View source for USS Midway (CV-41)

{{short description|Midway-class aircraft carrier of the US Navy}}
{{Other ships|USS Midway}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| infobox caption = USS ''Midway'' (CV-41)
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = USS Midway (CVB-41) steaming off the Firth of Clyde in September 1952.jpg
| Ship caption = USS ''Midway'' steaming off the [[Firth of Clyde]] in September 1952.
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = United States
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|United States|naval}}
| Ship name = ''Midway''
| Ship namesake = [[Battle of Midway]]
| Ship ordered = 1 August 1942
| Ship builder = [[Newport News Shipbuilding]]
| Ship laid down = 27 October 1943
| Ship launched = 20 March 1945
| Ship sponsor=Mrs. Bradford William Ripley, Jr
| Ship christened=20 March 1945
| Ship acquired = 1 September 1945
| Ship commissioned = 10 September 1945
| Ship decommissioned = 11 April 1992
| Ship reclassified=*CVB-41, 15 July 1943
*CVA-41, 1 October 1952
*CV-41, 30 June 1975
| Ship struck = 17 March 1997
| Ship reinstated = 
| Ship nickname = ''Midway Magic''
| Ship fate = 
| Ship status = [[Museum ship]] at the [[USS Midway Museum|USS ''Midway'' Museum]] in [[San Diego]], California
| Ship notes = Only carrier museum in the United States from WWII-era that is not of the {{sclass|Essex|aircraft carrier|4}}
| Ship badge = [[File:USS Midway (CV-41) seal.png|150px]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = {{sclass|Midway|aircraft carrier}}
| Ship displacement = *45,000 tons at commissioning
* 64,000 tons at decommissioning
| Ship length = {{convert|1001|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.midway.org/files/USS-Midway-Statistics.pdf|title=Statistics per the USS Midway Museum Official Site|website=USA Midway Museum|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=23 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623234243/http://www.midway.org/files/USS-Midway-Statistics.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Ship beam = *{{convert|121|ft|m|abbr=on}}
* {{convert|136|ft|m|abbr=on}}, {{convert|238|ft|m|abbr=on}} at flight deck after modernization
| Ship draught = 
| Ship draft = {{convert|34.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = 12 boilers, four [[Westinghouse Combustion Turbine Systems Division|Westinghouse]] geared [[Steam turbines]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.navysite.de/cvn/cv41.htm |title = USS Midway (CV 41)}}</ref>
| Ship speed = {{convert|33|kn|abbr=on}}
| Ship range = 
| Ship complement = 4,104 officers and men
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = *'''As Built''':
* 18 × [[5"/54 caliber Mark 16 gun|{{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}/54 caliber guns]]
* 21 × quad [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors gun]]
* 28 × twin [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm Oerlikon cannon]] 
* '''After Refit:'''
* 2 8-cell [[Sea Sparrow]] launchers,
* 2 [[Phalanx CIWS]]
| Ship armour = 
| Ship armor = *Portside Belt: 7.6 inch
*Starboard Belt: 7 inch
*Lower Edge and Upper Belt: 1.96 inch
*Flight Deck: 3.5 inch
*Hangar Deck: 2 inch
*3rd Deck: 2 inch
| Ship aircraft = 137 theoretical, 100 (1940s–50s), 70 (Vietnam–retirement)
| Ship aircraft facilities = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

'''USS ''Midway'' (CVB/CVA/CV-41)'''  is an [[aircraft carrier]], formerly of the [[United States Navy]], the [[lead ship]] of [[Midway-class aircraft carrier|her class]]. Commissioned eight days after the end of World War II, ''Midway'' was the largest aircraft carrier in the world until 1955, as well as the first U.S. aircraft carrier [[Panamax|too big to transit]] the [[Panama Canal]]. She operated for 47 years, during which time she saw action in the [[Vietnam War]] and served as the Persian Gulf flagship in 1991's [[Operation Desert Storm]]. Decommissioned in 1992, she is now a [[museum ship]] at the [[USS Midway Museum|USS ''Midway'' Museum]] in [[San Diego]], California.

USS Midway is the only retired aircraft carrier that is not an {{sclass|Essex|aircraft carrier|2}}, as the rest have been scrapped.

==Service history==
===Early operations and deployment with the 6th Fleet===
[[File:USS Midway (CVB-41) after commissioning.jpg|thumb|left|''Midway'' after commissioning in September 1945]]
''Midway'' was [[Keel laying|laid down]] 27 October 1943 in Shipway 11 at [[Northrop Grumman Newport News|Newport News Shipbuilding]] Co., [[Newport News, Virginia]]; [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] 20 March 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Bradford William Ripley Jr.; and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 10 September 1945 (eight days after the [[surrender of Japan]]) with Captain Joseph F. Bolger in command.

After [[Shakedown cruise|shakedown]] in the Caribbean, ''Midway'' joined the [[U.S. Atlantic Fleet]] training schedule, with [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]] as her homeport. From 20 February 1946, she was the [[flagship]] for [[Carrier Strike Group One|Carrier Division 1]]. In March, she participated in Operation Frostbite testing the [[Ryan FR Fireball]] and helicopter rescue techniques for cold-weather operations in the [[Labrador Sea]].  In September 1947, a captured German [[V-2 rocket]] was test-fired from the [[flight deck]] in [[Operation Sandy]], the first large-rocket launch from a moving platform, and the only moving-platform launch for a V-2. While the rocket lifted off, it then tilted and broke up at {{convert|15000|ft|m}}.<ref name=tbg>{{cite journal |last=Grassey |first=Thomas B. |year=1986 |title=Retrospective: The ''Midway'' Class |journal=Proceedings |volume=112 |issue=5 |pages=182–199 |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] }}</ref>

On 29 October 1947, ''Midway'' sailed for the first of her annual deployments with the [[U.S. 6th Fleet|6th Fleet]] in the Mediterranean. Between deployments, ''Midway'' trained and received alterations to accommodate heavier aircraft as they were developed.

