America’s First Aircraft Carrier tells the remarkable story of the USS Langley. The narrative provides an in-depth discussion of the ship’s origins as the collier USS Jupiter, which was built with a “first of” propulsion system that has been adapted for use in present-day Ford-class carriers. Author David F. Winkler considers the post–World War...

“This microhistory of the birth, life, and death of an American cruiser offers valuable insight into the early years of World War II, including the procedures, processes, and personnel of the Navy, naval life, and naval warfare. The account of its loss in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal is particularly gripping.” — Craig Symonds, author of...

”... a tantalizing window into Mustin’s experiences during the early years of the conflict, with vivid details captured by Mustin’s war diary and his personal recollections of the Battle of Guadalcanal from a naval perspective.” -- American Rifleman 1942 would prove crucial for the United States in the Pacific following the Japanese attack on...