Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 6 text:

USS CARL VINSON ' S NAMESAKE Rep. Carl Vinson (D-Ga.) 1883-1981 ■fif - Carl Vinson was born in Baldwin County, Georgia, on November 18, 1883, the son of Edward S. and Annie Morris Vinson. He attended Georgia Military College in Milledgeville and was graduated from the Mercer University Law School with an LL.B. degree in 1902, beginning practice on June 5 of that year. Rep. Vinson ' s appointment as Baldwin County Prosecutor in 1904 began a career of more than 60 consecutive years of service in public office. In 1909, he was elected to the Georgia General Assembly, serving there until 1912. He returned to Baldwin County in late 1912 to serve as County Court Judge. On November 3, 1914, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives to fdl an unexpired term. He served in Congress for more than 50 years — the longest service of any House Member in our history. Titles such as Father of our Modern Navy and Aviation ' s Elder Statesman barely describe his contributions, for few others have done so much for the defense of our country. Rep. Vinson was among our nations leading advocates of naval power. More than any other person, he was responsible for the buildup of the U.S. Navy and its air power before World War II. Admiral Nimitz, the Pacific Fleet commander, said of him, I do not know where this country would have been after December 7, 1941, if it had not had the ships and the know-how to build more ships fast, for which one Vinson Bill after another was responsible. Carl Vinson ' s philosophy concerning military preparedness throughout his career is just as valid today. The most expensive thing in the world is a cheap Army and Navy, he said, History has shown that weakness invites attack. ' He supported the policy that our naval strike forces, including ships such as the CARL VINSON should be nuclear-powered. Rep. Vinson had served a total of 50 years and one month in the House of Representatives when he retired in January 1965. He returned to Milledgeville where he resided until his death on June 1, 1981.

Page 5 text:

The 1984-1985 deployment of USS CARL VINSON and its embarked Aiming, CVW-15, which began October 13, 1984, was highly successful. It was made possible through the hard work and team spirit which has carried over from our last deployment. We are the Navy ' s newest commissioned aircraft carrier. Our progress, from workups through our return to Alameda, has been closely watched by our chain of command. Our families and friends have followed San Francisco ' s Own, to and from deployment to the Seventh Fleet, it is with great pride that I can say everyone has been impressed with our ability to set THE example in areas of professional performance, sustained operations, and excellent conduct ashore. Inside this cruisebook you will see the men who made it all happen. I trust you will find this cruisebook a lasting tribute to us all. I am sure it will be more valuable and meaningful with the passage of time. Thirty years from now when USS CARL VINSON is still defending the principles of freedom we believe in, you ' ll be able to look through this book and state, We helped make her proud history possible through our Pursuit of Excellence. J yfU -d

Page 7 text:

Far left: Rep. Vinson talks with RADM George E. R. Kinnear, II, USN, Chief of Legislative Affairs, Navy Department during a visit in October 1976. Left: Two views of Rep. Vinson during the launching ceremony of USS CARL VINSON. Above: The Ship ' s Sponsor, Mrs. Molly Snead, Rep. Vinson ' s nurse and friend breaks a bottle of champagne during the launching ceremony which Sen. John Warner was the principal speaker.