America (CVA 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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AM ERICA'S Although AMERlCA's history is short, it is an eventful and proud history. USS AMERICA lCVA-661 is the fourth vessel to bear the name AMERICA and the first warship of this name to be commissioned into the service. Weighing 77,000 tons, AMERICA was built at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia. Her keel was laid 9 January 1961. She was launched and christened by her sponsor, Mrs. David L. McDonald, wife of the former Chief of Naval Operations, on 1 February 1964. Commissioning ceremonies were held at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, on 23 January 1965. After serving as host for the change of command of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, AMERICA sailed for the Caribbean on 1 May 1965, with Carrier Air Wing SIX embarked, for her initial Operational Read- iness Inspection CORIJ. AMERlCA's overall ORI grade of excellent while in the Caribbean won her the Atlantic Fleet Attack Carrier Battle Efficiency E for the period ending 31 December 1966. Five Departments lOperations, Engineering, Weapons, Communications, and Airl were awarded individual E 's for their proficiency. On 20 July 1966, after AMERICA completed her first deployment with the U.S. SIXTH FLEET in the Mediterranean, Captain Law- rence Heyworth, Jr., AMERlCA's first Commanding Officer, was relieved by Captain Donald D. Engen. After a brief yard period, AMERICA operated off the east coast of the United States and in the Caribbean during the summer and fall of 1966. Prior to Christmas, she participated in the SECOND FLEET's maior exercise, Operation LANTFLEX 66.

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HISTORY On 10 January 1967, AMERICA, with her 4,500 officers and men, weighed anchbr and left home for her second deployment with the SIXTH FLEET. During the summer of 1967, as tensions mounted in the Middle East, AMERICA was on the alert for action. The ensuing war be- tween the Arab states and Israel found AMERICA ready. At mid-day on 8 June, the technical research ship USS LIBERTY KAGTR-59 was attacked by unidentified sea and air forces. AMER- ICA responded. Her fighters were quickly airborne to protect Task Force SIXTY as necessary. Minutes later, A-4 Skyhawks were launched with additional fighter cover to protect LIBERTY. While enroute to LIBERTY, AMERICA received word from Washington that the attackers were Israeli and that the attack was a mistake. The aircraft were recalled, but AMERICA had been ready. The next day, the crippled, listing LIBERTY pulled alongside AMERICA and 50 of her wounded and nine of the dead were trans- ferred to the carrier by helicopter. For the next week, the wounded, many of them in serious condition, were treated by AMERlCA's doctors and corpsmen. On 31 July, Captain Frederick C. Turner relieved Captain Donald D. Engen as Commanding Officer of AMERICA. Captain Turner led AMERICA through the remaining period of her assignment with the SIXTH FLEET, and on 12 September, AMERICA steamed through the Strait of Gibraltar to conclude an event-packed eight months in the Mediterranean. Once again in the Atlantic, she reioined the SECOND FLEET and returned to pier 12, Naval Base, Norfolk, where she arrived on 20 September. Her next committment, a yard period in preparation for a SEVENTH FLEET Deployment.