The Battle of Saratoga in September and October 1777 was a decisive American victory resulting in the surrender of an entire British army of 9,000 men invading New York from Canada during the American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Saratoga was actually two battles about 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York, namely the Battle of Freeman's Farm and the Battle of Bemis Heights, and is related with the earlier Battle of Bennington, about 15 miles east of Saratoga. The surrender of General John Burgoyne, who was surrounded by much larger American militia forces, took place after his retreat to Saratoga. The capture of an entire British army secured the northern American states from further attacks out of Canada and prevented New England from being isolated. A major result was that France entered the conflict on behalf of the Americans, thus dramatically improving the Americans' chances in the war. The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point in the Revolutionary War. There were actually two battles at Saratoga. The first began with John Burgoyne's offensive on September 19, the second with the fighting during the Battle of Bemis Heights on October 7. In the first Battle at Saratoga, generally referred to by historians as Freeman's Farm, the British lost two men for every one American casualty. In terms of ground gained, however, both sides fought to a draw. In the second Battle, otherwise known as Bemis Heights, British losses were four to one. The rebels' victory was overwhelming. After negotiations, Burgoyne officially surrendered on October 17. He returned to England in disgrace and was never given another command. When news of the American victory reached Europe, France entered the war on the side of the patriots. Money and supplies flowed to the American cause, providing Washington's Continental Army with the support necessary to continue its fight against Great Britain. Britain's loss at Saratoga was disastrous because it showed the European powers that the rebels were capable of defeating the English on their own. More than any other event, it would prove decisive in determining the eventual outcome of the War and the victory of Patriots.

"Surrender of General Burgoyne," painting by John Trumbull (1822); photograph by the Architect of the Capitol.

Christening of Saratoga (CVA-60), Saturday, 8 October 1955, New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York. Official U.S. Navy photograph.

Aerial photo of the launching of the attack aircraft carrier Saratoga (CVA-60) at the New York Naval Shipyard, Saturday, 8 October 1955. Photo by Flying Camera, Inc. of Bronx, NY #A-1297.

Official U.S. Navy photo of Saratoga (CVA-60) being moved into position while under construction, 28 January 1956.

Aerial view of USS Saratoga (CVA-60) at New York Navy Yard in May 1956.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 2008.122.015. Eisenbarth Photograh Collection.

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) as built, 1956. From Our Navy magazine, 15 October 1956.

Postcard. Photo was likely taken in 1956, prior to removal of mainmast.

A great and very interesting aerial view of USS Saratoga in the second half of 1956, possibly during her shakedown cruise. "Canted" flight deck early markings are clearly visible. Note that Forrestal and Saratoga were built with a fore and a mainmast; Sara's mainmast was removed early in 1957. This was a period of change-over between aircraft paint schemes: both the "old," overall glossy sea blue, and the "new," light gull gray over glossy insignia white, schemes are represented; a few aircraft even appear to be in the "natural metal" finish experimented in 1952-1955.

Another nice photo of USS Saratoga (CVA-60) apparently taken at the time of her shakedown cruise (see above).

President Dwight D. Eisenhower (left), with Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, visiting USS Saratoga (CVA-60) on 6 June 1957. Between and behind them is the Presidential Naval Aide, Captain Evan P. Aurand, USN.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-K-22608).

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) at her anchorage in Hampton Roads, Virginia, during the International Naval Review, 12 June 1957. Photographed by PH1 Castiglia, from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97674).

At sea during NATO Exercise Strike Back, September 1957.

A Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior, BuNo 138955, of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 9 "Hoot Owls" pictured after its nose wheel collapsed during recovery aboard the carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60), possibly in early 1958. Note the open canopy. As a high altitude strategic bomber the A3D (A-3 under the 1962 designation system) was not equipped with ejection seats and the crew was expected to jump off with parachutes in case of an emergency. U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2008.122.031.

BuNo 138955 was redesignated A-3B in 1962 and converted to a KA-3B in June 1967.

