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NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive

Patch at left courtesy of CAPT Gene Oleson, CHC, USN (Ret)
Patch at right contributed by Mike Smolinski.

USS AMERICA   (CVA-66)
(later CV-66)

U.S.S. AMERICA
Courtesy of Al Grazevich



Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Uniform - Sierra - Alpha
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "COURAGE"


Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons

   

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Navy Unit Commendation (3) / Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (5)
2nd Row: Navy Expeditionary Medal (3) / National Defense Service Medal (2) / Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (5)
3rd Row: Vietnam Service Medal (5 stars) / Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 stars) / Armed Forces Service Medal
4th Row: Humanitarian Service Medal / Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm) / NATO Medal (Yugoslavia)
5th Row: Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal / Liberation of Kuwait Medal (Saudi Arabia) / Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

CLASS - KITTY HAWK
Displacement 60,300 Tons, Dimensions, 1047' 6" (oa) x 129' 4" x 37' (Max)
Armament 4 Terrier-SAM, 100 Aircraft.
Armor, Unknown.
Machinery, 280,000 SHP; G.E. Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 34 Knots, Crew 4154-4580.
Operational and Building Data

Laid down by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp. 1 January 1961. Name assigned 10 January 1962. Launched 1 February 1964 and commissioned 23 January 1965.

Reclassified as a Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier (CV-66) on 30 June 1975.

Fate: Decommissioned and stricken on 9 August 1996. Sunk in the Atlantic Ocean, off the Virginia coast, on 14 May 2005, after 25 days of tests consisting of underwater and surface simulated attacks on the ship. These tests were intended to provide valuable data on survivability for the next generation of aircraft carriers.

According to the December 4, 2006 issue of "Navy Times," ex-America was in one piece and sitting on its keel, some 476 miles east of Charleston, SC, and about 400 miles west of Bermuda, and 16,860 feet (5,139 meters) below the surface. This information was obtained by the USS America Carrier Veterans Association on October 30, through a Freedom of Information Act request.


Click On Image 
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Name
America
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"America" is the name given to the large land mass in the Western Hemisphere consisting of northern and southern continents, originally connected by an isthmus but now separated by the Panama Canal. Although discovered by Christopher Columbus, America is named for Amerigo Vespucci, who first recognized it as a new continent. The term America is often used loosely to designate the United States of America.

The name America was personally selected by President John F. Kennedy (image courtesy of Ron Reeves). Secretary of the Navy John B. Connally had proposed the name Congress. Other names under consideration were Constitution, Alliance and Langley.

The name America was previously carried by:

  1. A 74-gun ship of the line intended for the Continental Navy but presented to France in 1782.
  2. A schooner.
  3. A troop transport.
NavSource
Construction
CVA-66 America
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The keel plate of the future USS America (CVA-66) in the dry dock at Newport News Shipbuilding, Virginia, January 1961.

US Navy photos, from the America 1985–1986 Cruise Book.

Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
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CVA-66 America
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Several views of the future USS America (CVA-66) under construction.

NS0266ap: Aft, looking forward, 29 March 1961.

NS0266apa: Forward, looking aft, 28 May 1962.

NS0266apb: Aft, looking forward, 29 January 1963.

NS0266apc: Forward, looking aft, date unknown.

NS0266apd: Forward, looking aft, date unknown.

NS0266ape: Forward, looking aft, date unknown.

NS0266apf: Forward, looking aft, date unknown.

NS0266apg: Forward, looking aft, date unknown.

Gerd Matthes, Germany
CVA-66 America
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134k
CVA-66 America
NS0266apb
130k
CVA-66 America
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116k
CVA-66 America
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111k
CVA-66 America
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151k
CVA-66 America
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CVA-66 America
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CVA-66 America
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Newport News Shipbuilding photos from the christening ceremony for the future USS America (CVA-66). Her sponsor was Mrs. Catherine T. McDonald, wife of ADM David L. McDonald, CNO. Saturday, 1 February 1964.

