About this Unit
The USS Bonhomme Richard has been the namesake of several notable vessels in U.S. naval history. The first, commanded by John Paul Jones, was a former French merchant ship gifted to the United States during the Revolutionary War, famously defeating HMS Serapis in 1779 before sinking. Later ships bearing the name included aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, most recently LHD-6, commissioned in 1998. The LHD-6 served in numerous operations across the Pacific and Middle East until a devastating fire in 2020 led to its decommissioning. The legacy of Bonhomme Richard symbolizes resilience and valor in American naval tradition.
Historical Facts
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Origin of the Name: The name "Bonhomme Richard" comes from the French translation of "Poor Richard," referring to Benjamin Franklin’s pseudonym in his famous almanac. The original vessel was a former French merchant ship donated to the United States and renamed in Franklin's honor.
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John Paul Jones’ Famous Battle: During the American Revolutionary War, the original USS Bonhomme Richard (1765) was commanded by Captain John Paul Jones. In 1779, she fought the legendary battle against HMS Serapis, where Jones famously declared, "I have not yet begun to fight!"
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Scuttling After Victory: Despite winning the battle against HMS Serapis, the original Bonhomme Richard was so badly damaged that she sank two days later. The crew transferred to Serapis, which they had captured.
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Multiple Ships Carry the Name: The US Navy has commissioned several ships named Bonhomme Richard: the famous 1765 frigate, CV-31 (an Essex-class aircraft carrier in WWII), and LHD-6 (a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship commissioned in 1998).
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CV-31’s Service: USS Bonhomme Richard (CV-31) served actively in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, earning five battle stars in WWII, five in Korea, and three in Vietnam.
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LHD-6 in Humanitarian Missions: The most recent Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) participated in humanitarian missions, including disaster relief in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
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2020 Fire Incident: On July 12, 2020, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) was severely damaged by a fire while docked in San Diego. The fire burned for four days, leading to the ship's eventual decommissioning and scrapping.
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Symbol of Franco-American Friendship: The original Bonhomme Richard was a gift from France, symbolizing the crucial alliance between the United States and France during the Revolutionary War.
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Search for the Wreck: The wreck of the original Bonhomme Richard, lost in 1779, has been the subject of numerous searches in the North Sea, but has never been definitively located.
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Legacy in the Navy: The name Bonhomme Richard continues to be associated with courage, resilience, and international cooperation. The ship’s legacy is celebrated in Navy traditions, literature, and commemorative events.
