USS Enterprise (CV-6): WWII’s Most Decorated Warship

Posted by River Knox October 25, 2025
USS Enterprise (CV-6): WWII’s Most Decorated Warship

Work is currently underway on the third Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered supercarrier at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. The warship is also the first aircraft carrier to be wholly designed and built through digital platforms. When launched, the future CVN-80 will also be the ninth United States naval ship and third aircraft carrier to bear the name USS Enterprise.

Although there have been 10 warships named USS Ranger, “Enterprise” ranks as the second most commonly used name, shared by the monikers USS Washington and USS Wasp. More importantly, the name USS Enterprise has a historic legacy, with CVN-65 being the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, while CV-6, which earned the nicknames “The Big E” and the “Lucky E” is noted for earning 20 battlestars, the most of any warship in the Second World War, as well as a Presidential Unit Citation, and even a British Admiralty Pennant.

This photo shows USS Enterprise (CV-6) cruising at sea in March 1944 as a unit of the First Carrier Task Force in the Pacific. The carrier is flanked by other warships, including cruisers and destroyers, all moving in formation. The image illustrates the evolution of U.S. Navy strategy to concentrate multiple carriers in powerful task forces. Aircraft are visible on the flight deck, ready for rapid deployment. The sea is relatively calm, with the fleet stretching into the horizon. This era marked a new phase in the Pacific campaign, with coordinated strikes across wide distances. USS Enterprise’s participation in these formations underscored her ongoing importance despite being one of the oldest carriers in the fleet.

CV-6 further has the distinction of having participated in more major actions against the Japanese military than any other United States Navy warship during World War II. Those contributions resulted in CV-6 becoming the most decorated U.S. vessel of the conflict. The USS Enterprise was also the only Yorktown-class ship and one of three United States Navy fleet carriers commissioned before the start of the war to survive the conflict.

This photo shows a group of SBD Dauntless dive bombers maneuvering in the air as they prepare to land on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) following a combat strike during the Battle of Peleliu. The aircraft are flying in formation, wings level, as they make their final approach to the carrier’s flight deck. The ship is visible below, with crew members stationed and ready to assist with landings. The sea is calm, providing clear conditions for recovery operations. The dive bombers’ distinctive shapes and markings can be seen clearly against the sky. This image demonstrates the complex and dangerous work of carrier landings after a mission. The USS Enterprise’s air group played a pivotal role in providing close air support to ground troops during this key battle in September 1944. The photo highlights both the aircraft and the operational environment of Pacific carrier warfare.

The famed carrier was finally retired in the late 1950s, but efforts to preserve the vessel as a floating museum fell through, and in 1958, the majestic warship was sadly scrapped.

The Origins of CV-6 and the Yorktown-class

Although USS Enterprise (CV-6) (which, going forward will be the only “Enterprise” discussed unless otherwise noted by the hull number) earned numerous distinctions, including the highest decorations of any U.S. Navy warship during World War II, she was not actually the first U.S. Navy carrier to be built from the keel up. That honor goes to the USS Ranger (CV-4), while prior U.S. carriers were conversions from other ship types.

This photo shows the USS Enterprise (CV-6) docked at a port facility during World War II as supplies and munitions are being loaded aboard. The carrier’s flight deck and superstructure are visible, with cranes and cargo nets actively lifting boxes, barrels, and artillery shells onto the ship. Dock workers and naval personnel work together, moving materials and overseeing the transfer of ammunition. Trucks and supply vehicles can be seen nearby, indicating a busy and well-coordinated logistics operation. Crew members on deck are directing the process and securing loads for storage. This scene highlights the critical behind-the-scenes effort required to keep a frontline aircraft carrier supplied and combat ready. Without regular resupply, extended operations at sea would have been impossible for ships like USS Enterprise. The photo offers a detailed view of wartime naval logistics in action.

CV-4 was relatively small, just 730 feet in length, while displacing less than 15,000 tons. Beyond her small size, that carrier proved to be too slow to be effective as a first-line unit, a fact already seen by naval leaders as the clouds of war gathered. As a result, when the war broke out, USS Ranger was deployed to the Atlantic Ocean, where Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine was considered the weaker opponent than the Japanese Imperial Navy (IJN). However, it was no pleasure cruise, and the carrier took part in combat operations, providing air support for the Operation Torch landings in North Africa, and later in Operation Leader, the air attacks on German shipping off the Norwegian coast.

This photo shows USS Enterprise (CV-6) underway at sea in 1942, captured either from an escort ship or an aircraft flying nearby. The carrier’s flight deck is clear, with some aircraft visible, and the island superstructure rises above the deck midship. The ocean is relatively calm, allowing the ship to travel at speed, with a prominent wake trailing behind. The ship’s hull and upperworks are painted in a wartime camouflage scheme, designed to break up her outline against the water. This year was pivotal for Enterprise, as she participated in major operations including the Doolittle Raid, the Battle of Midway, and the Guadalcanal campaign. Crew are visible on the flight deck and in observation posts, indicating a high state of readiness. The photo gives a strong sense of the scale and power of this historic Yorktown-class carrier during one of the most intense periods of World War II.

More importantly, the USS Ranger influenced the design of the Yorktown-class carriers, drawing lessons from CV-4’s operational experience in the mid-1930s. That resulted in larger and more capable flattops. The United States Navy went on to build three of the new Yorktown-class warships, which have been described as the first “successful” purpose-built American carriers, even as they were constructed to comply with the stringent terms of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922.

This photo shows a formation of carrier-based aircraft flying directly over USS Enterprise (CV-6), likely during a routine training exercise or operational display. The aircraft, including fighters and bombers, are arranged in tight formation above the ship’s flight deck. Below, the carrier is underway, with its flight deck mostly clear and crew members visible observing the spectacle. The image highlights the seamless coordination between the air wing and the ship’s crew, both essential for launching and recovering aircraft during combat missions. The shadow of the planes is visible on the deck, illustrating their proximity to the ship. This type of flyover was both a morale booster and a demonstration of the carrier’s offensive capabilities. The photo provides a vivid sense of the power and organization required for fleet carrier operations during World War II. USS Enterprise’s air group flew a range of missions, from air superiority to strike and reconnaissance, supporting every major campaign in the Pacific.

That treaty stipulated that the U.S. Navy’s carrier fleet was to be limited to 135,000 tons (137,160 tonnes) of new construction, and individual ships were not to exceed 27,000 tons (27,432 tonnes) in displacement. Initially, that allowed for the construction of just two Yorktown-class carriers, along with the smaller USS Wasp (CV-7). However, after Japan withdrew from the treaty, the United States Navy built the third Yorktown-class flattop, USS Hornet (CV-8).

This photo shows USS Enterprise (CV-6) anchored off the coast of Saipan during World War II, her hull and superstructure painted in the distinctive Measure 33, Design 4ab camouflage pattern. The geometric blocks of light and dark gray, blue, and black create a disruptive effect, making it harder for enemy forces to estimate range and speed. The ship is stationary in calm waters, with her flight deck mostly clear and the island structure visible. Smaller support vessels and landing craft may be seen nearby, indicating ongoing operations in the area. The photo captures a key moment after the Battle of Saipan, with Enterprise serving as a mobile airbase for continued operations in the Mariana Islands. The camouflage is sharp and freshly applied, showing the Navy’s commitment to innovative defensive tactics. The image provides a rare look at one of the most iconic carriers of the war in full Pacific theater paint.

All three were built at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, the same facility now building the aforementioned CVN-80.

CVN-6 was laid down on July 16, 1934, launched just over two years later on October 3, 1936, and commissioned on May 12, 1936. USS Enterprise was the sixth aircraft carrier built for the U.S. Navy. At that point, the IJN already had five flattops in operation, two of which were scheduled for completion by 1939, and three more were under construction. The U.S. was beginning to lose a critical naval arms race. By 1941, the IJN would be a more potent naval force than the combined Allied fleets in the Pacific — a situation that should concern modern naval analysts, as China is now rapidly building modern aircraft carriers as Beijing expands its navy.