In June 1951, ''Midway'' operated in the Atlantic off the [[Virginia Capes]] during carrier suitability tests of the [[F9F Panther|F9F-5 Panther]]. On 23 June, as Cdr. [[George Chamberlain Duncan]] attempted a landing in BuNo ''125228'', a downdraft just aft of the stern caused Duncan to [[ramp strike|crash]]. His plane's forward [[fuselage]] broke away and rolled down the deck, and he suffered burns. Footage of the crash has been used in several films, including ''[[Men of the Fighting Lady]]'', ''[[Midway (1976 film)|Midway]]'', and ''[[The Hunt for Red October (film)|The Hunt for Red October]]''.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

In 1952, the ship participated in [[Operation Mainbrace]], [[North Sea]] maneuvers with [[NATO]] forces. ''Midway'' had an angled runway painted on the flight deck in May for [[touch-and-go landing]]s following early trials of the technique aboard {{HMS|Triumph|R16|6}}. Successful demonstration of the possibilities caused widespread adoption of the [[angled flight deck]] in future aircraft carrier construction and modifications of existing carriers.<ref name=tbg/> On 1 October, the ship was redesignated '''CVA-41'''.

''Midway'' left Norfolk 27 December 1954 for a world cruise, sailing via the [[Cape of Good Hope]] for [[Taiwan]], where she became the first large carrier in the [[United States Seventh Fleet|7th Fleet]] for operations in the Western Pacific until 28 June 1955.<ref name=tbg/> During these operations, ''Midway'' pilots flew cover for the evacuation from the Tachen Islands during the [[First Taiwan Strait Crisis|Quemoy-Matsu crisis]]<ref>[http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12805 Historical Center Seeks Quemoy-Matsu Crisis Veterans] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808195303/http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12805 |date=8 August 2009 }}</ref> of 15,000 Chinese nationalist troops and 20,000 Chinese civilians, along with their livestock.

=== 1950s & 60s ===
[[File:USS Midway (CVA-41) after SCB-110 modernization in 1958.jpg|thumb|left|USS Midway in 1958]]
Controversy arose during the cruise when ''Midway'' around January 1955 docked in [[Cape Town]], [[South Africa]]. [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] senator [[Herbert H. Lehman|Herbert Lehman]] sent a telegram to [[United States Secretary of the Navy|Secretary of the Navy]] Charles Thomas when he learned of a supposed United States Navy plan to segregate 400 non-white members of the crew of ''Midway'' while it was in Cape Town. Fellow Democratic senator [[Hubert Humphrey]] soon joined Lehman, additionally sending a letter to the [[Secretary of state (U.S. state government)|Secretary of State]] [[John Foster Dulles]], asking that "immediate steps be taken to see that equal treatment is given to American service personnel allowed shore leave in South Africa, or eliminate Cape Town as a [[port#Port of call|port of call]]", and saying that "To me this is a shocking act of discrimination that should not be tolerated by our Government. Every American soldier or sailor is an American regardless of race, color or creed, and is entitled to be respected and treated as such anywhere in the world."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.midwaysailor.com/romieoch/capetown.html|title=Romie Och Collection ~ Cape Town, South Africa|website=www.midwaysailor.com|access-date=2019-12-25}}</ref>

An anonymous Navy official stated that the Department of the Navy did not know of the arrangements that were to be made between the officers of ''Midway'' and South African authorities, and that [[African American|African-American]] members of the crew would not be segregated while still aboard ''Midway''.<ref name=":0" />

[[Clarence Mitchell Jr.|Clarence Mitchell Jr]]. also urged Thomas not to allow ''Midway'' to dock at Cape Town. [[James H. Smith Jr.]], Acting Secretary of the Navy at the time, replied that the stop at Cape Town was merely to "satisfy an operational logistic requirement" and that it was customary to observe local laws and regulations while visiting foreign ports.<ref name=":0" />

Captain Reynold Delos Hogle of ''Midway'' stated that while in port, ''Midway'' would be United States territory and federal [[Law of the United States|United States laws]] would apply. In the end, the crew of ''Midway'' were not made to abide by [[apartheid]], Captain Hogle stating that "At [[Hartleyvale Stadium|Hartleyvale (Stadium)]] this afternoon and at the concert to-night, European and non-European members of the crew have been asked to attend. There will be no segregation whatsoever".<ref name=":0" />

====Modernizations====

[[File:USS Midway (CV-41) deck plans 1945, 1957 and 1970.png|thumb|upright|Deck plans for ''Midway'': 1945, 1957 and 1970]]
On 28 June 1955, the ship sailed for [[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard]], where ''Midway'' underwent an extensive modernization program ([[Ship Characteristics Board|SCB-110]], similar to [[SCB-125]] for the ''Essex''-class carriers). ''Midway'' received an enclosed [[History of the aircraft carrier#Hurricane bow|hurricane bow]], an aft deck-edge elevator, an [[Flight deck#Angled flight deck|angled flight deck]], and steam catapults, before returning to service on 30 September 1957.<ref name=tbg/>

