"Enterprise" means "boldness, energy, and invention in practical affairs." CVAN-65 was named to commemorate seven American warships which had previously borne the name:

1. A sloop used during the Revolutionary War
2. A Continental Navy schooner
3. A schooner (1799–1823)
4. A schooner (1831–1844)
5. A screw sloop-of-war
6. A non-commissioned motorboat
7. An aircraft carrier, the most decorated warship of World War II

Photo: NS020681, The seventh Enterprise (CV-6), prior to World War II.

"(NWI)NEWPORT NEWS, VA., JAN. 4[, 1958]—ADVANCE FOR ATOMIC NAVY— Rear Adm. A.G. Mumma, chief of the Navy Bureau of Ships, strikes a historic blow for a nuclear Navy in authenticating the keel of the atomic supercarrier Enterprise. From left to right are Adm. Mumma, W.E. Blewett Jr., president, Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co.; R.Adm. G.A. Holderness, commandant, Norfolk Naval Shipyard; and Capt. H.J. Hiemenz, Naval Supervisor of Shipbuilding. (AP WIREPHOTO) (bd31900bs) 1958"

From the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum (CVN 65 381X1-2-58 TH AP).

"Newport News Shipbuilding (June 11, 1960)—(PCU) Enterprise (CVAN-65), the Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is shown under construction in slipway #11. Eight reactors have been installed and her massive flight deck is 80% complete. Christening will be in September."

The future USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) under construction, August 1960.

Enterprise in September 1960, as preparations were being made for her christening on September 24.

Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. (NNS&DD) delivered its first nuclear powered submarine and aircraft carrier in 1960 and 1961. In this photo USS Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601) joins Enterprise (CVAN-65) during the carrier's christening ceremony, 24 September 1960.

The crowd, estimated at 24,000, attending the christening ceremony. One cool thing: as shown in the photo, the ship's name was spelled out in lights on both sides of the bow. During the ceremony the dry dock was being flooded. As a section of the ship floated off the keel blocks, a letter in the name would light up. When the final "E" lit up, signalling that Enterprise was afloat for the first time, Mrs. Franke christened the ship.

Enterprise (CVAN-65) was christened on Saturday, 24 September 1960.

The christening ceremony. William E. Blewett, Jr., Newport News Shipbuilding president, is at the podium.

Enterprise (CVAN-65) was sponsored by Mrs. William B. Franke, wife of the Secretary of the Navy.

Mrs. William B. Franke, wife of the Secretary of the Navy, christening the ship.

Mrs. Franke eyes the champagne from the broken bottle.

Christening Ceremony, September 24, 1960.

From "Shipyard Bulletin," Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, March 1961, Volume XX, Number 11.

Immediately after launching.

Enterprise (CVAN-65) under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., late 1960 (background).

Submarine in the foreground is USS Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601), leaving Newport News for one of her sea trials.

"UNITED STATES SHIP ENTERPRISE CVA(N) 65"
"First Nuclear Aircraft Carrier and World's Largest Ship"
"Built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company 1961"

Enterprise in October 1961 with three C-1 Traders parked aft on the flight deck. Official United States Navy photo by PHC Mowry.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), 10 February 1962. Official USN photo #1059659, released from US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Anacostia, Washington 25, DC.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway, 10 February 1962. Official USN photo #1059660, released from US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Anacostia, Washington 25, DC.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) turning sharply to starboard on 10 February 1962, while conducting tactical maneuvers during a shakedown cruise in the Atlantic Ocean.

National Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No.1996.488.125.032.

U.S. Navy North American A3J-1 Vigilantes—BuNos 149283 (shot down over North Vietnam, 1968), 149282, 148932 (destroyed in fire aboard Forrestal, 1967), 149279 & 149276—of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 7 "Peacemakers of the Fleet," along with a solitary Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk (BuNo 150593) of Attack Squadron (VA) 76 "Spirits," and McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom II of Fighter Squadron (VF) 102 "Diamondbacks" are shown parked on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), most likely in 1962. USN photo.

