"Intrepid" means "fearless, brave." CV-11 was named to commemorate the previous service of three US warships:

1. A ketch captured to the Tripolitans.
2. A steam torpedo ram.
3. A steel-hulled bark.

NS098641210: "Burning of the Frigate Philadelphia in the Harbor of Tripoli, February 16, 1804." Oil on canvas, 60" by 42", by Edward Moran (1829–1901), signed and dated by the artist, 1897. It depicts USF Philadelphia, previously captured by the Tripolitans, ablaze after she was boarded and set afire by a party from the ketch USS Intrepid (in the foreground) led by LT Stephen Decatur. Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection. Gift of Paul E. Sutro, 1940. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 10849, via Tommy Trampp.

"New Carrier To Be Floated Here Monday"—"Admiral Hoover's Wife To Christen Intrepid"—"Ships Bearing the Name"

The future USS Intrepid (CV-11) awaiting her christening ceremony (Monday, 26 April 1943). Press photo.

"The Intrepid aircraft carrier is launched in restricted wartime ceremonies on April 26, 1943 at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia. All photographs of the ship's christening were sent to Washington, D.C. for censorship prior to publication. Following its christening, the carrier was rushed to her fitting-out berth for completion before joining the fleet for her role in World War II."

Ship's sponsor, Mrs. John Howard Hoover (née Helen Braconier Smith), is in the middle, with the christening bottle in her hand.

"The sponsor's party lines up before the bow of the Navy's newest carrier Intrepid. Left to right they are: Mrs. Shepler Fitzgerald, Washington, D.C., matron of honor; Mrs. John Howard Hoover, sponsor of the ship and wife of Vice Admiral Hoover, Washington, D.C.; Miss Jeanne Hoover, daughter of Admiral and Mrs. Hoover, and her mother's maid of honor; and Mrs. Robert Kirkpatrick, Washington, D.C., a matron of honor. Shorty after Mrs. Hoover smashed the bottle over the bow of the ship—it took three trys [sic]—the vessel was floated out of the graving dock where she was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia. The ceremony took place on Monday, April 26, 1943." File No: LAU-CV-113-41487.

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"Mrs. John Howard Hoover splashes champagne over the bow of the aircraft carrier Intrepid at its April 26, 1943 christening at Newport News, Virginia. It took Mrs. Hoover, the wife of Vice Admiral Hoover, three swings to break the champagne bottle over the Intrepid, which became the fourth ship to bear the name. The Intrepid was the third aircraft carrier launched by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company following Pearl Harbor."

"SPONSOR GETS CHAMPAGNE BATH—This is what happens when a ship's sponsor gets determined in cracking the bottle of champagne over her ship's bow. The lady hiding behind the suds is Mrs. John Howard Hoover of Washington, D.C., wife of Vice Admiral Hoover. It took her three swings to christen properly the new aircraft carrier Intrepid at Newport News, Va., on April 26, 1943—but on the third she got plenty of results." File No: LAU-CV-110-41490.

"WHEN LADIES MEET—Comparing notes following the christening of the new aircraft carrier Intrepid are Mrs. John Howard Hoover (right), sponsor of the vessel, who is holding her gift from the yard, and Miss Berline F. Cashwell of Fayetteville, N. C., who holds the big gloves she wears as a riveter at the Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. Miss Cashwell and many young women like her are helping to build ships like the Intrepid (background) which was christened on April 26, 1943. Mrs. Hoover, whose home is in Washington, D. C., is the wife of Vice Admiral John Howard Hoover, USN." File No: LAU-CV-111-41489.

"MRS. HOOVER'S PARTY AT FLOATING OF INTREPID"

"Carrier Intrepid Christened Here"—"First Major Warship To Be Floated From Submerged Shipway; Mrs. J. H. Hoover Sponsor"—"Officials Present"

"Carrier Floated"—"Launching Prayer"

USS Intrepid (CV-11), World War II.

Overhead plan and starboard profile meticulously drawn by John Robert Barrett.

USS Intrepid (CV-11) off Newport News, Virginia, on 16 August 1943, the day she went into commission.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 53254).

The ship's first commanding officer, Captain (later Admiral) Thomas L. Sprague, aboard USS Intrepid (CV-11), 1943–1944.

This image is part of a photograph album detailing the wartime service of the carrier Intrepid in the Pacific during World War II. Photo courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM).

USS Intrepid (CV-11), port quarter view, Norfolk Navy Yard, 11 September 1943. Photo serial 6041(43).

