About this Unit
The USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1944. She served in the final months of World War II, participating in air strikes against Japan and supporting Allied occupation forces after the war. Reactivated for the Korean War, Bon Homme Richard conducted multiple combat tours, launching air strikes against North Korean and Chinese targets from 1951 to 1953. The carrier later underwent modernization and served through the Vietnam War, providing air support for U.S. forces before her decommissioning in 1971.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Legacy: USS BonHomme Richard (CV-31) was named after the famous Revolutionary War frigate captained by John Paul Jones, which itself was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin's pen name, "Poor Richard."
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World War II Service: Commissioned in November 1944, CV-31 joined the Pacific Fleet and participated in the final months of World War II, striking Japanese targets and supporting Allied operations.
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Kyushu Raids: The carrier took part in the intense raids on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s main islands, facing frequent kamikaze attacks but continuing flight operations.
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Kamikaze Strike: On May 14, 1945, BonHomme Richard was hit by a kamikaze, causing significant damage and casualties, but remarkably, she quickly resumed flight operations.
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Pilot Heroes: Future astronauts John Glenn and Neil Armstrong both flew missions from the decks of BonHomme Richard during their respective military careers.
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Korean War Action: Reactivated for the Korean War, CV-31 launched air strikes against North Korean and Chinese targets, supporting United Nations ground forces.
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Anglicized Spelling: The ship's name was intentionally spelled in the French style, "BonHomme Richard," rather than the more common "Bon Homme Richard," following tradition from the original Revolutionary War vessel.
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Vietnam Service: Extensively deployed to Southeast Asia, BonHomme Richard supported combat operations during the Vietnam War, earning multiple battle stars for her service.
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Modernization: In the 1950s, she underwent the SCB-27C and SCB-125 upgrades, adding an angled flight deck and other improvements to operate jet aircraft.
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Decommissioning and Legacy: Decommissioned in 1971, CV-31 was scrapped in 1992. Her name lives on in the US Navy with other ships, most recently the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6).