"HEAVY ATTACK SQUADRON SEVEN'S A3J-1 Vigilantes await launch from the deck of the USS Enterprise in the Mediterranean. VAH-7, commanded by Cdr. Louie B. Hoop, Jr., has received a special commendation for three consecutive years of accident-free flying from VAdm. Frank O'Beirne, Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Called "Peacemakers of the Fleet," they returned in mid-October from their first deployment with the Vigilante in the Med."

(Quoted from Naval Aviation News, November 1962 issue.)

Four U.S. Navy North American A3J-1 Vigilantes (BuNos 148932, 149280, 149277 and 149278 and two McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom IIs on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), circa 1962. Photo North American Aviation/USN.

Photo from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

A U.S. Navy McDonnell F4H-1 (later F-4B) Phantom II, BuNo 148388, modex AF111, of Fighter Squadron (VF) 102 "Diamondbacks," piloted by LT John S. Bricker, makes the 1,000th recorded landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), 15 February 1962. USN photo.

A McDonnell F4H-1/F-4B Phantom II, modex AF105, of Fighter Squadron (VF) 102 "Diamondbacks," being brought up on the deck-edge elevator to the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), 1962. US Navy photo.

President John F. Kennedy aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) for a naval air power demonstration, 14 April 1962.

A group of A3J-1 Vigilante aircraft on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), off the East Coast. U.S. Navy photo #1065017, dated 1 July 1962.

Courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum.

Aerial view of USS Shasta (AE-6) steaming alongside USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), 5 April 1962. US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, # USN 1063048.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway while replenishing from the ammunition ship USS Shasta (AE-6). USN Official photo. The picture appears to have been taken at about the same time as the one above; if this is correct, then the photo was taken in the Caribbean, off Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, the day before the Big E concluded her shakedown cruise.

Scanned from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

Aerial view of USS Shasta (AE-6) steaming alongside USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), 2 May 1962. US Navy photo.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway with Carrier Air Group 6 (CVG-6.) Official USN photo #1062601, received on October 22, 1962. Released from US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Anacostia, Washington 25, DC.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway early in her career, circa 1962–1963.

A U.S. Navy North American A-5A Vigilante of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 7 "Peacemakers of the Fleet" recovering aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), circa 1962–67. USN photo.

From The World's Fighting Planes, by William Green.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), with embarked Carrier Air Group (CVG) 6, off Taranto, Italy, 31 May–2 June 1963.

Coming alongside USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) for refueling in the Atlantic, 1963. The Vogie, USS Vogelgesang (DD-862), was the first ship to refuel from Enterprise.

Undated (circa 1963–64) pic of a camera-equipped Chance Vought RF-8A Crusader of VFP-62 launching from USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). Photo U.S. Navy.

Photo from United States Navy Aircraft since 1911, by Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway, escorted by the nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9), in 1963–1964.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) at anchor, 1963 or 1964.

Photo Galilea.

Task Group of Nuclear-Powered Surface Ships operating in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, 18 June 1964. The ships are the aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVAN-65), at left; the guided-missile cruiser Long Beach (CGN-9), in center; and the guided-missile frigate Bainbridge (DLGN-25), at right. Enterprise crewmembers are spelling out Albert Einstein's equation for nuclear energy on the flight deck.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway in formation with USS Long Beach (CGN-9), center, and USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25), at top, probably in the Mediterranean Sea in June-July 1964. Members of Enterprise's crew are in a flight deck formation spelling out Albert Einstein's equation for nuclear energy. Planes on her flight deck include 9 A-5; 22 A-4; 10 F-4; 14 F-8 and 2 E-1 types. Those aft are parked in an arrowhead arrangement.

The photograph was released for publication on 30 July 1964, upon the commencement of Operation Sea Orbit, the circumnavigation of the World by Task Force One, made up of the Navy's first three nuclear-powered surface ships. (See also NS026522).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 98108).

A VA-76 "Spirits" A-4C Skyhawk is about to recover aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), during Operation Sea Orbit, 1964. USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) and USS Long Beach (CGN-9) are aft of Enterprise in plane guard position.

U.S. Navy Photo #1105780, courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum.

Steaming in the Mediterranean Sea, 1964.

Two U.S. Navy Vought F-8E Crusader fighters (BuNo 150869, modex AE213; and 150683, AE205) from Fighter Squadron (VF) 33 "Tarsiers" prepare for a launch in afterburner from the waist catapults of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) in 1964.

