UNDERWAY! 2025 Wall Calendar / W.W. II SPECIAL EDITION

NOW AVAILABLE -
CLICK HERE
For RATING SHIRTS - Click on your Rating Abbreviation below:
AB AC AD AE AG AK AM AO AQ AS AT AW AX AZ BM BT BU
CE CM CS CT DC DK DM DP DS DT EA EM EN EO ET EW
FC FT GM GS (53-61) GS (78-Now) HM HT IC IM IS IT JO LI LN LS
MA (48-67) MA (72-Now) ME ML MM MN MR MS MT MU NAVY NC ND OM OS OT
PC PH PM PN PR QM RD (WW2) RD (48-72) RM SD SF SH SK SM
SO ST SV SW TM UT WT YN NAVY DIVER
Click on your Rating abbreviation above:


U.S.S. KITTY HAWK

(CV-63)

SEMPER HAWK

Click to view crew list
 

USS Kitty Hawk was named for the site of the Wright Brothers first powered flight in 1903. The second ship by this name, she was commissioned April 21, 1961. After a voyage around South America, the ship joined the Pacific Fleet. Her initial cruises were off the west coast and on to Japan in 1963 and 1964.

The last half of the 1960’s saw the ship in combat operations throughout Southeast Asia. She was given the Naval Unit Commendation for the dedication of her crew during her first Vietnam deployment. In 1973, she underwent an overhaul to make her a multi-purpose carrier.

The rest of the 1970’s saw Kitty Hawk deployed to the Western Pacific. On a single deployment in 1979-1980, the ship was sent to help rescue Vietnamese refugees, provide support after the assassination of the Korean president, and sent to the North Arabian Sea during the Iran hostage crisis.

Throughout the rest of her career, the ship continued operations around the Pacific and Middle East. She was involved with various actions in Iraq from the 1990’s onward. The ship was formally decommissioned on May 12, 2009. It remains in reserve until 2015 when the next carrier comes on line.

CV-63 Deployments - Major Events

Add a CV-63 Shellback Initiation Add a CV-63 Deployment - Major Event
Month Year to Month Year Deployment / Event
JAN1956-JAN1961Construction of CV63 was done by New York Shipbuilding Corp
DEC1956-Keel Date: 27 DEC 1956
at New York Naval Shipyard New York City
DEC1956-DEC1956Cv63 was built by NY shipbuilding corp Camden NJ not NY navy yar
DEC1956-DEC1956Cv63 was built by NY shipbuilding corp Camden NJ not NY navy yar
MAY1960-Launch Date: 21 MAY 1960
JAN1961-OCT1961rounding the horn
FEB1961-FEB1961Builder's Trials 21-24 February 1961
APR1961-Commissioned: 29 APR 1961
APR1961-Shellback Initiation - 12 APR 1961 - Pacific Ocean
MAY1961-Shellback Initiation - 21 MAY 1961 - Pacific Ocean
AUG1961-SEP1961Guantanamo Bay 14 AUG to 15 SEP 1961
SEP1961-SEP1961Crossing The Line 22 September 1961 Atlantic Ocean
SEP1961-Shellback Initiation - 12 SEP 1961 - Atlantic Ocean
SEP1961-Shellback Initiation - 22 SEP 1961 - Atlantic Ocean
OCT1961-OCT1961Brotherhood of Horned Shellbacks
OCT1961-OCT1961Cape Horn
SEP1962-NOV1962Cuban Crises Yokosuka Japan CV 63 first visit to Japan
SEP1962-APR1963West Pac
OCT1963-JUN1964First carrier group deployed off of Vietnam April 1964
APR1964-MAY1964West Pac-Viet Nam
APR1964-MAY1964West Pac-Viet Nam
AUG1964-JUL1965Dry Dock
SEP1965-MAY1966West Pac
OCT1965-MAY1966West Pac-Viet Nam
OCT1965-MAY1966West Pac
JAN1966-JAN1970West Pac-Viet Nam
NOV1966-JUN1967West Pac-Viet Nam
DEC1966-JAN1967West Pac
JAN1967-JAN1969West Pac-Viet Nam
JAN1967-FEB1971West Pac-Viet Nam
JUN1967-JUN1968West Pac
DEC1967-JUN1968West Pac-Viet Nam
DEC1967-JUN1968Golden Dragon - 180th Meridian
DEC1967-JUN1968West Pac-Viet Nam
DEC1967-JUN1968West Pac-Viet Nam
DEC1967-JUN1968West Pac-Viet Nam
JAN1968-DEC1969West Pac-Viet Nam
JAN1968-JAN1969West Pac-Viet Nam
DEC1968-OCT1969West Pac-Viet Nam
DEC1968-OCT1969Deployment
SEP1969-JUN1970Overhaul Bremerton WA
JUL1970- Shellback Initiation - 10 JUL 1970 - Pacific Ocean
SEP1970-JUN1971West Pac-Viet Nam
SEP1970-JUL1971West Pac
NOV1970-JUL1971West Pac-Viet Nam
JAN1971-JUL1974West Pac-Viet Nam
JUN1971- Shellback Initiation - 19 JUN 1971 - Pacific Ocean
NOV1971-FEB1972West Pac-Viet Nam
FEB1972-NOV1972West Pac-Viet Nam
APR1972-Shellback Initiation - 1 APR 1972 - Pacific Ocean
APR1972-NOV1972West Pac-Viet Nam
APR1972-NOV1972West Pac-Viet Nam
JAN1973-APR1973Dry Dock
JAN1973-JAN1973Dry Dock
JAN1973-JAN1974Dry Dock
JAN1973-DEC1975West Pac
SEP1973-SEP1973RIMPAC
NOV1973-JUL1974West Pac
NOV1973-JUL1976West Pac-Viet Nam
NOV1973-JUL1976West Pac-Viet Nam
MAR1974-Shellback Initiation - 18 MAR 1974 - Indian Ocean
MAR1974- Shellback Initiation - 18 MAR 1974 - Atlantic Ocean
AUG1974-JAN1975RIMPAC
JAN1975-MAR1975RIMPAC
MAY1975-DEC1975West Pac
MAY1975-SEP1975West Pac
MAR1976-APR1977Overhaul Bremerton WA
OCT1977-MAY1978West Pac
APR1978-Shellback Initiation - 5 APR 1978 - Indian Ocean
SEP1978- Shellback Initiation - 3 SEP 1978 - Pacific Ocean
MAY1979-MAR1980West Pac
MAY1979-FEB1980West Pac-Indian Ocean (Korean & Iran Hostage Crisis)
MAY1979-FEB1980West Pac-Indian Ocean-Persian Gulf
MAY1979-FEB1980West Pac
MAY1979-MAR1980West Pac
NOV1979-Shellback Initiation - 29 NOV 1979 - Indian Ocean
NOV1979- Shellback Initiation - 27 NOV 1979 - Pacific Ocean
JAN1980-Shellback Initiation - 15 JAN 1980 - Indian Ocean
JAN1980-SEP1980West Pac
MAR1980-SEP1980West Pac-Indian Ocean-Persian Gulf
APR1980-Shellback Initiation - 5 APR 1980 - Indian Ocean
APR1981-NOV1981West Pac-Indian Ocean
JUL1981-Shellback Initiation - 2 JUL 1981 - Indian Ocean
JUL1981- Shellback Initiation - 7 JUL 1981 - Pacific Ocean
JUL1981- Shellback Initiation - 7 JUL 1981 - Pacific Ocean
JAN1982-FEB1983Overhaul - Bremerton
JAN1984-JUL1984West Pac
JAN1984-AUG1984West Pac-Indian Ocean
JUN1984-Shellback Initiation - 15 JUN 1984 - Indian Ocean
JUL1985-DEC1985West Pac
OCT1985-Shellback Initiation - 8 OCT 1985 - Indian Ocean
AUG1986- Shellback Initiation - 17 AUG 1986 - Indian Ocean
JAN1987-JUL1987World Cruise
APR1987-Shellback Initiation - 25 APR 1987 - Indian Ocean
JUL1987-AUG1990Overhaul Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
JUN1991-DEC1991Desert Shield
JUN1991-DEC1991South America
NOV1991-Shellback Initiation - 2 NOV 1991 - Atlantic Ocean
NOV1991-NOV1991Shellback Initiation - 2 November 1991
JUN1992-MAY1993Desert Shield
JUN1992-JUL1992RIMPAC
NOV1992-MAY1993Desert Shield
NOV1992-MAY1993West Pac-Indian Ocean-Persian Gulf
NOV1992-MAY1993Desert Storm
APR1993-Shellback Initiation - 1 APR 1993 - Indian Ocean
JUN1994-DEC1994West Pac
OCT1996-APR1997West Pac
NOV1996-Shellback Initiation - 30 NOV 1996 - Indian Ocean
MAR1997-Shellback Initiation - 29 MAR 1997 - Pacific Ocean
JUN1997-AUG2001Mediterranean-Indian Ocean-Persian Gulf
JUN1997-AUG2001West Pac
MAR1999-AUG1999West Pac
JUL1999-Shellback Initiation - 24 JUL 1999 - Indian Ocean
MAY2001- Shellback Initiation - 5 MAY 2001 - Pacific Ocean
SEP2001-DEC2001Operation Enduring Freedom
OCT2001-DEC2001Mediterranean-Indian Ocean
MAY2002-Shellback Initiation - 14 MAY 2002 - Indian Ocean
JUN2003-JUL2006RIMPAC
JAN2006-JAN2008Mediterranean-Indian Ocean-Persian Gulf
AUG2006-Shellback Initiation - 5 AUG 2006 - Pacific Ocean
JAN2007-JAN2011Sea Trials
JAN2007-JAN2008West Pac

CV-63 General Specifications

Class: Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier

Named for: Kitty Hawk

Complement: 5624 Officers and Enlisted

Displacement: 61351 tons

Length: 1 068.9 feet

Beam: 282 feet

Flank Speed: 33 knots



USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63)



The second Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) was laid down by the New York Ship Building Corp. Camden N.J. 27 December 1956; and launched 21 May 1960 sponsored by Mrs. Neil H. McElroy; and commissioned 21 April 1961 at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Captain William F. Bringle in command.


