CV-20 was named for a town in the southwestern corner of Vermont, the seat of government for Bennington County. During the American Revolution, Bennington was the nearest town to the site of a battle, actually fought on New York soil, 16 August 1777, in which American victory contributed to the ultimate defeat of "Gentleman Johnnie" Burgoyne at Saratoga. As the nearest town, Bennington gave its name to the battle. The battle was a major strategic success for the American cause and is considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War.

A gunboat had previously borne the name.

NS022028a: Map courtesy of HamsterMap.com.

NS022028b: Battle of Bennington, a National Guard Heritage Painting by Don Troiani, courtesy the National Guard Bureau.

NS022028: Bennington Battle Monument. Courtesy of Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian.

The future USS Bennington (CV-20) being prepared for launching in a building dock at the New York Navy Yard, 23 February 1944. She was christened three days later.

Courtesy of Mr. James Russell, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1972.

Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) photo, # NH 75631.

The future USS Bennington (CV-20) being floated out of drydock at the New York Navy Yard, Saturday, 26 February 1944, following her christening by Mrs. Melvin J. Maas (née Katherine Endress), wife of Melvin Joseph Maas, US Representative from Minnesota (R) and Colonel, USMCR.

Bennington was the first of the Essex-class carriers to be built in the New York Navy Yard and it was also the first carrier to be built in a dry-dock.

USS Bennington (CV-20), World War II.

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

As above. Official UNS photo.

USS Bennington (CV-20) photographed from a plane that has just taken off from her flight deck, during the ship's shakedown period, 20 October 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-289645).

USS Bennington (CV-20) underway during her shakedown, 20 October 1944, en route to Trinidad, British West Indies. She is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 17a (#1). Note tanker in the left distance.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 97579.

USS Bennington (CV-20) underway during her shakedown period, October–November 1944.

Bennington painted in Design 17A (#2), 13 December 1944, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard before going into combat. Compare her new, three-color camouflage (Design 17A(#2)) to her previous six-color scheme Design 17A (#1)). Light conditions make colors appear to be lighter than they actually were (see below). Bennington was one of the Essex-class ships not fitted with additional AA 40-mm mounts on the starboard side, amidships. (Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

As above. This photo does show her flight deck stained blue, with dull black numerals and dash lines. Note there are no elevator outlines. The inside screens of the lift shaft are painted black. Note that the 5"/38 single mounts and some of the 40-mm quads were at times surrounded by rails instead of splinter shields, in order to save weight, but this was a temporary measure. (Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-298092.

As above. USS Bennington (CV-20) en route from New York Navy Yard Annex to Naval Anchorage, Gravesend Bay.

Photograph was taken by Naval Air Station, New York. The vertical colors are Navy Blue (5-N), Ocean Gray (5-O) and Haze Gray (5-H), with the horizontal surfaces Deck Blue (20-B). The panels of haze gray appear to be lightened to Pale Gray (5-P), but are probably reflecting the bright sun at this angle.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-298091.

As above. Bow view at 700 feet.

US Navy photo, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-298089.

As above. Vertical aerial view at 1,200 feet.

US Navy photo, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-298094.

Bennington tied up at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor Hawaii with her entire air group (CVG-82) on the flight deck, Jan. 1945. (National Archives photo).

Deck crewmen aboard USS Bennington (CV-20) maneuver an SB2C Helldiver of Bombing Squadron (VB) 82 into position on the carrier's flight deck. VB-82 operated from Bennington during the period February–June 1945.

Navy and Marine Corps Museum photo (# 1996.253.357), Robert L. Lawson collection.

USS Bennington (CV-20) seen from USS Sigsbee (DD-502) in Task Group 58.1, 14 February–13 April 1945.

Photo by LT(JG) Gordon Barrett.

USS Bennington conducting air ops and alongside for UNREP with USS Harrison (DD-573) watch standers. Task Group 58.1, February–May 1945.

Photos by CTM Tom McCann.