VF-33 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6 for Operation Sea Orbit around the world cruise from 8 February to 3 October 1964.

USN photo.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) in NOB Norfolk, October 1964, during a pre-overhaul availability.

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).

A Douglas EA-1F Skyraider, BuNo. 135010, of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 13 "Zappers," Det. M, over the Gulf of Tonkin in 1966. VAW-13's Det. M deployed with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), 26 October 1965–21 June 1966. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Selby.

USS Bellatrix (AF-62) underway in the Tonkin Gulf, Christmas Day 1965, during an underway replenishment of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). Bellatrix got the nickname "UNREP A GO GO" because of this photo.

USS Sacramento (AOE-1) alongside USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), Tonkin Gulf in 1966.

US navy photo.

View from USS Sacramento (AOE-1) while alongside USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), probably off the coast of North Vietnam on Yankee Station in 1966.

Underway Replenishment (UNREP) from USS Sacramento (AOE-1), off Vietnam, circa December 1965–June 1966.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) arrives in San Francisco Bay, 21 June 1966, after her first Vietnam Cruise.

"[...] 'the Golden Gate Bridge appeared through the morning haze.' Sliding 'through the mist' beneath the bridge the ship was welcomed by one of the largest celebrations given a vessel entering the bay since WWII."

"Traffic backed up on the bridge approaches for miles as crowds of 'cheering people with streamers and signs leaned out over the rails of the Golden Gate.' Whistles sounded and fireboats shot water geysers skyward as the ship steamed into the bay, mooring at NAS Alameda, city officials dedicating the day in honor of the ship. More than a third of the crew went on leave, the remainder taking advantage of 'the tremendously warm welcome' extended to them by the people of the area, with San Francisco, Oakland and Alameda proclaiming 21 June as 'Big E Day.'"

"CVW-9 [Carrier Air Wing 9] flew 20,076 sorties, 13,020 combat, 2 December 1965–5 June 1966, the wing proudly claiming that 'the queen of the seas was married to the king of the air wings,' made 19,131 catapult launches and 18,142 arrested landings, dropped 8,966 tons of ordnance, performed six helo rescues and spent 120 days on the line." (Quoted from DANFS, "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships".)

If you have any information about the banner reading "VA-93 BLUE BOOZERS" and why it was displayed there, please let us know.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) arrives in San Francisco Bay, 21 June 1966, after her first Vietnam Cruise.

A-4C Skyhawks, VA-93 "Blue Blazers," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9.

The Big E passing under the Golden Gate Bridge. Close-up of an A-4C Skyhawk, VA-94 "Shrikes."

Awaiting crowd.

Redwing (YTB-783) assisting USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard at Hunters Point, probably on 30 June 1966.

U.S. Navy photo from the San Francisco NARA, Hunters Point Historical Photo Collection.

Testing the catapult. Date unknown, but possibly taken in August 1966, when the angled-deck catapult bridle catcher was removed. Hunters Point files at San Bruno, file name MSR-64243-8-66.

Ships under repair at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in August 1966. The carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) is to the left while USS Preston (DD-795) and Edson (DD-946) are in the yard's dry dock 4 and USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) is to the right. Photo is from the files of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) departing Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in September 1966, after an overhaul. U.S. Navy photo, file name CVN 65 64478-9-66. The carrier in the background, beyond Big E's bow, is probably USS Hancock (CVA-19).

Undated, but probably taken on the same occasion as photo 0265al, picture of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). Hunters Point files at San Bruno, file name MSR-64479-9-66.

Port bow underway. Photo taken after the summer 1966 overhaul.

Underway with escorts, Air Wing has not yet joined up with the ship. Photo taken after the summer 1966 overhaul.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) arrives in San Francisco Bay, 6 July 1967, after her second Vietnam Cruise, "her aircraft having completed 13,435 catapult launches, flying 13,392 battle missions during 132 days of combat operations, 11,470 sorties, the ship steaming 67,630 miles within the 7th Fleet. [...] Both the ship and CVW-9 were later awarded the Navy Unit Commendation." (Quoted from DANFS, "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships".)

