The future USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) under construction, August 1960.

Enterprise (CVAN-65) was christened on Saturday, 24 September 1960.

Enterprise (CVAN-65) was sponsored by Mrs. William B. Franke, wife of the Secretary of the Navy.

Christening Ceremony, September 24, 1960.

From "Shipyard Bulletin," Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, March 1961, Volume XX, Number 11.

Enterprise (CVAN-65) under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., late 1960 (background).

Submarine in the foreground is USS Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601), leaving Newport News for one of her sea trials.

"UNITED STATES SHIP ENTERPRISE CVA(N) 65"
"First Nuclear Aircraft Carrier and World's Largest Ship"
"Built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company 1961"

Enterprise in October 1961 with three C-1 Traders parked aft on the flight deck. Official United States Navy photo by PHC Mowry.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), February 10, 1962. Official USN photo #1059659, released from US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Anacostia, Washington 25, DC.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway, February 10, 1962. Official USN photo #1059660, released from US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Anacostia, Washington 25, DC.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway with Carrier Air Group 6 (CVG-6.) Official USN photo #1062601, received on October 22, 1962. Released from US Naval Photographic DMA, US Naval Station, Anacostia, Washington 25, DC.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway early in her career, circa 1962–1963.

Coming alongside USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) for refueling in the Atlantic, 1963. The Vogie, USS Vogelgesang (DD-862), was the first ship to refuel from Enterprise.

Undated (circa 1963–64) pic of a camera-equipped Chance Vought RF-8A Crusader of VFP-62 launching from USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). Photo U.S. Navy.

Photo from United States Navy Aircraft since 1911, by Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway, escorted by the nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9), in 1963–1964.

Task Group of Nuclear-Powered Surface Ships operating in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, 18 June 1964. The ships are the aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVAN-65), at left; the guided-missile cruiser Long Beach (CGN-9), in center; and the guided-missile frigate Bainbridge (DLGN-25), at right. Enterprise crewmembers are spelling out Albert Einstein's equation for nuclear energy on the flight deck.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway in formation with USS Long Beach (CGN-9), center, and USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25), at top, probably in the Mediterranean Sea in June-July 1964. Members of Enterprise's crew are in a flight deck formation spelling out Albert Einstein's equation for nuclear energy. Planes on her flight deck include 9 A-5; 22 A-4; 10 F-4; 14 F-8 and 2 E-1 types. Those aft are parked in an arrowhead arrangement.

The photograph was released for publication on 30 July 1964, upon the commencement of Operation Sea Orbit, the circumnavigation of the World by Task Force One, made up of the Navy's first three nuclear-powered surface ships. (See also NS026522).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 98108).

Steaming in the Mediterranean Sea, 1964.

USS Independence (CVA-62) (foreground) and USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) rendezvous in the Indian Ocean on 21 November 1965. Independence was en route to Norfolk, Virginia, after six months "on the line" off Vietnam. Enterprise was headed for combat duty in Vietnamese waters. Photographed by PH3 E.R. Pomponio.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97717).

A Douglas EA-1F Skyraider, BuNo. 135010, of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 13 "Zappers," Det. M, over the Gulf of Tonkin in 1966. VAW-13's Det. M deployed with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), 26 October 1965–21 June 1966. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Selby.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) arrives in San Francisco Bay, 21 June 1966, after her first Vietnam Cruise.

"[...] 'the Golden Gate Bridge appeared through the morning haze.' Sliding 'through the mist' beneath the bridge the ship was welcomed by one of the largest celebrations given a vessel entering the bay since WWII."

"Traffic backed up on the bridge approaches for miles as crowds of 'cheering people with streamers and signs leaned out over the rails of the Golden Gate.' Whistles sounded and fireboats shot water geysers skyward as the ship steamed into the bay, mooring at NAS Alameda, city officials dedicating the day in honor of the ship. More than a third of the crew went on leave, the remainder taking advantage of 'the tremendously warm welcome' extended to them by the people of the area, with San Francisco, Oakland and Alameda proclaiming 21 June as 'Big E Day.'"

"CVW-9 [Carrier Air Wing 9] flew 20,076 sorties, 13,020 combat, 2 December 1965–5 June 1966, the wing proudly claiming that 'the queen of the seas was married to the king of the air wings,' made 19,131 catapult launches and 18,142 arrested landings, dropped 8,966 tons of ordnance, performed six helo rescues and spent 120 days on the line." (Quoted from DANFS, "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships".)

If you have any information about the banner reading "VA-93 BLUE BOOZERS" and why it was displayed there, please let us know.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) profile, circa 1966.

