The Essex-Class was a class of aircraft carriers built for the United States Navy during World War II. These ships were designed to support naval aviation and played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater. The class included 24 ships, with the first, USS Essex (CV-9), commissioned in 1942. Essex-Class carriers were known for their versatility and ability to launch and recover a large number of aircraft, including fighters and bombers. They featured an angled flight deck, which improved operational efficiency. The success of the Essex-Class influenced future carrier designs and established a standard for naval aviation.