Mar set fdr cva 42 retired col

• USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB/CVA/CV-42) was the second of three Midway-class aircraft carriers built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. • Named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she was originally laid down as USS Coral Sea but renamed following FDR’s death in 1945 while under construction. • Commissioned on 27 October 1945 (FDR's birthday), she just missed combat service in World War II but became a core part of the Cold War fleet. • Pioneering Jet Operations: In 1946, USS FDR became the first U.S. carrier to operate jet aircraft (the XFD-1 Phantom), marking a new era in naval aviation. • Significant Mediterranean Deployments: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she was frequently deployed to the Mediterranean, supporting NATO and U.S. presence during critical Cold War crises. • Cuban Missile Crisis: USS FDR played a key role during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, serving as one of the principal carriers enforcing the naval quarantine of Cuba. • Vietnam War Service: She made multiple deployments to Vietnam, providing air support for ground forces and participating in combat operations during the late 1960s. • Modernization Overhaul: From 1954 to 1956, FDR underwent a major SCB-110 modernization, receiving an angled flight deck, steam catapults, and updated arresting gear to handle modern jet aircraft. • Unique Aircraft Operations: In 1957, she became the first carrier to deploy with the nuclear-capable A3D Skywarrior bomber, enhancing her strategic strike capability. • Decommissioned in 1977: After more than 30 years of service and key roles in several conflicts, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt was decommissioned on 30 September 1977 and later scrapped, marking the end of an era for Midway-class carriers.