my father was aboard from 69 to 72 and he was a "grape" he loved every minute and looked back fondly on his time spent on her. He always said" I should have stayed in the navy!" anyway his name was Mitchell Dombkowski jr he passed 11 years ago. thanks for all your service guys
17 years old in 1960 when I first went aboard out of boot camp. Spent four years in V-1 Division on the flight deck. Saw some stuff, and made a lot of friends. We will have our last V-1 reunion next year (2020). Made the first trip to Sydney and did the Golden Shellback thing. Can't say it was all sweetness and light, but all in all, a marvelous journey that most young men are not privileged to make. Here's to you, Shipmates!
I, also, came aboard at 17, in May 1961. Served on her in ships crew, E-Division until mid-August, 1964. What a fatastic experience it was to visit Sydney Australia, in 1963, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of 'The Battle of The Coral Sea'! All in all my Navy experience was very rewarding.
The 3 sisters, FDR, Midway and Coral Sea were the last of the streamlined carriers. I served on Coral Sea from Sept 1959 to June of 1963. When she was tied up at pier 3 NAS Alameda and you approached her frrom the port bow ...well then ... she was never more beautiful
my dad was one of the welders who worked on 43 in bremerton when they refit her new cant flight deck...i have two knives that were made by a machinist on board. the blades are from steel from the old deck and the handles are sandwiched pieces of the lso signal lights
i flew on her via the COD i remember that day like it was this AM a PO was at the window and when we made final he tap me on my shoulder and i looked out the window and saw her sailing away she was the most beautiful ship i ever seen
I was on the Coral Sea from 1954 to 1956 with the Catapult crew, I boarded her in Athens, Greece she was in the 6th fleet at that time and had the straight deck. , I went to Europe three times on her. I am Jim Taylor now 76yrs old. have lots and lots of pics of her,,loved working the cats and being on deck, days and nights....I had no idea she was cut up in 1992 until around 2004,,,I almost cried, she was such a beautiful ship.
Served aboard with VA-94 "Mighty Shrikes" 75-77. The "Ageless Warrior" was a great gal. The flight deck was a hell of a place to work but now that I look back I loved it!
Served onboard as First Division officer between 83 to 85. Spent most of the time in Portsmouth shipyards for a major overhaul. Collateral duties Fire Watch officer in shipyard and Special Services when we finally got underway. Got to cross deck to the Saipan LHA-2 for a while for Teamwork-84, anybody remember that?
Great vid. My husband served on the USS Coral Sea in the late 80's. He was an aviation electrician and a second class petty officer. I believe he was part of VA-65 the world class Fighting Tigers and worked on the inflight refuling. The A-6 intruder was his plane of choice. He loved that old Coral Maru.
With all the views on this video, I know someone has to remember my dad, Carl Mosier, ships meteorologist from mid 60's until 1978. I remember when I was very young, maybe 3, we lived in Long Beach, about 1975, and we would sometimes get to go on board. The last time I remember one of dads shipmates giving me a rootbeer and thinking that my dad must be someone very important or a hero. I still do. RIP Dad. Thanks for the video.
I served aboard her from 1967 through most of 1970. While aboard, I couldn't wait to get off and out of the Navy. Now, looking back 41 years ago, it was the most enjoyable time of my life and would do it again in a heartbeat. She was a great ship with one of the best skippers in 1968-1969 (James Ferris). I was had the privilege of one last conversation with him in 2008 a couple of years before he died. I will miss this great ship, my home for four years, and Admiral Ferris, RIP. luvtogodeep
i did a west-pac '68-'69 with va-216 on the coral seal.we sailed along side with the uss new jersey for 10 days,coming back from japan. very impressive! my favorite port? hands down, olong-a-po,pi!!!!!
Did 2 Med cruises on her as part of HS-17, 85-86 (Libya), 87-88. Still wish I had my cruise jacket from the 86 cruise. Learned to Ski on Mount Aetna! Great times!!!
