Coral Sea (CV 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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Q0pposite Page! On April 19, Coral Sea made her way down the Elizabeth River from Norfolk Naval Shipyard to Pier 12 North at Naval Base Norfolk to prepare for her decommissioning. QThis Pageb Captain and Mrs Allen were the guests of honor at a farewell dinner, complete with skits and entertainment, provided by the Coral Sea wardroom.

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COMMANDER IN CHIEF U. S. ATLANTIC FLEET 6 February 1990 Dear Captain Allen. I want to extend my personal congratulations to you and your crew as you decommission the 'Ageless Warr1or.' CORAL SEA's contributions to the Navy have been immeasurable. As a key participant in the initial air strikes against North Vietnam followed by four more deployments during that conflict, the rescue of SS Mayaguez, freedom of navigation operations in the Gulf of Sidra, and the retaliatory air raid on Libya, CORAL SEA has become renowned for professionalism, enthusiasm and standards of excellence few other commands ever achieved. The ship's role in the contingency operations and evacuation of the American Embassy in Beirut during your final deployment was also executed with great precision. The officers and crew who have served aboard CORAL SEA can be proud of their ship and their own personal records of accom lishment. As each of you moves on in your naval careers, I P charge you with maintaining the traditions of superb service learned while serving aboard CORAL SEA. With the decommissioning of this fine ship, we lose an important element of our fighting capability, but benefit from the spirit and traditions the 'Ageless Warrior' leaves in her wake. V Sincerely, OWELL F. CARTER, JR Admiral, U.S. Navy CAPTAIN L.E. ALLEN, JR., USN Commanding Officer USS CORAL SEA ICV 433 FPO New York 09550-2720 176 ,,,,, - ,,,,...-,wgwwgVV V, L

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,X M COMMANDER NAVAL AIR FORCE, U. S. ATLANTIC FLEET NAVAL AIR STATION NORFOLK, VIRGINIA 23511 5 February 1990 Dear Ed, It's hard to say goodbye to a trusted friend. Without being too sentimetal, this is exactly how I feel about USS CORAL SEA QCV 43j - the Ageless Warrior - upon her decommissioning. USS CORAL SEA represents a 43-year success story. Naval Aviation history was made on her decks. From her first day in commissioned service, 1 October 1947, to her last, great things have happened aboard this carrier. USS CORAL SEA was the first aircraft carrier to operate a fully integrated FXA-18 uHornetH airwing. Many of the more than two million miles steamed by this ship were in response to national calls for action in areas ranging from the waters off North Vietnam the Gulf of Sidra. On her last cruise, USS CORAL SEA was still responding to the call, flying support missions during the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. USS CORAL SEA, and the proud crews that steamed her, have never failed this nation. The time has come to bid this great and faithful warrior farewell. Today, the name UCORAL SEAN is a part of U.S. Naval History not only because of the famous battle during World war II, but because of the ship that bears the distinguished name. The many sailors who walked her decks are responsible for creating these historic moments. And, when all is accounted for in a Naval career, I can think of few honors quite so great as NI proudly sailed and served aboard USS CORAL SEA.u Sincere y, . Read I Vi dmiral, U. . Navy RADMQSI L.E. Allen, Jr., U.S. Navy Commanding Officer Uss CORAL SEA qcv 431 FPO New York 09550-2720 ..?,! I I I i z I I r I I I I I -24