The future USS Independence (CVA-62) under construction, New York Navy Yard. Photo is dated 21 September 1955.

"Launching of carrier Independence was done in drydock, as with other large ships. First wetting of ship's keel was performed by opening flood gates."

Independence (CVA-62) during her first sea trials, September 1958.

Independence (CVA-62) going under the Manhattan Bridge, New York, 1959. Note the tilted mast.

Leaving Brooklyn Navy Yard, February 1959.

From the collection of Edmund H. Cokely, CWO2, USN (Retired) who was Electrical Ship Superintendent for USS Independence.

USS Independence (CVA-62) photographed in April 1959, during her shakedown cruise. Planes on deck include the following types: Douglas A3D Skywarrior (including Bu # 135420, an A3D-1); Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk (including Bu #s 142708 and 142712); McDonnell F3H-2 Demon (including Bu #s 143434, 143447, 143448 and 143474); Vought F8U-1 Crusader (including Bu #s 145386 and 145429). Note paint pattern on the carrier's landing path.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1041841).

USS Independence (CVA 62) with Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) aboard, headed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Official USN photograph, USN 1023567, dated April 1959. Released. From US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Washington DC.

Crew on Liberty Launch near "Gitmo," 1959.

"While we were under way, I climbed onto a large antenna that hung down from the front corner of the flight deck. I pointed my camera toward the bow and took a shot. The wind was so strong it ripped the buttons off of my shirt. I found out later that it was a radio antenna and if someone would have sent a message I would have been fried. I was young and foolish."

USS Independence (CVA-62) underway near "Gitmo," 1959, with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 7 aboard.

USS Hawkins (DDR-873) alongside the newly-completed USS Independence (CVA-62) during replenishment exercises, May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 99066).

Official US Navy Photograph #USN-1044587. This is a shot of two A3D-2 Skywarriors of the "Smokin' Tigers" VAH-1 getting ready to launch from USS Independence (CVA-62). This photo from the US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station Anacostia, Washington 25, D.C. is dated 9 October 1959. I believe this is the date that they received the photo, because I know that this photo was taken during Indy's shakedown cruise to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 22 April–30 June 1959.

NS026253: Official U.S. Navy photograph of a Chance-Vought F8U-2 Crusader of Fighter Squadron (VF) 84 "Vagabonds"/"Jolly Rogers" preparing for a catapult launch aboard USS Independence (CVA-62). Believed to have been taken in the second half of 1959.

NS026254: U.S. Navy photo of Chance-Vought F8U-2 Crusaders of VF-84 "Vagabonds"/"Jolly Rogers" being prepared for launching from the carrier Independence. They have their wings pivoted up for take-off; in flight they will lower flush with the fuselage. The picture must have been taken in late 1959 or early 1960, as it appeared in the May 1960 issue of Naval Aviation News. Photo and partial text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

VF-84 "Vagabonds" was established on 1 July 1955 and equipped with FJ-3 Furies. At the time, "Jolly Rogers" was the nickname of another fighter squadron, VF-61. The latter was disestablished on 15 April 1959 and its skipper, CDR R.T. Hoppe, assumed command of VF-84 the following month; a number of VF-61 pilots were transferred along with their commanding officer. Subsequently, a formal request to transfer the "Jolly Rogers" name and fin-flash over to VF-84 was submitted to the CNO. The request was approved on 1 April 1960, and VF-84 formally became the "Jolly Rogers" and acquired the skull and crossbones fin-flash. All of the squadron's Crusaders retained the fiery intakes, and the black band with yellow edging and chevrons of the old squadron, and got a small pirate flag painted on the fuselage, a symbolic merging of VF-84 and -61 designs. For further details on how the "Vagabonds" became the "Jolly Rogers," see "The Jolly Rogers": Past & Present, Gator! The F-8 Crusader, and Hijacking the Vagabonds of VF-84.

VF-84 was the first fleet unit to receive the F8U-2 (F-8C under the 1962 designation system) variant of the Crusader, 4 April 1959.

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).

Naples, late May 1962.

