CVB-43 was named after the battle fought, 4–8 May 1942, in the Coral Sea, located between New Guinea and Australia (NS0243ai). It was the first engagement in naval warfare in which warships exchanged not a shot, the action being carried on by carrier aircraft of both fleets. Although a Japanese tactical victory, it turned out to be a decisive strategic victory for the United States, as it halted further Japanese advance to the southeast, and saved Australia and New Zealand from any further threat of invasion. (Map courtesy of Google Maps.)

NS0202am: Paintings of Naval Aviation during World War II: Abbott Collection. # 99: "Death of Shoho." Artwork by Robert Benney. (Courtesy of the National Museum of the US Navy.)

An escort aircraft carrier had previously borne the name, but was renamed Anzio so that CVB-43 could be named Coral Sea.

"Newport News Shipbuilding, Va.—2 April 1946—The 45,000 ton aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea CVB 43 was Christened by the ship's sponsor Mrs. Thomas C. Kinkaid, as she swung the traditional bottle of Champagne striking the bow. On the left is the matron of honor Mrs. Joseph W. Henderson, Jr., Admiral C.L. Cox is behind Mrs. Kinkaid and on the right is Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid. International News Photo by P.N. Breon of INP."

The future USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) leaves Dry Dock 10 on Wedenesday, 3 April 1946. The Midway-class aircraft carrier had been christened the previous day by Ship's Sponsor Mrs. Thomas C. Kinkaid.

Overhead view of USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) on 30 September 1947. The ship is en route to Norfolk Navy Yard for commissioning.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection, # 1996.488.120.003.

Broadside view of USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) on 30 September 1947. The ship is en route to Norfolk Navy Yard for commissioning.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection, # 1996.488.120.004.

Closeup of the future USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) taken on Tuesday, 30 September 1947. National Archives photo (# 80-G-389078).

Bow view of USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) on 1 October 1947. The ship is en route to Norfolk Navy Yard for commissioning later that day.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection, # 1996.488.120.005.

Commissioning Program (partial).

USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) in the late 1940s, early in her career. Exact date and location unknown.

Photographed in 1948. Coral Sea, as shown in this and the above photo, was completed with 14, rather than 18, 5"/54 guns: note the absence of two of the after mounts on each side, as compared to her sister ships Midway and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo #: NH 97648).

Vertical aerial view of USS Coral Sea (CVB-43), 16 January 1948. U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-389507.

A nice view of USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) probably taken during her shakedown cruise, 19 January–5 April 1948, to Cuba and Panama Canal, with Battle Carrier Air Group (CVBG) 5 embarked.

NS024368a: A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-1 Skyraider of Attack Squadron (VA) 6B unfolding its wings aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVB-43).

NS024368b: AD-1 Skyraiders of VA-6B ready for launching from Coral Sea.

U.S. Navy photos.

VA-6B was assigned to Battle Carrier Air Group (CVBG) 5 aboard Coral Sea for her shakedown cruise in the Atlantic Ocean from 19 January to 5 April 1948. CVBG-5 was redesignated Carrier Air Group (CVG) 6 on 27 July 1948, and VA-6B was redesignated VF-62 the following day.

A Lockheed P2V-3C Neptune patrol aircraft, [CDR Thomas D. Davies and LCDR John P. Wheatley], assisted by JATO rockets, roars down the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea on 27 April 1948, [off Norfolk, Virginia,] as the Navy initiated a program to develop a carrier-based nuclear strike capability. U.S. Navy photo.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-1 Skyraider (BuNo 09283, modex C-417) from Attack Squadron (VA) 64 is ready for launch aboard USS Coral Sea (CVB-43), 14 September 1948. VA-64 became a Composite Squadron and was re-designated VC-24, nicknamed "Duty Cats," on 8 April 1949.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.933.

One of the three Lockheed P2V-3C Neptunes of Composite Squadron Five being loaded aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, on 4 March 1949. Three days later, off the Virginia Capes, the Neptunes took off with the aid of JATO boosters. Captain John T. Hayward was at the controls of the first plane, which weighed 74,100 pounds including a 10,000-pound dummy nuclear weapon. The other Neptunes weighed 65,000 and 55,000 pounds, respectively. Photo U.S. Navy, Official.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

Six U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3E Avenger anti-submarine aircraft of Composite Squadron (VC) 22 "Checkmates" flying over the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) and the Gearing-class destroyer USS Bordelon (DD-881), circa 1948–1950.

The squadron was established as Torpedo Squadron (VT) 42 on 19 July 1945; redesignated Attack Squadron (VA) 2E on 15 November 1946; VC-22 on 1 September 1948; Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 22 on 20 April 1950; and disestablished on 1 June 1956.

"The crew of USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) stands at attention on the flight deck." From All Hands magazine, November 1950 issue.

Vought F4U-5 Corsair fighter takes off from USS Coral Sea (CVB-43), while she was operating in the Mediterranean Sea, November 1950. This is a U.S. Marine Corps aircraft. Note radar antennas atop the island, and flag signal reading "085 turn".

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-423543).

Med Cruise Book, September 9, 1950–February 1, 1951, with Carrier Air Group 17 (CVG-17).

Map, pages 1–8 and 10–17.

USS Coral Sea (CVB-43), with embarked Carrier Air Group (CVG) 1, circa 1951.

USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) as seen from USS Baltimore (CA-68) in 1952.

(See also photos NS0406819 and NS0406840).

USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) and USS Salem (CA-139) during Med. exercises, 1952. Note helo between Coral Sea and Salem.

USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) during 1952 Med Cruise.

The first XFJ-2 Fury, BuNo 133754, conducted carrier qualification tests aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in late 1952.

A U.S. Navy Vought F7U-3 Cutlass during carrier qualifications aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in November 1952. Note the SK-2 radar and the Mk.37 gun director with Mk.25 radar in the background.

Courtesy of the USS Coral Sea CVB-43 CVA-43 CV-43 Tribute Site.

