In 2002, Jason McDonald began an extraordinary project to document the experiences of American sailors who served on Independence class light carriers in World War II and Korea.

In 1939, Admiral John McCain argued for the creation of light carriers, since the Essex class fleet carriers were expected to take four years to build. With dozens of Cleveland class light cruisers planned for construction, nine were selected conversion to light carriers. New York Shipbuilding in Camden, New Jersey built all nine ships.