Crewmembers man the rail as the ship is visited by Prince Rainer and Princess Grace of Monaco, while anchored off Cannes, France, 5 July 1962. USS Compton (DD-705) is in the background.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1061608).

Official U.S. Navy photograph (#1061619) of USS Independence (CVA-62) in the Mediterranean with the Italian training ship Amerigo Vespucci. Dated 12 July 1962.

USN Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Washington 25, DC.

Color postcard of USS Independence (CVA-62) underway. Judging from aircraft on deck the photo might have been taken during the Cuban missile crisis (October–November 1962).

USS Independence puts on a demonstration of air power in the Mediterranean in 1963. The formation includes three A-5 Vigilante attack aircraft followed by three F‑4B Phantom IIs, three F-8 Crusaders and three A-4 Skyhawks. U.S. Navy photo.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

USS Independence (CVA-62) underway, circa 1963–1964. (USN.)

Official U.S. Navy photograph of an F-8C Crusader of VF-84 "Jolly Rogers" launching from USS Independence (CVA-62) in February 1964, during a Mediterranean cruise (6 August 1963–4 March 1964).

USS Independence (CVA-62) is welcomed to New York Harbor by a fire tug, 3 July 1964. The carrier, whose rails are manned in this photo, was en route to a 4th of July visit to the World's Fair. Photographed by PH1 R.C. Lister.

Note that Independence has three types of attack aircraft embarked: A-1, A-4 and A-6, as well as F-4 and F-8 fighters and E-1 early warning planes.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97713).

An A-6A Intruder [(VA-75 "Sunday Punchers")] being catapulted from USS Independence (CVA-62) while an A-4E Skyhawk [(VA-86 "Sidewinders")] is readied for launching [, mid-1960s]. (PHC R.C.Lister, USN.)

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

USS Independence (CVA-62) (foreground) and USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) rendezvous in the Indian Ocean on 21 November 1965. Independence was en route to Norfolk, Virginia, after six months "on the line" off Vietnam. Enterprise was headed for combat duty in Vietnamese waters. Photographed by PH3 E.R. Pomponio.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97717).

On 25 June 1968 the U.S. Sixth Fleet celebrated its 20th anniversary with a close formation, an air power demonstration, a 20-gun salute and a pass-in-review. The crews of (top to bottom) USS Independence (CVA-62), USS Sylvania (AFS-2) and USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) spell out "POWER FOR PEACE", Sixth Fleet's motto.

USS America (CVA-66), left; USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), framed in red; and USS Independence (CVA-62), framed in yellow. Norfolk Naval Shipyard, (probably) first half of 1969.

The photo clearly shows the size and design differences between the ships. FDR was designed and built during WW II to operate piston-engined aircraft; the ship was eventually upgraded to operate jets. America (Kitty Hawk-class) and Indy (Forrestal-class) were cold-war ships designed from the start to accommodate jet aircraft.

USS Independence (CVA-62), 1969.

USS Independence (CV-62) photographed circa the 1970s.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97714-KN).

HMS Ark Royal (R09), leader of TF 401.2, steams in company with USS Independence (CVA-62), leader of TF 401.1, while sailing towards the Arctic Circle to participate in Exercise Royal Knight, September 1971. Ark Royal was joined by USS Newport News (CA-148), flagship of the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Striking Fleet, Vice-Admiral Vincent du Poix; by USS Dahlgren (DLG-12); by HMS Jupiter (F60); and by the Dutch Frigates HNLMS Noord Brabant [(D810)] and Tjerk Hiddes [(F804)]. Photo taken from the cockpit of a Gannet AEW Mk.3, belonging to "B" Flight, No.849 Sqd.

Photo and text from Phoenix Squadron, by Rowland White.

While operating in the Mediterranean, [HMS] Ark Royal's 892 Sqd Phantom F.G.Mk.1's flew off the deck of USS Independence [(CVA-62), early 1972]. Here one of the British jets streaks down the catapult of the American carrier past a US Navy SH-3 Sea King and the tail and folded wing of an A-7 Corsair II attack jet. Photo courtesy Nick Kerr.

Photo and text from Phoenix Squadron, by Rowland White.

