Department of Defense to Name Navy Carrier In Honor Of Former President George H.W. Bush

United States Department of Defense ^

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NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 623-02 (703)697-5131(media) IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2002 (703)428-0711(public/industry)

NAVY CARRIER NAMED IN HONOR OF FORMER PRESIDENT

Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England will name the Navy's tenth Nimitz class aircraft carrier in honor of World War II Naval Aviator and former President of the United States George Herbert Walker Bush during a ceremony today at 3 p.m. EDT in the Pentagon Auditorium, room 5A1070.

Senator John Warner of Virginia, a former secretary of the Navy himself, will join England and the former president for the event. The future USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is presently under construction at Northrop Grumman's Newport News in Virginia.

Bush's lifetime of service to American began when he joined the Navy on his 18th birthday in 1942 as a seaman. He became the youngest pilot in the Navy at the time when he received his commission and designated a Naval Aviator before his 19th birthday.

Serving in the Navy from August 1942 to September 1945 Bush flew the Avenger Torpedo Bomber in combat from the carrier USS San Jacinto. During an attack on enemy installations near Chichi Jima in September 1944 his plane was hit by enemy fire while making a bombing run. Although the plane was on fire and heavily damaged, he completed a strafing run on the target before bailing out of the doomed aircraft. Bush parachuted into the sea and was soon rescued by a Navy submarine, the USS Finback. Tragically, his two-crew members were killed. During his Navy service in the Pacific during World War II, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals.

Bush later served in a number of roles for America including the United States Congress, Ambassador to the United Nations, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office to China, director of the Central Intelligence Agency and later as vice president and president of the United States. As commander-in-chief he led the United States and a coalition of 30 nations during the Gulf War that ended Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and liberated the people of the small Persian Gulf nation.

At 1,092 feet in length and 97,000 tons, Nimitz class aircraft carriers are the largest warships in the world. They have a flight deck of 4.5 acres and carry an air wing of approximately 75 aircraft and can travel at speeds in excess of 30 knots. America's carriers deploy around the globe in support of U.S. interests and commitments and can respond to crises in ways ranging from peacetime presence to full-scale war serving a vital role in the defense of the American people.

England has also designated Bush's daughter, Mrs. Doro B. Koch for the traditional role of ship's sponsor. USS George H.W. Bush is expected to join the fleet in 2009.

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Ceremony Today at 3:00PM EST.

[hchutch]

Not a bad name for it, but Lexington, Saratoga, or Hornet would have been far better, IMHO.

[Phantom Lord]

I wonder if they will name a ship after Clinton. And if they do, will it be a laundry ship?

[Snake65]

If the Navy ever launches a floating brothel, I've got a suggestion for a name...

[Registered]

lol

[Drango]

In an effort to be non-partisan, the Army has named a latrine after Clinton.

[Redleg Duke]

If they can get a dumpster to float, they'll name it after him!

[Johnny Gage]

I thought CVN-77 was named USS Ronald Reagan.

or is the Reagan CVN-76?

[cardinal4]

CVN-79 Is named for Ronald Reagan.

[KeyBored]

"I wonder if they will name a ship after Clinton."

I don't think the USN ever will, but the Chi-Com Navy might :-)

[ewing]

How about a garbage scowl!

[ao98]

Here's the names of the most recent carriers.

CVN 70 - U.S.S. Carl Vinson
CVN 71 - U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt
CVN 72 - U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln
CVN 73 - U.S.S. George Washington
CVN 74 - U.S.S. John C. Stennis
CVN 75 - U.S.S. Harry S. Truman
CVN 76 - U.S.S. Ronald Reagan
CVN 77 - U.S.S. George H.W. Bush

[Gary Boldwater]

Name a submarine after Ted Kennedy

[dvwjr]

No. The future USS Ronald Reagan is CVN-76.


dvwjr

[TC Rider]

If the Navy ever launches a floating brothel, I've got a suggestion for a name...

Does the Navy have the floating equivalent of the 'honey dipper' trucks that empty the port-o-potties?

USS Slick Willy?

[BSunday]

As a submariner myself, I strongly object.

[bvw]

I think that naming things and places after living politicians -- or even after dead ones, if a son bears the same name -- is a corrupting thing. It is at least an influence or suggetion of corruption, self-dealing or bribery.

It should be banned for things and places the government pays for. When it comes to the private sector -- hey, if it helps get a big grant for a new library or dormitory, etc. -- hooray for naming it after Daddy BigBucks! But public monies and benefits are a totally different thing and we should be zealous in avoiding even appearances of impropiety.

[Citizen of the United States]

As much as I undertstand the desire to honour certain men, the recent trend of naming vessels for men who are still living is rather irksome. Former Presidents Reagan and Bush are yet living; why name a vessel for them now? In the spirit of the times, should they rename the USS Constitution the USS J. Strom Thurmond?

Really, it is just continuation of the modern Navy's inconsistent application of nomenclature. I much prefer the style wherein the name of a warship identifies its general class: States' names for battleships, cities' names for cruisers, &c.

As an aside, I should think that there are more worthy candidates for being namesake of CVN 75 than Harry S Truman. And, although I can understand the names for CVN 71 and CVN 73, both men were Army officers (although, admittedly, President Roosevelt did great work for the Navy, including the launch of the Great White Fleet).

[SpottedBeaver]

I wouldn't name anything after Slick Willy. I would Sink the first time it put out to sea.

[Gary Boldwater]

My apologies, sir. My comment was in no way intended to cast any bad light upon the silent service, but rather to make note of Senator Kennedy's fine skills in the operation of a submerged vehicle, life saving, swimming , and the largest liquor slick upon the waters of the east coast.