"America" is the name given to the large land mass in the Western Hemisphere consisting of northern and southern continents, originally connected by an isthmus but now separated by the Panama Canal. Although discovered by Christopher Columbus, America is named for Amerigo Vespucci, who first recognized it as a new continent. The term America is often used loosely to designate the United States of America.

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

The name America was previously carried by:

1. A 74-gun ship of the line intended for the Continental Navy but presented to France in 1782.
2. A schooner.
3. A troop transport.

The keel plate of the future USS America (CVA-66) in the dry dock at Newport News Shipbuilding, Virginia, January 1961.

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

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

NS0266ap: Aft, looking forward, 29 March 1961.

NS0266apa: Forward, looking aft, 28 May 1962.

NS0266apb: Aft, looking forward, 29 January 1963.

NS0266apc: Forward, looking aft, date unknown.

NS0266apd: Forward, looking aft, date unknown.

NS0266ape: Forward, looking aft, date unknown.

NS0266apf: Forward, looking aft, date unknown.

NS0266apg: Forward, looking aft, date unknown.

Newport News Shipbuilding photos from the christening ceremony for the future USS America (CVA-66). Her sponsor was Mrs. Catherine T. McDonald, wife of ADM David L. McDonald, CNO. Saturday, 1 February 1964.

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

This photo of America (CVA-66) is dated 1965 (might have been actually taken in December 1964, while running trials).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naval History and Heritage Command photo, # NH 91441.

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

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

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.4701.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo by Marius Bar, Toulon, France.

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

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.2444.

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

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

Naval History & Heritage Command photo, # NH 84336.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

USS America (CVA-66), left; USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), framed in red; and USS Independence (CVA-62), framed in yellow. Norfolk Naval Shipyard, (probably) first half of 1969.

The photo clearly shows the size and design differences between the ships. FDR was designed and built during WW II to operate piston-engined aircraft; the ship was eventually upgraded to operate jets. America (Kitty Hawk-class) and Indy (Forrestal-class) were cold-war ships designed from the start to accommodate jet aircraft.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larger, B&W version of the photo above.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo by Marius Bar, Toulon, France.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NS0266aqa: F-4J Phantom II.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NS0266aql: C-1A Trader.

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Sunday, 28 January 1973, all four carriers, along with a DD/DE screen, steamed together for a photo exercise. Visible in photo NS023467 is USS Bronstein (DE‑1037).

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

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

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

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

Zenithal view of the same group.

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

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

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

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

Photos by Marius Bar, Toulon, France.

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

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

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

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

See also NS0270ar and NS0262av.

These appear to be photos taken during carrier suitability tests (above).

In photo NS0266bae, note F-4J Phantom II BuNo 155558 (modex AD-212), Fleet Replacement Squadron VF-171 "Aces." This aircraft was assigned to VF-171 in October–November 1979, which helps date the picture.

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

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