"I Relieve You, Sir." With these words Captain Kent L. Lee (left) relieved Captain James L. Holloway, III, (right) as commanding officer of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) during ceremonies on 11 July 1967.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (# NH 103812).

Undated photo (circa 1966–68) of a McDonnell F-4B Phantom II belonging to Fighter Squadron (VF) 96, from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) over South Vietnam. US Navy photo.

The same McDonnell F-4B Phantom II, BuNo 152283, modex NG602, fires its rockets in support of ground forces. US Navy photo.

President Lyndon B. Johnson flashing the "V" for Victory to the crew of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), 11 November 1967, in vicinity of El Toro, CA. President Johnson led Veterans Day services on flight deck. He had arrived the day before and departed by helo.

Aircraft in the right background is an RA-5C Vigilante. It is almost certainly BuNo 147850, modex NG103, Reconnaissance Attack Squadron (RVAH) 1 "Smokin' Tigers."

President Johnson White House Photographs. US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Press photo from 1968. VA-56 "Champions" A-4E, and a lone VA-113 "Stingers" A-4F Skyhawks line the deck of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) as another VA-56 Skyhawk launches on a mission over North Vietnam. "The Enterprise, the world's largest warship, is on her third tour of duty in the Gulf of Tonkin."

The massive fire, in Hawaiian waters, started when a Zuni rocket accidentally exploded under the wing of an F-4J Phantom II. Some of the subsequent 18 explosions were 500-lb. bombs cooking off in multiples, leaving 20-foot holes in the armored flight deck. Losses totalled 28 dead, 343 wounded, and 15 aircraft destroyed.

(Thanks to Stan Osterbauer, who provided this information).

View of an explosion on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) caused by the overheating of a Zuni rocket that triggered the detonation of other ordnance on the flight deck. This tragedy occurred while the Big E was operating off Hawaii.

Off Hawaii (14 January 1969) crewmen fight fires on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), after aircraft were armed and fueled for air operations. One overheated Zuni rocket was the culprit.

A view of the fire and explosions looking aft on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65).

Clouds of black smoke rise as crew members fight the fire that broke out on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN‑65) while she was conducting flight operations off Hawaii. The mast of the destroyer USS Rogers (DD-876) is alongside also fighting the fire.

A view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway in the Pacific Ocean showing the crew fighting a fire on the flight deck that occurred as the carrier was conducting air operations near Hawaii. The masts of the destroyer USS Rogers (DD-876) are visible on the right.

View of the still smoldering aft flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), showing the crew manning hoses snaking further toward the scene of the most fierce area of the fire. The destroyer USS Rogers (DD-876) is visible standing-by, on the right. For her heroic efforts in fighting the huge blaze aboard the Big E, she was awarded a well-deserved Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC).

USS Rogers (DD-876) alongside helping fight the fire, and USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22)—upper right corner—making approach to lend assistance. (Official USN Photo).

Photo # USN 1140315, by W.R. Dapper.

The aftermath of the disaster, seen soon after the fire was extinguished and before flight operations resumed.

Photo by PH2 Stanley C. Wycoff.

Aerial view of the aft flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway in the Pacific Ocean, showing the damage resulting from a series of fires and explosions that occurred as the carrier was conducting air operations near Hawaii. After securing from fire fighting the crew commences the task of clearing the fight deck, as they bring up "Tilly" to jettison wreckage which were once aircraft.

Another aerial view, as the helicopter circles the aft end of the flight deck showing the extent of the damage to the Big E, including a gaping hole in the armored deck caused by the explosion of a 500-lb. bomb.

The aftermath of fire and ammunition explosions. US Navy photo.

A final aerial view of the starboard aft flight deck showing the damage to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). This view nearly mirrors the view of the port side. "Tilly" will soon be busy, as it stands by in the middle of the flight deck, to begin doing what it was designed to do.

View of damage after the fuel fire and ammunition explosions. US Navy photo.

"Carrier Steams Into Pearl Harbor—The nuclear carrier Enterprise, badly damaged by a series of explosions and fires, moved slowly into Pearl Harbor last week. The fire, during training exercises 75 miles southwest of Honolulu, took at least 25 lives and injured 78 crew members. Seven others were missing." Press photo, January 1969.