Following shakedown in the Western Atlantic Kitty Hawk departed Norfolk 11 August 1961. After a brief stop at Rio de Janeiro where she embarked the Secretary of the Brazilian Navy for a demonstration of exercise at sea with five Brazilian d estroyers the attack carrier rounded Cape Horn 1 October. She steamed into Valparaiso Bay 13 October and then sailed 2 days later for Peru arriving Callao 20 October where she entertained the President of Peru. At San Diego Admiral George W An derson Chief of Naval Operations landed on her deck 18 November to witness antisubmarine demonstrations by Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7) and Blueback (SS-581) a Terrier missile demonstration by Topeka (CLG-8) and air demonstra tions by Kitty Hawk.


Kitty Hawk entered San Francisco Naval Shipyard 23 November 1961 for alterations. Following operations out of San Diego she sailed from San Francisco 13 September 1962. Kitty Hawk joined the 7th Fleet 7 October 1962 relieving M idway (CVA-41) as flagship.


After participating in the Philippine Republic Aviation Week Air Show Kitty Hawk steamed out of Manila Harbor 30 November 1962 and welcomed Admiral H. D. Felt Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet for a demonstration of modern naval weapons 3 December. The ship visited Hong Bong early in December and returned to Japan arriving at Yokosuka 2 January 1963. During the following 2 months she visited Kobe Beppu and Iwakuni before returning to San Diego 2 April 1963.


On 6 June 1963 President Kennedy with top civilian and military leaders boarded Kitty Hawk to witness a carrier task force weapons demonstration off the California coast. Addressing the men of the task group from Kitty Hawk President Kennedy told them that as in the past control of the seas still means security peace and ultimate victory. He later wrote to President and Madam Chiang Kai-Shek who had witnessed a similar demonstration on board Constellation (CVA -64): "I hope you were impressed as I was on my visit to Kitty Hawk with the great force for peace or war which these mighty carriers and their accompanying escorts provide helping to preserve the freedom of distant nations in all parts of the world."


Following a series of strike exercises and tactics reaching along the California coast and off Hawaii Kitty Hawk again sailed for the Far East. While approaching Japan she learned an assassin had shot President Kennedy. Flags were a t half mast as she entered Sasebo Harbor 25 November 1963 the day of the President's funeral and as senior ship present she had the sad honor of firing memorial salutes. After cruising the South China Sea and ranging to the Philippines in readines s operations with the 7th Fleet she returned to San Diego 20 July 1964.


Kitty Hawk overhauled in Puget Sound Naval Shipyard then trained along the western seaboard. She sailed from San Diego 19 October 1965 for Hawaii thence to Subic Bay P.I. where she prepared for combat operations off the coast of Vietnam.


Kitty Hawk was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for exceptionally meritorious service from 26 November 1965 to 14 May 1966 while participating in combat operations against the insurgent Communist guerrilla forces in the Republic of Vietnam. The valiant men of her Carrier Air Wing 11 flew over 10 000 sorties and delivered over 10 700 tons of ordnance against enemy forces. The officers and men of Kitty Hawk displayed undaunted spirit courage professionalism and dedication to mai ntain their ship as a fighting unit under the most ardent operating conditions to enable her pilots to destroy vital military targets in North Vietnam despite intense opposition and extremely adverse weather conditions.


Kitty Hawk returned to San Diego in June 1965 for overhaul and training until 4 November 1966 when she again deployed to serve the cause of freedom and national security in waters of Southeast Asia. Kitty Hawk arrived at Yokosuka Japa n 19 November to relieve Constellation as flagship for Rear Admiral David C. Richardson Commander Task Force 77. On 26 November Kitty Hawk departed Yokosuka for Yankee Station via Subic Bay and on 5 December aircraft from Kitty Hawk began their around-the-clock missions over North Vietnam. About this time Kitty Hawk--already accustomed to celebrities as guests--entertained a number of extremely prominent visitors: William Randolph Hearst Jr.; Bob Considi ne; Dr. Billy Graham; and John Steinbeck among others. She remained in the Far East supporting the fight for freedom in Southeast Asia until departing Subic Bay 28 May 1967. Steaming via Japan the carrier reached San Diego 19 June and a week late r entered the naval shipyard at Long Beach for maintenance. Kitty Hawk returned to San Diego 25 August and began a rigorous training program to prepare her for future action.

[Note: The above USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) history may or may not contain text provided by crew members of the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) or by other non-crew members and text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]