CVA-61 was named after "famous ships of the past" that had borne the name Ranger.

The first American Ranger was an 18-gun Continental Navy sloop, launched on 10 May 1777 by James K. Hackett, master shipbuilder, at Portsmouth, NH. Captain John Paul Jones in command.

Ranger vs. HMS Drake, 24 April 1778. Ranger captures the British sloop-of-war Drake, 20, Commander George Burdon, in an hour's action off Carrickfergus, Ireland.

Previous Rangers:

1. Continental Navy sloop.
2. An armed schooner.
3. A brigantine.
4. A steam-powered gunboat.
5. A steel-hulled patrol craft.
6. A wooden patrol craft.
7. A canceled battle cruiser, originally named Lexington.
8. A canceled battle cruiser, renamed Constitution.
9. The first American aircraft carrier designed and built as such from the keel up.

"Engagement off Carrickfergus, Ireland, 24 April 1778. ('USS Ranger versus HMS Drake,' Arthur N. Disney, Sr., Navy Art Collection)."

From U.S. Navy: A Complete History, Naval Historical Foundation, 2003.

"Mural depicting the continental sloop Ranger receiving the salute of the French fleet at Quiberon Bay. ('First Foreign Salute to the Stars and Stripes, 14 February 1778.' Howard B. French, U.S. Naval Academy)."

From U.S. Navy: A Complete History, Naval Historical Foundation, 2003.

Keel laying of Ranger, 2 August 1954. There was no ceremony.

Newport News Shipbuilding photos.

The partially built hull of Ranger as it was floated in Shipway 10. The future USS Forrestal is to the left.

Newport News Shipbuilding photo.

Aerial view of Ranger in Shipway 10 taken in the summer of 1956.

Newport News Shipbuilding photo.

"WAP-092606-9/26/56-NEWPORT NEWS, VA: The 5-block-long deck of the carrier Ranger is full of activity as preparations go forward for her christening here 9/29 [29 September 1956]. [H]ere, the radar mast, which is the height of a 19-story building, is being placed into position. The long, covered structures protect the carrier's plane catapults from weather during installation. UNITED PRESS TELEPHOTO  rtf"

Launching of the future USS Ranger (CVA-61) at Newport News on 29 September 1956.

Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum, file name: CVA 61 313X1-9-56_092956.

Ranger (CVA-61) was christened by Mrs. Arthur W. Radford (née Mariam J. Ham), wife of ADM Radford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

NS0261ahd: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-699231.

Program. Christening of the Aircraft Carrier Ranger CVA-61. Saturday, September 29, 1956. Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia.

Presentation Book. Christening of the USS Ranger, September 29, 1956. Mrs. Arthur W. Radford, Sponsor.

USS Ranger CVA-61. Commissioning. Norfolk Naval Shipyard, 10 August 1957.

Aerial view of USS Ranger (CVA 61) 3/4 bow, high oblique. Official USN photograph, USN 1039396, dated October 26, 1957. Released. From US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Washington DC.

Official US Navy Photograph, #USN-1030785, of an A4D-1 Skyhawk of VA-12 Squadron, the "Flying Ubangis" (also known as the "Kiss of Death" because of their insignia.) The aircraft, BuNo 142179, has just missed the wires while attempting to land aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61), during CARQUAL Operations near Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Photo is dated November 2, 1957.

The "Kiss of Death" was established as VBF-4 on May 12, 1945; redesignated VF-2A on November 15, 1946; redesignated VF-12 on August 2, 1948; and redesignated VA-12 on August 1, 1955. They received their new A4D-1 Skyhawks in April 1957. During this time, VA-12 was part of CVG-1.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway circa 1957, location unknown. Official U.S. Navy photo.

From Jane's Fighting Ships, 1960–61 and 1961–62 editions.

A Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (BuNo 141732) of Figther Squadron Twenty One (VF-21) "Mach Busters" disengaging the landing cable aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) in 1957. VF-21 was assigned to Carrier Air Group Eight (CVG-8) on Ranger's shakedown cruise from 4 October 1957 to 6 December 1957. The F11F carries the tail code "AM" of Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181), although CVG-8's tail code was "AJ." VF-21 became a Fleet Replacement Squadron and was redesignated VA-43 "Challengers" on 1 July 1959. On the same day VF-64 "Freelancers" was redesignated as the "new" VF-21. US Navy photo by Aviation Guided Missile Airman Neil Summers, USN.

An A3D-2 Skywarrior assigned to VAH-6 "Fleurs" approaches for a landing aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61), April 23, 1958. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DN-SC-88-06693.)

This particular aircraft, BuNo 142401, was converted to the KA-3B tanker version in 1967.

USS Ranger (CVA-61), circa June 1958, with Carrier Air Group 14.

USS Ranger (CVA-61). This photo is believed to have been taken at Rio de Janeiro, July 1958, during Ranger's homeport change, Norfolk to Alameda, around Cape Horn.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) in August of 1958 upon her arrival in the Pacific. View is from the top of her island looking forward, with Hunters Point's Dry dock 4 to the right.

US Navy photo now in the "Hunters Point Historical Photo Collection" of the National Archives, San Francisco branch. Photo # MSR-26835-L-8-58.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) catapults four F8U Crusader jet fighters in quick succession from her bow and waist catapults, during operations in the eastern Pacific, circa 1958. An F4D Skyray fighter is partially visible in the foreground. Ship at left is USS Thetis Bay (CVHA-1).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 84337).

Official USN photograph, USN 1038750, from US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Washington DC. Caption on back reads: "Aerial oblique of the USS Rowan (DD 782) acting as plane guard for the USS Ranger (CVA 61) while enroute for California." It must have been taken sometime between 1958 and 1963.

A bow view of USS Ranger (CVA-61) showing the island superstructure sponson, while at anchor at an unidentified Japanese port, probably in the first half of 1959.

Photo Hajima Fukeya, from "Jane's Fighting Ships," 1959–1960 edition.

Ponchatoula (AO-148) during an UNREP with Ranger (CVA-61), date and place unknown.

US Navy photo from All Hands magazine, April 1959.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) in front of Diamond Head, Hawaii. The photo was taken by PH2 Mike Herron of OP Division (John Slaughter, informed us that Mike passed away on 15 March 2013). Ranger was anchored specifically for this shot to be taken. This would have been about mid-January, 1959. Information is from PH2 Ken Estes, who was TAD to OP Div. from VAH-6.