Sal Vitro Yeah, I was really looking forward to seeing Greece. Unfortunately, my cruise jacket got stolen. I've been searching for years to find the company that made them and if I could get one for that cruise. Any suggestions?
First saw her in a Long Beach Naval base dry dock, what a sight, I was 17, spent my 18th B-Day on the fan tail. We were half way to the Philippines. I was In 4 Charley Boiler Room. 1976
I was in OC Division from Dec 1975 - June 1978. Water Hours. Oil slicks in the bug juice machine. Green water over the bow. San Francisco's Own. Yeah, I remember all that.
+Bluebonnett52 Yeah, do you remember the JP-5 in the water while you were taking a shower. Felt like an oil slick...you could rinse and rinse and still feel slimy. I was X Division from '79 to '83.
I served on the old girl from Oct '76 to Dec '78 in V-4 div. I knew every inch of piping below decks, jet fuel and av-gas. I still have very fond memories of the Coral Sea, including chasing the tail of a typhoon with white water coming over the bow !
I know how you feel, mate. Although I never served in Coral Sea, I did two WestPacs, 1966-68, with my squadron (VA-192) in USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) and have built that same special room in my own heart for the legendary Tico. Special relationship a sailor has with their ship few outside the seafaring family can ever understand.
AS2 King, 87-90 AIMD, IM4 Div, Decom Crew. Fair Winds and Following Seas to all MY Shipmates I served with and those before Me! WE ARE AN ELITE FAMILY!!!
I served aboard the USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) from 1971 to 1972 with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224. There aren't many photos of the ship during that time. We lost several air crews to SAM II's including CAG-15, Commander Dunlop along with my friend, Capt. David B. Williams, his bombardier navigator. God rest their souls. I sure miss those days. Since her demise in 1999, she was cut up and sold to Gillette for scrap metal, so I quit shaving 'cause I didn't want to shave with my ship. My beard is white now and over a foot long. Howdy to all those who served aboard the Ageless Warrior, San Francisco's Own, as she was commonly referred to. Bob Hope was supposed to visit our ship for a stand-down but the stupid Army pilot flying the chopper couldn't find our ship. Should have used a Navy or Marine pilot. VMA(AW)-224 was disbanded back in 1999 also. And in 1999 I lost my best friend from WWII, a top turret gunner on a B-17G, "Going My Way", SSgt James Witherington of the 94th Heavy Bombardment Group, 333rd Bombardment Squadron, located in Bury-St. Edmonds, England. Seems everything bad happened to me in 1999.
I was proudly stationed on board the ageless warrior from Jan 1985- June 1988. Engine room 3, A Gang, and Master at Arms. Where are my buddies? Petty Officer Walk
+Pablo Suarez I was on that cruise too. I was Navy but had a couple of buddies in MarDet. Man, I feel old looking at these pics. That was a lifetime ago.
+Bamford Steele, she was a good ship, and yes I too feel old. It feels like a thousand years have passed. Great memories though. God bless...Semper Fi brother.
Airdale here, quite a cruise it was. We lost some good men. Senior Chief Cheveria (spelling probably not right) on the flight deck. We called him Chief Chevy. Bad day. And the Marines lost in Iran in that debacle cobbled together by Carter.
I can still remember the speed runs she would make. She shake her tail and vibrate violately but it was a great feeling to know that she could do 32 knots which is around 35mph.....when she would turn into the wind to lauch and crank her up. We that worked the flight deck could lean forward at a 45 degree angle...we were always leaning one way or another on deck.
