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USS Independence CV-62(V)

The USS Independence (CV-62) was commissioned in 1959 at a cost of $182 million and a motto of "Freedom's Flagship". Shortly after, she made history with the takeoff of an A3D Skywarrior; at 84,000 pounds, this was the heaviest aircraft ever recorded to be launched from a "super carrier".

Early Success

Independence supported missions in the Mediterranean before being requested by President Kennedy to aid in the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, eventually forcing Soviet withdrawal. In the following year, while providing support to Turkey, President Makarios of Cyprus came aboard the Independence. This honor was followed by participation in U.S.-Italian and U.S.-French exercises before involvement in NATO missions. Independence became the first Atlantic Fleet carrier in a seven month deployment in 1965. This mission won Independence and her Air Wing 7 a Navy Unit Commendation for meritorious service involving 7,000 air strikes, in the first massive surface-to-air missile barrage in aviation history. Six years later she was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her part in the Jordanian crisis involving the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Another honor came when President Richard M. Nixon delivered his annual Armed Forces Day address in 1973 from aboard the decks of USS Independence. The next year saw her rushing to retrieve the remains of TWA Flight 841, destroyed from a terrorist bomb. In 1979, the first female Navy pilot became carrier-qualified, navigating a C-1A Trader to the Independence flight deck. The year 1982 brought never-before-seen U.S. Navy air power in the Mediterranean Sea as the Independence joined forces with other vessels and aircraft to support Operation Urgent Fury in the liberation of Grenada. The USS Independence involvement won the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award for the Atlantic Fleet. By 1985, the Independence was ready for an overhaul and modernization. First, her flight deck was renovated, which would enhance aircraft recovery at slower speeds, and next, her Sea Sparrow launchers were improved. Through the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), the Independence's fuel consumption was also made more efficient. The vessel appeared to lead a fairly uneventful existence in terms of accidents; the only reported incidents were small fires from lighting equipment used in scenes of the movie, "Flight of the Intruder" which was filmed on board.

Events That Made History

The USS Independence became the first carrier to enter the Persian Gulf in 16 years, when she arrived in the Gulf of Oman in 1990 for Operation Desert Shield. In addition to responding to Iraq attacks, she was paramount in reestablishing U.S. naval presence in that area. By 1995, "Indy" was the oldest ship in the Navy's active fleet and thus had the privilege of flying the First Navy Jack (referred to as the "Don't Tread on Me" flag). She was visited by President Bill Clinton in 1996 as part of an official state visit to Japan while docked at her home base in Yokosuka. The Independence, upon her deployment to Guam the following year, was the first aircraft carrier there since 1960. That same year, she became also the first aircraft carrier to make a port call in Malaysia. Her call in 1997 to Hong Kong was again historical, being as it was the final U.S. naval visit before China's takeover. In 1998, Indy again supported the efforts of Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf before being decommissioned. During the ceremony at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, she ended her service to the country after 39 years, 9 months and 20 days. Her "Don't Tread on Me" First Navy Jack was presented to the Independence commanding officer and then transferred to the Navy's next oldest active ship, the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). For over five years, she was considered "in mothballs", during which time her parts supported her sister ships of the fleet. However, by 2004, she was designated to be sunk as an artificial reef, but as of February, 2008, it appears that her fate again changed; she is now due for dismantling by 2013.

It is actually quite rare that an aircraft carrier would suffer no major fatal accidents or crew injuries. Yet, it isn't surprising that the only mentionable mishaps involved fires. Most aircraft carriers of similar size incurred numerous fires on board; small quarters and extensive heat, flames and electricity pose great risk. The danger is compounded in an environment that is vulnerable when out to sea. The Navy, therefore, did what many businesses and construction companies did at the time, and that was to utilize asbestos for protection. Their doing so may have posed a different type of danger to its sailors, by creating an environment that may have allowed inadvertent inhaling of microscopic, toxic fibers.

If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Independence CV-62(V), 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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