Home ported at [[Alameda, California]], ''Midway'' began annual deployments bringing [[McDonnell F3H Demon]]s, [[North American FJ-4 Fury]]s, [[Vought F-8 Crusader]]s, [[Douglas A-1 Skyraider]]s, and [[Douglas A-3 Skywarrior]]s to the 7th Fleet in 1958, and into the [[South China Sea]] during the Laotian Crisis of spring 1961. During the 1962 deployment, ''Midway'' recorded her 100,000th arrested landing<ref name=tbg/> as the ship's aircraft tested the air defense systems of Japan, [[Korea]], [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]], the Philippines, and Taiwan. ''Midway'' again sailed for the [[Far East]] 6 March 1965, and from mid-April flew strikes against military and logistics installations in [[North Vietnam|North]] and [[South Vietnam]], including the first combat use of [[AGM-12 Bullpup]] air-to-surface missiles. On 17 June 1965 two VF-21 [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II]]s flying from ''Midway'' were credited with the first confirmed MiG kills of the Vietnam conflict, using [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] missiles to down two [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17|MiG-17Fs]]. Three days later, four of ''Midway{{'}}s'' A-1 Skyraiders used the World War II vintage [[Thach Weave]] tactic to down an attacking MiG-17F.<ref name=tbg/>
<!--[[File:USS Midway (CVA-41) operating in the South China Sea in October 1965.jpg|thumb|''Midway'' in 1965 after SCB-110]]-->
''Midway'' lost an F-4 Phantom and two A-4 Skyhawks to North Vietnamese [[S-75 Dvina]] surface-to-air missiles.

''Midway'' returned to Alameda on 23 November to enter [[San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard]] on 11 February 1966 for a massive modernization (SCB-101.66), which proved expensive and controversial. The flight deck was enlarged from {{convert|2.8|to|4|acre|sqm sqft}}, and the angle of the flight deck landing area was increased to 13.5 degrees. The elevators were enlarged, moved, and given almost double the weight capacity. ''Midway'' also received new steam catapults, arresting gear, and a centralized air conditioning plant. Cost overruns raised the price of this program from $88 million to US$202 million, and precluded a similar modernization planned for {{USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CV-42|2}}. After ''Midway'' was finally recommissioned on 31 January 1970, it was found that the modifications had worsened the ship's seakeeping capabilities and ability to conduct air operations in rough seas, which made further modifications necessary to correct the problem.<ref name=tbg/>

===Return to Vietnam===
[[File:USS Midway (CVA-41) underway in the Pacific Ocean on 19 April 1971 (NNAM.1996.488.116.040).jpg|thumb|left|USS ''Midway'' underway in the [[Pacific Ocean]] on April 19, 1971]]

''Midway'' returned to Vietnam and on 18 May 1971, after relieving {{USS|Hancock|CV-19|2}} at [[Yankee Station]], began single carrier operations. ''Midway'' departed Yankee Station on 5 June, completing the vessel's final line period on 31 October 1971, and returned to the ship's homeport on 6 November 1971.

''Midway'', with embarked [[Carrier Air Wing 5]] (CVW 5), again departed Alameda for operations off Vietnam on 10 April 1972. On 11 May, aircraft from ''Midway'', along with those from {{USS|Coral Sea|CV-43|2}}, {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|2}}, and {{USS|Constellation|CV-64|2}}, began laying [[naval mine]]s off North Vietnamese ports, including [[Thanh Hóa]], [[Đồng Hới]], [[Vinh]], [[Hon Gai]], [[Quảng Khê, Thanh Hóa|Quang Khe]], and [[Cam Pha]], as well as other approaches to [[Haiphong]]. Ships that were in port in Haiphong had been warned that the mining would take place and that the mines would be armed 72 hours later.
[[File:USS Midway (CVA-41) overhead view in April 1972.jpg|thumb|upright|''Midway'' en route to [[Southeast Asia]] in April 1972]]

''Midway'' continued Vietnam operations during [[Operation Linebacker]] throughout the summer of 1972. On 7 August 1972, an [[Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Seven|HC-7]] Det 110 helicopter, flying from ''Midway'', and aided by planes from the carrier and from {{USS|Saratoga|CV-60|2}}, [[search and rescue|searched]] for the pilot of an [[A-7 Corsair II]] aircraft from ''Saratoga'' who had been downed the previous day by a [[surface-to-air missile]] about {{Convert|20|mi|abbr=on}} inland, northwest of Vinh. Flying over mountains, the HC-7 helicopter spotted the downed aviator with her searchlight and, under heavy ground fire, retrieved him before returning to an [[Amphibious transport dock|LPD]] off the coast. This was the deepest penetration by a rescue helicopter into North Vietnam since 1968. By the end of 1972, HC-7 Det 110 had rescued a total of 48 pilots, 35 in combat conditions.