Dale Hargrave
CVA-66 America
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808k
CVA-66 America
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81k
CVA-66 America
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139k

This is US Navy photo # 1108134, dated/released 18 November 1964. Apparently, it was taken while PCU America (CVA-66) was running trials. Note practice Terrier missiles on both MK 10 launchers, aft.

Darryl Baker
CVA-66 America
NS026604
102k America (CVA-66) on sea trials in the Chesapeake Bay, on the way to the Atlantic, December 1964. USN
CVA-66 America
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57k
CVA-66 America
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This photo of America (CVA-66) is dated 1965 (might have been actually taken in December 1964, while running trials).

Jaume Cifré Sánchez
CVA-66 America
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164k

USS America (CVA-66), Commissioning Ceremony, Saturday, 23 January 1965.

Dale Hargrave
General views, date unknown
CVA-66 America
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46k Rail manned, preparing to dock. USN
CVA-66 America
NS026605
60k At Dock. Fuzzy image. USN
1965-1980
CVA-66 America
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94k

A McDonnell F-4B Phantom II (BuNo 150627) of Fighter Squadron (VF) 101 "Grim Reapers," Combat Readiness Air Wing (RCVW) 4, on the flight deck of USS America (CVA-66), sometime in 1965–1967.

U.S. Department of Defense photo (# DN-ST-88-00733).

Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
NS026687
195k

An A-3B Skywarrior, BuNo 142404, from Naval Air Test Center, Pax River, MD, landing aboard USS America (CVA-66) for carrier suitability trials.

Official U.S. Navy photo (# 1112125) by John D. Reimer, PHC, dated 5 April 1965.

From the collection of CDR Thomas B. Ray (USS Essex), via Chris Stanley
CVA-66 America
NS026687a
174k

An A-6A Intruder from Naval Air Test Center, Pax River, MD, landing aboard USS America (CVA-66) for carrier suitability trials.

Official U.S. Navy photo (# 1112123) by John D. Reimer, PHC, dated 5 April 1965.

From the collection of CDR Thomas B. Ray (USS Essex), via Chris Stanley
CVA-66 America
NS026688
173k

An A-4C Skyhawk, BuNo 147801, of VA-64 "Black Lancers," being hooked up on a forward catapult of USS America (CVA-66), as Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6 commences carrier qualification operations.

Official U.S. Navy photo (# 1112132) by Robert Ekshain, PH2, dated 14 April 1965.

From the collection of CDR Thomas B. Ray (USS Essex), via Chris Stanley
CVA-66 America
NS026668
101k

USS America (CVA-66) underway on 31 August 1965. Aircraft parked on her flight deck include nine A-4C Skyhawk attack planes, four F-4B Phantom II fighters and three RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance planes.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1114401).

Naval History & Heritage Command
CVA-66 America
NS026684
123k

An RA-5C Vigilante from RVAH-5 "Savage Sons" about to launch from USS America (CVA-66), 1965.

Jim Denton
CVA-66 America
NS0266bk
268k

Four U.S. Navy Douglas EA-1F Skyraiders of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 33 "Night Hawks" fly in diamond formation, sometime between 1965 and 1967.

Clockwise from top left: BuNo 132534 (modex GD-803), 132506 (GD-804), Buno 135054 (AE-812), and BuNo 132613 (AE-811). The last two were operating off USS America (CVA-66).

Naval History and Heritage Command photo, # NH 91441.

Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
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136k

Four U.S. Navy Douglas A-4C Skyhawks of Attack Squadron (VA) 64 "Black Lancers" fly over USS America (CVA-66), 1965–1966.

Left to right: BuNo 147745, modex AE-607; BuNo 148483 (AE-610), one of two Skyhawks borrowed by the U.S. Army in 1961 for evaluation for operations from unimproved airfields near front lines (the Skyhawk won the competition, but the project was canceled); another A-4C is obscured by 148483 and cannot be identified; BuNo 148544 (AE-612), lost in combat on 4 July 1967, while flying with VA-15 "Valions" off USS Intrepid (CVS-11).

