America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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America, the beginning SS AMERICA ICV-661 is the fifth ship to bear the name AMERICA Only two were specifically de- signed for naval service. The pre- sent ship is the first warship of that name constructed as part of the U.S. Naval fleet. The original AMERICA was a 1782 gunship. Her first command- ing officer was to be john Paul jones, but instead this ship was do- nated to the French fleet. The sec- ond ship AMERICA was the first winner of the America's Cup yachting race in 1852. The next two ships bearing the name AMERICA were passenger liners which had been modified to carry troops dur- ing both world wars. The name of the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA CCV-661 was a personal choice of the late presi- dentjohn F. Kennedy. Her original blueprints have her as nuclear powered. The plans were later changed ro make AMERICA con- ventionally powered. AMERICA's construction cost was S156 million. The keel of the aircraft carrier AMERICA was laid on 9-january 1961, as hull 561 in shipway 310 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newport News, Virginia. Following three years of construction, the ship was christened by Mrs. Cathrine T. McDonald, wife of Admiral Mc- Donald, then CNO. Formal com- missioning ceremonies were held one year later on 25 january 1965. AMERICA is a modified KITTY HAWK class carrier. Her major distinctions are her elevator con- figuration and a modernized superstructure. The mighty lady awaits acceptance trials XX .. ,. S l' Clmpiglvq Rf, ' ' ' -' . ' jr ' 7'-5-. w--,---v-v-7- Y-- . ,L ..,,.Y 1.. ,, ., X , .., ,, , ,, W s Y ,, . , 5 .22 y ,'g.,fi.If-AJ. 'If,'Li, n:,g-q::. ..1f'. .V - -1, 1 ,,:, .. . - .. ,- ,Q 14- .m ut., J as-' ,vii ' .:- . 4, :. . .'- A 1 '-'. 4' g:.3f-'iff-,--'v '?f!fL., - '.'-L - - A - . ,, - ,,.. . -.fr - , ,,.. .- . L, Q -,fx 1- .I .W I- g n,,-U.. -v -.yr M3 , .e J A v

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Crewmen board AMERICA prior to her commissioning ceremonies. On the way down to Guantana- mo Bay, Cuba, for her initial train- ing, the carrier recorded her first launch and recovery. The ship's Executive Officer, CDR Kenneth B. Austin, was catapulted off and recovered flying an A-4 Skyhawk. The subsequent training at GITMO was extremely successful. AMERICA received the third highest mark ever given by Fleet Training Group. AMERICA and her crew were well prepared for their first challenge. Their initial deployment was a tour with the U.S. fleet in the Mediterranean. On AMERICA's second Medi- terranean deployment, she was awarded the Battle Efficiency E as best Atlantic Fleet aircraft carri- er. During this 1967 cruise, the Arab-Israeli War erupted in the Eastern Mediterranean. On 8 June 1967, the technical research ship USS LIBERTY CACTR-52 was at- tacked by unidentified sea and air forces. Within minutes AMERI- CA's F-4B fighters were on their way to protect LIBERTY. It was later learned that the attack was conducted by Israeli torpedo boats and aircraft. The next day, AMER- ICA met up with LIBERTY in Souda Bay, Crete. AMERICA's doctors and corpsmen were able to treat fifty wounded LIBERTY crewmen. , 'u 26 .Nl 7 ,L . if -.. ,,,.-an-' 1 ,.,,.r'hl