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NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive


Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS BENNINGTON   (CV-20)
(later CVA-20 and CVS-20)

U.S.S. BENNINGTON
Courtesy of Al Grazevich


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Uniform - Bravo - Romeo
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "BIG BOY"
(March 1945: "CIRCUS")

Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons

 
 

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2) / China Service Medal (Extended)
2nd Row: American Campaign Medal / Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (3 stars) / World War II Victory Medal
3rd Row: Navy Occupation Service Medal ("Asia" and "Europe" clasps) / National Defense Service Medal (2) / Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2)
4th Row: Vietnam Service Medal (4 stars) / Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm) / Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
(More info)

Essex Class Aircraft Carrier
Ordered Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Stricken
15 Dec 1941 15 Dec 1942 26 Feb 1944 6 Aug 1944
13 Nov 1952
8 Nov 1946
15 Jan 1970

20 Sep 1989
Builder: New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Specifications
(As built, 1944)
Displacement: 27,100 tons standard; 36,380 tons full load
Dimensions (wl): 820' x 93' x 28.5' (full load)  /  249.9 x 28.3 x 8.7 (full load) meters
Dimensions (max.): 872' x 147.5'  /  265.8 x 45 meters
Armor: 4"-2.5" belt; 1.5" hangar & protective deck(s); 4" bulkheads; 1.5" STS (top, side of pilot house); 2.5" (top) steering gear
Power plant: 8 boilers (565 psi, 850°F); 4 steam turbines; 4 shafts; 150,000 shp (design)
Speed: 32.7 knots
Endurance (design): 20,000 nautical miles @ 15 knots
Armament: 4 twin & 4 single 5"/38 gun mounts; 10 quad 40-mm/56-cal gun mounts; 46+ single 20-mm/70-cal guns mounts
Aircraft: 102 (Air Group 82, March 1945)
Aviation facilities: 1 deck-edge, 2 centerline elevators; 2 hydraulic catapults (flight deck)
Crew: 2,600+ (ship's company + air wing, as designed)

(After SCB-27A, 1952)
Displacement: 28,200 tons standard; 40,600 tons full load
Dimensions (wl): 819.1' x 101.4' x 29.7' (full load)  /  249.7 x 30.9 x 9.1 (full load) meters
Dimensions (max.): 898.1' x 151.9'  /  273.7 x 46.3 meters
Armor: belt replaced by blister with 60-lb STS
Power plant: (as above)
Speed: 31.7 (max) / 30 (sust) knots
Endurance (design): n/a
Armament: 8 single 5"/38 gun mounts; 14 twin 3"/50 gun mounts
Aircraft: 70+
Aviation facilities: 1 deck-edge, 2 centerline elevators; 2 hydraulic catapults (H 8)
Crew: ~2,900 (ship's company + air wing)

(After SCB-125, 1955)
Displacement: 30,800 tons standard; 41,200 tons full load
Dimensions (wl): 824.5' x 101' x 30.1' (full load)  /  251.3 x 30.8 x 9.2 (full load) meters
Dimensions (max.): 890' x 196'  /  271.3 x 59.7 meters
Armor: (as above)
Power plant: (as above)
Speed: 32 (max) / 30.3 (sust) knots
Endurance (design): n/a
Armament: 7 single 5"/38 gun mounts; 4 twin 3"/50 gun mounts
Aircraft: ~70 (CVA role), ~50 (CVS role)
Aviation facilities: 2 deck-edge, 1 centerline elevators; 2 hydraulic catapults (H 8)
Crew: 2,300+ (ship's company + air wing)
Click On Image 
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Name

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CV-20 was named for a town in the southwestern corner of Vermont, the seat of government for Bennington County. During the American Revolution, Bennington was the nearest town to the site of a battle, actually fought on New York soil, 16 August 1777, in which American victory contributed to the ultimate defeat of "Gentleman Johnnie" Burgoyne at Saratoga. As the nearest town, Bennington gave its name to the battle. The battle was a major strategic success for the American cause and is considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War.

A gunboat had previously borne the name.

NS022028a: Map courtesy of HamsterMap.com.

NS022028b: Battle of Bennington, a National Guard Heritage Painting by Don Troiani, courtesy the National Guard Bureau.

NS022028: Bennington Battle Monument. Courtesy of Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian.

NavSource

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Construction
CV-20 Bennington
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The future USS Bennington (CV-20) being prepared for launching in a building dock at the New York Navy Yard, 23 February 1944. She was christened three days later.

Courtesy of Mr. James Russell, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1972.

Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) photo, # NH 75631.

