From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships, Vol. I, 1964, Navy 
Department, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History 
Division, Washington, D.C.

BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-106)

dp. 11,373;
l. 577' 1";
b. 105' 2";
dr. 32';
s. 19.1 k.;
cpl. 1066'
a. 2 5";
cl. COMMENCEMENT BAY

The second BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-106) was launched 10 June 1944 as SUNSET 
BAY by Todd-Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Tacoma, Wash.; sponsored by Mrs. L. 
J. Hallenbeck; and commissioned as BLOCK ISLAND 30 December 1944, 
Captain F. M. Hughes in command.

BLOCK ISLAND got underway for Pearl Harbor 20 March 1945.  Upon arrival 
she underwent a period of provisioning and training in preparations for 
the invasion of Okinawa.  On 17 April BLOCK ISLAND left Hawaii and 
steamed toward Okinawa, via Ulithi.  Flight operations commenced 
immediately upon her arrival 3 May and lasted until 16 June when she 
departed for Leyte.  After a brief stay at San Pedro Bay, the carrier 
steamed through the Straits of Makassar for Borneo.  Between 26 June and 
6 July she took part in the Balikpapan operation.  She then proceeded to 
Guam where she was anchored at the time of the cessation of hostilities.  
During 6-9 September she took part in the evacuation of Allied prisoners 
of war from Formosa.  She continued cruising in the Far East until 14 
October and arrived at San Diego 11 December 1945.  Leaving San Diego 5 
January 1946, she transited the Panama Canal and reached Norfolk on the 
20th.  She was placed in service in reserve 28 May 1946.