Task Force 17

The designation Task Force 17 (TF17) was applied to a number of US Navy units during World War II. Its most famous incarnation was as an Carrier Strike Group of the United States Navy during the Pacific Campaign of World War II. This TF17 participated in several major carrier battles in the first year of the war. Later, after the March 1943 subdivision of the Pacific Fleet into multiple numbered fleets, a new TF17 was formed as the submarine element/submarine type command of the First Fleet, an overarching, largely administrative command under the direct control of Admiral Chester Nimitz. It continued in this role until the end of the war.

TF17 was initially centered around USS Yorktown. With Yorktown, TF17 engaged Imperial Japanese Navy forces in actions at the Marshalls-Gilberts raids, Invasion of Lae-Salamaua, Battle of the Coral Sea, and the Battle of Midway. Yorktown was sunk at Midway.

Reformed around USS Hornet and commanded by RADM George Murray, TF17 supported Allied forces during the Guadalcanal campaign. At the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, Hornet was sunk. After the battle the task force ceased to exist, the remaining ships (the cruiser and destroyer escorts) were then dispersed to other duties.