Photo from the Ranger's 1959 Cruise Book (3 January–27 July).

USS Ranger (CVA-61) taking on supplies from USS Pollux (AKS-4).

Photo from the Ranger's 1959 Cruise Book (3 January–27 July), probably taken in the Western Pacific.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) taking on supplies from USS Graffias (AF-29).

Photo from the Ranger's 1959 Cruise Book (3 January–27 July).

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway off Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 19 July 1959.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# 1044215).

USS Ranger (CVA-61) arrives in San Francisco after her first WestPac Cruise, Monday, 27 July 1959. The crew is spelling out "POWER FOR PEACE".

If you have any idea what the symbol or outline is, please let us know. Paul Dixon, W.C. Fields and Rick Baker (thank you!) believe they are probably the Naval Aviators' "Wings of Gold." Claude (V-4 Div., USS Ranger 1957–1961) was there,"in one of the letters in 'Power for Peace,' and corroborates it.

Fred J. Johnson, however, comments: "I was on Ranger during this picture and the symbol is a dove as I remember, but I am 72 now and perhaps I do not remember so well anymore. I was a plane captain in Squadron VF-142, 'World Famous Fighting Falcons' which flew the F8U."

"Aerial view of USS Ranger (CVA-61)." From the NAVSEA Journal.

Donald Rehg comments: "This photo was taken after ORI for 1960 cruise, departing Pearl Harbor for transit to join TF-77 with CAG-9 aboard. I was standing bridge special sea and anchor detail."

Four F8U-2/F-8C Crusaders attached to Fighter Squadron (VF) 91 "Red Lightnings" in flight, circa 1962. Clockwise from top: BuNo 146994 (modex NG-104), 145565 (NG-108), 146993 (NG-103), and 146997 (NG-101).

Flying with VF-111 "Sundowners" off USS Intrepid (CVS-11), BuNo 146993 was shot down over the Red River Delta, 12 August 1967. Pilot, LCDR Foster S. "Tooter" Teague, ejected and was rescued.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) at sea during her third deployment to the western Pacific, 26 August 1961. Among the planes parked on her flight deck are eight A3D twin-engine jet bombers assigned to VAH-6 "Fleurs," based at NAS Whidbey Island.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97686).

"Three big carriers tied up at [Hunters Point] Shipyard's waterfront make an impressive sight. They are from left: USS Ranger (CVA-61), Berths 6 & 7; USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), Berths 8 & 9, and USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63), Berths 10 & 11." April 1962.

Firedrake (AE-14) replenishing Coontz (DLG-9) to starboard and Ranger (CVA-61) to port, during a WESTPAC deployment in the early 1960s. U.S. Navy photo.

Gathering of Carrier Air Group (CVG) 9 commanding officers with Captain George C. Duncan, skipper of the carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61), 1962–1963.

USS Bellatrix (AF-62) replenishing USS Ranger (CVA-61), 1963.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway with Carrier Air Group 9 (CVG-9), circa 1963.

Carrier Qualifications with F-4B Phantom IIs from VMF(AW)-314 "Black Knights" and VMF(AW)-513 "Nightmares" aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61). Date given as July 1963. Location is probably the Eastern Pacific.

Some particular aircraft can be identified in the video and had quite different fates:

• BuNo 149457, around 3': With LT William W. "Mad Dog" Copeland (pilot) and LT Don Bouchoux (RIO), and flying with Navy's VF-51 "Screaming Eagles" off USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), it shot down a MiG-17 on 11 June 1972 (VF-51's final kill of the Vietnam War).
• BuNo 150458, around 5': With VF-151 "Vigilantes," crashed on approach to NAS Miramar, CA, 7 April 1964.
• BuNo 150470, around 12' 50": With VMFA-323 "Death Rattlers," it was shot down (probably by ground fire) 15 miles northwest of Dong Ha, South Vietnam, 15 July 1966. Both Major B.O. Fritsch and 1st Lieutenant C.D. Smith ejected and were recovered.

USMC video, digitized by the University of South Carolina.

"In the 1960s, U-2s could not reach certain remote targets because political difficulties prevented basing the aircraft in some foreign nations. The CIA and U.S. Navy, therefore, studied the idea of launching U-2s from aircraft carriers."

Project Whale Tale fitted a few U-2s with arresting hooks like the one on display here [NS026184a]. The hooks would snag cables strung across aircraft carrier decks and 'capture' aircraft, bringing them to a quick stop. The small black plate on the shaft shows that this hook was used in five landings, and could be used up to 20 times."

"To withstand rough carrier landings, Project Whale Tale U-2s were given stronger landing gear, and also wing spoilers to overcome the U-2's tendency to glide instead of landing on the carrier deck. Some later U-2s had folding wings to take up less storage room on the ship."

The first U-2 takeoff from a carrier took place on Aug. 5, 1963, from the USS Kitty Hawk, off San Diego, Calif. The first U-2 carrier landing occurred on March 2, 1964, aboard the USS Ranger. Carrier operations were limited, however, because of the expense and slowness of deploying ships to areas from which information was urgently needed. Only one operational U-2 reconnaissance mission was flown from a carrier, an observation of French nuclear tests in May 1964 [(Mururoa Atoll)] from USS Ranger in the Pacific Ocean."

(Text courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.)

USS Ranger (CVA-61) departs San Francisco on 5 August 1964, en route to Hawaii and the South China Sea, and what would be her first Vietnam tour. The three North American Vigilantes visible in this photo show their folding wings and fin tips. They were assigned to squadron RVAH-5, "Savage Sons," and were from the batch of A-5B's converted to RA-5C standard.

Photo courtesy of North American Aviation Inc., from United States Navy Aircraft since 1911, by Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers; partial text from RA-5C Vigilante Units in Combat, by Robert R. "Boom" Powell.

"Lest We Forget, VC-5 'The Savage Sons'," by Bob Lawson, U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, February 1996.

"RVAH-5 [formerly VC-5] was the first squadron to take the 'Vigi' [RA-5C] into combat, flying missions over Vietnam and Laos from the USS Ranger (CVA-61) in 1964."