Proudly did 2 Med cruisesn (85-85 & 87-88) on the Coral Sea as part of HS17 (CAG13) including the Libyan bombing! We miss you girl! Lots of great memories
Solo S I remember that fire. We spent at least 4 hours at go fighting that fire. We were in the middle of payday when the fire broke out. I was working on one of the Pauline’s when the first alarm was sounded less than a minute later the second alarm sounded. I turned to the paying and said we are going to general quarters and right then then go alarm sounded.
thank you so much for your interest. Actually, I live in Athens, Greece and my father, who is now 82, lives in Michigan. He has a wonderful photo album of black and white photos that were taken on board the Coral Sea, but since I am not there I cannot scan them and put them into a video. I hope I will be able to do this in the summer and that my Dad will still be around to see it. All of his life, he has talked about his experiences in the Navy and esp. about the Coral Sea.
That was a brutal cruise. Made it, and a couple more, myself. GM Division, '64-67 Still have a couple "yearbooks". No page numbers but will try to find you and make a copy, if you like. '67.
I visited the USS Coral sea when it landed in Manila, according to our escort an american pilot the USS Coral Sea is the heaviet ship in its class and the smallest yet the it house 4,000 sailors and 74 Phantom Jets. It was a great ship of WWII.
I made three med cruises on the Coral Maru from 1960-1963. Was attached to VAH-2, a Heavy Attack squadron. Many memorable experiences and a lot of really great people.
Great USS Coral Sea Tribute! I was a Radioman on board (CV-43) from June 1975 thru Nov 1978. Earlier, I helped put a giant Yellow Ribbon on top of the Coit Tower (San Francisco) late May 1975 for the returning Coral Maru crew (then CVA-43) from their 74-75 Vietnam Cruise. I am looking for any pics of that Yellow Ribbon to show my kids and grandkids. I have a cool color pic of CVA-43, CVA-34, CVA-19, and CVAN 65 all docked at Alameda NAS. God Bless us all.
My friend Patrick McAdams served on the Coral Sea during the early 1970s. He said he was part of the deck crew that worked on the planes, but I'm not exactly sure what section he was in. I must say, from this video, she looks like a fine ship, with a fine crew that got blessed to serve on her throughout the ages. GO NAVY! (I was in the Army)
My grandpa T.j Hamilton served on this ship and he was a flight deck troubleshooter if a plane had a dead battery or something he had 15 minutes to get it fixed or they would have to scrub that mission years 59-63
My pop used was on that ship from 1976-1982 and he was also a cook. His last name is Lucero and we r still living in the bay area of San Francisco but in the Silicon Valley. Sometimes we visited the Philippines and fellas Subic Bay is now a resort. But I heard that the Philippine gov want the u.s navy back.
Good to hear from you. I can remember whenever we went into dry dock in Portsmouth, VA. it would take 3 days to off load all of the ammo on the ship and 3 days to reload it and every man on the ship helped. .
Wow,,, I served on this oldie for three Med Cruises... and on her final voyage..best thing about this ship was that it ran on good ol fuel,, more refuel stops means more port a calls.....best port visits of ANY carrier S8 div.....
To Radiobiker91773...I was on the Tiger cruise in 1975 with my Dad and brother. Quite a site to see the ribbon around Coit Tower that morning after sailing under the Golden Gate. I will look for my old pics of that Tiger cruise for Coit Tower.
@Radiobiker91773 I was on the Tiger cruise in 1975 with my Dad and brother. I remember the yellow ribbon on Coit Tower. Quite a site after sailing under the Golden Gate. I will look thru my pics for any of Coit Tower for you.
I was on the 43 in 1969 Deck Dept 1st Lt Office. Does anybody have a picture of the door? Did anybody use the dark room 1 deck up? I used to develop and print all my B&W pix there. Best time ever. Dave J.
The first carrier designed to have an angled flight deck from the start was the USS Forrestal CV59. All previous carriers including the Essex carriers built during WWII and still in use until the 70s, started with straight flights decks and were modified later on.