Two images of USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), circa 1953–1957.

This is probably USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), seen from USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), circa May 1953. Both carriers departed their homeports on 26 April 1953: Coral Sea steamed from Norfolk for a tour of duty in the Mediterranean; Lake Champlain departed Mayport for Korea, via the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and China Sea.

"Official Navy Photo. Released by Dept. of Defense"
"Aircraft carriers of the fleet: USS Antietam (CVA-36) with new canted flight deck, upper left; USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) upper right; USS Midway (CVA‑41), lower left; USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), lower right; center, artist conception of the USS Forrestal (CVA-59). The Forrestal's keel was laid at Newport News (7-14-52) and is scheduled for launching in 1954."

USN Official Photo, # 484875, dated 15 Jul 1953.

David comments: "[P]erhaps unknowingly, the people of Navy Public Affairs or whoever put this montage together, certainly did a great job of assembling a 'past, present and future' of carrier aviation, including the airship, first canted (angled) deck, first large carriers, first supercarrier, and a link to World War II in the form of the as-yet unmodified CVA 31."

The Douglas XF4D-1 Skyray prototype (BuNo 124586) during carrier trials aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in October 1953. BuNo 124586 was later used for fire-fighting practice and destroyed in the 1980s. Official US Navy photo.

Aerial view of USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) with Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) aboard, probably in 1954. Lightship in the background appears to be USCG LV 84/WAL 509, which was stationed at the entrance of the St. Johns River, near Jacksonville, FL, 1929–1954.

Another view of USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) with Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) aboard, probably taken at the same time as the photo above.

Three U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-6 Cougars of Fighter Squadron (VF) 103 "Flying Cougars" fly over USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). VF-103 was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 10 aboard the Midway-class carrier for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 7 July to 20 December 1954.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.7407.021.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) at anchor, possibly in the summer of 1954, during her seventh Mediterranean Cruise.

Photo Galilea.

Maneuvers at high speed in the Mediterranean Sea, 28 July 1955.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo #: 80-G-K-18394).

Genoa, Italy, 29 August 1955. Carrier Air Group (CVG) 17.

Aerial view of USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) underway, with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 17 aboard, circa 1955.

USS Iowa (BB-61) and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) circa 1956–1957.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, photo # 80-G-1011635.

Aerial view of USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) at anchor, apparently with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 10 aboard, circa 1956–1957.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in the Mediterranean, August 1956–February 1957, seen from USS Randolph (CVA-15).

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) undergoing SCB-110A modernization at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, 1 February 1958.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) standing out, USS Midway (CVA-41) standing in, San Francisco, sometime in the 1960s.

Aerial view of three aircraft carriers, USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), and USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), at Naval Air Station Alameda, California.

Note a former escort carrier, converted into an aircraft transport, on the upper left—possibly USNS Breton (AKV-42).

Although the photo is dated 1966, it is believed to have been taken in the first half of 1960.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), closer to camera, USS Midway (CVA-41), two unidentified auxiliaries and a modernized Essex-class carrier. Naval Air Station Alameda, California, first half of the 1960s.

"Column Left..." The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada parade down the flight deck of the USS Coral Sea. The Highlanders, commanded by LCOL Ian Bell-Irving, were guests of Coral Sea during the ship's visit to Vancouver, British Columbia, March 1960. US Navy photo now in the Seattle Branch of the National Archives.

Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawks of U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy attack squadrons on the flight deck of USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in 1960–61. Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15 had two Skyhawk squadrons assigned for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 19 September 1960 to 27 May 1961: VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies" and VA-155 "Silver Foxes." Two additional Marine Corps squadrons were assigned: VMA-121 "Green Knights" (November 1960–April 1961), and VMA-324 "Vagabonds" (November 1960–March 1961). USMC squadrons did not adopt CVG-15's tail code "NL," but kept their own tail codes: "VK" (VMA-121) and "DX" (VMA-324). This picture shows five A4D-2s: three from VMA-324 in the foreground, DX616, DX624 (BuNo 142873), and DX626 (BuNo 142854); NL502 (BuNo 145046) and NL510 from VA-155. In the foreground, two Douglas A3D-2 Skywarriors of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 2 "Royal Rampants" are partly visible. In the background is one of Helicopter Utility Squadon (HU) 1 Det. D "Pacific Fleet Angels" Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever helicopters. The A4D-2 BuNo 145046 was later sold to Singapore (converted to an A-4S). Photographed by John Lyons, USN.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) during her 12 December 1961–17 July 1962 WestPac deployment, as seen from USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7).

A3D-2/A-3B Skywarrior BuNo 147650 was attached to Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 2 "Royal Rampants" in 1961–66 and deployed to WestPac/Vietnam as part of Carrier Air Group/Carrier Air Wing (CVG/CVW) 15, aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43).

BuNo 147650 was lost in a mid-air collision with an RA-5C Vigilante off southern California, 6 October 1966.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) mooring alongside Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 1962. Aircraft from Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15 are spotted on the flight deck.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo (# 1999.272.013).

Official US Navy Photograph, USN 1061345, dated January 12, 1962, officially released. US Naval Photographic Center. Caption on back reads: "USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) leaving Subic Bay, Phillipines. British ships in background."

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) steams alongside USS Bellatrix (AF-62) during underway replenishment in Western Pacific waters. USS Duncan (DDR-874) is at left. Photo was released by USS Coral Sea under date of 16 April 1962. Among the planes on the carrier's flight deck are seven A3D Skywarrior heavy attack aircraft.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo #: NH 97649).

Planes from Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15 are parked on the flight deck. Visible are F8U-2N Crusaders of VF-154 "Black Knights," F3H Demons of VF-151 "Vigilantes," A4D-2 Skyhawks of VA-155 "Silver Foxes," A4D-2N Skyhawks of VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies," AD-6 Skyraiders of VA-152 "Friendlies," WF-2 Tracers of VAW-11 Det. D "Early Elevens," A3D-2 Skywarriors of VAH-2 "Royal Rampants," and a single HUP-3 Retriever helicopter of HU-1 Det. D, "Pacific Fleet Angels." (Thanks to Robert Hurst.)