TBM-3 Avenger from VT-82 deck-launching from Bennington in a rain squall, February 1945.

Photo now in the collections of the US National Archives and Records Administration, #80-G-305181.

VT-82 TBM-3 Avenger #101 makes a gear-up landing on 16 February 1945, after receiving battle damage during a raid over Tokyo, Japan. The plane was so badly damaged that it was pushed overboard; one of eleven lost that day. Note the empty drop tanks on the port catwalk ready for re-arming and re-fueling of the air group for the next strike. US Navy Photo, now in the custody of the US National Archives at College Park, Maryland (80-G-305176).

TBM with a damaged port wing tip. Photo by Lowell Love.

A damaged TBM-3 Avenger (BuNo 22904, White 113) in flight after the plane above it in formation was shot down by anti-aircraft fire near Chichi Jima, 18 February 1945, and fell on this TBM, breaking off the left wingtip and cracking the fuselage just ahead of the tail. The damaged plane was flown by its pilot about 100 miles back to its task group but had to crash land in the water. Pilot, ENS Robert T. King, was rescued by USS Harrison (DD-573); AOM3 Grady Alvah York, Jr. and ARM3 James Wesley Dye, Jr., who had bailed out over enemy territory, were captured and executed.

See also TBM-3 Avenger Bureau Number 22904 Tail 113, at Pacific Wrecks.

(Thanks to Tony Fazzini.)

An F6F-5 Hellcat from VF-82, USS Bennington (CV-20), running up its engine just before a cat launch with the "bridal" cable, February–March 1945. Bennington's "G" symbol was a "pine tree" or arrowhead.

"Probably the ultimate "Murderers' Row" photo with 10 Essex-class carriers plus the Enterprise in the anchorage. It must also have been taken on the 13th March 1945 shortly after the arrival of Task Group 12.2. The Randolph in berth #27 had been hit two days previously whilst at anchor by a long range kamikaze strike. The repair ship USS Jason (AR-8) is visible alongside (unknown source)."

"Ulithi Anchorage looking north: Berth #5: USS South Dakota (BB-57), #6 USS Massachusetts (BB-59), #8 USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), #101 USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), #27 USS Randolph (CV-15) and USS Jason (AR-8), #28 USS Hornet (CV-12), #29 USS Wasp (CV-18), #30 USS Bennington (CV-20), #26 USS Essex (CV-9), #25 USS Intrepid (CV-11), #24 USS Enterprise (CV-6), #23 USS Yorktown (CV-10), #22 USS Hancock (CV-19), #21 USS Franklin (CV-13). (All positions correlate with war logs of each ship and the mooring plan.)"

One of Bennington's VMF-123's F4U-1D's after flipping, the pilot had a back injury. Photo by Lowell Love.

One of VMF-112's F4U after hitting the island and burning. Photo by Lowell Love.

Another crash on the flight deck as seen from an aircraft. Photo by Lowell Love.

Marine Fighter Squadrons (VMF) 112 "Wolf Pack" (NS0220al) and 123 "Flying Eight Balls" (NS0220ala; NS0220alb courtesy of Valerie Fink, daughter of Joseph Fink, Radio Repairman with VMF-123), each with 18 F4U-1D Corsair aircraft, reported to Commander Air Group 82 aboard USS Bennington (CV-20) on 31 December 1944. During the subsequent cruise, the aircraft carrier and embarked squadrons participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima, took part in the first carrier strikes against Tokyo since the Doolitle Raid in 1942, and participated in the Okinawa Campaign. On 17 June 1945, Air Group 82 was relieved by Air Group 1 and trans-shipped from Bennington to USS White Plains (CVE-66), in Leyte Gulf.

Aboard USS Bennington (CV-20), ARM1C R.J. Bell carries .30-cal ammunition for SB2C Helldiver aircraft. Photographed by PHoM3 W.R. Davis, released April 1945.

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), #80-G-322447.