Rufus James I too served onboard this great ship. Served September 69 thru September 71 as a disbursing clerk. Loved the job and the ship. Great memories of the old girl.
thanks if you are looking for pics or old shipmates we have a tribute site maybe you will find them or share stories with some of the old crew the site is usscoralsea (net)
My father served on the U.S.S. Coral Sea CVE 57 during WWII. He would love to see a video of the original Coral Sea. Does anyone know if such a video exists? Thanks for posting this video.
i have not seen any video's about the original Coral Sea but i have found some photos of her on the net unfortunately not many a photo video would be possible if some of the old crew members or family were to share pics of a vid could be made for you dad to see ill try look for pics
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I will always love this old lady. She made me a Chief.
my father was aboard from 69 to 72 and he was a "grape" he loved every minute and looked back fondly on his time spent on her. He always said" I should have stayed in the navy!" anyway his name was Mitchell Dombkowski jr he passed 11 years ago. thanks for all your service guys
Was he a marine?!
USS CORAL SEA CVA-43 TOOK ME AROUND THE WORLD IN THE YEAR 1982 or 1983 from ALAMEDA to NORFOLK VA. THANKS TO HER TO SEE THE WORLD.
lee casime what div were you in? I was down in eng. same cruise.
Just missed that Report Cruise. I have heard many stories about it though. I was in envy.
# 3 screw crew ......... M division ... Hole snipe
17 years old in 1960 when I first went aboard out of boot camp. Spent four years in V-1 Division on the flight deck. Saw some stuff, and made a lot of friends. We will have our last V-1 reunion next year (2020). Made the first trip to Sydney and did the Golden Shellback thing. Can't say it was all sweetness and light, but all in all, a marvelous journey that most young men are not privileged to make. Here's to you, Shipmates!
I, also, came aboard at 17, in May 1961. Served on her in ships crew, E-Division until mid-August, 1964. What a fatastic experience it was to visit Sydney Australia, in 1963, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of 'The Battle of The Coral Sea'! All in all my Navy experience was very rewarding.
Yes, WestPac ‘62. &WestPac’63 with the “GoldenShellback” Thing... AQF-2. VF 151.
Served on her from 1982 to 1984 wjth VF154 made a world cruise.
I was on her in 71-72 Great boat ! VA-94
The 3 sisters, FDR, Midway and Coral Sea were the last of the streamlined carriers. I served on Coral Sea from Sept 1959 to June of 1963. When she was tied up at pier 3 NAS Alameda and you approached her frrom the port bow ...well then ... she was never more beautiful
There's my sweet lady. Thanks man, that was beautiful. V-1 '79-'82.
thanks for this, i served on her during the attack on Libya in 1986. It was my first time at sea as a Cryptologogist. I will never forget her.
my dad was one of the welders who worked on 43 in bremerton when they refit her new cant flight deck...i have two knives that were made by a machinist on board. the blades are from steel from the old deck and the handles are sandwiched pieces of the lso signal lights
I served 1969 - 1970. Great ship, great crew.
yea they looked a lot alike one day i will visit the midway in a way it will be like i was back on board the Coral Sea since they were sister chips
I hope you made it. I visited the Midway in San Diego and went through the same hatch to my Division quarters as on the Cora Maru.
i flew on her via the COD i remember that day like it was this AM a PO was at the window and when we made final he tap me on my shoulder and i looked out the window and saw her sailing away she was the most beautiful ship i ever seen
same here truly the greatest i still miss her flight deck to this day and im sure always
I was on the Coral Sea from 1954 to 1956
with the Catapult crew, I boarded her in Athens, Greece she was in the 6th fleet at that time and had the straight deck. , I went to Europe three times on her. I am Jim Taylor now 76yrs old. have lots and lots of pics of her,,loved working the cats and being on deck, days and nights....I had no idea she was cut up in 1992 until around 2004,,,I almost cried, she was such a beautiful ship.
Served aboard with VA-94 "Mighty Shrikes" 75-77. The "Ageless Warrior" was a great gal. The flight deck was a hell of a place to work but now that I look back I loved it!
