Ticonderoga is a village in Essex County, N.Y., on La Chute River, 100 miles north of Albany (NS0214aua). The name is an Iroquois Indian term which means "between two lakes" and refers to Lake George and Lake Champlain. Here, the French built a fort called Carillon in 1755, but it was captured four years later by British troops under General Amherst. Early in the American Revolution, on 10 May 1775, Ethan Allen and his "Green Mountain Boys" captured the fort from the British. General Sir John Burgoyne recaptured the fort in May 1777, holding it until his surrender at Saratoga, N.Y., on 17 October 1777.

Three previous US warships had borne the name:

1. A schooner.
2. A screw sloop.
3. A transport.

(Map NS0214aua courtesy of Google Maps. Image and text NS0214au courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.)

Photo of Ticonderoga (CV-14) taken a few days before her launching.

Ticonderoga awaiting launching at Newport News.

[Monday, 7 February 1944]. "Newport News, Va.—At launching ceremonies for the newest U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Ticonderoga, Miss Stephanie Sarah Pell of Pelham Manor, N.Y., swings the champagne bottle past the warship's huge bow—a clean miss. On the next try, however, Miss Pell's aim improved and the flattop was properly christened."

Ticonderoga slides into the James River.

Ticonderoga (CV-14), port side view, 22 April 1944, Norfolk, VA.

Ticonderoga (CV-14), port quarter, stern view, 22 April 1944, Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. photo.

Ticonderoga (CV-14), port quarter, bow view, 22 April 1944, Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. photo.

Ticonderoga (CV-14), looking starboard to island, 22 April 1944, Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. photo.

Bow, starboard quarter view of USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) underway, Monday, 8 May 1944, the day she went into commission. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. photo.

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), quarter stern-port, at delivery. Newport News & Dry Dock Company. Date: 8 May 1944.

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), stern, at delivery. Newport News & Dry Dock Company. Date: 8 May 1944.

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), starboard bow, at delivery. Newport News & Dry Dock Company. Date: 8 May 1944.

Camouflage Measure 33, Design 10A. Vertical colors were: Navy Blue (5-N), Ocean Gray (5-O), and Light Gray (5-L).

Newly completed, USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) is seen underway at Norfolk, 30 May 1944. She was completed with two deck catapults, two bow 40-mm quad gun mounts and four deck-edge radio masts. Around the second radio mast can be seen four outrigger rails (stowed), on which aircraft could be parked with their rear fuselages projecting over the edge of the deck. Note the starboard paint scheme, Measure 33/10A. US Navy photos.

(NS021467a): Norfolk Navy Yard photo serial 7726(44).

(NS021467b): Official U.S. Navy photograph, BuAer photo # 48972. Radar antennas have been deleted by the censor.

Another photo taken on 30 May 1944. Flight deck was stained a dark blue, with the hull number painted in Dull Black and the dashed lines in light gray. Note the port elevator, opposite the island structure, is in the stowed position. A pair of 40mm quad mounts are visible on the forecastle, as well as a pair of catapults forward, on the flight deck.

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) off Hampton Roads, Va., 26 June 1944 (see above). Official U.S. Navy photo. [80-G-235154].

Note the port side of the flight deck was cut away just aft of a quad 40-mm gun mount, to provide an unobstructed view for a third Mark 37 director that would have been mounted on the former hangar-deck catapult sponson. Only Ticonderoga and Hancock actually had the cut, and it was later eliminated as BuAer considered the cut "a serious hazard to aircraft taking off."

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) heading for the British West Indies, June 29, 1944. Her flight deck is spotted for recovery of aircraft. This photo came from the Chief of Information, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) underway. Official USN photo.

Larger, differently cropped copy of photo above.

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) underway, apparently on the same ocassion as the photos above. Official caption reads: "In Hampton Roads, Viriginia, 30 June 1944."

Naval History & Heritage Command photo, # NH 92240.

"The date was 1 July 1944 while Ticonderoga was on her shakedown cruise in Trinidad. The pilot was ENS John G. Fraifogl who was only mildly injured in this incident."

Deck log reads: "1717 Second plane aboard, F6F-4 [in fact, an F6F-5 Hellcat from VF-80, Squadron #4], BuAero serial number 58613, pilot Ensign J. G. FRAIFOGL, USNR, made normal landing, belly tank detached itself from plane, hit flight deck, ignited. Plane badly damaged—to be surveyed—."

Wednesday, 4 July 1944, "0847: TBF 13 [TBM-1C Avenger] upon being launched, crashed into the water off the starboard bow and clear of the ship, at latitude 10°27'13"N, longitude 62°03'05"W. Bureau plane 45922, piloted by Lt. (jg) G. C. Francom, USNR. Others in plane: Lt. R. W. Evans, USNR, and Stringer, E. N., ARM2c, 7CO-97-24, USNR. All members picked up by crash boat." (Excerpt from the ship's Deck Log.)

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) off San Diego, California, mid-September 1944, loaded with aircraft to be transported to Hawaii. The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 10A. Photographed from a blimp of squadron ZP-31.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 92242).

An F6F Hellcat prepares to take off from USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), October 1944, while training in Hawaiian waters.

Enlisted aircrewmen are briefed in their ready room, 4 November 1944, prior to an air strike on Manila Bay the following morning.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-469512).

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) launching aircraft prior to her first strike against the Japanese, 5 November 1944.

U.S. Navy photo now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-301350.

"The tension in the ready room is visible in the faces of the pilots aboard of the USN's aircraft carrier, USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), as the air crews prepare for the first air strike against Manila on November 5th, 1944. The photo was taken by Wayne Miller."

Twenty-mm guns stay trained skyward for the next attacker as USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) passes the splash and explosion of a Japanese kamikaze that impacted the water near her starboard bow after a strafing dive that wounded four sailors on 5 November 1944. An emergency turn and hits from her AA battery is credited with causing the Kamikaze to overshoot and pass low over the bridge before impacting the water. This same attack saw a successful hit on USS Lexington's island, which killed 47 and wounded 127. The blurry object in the immediate foreground is an empty F6F Hellcat drop tank temporarily stored on the catwalk until the next strike is readied—aft of that is one of Ticonderoga's three catwalk-level aircraft outriggers for storing aircraft mostly off deck.

US Navy photo now in the custody of the US National Archives at College Park, Maryland (# 80-G-272698).

The same attack on USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) as seen from USS Essex's (CV-9) flight deck.

US Navy photo now in the custody of the US National Archives at College Park, Maryland (# 80-G-272713).

