Randolph's last log book entry. the sinking capsule, Liberty Bell 7, of the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) mission. The ship was set to "Condition Zebra," which is the maximum state of readiness for survivability. Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter parked on the port catapult, March 1945. That month, Israel, Britain, and France invaded the United Arab Republic, precipitating the Suez (Naval History and Heritage Command photo, # NH 67959). Hitting the bottom of swells, Randolph would come to an abrupt stop, shuddering violently. Two views of USS Randolph (CV-15), possibly taken in late AugustSeptember hole left when a twin-engine Francis, kamikaze, struck her the night of 11 March 1945. Guided Missile Group 2 Det. greeting to the sailing ships participating in the first Operation Sail, July 1964. Randolph sailed straight into a category 3 hurricane during the night of September 10-11, 1954. Michael's father-in-law, Elmer Menke, was one of the soldiers who came home from World War II aboard The 1,700 pound bomb blew downward, destroying 4,000 square feet of flight deck. SATISFACTION AND PRIDE THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM SECNAV: "MY WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SUCCESSFUL The war which killed 60 million was over. Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth. of U.S. nationals from Alexandria. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97491). aboard the Randolph to the Mediterranean Sea, 14 July 195619 February 1957. Destroyers of the Task Group began dropping practice grenades to force B-59 to the surface. X YOUR REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE SHOULD The mere appearance of Randolph would quell tension. II, July 1945. The Hellcats relentlessly tore into the destroyers, forcing them to retreat. (CVA-15), FebruaryMarch 1956. 20 22 May 1947 "we are such stuff as dreams are made on". his Chief of Staff, Commodore Arleigh A. Burke, on the Flag Bridge of USS Randolph (CV-15), US Presidents ask, in time of foreign crisis, "where are the carriers?" After the incident, Admiral Forrest Sherman threaten to shoot down any Air Force planes practicing strafing runs on the fleet. September 14, 1967, USS Randolph awaits the arrival of USS Forrestal. After the conflagration of World War II, the fleet returned to its diplomatic mission. January 10, 1970: off Jacksonville, Fla. USS SHANGRI-LA suffers a fire during training when an A-4 Skyhawk aircraft parked on the flight deck ignites, killing one. ", "Earl Hanson, representing the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, walks with John Glenn through Admiral Mitscher hoisted onto Randolph from USS Hickox after Enterprise was struck by Kamikaze, Admiral Mitscher and advisor Captain Arleigh Burke on Randolph's flag bridge, USS Bunker Hill on fire seen from Randolph, May 11, 1945. Bottom right, Grumman Tracker on Randolph's #3 elevator circa 1962. Left to right: HUS-1 Seahorse BuNo 148755 (modex ET32), Marine Helicopter Transport Tethered to the destroyer by a fuel line, Randolph couldn't maneuver. The collision ruptures a gasoline line on the carrier causing a flash fire which is extinguished in less than 5 minutes. Kearny, N.J. CV-15 was named for "a famous old vessel in the Navy bearing th[e] name [Randolph]." The second Randolph anchor resides in Kingsport, TN. Squadron (VB) 12 crashed while trying to recover on the flight deck of USS Randolph (CV-15), At 6:19pm Liberian-registered oil tanker Atlantic Viscountess gorged into the Randolph's port (left) bow. She was recommissioned on July 1, 1953 as CVA-15. The names of aircraft carriers are etched in naval history; Enterprise, Yorktown, America, Lexington, Essex, Independence, Hornet, Nimitz, Saratoga, etc. Either would have led to a catastrophic explosion. The ship is mothballed and moved out of drydock at Boston. Calif., on 18 January 1945, showing alterations. Connie Francis belts out her rousing top 20 song of the same title as we're treated to sweeping panoramic views of Randolph in Cannes Harbor. TBM-3E Avengers. This SB2C-4 Helldiver (BuNo 20831) assigned to Bombing The fantail rising out of the water with the screws whining in the air. No Essex class carrier was ever sunk and they served during Korea and Vietnam. Overcome by a sense of foreboding, he retreats below deck. At right, British destroyer HMS Urchin crosses the bow of Randolph in August of 1945, off Japan. During the first journey, Randolph fed turkey dinners on Thanksgiving. Determining the splashdown area from a orbit was exponentially harder than a 15-minute vertical flight into space and back. D. Ward Harrigan Attacking Japan in June. The submariners wondered which carrier doggedly pursued them. Lower right: Randolph with fleet off Iwo Jima, Feb 28, 1945. USS Randolph (CVA-15), with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 7, off To free itself, Randolph lunges ahead with Atlantic Viscountess scrapping the carrier's port side. A U.S. Navy Vought F4U-4 Corsair of Bombing Fighter Squadron (VBF) 1945. Bottom left, Randolph's #3 elevator seen from USS Great Sitken in 1961 picture. USS Randolph (CVA-15) anchored off Naples, Italy, August 15, 1945, Captain Jackson Tate, who replaced Felix Baker as Randolph's commander weeks earlier, reads the announcement of the Japanese surrender. 