Japanese plane exploding from anti-aircraft fire while off Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 16 April 1945. US Navy ships shown are USS Bennington (CV-20) and USS Massachusetts (BB-59). Photographed from USS Hornet (CV-12).

Official US Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), #80-G-331610.

USS McKee (DD-575) operating at sea in the Ryukyus area with Task Force 58, 26 April 1945. USS Bennington (CV-20) is in the left background. Official U.S. Navy photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (# NH 103701).

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat fighters prepare for takeoff from the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CV-20) circa May 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-K-4946).

USS Bennington (CV-20) refueling from USS Chicopee (AO-34), 12 May 1945, in Task Group 58.1.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-338791.

Kamikaze plane (upper right) explodes in mid-air near the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CV-20) in a photo taken from the deck of her sister carrier USS Hornet (CV‑12), 14 May 1945, while operating in an area approximately 80–100 miles southeast of southern Kyushu.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-331621.

Japanese plane being shot down by gunfire on 14 May 1945 while approaching USS Bennington (CV-20). Image taken from USS Hornet (CV-12). The ships were serving as part of Task Force 38 off the Kyushu, Japan area. Sky is decorated with anti-aircraft fire.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-331622.

Japanese plane being shot down by gunfire on 14 May 1945 while approaching USS Bennington (CV-20). Image taken from USS Hornet (CV-12). The ships were serving as part of Task Force 38 off the Kyushu, Japan area. Sky is decorated with anti-aircraft fire.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-331623.

Looking towards the bow from the bridge during the typhoon of June 1945. This storm smashed both the Hornet and Bennington's flight deck down around their bows. Photo by Lowell Love.

On 5 June 1945 USS Bennington was damaged by a typhoon off Okinawa and retired to Leyte for repairs, arriving 11 June. Her repairs completed, the carrier left Leyte 1 July 1945 and during 10 July-15 August took part in the final raids on the Japanese home islands.

Compare these photos to those of Hornet (CV-12) and Wasp (CV-18). They explain why the later "hurricane bows" made sense.

As above.

USS Bennington (CV-20) at Leyte, Philippine Islands, in June 1945. Her flight deck is being repaired from typhoon damage suffered off Okinawa on 5 June 1945.

Virgil Cowart Collection.

Naval History and Heritage Command (# UA 539.11).

Bennington recovering SB2C-5's off the coast of Japan, late July 1945. Photo by Lowell Love.

Prisoner of War Camp near Kamiyama town in the hills of Honshu, Japan. Planes from USS Bennington (CV-20) discovered this camp and the next day, instead of dropping their usual load of destruction, dropped packages to the prisoners. The prisoners' expression of gratitude can be seen by TNX—a telegraphic form of "thanks" in the yard of the camp. Photograph received 12 September 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-338541.

USS Bennington (CV-20), CINCPAC photo #496020, also BuAer photo with the same number. Taken at Pearl Harbor, released 23 January 1946.

Aerial view of Pearl Harbor, circa 16–23 January 1946. Ships present are: USS Bennington (CV-20) moored across the channel at NAS Ford Island; USS Cape Gloucester (CVE-109), opposite Bennington; USS Troilus (AKA-46), moored astern of Cape Gloucester; USS LST-1078, moored astern of USS LST-1070; USS Terror (CM-5); USS LST-459 with LCT-1015 secured to her main deck, astern of USS LST-863. Moored forward of LST-863 are two unidentified minesweepers and three larger, unidentified ships. The next pier has two unidentified ships, possibly AKs; the survey ship USS Sumner (AGS-5); and two unidentified minesweepers. USS LST-737 moored astern of USS LST-45, moored astern of numerous minesweepers. And possibly USS Shipley Bay (CVE-85).

Official US Navy photo, file number 496019, from CINCPAC, released 23 January 1946. Also stamped "BUAer, 496019".

This photo was taken in the fall of 1952 in the North Atlantic during a hurricane with winds at 80 MPH that day. Shortly after this photo was taken the ship dipped back into the waves and lost several aircraft that were on deck to the sea.