Japanese cruiser Yasoshima (formerly the Chinese Ping Hai) under attack by Task Force 38 torpedo planes, off Luzon on 25 November 1944. Tracks of two Mark 13 aerial torpedos are visible. The torpedo about to hit Yasoshima's stern was dropped by Ensign D.V. Parker, of Torpedo Squadron 80 (VT-80), based on USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). The original photograph was included in the TG38.3 Action Report of 24 December 1944. The cruiser's name may also be spelled Yasojima.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 102091).

Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters prepare to take off for strikes against targets in Manila Bay. The two leading planes are F6F-5N night fighters, with wing-mounted radar. Photograph is dated 9 January 1945, but may have been taken during the 5-6 November 1944 attacks.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-305244).

This view taken from Ticonderoga (CV-14), entering Ulithi Lagoon on December 8, 1944 shows the famous "Murderers Row" shot from a different perspective.

Note: David Stubblebine remarks: "This date [December 8, 1944] has been attached to this image for years but it is incorrect. The photo clearly shows that Ticonderoga was underway within the anchorage moving toward her assigned berth (Berth 24) which is where she was for the more famous Murderers Row photo (which was taken on 8 Dec; maybe 9 Dec). Ticonderoga entered Ulithi on 2 Dec 1944, which is when photo NS021466 had to have been taken (around 1610 hours)."

Bombing Squadron (VB) 80 was part of Carrier Air Group (CVG) 80, established in February 1944. It served aboard USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) until January 1945, when the Big T was hit by a kamikaze and had to retire to the United States. CVG-80 then transferred to USS Hancock (CV-19) and operated from Hannah until March.

Undated picture of "LT George J. Walsh next to his Curtiss SB2C Helldiver belonging to Air Group Eighty aboard the carrier USS Ticonderoga (CV‑14) in the Pacific. This former dive-bomber pilot has been a tireless campaigner for what he perceives as a lack of recognition for the dive-bomber's role at Midway. Photo courtesy of George J. Walsh."

Photo and text from Midway: Dauntless Victory, by Peter C. Smith.

David Stubblebine notes: "The markings on the aircraft tell us the photo was taken during the stateside workups, between Feb and Jun 1944.  Once Ticonderoga departed on her shakedown cruise, this marking format was no longer used."

USS Pamanset (AO-85) struggles through an East China Sea storm to refuel Task Force 38, 13 January 1945. USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) is in the distance. Photographed from USS Essex (CV-9).

NS091908501: US Navy photo now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-373716.

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) afire off Formosa, 21 January 1945, just after her initial kamikaze hit on the forward flight deck. Photographed from USS Miami (CL-89). A Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplane is on the cruiser's starboard catapult, in the foreground.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-273151.

Flight deck immediately after Hit #1 showing smoke pouring through deck at point of entry, and, upper right, smoke through #1 elevator opening. Puget Sound Navy Yard photo # 959-45.

Fighting fire from flight deck showing smoke from #1 elevator. Puget Sound Navy Yard photo # 955-45.

Same photo as above, but cropped slightly differently.

"The next morning, [21 January 1945, ...] a kamikaze swooped out of the clouds and plunged toward Ticonderoga. He crashed through her flight deck abreast of the No. 2 5-inch mount, and his bomb exploded just above her hangar deck. Several planes stowed nearby erupted into flames. Death and destruction abounded, but the ship's company fought valiantly to save the threatened carrier. CAPT Kiefer conned his ship smartly. First, he changed course to keep the wind from fanning the blaze. Then, he ordered magazines and other compartments flooded to prevent further explosions and to correct a 10-degree starboard list. Finally, he instructed the damage control party to continue flooding compartments on Ticonderoga's port side. That operation induced a 10-degree port list which neatly dumped the fire overboard! Firefighters and plane handlers completed the job by dousing the flames and jettisoning burning aircraft."

(Quoted from DANFS, "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships".)

Probably the same attack, as seen from USS Vincennes (CL-64).

An often-used photo of CAPT Dixie Kiefer, as he was being evacuated from USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) after the Kamikaze attack.

Kamikaze Attack, January 21, 1945 — A Personal Account, by C. Vern Higman, VT-80

"Garnet G. Porter killed in action aboard the USS Ticonderoga 21 January 1945 by two Kamikaze attacks. The battle was near Formosa, now Taiwan. Several comrades were killed also and the bodies buried at sea. Garnet was the son of Joseph Emmett Porter and Golda Lawson Porter."

Puget Sound Navy Yard image # 942-45. Damage in action of 21 January 1945. Estimated paths of planes which struck the ship.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo. Record group 181.

Read the War Damage Report at the Researcher @ Large website.

Puget Sound Navy Yard image # 943-45. Damage in action of 21 January 1945. Looking stbd. showing damage to superstructure caused by Hit #2.

Puget Sound Navy Yard. Damage in action of 21 January 1945. Looking fwd. & stbd. at damaged director.

Puget Sound Navy Yard image # 949-45. Damage in action of 21 January 1945. Gallery Deck frame 67, looking to starboard and aft.

Read the War Damage Report at the Researcher @ Large website.

The hole through the bulkhead is looking into the ship's optical shop (note work counters, sink, and chairs). Torn grating from an overhead catwalk is evident as is the hangar deck below in the lower left corner of the photo.

Wind-break palisades that fit into the tie-down strips are used to provide temporary safety rails as large sections of the flight deck are cut away during the early stages of repair. Note the burned out desks and furniture strewn about either sides and piles of Douglas fir deck planking that have been scrapped out. US Navy photo now in the care of the US National Archives in College Park, MD (# 80-G 333016).

Broad on port bow. April 16, 1945. Puget Sound, Wash. Running trials after repairs from the kamikaze attack (January 21).

Broad on port beam. April 16, 1945. Puget Sound, Wash. Running trials after repairs from the kamikaze attack (January 21).

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1996.488.039.024.

Broad on starboard beam, 16 April 1945. Puget Sound, Wash.

Dead astern. April 16, 1945. Puget Sound, Wash. Running trials after repairs from the kamikaze attack (January 21).

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1996.488.039.026.

CV-14. Broad on port quarter. April 16, 1945. Puget Sound, Wash.

Puget Sound Navy Yard, 20 April 1945. Stern view, starboard side. Photo #2062-45.

Puget Sound Navy Yard, 20 April 1945. Bow view, port side. Photo #2063-45.

Puget Sound Navy Yard, April 20, 1945. Head on view.