USS Enterprise leaving Pearl Harbor, early 1969. This photo was taken either on January 13 (the day before the fire) or in early March, after repairs that enabled the Big E to complete her 4th Vietnam deployment.

Roy "Bud" Duncan, who was aboard as a member of VA-145 "Swordsmen," notes: "After the fire, our air groups were stationed at NAS Barbers Point and joined us after we were underway. Therefore, [this] photo is our grand old ship leaving for our fateful ORI and fire probably Jan 13, morning."

USS Rogers (DD-876) alongside USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) somewhere in the Western Pacific, April 1969.

Note tail of EKA-3B Skywarrior, BuNo 142647, modex NG614, VAQ-132 "Scorpions," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 15 February 1971. The Big E was en route to Alameda, her homeport, after completing a Refueling and Overhaul (ROH) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company (11 October 1969–19 January 1971).

Photo by Joe Seidl, © Benjamin Gross-Payot Collection.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, Pearl Harbor, HI, 25 June 1971, en route to WestPac for her fifth (and second to last) Vietnam deployment.

Photo by Joe Seidl, © Benjamin Gross-Payot Collection.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) steaming under the Golden Gate Bridge and entering San Francisco Bay, summer 1972.

"Aircraft carrier." USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, 1972–1973.

A Vietnam cease-fire was announced on 23 January 1973 and came into effect on the 27th. The carriers USS Oriskany (CVA-34), USS Ranger (CVA-61), USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), and USS America (CVA-66) were on Yankee Station and cancelled all combat sorties.

On Sunday, 28 January 1973, all four carriers, along with a DD/DE screen, steamed together for a photo exercise. Visible in these photos are: USS Fanning (DE-1076) off the Big E's port bow, USS William C. Lawe (DD-763) ahead, and USS Corry (DD-817) off the starboard bow.

This is Enterprise, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, as seen from Oriskany, with CVW-19.

Left to right: USS America (CVA-66), USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), and USS Ranger (CVA-61), with USS Oriskany (CVA-34) steaming astern of the Big E, and five destroyers and destroyer escorts in the lead. Vietnam cease-fire, Sunday, 28 January 1973.

Escorts are, left to right: USS Bronstein (DE-1037), USS Corry (DD-817), USS William C. Lawe (DD-763), USS Fanning (DE-1076), and USS Cone (DD‑866). (Photo and escorts id thanks to Enterprise WestPac 1972–73 Cruise Book, via Bob Canchola.)

Zenithal view of the same group.

South China Sea, 28 January 1973, the nuclear-powered attack aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65)—center—the attack aircraft carriers USS America (CVA-66)—left—and USS Oriskany (CVA-34), and—left to right—the destroyer escort USS Bronstein (DE-1037), destroyers USS Corry (DD‑817), USS William C. Lawe (DD-763), destroyer escort USS Fanning (DE-1076), and destroyer USS Cone (DD-866), cruise together in the multiple aircraft carrier force at the end of the hostilities in Vietnam.

Official U.S. Navy photo, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 428-K-97942.

South China Sea, 28 January 1973, USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) and USS America (CVA-66)—background—seen from USS Ranger (CVA-61).

Left to right: USS Ranger (CVA-61), USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), and USS America (CVA-66), as above.

Aerial view of Naval Air Station Alameda, summer of 1974. Left to right: USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Oriskany (CVA-34), and USS Enterprise (CVAN-65).

Same as NS024346, above, from a different angle.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, returning to the United States from a Western Pacific cruise (17 September 1974–20 May 1975) that included the evacuation of Saigon. Note Marine CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters parked on deck, hitchhiking a ride home aboard the Big E. Note, as well, the men sunbathing on the forward part of the flight deck.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.125.006.

Left to right: USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Coral Sea (CV-43), USS Kansas City (AOR-3), USS Wabash (AOR-5), and USS Oriskany (CV-34) at NAS Alameda, CA, July-August 1975.