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) conducting a replenishment at sea with an unidentified oiler and an unidentified destroyer, apparently in late 1962–early 1963 in the Eastern Pacific.

US Navy photo.

A U.S. Navy Douglas A-4E Skyhawk, BuNo 149648, assigned to the Naval Air TestDMA (NATC), Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD, on the cat aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), probably in the Eastern Pacific, circa 1962–64. USN photo.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), with embarked Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15, passing the Arizona Memorial as the aircraft carrier departs Pearl Harbor, at 1621 on 18 April 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photograph by PHCS Robert A. Carlisle, USN. Naval History & Heritage Command, photo # NH 97325-KN.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), with embarked Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15, departs Pearl Harbor, 18 April 1963, en route to Sydney, Australia.

On the left side of photo NS024309a, moored to Pier F-1, U.S. Naval Station Ford Island, are (left to right): USS Isle Royale (AD-29); USS Newell (DER-322), soon to begin a dry dock period; USS Durant (DER-389); and USS Moctobi (ATF-105).

Courtesy of the USS Coral Sea CVB-43 CVA-43 CV-43 Tribute Site.

NS024309d: Courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.120.032.

"En route to her third WestPac deployment [3 April–25 November 1963] USS Coral Sea makes a stop at Sydney, Australia to be the only U.S. Navy carrier in the annual observance of the Battle of the Coral Sea". Quoted from Naval Aviation News, June 1963 issue.

Official US Navy photo. (Appears to have been taken before 1963.)

An E-1B Tracer, BuNo 148907, assigned to VAW-11 "Early Elevens" Det. D (top), and an A-1H/J Skyraider assigned to VA-152 "Friendlies" (bottom), photographed at the Royal Australian Navy Air Station, HMAS Albatross, near Nowra, about 100 miles south of Sydney, Australia, (probably in May) 1963. Both VA-152 and VAW-11 Det. D were part of Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15, deployed to WestPac aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43)—see also NS024344—.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) visited Sydney, Australia, in May 1963, marking the 21st anniversary of the battle for which she was named (sometimes also referred in Australia as the "Battle for Australia").

Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15 deployed with Coral Sea and included the following squadrons: VF-151 "Vigilantes," F-3B Demons; VA-152 "Friendlies," A-1H & A-1J Skyraiders; VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies," A-4C Skyhawks; VF-154 "Black Knights," F-8D Crusaders; VA-155 "Silver Foxes," A-4B Skyhawks; VAH-2 "Royal Rampants," A-3B Skywarriors; VAW-11 Det. D "Early Elevens," E-1B Tracers; VFP-63 Det. D "Eyes of the Fleet," RF-8A Crusaders; and HU-1 Det. D "Pacific Fleet Angels," UH-2A Sea Sprites.

Overhead view of USS Graffias (AF-29) replenishing the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and the destroyer USS Marshall (DD-676) in November 1963. Coral Sea, with assigned Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15, was deployed to the Western Pacific from 3 April to 25 November 1963.

Courtesy of U.S. Naval Reserve Center, Tacoma Wharf Port Facility—Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # UA 556.05.

Mattaponi (AO-41) refueling Rowan (DD-782) to starboard, Coral Sea (CVA-43) to port. US Navy photo, likely taken in 1964–1965.

F-4B Phantom II, BuNo 149449, modex NL-108, Fighter Squadron (VF) 151 "Vigilantes," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15, during USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) WestPac deployment, 7 December 1964–1 November 1965.

(Attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron [VMFA] 323 "Death Rattlers," this aircraft was lost on 2 August 1968.)

Photograph taken by Commander Jim Waldron in 1965, off the coast of Vietnam.

Paricutin (AE-18) rearming Coral Sea (CVA-43) in the South China Sea, 26 February 1965. US Navy photo.

Paricutin (AE-18) rearming Coral Sea (CVA-43) in the South China Sea, 26 February 1965. US Navy photo.

Paricutin (AE-18) rearming Coral Sea (CVA-43) in the South China Sea, 26 February 1965. US Navy photo.

Paricutin (AE-18) rearming Coral Sea (CVA-43) in the South China Sea, 26 February 1965. US Navy photo.

Paricutin (AE-18) rearming Coral Sea (CVA-43) in the South China Sea, 26 February 1965. US Navy photo.

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).

Aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), the Catapult Officer signals "launch" and an A-4C Skyhawk (from VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies" squadron) starts down the flight deck, during operations in the South China Sea, 24 March 1965. The plane is being launched from the carrier's starboard catapult. Photographed by PH1 James F. Falk, USN.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1111691-A).

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.

USS Taluga (AO-62) refueling USS Buchanan (DDG-14) and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), possibly in the South China Sea on 3 July 1965.

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15 was aboard. Parked aft on the flight deck (NS0243aj), left to right, are: an A-4E Skyhawk from Attack Squadron (VA) 155 "Silver Foxes," two F-8D Crusaders from Fighter Squadron (VF) 154 "Black Knights," and an A-4C Skyhawk from VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies."

LT J. Allen Whitt, USNR, served aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), July 1965–November 1967, and deployed three times to Vietnam. He authored Notes from the Other Side of the Mountain: Love Confronts the Wounds of War, a novel based on his time aboard.

Text from USS Coral Sea CVB-43 CVA-43 CV-43 Tribute Site:

(Submitted by Randy Kelso)—This sequence of photos show LT Jack Terhune ejecting from his damaged [F-8D Crusader, BuNo 147899, modex NL-406,] over the China Sea [on 14 October 1965]. He was picked up by a helicopter from the USS Coral Sea.

