Coral Sea (CV 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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tLeftj The morning of April 30, 1990 greeted USS Coral Sea, her crew and guests with fair weather for the decommissioning. QOpposite Page! The Sky Typers entertained guests prior to the ceremony. QBelowJ Ceremony principals included ADM C.A.H. Trost, CNOQ ADM Powell Carter, CINCLANTFLTg VADM Dick Dunleavy, OP-053 VADM J.K. Ready, COMNAVAIRLANTg and Virginia Congressman Owen Pickett. fl, f f ' , f , WV V, , ' I A, ,ccc no ccscc A is ,. P -or,,rc-r-c-r...w.,.- ,cr,c,,.. + 1

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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

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CCHMILADUDEUZt1A11RIET!CHRCHIPfFWHD 30 April 1990 Dear Captain Allen, k in CORAL SEA, we bid a fond farewell to the Ageless Warrior. Although we will miss her in the active fleet, we are happy knowing she becomes a part of our naval heritage. As the last battle group staff to embar CORAL SEA has passed into our blue-jacket folklore and our sea stories. Sailors who man her rails for the last time know that they, too' stand in time-honored places with sailors past who also served, who fought and sacrificed so that she might sail. We salute you and the officers and men of CORAL SEA who have proudly served aboard her and have flown her colors to the end. She has done her duty well. We'll miss her. Sin ely, 7 R. D. M XSON Rear A miral, U.S. Navy Captain L. E. Allen, Jr., U.S. Navy Commanding Officer USS CORAL SEA tcv 435 FPO New York 09550-2720