 Yet, in the early stages of the Pacific War, the USS Enterprise played a vital role not only in leveling the playing field but in utterly upending it. By the end of the war, CVN-6 was still in service, and most of those IJN carriers were at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean!

By the Numbers

It would be fair to describe the Yorktown-class as capable but not especially extraordinary. The treaty constraints impacted their size, and as such, each displaced approximately 19,800 tons (17,962 tonnes) and, under full load, 25,000 tons (23,133 tonnes). That was increased by the end of the war to 32,060 tons full load. The warships were 770 feet long (230 meters) at the waterline and 827 feet 5 inches (252.5 meters) overall.

This photo shows sailors aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) fighting a fire on the flight deck after the carrier was hit by a Japanese bomb during the Solomon Islands campaign in 1942. Thick smoke billows upward as crew members operate hoses and carry firefighting equipment across the deck. Flames are visible in the damaged section, with debris scattered from the impact. Other sailors are seen assisting wounded or moving ammunition to safety. The intensity of the scene highlights the chaos and urgency of damage control in battle. Despite severe damage, the crew’s rapid response kept the fire from spreading and allowed Enterprise to remain operational. The image documents both the vulnerability of even major warships and the effectiveness of well-trained naval teams under fire. It’s a striking moment from one of the carrier’s toughest engagements.

Powered by nine Babcock & Wilcox boilers, with a four-shaft Parsons geared steam turbine system, USS Enterprise could reach speeds of up to 34 knots, making for a speedy carrier, with a range of 12,500 nautical miles.

USS Enterprise‘s original air group in 1938 consisted of 18 fighters, 36 torpedo bombers, 37 dive bombers, and five utility aircraft, totaling 96 aircraft. In addition, the flattop’s initial armament consisted of 8x127mm (5-inch) guns in eight single turrets, 16x30mm (1.1-inch) machine guns in quadruple mounts, and 24×12.7mm (.50 caliber) machine guns in single mounts. By the end of the war, the 127mm armament remained, but the other defensive weapons were made up of 11 quadruple 40mm (1.5-inch) mounts, eight twin 40mm (1.5-inch) mounts and 16 twin 20mm (0.7-inch) mounts.

This photo shows several sailors manning .50-caliber machine guns on the deck of USS Enterprise (CV-6) as the carrier participates in a raid on the Marshall Islands in February 1942. The gun crews are positioned behind their weapons, scanning the skies and horizon for enemy aircraft. The scene is tense, with gunners wearing helmets and life vests as they prepare to engage potential threats. The ocean is visible in the background, with the ship underway and ready for action. The machine guns are mounted along the edge of the flight deck, with ammunition belts loaded and ready. This was one of the first major U.S. carrier strikes in the Pacific, marking a shift to offensive operations against Japanese-held territory. The image highlights the crucial role of anti-aircraft defense and the constant readiness required from every crew member. It provides a close-up look at the early-war defensive measures aboard USS Enterprise.

The carrier was outfitted with hangars that were light structures independent of the hull, and which could be closed off with rolling shutters. There were also three elevators that could be entirely enclosed by the flight deck. The early design of the Yorktown-class envisioned a flush flight deck with horizontal funnels, but this was thought to pose a smoke hazard to landing aircraft. Instead, the carriers were fitted with an island to carry funnel uptakes and provide space for control centers.

Another early design consideration was for an armored flight deck, but it was quickly determined that not enough armor could be provided to be useful without significantly increasing the ships’ weight, sacrificing speed. Instead, the flight deck carried just 76mm (three inches) of armor plate.

USS Enterprise at Pearl Harbor

When the IJN launched its sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, USS Enterprise was at sea about 200 miles (320 km) west of Hawaii. Tensions between Washington and Tokyo had been high, and the U.S. was (accurately) concerned that Japan might launch an attack on its territory somewhere in the Pacific. Intelligence suggested that an attack could likely occur on Wake Island, and it would be a surprise attack — as Japan had carried out such actions in the past, notably on February 8, 1904, when Japan launched a torpedo attack on the anchored Imperial Russian Navy’s fleet at Port Arthur in Russian-controlled China on the Liaodong Peninsula.