On 5 October 1973, ''Midway'', with CVW 5, put into [[U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]], Japan, marking the first forward-deployment of a complete carrier task group in a Japanese port, the result of an accord arrived at on 31 August 1972 between the U.S. and Japan. The move allowed sailors to live with their families when in port; more strategically, it allowed three carriers to stay in East Asia even as the economic situation demanded the reduction of carriers in the fleet. CVW 5 became based at the nearby [[Naval Air Facility Atsugi]].<ref name=tbg/>

For service in Vietnam from 30 April 1972, to 9 February 1973, ''Midway'' and CVW 5 received the [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]] from [[Richard Nixon]]. It read:

{{blockquote|For extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against enemy forces in Southeast Asia from 30 April 1972 to 9 February 1973. During this crucial period of the Vietnam conflict, USS MIDWAY and embarked Attack Carrier Air Wing FIVE carried out devastating aerial attacks against enemy installations, transportation, and lines of communications in the face of extremely heavy opposition including multi-calibre antiaircraft artillery fire and surface-to-air missiles. Displaying superb airmanship and unwavering courage, MIDWAY/CVW-5 pilots played a significant role in lifting the prolonged sieges at An Lộc, Kon Tum, and Quảng Trị and in carrying out the concentrated aerial strikes against the enemy's industrial heartland which eventually resulted in a cease-fire. By their excellent teamwork, dedication, and sustained superior performance, the officers and men of MIDWAY and Attack Carrier Air Wing FIVE reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."<ref>A copy of the PUC and a letter from the Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations dated 1 June 2011 confirmed the above citations.</ref>}}

Aircraft from Midway made both the first MIG kills in the [[Vietnam War]], and the last air-to-air victory of the war. On 17 June 1965, aviators of ''Midway''{{'}}s Attack Carrier Wing 2, [[VF-21]], had downed the first two [[MiG]]s credited to US forces in Southeast Asia.<ref name=midwaysailor/> On 12 January 1973 a combat aircraft from ''Midway'' made the last air-to-air victory of the Vietnam War.<ref name=midwaysailor/>

===Operation Frequent Wind===
{{See also|Operation Frequent Wind}}

On 19 April 1975, after North Vietnam had overrun two-thirds of South Vietnam, ''Midway'', along with ''Coral Sea'', ''Hancock'', {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|2}} and {{USS|Okinawa|LPH-3|2}}, were sent to the waters off South Vietnam. Ten days later, U.S. 7th Fleet forces carried out [[Operation Frequent Wind]], the evacuation of Saigon. For this, ''Midway'', which had offloaded half of the ship's regular combat air wing at [[U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay|NS Subic Bay]], Philippines, steamed to Thailand and took aboard eight U.S. Air Force [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53]] from [[21st Special Operations Squadron]] and two [[Sikorsky MH-53|HH-53]] helicopters from [[40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron]].<ref>{{cite book| title=Search and Rescue in Southeast Asia 1961-1975| last=Tilford| first=Earl| publisher=Office of Air Force History| year=1980| isbn=978-1-4102-2264-0| page=143}}</ref> As [[Fall of Saigon|Saigon fell]] to North Vietnamese forces, these helicopters transported hundreds of U.S. personnel and Vietnamese people to ''Midway'' and other U.S. ships in the South China Sea.

[[File:Major Buang lands his Cessna O-1 on USS Midway.jpg|thumb|Major Buang's [[Cessna O-1 Bird Dog|O-1]] touching down]]
On 29 April 1975, [[Republic of Vietnam Air Force]] (RVNAF) Major Lý Bửng (also spelled Buang-Ly or Buang Lee) loaded his wife and five children into a two-seat [[Cessna O-1 Bird Dog]] and took off from [[Con Son]] Island. After evading enemy ground fire, Buang headed out to the South China Sea, found ''Midway'', and began to circle overhead with his landing lights turned on. ''Midway''{{'}}s crew unsuccessfully attempted to contact the aircraft on emergency frequencies. When a spotter reported that there were at least four people in the two-seater aircraft, all thoughts of forcing the pilot to ditch alongside were abandoned. After three tries, Major Buang managed to drop a note from a low pass over the deck: "Can you move the helicopter to the other side, I can land on your runway, I can fly for one hour more, we have enough time to move. Please rescue me! Major Buang, wife and 5 child." Captain [[Lawrence Chambers|Larry Chambers]], the ship's commanding officer, ordered that the arresting wires be removed and that any helicopters that could not be safely and quickly moved should be pushed over the side. He called for volunteers, and soon every available seaman was on deck to help. An estimated {{US$|10 million}} worth of [[UH-1 Huey]] helicopters were pushed overboard. With a {{convert|500|ft|m|adj=on}} ceiling, {{convert|5|mi|km|adj=on}} visibility, light rain, and {{convert|15|kn}} of surface wind, Chambers ordered the ship to sail at {{convert|25|kn}} into the wind. Warnings about the dangerous downdrafts created behind a steaming carrier were transmitted blind in both Vietnamese and English. To make matters worse, five more UH-1s landed and cluttered up the deck. Without hesitation, Chambers ordered them jettisoned as well. Captain Chambers recalled that

{{blockquote|[Buang's] aircraft cleared the ramp and touched down on center line at the normal touchdown point. Had he been equipped with a tailhook he could have bagged a number 3 wire. He bounced once and came to a stop abeam of the island, amid a wildly cheering, arms-waving flight deck crew.<ref>Fall 1993 issue of the National Museum of Aviation History's "Foundation" magazine</ref>}}