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) underway after her February–April 1945 repairs. She was painted in Measure 21 and fitted with seven extra 40-mm quad mounts, five on the starboard side and two on the port side. Air search radar was upgraded to SK-2 at this time. US Navy photo.

Bombing Squadron (VB) 87 pilots and gunners pictured in front of an SB2C Helldiver at NAS Kahului, Territory of Hawaii. VB-87 was established on 1 July 1944, at NAS Wildwood, NJ. Equipped with the SB2C Helldiver, the squadron trained at that location and NAAS Oceana, VA, before going to sea in USS Randolph (CV-15). Detached from this ship at Pearl Harbor, the squadron was subsequently assigned to USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). In early May 1945 VB-87 sailed from Pearl aboard Ticonderoga; a warm-up series of strikes was flown against Maloelap on the 17th, the carrier then continuing to Ulithi where she joined Task Force 58 in time to participate in the final support missions of the Okinawa campaign. After the last of these, on 10 June, the Task Force retired to Leyte Gulf. With the other carriers of Task Force 38 Ticonderoga sailed again on 1 July, headed for Japan, but engine trouble forced a diversion to Guam and it was not until the 21st that she was able to join her sisters off the enemy homeland. VB-87 participated in the strikes against the surviving Imperial Fleet units at Kure on 24th and 28th July, and bombed factories south-west of Tokyo at month's end. In early August the Task Force moved north and the squadron hit targets at Aomori and Ominato. Back south again towards mid-month, VB-87's final strike was against the Yokohama docks on the 13th.

Following the surrender, Ticonderoga embarked homeward-bound passengers and put to sea again on the 20 September 1945. After a stop in Pearl Harbor, the carrier reached Alameda, CA, on 5 October. She disembarked her passengers and unloaded cargo before heading out on the 9th to pick up another group of veterans. Ticonderoga delivered over a thousand soldiers and sailors to Tacoma, WA, and remained there through the 28th for the Navy Day celebration. On 29 October, the carrier departed Tacoma and headed back to Alameda. En route, all of the planes of Air Group 87 were transferred ashore so that the carrier could be altered to accommodate additional passengers in the "Magic Carpet" voyages to follow.

VB-87 was disestablished at NAS Seattle on 2 November 1945.

NS0214apa: VB-87 pilots.

NS0214apb: VB-87 pilots.

Photos courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum.

NS0214cl: Fighting Squadron (VF) 87 was established on 1 July 1944, deployed aboard USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), May–October 1945, and was involved on the last day of hostilities, flying overhead strikes against Japan. Its commanding officer was LCDR Charles E. Ingalls, Jr. The squadron was disestablished on 2 November 1945.

ENS Robert D. Clark was a night fighter pilot with VF-87.

See above for details about Ticonderoga's itinerary after the war's end.

NS0214cla: Squadron complement, 1 October 1944.

NS0214clb: Squadron complement, June 1945.

NS0214clc: Squadron's last photo.

Larger copies available on demand.

The story of ENS John F. Brega and his crew, who were shot down in Tokyo Bay on 14 August 1945 and were rescued several hours later.

NS0214co: "'Dumbo' Makes Last Rescue of War From Tokyo Bay" The Independent, Richmond, CA, 20 August 1945.

NS0214coa: "Rocky Mount Flier Given Silver Star For Daring Rescue" The Greensboro Record, Greensboro, NC, 20 August 1945.

NS0214cob: "First Americans in Tokyo Bay Were Three Men On A Raft" The Danville Morning News, Danville, PA, 21 August 1945.

NS0214coc: "It Will Be Second Trip Into Tokyo Bay For Local Sailor" The Eugene Guard, Eugene, OR, 26 August 1945.

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) landing planes while USS Ault (DD-698) follows astern as plane guard. July 1945.

U.S. Navy photo now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-470599).

Flight deck activity aboard USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 87, Task Group TF38.3.

By LIFE magazine photographer George Silk. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose.

"The date was 24 July 1945 following a raid on the Kure Naval Base and the bombing of the battleship Hyuga. Upon returning to Ticonderoga in the rain and fog, SB2C-4E BuNo 65147 piloted by LT(JG) Everett L. Wheeler (#215) bounced over the barrier and crashed into the SB2C-4E piloted by LT Gordon A. Durna (#209). There were no injuries. LT(JG) Wheeler's plane was damaged beyond repair and was jettisoned." (David Stubblebine)

LT(JG) Wheeler was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions four days after this accident:

CITATION:
"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Everett Logue Wheeler, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-SEVEN (VB-87), attached to the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), in an attack on the Japanese heavy cruiser TONE, on 28 July 1945, in the vicinity of Kure Harbor, in the Inland Sea of Japan. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, originating on the ship itself and being supported by shore batteries along the approach and retirement courses, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Wheeler skillfully and courageously pressed home his bombing run, making a severely damaging direct hit with a one thousand pound bomb, which contributed materially to the beaching and placing out of action this major enemy Fleet unit. His superb airmanship and his brave disregard for his own personal safety in the carrying out of this highly important mission were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

"Japanese Battleship-Carrier Hyuga sunken in Kure, Bay of Japan, by Air Group 87 from the USS Ticonderoga Aircraft Carrier CV-14. One of many photos taken by William J. Thompson or by William 'Marty' Martinez, Jr., a gunner on an SB2C Curtiss Helldiver July 24–28, 1945 in the Bay of Japan. The pilot, LT William W. Timmis named William 'Marty' because they were both William. They were shot down and spent 17 hours in the water until rescued by the USS Callaghan, a destroyer. Both were delirious and thought the ship was Japanese due to the nickname 'Tom Cat' that was painted in red seen by both as a rising sun."

"William 'Marty' Martinez, Jr., Gunner in SB2C Curtiss Helldiver Dive-Bomber WWII 1945. Shot down in Kure, Bay of Japan."

"William (Guillermo) Martinez, Jr. was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1923. He joined the Navy in about May of 1943. Prior to that he was in the New York Guard in Manhattan and was a Sharpshooter. He trained others to be gunners in DeLand, FL and married Anne Schavetti prior to going overseas on the USS Ticonderoga, an Essex-Class Carrier CV-14. The Pilot was William Timmis and tagged Bill as 'Marty' because they both were named William. The plane they flew was a Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver, a two-man Dive Bomber in Air Group 87, Bombing Squadron VB-87. On July 24 to 28, 1945, they bombed the Battleship Hyuga in Kure Harbor, in the Inland Sea of Japan and were shot down and spent 17 hours in the water before being rescued by a destroyer, the USS Callaghan. He was discharged near the end of the year and returned to Key West, FL where the family moved from New York."

