For the most part would be returned to the nearest major fleet base or the US. From there would be parceled out to commands ashore and afloat that might have need for the sailors specific Rate.

Aviation Squadrons and their support personnel could be in part kept together. Many of the pilots might be reassigned either to leadership or training positions elsewhere, or used to rebuild from a cadre.

For a practical example we can look at the USS Lexington.

After the immediate rescue by her screen, the sailors were consolidated aboard the transport USS Barnett, and the Cruiser USS Chester. Which as part of a small convoy sailed from Noumea in New Caledonia for San Diego.

Much of her air wing had been left behind and joined up with the Yorktown, remained in the South Pacific, or returned to Pearl or San Diego to serve as cadres and replacements as the number of experienced carrier air crews in Spring and Summer of 1942 was almost miniscule by late war standards and many simply could not be spared and were absorbed into the remaining active squadrons immediately.

Her Captain, Ted Sherman was made Rear Admiral and joined Admiral King's staff, the TF commander Aubrey Fitch initially was to form another force around her sister Saratoga but reshuffling of the CV forces after midway and the losses in the Solomons eventually led him to the post of Commander Air Forces South Pacific (he actually relieved Admiral John S. McCain grandfather of the Senator). While much of her crew was redistributed to the rapidly enlarging fleet.