National Museum of the U.S. Navy

The Casablanca-class escort carrier, USS Anzio (CVE-57), was commissioned on August 27, 1943 at Vancouver, Washington. Initially named Aikula Bay then Coral Sea, she took part in tests in the Pacific before participating in the landings at Gilbert Islands and Eniwetok Atoll in November 1943 and February 1944, respectively. In June, Coral Sea provided air support the landings at Saipan. In September, she received the name change to Anzio. In December, she survived Typhoon Cobra (Halsey’s Typhoon). Early in the new year, she participated in the Battle for Iwo Jima, which was followed by patrols during the Okinawa Campaign.

Following the war, Anzio transported troops in Operation Magic Carpet. Relocating to the east coast, she was placed out of commission in August 1946. Redesignated (CVHE-57) in June 1955, she was struck from the Naval Register List in 1959 and was later sold for scrapping that November.

An anchor from Anzio is on display in front of the exterior of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, Bldg. 76.

^{Image: NH 106581: USS Anzio (CVE-57), at sea on May 21, 1945. First commissioned as Coral Sea. NHHC Photograph Collection.}