Information provided by David Martinez, brother of William Martinez, Jr.

"WARSHIP TARGETS IN THE KURE AREA"

From Bombing Squadron (VB) 87 War History.

A damaged U.S. Navy Curtiss SB2C-4E Helldiver of Bombing Squadron (VB) 87 takes the barrier aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CV‑14) during operations off Japan in July–August 1945. Notice that the rear-seat gunner has already begun to make his way out of the cockpit. The aircraft's pilot was P.E. Johnson. U.S. Navy photo from the National Naval Aviation Museum (# 1996.253.394).

"Enlisted men aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CV-14) hear the news of Japan's surrender."

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-469544.

A photo of USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) taken 27 October 1945, on her arrival at Tacoma, Wash., with veterans returning from the Pacific aboard. Note that her deck markings are already changed to lighter colors from the black-colored deck numerals and markings that she carried earlier, in wartime. Note also that she is flying her "homeward bound pennant" suspended by helium-filled balloons, a tradition of ships returning home at the end of the war.

Another photo maybe taken on the same occasion as the one above.

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) in San Francisco Bay, California, following the end of World War II, circa late 1945 or early 1946. A blimp is in the background.

Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1973.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 77366).

Deactivated warships tied up at Pier 91, Seattle, Washington, in a photo dated 9 January 1947. On the near side of the pier are the carriers Essex (CV‑9); Bon Homme Richard (CV-31); and Bunker Hill (CV-17), closer to camera. On the far side of the pier is the carrier Ticonderoga (CV-14) and the battleships Indiana (BB-58) and Alabama (BB-60).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-373247.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) underway circa 1954–1955, after her SCB-27C modernization.

From Ticonderoga Cruise Books, 1963 and 1969.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) in SCB-27C configuration, date and place unknown.

November 1955, near Naples, Italy. Planes on deck are propeller-driven AD-6 Skyraiders from VA-35 "Black Panthers," and F9F-8 Cougar jets from VF-32 "Swordsmen."

Large, piston-engine planes with "NH" tail code are AJ-2 Savages from VAH-7 "Peacemakers of the Fleet," apparently "borrowed," temporarily, from Carrier Air Group (CVG) 4, deployed aboard USS Intrepid (CVA-11). USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), with CVG-3, deployed to the Mediterranean, 4 November 1955–2 August 1956; Intrepid, with CVG-4, deployed 28 May–22 November 1955.

Flight deck of USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), looking aft, Sardinia, Italy, November 1955.

Deployed with Ticonderoga was Carrier Air Group (CVG) 3, which included: F2H-4 and F2H-2P Banshees; F9F-8 Cougars; F7U-3 Cutlasses; AD-6, AD-5W and AD-5N Skyraiders; AJ-1 Savages; and HUP-2 Retriever helicopters.

F9F-8 Cougar from VF-32 "Swordsmen" launching from USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea, 4 November 1955–2 August 1956.

Rough weather, somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea, 4 November 1955–2 August 1956.

The AJ Savage parked on deck bears markings of squadron VC-9 "Hooters" (redesignated VAH-9 and nicknamed "Hoot Owls" from 1 November 1955 on).

"During night ops[, 21 November 1955,] an aircraft landing had snapped the cable and went through the barrier pulling it along and dragging sailors with it. I believe two aircraft were on the cats and it seemed the landing aircraft flew through the 2 aircraft on the cats flying with one wing high one wing low flying betwen the aircraft on the catapult and flew into the sea."

Six sailors were killed: Charles E. Allen, AA; Gary M. Cobb, AA; Paul G. Leathurby, AN; Paul G. Collins, AA; CWO Herschel B. Daniels; and Pierce E. Kidd, AN. LCDR Curtis A. Weaver, who had been awarded the Navy Cross during WWII, died on 23 November.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Portsmouth, Virginia. USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), 2 April 1957. SCB-125 just completed.

NARA photo (# 80-G-199956).

Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Portsmouth, Virginia. USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). SCB-125 just completed.

The exact date of these photos is not known, but they were undoubtedly taken at about the same time as photo NS0214ar, above, i.e., late March–early April 1957. (Note that "Tilly" is visible behind the island, only in photo NS0214ar.)

NS0214as: NARA photo (# 80-G-199955).

NS0214asa: NARA photo (# 80-G-199957).

NS0214asb: NARA photo (# 80-G-199958).

NS0214asc: NARA photo (# 80-G-199960).

NS0214asd: NARA photo (# 80-G-1010800).

"An interesting photo of USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) entering San Francisco Bay. The photo is dated 31 May, but was actually taken 30 May 1957, the day she arrived at Alameda from her 'round the horn' voyage after receiving her angled deck conversion at Norfolk."

"The caption on the back indicates that the crew had assembled in the formation of a cross to honor US war dead."

"The original photo I have was retouched around the stern sponsons, the bridge bulwarks and the sponson for the crane just forward of the after elevator. Artistic license perhaps."

Photo credit is San Francisco Examiner.

"West Coast Cruisers Capable of Nuclear Assault—A Regulus I boils white smoke from booster charges as it roars away from its launcher aboard the heavy cruiser USS Los Angeles [(CA-135)] off San Diego. The launch, a routine evaluation 'shoot', was conducted during the time that 600 members of the Institute of Aeronautical Science were embarked aboard the attack carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), right. The demonstration, which included a Terrier guided missile interception of the Regulus, power exhibition, carrier operations, and a HUK exercise, was highlighted by the Regulus launching. The Terrier was fired at the Regulus from the USS Norton Sound (AVM-1), background, on August 7." Text quoted from the original photo caption, which was released by Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, on 9 August 1957.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 97391.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) underway with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 9 aboard, somewhere in the Pacific, circa 1957–58.

Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) conducting an underway replenishment (UNREP) with an unidentified oiler and a destroyer, late 1950s–early 1960s.

Underway, 1960s.

Departing San Diego in the 1960s.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) departing Pearl Harbor, 1961, with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 5 aboard.

Photos by PH2 Charles Hansen.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) underway in May 1961, turning sharply into the wind to accept aircraft, location unknown.