Buang was escorted to the [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]] where Chambers congratulated him on his outstanding airmanship, and his bravery in risking everything on a gamble beyond the point of no return without knowing for certain a carrier would be where he needed it. The crew of ''Midway'' was so impressed that they established a fund to help him and his family get settled in the United States.<ref>Shiel, Walt (1995). ''Cessna Warbirds'', pp 119-120. Jones Publishing. {{ISBN|1-879825-25-2}}.</ref> The O-1 that Major Buang landed is now on display at the [[National Museum of Naval Aviation|Naval Aviation Museum]] in Pensacola, Florida.<ref>[http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/explore/exhibits-and-collections/aircraft-on-display "Aircraft on display"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828064033/http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/explore/exhibits-and-collections/aircraft-on-display |date=28 August 2013 }} ''navalaviationmuseum.org''. Retrieved 12 October 2013.</ref> Major Buang became the first Vietnamese pilot ever to land a fixed-wing aircraft on an aircraft carrier deck.
[[File:USS Midway (CVA-41) in the Pacific Ocean on 30 November 1974 (NH 97633).jpg|thumb|USS Midway (CVA-41) in the Pacific, 1974]]
Upon completion of ferrying people to other ships, ''Midway'' returned to Thailand and disembarked the Air Force helicopters at [[U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield]]. The CH-53s then airlifted over 50 RVNAF aircraft to the ship.<ref>{{cite book|last=Muir|first=Malcolm|title=End of the Saga: The Maritime Evacuation of South Vietnam and Cambodia|publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command|year=2017|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/publications/publication-508-pdf/NHHC_End%20of%20the%20Saga_508.pdf|isbn=9780945274926|page=51}}</ref> With almost 100 helicopters and aircraft of the former RVNAF aboard, the ship steamed to [[Guam]] where the aircraft and helicopters were offloaded in twenty-four hours. While transiting back to the Philippines to pick up the ship's air wing, ''Midway'' was rerouted to act as a floating airfield in support of special operation forces rescuing the [[Mayagüez incident|SS ''Mayagüez'']]. ''Midway'' picked up the ship's regular air wing again a month later when the aircraft carrier returned [[Naval Air Station Cubi Point|NAS Cubi Point]], Philippines.

On 30 June 1975, ''Midway'' was redesignated from "CVA-41" to "CV-41".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/naval-aviation-history/attack-carriers.html|title=Carrier Designations and Names|publisher=history.navy.mil|date=1 August 2017|access-date=28 May 2022}}</ref>

===After Vietnam===
On 21 August 1976, a Navy task force headed by ''Midway'' made a show of force off the coast of Korea in reaction to an attack on two U.S. Army officers who were killed by North Korean soldiers on 18 August when they attempted to cut down a tree. The U.S. response to this incident was given the name [[Operation Paul Bunyan]]. ''Midway''{{'}}s participation was part of a U.S. demonstration of military concern vis-à-vis [[North Korea]].

''Midway'' relieved ''Constellation'' as the [[Indian Ocean]] contingency carrier on 16 April 1979. This unscheduled deployment was due to {{USS|Ranger|CV-61|6}} colliding with the [[Tanker (ship)|tanker]] ''Liberian Fortune'' near the Straits of Malacca, with ''Midway'' taking over ''Ranger''{{'}}s mission while she went in for repairs. ''Midway'' and her escorts continued a significant American naval presence in the oil-producing region of the [[Arabian Sea]] and [[Persian Gulf]]. On 18 November, the aircraft carrier steamed to the North Arabian Sea in connection with the continuing [[Iran Hostage Crisis|hostage crisis]] in Iran. Militant followers of the [[Ayatollah Khomeini]], who had come to power following the overthrow of the [[Shah of Iran|Shah]], seized the U.S. embassy in [[Tehran]] on 4 November and held 63 US citizens hostage. On 21 November ''Kitty Hawk'' arrived, and both carriers, along with their escort ships, were joined by {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|2}} and her escorts on 22 January 1980. ''Midway'' was relieved by ''Coral Sea'' on 5 February.<ref name=tbg/>

===Missions in the 1980s===
[[File:C-1A Trader landing on USS Midway (CV-41), circa in 1982.jpg|thumb|left|[[Grumman C-1 Trader|C-1 Trader]] lands on USS Midway, 1982]]

Following a period in Yokosuka, ''Midway'' relieved ''Coral Sea'' 30 May 1980 on standby south of [[Jeju Island|Jeju-Do]] Island in the [[Sea of Japan]] following the potential of civil unrest in the [[Republic of Korea]].

While transiting the passage between [[Palawan Island]] of the Philippines and the coast of Northern [[Borneo]] on 29 July, the Panamanian merchant ship ''Cactus'' collided with ''Midway''. ''Cactus'' was {{convert|450|nmi|km}} southwest of [[Subic Bay]] and heading to [[Singapore]] when she struck near the carrier's [[liquid oxygen]] plant; two sailors working in the plant were killed and three were injured. ''Midway'' sustained light damage and three [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4 Phantom]] aircraft parked on the flight deck also were damaged.<ref name=midwaysailor>{{cite news | url=http://www.midwaysailor.com/midway/history.html | title=The History of Midway's Magic | website=midwaysailor.com | access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref>

On 17 August, ''Midway'' relieved ''Constellation'' to begin another Indian Ocean deployment and to complement the {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69|2}} task group still on contingency duty in the Arabian Sea. ''Midway'' spent a total of 118 consecutive days in the Indian Ocean during 1980.
[[File:USNS Navasota (T-AO-106) refuels USS Midway (CV-41) and USS England (CG-22) on 7 December 1983 (6483143).jpg|thumb|USNS Navasota (T-AO-106) refuels USS Midway (CV-41) and USS England (CG-22) on 7 December 1983]]
On 16 March 1981, an [[A-6 Intruder|A-6E Intruder]] from VA-115 aboard ''Midway'' sighted a downed civilian helicopter in the South China Sea. ''Midway'' immediately dispatched [[HC-1]] Det 2 helicopters to the scene. All 17 people aboard the downed helicopter were rescued and brought aboard the carrier. The chartered civilian helicopter was also retrieved from the water and lifted to ''Midway''{{'}}s flight deck.

