USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31)

History of USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31)

The United States Navy (USN) built 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers for World War II (1939-1945). In this conflict, aircraft carriers quickly became the dominant force on the Pacific battlefield, and with a strong industrial base, no country displayed more such ships than the United States.

The class claims USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) as one of their designations, this warship was laid from the New York Navy Yard on February 1, 1943, launched on April 29, 1944, and delivered on November 11, 1944 Officially commissioned on the 26th.

At the time of construction, the ship had an overall length of 872 feet, a beam of 147.5 feet, and a draft of 34.1 feet. Displacement is 27,100 tons under standard load and 36,380 tons under full load. Electricity comes from 8 x boiler units feeding 4 x Westinghouse gear steam turbines, developed 150,000 to drive the 4 x shafts under the stern.

Under ideal conditions, the maximum speed is 33 knots and the range is 20,000 nautical miles.

The former involved strengthening the ship's deck and associated facilities to accommodate larger, heavier fighter jets. Therefore, hangar elevators, launch systems and recovery equipment were addressed.

The Air Defense (AA) kit has been better updated and the island layout has been completely reworked to better impact operations. Armor protection has been improved, as has air fuel storage.

All the work has resulted in a 20% increase in the ship's displacement, which in turn reduces top speed by about 2 knots.

The latter modernization effort added a modern angled flight deck and improved airworthiness and flight operations. Other work includes modifications to safety gear, landing systems and elevators.

Bon Homme Richard worked from mid 1953 to October 1955 (two years is typical for Essex class conversions), she returned to service on 6 September 1955. In August 1956, she embarked on several tours with the 7th Fleet, which continued until 1966.

At this point in history, the Vietnam War has been going on since 1955, and U.S. involvement only increased in the 1960s. As a result, Bon Homme Richard is reassigned to an active theater where she will make a total of five outings in the new conflict. By now, their aircraft stables were a healthy mix of fighter jets, armed with rockets, artillery, missiles and bombs. This formidable force is deployed in Air Combat Patrol (CAP), Intercept and Bomb/Strike missions when needed. She joined the war in 1970, and after returning to her home waters, she retired for the third time on July 2, 1971.

For her service in the Vietnam War, the ship was awarded 2 naval unit medals (one of which was eventually replaced). Quote for the Presidential Unit).

The USS "Good Man Richard" lay in the trunk for about 20 years before her fate was officially determined - veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam were stripped of her military use, the hull Sold in March 1992.

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AIR WING