Note how she appears to be towing a decoy. Jim "Gunner" Doran, CWO4, USN (RET), however, notes: "Actually she was towing a spar used for dive bombing practice. Spar normally consisted of two external fuel tanks connected with 4 pieces of angle iron about 6' long. Pilot's objective was drop close, but not to hit the spar. However, that didn't always happen. On one occasion a bunch of us were seated on the flight deck round down watching planes bomb the spar. One of them hit it with a 250 pdr and shrapnel rained down on the flight deck."

A U.S. Navy Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk (BuNo 144914), from Attack Squadron (VA) 55 "Warhorses," launching from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (R38) during exercise Crosstie in the South China Sea, November 1961. VA-55 was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 5 aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 10 May 1961 to 15 January 1962. Photo taken by an unknown Royal Navy official photographer. Photo # A 34547 from the collections of the Imperial War Museums.

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-6 Skyraider (BuNo 137585) from Attack Squadron (VA) 52 "Knight Riders," landing aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (R38) during exercise Crosstie in the South China Sea, November 1961. VA-52 was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 5 aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 10 May 1961 to 15 January 1962. Photo taken by an unknown Royal Navy official photographer. Photo # A 34546 from the collections of the Imperial War Museums.

A U.S. Navy McDonnell F3H-2 Demon from Fighter Squadron (VF) 53 "Blue Knights" landing aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (R38) during exercise Crosstie in the South China Sea, November 1961. VF-53 was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 5 aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 10 May 1961 to 15 January 1962. Photo taken by unknown Royal Navy official photographer. Photo No. A. 34548 from the collections of the Imperial War Museums.

(VF-53 was redesignated VF-143 on 20 June 1962.)

Four U.S. Navy Vought F-8E Crusaders of Fighter Squadron (VF) 51 "Screaming Eagles" embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) break for the camera, circa 1963.

USN Photo.

A photo of USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) with her crew spelling out "SEAFAIR 62" on the flight deck. The photo was taken on 29 July 1962. Official US Navy Photograh, (# CVA-14-677-L-7-62).

A-4 Skyhawk landing on board, after a simulated strike on "enemy" forces during an operational readiness inspection, 18 January 1963. An A-3B Sky Warrior and F-3 Demon are parked on the carrier's after flight deck, and another A-3 is in the upper left distance, making its landing approach.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# KN-5442).

E-1B Tracer, VAW-11 "Early Eleven," Detachment Bravo.

E-1B Tracer, VAW-11 "Early Eleven," Detachment Bravo.

E-1B Tracer, VAW-11 "Early Eleven," Detachment Bravo.

E-1B Tracer, VAW-11 "Early Eleven," Detachment Bravo.

E-1B Tracer, VAW-11 "Early Eleven," Detachment Bravo.

Photo sequence of an E-1B Tracer attached to VAW-11 "Early Eleven," Detachment Bravo, landing aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14).

Planes visible on deck are an RF-8A Crusader (VFP-63 "Eyes of the Fleet," Detachment B, tail code "PP," side number 914) and two F-8E Crusaders (VF-51 "Screaming Eagles," tail code "NF," side numbers 103 and 111).

Heavy seas!

Two A-3B Skywarriors of VAH-4 "Fourrunners," Det. B (tail code "ZB", side numbers 4 & 8); and an A-4B Skyhawk of VA-56 "Champions" (foreground, tail code "NF", BuNo 144971).

An A-3B Skywarrior of VAH-4 "Fourrunners," Det. B (side number 4), and an A-4B Skyhawk of VA-56 "Champions" (side number 401), with another Skywarrior about to land.

An A-3B Skywarrior of VAH-4 "Fourrunners," Det. B (tail code "ZB", side number 8).

A-3B Skywarriors of VAH-4 "Fourrunners," Det. B (side numbers 4 & 2), with E-1B Tracers of VAW-11 "Early Eleven," Det. B, and A-1H Skyraiders of VA-52 "Knightriders" in the background.

Landing sequence of an A-1H Skyraider of VA-52 "Knightriders."

Plane in the last photo appears to be BuNo 137590, which was lost on 16 November 1965 after a hydraulics failure due to the loss of oil during a combat mission over Vietnam, not thought to have been caused by enemy action, though. Pilot was rescued.

A-3B Skywarriors of VAH-4 "Fourrunners," Det. B (side numbers 2 & 4), with A-1H Skyraiders of VA-52 "Knightriders" in the background.

The person sitting on top of plane # 2 is Phil Soto, plane captain. Greg Gilbert, plane captain of # 4, believes he is the person down below, walking away. Phil and Greg can be reached at:

• Phil Soto: (504) 905-0785
• Greg Gilbert: (949) 394-0117

A Crusader (apparently an RF-8A of VFP-63 "Eyes of the Fleet," Det. B) about to land on USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14).

Photo sequence of a barricade landing aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), which took place on 11 January 1963.

Three photos of an A-4C Skyhawk (BuNo 149605, modex NF511) assigned to Attack Squadron (VA) 55 "Warhorses" on final, and three photos of the aircraft engaging the barricade. This was due to a landing gear malfunction.

US Navy photographs from US Naval Photographic Center, Naval Station Anacostia, Washington DC 20390.

Photos by Photographers Mates Robinson & Samora.

"Crusader Ready," air operations aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) in the 1960s. Artwork © by Alan Craddock, used with permission.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), 1964. Sailors are identified as Kirby, Newman, Lacount, and Tottle.

Official US Navy photo.

Sailors aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) load air-to-ground Zuni rockets on an F-8E Crusader during the Tonkin Gulf crisis of August 1964 (USN photo).

From Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) underway in the Gulf of Tonkin with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, circa 1964.

A Kaman UH-2B Seasprite from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 1 (HC-1), deployed aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), sometime in the second half of the 1960s. Note a Gearing-class destroyer in the background.

"MSR-58529-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Port elevation (Frames 60–110), San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-001.

"MSR-58530-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Flight deck edge (portside looking fwd [sic]), San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-002.

"MSR-58531-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Island.......Port elevation, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-003.

"MSR-58532-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Island.....Portside looking to starboard, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-004.

"MSR-58533-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Island.....Portside looking aft, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-005.

"MSR-58534-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Island.....(Frame 80) forward elevation, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-006.

"MSR-58535-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Island.....Aft elevation, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-007.

"MSR-58536-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Island......Starboard elevation, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-008.

"MSR-58536-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Island.....Starboard elevation looking forward, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-009.

"MSR-58537-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Starboard side (frame 132) looking forward, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-010.

"MSR-58538-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Island.....Starboard side looking aft, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-011.

"MSR-58539-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Flight deck edge (starboard side looking to bow), San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-005-012.