1945. 1945" and a Distinguished Flying Cross "for heroism and extraordinary achievement [] during the period Randolph did send a medical team to Atlantic Viscountess to render aid for an injured man, who was later bought on the carrier for treatment. As the sun set, the destroyer USS Stormes (DD-780) came alongside for fuel. An SSM-N-8 Regulus I cruise missile is launched from USS Randolph Parks. 36 (with three missiles) then deployed USS George Washington and Nissho Maru: On April 9th, 1981 world's first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, George Washington, collided with the cargo ship Nissho Maru off the coast of. Astronaut However, the State Department had a dilemma on future port calls at Denmark. 82 "Checkmates," piloted by Bud Geer, is preparing to take off from the deck of the aircraft carrier Pilot was CDR Ralph A. Embree, USN (USNA 1936), commanding officer of VB-12. Nelson, 311 Grandby St. Norfolk 10, VA. USS Randolph (CV-15) in a photo dated 5 November 1944. in early July 1962, with Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group (CVSG) 58 aboard. In May 1975, the Navy sold the ship with the priceless history to Union Material and Alloys, of Bayonne, NJ, for $1.5 million for the expressed purpose of scrapping. Port quarter view of USS Randolph (CVS-15) with units of the The Soviet Union placed ballistic missiles in Cuba which could strike New York and Washington, DC. The crew of the Randolph reacts. Work began in November 1952 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and Shangri-La recommissioned in January 1955, with angled flight deck, enclosed bow, new island, steam catapults and many other improvements. During the morning of May 14, 1945, 60 planes of Randolph's Group 12 were streaking over Japan's southern most island, Kyushu -- bombing, strafing, and rocketing Usa Airfield. MANILA WILL REPLY ON 15965 KILOCYCLES UPON RECEIPT OF THIS MESSAGE ACKNOWLEDGE/SIGNED/MACARTHUR X, MANILA BROADCAST REPORTED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAID GENERAL DOUGLAS At 1636 hours on May 15, 1945, the Admiral's flag is transferred to Randolph. Reference Numbers: Planes from Randolph and other carriers had attacked Japanese factories I AM GLAD AND PROUD TO HAVE FOUGHT THROUGH MY LAST YEAR OF ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE RENOWNED FAST photo above. OCCUPATION OF JAPAN WITHOUT INCIDENT STOP END ITEM. 1945. "The crew of the USS Randolph (CVS-15) proudly form their two The Tracker is a twin 1,136.4kW Wright R-1820-82WA-powered carrier-based antisubmarine search and attack aircraft, produced originally for the US Navy but currently also in service with the air forces and navies of several countries. "Big Dippers" Helo Squadron, on board at the time. USS RANDOLPH was placed out of commission, in reserve, berthed at Philadelphia, February 13, 1969, where she remained until June 1, 1973 when she was stricken from the Navy list. 16 February to 4 May 1945. The "A" designates the ship as an attack carrier. Randolph emerged from the yard a new ship. Great Images In NASA (GRIN) DataBase Number: GPN-2000-001332. starboard), an HUP-2 Retriever of HU-2 Det. By 1966 Randolph was no longer the behemoth of the 1940s. During the morning of May 14, 1945, 60 planes of Randolph's Group 12 were streaking over Japan's southern most island, Kyushu -- bombing, strafing, and rocketing Usa Airfield. 147537, 147872, 148749, 147881, and 147882. Attack Carrier Air Wing (CVAG) 17, 15 November 1946. In a scene out of a Hollywood action movie, the Kingfisher piloted by Comb, picked up Phegley, just as his engine sputtered to a stop. Waves crashed over the bow, washing through the open hangar deck, pulverizing everything in its path. Group (CVSG) 60, aboard USS Randolph (CVS-15), HMNB Portsmouth, 1966. USS Randolph (CVA-15) anchored off Barcelona, Spain, possibly Families are reunited with Forrestal sailors on Randolph. USS Randolph (CVS-15) with S2F-3 (S-2D under the 1962 designation Photo was taken circa 1951-1952, just after SCB-27A modernization, with Carrier Air Group 1 (CVG-1) aboard. USS Randolph underway with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 12, seen modex AW14, VS-39 "Hoot Owls", Antisubmarine Air Group (CVSG) 60, aboard USS Randolph (CVS-15) is visible in the distance. "Flying Tigers;" HSS-1N Seabat BuNo 147991 (AV52), Helicopter The carrier traded her airplanes for bunk beds in the hangar deck. planning for the gathering began in 1960. From the carnage of Pearl Harbor aircraft carriers rose to rule the sea. Friday, 21 July 1961. Radio rooms were flooded. With batteries low and crew fatigued, B-59 surfaced amongst the Task Group at 8:53pm. There was a genuine concern of Communism spreading from Eastern Europe to the rim of the Mediterranean. 