Official US Navy photo from the Naval Photographic Center, Washington, D.C.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) arriving in San Diego, 23 January 1976. Photographed by PH2 Robert Chouinard.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 428-GX-K-112733.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway off Point Loma, California, 21 June 1976. The Big E had been in port, San Diego, for three days, then spent 10 days conducting air operations in the Southern California (SOCAL) area before returning to Alameda, her homeport.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) displays one of her Sea Sparrow Mk 25 BPDMS launchers, while underway on 21 June 1976 conducting operations in the Southern Californa area. The SPS-12 air-search radar on her island was added partly because the big flat arrays were not entirely reliable, and partly because they had no IFF facilities. The small white radome above her bridge housed a British-type SCOT/satellite-communication antenna, allowing the ship to use British-orientated facilities in areas such as the Indian Ocean. US Navy photo.

From U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) departs San Francisco Bay for a WestPac deployment, 30 July 1976. Aircraft on deck are part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14: KA-6D and A-6E Intruders of VA-196 "Main Battery;" S-3A Vikings of VS-29 "Dragon Fires;" an EA-6B Prowler of VAQ-134 "Garudas;" A-7E Corsair IIs of VA-97 "Warhawks" and VA-27 "Royal Maces;" E-2B Hawkeyes of VAW-113 "Black Eagles;" SH-3D Sea King helicopters of HS-2 "Golden Falcons;" and an RA-5C Vigilante of RVAH-1 "Smokin' Tigers" partially visible abaft the island. Big E's Carrier On-board Delivery (COD) plane, a C-1B Trader, is also parked among the Air Wing "birds."

(See above.) A group of F-14 Tomcats was parked aft. Note two planes camouflaged in the then new, experimental Ferris scheme: BuNo 158979 (VF-1 "Wolf Pack," modex NK100), on the elevator, and BuNo 158985 (VF-2 "Bounty Hunters," modex NK200), extreme aft.

Overhead view of the nuclear-powered attack aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) entering Hobart, Tasmania, in October 1976. The Big E has her air group, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, parked up on the flight deck. Note the escort of fast craft escorting Enterprise into port.

A Lockheed S-3A Viking (BuNo 159392, modex NK702, later converted to S-3B) of Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 29 on the deck-edge lift of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), circa 1976–77.

A Lockheed S-3A Viking of Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 29 ready for launching from USS Enterprise's starboard catapult, circa 1976–77.

Two LTV A-7E Corsair II attack aircraft in formation, possibly in early 1977. The one in the foreground (BuNo 157502, modex NK410) is from Attack Squadron (VA) 27 "Royal Maces," operating from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65); the other (BuNo 158002, modex NL404) is from VA-94 "Shrikes," operating from the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). Photo courtesy of Ling Temco Vought.

Aerial bow view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway, 1978. (DVIC photo id: DN-SC-86-00551).

The Landing Signal Officers (LSO) at work bringing in F-14 Tomcats of Fighter Squadron (VF) 124 aboard the carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) off Southern California in 1978.

This image is part of a folder of LSO photographs in the collection of Robert L. Lawson.

Photo courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) departs San Diego, California, 8 April 1978, on her 9th WestPac deployment (the Big E had departed her homeport, Alameda, on 4 April). Photos taken from USS Jouett (CG-29). Destroyer in photo NS0265baa is USS Agerholm (DD-826), returning from her 21st and final WestPac deployment.

HMAS Melbourne (R21) breaks away from USS Enterprise (CVN-65), during Exercise RIMPAC 78, 9–22 April 1978. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 was embarked aboard the Big E.

RAN photo.

Pearl Harbor, 23–25 April 1978.

This RA-5C Vigilante, BuNo 156627, modex NK610, RVAH-1 "Smokin' Tigers," in late 1978 "lost its brakes and nose wheel steering, heading to the cat, and caught fire." (Thanks to Joe Butler.) The Vigilante was being phased out of the Fleet and this particular aircraft, although still serviceable, was left at Cubi Point, Philippines, as a spare parts source for RVAH-7 "Peacemakers of the Fleet" aboard USS Ranger (CV-61).

Left behind when the US Navy left the base in 1991, the aircraft is now on static display at Olongapo Park (NS0265dxa), bearing a psychedelic coat of paint applied by a local art school.

BuNo 156627 had been delivered to the Navy in 1970 and was one of the "156 series" Vigilantes (after their BuNos), with more modern avionics, higher-thrust engines and improved airframe.