USS Intrepid (CV-11), head-on view, Norfolk Navy Yard, 11 September 1943. Photo serial 6040(43).

USS Intrepid (CV-11) at pier, NOB Norfolk, 11 September 1943.

USS Intrepid (CV-11) at pier, NOB Norfolk, 11 September 1943. She was to depart for the Pacific on 3 December. Note the absence of any hull numbers on the flight deck, but an outline of the waterline painted on deck.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.244.005.

USS Intrepid (CV-11), antenna arrangement, Norfolk Navy Yard, 23 November 1943. Photo serial 6557(43).

On her way to the Norfolk Navy Yard, back from her training cruise, 25 November 1943, Intrepid is seen passing Old Point Comfort at Hampton Roads. As completed, she had four tall lattice masts, supporting radio antennas, which could be hinged outboard during flight operations. She is camouflaged in Measure 21.

NS021101: Stbd. bow view. Norfolk Navy Yard. Photo serial 6604(43).

NS021101c: Stbd. broadside view. Norfolk Navy Yard. Photo serial 6605(43).

Thanksgiving Day Menu, 25 November 1943.

USS Intrepid (CV-11) underway, 26 January 1944, on her way to launch strikes against Truk Atoll (now Chuuk Lagoon). The forward flight deck is filled with Carrier Air Group 6 SBD Dauntless and TBF/TBM Avenger aircraft. Note there is a single F4U Corsair on the outrigger sponson.

Crewmen prepare to load a 2000-pound general-purpose bomb in the bomb bay of a TBM "Avenger" aircraft, 27 January 1944. Intrepid was then en route to support the invasion of Roi and Namur Islands, Kwajalein Atoll. Note inscriptions on the bomb, from Torpedoman 3rd Class R.A. Franco, addressed to "Hon. Hirohito, Imperial Palace, Tokyo". Also note flame reducer on the plane's exhaust port, and landing gear details.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-227134).

"It is not all work for the men of the USS Intrepid (CV-11). Volley ball." However, the "Beware of Propellers" admonition reminds that this is one of the most dangerous workplaces in the world. Photo is dated 10 February 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-227150.

"It is not all work for the men of the USS Intrepid (CV-11). Sun bathing on the flight deck." Photo is dated 18 February 1944 but this might be incorrect, since the ship was torpedoed on the 17th.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-227167.

The night of 17 February 1944 an aerial torpedo struck Intrepid's starboard quarter, 15 feet below her waterline, flooding several compartments and jamming her rudder hard to port. By racing her port screw and idling her starboard engine, Captain Thomas L. Sprague kept her on course until two days later strong winds swung her back and forth and tended to weathercock her with her bow pointed toward Tokyo. Sprague later confessed: "Right then I wasn't interested in going in that direction." At this point the crew fashioned a jury-rig sail of hatch covers and scrap canvas which swung Intrepid about and held her on course. Decorated by her crazy-quilt sail, the carrier stood into Pearl Harbor 24 February 1944.

Read "Forward repair of rudder damage" at the Researcher @ Large website.

Damage to the starboard side of the 3rd deck aft caused by the torpedo hit of 17 February 1944. This view was taken looking aft from the CPOs mess (stations 184–192).

USN photo.

Starboard stern view of USS Intrepid (CV-11), showing the jury-rigged rudder control and patch over the hole caused when she was hit by a torpedo on 17 February 1944. Photo taken at the Hunters Point Navy Yard near San Francisco, California, after her long journey back from the front.

US Navy photograph now in the custody of the US National Archives, College Park MD.

Read "Forward repair of rudder damage" at the Researcher @ Large website.

USS Intrepid (CV-11), painted in Measure 32, Design 3A, refitting at Hunters Point, June 1944.

USS Intrepid (CV-11) leaves Hunters Point for Pearl Harbor, 9 June 1944, after repairs from a torpedo hit she received 17 February (see NS021155). As was often the case, she was ferrying aircraft and vehicles to Hawaii, before returning to the forward battle areas.

USS Enterprise (CV-6), left, and USS Intrepid (CV-11) in port, probably at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in July 1944. Intrepid wears camouflage Measure 32 Design 3A, whereas Enterprise is painted in Measure 21.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 2005.100.001.011.

Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944. High aerial of part of Japanese fleet, as seen from a plane from USS Intrepid (CV-11). Curved wakes are cut by ships in water of Tablas Strait.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-47154.

Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944. High aerial of part of Japanese fleet, as seen from a plane from USS Intrepid (CV-11). Curved wakes are cut by ships in water of Tablas Strait.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-47155.

