The Other USS United States (CVN 75)

[RyanC]

As you might not know, CVN-75 was laid down as USS UNITED STATES; but her name was changed to USS HARRY S TRUMAN before christening and then commissioning.

"Another example was a rivalry of sorts in Congress between those who supported naming the aircraft carrier CVN-76 for president Truman and those who supported naming it for president Reagan; the issue was effectively resolved by a decision announced by President Clinton in February 1995 to name one carrier (CVN-75) for Truman and another (CVN-76) for Reagan."

Patrick Pexton, “Clinton Compromise: Carriers Truman And Reagan,” Navy Times, February 13, 1995: 19.
“Navy Announces Aircraft Carrier To Be Named For President Truman,” Associated Press, February 2, 1995.

 

[marcd30319]

It can honestly be said that Harry S Truman is the only preseident to "sink" two ships named USS United States -- CVA-58 in 1951 and CVN-75 in 1995!

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

That's my old girl! I was a plankowner and I was there from 1998 to 2003. I can definitely vouch for the name change thing. it's one of the first things we were briefed on at our indoc upon checking in.

"Treat your ship like a lady, and she'll always bring you home.". How very true. The best years of my life were spent while serving aboard that ship.

My biggest regret regarding this subject though, is that I should have gotten the "USS United States" command ballcap while I had the chance. It was sold in some tourist shop at the Waterside in downtown Norfolk. Always said I would get it but I never did.

Wonder how much that would fetch me now.

 

[RyanC]

Pers-18A-GW
12 June 1944

MEMORANDUM

To: The Secretary of the Navy

This memorandum makes certain recommendations concerning names for the three aircraft carriers, large, (CVB) scheduled to be launched in December 1944 and May and September 1945.

As you know, in accordance with the present policy, carriers are named for famous ships formerly on the Navy list and important battles of the present or past wars. Suitable names of the more important battles, with the exception of battles of the Civil War, have been exhausted and the remaining available names are, in my opinion, of lesser stature then LEXINGTON, VALLEY FORGE, BELLEAU WOOD, TARAWA, and other names of this caliber now assigned to carriers.

However, there remain, among others, these names of famous old ships which are recommended for assignment to the CVB's:

CONSTITUTION
UNITED STATES
CONGRESS

The name CONSTITUTION is now assigned to the original vessel which is technically in commission as IX-21 but is in reality a Naval relic. If the name is to be used for a CVB the name of the the relic may be changed to OLD CONSTITUTION. The name of this vessel was changed in this manner in 1917 when the name CONSTITUTION was assigned to a new battle cruiser. However, subsequent to 1923, when the contract for the construction of this cruiser was cancelled in accordance with the treaty on limitation of Naval armaments, the name CONSTITUTION reverted to the original vessel. In accordance with this precedent the the name OLD CONSTITUTION may again be assigned to the original vessel in the event you desire to use CONSTITUTION for a CVB.

It is suggested that you obtain the President's approval in view of his interest in the naming of ships.

/S/
L.E. DENFIELD

this is why CVA-58 was named UNITED STATES; because Denfield had a soft spot for those three names, and when it came time to forward names for CVA-58 post-war, he was CNO at the time and made sure that name was the top of the list.

 

[Archdude]

Very interesting!