Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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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.

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CONSTRUCTION AND COMMISSIONING America is strong, but she is in danger of becoming weak, Rep. Vinson said when 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 determination on the part of our people to remain militarily strong, will we survive. When the CARL VINSON was christened by the congressman ' 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 named in his honor. It is impossible for me to find words to express my gratitude for the high honor paid me here today, he siad. 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. The keel of USS CARL VINSON was laid in October 1975 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Corp. The ship is the third in the series of NIMITZ Class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and was formally commissioned on March 13. 1982. A year after commissioning, the Navy ' s newest aircraft carrier embarked upon an eight month, around-the-world deployment to its new homeport of NAS Alameda. California, where it is pictured on page 5. The other photos depict USS CARL VINSON during various stages of construction.