What was the first aircraft carrier in the US Navy?

The first aircraft carrier in the US Navy was the USS Langley. Commissioned in 1922, the USS Langley represented a significant shift in naval warfare, as it was the first ship to be designed specifically for the operation of aircraft. Unlike other vessels, which may have been retrofitted to carry planes, the Langley was adapted from a collier ship and incorporated a flat deck ideal for launching and landing aircraft.

The introduction of the Langley was pivotal in the development of naval aviation tactics and technologies, influencing how future carriers would be built and operated. Its role in early air operations paved the way for subsequent naval strategies that emphasized the importance of air power in naval engagements. The Langley's successful operations and lessons learned set a foundation for later, more advanced carriers.