http://www.ww2pacific.com/movement.html WW2 PACIFIC, the early years Carrier Movements in the First Year 1941 Dec 8 . The carriers are at sea and not attacked at Pearl Harbor where 8 battleships are sunk or damaged. By the end of the first year, four of the seven carriers the US had for both oceans are sunk in the Pacific. Lexington (CV-2) is on her way with TF 12 to deliver planes to Midway. Turns away to search for Japanese fleet. Saratoga (CV-3) is on the West Coast having just completed overhaul. Immediately loads with planes for transport to Wake Island. Enterprise (CV-6) is returning from delivering aircraft to Wake Island. There are four carriers in the Atlantic. Ranger (CV-4) is returning to Norfolk from an ocean patrol near Trinidad. Yorktown (CV-5) is at Norfolk after another Neutrality Patrol. Wasp (CV-7) lays at anchor in Grassy Bay, Bermuda, part of "Neutrality Patrol". Hornet (CV-8) commissioned six weeks ago and is training out of Norfolk Plus, Long Island (AVG-1), the new escort carrier operates out of Norfolk, conducting experiments to prove the feasibility of aircraft ferry operations from converted cargo ships. Dec 12 Yorktown scheduled for maintenance, just gets most .50" mg replaced with 37mm and a tweak to her radar, loads aircraft and supplies. Dec 13. Lexington returns to Pearl Harbor. Dec 14. Lexington (VAdm Brown) sails for Jaluit, Marshall Islands to relieve pressure on Wake Island. Dec 16. Yorktown sails for Pacific. Dec 16. Saratoga (RAdm Fletcher) sails to relieve Wake Island. Dec 19. Enterprise (VAdm Halsey) to cover Lexington and Saratoga actions. Dec 20. Lexington raid cancelled, ordered to join Saratoga to relieve Wake Island Dec 23. Wake Island captured; carriers recalled. Dec 25. Saratoga flies off aircraft to Midway. Dec 27. Lexington and Saratoga return to Pearl. Dec 30. Yorktown arrives San Diego. 1942.......................................above link: