Three honorable vessels have carried the name AMERICA since 1776. Their histories are available by accessing the links to the left.
Carrier Naming in Perspective
With the exception of the USS Enterprise CVN-65, prior to the launching of the USS Kennedy CV-67 in the late 1960’s, aircraft carriers were most often named after inspirational events in our nations history. For instance, Bennington, Saratoga, Midway, Coral Sea, Ranger, Lexington, Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, Phillipine Sea and many others. Occasionally, especially during World War two when American industrial might turned out aircraft carriers of all sizes, carriers were named after historical figures (Hancock, Bon Homme Richard, Wright, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Franklin.)
Since the late 60’s, the names have taken on the names of political figures.
These ships need to inspire, inspire their crews, inspire the citizens of the nation that paid dearly not only financially to build them but to get to this point in time as a free nation through past sacrifices. More importantly, to inspire those in other parts of the world where the ship and her crew may visit.
A ship named America can once again make a statement like no other name can!
For a complete listing and histories of United States Navy aircraft carriers, visit www.navy.mil