A.L. Moiseev and Yu. Sadykov. Allegedly, the ship on the horizon is USS Ranger (CVA-61) in the vicinity of Guam, 1964.

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

Mess cook cleans "coppers" in the carrier's galley, during operations in the South China Sea in August 1964. Photographed by JOC R.D. Moeser.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1142206).

A-4C Skyhawks being serviced aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61); in the distance are the carriers Coral Sea (CVA-43) and Hancock (CVA-19) with screening destroyers. Photo was taken in early 1965 when the carriers of the Seventh Fleet began sustained bombing operations against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces in South Vietnam (USN).

Photo and text from "Aircraft Carriers," by Norman Polmar.

Conducting an Underway Replenishment (UNREP) with an unidentified auxiliary and destroyer USS Agerholm (DD-826).

Photo from the Ranger's 1964–65 Cruise Book (5 August 1964–6 May 1965).

USS Ernest G. Small (DDR-838) during her 1964–65 WestPac deployment, as seen from USS Ranger (CVA-61).

Photo from the Ranger's 1964–65 Cruise Book (5 August 1964–6 May 1965).

Mark 117, 500-pound and 750-pound bombs lined up on the carrier's flight deck, awaiting loading on aircraft for strikes on North Vietnam. Photographed in the South China Sea by JOC Robert S. Moeser and PH1 Jean C. Cote during February and March 1965.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1110198).

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) steams past USS Ranger (CVA-61) in the South China Sea, 24 March 1965, during the early days of the air campaign against North Vietnam.

Aircraft in the foreground is a North American RA-5C Vigilante reconaissance plane (BuNo 149313) assigned to RVAH-5 "Savage Sons." Planes parked beyond it include McDonnell F-4B Phantom II fighters and Douglas A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft. Photographed by JOC R.D. Moeser, USN.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1110187-C).

Catapult crewmen position an A-4C Skyhawk attack plane (BuNo 149508, modex NG303, assigned to Attack Squadron (VA) 93 "Blue Blazers," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9) for launch, 24 March 1965. USS Ranger (CVA-61) was then operating in Southeast Asian waters. Markings below the cockpit indicate that the plane's assigned pilot was Lieutenant Commander Olof M. Carlson.

Photographed by PH1 Jean Cote and PHC Robert Moeser.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1110178-B).

Note: The Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) identifies the carrier as USS Hancock (CVA-19), but the partly visible island (in the background), this particular aircraft and pilot, and the photographers' names, indicate that the ship is actually Ranger. Note that the plane is carrying practice bombs.

A-4C Skyhawk, BuNo 147719 (modex NG-402), Attack Squadron (VA) 94 "Shrikes," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9.

"Task Force 77 is part of the United States Navy Seventh Fleet operating in the South China Sea. This Task Force is the forward element of the United States Navy whose air might has recently conducted strikes against North Vietnam military bases. Planes from three of the carriers in this Task Force, USS Ranger CVA-61, USS Coral Sea CVA-43, and USS Hancock CVA-19, joined forces with U.S. and South Vietnamese air units on Feb. 7 and 11 and on March 15 and 19 in air strikes against North Vietnam bases utilized as training and staging bases for the infiltration of South Vietnam. These photos, showing some of the operations of the U.S. ships, and planes that compose Task Force 77, were taken this month (March) in the South China Sea."

"Ranger A4 [sic] Skyhawk taxis to be spotted while another (above) prepares to land. A formation of jets patrols overhead."

Official U.S. Navy photo by PH1 Jean Cote and JOC Robert Moeser. Photo # USN 1110204 A, officially released, 24 March 1965.

Task Force 77 operating in the South China Sea, March 1965 [Note: Although the official caption gives a date of "March 1965," the ships' deck logs show that Operation Candid Camera actually took place on 21–22 February]. It had recently launched strikes against North Vietnam. Carriers present are (clockwise from bottom): Ranger (CVA-61), Yorktown (CVS-10), Coral Sea (CVA-43) and Hancock (CVA-19). The guided missile cruiser Canberra (CAG-2) is in the center of the formation. The destroyer screen includes: England (DLG-22), Gurke (DD-783), Rogers (DD-876), Walker (DD-517), O'Bannon (DD-450), Somers (DD-947), Jenkins (DD-447), John A. Bole (DD-755), Higbee (DD-806), Buck (DD-761), Joseph Strauss (DDG-16) and Ernest G. Small (DD-838). This photograph was specially posed, and does not represent a normal operating formation.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1109915).

James Shriver, PHCM, USN (Ret), notes: "The photo [...] was taken in an exercise we called 'Operation Candid Camera.' On day one it was tried by a Vigilante photo plane. They missed. So the next day it was tried again and the photos were taken with a hand held camera from a HS-8 helicopter. The photographer was PH1 Elvin C. Conarty (now deceased). I was there... I processed the film and printed the photos."

Operation Candid Camera, as above.

Operation Candid Camera, as above.

Four F-4B Phantom IIs in flight. They are, clockwise from top: BuNo 151432 (modex NG602), Fighter Squadron (VF) 96 "Fighting Falcons;" NG200 (CAG aircraft) and NG201, VF-92 "Silver Kings;" and BuNo 151438 (NG601), VF-96. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, embarked aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61).

Three photos of RF-8A Crusader, BuNo 146861, modex PP903, Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (VFP) 63 "Eyes of the Fleet," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9. USS Ranger (CVA-61), 5 August 1964–6 May 1965 WestPac/Vietnam cruise.

(BuNo 146861 was later upgraded to RF-8G standard. Flying with VFP-63 Det. 1 off USS Hancock (CVA-19), on 5 September 1972 it was involved in a three-plane mid-air collision. LCDR Robert W. "Yogi" Harrison, VFP-63 OinC, ejected and was rescued; LT Jack Shultz, Fighter Squadron (VF) 24 "Red Checkertails," in F-8J Crusader BuNo 150299, ejected and was rescued; LT "Skip" Lewis, Attack Squadron (VA) 55 "Warhorses," in an A-4F Skyhawk flown as a tanker that day, was able to return and recover aboard Hancock, but the aircraft had suffered major damage and had to be written off.)

A-4C Skyhawk seen in the left background in photo NS0261bd is possibly BuNo 149537, modex NG313, Attack Squadron (VA) 94 "Shikes."