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) at sea on 17 February 1958, as four Douglas AD4-1 Skyhawk aircraft from Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) fly past in formation. These planes are Bureau #s 139928, 139968, 139970 and 142152.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1034275).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# CVA-60-4186(L)) of USS Saratoga (CVA-60) in May 1958, during her first Mediterranean cruise. She is in Piraeus Harbor and her crew is "manning the rail" for a visit of the King and Queen of Greece.

Two Grumman F9F-8P Cougar aircraft (BuNos 144416 and 144417) of Light Photographic Squadron VFP-62 Det. 43 "Fighting Photos" flying over Malta in 1958. VFP-62 Det. 43 was assigned to Carrier Air Group Three (CVG-3) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60) during a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 1 February to 1 October 1958. U.S. Navy photo by Marion Swinford, USN.

A U.S. Navy Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk (BuNo 144900) of VA-34 "Blue Blasters," armed with a Mk-7 nuclear weapon, prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60). VA-34 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 3 (CVG-3) aboard Saratoga, and equipped with A4D-2's between 1959 and 1962 (A4D-2 was redesignated A-4B after September 1962).

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) at anchor, late 1950s–early 1960s.

"Modern Aircraft Demands Bigger Carriers — Impressive difference in the size of the old USS Essex (CVS 9) and the new Saratoga (CVA 60) is seen as they steam into Mayport, Fla., last February [Essex and Saratoga returned from the Mediterranean Sea on 26 February 1960]. The Essex began her eighteen year history as a striking arm of the Pacific Fleet after commissioning in 1942. Now, the combat-experienced Essex, like several others of her class, is outmoded as a striking force ship by the demands of modern aircraft and the necessities of fleet operations. The converted Essex is now a part of the important anti-submarine warfare forces. The modernized Essex has many features of the new Forrestal class carriers, such as angle decks, steam catapults [sic] and the landing mirror system. However, these features do not compensate for the Saratoga's size advantage. The Navy attributes the Saratoga's size advantage, and increased aviation features with the fifty-percent-fewer accident ratio over the Essex. She carries twice as much jet aircraft fuel, three to four times the number of bombs and can deliver them on target at three to four times as fast as the Essex. The Saratoga carries more aircraft and her heavier launching and arresting gear, longer flight deck and stronger decks allow her more ease in handling the stresses created by modern jets. The weight of combat aircraft has jumped to six times that of the 1940 models and landing and take-off speeds are faster. The Saratoga's ability to sustain greater speeds for a longer period give her greater tactical elusiveness. Her stability increases the all-weather capability of her air squadrons." (Quoted from the back of the photo.)

Official US Navy photograph (#USN 1048532) released by the Department of Defense, Washington, D.C., August 26, 1960.

BuNo 146697, the 4th production North American A3J-1 Vigilante, conducted the type's initial carrier suitability tests aboard USS Saratoga (CVA-60) during the week of July 25, 1960. Piloted by NATC's CDR Carl Cruse, LCDR Ed Decker and LT Dick Wright, the Vigilante made 14 successful launches and arrested landings.

Official US Navy photo.

USS Independence (CVA-62), USS Saratoga (CVA-60), and USS Intrepid (CVA-11) (listed from bottom to top) underway in 1961, with crewmen paraded on deck in a spellout commemorating the 50th birthday of Naval Aviation.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97716).

USS Saratoga (CVA-60), with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 3, probably in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, circa 1962.

Photos by Harvey K. Glasspoole, ADRC.

Caption reads: "Photograph from the United States Navy that shows the USS Saratoga (CVA-60) as it heads toward the Straits of Gibraltar. Dated 12.6.1962." However, location and date are incompatible with Saratoga's itinerary, no matter if the date is taken to mean "12th June" or "December 6": Sara returned from a Mediterranean deployment on 12 May 1962; in December she was operating in the Caribbean.

Launching the Grumman C-1A Trader COD aircraft (VR-24, "World's Biggest Little Airline," Squadron) in the Mediterranean, 28 November 1964–12 July 1965.