On 25 March 1986, the final carrier launching of a Navy fleet [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4S Phantom II]] took place off ''Midway'' during flight operations in the [[East China Sea]]. ABF2 Paul F. Morehead Jr., fueled aircraft number 111 for the last time. The Phantoms were replaced by the new [[F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18A Hornet]]s.

[[File:USS Midway (CV-41) heavily rolling during sea trials in 1986.jpg|thumb|"Rock'n Roll carrier": ''Midway'' heavily rolling after her 1986 refit]]
''Midway'' continued serving in the western Pacific throughout the 1980s. In order to alleviate persistent seakeeping issues, ''Midway'' received hull blisters in 1986. During her 1986 refit (named "Extended Incremental Selected Repair Availability"), blisters were added to improve the ship's stability. The modification proved counterproductive, as it actually increased the ship's instability in rough seas. She took water over the flight deck during excessive rolls in moderate seas, thereby hampering flight operations. Before another $138 million refit was approved to rectify the stability problems, it was even proposed to decommission ''Midway''. Nevertheless, she had earned herself the nickname "Rock'n Roll carrier." During a typhoon while in the Sea of Japan during the Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, on 8 October 1988, ''Midway'', which was not supposed to be able to sustain more than 24 degrees of roll, survived a 26-degree roll.

On 30 October 1989, an F/A-18A Hornet aircraft from ''Midway'' mistakenly dropped a {{Convert|500|lb|abbr=off|adj=on|lk=off|0}} [[general-purpose bomb]] on the deck of {{USS|Reeves|CG-24|2}} during training exercises in the Indian Ocean, creating a {{convert|5|ft|adj=on}} hole in the bow, sparking small fires, and injuring five sailors. ''Reeves'' was {{convert|32|mi|km|0}} south of [[Diego Garcia]] at the time of the incident.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051110153229/http://www.dcfp.navy.mil/mc/museum/REEVES/REEVES.htm USS ''Reeves''] NavSea DC Museum – Retrieved 16 June 2009</ref>
[[File:Bow view of USS Midway (CV-41) underway, December 1987 (DN-ST-88-02631).jpg|left|thumb|USS Midway underway in Dec. 1987]]
Tragedy struck ''Midway'' on 20 June 1990. While conducting routine flight operations approximately {{convert|125|nmi}} northeast of Japan, the ship was badly damaged by two onboard explosions. These explosions led to a fire that raged more than ten hours. In addition to damage to the ship's hull, two crew members were killed and 9 others were wounded;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GnMhAAAAIBAJ&pg=1026,5366997&dq=midway+carrier+fire&hl=en |title= Navy Recovers Bodies of Two Sailors Killed in Carrier Fire in Pacific|work= The Daily Gazette|access-date=2010-10-21|date= 1990-06-22|author=David Butts }}</ref> one of the injured later died of his injuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0kQgAAAAIBAJ&pg=5115,7360893&dq=midway+carrier+fire&hl=en |title= Midway Sailor Dies; death toll now 3|work= The Pittsburgh Press|access-date=2010-10-21| date=1990-06-30}}</ref> All 11 crewmen belonged to the at sea fire-fighting team known as the Flying Squad. When ''Midway'' entered Yokosuka Harbor the next day, 12 Japanese media helicopters flew in circles and hovered about {{convert|150|ft|m}} above the flight deck. Three bus loads of reporters were waiting on the pier. About 30 minutes after ''Midway'' cast her first line, more than 100 international print and electronic journalists charged over the brow to cover the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://photographytraining.tpub.com/14129/css/Uss-Midway-Continued-76.htm|title=USS Midway - Continued|website=photographytraining.tpub.com}}</ref> The news media made a major issue out of the incident, as it had happened amid several other military accidents. It was thought that the accident would lead to the ship's immediate retirement due to her age, but ''Midway'' was retained to fight in one last major conflict.

===Operation Desert Storm===
[[File:US Navy Battle Force Zulu carriers overhead view in 1991.jpg|thumb|Four US Navy carriers form "Battle Force Zulu" following the 1991 Gulf War; ''Midway'' (top left) cruises with {{USS|Ranger|CV-61|2}} (bottom left), {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|2}} (top right) and {{USS|America|CV-66|2}} (bottom right)]]
[[File:McDonnell Douglas F-A-18A Hornet US Navy VFA-195 NF104 (1991 Gulf War) BuNo 162829 - Feb 13 1991 Super-Frelon Strike.png|alt=NF-104 as it appeared on 13 February 1991 when it destroyed an Iraqi Super Frelon helicopter with a Walleye I.|thumb|''NF-104,'' an F/A-18A Hornet from VFA-195 as it appeared on 13 February 1991 when it destroyed an Iraqi Super Frelon helicopter with a Walleye I]]

On 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded neighboring Kuwait, and U.S. forces moved into Saudi Arabia as part of [[Gulf War#Operation Desert Shield|Operation Desert Shield]] to protect that country against invasion by Iraq. On 1 November 1990, ''Midway'' was again on station in the North Arabian Sea as the carrier of Battle Force Zulu (which included warships from the U.S., Australia, and other countries), relieving {{USS|Independence|CV-62|2}}. On 15 November, the carrier participated in Operation Imminent Thunder, an eight-day combined amphibious landing exercise in northeastern Saudi Arabia which involved about 1,000 [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marines]], 16 warships, and more than 1,100 aircraft. Meanwhile, the [[United Nations]] set an ultimatum deadline of 15 January 1991 for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait.

