Dan Riesenbeck

USS Independence (CVA-62) was a Forrestal-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in January 1959. Throughout her service, she participated in numerous Cold War operations, including deployments in the Mediterranean and support of U.S. interests during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Independence also saw action in the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) in 1991, launching air strikes against Iraqi forces. After nearly 40 years of service, she was decommissioned in September 1998.