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) with her crew manning the rail on the flight deck, as she arrives in Barcelona, Spain, 12 February 1965. Photographed by PH1 M.J. Stump.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1110849).

U.S. Sixth Fleet ships at anchor in Augusta Bay, Sicily, on 17 March 1965. The large carrier, at right, is USS Saratoga (CVA-60). Other U.S. Navy ships visible include one Essex-class attack aircraft carrier (USS Shangri-La, CVA-38), two guided missile light cruisers (CLG), two guided-missile frigates (DLG), six destroyers (DD), two oilers (AO) and other auxiliaries. There are also several merchant ships present.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1111048).

President Richard M. Nixon (left), with Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, witness air and sea power demonstrations from the flight deck of USS Saratoga (CVA-60), in the Atlantic Ocean, May 1969. Photographed by PH3 Philip J. Fraga.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# K-72713).

North American RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance aircraft (Bureau # 146696) lands on board USS Saratoga (CVA-60). This photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center in May 1969.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1140473).

Entertainer Bob Hope on stage with Miss World, during a Christmas show for servicemen held on board USS Saratoga (CVA-60), off Gaeta, Italy, 22 December 1969.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# K-80498).

A Grumman A-6B Intruder (BuNo 149957, modex AC510) of attack squadron VA-75 "Sunday Punchers" on the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60) in the summer of 1971. VA-75 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) during a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, 3 June–31 October 1971. The first ten A-6B defense suppression aircraft (BuNos 149949, 149957, and 151588–151595) were obtained by stripping off most of the attack systems of existing A-6A's, and substituting them with specialized equipment that could detect radars from surface-to-air missiles. They were equipped with the AGM-78 Standard anti-radiation missile, visible on the left inboard pylon of AC510.

BuNo 149957 was later brought up to the A-6E standard and subsequently, its service life completed, was sunk as an artificial reef.

USN photo by Randy Bender, ATR2, USN.

USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) in company with USS Saratoga (CVA-60), right, and USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), center background, at NavSta Mayport, 20 February 1973. U.S. Navy photo by PH1 Deverman.

USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Atlantic, off Jacksonville, Florida, 16 October 1975. Photographed by PH1 Donald D. Deverman.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97675).

USS Saratoga (CV-60) seen from astern, while underway off Jacksonville, Florida, on 16 October 1975. Photographed by PH1 Donald D. Deverman.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97676).

USS Saratoga (CV-60), Genoa, Italy, 1976.

USS Saratoga (CV-60) and escorts steaming towards the fleet anchorage near Gaeta, Italy, 16 March 1976.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1996.488.063.053. Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection.

Underway at high speed, sometime in 1977, getting ready for flight operations. Like Forrestal, she had been fitted with two Sea Sparrow launchers and the appropriate SPS-58 radar.

Sara deployed to the Mediterranean, July 11-December 23, 1977 with Carrier Air Wing Three. CVW-3 included F-4J Phantoms, A-7E Corsairs, A-6E and KA-6D Intruders, EA-6B Prowlers, S-3A Vikings, E-2C Hawkeyes and SH-3H Sea Kings.

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

Aerial port quarter view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, October 22, 1982, conducting post-modernization trials. Saratoga underwent the most extensive industrial overhaul ever performed on any Navy ship, the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (October 1, 1980-February 2, 1983). Several problems were soon found, including improper welding of boiler tubes, and she was inoperative for several months. Newly nicknamed "Super Sara," she deployed again in April 1984.

US Navy photo by PH3 Kenneth J. Berkeihiser (DVIC id: DN-SC-83-04010).

A bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway during operations with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, April 15, 1984. Photo by PH1 Goodrich (DVIC id: DNST8408942).

Starboard bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Med, April 15, 1984. Official US Navy Photograph (#DN-SN-84-08947) from the DAVA Still Media Depository, Washington DC.

Underway with her Battle Group, mid-1980s.

Underway, circa the mid-1980s

Underway, circa the mid-1980s

Underway, circa the mid-1980s

A photo of USS Saratoga (CV-60) taken in April 1985 by an F-14 TARPS pod.

USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway with three F-14 fighters on her bow and waist catapults during operations in the Mediterranean Sea, 15 September 1985.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97677-KN).

Mediterranean Sea, October 21, 1985 — An elevated port bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60), the fast combat support ship Seattle (AOE-3) and the frigate Garcia (FF-1040) participating in an underway replenishment.

A scene from the catwalk as the twin turboprops of a Grumman E-2C Hawkeye from Airborne Early Warning squadron (VAW) 125 "Tigertails" develop full power immediately prior to a catapult launch from the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60) in the Mediterranean, 28 January 1986. U.S. Navy photo by PH1 William A. Shayka (available from DefenseImagery.mil, id. DN-SC-86-03634).

Partial text from Carriers: The Men and The Machines, by David Miller and Lindsay Peacock.

A plane director guides a Grumman F-14A-105-GR Tomcat aircraft (BuNo 160897) from Fighter Squadron (VF) 74 "Be-Devilers" into position over a catapult on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60), 22 March 1986. VF-74 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 aboard Saratoga for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 26 August 1985 to 16 April 1986. U.S. Navy photo by PH1 William Shayka, available from DefenseImagery.mil (# DN-SC-87-00540).

A great official US Navy photograph of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway with Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) aboard, circa 1990–1991.

This appears to be A-6E Intruder, BuNo 152953, modex AA505, assigned to VA-35 "Black Panthers," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, aboard USS Saratoga (CV-60), circa 1990–1991.

Top to bottom: USS Biddle (CG-34), USS Saratoga (CV-60), USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS San Jacinto (CG-56). This photo was taken during Operation Desert Shield, September 1990, in the Red Sea, by one of the JFK's photomates.

Grumman C-2A Greyhound, Sara's Carrier On-board Delivery (COD) plane, in flight, circa 1993. This aircraft, BuNo 162143, is one of 39 Reprocured C-2A's (also known as C-2A(R)), and reported to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 "Rawhides" in November 1992.

Aerial photograph of USS Forrestal (AVT-59) moored alongside ex-USS Iowa (BB-61) [(1) in annotated photo], with USS Saratoga (CV-60) [(2)] and many other ships at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, PA, in 1993.

A port bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, August 13, 1993, with Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17). US Navy photo by PH2 Al Renkel (Photo available from the Defense Visual Information Center, id: DN-SC-93-06135).

Florida, August 1994, just prior to decommissioning.

Florida, August 1994, just prior to decommissioning.

Florida, August 1994, just prior to decommissioning.

Ex-USS Forrestal (AVT-59, left) and ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60, right), Newport, R.I., date unknown.

Ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60), Newport, R.I., date unknown (1999–2001).

Ex-USS Saratoga moored at Newport, RI, August 2003.

Ex-Saratoga (top) and ex-Forrestal at Newport, RI, sometime in 2002-2005.

Image courtesy of Google Earth.

Ex-Saratoga and ex-Forrestal (moored to the far side of the pier) at Newport, RI, June 10, 2005.

The islands of the decommissioned Forrestal (ex-CV 59) and Saratoga (ex-CV 60). October 15, 2006.

Pier view at the US Naval Complex Newport, RI, looking at the ex-USS Forrestal (AVT-59, left) and the ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60, right). Photo taken while at the Forrestal Veterans Day Ceremony held on November 11, 2006.

Ex-USS Saratoga moored at the US Naval Complex Newport, RI, USA. Photo taken while at the Forrestal Veterans Day Ceremony held on November 11, 2006.

Ex-USS Saratoga, Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, 7 September 2011. Ex-Saratoga was at the time under the operational control of the Naval Sea Systems Command, Navy Inactive Ships Maintenance Office (INACTSHIPMAINTO).

Note open lighter YC-1410, outboard.

Ex-USS Saratoga, Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, 16 September 2011. Ex-Saratoga was at the time under the operational control of the Naval Sea Systems Command, Navy Inactive Ships Maintenance Office (INACTSHIPMAINTO).

Ex-USS Saratoga, Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, 4 April 2013.