Via Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
CV-20 Bennington
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The future USS Bennington (CV-20) being floated out of drydock at the New York Navy Yard, Saturday, 26 February 1944, following her christening by Mrs. Melvin J. Maas (née Katherine Endress), wife of Melvin Joseph Maas, US Representative from Minnesota (R) and Colonel, USMCR.

Bennington was the first of the Essex-class carriers to be built in the New York Navy Yard and it was also the first carrier to be built in a dry-dock.

S. Dale Hargrave
The Early Years — World War II
CV-20 Bennington
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USS Bennington (CV-20), World War II.

Overhead plan and starboard profile meticulously drawn by John Robert Barrett.

Navy Yard Associates

NS022008
90k Plank owner certificate for George Humber Sr. George Humber Jr.
CV-20 Bennington
NS022007
185k Underway off Long Island, September 25, 1944. She is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 17A (#1). USN
CV-20 Bennington
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71k Port view, as above. Steve Whitby
CV-20 Bennington
NS022030
101k Doing workups with her air group, October 1944. Note her lightly colored, unstained flight deck. Steve Whitby
CV-20 Bennington
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As above. Official UNS photo.

John Spivey

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USS Bennington (CV-20) photographed from a plane that has just taken off from her flight deck, during the ship's shakedown period, 20 October 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-289645).

Scott Dyben
CV-20 Bennington
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USS Bennington (CV-20) underway during her shakedown, 20 October 1944, en route to Trinidad, British West Indies. She is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 17a (#1). Note tanker in the left distance.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 97579.

From the collection of PhoM Sam Ashare, USS Bennington V3S division,
via John Chiquoine
CV-20 Bennington
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USS Bennington (CV-20) underway during her shakedown period, October–November 1944.

CV-20 Bennington
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CV-20 Bennington
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Bennington painted in Design 17A (#2), 13 December 1944, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard before going into combat. Compare her new, three-color camouflage (Design 17A(#2)) to her previous six-color scheme Design 17A (#1)). Light conditions make colors appear to be lighter than they actually were (see below). Bennington was one of the Essex-class ships not fitted with additional AA 40-mm mounts on the starboard side, amidships. (Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

Steve Whitby
CV-20 Bennington
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As above. This photo does show her flight deck stained blue, with dull black numerals and dash lines. Note there are no elevator outlines. The inside screens of the lift shaft are painted black. Note that the 5"/38 single mounts and some of the 40-mm quads were at times surrounded by rails instead of splinter shields, in order to save weight, but this was a temporary measure. (Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-298092.

CV-20 Bennington
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As above. USS Bennington (CV-20) en route from New York Navy Yard Annex to Naval Anchorage, Gravesend Bay.

Photograph was taken by Naval Air Station, New York. The vertical colors are Navy Blue (5-N), Ocean Gray (5-O) and Haze Gray (5-H), with the horizontal surfaces Deck Blue (20-B). The panels of haze gray appear to be lightened to Pale Gray (5-P), but are probably reflecting the bright sun at this angle.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-298091.

Mike Green
Rick Davis and John Chiquoine
CV-20 Bennington
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As above. Bow view at 700 feet.

US Navy photo, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-298089.

NARA
CV-20 Bennington
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As above. Vertical aerial view at 1,200 feet.

US Navy photo, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-298094.

CV-20 Bennington
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127k USS Bennington (CV-20) ferrying aircraft to Pearl Harbor on her maiden voyage to fight in WW2, January 1945. USN

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Bennington tied up at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor Hawaii with her entire air group (CVG-82) on the flight deck, Jan. 1945. (National Archives photo).

Steve Whitby

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Deck crewmen aboard USS Bennington (CV-20) maneuver an SB2C Helldiver of Bombing Squadron (VB) 82 into position on the carrier's flight deck. VB-82 operated from Bennington during the period February–June 1945.

Navy and Marine Corps Museum photo (# 1996.253.357), Robert L. Lawson collection.

Alex Tatchin
CV-20 Bennington
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USS Bennington conducting air ops and alongside for UNREP with USS Harrison (DD-573) watch standers. Task Group 58.1, February–May 1945.

Photos by CTM Tom McCann.

John Chiquoine
CV-20 Bennington
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VT-82 TBM-3 Avenger #101 makes a gear-up landing on 16 February 1945, after receiving battle damage during a raid over Tokyo, Japan. The plane was so badly damaged that it was pushed overboard; one of eleven lost that day. Note the empty drop tanks on the port catwalk ready for re-arming and re-fueling of the air group for the next strike. US Navy Photo, now in the custody of the US National Archives at College Park, Maryland (80-G-305176).