In photo NS0261bda, A-3B Skywarrior BuNo 147659 (NL812), Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 2 "Royal Rampants," can be partially seen beyond PP903.

RF-8A Crusader, BuNo 146898 (modex PP-901), Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (VFP) 63 "Eyes of the Fleet," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, USS Ranger (CVA-61), 5 August 1964–6 May 1965 WestPac/Vietnam cruise.

Currently (as of June 2024) preserved at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Texas.

USS Ranger (CVA-61), general antenna arrangement, island—fwd, looking aft to starboard, Hunters Point San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, 22 October 1965, photo MSR-60426-10-65.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway during her second WestPac/Vietnam cruise, December 10, 1965–August 25, 1966. Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) deployed with the ship.

NS026144: an F-4B Phantom II of VF-142 "Ghostriders" about to catch the wire.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) with USS Carpenter (DD-825) in plane guard position during their 1966 WestPac deployment.

"Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club, Task Force 77, Power Squadron's First Regatta, 21 January 1966"

Annotated copy:

0. USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5)
1. USS Hancock (CVA-19)
2. USS Ingraham (DD-694)
3. USS Harold J. Ellison (DD-864)
4. USS Carpenter (DD-825)
5. USS Ranger (CVA-61)
6. USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747)
7. USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752), not shown
8. USS Fletcher (DD-445)
9. USS Hornet (CVS-12)
10. USS Bache (DD-470)
11. USS Harry E. Hubbard (DD-748)
12. USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)
13. USS Brush (DD-745)
14. USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22)
15. USS Edson (DD-946)
16. USS Topeka (CLG-8)
17. USS John S. McCain (DL-3)
18. USS England (DLG-22)

Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) photo, # USN 1114861. (Annotation by NavSource.)

"On February 1, 1966, Navy pilot Dieter Dengler, my friend and shipmate, was shot down over Laos. Pictured here, his A-1 Skyraider, call sign Electron 504, on the flight deck of our carrier, USS Ranger, preparing for catapult launch. Dieter crash-landed in the dark heart of the jungle, and began his five-month, against-all-odds fight for survival. Read his incredible story in Hero Found: The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War." (Bruce Henderson.)

A-1J Skyraider, BuNo 142031 (modex NK504) Attack Squadron (VA) 145 "Swordsmen," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, USS Ranger (CVA-61). Shot down by ground fire near Ban Phathoung, Khammouane Province, Laos, 1 February 1966. Pilot, German-born LT(JG) Dieter Dengler, was captured by Pathet Lao and became POW. Escaped 8 days later, was recaptured, and escaped again. Rescued by USAF HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter on 20 July. He was awarded the Navy Cross and wrote Escape from Laos.

ABE3 Clark David Franklin, U.S. Navy, 7 November 1942–24 April 1966. Alamogordo, NM.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate Third Class Franklin died aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61) in the Gulf of Tonkin. The ship was preparing to launch the first strike of the day against targets in South Vietnam when Franklin moved underneath an aircraft to help a crewman who was experiencing difficulty hooking the aircraft to a catapult. The catapult fired, and Franklin was killed instantly.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) maneuvers at high speed, sometime in the second half of the 1960s.

This photo is in Ranger's 1970–1971 Cruise Book.

John Slaughter, who was aboard Ranger, 1968–70, comments: "you can see what appears to be an AE in the background and a DD off to Ranger's port quarter. My guess is that Ranger had just unrepped and was heading back to take up station. In my two years aboard, both in deck division and later having to go on working parties during unreps, I do not remember us ever unrepping from an AE anywhere but while on Yankee Station."

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway, circa 1967, location unknown.

Paricutin (AE-18) and Ranger (CVA-61) during underway replenishment, circa 1967-69.

US Navy photo.

A U.S. Navy Vought A-7A Corsair II (BuNo 153223, call sign "Jason") of Attack Squadron (VA) 147 "Argonauts," en route to North Vietnam in 1967–69. This aircraft was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) during two deployments to Vietnam, 4 November 1967–25 May 1968 and 26 October 1968–17 May 1969. Here it is armed with 227 kg (500lb) Mk 82 bombs and AIM-9D Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Photographed by LT Terry Anderson, USN, from a Grumman A-6A Intruder of VA-165 "Boomers."

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), with A-4E Skyhawks from VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies" and VA-155 "Silver Foxes," moored to pier #3 South, U.S. Naval Air Station, Alameda, California, 22–26 July 1967. USS Hancock (CVA-19) is moored to pier #3 North, and USS Ranger to pier #2 North. Other ships present include: USS Bellatrix (AF-62) and USS Aludra (AF-55), moored port side and starboard side, respectively, to pier #2 South; and probably USNS Breton (T-AKV 42), astern of Coral Sea.

USS Ranger (CVA-61), with Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), passes under the Golden Gate Bridge, at 1110 on 4 November 1967, bound for WestPac and her third Vietnam cruise.

Visible on the flight deck are F-4B Phantom IIs of VF-21 "Freelancers" and VF-154 "Black Knights;" A-4C Skyhawks of VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks;" A‑7A Corsair IIs of VA-147 "Argonauts;" A-6A Intruders of VA-165 "Boomers;" a Skywarrior (aft); an RA-5C Vigilante of RVAH-6 "Fleurs;" E-2A Hawkeyes of VAW-115 "Willy Dogs;" and a single UH-2C Sea Sprite helicopter of HC-1 Det. 61 "Pacific Fleet Angels."

USS Ranger (CVA-61) launches a bomb-laden A-7A Corsair II attack aircraft from one of her waist catapults, during operations in the Gulf of Tonkin in January 1968. Photographed by PH1 Donald F. Grantham.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1130916).

A split second later. Naval Aviation News, May 1968 issue.

This plane is an A-7A Corsair II, BuNo 153225, modex NE307, from Attack Squadron (VA) 147 "Argonauts," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2. On 2 September 1968, while assigned to VA-86 "Sidewinders," BuNo 153225 accidentally crashed in the Gulf of Tonkin; pilot ejected and was rescued by helicopter.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) departs Puget Sound for San Francisco, 29 July 1968, following a shipyard availability.

