Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - Naval Cruise Book

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PtEWPORT NEWS dHiPBUlLOINO AlA DRY DOCK CQ. Of PUCINO A COi» UNDER ' MAC Tcv nmm eooo fortu ic jMjt.R this pijJ BEi N r-.A O AN IS83 P NNY IN KOMOR OF THE Utfilh VCAR Or T E SHIPS NAi;KCAKE.ctRL ViN%Or S MARCH tSSO USS CARL VINSON

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USS CARL VINSON ' S NAMESAKE . . . Rep. Carl Vinson (D-GA) 1883-1981 Born in 1883, early in the era of the Navy ' s steel ships, Carl Vinson was barely twenty years old when the Wright brothers made their first flight. But even as a young man he had a vision which would place his imprint on ships and planes of the future. Following service in the Georgia General Assembly, Carl Vinson was elected in 1914 as the youngest member of the 63rd U.S. Congress. Vinson soon proclaimed his philos- ophy concerning military preparedness: The most expen- sive thing in the world is a cheap Army and Navy. He also declared History has shown that weakness invites at- tack. Never deviating from the political philosophy that only a strong defense can insure peace, Vinson became a powerful force in the growth of America ' s land, sea, and air forces. Elected Chairman of the House Committee on Naval Affairs in 1932, Representative Vinson was determined to see the United States build a naval force spanning both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In two years he forged and moved through Congress the landmark Vinson-Trammel Act, providing authority for the eventual construction of ninety-two major warships — the birth of the two ocean Navy. Carl Vinson ' s skilled legislative abilities assisted in the creation of the Army Air Corps, the improvement of avi- ator and aircraft procurement, and the pre-World War H expansion of the Navy ' s air arm. From Capitol Hill, he guided the establishment of a separate air academy and the launching of the Navy ' s first nuclear powered aircraft car- rier. Carl Vinson ' s service in the House of Representatives exceeds that of anyone elected to the U.S. Congress since it first convened in 1789. During his unparalleled tenure — more than fifty years — he also completed a record break- ing twenty nine years as Chairman of the House Naval Affairs and Armed Services Committee. Few men in American history have made so profound an impact on the Nation ' s defenses as Carl Vinson. The crew of this aircraft carrier is proud to serve in the ship that bears his name and proud to honor his outstanding service to the United States. opposite top left: The ship ' s sponsor, Rep. Vinson ' s nursf and longtime friend, Molly Snead performs the tradi ' tional champagne christening. Center: Senator John Warner speaking at the launching of CARL VINSON. Above and right: Various photographs of Mr. Vinson dur- ing and after his unparalleled fifty-plus year tenure ir the House of Representatives. Immediately above: This mural is located in the Com- manding Officer ' s inport cabin. 2 — USS CARL VINSON

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CONSTRUCTION and COMMISSIONING inerica is strong, but she is in danger of becom- ing weak, Representative Vinson said when L the keel of the ship bearing his name was laid on October 11, 1975. This great aircraft carrier will add strength. But it must not stop here . . . Only with determina- tion on the part of our people to remain militarily strong, will we survive. When the CARL VINSON was christened by the con- gressman ' s nurse and long-time friend, Molly Snead, on March 15, 1980, Mr. Vinson was present, making him the first U. S. citizen to see the launching of a Navy ship in his honor. It is impossible for me to find words to express my gratitude for the high honor paid me here today, he said. No event in my life, no event in my future, can ever equal this day. My cup runneth over. My star has reached its zenith. , ««■. ni hl: Second and third decks under construction in iifter portion of ship. Kiiihl: Island and nr.ist under construction in l ' )78. . « . I- The iift starhoard (|uarter blasted and painted up to the 03 level. ( -nsiii fiiK i-: Various photographs of the hiunihioK and coinniissioninK 4 — USS CARL I IS SUM