This photo shows several SBD scout bombers positioned in tight formation on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CV-6) as they prepare for takeoff on a mission against Japanese forces. The aircraft are lined up along the deck, engines running and propellers spinning, with flight crew performing last-minute checks. Deck personnel signal to the pilots and stand ready to assist with the launch process. The sea is visible beyond the deck, underscoring the isolated setting of carrier operations. Bombs or other ordnance can be seen attached to the undersides of the aircraft, indicating the strike nature of the sortie. The image captures the intense activity and coordination required to launch multiple planes in quick succession. USS Enterprise’s air group played a pivotal role in attacking enemy ships and installations across the Pacific theater. This moment reflects the ship’s relentless operational pace during the war.

In November 1941, a fateful decision was made to send additional forces to Wake Island. It didn’t save the U.S. military facility, but it likely ensured CV-6 would be in the fight when she was needed most.

USS Enterprise, along with nine destroyers and three heavy cruisers — designated “Task Force 8” under the command of Admiral William “Bull” Halsey — had departed Pearl Harbor on November 28 to deliver a Marine fighter attack squadron to Wake Island and was scheduled to return on December 6, but was delayed by a storm. Some historians have suggested that it was a critical stroke of good luck for the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

This photo shows a team of aviation machinists aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) working on a Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter inside the carrier’s hangar deck. The mechanics are gathered around the aircraft, with engine panels open and various tools in use as they perform routine maintenance or repairs. The hangar deck is busy, with other crew members moving in the background and parts or equipment neatly organized along the bulkheads. Lighting is provided by overhead fixtures, illuminating the details of the aircraft and the machinists’ focused efforts. The F4F’s distinctive folding wings and U.S. Navy markings are visible. Regular maintenance like this kept Enterprise’s air group flying constant missions in the Pacific. The image highlights the technical expertise and teamwork required to keep complex machinery combat-ready at sea. It’s a detailed look at the behind-the-scenes work critical to the carrier’s success.

The IJN was unaware of the secret mission and mistakenly expected the carrier to be among the warships at anchor in Pearl Harbor. The attack on December 7 resulted in all eight battleships being heavily damaged or sunk, with neither USS Arizona (BB-39) nor USS Oklahoma (BB-37) able to return to service.

Although CV-6 was unscathed in the raid, 18 of her SBD Dauntless dive bombers did arrive at Pearl Harbor as part of a scouting mission as the attack was underway. Seven of the aircraft were shot down, most by Japanese fighters, but at least a few were also targeted by panicked American anti-aircraft fire.

This photo features Ensign R. J. Grant serving as the landing signal officer (LSO) on USS Enterprise (CV-6) during active flight operations in March 1945. He stands near the stern of the flight deck, holding signaling paddles or flags, intently watching as an incoming aircraft lines up for landing. Wearing a helmet and flight deck gear, Grant uses precise hand and arm motions to guide pilots safely onto the moving deck. Other crew members and safety equipment are visible nearby, ready to assist in case of emergency. The ocean and wake of the carrier are visible in the background, highlighting the constant movement and challenge of carrier operations. The LSO’s position was exposed to noise, wind, and danger, underscoring the importance of his expertise and focus. The photo shows a critical moment in the daily routine of wartime flight operations, with Ensign Grant’s role essential to safe recoveries on USS Enterprise.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, there were valid concerns that the Hawaiian island of Oahu would be invaded. Scout planes from USS Enterprise took part in a two-day wild-goose chase seeking the IJN fleet, which rapidly withdrew to Japan. The U.S. Navy carrier had to wait for its showdown with the IJN’s carriers.

Pearl Harbor to Midway

Historians have suggested it wouldn’t be hyperbole to suggest that CV-6 was the hardest-worked aircraft of the war. She fought in nearly every Pacific campaign, and while the carrier survived the conflict, she took tremendous damage along the way.

