The former USS America (CV-66) is about to become a target. Or as the Navy puts it...
"a live-fire test and evaluation, and weapons effect platform"
I love the Navy and its incredible ability to make my sentences look succinct!
I certainly understand the value we gain from sinking these former protectors of democracy, but it is very hard to watch them go. I am glad we have preserved the valiant history of a number of these vessels in the form of Museums like the USS Midway, the USS Lexington, the USS Yorktown, the USS Hornet and the USS Intrepid. Future generations need to know the sacrifices men and women in uniform and their families made during times of conflict that comprise our nation's history. And artificial reefs at the bottom of the Atlantic only support schools of fish, not schools of history.
But to be honest the fate of the USS America is a damn sight better than what was the destiny of great warships like the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). Think of her the next time you shave your beard in the morning, or open a can of Campbell's tomato soup.
This is not the way for the "Ageless Warrior" to go!
Update (5-26-05): According to sources, after numerous tests and evaluations of damage and blast effects conducted by the US Navy, the former USS America CV-66 was indeed sunk in over 6,000 feet of water off the US Coast on May 14th.
Served aboard America 1967-71 as BT in 1MMR. She was still relativley new when I went aboard, but oh how it seems they just run her to death. Heard she never really had a proper SLEP since the yards in 1969. They just run her into the ground. Seems they were
determined not let our association save her as a museum
they were determined to take her and sink her no matter what. Hated it at times when I was in, but looking back, it was probably the best thing happened to me and
am proud to say I served on her.
Posted by: Tom Callen | January 08, 2013 at 01:35 PM
My dad was in the U.S. Navy in 84' to 92' and he was on the U.S.S. Coral Sea and he still talks about the ship like he just was on leave.
Posted by: christopher draper | April 27, 2011 at 06:13 PM
I know she was sunk for a good reason,but it broke my heart to hear it. She was my home for 3 and a half years. May she rest in peace. Met some great people on her. As Captain Smith used to say Good on Ya. 82 to 86 I miss the Big Pig
Posted by: B Kelly | January 21, 2011 at 10:15 PM
DAMN SHAME!! BUT LIKE THEY SAID, SSHE WILL STILL BE HELPING OUR FLEET IN THE FUTURE, WITH THE TESTS AND ALL. SAD TO SEE A WARSHIP WITH OUR COUNTRYS NAME GO THROUGH THAT, BUT IT WILL BE A HUGE HELP IN THE LONG RUN. I SERVED ON HER FROM 1991 TO 1995 IN ENGINEERING, 4 MAIN MACHINERY ROOM. HAD SOME GREAT TIMES WHEN I WAS STATIONED ON HER.
Posted by: JEFF COSTIGAN | August 06, 2009 at 11:53 PM
I SERVED ON HER FROM 1991 TO 1995. HATED IT WHEN I WAS IN, WORKED IN ENGINEERING, MP DIVISION, 4 MAIN MACHINERY ROOM. HOT, NOISY. LOOKING BACK NOW WAS NOT TOO BAD, GOT TO LEARN A LOT OF NEW THINGS AND MET SOME FANTASTIC GUYS. SHAME THEY SUNK HER, LIKE THEY SAID SHE HELPED THE FLEET BY THOSE TESTS. JEFF COSTY COSTIGAN.
Posted by: JEFF COSTIGAN | July 28, 2009 at 10:02 PM
What a shame.... She served our country and protected our freedom for generations.
A little know fact is that the Midway was perceived as the more capable of the three sisters.
The FDR was scrapped in 1977 but I wonder why the Coral Sea had three catapults and why they never fitted the Midway the same way.
I WISH there was a way to find out what their differences were especially after all the years of continuous improvement.
Posted by: Lambros Vassiliou | February 02, 2009 at 09:26 PM
served on cv66 as dk3(sw) during desert storm. cruised the med and the suez. breaks my salty heart to see her go down the way she did but the gains from tests performed will make some much needed advancements in damage control. i cannot believe that she was put to locker years ago and i just now found out in 2008.
Haze gray and underway. i miss those days.
DK3(SW) clark
Posted by: t clark | March 06, 2008 at 05:07 PM