USS Enterprise (CV-6)

'*USS *Enterprise* (CV-6),** often called "The Big E,**"*' was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. She was also the seventh U.S. Navy ship to use the name "Enterprise". She was launched in 1936 and was a *Yorktown* class aircraft carrier. She was one of three American carriers brought into service before World War II to survive the war. She took part in more battles against Japan than any other U.S. ship; they included the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, many other fights during the Guadalcanal campaign, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. At three different times during the Pacific War, the Japanese said that she had been sunk in battle, which led her being nicknamed "The Grey Ghost".

*Enterprise* earned 20 battle stars. This was more than any other U.S. warship in World War II. Some have said that she is the most glorious and honored ship in the history of the United States Navy. However, it could be argued that the 18th century frigate USS Constitution could perhaps rival that.

## Building and commissioning
*Enterprise* was launched on 3 October 1936 at Newport News Shipbuilding. She was sponsored by Lulie Swanson, who was the wife of the Secretary of the Navy, Claude A. Swanson. *Enterprise* was commissioned on 12 May 1938. *Enterprise* sailed south so that her performance could be tested. This took her to Rio de Janeiro. After she returned, she was used along the east coast and in the Caribbean until April 1939. This is when she was ordered to serve in the Pacific.

## Service history
*Enterprise* was one of fourteen ships to be fitted with the RCA CXAM-1 RADAR.

 crash landed on *Enterprise*'s flight deck.]]

### Return to duty
*Enterprise* was back by November 1943. She helped the U.S. soldiers landing on Makin Atoll from 19–21 November 1943. 

*Enterprise* launched planes to strike the Marshall Islands and helped U.S. soldiers land on Kwajalein from 29 January-3 February 1944. Then she went to strike the Japanese base in Truk Lagoon in the Caroline Islands on 17 February. 

*Enterprise* launched planes to hit Jaluit Atoll on 20 February. She helped troops who were landing on Emirau Island (19–25 March). On 14 April she helped troops to land in Hollandia (currently known as Jayapura), in New Guinea.

#### The Battle of the Philippine Sea
On 19 June 1944, *Enterprise* took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. For over eight hours, American and Japanese pilots fought. Over two days, six American ships were damaged. 130 planes and 76 pilots and aircrew were lost. American aircraft and U.S. submarines sank three Japanese carriers (, , and ). The Japanese lost 426 planes.

*Enterprise* helped to defend the U.S. ships and to strike the Japanese ships. After the battle, *Enterprise* helped with the Invasion of Saipan until 5 July. She then went back to Pearl Harbor for a month of rest. She came back on 24 August and attacked the Bonin Islands from 31 August – 2 September.

#### The Battle of Leyte Gulf
In the Battle of Leyte Gulf (23–26 October), *Enterprise* planes attacked battleships and destroyers. During November, planes from *Enterprise* hit Manila and Yap. She returned to Pearl Harbor on 6 December 1944.

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### After the war
#### Operation Magic Carpet
*Enterprise* sailed to Pearl Harbor with 1,100 soldiers. She then started sailing to Europe. She brought 10,000 soldiers home. During the Enterprise’s last trip, the ship was caught in very high winds in the Atlantic. The crew almost abandoned ship. *Enterprise* had to go back to New York.

*Enterprise* got a British Admiralty Pennant. The pennant was given to *Enterprise* as a gift from an ally. *Enterprise* is the only non-Royal Navy ship to get the award in more than 400 years.

### The end of the "Big E"
*Enterprise* went into the New York Naval Shipyard on 18 January 1946 to be deactivated. In 1946, she was going to be given to the state of New York to be a memorial. However, this plan was cancelled in 1949. The "Big E" was sold on 1 July 1958 to the Lipsett Corporation to be scrapped. Scrapping was done in May 1960. 

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### Successor to the "Big E"
In November 1961, USS *Enterprise'' (CVA(N)-65) was brought into service. This was the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The  was decommissioned on 1 December 2012. Another *Enterprise* would be a , CVN-80. 

## Awards
*Enterprise* was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for her service during World War II. The citation says:
*Enterprise* also got the Navy Unit Commendation and 20 battle stars for World War II service. This means that she is the highest decorated US ship ever.

## References
*
**The Big E: The story of the USS Enterprise*, by Edward P Stafford, (1962) comprehensive, well-researched account
*''"Enterprise: America's Fightingest Ship and the Men Who Helped Win World War II,"* by Barrett Tillman.  The first to last history (2012).

## Other websites
*Interactive guide on the deck of USS Enterprise (CV-6)
*history.navy.mil: USS *Enterprise* 
*history.navy.mil: Pictures 
*navsource.org: USS *Enterprise* 
*CV6.org: USS *Enterprise'' website
*USS Enterprise History