Starting in 2003 this photo circulated the Internet captioned as a Navy new "Terrorist Catch and Release Program."

In fact, it was taken in October 1978, during a "Tiger Cruise," as the Big E was steaming from Pearl Harbor to San Francisco [thanks to Gerry U. Law, Jr., ETR2, OPS/OE Div, Shop 2/SPS-33 FAR], to undergo what was considered "the most extensive and highly complex overhaul" of the ship's history to date (1979–1982.) The world was not very environmentally-concerned in 1978 and this was seen as an acceptable way to get rid of an old, no longer needed car. It has been hotly argued what the brand and model of the car were—looks like it actually was a 1963 Plymouth Savoy.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) docking at North Island NAS on 2 December 1978, as seen from USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) is in background.

Underway off Southern California, 11 December 1978. Enterprise was conducting carrier qualifications and refresher operations for Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW-11); the ship also completed her mine readiness certification two days later. Photographed by PH3 Ted Kappler.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# KN-27606).

"Nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier Enterprise." (From a Russian publication).

This drawing shows Enterprise as she appeared in the 1970s, still with her original, distinctive island structure supporting the SPS-32 and SPS-33 "billboard" radar antennas and topped by her unique conical ESM/ECM array.

"USS Enterprise as she appeared between completion and 1979, when she was modernized. Her first self-defence weapons, two Mk 25 BPDMS launchers are shown on the after part of the ship."

Image and text from Aircraft Carriers of the U.S. Navy, by Stefan Terzibaschitsch.

Unit Identification Mark (UIM) tab patch.

Christening cachet signed by ADM Arleigh Burke, CNO at the time, and William B. Franke, SecNav, both speakers at the ceremony.

United States Ships Enterprise, Long Beach, Bainbridge. Commander Carrier Division Two. Nuclear Task Force One. Around the World Cruise, 1964.

Operation Sea Orbit.

Carrier Division Three, First Nuclear Powered Task Group in Combat, Vietnam, 2 December 1965. USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9); USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25); USS Barry (DD-933); USS Samuel B. Roberts (DD-823).

[On 2 December 1965] "Enterprise became the first nuclear powered warship to engage in combat operations when aircraft of Attack Carrier Air Wing NINE launched 118 sorties against the Viet Cong in South Vietnam. For the rest of the month, the Big E carried out a relentless campaign against the enemy, primarily in North Vietnam, blasting military facilities, transportation networks, military storage areas, and barges and junks carrying supplies to the Communist forces in South Vietnam." Quoted from the ship's Command History for 1965.

"USS Enterprise, (CVAN/CVN-65), 50 Years, 1961–2011"

Welcome Aboard booklet, Dependents Cruise, 31 October 1964.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) Engineering Dept. — E — Machina Bena Constituta.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17).

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, World Cruise 89–90 (Alameda, 17 September 1989–Norfolk, 16 March 1990). "We'll be back..."

"OIF, OEF, USS Enterprise, CVW-1 on CVN-65, 'Ready on Arrival'." South Atlantic-Mediterranean-Persian Gulf cruise, 28 August 2003–29 February 2004.

"Summer of Love Cruise 2006" [2 May–18 November 2006].

"Riding a Classic, USS Enterprise 2011 Cruise" [13 January–15 July].

"1961 – 50th Anniversary Cruise – 2011 * From Yankee Station to the Arabian Gulf"

One Last Ride, Big E, 1961–2012, 22nd & Final Combat Deployment.

Despite a widespread belief that Enterprise's final deployment was her 22nd, a careful review (July 2012) of her command history reports by researchers and historians at the Naval Historical Foundation and the Naval History & Heritage Command showed that it was actually her 25th.

"The World's First Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier Enterprise, Big E, Final Deployment 2012, Thanks for the Ride!" (11 March–4 November 2012.)

Left to right: Joel Rosen, President, Motion Models Inc.; Admiral James L. Holloway III, former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO, 1974–1978) and former Commanding Officer of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65, 1965–1967); Pete Papa, Motion Models Master Modeler. Permanent installation of a Motion Models-built model of Enterprise at the U.S. Naval Museum in Washington, D.C.

A beautiful model of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) that is currently in the Alameda Naval Air Museum.