America (CVA 66) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 19 text:

HE AMERICA IS LAUNCHED - - 1 FEBRUARY 1964 On 1 February 1964, slightly more than three years after her keel was laid, the America was launched when her sponsor, Mrs. David L. McDonald, christened her with the traditional bottle of champagne. Secretary of the Navy Paul Nitze, the principal speaker, set the pace in declaring the necessity for the air- craft carrier and in giving due praise to the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. for their superb job. Admiral David L. McDonald, Chief of Naval Operations, in his address to the audience, called the America ' s mission, peace, but de- clared that she would be a gallant warrior. 13

Page 21 text:

Pre-com crew testing samples. My second job, and probably most important, was personally arranging to get many of the America ' s officers and petty officers, most of them ex- perienced veterans, to help the ship- yard put the ship together. Five hundred men were assigned to the nucleus crew at Newport News. These men, all professionals in their fields, had to go through exhaustive training while living temporarily ashore in the Newport News area. As the nucleus crew planned for the long anticipated sea trials they worked closely with the builders, putting into practical use their knowledge. Pipe patching practice. 15