USS TICONDEROGA

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier launched in 1944 and active in World War II and the Vietnam War. Though damaged in battle, she had a happy end, training for recovery of Apollo missions for NASA and ultimately being sold for scrap. She received a total of seventeen battle stars, three Navy Unit Commendations, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

World War II Highlights

• Ticonderoga was responsible for damage and/or destruction of at least 27 Japanese ships and at least 126 Japanese planes, including kamikazes. Additionally, she was part of a task force that sank an amazing 44 Japanese ships on January 12, 1945.
• The ship was damaged by kamikazes twice on January 21, 1945. After sustaining damage in a first attack, she was a target for subsequent missions later in the day; during that day well over a hundred crew members’ lives were lost, including that of her captain, Capt. Dixie Kiefer.

Vietnam War Highlights

• Ticonderoga was close by when word of first attacks by the North Vietnamese Navy were felt by other American ships. She reacted quickly and helped destroy enemy planes and bases.
• Between 1965 and 1966, she supported well over 10,000 combat sorties from off the coast of Vietnam. The following winter, she delivered a repeat performance, with even more sorties against targets in North Vietnam. The same happened in 1968.