Official U.S. Navy Photo
From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships, Vol. I, 1964, Navy Department, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History Division, Washington, D.C.
 
BRETON (CVE-23)

Displacement 7,800 tons
Length 495' 8";
Beam 111' 6";
Draft 26';
Speed 18 k.;
Complement 890;
Armament 2 5";
Class BOGUE

 BRETON was launched 27 June 1942 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Wash., under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. A. H. Rooks, widow of Captain Rooks; and commissioned 12 April 1943, Captain E. C. Ewen I command.

Throughout her World War II service BRETON operated with the Carrier Transport Squadron, Pacific Fleet.  Her sailings carried her throughout the Pacific supplying men, materiel, and aircraft to units of the fleet engaged in making strikes on the enemy. While engaged in these duties BRETON took part in the capture and occupation of Saipan (11 June-10 August 1944); 
the Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June);  the 2nd Bonins raid (24 June); and the assault and occupation of Okinawa (6-7 April 1945).

Upon her return to the west coast in January 1946, after serving as a unit of the Far Eastern occupation forces, BRETON prepared for inactivation at Tacoma, Wash., and went out of commission in reserve there 30 August 1946.  She was reclassified CVHE-23 on 12 June 1955.  BRETON received four battle stars for her World War II service.
There was a first Breton CVE-10, built in 1943 and transferred to Lend-Lease where the ship served in the Royal Navy.

BRETON (CVE-10) was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, Miss.  She was commissioned 9 April 1943 and transferred the same day, under Lend-Lease, to the United Kingdom as HMS CHASER. The carrier was returned to United States' custody 12 May 1946 and sold 20 December 1946. 

(USNS Breton was used during the 1960s Vietnam War years to transport oversized military equipment, which shipped secured to the flight deck - Webmaster.)