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.4701.

Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
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212k

EA-1F Skyraider of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 33 "Night Hawks" Det. 66 lands aboard USS America (CVA-66). VAW-33 Det.66 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6 aboard the aircraft carrier for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 30 November 1965 to 10 July 1966.

Official U.S. Navy photo NH 91444 from the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
NS0266bha
262k

EA-1F Skyraider (BuNo 135018, modex AE-810) of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 33 "Night Hawks" Det. 66 in flight, circa 1965. VAW-33 Det.66 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6 aboard the aircraft carrier for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 30 November 1965 to 10 July 1966.

As of September 2023, this aircraft was preserved at the Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona.

Official U.S. Navy photo NH 91443 from the Naval History and Heritage Command.

CVA-66 America
NS026619
99k Off Cannes, South of France, during her first Med cruise, 30 November 1965–10 July 1966. Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6). Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
NS026690
164k

USS America (CVA-66) in the Bosphorus, off Istanbul, Turkey, in early 1966, during her first Mediterranean Cruise, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6.

David Meare
CVA-66 America
NS026690a
142k
CVA-66 America
NS026690b
145k
CVA-66 America
NS0266al
310k

USS America (CVA-66), 14 March 1966, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6 aboard. Anchored at Grand Rade de Toulon, Toulon, France, in 16 fathoms (96ft; 29 m) of water.

Photo by Marius Bar, Toulon, France.

Jaume Cifré Sánchez
CVA-66 America
NS026681
173k Coming into Norfolk, second half of 1966. Taken from the bridge of USS Redfin (SS-272). John Hummel, USN (Ret.)
CVA-66 America
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143k

EA-1F Skyraider (BuNo 132621, modex GD-807) of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 33 "Night Hawks" Det. 66 in flight off USS America (CVA-66), circa the second half of 1966.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.2444.

Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
NS026636
63k An F-4 Phantom lands aboard USS America as the carrier refuels USS Meredith (DD-890), circa 1966. © Sheridan Carey
CVA-66 America
NS026637
50k Underway in the Caribbean, 1967. Taken from the USS Meredith (DD-890). © Sheridan Carey
CVA-66 America
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294k

USS America (CVA-66) underway, circa 1966–1967.

Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-66 America + DD-714 + DDG-23
NS05012375
118k USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) at left, the attack aircraft carrier USS America (CVA-66), and the destroyer USS William R. Rush (DD-714) underway in 1967, location unknown. Photo taken by PH1 R. L. Campbell, United States Navy, Official. Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
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565k

During the 1967 Mediterranean cruise of USS America (CVA-66), what normally would have passed as just another day of flight operations turned into a literal "cliff hanger" for LT(JG) Karl Leuffen and his A-4C Skyhawk, of VA-36 "Roadrunners."

Naval History & Heritage Command photo, # NH 84336.

America's deck log for Wednesday, 7 December 1966, reads:

"[...] en route to Caribbean Sea Op Area [...] 1521 When proceeding to a spot position on the bow after a recovery an A-4C aircraft, Bureau No. 147828, piloted by LT(j.g.) K.W. LEUFFEN, went out of control when the brakes failed. The plane rolled off the bow, and became entangled in the safety nets in a vertical position perpendicular to the water. The aircraft was recovered by the ship's flight deck crash and salvage crew. Aircraft sustained limited damage, pilot was uninjured."

(Fate of BuNo 147828: The Arizona Republic, Saturday, 9 November 1968—8 November 1968: R.L. Segars [147828] and L.G. Yoder [147829] ejected safely and were rescued in 15 minutes by a Navy helicopter after their Skyhawks crashed and sank yesterday 19 miles off Roosevelt Roads Naval Base on the east coast of Puerto Rico.)