The photos were taken by LT(JG) Roy A. Zink of VFP-63 from his [RF-8A] photo bird. LCDR Jim Ginn is seen flying his [F-8D, BuNo 148670, NL-411] along side of the crippled F-8. Mr. Jack Terhune's aircraft was shot up on a raid into North Vietnam and he was trying to make it back to the boat but lost all his hydraulic fluid. When this happens in the F-8, everything hangs out in the breeze (gear, flaps, speedbrake, wing raised, hook, etc, then the stick freezes!).

Mr. Terhune told his two wingmen Mr. Jim Ginn on the starboard side and Mr. Roy Zink in a photo Crusader on the port side that he was about to punch. Mr. Zink started his starboard camera taking pictures at a high rate and the result was the series ejection photos. The pictures made the newspapers and several Navy publications; it was apparently the first time such a sequence had been captured on film.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), Fighter Squadron (VF) 154 "Black Knights," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15.

NS0243cg: All Hands, January 1966 issue.

NS0243cga: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # USN 1113584.

NS0243cgb: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # USN 1113585.

Note: The date of this incident is sometimes given as 11 August 1965, which is not correct. On the alleged date, Coral Sea was anchored in Hong Kong and got underway at 0730. (Source: Coral Sea deck log.)

Grumman C-1A Trader (BuNo 146022) assigned to USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) during the carrier's deployment to Vietnam from 29 July 1966 to 23 February 1967. U.S. Navy photo.

A Grumman E-2A Hawkeye of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 11 "Early Eleven" Det. A about to recover aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) during the carrier's deployment to Vietnam from 29 July 1966 to 23 February 1967. U.S. Navy photo.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) as seen from USS Perkins (DD-877) in July 1966, west bound at the start of her second Vietnam War cruise (29 July 1966–23 February 1967). Carrier Air Wing was CVW-2.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) conducting air operations, August–October 1966, as seen from USS Wiltsie (DD-716).

USS Tappahannock (AO-43) conducting an underway replenishment (UNREP) of USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in the South China Sea, 13 January 1967. Coral Sea, with assigned Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, was deployed to the Western Pacific and Vietnam from 29 July 1966 to 23 February 1967.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # L45-274.01.01.

Note: The photo's date was originally given as 12 January 1967, but the deck logs of both ships show the UNREP on the afternoon of Friday, 13 January 1967, local time.

A-4E Skyhawk, BuNo 151120 (modex NE340), Attack Squadron (VA) 23 "Black Knights," was forced to land into Coral Sea's barricade after a combat strike near Haiphong in North Vietnam, 26 November 1966. The plane was hit in the left wing, was on fire at different times in the flight, and was very low on fuel, but LT Jerry P. Shafer was able to recover aboard the carrier.

From Naval Aviation News magazine, February 1967 issue.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) at Alameda, CA, around 22 April 1967. Coral Sea had returned from her second Vietnam deployment on 23 February.

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.

Two views of USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) taken at 11AM on July 26, 1967 as she left San Francisco headed for WestPac and her third Vietnam deployment — an eventful cruise, involving many of the heaviest strikes of the war. Air Wing was CVW-15.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) was adopted as "San Francisco's Own" shortly before departing for her third Vietnam cruise, 26 July 1967–8 April 1968.

A Douglas A-1 Skyraider assigned to VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" comes in to recover aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in January 1968. Note the destroyer on plane-guard duty astern of the carrier. Photo US Navy.

A-4E Skyhawk (BuNo 151169, modex NL-315), Attack Squadron (VA) 153 "Blue Tail Flies," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15. Japan, March 1968. (151169 was transferred to the Israeli Air Force in February 1971.)

CVW-15 deployed to WestPac and Vietnam, with USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), 26 July 1967–8 April 1968.

On 18 October 1967 USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) collided with the ammunition ship USS Mount Katmai (AE-16) while conducting an underway replenishment in the Tonkin Gulf. There were no personnel casualties or injuries reported.

This is a chunk of metal that came off Coral Sea as a result of the collision.

Aerial view of the San Francisco Naval Shipyard at Hunters Point, sometime between April and July 1968. USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and USS Hancock (CVA-19) are easily identifiable. Also visible in this photo are Midway (CVA-41), undergoing her SCB-101.66 modernization in the drydock just aft of Coral Sea, and USS Oriskany (CVA-34), undergoing an 8-month overhaul in the background.

Chester Morris comments: "The two A shaped structures (painted with stripes) next to the large overhead crane at the bottom of the photo, are a part of the system used to test the new Polaris missile during the 60's at Hunters Point. They would fire a missile with what I assume was compressed air, and they were a part of the catching apparatus."

"On July 23 and 24, [1968] Coral Sea conducted the only carrier suitability tests of the F-111B, the Navy's version of the multi-service F-111. The fighter with the variable sweep wings made 10 arrested landings and eight touch-and-go landings on the ship. Tests were also conducted to see how the F-111B performed on the ship's elevators and towing procedures. The plane had to be lowered on Elevator One empty of fuel. V-1 Division personnel noted that the elevator's maximum weight load is 74,000 pounds; the F-111B, when fueled weighed 74,500 and when empty about 56,000. There was also very little clearance for the plane on the elevator. The F-111B was then towed from the elevator to hangar deck control. The feeling of V-3 Division personnel was that the plane was inconsistent with the size of the ship, large and unwieldy, and difficult to move. The plane was then taken back to the flight deck via the elevator."

From USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) Command History, 1968.

McDonnell F-4B Phantom II, BuNo 151487, modex NL215, VF-161 "Chargers," probably during the ship's fourth Vietnam cruise.

Photos of USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15, Yokosuka, Japan, December 1968 or April 1969.

A-4F Skyhawk, BuNo 155022 (NL302), Attack Squadron (VA) 153 "Blue Tail Flies;" and A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148464 (NL603), VA-216 "Black Diamonds." Partly visible in one or both of these photos are: (left), F-4B Phantom II BuNo 150634 (NL210), Fighter Squadron (VF) 161 "Chargers;" F-4B Phantom II BuNo 153913 (NL101), VF-151 "Vigilantes;" (right), F-4B Phantom IIs, BuNos 152267 (NL206) and 151487 (NL215), VF-161 "Chargers."

