USS CONSTELLATION

CV-64 USS CONSTELLATION

USS Constellation was named for the configuration of 15 stars on the original United States Flag. The third by this name, the ship was built at the New York Naval Shipyard in Brooklyn. She was originally christened Oct. 8, 1960. A tragic fire in December of that year caused 50 deaths. After repairs were undertaken, the ship was commissioned Oct. 17, 1961. After initial trials in the Atlantic, the ship was sent to the Pacific. She made multiple trips to support combat operations in Southeast Asia. She engaged enemy fighters on numerous occasions.

Following the Vietnam War
After the Vietnam War ended, the ship underwent a major overhaul. The newly configured ship reentered operations and was sent to the Persian Gulf. She was there when the Iran revolution broke out and the American hostages were taken.

Known affectionately as “Connie,” Constellation continued her voyages for the next twenty plus years. The 1980’s saw her make routine voyages in the Pacific. In July 1990, Connie entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a three-year major overhaul. In May 1993, she sailed back to the Pacific to resume her duties. In 1995, she took up station in the Persian Gulf to patrol the “no-fly” zone. She did this again in 1997. In 1999, she was sent to Korea to monitor escalating tensions.

She participated in the second invasion of Iraq. On Aug. 7, 2003, the ship was decommissioned.