania-class battleship
The Pennsylvania-class battleship was launched in 1915 with only two ships built. With a crew of 915, the armament on the ship included 4 x 360 mm/.45cal triple guns, 12 x 130 mm/.51cal guns, and 12 x 130 mm/.25cal anti-aircraft guns. The ship had an aircraft capacity of three.
26. New Mexico-class battleship
25. Tennessee-class battleship
The Tennessee-class battleship was launched in 1919 with only two ships built. With a crew of 1,083, the armament on the ship included 4 x 14 in triple guns, 14 x 5 in single guns, 4 x 3 in single guns, and 2 x 21 in torpedo tubes.
24. Colorado-class battleship
The Colorado-class battleship was launched in 1920 with only four ships built. With a crew of 1,080, the armament on the ship included 8 x 16 in/.45cal Mark 1 guns, 12 x 5 in/.51-cal guns, 4x3in/0.23-cal guns, and 2x21in torpedo tubes. The aircraft capacity of the ship was four.
23. Omaha-class light cruiser
The Colorado-class light cruiser was launched in 1921 with 10 ships built. With a crew of 458, the armament on the ship included 12 x 6 in/.53-cal guns, 2 x 3 in single anti-aircraft guns, and 10 x 21 in torpedo tubes.
22. Lexington-class aircraft carrier
The Lexington-class aircraft carrier was launched in 1925 with only two ships built. With a crew of 2,122, the armament on the ship included 4 x 8 in/.55-cal twin guns and 12 x 5 in anti-aircraft guns. The ship’s aircraft capacity was 91.
21. Northampton-class heavy cruiser
20. Pensacola-class heavy cruiser
The Pensacola-class heavy cruiser was launched in 1929 with two ships built. With a crew of 653, the armament on the ship included 10 x 203 mm/.55-cal guns and 4 x 127 mm/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns.
19. Portland-class heavy cruiser
18. New Orleans-class heavy cruiser
17. Ranger-class aircraft carrier
The Ranger-class aircraft carrier was launched in 1933 with only one ship built. With a crew of 2,461, the armament on the ship included 8 x 5 in/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns, and 40 x .50-cal machine guns. The ship’s aircraft capacity was 86.
16. Yorktown-class aircraft carrier
The Yorktown-class aircraft carrier was launched in 1936 with only three ships built. With a crew of 2,217, the armament on the ship included 8 x 5 in/.38-cal guns, 4 x 1.1 in/.75-cal machine guns, and 24 x .50-cal machine guns. The ship’s aircraft capacity was 90.
15. Brooklyn-class light cruiser
The Brooklyn-class light cruiser was launched in 1937 with nine ships built. With a crew of 868, the armament on the ship included 5 x 152 mm/.47-cal triple guns, 8 x 127 mm/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns, and 8 x .50-cal machine guns. The ship’s aircraft capacity was four.
14. St. Louis-class light cruiser
The St. Louis-class light cruiser was launched in 1938 with two ships built. With a crew of 888, the armament on the ship included 15 x 6 in/.50-cal Mark 6 guns, 8 x 5 in/.50-cal Mark 8 guns, 16 x 1.1 in guns, 12 x 20 mm saluting guns, and one depth charge rack.
13. Wasp-class aircraft carrier
The Wasp-class aircraft carrier was launched in 1939 with only one ship built. With a crew of 1,800, the armament on the ship included 8 x 5 in guns, 4 x 1.1 in anti-aircraft guns, and 24 x .50-cal machine guns. The ship’s aircraft capacity was 80.
12. Long Island-class escort carrier
The Long Island-class escort carrier was launched in 1940 with only one ship built. With a crew of 970, the armament on the ship included 1 x 5 in/.51-cal gun, and 2 x 3 in/.50-cal gun. The ship’s aircraft capacity was 21.
11. North Carolina-class battleship
The North Carolina-class battleship was launched in 1940 with only two ships built. With a crew of 1,880, the armament on the ship included 9 x 16 in Mark 6 guns, 20 x 5 in/.38-cal guns, and 16 x 1.1 in machine guns.
10. Atlanta-class light cruiser
9. Bogue-class escort carrier
The Bogue-class escort carrier was launched in 1941 with 45 ships built. With a crew of 890, the armament on the ship in 1942 included 2 x 5 in/.51-cal guns, 10 x 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannons; 1945: 2 x 5 in/.38-cal guns, 8 x 40 mm twin Bofors anti-aircraft guns, and 20 x 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannon. The ship had an aircraft capacity of 24.
8. Cleveland-class light cruiser
The Cleveland-class light cruiser was launched in 1941 with 29 ships built. With a crew of 1,255, the armament on the ship in 1942 included 4 x 152 mm/.47-cal triple guns, 6 x 127 mm/.38-cal twin guns, 4 x 40 mm quad Bofors guns, 6 x 40 mm twin Bofors guns, and 10 x 20 mm twin Oerlikon cannons. The ship had an aircraft capacity of four.
7. South Dakota-class battleship
The South Dakota-class battleship was launched in 1941 with only four ships built. With a crew of 2,364, the armament on the ship included 9 x 406 mm/.45-cal Mark 6 guns, 16 x 127 mm/.38-cal DP guns, 68 x 40 mm guns, and 76 x 20 mm guns.
6. Baltimore-class heavy cruiser
5. Essex-class aircraft carrier
The Essex-class aircraft carrier was launched in 1942 with 24 ships built. With a crew of 2,600, the armament on the ship included 4 x 5 in/.38-cal twin guns, 4 x 5 in/.38-cal singe guns, 8 x 1.6 in/.56-cal quad guns, and 46 x 0.8 in/.78-cal anti-aircraft guns.
4. Independence-class light carrier
The Independence-class light carrier was launched in 1942 with nine ships built. With a crew of 1,569, the armament on the ship included 24 x 40 mm Bofors guns and 22 x 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. The ship’s aircraft capacity was 30.
3. Iowa-class battleship
The Iowa-class battleship was launched in 1942 with four ships built. With a crew of 1,921, the armament on the ship included 3 x 16 in/.50-cal triple Mark 7 guns, 20 x 5 in/.38-cal Mark 12 guns, 80 x 40mm/.56-cal Bofors anti-aircraft guns, and 49 x 20 mm/.70-cal Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns. The ship’s aircraft capacity was three.
2. Casablanca-class escort carrier
The Casablanca-class escort carrier was launched in 1943 with 50 ships built. With a crew of 860, the armament on the ship included 1 x 5 in/.38-cal DP gun, 8 x 40 mm twin Oerlikon cannons, and 28 x 20 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns. The ship’s aircraft capacity was 28.
1. Alaska-class large cruiser
The Alaska-class large cruiser was launched in 1943 with two ships built. With a crew of 2,251, the armament on the ship included 9 x 305 mm guns, 12 x 127 mm dual purpose guns, 56 x 40 mm guns, and 34 x 20 mm guns. The ship’s aircraft capacity was four.
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