Note: The picture was most likely taken, in fact, during Hurricane Barbara (August 1953). Bennington was recommissioned on 13 November 1952 but did not recover any plane until 16 February 1953. On 9 August 1953, Bennington departed Halifax, Nova Scotia, for Norfolk, VA, and en route had to ride out Hurricane Barbara.

"Underway to Bayonne," circa mid-1953.

"U.S.S. Bennington Explosion Kills 11, Injures 7"

The Sea Hawk, Victorville, California, June 1953.

"Following a series of tests and trials, Bennington departed New York on 19 February 1953 for her shakedown cruise to the West Indies. That cruise, punctuated by several visits to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, lasted for over three months. During the training cruise, an explosion occurred in her number 1 fireroom on 27 April. It rocked her lower decks and claimed the lives of 11 men. Prompt action by the damage control team minimized both human and material destruction. She put into Guantanamo Bay on the 29th, completed repairs in a week, and returned to sea to continue her shakedown training. On 7 May, she concluded training operations and set a course back to New York. After a stop at Norfolk to disembark her air group, the carrier reentered the New York Naval Shipyard on 25 May to begin post-shakedown availability." (Quoted from DANFS, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.)

"Cheap price for you, Joe." Istanbul, Turkey, 21–26 October 1953.

From Bennington's Mediterranean Cruise Book 1953–54.

"Liberty Lane." Istanbul, Turkey, 21–26 October 1953.

From Bennington's Mediterranean Cruise Book 1953–54.

Athens, Greece, 28–30 October 1953. Palace guards in traditional costume.

"Bennington boxers tangled in their first [S]ixth [F]leet competition at the Suda [Souda] Bay 'smoker.' Although a bit rusty, the Benn team made up in enthusiasm what they lacked in practice and experience." Souda Bay, 28–30 October 1953.

"A general variety show brought together the talent of the U.S. Fleet as between bout entertainment. Cool American beer and sandwiches were consumed by the hill-climbing multitudes."

Cruise Book, 1953–54.

Liberty party. Cannes, France, 21–30 November 1953 (or 28 December 1953–4 January 1954).

Cruise Book, 1953–54.

Cannes, France, probably 21–30 November 1953 (perhaps, 28 December 1953–4 January 1954).

Cruise Book, 1953–54.

Celestial Sphere, Woodrow Wilson Memorial, Palais des Nations (seat of the United Nations Office), Geneva, Switzerland, probably 21–30 November 1953 (perhaps, 28 December 1953–4 January 1954).

Skyraider on final approach. Taken from the hangar deck stern of the Bennington in Med. Sea, 1953.

F2H-2P Banshee, assigned to VC-62, on flight deck, off La Spezia, Italy, 18–28 December 1953. The F2H-2P was an unarmed photo reconnaissance version of the F2H-2. It was fitted with six cameras in its enlarged nose (location of the three starboard ones is clearly visible).

Lisbon, Portugal, 19–25 January 1954. "Enterprising citizens of Lisbon arranged a special bullfight to celebrate the visit. Since bull fighting was out of season, some of the participants were not in the best of form (namely the bulls). After watching the Portuguese toreadors demonstrate their skill, Benn sailors took over. Accepting a challenge to ride the bull, not only did they ride him, but they tackled him and pulled his tail."

From Bennington's Mediterranean Cruise Book 1953–54.

This is the Bennington at anchor in Gibraltar, 14–16 February 1954. I took this photo from the ship's liberty launch.

At 0811, 26 May 1954, while cruising off Narragansett Bay, the fluid in the port catapult exploded, setting off a series of secondary explosions which killed 103 crewmen and injured 201 others. Bennington proceeded under her own power to Quonset Point, R.I.

"On 26 May 2004 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island, we dedicated a Memorial to those fallen sailors. It was covered by the local media and we had approximately 900 former Bennington crewmembers, Air Group and Marine Detachment personnel come to 'remember' this day!"