"MSR-58540-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Flight deck edge (starboard side looking to stern), San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-004-032.

"MSR-58526-6-65, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), General Antenna Arrangement, Port elevation (frames 75–110), San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1965"

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, rg19nn-b1580-004-033.

Manatee (AO-58) refueling Ticonderoga (CVA-14), 15 July 1965. US Navy photo.

Mount Baker (AE-4) and Ticonderoga (CVA-14) during an underway replenishment off California, 1 September 1965, prior to Big T's second Vietnam cruise (28 September 1965–13 May 1966.) The A-4 Skyhawk aircraft visible on the flight deck are from VA-56 "Champions" and VA-144 "Roadrunners," at the time part of Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5.) US Navy photo # CVA-14-2854-9-65.

A-4E Skyhawk, BuNo 152035, NF465, Attack Squadron (VA) 56 "Champions," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), circa 1965–1966.

Entertainer Bob Hope tees-off on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), December 26, 1965 during his visit to the ship off the coast of Vietnam. Bob Hope and other entertainers were on a Christmas Tour of U.S. Military installations throughout Vietnam. U.S. Navy file photo.

Vietnam, December 1965, Bob Hope USO show aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14).

It's swinging time on board Ticonderoga as Miss Joey Heatherton rocks out with a Tico Tiger during the Bob Hope Show, 27 December 1965, off Vietnam.

USS Haleakala (AE-25) rearming USS Henry W. Tucker (DD-875) left, and USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) right, off the coast of Vietnam, possibly in the first quarter of 1966. US Navy photo.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) refueling from USS Ashtabula (AO-51), while operating off the coast of Vietnam, circa early 1966. Although seas were running very high, the ships completed replenishment and Ticonderoga received 175,000 gallons of black oil. The original print was received by the "All Hands" magazine Editorial Department on 14 February 1966.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97487).

USS Navasota (AO-106) refueling USS Basilone (DD-824) and USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) off Vietnam. Official U.S. Navy photo, dated 13 March 1966.

USS Sacramento (AOE-1), center, replenishing the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), right, and the destroyer USS Basilone (DD-824) in the South China Sea, 13 April 1966.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class J.L. Rivera, USN, (# USN 1117062).

The stores ship USS Zelima (AF-49) replenishes the destroyer USS Basilone (DD-824) and the attack carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) in the Western Pacific, probably in the first half of 1966. USN photo.

"Three scans of the Ticonderoga shot during an UNREP with my ship, Bausell (DD-845) in WestPac[, first half of] 1966. Ironically the Tico was my first ship after recruit training in 1963."

Air Wing was Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5), tail code "NF." (NS021477a) Visible on the flight deck and starboard elevator are F-8E Crusaders from VF-51 "Screaming Eagles" and VF-53 "Iron Angels," as well as A-1H Skyraiders from VA-52 "Knight Riders."

Two of the Crusaders in this photo were shot down not long after the picture was taken. BuNo 150853 was hit by AAA on 19 April 1966, while escorting Skyhawks that were attacking a major road bridge five miles north of Haiphong. The pilot, CDR R. A. Mohrpardt, tried to return to Ticonderoga but had to eject over the Gulf of Tonkin as his fuel was exhausted. He was rescued by a Navy helicopter.

BuNo 149152 was transferred to VF-211 "Checkmates," part of CVW-19 aboard USS Hancock (CVA-19). It was hit by AAA on 21 June 1966, while covering the forces that were trying to rescue the pilot of a downed RF-8A from VFP-63 "Eyes of the Fleet." The pilot, LCDR Cole Black, and his wingman, LT Gene Chancy, were then jumped by four MiG-17s, probably from 923rd Fighter Regiment—Black's aircraft was shot down by cannon fire from one of the MiGs and he became a POW (released on 12 February 1973). The balance was redressed by LT Chancy and LT Phil Vampatella, who each shot down one of the MiGs during the engagement. (Thans to Robert Hurst, who provided part of this information.)

(NS021477b) The tail of an A-3B Skywarrior, aka Whale, from VAH-4 "Fourrunners," tail code "ZB," can be seen just abaft the island.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, sometime in 1966.

Carrier astern of Tico is possibly USS Bennington (CVS-20).

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. From Ticonceroga's 1966–67 Cruise Book (19 October 1966–29 May 1967).

F-8E Crusader, BuNo 150909, modex NM400, Fighter Squadron (VF) 194 "Red Lightnings," personal mount of the CAG, CDR Billy Phillips. NAS Atsugi, Japan, (probably November) 1966. Note black paint covering the cannon blast area.

(With side number 402, this aircraft was shot down by a SAM on 14 February 1968. LT(JG) Robert Charles McMahan was KIA.)

Video by Mr. Isamu Yatsuhashi, with photos taken by Mr. Saburo Inoue 1966 aboard Ticonderoga in Yokosuka and NAS Atsugi.

F-8E Crusader, BuNo 150915 (modex NM106), Fighter Squadron (VF) 191 "Satan's Kittens," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 19, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). Landing at Naval Air Station (NAS) Atsugi, Japan, 1 November 1966. Note landing gear right wheel is missing, and tail hook is extended. This aircraft had to do an emergency landing with tail hook and arrestor cable.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), Fighter Squadron (VF) 191 "Satan's Kittens," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 19, F-8E Crusaders BuNos 150926 (modex NM102), 150326 (NM00), 150903 (NM103), and 150350 (NM111), 1966–67.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

"USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), 1967. A-4 Skyhawks trapping after a combat mission over North Vietnam. I took these from the LSO platform."

NS0214bs: A-4C, modex NM509 (believed to be BuNo 148513), VA-195 "Dambusters."

NS0214bsa: A-4E, modex NM211 (believed to be BuNo 149973), VA-192 "Golden Dragons." Visible on the right are an RF-8G Crusader, PP911 (BuNo 144616), VFP-63 Det. E "Eyes of the Fleet," and an F-8E Crusader, NM404 (150855), VF-194 "Red Lightnings."

NS0214bsb: A-4E, NM200 (BuNo would vary, depending on the exact date of the photo), VA-192 "Golden Dragons." Also visible are: F-8E Crusader, NM406 (150333), VF-194 "Red Lightnings;" F-8E Crusader, NM109 (BuNo 150918), VF-191 "Satan's Kittens;" and A-3B Skywarrior, ZB15 (142237), VAH-4 Det. E "Fourrunners."