A U.S. Navy Curtiss SB2C-3 Helldiver caught in the after radio mast of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) after a night landing accident on 30 October 1944. The plane was assigned to Bombing Squadron (VB) 7 aboard USS Hancock (CV-19).

Naval History and Heritage Command photo, # NH 95398.

USS Intrepid (CV-11) operating in the Philippine Sea in November 1944. Note F6F Hellcat fighter parked on an outrigger forward of her island. In this picture Intrepid is camouflaged to Measure 32, Design 3A.

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

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97468).

Japanese Kamikaze suicide plane disintegrates in flames after hitting USS Intrepid (CV-11), during operations off the Philippines on 25 November 1944. Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 62958).

As seen from USS New Jersey (BB-62), USS Intrepid (CV-11) belching smoke and fire after being hit by a Japanese kamikaze off Northern Luzon, P.I., 25 November 1944.

USS Intrepid (CV-11) crew clear away wreckage from the hangar deck, following a fire resulting from the attack of two kamikaze aircraft, 25 November 1944. Six officers and 59 Sailors were killed in the attack but Intrepid maintained station, and in less than two hours had extinguished the blaze.

U.S. Navy photo (# 270841).

Wounded sailors are treated on the flight deck of USS Intrepid (CV-11) after a Japanese suicide pilot crashed his plane on the carrier's deck, off the coast of Luzon, Philippine Islands, 25 November 1944.

AP Photo/US Navy.

USS Intrepid (CV-11) continues operations near Luzon despite kamikaze hit, 25 November 1944.

A cloud of flaming gasoline mushrooms from the flight deck of USS Intrepid (CV-11) as a Japanese suicide plane explodes, 25 November 1944.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-389937.

Burial at sea ceremonies aboard USS Intrepid (CV-11), 26 November 1944.

"Shortly after noon 25 November a heavy force of Japanese planes struck back at the carriers. Within 5 minutes 2 kamikazes crashed into the carrier killing 6 officers and 59 bluejackets. Intrepid never lost propulsion nor left her station in the task group; and, in less than 2 hours, had extinguished the last blaze. The next day, Intrepid headed for San Francisco, arriving 20 December for repairs." (Quoted from DANFS.)

Burial at sea ceremonies aboard USS Intrepid (CV-11), 26 November 1944.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo.

Burial services for battle dead aboard USS Intrepid (CV-11) in the Philippine Sea. Photographed by PhoM1/c W.J. Fay, 26 November 1944.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-389935.

Burial at sea ceremonies aboard USS Intrepid (CV-11), 26 November 1944.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo.

Burial at sea ceremonies aboard USS Intrepid (CV-11), 26 November 1944.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo.

Burial at sea, 26 November 1944, for the officers and men killed by Japanese kamikaze attack. The ship had been hit while operating off the Philippines on the previous day. Photographed by Lieutenant Barrett Gallagher, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-468912.

USS Intrepid (CV-11) refueling from USS Taluga (AO-62), circa 1945.

Photos from the LT(JG) Lloyd Lavack Collection.

Mog-Mog Island, Ulithi, 1945. Sailors return to USS Intrepid (CV-11) after some rest and recreation.

Her deck packed with planes for transport to the Pacific Theater, USS Intrepid (CV-11) is underway off U.S. Naval Shipyard Hunters Point near San Francisco, California, 20 February 1945. Note her camouflage measure 12.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.244.017.

This carrier appears to be USS Intrepid (CV-11), probably in March–April 1945, location unknown.

USS Chicopee (AO-34) refueling USS Intrepid (CV-11) to port while simultaneously refueling USS Norman Scott (DD-690) to starboard, Pacific Ocean, 10 April 1945.

Gunners aboard USS Yorktown (CV-10) watch two kamikaze aircraft attack USS Intrepid (CV-11), 16 April 1945. One plane crashes on Intrepid's flight deck while its bomb explodes beside the carrier; the other plane misses the carrier and crashes near the bomb splash.

Photographed by PhoM1/c William Helms, USNR. U. S. Navy Photo.

Okinawa Campaign, March–June 1945—USS Intrepid (CV-11) afire, after she was hit by a Kamikaze off Okinawa on 16 April 1945. Photographed from USS Alaska (CB-1), as a Fletcher-class destroyer steams by in the foreground.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-328441).

USS Intrepid (CV-11) in Buckner Bay, Okinawa between 19 and 25 September 1945. Photos from USS Saugatuck (AO-75) passing in or out of anchorage. Intrepid was operating as air cover for Allied forces in China and Korea.