Tracy White, Researcher @ Large

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TBM-3 Avenger from VT-82 deck-launching from Bennington in a rain squall, February 1945.

Photo now in the collections of the US National Archives and Records Administration, #80-G-305181.

Steve Whitby
Tracy White, Researcher @ Large
CV-13 Franklin et al.
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"Probably the ultimate "Murderers' Row" photo with 10 Essex-class carriers plus the Enterprise in the anchorage. It must also have been taken on the 13th March 1945 shortly after the arrival of Task Group 12.2. The Randolph in berth #27 had been hit two days previously whilst at anchor by a long range kamikaze strike. The repair ship USS Jason (AR-8) is visible alongside (unknown source)."

"Ulithi Anchorage looking north: Berth #5: USS South Dakota (BB-57), #6 USS Massachusetts (BB-59), #8 USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), #101 USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), #27 USS Randolph (CV-15) and USS Jason (AR-8), #28 USS Hornet (CV-12), #29 USS Wasp (CV-18), #30 USS Bennington (CV-20), #26 USS Essex (CV-9), #25 USS Intrepid (CV-11), #24 USS Enterprise (CV-6), #23 USS Yorktown (CV-10), #22 USS Hancock (CV-19), #21 USS Franklin (CV-13). (All positions correlate with war logs of each ship and the mooring plan.)"

Darren Large
CV-13 Franklin et al.
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One of Bennington's VMF-123's F4U-1D's after flipping, the pilot had a back injury. Photo by Lowell Love.

Steve Whitby

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One of VMF-112's F4U after hitting the island and burning. Photo by Lowell Love.

Steve Whitby

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Another crash on the flight deck as seen from an aircraft. Photo by Lowell Love.

Steve Whitby
CV-20 Bennington
NS022032
122k An F4U Corsair from one of the Marine Squadrons serving on Bennington in April 1945 (VMF-112 and VMF-123). Looks like it had its wingtip shot up. Photo by Lowell Love. Steve Whitby
CV-20 Bennington
NS022033
122k An F4U Corsair (VMF-112 or VMF-123) that missed the arresting wires, April 1945. Photo by Lowell Love. Steve Whitby
CV-20 Bennington
NS022040
117k F4U Corsair, deck launch. Photo by Lowell Love. Steve Whitby
CV-20 Bennington
NS022041
114k Lowell Love crawled out on the forward antenna mast in the down position to get this picture of the forecastle, bow and 40mm gun tub. Steve Whitby
CV-20 Bennington
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114k TBM with a damaged port wing tip. Photo by Lowell Love. Steve Whitby
CV-20 Bennington
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Aboard USS Bennington (CV-20), ARM1C R.J. Bell carries .30-cal ammunition for SB2C Helldiver aircraft. Photographed by PHoM3 W.R. Davis, released April 1945.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), #80-G-322447.

NARA
CV-20 Bennington
NS022094
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Japanese plane exploding from anti-aircraft fire while off Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 16 April 1945. US Navy ships shown are USS Bennington (CV-20) and USS Massachusetts (BB-59). Photographed from USS Hornet (CV-12).

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), #80-G-331610.

NARA
CV-20 Bennington
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USS McKee (DD-575) operating at sea in the Ryukyus area with Task Force 58, 26 April 1945. USS Bennington (CV-20) is in the left background. Official U.S. Navy photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (# NH 103701).

Tony Cowart
CV-20 Bennington
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Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat fighters prepare for takeoff from the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CV-20) circa May 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-K-4946).

Robert Hurst

NS022062
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Kamikaze plane (upper right) explodes in mid-air near the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CV-20) in a photo taken from the deck of her sister carrier USS Hornet (CV‑12) during battles off the coast of Okinawa, 14 May 1945.

Courtesy of LIFE magazine.

Pieter Bakels
Typhoon — June 5, 1945

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Looking towards the bow from the bridge during the typhoon of June 1945. This storm smashed both the Hornet and Bennington's flight deck down around their bows. Photo by Lowell Love.

Steve Whitby

NS022025
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On 5 June 1945 USS Bennington was damaged by a typhoon off Okinawa and retired to Leyte for repairs, arriving 11 June. Her repairs completed, the carrier left Leyte 1 July 1945 and during 10 July-15 August took part in the final raids on the Japanese home islands.

Compare these photos to those of Hornet (CV-12) and Wasp (CV-18). They explain why the later "hurricane bows" made sense.

USS Bennington, her History and her Crew
web site

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NS022027
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As above.

Wolfgang Hechler

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USS Bennington (CV-20) at Leyte, Philippine Islands, in June 1945. Her flight deck is being repaired from typhoon damage suffered off Okinawa on 5 June 1945.

Virgil Cowart Collection.

Naval History and Heritage Command (# UA 539.11).

Mike Green

NS022012
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Bennington recovering SB2C-5's off the coast of Japan, late July 1945. Photo by Lowell Love.

Steve Whitby
CV-20 Bennington
NS022043
157k Lowell Love (standing, far left) and some of the Bennington's photographers getting briefed for a combat mission over Japan, July 1945. Steve Whitby
"[T]hese photos of CV-20 Bennington [...] were taken by my father[, Sherwood Smith,] while standing on the flight deck of the USS Shangri-La. The Shangri-La was tied up and the Bennington steamed by. These ships were in San Diego in November 1945 (penciled on back of 3"x5" photos)."
Submitted by Timm Smith.


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USS Bennington (CV-20), CINCPAC photo #496020, also BuAer photo with the same number. Taken at Pearl Harbor, released 23 January 1946.

David Buell
CVE-109 Cape Gloucester
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Aerial view of Pearl Harbor, circa 16–23 January 1946. Ships present are: USS Bennington (CV-20) moored across the channel at NAS Ford Island; USS Cape Gloucester (CVE-109), opposite Bennington; USS Troilus (AKA-46), moored astern of Cape Gloucester; USS LST-1078, moored astern of USS LST-1070; USS Terror (CM-5); USS LST-459 with LCT-1015 secured to her main deck, astern of USS LST-863. Moored forward of LST-863 are two unidentified minesweepers and three larger, unidentified ships. The next pier has two unidentified ships, possibly AKs; the survey ship USS Sumner (AGS-5); and two unidentified minesweepers. USS LST-737 moored astern of USS LST-45, moored astern of numerous minesweepers. And possibly USS Shipley Bay (CVE-85).

Official US Navy photo, file number 496019, from CINCPAC, released 23 January 1946. Also stamped "BUAer, 496019".

David Buell
After SCB-27A Modernization

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"Underway to Bayonne," circa mid-1953.

Tommy Trampp

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This photo was taken in the fall of 1952 in the North Atlantic during a hurricane with winds at 80 MPH that day. Shortly after this photo was taken the ship dipped back into the waves and lost several aircraft that were on deck to the sea.

Note: The picture was most likely taken, in fact, during Hurricane Barbara (August 1953). Bennington was recommissioned on 13 November 1952 but did not recover any plane until 16 February 1953. On 9 August 1953, Bennington departed Halifax, Nova Scotia, for Norfolk, VA, and en route had to ride out Hurricane Barbara.

Roy Stumpf
NorLant / Med Cruise, 16 September 1953–21 February 1954

At the beginning of her 1953–54 deployment (19–23 September), USS Bennington (CVA-20) participated in NATO Operation Mariner.

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"Cheap price for you, Joe." Istanbul, Turkey, 21–26 October 1953.

From Bennington's Mediterranean Cruise Book 1953–54.

Tommy Trampp

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"Liberty Lane." Istanbul, Turkey, 21–26 October 1953.

From Bennington's Mediterranean Cruise Book 1953–54.

Tommy Trampp
CVA-20
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"Bennington boxers tangled in their first [S]ixth [F]leet competition at the Suda [Souda] Bay 'smoker.' Although a bit rusty, the Benn team made up in enthusiasm what they lacked in practice and experience." Souda Bay, 28–30 October 1953.

"A general variety show brought together the talent of the U.S. Fleet as between bout entertainment. Cool American beer and sandwiches were consumed by the hill-climbing multitudes."

Cruise Book, 1953–54.

Tommy Trampp
CVA-20
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Liberty party. Cannes, France, 21–30 November 1953 (or 28 December 1953–4 January 1954).

Cruise Book, 1953–54.

Tommy Trampp
CVA-20
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Cannes, France, probably 21–30 November 1953 (perhaps, 28 December 1953–4 January 1954).

Cruise Book, 1953–54.

Tommy Trampp
CVA-20
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Celestial Sphere, Woodrow Wilson Memorial, Palais des Nations (seat of the United Nations Office), Geneva, Switzerland, probably 21–30 November 1953 (perhaps, 28 December 1953–4 January 1954).


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Skyraider on final approach. Taken from the hangar deck stern of the Bennington in Med. Sea, 1953.

Louis Hodgson

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F2H-2P Banshee, assigned to VC-62, on flight deck, off La Spezia, Italy, 18–28 December 1953. The F2H-2P was an unarmed photo reconnaissance version of the F2H-2. It was fitted with six cameras in its enlarged nose (location of the three starboard ones is clearly visible).