"NXF239-5/26-QUONSET, R.I.: This is an aerial view of the aircraft carrier USS Bennington, after an explosion and fire rocked the vessel, killing 100 men and injuring 201 others, 5/26[/1954]. On the deck, medics can be seen rushing the seriously injured to helicopters, for shipment to hospitals ashore. UNITED PRESS TELEPHOTOrb"

"NXP230-5/26[/1954]-QUONSET POINT, R.I.: The Navy reports a fire aboard the aircraft carrier Bennington has killed 100 men and 100 others have been injured. The carrier is shown here at Pearl Harbor Naval Station in 1946. UNITED PRESS TELEPHOTO from files gy"

Fire aboard USS Bennington, May 26, 1954 as related by Jack Douglas Rich to Phyllis Rich Carpenter.

Captain W.F. Raborn, Bennington's Commanding Officer, presents awards to members of her crew in recognition of their heroic actions during the catapult explosion and fire of 26 May 1954. Photographed on 7 August 1954.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97583).

USS Bennington (CVA-20), New York Naval Shipyard, Naval Base, Brooklyn 1, N.Y., 30 March 1955, photo # NY3-4515. U.S. Navy photo.

USS Bennington (CVA-20) at Gravesend Bay, New York, 12 April 1955, just after her SCB-125 modernization.

USS Bennington (CVA-20) arrives in San Diego, her new homeport, 20 October 1955. The aircraft carrier changed homeport from Mayport, FL, to San Diego, CA, via Cape Horn.

USS Bennington off Point Loma, at the entrance to San Diego Bay, in a photo apparently taken in the late 1950s.

Four U.S. Navy Douglas AD-6 Skyraiders (BuNo 139731, 139751, 139753, 139783) from Attack Squadron (VA) 42 "Green Pawns" in flight, October 1956. VA‑42 was assigned to Air Task Group (ATG) 181 from 1956 to 1958 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CVA-20).

BuNo 139731 (by then redesignated A-1H) was later lost while in service with VA-152 "Friendlies," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 16, USS Oriskany (CVA-34), on 14 October 1966. The aircraft was flown by ENS Darwin Joel Thomas on a night road reconnaissance mission 40 km southwest of Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam. When his section spotted trucks on a road, Thomas dove to attack the target with rockets. However, he failed to pull out of the dive and was killed when his aircraft struck the ground.

Photo courtesy of LCDR Joe Rao, USN Ret.

USS Bennington (CVA-20), after quarter starboard, after regular overhaul, San Francisco Naval Shipyard, 15 October 1957.

U.S. Navy official photograph, San Francisco Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, Calif., # MSR-17708-L-10-57.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, National Archives Identifier 7578340, item 19-NN-CVA 20 Bennington-158200, Container ID Box 1580, Folder 343.

Forward quarter starboard view of USS Bennington (CVA-20), after her regular overhaul at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard Hunter's Point, October 1957.

Official US Navy Photo, # USN 1030224. From the Chief of Information Navy Department.

USS Bennington (CVA-20) passes the wreck of USS Arizona (BB-39) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Memorial 1958年5月31日. Bennington's crew is in formation on the flight deck, spelling out a tribute to the Arizona's crewmen who were lost in the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Note the outline of Arizona's hull and the flow of oil from her fuel tanks.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1036055).

A "Sundowner" division of FJ-3M Furies over Oahu, Hawaii, mid-1958. Three aircraft bear ATG-1's "shooting star" emblem on the fuselage, while NA112 has yet to receive it. The squadron deployed aboard USS Bennington (CVA-20) in May–June 1958, as part of ATG-1 (tail code "NA"), and in August 1958–January 1959 as part of ATG-4 (tail code "ND")—this was the last deployment of Bennington as an attack carrier. Photo courtesy Henk van der Lugt.

Photo from VF-11/111 "Sundowners" 1942�95 (Aviation Elite Units #36), by Barrett Tillman.

