The USS Enterprise (CV-6), nicknamed the Big E or the Grey Ghost, is the sixth US aircraft carrier commissioned in 1938, in Norfolk, Virginia. She was a part of the Yorktown class carriers, a class of three aircraft carriers that participated in World War II (The other two being the USS Hornet (CV-8) and the USS Yorktown (CV-5)). While in service, she received 20 battle stars, the most battlestars ever earned on an American naval ship. In this article, we will go over the details and many facts of this inspiring vessel.

 

Basic Facts
The USS Enterprise is 807.5 feet (246.7 meters) in length, with a speed of 33 knots. During the war, she harbored many different kinds of aircraft, such as the SBD Dauntless, or the F4F Wildcat. 

 

Battles 

The USS Enterprise (CV-6) was involved in many battles in the Pacific during World War II, such as the Battle of Midway, where her airgroup played a critical role in destroying Japanese aircraft carriers Akagi and the Kaga, or the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. She also participated in the Doolittle raid, where she protected Task Force 16, (consisting of USS Enterprise (CV-6) itself and USS Hornet (CV-8)) from possible enemy attacks. Through numerous battles, the USS Enterprise (CV-6) sank a total of 71 ships with her planes and destroyed 911 aircraft via planes and guns. 

 

Fate

After World War II came to a close, the USS Enterprise brought back servicemen to America and was also celebrated in New York City. She was later decommissioned in 1947, and in 1958 she was unfortunately sold for scrap. Efforts to turn her into a museum failed. 

 

My Opinion

In my opinion, the USS Enterprise is one of my favorite ships. One of the reasons is because she experienced so many battles and survived through all of it. In addition, I also liked the planes that the ship deployed such as the SBD Dauntless or the TBF Avenger. But the scrapping of this ship horrified me. How could one do such harm to such a wonderful ship that achieved great things? It was as if you were selling a diamond ring that mattered to you the most in exchange for some cash. I wished that they had turned the ship into a museum so that I could one day see this ship before my very own eyes. I would have visited it and done a lot of research on it.

 

The USS Enterprise was a mighty carrier that survived a lot of battles. And although she isn’t here with us now, let us remember the carrier that contributed to the United States victory in the Pacific War.