When was the first aircraft carrier commissioned by the U.S. Navy?

The first aircraft carrier commissioned by the U.S. Navy was the USS Langley (CV-1), which was officially commissioned in 1922. This marked a significant development in naval warfare, as it allowed the U.S. Navy to extend its operational capabilities by introducing aviation into naval operations. The USS Langley was converted from a collier ship, the USS Jupiter, and served as a platform for launching and recovering aircraft, paving the way for the future of carrier aviation and the evolution of naval strategy. This commission highlighted the shift towards modern naval warfare, emphasizing the importance of air power in operations at sea. The selection of 1922 is notable because it aligns with the era in which aircraft were increasingly being recognized as instrumental in naval conflicts, leading to the growth of the fleet's aviation capabilities throughout the following decades.