The crew of USS Bennington (CVA-20) spelling out "John Paul Jones," San Diego, 24 June 1959. Official US Navy photograph (CVA-20 #13223 (L)).

John Paul Jones, the movie, was released in the USA on 16 June 1959. AKA El capitán Jones, it was directed by John Farrow (his last film) and starred Robert Stack as John Paul Jones, Marisa Pavan as Aimee de Tellison, Charles Coburn as Benjamin Franklin, Erin O'Brien as Dorothea Danders, Bette Davis as Empress Catherine the Great, MacDonald Carey as Patrick Henry, Jean-Pierre Aumont as King Louis XVI, David Farrar as John Wilkes, Peter Cushing as Captain Pearson, Susan Canales as Marie Antoinette, Jorge Riviere as Russian Chamberlain, and Tom Brannum as Peter Wooley.

Six days later Bennington became CVS-20.

Photo of USS Bennington (CVS-20) taken 7 September 1959, tied up to San Diego's Broadway pier for an open house at an event called "Fiesta Del Pacifico."

Final "Fiesta del Pacífico" (Festival of the Pacific) event, San Diego, California, September 4–17 1959.

The photo shows the naval administration building at the foot of Broadway. David's mother worked there during World War II as a WAVE telegrapher.

Note, on the left, A4D-2 Skyhawk, BuNo 144870, NH204, Attack Squadron (VA) 112 "Broncos."

USS Bennington (CVS-20) off Point Loma, at the entrance to San Diego Bay, circa 1960–62, with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59 aboard.

Marine Photos and Publishing, Spring Valley, CA.

The starboard aft aircraft elevator framing a refueling shot of USS Harry E. Hubbard (DD-748) in the South China Sea, winter 1961.

Bennington photographers after hours, January 1961.

USS Bennington (CVS-20), in a photo believed to have been taken just after her 1962–1963 FRAM II modernization.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway after her 1962–1963 FRAM II modernization.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway in the (mid?) 1960s, after her FRAM II modernization.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway in the (mid?) 1960s, after her FRAM II modernization.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) arrives in Long Beach, California, her new homeport, May 1, 1963. Crew is manning the rail and a harbor tug shoots her fire hose in salute. Photo by PH3 G.W. Burgess.

(Thanks to Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian).

USS Mispillion (AO-105) underway while refueling USS Bennington (CVS-20) at sea, 20 August 1963. USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752) is taking on fuel from off the oiler's starboard side. Nine Grumman S-2E Tracker and four Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King helicopters of Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 59 (CVSG-59) are visible on Bennington's flight deck.

U.S. Navy History and Heritage Command photo # NH 97589, PH2 Hobbs.

Launching an S-2E Tracker, Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 38 "Red Griffins," Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, 1963–1968.

Recovering an E-1B Tracer

A U.S. Navy Douglas A-4B Skyhawk from Attack Squadron (VA) 93 "Blue Blazers" Det. Q intercepting a Soviet Navy Beriev Be-6 (NATO reporting name "Madge") north of Japan in 1964. VA-93 Det.Q was assigned to Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group (CVSG) 59 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CVS-20) for a deployment to the Western Pacific and Vietnam from 20 February to 11 August 1964. Note that the A-4B wears the "NG" tail code of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, to which VA-93 was regularly assigned, and not the "NT" tail code of CVSG-59.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) and USS O'Brien (DD-725) receiving fuel from USS Chipola (AO-63) in WestPac, spring of 1964, as viewed from USS Eversole (DD‑789). The destroyer on the extreme right is unknown. Photo by ETR2 Travis Moffat.

View from USS Eversole (DD-789), spring 1964, in WestPac. This image shows USS Bennington (CVS-20) refueling USS O'Brien (DD-725). The destroyer on the left is unidentified. Photo by ETR2 Travis Moffat.

