USS Bunker Hill

• Two Ships Named USS Bunker Hill: There have been two U.S. Navy ships named USS Bunker Hill—the famed WWII Essex-class aircraft carrier (CV-17) and the later Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (CG-52). • Named after a Revolutionary War Battle: Both ships honor the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775), an early and iconic conflict in the American Revolutionary War. • CV-17 in Battle of the Philippine Sea: During WWII, USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) played a key role in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 1944), known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," where U.S. forces decimated Japanese naval aviation. • Kamikaze Attack Survivor: On May 11, 1945, CV-17 was struck by two kamikaze aircraft off Okinawa, resulting in the deaths of 346 crew members and severe damage, yet the carrier survived and returned to port. • Presidential Visit: President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited the USS Bunker Hill in Pearl Harbor in July 1944, underscoring the ship's importance in the Pacific War. • Distinguished Service: CV-17 earned 11 battle stars during WWII for her service in major operations across the Pacific Theater. • CG-52 and Operation Desert Storm: The second USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) served in Operation Desert Storm (1991), launching Tomahawk missiles during the opening of hostilities against Iraq. • First AEGIS Cruiser with Vertical Launch System: CG-52 was the first cruiser equipped with the advanced AEGIS Combat System and vertical launch system (VLS), revolutionizing naval surface warfare. • Decommissioning: USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) was decommissioned on September 22, 2023, after nearly 37 years of service in the U.S. Navy. • Legacy and Honors: The crews of both ships have been honored for their bravery and accomplishments, and the name "Bunker Hill" remains a symbol of resilience and fighting spirit in the U.S. Navy.