Left to right: F-4B Phantom II, BuNo 151003 (NL107), VF-151 "Vigilantes;" F-4B Phantom II BuNo 149450 (NL204), VF-161 "Chargers;" F-4B Phantom II BuNo 149446 (NL104), VF-151 "Vigilantes."

F-4B Phantom II, BuNo 151482, modex NL202, Fighter Squadron (VF) 161 "Chargers," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) steams along the port side of USS New Jersey (BB-62) in the Pacific Ocean, 12 April 1969, en route from Yokosuka, Japan, to Alameda, California.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.120.046.

Front to back: USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), USS Hancock (CVA-19), three auxiliaries (which appear to be USS Markab (AR-23) with USS Pictor (AF-54) outboard, and USS Procyon (AF-61) forward of them), and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) at NAS Alameda, CA, possibly in the first half of July 1969.

Soviet AGI (intelligence gathering auxiliary) Gidrofon (Гидрофон) shadows USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in the Gulf of Tonkin, 28 October 1969.

Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC), photo # USN 1141512.

Soviet AGI (intelligence gathering auxiliary) Gidrofon (Гидрофон) shadows USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and other US warships in the Gulf of Tonkin, 28 October 1969.

According to their deck logs, USS Camden (AOE-2) conducted an UNREP with Coral Sea, USS Blue (DD-744), and USS Collett (DD-730), 27–28 October 1969.

Overhead view of USS Niagara Falls (AFS-3) replenishing the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), possibly on 10 February 1970. Coral Sea, with assigned Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15, was deployed to Vietnam from 23 September 1969 to 1 July 1970.

Naval History & Heritage Command photo, # USN 1144387.

On her way back home, after her 5th Vietnam Cruise, USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) made a port call to Sydney, Australia, 13–17 June 1970. This series of photos was taken during an open house event while in port.

Kaman UH-2C Seasprite, BuNo 152202, modex NL006, HC-1 Det. 9 "Pacific Fleet Angels."

Grumman E-2A Hawkeye, BuNo 150539, modex NL010, VAW-116 "Sun Kings."

McDonnell F-4B Phantom II, BuNo 149450, modex NL206, VF-161 "Chargers."

(The original NL206, BuNo 152286, had been lost in an operational accident on 25 February, as it ran out of fuel and the crew had to eject—both pilot and RIO were rescued.)

Ling-Temco-Vought A-7A Corsair II, BuNo 152685, modex NL306, VA-82 "Marauders."

Grumman A-6A Intruder, BuNo 152902, modex NL500, VA-35 "Black Panthers."

Darrell took this picture on 1 July 1970, while standing on the Golden Gate Bridge just as USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) was passing under the bridge. Coral Sea was returning from her fifth combat tour off Vietnam.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) underway with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15, first half of the 1970s.

Three F-4B Phantom IIs from Fighter Squadron (VF) 51 "Screaming Eagles" fly in formation, circa 1971.

Plane closest to camera is BuNo 153027 (modex NL103). Later upgraded to F-4N standard and retired in 1983.

Next, BuNo 150456 (NL100) is the colorful aircraft of Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15. Later upgraded to F-4N standard and then converted to a QF-4N drone; expended as target in 1989.

Next, BuNo 150996 (NL111). Later upgraded to F-4N standard, retired in 1977 and salvaged in 1985.

Naval Aviation News, November–December 2005 issue, pp.20–21.

F-4B Phantom II, BuNo 153009 (modex NL-100), Fighter Squadron (VF) 51 "Screaming Eagles," Attack Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15 (CAG bird), USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), circa 1971–1972.

Departing Alameda.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) underway with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15. This photo was probably taken on Tuesday, 16 November 1971, while Coral Sea was en route from NAS Alameda, California, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in company with Bill's ship, USS Waddell (DDG-24), and USS Albert David (DE-1050), and refueled from USS Kawishiwi (AO-146).

A McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II of Fighter Squadron (VF) 111 "Sundowners," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15, being launched from USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) on Christmas 1971 by a catapult officer dressed up as "Santa Claus." The aircraft carrier was on a deployment to Vietnam from 12 November 1971 to 17 July 1972. The F-4B is armed with AIM-9D Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air-missiles.

U.S. Navy photo from the Coral Sea 1971–1972 Cruise Book.

F-4B Phantom IIs BuNo 150466, "Old Nick 204" from VF-111 "Sundowners," and BuNo 149457, "Screaming Eagle 113" from VF-51 "Screaming Eagles" drop Mk.82 500-lb bombs over North Vietnam, March 8, 1972.

F-4B Phantom II, VF-111 "Sundowners."

SH-3G Sea King, HC-1 Det. 6 "Pacific Fleet Angels."

Underway replenishment.

Sweethearts (and a VF-111 "Sundowners" F-4B Phantom II).

A Grumman A-6A Intruder (BuNo 155651, modex NL-504) of Marine All Weather Attack Squadron (VMA(AW)) 224 "Bengals" is launched from the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), circa 1972. VMA(AW)-224 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15 aboard Coral Sea for a deployment to the Western Pacific and Vietnam from 12 November 1971 to 17 July 1972.

U.S. Navy photo from the Coral Sea 1971–1972 Cruise Book.

(BuNo 155651 was later upgraded to A-6E standard. Transferred into storage at AMARC, Tucson, AZ, in 1993.)

F-4B Phantom II, Fighter Squadron (VF) 111 "Sundowners," sometime in 1971–1974.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), hangar deck, Gulf of Tonkin, February 1972.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), Gulf of Tonkin, February 1972.

A-7E Corsair II.

Plane in photo NS0243bma appears to be BuNo 156821 (NL303), Attack Squadron (VA) 22 "Fighting Redcocks."

