USS Kittyhawk

• The USS Kitty Hawk was the second US Navy ship to be named after the American bird of prey. • It was commissioned as an attack aircraft carrier in 1961 and served in the Vietnam War. • The ship was the first of the Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers and was the last conventionally powered carrier to be built for the US Navy. • During its service, the USS Kitty Hawk participated in various military operations, including the Gulf War and the invasion of Iraq in 2003. • In 1998, the ship played a key role in the rescue operation of a Korean Air flight that was shot down by North Korea. • The USS Kitty Hawk was decommissioned in 2009 after nearly 50 years of service to the US Navy. • After its decommissioning, there were plans to turn the ship into a museum in Bremerton, Washington, but these plans fell through due to logistical and financial issues. • The ship was eventually sold for scrap in 2014 and dismantled in Texas. • The USS Kitty Hawk received numerous awards and accolades during its service, including several Navy Unit Commendations and Battle Efficiency Awards. • Many veterans who served on the USS Kitty Hawk have fond memories of their time on the ship and continue to hold reunions to this day.