Louis Hodgson

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Lisbon, Portugal, 19–25 January 1954. "Enterprising citizens of Lisbon arranged a special bullfight to celebrate the visit. Since bull fighting was out of season, some of the participants were not in the best of form (namely the bulls). After watching the Portuguese toreadors demonstrate their skill, Benn sailors took over. Accepting a challenge to ride the bull, not only did they ride him, but they tackled him and pulled his tail."

From Bennington's Mediterranean Cruise Book 1953–54.

Tommy Trampp

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This is the Bennington at anchor in Gibraltar, 14–16 February 1954. I took this photo from the ship's liberty launch.

Louis Hodgson

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At 0811, 26 May 1954, while cruising off Narragansett Bay, the fluid in the port catapult exploded, setting off a series of secondary explosions which killed 103 crewmen and injured 201 others. Bennington proceeded under her own power to Quonset Point, R.I.

"On 26 May 2004 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island, we dedicated a Memorial to those fallen sailors. It was covered by the local media and we had approximately 900 former Bennington crewmembers, Air Group and Marine Detachment personnel come to 'remember' this day!"

Joseph Pires,
USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian

NS022045
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Fire aboard USS Bennington, May 26, 1954 as related by Jack Douglas Rich to Phyllis Rich Carpenter.

Phyllis Rich Carpenter
CVA-20 Bennington
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Captain W.F. Raborn, Bennington's Commanding Officer, presents awards to members of her crew in recognition of their heroic actions during the catapult explosion and fire of 26 May 1954. Photographed on 7 August 1954.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97583).

NHC
After SCB-125 Modernization
CVA-20 Bennington
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USS Bennington (CVA-20), New York Naval Shipyard, Naval Base, Brooklyn 1, N.Y., 30 March 1955, photo # NY3-4515. U.S. Navy photo.

David Buell
CVA-20 Bennington
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USS Bennington (CVA-20) arrives in San Diego, her new homeport, 20 October 1955. The aircraft carrier changed homeport from Mayport, FL, to San Diego, CA, via Cape Horn.

Dick Carlson, USN (Ret.),
via USS Bennington Association website,
via Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-20 Bennington
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USS Bennington off Point Loma, at the entrance to San Diego Bay, in a photo apparently taken in the late 1950s.

David Buell
CVA-20 Bennington
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Four U.S. Navy Douglas AD-6 Skyraiders (BuNo 139731, 139751, 139753, 139783) from Attack Squadron (VA) 42 "Green Pawns" in flight, October 1956. VA‑42 was assigned to Air Task Group (ATG) 181 from 1956 to 1958 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CVA-20).

BuNo 139731 (by then redesignated A-1H) was later lost while in service with VA-152 "Friendlies," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 16, USS Oriskany (CVA-34), on 14 October 1966. The aircraft was flown by ENS Darwin Joel Thomas on a night road reconnaissance mission 40 km southwest of Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam. When his section spotted trucks on a road, Thomas dove to attack the target with rockets. However, he failed to pull out of the dive and was killed when his aircraft struck the ground.

Photo courtesy of LCDR Joe Rao, USN Ret.

Robert Hurst
CVA-20 Bennington
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USS Bennington (CVA-20), after quarter starboard, after regular overhaul, San Francisco Naval Shipyard, 15 October 1957.

U.S. Navy official photograph, San Francisco Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, Calif., # MSR-17708-L-10-57.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, National Archives Identifier 7578340, item 19-NN-CVA 20 Bennington-158200, Container ID Box 1580, Folder 343.

Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-20 Bennington
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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 (# USN 1036055).

NHC
CVA-20 Bennington
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A "Sundowner" division of FJ-3M Furies over Oahu, Hawaii, mid-1958. Three aircraft bear ATG-1's "shooting star" emblem on the fuselage, while NA112 has yet to receive it. The squadron deployed aboard USS Bennington (CVA-20) in May–June 1958, as part of ATG-1 (tail code "NA"), and in August 1958–January 1959 as part of ATG-4 (tail code "ND")—this was the last deployment of Bennington as an attack carrier. Photo courtesy Henk van der Lugt.

Photo from VF-11/111 "Sundowners" 1942�95 (Aviation Elite Units #36), by Barrett Tillman.

Robert Hurst
CVA-20 Bennington
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The crew of USS Bennington (CVA-20) spelling out "John Paul Jones," San Diego, 24 June 1959. Official US Navy photograph (CVA-20 #13223 (L)).

