20th Century US Navy PIX!!

Anchored off Naval Operating Base, Yokosuka, Japan, during a break from Korean War operations, 1 December 1950. Note old fortification in the left background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-424599).


Oriskany moored at Yokosuka, Japan, circa 1952-53, with a Commencement Bay-class CVE alongside and US-built Tacoma-class frigates in the background. Note the dusting of snow on the flight deck, loaded with Skyraiders and Panthers of CVG-102/CVG-12. The emergency conn is barely discernible under the overhang of the flight deck, just abaft the Mk-63 director controlling her two foremost twin 3"/50s. US Navy photo # USN-1171842.



"It's a rare sight to see a Destroyer Tender alongside an Aircraft Carrier. As a matter of fact, no one here knows whether it has ever happened before."

"Recently, however, at Leyte pier in NAS Cubi PT, Bataan, Republic of the Philippines, USS Bryce Canyon (AD-36) wrote a new page in Western Pacific history by going alongside USS Oriskany (CVA-34) The event was occasioned by a serious fire which had broken out in Oriskany while operating off the Vietnam coast. As soon as the ships were moored together, Bryce Canyon's repair personnel swarmed aboard the carrier, and commenced around-the-clock operations. First on the agenda was the immediate recharging of some 107 CO2 fire extinguishers, which had been used in fighting the blaze. At the end of six days, all repair work was completed. Every one of the seventy ventilation and heating systems, as well as all electric motors in the damaged area had been checked out and restored to order. During this period, working parties from the tender had also pitched in with Oriskany sailors and personnel from SRF Subic, in cleaning up the fire and smoke damaged areas to make them habitable. Elsewhere aboard the tender, skilled technicians worked on countless jobs not immediately associated with the fire damage, giving the carrier a tender availability the like of which she had never seen. On conclusion of work, Bryce Canyon's modern electronic accounting machine installation tallied the results of her 6-day effort. In all, a total of 6,019 manhours had been expended; the equivalent of a two week availability for four destroyers."

"As both ships got underway at the crack of dawn on the sixth day, Oriskany sent the following visual message to the tender: "Your outstanding service and voluntary assistance in removing our scars is greatly appreciated. The willingness to work and your speed and efficiency helped us leave Subic Bay in outstanding shape for our transit home. Well done to all men aboard Bryce Canyon!"(Quoted from USS Bryce Canyon's Cruise Book.)



USS Oriskany (CVA-34) moored at Leyte Pier, Cubi Point Naval Air Station, Subic Bay, Philippines, 30 November–2 December 1971, at the end of her 6th Vietnam cruise.

4 September 1951, official caption for this photo reads: "F4U's (Corsairs) returning from a combat mission over North Korea circle the USS Boxer as they wait for planes in the next strike to be launched from her flight deck—a helicopter hovers above the ship. September 4, 1951. (Navy) NARA FILE #: 080-G-433002 WAR & CONFLICT BOOK #: 1414." These planes are F4U-4's assigned to VF-884 "Bitter Birds," a reserve squadron called to active duty on 20 July 1950.



USS Boxer (CVS-21), Hong Kong, 1956–57, with S2F-1/2 Trackers from VS-23 "Black Cats" parked on deck. Paul H. Wilson, former PH3, USS Boxer



USS Valley Forge (CV-45) at Sydney, Australia, 1948, with Attack Carrier Air Group (CVAG) 11.


Shipmates..imagine going on liberty with this many ships in port..must have been a hot time in Sasebo that night!

United Nations ships assigned to support military operations in Korea pictured at anchor in Sasebo, Japan, during a break in the action. Pictured from front to back: the aircraft transport HMS Unicorn (R72), the light cruiser USS Juneau (CLAA-119), the aircraft carriers USS Valley Forge (CV-45) and USS Leyte (CV-32), and the repair ships USS Hector (AR-7) and USS Jason (ARH-1). The photo was taken in late 1950 or early 1951, as this was the only time that Leyte operated off Korea.

U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1999.272.030.

See that Essex class next to Rowan? I believe that is Franklin(AVT 13) & (CV 13).

“I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.”... a quote by John F. Kennedy 35th President of the United States.



USS DeHaven (DD-727) and USS Maddox (DD-731) at Mare Island in December 1945.



USS John W. Thomason (DD 760).Undated(ca.1970?), location unknown. From the collection of Oscar Boudreaux.



USS Buck (DD 761) coming alongside the USS Chicago in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Oct 70 - Feb 71 deployment.



USS Barton (DD-722) Fall of 1967 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.



USS Haynesworth (DD-700) in Boston Naval Shipyard, July 4 1962

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USS Bennington (CVA-20). Passes the wreck of USS Arizona (BB-39) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Memorial Day, 31 May 1958. Bennington's crew is in formation on the flight deck, spelling out a tribute to the Arizona's crewmen who were lost in the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Note the outline of Arizona's hull and the flow of oil from her fuel tanks. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

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: Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, USS Oglala (CM 4), gasoline tanks and plane handling boom installed, August 1, 1932. Oglala was present during the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

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USS Pennsylvania (BB 38) entering Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, February 3, 1932. At the time, she was Admiral Schofield’s flagship. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

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Damaged USS Oklahoma (BB 37) raised after capsizing. She was hit during the Japanese Attack on December 7, 1941. As the Oklahoma breaks water, five of her 14 inch guns appear. Photograph released May 23, 1943. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

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Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Official party boards the submarine USS Bremerton (SSN-698) as a change of command ceremonies begin for Commander Submarine Forces Pacific as Rear Admiral Al Konetzni relieves Rear Admiral Winford G. Jerry Ellis, May 8, 1998. USS McKee(AS 41) in the background. Photograph by PH1 Anthony L. Dowell. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

NH 101494[/URL] by , on Flickr

Port Said? Been there three times..No liberty!

