USS Valley Forge CV-45

The USS Valley Forge had two distinctions to her name even before setting out to sea: First, she was constructed from the funds of a special war bond drive collected from the residents of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Second, she was the first naval vessel to be named after the city of Valley Forge. The warship was 888 feet long, could reach 33 knots per hour, and was propelled by eight boilers and four steam engines. The vessel carried 3,448 sailors as well as 100 aircraft. Valley Forge's armament consisted of eight five-inch 38-caliber guns, eight quadruple 40mm guns, and 46 cannons. The USS Valley Forge earned eight Battle Stars for Korean War service, and nine Battle Stars for her actions in the Vietnam War. She also was awarded three Navy Unit Commendations.

Early Recognition

After her commissioning in 1946, Valley Forge sailed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, then through Panama Canal, to join the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor. This was followed by exercises with the Royal Australian Navy and a trip around the world before returning to her home in San Diego. In 1950, as she was harbored in Hong Kong, she rushed to Korea to carry out the first carrier air strike in the Korean conflict. She was deployed to Korea again after a short trip home for overhauling, and then continued her attacks into the following year, not returning to U.S. waters until 1952. That year saw the Valley Forge's reclassification to attack carrier, and she employed her powers in aiding Marine and Army forces, depositing 3,700 tons of bombs during just this one deployment.

The Valley Forge was again re-designated, to an antisubmarine warfare support carrier, before being transferred to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. She made history in1957 with "vertical envelopment," a plan in which helicopters air-lifted a landing parties to and from the beachhead. During the following year, Valley Forge became the flagship of Task Group Alpha, a tactical command utilizing eight destroyers, two submarines, a land-based Neptune, and squadrons of antisubmarine helicopters and planes. She served in this leadership capacity until the time came for repairs at the New York Naval Shipyard. After that, the USS Valley Forge was paramount in Operation Skyhook, launching three of the largest balloons ever created. This trial was conducted to measure and record cosmic rays 22 miles above the Earth.

Continued Success

Valley Forge was then ordered to send her helicopters to retrieve the Mercury-Redstone unmanned space capsule after it splashed down in Cape Canaveral. The same week, she answered an emergency SOS involving SS Pine Ridge. A storm had broken the tanker in two, leaving crew survivors hanging on for their lives. Valley Forge helicopters picked up all 28 survivors and returned them to the carrier in safety. After this, she was modified to the category of amphibious assault ship in 1961, and employed her new abilities in the airlifting of US Marine forces into and out of Laos two years later. That mission completed, she received a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization overhaul, which outfitted her with new electronics. Sent to Vietnam in 1966, the Valley Forge launched landing forces, provided logistical and medical support, and evacuated casualties. She continued her "search and destroy" operations during the war, gaining the nickname of "Hero Haven" by Marine helicopter units due to her delivery of Marine Sea Stallions and transport helicopters. In 1969, Valley Forge received visits from Secretary of the Navy and the Vice Admiral. In 1970, she was decommissioned, but prior to being sold for scrap, scenes were shot onboard for use in the movie "Silent Running."

The USS Valley Forge was quite fortunate that it did not experience accidents or tragedies like so many other aircraft carriers. It earned its awards and acknowledgements through diligence and dedication, but its lack of disasters is also owed, in small part, to luck. With eight boilers and four steam turbines propelling the battleship, there was a high risk of fire. Unfortunately, numerous vessels of Valley Forge's age and size experienced their share of fires, and in some cases, many lost lives. Because of the extreme danger of fire breaking out in situations where resources and escape routes were greatly limited, the Navy took great precautions to prevent fire from occurring.

This precaution, in all likelihood, meant installing asbestos into ships like the Valley Forge. The material's ability to fit into small and awkward spaces, and its ability to withstand heat, flames and electricity, made its use appear unquestionable. However, decades after exposure to asbestos some may start to experience physical symptoms as a result of asbestos diseases. There is a chance that sailors aboard the Valley Forge might have inhaled microscopic asbestos fibers and thus be at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. Such concerns should be discussed with a physician as soon as possible, and we can provide information on specialized doctors, treatment options and the next steps to take.

If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Valley Forge, or have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, Asbestos.com offers a free packet with more information. Please enter your contact information in the form on this page to receive a comprehensive packet in the mail.

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