USS Enterprise (CV-6) underway circa 1942, location unknown.

The aft end of Enterprise's island showing the base of her aircraft crane and both 1.1" antiaircraft gun mounts doing some target practice while escorting Hornet (CV-8) in route to launch Doolittle's B-25's. April 15th, 1942.

Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo plane, of Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6), approaches USS Enterprise (CV-6) to land, 4 May 1942. Note Landing Signal Officer at left.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (#80-G-17525).

USS Enterprise (CV-6) entering Pearl Harbor on 26 May 1942, following the Battle of Coral Sea and shortly before the Battle of Midway.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-66121).

Enterprise tied up at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, May 1942. Yorktown was across the harbor in drydock having damage from the Coral Sea battle repaired before Midway. Note the cage mast battleship (left background) left over from the Japanese attack on Dec. 7th, 1941.

Enterprise tied up at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, May 1942, just before Midway.

Another view, as above.

Details of USS Enterprise's island, taken in May 1942 at Pearl Harbor. This shows the masthead CXAM-1 radar antenna; in the foreground are the two 1.1in (28mm.) quad AA mounts.

USN photo from "Aircraft Carriers of the U.S. Navy," by Stefan Terzibaschitsch.

USS Enterprise (CV-6) steaming at high speed at about 0725 hrs, 4 June 1942, seen from USS Pensacola (CA-24). The carrier has launched Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6) and Bombing Squadron Six (VB-6) and is striking unlaunched SBD aircraft below in preparation for respotting the flight deck with torpedo planes and escorting fighters. USS Northampton (CA-26) is in the right distance, with SBDs orbiting overhead, awaiting the launch of the rest of the attack group. Three hours later, VS-6 and VB-6 fatally bombed the Japanese carriers Akagi and Kaga.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-32225).

Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6) TBD-1 aircraft are prepared for launching on USS Enterprise (CV-6) at about 0730-0740 hrs, 4 June 1942. Eleven of the fourteen TBDs launched from Enterprise are visible. Three more TBDs and ten F4F fighters must still be pushed into position before launching can begin. The TBD in the left front is Number Two (Bureau # 1512), flown by Ensign Severin L. Rombach and Aviation Radioman 2nd Class W.F. Glenn. Along with eight other VT-6 aircraft, this plane and its crew were lost attacking Japanese aircraft carriers somewhat more than two hours later. USS Pensacola (CA-24) is in the right distance and a destroyer is in plane guard position at left.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-41686).

"A squadron of Douglas Devastator torpedo bombers aboard the mighty Enterprise unfold their wings for the next take-off. In company with Battleship X, the Enterprise shows the Japs her power. Result: 30 by anti-aircraft and 33 by her planes."

From Our Navy magazine, mid-September 1943 issue.

"The Battle of Midway," directed by John Ford and narrated by Henry Fonda, is comprised mostly of authentic footage from the battle. This documentary, produced in 1942, won an Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Award (Oscar). Then Commander (later Rear Admiral) John Ford, USNR, in civil life wrote, directed or produced more than 130 films in a career spanning four decades.

Format: MP4 (.mp4)  Duration: 18' 7"  Size: 320 x 240

Download a free MP4 player.

Ordnancemen of Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6) load a 500 pound demolition bomb on an SBD scout bomber on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CV-6), during the first day of strikes on Guadalcanal and Tulagi, 7 August 1942. Note aircraft's landing gear and bomb crutch; also bomb cart and hoist.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-10458).

(Note that the date printed on the photo is incorrect).

A Japanese bomb exploding on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CV-6), just aft of the island, on 24 August 1942.

Note: According to the original photo caption, this explosion killed the photographer, Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Robert F. Read. However, Morison's "History of U.S. Naval Operations in World War II" (volume 5, page 97) states that Read was killed by the bomb that had earlier hit the after starboard 5"/38 gun gallery, which can be seen burning in the upper left. Morison further states that the bomb seen here exploded with a low order detonation, inflicting only minor damage.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-17489).

A Japanese Type 99 carrier bomber (a type later code-named "Val") burns as it is shot down directly over USS Enterprise (CV-6). Note radar antenna atop the carrier's foremast, and anti-aircraft shell bursts overhead.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-31349).

U.S. Navy ships firing at attacking Japanese carrier aircraft during the battle, 26 October 1942. USS Enterprise (CV-6) is at left, with at least two enemy planes visible overhead. In the right center is USS South Dakota, firing her starboard 5"/38 secondary battery, as marked by the bright flash amidships.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-20989).

A Japanese bomb explodes off the port side of USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the action, 26 October 1942.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-30198).

USS Enterprise (CV-6) at Noumea, New Caledonia, 10 November 1942, while the Big E was undergoing repairs after the Battle of Santa Cruz. The following day she recovered her air group and departed Noumea to take part in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (12–15 November 1942), the final major Japanese attempt to reinforce their garrison on the contested island.