Note on Ranger's Sixth Vietnam Cruise:

According to DANFS: "Ranger spent the rest of the summer engaged in operations off the west coast, departing for her sixth WestPac cruise 27 September [1970]. She returned to Alameda 7 June 1971".

According to a former Ranger sailor these dates are incorrect: "we left on Tuesday, October 27, 1970. The cruise book even has that date. [...] We left Japan on June 7, 1971 and arrived home on Thursday June 17, 1971".

Images at left show (top to bottom):

• The 1970-71 Cruise Book, page 2.
• "Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons" (published by the Naval Historical DMA), Vol. 1, Appendix 3, page 529.
• "United States Naval Aviation 1910-1995" (published by the Naval Aviation History Office), Appendix 26, page 713. [Contributed by Fabio Peña].

A Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E Corsair II from VA-113 "Stingers" recovering aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61), possibly in 1970–71.

Two photos of A-7E Corsair IIs attached to VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" deployed aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61), during the carrier's 6th Vietnam cruise, 27 October 1970–17 June 1971.

The color photo may have been taken shortly before the deployment.

(Thanks to Scott L. Smith, "Fist of the Fleet" historian, for dating the pictures. More information about this deployment can be found at the Squadron history web site.)

USS Ranger (CVA-61), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, first half of 1971, during her 6th Vietnam cruise, 27 October 1970–17 June 1971.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) at sea, 19 May 1971.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) passing under the San Francisco Bay Bridge on her return to the States on 17 June 1971. This is from the 1970–71 Cruise Book.

An aerial view of Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, Calif., with three docked aircraft carriers: USS Ranger (CVA-61), in dry dock; USS Hancock (CVA-19), left; and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). The guided missile destroyer USS Buchanan (DDG-14) is on the right hand of the picture. Photo by LT A. Legare, 25 August 1971. Available from Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (photo #DN-SC-85-11135).

USS Ranger (CVA-61), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, passes under the Golden Gate Bridge on Thursday, 16 November 1972, bound for WestPac and her seventh Vietnam cruise.

Visible on the flight deck are F-4J Phantom IIs of VF-154 "Black Knights" (1xx side numbers) and VF-21 "Free Lancers" (2xx); A‑7E Corsair IIs of VA‑113 "Stingers" (3xx) and VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" (4xx); A-6A/B and KA-6D Intruders of VA-145 "Swordsmen;" RA-5C Vigilantes of RVAH-5 "Savage Sons;" E-1B Tracers of VAW-111 "Hunters" Det. 1; SH-3G Sea King helicopters of HC-1 "Pacific Fleet Angels" Det. 4; and the COD aircraft, C‑1A Trader, BuNo 136786, side number 000, close to the ship's island.

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 photos NS023467f and NS023467i is USS Cone (DD-866).

This is Ranger, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, as seen from Oriskany, with CVW-19.

Another view of USS Ranger (CVA-61) on the same occasion as above. This photo was taken by RM3 Michael Corsi from USS Oriskany (CVA-34).

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

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

Zenithal view of the same group.

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

USS Ranger (CVA-61) at Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, summer 1973 [probably June 3–4], with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2.

A bow view of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61), equipped with part of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program system. Although the photo is dated 23 November 1981, Air Wing composition indicates it was actually taken circa 1974–75. Official photograph, available from Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, # DF-ST-83-02600.

USS Ranger (CVA-61) underway in the Pacific Ocean, 1 May 1975. Photographed by PH2 Paul Burns. Note round helicopter spots painted on her flight deck.

Ranger was the last of the Forrestals to retain 5"/54 Mk.42 DP mounts. By the time this photo was taken there were only two of them, one on each of the aft sponsons. During a later period in dock (1977-1978) the 5" guns were replaced by three BPDMS launchers. Note that the number of arrester wires had been reduced to four.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97687).

(Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

USS Hull (DD-945) steaming alongside USS Ranger (CVA-61) in the Pacific Ocean, 25 June 1975.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# K-109550).

Hull was conducting tests of the Mark 71 8"/55 Major Caliber Lightweight Gun. Note 8" gun mount forward, and compare its size with that of the two 5"/54 Mark 42 gun mounts aft.

An elevated port bow view of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) departing San Diego for deployment in the western Pacific, 30 January 1976. The ship is passing Pt. Loma.

U.S. Navy photograph by PHCS R.L. Lawson, available from Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, (# DN-SC-86-00157).

Underway at sea, circa 1978. This photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center in May 1978.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH-97688).

Aerial views of an RA-5C Vigilante aircraft (BuNo 156608, modex NE610, now on display as gate guard at NAS Memphis, TN), Reconnaissance Attack Squadron (RVAH) 7, known as the "Peacemakers of the Fleet," and assigned to USS Ranger (CV-61) from 21 February to 22 September 1979. These photographs may show the Vigilante's last flight, since all Vigilante aircraft were officially retired in September 1979 and RVAH-7 was officially disestablished in October 1979. The exact date photos were taken is unknown. Official US Navy photographs.

NS0261aj: Photo No. 330–CFD-DN-SC-04-09228 (OPA-NARA II).

NS0261aja: Photo No. 330-CFD-DN-SC-04-09229 (OPA-NARA II).

NS0261ajb: Photo No. 330-CFD-DN-SC-04-09230 (OPA-NARA II).

Three U.S. Navy McDonnell F-4J Phantom II—BuNo 158349 (modex NE101), 158371 (NE105), and 158362 (NE111)—from Fighter Squadron (VF) 154 "Black Knights" in flight, circa 1979. VF-154 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 21 February to 22 September 1979.

USN photo from the Ranger 1979 Cruise Book.

Two A-6E and one KA-6D Intruders from Attack Squadron (VA) 145 "Swordsmen" lined up on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61), 3 June 1980. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Ron Wood (# DN-SC-83-07482).

Vice Premier Geng Biao of China and U.S. Navy officials are seated on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) as they wait for the start of the air and sea demonstration, 3 June 1980, in the Eastern Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Ron Wood (# DN-SC-83-07491).

Aerial view of A-6E and KA-6D Intruders from VA-145 "Swordsmen" and an EA-6B Prowler from VAQ-137 "Rooks" lined up on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61) in the Eastern Pacific, 3 June 1980. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Ron Wood (# DN-SC-83-07502).

Neodesha (YTB-815) assisting USS Ranger (CV-61) out of her berth at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI, in September 1980.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.064.042.