F-4B Phantom II, BuNo 150456, modex NL-100 (CAG aircraft). Fighter Squadron (VF) 51 "Screaming Eagles." In the background is an A-7E Corsair II, modex NL-313, from Attack Squadron (VA) 22 "Fighting Redcocks;" may be BuNo 156879, which was shot down near Dong Hoi on 6 May 1972.

Another view of BuNo 150456.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) steaming in company with USS Francis Hammond (DE-1067), March–May 1972.

The F-4B Phantom II on Coral Sea's flight deck is BuNo 151459, modex NL203, from Fighter Squadron (VF) 111 "Sundowners." (This cruise's original NL203, BuNo 150418, had been shot down over North Vietnam on 30 December 1971.)

Aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), May 1972.

"May 10th, 1972, Operation Linebacker, USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam. BARCAP/MIGCAP F-4B Phantom IIs of VF-51 'Screaming Eagles' heading out."

NS0243aw: BuNo 153027, NL-103. Later converted to F-4N.

NS0243awa: BuNo 151398, NL-110. Credited with shooting down a MiG-17 over North Vietnam on 10 May 1972 (note that, if the photo is dated accurately, it was taken precisely on this day), pilot LT Kenneth L. "Ragin Cajun" Cannon and RIO LT Roy A. "Bud" Morris, Jr. Plane later converted to F-4N.

Front view of F-4B BuNo 153027 (NL-103), again.

During her 1971–72 WestPac deployment USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) called at Hong Kong, 15–22 May 1972.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) refuels USS Waddell (DDG-24), first half of July 1972, en route from WestPac to California.

NS0243ao: l-to-r, F-4B Phantom II, VF-51 "Screaming Eagles;" A-7E Corsair II, VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks;" A-7E, VA-147 "Argonauts" (borrowed from Carrier Air Wing 9—note tail code "NG"—and USS Constellation (CVA-64)); A-7E, VA-94 "Shrikes;" F-4B, VF-51.

NS0243aoa: l-to-r, three F-4B Phantom IIs, VF-111 "Sundowners;" F-4B, VF-51 "Screaming Eagles."

NS0243aod: l-to-r, A-7E Corsair II, VA-94 "Shrikes;" A-7E, VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks."

NS0243aoe: A-6 (probably A-6A) Intruder, VMA(AW)-224 "Bengals."

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) underway, 1971–72 (exact date unknown).

San Francisco Bay, possibly on 8 November 1973.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), as seen from USS Schenectady (LST-1185), probably off California in the early 1970s.

CDR Gary A. Scoffield was the commanding officer of Attack Squadron (VA) 22 between 28 July 1973 and 8 November 1974. The unit, nicknamed the "Fighting Redcocks" and equipped with A-7E Corsair IIs, was part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15 and deployed aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). Image from the 1978 USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) Cruise Book.

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).

Same as NS024346, above, from a different angle.

A Soviet Bear and four of USS Coral Sea's F-4N Phantom IIs, December 1974.

F-4N Phantom II, BuNo 150475 (NL213), Fighter Squadron (VF) 111 "Sundowners," in Alert 5 (NS0243bfb), December 1974.

This aircraft was manufactured as an F4H-1 (F-4B under the 1962 designation system), refurbished as an F-4N, and finally converted to a QF-4N drone.

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.

A series of photos of USS Coral Sea (CV-43) taken while in port in San Francisco on Bicentennial Day, 4 July 1976.

A-7E Corsair II, VA-94 "Shrikes." Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15.

F-4J Phantom II, VF-191 "Satan's Kittens." Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15.

Skyline.

Flight deck, island.

Partial view of island, from elevator.

Island.

F-4J Phantom II, VF-194 "Red Lightnings," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15.

RF-8G Crusader, VFP-63 "Eyes of the Fleet." Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15.

A-7E Corsair II, VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks." Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15.

E-2B Hawkeye, VAW-114 "Hormel Hawgs." Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15.

F-4J Phantom II, VF-194 "Red Lightnings." Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15.

A-6E Intruder, VA-95 "Green Lizards." Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15.

Island.

Island.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43). San Francisco, 4 July 1976.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43). San Francisco, 4 July 1976.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43), hangar deck, 1977.

Two LTV A-7E Corsair II attack aircraft in formation, possibly in early 1977. The one in the foreground (BuNo 157502, modex NK410) is from Attack Squadron (VA) 27 "Royal Maces," operating from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65); the other (BuNo 158002, modex NL404) is from VA-94 "Shrikes," operating from the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). Photo courtesy of Ling Temco Vought.

Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1), and aircraft carriers USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and USS Constellation (CV-64), tied up along the quay wall at NAS North Island, California, 7 August 1976 (see below).

Aircraft carriers USS Constellation (CV-64) and USS Coral Sea (CV-43), and amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1), tied up along the quay wall at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California, 7 August 1976 (see above).

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.103.080.

Underway on 10 September 1977, during a WESTPAC cruise. Little altered since her SCB-110A refit, by this time she had only three 5"/54 guns left; within three years, all were gone.

Note UH-46 helicopter over the carrier's flight deck, amidships, with cargo suspended below. Two of the F-4 fighters visible (parked aft of the starboard after aircraft elevator) are wearing camouflage paint schemes.

Official U.S. Navy photograph by PH1 Don Hanson; Naval Historical Center photo #: NH 97650.

This F-4 Phantom II crash landed on the flight deck of USS Coral Sea (CV-43), sometime in 1977–79.

Three photos of A-7E Corsair II, BuNo 158834 (modex NK411), attached to Attack Squadron (VA) 27 "Royal Maces," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43). These photos are dated 4 October 1979, while the carrier was engaged in training for an upcoming deployment to WestPac and Indian Ocean (13 November 1979–11 June 1980).

Photos from the National Naval Aviation Museum.

With Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard, USS Coral Sea (CV-43) departs San Francisco for WestPac and the Indian Ocean, November 13, 1979.

