On 3 Aug 1942 the keel of hull #395, named USS Kearsarge (CV-12), was laid by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia. On 27 October 1942, the USS Hoornet (CV-8) was sunk in the Battle of Santa Cruz Island. With the Hornet officially stricken from Navy record, hull #395 was renamed USS Hornet (CV-12).
USS Hornet
(CV-12)
The USS Hornet
(CV-12) was launched by Mrs. Frank Knox, wife of the Secretary of
the Navy on 30 August 1943.