CVN-72 is named after Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th President of the United States of America (1861-1865). Abraham Lincoln will be forever remembered for his vital role as the leader who preserved the Union and began a process that led to the end of slavery in the United States.

Two previous U.S. warships had borne the name:

1. A World War I transport, a German steamer seized after the declaration of war, whose civilian name was retained by the Navy.
2. A Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine.

President Abraham Lincoln, 1864. Photographer unknown. Mathew Brady Collection (Army). NARA File # 111-B-3656 War & Conflict Book # 117.

(DVIC id:HD-SN-99-01776).

An aerial view of the future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) under construction at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. shipyard. Photo is dated 2 April 1987.

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service photo, # DN-SN-87-06184.

"Illinois has adopted the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln."

"When the Abraham Lincoln sets sail around the world, a lot of Illinois will be aboard the nation's newest aircraft carrier."

"There will be the special Illinois contingent of 77 sailors recruited to serve on the ship. It is only the second time in history the Navy has formed a state company to serve on a vessel."

"There will be a special Lincoln Room, furnished with contributions from citizens and businesses in the state. Items from Lincoln's life in Illinois will be included."

"'It will be a traveling exhibit, and will be professionally designed by museum people. Thousands of visitors will learn something about our country and a great man,' said Capt. William B. Hayden, the Abraham Lincoln's skipper."

"And there will be special china and silverware, replicas of the dishes Lincoln used in the White House. Donations will provide the replicas for state occasions attended by heads of state and diplomats."

March 1989.

Commissioning of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), November 11, 1989, Norfolk, Virginia.

Commissioning of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Saturday, 11 November 1989, Norfolk, Virginia.

A Newport News Shipbuilding promotional picture I picked up at Navy League show in Washington, DC back in 1989.

This photo was most likely taken in December 1989. The newly commissioned USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) got underway on 29 November for a 17-day flight deck certification period, with aircraft based at Naval Air Test Center (NATC), Patuxent River, MD.

A bow view of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) underway off Cape Henry, Va., 25 September 1990. PH3 Marty Norman.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 330-CFD-DN-SC-92-02051.

Ten-frame animation of an S-3A Viking from Air Anti-submarine Squadron (VS) 29, BuNo 159410, modex NH702, making an emergency landing into the barricade on the flight deck of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), 10 November 1990, in the Pacific Ocean. The aircraft was unable to make a normal arrested recovery because its left main landing gear was damaged. US Navy photos by PH3 Eric Hayhurst (Defense Media ActivityDMA photos # DN-SC-93-04867 to DN-SC-93-04876).

The ships of Battle Group Foxtrot steam in formation, circa June 1991. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is at center. The other ships are, clockwise from left: the guided missile frigates USS Ingraham (FFG-61) and USS Gary (FFG-51), the destroyer USS Merrill (DD-976), the replenishment oiler USS Roanoke (AOR-7), the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9) and the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG-57). Pacific Ocean.

US Navy photo by PH2 Tracy Lee Didas. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), identifier 6475470; Agency-assigned identifier DNSC9204516; local identifier 330-CFD-DN-SC-92-04516.jpeg.

An air-to-air view of an Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 "Wallbangers" E-2C Hawkeye aircraft (BuNo 163540, modex NH-600). VAW-117 was part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, deployed with USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf. Photo is dated 15 June 1991.

U.S. Navy photo, now in the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 330-CFD-DN-ST-92-01600.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) underway in the first half of the 1990s, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11. Location unknown.

"USS Abraham Lincoln sails through the Golden Gate, following a routine at-sea period." Photo from the 1993 Cruise Book.

An overhead port beam view of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) approaching her future home port, Everett, Wash., 28 October 1994. Sailors on the flight deck are spelling out "Everett '96". Abraham Lincoln was the first aircraft carrier to tie up at the new pier in Everett. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier changed home ports from NAS Alameda, California, to Bremerton, Washington, on 17 November 1995; and from Bremerton to Everett on 8 January 1997. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Geoffrey L. England (DVIC id.: DN-SC-95-01329).

"[USS Sacramento (AOE-1).] [S]eries of VERTREP pictures using both [CH-46 Sea Knight] helos simultaneously. Taken during Battle Group training in [late] 1994 or early 1995, with the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)."

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) underway in the South Pacific during her 1995 Western Pacific deployment (10 April–9 October). Original print carries a date of 12 May 1995, which may be a release date. Photographer: PH2 Jason L. Cooper

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (# NH 106558-KN).

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) undergoing Extended Drydock Ship Rehabilitation Availability (EDSRA), Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA, 17 November 1995–6 December 1996.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 embarked, circa 1997–1998, location unknown.

Photo from Aerospace Encyclopedia of World Air Forces, by David Willis (editor).

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 embarked, circa 1997–2003, location unknown.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Hong Kong, early July 1998.

S-3 Vikings assigned to Air Anti-Submarine Squadron Three Five (VS-35), "Blue Wolves," conduct performance flight drills over USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), October 1, 1998. The aircraft carrier was deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. US Navy photo by PHAN Michael B.W. Watkins (# 981001-N-6346W-001).

RIMPAC 2000, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14).

WestPac & Persian Gulf 2000, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14), 17 August 2000–12 February 2001.

Cruise 2002[–2003], West Pac, Anti-Terrorist Division, CVN-72 Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, 20 July 2002–6 May 2003.

Cruise [2002–]2003, West Pac, CVN-72 Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, 20 July 2002–6 May 2003. "Get Over It!"

"The Cruise That Logic Forgot, Foal Eagle, Rimpac, Valiant Shield, WestPac 2006" (27 February–8 August 2006).

Cruise 2008, West Pac in the Gulf, CVN-72 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, 13 March 2008–12 October 2008.

Combat Cruise, 2010–2011, OEF & OND, USS Abraham Lincoln, CSG-9.

(7 September 2010–24 March 2011.)