"President Richard M. Nixon and crowd salute and sing 'Star Spangled Banner' during Armed Forces Day speech at Pier 12 Norfolk, Virginia. Virginia Governor L. Holton is on the President's left and Mrs. Nixon on his right." U.S. Navy photograph by PH3 Steven J. Clem (# CV62 1189-5-73, USS Independence CV-62), 19 May 1973.

Underway in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, 1 October 1974.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# KN-22669).

Catapult crewmen check the tension on the launch cable while preparing to catapult a F-4 Phantom II fighter, during flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean, October 1974. Photographed by JOCS R.P. Benjamin.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97718).

Lieutenant Michael F. Jordan (center), Landing Signal Officer of Attack Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7), and two other landing signal personnel, man their stations during aircraft recovery on board Independence. The carrier was operating in the Mediterranean Sea. Photographed by PH1 Donald Grantham. This image was received by the Naval Photographic Center in October 1974.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97719).

An aerial view of the aircraft carriers USS Forrestal (CVA-59) and USS Independence (CV-62), moored at Pier No. 12, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Photo is dated 1 January 1978, but appears to have been taken, in fact, circa February 1975.

Note USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) near the bottom of the image.

Official photo, available from DefenseImagery.mil, id. DN-SN-87-05485.

Grumman A-6E Intruder, BuNo 158792, modex AG507, VA-65 "Tigers," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7. Circa 1975.

Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E Corsair II, BuNo 157578, modex AG404, VA-12 "Flying Ubangis," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7. Circa 1975.

I took this picture in the Mediterranean in 1976. It is of USS Independence (CV-62) and USS Paul (FF-1080).

USS Independence (CV-62) at anchor in Genoa, Italy, 30 October 1979. This was Indy's 14th Mediterranean deployment, the first with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6.

Underway, circa the early 1980s.

Captain Jerry Breast (CO, left) and crewmen paint a green C, for communications efficiency, on USS Independence (CV-62), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, February 20, 1982. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 M. Doran (DVIC id: DN-SN-82-10630).

USS Independence (CV-62) in the Suez Canal. Photo believed to have been taken on 8 November 1984.

USS Independence (CV-62) underway, 1988-1989 (note F/A-18 Hornet on port catapult and corresponding bridle catcher still in place).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97715).

(Thanks to William F. Baca, who helped date this photo).

USS Independence (CV-62), Vancouver, BC, circa 1988–1991.

USS Independence (CV-62) underway. (From the Cruise Book.)

A B&W, but uncropped and cleaner, copy of the photo above. USS Independence (CV-62) underway with Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard.

Indy relieved on station by USS Midway (CV-41), November 1990. (From the Cruise Book.)

A bow view of the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-62) underway in the Indian Ocean, 1(?) November 1990, with the frigate USS Reasoner (FF-1063) in the background. U.S. Navy photo by OS2 John Bouvia. (Photo available from DefenseImagery.mil, id. DN-SC-92-05761.)

San Diego Homecoming, December 20, 1990. (From the Cruise Book.)

An overhead view of the flight decks of the aircraft carriers USS Independence (CV-62), top, and USS Midway (CV-41), bottom, moored beside each other, Naval Station Pearl Harbor, 23 August 1991. A great detailed photo, showing the various aircraft of their Air Wings. Midway was en route from Naval Station, Yokosuka, Japan, to Naval Air Station, North Island, California, where she would be decommissioned in the spring of 1992. Independence would travel to Yokosuka to take over as the Navy's only forward-based aircraft carrier. US Navy photo by PH2 Omar Hasan. (Available from DefenseImagery.mil as photo # DN-ST-9203042.)

USS Independence (CV-62), and VFA-192 "World Famous Golden Dragons" F/A-18C Hornet, 1994.

USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) transferring fuel to Independence (CV-62) in March 1996 off Taiwan, during the Taiwan Crisis. US Navy photo.

The forward-deployed aircraft carriers USS Nimitz (CVN-68), left, and USS Independence (CV-62), center, perform an underway turn-over Sept. 25, 1997, while steaming off the coast of Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Chris Ware. [970925-N-4778W-117].