A Grumman E-2B Hawkeye (BuNo 150534, modex NK603) of Carrier Airborne Early-Warning Squadron (VAW) 113 "Black Eagles," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, after recovering aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) in 1979. BuNo 150534 was one of 49 E-2As upgraded to the E-2B standard. It was swapped with BuNo 150535 (VAW-115, NF602) from USS Midway (CV-41) on 4 February 1980.

USN Photo, courtesy of www.usscoralsea.net.

An A-7E Corsair II of Attack Squadron (VA) 97 "Warhawks" (BuNo 156872, modex NK300) waits to be launched. Another Corsair II of VA-27 "Royal Maces" (BuNo 159976, NK414) is in position on USS Coral Sea's port catapult. Both planes bear the distinctive recognition stripes applied to aircraft participating in Operation Eagle Claw, April 1980, to provide a means for quick visual identification in case an air combat between Iranian and US forces broke out.

Photo USN.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43) in port, location unknown, probably in the late 1970s–early 80s.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43) conducting flight operations with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, and an Underway Replenishment (UNREP), in the Arabian Sea, 4 April 1980. Taken from USS Cook (FF-1083).

Mandan (YTB-794) and another, unidentified tug assist the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) as she arrives at Naval Station Subic Bay, Luzon, P.I., from her deployment in the Arabian Sea, 9 May 1980. Air Wing is Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14.

NS140979407: DVIC photo # DNSC8511123 by PH3 Joseph Gallegos, USN.

NS024382: U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum photo # 1996.488.120.089. Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection.

Fire truck and crew standby during deployment of USS Coral Sea (CV-43). Photographed by PH3 Steve Abernathy, in the East China Sea. Photo is dated 3 July 1980, but must have been taken earlier, as on that date Coral Sea was at Alameda, California. U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 428-GX-K 128061.

A great aerial view of USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and USS Sylvania (AFS-2) during an underway replenishment, circa 1981–83. A CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter can be seen between the two ships (right of the photo) transferring stores.

The large harbor tug Accomac (YTB-812) nudges the starboard bow of USS Coral Sea (CV-43) during docking operations. The aircraft carrier was returning to Naval Air Station Alameda, CA, after a Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment, 23 March 1982. US Navy photo by PHAA Kathy Moss (DVIC id: DNST8205152).

Note Coral Sea was, at the time, fitted with Phalanx CIWS, SPS-30 and SPS-43A radars (see NS024306).

Grumman KA-6D Intruder, BuNo 151576, modex NK516, Attack Squadron (VA) 196 "Main Battery," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, circa June 1982. This particular aircraft deployed aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) for a WestPac/Indian Ocean cruise, 20 August 1981–23 March 1982.

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

Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King, BuNo 149005, modex NK611, HS-12 "Wyverns," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43), 1983, location unknown.

Note USS Dahlgren (DDG-43) in the background.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43) passes under the Golden Gate Bridge, California, 21 March 1983, en route to her new homeport, Norfolk, Virginia. Coral Sea was nicknamed "San Franisco's Own", as she had been homeported at Naval Station Alameda in San Francisco Bay since 1960. Aircraft on deck are from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14.

Overhead view of USS Kansas City (AOR-3) refueling the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and escorts, March–June 1983. Coral Sea, with assigned Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, was on her round-the-world cruise from 21 March to 12 September 1983.

U.S. Navy photo from the Kansas City 1983 Cruise Book

Photo taken on 13 April 1983, during exercise FleetEx 83-1, in the North Pacific Ocean. The three carriers are, clockwise from left, USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Midway (CV-41), and USS Coral Sea (CV-43).

Then LT Jim Petroski was aboard the Big E in the Reactor Dept., as RC division officer, and comments: "I spent some time up on the signal bridge during this photo op and got some great pictures of aircraft flying over us. Our air wing was the only one which could fly that day as the sea was quite rough—wave splashes were coming over the hurricane bow—and neither the Coral Sea nor Midway could launch/recover a/c. The frigate to starboard of "E" went up to 1/2 under in the waves, and the Coast Guard cutter to port came about 2/3 out of water. Quite a sight that day."

"The April 13 date sounds correct. We were crossing and re-crossing the international date line a lot at that time. So some days were 46 hours long, and others were 2 hours long. It was easy to forget what day it was!"

USS Coral Sea (CV-43), as seen from USS Midway (CV-41), during FleetEx 83-1, April 1983, in the North Pacific Ocean.

At 1948 Thursday, April 11, 1985 USS Coral Sea (CV-43) collided with the Ecuadorean tanker Napo about 45 miles southeast of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The carrier had been in the area since April 3 on refresher training and was conducting flight operations when the collision occurred. Eleven aircraft airborne at the time of the accident were diverted to the Naval Air Station at Guantanamo Bay. There was a Soviet intelligence gathering ship shadowing Coral Sea, since her embarked Carrier Air Wing 13 (CVW-13) was equipped with the then new F/A-18A Hornet aircraft. There were no injuries to crew members of either ship, but the carrier's bow had a 30-foot hole punched in and some radar and communications equipment damaged, and had to return to Norfolk. The Napo was holed above the waterline and spilled 7,600 barrels of oil before reaching Guantanamo for repairs.

This series of three photos was taken by Bill Fessenden from the bridge wing of USS Charleston (LKA-113). At the time LKA-113 was moored to the South Wall of US Naval Station Norfolk's Destroyer and Submarine (D&S) piers. Bill was using a 35-mm camera equipped with a 200-mm telephoto lens and Kodak 400 speed color film. Coral Sea is seen traveling south bound in Hampton Roads, heading towards the Elizabeth River, and eventually, to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA. Damage to the ship's bow area, as the result of the recent collision with Napo, is clearly visible.

In the first photo, Coral Sea can be seen passing by two unidentified Sturgeon-class submarines, as well as the after area of USS Glover (FF-1098).