The Presidential Unit Citation presented to the USS Enterprise (CV-6).

With the VF-10 banner draped as a backdrop, the "Grim Reapers" pose at the end of their first war cruise, October 1942–February 1943, aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6). Note 43 "kill" markings.

Second from left (middle row, NS020690) and third from left (front row, NS020690a) is then LT(JG) Roy Marlin "Butch" Voris, a Navy fighter "ace" during WW2 and who was selected in 1946 to form, develop, train and lead the Navy Flight Exhibition Team (shortly to be named the "Blue Angels").

F6F Hellcat fighters taxiing forward on the flight deck, during training exercises, 2 July 1943. Another F6F is in flight overhead, with its landing gear and tail hook extended.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-74510).

Enterprise – CV 6. From U.S. Naval Ships & Aircraft (ONI 54-R), condensed and printed for FM 30-50, NAVAER 00-80V-57 (Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels). Supplement 4 - 4 August 1943.

Puget Sound Navy Yard, 21 October 1943, after her mid-war overhaul. Broadside view, starboard side. Photo # 2823-43 (Bureau of Ships photo # 52945).

Underway photo of USS Enterprise (CV-6). Exact date and location are unknown, but it was probably taken circa October 1943, after her mid-war overhaul at Bremerton, Wash. U.S. Bureau of Ships photo, via the National Archives (#19-N-60135).

Official US Navy photograph of USS Enterprise (CV-6) underway, circa 1943–1944, location unknown.

Crash landing of F6F-3, Number 30 of Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2), into the carrier's port side 20mm gun gallery, 10 November 1943. Lieutenant Walter L. Chewning, Jr., USNR, the Catapult Officer, is climbing up the plane's side to assist the pilot from the burning aircraft. The pilot, Ensign Byron M. Johnson, escaped without significant injury. Enterprise was then en route to support the Gilberts Operation. Note the plane's ruptured belly fuel tank.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-205473).

USS Enterprise (CV-6) underway on 24 November 1943, while supporting the Gilberts Operation. Photographed from USS Monterey (CVL-26).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-366884).

USS Enterprise (CV-6) landing aircraft while supporting the Gilberts Operation, 22 November 1943. A TBM "Avenger" torpedo plane is on the flight deck, aft, while another is flying overhead.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-333207).

December 11, 1943, one week after the raid on Kwajalein. She is wearing Measure 21 camouflage (Navy Blue on vertical surfaces; Deck Blue on horizontal surfaces). Numerous 20-mm/70-cal Oerlikon and 40-mm/56-cal Bofors AA guns had been installed during her July-October refit; her old Mk.33 directors had been replaced by Mk.37's with Mk.4 radar (see NS020667).

The second Fighting Two squadron (VF-2), "Rippers," later "Tall Dogs," was established on 1 June 1943. It made two combat deployments, one aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), November 1943–January 1944, and one aboard USS Hornet (CV-12), March–September 1944. Its first commanding officer, and leading ace, was Commander William A. Dean. VF-2 was disestablished on 9 November 1945.

David LaMar Berrey was a pilot between 1943–1944. His brother, Boyd Berrey, also served on the Hornet and trained with "Pappy" Boyington in 1941.

Good shot of the island and Enterprise's new F6F-3's on the flight deck ready for strikes against the Marshall Islands, February 3rd, 1944.

Grumman F6F-3 "Hellcat" fighters landing on USS Enterprise (CV-6) after strikes on the Japanese base at Truk, 17-18 February 1944. Flight deck crewmen are folding planes' wings and guiding them forward to the parking area. The original caption gives date as 16 February.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-59314).

USN photo of USS Enterprise (CV-6) underway at high speed while engaged in raids against Palau during March-April of 1944. She is painted in Measure 21 and her radar equipment consists of SK, SC-2 and SM sets.

A Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless of VB-10 rolls along the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CV-6) into the sun, spring 1944. USN photo.

From "Carrier Air War in Original WWII Color," by Robert Lawson and Barrett Tillman.

TBM Avenger torpedo bombers warming up on the after flight deck during operations in the Pacific, circa May 1944. An F6F Hellcat fighter is on the midships elevator, in the foreground. The original Kodachrome color transparency was received by the Naval Photographic Science Laboratory on 29 May 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-1590).

Two Air Group Ten SBD Dauntlesses overfly USS Enterprise (CV-6), probably in June 1944.

The Big E shows her late-war appearance and new dazzle camouflage (Measure 33/4Ab) in these 2 August 1944 photos, taken as she departed Pearl Harbor. According to Ms. 33 specifications, colors should be pale gray, haze gray and navy blue but, judging from existing photographs, it seems possible that, in fact, dull black or blue/black were substituted for navy blue.

