The USS Texas (BB-35) was built in 1914. In 1948 it became a floating museum in Houston TX and is the oldest floating BB museum.
I served on the USS FDR (CVA-42), sister ship to the Midway and Coral Sea, 1960-62. During Med Cruise we had the company of the Ranger, Saratoga, Shangri-La, and a couple of other carriers. The FDR was scrapped out sometime in the late ‘60s or early ‘70s, and when my mom sent me the newspaper article announcing that it was like I’d lost a part of me. I was a V-2 Cat, so was able to really enjoy some fantastic views at Sunrise and Sunset, as well as a fresh breeze (when the weather wasn’t lousy).
Thanks to all Freepers that served!
My ships was in NNSY in early 77 and FDR was there being readied to go to a Kearney, New Jersey company yard for scrapping. Decommissioned 30 September 1977. Disposed of 04/01/1978. The rush to crush seemed to be based on a fear that Carter would try and re-commission and it could not handle more modern aircraft. I remember my First Class going to the ship to see what we could use.