--- title: "The Navy named a carrier after the fictional Shangri-La because of FDR" description: "The names of U.S. Navy ships usually follow a certain convention. In the 21st century, destroyers are named after naval heroes, while ballistic missile submarines are named after states. However, during WWII, the naming conventions were different. For example, battleships…" date: "2022-08-15" modified: "2022-08-15" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/the-navy-named-a-carrier-after-the-fictional-shangri-la-because-of-fdr/" categories: - "History" - "Navy" - "War History" - "World War II" --- # The Navy named a carrier after the fictional Shangri-La because of FDR ![Aircraft carrier numbered 38 sailing on the ocean, with numerous fighter jets lined up on its flight deck. The ship has a large control tower with various antennas and radar equipment. The sea is calm and the sky is partly cloudy.]() The names of U.S. Navy ships usually follow a certain convention. In the 21st century, destroyers are named after naval heroes, while ballistic missile submarines are named after states. However, during WWII, the naming conventions were different. For example, battleships were named after states while submarines were named after fish. The *Essex*-class aircraft carriers built during and just after WWII were generally named after famous battles or previous ships, except for the USS *Shangri-La*. ![Navy carrier]() **The* Shangri-La *underway with her crew paraded on the flight deck, August 17, 1946 (U.S. Navy)** Unlike Essex or Ticonderoga, Shangri-La is a fictional place. First referenced in the 1933 novel *Lost Horizon* by James Hilton, Shangri-La is described as a mystical and harmonious valley in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains. Based on the Tibetan myth of Shambala, it has since become synonymous with a paradise on earth hidden away in the Himalayas. Why then, was a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier named after Shangri-La? The answer is traced back to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the [Doolittle Raid](). ![Navy carrier]() **The Doolittle Raid was launched from the USS* Hornet *(CV-8) (U.S. Navy)** Led by Lt. Col. James Doolittle, the 1942 Doolittle Raid was America's first strike against the Japanese mainland and retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor. With no land bases within range of Japan, the raid's [B-25 Mitchell bombers]() were launched from the aircraft carrier [USS *Hornet* (CV-8)](). Although the raid caused minimal physical damage to Tokyo, it was a huge psychological victory for the United States against Japan. ![Navy carrier]() **A modernized USS* Shangri-La *(CVS-38) on her last deployment in 1970 (U.S. Navy)** Naturally, the American media wanted to know the details of the daring raid. However, needing to maintain an element of secrecy, President Roosevelt couldn't admit that the bombers took off from a carrier. Instead, when asked by reporters, Roosevelt said that the raid was launched from somewhere in Shangri-La. ![Navy carrier]() **Mrs. Doolittle christens the USS* Shangri-La *at the Norfolk Navy Yard, February 24, 1944 (U.S. Navy)** USS *Shangri-La* was launched on February 24, 1944 commissioned on September 15 that year. The ship's unusual name pays tribute to the Doolittle Raid through FDR's secretive statement and to the USS *Hornet* that actually launched the raid and was later sunk. In fact, the *Shangri-La* was sponsored by Mrs. James H. Doolittle (née Josephine Daniels), the wife of the raid's leader. The carrier earned two battle stars during WWII and earned three more during the Vietnam War. In 1971, USS *Shangri-La* was decommissioned and ultimately sold for scrap. ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()