 She was initially USS "Langley" (CVL-27) serving the United States Navy from 1943 to 1947 before transferring to the French Navy.Built at Camden, New Jersey, "Langley" was originally ordered as the light cruiser USS "Fargo" (CL-85), but by the time her keel was laid in April 1942, she had been redesigned as an aircraft carrier, using the original cruiser hull and machinery.Commissioned in August 1943, "Langley" served in the Pacific theatre during World War II.