Yokosuka, Japan, January 21, 1998 — Secretary of Defense William Cohen arrives aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-62) via a U.S. Army Helicopter during his tour of Asia. Independence Battle Group, at its Forward Deployed homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, would soon deploy to replace the USS Nimitz Battle Group in the Persian Gulf as announced by the Secretary during his visit. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel A. Taylor (# 980121-N-0000T-001).

Two F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters make a low level pass over USS Independence (CV-62) during her transit to the Persian Gulf, 3 February 1998. Independence and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) would relieve USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Keith Milam, USN (#980203-N-4016M-006).

USS Independence (CVA-62) was commissioned January 10, 1959, CAPT R. Y. McElroy, commanding. Here she makes a tight turn while patroling the Persian Gulf during Operation Southern Watch, February 11, 1998. Indy had Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) embarked. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Felix Garza (# 980211-N-4142G-014).

The aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-62) pulls into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii passing the USS Arizona Memorial (right background) with the aid of tugboats, for the last time (July 17, 1998) as she was decommissioned in September 1998.

USN photo (# 980717-N-5961C-001) by PH1(NAC) Spike Call, available from the Defense Visual Information Center, id.: DN-SD-00-01116.

Naval Station Pearl Harbor, July 17, 1998 — The aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) (left) docks alongside the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-62). Following a turnover with the Independence, Kitty Hawk would take her place in Yokusuka, Japan, as the nation's only forward deployed carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Mahlon K. Miller (# 980717-N-0226M-005).

Another view, as above. USS Independence (CV-62), left; USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), right.

EA-6B Prowler landing aboard USS Independence.

Resting in her last home port, USS Independence (CV-62) is dressed out for her decommissioning ceremony in Bremerton, Washington, 30 September 1998. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Gloria J. Barry, USN (#980930-N-4541B-008).

US Navy sailors of USS Independence (CV-62) exit the ship and move on to the pier for the conclusion of the decommissioning ceremony, Bremerton, Washington, 30 September 1998. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Gloria J. Barry, USN (#980930-N-4541B-022).

USS Independence (CVA/CV-62), Unit Identification Mark (UIM) tab patch.

USS Independence (CV-62) Decommissioning Ceremony, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, 30 September 1998.

Bremerton, Wash., 2006. Four aircraft carriers (front to back, photo NS026245; left to right, photo NS026245a): ex-USS Independence (CV-62), ex-USS Constellation (CV-64), ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). Also visible in these photos are two Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigates, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, a Knox-class frigate and the fast combat support ships ex-USS Sacramento (AOE-1) and ex-USS Camden (AOE-2).

Bremerton, Wash., circa April 2007. Ex-USS Sides (FFG-14), ex-USS Independence (CV-62), and ex-USS Constellation (CV-64), among other decommissioned ships.

A shot showing the bows of ex-USS Independence (CV-62), foreground, then ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) beyond, and lastly ex-USS Ranger (CV-61). Bremerton, Wash., 17 November 2007.

Eight views of ex-USS Independence (CV-62) at Puget Sound, Wash., taken on Tuesday, 8 July 2008. Also partially visible in some of these photos are ex-USS Constellation (CV-64), ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).

Decommissioned ex-USS Independence (CV-62), Bremerton, Wash., February 2009.

Series of screen shots from Google Maps pieced together by John Slaughter. Left to right: ex-USS Independence (CV-62), ex-USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), ex-USS Constellation (CV-64), and ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), Bremerton, WA, circa 2010.

John comments: «Indy and Connie are showing signs of weathering. They are both in the early stages of being readied for scrapping. Kitty Hawk is still listed as in reserve. I guess that's in case something disastrous happened to one of the active carriers. Ranger's flight deck is covered with something like a rubber coating about 3" thick to protect it. This is because of the efforts going on to save her as a museum. Less maintenance. I measured Kitty Hawk's flight deck in the picture and then, using that as a scale, I measured the gap between her and Indy. Their flight decks, by my rough estimate, are less than 10' apart.»