The Welcome Aboard book that Reith received in I Division in 1981, when he checked in to the command.

A vertical view of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) underway in the Pacific Ocean, 15 June 1981. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DNSN8506135).

A starboard quarter view of USS Ranger (CV-61). Sailors man the rails as the carrier enters Pearl Harbor, HI. Photo is dated March 1, 1982 but it might have been actually taken in April. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DN-SC-82-07170).

Aerial starboard bow view of part of Task Group 70 underway in the Philippine Sea, May 1982, during Exercise Readex '82. Ships are, left to right: a Knox-class frigate; the combat stores ship USS San Jose (AFS-7), see photo NS024159; the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61); a Spruance-class destroyer; the guided missile destroyer USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-16), see photo NS024159; a Mispillion-class "jumboized" fleet oiler, possibly USNS Mispillion (T-AO-105) herself; the command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19); the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41); a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser, possibly USS Reeves (CG-24); a Spruance-class destroyer; and a Knox-class frigate. US Navy photo by PH1 Barbante (DVIC id: DN-ST-82-07480).

Eleven photos of USS Ranger (CV-61) while on her 1982 WestPac-Indian Ocean deployment, 7 April–18 October. Scanned from the 1983 Command calendar (original size is 8" x 11").

Crew members form the words "Top Gun 25" on the flight deck of Ranger, underway in the Pacific Ocean, August 1982, to commemorate the carrier's 25th Anniversary. "Top Gun" was Ranger's nickname.

Launching an A-6E Intruder (squadron VA-145 "Swordsmen"). Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), tail code "NE."

Launching an A-7E Corsair II (squadron VA-113 "Stingers").

Launching an E-2C Hawkeye (squadron VAW-116 "Sun Kings").

Preparing to launch the ship's COD (Carrier On-board Delivery) plane.

Fly-by.

FOD (Foreign Object Damage) walkdown.

Pearl Harbor.

Underway.

Underway replenishment.

Replenishing a Knox-class frigate.

25th Anniversary Program, August 10, 1982.

25th Anniversary, USS Ranger (CV-61), 10 August 1957–10 August 1982.

Silver Anniversary Plaque, USS Ranger (CV-61), 10 August 1957–10 August 1982.

Vice President George Bush and VADM Crawford Easterling visit the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) during a tour of the ship, May 14, 1983. Photo by PHC T. Mitchell, available from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, id.: DN-SN-83-10202.

On November 1, 1983, a major fuel and oil fire broke out in an engine room while the ship operated in the North Arabian Sea. Six crewmembers were killed and 35 injured. The fire was reportedly extinguished within an hour and the ship continued operations.

An aerial view of Ford Island, the USS Arizona Memorial, and the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) moored at the Navy Supply Center, June 1986, during Exercise RimPac '86. USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is at the opposite side of Ford Island.

US Defense Imagery (DMA) photo, id. DN-SN-87-04110.

An aerial view of USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) departing for WestPac and World Cruise with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 aboard, and USS Ranger (CV-61), 3 January 1987, Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, Calif.

US Navy photo by PH3 Charlo Wharton, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # DN-SC-87-11532.

USS Cook (FF-1083) and USS Ranger (CV-61) underway, January 1987. Airborne is a H-3 Sea King helicopter.

U.S. Navy photo (DVIC id.: #DN-SC-05-06694).

USS Ranger (CV-61) departing San Diego, California, in February 1987. Photographed by PH3 Wimmer.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97689-KN).

Crew members form the phrase "We The People" on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61), May 1987, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the constitution of the United States. The Constitution was formally signed on 17 September 1787. The guided missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9), bottom, and the guided missile frigate USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG-23) were accompanying Ranger.

U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Ron Wimmer (DVIC id.: #DNSC8706761).

North Island, San Diego, Calif., 4 July 1987.

North Island, San Diego, Calif., 4 July 1987.

USNS Hassayampa (T-AO-145) refueling USS Shasta (AE-33) to starboard and USS Ranger (CV-61) to port. From Ranger's 1987 Cruise Book (14 July–30 December).

Crew members spell out "Ranger Thanks America" on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61) to thank all the people who sent letters and cards to the ship. The mail was the result of a letter which appeared in the newspaper column "Dear Abby."

Official U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Wimmer. It is dated 1 December 1988, but may have been actually taken about a year earlier.

View from the co-pilot's seat in a Grumman E-2C Hawkeye as it makes its final approach for a landing on board the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61)[, late 1980s–early 1990s]. From this viewpoint the angled deck looks far too short and narrow for such a large aircraft to land in. U.S. DoD Photo.

Photo and text from Carriers: The Men and The Machines, by David Miller and Lindsay Peacock.

Left to right: USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Constellation (CV-64) and USS Independence (CV-62), Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, San Diego, California, circa 1989 (late 1988–early 1990).

A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber flies by USS Ranger (CV-61), below the carrier's flight-deck level.

This is usually said to have happened in the Persian Gulf, in early 1990, but this is incorrect—Ranger was not in the Persian Gulf "in early 1990." This actually occurred in February 1989 off the coast of Mexico, while Ranger was conducting training for an upcoming WestPac-Indian Ocean deployment (24 February–24 August 1989). By the way, Ranger's next deployment began on 8 December 1990—undisputably, not "early 1990."

Crewmembers man the rails by the carrier's island, as she departs Naval Air Station, North Island, California, on 24 February 1989 to begin a western Pacific deployment. Photographed by PH1 Michael D.P. Flynn.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 97691.

Marines and Sailors of the carrier's crew man the rails as she leaves Honolulu, Hawaii, on 10 March 1989, en route to the western Pacific. Photographed by PH3 Bos. Tug at left is Niantic (YTB-781).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97690-KN).

An aerial port side view of Ranger (CV-61), with her Sailors manning the rails and aircraft of Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) on her deck, as she is nudged into position by harbor tugs Waxahachie (YTB-814), Niantic (YTB-781) and Neodesha (YTB-815), at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI. Official date is 8 March 1993, but this cannot be correct. Judging from Ranger's appearance and Air Wing composition, this photo would have been taken in March 1989, like the picture above. US Navy photo by PH3 Bos (DVIC id: DN-SC-05-10867).

