Photograph, aerial. View of the carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) at sea, airplanes on her deck. Official Caption: "(Series of 9) Rome, 7/26/45--Oldest U.S. carrier back in action---The U.S. S. Saratoga, famed U.S. aircraft carrier, has returned to combat service after having sustained seven direct hits by Japanese bombs and suicide planes off Iwo Jima. Despite the heavy damage, the 'Sara' as she is affectionately known to her crew, continued under her own power as the crew battled the flames. Her planes landed after several hours and the Saratoga proceeded to the U.S. west coast where she was the most extensively damaged vessel ever to be repaired at the Puget Sound Navy Yard. The 33,000-ton 'Sara', the U.S. Navy's first aircraft carrier, was commissioned more than 17 years ago and has been in many famous battles. Twice hit by torpedoes, she was repaired and modernized and took part in task force operations at Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Rabaul, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, the Netherlands Indies and off the Japanese home islands. The 'Sara' is not only the oldest U.S. carrier, but the toughest.--Navy photos through Rome OWI--Approved by appropriate military authority (List A out) 7217-1.” Pacific Ocean. 26 July 1945