Redwing (YTB-783) assisting USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard at Hunters Point, probably on 30 June 1966.

U.S. Navy photo from the San Francisco NARA, Hunters Point Historical Photo Collection.

Testing the catapult. Date unknown, but possibly taken in August 1966, when the angled-deck catapult bridle catcher was removed. Hunters Point files at San Bruno, file name MSR-64243-8-66.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) departing Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in September 1966, after an overhaul. U.S. Navy photo, file name CVN 65 64478-9-66. The carrier in the background, beyond Big E's bow, is probably USS Hancock (CVA-19).

Undated, but probably taken on the same occasion as photo 0265al, picture of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). Hunters Point files at San Bruno, file name MSR-64479-9-66.

Port bow underway. Photo taken after the summer 1966 overhaul.

Underway with escorts, Air Wing has not yet joined up with the ship. Photo taken after the summer 1966 overhaul.

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) arrives in San Francisco Bay, 6 July 1967, after her second Vietnam Cruise, "her aircraft having completed 13,435 catapult launches, flying 13,392 battle missions during 132 days of combat operations, 11,470 sorties, the ship steaming 67,630 miles within the 7th Fleet. [...] Both the ship and CVW-9 were later awarded the Navy Unit Commendation." (Quoted from DANFS, "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships".)

Fire aboard Enterprise, 14 January 1969, in Hawaiian waters — The massive fire started when a Zuni rocket accidentally exploded under the wing of an F-4. Some of the subsequent 18 explosions were 500-lb. bombs cooking of in multiples, leaving 20-foot holes in the armored flight deck. Losses totalled 28 dead, 343 wounded, and 15 aircraft destroyed.

(Thanks to Stan Osterbauer, who provided this information).

View of an explosion on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) caused by the overheating of a Zuni rocket that triggered the detonation of other ordnance on the flight deck. This tragedy occurred while the Big E was operating off Hawaii.

Off Hawaii (14 January 1969) crewmen fight fires on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), after aircraft were armed and fueled for air operations. One overheated Zuni rocket was the culprit.

A view of the fire and explosions looking aft on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65).

Clouds of black smoke rise as crew members fight the fire that broke out on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) while she was conducting flight operations off Hawaii. The mast of the destroyer USS Rogers (DD-876) is alongside also fighting the fire.

A view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway in the Pacific Ocean showing the crew fighting a fire on the flight deck that occurred as the carrier was conducting air operations near Hawaii. The masts of the destroyer USS Rogers (DD-876) are visible on the right.

View of the still smoldering aft flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), showing the crew manning hoses snaking further toward the scene of the most fierce area of the fire. The destroyer USS Rogers (DD-876) is visible standing-by, on the right. For her heroic efforts in fighting the huge blaze aboard the Big E, she was awarded a well-deserved Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC).

USS Rogers (DD-876) alongside helping fight the fire, and Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22)—upper right corner—making approach to lend assistance. (Official USN Photo).

Photo # USN 1140315, by W.R. Dapper.

The aftermath of the disaster, seen soon after the fire was extinguished and before flight operations resumed.

Photo by PH2 Stanley C. Wycoff.

Aerial view of the aft flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway in the Pacific Ocean, showing the damage resulting from a series of fires and explosions that occurred as the carrier was conducting air operations near Hawaii. After securing from fire fighting the crew commences the task of clearing the fight deck, as they bring up "Tilly" to jettison wreckage which were once aircraft.

Another aerial view, as the helicopter circles the aft end of the flight deck showing the extent of the damage to the Big E, including a gaping hole in the armored deck caused by the explosion of a 500-lb. bomb.

A final aerial view of the starboard aft flight deck showing the damage to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). This view nearly mirrors the view of the port side. "Tilly" will soon be busy, as it stands by in the middle of the flight deck, to begin doing what it was designed to do.

USS Enterprise leaving Pearl Harbor, early 1969. This photo was taken either on January 13 (the day before the fire) or in early March, after repairs that enabled the Big E to complete her 4th Vietnam deployment.

Roy "Bud" Duncan, who was aboard as a member of VA-145 "Swordsmen," notes: "After the fire, our air groups were stationed at NAS Barbers Point and joined us after we were underway. Therefore, [this] photo is our grand old ship leaving for our fateful ORI and fire probably Jan 13, morning."

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.

This is Enterprise, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, as seen from Oriskany, with CVW-19.

Aerial view of Naval Air Station Alameda, summer of 1974. Left to right: USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Oriskany (CVA-34), and USS Enterprise (CVAN-65).