Served onboard as First Division officer between 83 to 85. Spent most of the time in Portsmouth shipyards for a major overhaul. Collateral duties Fire Watch officer in shipyard and Special Services when we finally got underway. Got to cross deck to the Saipan LHA-2 for a while for Teamwork-84, anybody remember that?
Great vid. My husband served on the USS Coral Sea in the late 80's. He was an aviation electrician and a second class petty officer. I believe he was part of VA-65 the world class Fighting Tigers and worked on the inflight refuling. The A-6 intruder was his plane of choice. He loved that old Coral Maru.
With all the views on this video, I know someone has to remember my dad, Carl Mosier, ships meteorologist from mid 60's until 1978. I remember when I was very young, maybe 3, we lived in Long Beach, about 1975, and we would sometimes get to go on board. The last time I remember one of dads shipmates giving me a rootbeer and thinking that my dad must be someone very important or a hero. I still do. RIP Dad. Thanks for the video.
Bless you, young lady. I checked the 1967 yearbook but cannot find his mention. Maybe I was too early. I'm sure he was a fine man.
I served aboard her from 1967 through most of 1970. While aboard, I couldn't wait to get off and out of the Navy. Now, looking back 41 years ago, it was the most enjoyable time of my life and would do it again in a heartbeat. She was a great ship with one of the best skippers in 1968-1969 (James Ferris). I was had the privilege of one last conversation with him in 2008 a couple of years before he died. I will miss this great ship, my home for four years, and Admiral Ferris, RIP.
luvtogodeep
Proud sailor on the USS Coral Sea, under VA97 1979-1982, West pac
My dad’s last deployment before he retired was on the Coral Sea, he passed away in 2020.
My Grandfather did electrical work on this ship when she was New !!!!
Coral Sea CVA-43
thanks for the memories, i was on her in 82 no4 engine room, this ship sure went through the changes in its time.
i did a west-pac '68-'69 with va-216 on the coral seal.we sailed along side with the uss new jersey for 10 days,coming back from japan. very impressive! my favorite port? hands down, olong-a-po,pi!!!!!
Did 2 Med cruises on her as part of HS-17, 85-86 (Libya), 87-88. Still wish I had my cruise jacket from the 86 cruise. Learned to Ski on Mount Aetna! Great times!!!
Sal Vitro Yeah, I was really looking forward to seeing Greece. Unfortunately, my cruise jacket got stolen. I've been searching for years to find the company that made them and if I could get one for that cruise. Any suggestions?
First saw her in a Long Beach Naval base dry dock, what a sight, I was 17, spent my 18th B-Day on the fan tail. We were half way to the Philippines. I was In 4 Charley Boiler Room. 1976
I was in OC Division from Dec 1975 - June 1978. Water Hours. Oil slicks in the bug juice machine. Green water over the bow. San Francisco's Own. Yeah, I remember all that.
+Bluebonnett52 Yeah, do you remember the JP-5 in the water while you were taking a shower. Felt like an oil slick...you could rinse and rinse and still feel slimy. I was X Division from '79 to '83.
I served on the old girl from Oct '76 to Dec '78 in V-4 div. I knew every inch of piping
below decks, jet fuel and av-gas. I still have very fond memories of the Coral Sea, including chasing the tail of a typhoon with white water coming over the bow !
It was an old rust bucket but for some reason I have built a special room in my heart for her, So many fond memories, 1985 - 86 Med Cruise.
I know how you feel, mate. Although I never served in Coral Sea, I did two WestPacs, 1966-68, with my squadron (VA-192) in USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) and have built that same special room in my own heart for the legendary Tico. Special relationship a sailor has with their ship few outside the seafaring family can ever understand.
AS2 King, 87-90 AIMD, IM4 Div, Decom Crew. Fair Winds and Following Seas to all MY Shipmates I served with and those before Me! WE ARE AN ELITE FAMILY!!!
