Enterprise (CVN-65)
(Formerly CVAN-65)
KN-9027. Task group of nuclear-powered surface ships operating in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, 18 June 1964. The ships are the aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVAN-65), left; the guided-missile cruiser Long Beach (CGN-9), center; and the guided-missile frigate Bainbridge (DLGN-25), right. Official U.S. Navy photograph. Click image to download.
Ship History
The world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was commissioned on 25 November 1961 and completed 25 deployments during 51 years of service. Click the links below to access the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships entries for Enterprise, which provide the carrier's history by time period.
Digital Content
- Enterprise infographic. Available for download from the multimedia gallery, this infographic shares a brief glimpse into one of the most storied ships in U.S. Navy history. The infographic was originally posted shortly after Enterprise was inactivated in 2012, after 51 years of service.
- JFK Visits the Atlantic Fleet (1962). Available on YouTube, this 1962 Navy film follows President John F. Kennedy on a visit to the Atlantic Fleet and Camp Lejeune. Two other future presidents (Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford) were also present during the visit. Navy and Marine Corps units conducted extensive exercises in the presence of the President, including air operations, anti-submarine exercises, and an amphibious assault landing.
- The Nuclear Navy (released 1967). Available on YouTube, this 1967 Navy documentary explores the development of nuclear power in the United States Navy.
- H-Gram 025-2: The Enterprise (CVAN-65) Conflagration, 14 January 1969
- NHHC Curators Preserve Enterprise Story - Sextant blog
Enterprise Commanding Officers
Click each portrait to download image; view list of dates of command below.
List of Commanding Officers
Commanding Officer | Date | |
---|---|---|
1. | Vincent P. de Poix, VADM, USN (Ret.) | November 25, 1961 - July 20, 1963 |
2. | Frederick H. Michaelis, ADM, USN (Ret.) Died August 13, 1992 |
July 20, 1963 - July 17, 1965 |
3. | James L. Holloway III, ADM, USN (Ret.) | July 17, 1965 - July 11, 1967 |
4. | Kent L. Lee, VADM, USN (Ret.) | July 11, 1967 - July 8, 1969 |
5. | Forrest S. Petersen, VADM, USN (Ret.) Died December 8, 1990 |
July 8, 1969 - December 3, 1971 |
6. | Ernest E. Tissot, Jr., RADM, USN (Ret.) | December 3, 1971 - April 9, 1974 |
7. | Carol C. Smith, Jr., VADM, USN Died October 14, 1983 |
April 9, 1974 - December 10, 1976 |
8. | James W. Austin, RADM, USN (Ret.) | December 10, 1976 - February 23, 1980 |
9. | Robert J. Kelly, ADM, USN (Ret.) | February 23, 1980 - June 17, 1983 |
10. | Robert L. Leuschner, Jr., RADM, USN (Ret.) | June 17, 1983 - January 28, 1986 |
11. | Robert J. Spane, VADM, USN (Ret.) | January 28, 1986 - October 28, 1988 |
12. | Harry T. Rittenour, RDML, USN (Ret.) | October 28, 1988 - August 7, 1991 |
13. | Daniel C. Roper, CAPT, USN (Ret.) | August 7, 1991 - August 27, 1993 |
14. | Richard J. Naughton, VADM, USN (Ret.) Died February 25, 2011 |
August 27, 1993 - February 2, 1996 |
15. | Michael D. Malone, VADM, USN (Ret.) | February 2, 1996 - November 10, 1997 |
16. | Evan M. Chanik, VADM, USN (Ret.) | November 10, 1997 - March 10, 2000 |
17. | James A. Winnefeld, Jr., ADM, USN (Ret.) | March 10, 2000 - February 15, 2002 |
18. | Eric C. Neidlinger, CAPT, USN (Ret.) | February 15, 2002 - December 10, 2004 |
19. | Lawrence S. Rice, RADM, USN (Ret.) | December 10, 2004 - May 17, 2007 |
20. | Ronald Horton, RDML, USN (Ret.) | May 17, 2007 - May 6, 2010 |
21. | Owen P. Honors Jr., CAPT, USN (Ret.) | May 6, 2010 - January 4, 2011 |
22. | Dee L. Mewbourne, RADM, USN | January 4, 2011 - August 17, 2011 |
23. | William C. Hamilton, Jr., CAPT, USN (Ret.) | August 17, 2011 - October 15, 2015 |
24. | Todd A. Beltz, CAPT, USN | October 15, 2015 - February 3, 2017 |
Published: Thu Jun 20 09:08:25 EDT 2024