USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31), World War II.

Overhead plan and starboard profile meticulously drawn by John Robert Barrett. Available from Navy Yard Associates (if you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource).

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) slides down the building ways, as she is launched at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, on 29 April 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-3888).

Aerial view of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, BuAer photo # 290081, received 2 December 1944. There are five aircraft carriers in sight (refer to NS023501a): (1) Reprisal (CV-35) under construction in Dry Dock #6; (2) Coral Sea, later Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42) under construction in Dry Dock #5; (3) Kearsarge (CV-33) under construction; (4) Oriskany (CV-34) under construction; and (5) USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31), commissioned 26 November 1944.

Naval Historical Center photograph.

Brooklyn Navy Yard, Dry Dock #7 (Bayonne, N.J., annex), late 1944–early 1945.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) anchored in New York Harbor, with supply barges alongside, 9 January 1945. Photographed from a Naval Air Station, New York, aircraft, flying at an altitude of 300 feet.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97341).

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) photographed on 9 January 1945, six weeks after commissioning, unloading aircraft bombs at New York. She is shown wearing Measure 32/17A. This bow view shows clearly that the port catapult is situated somewhat further aft than the starboard one. Note the flight deck markings, the aircraft elevators offset to one side of the ship's centerline, and the large number of 20mm AA guns. Note floating crane and covered lighters. (USN photo, A.D. Baker Collection.)

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

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) photographed on 9 January 1945. This stern view gives an idea of the comparative widths of island and flight deck, and shows the large number of arrester wires across, and the numerous AA guns mounted along the edges of, the latter. The ship's bell can be seen behind the two 40mm directors at the bottom of the picture. (USN photo, A.D. Baker Collection.)

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

Aerial view of USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) underway in the Central Pacific, 31 May 1945.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1996.488.038.006. Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) tied up at Carrier Pier # 2, Naval Air Station, Alameda, California, on 27 October 1945. USS Commencement Bay (CVE-105) is in the right background.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97340).

San Diego Bay, 1951. USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) picked up Carrier Air Group 102 (CVG-102) and departed San Diego for the Far East on May 10, 1951 on her first Korean cruise. The deployment lasted more than seven months — Bonnie Dick returned to San Diego on December 17.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) underway with Carrier Air Group 102 (CVG-102), probably off Korea, during their 10 May–17 December 1951 Korean War Cruise.

F9F-2B Panthers attached to VF-781 fly by USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) during their 10 May–17 December 1951 Korean War Cruise. The photo was apparently taken by one of the F9F-2P's from VC-61 Det. G, "Eyes of the Fleet," also part of Carrier Air Group (CVG) 102.

USS Yarnall (DD-541) hauls away to starboard after "topping off" from the oiler USS Manatee (AO-58), during replenishment operations off Korea, circa August 1951. USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) is approaching from astern to fill her bunkers next. USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) is refueling on the oiler's opposite side. Photograph was released by Commander Naval Forces Far East under date of 7 August 1951.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97348).

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) off Korea, October 1951.

USS Los Angeles (CA-135) and USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) moored at Yokosuka, Japan, October 1951.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) moored at Yokosuka, Japan, October 1951. Tail code "D" identified Carrier Air Group (CVG) 102, established for reserve squadrons called to active duty on 1 August 1950.

A great aerial view of USS Bon Homme Richard, circa 1951–1953. Location unknown.

(Probably taken while returning to Alameda, California, 17 December 1951.)

An aerial view of Bon Homme Richard's stern, 28 March 1952.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) arrives off Pearl Harbor, returning from a Korean War combat tour, 31 December 1952. Aircraft on her flight deck include three R4D transport planes in addition to F4U fighters and AD attack planes of her air group.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (#NH 97342).

Aerial view of USS Bon Homme Richard, possibly taken while approaching Pearl Harbor at the end of her second and final Korean War cruise, May 10, 1952 – January 8, 1953. Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) deployed with Bonnie Dick.

Recommissioning at Hunters Point, San Francisco Naval Shipyard, 6 September 1955, after modernization.

Source: San Francisco Naval Shipyard – Hunters Point, Historical Shipyard Photographic Collection 1904–74 NARA Pacific Region (San Francisco). Photo # NY1-3532-L-9-55.

A three quarter view of Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) underway on sea trials after reconversion at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, 15 September 1955 (photo # USN-680661).

Starboard side view, 6 October 1955.

Source: San Francisco Naval Shipyard – Hunters Point, Historical Shipyard Photographic Collection 1904–74 NARA Pacific Region (San Francisco). Photo # NY1-3892-L-10-55.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), San Francisco Bay, 8 June 1956.

Undated, post SCB-125 overhaul which added her angled flight deck.

A Douglas F4D-1 Skyray fighter recovering aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), 30 August 1957. Bonnie Dick was on her second WestPac deployment (12 July–9 December 1957) after the Korean War. Embarked Air Group was CVG-5 (tail code "NF"), with Skyray-equipped squadron VF-141 "Iron Angels."

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) and USS Ranger (CVA-61)—left—, circa 1958.

A great view of USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) as she departs San Francisco for WestPac, November 1, 1958 with Carrier Air Group 19 (CVG-19) aboard.

At North Island, San Diego, Calif., late 1950s-early 1960s.