1945. Official US Navy photo (# USN 1061643), dated June 29, 1962. (Text adapted from Naval HSS-1N Seabat BuNo 147991 (AV52), Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 7 "Big Randolph's radar detected a ship approaching fast on a collision course. Identifiable aircraft are, left to right: BuNos ", Randolph helicopter hoist Gus Grissom to safety, Sikorsky H-34 Seahorse struggles with Liberty Bell 7 capsule before releasing it into the ocean. The "Magic Carpet" missions sent the ship twice to Naples, Italy to bring back troops. and FJ-3M Furies of VF-84 "Vagabonds" on the angled deck. 1996.253.7242.001. HMNB Portsmouth, 1966. # USN 1059601).". Robert L. VS-36 "Gray Wolves," and an SH-3A Sea King of HS-7 "Big Dippers" (this particular helicopter, Randolph (CV-15) (Still from a video.). [Signature]". The carriers Randolph and Coral Sea were participating in amphibious exercises in nearby Crete and were ideally suited for evacuating Americans from the war zone. The other at scenic Toms River, NJ. Then LT Embree had been awarded a Navy Cross "for Iowa, PacificBattleshipCenter, National Archives and Records Administration, National Photograph Collection. The MA-6 mission flight lasted The roar of the cats kept small boats away, but a large tanker was moving toward the downed air crew. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-274099). (CV-15) in World War II. As above. Barcelona, Spain, in late December 1958early January 1959. 2 December 1944. At the press conference, after docking, Task Group R/Admiral Paul Hartman was asked if Randolph had nuclear weapons. Wish died as a result of injury received from a falling small pair of shears at the New York Navy Yard. from a kamikaze hit on 11 March. I encourage surviving Randolph sailors to make the pilgrimage to Toms River or Kingsport. In Copenhagen, Randolph found herself in a diplomatic scuffle. # 80-G-273768. Photographed by Lieutenant Barrett Gallagher. Rando hung banners from her side; the first read "Welcome Home VF-11, World Famous Red Rippers." the F6F Hellcat he was flying was hit by flak. deck. Page -1-, Second Rank, #13 is Comdr. The war ravaged people came out in droves to get a glimpse of the carrier. The war ravaged people came out in droves to get a glimpse of the carrier. Chief of Staff, Commodore Arleigh A. Burke, on board USS Randolph (CV-15) during operations 1945. USS Randolph (CVA-15) as she appeared circa 1955, by RAF aircrew On 20 February 1962 Lt Col John H. Glenn, Jr., USMC, became the first American photo, # S61-02921. They faced kamikaze strikes, hurricanes, a drowning astronaut, and nuclear Armageddon with a righteous resolve, while promoting the best of American values. flight deck is seen here. As I recall that night was relatively foggy: the sea was calm; visibility was probably 3 to 5 miles. the small-knit VF-11 was hit hard by the disaster, losing 47 men. Top, Randolph returning to Norfolk after loss of elevator. The USS Randolph is the first ship in the Atlantic Fleet to win the Engineering Award six consecutive years." Official U.S. Navy photograph, dated 25 July 1963. Soviet forces deployed to Syria for an invasion of Israel. The flight deck at the bow was twisted and raised 11 inches. This prevents heavy seas from entering her hangar deck and pounding the flight deck. Randolph directed the destroyer Stormes to execute an "emergency breakaway." To him, this tribute would have been the equivalent of winning both the Noble Peace Prize and the Heisman Trophy. IMPERIAL GENERAL HEADQUARTERS X ), Comments, Suggestions or Image submissions, E-mail Carrier Information Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 7 "Big Dippers.". The carrier began fueling the destroyer at 5:48pm. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-287672). capsule sank. Cruises to the Med with stops at Rota, Naples and Barcelona; the Caribbean stops at Barbados, St. Thomas and Rio de Janeiro. number K-57262, received by DAVA Still Media Depository, Bldg. Carrier in the background might be USS Bunker Hill (CV-17). The distinctly striped tails of Randolph's Hellcats, Avengers, and Helldivers attacked aircraft factories, airfields and naval bases. is steaming astern, waiting her turn for a "drink". Mothballed fleet at Bayonne, NJ. USE AS ABOVE INDICATED STATION JUM REPEAT JUM FREQ 13705 KILOCYCLES WILL BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE -- Outer hull shell The USS Randolph was training off the Virginia Cape with her Task Group when orders came to join the fleet quarantining Cuba. Tensions eventually defused, allowing diplomacy to prevail. To project American power, in the world's largest arena, the US Navy employed aircraft carriers, specifically the Essex-class -- easily the greatest class of warship ever built. 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