John Paul Jones, the movie, was released in the USA on 16 June 1959. AKA El capitán Jones, it was directed by John Farrow (his last film) and starred Robert Stack as John Paul Jones, Marisa Pavan as Aimee de Tellison, Charles Coburn as Benjamin Franklin, Erin O'Brien as Dorothea Danders, Bette Davis as Empress Catherine the Great, MacDonald Carey as Patrick Henry, Jean-Pierre Aumont as King Louis XVI, David Farrar as John Wilkes, Peter Cushing as Captain Pearson, Susan Canales as Marie Antoinette, Jorge Riviere as Russian Chamberlain, and Tom Brannum as Peter Wooley.

Six days later Bennington became CVS-20.

Courtesy of uss-bennington.org,
via Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian
CVA-20 Bennington
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Photo of USS Bennington (CVS-20) taken 7 September 1959, tied up to San Diego's Broadway pier for an open house at an event called "Fiesta Del Pacifico."

Robert M. Cieri
CVA-20 Bennington
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Final "Fiesta del Pacífico" (Festival of the Pacific) event, San Diego, California, September 4–17 1959.

The photo shows the naval administration building at the foot of Broadway. David's mother worked there during World War II as a WAVE telegrapher.

Note, on the left, A4D-2 Skyhawk, BuNo 144870, NH204, Attack Squadron (VA) 112 "Broncos."

David Buell
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022056
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USS Bennington (CVS-20) off Point Loma, at the entrance to San Diego Bay, circa 1960–62, with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59 aboard.

Marine Photos and Publishing, Spring Valley, CA.

David Buell
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022053
138k

The starboard aft aircraft elevator framing a refueling shot of USS Harry E. Hubbard (DD-748) in the South China Sea, winter 1961.

Charles Hansen collection
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022054
180k

Bennington photographers after hours, January 1961.

Charles Hansen collection
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022085
286k

USS Bennington (CVS-20), in a photo believed to have been taken just after her 1962–1963 FRAM II modernization.

David Buell
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022065
45k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway after her 1962–1963 FRAM II modernization.

Joseph Pires,
USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022072
42k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway in the (mid?) 1960s, after her FRAM II modernization.

Joseph Pires,
USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022072a
38k
CVS-20 Bennington
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47k
CVS-20 Bennington
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USS Bennington (CVS-20) arrives in Long Beach, California, her new homeport, May 1, 1963. Crew is manning the rail and a harbor tug shoots her fire hose in salute. Photo by PH3 G.W. Burgess.

(Thanks to Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian).

USN
CV-20 Bennington
NS091910517
162k

USS Mispillion (AO-105) underway while refueling USS Bennington (CVS-20) at sea, 20 August 1963. USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752) is taking on fuel from off the oiler's starboard side. Nine Grumman S-2E Tracker and four Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King helicopters of Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 59 (CVSG-59) are visible on Bennington's flight deck.

U.S. Navy History and Heritage Command photo # NH 97589, PH2 Hobbs.

Robert Hurst
CVS-20 Bennington
NS091906307
203k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) and USS O'Brien (DD-725) receiving fuel from USS Chipola (AO-63) in WestPac, spring of 1964, as viewed from USS Eversole (DD‑789). The destroyer on the extreme right is unknown. Photo by ETR2 Travis Moffat.

Larry Backus
CVS-20 Bennington
NS0572529
208k

View from USS Eversole (DD-789), spring 1964, in WestPac. This image shows USS Bennington (CVS-20) refueling USS O'Brien (DD-725). The destroyer on the left is unidentified. Photo by ETR2 Travis Moffat.

Larry Backus
CVS-20 Bennington
NS091906309
201k

USS Chipola (AO-63) delivers NSFO to USS Bennington (CVS-20) while underway in the Pacific Ocean in the spring of 1964. Photo by ETR2 Travis Moffat, USS Eversole (DD-789).

Larry Backus, USS Bausell (DD-845)
CVS-20 Bennington
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223k
CV-20 Bennington
NS022002
154k

Refueling from Chemung (AO-30), WestPac, mid-July 1964.

(Thanks to Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian).

USN
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022087
412k

USS Bennington (CVS-20), circa the mid-1960s.

Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian)
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022068
29k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) in the second half of the 1960s.

Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022088
168k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway and operating aircraft, circa the mid-1960s. Plane in the lower right photo is an S-2 Tracker from Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 41 "Shamrocks," part of Readiness Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (RCVSG) 51.

Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian)
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022036
244k

On 18 May 1966, the XC-142A tri-service V/STOL transport made its first carrier takeoffs and landings during tests conducted aboard Bennington at sea off San Diego. The tests, including 44 short and six vertical takeoffs were made with wind over the deck varying from zero to 32 knots. Lt. Roger L. Rich Jr., and other pilots from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army took turns at the controls. NS022036: US Navy photo now in the National Archives (# NH 69968).

USN
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022036a
29k Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022036b
34k
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022036c
23k
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022079
540k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, 1966.

Wolfgang Hechler
CVS-20 Bennington et al.
NS022080
508k

Colorized photo of five U.S. Navy Essex-class aircraft carriers at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 2 August 1966: USS Bennington (CVS-20), USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), USS Yorktown (CVS-10), USS Valley Forge (LPH-8, converted to Amphibious Assault Ship (Helicopter)), and USS Hornet (CVS-12).

Official U.S. Navy photograph, # CVS-20-160-8-66.

Yu Chu
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022047
238k

This photo is in Bennington's 1966–67 Cruise Book, and shows her alongside USS Tolovana (AO-64), possibly in WestPac, November–December 1966.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

From the collection of CDR Thomas B. Ray (USS Essex CV-9),
via Chris Stanley
USS Bennington (CVS-20), with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59.
Photos by BM3 John Rouse, USS
Sacramento (AOE-1), 1966–1967.
Via Bob Canchola, BT.


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NS022037
40k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) comes alongside the floating Apollo spacecraft 017 (Apollo 4) Command Module during recovery operations in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The Command Module splashed down at 3:37 p.m., November 9, 1967, 934 nautical miles northwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.

NS022037: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo # S67-49861.

NASA
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022037a
56k Joseph Pires,
USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian
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62k
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49k
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NS022004
80k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway off the coast of California, 25 November 1967. Photographed by Dolenga.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97582).

NHC
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022093
56k

E-2A Hawkeye aboard USS Bennington (CVS-20), 1967–1968.

Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022057
41k

Bennington's own mail C.O.D., 1965–1969, Grumman C-1A Trader, BuNo 146042.

Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022057a
25k

Two Grumman E-1B Tracers assigned to VAW-111 Det. 20 "Hunters," which deployed to WestPac and Vietnam with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59 aboard USS Bennington (CVS-20), 1 May–9 November 1968.

RR760 was BuNo 148920.

RR762 was BuNo 148130.

CVS-20 Bennington
NS022057b
38k
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022074
843k

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, May 1968, with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59 aboard.

Wolfgang Hechler
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022006
208k

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 17 May 1968.

© Richard Leonhardt
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022005
147k

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 18 May 1968.

© Richard Leonhardt
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022046
144k

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 18 May 1968. USS Ramsey (DEG-2) is in the foreground.

© Richard Leonhardt
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022048
169k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) leaving Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, May 1968. Official U.S. Navy photograph #KN-17012. Photographer: PH2 H.R. Vail. From the Naval PhotographicDMA, Naval District, Washington DC.

Robert M. Cieri
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022064
142k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway in the Pacific, 20 August 1968. Official US Navy photograph #KN-18433. From DAVA Still Media Depository, Bldg 168 NDW Washington DC.

Robert M. Cieri
CVS-20 Bennington + AE-22
NS09052226
284k

USS Mauna Kea (AE-22) highlines ammunition to the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CVS-20) in the Gulf of Tonkin, 10 September 1968. Bennington, with assigned Anti-Submarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, was deployed to the Western Pacific and Vietnam from 30 April to 9 November 1968.

US Navy photo # USN 1137061 by PH1 Garrison, U.S. Navy.

Robert Hurst
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022078
1.31M

Sikorsky SH-3A Sea Kings, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 8 "Eightballers," Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, USS Bennington (CVS-20), Yokosuka, Japan, 26–27 October 1968.

NT56 was BuNo 149900, NT55 was 148995. Both were later upgraded to SH-3H standard. In the movie The Final Countdown, 148995 is the helicopter that "blows up" and leaves "Commander Owens" (James Farentino) stranded on the island.

The carrier in the background is probably USS Hornet (CVS-12).

Photos by Saburo Inoue,
via Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022078a
878k

Grumman S-2E Tracker, Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 33 "Screwbirds," Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, USS Bennington (CVS-20), Yokosuka, Japan, 26–27 October 1968. BuNo 149854, modex NT20.

CVS-20 Bennington
NS022078b
1.34M

Grumman S-2E Trackers from Antisubmarine Squadrons (VS) 38 "Red Griffins" and 33 "Screwbirds," Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, USS Bennington (CVS-20), Yokosuka, Japan, 26–27 October 1968.