On photo NS020660 note PC-1251 is passing Enterprise on the port side. The PC, which had arrived in Pearl Harbor just a few weeks earlier, is painted in a dark color but her mast, painted in light gray above the top of the stack, is reminiscent of Measure 1, which had been officially discontinued in September 1941 (!).

(Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

USS Enterprise (CV-6) departs Pearl Harbor, mid-August 1944, with her newly applied dazzle camouflage and new Air Group 20 aboard.

Anchored off Saipan, circa mid-1944, while painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 4Ab. The photograph was taken from the flight deck of an escort carrier (CVE).

Courtesy of Don S. Montgomery, USN (Retired).

U.S. Naval Historical Center photograph (# NH 97266).

Landing Signal Officer, Ensign R. J. Grant, guides in an F6F "Hellcat" fighter, during flight operations on 13 March 1945. Taken by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class W.T. Stillman.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-319008).

Damaged TBM Avenger, March 1945. The outlined arrow on the tail ("G" symbol) was not the design assigned by the Bureau of Aeronautics, but the ship's CO, CAPT Hall, believed it reduced aircraft visibility during night operations, at a time when his ship was operating as a night carrier.

USS Enterprise (CV-6), at left, under attack by a Japanese suicide plane, during operations off Okinawa on 11 April 1945. She was hit and damaged on this day, but returned to action in early May following repairs made at Ulithi. At right is USS Oakland (CL-95), which is opening fire on the diving plane. Note tracer shells streaking across the upper part of the image.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-315762).

Bulged flight deck from a Kamikaze strike on the forward elevator, blowing it 400' in the air. This finished CV-6's combat career. She was sent back to Puget Sound for major repairs.

USS Enterprise (CV-6) transferring casualties to USS Bountiful (AH-9) on 15 May 1945, a day after the carrier had been hit by a kamikaze in the vicinity of the forward elevator.

Collection of Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, donated in 1973-75.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph, # NH 99384-A, cropped from photo # NH 99384.

"Story of Phil and Hal Smith, two brothers aboard USS Enterprise and USS Franklin," by Dixie Smith.

V-J announcement.

"Aircraft Carrier Enterprise."  (From a Russian publication).

Basically, this drawing shows the "Big E" after her 1945 refit, at the very end of the war. However, 40-mm gun mounts forward of the forward pairs of 5" guns were actually two quads and two twins (see below, 020627). Also, the 20-mm battery shown is too large, and is actually closer to that fitted during the ship's July-October 1943 refit.

USS Enterprise (CV-6) making 20 knots during post-overhaul trials in Puget Sound, Washington, 13 September 1945.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives (photo # 19-N-89185).

USS Enterprise, painted in Measure 21, cruising off Puget Sound, 13 September 1945. Two 40mm quad mounts are installed in the positions where the outriggers for the hangar catapults had formerly been fitted, and two forward twins (port and starboard) have been replaced by quads (USN photo).

Naval Air Station, Alameda, California — Four aircraft carriers docked at the Air Station's piers, circa mid-September 1945. The ships are (from front to back): USS Saratoga (CV-3), USS Enterprise (CV-6), USS Hornet (CV-12) and USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). Note PBY amphibians parked at the far left.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-701512).

Note that four, out of five, classes of fast Aircraft Carriers that fought in the Pacific (only the one-ship class Wasp is missing) are represented in this photograph.

Gordon G. Buttars comments: "My father, an Enterprise veteran had a large framed 16 x 20 copy of this photo hanging in his home. [...] Behind the picture was a note that must have come with the photograph stating [... it was] taken in [late] September 1945 enroute to the Panama Canal."

Although details in this copy of the photo are not clear enough, it appears that a twin Bofors gun is absent from Big E's bow. It had been installed in 1943 and was removed during her last refit, June–September 1945, as weight compensation for guns added elsewhere. This agrees with Gordon's comment.

USS Enterprise (CV-6) en route to New York to take part in the Navy Day Fleet Review, October 1945. She is steaming in company with a light carrier (CVL) —in the right distance— and another warship.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-6576).

USS Enterprise (CV-6) steams toward the Panama Canal on 10 October 1945, while en route to New York to participate in Navy Day celebrations.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives (photo # 80-G-701166).

Moored to Pier 26 North (Hudson) River, New York, second half of October 1945.

An outstanding photo of USS Enterprise (CV-6) as she makes her way up the lower Hudson River on the early morning of 17 October 1945, on her way to an anchorage for the 27 October Navy Day Victory celebration. This is an AP Wirephoto. Somewhat grainy, but that adds to the dramatic look of this photo, with the city of New York silhouetted in the background.

Photo taken on or about 27 October 1945 in the Hudson River, during Navy Day celebrations.

USS Enterprise (CV-6) anchored in the Hudson River, off New York City, at the time of the Navy Day Fleet Review, circa late October 1945.

Collection of Warren Beltramini, donated by Beryl Beltramini, 2007.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 105563).