USS Oriskany

USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34) was one of the few Essex-class aircraft carriers completed after World War II for the United States Navy. Named for the Battle of Oriskany during the American Revolutionary War, she was the only ship of her class to be completed with the SCB-27 modernization, which included an angled flight deck and other improvements.

Construction and Commissioning

Oriskany was laid down on 1 May 1944 at the New York Naval Shipyard. Her construction was suspended in 1946, but she was eventually completed and commissioned on 25 September 1950. The ship was named after the Battle of Oriskany, a pivotal engagement in the American Revolutionary War.

Service History

Korean War

Oriskany was deployed to the Korean War in 1952, where she served as a flagship for Carrier Task Force 77. Her aircraft flew numerous sorties against enemy targets, providing close air support for ground troops and conducting interdiction missions.

Vietnam War

During the Vietnam War, Oriskany was deployed multiple times to the Western Pacific. She played a significant role in air operations over Vietnam, launching thousands of sorties against North Vietnamese targets. On 26 October 1966, a tragic fire broke out on board, resulting in the deaths of 44 crew members. The fire was caused by the accidental ignition of a magnesium flare.

Post-Vietnam and Decommissioning

After the Vietnam War, Oriskany continued to serve in the Pacific Fleet until she was decommissioned on 30 September 1976. She was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 25 July 1989.

Artificial Reef

In 2006, Oriskany was sunk off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, to form an artificial reef. This project was part of a program to create new marine habitats and promote recreational diving. The sinking was carefully planned and executed, making Oriskany the largest vessel ever intentionally sunk as an artificial reef.

Related Pages

• Essex-class aircraft carrier
• Battle of Oriskany
• Vietnam War
• Artificial reef

Gallery

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  USS Oriskany underway at sea, 6 December 1950

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  En route to the Western Pacific, 23 June 1967

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  On fire, 26 October 1966

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  With USS Bon Homme Richard off Vietnam, 1970

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  F-8J Crusader escorting a Soviet Tu-95, 25 May 1974

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  Returning from her last deployment, 1976

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  Arriving in Pensacola, 20 December 2004

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  Leaving port, 15 May 2006

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  Detonations aboard the USS Oriskany

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  Sunk to form an artificial reef, 17 May 2006

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  Sinking of USS Oriskany

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  Oriskany as an artificial reef, July 2008

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