Closest to camera is BuNo 152808 (modex NT31), VS-38, later upgraded to S-2G standard. The aircraft in front of it appears to be 152827 (NT30), later transferred to the Brazilian Air Force. The plane on the right of the picture may be 151684 (NT33).

CVS-20 Bennington
NS022050
152k

Official U.S. Navy photograph of USS Bennington (CVS-20) in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, by PHC H.D. Browning. The photo serial number is #K-74930 from the US Naval Photographic Center, Naval Station Washington DC.

The photo is dated 25 June 1969. On this date Bennington's 112,000th arrested landing was made by LCDR Lowe of VA-125. During these CarQuals, Bennington became the first ship to qualify the TA-4F aircraft for carrier landings.

Robert M. Cieri
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022092
515k

USS Bennington (CVS-20) departing Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California, 10 October 1969, en route to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington, for inactivation.

Official US Navy Photo #1142458. From the Naval Photographic Center, Naval Station, Washington DC.

Robert M. Cieri
ex-CVS-12 Hornet et al.
NS016344d
2.60M

July 1974 view of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

"Ships I can identify are battleship Missouri (BB-63) at lower left (note protective domes covering her 40mm guns), heavy cruiser Saint Paul (CA-73) across the pier from her (identifiable by the missing forward centerline 5in/38 mount), aircraft carrier Hornet (CVS-12), heavy cruiser Rochester (CA-124) across the pier from her, carrier Bennington (CVS-20), and battleship New Jersey (BB-62)."

Photo 412-DA-14494_16-0074M,
via catalog.archives.gov,
courtesy of Theodore Leverett.
Ex-CVS-20 Bennington
NS022081
425k

Ex-USS Bennington (CVS-20) laid up at Bremerton, circa the early 1990s. Ex-USCGC Glacier (WAGB-4) and ex-USS Oklahoma City (CG-5) can be partly seen on the right side of the photo.

Yu Chu
ex-CV-34 Oriskany
NS0234cw
1.63M

Department of Defense, Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, National Sales Office, Invitation For Bids, Sale Number 31-3312, Bid Opening 26 January 1993, Aircraft Carriers: Ex-Hornet (CVS-12), ex-Bennington (CVS-20), ex-Oriskany (CV-34).

Ron Reeves
"I took the pictures when [ex-Bennington] was towed to Port Angeles, WA. From flight deck up [everything] was cut up and dropped into the Hangar Bay. Then she was towed out for scrapping."
Photos by Tom Armstrong.


ex-CVS-20 Bennington
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Seen from town, with island.
221 Kb
ex-CVS-20 Bennington
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Seen from town, without island.
287 Kb
ex-CVS-20 Bennington
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Seen from town, without island.
208 Kb
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Seen from town, without island.
229 Kb
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Flight deck.
356 Kb
Miscellany

NS022038
127k

Ship's Bell, Bennington Town Office Building (Bennington, Vt.)

Joseph Pires,
USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian

NS022039
128k

Ship's Plaque, fixed to the rear of the marble structure behind the Ship's Bell in Bennington, Vt.

Joseph Pires,
USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian
CV-20 Bennington
NS022022
36k Ship's Plaque, located at the USS Turner Joy (DD-951) Memorial, Bremerton, Washington (2004). Robert Hall

NS022059
101k

Artifacts from USS Bennington's bridge, preserved at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington (2007).

NAS Whidbey Island, via Joseph Pires,
USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian

NS022059a
102k

NS022059b
97k

NS022059c
96k

NS022059d
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NS022059e
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NS022059f
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NS022059g
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NS022059h
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CVA-20 Bennington
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USS Bennington (CVA-20).

-
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022044
93k Welcome On Board. U.S.S. Bennington. CVS-20. Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR (Ret.)
CVS-20 Bennington
NS022031
48k

Model of USS Bennington (CVS-20), by Motion Models.

Courtesy of Joel Rosen, Motion Models

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

Read the USS BENNINGTON (CV / CVA / CVS-20) DANFS History entry

Crew Contact and Reunion Information
Date:  
Place:  
Contact: Joseph L. Pires,
   USS Bennington Historian,
   Vietnam Veteran (1966–1968)
Address: 694 Iredel Court
Calabash, NC 28467
Phone: 910-579-0923
E-mail: jkpires@atmc.net
Web site: http://www.uss-bennington.org
Remarks:  

Related Links
Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages By Andrew Toppan.
USS Bennington (CV-20/CVA-20/CVS-20), her History and her Crew

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Last update: 10 March 2024