USS Coral Sea CV-43

The USS Coral Sea was given the nickname "Ageless Warrior" due to her long career. Commissioned in1947, she served the United States for 43 years and made history in several ways. With jet assisted take-offs of two P2V-2 Neptunes in 1948, it succeeded in the never-before launchings of planes of this size and weight.

In 1950, the Coral Sea introduced long-range attack bombers to carrier operations with the takeoff of an AJ-1 Savage heavy attack bomber from its deck. She was presented the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her actions in the recovery of the U.S. merchant ship Mayaguez in 1975, and hosted visits from Generalissimo Francisco Franco as well as the King of the Hellenes.

Early Success

The USS Coral Sea was designated as the flagship for Commander, Carrier Division 6. She provided a great deal of service in conjunction with the Beehive I, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercise. After this mission, she was reclassified as an "Attack Aircraft Carrier" before the honor of taking The Judiciary Committee of the United States House of Representatives on a multi-day voyage.

Shortly after, the Coral Sea welcomed Deputy Secretary of Defense R.M. Kyes during another NATO exercise, Black Wave, before evacuating American citizens during the Suez Crisis. By the time Coral Sea reached her 10th birthday, she underwent an overhaul. The Coral Sea received new steam catapults, hull blisters, an enclosed hurricane bow and anti-aircraft guns. Her renovation included an angled deck, the relocation of deck elevators and the removal of the armor belt.

She rejoined the 7th Fleet for various missions until 1961, when she was taken out of service for the installation of the Pilot Landing Aid Television (PLAT) system, making the Coral Sea the first carrier to utilize this system. It was used for the purpose of having a videotape of every landing, which was not only instructional for pilots, but aided in accident investigations.

The success of the Coral Sea's adaptation paved the way in equipping all attack carriers with PLAT. In 1965, her pilots struck island and coastal radar stations in the vicinity of Vihn Son in North Vietnam as part of Operation Rolling Thunder, and she could boast of many other achievements throughout her deployment in the area during the next several years.

Established Experience

After a 1971 refitting, the Coral Sea experienced a fire in its communications department. As the flames picked up speed in spreading throughout the vessel, the captain ordered it put off shore and was ready to command it abandoned prior to the crew's ability to contain it. In 1972, as a participant in Operation Pocket Money against North Vietnamese ports, Coral Sea launched aircraft loaded with naval mines towards the Haiphong Harbor.

It continued to serve in this capacity, proceeding to take part in 1975's Operation Frequent Wind. This mission was carried out by the 7th Fleet forces, which rescued hundreds of U.S. personnel and North Vietnamese after South Vietnam surrendered. The next month, Coral Sea joined with personnel from the United States Air Force, Marine Corps and other naval forces in the recapture of the U.S. merchant ship Mayaguez.This vessel and its 39 member crew were illegally seized by the Communist Khmer Rouge in international waters. The skirmish resulted in the loss of 18 American military men.

Coral Sea later suffered a collision with the Equadorian tanker ship Napo in 1985, while training pilots in Guantanamo Bay, but fortunately required only two months of repair. Two years later, Coral Sea's Hornets attacked and destroyed the SA-5 missile site at Sirte, once more making history with the first combat use of the AGM-88A HARM anti-radiation missile.

In 1987, she developed the "Coral Sea configuration", a plan for two, onboard attack squadrons to share a maintenance program, which efficiently managed aircraft upkeep. Two years later, she answered an SOS from the USS Iowa; an explosion in one that battleship's gun turrets caused 47 fatalities. Her explosive disposal team removed volatile powder charges from the ship's 16-inch guns while the crew supplied medical supplies and a surgical team. The Coral Sea then deployed helicopter squadrons to provide USS Iowa with Medevac and logistical support.

The USS Coral Sea was decommissioned in1990 and sold for scrapping in 1993. At almost 70,000 tons, she was the largest vessel scrapped to date. She may also be the last American aircraft carrier to face that fate, since environmental laws now limit such action, and selling ships for international scrapping is illegal.

Although details of the Coral Sea's one blaze does not exist, it suffered far less from fires than many ships of its day. That is why ship construction relied heavily on asbestos as protection from fire, heat, flames and electricity, just as house construction did during the middle of the twentieth century. In reducing one danger, it unfortunately created another since even a small amount of asbestos fibers can cause serious diseases if inhaled.

If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Coral Sea CV-43, you may be at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma. For free information on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, please fill out the packet request form on this page.

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