In the second photo, the ship at the extreme right is USS Milwaukee (AOR-2), while the object on the left of third photo, is the forward "H" frame of Charleston.

The catapult officer on board the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) signals that a Grumman A-6E Intruder is ready for launch[, sometime in 1985–89]. Another crewman sits nonchalantly in the haven area in the centre of the deck watching the action. Photo US DoD.

Text and photo from Carriers: The Men and The Machines, by David Miller and Lindsay Peacock.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 13, 15 November 1985.

Photos by Marius Bar, Toulon, France.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43) is refueled while underway by the fleet oiler USNS Waccamaw (T-AO 109), Mediterranean Sea, 29 January 1986. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 13, tail code "AK," was aboard. A Knox-class frigate is steaming astern.

U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Rory Knepp.

Underway at sea in 1986.

Official U.S. Navy photograph by PH2 Robert Chouinard; Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC) photo # NH 97652-KN.

As above (appears to have been taken at about the same time).

A McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18A Hornet being directed on to the catapult by a flight deck director aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43), circa 1985–86. Curiously, this aircraft has been armed with only one wing-tip AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile. Photo Brian M. Service.

Aircraft appears to be BuNo 162443 (modex AK204), Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 132 "Privateers," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 13.

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

A crewman operates a deck-cleaning vehicle aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43), Mediterranean Sea, 1986.

National Archives and Records Administration photo, # DN-SN-86-03924.

NS0243bn: Various ships, including the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61), the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43), and the guided missile detroyer USS Scott (DDG-995), are adorned with Christmas lights and decorations while moored at a pier. US Navy photo by PH2 Bob Maxwell (# DN-SC-87-03632).

NS0243bna: Christmas lights and decorations adorn the crane and island of Coral Sea while the ship is moored at a pier. In the background is Iowa, also decorated with lights. US Navy photo by PH2 Bob Maxwell (# DN-SC-87-03633).

NS0243bnb: Christmas lights and decorations adorn the aircraft crane and island of Coral Sea while the ship is moored at a pier. US Navy photo by PH2 Bob Maxwell (# DN-SC-87-03634).

NS0243bnc: Santa Claus and his reindeer decorate the aircraft crane aboard Coral Sea, while the ship is moored at a pier. US Navy photo (# DN‑SC‑87-03637).

Norfolk, Virginia, 28 December 1986.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 13, in port, Marseille, France, December 1987.

An F/A-18 Hornet of VFA-137 taxis forward through catapult steam, during flight operations on 18 January 1988. Photographed by PH2(AW) Wayne Edwards.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97654-KN).

Members of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) form the letter "E," denoting an efficiency award, on the flight deck of USS Coral Sea (CV-43) moored in the port of Benidorm, Spain, 7 March 1988.

The aircraft carrier, with assigned Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 13, was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea from 29 September 1987 to 28 March 1988.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph by PH2 Lester G. Richier, available from the Defense Imagery Management Operations Center (DMA), VIRIN DN‑SC‑93-00764.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43), Norfolk, VA, 1988.

A Grumman E-2C Hawkeye of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 127 "Seabats" is launched from USS Coral Sea (CV-43) in 1989. VAW-127 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 13, aboard Coral Sea, for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 31 May to 30 September 1989. USN Photo.

USNS Neosho (T-AO 143) steams alongside USS Coral Sea (CV-43) in preparation for an underway replenishment, 16 February 1989 (possibly in the Western Atlantic Ocean and with Carrier Air Wing [CVW] 13 aboard Coral Sea). The guided missile frigate USS Boone (FFG-28) is in the background.

US DefenseImagery photo VIRIN: DN-SC-93-00770., by PH2 Michael Skeens.

Making over 30 knots, during a high speed run on 1 March 1989.

Official U.S. Navy photograph by PH2 Michael Skeens; Naval Historical Center photo #: NH 97651-KN.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43) silhouetted against a low sun, as she arrives at Palma, Spain, during her final Mediterranean deployment, June 1989. Photographed by PH2 Michael Skeens.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97653-KN).

Ship's Marine Detachment and A-6E Intruder (BuNo 152599, modex AK514, VA-65 "Tigers," CVW-13) on the flight deck of USS Coral Sea (CV-43), possibly at Palma de Mallorca, Spain, June 1989.

This Intruder is now on display aboard the USS Yorktown Museum, Patriots Point, Charleston, SC.

Underway in formation off the coast of Lebanon are, from left, the guided missile cruiser USS Belknap (CG-26), the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61), the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA-4), 16 Aug 1989.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-SC-90-11755, by PH3 Michael Skeens.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), Far East Cruise, 12 November 1971–17 July 1972.

Four Group Boilers * * Able-Baker-Charlie — Steamin' Demons, Lite-'Em Up!! — CVA 43.

West-Pac 1974-75 — USS Coral Sea CVA-43 — Mike "Oscar" Pfeffer — Hawaii, Philippines, Singapore, Australia — Operation Frequent Wind, Mayaguez Rescue.

Operation "Frequent Wind," Vietnam, USS Coral Sea CVA-43, West-Pac 1974–75, 30 April 1975, The Evacuation of Saigon.

Indian Ocean, WestPac, 81–82 [20 August 1981–23 March 1982], CV-43, Best in the West, USS Coral Sea.

USS Coral Sea (CV-43).

USS Coral Sea CV-43 / 500 Fire Watch Hrs

USS Coral Sea CV-43, Decommissionig Program (partial) and Invitation.

Model on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. Photos taken on 13 June 2008.

For more information and photos of this ship, see:

• USS Coral Sea (CVB-43 / CVA-43 / CV-43) — Commanding Officers
• Ex-USS Coral Sea (CVB-43 / CVA-43 / CV-43) — The Scrapping
• Deployments & Air Wings:
  • 1981–1982, Carrier Air Wing 14
• Photo Albums:
  • Album of Joseph A. Wolfe, USN (Retired). Mediterranean Cruise, 7 July–20 December 1954