[[Operation Desert Storm]] began the next day. On January 17, 1991, at 2:00AM, ''Midway'' launched aircraft from CVW-5 for the first carrier strikes of the Gulf War.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Morgan|first=Rick|title=Osprey Combat Aircraft 121: A-6 Intruder Units 1974-96|publisher=Osprey Publishing|year=2017|isbn=978-1-4728-1877-5}}</ref> An A-6E TRAM Intruder from [[VA-185 (U.S. Navy)|VA-185 Nighthawks]] from the ''Midway'' was the first carrier aircraft over the coast.<ref name="midwaysailor" /> Around 17 other aircraft from the ''Midway'' provided support during the strikes.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Pokrant|first=Marvin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=erVzmflT2MIC&q=al-jabr|title=Desert Storm at Sea: What the Navy Really Did|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1999|isbn=9780313310249}}</ref>

At around 4:05AM, four A-6E TRAM Intruders from VA-185 and [[VFA-115|VA-115 Eagles]] attacked [[Shaibah Air Base]] at around 350&nbsp;ft, encountering heavy AAA fire, with two of the four aircraft not dropping their bombs. At around the same time, three A-6E TRAM Intruders from VA-115, each loaded with six Mk.83 bombs; attacked [[Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base|Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base]] in occupied Kuwait. The AAA fire at Shaibah led to the ''Midway''<nowiki/>'s pilots avoiding low-level attacks for the rest of the war.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":2"/> No ''Midway'' aircraft were lost on the strikes. The Navy launched 228 sorties that day from ''Midway'' and ''Ranger'' in the Persian Gulf, and from {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|2}} and ''Saratoga'' in the Red Sea. The Navy also launched more than 100 [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk]] missiles from nine ships in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf.

''Midway'' later launched an F/A-18 Hornet that used the first [[AGM-62 Walleye]] television-guided glide bomb in combat. The Hornet from [[VFA-195 (U.S. Navy)|VFA-195]] destroyed a T-shaped building at [[Umm Qasr Port|Umm Qasr Naval Base]] with a Walleye II. The pilot, [[Jeffrey Ashby|LCDR Jeffery Ashby]], led a mission on 13 February 1991 that successfully destroyed an Iraqi [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon helicopter]] armed with [[Exocet]] missiles (which had posed a threat to the US Carriers) with a Walleye I.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Naval Intelligence Professionals - H059.1 Desert Storm Part 2 (February 1991)|url=https://navintpro.org/professional-articles/2021/02/19/h059.1-desert-storm-part-2-(february-1991)/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=navintpro.org}}</ref> The removal of the threat allowed ''Midway'' and the other carriers ''Ranger'' and {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|2}} to move closer to Kuwait. ''NF-104'' was painted with a kill marking for the helicopter and was displayed when ''Midway'' returned to Japan.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} Some of ''Midway's'' F/A-18As also unsuccessfully attempted to intercept Iraqi Mirage F1s during the [[Attack on Ras Tanura]] on January 24, with an [[Royal Saudi Air Force|RSAF]] F-15C later shooting down both of the Mirages.<ref>{{Cite book |last=P. Hallion |first=Richard |title=Desert Storm 1991 - The most shattering air campaign in history |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2022 |isbn=9781472846969 |pages=55}}</ref>

Desert Storm officially ended 28 February, and ''Midway'' departed the Persian Gulf on 11 March 1991 and returned to Yokosuka.

=== Rest of 1991 ===
[[File:USS Midway (CV-41) leaving Yokosuka, Crew spelling Sayonara.jpg|thumb|''Midway'' departing Yokosuka for the last time in August 1991]]
In June 1991, ''Midway'' left for her final deployment, this time to the Philippines to take part in [[Operation Fiery Vigil]], which was the evacuation of 20,000 military members and their families from [[Clark Air Base]], on the island of [[Luzon]], after the eruption of [[Mount Pinatubo]]. ''Midway'', along with twenty other U.S. naval ships, ferried the evacuees to the island of [[Cebu]], where they were taken off the ship by helicopter. After taking part in the evacuation, the aircraft carrier once again returned to Yokosuka.

===Final cruise===
In August 1991, ''Midway'' departed Yokosuka for the last time and returned to [[Pearl Harbor]]. There, she turned over with ''Independence,'' which replaced ''Midway'' as the forward-deployed carrier in [[U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]]. Rear Admiral [[Joseph Prueher]] and the staff of Carrier Group ONE moved to ''Independence''. Prueher was the last admiral to lower his flag on ''Midway''. She then sailed to [[Seattle]] for a port visit. There the ship disembarked "tigers" (guests of crew members) before making her final voyage to [[San Diego]].

==As museum ship==
{{See also|USS Midway Museum}}
{{Multiple image
|align= right
|width= 175
|image1= USS Midway (CV-41) decommissioned.jpg
|width1=
|caption1= 10 January 2004, ex-''Midway'' prepares to moor at Navy pier in [[San Diego]]
|image2= USSMidwayByPhilKonstantin.jpg
|width2=
|caption2= Aerial view of the [[USS Midway Museum|USS ''Midway'' Museum]] in 2011
}}
{{external media
| float  = right
| video1 = [https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=feLEvenZxHW&brand=0 3D Walkthrough of USS Midway], Virtual Tour
}}

''Midway'' was decommissioned at [[Naval Air Station North Island]] on 11 April 1992 in a ceremony in which the main speaker was [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Richard Cheney|Dick Cheney]]. During decommissioning, ''Midway'', her sailors, and their families were filmed for the movie ''At Sea'', a documentary on carrier life shown only at the Navy Museum in [[Washington, D.C.]] The ship was stricken from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] on 17 March 1997.

