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USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31

During World War II, the Korean Conflict, and beyond, the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 was one of the Navy's most valuable assets. Like with many ships during this time period, there are some lingering concerns about asbestos used on the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31. That said, this does not discount her service to the United States during times of war. Learning about the history of this ship is fascinating.

The USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 was launched on November 26, 1944 after hundreds of workers at the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn worked for over a year to build this 872-foot ship, which had a 147-foot flight deck and traveled at speeds of up to 33 knots. The USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 was designed to carry 3,088 men and 360 offices, and did so for many years while involved in a number of United States conflicts.

In 1944, the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 set sail on her maiden voyage, conducting training exercises in the Chesapeake Bay. By 1945, she was ready for battle, and she traveled through the Panama Canal to San Diego and then Pearl Harbor. From there, she traveled on to the Caroline Islands, where the ship became part of the Fast Carrier Force 38. With thins Task force, the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 flew carriers air patrols and led air strikes against Okino Daito Jima.

The entire fleet then moved and anchored at Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands. The USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 remained there until June 30, 1945, conducting night flights, training troops, and replenishing forces on the Japanese home islands. This ship also participated in operations against Hokkaido, Kyushu, Honshu, and Shikiku during the fall of 1945. Negotiations for Japan's surrender were taking place at this time, so the fleet's missions were mainly passive. In August of this year, Captain H.F. Fick took over leadership of the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31. Until the Japanese officially surrendered, Task Force 38, including the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 continued patrolling the Far East's waters.

In late 1945, the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 became part of the "Magic Carpet" mission, in which ships carried troops from Guam and other Far East posts to the United States. She returned to San Francisco in October 1945 and, after a brief trip to Pearl Harbor, returned to Puget Sound and was inactivated.

The USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 lay inactive as part of the Pacific reserve fleet for over five years in early 1951, she was again activated under the command of Captain Cecil B. Gill. After a few months of training and a shakedown cruise and repairs, the ship joined Task Force 77 to aid troops in the Wonsan area during the Korean Conflict. During this time, the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 was involved in air strikes against North Korea's railroads, bridges, truck convoys, trenches, warehouses, and troop barracks. Over 150 offensive and defensive sorties flew from her decks in the East China Sea.

Following another brief inactive period, the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 became one of the select World War II ships to also take part in the Vietnam War. She was reactivated in 1964 and sent to the coast of Vietnam. In 1966, the ship was sent to Long beach Naval Shipyard for a complete overhaul, which included installation of an air conditioning system and automatic data processing system. Her landing flight deck was resurfaced in aluminum and after over a year, the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 left the United States again for Vietnam. She was involved in strikes against North Vietnam's Red River Valley and a number of enemy cities, destroying 14 interceptor aircrafts and launching a record 73 strikes against enemies.

In 1968, this ship returned to Yankee Station and joined Task Force 77's support campaigns in both North and South Vietnam. Here, she played a major role, with her flights responsible for destroying 750 enemy trucks, 600 logistic crafts, 93 bridges, 31 railroad cars, 40 river crossings, and 3 more MIG aircrafts. After routine repairs and upkeep, the ship left on voyages again in 1969 and 1970. The USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 was the first carrier to deploy to Vietnam's combat waters six separate times.

The ship was retired and dry docked in San Francisco. She was decommissioned in July of 1971 and later, like most ships from this time period, sold for scrap metal. As an interesting piece of trivia, lead singer of the Doors Jim Morrison's father, RADM (then Captain) George S. Morrison served as Commanding Officer of this ship from November 23, 1963 to November 25, 1964. He spoke at the ship's decommissioning ceremony on July 2, 1971, just hours before his son's death in Paris.

If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31, or have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, Asbestos.com offers a free packet with more information. Enter your contact information in the form in the right column and we'll send a copy immediately.

Aircraft Carriers Index

USS America USS Antietam CV 36 K USS Antietam CV 36 USS Badoeng Strait CVE 116 USS Bairoko CVE 115 USS Bairoko CVE 115 USS Belleau wood CVL 24 USS Bennington CV 20 USS Bon Homme Richard CVa USS Boxer CV USS Bunker CV USS Cabot CVL 28 USS Constellation CV USS Coral Sea CV USS Corregidor CVE 58 USS Sable ix USS San jacinto CVL USS Saratoga CV USS Saratoga CV3 USS Shangri La

USS Cowpens CVL 25 USS Enterprise CV 6 USS Enterprise CVN USS Essex CV 9 USS Forrestal CV USS Franklin CV 13 USS Hancock CV 19 USS Hornet CV 12 USS Hornet CV 8 USS Independence C1 USS Independence CVL 22 USS Intrepid CV 11 USS Kearsage CV 33 USS Kearsage CV USS Kitty Hawk USS Sicily CVe USS Sitkoh bay USS Tarawa CV USS Ticonderoga CV USS Valley forge CV

USS Lake Champlain CV 39 USS Langley CV 1 USS Langley CVL 27 USS Lexington CV 16 USS Lexington CV 2 USS Leyte CV 32 USS Midway CV USS Oriskany CV USS Phillipine Sea CV USS Point cruz CVE USS Princeton CV USS Princeton CVL USS Randolph CV USS Ranger CV USS Rendova USS Wasp CV 18 USS Wasp CV 7 USS Wolverine IX 64 USS Yorktown CV 10 USS Yorktown CV 5

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