Did anyone else watch the awesome commissioning ceremony earlier today for CVN-77, the last of the US Navy's Nimitz class carriers? It was quite an awesome spectacle. None of the major news organizations even bothered to cover it, sadly. I sometimes wonder about the priorities of our big news networks. But C-SPAN fortunately televised the full ceremony live.
The ship was named the USS George Herbert Walker Bush, after the 41st President of the United States, and father of our nation's current President. Although he is now 84 1/2 years old, George H. W. Bush attended, and spoke, along with numerous other distinguished guests.
Many do not know that George H. W. Bush became the youngest US Naval Aviator in history at the young age of only 18 back in 1943. He served on the aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto, which was named after the decisive military victory that won Texas its independence from Mexico. He flew a total of 58 combat missions, including several turning the great Battle of the Philippines Sea, which pretty much finished off the Japanese Navy. Bush flew a TBM Avenger, and was considered to be a skilled pilot in both bombing and torpedoing. In fact, at the very end of the war, he became an instructor, his flying skills were so good.
Bush was part of an attack on the Japanese base on the island of Chichijima on Sept 2, 1944. During the attack on the base, his Avenger was hit multiple times by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Despite the damage, Bush pressed his attack, and delivered all of his bombs on target. With the engine of his TBM Avenger engulfed in flames, Bush managed to fly out 6 miles to sea, before the crew had to bail. One crewman was injured, and died during the bailout. Another one managed to bail, but quickly drowned. Bush survived in the open ocean for 4 hours, as fighters from the San Jacinto took turns flying over his position to protect him from being captured or strafed by the Japanese. Finally, the US Navy submarine USS Finback miraculously managed to locate Bush, and rescued him. For his bravery in combat, Bush was award the Distinguished Flying Cross at the end of the war.
The ceremony itself was very elaborate, and quite steeped in history. It was both fascinating and educational to watch. Very impressive at many points too, such as when the crew was ordered aboard, and they all go running up multiple gangplanks into the ship. And boy, when the ship sounded its horn, you sure as heck heard it!!
At the end of the ceremony two F-18 Hornets did a fly over. And then, out of respect for President Bush's war service, a authentic still flying TBM Avenger did a fly over too. That was really icing on the cake, to see that old warbird in the air!!!
This massive ship took an amazing 7 years to build, and cost US Taxpayers $6.2 Billion dollars. Was it worth it? You can visit the ship's website to determine that for yourself, here:
http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/bush/index.htmlIf you want to view this very moving commissioning ceremony yourself, it can be viewed on the C-SPAN website on this web page:
http://www.cspan.org/Watch/watch.aspx?MediaId=HP-R-14162The ceremony is an hour and a half long, but well worth viewing, especially if you are a military and history buff.
Here is a photo of the ship being built:
Here is an interesting photo of two of its immense propellers:
Here is a photo of the ship during a training operation to Hawaii:
And here is a recent photo of her, now loaded with combat aircraft:
Now the ship is fully combat ready and operational, and prepared to defend our nation. Should America's enemies be afraid of her???
The USS George Herbert Walker Bush follows CVN-76, the USS Ronald Reagan. The Navy has also named a submarine ( SSN-23 ) after President President James Carter. And just last year the Navy announced that the next US Carrier will be named after President Gerald Ford.
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