"Three big carriers tied up at [Hunters Point] Shipyard's waterfront make an impressive sight. They are from left: USS Ranger (CVA-61), Berths 6 & 7; USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), Berths 8 & 9, and USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63), Berths 10 & 11." April 1962.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) steams with an "honor guard" of four destroyers, as a Change of Command ceremony takes place on her fight deck, 28 November 1962. Captain E.P. Kline relieved Captain G.C. Bullard as the carrier's Commanding Officer during the ceremony, which took place while she was operating in the Western Pacific with the Seventh Fleet. The destroyers, all units of Destroyer Squadron Nineteen, are (at left): USS Ernest G. Small (DDR-838) and USS Turner Joy (DD-951); (alongside the carrier): USS Black (DD-666) and USS Dennis J. Buckley (DDR-808).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97346).

Series of photos taken aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) in November 1962. Carrier Air Group (CVG) 19.

NS023151: Grumman C-1A Trader, VR-21 "Pineapple Airlines."

NS023151a: McDonnell F-3B Demon, VF-193 "Ghost Riders."

NS023151b & NS023151c: Douglas A-4C Skyhawk, VA-195 "Dambusters."

NS023151d: Crash barrier.

NS023151e: Grumman E-1B Tracer, VAW-11 Det. E "Early Eleven."

NS023151f: Douglas A-1H Skyraiders, VA-196 "Main Battery."

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) with her crew spelling out "Hello San Diego," while en route to San Diego on 9 February 1963. She returned to the California city, her home port, on 11 February, following a Western Pacific cruise that had begun seven months earlier, on 12 July 1962. Aircraft on her flight deck include three E-1, eleven F-8, six F-3, thirteen A-4 and nine A-1 types.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (# NH 97343).

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) operating in the Gulf of Tonkin, November 2, 1964.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97344).

Underway, mid-to-late 1960s.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 21, enters Pearl Harbor, HI, in late January 1967, at the beginning of her third Vietnam Cruise (26 January–25 August 1967). U.S. Navy photo processed by Bonnie Dick's own photo lab (# CVA-31-096-1-67).

Official US Navy Photograph of the attack aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31,) making a hard turn as she steams in the Gulf of Tonkin. From the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) Photo Lab.

Although this photo is dated November 2, 1964 during Bonnie Dick's first Vietnam cruise, air wing composition and communications equipment hint that the ship's third Vietnam deployment (January 26 – August 25, 1967) is a more likely time frame.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) catapults an A-4E Skyhawk attack plane assigned to VA-212 "Rampant Raiders," during operations off Vietnam, March 1967. Photographed by JOC R.D. Moeser, USN.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1142110).

"South China Sea – catapult crewman uses hand signals to direct positioning of an F-8 Crusader fighter prior to launch from the flight deck of the attack aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31). The aircraft will be flying a mission over Vietnam."

U.S. Navy photo (# USN 1121089) by JOC R.D. Moeser, dated 3 March 1967, during the first on station period of the ship's third Vietnam deployment.

"South China Sea – maintenance crewmen aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) check last minute details on the catapult and on F-8[E] Crusader aircraft[, assigned to VF-211 "Checkmates" squadron,] prior to reporting on Yankee station. The aircraft will be flying a mission over Vietnam."

U.S. Navy photo (# USN 1121025(?)) by JOC R.D. Moeser, dated 3 March 1967, during the first on station period of the ship's third Vietnam deployment.

"South China Sea – flight deck boatswain signals mule driver to tow F-8[C] Crusader fighter aircraft[, assigned to VF-24 "Red Checkertails" squadron,] to respot position aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)."

U.S. Navy photo (# USN 1121078) by JOC R.D. Moeser, dated 3 March 1967, during the first on station period of the ship's third Vietnam deployment.

CAPT Dickson W. Alderton (right) relieved CAPT Theodore P. Dankworth as Commanding Officer, USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), on Friday, 30 May 1969.

Photo courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum (# 1996.488.038.074).

Official U.S. Navy photo of USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) underway, dated 13 June 1969. On that date Bonny Dick was on station in the Tonkin Gulf, during her 5th Vietnam Cruise (18 March–29 October 1969).

Four photos of A-4 Skyhawks taken during the ship's 5th Vietnam Cruise, 18 March–29 October 1969.

A-4F assigned to VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks."

Bombing run by an A-4F assigned to VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks."

A-4F assigned to VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks."

A-4E assigned to VA-94 "Shrikes" coming home.

Profile of USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), 1969–70.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) and USS Parsons (DDG-33), foreground, steam in company with an amphibious squadron, background, as they make their way from the Gulf of Tonkin to Yokosuka, Japan, following the end of one of their on-line periods off Vietnam. Believed to have been taken in late July 1970.

This was Bon Homme Richard's last deployment, April 20–November 12, 1970 and included five combat periods: May 2–25, June 2–13, July 2–28, August 18–September 1, and September 28–October 20.

(Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided part of the information.)

Two views of USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), as seen from USS Bausell (DD-845) during WestPac 1970 (possibly in October, during Bonnie Dick's last on-line period.)

USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) "steaming off San Diego, assisted by tugs, circa 1970–71."

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1996.488.038.086. Robert L. Lawson Photo Collection.

Ex-Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), August 1971, Bremerton, WA.

This photo of ex-USS Bon Homme Richard was taken in mid-1992 in San Pedro, California, at the location where she would be scrapped. The picture shows her still intact just before the scrapping process began.