USS Chipola (AO-63) delivers NSFO to USS Bennington (CVS-20) while underway in the Pacific Ocean in the spring of 1964. Photo by ETR2 Travis Moffat, USS Eversole (DD-789).

Refueling from Chemung (AO-30), WestPac, mid-July 1964.

(Thanks to Joseph Pires, USS Bennington Association & Web Site Historian).

USS Bennington (CVS-20), circa the mid-1960s.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway and operating aircraft, circa the mid-1960s. Plane in the lower right photo is an S-2 Tracker from Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 41 "Shamrocks," part of Readiness Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (RCVSG) 51.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) in the second half of the 1960s.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) conducting an Underway Replenishment (UNREP) in the second half of the 1960s.

A-4B Skyhawk (BuNo 144874, unusual modex NH-I), Attack Squadron (VA) 113 "Gladiators" Det. Q, USS Bennington (CVS-20), being catapulted from HMAS Melbourne (R21), 20 May 1965.

It was a test run as the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) subsequently purchased a number of A-4Gs. Melbourne's steam catapult was short as catapults go and had quite a kick—the USN A-4 pilot (LCDR Charles W. D. Ward, Jr., OinC of Det. Q) is alleged to have uttered the immortal words "Holy Shit" as he was shot off Melbourne's deck.

On 18 May 1966, the XC-142A tri-service V/STOL transport made its first carrier takeoffs and landings during tests conducted aboard Bennington at sea off San Diego. The tests, including 44 short and six vertical takeoffs were made with wind over the deck varying from zero to 32 knots. Lt. Roger L. Rich Jr., and other pilots from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army took turns at the controls. NS022036: US Navy photo now in the National Archives (# NH 69968).

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, 1966.

Colorized photo of five U.S. Navy Essex-class aircraft carriers at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 2 August 1966: USS Bennington (CVS-20), USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), USS Yorktown (CVS-10), USS Valley Forge (LPH-8, converted to Amphibious Assault Ship (Helicopter)), and USS Hornet (CVS-12).

Official U.S. Navy photograph, # CVS-20-160-8-66.

This photo is in Bennington's 1966–67 Cruise Book, and shows her alongside USS Tolovana (AO-64), possibly in WestPac, November–December 1966.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) comes alongside the floating Apollo spacecraft 017 (Apollo 4) Command Module during recovery operations in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The Command Module splashed down at 3:37 p.m., November 9, 1967, 934 nautical miles northwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.

NS022037: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo # S67-49861.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway off the coast of California, 25 November 1967. Photographed by Dolenga.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97582).

A Grumman S-2E Tracker ready for launching from the starboard catapult aboard USS Bennington (CVS-20), 30 November 1967.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph by PH3 Pickett, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command, # NH 97584.

E-2A Hawkeye aboard USS Bennington (CVS-20), 1967–1968.

Bennington's own mail C.O.D., 1965–1969, Grumman C-1A Trader, BuNo 146042.

Two Grumman E-1B Tracers assigned to VAW-111 Det. 20 "Hunters," which deployed to WestPac and Vietnam with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59 aboard USS Bennington (CVS-20), 1 May–9 November 1968.

RR760 was BuNo 148920.

RR762 was BuNo 148130.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, May 1968, with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59 aboard.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 17 May 1968.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 18 May 1968.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 18 May 1968. USS Ramsey (DEG-2) is in the foreground.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) leaving Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, May 1968. Official U.S. Navy photograph #KN-17012. Photographer: PH2 H.R. Vail. From the Naval PhotographicDMA, Naval District, Washington DC.

Crossing the Equator, 21 July 1968, en route from Yankee Station to Singapore.

Page from the USS Bennington (CVS-20) 1968 Cruise Book.

Joe is the guy with the black bandana on his head, star on his vest.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) underway in the Pacific, 20 August 1968. Official US Navy photograph #KN-18433. From DAVA Still Media Depository, Bldg 168 NDW Washington DC.