I served aboard the USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) from 1971 to 1972 with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224. There aren't many photos of the ship during that time. We lost several air crews to SAM II's including CAG-15, Commander Dunlop along with my friend, Capt. David B. Williams, his bombardier navigator. God rest their souls. I sure miss those days. Since her demise in 1999, she was cut up and sold to Gillette for scrap metal, so I quit shaving 'cause I didn't want to shave with my ship. My beard is white now and over a foot long. Howdy to all those who served aboard the Ageless Warrior, San Francisco's Own, as she was commonly referred to. Bob Hope was supposed to visit our ship for a stand-down but the stupid Army pilot flying the chopper couldn't find our ship. Should have used a Navy or Marine pilot. VMA(AW)-224 was disbanded back in 1999 also. And in 1999 I lost my best friend from WWII, a top turret gunner on a B-17G, "Going My Way", SSgt James Witherington of the 94th Heavy Bombardment Group, 333rd Bombardment Squadron, located in Bury-St. Edmonds, England. Seems everything bad happened to me in 1999.
Thank you for yours and theirs service. Had two brothers go to Nam in the 60's and -70s. They both came home but they were never the same.
I was on her from 1969-1971. Alameda home port, Vietnam...
My dad, Melvin Hayes, served during the same time. Thank you for your service.
I was in the disbursing office from Sept 69 until Sept 71. Made a WestPac tour on her. Miss the ole girl, good memories while on her.
VFA-132 Privateers. Sunset Cruise 1989.
I was proudly stationed on board the ageless warrior from Jan 1985- June 1988. Engine room 3, A Gang, and Master at Arms. Where are my buddies? Petty Officer Walk
you are very welcome the crew of this great ship are brothers and we are one great happy and proud family
happy thanksgiving to you and your family
I was on WestPac 79-80. God bless. Semper Fi!
+Pablo Suarez I was on that cruise too. I was Navy but had a couple of buddies in MarDet. Man, I feel old looking at these pics. That was a lifetime ago.
+Bamford Steele, she was a good ship, and yes I too feel old. It feels like a thousand years have passed. Great memories though. God bless...Semper Fi brother.
Airdale here, quite a cruise it was. We lost some good men. Senior Chief Cheveria (spelling probably not right) on the flight deck. We called him Chief Chevy. Bad day. And the Marines lost in Iran in that debacle cobbled together by Carter.
Is this the Pablo I remember? From VMFA-323 ???
I made Corporal during that cruze!
My dad served aboard in the 1970's (Oscar Stephen)
I can still remember the speed runs she would make. She shake her tail and vibrate violately but it was a great feeling to know that she could do 32 knots which is around 35mph.....when she would turn into the wind to lauch and crank her up. We that worked the flight deck could lean forward at a 45 degree angle...we were always leaning one way or another on deck.
At 2:32 was med-cruise 1987/1988 ported in Benidorm Spain last stop before coming home , VFA-131 Wildcats out of NAS Cecil Field fla !
Was in arresting gear, V-2 div from 76 to 80.....2 wes pacs, beer rations @ sea during one of those cruises, dry dock in bremerton....wow
I remember that day! Did you see the air show from the Connie when the Russian bombers interrupted? Epic day.
Proudly did 2 Med cruisesn (85-85 & 87-88) on the Coral Sea as part of HS17 (CAG13) including the Libyan bombing! We miss you girl! Lots of great memories
Served 1981-1982 Ships company AMH3 AIMD The best day's of my Navy Career !
I served in the B-3 Division from 76 To 80. Made 2 west Pacs on her and oh what memories I still cherrish.
I remember her last air boss. His name was Capt Robert Peterson. Was a great guy and tough as nails.
Anyone recall the fire on board in 71 off the Cali coast just before departure. She was CVA43 then.
Solo S I remember that fire. We spent at least 4 hours at go fighting that fire. We were in the middle of payday when the fire broke out. I was working on one of the Pauline’s when the first alarm was sounded less than a minute later the second alarm sounded. I turned to the paying and said we are going to general quarters and right then then go alarm sounded.