This dramatic photo shows a Japanese kamikaze aircraft hitting the water next to USS Enterprise (CV-6) during combat operations off Okinawa in April 1945. The aircraft impacts the sea just yards from the carrier, sending a massive splash and spray into the air alongside the ship’s hull. The carrier’s flight deck, with aircraft and crew members visible, is shown at action stations, ready for immediate response. The event demonstrates how close the kamikaze threat came to inflicting serious damage or sinking major Allied warships. Enterprise’s anti-aircraft guns and evasive maneuvering likely contributed to the near miss. The background reveals the expanse of the Pacific and the urgency of ongoing combat. Kamikaze attacks were a frequent and deadly danger in this phase of the war. The image captures both the luck and the constant tension of carrier life at Okinawa.

One of the first combat actions involving the USS Enterprise after Pearl Harbor occurred on March 4, 1942. More than a month before the famed “Doolittle Raid” that saw 16 U.S. Army Air Force B-25 Mitchell bombers bomb targets in Japan, including Tokyo, the carrier took part in the raid on Japanese installations on Marcus Island, a Japanese-controlled outpost just 1,000 miles from Tokyo.

This photo shows sailors aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) engaged in firefighting efforts after a kamikaze attack off Japan on March 20, 1945. Flames and thick black smoke billow from several burning F6F Hellcat fighter planes on the flight deck, which are visibly damaged and engulfed in fire. Crew members, equipped with hoses and protective gear, work in teams to spray water and foam onto the blaze, moving rapidly to prevent the fire from spreading to other aircraft or munitions. The deck is littered with debris from the explosion, and the chaotic scene reflects the intensity of damage control work in battle. Other sailors assist with moving undamaged aircraft and clearing pathways for firefighters. The urgency and danger of this moment are clear, showing how critical quick action was to saving the ship. This event was one of several kamikaze hits Enterprise survived during the final months of World War II.

That raid damaged the base, but more importantly, it shocked the Japanese military, which had considered the island secure, while it further showcased the effectiveness of carrier-based aircraft.

Then, six months after Pearl Harbor in June 1942, USS Enterprise helped turn the tide of the war and truly earned her place in history at the Battle of Midway. Much has been written about the battle, and it is beyond the scope of this article to go into great detail about the engagement. However, the critical part to note is that four IJN carriers that had taken part in the attack on Pearl Harbor — Akaga, Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu  — were part of a flotilla that aimed to bombard the island of Midway and expand the IJN’s perimeter eastward, threatening Hawaii and even the continental United States.

This powerful photo shows Lt. Walter Chewning, the assistant flight deck officer on USS Enterprise (CV-6), as he climbs onto the wing of a burning F6F Hellcat fighter. Flames and smoke engulf part of the aircraft after a crash landing, while Chewning acts quickly to reach the trapped pilot in the cockpit. Wearing flight deck gear and helmet, he braces himself against the intense heat to pull the canopy open. Other crew members are seen nearby, rushing with firefighting equipment and ready to assist. The urgency and danger of the scene are clear, with the fire threatening both the pilot’s life and the safety of the ship. This moment captures the bravery and quick decision-making required during emergencies on a carrier flight deck. The actions of Chewning and his team helped save lives in the high-risk environment of World War II naval aviation.

The thrust towards Midway was met by a vastly outnumbered U.S. carrier force that included Rear Admiral Fletcher’s Task Force 17, with USS Yorktown (CV-5), and Rear Admiral R.A. Spruance’s Task Force 16, with USS Hornet, and of course, USS Enterprise. The U.S. Navy carriers were supported by U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Army air units based on Midway. The IJN expected another sudden surprise attack, but the force was actually heading into a carefully laid trap.

This photo shows sailors on USS Enterprise (CV-6) manning anti-aircraft (AA) guns during the Wake Island raid in World War II. The gun crews are positioned at their weapons, wearing helmets and protective gear as they scan the sky for enemy aircraft. Each sailor is focused on his assigned position, with hands on controls and ammunition nearby. The background reveals parts of the flight deck and the open ocean, highlighting the exposed nature of AA gun stations. The guns are aimed skyward, ready to respond to any Japanese air attack that might threaten the ship or its aircraft. The tension and readiness of the crew are apparent, reflecting the real danger faced during every carrier raid. Defensive positions like this were a critical line of protection for the ship throughout the Pacific campaign.