Ron Reeves
Bob Canchola
CVA-66 America
NS0266ar
156k

A McDonnell F-4B Phantom II, armed with an AIM-7 Sparrow missile, from Fighter Squadron (VF) 33 "Tarsiers," on the catapult of USS America (CVA-66). VF-33 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6, aboard this aircraft carrier, for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 10 January to 20 September 1967. In the background are the U.S. Navy Gearing-class destroyer USS William C. Lawe (DD-763) and the Soviet Kashin-class guided missile destroyer "381." U.S. Navy photo from the America 1967 Cruise Book.

Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
NS026612
86k

Taken from the Wallace L. Lind DD-703 in April, 67 in the Med.

Jim McCoy
CVA-66 America + AO-147 + DLG-17
NS091914731
389k

USS Truckee (AO-147) conducting an underway replenishment at sea with USS America (CVA-66) to port and USS Harry E. Yarnell (DLG-17) to starboard in the Mediterranean Sea, 26 April 1967.

Mike Smolinski
CVA-66 America
NS026607
111k Mediterranean Sea, June 1967. © Richard Leonhardt
CVA-66 America
NS026609
68k Mediterranean Sea, June 1967. AO-61 Severn alongside. © Richard Leonhardt
CVA-66 America
NS026610
39k Mediterranean Sea, June 15, 1967. AO-61 Severn alongside © Richard Leonhardt
CVA-66 America
NS026608
49k Mediterranean Sea, June 17, 1967. © Richard Leonhardt
CVA-66 America
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112k

Official caption for this photo reads: "A Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33) F-4J Phantom II [(BuNo 153856)] aircraft lands aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS America (CVA-66)." It is dated 15 October 1987.

However, this date is incorrect, since by 1987 VF-33 was equipped with F-14 Tomcats and assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, tail code "AB." Judging from aircraft markings, this picture was possibly taken in early 1968.

Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America+ AO-53
NS091905327
166k

USS Caliente (AO-53) refuels USS America (CVA-66). With embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6, America made an around the world cruise, including a deployment to Vietnam, 10 April–16 December 1968.

U.S. Navy photo from the America 1968 cruise book.

Robert Hurst

USS America (CVA-66), with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6, alongside USS John W. Weeks (DD-701), possibly in the Atlantic Ocean in 1968.

Photos by Rich Riddlebarger.

CVA-66
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CVA-66
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348 Kb
CVA-66
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224 Kb
  CVA-66
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277 Kb
CVA-66
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250 Kb
   
CVA-66 America
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268k

USS America (CVA-66), WestPac-Vietnam, sometime in 1968–1973.

From the archive of A.L. Moiseev, courtesy of the Veterans of the 38th Brigade of Ships of the Red Flag Pacific Fleet website.

Via Bob Canchola
CVA-66 America
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343k
CVA-66 America
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103k

USS America (CVA-66), at the time the Navy's newest carrier, refueling from USS Caliente (AO-53), Saturday, 18 May 1968, in the South China Sea, just south of the Equator.

Bill recalls: "We were [...] on our way to New Zealand to play war games, when we unrep'd this carrier. My memory tells me that it had come [around Cape of Good Hope] and was heading for its first cruise to Vietnam."

America had departed Norfolk on April 10th, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6 embarked.

Bill Dougherty, USS Caliente (AO‑53)
CVA-66 America
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95k
CVA-66 America
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CVA-66 America
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NS026617
81k South China Sea coming alongside AO-57 USS Marias. © James W. Mitchell

NS026618
88k Slowing for UNREP. This was the USS America's maiden voyage to Gulf of Tonkin (1968). © James W. Mitchell

NS026621
105k Alongside AO-57 USS Marias. © James W. Mitchell

NS026623
79k Stern view of America during UNREP. © James W. Mitchell

NS026622
76k En route to the Gulf of Tonkin. © James W. Mitchell

NS026624
79k One of the many aircraft operating overhead. © James W. Mitchell 
CVA-66 America + AOE-2 + DLG-22
NS09590231
351k

USS England (DLG-22), from where the photo was taken, breaks away from USS Camden (AOE-2) and USS America (CVA-66) after a replenishment at sea in WestPac, possibly in July–October 1968. This was America's first deployment to Vietnam. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6 was deployed with the aircraft carrier.