U.S. personnel being transported back to the United States aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) during Operation Magic Carpet, 1945–1946.

Photo by PhoMC Edward F. Dolezal, U.S. Navy.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 2005.100.001.042.

USS Intrepid off the coast of Japan, with Mount Fuji in the background. After several months of occupation duty, the carrier weighed anchor and headed for home, 2 December 1945.

USS Alaska (CB-1) cruising in company with USS Intrepid (CV-11), 16 April 1945. The carrier is smoking from an earlier kamikaze strike and is getting ready to retire homeward for repairs, via Ulithi and Pearl Harbor. The plane is a Helldiver returning to USS Bennington (CV-20).

USS Intrepid (CV-11) underway, probably at the end of World War II when she was acting as an aircraft transport, with a deckload of PBY Catalina aircraft.

A Vought F7U-3M Cutlass of Fighter Squadron (VF) 83 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) in 1954.

U.S Navy photo from U.S. Naval Aviation, edited by M. Hill Goodspeed (National Museum of Naval Aviation).

USS Intrepid (CVA-11) operating off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 9 February 1955, shortly after her SCB-27C modernization. F2H "Banshee" jet fighters are on her flight deck.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-659612).

USS Intrepid (CVA-11) underway, possibly during her May-November 1955 Med cruise. USS Salem (CA-139) is in the background.

USS Intrepid (CVA-11) underway, with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 4, circa 1955 (see also photo above).

USS Intrepid (CVA-11) prepares to launch a McDonnell F2H-2 "Banshee" jet fighter from the starboard catapult, June 1956. Note details of the carrier's island, including radar antennas.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-20593).

AD-6 Skyraider, BuNo 139636, modex AF-412, Attack Squadron (VA) 25 "Tigers," Carrier Air Group (CVG) 6, circa 1957. (This photo may have been taken during Exercise Strike Back.)

In the background, left to right: A squadron mate and three F9F-8B Cougars, VA-66 "Waldomen."

LT(JG) B. Richards and his AD-6 Skyraider, BuNo 139636, modex AF-412, Attack Squadron (VA) 25 "Tigers," Carrier Air Group (CVG) 6, circa 1957.

Two Skyraiders attached to Attack Squadron (VA) 25 "Tigers." That on the left is AD-6 BuNo 135273, modex AF-407 (later transferred to the USAF as 52-135273).

Landing Signal Officer (LSO).

AD-5 Skyraider, Attack Squadron (VA) 25 "Tigers," Carrier Air Group (CVG) 6, recovering aboard USS Intrepid (CVA-11), circa 1957. (This photo may have been taken during Exercise Strike Back.)

Parked on deck are FJ-3/3M Fury of Fighter Squadron (VF) 33 "Tarsiers" (side numbers 2xx) and F2H-3/4 Banshee of VF-71 (side numbers 1xx).

Aircraft of Carrier Air Group (CVG) 6 aboard USS Intrepid (CVA-11), circa 1957. F2H-3/4 Banshee, Fighter Squadron (VF) 71 (side numbers 1xx); FJ-3/3M Fury, VF-33 "Tarsiers" (2xx); AD-5W Skyraider, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 12 "Bats" Det. 33 (7xx); AD-6 and AD-5N variants of the Skyraider, Attack Squadron (VA) 25 "Tigers" (4xx) and All-Weather Attack Squadron (VA(AW)) 33 "Night Hawks" Det. 33 (8xx).

Skyraiders (foreground) and Banshees (middle distance).

USS Intrepid (CVA-11) deployed, 3 September-22 October 1957, to take part in NATO's Operation Strike Back, the largest peacetime naval exercise up to that time in history. Strike Back involved some 150 ships from six countries (Canada, The Netherlands, France, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) including nine large aircraft carriers: HMS Ark Royal, HMS Eagle, HMS Bulwark, USS Forrestal (CVA-59), USS Saratoga (CVA-60), USS Essex (CVA-9), USS Intrepid (CVA-11), USS Wasp (CVS-18) and USS Tarawa (CVS-40).

Departing Norfolk, September 3, 1957, for Operation Strike Back.

Sequence showing final approach and landing of a F2H-3 Banshee of VF-71, in the North Atlantic.

Note two-letter tail code on aircraft of Carrier Air Group Six (CVG-6). Although officially introduced per MIL-I-18464B(Aer), 30 September 1958, examples could already be seen in the second half of 1957. CVG-6's tail code was changed from "C" to "AF." The effective date was most likely the beginning of FY 58 (1 July 1957).