On 30 September 2003, ex-''Midway'' began her journey from the [[Navy Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility]], [[Bremerton, Washington]], to San Diego, California, in preparation for use as a museum and memorial. The aircraft carrier was docked in early October at the Charles P. Howard Terminal in [[Oakland, California]], while work proceeded on the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego. On 10 January 2004, the ship was moored at her final location, where she was opened to the public on 7 June 2004 as a museum. In the first year of operation, the museum had 879,281 visitors, double the expected attendance.

On 11 November 2012, a college basketball game between the [[Syracuse Orange men's basketball|Syracuse Orange]] and the [[San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball|San Diego State Aztecs]] was played on the flight deck. The Orange won, 62–49.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=323160021 |title=No. 9 Syracuse rolls No. 20 SDSU on USS Midway |newspaper=ESPN |date=11 November 2012 |access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref>

On 15 July 2015, museum personnel were evacuated from ex-''Midway'' due to smoke caused by an apparent fire.  The San Diego fire department responded quickly, but no fire was found, and the museum was able to open for the day on schedule.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Botelho |first1=Greg |last2=Watts |first2=Amanda |date=15 July 2015 |title=Firefighters converge on USS Midway, an aircraft carrier-turned-museum |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/15/us/california-uss-midway-evacuated/|website=CNN.com |location=USA |access-date=21 August 2015}}</ref>

On 18 July 2025, a private {{convert|60|ft}} [[sportfishing]] boat collided with '' Midway'' at slow speed. There were no injuries, or significant damage, and the captain of the vessel was later arrested on suspicion of [[Drunk driving in the United States#Flying and boating under the influence|boating while under the influence]].<ref>{{Cite news |publisher= The San Diego Union Tribune |last= Figueroa |first= Teri |title= Sportfishing boat bumps into USS Midway, captain arrested on suspicion of boating under the influence |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/sportfishing-boat-bumps-into-uss-midway-captain-arrested-on-suspicion-of-boating-under-the-influence/ar-AA1IT5Zi |date= 19 July 2025 |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Ribbon, U.S. Navy Presidential Unit Citation.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 4th award.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=China Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=6|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=4|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=16|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=27|type=service-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=27|type=service-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|width=103}}
|}

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]
|[[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]]
|[[Navy Unit Commendation]]<br>with three [[service star|stars]]
|[[Meritorious Unit Commendation]]<br>with two stars
|-
|[[Navy E Ribbon]] with<br> wreathed Battle "E" device
|[[Navy Expeditionary Medal]]<br> with three stars
|[[China Service Medal]]
|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|-
|[[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]]
|[[Navy Occupation Service Medal]]
|[[National Defense Service Medal]]<br>with two stars
|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]<br>with six stars
|-
|[[Vietnam Service Medal]]<br>with four stars
|[[Southwest Asia Service Medal]]<br> with two stars
|[[Humanitarian Service Medal]]
|[[Sea Service Deployment Ribbon]]<br>with sixteen stars
|-
|[[Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)|Republic of Vietnam Meritorious<br>Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross)]]
|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal|Republic of Vietnam Campaign<br> Medal]]
|[[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)|Kuwait Liberation Medal<br>(Saudi Arabia)]]
|[[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)|Kuwait Liberation Medal<br>(Kuwait)]]
|}

==See also==
* [[List of aircraft carriers]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
* {{DANFS}}
; Citations
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* McGaugh, Scott ''Midway Magic: An Oral History of America's Legendary Aircraft Carrier'', CDS Books, New York, 2004, {{ISBN|1-59315-027-X}}.

==External links==
{{Commons and category|USS Midway (CV-41)|USS Midway (CV-41)}}
* [http://www.midway.org USS ''Midway'' Museum]
* [https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/m/midway-iii.html history.navy.mil: USS ''Midway'']
* [http://www.midwaysailor.com/midway/index.html MidwaySailor.com].
* {{hnsa|uss-midway-cv-41}}
* [http://www.navsource.net/archives/02/41.htm NavSource: USS ''Midway'' (CV-41)]
* [http://speakingofhistory.blogspot.com/2006/07/podcast-34-touring-uss-midway-in-san.html A Podcast from Speaking of History about a tour of the USS ''Midway'' in July 2006]
* [http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675069507_evacuation-of-refugees_Americans-and-South-Vietnamese_USS-Midway_Cessna-aircraft Footage video clip of Major Buang landing on USS ''Midway'']
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzENtmcIAF0 July 23, 1951 F9F Panther crash on USS ''Midway'']

{{Coord|32.713789|N|117.174940|W|type:landmark_scale:5000_region:US|display=title}}
{{Midway class aircraft carrier}}
{{authority control}}
<!-- ship-related categories -->

{{DEFAULTSORT:Midway (Cv-41)}}
[[Category:1945 ships]]
[[Category:Cold War aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:Gulf War ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Midway-class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Ships built in Newport News, Virginia]]
[[Category:Vietnam War aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United States]]
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[[Category:2004 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Aerospace museums in California]]
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