John Spivey
CVA-66 America
NS0266av
374k

A-7A Corsair II, BuNo 153176, modex AE304, Attack Squadron (VA) 82 "Marauders," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6, USS America (CVA-66). NAS Atsugi, Japan, probably in the second half of September 1968.

Photo by Saburo Inoue,
via Bob Canchola
CVA-66 America
NS0266ava
2.04M

USS America (CVA-66), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6, and USS Mahopac (ATA-196). Yokosuka, Japan, 16–23 September 1968.

Photo by Saburo Inoue,
via Bob Canchola
CVA-66 America + AO-146 + DLG-22
NS091914634
351k

USS Kawishiwi (AO-146) simultaneously servicing USS America (CVA-66) from her port side and USS England (DLG-22) from her starboard side in the Gulf of Tonkin, probably in early October 1968.

John Spivey
CVA-66 America
NS026679
20k

USS America (CVA-66)—her crew spelling out a cheery "HI SYDNEY" on the flight deck—approaches Sydney, Australia, on 11 November 1968, accompanied by a flotilla of small boats, in this view taken by Photographer 1st Class William M. Welch, Jr. (photo #NH 96651).

Photo and text from the "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships," (DANFS), published by the Naval History & Heritage Command.

Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
NS026693
174k

"In Sydney—The 'U.S.S. America,' one of the longest, biggest, mightiest war weapons ever assembled, arrived in Sydney today on a five-day goodwill visit." The Sun, Sydney, Tuesday, November 12, 1968.

Gerd Matthes, Germany
CVA-66 America
NS0266bb
358k

An RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance aircraft launches from USS America (CVA-66).

Although the photo is dated 15 October 1987, this cannot be correct. Judging from Air Wing composition, it must have been taken circa 1968.

U.S. Navy photo, VIRIN # DN-ST-88-00745.

Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
DD-719 + AF-59 + CVA-66 America
NS0571928
193k

USS Vega (AF-59) with USS Epperson (DD-719) and USS America (CVA-66) alongside during an underway replenishment at sea. US Navy photo, most likely taken in the South China Sea, either in the summer of 1968 or the fall of 1970.

Ed Zajkowski
CVA-66 America
NS024256
81k

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.

Steve Graham
CVA-66 America
NS026678
168k

The aircraft carrier USS America (CVA-66), left, moored next to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LPH-4) at Pier No. 11, Naval Operating Base Norfolk, 1 October 1969. America had just completed a Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (since 24 January 1969). The former Essex-class carrier Boxer was decommissioned two months later, on 1 December 1969. Official U.S. Navy photograph, available from Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (id. DN-ST-88-04340).

Robert M. Cieri
CVA-66 America + AO-97 Allagash
NS091909729
165k

USS America (CVA-66) refuels from USS Allagash (AO-97), 22 October 1969, in the Atlantic Ocean.

NS091909729: US Navy photo now in the collection of the US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # USN 1142917.

NS091909730: US Navy photo now in the collection of the US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # USN 1142915.

NS091909731: US Navy photo now in the collection of the US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # USN 1142911.

Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC)
CVA-66 America + AO-97 Allagash
NS091909729
199k
CVA-66 America + AO-97 Allagash
NS091909731
215k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aha
329k

A left front view of a Lockheed U-2R reconnaissance aircraft as it approaches for landing on the flight deck of USS America (CVA-66), see below.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo ID 330-CFD-DF-SN-85-02818.

Robert Hurst
Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-66 America
NS0266ah
742k

U-2R operating aboard USS America (CVA-66) in 1969. Trials took place off the Virginia coast, November 21–23. Lockheed test pilot Bill Park and four CIA pilots underwent abbreviated carrier training and conducted a series of successful launches and recoveries. Reportedly, the plane was even taken down to the hangar deck with no significant difficulties.

Courtesy of aerospaceweb.org via William Stevens
Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-66 America
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462k

Larger, B&W version of the photo above.

Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-66 America
NS026682
419k

USS America (CVA-66) replenishing from a Sacramento-class fast combat support ship (AOE), 1970. Colorful tail of BuNo 148925, an RA-5C Vigilante assigned to RVAH-12 "Speartips," is visible at right.

Jeff Franklin, AE1, VA-147, Carrier Air Wing 9
CVA-66 America
NS026682a
456k
CVA-66 America
NS026682b
424k

This McDonnell F-4J Phantom II (BuNo 155807, modex NG201) from Fighter Squadron (VF) 92 "Silver Kings" hit the crash barrier aboard USS America (CVA-66). VF‑92 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 for a deployment to Vietnam, 10 April–21 December 1970.

CVA-66 America
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545k
CVA-66 America
NS026682d
546k

-

CVA-66 America
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414k
CVA-66 America
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381k
CVA-66 America
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491k

Shellback initiation, Crossing the Equator, Latitude 0° 0' 0", Longitude 40° 0' 0" W, Friday, 24 April 1970.

CVA-66 America
NS026613
734k On Yankee Station in 1970. © William P. Jones, M.D., Medical Officer AFS-3
CVA-66 America
NS026614
53k On Yankee Station in 1970. © William P. Jones, M.D., Medical Officer AFS-3
CVA-66 America
NS026603
84k

USS America (CVA-66) underway, May 14, 1970. Note plane guard helicopter in right far background, an A-3 Skywarrior on the starboard catapult and an E-2A Hawkeye on the port one. F-4J Phantoms sit poised on the angled deck catapults. Photo taken by Photographer 3d Class L. J. Lafeir (# USN-1145455).

USN
CVA-66 America
NS0587417
108k

USS Navasota (AO-106) refueling USS Duncan (DD-874) to starboard and USS America (CVA-66) to port. Mid-1970 in the South China Sea. Photo taken from USS Bausell (DD-845).

Photo by Lee Noland, STGC, USN (Ret.)
USS Bausell
CVA-66 America
NS026680
106k

On 20 August 1970, at Manila, Vice Admiral Frederick A. Bardshar, Commander, Attack Carrier Striking Force, 7th Fleet, hosted the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand E. Marcos, on board USS America (CVA-66). President Marcos was given a 21-gun salute as he and Mrs. Marcos arrived on board from their Presidential yacht to visit the ship. Accompanied by American Ambassador and Mrs. Henry A. Byiade, they were greeted by Vice Admiral Bardshar and America's commanding officer, CAPT Thomas B. Hayward, and were subsequently escorted to the ship's hangar deck where the Carrier Division band and the ship's Marine detachment rendered honors. Following their arrival, the visiting party dined with Vice Admiral Bardshar and CAPT Hayward, and were later given a brief tour of the ship.

Ron Reeves
CVA-66 America
NS026694
203k

"HERE COMES THE AMERICABig crowds lined the foreshores to welcome the 78,000-ton aircraft-carrier USS America as she came through the Heads this morning." The Sun, Sydney, Saturday, November 21, 1970.

Gerd Matthes, Germany
CVA-66 America
NS026620
64k A Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E Corsair II assigned to VA-82 "Marauders" in flight over USS America (CVA-66), 1971. Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
NS0266am
220k

USS America (CVA-66), 27 November 1971, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 aboard.

Photo by Marius Bar, Toulon, France.

Jaume Cifré Sánchez
CVA-66 America
NS0266aw
78k

USS America (CVA-66), circa 1972–1974.

Tommy Trampp
CVA-66 America
NS026657
63k

Test of the anti-aircraft missile system on the way to Yankee Station, during America's WestPac 72-73 cruise. The photo was taken from "vulture's row" with a 35 mm Mamiya-Secor 1000 DTL SLR camera.

Partially visible are a North American RA-5C Vigilante of RVAH-6 "Fleurs" (foreground) and a McDonnell-Douglas F-4J Phantom II of VMFA-333 "Shamrocks."