USS Mauna Kea (AE-22) highlines ammunition to the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CVS-20) in the Gulf of Tonkin, 10 September 1968. Bennington, with assigned Anti-Submarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, was deployed to the Western Pacific and Vietnam from 30 April to 9 November 1968.

US Navy photo # USN 1137061 by PH1 Garrison, U.S. Navy.

Sikorsky SH-3A Sea Kings, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 8 "Eightballers," Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, USS Bennington (CVS-20), Yokosuka, Japan, 26–27 October 1968.

NT56 was BuNo 149900, NT55 was 148995. Both were later upgraded to SH-3H standard. In the movie The Final Countdown, 148995 is the helicopter that "blows up" and leaves "Commander Owens" (James Farentino) stranded on the island.

The carrier in the background is probably USS Hornet (CVS-12).

Grumman S-2E Tracker, Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 33 "Screwbirds," Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, USS Bennington (CVS-20), Yokosuka, Japan, 26–27 October 1968. BuNo 149854, modex NT20.

Grumman S-2E Trackers from Antisubmarine Squadrons (VS) 38 "Red Griffins" and 33 "Screwbirds," Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 59, USS Bennington (CVS-20), Yokosuka, Japan, 26–27 October 1968.

Closest to camera is BuNo 152808 (modex NT31), VS-38, later upgraded to S-2G standard. The aircraft in front of it appears to be 152827 (NT30), later transferred to the Brazilian Air Force. The plane on the right of the picture may be 151684 (NT33).

Official U.S. Navy photograph of USS Bennington (CVS-20) in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, by PHC H.D. Browning. The photo serial number is #K-74930 from the US Naval Photographic Center, Naval Station Washington DC.

The photo is dated 25 June 1969. On this date Bennington's 112,000th arrested landing was made by LCDR Lowe of VA-125. During these CarQuals, Bennington became the first ship to qualify the TA-4F aircraft for carrier landings.

USS Bennington (CVS-20) departing Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California, 10 October 1969, en route to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington, for inactivation.

Official US Navy Photo #1142458. From the Naval Photographic Center, Naval Station, Washington DC.

July 1974 view of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

"Ships I can identify are battleship Missouri (BB-63) at lower left (note protective domes covering her 40mm guns), heavy cruiser Saint Paul (CA-73) across the pier from her (identifiable by the missing forward centerline 5in/38 mount), aircraft carrier Hornet (CVS-12), heavy cruiser Rochester (CA-124) across the pier from her, carrier Bennington (CVS-20), and battleship New Jersey (BB-62)."

Ex-USS Bennington (CVS-20) laid up at Bremerton, circa the early 1990s. Ex-USCGC Glacier (WAGB-4) and ex-USS Oklahoma City (CG-5) can be partly seen on the right side of the photo.

Department of Defense, Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, National Sales Office, Invitation to Bid, Sale Number 31-2133, Bid Opening 21 April 1992, United States Aircraft Carrier: Ex-Bennington (CVS-20).

(No bids were entered.)

Bremerton, 26 May 1992, before the superstructure was destroyed. Last color photo taken prior to her being made ready for trip to Alang, India.

Department of Defense, Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, National Sales Office, Invitation For Bids, Sale Number 31-3312, Bid Opening 26 January 1993, Aircraft Carriers: Ex-Hornet (CVS-12), ex-Bennington (CVS-20), ex-Oriskany (CV-34).

Ship's Bell, Bennington Town Office Building (Bennington, Vt.)

Ship's Plaque, fixed to the rear of the marble structure behind the Ship's Bell in Bennington, Vt.

Artifacts from USS Bennington's bridge, preserved at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington (2007).

USS Bennington (CVA-20).

"Greetings from San Diego, 'Navy-Town' U.S.A." USS Bennington (CVS-20).

Model of USS Bennington (CVS-20), by Motion Models.

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

• Commanding Officers of USS Bennington (CV-20)
• Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons
• Postal Covers related to the ship

---

• Development of the CVS Concept (1955–1960) , submitted by Darryl Baker