USS Enterprise (CVN-65): The First Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier

by Mark L. Evans

Overview

This is the thrilling story of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Her story spans 51 years (1961-2012) of active service from the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis to the first global cruise by nuclear-powered ships, to the first strikes during the Vietnam War, battles against the Iranians and Iraqis in the 1980s and 1990s, a pivotal role during 9/11 and the Global War on Terrorism, and hunting pirates off the Horn of Africa. More than just an operational history of Enterprise, this book recounts the experiences of the men and women who served on board--the pilots who flew from the flight deck, the men who fought to save the ship during a fire in 1969, the sailors who brought retribution against Al-Qaeda terrorists--with detailed descriptions of sorties through flak-filled skies and harrowing escapes from capture behind enemy lines. This book is dedicated to the men and women who have served on board Big E, and to those who paid the ultimate price for freedom.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476686868
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	07/14/2022
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.72(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

The late Mark L. Evans passed away in October 2021 after a courageous 8-year battle with cancer, with his wife Tracey by his side. He retired from the Department of the Navy in December 2020 after a 23-year tenure as a naval historian, after receiving the Navy's Superior Civilian Service Award, the highest honorary award given to a civilian employee. Mark contributed articles to Naval History Magazine, Naval Aviation News and authored a number of books including Great World War II Battles in the Arctic. Mark's final book, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) was his last work and labor of love. Mark had the deepest respect and admiration for those who served our country. In honor of Mark and his fellow Veterans, proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Veterans Organization Operation Second Chance (OSC).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Preface 1

1 We Are Defending Our Homeland 3

2 Carry the Fight to the Enemy 11

3 Queen of the Seas 19

4 Offensive Action 29

5 Surprise Attack 35

6 A Full Retaliatory Response 41

7 A Smell of Burning Hung in the Air 44

8 We Will Test the Ability of These New Ships 47

9 The Order of Golden Shellbacks 55

10 To Slash at the Viet Cong 63

11 A New Era 69

12 In a Death Grip 77

13 Smoking Rubble 83

14 Pull Up! Pull Up! 89

15 Bandits 95

16 Untold Horror Exists Behind the Door 103

17 An Act of Piracy 114

18 Nuclear Options 119

19 Annihilate and Crush 123

20 The Dirtiest Type of Fighting 128

21 Both Guns Returning Enemy Fire 133

22 The Confidence of the MiG Pilots 138

23 Fire Roaring Across the Deck 143

24 A Quick and Telling Blow 155

25 Lose Confidence 161

26 No Advanced Warning 167

27 We Must Punish the Enemy 172

28 MiG Killers 176

29 From Generosity to Treachery 180

30 Anytime Baby 186

31 Rapidly Deteriorated 196

32 Extraordinary Reception 204

33 In All Seas and Oceans 211

34 Hell Lies Under the Arabian Gulf 219

35 The Line of Death 226

36 The Stark Has Been Hit 233

37 Vietnam Was Hovering Over Everyone's Shoulder 241

38 Incredible Bravery 245

39 We've Shed Enough Blood 252

40 Why We Are Really Here 255

41 To Make Saddam Pay 262

42 Broke His Undertakings 268

43 When You Least Expect It 275

44 We're Not Going Home 279

45 Fight to the Death 285

46 A Whole New Attack 290

47 You Never Defeated US 297

48 A Conflict of a Different Kind 302

49 We Are a Nation at War 306

50 The Character of America 309

Appendix 1 Commanding Officers 317

Appendix 2 Principal Deployments 318

Chapter Notes 323

Bibliography 339

Index 351