The "Great White Fleet" transits the Suez Canal, January 1909. Battleships of the fleet nearing Port Said, Egypt, circa 5-6 January 1909, as they approached the Mediterranean Sea during the final months of their cruise around the World. USS Ohio (Battleship # 12) is in the right center. Collection of Chief Quartermaster John Harold. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

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An aerial port beam view of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV 59) transiting the Suez canal. A formation of crewmen spells out"108"on the bow to signify that the ship has been at sea for 108 consecutive days, 08.06.1988. PH2 Buckner, USN.

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The battleship USS MISSOURI (BB 63) transits the Suez Canal while en route to Istanbul, Turkey. The ship is on an around the world shakedown cruise, 1986. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives - Online Public Access.

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The guided missile destroyer USS Tattnall (DDG-19) transits the Suez Canal en-route to the Mediterranean Sea following a deployment in support of Operation Desert Shield, 8/22/1990 PH3 Frank A. Marquart, USN.

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USS Essex (CVA 9) has her decks loaded with attack and fighter aircraft as she passes through the Suez Canal on her way to join the U.S. Seventh Fleet in the Formosa area, having played a major role in support of the landings in Lebanon. Essex was ordered from the Sixth Fleet to the Seventh Fleet when Chinese Communist forces started bombarding Quemoy, September 17, 1958.

Found on flickr.



USS Lexington (CV 2) with destroyers date and place unknown. circa 1930s.



USS Lexington (CV 2) date and place unknown. circa 1930s.







USS Saratoga (CV 3) date and place unknown. circa 1930s

F-4 Phantoms of the US Navy

Captions by Jim Leslie on flickr



These F-4Ns of the Sundowners of VF-111 were photographed at their home base, NAS Miramar, following their return from deployment to the Western Pacific on 02 July 1975. At this time, VF-111 was a member of Carrier Air Wing 15 (CVW-15) which was then assigned to the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). Unfortunately, the squadron was disestablished on 31 March 1995.As an aside, this paint scheme on the F-4 is my all-time favorite. It just fits the look of the aircraft perfectly.



This Phantom of the Tomcatters of VF-31 was photographed at its home base, NAS Oceana, in May 1977. The aircraft was departing to visit the local bombing range. This particular aircraft was that of the commanding officer and is carrying Mk 76 practice bombs. At that time, VF-31 was a member of Carrier Air Wing 3 which was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-60).



This F-4J of the Tarsiers of VF-33 was photographed at its home base, NAS Oceana, in March 1977. The squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 7, then attached to the USS Independence (CV-62).
This particular F-4 was the VF-33's CAG aircraft with the modex of AJ-200.



This bicentennial marked Phantom from the Grim Reapers of VF-101 was photographed while visiting NAS Miramar in July 1976. The squadron was home based at NAS Oceana and was tasked at time to provide east coast F-4 aircrew and maintenance personnel to Atlantic Fleet squadrons.



This F-4J of the Satan's Kittens of VF-191 was photographed at its home base, NAS Miramar, in August 1976. At that time, the squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 15 which was assigned to the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The F-4J was received in 1976 following VF-191's final cruise in the F-8J aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34). The squadron only made one cruise with the F-4 and was disestablished on 01 March 1978.

This Phantom of the Screaming Eagles of VF-51 was photographed at its home base, NAS Miramar, in May 1976. This particular F-4 was the commanding officer's aircraft. At that time, the squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 19 (CVW-19) which was assigned to the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42). This was an unusual pairing of this particular airwing as it's a west coast air wing assigned to an east coast ship. In addition, this was to be the last cruise of the FDR which was decommissioned in 1977. VF-51 transitioned into the F-14A in 1978 and continued with this aircraft type until being disestablished on 31 March 1995.



This Phantom from the Sluggers of VF-103 was photographed on final to its home base, NAS Oceana, in April 1977. At that time, the squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) which was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-60).



This F-4J is from the Sluggers of VF-103. It was photographed at the squadron's home base, NAS Oceana, in April 1976. At that time, VF-103 was a member of Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) which was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-60).



This "CAG bird" Sundowner Phantom was photographed at its home base, NAS Miramar, on 05 October 1975. At this time, VF-111 along with sister squadron VF-51 were both members of Carrier Air Wing 15 which was assigned to the USS Coral Sea (CV-43).



This Phantom from the Grim Reapers of VF-101 was seen taxiing back to the squadron's flight line after a trip to the bombing range. It was photographed on 05 April 1977 at NAS Oceana, still in its bicentennial markings.

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An A-7 Corsair II aircraft starts down the starboard catapult during a takeoff from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV 64), 7/1/1980. PH1 David C. Maclean.

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A view of two Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) A-7E Corsair aircraft en route to their targets during Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft are carrying Mark 20 Rockeye II anti-tank cluster bombs on their outboard wing pylons and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on their fuselage pylons. VA-72 is based aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), which is operating in the Red Sea, 2/1/1991. Commander Leenhouts.

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USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). Ordnancemen hauling bombs on the carrier's flight deck, preparing planes for attacks on enemy targets in Korea, circa 19 October 1950. A Douglas AD-4 "Skyraider" of Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115) is behind them, with small bombs on its wing racks. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

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An Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65) A-6E Intruder aircraft ascends after taking off from NAS, Fallon. The aircraft, armed with Mark 76 practice bombs and an inert-AGM-88 HARM missile, will be taking part in a training sortie against a simulated radar threat environment, 6/14/1993. PH2 Bruce R. Trombecky.

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Western Pacific. An F-14 “Tomcat” aircraft of Fighter Squadron One, VF-1, from USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in flight. Photographed by February 1977. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.