The cruiser Buffalo (CL 99) was reclassified CV 29 and renamed Bataan June 2, 1942. The ship was reclassified CVL 29, July 15, and launched August 1, 1943 by New York Shipbuilding Corp. Camden, N. J.; sponsored by Mrs. George D. Murray, wife of Rear Adm. Murray. Bataan was commissioned November 17, 1943, Captain V. H. Schaeffer in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

In her initial engagement with the Japanese, Bataan's planes supported the attack on Hollandia, New Guinea, between April 21-24, 1944. Following this action were strikes against Truk, Satawan, and Ponape (April 29-May 1, 1944); Saipan, Marianas (June 11-August 10); 1st Bonins raid (June 15-16); Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 19-20), and the 2nd Bonins raid (June 24).

USS Bataan then returned to the United States for repairs. Repairs completed she joined TF 58 and participated in the fleet raids in support of the Okinawa operation (March 17-May 30, 1945), during which her aircraft assisted in the sinking of the Japanese submarine I-56, April 18, 1945, in 26°42' N., 130°38' E. Retiring to the Philippines, Bataan joined the 3rd Fleet for operations against the Japanese home islands (July 10-August 15).

Bataan returned to the United States, arriving at New York October 17, 1945, and was assigned to "Magic Carpet" duty. On January 10, 1946 she arrived at Philadelphia to prepare for inactivation. Bataan went out of commission in reserve February 11, 1947.

USS Bataan (CVL 29) was recommissioned May 13, 1950 at Philadelphia. In July 1950 she stood out for San Diego, upon arrival loaded Air Force cargo and personnel, and departed 16 November for Tokyo Bay. She arrived in Korean waters December 15th and until June 1951 her aircraft flew strikes in support of the ground forces.

Bataan departed for the west coast June 2, 1951 and after a brief stop at San Diego steamed to Bremerton, Wash., July 9 for overhaul. She returned to San Diego November 20 and on January 27, 1952 departed for Yokosuka, Japan, and thence to Buckner Bay, Okinawa. She conducted air exercises and other training maneuvers off Okinawa until April 29th when she sailed for Korean waters. USS Bataan continued operating between Japan and Korea throughout the summer of 1952 carrying personnel and supplies to the fighting area and launching strikes against the enemy. She left the fighting zone August 11 for San Diego. On October 27, 1952, the carrier once again stood out for the Far East and operated off Korea until May 10, 1953 when she departed for San Diego.

USS Bataan (CVL 29) remained in the San Diego area undergoing overhaul and training until July 31. Then she sailed via Pearl Harbor to Kobe and Yokosuka, Japan, and then back to the United States where she reported for inactivation August 26, 1953. She went out of commission in reserve April 9, 1954 at San Francisco. She was stricken from the Navy List in September 1959 and sold for scrapping in May 1961.