In the foreground: Two A-3B Skywarriors, Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 4 "Forerunners" Det. E. Then, RF-8G Crusader, Light Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (VFP) 63 "Eyes of the Fleet" Det. E. In the background, A-1H/J Skyraider, Attack Squadron (VA) 52 "Knight Riders."

Photo by Frankus Bodden, VFP-63.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) underway, 10 November 1967.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), Yokosuka, Japan, second half ot the 1960s.

Three Commanding Officers of USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) aboard the ship, left to right: CAPT Martin G. O'Neill, ADM John P. Weinel, and CAPT Norman K. McInnis.

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) underway. Parked forward are A-4F Skyhawks from squadrons VA-192 "Golden Dragons" and VA-23 "Black Knights," A-4C's from VA-195 "Dambusters," F-8E Crusaders from VF-194 "Red Lightings" and an EA-1F Skyraider from VAW-33 "Nighthawks" (redesignated VAQ-33 on 1 February 1968), the latter plane right behind the ship's COD (Carrier On-board Delivery) C-2 Greyhound. A KA-3B Skywarrior from VAH-4 "Fourrunners" is on the angled deck.

Later that year (1968) Bob Young reported aboard as an Airman Apprentice on the COD crew.

Pueblo Rescue Patch. "In 1968, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) was stationed off the coast of Vietnam. On board was VA-195, along with several other squadrons. The officers and enlisted men were enraged with the capture of the USS Pueblo (AGER-2) off the coast of North Korea. The entire military establishment felt this way, but several of the officers of the USS Ticonderoga wanted to express their anger by making a military patch, and organizing the USS Pueblo Recovery Team."

Patch provided by Richard E. Armstrong

F-8E Crusader, BuNo 150354 (modex NM-102), Fighter Squadron (VF) 191 "Satan's Kittens," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 19. (Later upgraded to F-8J.)

Photo by Frankus Bodden, VFP-63.

F-8E Crusader, BuNo 149180 (modex NM-100), Fighter Squadron (VF) 191 "Satan's Kittens," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 19. (Later upgraded to F-8J.)

Photo by Frankus Bodden, VFP-63.

F-8E Crusader about to recover aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). Parked on deck are an EA-1F Skyraider (NM-706), Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 33 "Night Hawks" Det. 14—redesignated Carrier Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 33 on 1 February 1968—; F-8E (NM-410, BuNo 149182?), Fighter Squadron (VF) 194 "Red Lightnings."

Photo by Frankus Bodden, VFP-63.

F-8E Crusader, BuNo 150926 (NM-101), trapping aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). Flown by LCDR John B. Nichols III, this aircraft shot down a MiG-17 on 9 July 1968.

NM-105, on the lower left corner, is probably BuNo 149205.

Photo by Frankus Bodden, VFP-63.

RF-8G Crusader, BuNo 146901 (modex NM-603), Light Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (VFP) 63 "Eyes of the Fleet" Det. 14.

Photo by Frankus Bodden, VFP-63.

RF-8G Crusader, BuNo 145611 (modex NM-602), Light Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (VFP) 63 "Eyes of the Fleet" Det. 14. (Crashed into the Gulf of Tonkin on 16 December 1969, when returning to USS Hancock (CVA-19) from a photo reconnaissance mission. Cause of loss presumed to have been accidental. Pilot, LT Victor P. Buckley, was KWF.)

Skyhawks on deck are, left to right: A-4F, Attack Squadron (VA) 23 "Black Knights;" A-4F, modex NM-213, NM-207, and NM-204, VA-192 "Golden Dragons;" A-4C NM-516 (BuNo 149505) and NM-504 (147843).

Photo by Frankus Bodden, VFP-63.

Two A-7B Corsair IIs from squadron VA-87 "Golden Warriors," part of Carrier Air Wing 16 (CVW-16) aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), engaged in in-flight refueling operations, 1968–9. Planes are AH306 (BuNo 154434, left) and AH304 (BuNo 154440).

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 16 (tail code "AH"):

• VF-111 "Sundowners," F-8H Crusaders
• VF-162 "Hunters," F-8J Crusaders
• VA-87 "Golden Warriors," A-7B Corsair IIs
• VA-112 "Broncos," A-4C Skyhawks
• VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet," A-7B Corsair IIs
• VFP-63 Det. 14 "Eyes of the Fleet," RF-8G Crusaders
• VAQ-130 Det. 14 "Zappers," EKA-3B Skywarriors
• VAW-111 Det. 14 "Hunters," E-1B Tracers
• HC-1 Det. 14 "Pacific Fleet Angels," UH-2C Seasprites
• COD, C-1A Trader

USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) underway, 1969. Bob Young took the photo himself, from his seat in the COD plane. He recalls: "Was on a flight getting my monthly flight time in. We were on about a 5-hour flight. One of the ship's officers was the pilot, also getting his flight time in for the month. That's all I remember. We were most likely leaving the Gulf of Tonkin or headed there. You can see the back of the ship's flight deck wasn't prepared for any landings soon, as there are aircraft setting there tied down on the flight deck. Which reminds me of the long day in the air flying all over the place, but never too far from the ship. We would lose sight of it at times, but not for long."

Chicago Sunday Sun-Times, April 27, 1969.

"U.S. shifts fleet to Yellow Sea"

"Washington (UPI) — The powerful carrier-led armada formed to protect U.S. intelligence flights was shifted abruptly from the Sea of Japan to the other side of the Korean peninsula Saturday. The move may be aimed at bettering relations with the Russians."

(Click on the thumbnails to read the full story.)

Subic Bay, on her 25th Anniversary, 8 May 1969.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

USS Firedrake (AE-14) replenishing USS Buchanan (DDG-14) off her starboard side and Ticonderoga (CVA-14) off her port side, 14 May 1969. US Navy photo.

Two more views, as above. (See also Cruise Book 1969.)

NS0214ck: As seen from USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25), USS Sacramento (AOE-1) resupplies USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) and USS Buchanan (DDG-14), 19 or 22 May 1969.

NS0214cka: As seen from Bainbridge, Ticonderoga steaming in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Hong Kong harbor, 19–24 June 1969.

Tails of F-8H Crusaders, Fighter Squadron (VF) 111 "Sundowners."

Tico in Hong Kong harbor, 19–24 June 1969.

Hong Kong, June 1969. Tom, in a photo taken by Bob Kazdan, AE2, from Victoria Peak, looking down at the harbor. USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) is in the background (circled)—a good perspective of harbor's and Tico's size.