The U.S. Navy had cracked the IJN’s JN-25 naval code, and was able to determine the Japanese fleet was heading to Midway.

On June 4, 1942, aircraft from USS Enterprise and USS Hornet launched their strike groups. To summarize, those aircraft flew into destiny. The air group from CV-6 attacked Soryu with 12 TBD Devastators torpedo bombers of U.S. Navy Torpedo Squadron 3 (VT-3) and 12 SBD Dauntless dive bombers of Bombing Squadron 3 (VB-3). The U.S. aircraft successfully attacked and crippled the Japanese carrier, scoring at least three direct hits on the flight deck as it was laden with armed and fueled aircraft. That ignited massive fires that doomed the ship.

This photo shows several TBM Avenger torpedo bombers lined up on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CV-6) as they are prepared for flight in May 1944. Sailors and aviation mechanics are visible performing preflight checks, servicing engines, and loading torpedoes or bombs under the aircraft. Each Avenger displays U.S. Navy markings, and crew members are seen wearing flight gear and working with deck officers to ensure everything is ready for launch. The background reveals more of the ship’s deck and possibly other aircraft staged for upcoming missions. The teamwork between aircrew and maintenance personnel is evident in their organized activity. The scene highlights the vital preparation work that went into each combat sortie. These Avengers were a mainstay for anti-ship and bombing missions in the Pacific campaign.

It was a costly attack, however, as only five TBDs survived to make their torpedo attack, and three of those were shot down on the way out. Many TBDs ran out of fuel and had to ditch.

The battle continued, and when the smoke cleared, aircraft from USS Enterprise had further contributed to the sinking of Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu, along with the heavy cruiser Mikuma. Hiryu was subsequently abandoned by its crew and scuttled after taking heavy damage. Once again, USS Enterprise survived the battle with no damage.

USS Enterprise: Workhorse Carrier

Despite the massive victory, which has been described as the turning point, the worst was yet to come for USS Enterprise. Two months after the Battle of Midway, CV-6 played a critical role in the Battle of Guadalcanal, providing air support for the U.S. landings and then taking part in actions in Eastern Solomons and Santa Cruz. On August 24, 1942, the aircraft carrier sustained extensive damage to her flight deck, elevators, and rudder. The crew was able to make emergency repairs and she was returned to the fight. The carrier took additional damage at the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands on October 26, 1942, and then underwent emergency repairs in Noumea, New Caledonia. That marked one of the three occasions on which the IJN claimed to have sunk the USS Enterprise, which subsequently earned the aircraft carrier the nickname “The Grey Ghost.”

This photo shows USS Enterprise (CV-6) entering Pearl Harbor in 1943 after completing the Marshall Islands campaign. The carrier is moving slowly through the harbor channel, with crew members lined along the flight deck and superstructure, many waving or standing at attention. The ship’s hull bears signs of recent operations, and aircraft are parked neatly on deck, some with visible mission markings. Pearl Harbor’s docks, buildings, and other Navy vessels are visible in the background, providing context and scale. The mood appears to be one of relief and accomplishment as the famous carrier returns from another successful Pacific operation. The scene highlights the significance of Pearl Harbor as a major U.S. naval base and staging area during World War II. The arrival of Enterprise was often a morale boost for all personnel stationed there.

It was also that same month that USS Hornet was sunk, leaving USS Enterprise as the last operational American fleet carrier in the Pacific. The period was known as “Enterprise vs. Japan.”

The USS Enterprise, which also earned another nickname, “The Big E,” saw additional action in 1943 and received the Presidential Unit Citation, the first time it was awarded to an aircraft carrier. As the new Essex-class carriers began to enter service, CV-6 received a much-needed overhaul and then returned to service, seeing more action, including at the Battle of the Philippine Sea, with her aircraft later striking Paulau, Leyte, Luzon, Formosa, the Chinese coast, the black sands of Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. At the latter engagement, USS Enterprise survived two kamikaze attacks. By that point, she had become the most decorated U.S. Navy warship of the Second World War.