Left to right: USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Coral Sea (CV-43), USS Kansas City (AOR-3), USS Wabash (AOR-5), and USS Oriskany (CV-34) at NAS Alameda, CA, July-August 1975.

Official US Navy photo from the Naval Photographic Center, Washington, D.C.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway off Point Loma, California, 21 June 1976. The Big E had been in port, San Diego, for three days, then spent 10 days conducting air operations in the Southern California (SOCAL) area before returning to Alameda, her homeport.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) departs San Francisco Bay for a WestPac deployment, 30 July 1976. Aircraft on deck are part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14: KA-6D and A-6E Intruders of VA-196 "Main Battery;" S-3A Vikings of VS-29 "Dragon Fires;" an EA-6B Prowler of VAQ-134 "Garudas;" A-7E Corsair IIs of VA-97 "Warhawks" and VA-27 "Royal Maces;" E-2B Hawkeyes of VAW-113 "Black Eagles;" SH-3D Sea King helicopters of HS-2 "Golden Falcons;" and an RA-5C Vigilante of RVAH-1 "Smokin' Tigers" partially visible abaft the island. Big E's Carrier On-board Delivery (COD) plane, a C-1B Trader, is also parked among the Air Wing "birds."

(See above.) A group of F-14 Tomcats was parked aft. Note two planes camouflaged in the then new, experimental Ferris scheme: BuNo 158979 (VF-1 "Wolf Pack," modex NK100), on the elevator, and BuNo 158985 (VF-2 "Bounty Hunters," modex NK200), extreme aft.

Aerial bow view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway, 1978. (DVIC photo id: DN-SC-86-00551).

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) departs San Diego, California, 8 April 1978, on her 9th WestPac deployment (the Big E had departed her homeport, Alameda, on 4 April). Photos taken from USS Jouett (CG-29). Destroyer in photo NS0265baa is USS Agerholm (DD-826), returning from her 21st and final WestPac deployment.

Pearl Harbor, 23–25 April 1978.

Starting in 2003 this photo circulated the Internet captioned as a Navy new "Terrorist Catch and Release Program."

In fact, it was taken in October 1978, as the Big E was leaving the Philippines to return to the US for what was considered "the most extensive and highly complex overhaul" of the ship's history to date (1979–1982.) The world was not very environmentally-concerned in 1978 and this was seen as an acceptable way to get rid of an old, no longer needed car. It has been hotly argued what the brand and model of the car were — looks like it actually was a 1963 Plymouth Savoy.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) docking at North Island NAS on 2 December 1978, as seen from USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) is in background.

Underway off Southern California, 11 December 1978. Enterprise was conducting carrier qualifications and refresher operations for Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW-11); the ship also completed her mine readiness certification two days later. Photographed by PH3 Ted Kappler.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# KN-27606).

"Nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier Enterprise." (From a Russian publication).

This drawing shows Enterprise as she appeared in the 1970s, still with her original, distinctive island structure supporting the SPS-32 and SPS-33 "billboard" radar antennas and topped by her unique conical ESM/ECM array.

Carrier Division Three, First Nuclear Powered Task Group in Combat, Vietnam, 2 December 1965. USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9); USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25); USS Barry (DD-933); USS Samuel B. Roberts (DD-823).

[On 2 December 1965] "Enterprise became the first nuclear powered warship to engage in combat operations when aircraft of Attack Carrier Air Wing NINE launched 118 sorties against the Viet Cong in South Vietnam. For the rest of the month, the Big E carried out a relentless campaign against the enemy, primarily in North Vietnam, blasting military facilities, transportation networks, military storage areas, and barges and junks carrying supplies to the Communist forces in South Vietnam." Quoted from the ship's Command History for 1965.

United States Ships Enterprise, Long Beach, Bainbridge. Commander Carrier Division Two. Nuclear Task Force One. Around the World Cruise, 1964.

Operation Sea Orbit.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17).

Riding a Classic, USS Enterprise 2011 Cruise [13 January–15 July].

One Last Ride, Big E, 1961–2012, 22nd & Final Combat Deployment.

Despite a widespread belief that Enterprise's final deployment was her 22nd, a careful review (July 2012) of her command history reports by resarchers and historians at the Naval Historical Foundation and the Naval History & Heritage Command showed that it was actually her 25th.

Left to right: Joel Rosen, President, Motion Models Inc.; Admiral James L. Holloway III, former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO, 1974–1978) and former Commanding Officer of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65, 1965–1967); Pete Papa, Motion Models Master Modeler. Permanent installation of a Motion Models-built model of Enterprise at the U.S. Naval Museum in Washington, D.C.