© John Lowery, Avionicsman with VMFA-333
CVA-66 America
NS026675
45k

A Grumman A-6C Intruder (BuNo 155660) of Attack Squadron VA-35 "Black Panthers." VA-35, with a mix of A-6A, A-6C and KA-6D variants of the Intruder, was deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) aboard USS America (CVA-66) to Vietnam from 5 June 1972 to 24 March 1973. The designation A-6C was given to twelve A-6A's that were modified between February and June of 1970 as special aircraft designed to detect, track, and attack nighttime truck traffic along the "Ho Chi Minh Trail" during the Vietnam war. The planes were fitted with an internal "Black Crow" engine ignition detection system and a ventral TRIM (Trails-Roads Interdiction Multisensors) pod faired into the lower fuselage that contained the FLIR and LLLTV cameras.

Subsequently brought up to the A-6E standard, BuNo 155660 crashed on MCAS Yuma Range during a bombing run on 18 October 1983, while assigned to Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron VMA(AW)-242.

Photo taken by a U.S. Navy Sailor or employee.

Courtesy of The USS America Carrier Veterans Association,
via Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
NS026697
78k

A McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II, BuNo 153787, modex AJ112, from Fighter Squadron (VF) 74 "Be-Devilers" of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, recovers aboard USS America (CVA-66), possibly off Vietnam, 1972–73. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service photo # DN-ST-88-00736.

Robert Hurst
CVA-66 America
NS0266aq
218k

Aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, 5 June 1972–24 March 1973.

NS0266aq: A-7C Corsair II. The A-7Cs were the first A-7Es, powered by Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-8 turbofans—the later E models were powered by the Allison TF41, and the first batch was redesignated A-7C (this designation had been previously used for a design for a two-seat version of the A-7B).

NS0266aqa: F-4J Phantom II.

NS0266aqb: RA-5C Vigilante, RVAH-6 "Fleurs."

NS0266aqc: F-4J Phantom II, VF-74 "Be-Devilers."

NS0266aqd: A-7C Corsair II, VA-86 "Sidewinders."

NS0266aqe: Gerry worked in the AIMD IM2 Jet Shop on the faintail. "I always said that I had the best seat in the house."

NS0266aqf: Three C-1A Traders, left to right: BuNo 136790(?), VRC-50; BuNo 136763 "Miss America;" BuNo 136767(?), VRC-50. Fleet Tactical Support Squadron (VRC) 50 "Foo Dogs" operated at the time from NAS Atsugi.

NS0266aqg: An F-4J Phantom II, apparently assigned to VMFA-333 "Shamrocks," recovering aboard USS America (CVA-66). Two more Phantoms are in the background, and the ship's COD aircraft, "Miss America," in the foreground.

NS0266aqh: "Miss America," the ship's COD aircraft, a C-1A Trader (BuNo 136763), and a sister C-1A from VRC-50. Gerry comments that he did corrosion control on "Miss America" as a collateral duty. They would spot her close to the island, and "with an air hose and buffing wheel, and a can of spray paint I would clean her up." He also adds that because C-1s had AV Gas and not JP4 they could not bring her down to the hangar deck—fumes, fire, and stuff like that.

ADJAN Gerry Wheeler, via Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqa
237k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqb
225k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqc
284k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqd
255k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqe
325k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqf
67k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqg
286k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqh
285k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqi
245k

Aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, 5 June 1972–24 March 1973.

NS0266aqi: RA-5C Vigilante, RVAH-6 "Fleurs," possibly BuNo 156626, modex AJ604.

NS0266aqj: RA-5C Vigilante, RVAH-6 "Fleurs."

NS0266aqk: A-6 Intruder, VA-35 "Black Panthers."

NS0266aql: C-1A Trader.

ADJAN Gerry Wheeler, via Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqj
319k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqk
281k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aql
373k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqm
244k

Aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, 5 June 1972–24 March 1973.

NS0266aqm: (Left) A-7C Corsair IIs, VA-86 "Sidewinders" and VA-82 "Marauders."