Two Grumman F9F-8B Cougar of VA-66 "Waldomen" and three North American FJ-3 Fury of VF-33 "Astronauts" parked on deck, North Atlantic. The empty "slot" marks the point where another FJ-3 fell overboard.

Both squadrons received new aircraft shortly after Strike Back: VA-66 transitioned to the Douglas A4D-1 Skyhawk and VF-33 transitioned to the short-lived Grumman F11F-1 Tiger.

Four North American FJ-3 Fury and a Douglas AD-6 Skyraider of VA-25. North Atlantic.

Take off, North Atlantic.

North American FJ-3 Fury taking off. North Atlantic.

One of the "Fleet Angels" of HU-2 takes off.

An AD-5W Skyraider of VAW-12 "Bats" landing on USS Intrepid.

Arriving Brest, France, October 1957. Parked on deck are F2H-3 Banshees of VF-71 and F9F-8B Cougars of VA-66 "Waldomen."

Off Brest, France.

From the fantail.

Flight deck.

Glenn Herzenach, PNSN.

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-5N Skyraider (BuNo 135038, modex GD-802) from All-Weather Attack Squadron (VA(AW)) 33 "Night Hawks" Det. 33 in flight, 1958. VA(AW)-33 Det.33 was assigned to Air Task Group (ATG) 181 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) for a deployment to the North Atlantic from 9 June to 8 August 1958.

U.S. Navy photo from the Intrepid 1958 Cruise Book

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-6 Skyraider (Bu 137537, modex AM-406) from Attack Squadron (VA) 42 "Green Pawns" refueling in flight a Grumman F9F-8P Cougar (BuNo 141688, GA-901) from Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (VFP) 62 "Fighting Photos" Det. 33, 1958. Both squadrons were assigned to Air Task Group (ATG) 181 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) for a deployment to the North Atlantic from 9 June to 8 August 1958.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, No. 1996.253.2671.

Mayport, Fla., September 1958.

Dennis Marshall, however, comments: "I was aboard the USS Intrepid from 1956 to 1959. The ship was never in Mayport, Fla. during those years. [...] Intrepid was in the northern Atlantic on operation Strikeback in late 1957 with yours truly aboard. We returned to Norfolk in early 1958 and continued workup off Virgina Beach. I do not have the exact dates, however the ship deployed for the Mediterranean from Norfolk, Va. in late 1958 and returned in 1959 several weeks prior to the end of my enlistment on 30 September 1959. It may be that the ship left Norfolk for Mayport in the months or year later."

USS Intrepid (CVA-11) underway with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 6 embarked, circa 1959–61. Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, or Mediterranean.

USS Intrepid (CVA-11) underway off Norfolk, 25 March 1960, with an unusual mix of aircraft. An S2F Tracker is readied for launch from the starboard catapult, while an A3D Skywarrior and three F4D Skyrays are just abaft the island.

USS Nitro (AE-23) replenishing USS Intrepid (CVA-11). US Navy photo, circa 1960‐1962.

USS Independence (CVA-62), USS Saratoga (CVA-60), and USS Intrepid (CVA-11) (listed from bottom to top) underway, 17 November 1960, with crewmen paraded on deck in a spellout commemorating the 50th birthday of Naval Aviation.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 97716.

USS Intrepid (CVA-11), with USS Saratoga (CVA-60) and USS Independence (CVA-62) in the background. This photo was likely taken on the same occasion and around the same time as the photo above.

USS Intrepid (CVA-11) appears in the background of these photos taken in Norfolk, mid-1961, by PH3 Larry Blumenthal, to check out some new lenses. The name of his fellow photographer escapes Larry at the moment.

USS Aldebaran (AF-10) and USS Intrepid (CVA-11) during an underway replenishment, circa 1962, probably in the Mediterranean Sea.

US Navy photo

USS Intrepid (CV-11), "Large Aircraft Carrier — World War II, Navy Yard—Hunters Point, Calif."

Welcome Aboard the Anti-Submarine Warfare Support Aircraft Carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11), "The Fighting I." (1962).

In 1968-1969 USS Intrepid (CVS-11), "The Fighting I," was operating as an attack carrier under Captain V. F. Kelley, with Carrier Air Wing 10 aboard.

In 1969-1970 USS Intrepid (CVS-11), "The Fighting I," was operating as an ASW carrier under Captain H. N. Moore, Jr.

USS Intrepid (CVS-11), In Mare, In Coelo.

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

• USS Intrepid (CVS-11): 1962 - present
• USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• Commanding Officers
• Cruise Books
• Papers of QMCM Byron Franklin (SS)