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USS Enterprise CV-6

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USS Enterprise (CV-6), colloquially referred to as the "Big E, Lucky E, The Galloping Ghost, The Grey Ghost," was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the seventh U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. Launched in 1936, she was a ship of the Yorktown class, and one of only three American carriers commissioned prior to World War II to survive the war (the others being Saratoga and Ranger). She participated in more major actions of the war against Japan than any other US ship. On three separate occasions during the Pacific War, the Japanese announced that she had been sunk in battle, earning her the name "The Grey Ghost".

Enterprise is credited for being the first US Navy ship to sink a Japanese warship in WWII. 8 April 1942, she departed to rendezvous with Hornet and sail west, escorting Hornet on the mission to launch 16 Army B-25 Mitchells in the "Doolittle Raid" on Tokyo.

Enterprise entered the New York Naval Shipyard on 18 January 1946 for deactivation, and was decommissioned on 17 February 1947. In 1946, she had been scheduled to be handed over to the state of New York as a permanent memorial, but this plan was suspended in 1949. Subsequent attempts were made at preserving the ship as a museum or memorial, but fund-raising efforts failed to raise enough money to buy the vessel from the Navy, and the "Big E" was sold on 1 July 1958 to the Lipsett Corporation of New York City for scrapping at Kearny, New Jersey. A promise was made to save the distinctive tripod mast for inclusion in the Naval Academy's new football stadium, but was never fulfilled; instead, a memorial plaque was installed at the base of what is still called "Enterprise Tower." Scrapping was complete as of May 1960. In 1984, a permanent "Enterprise Exhibit" was dedicated at the Naval Aviation Museum, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida to house artifacts, photos and other items of historical interest.

In November 1961, her name was revived with the commissioning of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which is also nicknamed the "Big E". Various artifacts and mementos (including one of her portholes) are kept aboard. The port holes in the captain's in-port cabin/conference room on the present "Enterprise" CVN-65 are from the CV-6. One of CV-6's own pilots would serve as its Captain.

The Enterprise (CVN-65) was inactivated and removed from service on 1 December, 2012 after being in the fleet for 51 years. Due to needs involving reactor removal, it will be unable to be turned into a memorial. However, announced on the same day, was news the ninth ship to bear the name Enterprise would be the scheduled Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, CVN-80. It has not been confirmed what, if any, artifacts from USS Enterprise (CV-6) will be incorporated into this next generation aircraft carrier. The aforementioned port holes aboard the CVN-65, will be removed and returned to the Boston Navy Yard Museum. They will hopefully be used on the CVN-80

Enterprise earned 20 battle stars, the most for any U.S. warship in World War II. Some have labeled her the most glorious and honored ship in the history of the United States Navy, rivaled only perhaps by the 18th century frigate USS Constitution. The Enterprise was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for her service during World War II, becoming the first US warship in history to receive a Presidential Unit Citation.

Honors and awards:

Campaign Star
Battle Star (20)
Presidential Unit Citation
Navy Unit Commentation
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Philippine Liberation Medal (1 Star)
British Admiralty Pennant
Image size
610x740px 177.68 KB
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Jimbowyrick1's avatar
My late father, CDR. James W Wyrick, as an ensign, served on Enterprise from the beginning of 1942 until the end of that year.  He was in command of the forward, starboard, 5" AA gun position.
He saw first hand all of the battles and events that the Big E participated in.
During the Battle of Santa Cruz, he saved the ship from destructive secondary explosions, immediately after it took a bomb hit near the forward ammo magazine, by quickly organizing a "bucket brigade" of men to pass hot ammo out of the magazine and toss it over board.
He was honored with the Navy Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor, for his bravery and quick thinking.
In 1943 he entered flight school, and got his wings just as the war ended.
He commanded an air group of Panther jets, during the Korean War, and saw lots of action doing that.
Thanks for posting the picture.

Check-out my site.