VF-162 "Hunters" F-8J Crusader shuttling to cat.

VF-162 "Hunters" F-8J Crusader trapping on USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14).

VA-87 "Golden Warriors" A-7B Corsair IIs rearming for next launch.

VA-87 "Golden Warriors" A-7B Corsair II shuttling to cat.

VA-87 "Golden Warriors" A-7B Corsair II folding wings after recovery.

VA-112 "Broncos" A-4C Skyhawk landing.

"Willie Fudd" (E-1B Tracer from VAW-111 "Hunters," Det. 14) launching.

UH-2C Sea Sprite from HC-1 Det. 4 "Pacific Fleet Angels" launching for flight ops.

VA-87 "Golden Warriors" A-7B Corsair II launching from USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) during combat operations, Gulf of Tonkin, 1969.

VF-162 "Hunters" F-8J Crusader launching with afterburner from USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) during combat operations, Gulf of Tonkin, 1969. (All that can be seen is the AB flame over the starboard bow.)

VA-87 "Golden Warriors" awarded a Meritorious Service Citation, Vietnam Cruise, 1969.

Back row (l to r): R. Kazdan AE2, J. Pierce AO3, D. Ferguson AE3, D. Drake AN, D. Nelson ATN2, J. Miller AQB2.

Front row (l to r): P. Inferrera AO3, J. Tilton AE3, D. Dewolf AO2, J. Mooney AO3, T. E. Rostkowski ATN2, N. D. Moran AN.

Meritorious Service Citation awarded to Thomas E. Rostkowski, ATN2, of VA-87 "Golden Warriors." Signed by CAPT R.E. Fowler, Jr., Commanding Officer, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14).

A U.S. Navy Douglas EKA-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 147665, modex AH-615) from Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 130 "Zappers" Det. 14 in flight, 1969. VAQ-130 Det.14 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 16 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) for a deployment to Vietnam from 1 February to 18 September 1969.

U.S. Navy photo from the Ticonderoga 1969 Cruise Book.

USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14) late in her career, off NAS North Island, San Diego, California.

USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14), 10 June 1970, Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Long Beach, California, photo NY13-53231.

USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14), 10 June 1970, Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Long Beach, California, photo NY13-53227.

North Island, San Diego, CA, September 3, 1970 — US President Richard M. Nixon passes USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14) on his way to meet Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz.

(Special thanks to Kenneth E. Ratcliff, S-6 Div. aboard Ticonderoga; Denny Segar; and Chester Morris, aboard Ticonderoga 1967–1969, who helped research this photograph.)

USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14) with her rails manned, circa 1970-72, following conversion to an anti-submarine warfare support aircraft carrier.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97488-KN).

Joe Cross adds: "I was aboard the USS Bronstein, an escort ship of the Ticonderoga. We were going through the Sunda Straits and had a memorial service for two cruisers that were sunk 28 February 1942 [USS Houston and HMAS Perth]. I have an identical picture in my cruise book but it includes all the escorts. The calm seas that day are a dead giveaway that the picture was taken on April 24th 1971. It was such a calm day that the seas were almost like glass. A rarity."

How not to launch an aircraft in heavy seas: an S-2E Tracker is launched from USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14). As Brian Wolfe and Gil Sharp recall, this happened circa April-May 1971, en route from the Philippine Islands to Japan.

Roger Ozbolt comments: "I remember when it happened, it was our Lieutenant V-2 division officer who was the pilot, the plane was making a mail run. He said after the plane went through the wave it stammered and sputtered for a few seconds then smoothed out, he said they had about 4" of water in the cockpit. [...] it's a wonder that it didn't go down."

Format: WMV (Windows Media Audio/Video file) (silent)  Duration: 15"   Size: 320 x 240

USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14) at sea with ASW Carrier Air Group 59 (CVSG-59), possibly in 1971.

Photo by Marine Photos & Publishing Co., Spring Valley, California.

Three S-2E Tracker aircraft, of Antisubmarine Squadron 33 (VS-33) fly past USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14), off San Diego, California, circa late 1971. At that time VS-33 had completed eleven years of accident-free flying. Photo was received by the Naval Photographic DMA in November 1971.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1149754).

View of Ticonderoga's island, 35-mm slide.

USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14) underway off San Diego, California, after departing Naval Air Station, North Island, for her final Western Pacific deployment, 17 May 1972.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1152586).

USS Ticonderoga anchored in Subic Bay, probably in June or July 1972.

USS Hassayampa (AO-145) refueling USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14) and a Knox-class destroyer escort. Ticonderoga, with assigned Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group (CVSG) 53, was deployed to the Western Pacific from 17 May to 29 July 1972.

US Navy photo from the Ticonderoga 1972 cruise book.

S-2E Trackers of VS-29 "Tromboners" (modex NS-200 & NS-201) and VS-35 "Boomerangs" (modex NS-303.) Summer–fall 1972.

Summer–fall 1972.

Summer–fall 1972.

S-2E Trackers of VS-38 "Red Griffins." Summer–fall 1972.

Canadian, Australian, and U.S. Navy ships underway near Hawaii during the RIMPAC '72 exercise. Identifiable ships are the escort destroyer HMCS Gatineau (DDE236), followed by the aircraft carriers HMAS Melbourne (R21) and USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14). In the distance, as seen beyond Gatineau's mast, is HMCS Provider (AOR508), identifiable by her goal post, single funnel and RCN paint scheme. USN photo. U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News, December 1972 issue, p. 26.

A US Navy SH-3G Sea King helicopter (BuNo 149930, modex UP001) of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 1 "Pacific Fleet Angels" during Apollo 17 recovery operations, 19 December 1972, with the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14) in the background. Official National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo, # AP17-S-72-55974HR.

"TIP062207-6/22-USS TICONDEROGA: The Skylab command module is hauled aboard recovery ship USS Ticonderoga [22 June 1973] following recovery in the Pacific 834 miles southwest of San Diego, Calif. The Skylab astronauts, inside the command module, set a record 28 days in orbit aboard Skylab. UPI-AP"

USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14), San Diego, 2 July 1973. She would be decommissioned on 1 September.

This is a "CVS-14 lighter I am trying to get back to the owner or his family members. Being a Navy Vet, I bought on a Goodwill Auction for collectable reasons, but feel that this heirloom should be back in the hands of the family because it's just the right thing to do."

"Any help would be fantastic. Not sure if it's coming from Executive Officer N.C. Youngblood or being presented to him."

If you can help, please let us know. Thank you very much.