This photo shows sailors aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) manning Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft cannons as they prepare to defend against Japanese air attacks during World War II. The gunners are at their stations along the edge of the flight deck, hands on the controls and eyes trained on the horizon for incoming enemy planes. Each cannon is mounted on a swivel, with ammunition drums in place and protective shields surrounding the position. The sailors wear helmets, life vests, and other safety gear, fully alert to the possibility of imminent attack. In the background, the flight deck and other defensive gun positions can be seen, creating a layered network of protection around the carrier. The image highlights the crucial role of these small but powerful cannons in repelling dive bombers, torpedo planes, and kamikaze threats. It is a clear example of the daily vigilance and teamwork required to keep USS Enterprise safe in hostile waters.

As the aircraft carrier had been severely damaged in a May 14, 1945, kamikaze attack, she was at Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington, undergoing repairs when the Empire of Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945. However, after completing her repairs, USS Enterprise took part in Operation Magic Carpet, returning U.S. forces from the Pacific. It is unclear whether the sailors, Marines, and soldiers who were given the boat ride home were aware of the warship’s role or that she was one of just three fleet carriers in service before the war to have survived to see the final victory.

Failed Effort to Save the Big E

Despite her almost legendary combat history, the USS Enterprise was considered outdated and had inferior technology compared to the new generation of aircraft carriers. Moreover, the U.S. Navy had no shortage of carriers, which were faster, larger, and more capable.

This photo shows USS Enterprise (CV-6) at sea during her initial trials, taken shortly after her completion and before entering active Navy service. The carrier displays her original paint scheme and uncluttered flight deck, with minimal equipment or aircraft visible. The ship’s island superstructure, flight deck markings, and hull number are prominent, illustrating her as-built condition. Calm waters and clear skies provide an unobstructed view of her full profile as she moves at moderate speed. The image highlights the sleek lines and balanced design of the Yorktown-class carriers before wartime modifications. These early sea trials were essential for testing propulsion, maneuverability, and all onboard systems prior to commissioning. This moment represents the very beginning of Enterprise’s long and decorated operational history.

CV-6 was decommissioned in February 1947.

Despite that fact, she was kept mothballed, redesignated CVA-6 in October 1952, and then to CVS-6 in August 1953, yet never returned to service. There were calls throughout the 1950s to preserve the only remaining carrier of the Yorktown-class as a museum, but the efforts failed to materialize. The most significant hurdle was simply a lack of money. In addition, there was the issue of the damage she had sustained, as well as the wear and tear from the war. Her upkeep would have been challenging to say the least.

Finally, there was a lack of suitable, available, and affordable locations established to take over the warship, and USS Enterprise lost the battle to see her preserved. She was scrapped in 1958, but as noted, her legacy lived on with the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that soon followed, while a future Ford-class supercarrier will also bear the famous moniker.

This photo features the official battle record display for USS Enterprise (CV-6), summarizing her World War II service and decorations. The image shows a plaque or board listing 20 battle stars, the Presidential Unit Citation, the British Admiralty Pennant, and the campaigns in which she participated, such as Pearl Harbor, Midway, Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz, Guadalcanal, Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. The board may include engraved text, ribbons, and emblems representing each honor and campaign. The display is mounted on a wall or presented as part of a museum exhibit dedicated to the “Big E.” USS Enterprise’s battle record stands out as the most decorated among all Allied warships in WWII. The image highlights the scale and significance of her combat achievements, serving as a testament to the ship and crew’s resilience and impact on the outcome of the Pacific War. Visitors viewing the display can appreciate the depth of service represented by each award and campaign listed.

Today, various artifacts are preserved, including some of her portholes, anchors, and even a stern plate. Most importantly, the failure to save USS Enterprise for future generations also served as a wake-up call that spurred the development of the modern museum ship, and led to the preservation of other iconic warships, including four Essex-class and one Midway-class carrier.

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