(See the Waxahachie and Niantic pages for more photos.)

USS Ranger (CVA-61) was commissioned at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Aug. 10, 1957, CAPT Charles D. Booth II, in command. Here, three Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 14 (HS-14) SH-3H Sea King helicopters fly in formation past Ranger (then CV-61) as the ship leaves San Diego to begin her WestPac '90 (Gulf War) cruise, Dec. 8, 1990.

US Navy photo by PH2 Henry (available from the Defense Visual Information Center, id.: DN-SC-93-05041).

A port bow view of USS Ranger (CV-61) being replenished by the fleet oiler USNS Kawishiwi (T-AO 146) in the Pacific Ocean, 19 July 1990.

U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Bos (#DN-SC-93-05043).

An overhead view of the fleet oiler USNS Kawishiwi (T-AO 146) conducting an underway replenishment of USS Ranger (CV-61) in the Pacific Ocean, 19 July 1990.

U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Bos (#DN-SC-93-05045).

USS Ranger (CV-61) departing San Diego harbor to conduct training operations off Southern California, 26 July 1990. Embarked was Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2. U.S. Navy photo by Bob Lawson.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), identifier 6493098, local identifier 330-CFD-DN-SC-96-00141.jpeg.

A port bow view of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) as the vessel heads out of San Diego Channel en route to the Pacific Ocean to take part in anti-submarine warfare exercises with USS Ford (FFG-54). The guided missile frigate is astern of Ranger in the channel. Photo is dated 17 March 1991, but on that date Ranger was engaged in operations in support of Operation Desert Storm.

U.S. Navy photo by PHAN Rich (DVIC id.: #DNSC9400475).

All four of the carriers sailing in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm—Battle Force Zulu—briefly steamed together in formation on 2 March 1991, after the cease-fire. USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) leads USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55)—starboard flank—, USS Midway (CV-41), USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Normandy (CG-60)—port flank—, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)—starboard—and USS America (CV-66).

NS026192a: Photo by PH1 Galen L. Walker. Photo # DN-SC-91-06734.

NS026192b: Photo by PH1 Galen L. Walker. Photo # DN-ST-91-07574.

NS026192c: Photo by PHC Kris Kristofferson. Photo # DN-ST-91-07845.

NS026192d: Photo by PH1 Galen L. Walker. Photo # DN-ST-92-01394.

Aerial view of the oiler USNS Passumpsic (T-AO 107) conducting an underway replenishment of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) and the French destroyer (designated a frégate by the Frech Navy) Latouche-Tréville (D-646) during Operation Desert Storm, 3 April 1991, in the Persian Gulf.

US Navy photo by PH2 Henry (DVIC id: DN-SC-93-05052).

On her way back home after Operation Desert Storm USS Ranger (CV-61) stopped off at Pearl Harbor. This photo sequence shows the aircraft carrier departing Pearl on 1 June 1991—she arrived in San Diego, her homeport, 8 June.

NS140980603: Tuskegee (YTB-806) and Niantic (YTB-781) assist Ranger (photo #DN-SC-93-04704, by PH3 Bos).

NS140981408: Waxahachie (YTB-814) and Tuskegee (YTB-806) assist Ranger (photo #DN-SC-93-04705, by PH3 Bos).

NS140981407: Waxahachie (YTB-814) and Tuskegee (YTB-806) escort Ranger after clearing the Naval Supply Center pier (photo #DN-SC-93-04708, by PH3 Bos).

NS140980604: Waxahachie (YTB-814) and Tuskegee (YTB-806) escort Ranger around the north end of Ford Island (photo #DN-SC-93-04702, by PH3 Bos).

NS140981405: Waxahachie (YTB-814) and Tuskegee (YTB-806) escort Ranger in East Loch, rounding the north tip of Ford Island, with the condo hi-rises in Aiea in the background, on a normal track to leave Pearl Harbor (photo #DN-SC-93-04712, by PH3 Bos).

NS140981409: Waxahachie (YTB-814) escorts Ranger down the north channel (photo #DN-SC-93-04703, by PH3 Bos).

NS140981406: Waxahachie (YTB-814) escorts Ranger as she proceeds past Pearl City Peninsula (photo #DN-SC-93-04709, by PH3 Bos).

NS026157: Ranger is turning to port (more or less south) continuing to round Ford Island after passing Pearl City Peninsula on the left. The U.S. Army Transportation Corps pier is on the right, and the Army's vehicle landing ship CM3 Harold C. Clinger (LSV-2) is moored to the pier (photo #DN-SC-93-04710, by PH3 Bos).

NS140980602: Tuskegee (YTB-806) escorts Ranger down the north channel. The Army's vehicle landing ship CM3 Harold C. Clinger (LSV-2) can be seen on the left, moored to the U.S. Army Transportation Corps pier (photo #DN-SC-93-04711, by PH3 Bos).

NS026157a: Ranger proceeds more or less south between the Waipio Peninsula (foliage in the background) and the far west side of Ford Island, on track to leave Pearl Harbor (photo #DN-SC-92-03668, by OS2 John Bouvia).

NS026157b: Crew members man the rails aboard Ranger as the aircraft carrier departs Pearl Harbor through the channel (photo #DN-SC-92-03669, by OS2 John Bouvia).

(Thanks to John F. Power for his help in identifying the photos.)

Crew members man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) as commercial harbor tug Cheryl Anne maneuvers the vessel into port. Ranger was returning to Naval Station, North Island after being deployed in the Persian Gulf area during Operation Desert Storm. San Diego, California, June 8, 1991.

US Navy photo by PH1 Paul Shaw (available from the Defense Visual Information Center, id.: DN-ST-92-00354.)

The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "Heavenly Body" takes off from the deck of USS Ranger (CV-61). It and another B-25 were being launched in a re-enactment of "Doolittle's Raid" of 18 April 1942, during which 16 B-25s were launched from USS Hornet (CV-8) in the first attack on the Japanese mainland.

US Navy photo by PHCM Terry Mitchell (DVIC id: DN-ST-92-09801).

The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "Heavenly Body" and "In The Mood" stand ready on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61), 21 April 1992.

US Navy photo by PH1(AC) Carmen Yebba (DVIC id: DN-ST-92-09800).

The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "Heavenly Body" takes off as "In The Mood," another B-25, stands in the background on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61), 21 April 1992.