I was on Board the USS CORAL SEA. 1973-75. I loved it.
Were you ships company or air dale? I was with VA 95 for the 74-75 cruise.
I was ships company. Supply Dept.
thank you so much for your interest. Actually, I live in Athens, Greece and my father, who is now 82, lives in Michigan. He has a wonderful photo album of black and white photos that were taken on board the Coral Sea, but since I am not there I cannot scan them and put them into a video. I hope I will be able to do this in the summer and that my Dad will still be around to see it.
All of his life, he has talked about his experiences in the Navy and esp. about the Coral Sea.
thank you! the name of the song is My Sweet Annette by Drive by Truckers
From 1976-1983 V-1 Division Air Department! Great ship and many memories!
same divison as i,around the world cruide
I served on her '68-'69 west-Pac cruise. I was assigned to VA-216, an A-4 squadron..
WestPac '73 and '75. I'll do it again, if they needed me. God Bless America.
MarDet, 77-80. Great times
Served aboard for the '67-'68 Westpac cruise in S-7 Division. What a great ship.
Went from Fireman to First Class on the Ageless Warrior.
On the old ageless warrior 64-65 . 331 days deployed, 270 on the line. A-1 DIV. Elevators, A-5 Captain gig. Master at arms force.
You a Quartermaster? I was an Ordnanceman on her in 64-67. Took that cruise. December 7, 1964-November-65.
That was a brutal cruise. Made it, and a couple more, myself. GM Division, '64-67 Still have a couple "yearbooks". No page numbers but will try to find you and make a copy, if you like.
'67.
Great video. I walked off of her for the last time during the decommissioning ceremonies 30 April 1990. Great memories.
Klein G-1 Div. 88-90.
I visited the USS Coral sea when it landed in Manila, according to our escort an american pilot the USS Coral Sea is the heaviet ship in its class and the smallest yet the it house 4,000 sailors and 74 Phantom Jets. It was a great ship of WWII.
I made three med cruises on the Coral Maru from 1960-1963. Was attached to VAH-2, a Heavy Attack squadron. Many memorable experiences and a lot of really great people.
You sure you did Med-Pacs? I did West-Pacs on her from '64-67.
The pic at 2:46 was us against the Eisenhower, and the Vinson, more lauches in an hour then the "nukes'!!!! We were proud!!!!!
Great USS Coral Sea Tribute! I was a Radioman on board (CV-43) from June 1975 thru Nov 1978. Earlier, I helped put a giant Yellow Ribbon on top of the Coit Tower (San Francisco) late May 1975 for the returning Coral Maru crew (then CVA-43) from their 74-75 Vietnam Cruise. I am looking for any pics of that Yellow Ribbon to show my kids and grandkids. I have a cool color pic of CVA-43, CVA-34, CVA-19, and CVAN 65 all docked at Alameda NAS. God Bless us all.
Thanks for the photos. I miss that old boat.
Greg Kaiser
V-1 Div, Air Dept
1987-89
Was on her 1956-1957. Made cruise to the Med., and around the horn in 1957. Became a Shellback. Norfolk to Bremerton Wa.
I served from 85-89. Ops OC div.(cattc) I caught up with the ship late 85 by COD. Great times!
My friend Patrick McAdams served on the Coral Sea during the early 1970s. He said he was part of the deck crew that worked on the planes, but I'm not exactly sure what section he was in.
I must say, from this video, she looks like a fine ship, with a fine crew that got blessed to serve on her throughout the ages. GO NAVY! (I was in the Army)
My grandpa T.j Hamilton served on this ship and he was a flight deck troubleshooter if a plane had a dead battery or something he had 15 minutes to get it fixed or they would have to scrub that mission years 59-63
My pop used was on that ship from 1976-1982 and he was also a cook. His last name is Lucero and we r still living in the bay area of San Francisco but in the Silicon Valley. Sometimes we visited the Philippines and fellas Subic Bay is now a resort. But I heard that the Philippine gov want the u.s navy back.
