America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 12 text:

HISTORY OF AMERICA oczzzxx:cz ccxzzx The USS AMERICA (CV-66) is the fifth ship to bear the name AMERICA. She became the first war- ship so named to be commissioned into the fleet of the United States Navy. Her identity has been established by the officers and men who serve her. The first AMERICA was intended to be the greatest war- ship of the Revolutionary Navy. Her keel was laid in 1777, a seventy-four gun ship of the line. John Paul Jones was to be her prospective Commanding Officer, but was denied her command just a few months before her launching. Congress presented the ship to France to replace the MAGNIFIQUE which had been lost by grounding in Boston harbor. Thus, the first AMERICA joined the French Navy in 1783. All AMERICA ' S have served ably, from the schooner yacht built in 1851 to the U.S. luxury liner, S.S. AMERICA. The schooner yacht won the first America cup race. During the Civil war, the Confederacy obtained and pressed her into service as a blockade runner. She was later taken by Federal forces and served the Union as a blockader. In 1921, she was assigned to the U.S. Naval Academy. The twin-screw steamship AMERIKA, built in Ireland in 1905 for the Hamburg-American line, was taken into the U.S. Navy in 1917 as a troop transport and renamed AMER- ICA. By 1921, she was back in passenger service with the United States Lines, but retired in 1931. She was taken out of retirement in 1941 and put into service as an Army troop transport. The beautiful United States Line passenger liner S.S. AMERICA was converted to a troop transport to serve in World War II under the name WEST POINT. After the war, she was reconverted to a passenger liner for the United States Lines, and in 1964, was sold to foreign shipping inter- ests and named AUSTRAILIS. r- , ' yss Above (Left): The 1st AMERICA . . presented to France. 1783. Lejt: Steamship AMERIKA, 1905 ... a troop transport in WWI. Above: SS AMERICA . . . passenger liner and troop transport in WWII.

Page 11 text:

THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA Whether at sea or pierside, deployment or stateside, there is something that sets AMERICA apart, distinguishing her from her sister ships. It can be seen in the pride and profes- sionalism of her men. It is reflected in their teamwork. It results in AMERICA ' S high stand ard of excellence. It is the spirit of AMERICA. AMERICA ' S men take great pride in their ship and the nation whose name she carries. The sacrifices of going to sea are overshadowed by the desires of those on board to excel in their individual positions of responsibility and lead- ership, thereby representing well their ship. Navy and na- tion. Ashore and afloat, at home and in foreign ports, their reward is the reward of service, their recognition being a part of the world ' s flnest Navy and on the Navy ' s flnest shi|j. AMERICA ' S spirit is her spirit of teamwork. Forged to- gether into a team of over 5000 men. the embarked air wing and ship ' s company work together to hone their skills in every area of their mission. They daily combine their abili- ties to make the AMERICA team a successful one, capable of carrying out its mission to perfection. Their combined en- thusiasm, dedication and unity of purpose ensure this team is responsive, cohesive, and ready to meet challenge. The end result of these individual and collective efforts is AMERICA ' S high standard of excellence. It can be seen in each day ' s normal operations and in the high tempo of grad- ed exercises. It is evident as she prepares for deployment and as she discharges her responsibilities. AMERICA ' S high standards ensure that she is fully prepared to execute her abilities in the fulflllment of her mission. Pride and professionalism, teamwork, high standards. This is the spirit of AMERICA. ■

Page 13 text:

efcral iMtu Udio 110 the m- ithihe IMol tmin Knr, I ' oiKd lioler- ' X i 2:x:?:z:z::c?o oc: ::z:::i ' J- Lejil Schooner Vacht AMtRlCA. 1851 . . . the ' radical huK and saH de 3n t «cajnc the mo for |uture yacbts, , « mit iff m0i