NS0266aqn: C-1A Trader, BuNo 136790 (modex RG-305), Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 50 "Foo Dogs." (As of 2023, preserved at the Grissom Air Museum, Peru, IN.)

NS0266aqo: A-6 Intruder, VA-35 "Black Panthers."

NS0266aqp: F-4J Phantom II (modex AJ-202), Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 333 "Shamrocks."

ADJAN Gerry Wheeler, via Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqn
374k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqo
263k
CVA-66 America
NS0266aqp
273k

NS023467
99k

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 photo NS023467 is USS Bronstein (DE‑1037).

This is America, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, as seen from Oriskany, with CVW-19.

Bob Canchola, BT,
USS Oriskany, 1971–1973

NS023467b
111k

NS023467c
109k

NS023467h
111k

NS0266an
251k

USS America (CVA-66), seen from USS Oriskany (CVA-34). Vietnam cease-fire, Sunday, 28 January 1973.

Photo by Dale Howe,
via Bob Canchola, BT, USS Oriskany 1971–1973

NS023467k
68k

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.)

USS Oriskany Alumni Facebook Group,
via Bob Canchola, BT, USS Oriskany 1971–1973

NS023467o
2.11M

Zenithal view of the same group.

Via Bob Canchola, BT, USS Oriskany 1971–1973

NS0265ds
377k

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.

NARA,
via Bob Canchola, BT, USS Oriskany 1971–1973

NS0265dsb
32k

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

Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CVA-66 America
NS026616
128k

Two views of USS America (CVA-66) anchored off Toulon, France, 19 January 1974, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 embarked.

Photos by Marius Bar, Toulon, France.

Jaume Cifré Sánchez
CVA-66 America
NS026616a
125k
CV-66 America + AOE-3
NS09590325
140k

USS Seattle (AOE-3) alongside USS America (CV-66) during an underway replenishment, 13 January 1976.

Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System (DVDIS) photo, VIRIN: DN-ST-88-04302.

Robert Hurst
CV-66 America
NS026601
251k

Aerial starboard quarter bow view of USS America (CV-66), underway. Photo is dated 21 April 1980, but on that date America was undergoing a Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA)—the picture was probably taken in 1979, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 embarked.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 428-GX-KN-30070.

NARA
CV-66 America
NS0266bn
617k

A port beam view of USS America (CV-66) being escorted out to sea from Naval Station Norfolk, VA, 20 March 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photograph by PH1 R. Lincoln. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), VIRIN: DN-SN-82-00383.

Robert M. Cieri
Robert Hurst
CV-66 America
NS0266ba
642k

YF/A-18A Hornet #3 (BuNo 160777) conducted carrier suitability tests aboard USS America (CV-66), 30 October–3 November 1979. LCDR Dick Richards and LT Ken Grubb successfully made 32 landings and catapult launches.

See also NS0270ar and NS0262av.

Via Bob Canchola, BT, USN (Ret.)
CV-66 America
NS0266baa
625k
CV-66 America
NS0266bab
1.00M
CV-66 America
NS026666
177k

USS America received three Mk.15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems (CIWS) in June 1980: one on the port side, forward; one on the starboard side of the island; and one on the port quarter, later moved to the port side of the fantail. Phalanx can fire 3,000 rounds per minute and simultaneously measures the location of both target and projectiles in flight, automatically correcting the fire control solution. This is a vertical view of one the mounts, during a firing exercise.

General Dynamics Corp. photo (DVIC id: DN-SC-82-05395).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

Read the USS AMERICA (CVA-66 / CV-66) DANFS History entry

Crew Contact and Reunion Information
Date:  
Place:  
Contact: Edward Pelletier
Address: 26 Chestnut Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: 914-471-7335
E-mail: angels66@aol.com
Web site: The USS America Carrier Veterans Association
Remarks:  

Related Links
Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages By Andrew Toppan.
The USS America Carrier Veterans Association

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Last update: 10 December 2023