Good to hear from you. I can remember whenever we went into dry dock in Portsmouth, VA. it would take 3 days to off load all of the ammo on the ship and 3 days to reload it and every man on the ship helped. .
Great work! My father served as Air Intel Officer for a "whale" squadron Hartron2 on the Coral Sea mid-sixties. I can't wait to share this with him.
Served on her during the 80s AIMD4
i am sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. yes there are many stories about the chip and crew we all worked hard but played hard as well
I just found a bunch of pictures of my grandpa on this ship from June 1955
Thanks man..I made her World Cruise 83. VA-97
Fucking airdale .......... Snipes rule ! .
I was on her from 85-88. Was supposed to be flown out but due to the collision with Napo, I joined at the shipyard.
Wow,,, I served on this oldie for three Med Cruises... and on her final voyage..best thing about this ship was that it ran on good ol fuel,, more refuel stops means more port a calls.....best port visits of ANY carrier S8 div.....
the song is from drive by truckers tittle my sweet Annette and yea me also im getting older and bolder those days were the best
To Radiobiker91773...I was on the Tiger cruise in 1975 with my Dad and brother. Quite a site to see the ribbon around Coit Tower that morning after sailing under the Golden Gate. I will look for my old pics of that Tiger cruise for Coit Tower.
Scandal "Warrior" would be a great song for this tribute, since she was "the ageless warrior"
@Radiobiker91773 I was on the Tiger cruise in 1975 with my Dad and brother. I remember the yellow ribbon on Coit Tower. Quite a site after sailing under the Golden Gate. I will look thru my pics for any of Coit Tower for you.
I was in Air Ops, ‘66-67 and again, ‘68-‘69.
hell we still hold several records the new carrier never got close to
cool. I was on board returning from Westpac. didn't know 'bout the ribbon deal. only tony Orlando. thanks. call sign sun devil
I was on the 43 in 1969 Deck Dept 1st Lt Office. Does anybody have a picture of the door?
Did anybody use the dark room 1 deck up? I used to develop and print all my B&W pix there.
Best time ever.
Dave J.
served '71to'75 ships company AQ3 AIMD
you are welcome i also miss that old girl
pat chagot
v-2 division cat-2
Shit, I forgot she was a flat deck originally....😳👍👍
So it was modified to have an angled flight deck later on? Didn't know they did that!
🇺🇸
The first carrier designed to have an angled flight deck from the start was the USS Forrestal CV59. All previous carriers including the Essex carriers built during WWII and still in use until the 70s, started with straight flights decks and were modified later on.
5th Div. 69'-70'... !!
Rufus James I too served onboard this great ship. Served September 69 thru September 71 as a disbursing clerk. Loved the job and the ship. Great memories of the old girl.
thanks if you are looking for pics or old shipmates we have a tribute site maybe you will find them or share stories with some of the old crew the site is usscoralsea (net)
merry x mass all and a happy new year guys hope things will change
My father served on the U.S.S. Coral Sea CVE 57 during WWII. He would love to see a video of the original Coral Sea. Does anyone know if such a video exists? Thanks for posting this video.
Tet. Hue. Khe Sanh. February, 1968.
MM2 during the 1969 cruise off ov "Nam.
❤❤❤❤❤🇺🇸
i have not seen any video's about the original Coral Sea but i have found some photos of her on the net unfortunately not many a photo video would be possible if some of the old crew members or family were to share pics of a vid could be made for you dad to see
ill try look for pics
Sorry, they were Westpack cruises, not Med cruises.
M-1 Div. 86-88
i buy kit F-4 phantom from USS Coral Sea. Maybe real Phantom is on one the photos :-)
81 - 84 ...... # 3 screw crew .... world tour
yea she was and the other carriers knew it lol
what division was he in????
VA - 65