Navy Names Next Aircraft Carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)

U.S. Department of Defense ^ | 5/29/2011 | Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense

[Tatze]

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the next Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier will be named the USS John F. Kennedy.

The selection John F. Kennedy, designated CVN 79, honors the 35th President of the United States and pays tribute to his service in the Navy, in the government, and to the nation.

“President John F. Kennedy exemplified the meaning of service, not just to country, but service to all humanity,” said Mabus. “I am honored to have the opportunity to name the next aircraft carrier after this great sailor and inspirational leader, and to keep the rich tradition and history of USS John F. Kennedy sailing in the U.S. Fleet.”

Born in Brookline, Mass., May 29, 1917, Kennedy graduated from Harvard in 1940 and entered the Navy in October 1941.

During World War II, Kennedy took command of PT 109 at Tulagi Island in the Solomons with a mission to intercept Japanese ships attempting to resupply their barges in New Georgia. In the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 1943, Kennedy’s ship was inadvertently struck by an enemy ship and split in half. Over the course of the next six days, Kennedy led his crew members to safety and an eventual rescue. Kennedy received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for the rescue of his crew and a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained when his ship was struck.

After his military service, Kennedy became a congressman representing the Boston area, he was elected to the Senate in 1953, and in 1961 became the youngest person to be elected president.

One previous ship, the USS John F. Kennedy, CV 67, was named in his honor and was decommissioned in 2007 after nearly 40 years of distinguished service, including Operation Desert Storm.

The USS John F. Kennedy and other Ford-class carriers will be the premier forward asset for crisis response and humanitarian relief and early decisive striking power in a major combat operation. The aircraft carrier and the carrier strike group will provide forward presence, rapid response, endurance on station, and multi-mission capability throughout its 50-year service life.

The USS John F. Kennedy will provide improved warfighting capability, quality of life improvements for sailors and reduced acquisition and life cycle costs. The ship will be constructed at Newport News Shipbuilding, Va., a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.

[AFret.]

USAF..23 yrs active duty..ret 05..pilot.

JFK had to pull strings to get into combat...unlike the current crop of “leaders” ie clinton,obama..etc.

I admired him..had he not died, Vietnam would not have happened..he was about to remove the advisers and only provide equipment..turning point in our history.

Thanks for your service.

[PzLdr]

We will never agree on JFK, but I thank you for your service.

[papasmurf]

I’d like to see a USS Apollo 11.

My former BIL served on the Hornet when they plucked Apollo capsule. He was an arsehole to my Sis, but he did get me an Independence Day cruise on her, which I’ll never forget.

[papasmurf]

I agree. Should be something more meaning full. Apollo (or Apollo 11 or 13), or Nine Eleven (911), a name to memorialize and commemorate something that unites us and sends a message regarding our Heritage, rather than some over hyped politician.

Reykjavík Summit would be good, also. Reminds those F*c*ers who really brought them their freedom.

[AFreeBird]

I thought they used Independence on one of the new litoral ships. The other being Freedom.

[donhunt]

You are correct. There have been five previous versions before the new one .
I was on CVA-62 which was mothballed (and probably scrapped) a few years ago. I was aboard in the mid sixties during the WestPac cruise. We were the first East coast carrier to go to Viet Nam.