US Navy photo by PH1 R.J. Oriez (DVIC id: DN-SC-93-00054).

The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "In The Mood" takes off from the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61), 21 April 1992.

US Navy photo by PH1 R.J. Oriez (DVIC id: DN-SC-93-00055).

Fifty years after the daring carrier-launched bombing of the Japanese mainland, a B-25 Mitchell is launched from USS Ranger (CV-61), 21 April 1992, in the Pacific Ocean.

US Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Joe Gawlowicz, # 920421-N-NO147-001.

The restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft "Heavenly Body" and "In The Mood" stand ready on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61), 21 April 1992.

US Navy photo by PH1 R.J. Oriez (DVIC id: DN-SC-93-00053).

Arriving in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 3 June 1992.

Photos by Rick Garcia.

Her 24th and final deployment, August 1, 1992 through January 30, 1993 saw Ranger's planes (Carrier Air Wing Two, CVW-2) in action over Iraq (Operation Southern Watch, September-December) and Somalia (Operation Restore Hope, December).

Large harbor tugs maneuver USS Ranger (CV-61) into port on 18 August 1992 as the ship visits Japan for the last time during her final deployment prior to decommissioning.

US Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Steven Cooke (SDAN: DN-SC-93-05587b).

A port beam view of the aircraft carriers USS Ranger (CV-61), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, and USS Independence (CV-62), with CVW-5, underway in the Persian Gulf, 16 September 1992, during Operation Southern Watch, a multinational effort establishing a no-fly zone for Iraqi aircraft south of the 32nd parallel in Iraq.

US Navy photo by PH2 Andrew C. Heuer (SDAN: DN-ST-93-00101).

"Ranger's Last Ride," 31 January 1993. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Invitation to the decommissioning ceremony and additional information.

Decommissioning ceremony booklet, 10 July 1993.

An aerial view of the decommissioned aircraft carrier ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) in a graving dock at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 6 October 1993. Moored in the background are the amphibious assault ships USS Essex (LHD-2), left, and USS Tarawa (LHA-1), right. Ex-Ranger was being stripped of useful material, sealed and prepped for being towed to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Inactive Storage Facility for retention in reserve status.

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service VIRIN DN-ST-94-00735, by PH2 R.J. Davis.

Ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) moored at Bremerton, Washington, on 28 August 1998. In the background is ex-USS Midway (CV-41). The photograph was taken from the stern of USS California (CGN-36), which was being formally deactivated.

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

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

Puget Sound, Tuesday, 8 July 2008.

A series of five photos taken on Friday, 17 October 2008.

February 2009. Ex-Narwhal (SSN-671) and ex-Drum (SSN-677), foreground; superstructure of a former Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser; ex-Constellation (CV-64), left, and ex-Independence, right, beyond ex-Ranger.

Aerial view of Bremerton, WA, 10 March 2009. Left to right: ex-Independence (CV-62), ex-Constellation (CV-64), ex-Sides (FFG-14), ex-George Philip (FFG-12), ex-Ranger (CV-61), and ex-Vincennes (CG-49).

June 2009. Ex-Vincennes (CG-49) and ex-Ranger (CV-61).

June 2009. Left to right: ex-Independence (CV-62), ex-Constellation (CV-64), ex-Ranger (CV-61), and ex-Vincennes (CG-49).

June 2009. Ex-Vincennes (CG-49), foreground, and ex-Ranger (CV-61), background. Masts of ex-Sides (FFG-14) and ex-George Philip (FFG-12) can be seen at left, beyond Ranger.

June 2009.

June 2009. Left to right: ex-Independence (CV-62), ex-Constellation (CV-64), ex-Ranger (CV-61), and ex-Vincennes (CG-49). If you look closely, you will notice the bows of ex-Sides (FFG-14) and ex-George Philip (FFG-12) between Constellation and Ranger.

June 2009.

Ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), June 2009. Note stern of ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) at left.

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

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

The decommissioned Forrestal-class aircraft carrier ex-Ranger (CV-61) is towed away from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, 5 March 2015. She is being towed to Brownsville, Texas, for dismantling.

NS026196: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Frost (# 150305-N-IK337-082).

NS026196a: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Holly L. Herline (# 150305-N-KR207-029).

NS026196j–NS026196k: Photos by Ray F. Longaker, Jr.

Ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) enters the Brazos Santiago towed by Crosby Leader and makes the turn into the Brownsville Ship Channel, 12 July 2015. End of her final voyage on her way to be scrapped.

The decommissioned Forrestal-class aircraft carrier ex-Ranger (CV-61) arrives in Brownsville, Texas, for dismantling, 12 July 2015.

Photo NS0261aaa shows ex-Ranger and what is left of ex-Saratoga. Vern Bouwman, however, notes: "The ship in the back ground is an Oiler. The Saratoga is to the right, across the channel."

Ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) is at right. Google Earth image dated 21 January 2016.

Three former aircraft carriers being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Left to right: ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60), ex-USS Ranger (CV-61), and ex-USS Constellation (CV-64). Google Earth image dated 21 January 2016.

Three former aircraft carriers being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Top left, partly visible, ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60); center, ex-USS Ranger (CV-61); center right, ex-USS Constellation (CV-64). Taken approximately at the same time as the photos above.

Three former aircraft carriers being dismantled at Brownsville, Texas. Left to right, and top to bottom: ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60), ex-USS Ranger (CV‑61), and ex-USS Constellation (CV-64). Google Earth image dated 29 January 2017.

William comments:

"No significant progress on ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60) on north side of channel. Work appears to have stopped some months ago."

"The entire flight deck of ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) has been removed, left (west) south side of the shipping channel."

"Scrapping of ex-USS Constellation (CV-64) appears just about complete. Less than 1/2 of the hull appears to remain and the hulk is being winched in to the south shore in the demolition slip as it is scrapped from fore to aft. It should be completely gone by the next Google Earth photo and I expect that the CV-61 hulk will be moved to the slip trench to complete the scrapping."

A great model of USS Ranger (CV-61) built by Kenneth Shafer, AT1, USN (Ret.), who retired off Ranger on 30 November 1989. Kenneth plans to eventually build one aircraft from each squadron in Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) that was aboard Ranger during Kenneth's last cruise in 1989.