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  USS Oriskany History

Oriskany (CVA-34), an attack aircraft carrier, was laid down 1 May 1944 by the New York Naval Shipyard, launched 13 October 1945; and sponsored by Mrs. Clarence Cannon. While still incomplete, her construction was suspended 12 August 1947. She remained in a state of preservation until after the outbreak of hostilities in Korea in June 1950, then was rushed to completion. She commissioned in the New York Naval Shipyard 25 September 1950, Capt Percy H. Lyon in command.

Oriskany departed New York 6 December 1950 for carrier qualification operations off Jacksonville, Fla. followed by a Christmas call at Newport, R. I. She resumed operations off Jacksonville through 11 January 1951, when she embarked Carrier Air Group 1 for shakedown out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

After major modifications at New York Naval Shipyard 6 March through 2 April, she embarked Carrier Air Group 4 for training off Jacksonville, then departed Newport 15 May 1951 for Mediterranean deployment with the 6th Fleet.

For the next few months she added her far-reaching air arm to the strength of the 6th Fleet, the silent, flexible, and controlling weapon of deterrence to overt Soviet aggression in the Mediterranean and the Near East. The mobile 7th Fleet was deeply committed to a shooting war to help restore the independence and freedom of South Korea. Oriskany was part of the affirmative answer to the crucial question as to whether the Korean War would have an affect upon the Navy's ability to maintain the status quo in the Mediterranean.

Having swept from ports of Italy and France to those of Greece and Turkey, thence to the shores of Tripoli, Oriskany returned to Quonset Point, R. I. 4 October 1951. She entered Gravesend Bay, New York 6 November 1951 to offload ammunition and to have her masts removed to allow passage under the East River Bridges to the New York Naval Shipyard.

Overhaul included the installation of a new flight deck, steering system, and bridge. Work was complete by 15 May 1952 and the carrier steamed the next day to take on ammunition at Norfolk 19-22 May. She then got underway to join the Pacific Fleet, steaming via Guantanamo Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Horn, Valparaiso, and Lima, arriving San Diego, Calif. 21 July.

CLASS - ESSEX (Long Hull) AKA TICONDEROGA
Displacement 30,800 Tons,
Dimensions, 904' (oa) x 129' x 30' 6" (Max)
Armament 8 x 5"/38AA, 32 x 40mm, 46 x 20mm, 82 Aircraft.
Armor, 4" Belt, 2 1/2"
Hanger deck, 1 1/2" Deck, 1 1/2" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 150,000 SHP;
Westinghouse Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 33 Knots,
Crew 3460

The USS Oriskany, A brief chronological history:

1945: Launched, New York Naval Shipyard.
1950: Commissioned, New York Naval Shipyard.
1952: Arrives at new home port, San Diego.
1952-53: Combat operations off Korea.
1953: "The Bridges of Toko Ri" filmed aboard the Oriskany.
1958-59: Angled flight deck added during a major renovation, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard.
1963: President Kennedy witnesses operational readiness demonstration aboard the Oriskany in San Diego.
1965: First combat operations off Vietnam.
1966: Magazine fire kills 44 crew members off Vietnam; arrives at new home port, Alameda, Calif.
1967: Assists USS Forrestal when fire strikes that carrier off Vietnam.
1968: Overhaul and repairs, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard.
1969-1973: Combat operations off Vietnam.
1975-76: Final cruise in western Pacific.
1976: Decommissioned, Alameda, Calif.
1995: Sold for scrap, Vallejo, Calif.
1997: Scrap contractor defaults, repossessed by Navy.
1999: Towed to Beaumount, Texas.
2003: Efforts under way to have Escambia County selected as site for sinking of decommissioned ship. Cities in other states also make bids.
2004: Towed to Corpus Christi, Texas, to be cleaned and prepared for use as artificial reef.
2004: Escambia County selected as site for sinking.
Sources: U.S. Navy, Oriskany Reunion Association

 
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